About 5 minutes after you ride off together, Jornath bringing up the rear, You can see Myrage on the trail up ahead. He sits on his horse, his dog at his side, and a look on his face as if he's in deep thought. Jacosa rides at a gallop to Myrage, careful to approach on the side opposite side as the dog. She reigns in her horse and turns to Myrage with a slight bow to say, "m'lord Myrage I am Jacosa Huxley, another seeking to aid the Dales. What is it that puzzles you?"

Myrage looked to the figure before him, "Well met then Jacosa, though you should feel no need to call me Lord." A slight smile played onto the lips of the ranger as he nodded his greeting to the female. Jacosa's face is brightened by a blinding smile as she replies, "I have learned not to allow appearances deceive me...many a lord travels in the shoes of a ranger or even a druid! It gladdens me that such a lovely bird lives to see his master again. Rondad will be gladdened even moreso, methinks."

She awaits the groups arrival and watches the reunion between hawk and man in silence.

Rondad rides up next to Myrage and extends an arm to retrieve his Falcon. "I appreciate the effort you made to retrieve my bird. I have had him since he was a hatchling. He was a gift from my father and we share a special bond. Thank you. Where did you find him?"

"This reunion is all very nice indeed, but perhaps Tyr's purposes will be better served by forging soon onward to confront the Foe!"-Jornath, Wielder of Tearulai, Dispenser of Justice, and someone no-one ever accused of being charismatic

As you round the bend, you see Blake sitting on a stump polishing a broad sword with an engraving of a rose on it. His bird sits attentively on his sholder and his horse is eating some dandelions. Blake, looks up at you and casually says, "What took you so long? Shadowdale is just a few miles up the road, we can stop there for the night. He mounts his horse as if he were putting suger in his tea and says, "While you were getting here, I have aquired a magical item. It will help us fight the evil we seek, but I will tell you all about it over an ale in Shadowdale."

Myrage raises an eyebrow in curiosity, but apparently bites his tongue, agreeing with Blakes plan of reaching safety before discussing topics of importance.

Rondad says to no one in particular, "How far is it to Mistledale from Shadowdale? I'm not sure if we have time to enjoy ourselves amidst the crisis that has befallen the Dalelands."

Blake looks to the trail weary company and says, “Since, I haven’t heard any objections and I can see the rocky knoll of ole Gray Skull in the distance, I will assume we are going to stay the night at Shadowdale. We have ridden around 90 miles today and I’ve been listening to our horses complaining for the past 30. My friend, Myrage should be able to confirm that. Blake gives Myrage a grin.

I don’t know how familiar you are with Shadowale but I know the highlights. If you like, I can point out temples, the Tower of Ashaba, and Elminster’s tower.

The best place to stay the night is the Old Skull Inn run by Jhaele Silvermane. I must say, roasted venison and ale sound really good about know. What do you men and lady think?” Blake tips his worn, leather hat to Jacosa and awaits a response.

As you turn your horses tword Shadowdale, you hear several howls not far off in the distance. Thinking only wolves, you press on. You come over a hill to see a human on his knees, hands crossed behind his head. Blake notices something about the way he is weaving and says "He has been poisoned!" Then, out of the bushline come several creature you hadn't seen just moments before. You count six of these short humanoids, just over 4 feet tall, with mottled fur ranging from deep forest to olive green, and almost catlike faces. They are armed only with flint-head axes, and seem to be circling the stranger. Myrage notices the pattern of the strange dance "They are going to attack!"

A stranger in need