he arting f he ays

The following morning Darkhawk and Trimus set off towards Corunglain, the southern end of the caravan route that joined the nations of Darokin and Glantri. From here caravans departed most days for Glantri, braving the dangers of the Broken Lands. These caravans are probably the most heavily guarded in all of Darokin. By early evening they had joined the Great North Road that ran beside the Streel river all the way from Darokin. Night had fallen by the time they crossed the Corun Bridge and entered the city through a gate in the fifteen foot high and eight foot wide wall that encircled the city. Lanterns strung from tall poles on the main thoroughfares lit their way to the Wheelwrights Inn. The Inn was busy, neatly dressed serving girls, moved purposely around the full but orderly tap room. One came over to Trimus and Darkhawk, showed them to an empty table, took their orders and took a booking for a room in a courteous manner. After they had eaten the pair sought out the barman, a slim, olive skinned gentleman by the name of Hugo.
"Yes. There is plenty of work on the caravans. Always need an extra sword and a pair of eyes." Hugo Jhass said as he cleaned the bar with a cloth. "You need to visit the caravanserai on the main square. Get there early or you may be disappointed, the caravans like to make an early start to travel the worst part of the Broken Lands in the light."

They arrived at the caravanserai just after dawn, picking up some food on the way from a bakery in the market square. Already there was a lot of movement and noise as merchants set up their stalls and hawkers were crying out their wares. Atop the wide walls of the city the glint of the reddish morning sun glinted on the armour and pikes of the city guard as they patrolled the perimeter. Watching out for any signs of invading humanoid hordes. The caravanserai was a tall blank faced stone building two stories tall with a large pair of wooden gates that opened onto a broad courtyard. Around the perimeter on the ground floor where stables for horses and ponies as well as places for tack, wagons and carts. On the second floor where accommodation for those merchants who were too poor to afford lodgings in town or too worried about their goods to let them out of their sight. A short queue of merchants and adventurers trailed down from the second storey. Darkhawk and Trimus joined the end of the queue and shuffled slowly forward.
"Next." An official in smart tunic and breaches barked as Trimus and Darkhawk reached the front of the queue.
"We wish to go to Erendyl, we are prepared to travel as guards." Replied Darkhawk.
"When?" asked the official appraising them quickly with a practised eye.
"As soon as possible." Replied Darkhawk.
"Corun House has a caravan leaving tomorrow. Ask for Cornelius Par the caravan master. Names." The official wrote those down in a ledger next to the name of the caravan.

It didn't take long to find Cornelius Par, the Coruns were one of the richest in Darokin and as the name suggests the city of Corunglain was founded by the Coruns and they have featured strongly in the cities history ever since. Again there was a queue outside the offices of the Corun Caravan Company, people who had been hired for the current journey and those receiving payment for previous missions. They were admitted to the office of Cornelius Par, a middle-aged man, dark of hair and eye with a nasty scar running from the left side of his mouth to his left ear. He looked Darkhawk up and down and made a note on the scroll in front of him.
"Have you done this before, do you have letters of recommendation? No? Hmm. Still you look useful, 500 Daros, there and back each. You are assigned to wagon three. Report to the caravanserai at first light tomorrow. Bring your own mounts and weapons. Next!"

At first light Darkhawk and Trimus arrived at the appointed place. A large number of fighters, some young and fresh faced, others older with grizzled hair and heavily muscled bodies stood around chatting. Some nervously finding out the rules of the game others renewing old acquaintances. A smaller number of mages were also present stowing their goods on their wagons as they waited for the off. Cornelius Par arrived shortly after Darkhawk and Trimus, a sheaf of papers in hand. He slowly ticked off the wagons and their cargoes before giving the signal to open the gates and the six wagons moved off. Each of the hefty wagons were pulled by six mules, sturdy but temperamental creatures, one had already had a bite at Trimus as he offered it a wrinkled apple. They had been paired with Trant and Caralon, the former a burly fighter in ornate but old fashioned plate mail the latter a younger man who was the wagon driver. Occasionally Par would ride pass on a white horse offering encouragement to each crew as he passed.
When he passed Trimus the mage asked him how long the journey would take.
"Six days to Glantri City, one day rest there then four days or so to Erendyl." Was the curt reply.
"Is he always like that?" asked Trimus of Trant once Par had moved on to the next wagon.
"While we're travelling through the Broken Lands, yes. He feels the weight of responsibility bearing down on him. Not only the cargo, but our safety as well." Replied the fighter. "I don't blame him either. This must be the tenth time I've made this journey and I can tell you if the orcs catch a whiff of us they will attack us in numbers."
Towards lunchtime the road became rockier and the land more barren.
Caralon gripped the reigns tighter. "My mother says that there was a big disaster near here. The gods were displeased with the people who lived here and turned them into monsters. That's why they attack us, 'cos they are jealous of us."
Trant laughed, a warm rumble from deep down and slapped the younger man on the back. "That's a good one. I haven't heard that story before. No they attack us because they want we are carrying. They attack us because we are crossing their land and we give them nothing in return. And they attack us because they enjoy it!"
While the conversation went on Trimus' eyes were drawn to the ridge line where he could have sworn he saw movement.
As night fell they made camp, from the piles of old bones and ash, this was a common stopping place for caravans. The wagons were arranged in a circle and guard duties were shared out.
The night passed without any troubles apart from the constant baying of a large hound somewhere in the darkness.

The following day, towards evening when all were looking forward to a drink to clear the road dust from their throats a howling screaming clamour shattered the silence as orcs, ogres and a giant, scampered up from the gully beside the road and down the hillside on the opposite side. Trimus took aim at the giants lumbering towards the convoy and cast a spell. A huge fireball blossomed amongst the attackers leaving at least eight orcs dead along with one of the ogres. The smell of roasting flesh upset the horses and they started to pull at their reigns, eyes wide as saucers. Seeing the giant still charging towards them, clothes aflame, Trimus cast another spell. This time a magic missile smote the goliath between the eyes, but this the barely slowed him down. The giant bellowing with rage knocked Carolon and Trimus from the wagon. Trimus shook his head as he tried to steady his thoughts for another attack. The rest of the wagon crews were engaged in skirmishes with orcs while Darkhawk fought single handed with an ogre. Trimus loosed a final magic missile at the wounded giant then followed it with a dagger that flashed through the air and sank into the giants left eye. Screaming in rage and pain the giant stumbled a few steps before collapsing in a heap where he shuddered and died. Darkhawk, having killed the ogre without too much trouble patted Trimus on the shoulder.
"Well done Trimus. That will be something to tell the others when we meet again won't it?"

Par came over to see how everyone was.
"We were lucky. We only lost three guards and they took nothing from the wagons. Good work master mage. There will be a bonus for everyone for this."
Trimus and the others wandered the battlefield checking that all the orcs were dead and picking anything of value from the bodies. In all nearly a hundred and fifty gold coins were collected and divided amongst the caravan guards. They travelled on for a few more hours then they camped. Trimus slept well that night unlike some of the guards who were kept awake by their fear of another attack.

Two more days of monotonous travel brought the caravan to the borders of Glantri and the village of Tritan then just before the end of the day the village of Nyra. Par shook hands with Darkhawk and Trimus as they shouldered their packs and prepared to board the ferry that would take them to Erendyl.
"We will be back in three days. We will meet you here in Nyra. If you are not here then we won't wait and you won't get paid. However, since you fought so well on the journey." He produced a large pouch from his belt. "Here is your bonus. Thank you." Par shook their hands warmly before organising the caravan for the last and hopefully safest leg of its journey.

During the ten minute ferry ride Trimus asked the ferryman, a gruff old man with blackened teeth, where they could find Ligram's house. The man spat over the side of the ferry and pointed down the river to the west. "Down there on the south bank." He said. "He won't see you though. He doesn't consort with the likes of you."
Paying the ferryman with a few silver pieces Darkhawk and Trimus walked along the riverside path. A number of fine residences backed onto the river, each with a tower and a high wall.
"That old fellow had a point." Said Trimus futilely brushing at the dust on his clothes and running a hand across the stubble on his chin. "We do look a mess."
"We don't look that bad. Do we?" replied Darkhawk.
"Yes. I'm afraid we do. Still unless we fancy washing in the river or finding somewhere to stay first we have little choice. Here it is."
They arrived at a wooden gate set into the wall. Trimus knocked on the gate but heard no answer. Shrugging his shoulders he tried the latch which to his surprise opened the gate. Inside a narrow gravel path led through well tended gardens up to a door in the foot of the tower. As Trimus stepped on the lowest of the treads of the steps that led to the door a chime could be heard within the building. Before either could knock on the door, it opened revealing a young woman with shapely legs and long red hair tied back from her face in a plait.
"Do you have an appointment. My master normally only deals with tradesmen who announce their arrival before their arrival." Her voice carried the accent of a well-to-do Darokin merchant mixed with a note of disgust at Trimus and Darkhawk's appearance.
"I'm sorry, my lady, but we have travelled far. We are not tradesmen or merchants. In fact I am a mage and we have come in search of information. In fact we carry news of our own that your master may be interested in."
"Hmm." Replied the lady. "You don't look like a mage to me. You look like a pair of caravan guards fresh off the Darokin Road. Still come in, I will see if my master will see you." she ushered the pair into a plush entrance all. Rugs covered the flagstone floor while rich tapestries hung on the walls. Paintings, statues and vases were also given prominence. Trimus walked over to examine one closer.
"Please, don't touch anything., All the things you see here are warded and the noise gives me a frightful headache. Not only that some of those items are very difficult to clean. Now who shall I say is calling on my master."
Trimus bowed with a flourish "I am Trimus D'Alberon and this is my companion Darkhawk."
"Greetings master Trimus, master Darkhawk. I will speak with my master and see if he can see you." The lady turned on her heal and walked out of the room.
Trimus walked over to one of the tapestries and examined it carefully, noting the fine quality of the weave and the delicacy of the colours. Before long the lady returned and coughed gently to attract Trimus' attention.
"My master will see you. He is very tired so please do not take to long. Follow me."
They were led up a long stair that spiralled up the inside wall of the tower. Before long Darkhawk was panting in his heavy armour.
"No wonder he is tired out." He rasped to Trimus. "He must have thighs like a minotaur climbing these everyday."
Their guide giggled behind her hand at this comment. "Silly. He has rooms at the tower top. He uses magic to enter and exit the tower. I don't believe he has ever used these stairs." She turned to look coquettishly at Darkhawk. "My thighs on the other hand …"
The burly face went crimson, not just from the exertion of the climb either.
They arrived at a sturdy door which the servant opened. They were led into a small room lined with shelves. On the shelves were an assortment of books, scrolls. Strange items of art and sculpture. A low table scuffed and stained lay between a trio of stuffed chairs. Occupying one of the chairs was a fat tabby cat whose purring seemed to fill the whole room. Under a tall picture window was a chair and desk. Lying across the desk was a knobbly staff. The man sitting in the chair was a man almost as gnarled and thin as the staff. He stood and crossed to Trimus and Darkhawk and shooed the girl away. Gently lifting the cat to the floor he sat in the chair and indicated that the others should do the same. Almost as soon as he had lowered his bones into the chair the cat had leapt up onto his lap and fallen asleep again.

"So master D'Alberon. What can old Ligram do for you?" The old man's voice had a timbre that seemed to be at odds with his frail body, strong, rich and warm.
Trimus told the story of their quest. From their meeting with Rintrah up to the encounter with the spirit of Wexar in the tower of Namulas."
"Poor Wexar." Mused Ligram idly stroking the cat. "He was an able student. To have ended up like that. And Namulas, there's a name I haven't heard for a while. In fact I don't believe I have heard anything of him since the fall of Ardelphia."
Trimus and Darkhawk looked askance at each other as they calculated the age of the man sitting before them.
"The Nidus you say. Hmm the name sounds familiar but I cannot call it to mind." He pauses for a moment, scanning the bookshelves. "Return tomorrow. I will have something for you then."

Trimus and Darkhawk took lodgings at the Red River Inn, a good quality establishment with views over the river. They spent the rest of the day walking around the marketplace. All sorts of goods were on display and the stall holders were polite but vociferous in their cries. Trimus purchased a pair of daggers which brought a sigh from Darkhawk.
"More daggers Trimus?" he asked.
"You can't have too many daggers." Replied the mage. "Anyway these are very fine and have a good balance."

The next day Trimus and Darkhawk returned to the Ligram's tower. This time entering through the front door. The servant greeted them with a smile.
"You bathed! That was kind." She said with a broad grin.
When they were shown into Ligram's study the old man was bent over his desk. Strange devices and papers were scattered over the broad surface and even over the floor around the mage's feet. Ligram picked up a sheaf of papers and ushered Trimus and Darkhawk back to the chairs.
"Namulas tried and tried to settle down in Akesoli after the sack of Ardelphia." Began Ligram. "But he found it difficult. In 856 I received one last note. He said that 'some old friends had arrived and he had to leave with them on an important matter.' What that matter was I never found out as he never wrote again. Whether he is dead or alive I have no knowledge. I can give you the address his last note came from if you like."
Trimus nodded.
"It was Lakeside House, Akesoli." Continued Ligram, "If you do find anything out about his whereabouts or how he died I would be most grateful. Now I have business to attend to." With that he stood up and opened the door. "Thank you for visiting me and I hope your quest goes well."

Trimus and Darkhawk returned to the inn where they conversed with Rintrah via Trimus' amulet. Rintrah was pleased with the progress and suggested that they visited Lakeside House to see if any information could be found there.

Fortunately the return journey to Corunglain was uneventful, the orcs and ogres still licking their wounds from the previous weeks battle. Back in town Trimus and Darkhawk received their payment from Corran House and returned to Runnydale where Grabthroat and Ako introduced Cain and described the adventure that they had had while the others had been visiting Ligram.

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