-1INTERLUDE
Despite the unintentional best efforts of Rom and Kendrac to derail the situation, the dwarves managed to clear out the caves of the remaining bandits with little trouble. Once the former residence of the underground complex learned that their most powerful leaders were laid low by the well armed troupe of dwarves, most fled without a fight. Three score of prisoners were released from cells as well. One of the prisoners, a large human named Avery Darr, turned out to be the mayor of a nearby town. He and the other former prisoners were more than happy to take the captured bandits and the loot they had stolen over the years (at least most of it) back to the towns in the region. Avery promised the dwarves that the prisoners would be punished to the fullest extent of the law, and that the goods stolen would be returned to their proper owners if at all possible.
The dwarves in turn helped repair damaged wagons, helped load them, and escorted them away from the underground base (except for one wagon that was left behind which, for some reason Kendrac refused to explain, had square wheels). Once the caravan reached a major crossroads, it split into smaller groups and headed towards their respective towns and homes. The dwarves retained one wagon loaded with goods, weapons and whatever else they could find.
Whilhemina and Haldis remained with the other dwarves, preferring the open road to returning to their homes for the time being. Other than Armin, the other dwarves wielded their new magical items with no small amount of trepidation. Haldis eyed her new dragonscale shield with a wary eye. Whil carried her new "roar" hammer over her shoulder, while Toren fingered his ring uneasily. Rom did not seem to have anything new, though he did spend a bit of time fiddling with what appeared to be a new pouch on his belt. Kendrac sported a new set of robes, which he wore over his white robes.
The worst off though, was poor Toren. He was covered in small cuts and scratches. In fact, everything and everyone that touched him came away with cuts and scratches. As it seemed, every part of him acted as if it had a razor sharp edge. He cut himself, he cut the others, he cut his clothes, he even left scratches in the wagon and the crates within. He trudged along at the end of the line, grumbling. Kendrac occassionally would hop, or fall, off the wagon and go back to him, trying to correct his errant spell, with little success.
Having no particular goal or direction in mind, the dwarves picked a direction and started off. A few days travel found them having crossed a great plain and as darkness fell, they made camp at the base of the foothills of a mountain...