The weather is also surprisingly clear and warm. Perhaps as a result of Yxonumei's death, the freak storms that once plagued the mountain range seem to have been dispelled.
The journey still takes two days, but finally they feel the warm breeze that signals the outer edge of the circle of warmth provided by Kuldahar's Great Oak, and they know they are close. Then the Tree itself comes into view, and the town about its roots.
They find a crowd of smiling and waving townsfolk waiting for them, Father Tulfgyr and Halla at their head. Cheers erupt as the group arrives, and the tears fill many eyes as the abducted Kuldahari are returned to their families. Kaleel and Maegan greet their friends and loved ones, and Conlan falls to his knees to accept an enormous hug from Sheemish. Looking up at the party from over his boy's shoulder, the blacksmith mouths a silent 'thank you' between sobs of joy.
Halla, somehow standing straighter and with more presence than the last time the party saw her, wraps each of the returned heroes in an uncharacteristically warm hug. Zenithral almost feels as though the woman might deal as much damage to his ribs as Bilewing had.
Father Tulfgyr, his tattooed, wrinkled face twisted in a smile of true joy, welcomes the party back with strong backslaps and the typical old man dwarf whiskerburn.
The crowd disperses as smaller groups go their own way, but Father Tulfgyr declares that a feast is in the making.
The shadow of Nessa's death still hangs over the group, but they have to admit that it feels good to be back.
Which means...
LEVEL UUUUUUUP! The heroes are all now level 11. Woohoo!
Also, the party will have a chance for some nice downtime now. At least a couple of weeks, perhaps as much as a month or even two. While I get that figured out, feel free to do whatever you'd like in town. Catch up with people, sleep, whatever. Timey wimey!