The cart driver lets you all disembark at the border with Braunstein. With a furious crack of a whip the driver turns the horses around.

"Yah! Hurry, boys! Get us away from that cursed land!"

The rumbling of the the cart's wooden wheels and thunder of the two galloping horses fade as they crest over the hill and vanish from view. Dusk is approaching, and the colors of the setting sun seem redder than usual. The ever-present smoke that wafts downwind past your nostrils is both too thick and too diffuse to be the normal campfires and hearths that dot Masondain's countryside.

Dusk is approaching

"Let's find a camp, set watches, and get an early start tomorrow.  Until we know what we face, stumbling around in the dark will put us in peril," Brodd says.  He knows little of the practicalities of roughing it, aside from the basics:  find higher ground, hide your fires, and camp near water.

The Sunsebb ceremony is important to his order and he will lead a quick, impromptu service when the sun is about to set.

The little pixie shakes, squeezes and sucks his wineskin some more, trying to extract the last of its contents.  He has been in a frustrated mood for the past day and a half, as his precious resource has dwindled and run its course.  He looks about their present predicament with a sense of disappointment.  This adventure might not be quite what he had in mind.

"Oh priest, can we pray for more drink.  My throat is parched from the dust on the road, and I can feel the cold of the evening coming on strong."

Regdoc stood respectfully for Brother Brodd's devotional. Though their worship practices and Focus differed, the oldster was respectful and appreciative of the acolyte's zeal and motivation. Regdoc's eyes focused on the smokey horizon, his mind wondering where tomorrow's Path might lead.

"Alright Chomper, let's find a place for our watch..." The old man, led by a very patient - and large - packdog, who seemed very grateful to be free from his burden, explored a bit around the campsite as the others made ready to bed down.

Regdoc found the most uncomfortable stone he could within sight of the camp. He rested his old bones and gave his companion the night's itinerary. "Go ahead, frisk about a bit, go run through the brambles and brush and pick up whatever nasty parasites there are, lick on something rotten, and mark your territory. When you're done with all that, get your scruffy tail back here and keep me awake!" He scratched the dog affectionately behind the ears before the animal bounded off, nose to the ground.

Producing the stub of a candle, the oldster lit it and began carving intricately on his shield. It was patient work, deliberate. The inside of the shield was covered by what appeared to be a highly detailed though oddly inaccurate map. This was Regdoc's journal, a physical record of his journeys in the Path of He Who Wanders... at least since the last shield he'd used up. It was exercise to keep his aged hands and mind working together. His thoughts on the road, he glanced up every few minutes to listen and look and curse his canine companion which had indeed dragged back something foul to gnaw on while they passed their time.

Oh look! Chomper brought back a human thighbone! Good boy!

Sasar stands quietly through Brodd’s quick ceremony before he proceeds to check that everything his mule carries is intact and that any straps are not loose. He speaks softly to the animal, which completely ignores him as usual and continues to ruminate at its own leisure.

“Yeah, you should enjoy the green grass here while you can, Angie. With all the smoke floating around, I wonder if there is any green left where we are heading! And don't wander off into the night, ok?”

After checking everything is in order with the mule the magic-user checks his own backpack, mainly that his spells book is unharmed, secured and dry. Then he moves to usual camping routines; he spreads his bedroll, chews some rations and eventually lights another pipeful before retiring to rest.

Jumping off the cart, Amrlik streches his back.  Listening to Broter Brodd talk of settimg camp; "Yes that sounds like a good idea-try and find some fire wood-Eron and I will Scout the area and find somewhere a bit defensible and that hides our fire."  Pulling out his wineskin and taking a drink, "Come Eron I have plenty to share and besides you can fly above and around quicker than I walk, easier to find a place to camp for the night."

Amalrik and Eron scout ahead, and find a clearing off the trail, as good as any other.