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[howandwhy99]

On Sunday a makeshift tavern was set up in the intact portion of the old Inn to drum up more money for repair costs. Dram made it a point to heartily patronize the worthy cause. From the other drinkers he heard news about a group of woodsmen lost in the Forest. As best he could determine the woodsmen had gone to cut logs in the Greenwillow two months ago and none had been seen since. Dram wondered how far in the wood they could have traveled. He pressed for any other rumors which had spread. Unfortunately, his drinking companions turned sour. According to one “those do-gooder Rangers Pendra and Certa met their match in the mountains.” Dram punched his mug into the drunk’s face. Blood and mead sprayed out. Come morning Dram decided not to go back to the tavern for awhile.

On the ninth morning, Weddingday, Dalin finally awoke much to everyone’s relief. Captain Darius called a meeting in his chambers inside the inner bailey. The hired men Ormand and Pax were told to keep watch and were left to stand guard outside the room. The rest of the team watched as Darius stood up on a chair to be heard. “Many of you may remember how Dalin won my sword back at the Midsummer’s Festival.” Darius held the sword aloft. “I had sent it secretly along with a letter to the Dwarven Kingdoms to the south. Unfortunately, the assassins or bandits on the roads around the Keep must have waylaid the messenger. After much debate”, with this he looked down at Kayla “I have decided it would be wise to travel to Harling and gain Lady Margrave’s permission before calling on the Dwarves. I invite you all to travel with me.”

He paused to read the faces watching him. Darius had said nothing about the ill rumors of dwarves spreading through the County. He had spoken to nearly every soldier in the Keep trying to gauge his status and felt himself well liked. But he knew Kayla was right about not journeying straight on to the Dwarven Nations, as he had originally desired. That trip would likely follow. He believed if he could convince the band to follow him to Harling, continuing on farther south would seem a natural. Darius urgently wished to travel home. He could feel a force tugging on his soul. Something was waiting in the southern mountains for him.

Darius spoke again. “If you remember, Lady Margrave holds the City, while we and Lord Radcliffe now hold the Keep. With Lord Margrave gone so far north to the Front, her Ladyship is left alone to watch the nobles in Harling. Now Kayla has mentioned knowing of some advisors to her Lady Margrave who might help us in convincing her to our cause. I think…”
“I cannot go” Ben cut him off. “I sent word to Father Stauk-Flezr my superior to send a replacement for me. I know you serve the County honorably by traveling, but I simply cannot leave the good folk here without some clerical guidance. Healing is needed for the soldiers in the outposts. Wise decisions are still called upon from me by the populace.”
Darius jumped back in “It is okay, Father Ben. Not everyone needs to come.”

“I cannot go either,” said Dram. “I have family business to take care of. With the gold I have now, I can pay off my father’s debt and release him from prison.”
Darius had Dram pull out the sketched map of Margrave County he had drawn before. He pointed out how Dram’s hometown of Hamfast could be traveled through to reach Harling, if they chose.
“Is Clares on that thing too?” asked Dalin. “I’ll go with, if it’s on the way.”
Kayla stopped whispering in Igor’s ear and she stepped forward. She pointed out how while she had never been there herself, she knew Clares to be in the outskirts of Harling City. Dalin nodded his assent.

Kayla and Igor accepted the invitation without argument. Mirel was hiding along the wall when Darius’s gaze found her. She preferred to stay at the Keep she said. With the recent attacks she did not feel right leaving her family. Holly the Druidess said she would leave… but to go into the Forest, not to the City. With Barth gone from the Keep she felt her true need was in protecting Greenwillow Forest. The others were somewhat taken back. Ash she left they all said their goodbyes. Holly departed quickly and Darius turned back towards Ben. “I will do what I can to find your replacement and bring him safely back. Guard this place well. It is still our last defense against the forces in the Caves.”
Behind them Igor was whispering to Kayla again. He held up three fingers and ticked one off.