The Beginning of All Things (Inactive)

Game Master Terquem

Robert thanks the villagers as they leave and walks at he front of the group. He ranges back and forth sometimes well ahead and sometimes back with "Tom". When with the giant Robert tries to make small talk with him. "What did you do with your family before being enslaved. I work the farm for my family and I'm clearing land for my own farm so I have a place when I start my own family. Hopefully I'll be getting married soon. If I live that long."

Ravena continues to forage for lunch again knowing one more fresh meal will be needed and knowing they have extra (big) mouths to feed. When moving away from the group she will use stealth.

Marwan continues caring for the wounded and participates in their conversations as much as he can.

"It is not so different from where I had my childhood. The small villages were vulnerable during the rebellion. Unfortunately many simply left to live in larger more defensible settlements. Those that didn't often had powerful defenders of their own: fearsome warriors leading trained men rather than militias armed with pitchforks or powerful mage working as the village wise men like I was trained to do. Unfortunately these tafganor are fearsome indeed. We left a man named Marcus when we came to find you, and he seemed capable. I'm sure he is doing splendidly in leading the construction and defensive efforts."

"No doubt," Stolos responds, chewing on a tuber he dug up. The young Gymnaga ponders for a moment, swallows what he is chewing, and then speaks up. "I'm not entirely sure what should be done about this Lorgrad the Stone Hand, but I believe the traitor of Otter Lake would bea good place to start. Should we catch them, we'll at least have an idea of what our enemy's plan is."

"We may have a source just as good as the one in Otter Lake. Someone with possibly an even better incentive to cooperate. I intend to confront Wiscarra's mother. Not, however, to accuse her but to tell her we have learned of Cara's capture and let her know we intend Cara's rescue. I am hoping that by giving her our aid without censure it will grant her the faith to trust us and tell us what we need. In any event, Cara was always a friend, and not making the attempt is not an option I can live with. Her and Brother Phineas were amongst the first to accept me after the villagers found me injured and nursed me back to health." Cal turns to Aniktah, and says "Your presence may help- a living proof that her hidden mixed ancestry would make no difference to our acceptance of her."

My father is a mason, the young giant replies to Robert’s question. He learned from his father the secret of making good mortar for stone work, and how to cut stone with simple tools. My mother is from a farming family, people who kept goats and sheep. I don’t think any of us ever learned to till the earth, though we get by trading what skills we have with the tafganor, or we used, who farm the high country.

Marwan and Stolos exchange a few words, and Calex reminds everyone that Otter’s Lake will remain out of their control for the time being.
Aniktah is apprehensive about entering Woodbridge. She knows it is far from any Tafganor settlements, and it is likely the people of Woodbridge have not seen any of her kind in a generation or more. Yet, she is trusting of Calex and agrees

I suppose you are right. But, also, if this woman is one-quarter tafganor, but passes as human , she is not likely to be happy if her heritage is revealed, especially after the events you’ve describe in your home town. If the orcs burned some of your homes, your neighbors might not look kindly on our kind among them. But what do we do if she denies her role as an informant? Is there some way we can trick her into revealing herself, or perhaps get her to acknowledge that what we know of her she cannot deny?

"There is the possibility that she is in denial of her heritage as well. Short of any physical proof, I think we'll be hard pressed to get her to admit to her heritage, though it may be possible if we are able to confront her with evidence of her actions...either that, or we ask the lovely Aniktah here pose as an agent of our enemy, come to collect information from their informant."

Stolos glances at Aniktah to determine her reaction to his words. "Please understand that this is your choice, Aniktah. You may be the secret weapon we need, but it is likely that this will prove dangerous."

While talking with the giant Robert says, "We have need of mason currently in Woodbridge after the Tafganor attack. You could possibly earn some coin working there if you have any of his skill and you may be able to learn to farm the land"

"I don't know if we should all visit Wiscarra at once. Perhaps only Ankitah, Calex and Stolos, for example. The rest of us could see what we could do around the village so we don't look like we're crowding her."

I could always visit my brother until her done Ravena says with a toothy grin.

Aniktah glares at Stolos. It is not an intimidating stare, but more of a shocked look of fear that crosses her eyes.

I would not want to take this responsibility. There is too great a risk that if she denies her role as a spy, she could quickly turn the town against me. No, I’m not going to do that.

Wait, Darlene finally moves away from the cart, where she has been keeping a close eye on Cicily, and says, We have a name, Wanthgreame. Now, as Calex said, Wiscara’s mother goes by the name of Geralda, and even though I do not know her personally, I know of her. She is a hard woman, some in Woodbridge say, but not unkind to her neighbors. She was unpleased when Wiscara began showing interest in learning of the ways of the Maetaur druids. Maybe with this name we can get her to reveal herself for who she really is, and what she knows.

Aniktah nods her head up and down as Darlene points out this small bit of information the others may be able to use to their advantage.

Meanwhile, Robert strikes up a conversation with Tom, the giant, and the young fellow seems to brighten a bit, before suddenly letting out a sigh, and dropping his head he says,

Oh, that sounded wonderful at first. I would really like that. Your village sounds like a good place, and I could easily make a living wage working stone for you folks, but, you see this is why we live so far removed from your kind. At first, it seems like everyone is happy to have a friendly giant among them, or even a family of us, but soon, because of our very nature, being larger we need more than what seems a fair share of a human communities resources, and we start to get charged more for the same things. I’ve only heard stories, never experienced it for myself, neither have my parents, but we hear the stories, and they usually end with giants being accused of things they never have done simply to be run out of a village or town because of the simple differences in our sizes.

Tom is quiet for a moment, looking off into the distance, but then turns and smiles at Robert, saying, But you and your friends have been kind, and patient with me, and for that I will at least give it a try. I’ll see what I can do to help your village, and if there is a way to get word to my family I will invite them to join me in Woodbridge. Maybe, just maybe, this time things will be different.

Robert nods at Tom, "I understand what you are saying and can't give promises for anyone in town. Look at it this way at the very least you could make some coin and provision yourself for continuing your journey. At the very best you gain a new home. I would expect prices for certain things to be different myself. If it takes say two days worth of food for me to feed you, I would expect a days worth of food for you to cost twice as much as for me but the overall price for amount to be the same. If a loaf of bread is a copper for me and you need two loaves, I'd expect it to be 2cp total, not 2 per loaf. There may be a few greedy people who try that but others won't. I think it is worth a try and I for one will welcome you. I don't know where you will sleep but at the very least you can camp out on my land, though there isn't any shelter there yet."

An' my brother is a merchant and I will make sure ya get a fair shake too Tom Ravena says with a nod

I don't have any specific questions, but I would like Stolos to spend the remainder of the travel speaking with Darlene, and asking questions about the Maetaur traditions and druids, to give him some perspective on where he lies in life, if that's ok.

"The decision to settle among us, Tom, is one you must make for yourself. If you do decide to join our community, you will be treated as fairly as I can enforce. As the local Lord, I have the authority to provide both High and Low justice in the Baroness' name. I try to make no favorites, but I will say that if something is not right, I have been known to, umm, stretch rules to twist things back into a more just direction. Legal sometimes doesn't make something just. I will always err on the side of what is right, as I am able. If you find yourself cheated or mistreated, please come to me for help." Calex pauses a moment and then looks over all of the motley band accompanying him, and gives everyone a reassuring smile. "I include all of you in that. Woodbridge is growing, changing, and I need to set the foundations now for the kind of place I would have it become. A place of fair justice would be a cornerstone legacy I would be proud to leave."

Returning to Woodbridge, at the Lorisane River crossing, west of MIngary Bend

Day 17

The party returns to Woodbridge several days after the tafganor assault that occurred on the night of day 12. In the wagon that carries the injured Auria and Cicily there is also a number of magic weapons and other items. The Lorisane River is wide here, and there are several small islands in the river. It is the place normally used to cross from the area of Woodbridge to go north toward the Fox Wood, the Hill of the Cairns, and then farther north toward the Green Wood (East) or the villages and towns north of Castletown such as Otter’s Lake or Gowan’s Crossing. Further to the west, along the Lorisane there are bridges, but typically the river is shallow enough here to cross on foot.

Darlene is in the lead, her surefootedness makes it easy for her to cross the river quickly and she is flanked by Stollos whose serpentine body glides through the shallow, cold water with similar ease. Tom, the giant, is right behind them, pulling the wagon even when its wheels seem like they might become lodge on the stones of the river bottom. The crossing is gentle, and the two women, Auria and Cicily, seem unconcerned with the slight jostling they endure.

Aniktah stays close to Calex, who walks with Marwan, Robert, and Ravena. The water reaches up to Ravena’s thighs at times, but she slogs through the river undaunted.

Looking south the party can see the outlying cottages and farms of lakeside, through a scattering of trees, and what appears to be a tent city has sprung up in a clearing between Robert’s parents farm, and the ruins of Auria’s shed, which lies a good forty yards from Aurias burned home. Men can be seen working in the late afternoon sun on ladders as they repair the homes that can be seen from the river crossing. They are strong, fit men wearing course trousers and no shirts. They do not look familiar to Calex or Robert, and it is probably safe to assume that they are soldiers of Alodoa, from the contingency that arrived on the morning after the tafganor attack.

To the east the sparse woods clear and the small hill of Mingary Bend can be seen. Smoke rises from the long wooden buildings of the Maetaur village, but there is no sign of any of the Maetaur people.

Farther to the southeast, across the expanse of Lakeside is the island in the oxbow lake that is the center of Woodbridge, Riverside. It is unlikely that Marcus has made much progress on the repairs to the covered, wooden bridge that connects the two parts of the community, but there are columns of grey smoke rising from that direction signaling that life is probably getting back to normal at the Wollorly homestead, and the bread and Board.

Darlene heads toward Mingary bend, waving behind her for Tom to follow her.

Whistling a happy tune and happy to be "home" again Ravena says lookin forward to seeing my brother, was in such a hurry ta help ya all earlier I missed em. Call on me when ya need me Ravena will head off to see her brother.

"It is comforting to know that peace hasn't been absent along with us," Stolos comments. "May it stay this way for a good, long time."

Stolos ponders for a moment before turning to Calex. "Perhaps it would be best if we made our presence known and rested this evening, before heading directly to Geralda's house. People tend to be at ease when those around them are at ease as well."

"Agreed. We don't want to simply appear at her door, and the community needs to know we've brought back the prisoners."

Calex smiles & nods knowingly. "So we're for the Bread & Board then. It's always been the heart of the village. We can catch up on everything there, from our doings to the latest on the village reconstruction. The Baroness' forces need to know what we learned about this mountain warlord. Calex sighs. "All these problems buzzing around me like a swarm. A few days of simple village life would be welcome, I think. A chilled beer, a few hours at my study to refresh my scrolls, and a bit of time for Master Marwan and I to sit down and examine our finds wouldn't be wasted either. By that time the village gossips will have our news passed all the way to Castletown. But please, as Wiscarra's friend I'd like to be the one to tell Mistress Geralda of her daughter."
Cal gives a tired look to the group.
"And of course there is our newest friends to see to. I have a few extra rooms at the shop, I have some living space in the back. And once the furnace is going the workshop itself will be warm enough, if you don't mind the lack of privacy. I'm at a loss for you, Tom. You might be best taking up the offer to stay at Mingary Bend. Its only a few minutes away from the village and falls within my demesne. But an appearance in the village now would at least help with the explanations we'll be sure to be giving."
Suddenly the young lord changed, looking much more like the bookish village alchemist he once was. Shyly he turned to Anikttah, blushing slightly. Awkwardly, he says "I would like to offer you a place in my home, if your willing. I enjoy our time together and find having you near brings some joy into this now-hectic life I lead. Will you come?"

Robert smiles on seeing the village and dwellings. "It's good to be home again. I can't wait to see Rebecca and my family and friends. You are right though, we should head into the Bread and Board first. I for one just want to soak in the place."

"That sounds lovely, Calex. I'd love some food that we didn't catch ourselves. I'll see if we can find some place for you, friend."

Marwan taps Tom on the arm.

"Don't go too far, the people here have been through a lot and they might be startled by your presence. They're good people, though, and I'm sure they'll warm up to you."

As Ravena makes her way through the farms and cottages of lakeside she sees that some buildings are nearly completely repaired, while others show signs they are under repair, with scaffolds against their walls, piles of tools and materials placed here and there, but not every building is currently being worked on.

She recognizes the clothing worn, and hairstyles, of the human and elven men and women who are part of the Alodoan regiment that arrived in the village the morning after the tafganor attack. These young, fit, folk seem to make up the bulk of the labor force moving about Lakeside, hauling supplies, or working on houses, mending fences. While she also notices the faces and styles of the local folk, which seem a bit on the thinner side when compared to the Alodoans. These folk, what Alodoan’s call Orima she has learned have name for themselves, Urandoman, and this name applies to the human folk, as well as the Maetaur and Gymnaga who are native to this land.

Here and there she spies a young Maetaur man or woman, helping with the restoration of Lakeside, but she quickly makes the connection that the Maetaur tend to only be helping those human folk who are Urandoman, and the Alodoan folk tend to work only among those of their own kind (which includes elves and a small population of halflings).

Ravena stops a passing, shirtless, Alodoan fellow, a short but stocky man, probably in his early twenties, with rippling muscles and short blond hair, his face shows a light growth of a reddish-blond beard. He is carrying several thick, long, straight, well cut planks of dark wood, but his face shows no sign that it is any effort at all. She asks this fellow for directions to her brother’s house.

Farley, sure no problem, the man says as he sets down the load on the ground. Farley has a small cottage, southwest of here. Just head down that road, between those two farm houses he points to the south and look to the right. He and another Halfling family have set up a large tent between their houses and he’s running a makeshift store from there. You can’t miss it.

With the directions and a smile, Ravena sets off to find her brother and in no time at all she can see a bright blue canvas roof, stretched upon five tall poles, one in the center and four spaced equally all around covering several makeshift tables covered with open wood crates, bolts of materials, and wares of many kinds. Her brother is standing under the tent (the tent has no sides) and is negotiating a sale with a Maetaur man.

Meanwhile…

Calex addresses the group with his concerns, before saying goodbye, for now, to Darlene and Tom, who intend to head straight to Mingary Bend. Auria, injured as she is, is willing to spend some time in the care of the Maetaur before she attempts to take in the damage to her home, and beloved “workshop.”

Tom thanks Calex for all he has done, and all he promises to try to do for him.

When Calex offers his home to Aniktah, the Half-Taf woman blushes, lowers her eyes, and says,

Thank you, yes I would like that

With Ravena off to find her brother, and Tom and Darlene taking Cicily and Auria to Mingary Bend, Calex, Marwan, Stolos, and Robert head toward the small island in the oxbow lake of the Lorisane river, where once stood a wooden, covered bridge connecting the place the locals call Lakeside to the part of Woodbridge known as Riverside.

By now Stolos must be curious about the condition of MacNorra House, and wondering if the rest of his family and friends, the gymnaga-folk who used to live there, have made it safely to Castletown

Marcus, the son of the local smith, stands near the place where the bridge once stood, still overseeing the slow and careful removal of what remains of the burned bridge, and Stolos sees Alinda Carpenter, the only other gymnaga who returned to Woodbridge. Alinda seems to be overseeing the temporary ferry, now a raft large enough to carry twenty men, supported and guided by ropes and poles sunk into the lakeshore. The ferry is now the only way across the narrow part of the lake, and to Riverside where the Bread and Board can be found.

Stolos excuses himself from his associates to go check on the welfare of his family. "I'll grab a bite with my family. Should they not be found, I'll manage. It wouldn't be the first time Zelotes and I have lived off the land."

Stolos hurried through town to find a piece of paper. His sketchpad was torn and covered in mud and dirt and blood and who knew what else from the recent adventures to that tomb. Still, much had been done, and much more was in need of doing, though first Stolos must make sure his family would arrive home swiftly and safely. Zelotes popped up next to him, with a few scarred sheets of paper wedged gently between her jaws.

”Zelotes, you could pluck a sparrow from its nest and not harm a feather,” Stolos chuckled warmly. Slipping under a nearby awning where an abandoned checkerboard sat on a wire table, Stolos began to write.

Dear Mother,
I write to tell you that I am safe and healthy. I am happy to tell you that Woodbridge is safe once again, and that you may return as soon as possible. Please inform the elders that we have been blessed with the artifacts and blessings of the great hero Seilaigoen Urinsavus, who saw fit to grace us with her power as we defended the tomb of…

Stolos paused for a moment, wondering if news of his discovery should be broken to the elders in this manner. After chewing on his pen for a few minutes, he decided not. Such news should not be broken over paper, but rather face to face.

…her and other heroes. It was magnificent to see the new heroes of Woodbridge and Castletown and action. They are as strong and brave as my brother has said, and I am proud to be counted in their number.
I have yet to check the condition of MacNorra house. I fear that in our absence, and given the attack, it may have fallen into disrepair. Should I find time, I will examine it and make sure suggestions for repairs are written and left in the usual place.

P.S. Zelotes is grateful to not have to compete with the usual fisherman, although I think she misses chasing the little ones through the shallows.

Stolos straightened from his spot at the table, and hurried back about his business. The others would be able to afford him taking this time off to attend to family, but he couldn’t press his time too much. There was work to do.

Going to send that message off, and get right back to doing what needs to be doing.

The next day after the dust clears and the mugs of ale are cleared and the halfling population who never needs a reason to party has partied with Ravena's return until finally Ravena pulls herself out of the bed with a headache and fond memories and a greater appreciation for her brother, she struggles to dress and gather her things and let Farley know that the town is still in danger and she needs to get things going again and she wanders down into town to look for the rest of the group.

Returning to Woodbridge, Riverside
Day 17, after sunset

Stolos takes a moment to draft a letter to his mother, who he hopes has arrived safely in Castletown. When it is ready he finds the only other Gymnaga in Woodbridge, Alinda Carpenter, who is with Marcus, the young craftsman.

Marcus and Alinda great Stolos warmly, and when Stolos explains his desire to get the letter off to Castletown right away, Marcus assures him that it will be done, telling him that a small party of soldiers, from the company now stationed in Woodbridge, are planning a supply run to Castletown and they leave tomorrow. The letter will be included with other important messages to be delivered as quickly as possible.

Alinda tells Stolos (as she wraps her arm around Marcus’) that Marcus, being overly protective of everyone in the village has not allowed her to scout out the situation at MacNorra House, but she feels that most of the buildings were heavily damage by fires, and returning to them to begin repairs must begin soon, before the summer stretches into fall.

Robert checks in on his family, and they are all glad to see he has returned safely. He then excuses himself, to his father’s displeasure (after all, there is a lot of work to be done on the farm, and Robert is sorely needed), to check in on the Panforey family and he is greeted there even more warmly than he was by his own siblings.

Mister Panforey is recovering well, and seems almost back to his regular self, though his wife and children continue to dote on him and hardly leave him alone for a moment. Rebecca is so happy to see him that she can barely speak, but at the same time she restrains herself from showing any affection for Robert, out of respect for her parents (who have only begun to accept the idea that a courting is due).

Calex tours the area of Lakeside with Marwan, giving the stranger from the mainland a brief description of the town and those who Calex knows well, and when the two men are ready to cross the lake into Riverside, they find that their timing matches up with Stolos and Robert. The four new friends ride the ferry across the lake, as the sun sets over the trees in the marsh to the west, and walk briskly toward the bread and Board, wondering what has become of Ravena.

Taking her own count of things, Ravena returns to her brother’s house and settles in for the night.

At the Bread and Board it is clear that this building was first to receive any attention and the roof looks new, the walls scrubbed of any soot.

Oscar and Lulu Oghan look tired, but are on their feet moving around the small tavern serving the locals as best they can. There is still beer and whiskey in the Oghan cellars, and Lulu is managing to make bread and pudding from the supplies the village has provided (her own stores have run dry from feeding everyone who was moved to Riverside for a couple of days, including the entire Maetaur population.

Oscar updates Calex on the situation, telling him that Patricia has taken charge of the company of Alodoan soldiers (their company captain was killed in battle with the Tafganor), and that, so far, the men and women from Castletown have proven to be kind, compassionate, and willing to work hard to bring Woodbridge back to its former self.

The Maetaur have returned to Mingary bend, Oscar says, and some of the elves and halflings have gone with them. One family of halflings, and two families of elves lost their homes, Lakeside, and are now taking the hospitality of the Maetaur, and will probably build new homes on the cleared land between Lakeside and Mingary bend, where a new road is being established. One of the Elves has even said he intends to use his savings to pay the Maetaur to help him build an Inn, the first one in Woodbridge, if Calex approves.

After the updates are given, Calex, Marwan, Robert, and Stolos settle into a corner of the bread and Board to discuss what shall be done when the sun comes up tomorrow.

when I go into town am I able to find the group at the Bread and Board?

Well, sure, but I sort of thought that on the first night, which is when we are right now, you had decided to go to see your brother, but we can swing things around for you to walk into the Bread and Board after a round of drinks

Robert runs to his mother when he gets to the house and gives her a big hug and then his father and siblings. Seeing his father's disappointment he says to him "Unfortunately there are things to deal with from our trip here. I'll help when I can but can't make any promises as to when."

At the Panforey's he shakes Mr. Panforey's hand warmly and smiles at the attention he gets from the rest of the family. He tells Rebecca there is work to be done here as a result of the trip but he will try to come back soon and give a full detailing of his adventures.

When sitting down at the Bread and Board Robert looks to Calex and says "I am yours to command as far as what you want to do here tomorrow. If you want me along for anything I will accompany you. I know you need to talk to someone about the rescue. I also know you probably need to update Patricia and send word to Castletown as well."

Calex smiles up at Robert as he joins him, and sits back again to take a long drink of the local brew. The taste of home. "Your service is welcome, but also remember, Rob, we are friends before anything else. After our latest venture I for one just want at least a single night in a bed under a roof. An evening with neighbors, and the familiar sounds of home. Tomorrow will bring all the changes into the light, but for now we can relax. The calm before the storm, as the sages say. Aniktah & I will visit Marcus, who as my Steward should hopefully have a handle on the latest state of the rebuilding. Then a meeting I'm not looking forward to: talking to Mistress Gresham about 'Cara's capture, and our hopes to rescue her."

The bread and Board, Riverside
Day 17, after sunset

Calex, Marwan, Stolos, and Robert find a moment of peace and quiet in the bread and Board. Calex is happy to hear that Stolos, through the young gymnaga woman, Alinda, is planning to send a letter to Castletown, to encourage the rest of the gymnaga who once lived at MacNora house to return.

After a few words are exchanged, and the evening draws on a bit, the Halfling woman, Ravena arrives. Having checked in on her brother and his family, she is relieved to find the rest of her companions are taking a night to relax in the only tavern in town.

Drinks are shared, the locals drift out of the tavern one by one, and eventually the only people left in the room are Calex and the others.

say Calex, you might be wantin to talk to yer city ruler and find a way to get all the groups an races workin together. I noticed they was all seperate like. Ravenna says in passing as she sips an ale and eats dinner.

Calex nods in agreement. "I noted that too. I think I'll have the teams doing the rebuilding mixed up more between the local and Imperials to get a start on that." Cal sighs into his drink and pauses to take a sip. "The Urandomans & Alodoans need to interact more to break down their distrust. I'm just a simple knight with a small village as my demesne, but I can at least offer a beginning. A small rock can start an avalanche after all. It's a start."

The atmosphere in the Bread and Board is subdued, quiet, even melancholy. The friends try to make pleasant conversation, and Calex even muses, out load, on the challenges ahead of him, but in the end the friends can only give each other smiles and reassuring handshakes as each of them retire for the night.

Woodbridge
Day 18, morning

Calex rises with the sun after a restless night of thoughts bouncing around in his head.

Marwan finds comfort in a spare room of a house belonging to a wealthy Alodoan elven family, willing to put him up for the night. When he rises he is treated well, given a hearty breakfast, and asked many questions about what sorts of things are going on back on the mainland. He tells them about the troubles in Vurespania, and they, the elven family, all seem shocked and a bit concerned, mentioning extended family they have in both Vurespania and Palicadia. When he is well fed, and when he has reassure the elves that things are probably not as bleak as he first made them out to be, he sets out to find Calex and the others.

Stolos is taken to Marcus’ house, where the local smith is letting Alinda, the other Gymnaga, stay while things in MacNorra house are still in ruin. It might be some time before the men and women of Woodbridge can turn their efforts to the Gymnaga settlement, once the homes and barns in Woodbridge are repaired. Marcus is delighted to have Stolos stay with him, and eagerly listens to any stories the young fellow has to tell of the recent adventure; all the while Alinda hangs on Marcus’ arm occasionally tilting her head to rest on the human’s shoulder.

Ravena finds her brother in a foul mood, complaining about the “money” the elves are throwing around in Woodbridge, as if they could buy themselves a place free from their past. She tries her best to keep her opinions to herself, knowing that her brother can often get “wound up” to the point of thinking his home isn’t open to his own sister, and when she has the opportunity, when the sun rises, she makes a quiet retreat from his presence.

Finally, Robert rises early, well before the sun is up, to make quick of the work he wants to do to surprise his father, helping the family farm, so that he has time to put work into his own little place. It isn’t much, now, but if there is any chance his feelings for the young Rebecca Panforey will lead to the sort of life he has often dreamed about, he will need a good home, a good farm, a good place to offer her his companionship, and together maybe raise a family of his own. When he has done much work, and the sun is rising in the sky, he remembers the trials and tribulations of the past few days, and sets down his work, picks up his weapons, and sets out to find Calex. There is still much that needs to be done for Woodbridge, for the country, and for free people everywhere.

The group finds the morning pleasant, cool, and clear of any rain clouds. Men and women are already out and about getting started on another day rebuilding the little town.

say Calex, sure is good to see ya and this bunch. I say we pay a callin to the lady spy an see what can be found? Ravena says with a smile.

Calex breathes in the morning air, letting the brisk cold shock him into wakefulness. After leaving the tavern last night, he had spent several hours more scribbling away to replace the scrolls he had used on their latest escapade. When he finally toppled into bed, it was to a restless sleep filled with shadowed dreams. He had awoken feeling as he hadn't slept at all, and he had to use all his self-discipline to get up and study his daily spells before stepping out to start the day, instead of diving back under the blankets for another few hours sleep. A quick splash of water from the rain barrel left him wide awake and finally ready to face the day. As the small town comes alive around him he closes his eyes a moment and lets the familiar sounds and smells of home wash over him. The scents of wood smoke and breakfast floats on the air, while the sounds of work & workers picking up their projects from the day before begin to ring out. Drawing strength from the resilience of the town, he heads for the Bread & Board again, not quite ready to eat his own cooking. Finishing quickly, Cal chats with the others in the tavern, gauging the feel of the people's reaction to all that has happened. Deciding he has gathered enough local gossip for nonce, Cal steps out with a mug of steaming herbal tea to enjoy the morning sun.

"Good morning, Ravena! Yes, I guess it's time to confront her. I'd still like to start with us telling her we know of Wiscara's capture, and our intent to rescue her, first. I'm perhaps being too optimistic, but I still hope it will be enough to gain her trust without using any of the darker secrets we know to compel her. It has the benefit of being true, after all. I really do intend to try to rescue 'Cara."

Stolos stumbled in after Cal. The night had been a difficult one for him, full of tossing and turning. It was as though something had sought to keep him from sleep. Still, he managed to get a full nights rest, and he meandered up to Calex and Ravena, hair slightly combed, holding back a yawn as he proffered a greeting.

"Good morning, Lord Calex and Lady Ravena. I trust you slept well?" he asked. Stolos had caught the last part of Calex's plan, and nodded in agreement. "It is best to assume positive intent," he adds. "Mistress Gresham may have made some choices most wouldn't approve of, but we can't say we know the full circumstances of those choices. I know that there are some lines even I might cross if it meant the salvation of those I care about."

Marwan is yet unused to the adventuring lifestyle, being an emaciated academic and village medicine man before recent events. He comes tumbling out of the elves' home slightly late and only mostly recovered.

"Good morning everyone. I'm quite ready to approach Mistress Gresham and see where that leads us. I'm not readjusted to the road life just yet."

Cal ducks into the tavern to return his now-empty mug. When he emerges he brightens considerably at the sight of the gathered friends.

"Good morn to all! It seems almost everyone is here. Aniktah and Rob are our only missing companions. Aniktah was unsure if her presence would be helpful, so she might not come, but I'm sure Rob will be here shortly. Both he and I were friends of 'Cara in our youth, and Wiscara and I were also briefly vanguards of the town, such as you all are, but that band drifted apart as we all sought our own way. In any event, I'm rambling, trying to postpone this I guess. My point is that we might want Rob to also go with us. Two people whom Mistress Gresham knows would maybe reassure her more than just one."

"Certainly. It wouldn't do to have only one friend show up with a group of strangers."

Robert walks up as Calex finishes. "Sorry for my tardiness. I had a bit of work to do this morning before we began. Shall we get on with this unpleasant business?"

well enough gum flappin lets go and with that Ravena starts walking to Wiscara's residence.

Cal nods and decisively starts in the same direction, then pauses a moment as a sudden look of fear crosses his face. "I just had a horrid thought. With the fanaticism this warlord is generating, and his desperate need for magical sacrifices to complete his plans, I pray to all the gods of light that my sudden fear is untrue...but what if Wiscara's mother WILLINGLY gave them her daughter?" Cal passes a hand over his face, going pale at the mere consideration of it. Then his expression hardens with resolve. "Enough speculation. We'll end this now one way or another. We will proceed on the basis of the presumption of her caring for 'Cara. Anything less will be dishonor to our own selves." Calex quickens his pace to catch up to Ravena's head start.

If the walk could have been further, if it could have been like the long trek to the Green Wood, or to the wild lands southwest of MacNora House, if it could have taken hours, days even, it would not have felt any easier.

The Gresham house was a small thatched cottage on the northwest side of Lakeside, near the trees where the ground becomes wet and uneven, turning into the bogs and quagmires further west, toward the Lorisane when it is running south by southwest, beyond Mingary bend. There is a small fence behind the house, with three large goats, while scattered all around there are hens, ducks, and geese.

The woman who lives there, most recently with her only child, Wiscara, has been known b the name of Geralda Gresham, and what the folks of Woodbridge know about her, even after seventeen years, is little.

She came to Woodbridge shortly after the Gymnaga-folk settled at MacNora House. She was alone, that is she did not have a husband or wife, or any other family, other than her infant daughter who she called Wiscara. She was a woman of the old ways; folks came to understand, with some knowledge of the druidic practices. But they were not the same ways as the Maetaur people, and more often than not Geralda preferred to stay out of the way of the Maetaur, stay out the way of just about everyone in fact. Geralda like to be left alone
But this was not the case where Wiscara was concerned. Wiscara loved, well, just about everyone, and everything. Her curiosity was immense, her penchant for getting into trouble legendary, her smile radiant, and her temper even more so. She made friends everywhere she went, from Mingary bend to MacNora house and every household in between. She took to folks like Calex naturally, seeing them as a bit lost in the natural world and setting herself up as guide, protector, and leader of the gang whenever she could.

As much as she was loved, she was also respected, for Wiscara had taken to the ways of the Maetaur with surprising ease, and talent. She was well on her way to becoming a fully ordered druid, and her ceremony was looked forward to by everyone in the little village, that is until things began to spin out of control.

First there was the matter with Elizabeth Goodwell, and that Oghan boy, son of Lulu and Oscar, and the discovery of the grindylows, and the escape from the Fulough Barghnora*.

Then in the confusion that followed, no one seemed to notice that the ceremony had been postponed, and no one would have known the reason.
Wiscara had turned up missing.

Her mother, Geralda, had told only a few people, her closest neighbors, the Holman and Foregan families that Wiscara had gone to Castletown, to search for a cure for the ill Alodoan soldier. She told them Wiscara had gone with Calex and D’ieredon, and everyone believed her, besides there was no one to challenge the claim, as the things that happened next weighed so much more heavily on everyone’s minds.

Now, Calex and Robert, two locals of Woodbridge, along with their new friends, Marwan, Ravena, and Stolos, stood on the soft green grass just outside of Geralda’s door, waiting to take the next step.

* A Giant Decapus

Calex raps lightly on the cottage door. "Madame Gresham? Are you in? It's Sir Calex. We need to talk. It's about 'Cara, and I'm afraid it's bad news."

The door opened only partially, and Geralda kept most of her body behind the door, only peering out from behind it enough to verify that the man was who he said he was.

She was not an old woman, not as old as some of the other women in the village who were often referred to as ‘Old Women,” but there was age, and life in her face that gave her the appearance of someone who had seen more days than she had ever known would be paraded in front of her.
Her skin had a natural, dark olive color, but was not creased or lined. Her eyes had crow’s feet, but they seemed to fit the deep brown eyes.

Her mouth was large, and her lips a bit thicker than most other folk, but for the most part she was, in face and body, much like everyone else who worked a life of labor and toiled the fields and farms of Woodbridge.

If you had not already been told she had ancestry that mingled human and tafganor blood, you would never see it in her face, but now that you know there is no way to not see the subtle signs. Her ears where thick and close to her head, a bit too large for her face. Her hair had weight, even for her age, it was dense, and her widows peek pronounced and unmistakable.

She was not an unfriendly person, but she kept to herself, and when most folk spoke to her they would say she was never rude, but never long winded, keeping what she had to say short and to the point.