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Message: <blockquote data-quote="FitzTheRuke" data-source="post: 8366532" data-attributes="member: 59816">Hawthorne took out the map he had sketched of their coming journey, cobbled together from various sources. He had intended to travel by the River Chionthar from Baldur's Gate to Scornubel (the logistics of which were familiar to him) but the caravan master may have a point. The Greenfields were vast, but easily crossed. Their destination was in the southern Sunset Mountains, just over fifty leagues north-east of Easting, by his calculation. In addition, it occurred to him that it may be possible to take the coach on the journey. It was a reach on his authority, but he had been granted broad discretion to "get the job done". Still, the consequences of failure could mean the ruin of his reputation in the Consortium. The more resources he expended, the more dire the consequences should he fail.He had yet to make a firm decision either way by morning, when the caravan struck camp and made its way up a steady switchback as the Way of the Lion rose with the land away from the sea. The caravan of four laden wagons did not move as quickly as the coach could go (in particular up hill), but Broun was still recovering, and Shedrick was not a professional driver, so the slow pace was seen as a comfortable compromise. Four hours later, the caravan reached the Coast Way crossroads and turned south, and the Black Dragon Gate coach went with it. Now they travelled down hill, and they crossed a sturdy stone bridge over a swift-moving creek in the early afternoon. The bridge was guarded by members of the Flaming Fist, and they collected a toll that seemed high to Hawthorne. The delays in crossing each wagon and negotiating the toll (no rate ever seemed fixed when the Flaming Fist were involved) allowed everyone to exit the coach and to stretch their legs. When that was done, they were off again, and they reached Beregost a little late for suppertime. By then, the Red Sheaf (the merchant's inn) was busy, the meat was overcooked, and the best rooms were taken.</blockquote>

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