The Pathfinders, being used to dodging balls of magical fire and the deadly breath of dragons, easily manage to grab hold of their travel papers as the gust of wind surges past. Hampton is even quick enough to secure his own papers and grab Flitch’s as they slip from the man’s hand and fly through the air!
The refugees are all just breathing a sigh of relief that they’ve not lost their documents when they reach the head of the line. An Emerald Guardsman sitting at a table, with Ellvard standing nearby, says, ”Papers, please,” and holds out an impatient hand. The guard studies the documents carefully, matching the written description on each one to the travelers, holding them up to the morning sun to study the watermark on the paper, and generally giving each one intense scrutiny before setting it down and moving to the next. It seems he is satisfied with Filbert’s forged documents, though, and he hands the stack of papers back and nods his head to the side to indicate the party can pass, as he calls out, ”Next! Keep the line moving!”
With that, the Pathfinders and the refugees, who appear nervously excited at the prospect that they are almost out of their oppressive homeland, are able to walk down the quay to the waiting Merry Mayfly. Everyone waits nervously as the ship prepares to make sail, but no further trouble appears, and soon the Mayfly is sailing away from Xin-Edasseril!
The ship makes its way without incident to Magnimar. Once there, the Pathfinders meet with Sheila Heidmarch, Guaril Karela and Valais Durant, to discuss the outcome of their mission and receive expressions of warm gratitude from the refugees they have helped. Those who had escaped earlier aboard the Rolanna’s Prayer, including the giant Seddothrum, are also present at Heidmarch Manor and eager to exchange stories of one another’s exploits, and savor their new-found freedom. The freed refugees are grateful to the Pathfinder Society for their freedom and most pledge their services and good will for the benefit of the Society in the years to come. Guaril seems appreciative of the efforts the party has gone to, but focuses primarily on ensuring that all payments were collected, and that he can recover his portion of them.
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Zandu breathes in deeply, happy for the familiar smell of Absalom. "It's good to be back. With any luck we won't be heading back there soon. But good work. I tell you, my life would have been a lot easier if I'd had a crew like this when I was younger. I'd be rich!"
Moving about the group, he says his farewells (for now). He pats Karsus on the back, punches Rax in the shoulder, and gives Filbert a nod. To Farzin he says, "Never seen a more convincing old woman. That was quite the trick!"
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Once aboard the Merry Mayfly and safely away, Hampton extricates House Daffrid from their stowaway crates and lets the children enjoy the view of the ocean after sharing a bit of food with the family.
Back in Magnimar, he lets Zandu and Guaril dicker over percentages while he seeks out Yuleg and his daughter Vurna to see how she fares now with her illness. Grateful they were successful, he has a drink or two with his companions as they discuss a job well done.
