Chapter Two: The Hippocampus on the Cracked Lintel

*approval stamp*

*thumbs up emoji*

But cast spell now, then re-learn it before morning, no?

Satisfied that she has successfully sold out her cousin to his enemies, Patlen returns home. Felor casts a spell of magic detection on the gold coins, but despite her warnings, the coins appear to be mundane, bearing no enchantments.

The party sleeps until first light, then leaves Beerpool by the north trail to the Hazard Road.

After walking a few hours, the Headlee watchtower -- the one the younger Jeb Tuell fell to his death from, presumably -- can be seen in the distance. While still more of a village than a proper town, Headlee is about three times as large as Beerpool, with a bigger, less decrepit octagonal holy house, a new-looking windmill, and a three-story inn.

The merchant wagons you saw on the road ahead of you pass by Headlee without stopping, but the ass-drawn peddler's cart stops to tie up in front of the inn. Three young women wash clothes in the stream that runs through the village under the shade of an oak tree, talking and laughing loudly.

Yes, Detect Magic was cast in the Beerpool inn.

Just a reminder, Zora was seen in Grine's Knot, but not in Headlee as far as any of you know.

The tavern at the inn (a sign depicting crossed streams suggests the name of the establishment) is fairly quiet at this midmorning hour. You follow the peddler in to see the barkeeper sweeping the floor while a pair of patrolmen share a breakfast at a corner table. The peddler seats himself and asks the barkeeper for a slice of pudding and a cup of milk, which the barkeeper acknowledges with a grunt. He makes a point of sweeping for a moment longer, then heads behind the bar.

Oh, yeah. Oops.
Oh yeah. My brain still thinks in 2e sometimes. Heck, I still call them Magic-Users.

I wouldn't mind asking around, but I worry that the patrolmen might be on alert for travellers matching our description. I'd suggest heading to Grine's Knot as soon as possible. Maybe someone else can ask the barkeeper about hiring a wagon?

There are stores in Headlee: there's a grain and feed store, a general store, a smith, and the peddler's cart.

Were someone (Mordred or otherwise) to inquire with the barkeep, he would suggest that any of what wagons as pass through Headlee would probably be willing to give a ride to travelers, were a reasonable offer of compensation made.

The peddler, a short, bug-eyed fellow with slicked-back hair, looks somewhat alarmed by Mordred's appearance but makes an effort to converse normally. "Business? Business is good. Never a lack for custom on the Hazard Road, heh. I deal in seeds, medicines, waybreads, and votives. Happy to show you my stock, if you're interested."

Chalk, torches, and candles can be found at the general store for PHB prices.

Detect Magic did not detect any magic on the coins.

It's still morning. Breakfast will run you between 1 copper and 2 silver pieces, depending on how much food you get. The specialty of the house, breakfastwise, seems to be a savory bread pudding served cold.

While walking to the general store, Vad sees a large ox-wagon rolling westward down the road.

The peddler stuffs the rest of his pudding in his mouth and beckons Mordred to follow him outside. "The waybread is the true elven-made sort, not the cheap imitations those unscrupulous city bakers try to sell you! It comes from Engol over the sea, each slice individually wrapped in wax-cloth and enough to sustain you for a full day of labor or travels." He unlocks the cart and starts pulling out the drawers and swing-out racks laden with his goods. "As for medicine, what ails you? Sour stomach? Damp lungs? Headaches? Enervated masculinity? Whatever it is, I'm sure I have something for it..."

The two men driving the wagon give Vad the side-eye as he approaches. One of them nods to acknowledge the greeting.