Chapter 1: Nightstone

Qavez reasons that the children are likely upstairs, as most people's bedrooms are there. Running upstairs, he checks the first room and finds it empty. The second seems to be wedged shut, but he can hear the children crying within.

Working together, Qavez and Xed burst through the jammed door and find three small children, huddled together in fear. As the door opens, smoke comes rushing into the room with the heroes and the three children begin to cough.

The children begin crawling toward the door, except for the smallest, who holds her arms up to Qavez and Xed.

Between them, Qavez and Xed are able to usher the children through the dangerous building and make their way outside to somewhat fresher air. The parents are deliriously happy and effusive in their thanks. The two heroes join the rest of their part in helping the people make their way to the keep, but find that as they approach the bridge people are milling about uncertainly rather than proceeding across.

The party navigate their way through the crowd and Qavez' question is soon answered: one of the giants' boulders must have crashed through the bridge. It now ends 20 feet from its moorings, with a large gap to the other side.

The gap is about 15 feet, and Qavez thinks that with a running start, any of the heroes would probably make it. If you miss, it's a short drop to the moat and a wet, dark swim back to shore.

Qavez' aim is good, and the hook spins around one of the railing supports on the other side, though somewhat loosely.

Xed dances across, nimble as a monkey.