Several days after returning to Drellin's Ferry, Captain Eoni, as Marklin once referred to her in equal measure jest and respect, has seen to all the complicated logistics involved with outfitting the expedition. As often happens during such efforts, there is much waiting around punctuated by brief periods of activity. Soldiers often refer to this phenomenon as 'Hurry Up and Wait'. On the plus side, Eoni and Vaxfar have funneled a significant amount of coin into the local economy, and its citizens are all too eager to capitalize on this sudden windfall. In any event, the expedition is properly outfitted and ready to move out at the next first light.

The troop now consists of:

Eoni, Cleric of Avandra and Dame of Brindol
Vaxfar, Elf, Hunter of the Tiri Kitor tribe, and Honorary Elf-Lord of Brindol
Dergan, the Sell-sword of the Distant East
Elam, the Albino Wizard
Ovo Goldenshield, the Dwarf, Outcast, and Axe for Fire
Laurenbeth, the spirited leader of a small mercenary band
Shmee, the fashionable and friendly mercenary
Rogar, the burly mercenary of few words
Grub, the whispering and unkempt mercenary
Murphy, the brown guard dog and Grub's best friend

Sadly, Taerix and Valthur could not be coaxed out of retirement, but both sent their regards and best wishes. Sarah...no word. Hopefully she is well, wherever she might be...

Double sadly, Eoni earned no pledges of assistance from Lord Guidry either. It is what it is, as the saying goes.

***

Morning comes early, the blanket of night slowly pulled aside promising a warm start, hot and hazy mile upon mile, along the Dawn Way.

The expedition departs Drellin's Ferry well before the small town comes to life, but there are a few who watch the line of adventurers and mules as they ford the Elsir River and march away to the west.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:42, Wed 29 July 2020.

"Why is that mangy dog following us?" Dame Daflin asked as they set out.  She liked animals as well as the next person, but the last thing they needed on this expedition was a dog that barked at every squirrel it imagined.

"Someone shoo it away before it gets too far from town."

Grub, who actually looks clean this morning, shoots Eoni a concerned look, looks back to the brown dog, and then retrieves a small morsel from a leather purse slung over his shoulder. He whistles once, twice, and the brown dog races to him, heels, and is promptly rewarded for her obedience.

He whispers to the dog:
_{"That's a girl, Murph, my little squirrel..."}

He then tips his soft cap to Eoni and hums tunelessly as the brown dog, apparently named Murphy, bounces along at his side.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:27, Wed 29 July 2020.

"Don't feed it!" Eoni blurted in exasperation.  "Now we'll never get rid of it!

"Throw food in the bushes and maybe it will forget about us."