The mood of the encampment at Fleethill is somber following the attack of the blight boars on the fair grounds. The festive energy of the night before, when the Runa mage, Arasmus, entertained the crowd with fireworks and illusion has all but dissipated.

Many gather for comfort and safety at the Great Hall of the main tent – where Gared and his staff fuel the crowd with food and drink. The whispered comments of hope and anger at the actions and words of the priest Gregor are on the lips of many of the patrons. How could he have brought the Istarnian soldier back from certain death? How dare he speak out against Pelor and suggest this upstart Great Goddess is the only true deity?

Many negative comments are also slung towards the Runa, who shelter Gregor at their encampment. People who cheered Arasmus on the night previous now speak as if he were an evil warlock in league with Gregor, the fey of the Elder Forest, or worse.

RUMOURS HEARD AT THE INN

- King Willhelm’s decree of rationing food is celebrated by some – but some nobles believe that they will have to do with less. Some commoners are worried about the amount of control the army will have over food and think the poorest may have to do without.

- The Halfling merchants have pulled their booths from the fair ground and have created a defensive formation of their river rafts – in case of another attack.

- some volunteer milita men have chose to leave Fleethill to return to their villages to see that their families are safe and King Willhelm allowed that.

- many merchants wish to return to Caeristar but King Willhelm will not reduce the strength of the encampment to send them escorted at this time. They grumble about how the king should treat the merchants of Istarnia with more consideration. After all, we are the backbone of this nation.

- Wood elf rangers report more beasts in the Kingswoods. They have created traps and defensive lines around their camp and it is not wise to walk through unescorted.

NEXT BIT OF ACTION

- the elf bard Cassivar reports that King Willhelm has asked the Sisters of the Crescent to take action this night, as soon as the vigil is done, and purify the pond. They are now blessing the Corellon’s Vial and preparing for the journey.

The company of light is asked again if they would join the Priestesses. Despite the difficulties you have faced so far, you have succeeded at all tasks set before you. Would you prepare yourself, and find the Halfling, Rerik, and convince him to join you?

As they move through the camp in the dimming light, the mood is tense. Every tent has armed guards posted at them. The few fires in the field are packed with people, and wagons are set up in a defensive circle around them. Only the wood elf rangers and Brundar tribes-people shun the safety of numbers – trusting their own skill against any creature that may come in the night.

The merchant booths have all been set down and packed away, leaving only trampled grass where they once were. Beyond the field, you can see the lights of the Floating Village on the river. As you get closer you can see it is made of rafts, barges, and boats, slung together to create pathways and dwellings for the Halflings of Riversbend. The village is anchored to prevent it from drifting downstream. Lanterns send shifting shadows across the water and wood as the structure creaks and sways in the current. There are no visible means to board it, and the nearest walkway is 6 feet from the shore.

2 halfling guards challenge them: State your business tall ones

They wear leather armor and stand a little over 3 and a half feet – but their hands rest on the pommels of short swords that look well used.

Sure we know Rerik. What’s your names? He spoke well of you. Said you saved his life a few times. I can take you to him.

(A rolled up rope and board walkway is thrown your way. It unwinds and lands near two posts on the shoreline that you had not seen in the dim of twilight.)

Rerik is found on the Halfling floating village – training with one of their warriors with a spear. They clatter and pivot about the rocking surface of a wide barge, a crowd of Halflings are gathered around and watching. The warrior training him feints with a jab and then suddenly swings the butt of the spear at Rerik’s head. Rerik sees the feint and tumbles backward, losing his own spear but avoiding his opponents. They stand there for a moment. Rerik’s breath comes in great gasps and sweat drips from his brow. His trainer lets out a great belly laugh.

Good boy! You have learned to avoid blows well. He claps Reriks shoulder. Next you will need to learn how to land them.

They notice the group and the trainer addresses them. Now this is something you don’t see every day. Tall ones on a Halfling barge. What brings you here?

Rerik agrees to join them again, saying he expected to get caught up in another misadventure, so he thought it best to figure out how to use the weapons the king gave him.

Glawen is nowhere to be found.