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[howandwhy99]

The sun had reached its zenith and the heat of the day had thinned the crowds outside. Diedre, Rose, and Kayla headed up the main road towards the heart of the city. They were looking for the Earl’s palace, but lavish estates seemed to flourish around the center of town. All had high stone walls and guards at their gates. After a couple of hours of searching, and asking total strangers for directions, they finally found the estate of the Earl. Two guards stood outside the entrance. “We’ve come to speak with the Earl,” said Kayla. The guards looked at each other. Both held out their palms. Kayla thought to herself, “if there ever was a common greeting in this city, this is it.” She tossed a goldpiece to the ground between them. Both dove forward for it doing no little injury to themselves.

Inside the palace a long hall stretched down to two large wooden doors. They were open. Paintings and cloth drapery of great value decorated he hall. Through the double doors was a much larger room with a raised throne and several pillars. Every surface was richly adorned. On the throne sat a small man with sharp features. Several other men stood around him of varying size and dress. The Earl was in conversation, but stopped when the three women entered. “Ah ha! A Fey! In the city no less! And your friends?” Kayla, Diedre, and Rose approached. At the foot of the steps Rose bowed and kneeled.
“I come from the Front. There is great trouble and I have been sent back to appeal for aid from any who might give it. The armies are in desperate need. Our forces require soldiers, and weapons, and any supplies you can offer. Whatever you can send will help greatly. But soldiers and weapons are in direst need. I beseech thee. Please help however you can.” She paused. “I bring a letter from the elven forces.”

Taking a slim, folded parchment from inside her clothing Rose handed it to a servant who in turn gave it to the Earl. He read the note slowly. “It is as I feared. You may take some from me. Stand.” Rose stood up and approached the Earl at his signal. “Go to the armory and quartermaster,” he continued. As Rose stared at the little man his face changed peculiarly. It seemed to stretch towards her and then shrink back again. “Ask the quartermaster for a fully stocked wagon of weapons.” The Earl’s face elongated again. His eyes turned red and then back to black. His face returned to normal. The change reminded Rose of a rat’s face. “And ask him for a stone. He will know what I mean.”

When he had finished, the Earl dismissed them. Another servant led the three out a side door, down several hallways and into a large, high ceilinged, storage room. Rose relayed the message to the man in charge there. “Interesting,” said the quartermaster. “Here. Take this.” He handed Rose a strange yellow stone with circle markings spiraling inside to its center. As Rose held it the stone flashed with light. Everyone averted their eyes except Rose who stared hypnotically into the stone. She saw it spiral out elongating to a point a hair from her face. Then the stone shifted back to its spherical shape and the light subsided. Rose was still a little dazed.
“It will tell those at Adlerweg you are in the Earl’s employ,” said the quartermaster.

Two large doors slid open on the other side of the room. Sunshine streamed through the opening. Then a very large wagon with circle slats around its bed – a wagon without a cover – was driven inside. Four strong horses pulled it into the room. Inside its bed were four long wooden crates. The quartermaster brought Rose and her friends to the back and had the covers pulled off. Rose backed away. One crate held swords, another spears, the third axes, and the fourth bows. “We will reseal them for your journey,” said the quartermaster.
“My journey?” exclaimed Rose. Collecting herself she nodded. “Thank you.” The three women climbed aboard the front of the wagon and Diedre drove the team of horses out of the estate and back to The Wyvern.

“Okay. 23 silver per day for each of us,” said Gwenna. Dram was enjoying the bartering process.
“Are you really worth it?” he said.

Hanz looked over to Gwenna. “We don’t have horses though…” Gwenna groaned.
“19 silver and horses. That’s our offer,” said Darius. Gwenna carefully controlled her face. Four horses cost quite a bit. She suspected the dwarf would not be willing to let her keep them, but she shouted, “DONE” before he could take back his offer. The bartering had took its time and toll. Darius stepped out of the room for a breather. When Ben escorted their four new mercenaries to the common room to wait for further instructions, he noticed Darius standing down the hall. Alone, he came back upstairs and went over to his side.

“Are you okay?” he asked. Darius was in a state of deep concentration. “You know they will want to keep those horses you offered?” Darius looked up at Ben. While bartering the mercenaries had told Darius they would go all the way to the Dwarven Kingdoms, but were wary of traveling to the Front. The four had not even been over the mountains before.
“I can feel it, Ben. It is close, very close…. Perhaps I should head out on my own.”
“I understand,” replied Ben. “I’ve had those dreams too. You should have told me before.” Darius shook his head. It was not what he meant.
“It’s not dreams. I’m talking about my mount. It is close. Perhaps even as close as the mountains by Adlerweg. Only… I feel it is constrained. Something’s wrong. I should leave.” Understanding finally dawned on Ben’s face. He changed his tone trying to sound wiser than he felt.
“All things are in the same direction. Tankurd is in town. Or possibly at Adlerweg. The keep is in the mountain pass to the East as Gwenna has said. Now your mount is too. We will find it soon. Lavinia cannot hide forever.”