~ PASSAGE 17 ~
THE CROSSROADS OF TOLX

The monk spoke with urgency " Move! This is one mystery better left unknown!" He jogged forward, spear in hand, until Gulius caught him with a firm grasp and barked " Do not move away from the group!"
"Hush!" the ranger bit angrily. Throwing a disapproving glance at Torynth, Teflar commanded " Form up and be sensible for Ehlonna's sake." The ranger drew his blades and knelt down as the rest of StarPoint Raven readied their weapons and gathered tight. The brush movement suddenly stopped as the silence deepened with expectancy.   Nerendil stepped next to Teflar " I can sense something evil near this place, but I am not sure if it is dangerous or menacing. I suggest we all get ready to fight, but it may not be necessary."

Many anxious minutes passed as the torch flickered down to a dying glow. Aramil cast a fulgence from the tip of his staff and it shone around the area brightly revealing the shagmire trees crookedly lining the avenue. Glossy mattings of sphagnum mosses overran the barks and massive twisting roots as they furcated in the stagnant waters. Three broken barrels leaned into the roadside mud until the cleric examined each drum. Twisting his nose with distain Oktavianus returned back to the group. Finally after many minutes, the noise died away into minor scurries.

Teflar spoke low " We can move away, though, I must admit, I'm curious as to what it was." He then led the band in a slow walk until Aramil's light gave out and was replaced by Vaedamir's torch.

5 AM: Exhaustion crept into the spirits of the adventurers. Half the group felt they were being watched yet none averred the gurgling shadows. More evidence of a persistent caravan lay ahead as they passed a few dislodged spokes cast aside from a constant pounding of its' wheels. The barbarian urged the group forward saying there would be rest once the morning sun crested the horizon.

7 AM: In a minor bend of the boulevard, the group halted and some of them instantly fell into much-needed slumber. The stultifying air hung thick and the group rarely stirred from their position near a wave of teasel plants. Many ate to satisfy their stomachs and a few posted guard to keep ward in this unknown precinct.

NOON: StarPoint Raven gathered for a last push for the crossroads and made good time as the sun shone through the scraggly branches overhead. A few crows coughed with presumption before taking flight to further interest.

5 PM: The bard called out in glee " There she is!" He aimed his finger to a higher elevation and, as the gang approached, they noticed an intersection marked with a sign and thatched hut. Burned pointers in the wood jutted out in four directions. To the northwest continued the course and was marked ZASTION. The northeast located TOLX at {5 miles}. The southwest way scribed RILLVILLE and the southeast indicated VENYA.
The party seemed rejuvenated, but still there was no legitimate sign of the caravan's passage as it had been disrupted at this very spot. The group gathered to make their next travel decision.