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[howandwhy99]

[DAY 91 – Moonday, Azer 23rd, CY 81]

Gonnaway’s deserted streets were still cloaked in shadow when Darius led his teammates outside the high wall. The sky was a smooth sea of cobalt blue thawing as the sun struggled to break the horizon. Father Ben hummed pleasantly to himself as he counted the few remaining stars above. The little thorp had renewed his faith in the world again. As the first rays of light struck his face, he felt certain whatever challenges the southern road held would be overcome. The sun rose rapidly and the morning air grew unusually hot and dry. Rose whistled out in bird song when Dram spotted more vultures circling ahead, but none responded. A carcass of some creature lied further on. Having grown up on a horse farm, Ben recognized it as buffalo. Rose walked over and examined the dry earth around it.

“There are no tracks anywhere”, she exclaimed. “It’s like it fell out of the sky!”
“Maybe it was the dragon?” said Dalin. Darius hushed him and passed on how the locals of Gonnaway believed they were being hunted by a mythical dragon of old. Dram looked upwards, cantered his horse and hurried the team on their way. As the day stretched, Rose started asking questions again about Margrave and why dragons would drop buffalo from the sky. She talked on and on unworried about the lack of answers. The team learned she had been trained in tracking and ranging the land as Pendra and Certa. A flicker of worry crept over Ben’s face as he remembered neither of the two men had ever been found.

Rose went on about her past and heritage. Apparently, her Fae nature allowed Rose to know exactly where she was at all times. “My impure blood keeps me from seeing in the dark though. I wish I could. But then I’d probably eat people too, so maybe it’s for the best for you.” Rose smiled merrily as the rest of the group noticed every tooth in her mouth was sharply pointed. Father Ben made a silent resolution to teach her the goodly faith as soon as possible. “Mother’s side eats, heart, mind, and soul.” Dalin changed the topic to card playing and the others readily took it up.

An hour or so before dinner a town came into view. Nearly a hundred buildings were clustered around with farmsteads extending back beyond and to the west. As they rode their horses in several people moved aside as the roads were full of activity. Darius stopped a passerby long enough to learn the town’s name: Custner. Picture signs hung from many of the buildings along the main road. A horseshoe hung above a clanging smith’s shop and a small barrel above the cooper’s. Darius pulled into the smith’s and the others followed. He and Dalin looked over his wares and had the horse hooves checked. Rose drew back and held her nose when see saw inside. Father Ben overheard her tell Kayla of her great dislike for iron and other metals. He turned away as it was improper to listen in. It was then he spotted a carpenter’s shop down the street. It was precisely what he was looking for.

Rose, Kayla and Diedre dismounted and headed towards what looked like a large commerce building in the center of town as Ben headed to the carpenter’s alone. Outside the building, the three women saw a number of young men staggering around with drinks in their hands. Hung over the door was the sign of a busty woman holding ale. “We’re just in time for the party!” yelled Rose. Kayla grimaced silently. Inside was a long bar and several more men. A half dozen women lolled about upstairs along the balcony dressed in provocative clothing. Several more danced slowly with the men as a fiddler played. Rose joined right in and started dancing with the men too, some of whom backed away in fright.

Kayla and Diedre stood their ground as three different men tried propositioning them. Kayla started examining the large common room while ignoring its inhabitants. A massive stone fireplace stretched along one wall. A six-foot wide circular buckler and massive ten-foot long sword hung above the mantle. Oddly the sword was missing its crosspiece. A small dwarven woman sporting a full beard and long, red gown approached. “Well met young ones. I am Gerda. Are you interested in working for our fine establishment?” Rose ran right over from across the room. “Why do they give the women metal for simple frolicking?” she asked. “It’s downright cruel!” Gerda laughed, but did not answer.