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[howandwhy99]

The hedgehog military squadron marched Captain Rufus and Advisor Burné through the open gates of the Inner Bailey. Rose was still hoping up and down when Sergeant Keenan entered the square through the main Keep’s gates along with ten other soldiers. Lord Radcliffe rushed forward and escorted the worn looking Keenan back inside the Inner Bailey as well. It was only after listening to hours of soldier gossip that the team eventually learned what had happened. Keenan had confirmed that goblins’ truly controlled Hamfast. Dram became irate and demanded the Keep militia invade Hamfast immediately. Ben observed Dram’s attitude was mercurial when regarding his hometown. Dalin and Ormand the Redd voiced their agreement with Dram, but Darius brought the point home quickly. “We have lost our influence here. The decision to invade is no longer in our hands. The fate of Hamfast is now up to Lord Radcliffe and his new commanders. We have more to worry about. We are still being hunted. Our only hope is to escape County Margrave. Any waiting could spell our deaths. Aiding the war effort will have to wait.”

Realizing the truth of the dwarf’s words, the team began packing for another early morning’s departure. Dram met with his father and the other refugees. He explained his plight and asked if is father would be willing to travel with him south. “Nay,” said Gil Hammersmith after a thought. “My place is with me fellow villagers. And if those short-sighted, noble pretenders don’t go to free Hamfast, we will! We can make our way home and attack. The news would shame the fools into helping us!” As Dram tried to say goodbye to his father, the rest of the team bid farewell to Mirel. The one-time “Lady-for-a-Day” had decided to stay with her parents and the keepfolk she knew so well. Since she had not traveled to Harling, it was a good bet she might be able to hide from their attackers. Words of caution and watchfulness mixed with ones of good luck, but all knew if any of their number could evade the suspicions of the killers, it was Mirel.

In the evening Lord Radcliffe found a drunken Dram wrapped in a large fur at the Inn. The rest of the team sat within as well looking bleary-eyed. “Never fear. I come with good news!” said Ratcliff. “Ldy Margrave had responded to my missive. The refugees of Hamfast are no longer to stand trial for their crimes and are hereby declared free!” The common room erupted into cheers and Dram let out a loud “Hoot!” He and Dalin immediately started a party. Everyone was running around gathering up friends and relatives for the celebration. Uninvited townsfolk began arriving too, but none were turned away. Father Ben thought to himself in one corner. He was secretly thankful for the old mens’ release. He had not heard whether or not Father John’s would maintain his pledge of asylum. Relieved, Ben stood up and announced his intentions to travel south too. Dram called out for another round of ale. The others look at like he was drunk as most had already assumed he would come. When some out-of-towners showed up at the Inn, they were treated to a free drink and asked of news from the outside. “Twas a large group of dogmen been seen by da’ outpost we left” said one man. “They were fleein’ deeper into the forest.”
“Huzzah!” sang out Dram and several others joined in. The newcomers warned about how banditry along the roads had increased. They were glad to be inside after their trip. Darius took note. To Ben, it appeared as if adventure beckoned from all around the Keep. Who knew what would lie in the southern lands?


[DAY 88 – Fastday, Azer 20th, CY 81]
– [DAY 89 – Holyday, Azer 21st, CY 81]

Early the next morning many of the members were still fuzzy headed from the night before. A drink or two cleared it right up. They team said their final goodbyes and bid so long to Keep Margrave. They chose the west road, which led through Hommlet. It was a long ride, but fortunately no bandits were seen along the way. The Welcome Wench Inn was crowded when they arrived. Exhausted from lack of sleep and riding, Dram, Dalin, and several others went to sleep early in the common room. Kayla stayed up and learned several rumors from some of the friendly commonfolk. Apparently, a mad hermit was said to be active in the woods north of Keep Margrave. He had several unusual things for trade, but was known to attack visitors as often as he traded with them. Kayla wondered if it was perhaps the dryad they had met long ago, or another forest creature working for Greenwillow the Ent.

She had to laugh when one of the men named Elmo gave a dire warning to all in the pub about a fire creature seen loose in the woods nearby. “I have seen the creature’s tracks with my own eyes” said Elmo. “And not a single living plant survived its touch.” Several women “oohed” appreciatively. Rose asked openly about the old manor outside of town. When no one spoke up, she warned them it was full of “Drae” and to be avoided at all costs. Elmo told her it had belonged to a noble long ago, but had fallen into a state of disrepair since his demise. “Only a few days ago a strange man named Spugnoir, a dwarf, and another man went to find treasure within. No one has seen them since.”
“A red-bearded dwarf?” asked Rose.
“That’s right, do you know him?” asked Elmo. Rose did not respond. She and Kayla agreed later it was almost certainly Cyrus the Black.

In the morning the team left Hommlet and traveled onward to Holmfaust. They kept a sharp watch out and traveled on horseback two abreast, but no bandits were seen. Darius surmised the team was probably being avoided as they were far too dangerous a target. Looking at the map Dram had drawn, Darius decided they would skirt the edge of the Greenwillow Forest during the journey south as long as possible. This left them and option to run and hide in case there was trouble. “But after we’ve left the County”, he thought, “there will be no certainty of safety. Who knows how far the killers will follow?” He spurred his horse again. As long as he was moving he felt the attackers were at the disadvantage. When the lonely wizard tower came into view just at the outskirts of Holmfaust, Kayla rode up and rapped on the door. It would be her last visit to Balorn for quite some time. Father Ben stood scratching his underarms as he had done for most the day. Balorn looked indifferent to their arrival, but led Kayla and Darius alone up the stairs to his library. The rest of the team either sat in his sitting room or walked around outside.