As the Ashen Rider approaches the Ashen Company ash continues to fall from the sky where the snow once was; the ground around the Rider melts in to ash with every step they take. Null steps up first and tries to address the Rider but is silenced by an aura emanating from the Rider.
With his witch sight Flynn sees the Rider as pale elf-like figure, he asks the Rider what they want, not getting an immediate answer Flynn asks again and the Rider comments that death has emboldened Flynn. Flynn quickly retorts that death does phase him so long as he is a free goblin. The Rider seems amused and commends Flynn that he'll need that confidence in the weeks to come. Lotty also tries to speak up but suffers the same aura of silence and takes a step back in frustration.
Berrick asks the Rider if they are there to help or fight, the Rider says there isn't much point in fighting, they were surprised when Null defeated them last time and can see the strength of the Ashen Company clearly lies in their bond together. Taking out the entire undead army impressed the Rider enough to change their mind about the possibility that the Ashen Company could make a difference in the fight against the Marionettist. As Flynn explains the bombing campaign the Rider senses the need for approval and they pat Flynn on the shoulder and tell him "well done". The Rider approaches Null who, having been unable to hear or contribute to the conversation backs away at first until a knowing glance from Berrick calms her. The Rider begins to unclasp part of their armour and a breast plate falls to the ground, as it turns the surrounding snow to ash it looks different to the spectral appearance of the Rider who returns to their horse and leaves the make-shift camp. When the visage fully fades it appears more like studded leather armour and Berricks sets about identifying the item.
Lotty finds the most capable looking among the Vikings for a sit-rep. Percival explains they have around 20 able fighters; he would be the ranking officer having survived the most battles. Lotty says this camp is now likely to be the resistance HQ and to be ready to expect more survivors and refugees from the city.
Berrick identifies the armour as the Wraith's Vestment and Null immediately attunes to the new item, enhancing her ghost walking skills and abilities in combat. Berrick uses a sending spell to contact Zubbe who says Calitrax was last seen fleeing the city.
Flynn tries to contact Derrick for an update but to no avail (Berrick recalls that the land of desolation has a veil that blocks communication), and updates Latharial. Latharial is still four days out and needs to know the state of the city so the group gather themselves, leave updates and say goodbyes to the camp and they jump in to Flynn's freshly restored jar whist Null carries the jar in to the city.
On an initial fly-by of the city an invisible Null can see things look relatively normal - besides the huge smoking pile of rubble that used to be the longhouse. Getting closer to a patrol Null observes the groups are now made up of Vikings and Hobgoblins, not the necromancers and undead they previously saw.
Inside the jar Flynn takes the opportunity to offload his recent trauma of watching Null eat souls and asks if Berrick or Lotty have ever seen her do this. They haven't and Lotty gets defensive of Null, says it sounds like holy magic and suggests they sit in silence for the rest of the journey.
Null heads to the House of Healing but does not see any sign of her mum; the room she previously occupied has been made up for new patients, a burn patient is admitted whilst Null is invisible and after the orderly leaves Null gives the woman a healing potion. Whilst it's the nature of war the queues of people leading in to the House of Healing, the injuries suffered by Vikings and Civilians alike are the consequences of the Ashen Companies actions. Continuing through, what is now a field hospital, Null find what would likely have been Trolley's office she finds it has been converted to another ward, there's no sign of any paperwork or useful information Null decides to head for the hobgoblin camp.
At the camp there's only around 20 hobgoblins left and what is left of the camp is being taken down. Berrick messages Zubbe again, the remainder of the clan is helping the Vikings keep order in the city following the destruction of the longhouse.
In the aftermath of yesterday's prison break the Ashen Company are able to determine that Calitrax and her closest allies have fled the city, heading North towards the Bay of Bleeding. Suspicious that Calitrax is enacting a back-up plan and not wanting to give any time for her to prepare or re-group the Ashen Company decide to stay on the trail and pursue their target.