The strange voice had receded into the distance and everyone looked at each other unsure of their next move. The threat against Vestan seemed real enough and had to be taken seriously.  Arek as usual felt responsible for the boy and his actions and made the decision to help him out.  Some searching of the rooms produced enough pole arms and tapestries and other coverings to fashion some crude transport for Markus, Ronalt and Drake.  Tindo also contrived to drag some of the booty, however they had to leave the wounded enemy behind.

Traveling to the south they reached the junction and found a bound and gagged Vestan towards the rear exit.  Untying him greatly eased their burden and the quickly exited the dungeon.  Despite all that had happened it was still daylight, in fact it was probably about four hours since they first entered!

Even so, it would be difficult to reach Hommlet before darkness and while there was no sign of pursuit, they were relieved when Elmo with two other warrior types joined them.  These were introduced as Kalador, a half-orc, and Rolf an older human. Elmo told them of the diversion they had caused in the upper works which might help explain the fractured nature of the attack.  It was clear that if the entire forces of evil had made a concerted attack they would have been in dire straits. Unfortunately, in addition to Drake, Shaddowfoot the halfling had perished in the encounters. The scout, buried under rubble could not be recovered.

Elmo mentioned seeing guardians flee the moathouse, some towards Nulb, including one who could only have been the fierce warrior that almost overcame the party.  So the power of the moathouse had been dealt a severe blow, if not completely defeated. Who the enemy was that caught Vestan and why he was still when others fled was not obvious.

Progress was much quicker and with Elmo scouting ahead and at least two to a stretcher.  It was getting close to darkness when the now familiar village showed up.  Almost immediately they were spotted and helped into the village. No sign of discord this time, they had earned their right to be there, earned it with blood.

Almost immediately Jaroo the druid was on hand to help and I short order both Markus and Ronalt were brought back from the brink of death. For Drake there was nothing to be done.

Tindoome memorizes her new spells the first chance she got, dreading the feeling of walking around so defenseless. She checked the stability of her magical protection and smiled at her work as it still stood

She was glad to see the lights of the town and the change of mood was visible on her face when they entered the Inn she helped the priests as best she could but with litle knowledge in the area she was not much use. And luckily the magical healing made it soon un necessary.

Even though she had not known those who died weary well she felt an odd sense of regret for not knowing them. She kept quiet about; talking about grief was not her way.

In her free time she did her best to examine the items and tray to determine if they had any magical properties or were of particular quality. She knew she might need a particular spell for this but wondered if such was available in a small town like this. After resting she would ask about it from the Inn keeper

[Private to GM:
During the night Tindo wrote down all she had experienced and seen and sent the message to her Master Tolbin. Slipping the ring on the parchment it disappeared and soon after the ring re appeared without the message.
]

OOC: Spells memorized remain the same
This message was last edited by the player at 00:38, Wed 12 Sept 2007.

As Homlet finally came into view, Arek felt the fatigue he'd been holding at bay seep rapidly into his old bones. Utterly drained he was asleep as soon as accomodations had been organised - debreifing by the town council would have to wait.
As he drifted off, he replayed the days events through his mind. His last thought before unconsciousness overtook him was that at least they dealt the enemy a serious, if not fatal blow to their plans.

"Thankyou Jaroo. The warrior which carved me up was greatly skilled and next time I will seek him out when I haven't had to chew through all his minions."
Climbing from the stretcher weakly, "What news Arek, how many companions did we loose?"

Nothing but loud snores greet Ronalts question. Deep asleep and dreaming of fishing, Arek might as well be in another world....

Seeing the dwarf snore, he thought briefly to wake and ask him but ....

Ronalt found a spot to sleep, concerned with his lost companions and lack of news on how the battle fared after he had fallen. A little frustration evident as he rolled over to find a better place to sleep.

Elmo updates Ronalt before he retires for the night.

OOC: glad to have you back in the land of the living albeit sleeping....

Kalador watched Elmo and the others to determine who might be in more authority to negotiate contracts.  He then decides it's best to consider them on an individual basis... in the morning.

He propped his back against a wall and, eyes half open, began to sleep.

The innkeeper invites everyone back to stay in the Welcome Wench.  No surprisingly business is a bit slow at the moment and in a fit of generosity gives everyone a nights accommodation on him. Demanding they regale everyone with their exploits the following night and thereby ensuring he has a big crowd.

Despite the early hour everyone is exhausted and retires before making further plans.  The next day dawns bright and the innkeeper makes his private function room available for the party to use.  Elmo is there early, eager himself to here all that transpired.

[Private to Kalador: You receive a note from Elmo requesting your presence.]
[Private to Rolf the Strong: You receive a note from Elmo requesting your presence.]

Tindoome had bin busy and used her time to search out the fort Wizard Burne to assist her with identifying the items they had retrieved. She lays them out on the table and points to each one explaining its magic.

The blades and bow are all enchanted for extra accuracy and the blades have a sharp edge superior to other swords. The shield is well decorated and magically hardened for extra protection. She keeps a cloak close to her self and pats it as last

"For my self I will take the well made cloak it has some protective enchantments that will help in time of need"

Kalador meets with Elmo as the others gather.  "Another job," he asks politely, his hands folding in front of him.  "The opportunities here have proven small."

"Hello Elmo," Rolf says, once he has found the man, "I You wanted to see me? I need some work, not much in theis town for a man like me."

Elmo greets Rolf and Kalador and gives each of them a small pouch of coin, "Not much I know but we did not get anywhere to find loot. I don't have a job right now but I think the group might need some more of you assistance, perhaps in a more direct way this time?"

[Private to Kalador; Rolf the Strong: The pouches contain 50 gold each.]

When Ronalt hears of the goods retrieved, "it certainly explains why we lost so many and were wounded so much."
"This is mainly gear for warriors, was ther no potions, scrolls or wizardly items recovered?"
Looking over the weapons, "I am not one to use a shield, though it looks most serviceable and it might be better suited to Arek or another shield user. I already wear chainmail, although elven chain is more robust and has finer craftmanship."
"Either of the swords would however be my first choice and then the longbow."

Lifting the two longswords he measures their balance and weight, "The difference is only slight but it is enough to turn a battle."

Tindoome shakes her head "No I fear the wizard that was in the battle has fled by some means, or perhaps in the short time I had to my disposal I did not find them. "

She leans back playing with a ring on her finger "Their were some non magical items but giving our hasty retreat I concentrated on the items I bereaved held most value. And we did retrieve the slain Priests diary "

Ronalt nods, "Aye, you did manage to retrieve it. When you are done I would like to read from the fellow whom nigh managed to burn me, darken my eyes and cause me to be frozen in place after dispatching some of his bugbear minions. Unpleasant fellow indeed."

As everyone gets up and about, Jaroo their druidic friend joins them briefly saying "The council would like to to hear of your latest exploits and your future plans. They meet at noon in the usual place, I trust you can all be there."

Kalador raises an eyebrow and looks to Rolf when Jaroo mentions the meeting.  "Will there be any call for our presence," he asks.

Ronalt acknowledges Jaroo's message, "noon."

The druid looks at Kalador and Rolf and says "Yes I think that would be a good idea. You helped albeit indirectly to progress this and we would like to hear from you on both this and if you intend to involve yourselves further."

Yesil was greatly weakened by the foray, but though pale, the woman did her part to carry the wounded back to town.  Much like Arek, the fatigue only took firm hold once she saw the lights of town twinkling to them.

Such was her nature; she could soldier through, grim-faced and tight-lipped, until she knew she had to go no further, but then the weariness showed in her slow, and almost clumsy, movements, and in the darkness under her eyes.  She even stumbled over the threshold of the Welcome Wench, catching herself against the door frame and then slipping into the nearest chair.

She sat there some time before heading out to the stable, where she curled into a pile of clean hay for a deep and dreamless sleep.

---

The following morning, her limbs were weary but she was, at least, moving easier.  Picking straw from her hair she came back into the tavern hoping for food, and nodding to Jaroo's message about the meeting.

[Private to GM: I'm figuring the three HP on Yesil's sheet still stands -- the level adds 8, at least, which will put her to 11 by the morning.  Whew :-)]