Chapter 6: The Herald's Inn!
The Eighth of Greentide, D.Y. 500
-----A short time later, the entire assemblage of two parties makes its way outside of the ruined stronghold. Here, in the warm afternoon sunshine, the adventurers mount up while the Trinity Seekers gather their horses from around the side facing the gate leading to the courtyard.
-----With a brief explanation of where they are headed, Sol begins to ride off.
-----"A moment, my friends!" Quade announces before Thunder kicks into a gallop. The mage then speaks a bit apologetically as he explains, "We are very elated that you allowed us to explore this ruin with you, but I think we have agreed," he motions to Kantar, Ursulena and the troop, "that we have gathered enough interesting items and we must return to Goldren. There we can go over the information we have collected as well as continue our magical research."
-----With that, farewells are passed around and Raven gives the troop a bit of directions. "Head due north and a little over five miles you will reach the river. I don't know if there is any kind of river passage, but it was just yesterday, that we steered a boat down the river from Redmarsh. We were following our enemy in another vessel. If you reach the river and walk along the bank to the west, you should find the two boats still beached there."
-----Sol regards the Trinity Seekers momentarily in confusion, replying, "I thought ye were headed t'Rushfen. Nevermind, ye must go where yer work takes ye. Thank ye all fer yer company."
-----Ursulena gives Sarah a happy and excited hug before climbing into her saddle. The troop of the Trinity Seekers then rides off across the scrub meadow toward the treeline to the north.
-----The warrior then turns to look at his companions, "Hmm, well originally we were going t'take t'th' coinage we found, but truth be told, I'm not sure if I care that much about it. I'm fer leaving it there, but if anyone wishes t'retain it, we'll head back in an' grab it."
-----Raven offers a sly smile to Sol. "Well, we won't be going away empty handed," the hunter explains, "Seems like I found a nice little collection of gemstones that we can divide up later. Rinda and I ran across them after we fought the hobgoblins back there."
-----"Well an' good then. Let's be off." Sol kicks Thunder into a fast run, a raised eyebrow and a patient smile being his only visible expression.
-----Sol then leads his friends toward the southwest. Across the meadow at a distance of about a half-mile, an opening is seen between two arms of the forest trees. Just beyond, the land opens up revealing moist ground, open pools and slender trees with exposed gnarled roots.
-----Their progression slows a little as they gain the marshy area. However, an obvious trail leads them through the soft ground with an occasional splash from a horse's hoof. Small insects and creatures shoot through the darkened water disturbed by the group's passing.
-----The land to the south seems to reveal where the forest parts and gives way to a large swamp that extends for miles. In the distance to the west, a hill devoid of trees rises before the adventurers. Atop the hill is a castle-like structure and it is in this direction that Sol heads.
-----Finally, after covering the distance through the marsh, they make it to the foot of the large hill. As they begin to climb its eastern slope, they see the structure is indeed a large-walled castle with a keep.
-----A small troop of people is seen in front of the gates watching the progression of the adventurers as they climb the hill. As they approach, they can see Roderon standing at the front of the troop of woodsmen and elves. The ranger smiles as Sol and the others pull up.
-----"Ho, Roderun." Sol calls as he slows Thunder to a walk. The Gorian also raises his hand in greeting to the woodsmen before asking, "How much time have we a'fore Lord Howrun pushes on?"
-----"Ho friends!" Roderon returns in reply, his blond hair slightly moving in the light breeze. "It would be my guess that we move within an hour's time."
-----Lord Howrun's ranger then turns and motions toward the well-maintained gate of the stronghold. "But, for now, let us rest inside. You should take in this place. It is the perfect refuge so close here to the swamps. I wish to hear what you found in the ruins."
-----"Aye, that we will, though I'm afraid what we found is not good news," Raven says, dismounting and waiting on Rinda. "Needless to say, we found battle there and Garrison could use some attention."
-----Seeing the wounds and make-shift bandages the woodsman sports, two of the woodsmen rush to help Garrison as he climbs out of his saddle.
-----"Whoa," Garrison says to those rushing to his aid, "it's not as bad as it looks now, though it may be a while before I want to see reptiles again."