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Chapter Four: Enlightenment and the Daughters of Summertime

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Luna rests her head upon Wolf's chest with her eyes closed, just taking a moment to soak in the fact that she is in his arms. After several long moments like that, she finally looks up. "I don't know where this will lead. Boccob knows that I have had little enough experience with men. But, I do know that I like the way I feel when I'm with you, and that can't be a bad thing." Up to the day that I introduce you to my father. That will be quite the test, to see how he treats the man that has won his little girl's heart.
 
Bren's words are true. Bria skips along behind the Adventurers' Wagon and the first creature she runs into is a strong-looking gray stallion, followed by a familiar red roan. There is also a third horse none of you have seen before - a brown and white mare with a beautiful mane; a Shire horse like the others pulling the Adventurers' Wagon and the prison wagon. This last horse is outfitted well for riding and wears silvery chain mail barding along with matching leather saddle. A sheathed long sword and empty saddlebags adorn its sides.


Bria looks at Bren in wonder. "Are you the horse-magnet now? Oh my! Everyone, look here!"
 
With the shout from Bria, Luna starts off in that direction to see what is going on. It doesn't sound to her like a startled, upset, or troubled cry, so there shouldn't be any need to race in spells blazing. When she gets closer, Luna can see the gathered horses and she is pleasantly surprised to see her roan none the worse for wear. She goes up to the mare and rubs her nose. "Where did you come from? Bren, did you do this? My goodness! You are full of surprises, aren't you? Thank you for saving my little mare. She is quite dependable for me, and I was sad to have had lost her."
 
"Growing up in the wilderness," Wolf had said to Luna, "I can't exactly flaunt extensive experience with the opposite sex either, but I know I want to continue on this path... Together."


He let her go join Bria, himself only coming as close as was necessary to spot the source of the commotion. The sight was too painful for him. The memory of losing his mare Althena was still much too recent. He watched from the sidelines, taking note of Pecker and Sparkle keeping each other company in an unusually mature manner. From there he could not miss spotting Vardadraug thrashing about in the tall grass. On an impulse he decided to approach him. The ranger knelt down beside the wolf and waited to get his attention before speaking.


"So, I understand you are to be our guide."
 
You understand correctly, Vardadraug sends to Wolf's mind while he approaches Leonard, twig in teeth, tail wagging. I know where they are, but I do not know who is endangering them. This wizard the Bloodland Minotaurs spoke of, perhaps? There is much I am yearning to learn about this.
 
Luna looks over at Wolf. "What does our furry friend have to say? I have not the talent to speak to animals the way you do."

Cantrips: Read Magic, Ray of Frost, Mage Hand, Detect Magic


Level 1: Burning Hands x2, Shocking Grasp


Level 2:


Level 3: Fireball


Level 4:


Force Missile x8


Mage Armor active - 3 hours left
 
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"He is eager to get moving, I think, as we all should be." the ranger replies, standing up and coming closer to Luna. What he was about to say was not a secret, but came out a concerned half whisper as if for her ears only: "There might be a wizard among those endangering the maidens." He was looking straight into her eyes.
 
Luna lets out a sad sigh. "Not all of my order of mages turned out well, and that is just the ones I know personally. It is a disappointment to see a practitioner of magic using their gifts for less than savory purposes. If we run into such a foe, we must tread carefully. I can personally attest to just how powerful a mage can be."


In a louder voice, she calls out to the rest of the Wanderers. "My friends, we need to wrap up our training time and be on our way. We have those in need to rescue."
 
"Up until I joined up with you folks," Wolf says to everyone, looking around in a natural manner, "My solitary travels did not bring me into conflict with wizards. However an arrow to the kne- I mean head," Why did I almost say knee? "Should shorten their life span just as much as it would an ordinary person's, right?" The question was aimed at Luna.
 
"Assuming that he or she doesn't have a Protection From Arrows spell active, yes. I once heard that a dagger between the shoulder blades will seriously cramp anyone's style. Lets just make sure its us coming out on top."
 
Wolf suddenly looked like a child whose sweet roll just got stolen.


"There's a spell specifically meant to protect you from arrows? Figures... Is that a low or high class spell, Luna? I mean, what are the chances that the mage the minotaurs mentioned would have it active?"
 
She shrugs. "It all depends on if this mystery man has learned it, and if they have it memorized to cast. With all the magics I know, that one is not on my list of available spells I know how to cast. Even so, I am confident that we will prevail, so long as we work together and not get sloppy. We can do this."
 
"A sound plan. I agree. Let's pretend we're professionals on this one. Worst case scenario... I'll let you fry him." Wolf grinned. "I vote ready."
 
Otiorin's eyes snapped open at the sounds of Bria's voice. For a moment, his eyes were lizard-like, slit-pupiled and shimmeringly radiant, but that was for a brief second as he rose to his feet and hastened in the direction of the rest of the Wanderers. He laughed cheerfully at the sight of his grey and trotted over, patting the horse's neck lovingly.


"Amatulya, Felaróf meldonya! I thought you lost, but here you are!", he smiled, "No doubt you have helped yourself to your host's best fare since you and I were last together."


He turned to look at Bria, then said, "I have my magic boots, so I'm not too worried about how I'll get along when we set off after these ne'er-do-wells, but I think Felaróf needs to work off his ill-gotten gains with a rider. Perhaps you could ride him?"
 
Bren smiles, happy at the scene his impulsive rescue had made possible. "I am glad I could reunite you to your equine friends, and only wish I could have brought the rest. I did search around, but I'm afraid these were the only survivors of what happened below." He nods to Otiorin. "Star could carry a second, as well, but I think even he cannot carry Powerpaw. We may do better afoot, if by that means we can all keep to the same speed." He looks over to where Wolf, Luna, and Vardadraug have clustered. "What say you, friends? Vardadraug, need we to horse or will our feet serve us as well?"
 
Vardadraug turns curiously to Luna and then to Wolf, then back to Luna. Luna, if she allows it, then hears a noble male voice in her mind - one quite older than the wolf puppy providing it:


My pardon. I did not mean to exclude you from our conversation. Then Vardadraug sends to all of the Wanderers as if not to exclude anyone. He does not look at anyone in particular while he is doing this (save for Wolf), though he does watch you with his fullest attention should you reply. Wanderers, I know where we must go, but not who is causing the trouble. Seeing how eager those foul-hearted minotaurs were to blowing their horn and summoning their wizard, he or she must be quite a power to be reckoned with. He glances at Bren. I feel it is best we leave our mounts here. What we gain with speed and power we will lose without silence and stealth, for there is a darkness spreading in the forest more wicked than any fire, and we know not what it is. Skaagenrackner's rage is just. These days, the forest has many enemies and none of them fairly made.


Upon receiving this sending of mental information, Sparkle sits up, cranes her neck, and experimentally sends back, much in the same manner she and Luna enjoy. You can send? Figurine, wolf pup... Just what are you?





Vardadraug sniffs Wolf's fingers and then licks them affectionately. Oh, I am but a friend of all things that call the forest home. Nothing more really, but that is more than enough for me.





Bria admires Felaróf with clasped hands and bouncing feet. "Otiorin, both Powerpaw and I have enchanted Boots of Striding and Springing, but I don't have a horsie! Hello, horsie!" Upon hearing Vardadraug's words, she adds with a soothing tone, "I guess I'll have to meet you later! If you're a friend of Otiorin, you must have some tales to tell! See you, beautiful horsie!"


It is in that moment, as your training seeps into you, that each of you again feel a deep vacancy inside of you. A void, you could call it. Unobtrusive, yet unfilled like a pit inside of you. Not hungry, yet not complete. It is something vast and yet very personal that even learning from the likes of Travis's Trainers cannot ever hope to fulfill. It was not there prior to your having met with Bilal the Rich, but it is here now, once again.
 
Bronze nods to Travis and keeps quiet unless he has an intelligent question to ask during training. As for repairing things, I think Bronze would be happy to practice his trade, setting up his Anvil and starting a forge-fire, and would use part of a wagon or plank of wood to have people put what needs repair on said plank, or point out what needs working on. As for the list, start at the top and work his way down, putting extra attention to anything that is urgent.


"There are a few questions, like what are the people like, and what are the best Inn's, does the city need a smithy? Are there places where we might be able to purchase high quality materials at a good fair price. Are there tools you would like me to make, say a good set of lock-picks, chains, hammers, nails, silverware, pots pans, and the like?"


Bronze is a bit disappointed that they can't hang out here for a few days so they could get some real work done, but people out there need help and his group needs him there for when they break stuff. Then decides it would be a good idea to purchase needed yet sometimes overlooked supplies like food, water, torches, wood, charcoal, leather, and some ore for smelting, and then get's a great idea. On the sly, Bronze talks to Travis about the strange ore that feel out of the sky. This is an action that goes twofold, to test the honesty, and general goodness of Travis. Bronze also includes the Hobbits on the purchase of foodstuffs since they are clearly better cooks than he is. Strangely Bronze will also share his share of the share of money and share it with the sharing NPC's of his sharing team. Also thinks that maybe building a stout safe or something would help with storage.


When the group has time for a quiet talk, "Hey guys would it be wise for me to build us some kind of steel safe somewhere? To store our valuables? Maybe we already have something like that?"


Bren? Who is Bren? Listens intently to any information about this newcomer.
 
Luna nods as she hears the voice in her mind. "We travel light, and quickly. But I don't want us to sound like a herd of blundering elephants charging through the woods. Use stealth, and watch for traps. The sooner we find our target, the better. If you have anything that needs to be prepared before we go, do it now. I want to be on the move in a few minutes, the sooner the better." Looking to the wolf pup, she asks, "What kind of terrain are we dealing with? I don't want to have another forrest fire get started if I can avoid it, but a Fireball may be needed to free these trapped women."
 
Travis pauses and grins in wonder at Bronze. "So much curiosity. Are you a follower of Boccob, the God of Knowledge, to be so curious? Heh. Let's see how well I do at satisfying this thirst of yours." Travis has a loud-enough voice that his answers can be readily heard by anyone nearby who cares to listen.


"When you say what are the people like, do you mean Glimmerdawn where we're recently from or Highwind where you're headed? Big differences in those people. The former are mostly-human carefree beach-folk, seafarers, and sailors. The latter are a kingdom of nearly every race I can think of, from hobbits to free minotaurs to humans, all fighting to keep that little kingdom of theirs alive. Can you blame them?"


The best inns... again if you mean Highwind, and your man, Stewart, tells me you're headed that way. The first place we checked out was a rough place called Dave's. Man, don't go in that joint unarmed. After Schermitt's shenanigans got us into a bar brawl, we decided for less violent atmosphere and we wound up at this hobbit inn waaaay up near the top of Highwind's mountain. Terrific grub, inspiring view, but low ceilings. Finally, we wound up at a place called the Adventurers' Guild. It's a huge inn where even the minotaurs and centaurs can hang out without bumping into each other. Great food, but even greater information. If you want leads on jobs, that seems to be the place to start. What skilled adventurer wants to go hungry?"


The blond bard scratches his head. "Smithy work? Maybe you want to check out Ben and Misha's. They make magic items and run a magic item armory and miscellaneous magic shop. However, don't think you're going to just up and get a job with them quickly. Those two won't even sell their goods unless you've done some kind of good for the kingdom. Sure, they're as coin-hungry as the next dealer, but word has it they've got the best stuff. Looks like they want it leaving their smithy in the best hands. I can imagine they'd sell you materials, though, especially seeing as you have the leader of the Light in the Dark in your party. Know what I mean?" The well-traveled bard throws Bren another look of admiration.


"The cosmic ore? Is that what we saw flying down out of the sky the other night? By the sea's own song, we could not figure out what that was." Travis leans against a wagon as he listens to Bronze talk about it. "I don't know what is. I have learned a lot about the world, but when it comes to ore, I'm a first-class dummy. I bet Ben of Ben and Misha's would know something, though. There's a man who knows his stuff."


"As far as tools go, hell, there's a number of little knick-knacks we could use. You any good at horseshoes and tack?"


Powerpaw steps forward when Bronze asks about making a safe. "You means a vault? Wif keys an' stuff? Ooh! Yeah, let's do dat!"


 
Vardadraug looks into Luna's eyes. His is an eager and strong-willed expression. Rolling hills, trees everywhere, some clearings, some streams, some holes in the ground. But mostly forest like you have already explored. He looks off into the trees. Still, you can hear his voice in your mind. Worry not. I will not run your team the way I ran Leonard out here.
 
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Bren nods as Luna advises the party to wrap up loose ends, prior to their heading adventure-ward. He grins as Travis tells of his party's encounter with the tavern called "Dave's," and nods in agreement when the older man recommends the Adventurer's Guild. After Travis finishes, Bren speaks up, "I'll be happy to introduce you to Ben and Misha. They're good people, and justly proud of their excellent craftsmanship. Actually, there's bound to be something there for all the party to look at, and perhaps add to the wish list - or buy, if we've amassed enough loot by then! Luna, Otiorin, you two especially might enjoy Misha's magic shop."


Then he turns to Bronze and asks, "At present, though, might I request a favor of you? Adventures sometimes last longer than planned, and I don't want my horse sitting in his barding all night, if it comes to that. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask, in the case that evening falls before we return, that you remove his gear, aside from bridle of course, and leave him comfortable. For that, though, I'll need to introduce you to him - he doesn't take kindly to strangers trying to disarmor him, as it were." He smiles.
 
Luna smiles at Bren. "I look forward to it. Take care of your horse; we can afford that much time. But hurry. We need to be on the move. Somehow, I can feel time slipping away from us, and not in our favor."
 
Bows to Bren "Certainly, is there anything I should feed him? I carry foodstuffs in my pack, I think I have some apples, and carrots in there. Should he be allowed to free range for exercise or should he led? I'm not a good rider because I'm a bit heavy..." Laughs. Looks around and continues to work dents, dings, sharpen, polish, clean, repair, what gear was placed on the plank, or repair anything of priority or even replace with something of better, and moar reliable quality.
 
  • Bren smiles and nods. "Aye, he's fond of apples and carrots both, and sugar - though he shouldn't get too much of that! This is a nice grassy clearing; that ought to do him well enough unless you want to give him treats. Leave him on his lead for now, unless something major comes up. It won't hurt him to stay in one place for a few hours. I don't expect we'll be gone for days, after all! But if you would, a bucket or something of water for all of the horses would probably be a good idea. They're cool enough not to founder, now, so you can leave it with them."
 
Luna looks over at Vardadraug and asks, "Do you know what species that these women are that we are going after? I would hate to harm one of the innocents we are trying to save because we didn't know what to look for."
 
Vardadraug looks up to Luna as he speaks, then he vigorously attacks a burr that has made it into the front of his left paw. I am afraid not. They could be villagers from the fishers that live upstream or druidesses or Mielikki-knows-what. One thing to me is certain - They must be friends of the forest; else, Skaagenrackner would have little concern for them. Or so my imagination tells me.
 
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