Turn 18 -- Nightmares

Wrapping his cloak tightly around his shoulders, Kersath steps from the warmth of the common room of the Hound and Tails out into the chill night air of Thurmaster. Unable to sleep, he decides to take a walk around the town and be alone with his thoughts. The clouds that brought the rain and snow of the past few weeks have moved on and the stars are shining brightly in the night sky. Their is enough moonlight for Kersath to comfortably walk along the streets, although with his exceptional elven sight that is not really necessary. The townspeople have long been to bed and even his companions retired several hours ago. Entering the stables and turning to close the door, Kersath jumps at a voice from behind him. His hand instinctively reaches for the sword at his side before he realises it is Talimar who addresses him.

The moon Elf steps from the shadows of the stable so that Kersath can see him better. "Unable to sleep my friend?" asks Talimar.

"Aye," replies Kersath, "Even though our race does not need much sleep I could never sleep in that common room. I swear to you at times it sounds like Ortho and Gnore are having a contest to see who can snore the loudest!"

Talimar chuckles at this but then his mood turns a little more sombre, "I'm sure the nightmares don't help much either?"

Kersath's obvious look of surprise tells Talimar that he thought no one knew about the horrible dreams that had been interrupting his sleep ever since the battle in the Thornwood.

"How did you know that?" asks Kersath.

"Oh come now, friend Kersath," replies Talimar, "You are as easily read by me as my spellbook. I saw how Zir'zool's death affected you and the guilt that you harbour. It was only a small step to realise that your lack of sleep lately would be due to nightmares, regardless of what you say about our peoples lack of need for sleep."

"I cannot help but wonder if I could have done something to save her," offers Kersath, "I was one of the ones on guard, maybe if I have given more warning she'd be alive today."

"You cannot do this to yourself, my friend, the lady knew the risks involved in joining our quest and she gladly accepted those risks. We have to put it behind us and focus on the task at hand, rescuing the lady Jelenneth."

"That is another one that weighs on my mind," says Kersath, "the thought of her death prays on my dreams as well. It is weird, I have never met this lady yet I feel a connection to her somehow and a strong desire to find her safe."

"Aye, I feel that connection as well, friend Kersath," says Beleg as he moves from the back of the stable to join the two elves. From the surprised looks on their faces at the large man being able to come up on them unawares, Beleg simply smiles, "Even one as large as I can move stealthily at times my friends."

"I could not sleep as well and decided to come and check on Asfalof and make sure she was cared for adequately. Visiting her clears my head and reminds me of my homeland." he says with a sigh. "But that is for another time, you were speaking of the lady Jelenneth."

"Yes," says Talimar, "I feel that we are in a race against time to find the lady and the trail is growing colder by the day."

"I feel the same," offers Beleg, "but I think that we are getting closer. The attack by the orcs was a sign that we are interfering in the plans of whomever is doing these kidnapping's and we must continue to interfere."

"Oh, aye, that we will continue to do," says Kersath.

"Well, in the meantime, what say you two if we head back to Hound and Tails and continue this discussion in front of a warm fire?" asks Talimar with a smile.

"Aye, that is a good idea," says Beleg.

"After you gentlemen," says Kersath.

With that, the three companions return to the Hound and Tails and spend a few more hours discussing their future plans as well as traded old stories of their past. They eventually end up talking the entire night and eat breakfast early, anxious to start the day.

The remaining companions rise shortly after dawn breaks and take their breakfast early as well. Once again staying away from the mutton pies! After breakfast, the group heads over to Tauster's residence to pick up the shield and Dain as well.

Entering the old mages residence they are greeted by Dain himself who is smiling from ear to ear. "Wonderful evening! You won't believe the things I learned here last night," says the jubilant young mage. He then hands the shield over to Ortho, "It is imbued with a type of defensive magical energy," explains Dain.

Tauster once again implores the group to find his missing apprentice and says to please feed him any information they might find regarding her. Then the group takes their leave of the mage, Dain very reluctantly. "I can't wait to show you the things I learned last night, Talimar," says Dain to his companion. "Wonderful things indeed!"

"Sounds good," says Talimar, "First chance we get you can show me."

Next stop for the group is the residence of Squire Marlen to retrieve the money for cashing in the letter of credit. Squire Marlen grudgingly gives the money over in several large sacks but not without first making another bid to hold the money for the company. "No thank you sir," says Ras for the third time, "We will be able to handle it quite nicely." They then take their leave of the annoying little man and head into the town streets.

After spending a few moments in the local general store and seeing the inflated prices and small inventory, Ras decided not to make any purchases right now but to wait until returning to Milborne. After futilely trying to find someone who could afford to buy the brooch at a reasonable price he decides to hold on to it as well until reaching Milborne.

With that decided, the party decides to head west down the road to Milborne to get back there to purchase supplies and see about getting the map of the Garlstone Mines from Ol' Grizzler. Kre purchased a pack mule from a local farmer to carry the gold that the group has as well as supplies that will be purchased in Milborne. It is about mid-morning as the company sets out, the sun is shining and every feels quite content despite the slight chill in the air. After leaving the town gates, Beleg takes out his lute, removes his gauntlets and begins to play a rousing tune that Druckner and Ortho sing a rowdy dwarven war-song to.

Kersath sets a leisurely pace at the beginning as the group is in high spirits, stopping only once to enjoy a light lunch before continuing on. Finally, an hour or two before nightfall, the group comes to a stop in a small clearing off the side of the road to make camp. Kersath, Beleg, and Kre set out to gather firewood for the night while the others set about the other tasks of setting up camp. As night falls, Kersath has built a nice fire and Dain is once again cooking the evening meal.

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