Gregor wishes the group well and then leads his caravan on its way to the east.
The rest of the afternoon passes quietly and night falls before Sharden is reached. Judging by the merchant's words, it is likely another few hours walk. Camp is set up near a small stand of trees.
The summer night is particularly humid and unsettled. The air is calm, punctuated by brief but intense gusts of wind that carry a hint of rain. During watches, some lightning can be seen playing against the mountains to the west, but nothing reaches the camp.
By mid-morning, the group reaches Sharden. It is a small village, the core of which contains some forty buildings scattered amongst the tall pine in the foothills of the Bitter Peaks. One building, with a large rooster painted above the door, stands out by way of being considerably larger than the rest. Farmers and goatherds eye the group warily, but still nod politely.
According to the map that Iriana scribbled for you, the Sharden Enclave (magister's guild) is somewhere just to the north of the city. Kisthmetch, or the Heart of Night, is still a number of miles to the west - up in the mountains.
Danwyn bids the caravan goodby.
