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Astoria shakes her head in reply. "No. Not remotely near here."
"Then it's good you have a friend," the soldier says, gesturing at Celanna.
Once you reach the square, the soldier tips her cap. "There aren't many lodging places here. Most are reserved for soldiers, the few that are public cater to merchants. Unless you happen to be a guild member, you'll have a hard time getting a bed. Still...this area's safer than being in the middle of the city at night."
---
Lysithia notices that the tree has all of its roots attached, but the tree seems unnaturally dry toward the bottom. Without further investigation, the druid can only surmise that the problem lies with the soil. Kelda manages to drag the tree off of the track without too much difficulty.
"Good teamwork you two," Lup comments as the dwarf drags the tree away.
Kelda nods, "Thanks, so we should probably keep moving. How long will we stay like this?" Kelda takes her hammer back into her hands as she looks over at Lysithia.
"Less than a minute." Lysithia replies already beginning to shrink down to her normal size as she dusts off her hands. "It might not have been toppled by someone deliberately after all. The tree's unusually dry at the bottom, but the roots are still attached."
She walks to the base of where the tree was rooted, studying the earth, as well as the tree roots looking for signs of the problem.
The druid notices that the earth that used to hold the tree in place is parched and the grass around it is withered and dry. However, other areas still appear to be fertile. To Lysithia, something like this seems magical in nature and clearly deliberate. The intention, the druid surmises, wasn't to stop their particular wagon.
"Oi! Are we ready to move on?" the driver asks. "I don't like the idea of sitting out here for too long."
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"One moment sir, moving giant trees that abruptly fall in the middle of the night to obstruct a traveling carriage take time," Lup calls out over his shoulder.
Kelda looks at Lysithia, "We really should be going."
"None o' that sass, sir," the driver replies to Lup. "Lest you want run behind the wagon."
Looking back at the driver she says, "We're just trying to make sure there's no other trouble. We'll be right there."
Addressing her two new companions she says, "He's not going to wait for us all night, and I really do need to get to that meetikng at the Weathered saddle. We should really get going."
"What would you do at the next tree though? Or bandits? Owlbears?" Lup can't help but call back.
At Kelda's concern he nods at the dwarf.
Kelda shakes her head, "It's probably in our best interest, not to antagonize our ride."
"We're not though, I am merely responding. Plus I rather be on foot with full range of motion if we get jumped. Especially by Owlbears."
Kelda stifles the laugh she feels threatening to escape by coughing before she responds, "I don't think we're going to be attacked by owlbears, and it's a six hour walk to the inn on foot, and we don't have that kind of time. Plus, I think it would be better if we all stuck together, don't you? If something else happens before we get there, we will deal with it then. We need to get out of here though, like now." Kelda looks at Lup and Lysithia for a moment before heading back to the wagon.
"That's what the Owlbears want you to think. Eh, you can just disavow all knowledge of me. And then I get jumped by owlbears while you get away safely while they are savoring such a delicious meal."
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"Owlbears are for the most part borderline insane and aren't capable of that level of planning." Lysithia says to Lup. "It's definitely deliberate, but the sooner we get moving, the safer for everyone."
”That’s ALSO what they want you-wait, the tree was deliberate? Let’s converse fully on the transport then,” Lup says in agreement with the Druid.
Kelda just shakes her head and laughs as she climbs back up into the wagon.
Leaning over the side, she holds out a hand to Lysithia to help her up.
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Once Lysithia is up Lup clambers up into the carriage as well.
Astoria bows slightly with gratitude. "Thank you for guiding us here, I hope you have a pleasant night miss."
"You as well," the soldier says before wandering towards one of the larger taverns.
Taking Kelda's hand with a smile, Lysithia climbs up into the wagon. "We're ready to go!"
Once the wagon starts moving again, she turns to her companions. " So the earth that used to hold the tree in place was parched and the grass around it withered and dry. The rest of the grass in the area was still lush and fertile. Someone used magic to affect the area around the tree, weakening the roots enough to make the tree easy to topple." she says quietly.
The driver get settled at the front of the wagon and drives the horse forward. "Let's hope that nothing else happens in the next ten minutes."
Kelda returns the smile as she helps the Druidess up into the wagon.
As she tells them of her findings, Kelda's face takes on confused and troubled look, "Why would someone take the time and trouble to do tgat, and not stick around though? What could they possibly hope to gain by making a tree fall? I guess it just doesn't make sense to me."
Astoria looks around tor the nicest looking Inn. "I guess we're on our own from here."
"Maybe to block the road in and out of town to cause problems...travel, supplies... things like that." Lysithia suggests.
"Ohhh....yeah, I guess there is that. Well, we took care of at least that one problem then. Like he said, hopefully that's the last one for tonight." She replies, the worried look on her face easing up a bit, she gives Lysithia a soft smile.
Lysithia returns the smile, settling back in the wagon beside Kelda, and replenishing the light spell as needed, to provide them all with added light. "I hope so too."
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As Lysithia sits beside her, Kelda brings her hammer in front of her and holds onto it while keeping an eye out for more trouble.
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After a few minutes, you see the lights of the inn district. A couple of soldiers open a gate on the track to let the wagon through. "You're runnin' late, Holt."
The driver grumbles. "Had some trouble out on the track. Trees fallin' and whatnot."
"Fifth one this week," one of the soldiers says. "Someone ought to look into that..."
Holt shrugs and drives the wagon on. He pulls in front of a two story inn. "Mystic Moon, everybody out."
Lysithia shares a look with Kelda and Lup, upon hearing that this wasn't the first fallen tree. As the driver calls out that they've reached their destination, she hops down, turning and extending a hand to Kelda.
The soldiers words are not lost on her, as she acknowledges Lysithia's look with a nod.
Kelda smiles as she takes Lysithia's hand, and climbs down out of the wagon.
Lup tilts his head in thought, nodding at the Druid when she casts a concerned gaze at him and Kelda.
Once the driver announces their stop he promptly hops down. ”Many thanks for safely transporting the three of us.”
Holt grunts in acknowledgement as he gets off his seat. He pats the horse's flank as he heads to doors of the Mystic Moon. The driver holds the door open for everyone before going to the front desk. "Six rooms, paid."
The Mystic Moon bears an air of fanciness, as you note the royal blue drapes and the crystal chandelier which hangs from the ceiling. A yawning woman sits at the front desk, rubbing her eyes as the driver approaches. The woman behind the front desk pushes back her blonde braid and take a pouch of money from Holt. "Here are the keys. It's not like you to be so late, Holt."
The driver sighs. "The wake ran a little long and there was trouble on the track. Couldn't help it."
The woman nods. "Well, there's a hot dinner for you in the kitchen."
"Thanks," Holt says, going back to the group and handing out keys. He waits for the other passengers to leave before turning his attention to Lup, Kelda and Lysithia. He hands the trio two keys. "There are a few shops and cafes out here that stay open late, if you're not the 'turning in early' kind."
---
Astoria notices a humble looking building with a portly, bearded man standing beside the door. A large sign reading 'Aldon's Bed & Breakfast' hangs over the doorway.
Astoria points Aldon's. "How does that one look to you, Celanna?"
Taking the keys, she hands one to Lup before addressing Holt, "We actually have to meet up with someone at the Weathered Saddle, so we'll just eat there. Which way would it be from here?" Kelda pockets the other key as she asks for directions.
Celanna had been pretty quiet on the walk back. She just couldn't believe how irresponsible she had been. At Astoria's question, "Seems friendly enough, let's look."
"Go out the door, take a left around the building and follow that road up about two streets. It's on the corner with a big sign. Can't miss it," Holt answers.
---
As the two half-elves approach, the portly man stands at attention. "Good evening, ladies. Looking for a place to spend the night. We have cheap rooms and a hearty breakfast in the morning."
Kelda takes out a gold and hands it to him, "Thank you so much for everything, we really appreciate it."
Looking at her new companions she asks, "Are we ready tyo go? We still need to meet up with that guy."
"Thank you!" Lysithia says to Holt with a nod. " We'll probably be back before too long."
"Ready when you are!" the druidess replies.
"Yes, let us be on to wherever we were going, lest the Owlbears have time to plan more traps for us." Lup says with a nod to himself.
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As they head out the door, Kelda laughs and shakes her head, "You're so silly Lup."
They follow the driver's instructions and as they arrive at the Weathered Saddle, Kelda holds the door open for everyone.
Lup shrugs while wearing a soft smile ”Hey, someone has to keep the Owlbears in mind.”