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((No, sorry, it's full.))

Urir inched his way out from behind the couch where Garner was and toward Dulirn, keeping both eyes on the snow-goblin the entire time. He ducked behind the wizard's robes, as if using them as a shield. "I will prepare it," the servant promised, then practically darted from the room, back toward the foyer, then straight across to the other side.

Dulirn glanced toward the fiend. "And you too, of course, good sir. You must join us."

He gestured across the dingy foyer to the other side of the staircase, where Urir had left the other door opened wide. A well-lit, formal dining area was visible just beyond.

The snow-goblin chewed on it's own tongue, slobbering quiet frustrations into the noiseless spaces left between the wizard's speaking. Such sound writhed ill omens to the valkyrie and she spoke on a brisk note, "Quiet. Or I will turn you inside out and carve your bones into chimes and flutes that you shall never walk silent again."

The creature fell silent with eyes saucered and a blankness turned inwards. It's thoughts floundered for want of purchase around long sentences more-so than in fear. But quiet had been instilled. The uncouth had been quenched. And the self-proclaimed noble of the north was already half-way towards the dining room indicated by their gracious host, her stride in equal parts regal and alluring. The snow-goblin startled into a bounding pace, padding hands and feet to catch up, a simian loping rounding it on the heel of it's mistress.

Garner figures the only way he can learn more about why he's here as well as the fog that led him here is to play along. "I would be most glad to attend" he states while getting up from the couch and walking into the dining area Dulirn had pointed him to.

Upon sitting at one of the chairs that of which circled the dining table, he began to go back to mumbling to him self about the fog as well as its unclear origin, similar to before he quickly shakes these thoughts, giving the benifit of the doubt of sheer coincidence or perhaps a less sinister reasoning to why he was there.

As her eyes adjusted to the dark, she began to notice something...different. The forest around her was filling with thick fog, choking and blinding; within seconds she could barely see the trees not five foot in front of her. Disorientated she stumbled forward, intending to make her way back into the tavern, though quickly she found it disappeared. Face burning with shame she moved rashly, turning her stumble into a stride.

As she walked, feet light and silent on the ground, she checked in with her other senses, trying to navigate the strange forest without her eyes. The fog surrounded her in a damp blanket, muffling all sounds and blocking all smells. The air wasn't completely still, however- there was a spark in the air, a heat which burned against her skin as she walked further into the forest, towards wherever her feet were instinctively carrying her.

The dining room was much cleaner than the sitting room, but still showed signs of disrepair. The carpet was faded and worn, the table legs were carved with intricate designs, but cracked and chipped.

Urir was already busy setting out plates, silverware, and goblets for their "guests", keeping his eyes cast downward at the floor, not wishing to look either Ingeborg or Garner in the eye as he knew full well the fate Dulirn planned for them.

"The fog?" Dulirn raises a questioning eye at the fiend's mumbling. "It is exceptionally thick today," he comments. "Did you lose your way?"

"Lady..." He gestured toward the chair closest to Ingeborg and it slid outward, seemingly on its own, so that she may be seated.

"The fog was rather thick, yes. However it is the time of which the fog showed up that eludes me, the fog settled in the area in a matter of seconds, which suggests a sorta 'magical' influence?" He looks at Dulrin whIle he mentions this, mainly looking for facial clues to suggest he may have a hand in it

Positively charmed by the example of superfluous magic, Ingeborg cooed her excitement and gracefully slipped into the seat, the splay stole draping the northern nimbus in fur tucked neatly for sitting.
Ingeborg was thawing to this strange, handsome wizard by the second. The nature of people possessing of powers and arrogance in equal abundance was often an imperviousness to worry and fear, so too in this case. Where Garner entertained the possibility of trickery, this particular magical lass from the north, had only eyes for the presentation. Her eyes sparkled for the whimsies of fate that had brought her to the wizard's doorstep to share such grand and auspicious a meal... This was what ticked her gaze up his standing figure, a brow quirking mildly to accentuate the query, "What is the occasion, mister Dulirn?"

Meanwhile had the snow goblin deposited it's cumbersome backpack against a wall, it's beady eyes widening into the parlor as the creature sauntered quite relieved and yet always so graven in his step. It was a strange semblance to behold, at once free from backpack and thus possessing of a mien of leisure, the next moment struck with acuity, it's stubby countenance worrying glances this way and that. It was in stifled alarm the little laborer took to it's mistress side, tugging at the folds of her long-dress to garner the princess' attention.

Though her surroundings were completely shrouded in fog, Sonny knew she was approaching something. Though she was without sight to guide her, she could feel the changes in the terrain under her feet as she moving from the uneven ground of the forest, with its sprawling and gnarled roots, to softer ground littered with jagged, slate-like stones.

Sonny didn't like the change. The forest was her home, a safe haven of familiarity, and even though she could barely see the trees around her the knowledge of their existence made her feel protected. Her feet, however, seemed not to acknowledge the wants of her head and her heart. Though she proceeded cautiously, she still proceeded, stepping slowly on the open ground. The sparks she had detected earlier seemed to grow in heat and number as she moved into the stony clearing. As her feet took her forward she found herself squinting with unsurety, head craned, brain trying to make sense of the gathering dark shadows in the fog. There seemed to be a sort of building coming into view. Instantly warning bells were sounding in her head- buildings meant other people, and other people were threats.

Though her feet were undeterred from their unknown route, Sonny still had wits enough about her not to storm forward to the looming structure standing in the near-distance. Despite the lack of visibility, the young hunter was committed to a guarded approach to new places, the first step of which required a full check of the surrounding area. Drawing a knife from her belt she continued to walk forward (for she knew somehow that she could not go backwards), adjusting her direction to a sharp diagonal in the hopes of circling the perimeter of the glade.

As Sonny circled the tower, she'd see the main entrance with a lit lantern. The surrounding terrain was rocky and steep, making any other approach difficult. Toward the back, almost directly opposite the front entrance was a short wooden door set into the rocks. It was hard to see until Sonny was right up near it. It was lower than the main door and set a few dozen yards away from the tower, so it seemed a reasonable assumption that it would lead to a cave or a basement under the tower. Those appeared to be the only ways in and out of the tower besides scaling the sides to the narrow windows higher up.

--

Dulirn's eyebrows raised and his thin lips tightened momentarily as he glanced at Garner, then smiled. "Perhaps it was. It is good indeed that you found your way here for a fine meal and a good night's rest."

"The occasion?" The wizard's eyes shifted back to Ingeborg. She seemed to appreciate the small display of magic, so he continued the show and pointed at a decanter Urir had just set down on the table, directing it to pour its red wine into 3 goblets. Once filled, he floated one gracefully to Ingeborg, another toward Garner, and the 3rd to himself, not bothering to offer any to Urir or to the snow-goblin. He lifted his goblet in a toast "Foggy days, good food, fine wine ...and better company."

Veritably charmed by the gentleman-wizard, the northerner accepted the goblet with a gracious smile. She sniffed the contents surreptitiously and sipped. "What else can you do?" She positively chirruped.

Meanwhile, the snow-goblin was absolutely offended, it's beady eyes glaring, it's face contorted in dismayed indignation, it's eyes darting between wizard and princess in DUE incredulity. It looked to it's side of the table, scoured the empty area and dragged it's grubby fingers over the fine tablecloth. And then the creature balked soundly, noise caught somewhere between scoff and gasp. Like a little king, it settled it's stare ahead of itself, it's expression down-turned sourly.

If Ingeborg was a bit charmed by Dulirn, the wizard was just as pleased to have an appreciative audience. Urir was rarely impressed these days by his magic. If anything, his servant had become even more dour recently.

"That is but a trivial display!" he boasted. Perhaps a bit overzealous in his attempts to impress the fair ice witch, the wizard outstretched his arm toward the goblin, palm upward and muttered a short incantation. Sticky webs shot from his hand toward the sour goblin, likely entangling him to the dining chair.

Drawing nearer to the tower, Sonny began her assessment of this apparently magnetic area. At what she supposed to be the main entrance there hung a lantern, throwing odd, flickering shadows as it swung gently in the breeze. She crouched down, eyes fixed intently on the door. Someone was apparently home then. Suspicious eyes fixed on the door she darted forward, intent on getting past and to the building's side before someone opened it. Back pressed against the rough stone she glanced upwards, continuing her assessment. She could see a soft glow coming from narrow slits in the wall- windows, built in a defensive style. It was likely then that this building was fortified and was, or at least had been, owned by someone who had something important to protect.

Staying close the wall she carried on forward, moving round to the back of the building. It felt as if there were even more of those bladed stones littering the floor, and she moved carefully, the threat of twisting her ankle high. As she circled round she moved away from the stone wall, until she stood opposite a door, slightly shorter than herself, set deeply into the rocks. It must lead to a cellar or basement, she mused. Fearful again that someone should come through the door and discover her, she darted past it quickly, carrying on with her circle back around towards the front door. Finding this side of the tower to be as unremarkable as the other, she made her way back to the most intriguing part of this tower- the small back door. She began to make her way towards it, stepping down the worn stone path to the door. The feel of cobwebs brushing against her skin reassured her jumpy nerves; this seemed a fairly disused entrance. Pushing gingerly on the door she felt it give way, opening slowly with a creak that made her wince. With one last glance behind her, she stepped into the dark room.

Excited laughter merried the room with the princess dulcet amusement as the snow goblin was lashed to it's chair, a keening protestation escaping the creature. It's little hands wrestled with the thread whilst it's eyes bulged with indignity. Affront emblazoned the goblin's mien, it's stocky features agog, it's wriggling and squirming only writhing the witch's sides for humor. She clapped her hands together exuberantly, her porcelain cheeks rosy with life. "More, more," she beamed.

Inside is quiet and very dark. A smooth-walled and stoned floor tunnel leads away from the door, narrow enough that Sonny could reach out and touch both sides. It goes back at least 10', but that's all that can be seen from the dim light coming in from the opened door. Past that, she'd have to go by feel without another source of light...

--

"You are insatiable, dear Ingeborg!" Dulirn exclaimed, thoroughly enjoying her delight and downing the rest of his goblet of wine. "More, you ask?"

Urir started bringing in food while the wizard entertained Ingeborg and Garner, some kind of roasted bird with vegetables neatly arranged. There was not nearly enough time to have prepared it only since they guests arrived.

Dulirn held up a finger as if an idea had struck him, then pointed that finger toward the quiet Garner, tracing his outline then his features, as if he were drawing him in the air. The fiends features began to change, rapidly becoming more human... back to the human he had, in fact, once been.

It was an illusion only, but a fairly convincing one and Garner might be able to catch his own changed reflection in his polished goblet...

Garner sees it shortly after Dulrin casts the spell, but rather than showing any form of happiness, surprise, or...anything really he just sighs, does some math in his head based of what he has seen Dulrin do before, then promptly counts down from three with his fingers. The moment he gets to zero he immediately goes back to how he was before.

"I am grateful from the attempt, but I have already tried similar things before, from paying other wizards to brewing potions, and from what I gather, whatever I'm made of is as concrete to its form as it can get. The longest I held my previous form for was two hours...I don't mean to be rude by saying this but I would be glad if you never did it again, it's better to accept what I am now rather than just hold on to what I once was."

It took a couple of seconds for her eyes to adjust to the almost pitch black of the room. In that time all she could pick up on was the soft sound of her own breath. It unnerved her. Straining her eyes to look around, she found herself to be in a narrow tunnel, stretching back into absolute darkness. She took a few cautious steps forward, trying to test her eyesight, see how far the limited light from outside would stretch, but she knew already that it was no good. In order to go further, she would once again have to rely on her other senses.

She took a second to rummage around in her pockets before continuing forward. Though she had left the tavern in a hurry, Sonny made sure to always carry the bare necessities on her person- a selection of small weapons, some healing items and various exploratory aids. It was something from the latter category that she was looking for as she fumbled through her many pockets, fingers finally curling around a small leather pouch. She smiled to herself in the darkness, taking it from her pocket and holding it in the palm of her hand. Slipping her fingers in she grabbed a couple of the small stones stored inside, and with a final glance behind her started forward. Keeping one hand on the smooth surface of the wall (both to steady herself and prevent from somehow getting lost) she used her other free hand to gently throw the stones in front of her, one at a time. As they landed, they made a small sound that was amplified enough by the tunnel walls that Sonny could use it to work out a vague picture of what lay before her.

The creature yowled it's fright, wailed anxiously in it's spry struggles, head swiveling, shoulders bucking. Sized like a baby but with goliath-length arms, the goblin had the face of a particularly ugly toddler for the moment sputtering nonsensical meaning much like one. Ingeborg had stilled her initial laughter but her cheeks still dimpled with amusement. But soon as her eyes turned from the wriggling servant to behold the transformation of the other guest, awe replaced the youth's mirth and the boundless cerulean of her sights sparkled with excitement.

The goblin sat panting, deep breaths filling lungs weighted by magical bindings. A glum look slackened it's stubby features. Head drooping, shoulders slumping it resigned itself to it's shackled fate for now.

The tunnel turned out to be very short, only stretching a few feet beyond the light before it opened into what sounded like a small, cluttered room. Sonny had not yet gone far enough to be directly under the tower. Along the wall, she'd find occasional brackets with unlit torches. Various crates and loose books where stacked just to the left. A set of shelves to the right. An abundance of dust and spider webs cover almost everything. Further exploration would reveal two passages lead from here... one from the left wall and one from the right.

--

"Fascinating..." Dulirn muttered as the illusion dissipated so quickly. It should have easily lasted longer than a few seconds. The magic that had transformed Garner was potent indeed to resist even a temporary illusion of a return to his old self. It was almost a shame really, to use such a curiosity as a sacrifice to the fire demon.

"Of course," the wizard said to Garner, though his eyes still lingered on the fiend for another few seconds as if he were mentally dissecting him.

But then he seemed to remember himself and turned his attention back to the group as a whole. He waved his hand dismissively at the snow-goblin and the webs crumbled away. "Please, help yourselves," he invited, indicating to the feast Urir was still busy laying out, and took the seat at the head of the table for himself.

Garner lays back in his chair, he is a bit glum after seeing his previous face again, however he tries to keep positive so he begins to eat his food "So i'm curious to know how things are way out here in no mans land, it seems a bit lonely out here being so far from any nearby towns, and all you have for company is that 'Urir' fellow, of course I can't directly assume you don't visit any of the neighboring towns, I assume a wizard such as advanced as your self would find a work around to get over the long distance journey from here to the next town."

Ingeborg had watched on slightly perplexed (as if she really had no clue what it was she was supposed to look at –truly, she was the only interesting individual in the room, was she not?). The wizard's invitation wiped the tension from her beauty and as if reminded of a hunger she hadn't known in the rush of things, she leaped to nourishment, delicate grace slightly offset. Askance in favor of baser need... Then she paused, if only for the sake of propriety, the bite-sized morsel pronged and hovering infront of her plush lips. Her gaze steadied, a supped breath placed a faint smile on her face. And then she conquered the appetizer, measured and ardent in her stature. Dignity glowed in her aire.