Inas and Marissa join the rising road that leads up through the town of Peryn's Crag.  It is deep night on their arrival as they lead the ponies carrying the unconscious Saliq and Rath.  The town is strangely active, and just as strangely hushed.

No guards stop them, in fact, there appears to be neither guards nor a gate.

The people in the city are about their business, but move quietly and speak in soft voices leaving an odd impression for so much activity.  As to the people, well more than half are gnomes, while dwarves and elves make up a large part, and then a variety of strange races, from a sphynx, at least one storm giant, even some trolls and other usually darker creatures.

As the group moves up the main road, several of the denizens nod in acknoledgement and even a few seem to stop and say a prayer and wave the party onward and upward.  About midway up through the city there is a courtyard where three gnomes in yellow robes step out and one lays a hand on the lead pony. The other two move over to examine Saliq and Rath.

The gnome nearest the front says,  "Welcome to our town, worry not you have done right to come here.  I am Mallach, and will be assigned to you during your stay.  Continue all the way to the top, only Peryn himself has the ability to heal these two. Once they are healed, I will arrange for a place for you to rest."

Mari finds herself speechless, and suddenly very weary. Looking at Inas, she raises an eyebrow as if to suggest, 'Let's get them situated, then find our own rest at the end of a long travel.'

Assuming Inas does not disagree, the party continues up through the narrow but somewhat beautiful town.  The Crag narrows as it rises and despite the night, a spectacular and at times somewhat frightening view of the land beyond draped in starlight is seen between buildings.  At last, they reach a large temple.  It is simple but carved of stone directly from the crag itself.  The wide tall entry is open and has no doors.

Inside is a huge courtyard covered with trees and shrubs and gardens.  It smells of herbs and flowers.  There are walled pools of water throughout as well, and the roof is high and open through many archways casting a pattern of light across the scene.

There is a clear path through the foliage and it is wide enough for two ponies to ride side by side.  Following it, it meanders to the center of the great room where an open circle of smooth stone exists with two chairs setting within it.  There is a small man seated in one chair, the other is empty but he rises and waves you forward. The small man is gnomish, bald with a whispy white beard and wears a white robe.  He rises and give you a most comforting of smiles as he indicates with a guesture you should remove the injured and bring them to the ground.

After helping to gently get Inas and Saliq off the ponies, he studies them for a few quiet moments. "What manner of construct did this to them?"

Bruised and broken, Rath dreamed flitting, disturbing things, while amidst the tattered shadows of his imaginings moved a graceful, ineffable woman in white.

The gnome listens as Inas and Marissa describes the battle and creature that did the damage, nodding a few times, and continuing to check the injured.

Finally, he says, "The bad news is that many golems injuries are hard to heal, the one you describe.  Well, only a few mortals in the world have such gifts.  The good news is, I am one of them".

He closes his eyes and lays hands upon Rath and then Saliq, and in mere moments almost all their wounds heal, not just the wounds, but they are revived, as if they had slept a good nights sleep and awake fresh and rested.

Inas marvels at the seeming ease with which the gnome heals Rath's and Saliq's wounds.  "Thank you very much.  To whom are we indebted for this aid?"

Mari stares in wonder at the miraculous healing, reaches out to touch both Saliq and Rath on their arms.

"I thought you both were going to die," she said. Turning to the gnome, she added, "Your work is a wonder. I stand humble before you, a mere initiate when compared to such strength."

She bows deeply, in court fashion, shaken and awed by the miracle performed.

"I would learn more from you, Master, if you would teach it," she said humbly.

"There are no debts here, nor any power in these hands, I am but a conduit, but am happy to have been of service.  I am but Peryn's current chosen Keeper.  Feel free to use these gardens while you are here to meditate or simply rest, if you seek council, I will gladly share what small wisdom I have".

Saliq gets to his feet, blinking in surprise, his astonishment only growing as he looked down at his uninjured body. 'What happened and where are we?'

"You're in a place called Peryn's Crag," Mari replied. "You've been healed of your injuries. The healing was well beyond anything that I could do."

"I guess one bit of counsel we need is: how do we deal with that golem?  It seemed to be targeting these two; hunting them.  And we couldn't do anything to it."