Darathra sees us on our way

Mirtul 9th

Once we've all finished with breakfast, and the barmaids are clearing away our plates, we set out to visit Darathra. On arrival at the Lord Protector's Tower, the guard ushers us in to the waiting area, saying Darathra was expecting us and she will see us shortly.

A few minutes later, the door to her office opens and her administrator beckons us in.  He says to Darathra, "The adventurers you wished to see are here my lady", before leaving through a side door.  We are standing before Darathra who is seated at a large desk, with many piles of papers stacked in front of her.  As her administrator closes the door, she looks up, "Any success?"

"Yes, by the mercy of Tempus, St Oswin's ghast has been put to rest.  You won't be having any problems with the Terror in the future."

"That is great news. Before you leave speak to my administrator who will reward you for this great service you have performed for Triboar.  I can understand now why Charis said to help you. The only lead I can give you to find the location of the High Lady Sarhal, is for you to find your way to Eskelindre's maps and charts in Yartar.  If anyone can locate the place you speak of, without having to travel to the major cities, then Yartar is the place to go to, and Eskelindre is your man."  

We thank her and say we will do as she suggests.  Once we accede, she beckons Erdan to her and hands him a small token, "Keep this out of sight, but once you know where you need to get to ..." and she pauses as she looks around to check no one is watching, and gives me a strange look, before continuing in a quiet voice, "When you know where you need to go look for The Villa in Yartar.  You will know it because it is the crumbling mansion on Thorn Lane with the most pristine ornate, well kept garden.  When you get there, bang on the door and tell Kolbaz I sent you.  Kolbaz will show you how to travel quickly around the lands.  BUT, don't let anyone other then Kolbaz see that token.  If he should give you trouble, tell him I sent you because charis wanted you to have our help."  

She gets up, opens the side door, and nods towards her administrator, "I promised these worthy adventurers 40 gold each to deal with the Terror".  Darathra bids us good day as we move through to the side room and shuts the door to her office.

As we wait, her administrator weighs out 40 gold for each of us, dropping it into a small leather pouch and handing to each of us in turn.  Once I have mine safely about my person, I suggest time waits for no one and we should set off for Yartar.  My companions all agree.  We collect our belongings from the tavern, and leave the town heading east along the Evermoor way.

Around early afternoon, we meet two halflings bickering loudly with each other, heading west along the Way, and leading a pony and half empty cart.  As we get close they cease their arguing and one of them waves at us and greets us warmly.  Vollum returns their greetings.  The younger looking halfling looks us over, seems to take note of our weapons, and gets very excited as he thinks we are adventurers.

I explain, "I was on the road looking for good beer." "Even with that great big axe?" "You never know where you need to go to get the best beer."

His older travelling companion seems keen to keep going, but the younger one keeps asking us questions about adventuring which we answer politely.  He says he doesn't want to be a farmer, but would like like to be an adventurer.  The older one sighs, and reminds him they need to get home.  He says he got to go to Yartar and that is new, and then they begin arguing once more.

Is there some service you require?

They say no and explain that trade is not good this year.  The river trade seems to be disrupted, and isn't flowing as well as usual.  However, this makes everything more expensive in Yartar which provides them with a good opportunity, the only downside being they have to walk all the way to Yartar to sell their wares.  The younger halfling offers us lunch, which triggers another round of bickering.  The younger halfling ends the argument by unhitching the pony and setting up a camp on the side and prepares lunch, all the time talking excitedly about adventuring.  Eventually the older halfling, Watson, has enough and takes his leave, setting off with the pony and cart.  Derro, the younger halfling, chases after him.

The remainder of the day goes by quietly as the distance to Yartar is eaten up slowly. Eventually the sun begins to set and Vollum begins looking for a campsite off to the side of the main road.  He quickly gets stuck in some mud *loud sigh* but we eventually find a suitable place to camp in the woods.  I get a fire going, and take first watch after we have finished our evening meal of hard tack.  My watch is uneventful and I wake Vollum to take his turn and go to sleep.

I feel I haven't been asleep long when I am woken by Balthazar who says he's heard something flying above us.  I complain bitterly about being woken from my dreams of Tempus.  There are three very large birds silhouetted against the moon.  Starchild says they are giant vultures, and with that I load my crossbow.  But they circle a couple of times, and fly on.

I have no idea whats going on, but Erdan says they look like they're patrolling.   Vollum says we should move, but I say "Pah, I'm going back to sleep."