Chapter 1, Day 5: The Council at Drellin's Ferry

"Of course. They live in the marshland along the Rhest Trail and the ruins of Rhest. The Blackfens." She frowns as she looks at the map, "This is a poor map of the region. But this marker here at the top, where they have written 'Saarvith' looks to be the ruins of Rhest, an ancient city that was flooded by the marsh. That's an odd name to give it. The blackfens are along the trail and around the marsh, they have labelled them as part of the Witchwood, but that's geographically inaccurate."

Teyani shrugs, "We trade. An economic relationship is a pretty solid one, but they're far. If the hoard can move as fast as they've marked on this map, such an army might arrive to find a valley of cinders and ash, occupied by the Red Hand hoard. Then again, unless the blockade is cleared we couldn't send emissaries either way."

Teyani nods, "Haven't seen the guards this town as to offer, but something tells me you three will be more useful to this war effort seeking alliance from the elves, smashing blockades and otherwise helping stall the hoard.. instead of as three more amongst many guards for a large group of travellers."

The Lion of Brindol bows and salutes you once more before leaving the inn with urgency.

After breakfast Pawetha returns to the blacksmith, as she has every day so far, to check on the armor and help him continue packing. Walking through the village she notes that all of the citizen's are hurriedly packing their families into carts and onto horses - looks like today is the day they leave. The town guard are also gathering, guiding people across on the ferry and anxiously waiting for the moment of departure.

She finds the blacksmith exhausted, worn, but smiling broadly, "I've done it! Decided it best to leave myself with the rest of the town today, so I worked through the night to finish this before I left me' forge behind. Afraid I didn't get to the daggers, got a start on them but you'll have to get another blacksmith to finish them. The modifications to the armor though, they're done." He gestures towards Xara's leather armor, which now looks a bit different. Green scales have been set into the weak points, the sides, shoulders, and the chest, providing extra protection for vital and hard to reinforce spots. The whole thing is now covered in bone-studs made of polished bone.

As the sun sets over Drellin's Ferry you can't help but feel like means something important. The town is empty. Houses stare vacantly out at silent roads. The sun is beginning to slip below the scar on the horizon that is the Wyrmsmoke mountains. Speaker Wiston takes a deep breath and wipes tears from his eyes with the back of his hand. "It seems we're about out of time," he says. "We'd best be going now if we want to keep ahead of the worg riders."

Captain Soranna nods to you, "You've already done us good, heroes. Without your warning, we'd have all be asleep in our beds when the hoard arrived on our stoops. You've saved many lives already. For that you have my thanks. But I am afraid your work may not be done yet. There's nothing to stop the Red Hand before they reach the walls of Brindol."

"If there's anything more you can do to slow down the Red Hand, we'd be mighty grateful," the Speaker says, "I'll personally make sure Lord Jarmaath, the lord of Brindol, knows what you've done for us."

Wiston nods, "There's a few routes to Rhest. Normally I'd recommend the Old North Road, but, well, with the hoard, might not be the best route anymore. You could take a boat up the Rhestwash to Lake Rhestin. Or, head east towards Brindol, then, at Talor or Brindol, cross the Elsir River and head north along the Rhest Trail. If's up to you. If you head east, I can give you several horses. If you head north from here, feel free to take any of the boats moored in town..." He sighs deeply and sadly, "We won't need them."

Soranna replies flatly, "The less the have the better for us. If you won't use them, then destroy them. We've left some traps in the abandoned homes, and have made sure no supplies that are in useful order remain in the town. It's why it took us a few days to prepare."