"I'd like to go with you too, if you'll have me your Highness."
Haldan looked apologetically at his friend and "business" partner, Amathaon.
"I've seen enough of this place to know sticking around will do a halfling like me no good. Time I tried my hand in a city again."

"We will also be taking our leave as soon as possible," the Countess spoke up haughtily, including Sir Juffer, Celonor and Caelebon in her statement.
"You will accompany me to Celene Tindoome Uurraumo?"
Although phrased as a question, it was clear she would accept nothing less than obedience.

Sven looked shaken when the Prince spoke, and that was not an improvement on his blasted features.
"My Lord, can you not stay while we recover a fallen comrade? Both of us are indebted to these few brave enough to save us from the corrupted sleep of the cursed temple, and the forces of Righteousness would benefit from good Kalador's resurrection!"
A tear formed from Sven's hollow eye and fled his face in rightful abject terror. It was out of the ghastly apparition's character, but that only emphasised the connection he felt with the Prince.

"I cannot tarry any longer, I am late, very late for a very important engagement," the Prince chuckled at his words.
"An engagement I sincerely hope is still in existence after all these lost years."

Gwythe does not speak, but goes to stand next to Iviana, a slightly sour look on his face.

Ronalt opens his coin purse, "you are welcome to what I have. A horse I can't provide."
"A hundred gold sufficient, my Prince?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:12, Sat 18 Apr 2015.

In reply to Prince Avras Thromel (msg # 61):

"My Lord, should I not accompany you? I have not been Knighted yet."

And more to the point, nobody else with the authority is around to do so.

"We are only hours from Homlet. After five years, we can take the time to get there safely." Iviana said "Let us split into two groups. And those of us going straight to Homlet will just walk through the night. We should be there by dawn. There are horses in Homlet"

She rather hoped that the one of the people with the power to do so, would Knight Luthien on the spot. It's not as though he hadn't demonstrated his worth. Far more than most of the useless nobles she met: her eyes glanced towards the arrogant Countess who she would be happy to see the back of.

"Don' you 'ave a 'orse been looked af'er by tha' dryad back at Riker's cave, Iviana?"
"Clos'r than Homlet, four miles compared ta thirty."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:28, Mon 20 Apr 2015.

"Thank you Haldan, your company would be appreciated."

"Luthien, you don't need me to knight you, you don't even really need to be knighted to follow the path you've been set upon. There are those here around you who are capable of providing you with guidance. Sven and Ronalt have combat skills they can pass on, and you have a choice of priests both here and in Homlet now I hear, for your religious studies."
"I am humbled by your offer, but I'm afraid I'm in no position to give you the mentoring you seek."

"Thirty miles seems a long way to walk Iviana, certainly more than a single night with wounded and prisoners and no mounts. Are you sure that's the best course of action? Last I knew, Homlet was little more than a few farm houses and an inn, but I understand there's a temple been raised to Saint Cuthbert in recent times."

Iviana withdrew from the conversation about where to go, and waited to see what the others would decide.

"Just go to the cave. We will catch up there. Pushing too hard through the night is just asking for trouble." Ronalt summed up the choices.

To the others returning, "Lets go get our dead."

Sven stopped Wonnilon and moved back after Ronalt. "If you are going down, Ronalt, then I'd best escort these escapees." he spoke in a vaguely bitter tone. After all, he did seem at home in the dark corridors.

Ronalt shrugged, "as you wish."

A further look at the escapees' escort including the two dogs and Jaguar was all it took for Sven to change his mind. "Down with me too, after all." he muttered before joining the returning group.

Iviana went over to returning group. "I don't need to say it..." she said "But anyway: be careful. We've been through a lot together, so I don't want any of you to go missing. Even you Sven." she added.

"I'll get these people back to Homlet. You never know you might get there before us..."

"Mistress Iviana, these people will need to rest at Riker's cave. It is too far for them to walk to Hommlet at once. If we have not joined you by the time everyone has rested then it would indeed be wise to go on to Hommlet."

Yew doesn't add the obvious conclusion that if Ronalt's group is not back by then it is likely something bad must have happened to delay them.

After weeks of captivity, years in some cases, Iviana wasn't sure that the captives cared much about creature comforts and a bit of sleep. In their position she would start walking for Homlet and just keep on until she was there. If she had to crawl the last ten miles she would.

But since everyone else was giving the same advice, she acceded. She nodded her head to Brother Yew.

In reply to Ronalt de Gault (msg # 67):

"Thank you Ronalt, your contribution is gratefully accepted and will not be forgotten."
Slipping his golden ring from his finger, he offered it to the Ranger. Inscribed into the ring is an emblem of a crown and crescent moon.
"Please take this as a token of my thanks."

"Brother Yew, I'd like you to have my chain and medallion. It may be of some use in the fight against the temple, or perhaps you may wish to donate it."
Like the ring, it also bore the crown and crescent moon.

"Now I believe it is time to part ways. Farewell and good luck."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:40, Sat 25 Apr 2015.

Sven grimaced his goodbyes and left his shortsword and waterskin with Wonnilon. He grasped Frostbrand two handed and faded back into the darkness.

"You are most generous Prince Avras Thromel. I will return this once I am free of this task of eradicating the evil below. With luck, my fiance will get to meet thee as well at court." Ronalt bowed formally before slipping the ring upon his finger.

Arek handed over two war hammers and the leather bound book with the image of Mictlantecuhtli tooled into the leather. He kept his food and water, unlike a number of others in the underground party, and reclaimed the glowing chair leg.
"We be meeting yer by this time t'morrow a' the cave. If we're no' there by then, yer shou' ma' yer way back ta Homlet an' let tha council know wha' we found."
"Sen' a message ta Otis soon as yer can so 'e can mee' yer at the cave wi' some supplies," he suggested, handing a scroll to Iviana.
He moved around, touching each person briefly, "Ma' Clanggedin Silverbeard kee' yer safe."
Benediction completed, he joined the underground party and headed off.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:27, Sun 26 Apr 2015.

In reply to Sven Arnoff (msg # 81):

Wonnilon trotted along with Sven.
"Umm, you know I'm going back down with you right?"

Brother Yew bowed to the prince as he accepted the gift.

"Thank you, Your Royal Highness. I shall seek the advice of the Masters of my monastery on the best place for such a generous gift. May your Gods go with you and guide you always."

In reply to Wonnilon (msg # 84):

Sven looked as touched as a Skeleton can be and hollowly echoed "Would have asked for the sword back if I thought you weren't." He finished with an awful wink.