The party was led from the chamberroom through the courtyard by ruddy butlers in lavish attire. Through towering doors and down tunneled passageways went the procession. Across the richly, carpeted floors of the royal trophy hall they filed. They noticed various polished shields and rustic armor from centuries past representing many arenas of war that the kingdom had once faced.

At the bottom of a great expanded staircase, the crew was told that they had been assigned sleeping quarters and would be escorted to them. Each would have their own room to thoroughly bathe and prepare their minds.
Teflar desired a night walk and the paladin sought a sanctuary where he could pray. Both were chaperoned, for their isolation now was discouraged. The group was led to their perspective floors of Castle Crowsane and shown that an oiled bath was drawn for each and a platter of healthy foods displayed, under glass, next to the thick-curtained windows. Each member was released to the will of his own with words from a watermarked scroll:

MYCRAN 1 ~ 6 AM: After a restful night, each teammate was awakened by soft raps upon their chamberdoor and brought down to the breakfast nook where each replenished their appetites with various juices, bacon, bread & jam, and hash browns. Some shared a brief account of their lives to one another, but for the most part, kept quiet as they thought upon the journey ahead. What lay on the chosen road?

8 AM: The Fellowship was escorted from the nook into the bright morning. There they met Fanditheer upon a white steed with only a few key Warriors of the Guard at hand. Gracefully, he slid off his horse and greeted the group with a reverent smile.
"Travelers, I look upon you with pride and, for once, I have no regret to force your hand upon the lands ahead. I say again that you are the best this region has to offer and in your venture holds the key to a fertile future. To protect your life..." he motioned an attentive squire to him " ... I give you a gift from the Ohlen Alchemists." The squire opened a smallbox he had carried over and 13 steel phials were passed to every member of the team.
  " The Mintyll Elixirs " cited Frost " To be used when dire need arises and then only to save your life for each potion carries a potency that can give dizzying effects lasting hours."

Another squire appeared, and from the second giftbox, produced 13 tied leather pouches branded with markings from the Royal Treasury.
" Each shall have 100 in gold to get you through tough times ahead. Should you need hospitable shelters and proper food, spend these coins at great need. Also, use freely to buy any tools for the road ahead."

" A third gift!" tallied Treston as he galloped onto the party with a bundled bag slung over his shoulder. From it, he pulled a dozen wooden scrollcases and handed one to each member.
" The prize within, I do not know." breathed the old warrior heavily
" It was left with King Meravedia who had me handdeliver it personally."
He looked at the Lorist of Awnhall and said with a pursed grin
" I am afraid you are restricted from this gift, dear sage; words from above and all."
Gailwind's brow furrowed at this news. Treston laughed quickly
" But to you I will give me own silver dirk I carried during the Battle of the Borus Moors." He handed over the weapon smoothly " Keep it safe, because I desire its' return!" The elf accepted it hesitantly and placed it in his belt while mottling over a few unmentioned thoughts.

The curious members of the crew opened their casings at once to discover a parchment with strange writings that covered the whole of the page. At the bottom, a message written in the common tongue of man.

Treston announced " The King {he tapped thrice in reverence} could not be in attendance, but gives his enthusiastic regards." He turned and galloped away as Fanditheer looked upon them with a strange curiosity. He eyed the parchments with a firm stare from where he stood before reclaiming his horse.
" The hour had arrived and you have received your tokens. Go and return as quickly as you can! We will tuck the Starpoint away in a secret place and this will all be behind us !!"
He spun on his great steed and followed after his old friend bellowing
" May Bethlun be your guiding light home!!!"

The rest of the militia dispersed leaving StarPoint Raven, for the first time, on their own. It seemed all so quick; the Official Summoning, the Secret Council, and now the Gifts Bestowed. This quest lay entirely on their shoulders now and, as they scanned the fields leading to the Landretta Downs, all hearts raced with sudden adrenaline.