"Information?" she repeated, eyebrows rising, then quickly schooled her expression. He hadn't asked to be released? Well, that was a relief. It would have been difficult but if that was what he wanted, then she would surely have tried her best to grant it. She'd have found a way. Information, though... that she could do. Roo knew everything that happened around here - all of it. "What kind of information?"

"The horses," Roo clarified. "And the... men. We call them Nightriders because they... well, they ride, and they come at night, and it sounds scary enough to keep people indoors. I told you their name in the woods, but it might have slipped your mind. It must have been -- bewildering. You did an amazing job, though. I didn't think a chef could fight like that. You had a knife, I remember. Where did you even get that?"

If she said yes… would he come with her? Venture into the woods?
But that was the last thing she wanted him to do. He could handle himself, clearly, but it would be bad to tangle the Sangrians any further within their nightmare in making. “No, it should be fine now. I just don’t want them coming back.”

"And you just need my help to get over the gate." He clarified, raising an eyebrow a bit. That sounded like what should have been the least of her worries.

"Makes sense," Hyquaria said. She was more flexible; she could jump into the sea. Delphyne was already well aware of the Lumanlisc drama and disapproved of her protege's involvement, but, as always, recused herself from it all. But what was Hyquaria supposed to do? Rhea and Zynfi needed her. She could at least go for help if this all went sideways.
"So we're at least spending the night here. Does anyone know what time it is?" Rhea reluctantly asked. She didn't want to be here at all, not with this new and unnerving Leriph a few doors and a couple of drunks away.

A disorienting shriek sounded in the air and a small piece of the night came rocketing down from the sky, striking the Nightrider right on the head. The creature bellowed and its grip slackened, allowing Giovanni to twist his mace around, glancing the blow off, and crack it against the side of his attacker's jaw. Both the man and the horse went sprawling and the crow followed, circling around it, wings beating in agitation. The Nightrider didn't move, but the steed took shuddering breaths.

Roo poked her head out from behind the rock, her face pale and eyes round. Blood streaked the side of her head, but she seemed to be in one piece. "You-- how did you--?"

"Let's go," he deflected, pulling her up by the arm. "You said it yourself-- we need to move."

"I'll explain later," she said, teeth chattering as the woods grew more and more frosty. They advanced a few steps and then Roo stopped him, digging her heels into the ground. "Wait, wait, Gio-- you can't come with me."

"What's at stake for you if I don't?"