The companions gathered around the cart and the old horse, Mary; Gliss, Cornumbrian and Albish alike.

Beathan made his apologies, stating his aim to establish a school of healing within the castle along with the expertise of his parents.

King Corbin, Cene and Diarmuid along with the majority of the staff came out to wish them well on their journey.

...........

Around midday the companions descended into the Vale of Shadows and into the town of Ereworn, hard by a river of the same name.

Behind you to the north as far as the eye can see, scattered woods roll away over the aptly named Grey Hills and beyond them the Pagan Mountains with Castle Ereworn nestled within.

The town is a rather ramshackle affair, with a large number of newer buildings, some rather dishevelled older buildings and scattered ruined stone walls.

At one time it was a sprawling city, with its outlying suburbs and farms extending to the north almost as far as the foot of the Pagans.

Ruined remnants of the ancient Selentine city, from randomly strewn hunks of worked stone to the occasional foundations or roofless cottage, can be seen throughout the forest.

The green leaves of spring are covering the trees as your party enter the town of Ereworn, in the Vale of Shadows.

To the south you can see a river meandering from some distant, wood-covered hills. The margins of the forest come right up to the boundaries of the town. Farmers stand in freshly planted fields and hairy, stocky cattle graze on the hill and many of the doors to the huts in the village are decorated with wreaths of holly and ivy.

You notice the few inhabitants who are outside wave as you approach, the central street is  deserted apart from a few farmers sharing a yarn or two .

You approach the only open tavern, where a freshly painted sign swings on oiled hinges. You read the name of the familiar inn: ‘The Horned Satyr’.

The place seems to be open with trailing woodbine hanging over a wooden trellis that will shade summertime drinkers, polished stools sit in a backyard where a well fed dog yawns at you as you pass.

Usopi pulled Mary up in front of the inn.....

Usopi tied Mary to a post and moved to enter the tavern. Relatively clean shaven and with newly inlayed armor, Usopi felt bright as the new dawn. He entered with a broad grin across his face.

"Gond, we have returned with Garfas' horse and cart." he called as he entered.

Gond emerged in his rather portly glory, " Well done, and you've gained some folks beside...nay, exchanged perhaps...", he said, counting heads.

Aphail marched along in his new wealth.  Recycled Brigandine armour, which is heavier and more cumbersome than his old Leather Jack, but offers more protection. Also he carried the spoils of adventuring, 100 Gold Crowns.  He had no use for coin really.  He had his Quarrybolt, Bow, Flint Dagger and Armour which was all he needed to function.  He wondered how much a log cabin in the woods would cost to build, as he was no carpenter.

Brannon takes great interest in every Selentine Ruin that he sees - pausing to mark its location on a map, and take sketches, ignoring the frustatrations of his companions. He looks longingly at them, as if tempted to go poking around - but he suspects such a diversion would not be popular. He makes a mental - and literal - note to return and record these in greater detail.

Sir Turren decides to seat himself a moment indoors whilst Usopi settles accounts concerning the cart. Turren eases his pack by his knee with his shield against it.He keeps a casual eye strolling whilst he sits, not expecting trouble but not willing to get lax.

Caith wishes Beathan well in his family's plan, and is cheerful is she reminds Cene "Ye have much of what I know of healer's lore in your hands. Use it well."

She thanks King Corbin for his hospitality, and is happy in the knowledge that he will see to it that the parcel of gifts for Kell's family reaches them safely.

The hedgewitch gives Diarmuid a long look, then says quietly "I am grateful for the boar's wisdom, and I thank ye for it." in farewell.

----------

Caith is unusually quiet during the trip back to the town of Ereworn, deep in thought, but still patiently points out some useful plants by the wayside, having gathered some new botanical lore from the castle's library, while the Hearthwarden gathers a different sort of knowledge, fragments of history's lore from the ruins.

She gathers her pack from the cart and feeds Mary a handful of dried apple offered from a flat hand in thanks, before turning to Alphail and asking "Ye fancy an ale and a bite to eat, or we nay staying long?"

In reply to Caith Cernach (msg # 7):

Deise has been quiet since the frank exchange of views at the castle. In his head he is pondering what Aphail meant. At Caith's suggestion he turns to the witch,
"'Tis a wise woman Caith that knows what a man is thinking. There's a dark path ahead if ye have the right of it. Lets break bread, sup cider and laugh l. We dont know when another chance will present itself."

He looks at Aphail, "Well Aphail, what you drinking, I'm buying."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:14, Tue 26 Nov 2019.

Gond placed three large pitchers of scrumpy down before Deise, Aphail and Caith.

Caith nods in reply to Deise, and gratefully accepts the scrumpy with a crooked grin as she says "Now that's a sight for sore eyes, and a dry throat. Thank ye."

She sips rather than sculls the headcracker, wise to the kick of an apple in long ferment, but seems well pleased with the taste regardless.

"Hunk of cheese and a loaf would go well with that..." Caith says to Gond, and proffers a silver coin as she adds "...And if ye've a skerrick of bacon to go with it? That'd be welcome as well."

She offers a handful of fresh picked green spring onions and wild lettuce leave to the tavernkeep to sweeten the deal.

OOC: I assume either Caith grabbed her own cup out of her pack, or there are beakers/mugs/cups from the tavern also involved here, as she is well mannered enough not to drink directly from the pitcher...
This message was last edited by the player at 00:32, Thu 28 Nov 2019.

" Bread, Cheese....got some cold roast mutton from last night. Will that do?", Gond smiled.

He reached into his pocket and pushed a note across to Caith, " Could ye see that Clothilda gets this, please."