The heroes stared in
disbelief as they recognised the voice and outline of Auric. Earlier in their
travels, they had encountered Auric and other Hidden Gale warriors being
pursued by Lunar soldiers. As a result of their intervention in the skirmish,
Auric had been turned over to the tender mercies of the Lunars whilst the
companions had received the promise of a reward of 200 cattle. As they left the
Lunar fort, Auric had been in the process of being crucified...now here he was,
amongst the Lunar-hating Black Spear Clan.
An uncomfortable few
minutes passed, with the heroes convinced that Auric would order their deaths
at any moment. As Auric leaned forward, however, they realised that he had been
blinded by the Lunars! Although he had received healing, his eyes had not yet
reformed in their sockets. To their relief, at that Neil the promised guide
arrived and, as they took their leave, Auric called out: 'I look forward to the
time we meet again, when I can lay eyes on such true sons and daughters of
Orlanth!'
Their guide, a
taciturn shield-maiden named Henga, tersely gave them her orders: 'Follow me;
if I say stop, stop. If I say lie down, lie down. If I say close your eyes, do
that. If you do as I say and move fast, we may get through the Wilds in one
piece'.
Thus warned, the
travellers set off. On their journey to Asborn's Stead, they hid from thunder
lizards and had an odd experience. Henga ordered them to stop and close their
eyes. As they stood, puzzled, the sound of what seemed to be a child's wordless
singing approached from the forest to the East. Each of the clansmen had the
sensation of something standing close by, staring into their faces. Although
the temptation to open their eyes was strong, the moment passed and the weird
singing moved off back to the East. As they opened their eyes, they noted that
Henga was pale and sweating. Swallowing nervously, Henga urged them to move
quickly, clearly desperate to reach Asborn's Stead before nightfall.
After what seemed
like an age, a well-defended stead appeared in the distance. As soon as they
were within bowshot of the timber palisade, Henga turned about and headed south
without a word of farewell. Clearly, the Black Spear reputation for disliking strangers
was well-deserved.
By contrast, Asborn
Stead held a warm welcome for the clansmen. Asborn himself was a hearty host
and a firm supporter of Kangharl's predecessor, Queen Leika, now an exile in
the stronghold of Whitewall. During a feast in the best tradition of Sartarite
hospitality, Asborn revealed that he and Kangharl had been sword-brothers, both
fighting against the Lunars during Starbrow's Rebellion. Asborn was genuinely
sad that Kangharl had seemingly turned his coat almost overnight; his new-found
zeal for all things Lunar was a mystery to him. The heroes mused as to the
reason why this had happened, and wondered whether the Lunars had some hidden
hold over Kangharl...
The following
morning, the companions set off for Apple Lane, confident the worst of the
journey was behind them. By early afternoon, they reached Gringle's village.
After encountering the local redsmith and a merchant, the heroes found
Gringle's home only to find it locked and silent. Keen to speak to Gringle as
soon as possible, the clansmen entered
the local tavern, the Tin Inn. Whilst waiting, they met with Dronlan
Swordsharp, the local thane. Once Dronlan realised that Gringle was under Lunar
threat, Dronlan took the band across to the Shop and rapidly gained them an
audience with Gringle. Upon hearing that he was now an outlaw, and that Lunar
forces were on the way to plunder his treasures, Gringle began to prepare to
leave the village for exile. However, it would take him perhaps a day to gather
his valuables together. Some of his treasures required careful preparation
before they could be moved, and became dangerous if not handled properly. As
Gringle disappeared into his basement to prepare, the clansfolk explored the
building and made ready to defend it. And not too soon, as word reached them of
a group of warriors entering the town, led by a Lunar woman whose body was
heavily tattooed; one side the red of the Shepelkirt, and the other the blue of
the Middle Air.
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