Chapter 2.3: Return to Hochoch

Ordinarily, it would take some doing to arrange to buy a work animal, but the "Heroes of Hochoch" are so well respected that the horse trader and rider they find, a jolly dwarf named Klay, is happy to sell Chase a mule and kit in the same day, with only a modicum of pro forma haggling. Aanbo delivers more money to the Jarl family via Elista, whom he finds in one of Maul's sheds (the brewer has made space for the family until they can find a more permanent place of their own) doing laundry. Elista is so flabbergasted at the continued generosity that she can hardly form the customary honorifics. "A-a-a lifetime o'thanks wouldn't be enough for a Shining Star of the Heavens like your Illustrious self!" is the best she can stammer. On the way back, Aanbo meets with Morton and buys the extra food for his adventuring companion.

There is little ceremony at their departure; the other Dungeon Busters look on with resolve and hope, trying not to wonder how many of their friends won't come back alive this time. The party of seven continues to discuss their strategy as they leave Hochoch through the East Gate and cross the Realstream River once more, traveling the now-familiar Cecily's Road east into the Dim Forest. It is early afternoon when the enter the gloom under the trees.

Chase prepares a campsite for the group. Having started later than on previous trips, the site is an hour or two shy of the Jarls' homestead. The site that he's chosen is sheltered by a thicket of oaks and set back from the road a bit. True, there has been almost no traffic on Cecily's Road the whole time the Dungeon Busters have been using it, but old habits die hard for the former Boundary Warden and he instinctively looks to set camp so that casual observers will not spot them.

As usual, night falls quickly in the Dim Forest, but Aanbo and Theran point out the blazes to Morton, so that the three Dungeon Busters who can see in the dark are able to identify and follow the marks that Chase has made to lead them to the secluded spot with no difficulty. Arya, Myrtha, and Jonel demonstrate their trust of the others by following their voices and, once they leave the Road, allowing themselves to be led by the hand. The adventurers know they've arrived when they turn a corner and see the pale flicker of the small fire that Chase has set. Soon enough the heroes have set up their bedrolls, made a modest fire, and enjoy their first campfire supper on this new journey. The heroes take it in turns to be vigilant and restful, and the night passes without event. At one point, there is a booming grunt that echoes from miles away - some large beast challenging another or declaring its territory - but that's the closest thing to excitement the night offers. Each character gets the benefit of a long rest.

The next morning, the crew wakes and begins to stretch, do their morning ablutions and ritual preparations. It is only a little bit past sunrise when the Dungeon Busters are on the march again.