This is quite bad weather! Can we even reach the mine in these conditions? Or shoud we wait for better conditions?

Cat isn't discouraged by the weather.
Better cold than wet Nya! We got no time to lose Nya! I say we move out today Nya!

During Breakfast Yulya fills in the others on her talk with Daran.
It appears we will have to deal with orcs in the mine! And it looks like at least two girls from Phandalin are missing and being held by those beasts. This might turn from an exploration to a rescue mission. We should be prepared for that!
We cannot bring the cart or the mules into the mine. We have to carry everything ourselves once again. And we must account for ore samples and even potential rescued victims of the orcs as well. I must say this bothers me. Even if I manage to heal them we need to make sure they make it back with us without freezing to death or succumbing to exhaustion. 10 miles through freezing cold is not a stroll. especially not for someone already in terrible condition...

Cat's ears fold sidewards
Nyaah I  can't wait to let out my anger on that orcs if that's true Nya...



Cat gets up and looks for a breakfast menu

Ashley sees Cat looking for a breakfast menu.
"Good thinking Cat, this might be the last good meal we have for a while"

Cat stops in her tracks as if struck by lightning
N-Nya?


Cat turns around and leans down to Ashley smiling in her face
Ashley Nyaa?
My ears must still be asleep Nya...
You didn't just imply my cooking isn't good Nya! Of course you didn't Nyahaha! Who would want to live off orc meat while we're in the mine Nya?


Cat returns to her chair and looks at the menu
I think I'll have mutton once again Nya and warm cider Nya!

"The heck is snail butter?!

Nyaa it's just butter with garlic, herbs and spices Nya. People eat it with snails Nya but it doesn't contain any Nya! I can make it Nya it's great with bread Nya. But I need butter Nya. In this cold it would even last a while Nya!

I'm getting a Medlar Tart whatever that is

Nyaa medlars are small brown fruit that ripen in early winter Nya. Taste like apple pie Nya. I think you'll like it Nya!

Yulya sighs
Not again girls! We had enough of that yesterday we have work to do now!



Yulya looks at Cat
Yes I would strongly recommend you get a cloak at Lionshield Coster. You really are not dressed for this arctic weather!

Yulya looks at the menu
I think I will have medlar cake and goat milk as well!

Then let us visit Sir Hobnail after we have had breakfast to gear up and then leave for the mine. We need to ensure we reach it before darkness sets in. I do not want to camp out in that snowstorm!

I'm good I think. I wonder if my summons will be okay with the cold? Maybe I can summon a Snow Leopard? Where's my book? Ashley rifles through her pack.

Alice glances over.
Aren't they basically demons from the negative plane? I've never heard of a demon freezing to death. Not that they can die anyway. I'd be more worried about what happens to you if you turn into a panther in the cold!

The pie and milk arrive with gentle waft of cinnamon and fresh baked bread. Four large apples are included with each order and before you can wonder why the waitress says, "Your breakfast this morning is courtesy of master Edermath with 'sincere apologies to Alice for mischaracterizations that may have mistakingly occurred.' So enjoy!"

Alice's eyes widen
He apologized? Seriously?

She turns to Yulya and whispers
What did you do to him yesterday, Yulya?
Daran's the last person from which I had ever expected an apology! Hmm, I did tell him that he'd meet a terrible end if he kept messing with my ship and that he'd be responsible for destroying the world and such. And that the Andras guy he sold my ship to was already doomed. Might have gone overboard with that...

Alice smiles at the waitress
Please tell Master Edermath apology accepted!

Ashley mutters, "he's still a jerk."

Yes but a jerk who gives me free food!

"Free food always tastes better. You can really taste the goat."

Indeed, indeed!
Alice looks at the apples, taking one in her hand and inspecting it from all sides.
You know in most worlds this is considered a real luxury...
Most ordinary people never get to even see fresh fruit of this quality.

The jerk didn't apologize to me, I'll catch him outside later."

Well he didn't mischaracterize you in the first place!
Alice responds while taking a sip from the milk
I thought he just disliked humans in general but he seemed fine with Summer and the villagers here. No idea. I told you not to take it personally. Powerful elvish guys are generally very odd and jerks in my experience. You gotta deal with their antics if you wanna access their treasure trove of knowledge and abilities.

"I'm feeling like ordering the most expensive thing on the menu, wanna share Alice? It's because of you anyway.

Alice rolls her eyes
Don't overdo it! We need that man. I am relieved he's not our enemy. Honestly I don't mind what he calls me but I do mind that he sold my ship to some shady master-mage or artificer or whatever. This is the real issue here! He should have apologized for that instead!

Alice looks at the menu to find the most expensive dish
Pickled sausage? Eh no, I think I'll pass...
Why not order a round of pine nut marzipan for all of us? I know what marzipan is but I didn't know you could make it from pine seeds.

What did you do to him yesterday, Yulya?
Daran's the last person from which I had ever expected an apology!

Yulya blushes
Nothing I just remarked he should treat you like a person not a tool. I am surprised as well but it is a pleasant surprise! The apples look gorgeous too!

"Oh waitress? Six orders of the marzipan please." Ashely looks at Alice with an especially devious look, "the girls need a treat too."

Yulya is not sure its ok to take advantage of Daran like this but has to smile that Ashley even thought about the mules.
Good idea Ashley! I am sure this will lighten the mood!

"Now this I can enjoy." She says while chewing. "The tart was good too, I'm ready to go, what do we need?"

Yes that was a great breakfast - without belittling Cats cooking in any way! Now let us depart!
First to Lionshield coster to pick a cloak for Cat and then to Sir Hobnail to pick up the tools and supplies we need from our cart!

Guess it won't hurt Nya I can still give it to you as another layer Nya!

I'll take it any time if you're feeling hot out there!

"The heck! They're not demons, not all creatures from the negative plane are demons... aren't they?"

Alice's eyes narrow
ALL denizens of the Negative Plane are demonic beasts! Whether you call them actual demons or not is semantics.

Alice learns about the wrong prices
What a 'tragic mistake'! I bet this is the tourist ripoff menu!

Alice looks at the marzipan
Smaller than I had hoped,but it looks delicious!



Alice nibbles away the marzipan like a squirrel
Oh yes, different than the artificial marzipan I know, better and richer in taste! We should collect pine nuts when we get the chance. How can you even pick up anything with these paws, Cat?

"I didn't even do anything, MOM. Anyway I stuck up for you Alice, cut me some slack. Or should I order the goat's sausage and feed it to you like a mother bird to her baby?"

Yulya sighs and generously ignores the antics of her troublesome children.
One doesn't dress properly for the cold weather the second throws tantrums and the third is generally impudent.

You transfer the supplies and are off to the drudge of walking through the snow during a snow storm, in near zero visibiliy but it's hard to miss the side of a mountain so you're not worried about getting lost.
Given the difficulty of the trek it takes 10 hours to reach the cave and when you approach you see what looks like a wooden palisade blocking the entrance. With the howling wind and snow the low visibility brings you within 50ft of the cave before you realize it's blocked by a large gate.

Yulya is relieved they finally arrived at the mine
Praise the Gods we made it! But what is this fortification? Do orcs erect such woodwork? Surely not giant spiders!



We should approach carefully from the sides!
Alice can you go check out what lies behind? Beware of traps!

Yulya surveys the immediate area and then casts GUIDANCE on Alice then sends her off to take a peek trough the palisade