Chapter 2, Days 8-10

Killian nods, but does not shake the paladin's hand, instead turning as his companion walks solemnly up to him and hands him a small bloodied object retrieved from the gut of the dead dragon-beast. Killian lowers his head respectfully, and after a moment turns back to Kaiakas and says, "We should leave now, we can take you on the owls. It's a long walk or boat ride to starsong hill, but its only a couple hours by air."

Kaiakas only catches a glimpse of something small and black in colour before Killian has stowed the item in his pocket.

The coffer is far too large to quietly pick up and hide, as it's the kind of thing one carries with two hands, but Xara is able to open it (as it is unlocked) with ease. Some of the contents, a ring, a headband, and a faintly glowing pearl, she is able to easily pocket. The loose gold coins and rapier, on the other hand, will not so easily be taken without notice.

Killian glances over as Xara announces her find and shrugs, "Must have been its hoard." he nods to the dead, and now gutted, dragon-beast, "You killed it, it's your prize. If you wish to give any to our clan, then deliver it to the speaker yourselves." With that ge swings himself up on his owl, and waits for Pawetha to climb aboard.

Killian politely ignores Pawetha's behaviour, and with a whistle his owl lifts into the air. The others, once mounted, follow shortly behind. They soar high enough into the sky that Pawetha gets a good look at the full expanse of the blackfens. She notes two roadblocks, one on each of the two roads that wind around the marshland and connect the Elsir Vale to the northern kingdoms. There is also the ruins of the old city of Rhest to the east of the large lake that takes up the majority of the fens. The ruins are mostly submerged under swamp as if in the time since its abandoning the land has begun to reclaim the edifices of man. The druid figures, with parchment, pen and a few hours, she could sketch a pretty accurate map of the region having seen it from this vantage point.

The giant owls are silent as they wing through the air. The sun is now beginning to set, and the moon crests the horizon and casts its white glow over the marshland below. Your elf escorts are, like their mounts, silent. Before long, you reach your destination. Rising from the marsh is a low hill of solid ground, encircled by a thick ring of trees. Dozens of pinpoints of light dot the hill-- small lanterns filled with fireflies, each hanging from a tree-platform or the upper reaches of a canonical tent. Many elves silently emerge to watch as you fly overhead. Killiar produces a sleek, silver horn of some sort from a saddlebag and blows on wailing note similar to a loon's cry.

Near the hill's peak stand three large trees, and built into the boughs are wooden structures. One glows softly with luminescence of its own and seems to be a temple. Another looks to be some sort of public building or town hall. The third, and your destination, is the smallest of the three -- a cozy looking tree house set above a large pool.

Killiar lands first on the porch of the treehouse. Then, one at a time the other owls deposit their charges before they and their riders fly off to their nests in the trees to the south. Killiar holds up a hand, "Wait." then steps into the house. A few moments later he returns and beckons that you join him inside.

Waiting inside is a wise-looking and ancient elf. She wears flowing golden and green robes, and her hair is braided around a complex headdress made of wicker and wood. She stands next to a much younger female elf in plain brown and green robes who looks to have been crying recently. The younger elf is seated in a large wicker chair, and the standing elf indicates nearby chairs for you. Behind you, Killiar takes a silent stance near the door.

"I am Sellyria Starsinger, Speaker for the Tiri Kitor," the standing elf says. She indicates the seated elf and continues, "This is High Singer Trellara Nightshadow. We do not often see strangers in our homeland. What brings you to the Blackfens?"