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A few days journey brought the companions to the farming village of Rennydale, the first village of any size they had seen for days. After the privations of the road and the adventures in Ardelphia, they were glad of the warm welcome that they received at the Blue Falcon. Set in the middle of the fertile Streel Plain, Rennydale should have enjoyed the benefits of the rich soil and gentle climate. Its proximity to the Broken Lands have, despite the best efforts of the Darokin army, led to its decline. Small hunting bands of orcs and goblins regularly raid the outlying farmsteads, picking them off one by one as a wolf will pick off the weakest sheep in a flock. No body wants to come to Rennydale to replace those lost to the attacks and everyone from the age of twelve up is required to own a bow or a sword and be trained to use them in the event of a raid. The Blue Falcon Inn showed the signs of the siege mentality that existed in the village. Small windows with heavy shutters, doors with heavy iron bars and weapons in racks behind the bar. The companions booked a suite of rooms on the top floor of the three storey building and after eating a hearty meal of roasted boar, greens and mashed swede they discussed their next move with Rintrah via Trimus' amulet.

"Erendyl is in Glantri." Said Rintrah after he had been appraised of their discovery of the letters mentioning the Nidus. "I would suggest that Grabthroat and Ako stayed behind, their presence in that nation may attract unwanted attention."
Grabthroat smiled and rocked back on his chair patting his stomach and reaching for his pipe. "I am quite happy to rest here for a while, how about you Ako." The cleric frowned, "What happens if you get hurt?"
"Don't worry, I have a little healing knowledge my self." Replied Trimus, "And anyway we shouldn't be in too much danger, I suggest we join up with a merchant caravan, they always need guards going through the Broken Lands."
There was then a polite knock at the door. Trimus opened it and had to catch the visitor as he fell through the door. "Ako, quick. This man needs attention." Trimus carried the pale figure to a bed, noticing a nasty wound above the left eye and another below the left shoulder. From the mans garb he guessed he was a mage. Ako touched the man's wounds with his staff and they closed, leaving a patch of paler slightly puckered skin behind, but even this vanished as they watched. With a groan the visitor's eyes opened and he sat up.
"Thank goodness, I found you." he sighed. "My name is Pergrom. We saw you in Ardelphia. Myself, my sister and two friends were ambushed by bugbear as we were leaving. I got away by casting a cloak of invisibility about myself."
"What were you doing in Ardelphia" asked Trimus.
"Adventuring." Replied Pergrom with a shrug. "We found some treasure amongst the ruins before we were attacked. The bugbears took the others away to their camp. I followed them as long as I could."
"So you want us to rescue your friends." Asked Darkhawk, "I'm sorry but we are involved in something else at the moment. I'm sure there are other groups of adventures or even a couple of off duty guardsmen who would be willing to help."
"Don't be so hasty, Darkhawk", Ako put his hand on Pergrom's arm as he started to rise, "Not all of us are otherwise engaged. "Grabthroat and myself could go with you." Trimus nodded while Grabthroat sighed. "So much for a quiet restful week." Commented the dwarf.
"I can pay you." added Pergrom, "I had these on me when we were attacked, the others had more treasure from our adventure." He shook a pair of deep red rubies into his palm. These are yours if you come with me and rescue my sister and my friends."
"That settles it." Grabthroat, instantly appraising the value of the gems in the mages hand. "We'll go with you and rescue your friends."

To see what happened to Trimus and Darkhawk read Journey To Erendyl.
To see what happened to Grabthroat and Ako read Return To Ardelphia.

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