Mists over the Musarde, Interlude Four

[Lord Skybolt]

"I for one think it would good to let Wat and the rest of us rest one more night since he has said they will mostly likely be at the moot in five days time to for the final nights celebrations . " Alain stops and puts a hand to his ear as if to say what is the rest of the parties opinion on the matter .

[steveflam]

"Whatever ye lads wanna do is fine by me, I'll follow ye whate'er ye wanna be doin' " Norzak replies to Alain.

[JMaytr]

"I have told you my opinion of the gypsies before. My dear friend lost his only son to those lying devils for no fault but for what they felt was a wrong. We have failed to bring back Van Dieks to them, they will see that as failing their task. They care nothing for non gypsies!"

Jonathan stands near Norzak.

"I say we go to the portal and get Wat back to the moot house. We have freed the witch of this place. Perhaps the roads will open for us and we can find our own way home."

[ewancummins]

Wat asks-

''Roads? The old trails? Were they closed? No one told me about that.''

[JMaytr]

Jonathan perks up.

"Wat, do you know the old roads? We wish to travel to Pont-a-Museau. It is by the sea. Have you heard of this place? Or of Mordentshire?"

[Adam]

Bennedict's ears perk up at Jon's question, interested on an academic level to hear the old man's answer. After all, he thinks, chronologically speaking this place is so far in the past that Pont-Au-Museau is not even in existence yet.

[ewancummins]

Wat answers

''I know some of the old roads, and I have heard that the sea is far away to southwest. The other places you mention, I've never heard of them. Maybe the wisemen at the Moot would know more of these things? ''

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Dorgio reaches into his pouch for a cigarillo, but stops himself, remembering there are none. "Jon. When I was first coming to the city, there was a man with red hair who killed his wife because she would not give him a son. You too are having red hair, but somehow I am not holding you responsible for the other man's crimes." <i>Other crimes, perhaps</i>, he thinks, wondering if Jon is truly afraid of the tinkers, or if the boy fears something else entirely...

"I am agreeing though, that we should be taking the portal. Van Diecks, if he were around her, would he not have attacked us as we returned here, wounded and weighted down? He may be on his way to the Moot as well, to be doing who is knowing what."

[ewancummins]

Wat is, predictably, not at all thrilled to learn that the portal must be taken, yet he acquiesces in good grace.

''I'd liefer make the two days' trek, but for you, friends, I'll take the witch-road.''


The party having agreed to rest one more night and then use the portal at the Keep tomorrow morning, Wat now sets himself to work wrapping up strips of smoked pork.

''I can maybe trade some of this meat at the Moot.''

The day has many other tasks: water must be gotten from the stream, repairs to the roof finished, healing magic applied to the injured, clothing mended, etc.

Night comes, and with it sleep.

....................

The next morning [five days since leaving the Moot]


After a light breakfast, the last of Wat's acorn mash and some vegetables from his little garden plot, the whole party heads off in the direction of the Keep.

Outside, the air is humid and a light gray mist hangs over the low lying ground. The sun peeks through a cloudy sky in the east, but the western sky is clear and blue.

The walk through the forest to the Keep is not a long one, and the course is easier by day in than it had been at night. Soon enough, you party has crossed the woods and the barren field, and ascended the withered slop of the great hill.

Entering the Keep ruins, you all make your way to the underground portal-chamber. There is a strong odor coming from the room; you all smell this as you draw near: a stink like an open sewer.
Someone holds up a torch, and the interior of the portal-room is revealed for all to see...

The floor is pocked with deep gouges, dirt and rocks scattered around at random. Dung befouls the walls and floor alike. The circle of white stones is gone. Someone or something has destroyed the portal!


END OF INTERLUDE