Chapter 1: Into Haranshire

Moments later, Andren returns with plates of roast mutton, potatoes, carrots and parsnips, all topped with rich gravy. It's a filling meal that hits just right after eating packed rations for days, so between that and the beer, the night carries on merrily until it's time to retire to your room. It's nothing fancy, but it's got no strangers sleeping in with you, plus you get keys to the door and window locks, so that takes care of safety and privacy. Two sets of human sized bunk beds provide the lodging, with a single bed for whoever will have it; with Scarlet's departure, you're down to a five person group, perfectly fitting the five bed setup of the inn, which spares you from needing any extra arrangements and making the room any more cramped.

26th of Readying (Spring), 576 CY
The next morning, you awaken refreshed after a good night's sleep in an actual, proper bed. When you make your way downstairs to the common room, Andren is yet again slow to notice and serve you, but this time not due to him being in a conversation with Jelenneth. In fact, he seems to be caught up in a somewhat intense conversation with two older men. One is a middle aged man, ruddy-cheeked and barrel-chested, with floury side-whiskers showing the same gray that flecks his thinning hair. The other is an equally well built man, although clearly struck down with age. The few hair on his head is white and he seems to struggle hearing what's being said. You're pretty sure you saw the older man hanging out in this room last night, the other seems to be new. Whatever the case may be, Andren's twin brother, Barthelew, does eventually notice you and runs into the kitchen, returning to your table with a platter of steaming hot bread rolls, a small bowl of hard boiled eggs and sizzled bacon bits, a pitcher of milk, another with some sort of herbal tea brew and some cups. "Apologies for the delay, hope you had a good night's sleep. Enjoy your breakfast!"

"Jelenneth, yeah" Barthelew answers Devon. "I don't know about the motivation part, but I suppose her dad would be the one to talk to about that. Anyhows, enjoy your breakfast!" With that, the young man walks away from your table.

"That I am" the man says cheerfully, sizing up Hanzel. "Wasn't aware my daughter's whereabouts were the talk of Milborne already, but I suppose rumor travels fast, eh? Ol' Dirkaster here tells me she slept over in the staff room with him and his boys, so I figure she crept out before dawn to go gather her alchemist herbs or something. She's a wizard's apprentice, you see, me and her mom are pretty proud of her. Sometimes she's off doing odd things like that as part of her training. Wouldn't be the first time she's done it either, bet she'll be back home before nightfall."

"And I'm telling you something happened to her!" Andren protests. "She's left her bag of magical trinkets under the guest bed. I don't know much about wizardry, but I know she never goes anywhere without it!"

"Now now, lad. I know you're fond of her, but there's no reason to raise the alarm on the drop of a pin. I want her back home as well, but show a bit o' faith in her first. She's a proper spellcaster now, and well past her sixteenth birthday, such as yourself and Barthelew. If you two boys are old enough to run the Baron, she's old enough to take care of herself."

"Please sir," says Andren, addressing Hanzel, "think I heard your group mention last night you have business with her mentor, Tauster, yes? If you're headed his way, will you please be on the lookout for her? Maybe he knows where she went. And if not, maybe let him know she's missing? Maybe he can use some spell to magically trace her, or..."