The morning sun poured through the windows of the Sleeping Dragon Inn, its golden rays casting a warm glow over the dining hall where the group had gathered for breakfast. The hearty smell of fresh-baked bread, sizzling bacon, and savory stews filled the air, and the clinking of silverware was accompanied by the occasional chuckle or murmur of conversation. Some of the group, now fully refreshed from the trials of the previous day, leaned back in their chairs with contented sighs, savoring every bite as though they had earned it. Gundar, especially, seemed to appreciate his meal, his hearty laughter filling the room as he praised the quality of the food.
Caius, still not fully recovered from the fever that had plagued him, looked considerably more spry than the day before. His movements were no longer stiff, and the usual fire in his molten eyes had returned, though the past night's rest had done little to erase the weariness he still felt in his bones. The fever had broken due to the magical ale served at Heidmarch Manor, and though his body still felt a little sluggish, the lingering aches were far more manageable. He sat at the table, eating more slowly than usual, but with the strength and vigor of someone who had weathered a storm and emerged into the light of a new day.
Meanwhile, Ghaernan seemed a touch more contemplative, staring out the window as his thoughts drifted back to the ceremony the night before. The words of the oath still echoed in his mind, the gravity of their meaning settling deeper now that he had become part of something greater than himself. As much as he had embraced the idea of being a Pathfinder, the weight of responsibility now rested upon his shoulders, and it was something he couldn't simply brush aside. His thoughts occasionally flicked to the journey ahead and the unknown challenges that awaited the group. Was he truly ready to face whatever lay beyond? Would their talents, their strength, be enough?
The group, refreshed and ready, gathered their belongings after a quick check of their gear. True to her word, Venture Captain Heidmarch had arranged for Andel Gesseran to meet them at the Sleeping Dragon Inn, and from there, he guided them to the docks. The salty tang of the sea air was a welcome change after the stuffy confines of the Inn, and the sun’s warmth on their faces was a pleasant contrast to the chill of the previous day's encounters.
Andel had already secured an eight-man crewboat, its hull gleaming in the morning light. The boat was stocked with provisions—jugs of water, wineskins filled with the mead from the Linnorm Kings, lanterns, oil, and lengths of rope and ten-foot poles—everything the group might need for their journey into the heart of this mystery. Even the smallest details had been accounted for, from the sturdy oars to the extra blankets, should the journey take longer than expected. Sheila’s foresight in arranging these supplies was a testament to her experience and the care she took in ensuring the group’s success.
With no time to waste, the group loaded their gear onto the boat. The journey had started off slow as they navigated the unfamiliar waters, and the muscles they had barely realized existed protested at first as they took turns manning the oars. It took roughly thirty minutes, but the group worked in tandem, some of them taking on more of the heavy lifting, others keeping an eye out for anything unusual on the horizon.
Eventually, the towering silhouette of the Irespan came into view—its massive, ancient pillars stretching high above them, casting long shadows across the water. This particular section of the Irespan was known as "the Crow," and it loomed over the party like a silent sentinel, the shadows of the past lingering within its stone walls. Verilich, ever vigilant although not overly graceful in the air, soared high above the boat, his wings cutting through the bright sky as he scouted ahead, using his keen senses to guide them toward their destination.
The boat veered towards a narrow inlet in the massive stone structure, a hidden entryway long forgotten by most, but likely once designed for water traffic to move goods in and out of this ancient edifice. Verilich’s sharp eyes, from his vantage point above, guided them with expert precision, ensuring they avoided any potential dangers hidden just beneath the water's surface.
As the boat glided closer to the inlet, the heat of the sun now fully embracing the group, there was a quiet anticipation in the air. The day was bright, the water calm, and yet the looming shadows of the Irespan cast an unsettling feeling over the crew. They were about to enter the unknown once again, and this time, it felt different. The stakes were higher. The risks, more dangerous.
But despite the tension, the party moved forward together, the camaraderie they had forged over the past days offering them strength as they sailed into the shadow of the ancient Irespan, prepared for whatever mysteries and dangers awaited them within.