Will get the next post up before the end of the week. I had been waiting for you guys before the upgrade hit, and your PCs will have some down time to deal with any equipment additions/upgrades you might need for the assault on the cultists.
News quickly comes to you that Aeron is already on his way to Fort Symas with Lorien and young Raius Bellath to seek the help of a skilled healer. They are traveling by wagon and have traveled for half a day along the well-worn trail between Carnell and Fort Symas (traveling roughly 8 miles already). It is about 48 miles (3 days by cart) to the fort across flat plains and then over scrub hills. It wouldn't be hard for you guys to reach them on horse, if you choose to do so.
Since Sir Balorix has to hold vigil for 24 hours before being able to leave, both he and his partner, Sir Avanth, will be around if you need their help during that time. Afterwards, Sir Balorix will escort Hornauer and Lycia south along the Wasting Shores to, at least as far, Knightswall. Once he's sure they have safe passage out of the Strandlands, he'll return to Carnell to see how you fared/are faring against the cultists.
Sir Avanth, however, will be traveling to the Township of Ironsoul, to meet with the senate and inform them of what you've discovered. It's a long journey, so he can't wait around to help you against the cultists.
Sir Ghal Ebal spends the 24 hours staying close to Lady Pendour, as is his duty as the Guardian of Pendour Manor. The other citizens of Carnell keep their distance from the wererat and his mate.
Lady Pendour officially calls out the militia and the dwarf smith, Mabon Bronzethegn, heads the small group of 10 men and woman, which includes primarily farmers and fishers and a young ranger named Kylia (age 17). Elijah Wortham will be his second in command. Sir Ghal assigns young Brutus (age 16) to the militia; he's a half-ogre. They will watch over the large thorpe while Carnell's other warriors go with you to Gurnard's Head including Timmins Walmsley (age 52), Gareth Porthglaze (age 43), Sir Ghal (age 31), Wieland Bowen (age 27), and Meridith Bowen (age 21).
Lady Pendour and Lord Xander agree that he should take her daughter with him to the city of Belporte (roughly 50 miles away on the worn trail or half that over hilly scrub plains) to the northwest. It will be safer there in the coming days, or so the lady comes to believe. Lord Xander says he will send help from the city. He and Lady Melantha leave within four hours of the PCs arriving back at Carnell with the two werefolk.
BTW, did you guys ever finish leveling up your PCs? I'm fairly certain that both Caerth and Quinn went up a level before the last long break, but I don't remember about Phar.
Anyway, each PC gets a 1,000 XP story award for helping to bring Hornauer and Lycia back to Carnell and for the interactions with Sir Balorix.