Chapter 5: Progress
"I've found something!" Alariya's voice boomed with excitement.
The others crowded around as she opened the paper to reveal not only a letter but a hand drawn map. The name on the bottom stood out: Forfar.
"We've found it!" Skylah exclaimed.
"Quiet," Talindra hissed, "do you want to alert the whole place?"
"Come, "Captain Gavin said to the group, "let's find a spot where we can look at these clues and figure out our next step."
Returning to the tap room, they went to a table in the corner to read the letter and look at the map. It was crudely drawn and showed some sort of an enclave but had no directions on how to get there or indication of its name. Still, despite its deficiencies, the map was well drawn and quite clear. The letter plainly laid out what Forfar had done. The group eagerly read it over Gavin's shoulder.
22nd day of Nightal, 1373 DR
I fear we are being followed and I am the cause. I can only surmise the reason is the item I carry. If it seems like anything should happen to me I've acquired a Quaal's Token to send Lady Alustriel in Silverymoon to let her know of the existence of the item I carry. To be safe since I fear this item falling into the wrong hands I've hidden it away. Your quest to recover it begins at a place that once was quite grand that stood in the shadow of a long forgotten garrison.
Once arrived, find a place piled with the once proud which now provides a blaze for the now proud. There will be revealed the location of what you seek, the rightful property of the Lady Alustriel.
I pray that Ilmater will show mercy to me by this sacrifice for the foolishness I've shown over the years.
Forfar Marzipan
The letter confirmed what they knew about Forfar, that fearing attack he had hidden the Orb of Bera Shinar somewhere in this area. But where was it and where had he placed the orb? A clue in the letter seemed to point to where it might have been stashed but first they needed to discover the location of the enclave before they could begin to hone in.
Captain Gavin opened a leather satchel he'd been carrying then pulled out a number of small scrolls that turned out to be detailed maps of the immediate area. Mumbling to himself he finally plucked one out and unrolled it on the table.
"Here," he stated, pointing to a spot on the area map that seemed to have the same basic layout as Forfar's sketch. "I thought I recognized this area." Pointing to various landmarks he matched the two. "Look…abandoned manor… fort and other buildings. All show the same basic layout. This has to be it."
The others nodded their heads in agreement at the deduction.
"Okay, if that's the case, we need to leave without delay," the soldier stated with growing excitement. It seemed like they might be on to something after all.
"Should we not wait until morning?" Alariya asked dampening the mood. "We can assess the situation more fully and travel swifter in the light."
"No, any delay could be disastrous. We can be sure others are looking for the same thing we are. To wait, even tonight, could be disastrous," Gavin answered doggedly. "It might already be too late," he added quietly, fear of failure welling up within him like bile.
"But can we be sure?" Alariya asked cautiously. "I think we need to be certain before committing to this course of action."
"What are you waiting for, an engraved invitation?" Talindra interjected testily, her frustration at the paladin's hesitation evident. "We have the information, the road is before us. Lets get moving."
The Strongsword sisters grunted in approval and Gavin smiled slightly at the elf rogue, now glad he'd asked her along.
"That's not what I mean," Alariya countered defensively. "I'm just saying that we should think this through, look at all the angles. We need to make sure we're prepared."
"Listen, we're not planning an expedition to Icewind Dale nor are we going to war with Obold's orcs," Talindra shot back. "We're on a quest. You know the saying: time is gold."
"But…" the paladin began.
"We improvise," the elf rogue cut her off. Then she added with a wink, "Try it, you might find you like it."
The tension was thick, spilling over to the broader group of strangers, it was obvious sides were being drawn up and their harmony stood on a razor's edge.
"You're right, of course, rogue," Alariya admitted with a wry smile, backing down and breaking the ice. "Caution could prove disastrous. Captain Gavin, you're in charge here. Lead us as you see fit."
Despite their earlier vigilance, when the Knight in Silver's map came out the others eagerly drew in to see what he'd discovered. When the dispute over the course of action grew all semblance of discretion flew out the window. This allowed a hooded figure who had been hanging around the periphery to glide like a wraith up to the edge of the group and not only eavesdrop on the conversation but glance at the map. Swiftly the figure melted back into the crowd then out the inn's door into the night.
"This place is not far from here," Captain Gavin reported. "Come, let's get moving. I've secured access to horses already for those without mounts. We need to travel without delay and as quickly as we can. Get your gear and be ready to move."
In a short period of time, the adventurers rode through the clear night, following the Knight in Silver to the place they hoped to find the elusive prize.
Each wondered what they would find once they arrived and if they would be able to contribute. There were others in the party who doubted as did Captain Gavin their leader. Sarai, who never felt worthy of being in a party led by Dove Falconhand, the Strongsword sisters who wondered if they could cut it in a serious fight without the backup of a city guard, Skylah, who had sung epic tales of adventure yet had never experienced one herself. Even Talindra had doubts. Despite her bluster the relatively young elf maiden hid fears and insecurity behind a mask of brashness. Much of her restless movement in the past had been based not on a wandering spirit but instead on the anxiety of not being able to stand when things got tough.
Yes, each had demons to battle, hoping this seemingly desperate quest would allow them to discover peace and bury their fears.
Then there was Alariya.
The tall, lithe paladin carried not only the perceived shame of her family name and its ensuing legacy but also her own sense of failure. A paladin and yet she'd never led, a paladin yet always no better then second-in-command. Possessing incredible talent and ability, few were more skilled in this march, yet never quite reaching her potential. She knew others whispered about it, not in derision that would be easier to handle, no, in pity for the one who seemed to chase ghosts.
Alariya Hawkstone sought to exorcise her past. Her journey was not only to remove the stain of heritage but to lift what seemed like a family curse that had lingered since then: the curse of indecision. She swore at herself as she rode, recounting the conversation at the Golden Acorn before they left. Once again she had been the one to counsel caution, waiting and it had been a rogue no less that had given the bold support to Captain Gavin that she should have. Never again, she pledged to herself, this time it would be different. But already her confidence melted as the memories of similarly failed declarations crept in to haunt her. Yet hope lingered, the hope that this time would be different and everything would change.
No, each carried doubts.
But out of the doubt came hope, hope that on this quest each would find the elusive missing piece to confidence and contentment. Ironically, none of these so-called adventurers sought gold. Their prize was much more precious: the inner peace that comes from facing the darkness of unspoken fear and prevailing.
Tension rose as the outline of a long-abandoned manor appeared out of the inky darkness on the side of the road leading to Beliard. Coming to a halt, in one smooth motion Captain Gavin leapt from his saddle and drew his sword surveying the area.
Stars twinkled in the night and though winter the evening air was warm for the season. It would have been an altogether pleasant experience, if not for the quest. The Knight in Silver took out his map and Forfar's hand-drawn facsimile. With the Strongsword sisters standing guard they oriented themselves to the ground and began to consider Forfar's instructions from his note.
"Alright, let's spread out and begin our search," Gavin instructed. "We'll…"
"Shh!" Sarai cut him off in mid-sentence, dropping to a knee while raising her bow.
The others drew their weapons and instinctively moved into a defensive circle.
"What is it? What do you hear?" Captain Gavin asked anxiously.
"It's not what I hear, it's what I smell," the ranger replied quietly. "I smell smoke which means there's a fire not far from here."
The others tensed in anticipation of what the darkness of the night held. Not a sound could be heard but that brought little comfort to the adventurers who now had a sense they were not alone.
"Okay, let's move carefully," the Captain of Silverymoon ordered.
A few short minutes later their suspicions were confirmed with the discovery of a small fire under the shadows of the rear of the manor house. It still smouldered and numerous footprints could be seen about it.
They were not alone. The question now was: were they too late? Gavin sighed audibly, afraid that after everything, he'd failed in his quest and let Lady Alustriel down.