Turn 66 -- Off to the Mines!!

Ushered into the common room of the Baron of Mutton, the celebration begins in earnest. The room of the Baron is filled to capacity and beyond, it seems that every citizen of the town has decided to join the celebration either here or at the Silver Crown. Large plates of wonderful food are placed before the companions to enjoy as it seems that each of the women of the town prepared something special for the festivities. The food is plenty and the ale and wine flow freely. After an hour or so of hearty eating and drinking, the companions are finally left to themselves by the citizens of the town, each intent on hearing the deeds of the group themself. The celebration though, continues on in full force, spilling out into the streets of Milbourne.

"Excellent celebration," begins Talimar as he sits comfortably back in his chair, "but where do we go next? Our mission is still not complete."

"I suggest the mines," says Dain as he blows a large smoke ring from his pipe. "Tis the only logical hiding place left for Jelenneth's captors. Unless anyone has any other ideas?"

"Aye, the mines! It'll feel like home ta me. Startin' ta feel a bit naked without tons 'o rock over me head," replies Ortho as he takes another draught of his ale.

Talimar nods in agreement with Dain and Ortho, "That seems like our best bet. As no one is in disagreement, we shall next head to the mines then. What about equipment? Gnore, can we acquire or make it here? Or shall we have to journey to Shadowdale for the gear? We may be able to hook up with a merchant travelling there."

Upon hearing Talimar's question, Gnore frowns as he recalls his conversation with the town's barkeep. "This town can't even produce a simple helm let alone gear fit for the caves. No, Talimar, we will have to venture to Shadowdale."

Hearing this, Ras clears his throat from across the table, "Tal, Gnore, have ye already forgotten the goods from the Count? We still have those supplies that he outfitted us with. Should be all we need for the journey."

"Ah! That's right," exclaims Talimar, "I had forgotten about those goodies. Well then, it's settled. We have all we need and can head out tomorrow for the mines."

As everyone agrees on the company's next course of action, Ras stands up to be better heard (and seen!). "We spoke outside the keep on presenting a give to Lyntern for his upcoming wedding. I say we prepare the short bow we acquired from the keep as a gift to him and maybe one of you could take this small diamond we found and make a nice ring for the bride also?"

Gnore agrees with a nod on presenting the short bow as a wedding gift to Lyntern, "Perhaps we could tie a red feather to it as well?"

Garth agrees, "That's a fine idea. I'd also like to get something for the bride too. Perhaps a silver necklace of a feather?"

Dain nods to all, "That sounds like a wondeful idea, that is if it doesn't set us back too far. Do you have an educated guess as to how much it costs?"

Ras turns to Dain, "I really don't know how much it is worth, I think someone here can tell us but I don't think it is worth much and we have plenty of loot. Let me show you." He then reaches back into his pack and pulls forth a leatherbound volume. Opening it to the appointed page, he presents it to Dain.

After looking at the books, Dain replies, "It does appear that we are rather well off doesn't it? I think that a ring would be a wonderful idea. Besides, being in good favor with the nobles can pay off more than you would think."

Druckner gets in a sour mood and grumbles upon hearing all this talk about giving away perfectly good loot to the nobles, "As if they were the ones that needed it!" he says.

"Humph!" he then takes a long draught of ale and scans the room for Ol' Grizzler. "Are we through 'ere?"

"I suppose so," says Talimar, "We'll worry about the gifts when we hear when the date is. In the meantime, prepare yourselves for the journey to the mines tomorrow. Now if you'll excuse me?"

As the group breaks up for the evening, Talimar retires to his room for the evening and spends the better part of it going through the newfound spellbook for the first time, committing the new spells to memory.

Gnore and Ortho also each retire to their respective rooms after sharing in another round. Gnore is fast asleep as soon as his head is down. Ortho spends some time in prayer to Moraddin for courage during the sack of the keep as well as the power to turn the undead. He then sets about to cleaning his armor and his weapons. After they have all been thoroughly cleansed and bright and shining, he straps on his newly acquired wings of flying and with a childish grin on his face, moves to the window. Opening the window, he looks out into the cold night air and the streets of Milbourne. Several people still roam the streets although most now appear to be more unsteady than earlier.

Saying a quick prayer to Moraddin, Ortho leaps off the window sill into the night air. Speaking the command word of the winds, he freefalls for a moment before being pulled back up and flying through the air. With a childish glee, he heads southward over the town, streaking through the countryside trying out his new wings. Although frightening at first, he quickly falls in love with the feeling of weightlessness and freedom of the skies. After several minutes, he decides to head on back to his room before scaring some poor drunken townsperson into believing they've seen a demon or a ghost. With a smile big enough to block the sun, he lands on the ledge of the window and jumps into the room. He then prepares another of his special exploding flasks before heading to bed. It is several hours before he can actually fall to sleep as he enjoys the rush that came over him from the flight.

Back downstairs, Randor has decided he has had enough of the merriment for one evening and will see to Marlay. "I am going to try and find a place where this young girl can be cured. Would you care to accompany me Garth?"

Garth nods as he gets up from the table with his friends, "I think we should try and find her some suitable clothing. Touched or not, she deserves to look a little better." The two then make their exit from the inn, leading the addled woman out the door as she mumbles on and on once again about her lost kitchen. Marlay appears to pay no attention at the call of her name or the fact that anyone is speaking to or about her.

Once outside, Garth turns to speak to Randor, "Brother Randor, I did not mean to snap when the topic of Marlay came up. I was merely concerned for her well being and felt that the party was being a bit unkind to her disposition. No hard feelings, okay?"

Randor smiles as he realizes that is probably the most words he's heard the terse dwarf speak to anyone at one time. "No hard feelings, my friend. I would have done the same."

"Now let's see about getting her some help. The best this town has to offer is a temple to Torm. It is run by a capable, if not overzealous, priest named Semheis. Perhaps he can help us."

"Lead the way, friend," replies Garth.

The two then head over to the temple to meet with Semheis. They decide to get Marlay proper clothing on the morrow or leave money with Semheis as there are no stores open at this time of night. They are able to find Semheis as he was just returning from the celebration and is quite excited to see Randor again. He is also excited to meet Garth.

"I have heard much of your work in this town as well as Thurmaster in the short time that you have been here," he says to Garth as he shakes his hand. "The people speak of the offerings you give them as well as the words of kindness."

"Ah, only doing the Lady's will," replies the humble dwarf.

"And who do we have here?" asks Semheis as he takes notice of Marlay for the first time.

Garth and Randor then introduce Marlay to Semheis and explain how they came to meet her as well as describing her condition and their lack of being able to help her.

"We thought perhaps you could be of some assistance with her?" asks Randor.

"Well, we can surely try," replies Semheis. "You can leave her with me and I will try and work with her, find out the extent of her condition and any possible cure. Please feel free to drop by any time to check on her and if there are any breakthroughs, I will let you know."

The two priests nod their acceptance of this and leave the mad woman with Semheis. They then head back to the Baron of Mutton and deciding to forgo any further festivities, head up to their rooms for their evening devotions and much needed rest.

Down in the common room, Ras has taken his leave of the party leaving Kersath, Druckner, Kre and Dain to the partying. Kersath quickly makes his departure as well, taking a stroll around the town and enjoying the cool night air. Kre gives a wink to the others as he gets up and moves to a corner table of the inn and pulls out his new dice. "Round of drinks over here, for me and anyone who wants to participate in a friendly game!" A hearty cheer goes up from the crowd as a large group of men and women move over to join the game. Kre smiles deeply as he sees the full purses and glazed eyes that move to join him. Druckner rises from the table, nudges Dain and goes to get two large pitchers of the Baron's Special.

"It's on me, gentlemen," he says to all as he joins the game.

"Come on, Dain," smiles Druckner as he claps the mage on his back, "'ave a seat, a drink, and join the game!"

Dain smiles at his friend, blows a quick smoke ring and takes a seat, "I believe I will friend, Druckner, I just believe I will." He takes a long draught on the mug of ale offered to him then.

"It's not like we've got sword practice in the mornin'!" laughs Druckner as he sees Dain join him.

The three companions then proceed to drink and gamble until the wee hours of the morning. Kre merely sips his ale, occassionally slyly spilling his to give the illusion of him drinking heavily while the other two actually partake of the ale quite often. They continue to laugh, drink and gamble, taking a bit of money from all of the citizens of Milbourne. As the game draws to a close, the three companions stumble up to their rooms, Druckner and Dain drunkenly trying to assist one another as the steady Kre helps them. Kre managed to make off with 50 gold crowns, Druckner 15 and with all the help imagineable from Kre, Dain makes off with 5 gold crowns!

"Not a bad night, eh?" asks Kre as his two drunken companions almost take a header down the stairs.

"Not a bad night, a'tal!" exclaims Dain as he taps his coin purse. "First time I ever won, I do believe."

"Well stick with me, friend Dain, and you'll win much more than that!" boasts Kre as they reach their rooms.

"See you fellas at sunrise!" says Kre with a laugh as he claps each of his companions on their back.

Druckner and Dain look at one another and frown deeply before entering their rooms.

"Sunrise, me arse!" exclaims Druckner as he falls into his bunk, snoring right away.

Much to the chagrin of both Druckner and Dain, sunrise does come to the valley of Haranshire. As the first rays of sunlight crest the trees to the east of town, Kersath, Talimar, and Gnore can be found outside on the edge of town practicing with their new weapons. Talimar unsheaths the new longsword and admires the play of the light over the steel. He then moves a short distance away from the others and begins to practice with the blade, seeming more to dance than fight as he gracefully moves around, the blade whistling with deadly precision.

After a while of practice, Talimar slows and stops the blade held vertically in front of him as he stares at the blade. Coming to a decision, he sheaths the sword in his scabbard once again.

"He's an expert out 'ere, but all thumbs in combat!" laughs Gnore as he nudges Kersath. "Maybe that new blade will help keep ye conscious from now on!"

Talimar laughs at the jest from the dwarf as he moves over to join his friends, "Perhaps you would care to show me how it's done?"

"Aye, you bet I will," replies Gnore. "Kersath?"

With a nod from the drow elf, the two step forward and face off. With a stout curse, Gnore charges Kersath with bastard sword raised high. In a blinding flash, Kersath draws both his longswords and easily blocks the downward swing of the dwarf. Both combatants smile at each other as they break and join again. Gnore raining down blow after two-handed blow only to be blocked by the agile drow. Within a matter of moments, the two are breathing heavily and perspiring despite the chill of the morning.

"Enough!" shouts Kersath.

As Gnore halts his attack, the drow holds his swords before him. "We have a long journey ahead of us today and the mines after that. No need tiring each other out this early in the morning."

"Agreed," says Gnore with a deep smile.

"That small frame doesn't do you justice, my friend," begins Kersath. "Your strength rivals that of our mighty friend Beleg."

"Hrmph! Of course it does," boasts Gnore. "I could have shown that giant a thing or two!"

"Ha, I'm sure you could," replies Kersath and Talimar in unison.

The three then return to the Baron of Mutton and enjoy a warm breakfast. They discuss the journey to the caves and their plan of action once there as they wait for the others to come down. Within an hour or so, each of the companions are downstairs and eating. The last to arrive being Dain, only slightly behind Druckner.

"Ohhh, why didn't one of you stop me?" he asks as he takes his seat.

"You were doing just fine," says Kre with a smile.

"Never again, I swear it, never again," Dain replies as he rubs his aching head.

Each of the companions then laugh heartily as they all remember the familiar 'hangover pledge' made each morning following a late night of carousing. All that is except for Garth, who only nods his head sadly. After everyone has broken their fast, Talimar tells them to make their preparations to leave within the hour.

"Come on Dain," says Kersath to the aching wizard. "I believe you wished to purchase some fine throwing daggers?"

"Aye, I did," replies Dain, "And your help would be much appreciated. I'm sure you could offer very sound advice, especially considering my present condition."

The two then head out of the Inn and over to Rastifer's store to purchase the items. A little over an hour later, the companions are once again assembled before the Baron of Mutton and ready to head toward the mines. Dain has five new daggers on his belt as he sits his horse unsteadily, still holding his head as much as possible. A number of townsfolk have come out to see the party off, Andrenn included in them.

"I pray you will find my dear Jelennath," he says to Talimar and the gruop.

"We will," replies the gray elf as he claps Andrenn on his back. He then mounts his mare and nods to Kersath to lead on.