Sandros frowns a moment, his gaze drifting away, and his jaw muscles clench a moment as if in anger. "Yeah.  I have been.  Worse, in fact.  Sometimes being  a slave..." he gestures towards the tattoo on his cheek, "...is worse then a death sentence"

Ven continues chatting quietly, "I thought for sure I'd never hear that mule talk again when I saw you being dragged into the forest."  Ven laughs a little self-consciously. 

There is a longish pause, the quiet of the early night flows over them.  They listen for a while to the noises of the forest night.  Ven goes on softly,  "The fact is, I'd never even seen a battle--much less been in the middle of one--until today.  I think it changed something in me.   My dad sort of decided for me that I should study magic since I really don't have the build to make much of a ranch hand, roughneck type.  But, it was just an academic pursuit.  It was interesting and at times fun to be able to do some magic, but it never seemed real until today.  Being able to use my knowledge to actually accomplish something useful, to help my friends . . . well, that's made me want to focus even more on learning.  I guess I never really felt all that useful until today.  I only wish my brother could see me right now, sitting here with all of you, he wouldn't believe his eyes:  we've got a talking mule, a bird-woman, people talking to their horses, gallant Tav and his lance, Avon and his suspicious love of that harp, and me wearing shiny elven chain mail."

Sandros listens politely as Ven speaks of his past, and he smiles reassuringly.  "Well, I've been in a battle or two before, and let me tell you, they're never pretty.  But any battle you can walk away from is one you should be happy to have seen, I think." 

The man takes his flute out of his pack, and sits down, working on shining it up a bit.  "You did well today, Ven.  Any time a man can face what you did today, and not turn and run the other way..." he shakes his head.  "It's a brave start, my friend."

She looks at Quill with a shrug, and looks at Sandros... still in obvious pain from his serious injuries.  What must *he* be thinking after needlessly spending an uncomfortable night on the hard ground? 

Star was aghast that she had forgotten to offer healing to the others. The calmness of the evening had shoved the thought out of her mind, and she sulked for a few minutes before offering to the injured people, "I can heal anyone in pain, and I can add my apologies since it swept my mind last night." She smiles apologetically at Sandros, who stills looks pale from his bite.

Star goes over to Sandros, placing a hand on his shoulder.  She closes her eyes and speaks quietly,

Sandros feels her hand go from cool, normal temperature to warm  and then hot. The heat radiates thru his body, making him feel much, much better. There's nothing left now, but a bit of stiffness and some tenderness. 

Star opens her eyes to see Sandros smiling: "Thanks, Star.  I feel better than I've felt in a long time."  He guesses that he might be back to 100% by tomorrow.

"Okay, Flybreath - YOU pick a side!"  Setting the lizard down on the ground, he immediately runs to the right side, and up a tree.  Myr follows closely on his heels.

Quill furrows her brow. "Well, I say we keep our eyes and ears wary and alert and remain cautious. We haven't come into contact with any other person since we left and that might be setting Edge off. There's no way we can hide in this amount of time with this amount of horses and a mule."

She frowns after Myr as she wathes her chase her lizzard up a tree. "Working with people not accustomed to the trail is extremely frustrating," she thinks.

"Besides, if we attack someone and they're not hostile, who knows what we bring down on our heads. Be cautious," she reminds them. "We face some blood-sucking goblinoids and we get all jumpy," she mutters as she turns her horse to face the coming encounter.

Ven still wishes that there was time to slip into the shadows so that the group would have the advantage in the coming encounter.  However, he trusts Quill's knowledge of how much time they have and her assessment of the situation and nods.  "If they are that close, then, I guess we can't all slip aside.  But, seeing that Myr is already in the trees to the right, I'll take the left," and he gracefully dismounts.  "Explain away the two riderless horses as comrades fallen to the bugbears if necessary.  This way, if things go all to hell, at least Myr and I can sling a few suprise spells that might give us the advantage." 

With that said, Ven runs quickly into the surrounding forest and tries to remain adjacent to the group as the ride on toward whoever or whatever is coming down the road.

Star ducks off the path and scrambles a short way along the path until she can figure out who or what is approaching. She scans the roads in both directions, hoping its not anything unfriendly, because she's not in the mood to slice limbs off at the moment. When/if she figures out what it is, she'll try to whisper who it is to anyone nearby, but if no one is, she'll just sit happily and wait for them to come closer. Perhaps an ambush would be in order.

Starmyst, seeing that the group looked and sounded friendly enough, climbed lithely down the tree and stepped out of the bushes onto the path. She crossed her arms and looked at each of the party, smiling at the halfling children. "Greetings, I am called Starmyst, daughter of the Earth, and a Druid who serves no one but myself." She figured this rather haughty remark would caution the group that an attack would be ill conceived.

Tavarak smiles, and dismounts setting his lance against a tree and looping the reins from the horse to the same tree. "There is no need to pay for the food, and seeing as you have more mouths to feed then meets the eye, I think i can spare another days worth of rations." He digs around in his saddle bags and hands the rations to the leader for distribution. "The news from the city is not good. When we departed a few days ago there was near chaos. Duke Velluth arrived with some 1500 troops. Luckily there were members of The Arm of Illuvitar in the city and its all that saved the city from certain war. We came across Captains Jaspar and Hargreve and Lord Amaryss while we were there. General Calenes and Rast, called a meeting between the duke and the Princess Talis. What happened during or after we have no news." Tav goes on to describe the encounter with the bugbears, "Are you familiar with these creatures? and do you know if their bite holds any hmmm ill effects?" Tav is careful not to speak about anything that has to do with the quest or the items found during the battle.

"Other than giant hickeys," Myr comments, sniggering softly as she offers up some rations of her own. She glances over at Sandros, her eyes locked on his mouth, as if in search for giant teeth.

Sandros catches her glance, and he quickly holds his fingers up to his mouth again, smiling playfully. But his demeanor quickly changes as he listens to what might be said about what he can expect will happen to him because of the bites...

Boron takes whatever rations can be put together and passes them out among the group, while Granite talks with the adventurers.  "Ah, so that explains it.  Boron & I came only yesterday to Riverside -- from Athring.  The Duke is on a war footing there.  Large numbers of the Duke's highest advisors are here in Riverside.  Calenes and the Arm will keep the peace only until the Duke declares his war publicly and honorably.  Then it will be up to Princess Talis to defend herself."

"RATH ?!  What is THAT old wizard doing here?  Not concerned with this little war, I'll wager.  He fries bigger fish.  And you've met Jaspar, have you?!  That means old Rex himself is there as well.  And he won't be pleased to find himself in the middle of a war while he's looking for his worthless son. "

Boron is back, "Not that any'uns asked of me, but I'll wager a lunch he's t'be found tryin' t'catch the pox from the fanciest woman in town."

"HA," Granite replies, "Not even that wastrel could keep himself busy for a month in a bawdy hosue.  Even if he could afford it."

The pair of elves, Kalban and Aami, look anxiously at the group of half-elves milling about, then, a little relieved at whatever they found there, sit on the ground; she leans back against a tree with an exhausted sigh.  "I know that bugbear family, I think, but there are young ones?  That's news," comes Aami's soft soprano . "They're usually nearer the swamp.  They're easily turned tho .  You killed some of  them you say..."  she thinks for a moment.  "ummmmmm... *EXACTLY* how did you kill them, if I may ask?  Did you actually cut off any heads, or drive a stake thru the heart, or remove the heart?  Maybe you threw some of the bodies over the cliff," she finishes hopefully.

The old human/lizardwoman hisses a comment from nearby.  The sound is a combination of hissing and spitting and sounds like shes swallowing her tongue and spitting it out simultaneously.  Kalban laughs, and makes a few hissing sounds himself in reply.  "She said, " he explains to the others, "that it only make's them mad if you don't kill them proper."

After a few moments, Aami turns to Tav.  "Well, they have two types of bite.  Their attack while fighting makes naught more than a regular wound, but if they've sucked blood, then the infection's spread.  They're vampire-bugbears, y'see.  Came down from Silindur's Shoulders some years back when the Mark began opening up the old tunnels, I think... but who really knows?"

The lizardwoman hisses a longish comment to Kalban again, drawing a finger across her throat.  Kalban turns to Tavarak, "She says that it's best to kill the victim before he turns into a vampire himself... not more than 3 moons... he'll get worse by the week until then."

Sandros' face turns quite pale at these words, as he clutches at his still-bruised throat. His other hand grips more tightly on his quarterstaff, and it's obvious he's thinking he might have to defend himself any minute.

"No!"   says Aami.  "It can be cured, but you'll have to deal with the Swamp Witch, Sssesathisusss.  She's the only one who knows how to make the potion."

"Ack!" Sandros sounds like he's choking for a moment, before he can finally speak. "Uhhh...swamp witch...?" he asks, his voice high in pitch. "She in the swamp, I guess?" He attempts a weak smile. "Just in case we might be looking for such a thing, I mean." He glances furtively about, as if expecting someone to hack his head off any second now.

The old lizardwoman turns with a dismissive gesture and hobbles back to the other group.  Several of the half-elves are still nursing wounds and she makes some strange hand gestures over the injuries, her long pink tongue flashing from her mouth as she hisses some words as she works.

"Well, didn´t I say so?" Avon says from somewhere in the back. He is staying as far from the dwarves as he can. "And now I am sure we are going to be heros by going to see this which-woman." He shrugs, "oh well beter get to it then." And while looking at the sunny skies he adds, "today is as good as any other day, to die."

Tav regarded Daggda for a brief moment, nodded in understanding.

Daggda's young, fair face suddenly breaks into an unusual dwarven expression: a smile.  "Thank you for your kindness to us.  Your group is a most unusual one: elves, humans, and a few in between.  This meeting has brightened my day."

At Aami's words Tav turns serious "No we didn't burn them, didn't want the fire to call attention to ourselves" Tavarak stands and shakes Daggda's hand, "Well met. What you say makes sense, we will heed your advice and search out this witch. Do you know her exact where abouts and how about this potion, what will she ask of us?"  Tav ponders the information, turning it over in his mind for a few moments before fetching his journal from the saddlebags. He sits back down and opens the book, inking in the latest information.

After hearing the explanation of the bugbears, Quill curses louder than is comfortable to those near her. "Damn! Damn those beasts," she exclaims. She turns her gray horse towards Tavarek. "We should go back and kill those beasts before they spread their disease to these woods." She then turns toward the elven bowman (the news of the vampiric bugbears pushed his name from her mind) "If you'll go with us, and you proud dwarf, we may be able to end the unlife of those things. I'm Quill O'Dann, a woodswoman from the hills beyond here and near the mountains." She turns her horse again, now her uncomfortable anxiety is extremely apparent. "Damn those beasts!"

Tav puts his hand gently on quills arm. "Quill, I know the very thought of those creatures does not sit well with you, and that every fibre of your being is screaming for their deaths. I understand that, and I do sympathize with you, but right now we have to worry about Sandros. Those foul creatures have spread their poison to him. He needs that cure. If we should perish who will aid Sandros? We need to carry on with our original goal." Tav smiles disarmingly "Besides we will be travelling back this way sooner or later, and I promise you that I shall fight by your side then. Consider my words before you act in haste." Tav pauses for a moment, considering "If you choose to go after the beasts now, then I will go with you. The choice is yours."

Daggda answers Tav's first question. "I can't help you with the whereabouts of the swamp witch, other than the fact that's she's to the east, in the swamp somewhere. I must assume that the potion of which the lizardwoman speaks in the cure to Sandros' affliction." Daggda greets Quill the same as the others. When Tavarak responds to Quill's proposal to hunt down the bugbears, the dwarf looks at Tav quizically. "What original goal is that, Tavarak? I understand that Sandros has three full moons to see the swamp witch, but what would you do now, other than join us in heading north to Squarento and beyond? It is clear that dwarves, elves, and especially elf-kin are not safe south of Squarento, and perhaps not much longer in Squarento itself."

Tavarak nods, "Currently our goal is none other then to find a cure for our companion Sandros, after that who can say where we will venture." Tav stands "Thus it would seem that we part company" Tav pauses before going on suggestively "Althought perhaps we could use the aid of anyone who understands or has knowledge of this swamp witch."

The two groups sit at the roadside, chewing on the grainy iron rations.  Those from Riverside are devouring the tough fare quickly.  Each group shares news that the other would rather not hear.

Aami answers Sandros'  and Tavarak's questions about Sssesathisusss: "I know not where she may be found, save to say she lives in the swamp, near the end of the river that flows near to Riverside -- in the heart of the swamp itself.  I've ne'er met her, but they say she is old and vain.  Some say she trades a life for a life, but I disbelieve old tales.  She's of the lizard folk, but not of the great tribe of lizardmen that have taken hold at Baran's Keep."

The old human/lizardwoman hears the name.  "Sssesathisusss," she says.  From her mouth the witch's name has 8 or 9 syllables.  As she says the name, she makes a hex sign in the air.  She squints at Sandros, forming her mouth around words of the common language awkwardly: "Shreee biiiaggh maoooonsssss.  Zzzzzennnn youuuussshhhh be crazshhhhyyy maddddead.  SHREEEE onwy!"  She  points 3 gnarled fingers at Sandros, her other hand pointing at the heavens, making an arc from east to west.

Aami nods slowly in agreement.  "Three full moons, yes....if that long," she adds quietly.  Then the pregnant elfwoman stands and goes among the half-elves, sitting down next to the teenaged half-elven girl.  She wraps her arms around the youngster, who places her head on the elf's shoulders and begins to sob.

"It's over now dear... we're going home... there, there.  They did you no real harm, that I know."  Then Aami's voice drifts off to meaningless sounds of comfort as she strokes the girls head softly.

Kalban stands and addresses Capt. Granite.  "Sir.  You have done a great thing these last 2 days."  And he continues despite the dwarf's protestations.  "No no.  Without your presence, all these would have been tortured to death soon enough, I fear.  Now we go...I would take my wife and daughter to our home to the south.  But the others will go north with you to Squarento.  Will you be safe with just Ssshuuusaaaan to ward you 'gainst the vampire bugbears?"

Granite: "I've no doubt that had they been truly in jeopardy, we'd have arrived to see the smoky ruin of Stonefist's garrison, Sir...errr.. woodsman.  For the survival of their bodies you may thank the shaman, Ssshuuusaaaan,"  his tongue trips at the clumsy name, "and the dwarf Daggda.  It was their doing that none have been harmed in body.  We will pray to Illuvitar for the recovery of their spirit..... in time."  He casts an eye for his companion, Boron, who is talking earnestly with the halflings.  "As to the 'bears -- where Bishop Boron goes, we have no fear of vampires in any guise."

He clasps the elf forearm to forearm.  "May the Judge of Princes protect your path, Kalban Nightwalker.  And may your family find it's way safely."

"Are you still pimping for that overblown God of Mankind?" Laughs Kalban, his voice pitched low enough that Bishop Boron cannot hear.  Granite laughs. "Well... I'll take his blessing then, if it comes from you.  Perhaps Sarr's [OOC: Elven name for Najela.]  ancient wisdom will penetrate that thick Dwarven skull: 'Come not to the end of days with regret for deeds undone and words unsaid.'
Fare well."

Having overheard the exchange between Tavarak and Quill about going back to fight the bugbears once again, Kalban turns to them, and the others of their party.  "Good luck to you, travellers.  We go south, to the peace of our home-away-from-home.  Captain Granite will take these others safely north to Squarento.  I know not your purpose for wandering these woods -- but I can guess:  where there's a Dwarven Prince to be found, there's a reward to be earned! "  His face is truly changed when he smiles, as he does now.  He squints at the sun, high in the sky.  "There is still more than a half day of light.  Do you travel north or south?  If south, then we may walk the same path for a while."

The adventurers look down at the road.  There, lying in the noonday sun, is the glint of metal.  Something has dropped from a backpack during the lunch break.

There is a fork in the road.

Tavarak smiles "Well i can not speak for all here, but if Quill decides to forgo hunting these bugbears, then I for one will travel towards the swamp to find this witch, and hopefully a cure for Sandros, it would seem that it is his only chance." Tav grins slightly "And should we happen to come across a wayward princeling in our travels, well who is to say." Looking at his companions to see if they are in agreement he bids his farewells to the travellers, wishing them each luck and the blessings of which ever god or godess they follow. Tav mounts Myrs horse, taking up his lance, and the reins to Stalwart, and waits for the others.

[Aami] "Sir knight. ... You'll be able to judge the seriousness of your companion's condition by his reaction to any holy symbol or even holy water. The stronger his revulsion to it, the more serious the course of his illness. If he reaches the point where he can no longer be in its presence, or if a cleric can "turn" him away ... then you've lost him to the Dark Gods." She pauses, thinking. " -- As to where and when you seek out the Swamp Witch, that is your own affair. Know only that she will extract a heavy price -- what that price may be, no one could say. ---- Who knows most about her? In this company, Ssssshuuussaaan, probably. But how you would convince her to accompany you I have no idea. There is a sage in Squarento who knows more about the Lizard folk than anyone I know: Khizanbal the Elder. " The elven woman, arm around her half-elven daughter, joins Kalban Nightwalker at the side of the road.

Tav makes the sign of the cross with his two index fingers and points them at Sandros. "Well it would seem that we are safe for at least another day."

After Avon makes sure nothing happened to his precious treasure he calms down a bit. His finger tingle by the sheer excitement. Why he thought something had happened to his harp he doesn’t know. However what he does know is that one of his comrades is a freaking monster and that they are wasting time doing nothing. “I say we go for what we set out to do. If it takes more than 3 months, so be it.” He shrugs. ”That’s the risk you take, the risk we all take.” Impatiently he taps his fingers on his backpack that lies across his knees.

Sandros, on his way to his horse, turns slightly at Avon's words. He nods, and says softly. "Yes...we do take that risk. I have to agree."

Making a show of checking his horse's hooves for rocks, he whispers to Vinegar, "Remind me to make him the first one I eat once I become a vampire, okay?" He manages a grin, and pats the horses flank fondly.

Daggda was not the best student under Teiwaz's tutelage, but definitely possessed the most common sense. Putting the strands of Tavarak and Kalban's conversation together, the dwarf says, "Not to make light of Sandros' condition; but he does have three moons. It seems to me that things will go badly for Squarento before even this moon is up." Daggda shifts uncomfortably, then looks unflinchingly into the eyes of Tavarak. "You're seeking the reward for Crown Prince Geodon, aren't you?"

The dwarf's black eyes do not relent their piercing gaze. "If you know something, tell me. I am looking for the Crown Prince, not his reward. You can keep the reward. But I will learn nothing new by travelling back to Squarento with Captain Basalt, and I think you know that, too. Were you travelling to Riverside, or further south on the Old Cliff Road?" Daggda looks over at Kalban and Aami, then the newly-met travellers, and finally at Captain Granite and the remainder of the Riverside group. Which group to follow, Daggda thinks, depends on the answer of this new bunch...

Tavarak looks abit astonished by the comment "Well I can honestly say that if my life hung in the balance, be it 3 moons or 300 moons, I would not hesitate to find a cure as soon as possible. Besides you heard the warning as clearly as I did, with each passing day his strength will be sapped further. I'll not chance that we get sidetracked from this goal, only to find ourselves running out of time." Tav crosses his arms and returns Daggda's unflinching stare, "As for telling you, why are you asking or demanding that I reveal what we know, if anything?"

Daggda's hard stare softens. "If my manner towards you seems short, do not take offense. We dwarves prefer to get to the point," Daggda glances over at Captain Granite and Boron. "Let me get to mine: Sandros has three moons. If you want to go searching for the swamp witch, fine. But in a matter of days, the Duke of Athring's army will be fully assembled and entrenched around the walls of Squarento. When war is formally declared, it will no longer matter to Squarento whether Crown Prince Geodon is found or not. That means the prince will either be ransomed, dead, or both. I cannot let that happen. If you are looking for the crown prince, I will help you to your reward and then help you find Sesathius, mostly likely before this moon ends. But if you are looking to help Sandros first, you should tell me what you know, because you will be too late to find the prince." Satisfied with the logic of that argument, Daggda waits calmly for a reply from Tavarak or the others. While outwardly calm, inside the dwarf is choking with frustration at the emotional response of the half-elf. Just as Daggda's old mentor Teiwaz had said, dealing with elf-kin was the truest test of a dwarf's patience.

Tav winks at the dwarf, "Why none taken my friend, your logic is sound or course, but had we not 3 full moons find this prince of the dwarven kind then i can assure that Sandros would be first priority. Alas the choice is Sandros and Sandros's alone as to which road we follow. As for what information we have, well that is not mine alone to divulge."

Sandros had been listening in silence, his face suprisingly blank as his fate is discussed so openly. Finally, though he speaks. "Tav...he's right. What's happening with me...isn't as important as finding the prince."

After he says it, he almost looks stunned, as if he can't believe what he's saying himself. But then, he grits his teeth, and nods firmly, as if reaching his decision. "We have time. Three moons is plenty of time to get things taken care of. And...I don't want to see things go so easily for the Duke, believe me." He frowns.

"We'll go to the swamps later. We have more important things to do." And with that, he turns away, heading towards his horse. He hopes that no one can see the tears starting in the corner of his eyes; tears born of frustration.

Tav nods, "Ok Sandros, if you feel that way, then off to find the prince we go."

Myr's face darkens, and she sighs sadly, shaking her head. "I can't believe the lot of you," she says, wagging a slender white finger at Avon, Daggda, and Tav. "Talking about Sandros as if her were not even here." She snorts, and offers Sandros a sympathetic look. "I would go with you in search of your cure, but if you are bound to continue on our path, then I will make it my job to look after you." With that, she takes his arm possessively, and pats his hand a wee bit harder than necessary.

Tavarak rolls his eyes "What would you have us do Myr? talk behind his back? I think not, the poor guy would think we were plotting against him."

"Well of course not! Oh!" Myr says, then mumbles to herself. "Sometimes, I swear I must be speaking Orc."

Sandros sniffles, wiping at his nose with a bloodied sleeve. "That's okay. Thanks, Myr. I'll be alright. It's the prince we have to worry about." He gave her a sad smile.

Ven has munched on his tasteless rations while all of the conversation between Lizard Woman, Dwarves, and members of his own party has gone on. He doesn't not involve himself because he doesn't see how it would be his place to input his opinions on what should be--he thinks--Sandros decision, and his alone. But, once Sandros has made up his mind to risk his neck to save the Dwarven prince, he is behind him one hundred percent. He shows his support by clapping Sandros on the shoulder as he walks past

[Avon] Surprised he raises an eyebrow as Myr tries to teach him about morals. "What's this, first I say we go find the swamp-witch and nobody replies. Then I say we go get the prince and then find him a cure and suddenly I am the greedy thief again." He shakes his head in disbelief. For a moment he stops and looks at the children. He hezitates. Then without looking away from the children he continues "We first do what we came here for. That should take us less than 3 moons. We have plenty of time to get his cure. We will get his cure, I promise." Then he turns away and looks for something in his overly packed backpack.

Quill is silent through most of the exchanges, she is still fuming over the fact that she did not recognize these creatures as undead [OOC: or that the DM wouldn't allow her to recognize them as such... heh heh heh] She drops from her saddle and and speaks to Sandros. "You saved me from being attacked back there, you saved me from the curse that you have now received. Know this, I will not allow the curse to take its toll on you. I will do as you and Tav and this proud dwarf wish and help find this prince. But if this curse is to take your life, I will not allow the curse the pleasure and I will take it first." She has a look of determination that has never been seen before on her young half-elven face. "We will find the prince, then we will find a cure, or I will take your life before the curse can. I owe you that much." She extenders her arm and wrist to Sandros. Her words have the weight of sincerity and caring, however morbid they sound.

Sandros looks at her glumly a moment, but then manages a smile. "Fair enough, friend Quill." He took her arm in his own, grasping it tightly a moment. "I just hope it doesn't come down to such a thing, truly."

Tav taps quill on the shoulder, "Quill, do me a favour is you please. Never become such a good friend to me that you would take my life."

And so, after lunch and a fair amount of discussion, the group splits into two main groups.

Starmyst has been sitting alone. Then she stands, with a resolute look in her eye. "Friends,'" she addresses her companions, "This experience with the bugbears and my surprisingly bloodthirsty response has shaken me. I don't think I'm cut out for this wild adventuring. I'd best be going back to Squarento... and then back to my quiet Druid grove. If you ever find yourself near the source of Rangithael, know that you will find welcome in our peaceful woods." She goes and give a brief hug to all in her group and mumbles a soft blessing for Sandros. Then she joins the party of Captain Granite.

Tavarak bids his farewells to Starmyst and smiles at her. "In the short time we have been companions, I have come to respect your capabilities, and enjoyed your company. May you find what you seek, and may the memory of the battle fade quickly."

After some mingling with the others, Avon takes some coin, twists it into a small piece of cloth, and tosses it unobtrusively to the halfling parents of the 8 children.  He tries make his gift unnoticed, and quickly remounts his horse, but the eldest among the extended family comes over and grabs his boot.  "This is a most generous gesture, sir.  I am Emni Brownfoot, and your name is Avon, is it not?  Well, Sir Avon, know that you will be welcome to share a pipe and a meal with the Brownfoot family, no matter when or where we may come to be.  Come back to Riverside when those ~soldiers~ have gone, and we're back in our own hollow.  Then we shall show you a party to end all parties! "  He sees that Avon is uncomfortable with the attention that his comments are attracting, but he goes on.  "And until then, take this... it might make a difference.. who knows!"  So saying, he jumps up and puts a small wooden box on the saddle in front of Avon.  It's about 1 inch square and very thin.  Avon opens it and inside is a dried 4-leaf clover on a cushion of purple velvet.  Then Emni backs away, and doffs his cap for an elaborate bow toward Avon, and waddles back quickly toward his family.

Sandros, about to mount Vinegar, finds his arm taken by Myr.  He puts away his fear, becomes the bravo again.  "Plenty of time to do all I need to do... and still stick a fork in the Duke's throat !" 

Myr, looks at all the strangers, and decides not to make a public display of donning the bird suit.  'I'll just walk for a little while."

The group of refugees gather themselves, and with the warriors of the Arm leading the way, head north, toward, eventually, Squarento.  The  half-elves and lizard woman follow the warriors, then the undisiplined mob of halflings and tiny halfling children, and finally the 3 other dwarves bring up the rear. 

The now-larger group turns to the south.  Kalban had taken the lead, and with a stride that covered ground with amazing speed, he moved 10, then 20 paces ahead.  With a brief wave toward Tav and Quill in the front row to continue down the road, he disappears into the woods.  The group is organized thus:


(Kalban scouting in front somewhere)

...Tv ... Qu ...Ed
...Av ... mule
...Ve ... Aa & Cy
...My ... Sa ... Dg

-------------------------------------------------------------

The afternoon is pleasant and the time passes quickly, altho the party is not able to make quite the same rate of progress as previously, since Myr, Daggda, Aami and her daughter, Crystal are on foot.

There is plenty of opportunity for conversation.  It seems more like a peaceful picnic, or a stroll thru a gardern.  Perhaps it is the soft song that Aami sings as she walks.  It seems to bring a comfortable peaceful feeling.

Soon enough, however, the sun is getting low in the sky and Kalban appears in the road in front of Tav and Quill.  "This way.  There's a small glade just a few yards off the road.  There's running water and I've already gathered some firewood."  Without being offensive in the least, his matter-of-fact manner gives a feeling that he's used to having his ~suggestions~ accepted without quesiton.

Tav & Quill exchange a glance then follow the elf.  Turning the horses into the forest, Quill watches the elven woodsman ahead of them.  She can understand how easy it must have been for him to have passed around their group unnoticed and come upon Avon from the rear.

The glade is pleasant indeed and seems an ideal place to spend the night.  Aami laughs at her mate: "What ?!  You bring us here and have not caught and prepared a dinner?  OAF!"

Kalban bows in mock seriousness.  "Your pardon, my lady.  I was about to ask if any of our companions would like to hunt for a while."

Tavarak nudges Quill "Well its nice to not have to set up camp for a change wouldn't you say Quill?"

Myr looks quite relieved to be resting, as it is obvious by the way she shuffled her feet for the past hour that she isn't used to walking long distances. "Moon and stars be thanked!" she exclaims, collapsing to the ground, and lying back upon it, waving her arms and legs as if trying to make a grass angel. Raising up on her elbows shortly after, she watches the elven children scamper about, and she gets up with a great groan, and walks over to their mother. "What are the elflings' names again?" she asks, watching them with delight, and a slight bit of wistfulness.

A young half-elf comes over to Myridian with a waterskin. She looks like a child from Myr's perspective of a young, but mature 57 years. "Rest easy, miss. I'm called Crystal, and there's only the one of me." She wets her palm with water and pats it on Myr's forehead with an air of concern, "It *has* been a very long walk this afternoon, hasn't it, miss. There, there, you just rest. Perhaps my mother will mix up some broth for you once the fire gets going."

Myr blinks and squints at Crystal, looking more than a bit confused. "I could have sworn there were two of you a minute ago..." Shrugging, she closes her eyes and allows Crystal to baby her for a bit.