Move 138:  Morning in the Woods II

The Hardlow Woods--Morning, 30 Eleasias 1374 DR

"The mines are north of Milborne in the Blanryde Hills," Kuiper offered to Aloysius' question.  "I'm guessing it's the old Garlstone mines and not Carman's mines since those are still being worked by the folks in Milborne."

Renn cast several healing spells in quick succession, lending magical aid to himself, Jana, Blacky, and Daelen.

Jyothki, still with the group for the time being, decided to travel with Kuiper since she was returning to the Thornwood.  Snow, Daelen's dog, still seemed quite taken with her.

"Milborne . . ." mused Aloysius.  "Much time hath past since we have been there.  If Kuiper believes these
mines are the ones Echo spoke of, then they seem to be the logical choice for us to inspect next.  Perhaps we should proceed there today, rest up overnight, and then travel to these mines on the 'morrow?"

"Stargazer has need of stopping by Kuiper's to retrieve Zond's sword," said Aloysius, turning towards
Kuiper.  "Howe'er, if a significant amount of time could be saved by taking a more direct route to
Milborn, perhaps you could serve as the bailee of the ebon blade?  I concealed it in one of thine haystacks in the barn."

He looked back at Arachne.  "Small one, apologize not for what thou art unable to do.  Repeatedly am I
amazed at thy array of talents.  Have a care if thou dost see fit to view the Glade afore joining us in
Milborne.  If the remains of Rumer and Falgout be still apparent, a temptation may arise for you to
provide burial.  Granted that such would be a noble endeavor, it may also hold great peril."

"That sounds like a good idea.  We could grab some silver weapons as well while we're there in case we run into another of these dead magic areas. And in preparation for our return to this glade." Blacky agreed.

Jana walked over to Arachne and crouched down to speak with her.  She took a sheathed knife from her belt and held it out to the gnome.

Etienne nodded, "I agree also. We should gather some other supplies while there also. Perhaps, Aloysius could make up some of those glowing vials.  They would give those of us who cannot see in the darkness the ability too and they can be hid when trouble comes. That is a very good ability you have there, Aloysius."

He approached Renn, "If you have no objections to a servant of Mielikki attending your wounds, I have taken only healing magics this day and can use them on you and Blacky. You two seemed to have taken some hard shots last night."

"Gods are gods to me.  The only deity that I ever came close to venerating was Chauntea, 'cause of my farming life.  Boy, that seems like a lifetime ago." Blacky said quietly with a faraway look in his eyes and became sad.  "So much lost to evil men." He whispered.

"Ah, the Lady of the Forest," Rennirolas replied with a pleased smiled, as he emphasized the title.  "Never would I refuse a blessing from one of her followers."  Renn spread his four fingered hands wide, "Corellon's own strength has brought healing to my tired body again, but you are right Etienne, I would still hold up our journey in my condition."

"So, it would appear that the lot of us are proceeding directly to Milborn whilst Arachne doth view the Glade once more."

The mage knelt down by Arachne.  "Small one, if possible to do so with utmost safety, could you bring
Stargazer a clump of that odd moss that grows about the Glade?  It may prove quite useful in future spell
preparations.  Take heed, howe'ver, if for ANY reason thou thinkest it not prudent to do so, then do it not."

The mage flashed the gnome a tiny version of the PSF.  "Rather have thee intact would I than have a mere clump of moss in hand."

"I should be able to manage that reasonably safely," Arachne agreed.  "The moss isn't found _only_ in the Glade.  It's just most concentrated there.  So many things to remember to do -- and in all pessimistic honesty, I don't expect to find much at the Glade:  The Whatsit accompanied Echo to it, remember.  At least, that's what she says.  So I don't expect it still to be there now.  And I don't honestly expect to find Rumer or Falgout there, either.  Their remains, it seems to me, would be too -- uh, useful to our enemy.  They're most likely taken; if they are, I should like us to know that, so that we can prepare ourselves for ... uh, meeting up with them sometime."  She grimaced.

        "Mostly, I'm going just in case I _can_ do something useful there while passing the time.  I don't believe it'd be worth the while of the rest of you to go back.  So I will visit there and then -- it's to be Milborne before we do anything about inspecting any mines?"

"Aye, small one," replied Aloysius.  "We shall join thee again in Milborne.  Whomever arrives first may be
able to obtain information of these mines from the locals."

He turned to the others, adjusting his pack on his back.  "Let us commence our journey.  Kuiper, kindly attend to Zond's sword until we can return to thy abode.  Your assistance, once agin, has been most appreciated."

Kuiper nodded at Aloysius, "I take it, then, that you plan to go to Milborne bypassing the Great Rock Dale and traveling the High Moor instead of heading back in the direction of my farm and following the river?  It doesn't make much difference in the walking time, one way or the other it'll take a day and part of another, so long as you know where you're going."

Aloysius scratched his chin.  "If travel time makes no difference, mayhap we should follow the river?  Unless someone amongst us is skilled at traveling overland without the benefit of a trail of some sort."

Arachne frowned.  "Isn't the High Moor where you can find orcs?" she asked.

Kuiper grinned briefly, "I'm betting Etienne can find south, so you won't get lost.  Travel across the High Moor's likely to be faster than through the woods, maybe a little shorter too, but you'll be more in the open and the humanoids in the Dale have been riled up lately.  If you want to go that way, walk west for a while after you get out of the woods so you don't end up in the Great Rock Dale."

"Oh my," said Aloysius.  "Shall we opt for 'fast' or for 'safe'?"

Echo frowned and said quietly, "Let's go through the forest then.  The longer I can go without seeing a pig bastard orc, the happier I'll be."

"Safe," Jana replied flatly.

"I vote for the most familiar route, the river.  If travel time makes no difference." Blacky replied.

Daelen nodded his agreement. "I'll say safe too, though after seeing what's in the forest, orcs seem much less dangerous."

"No offense," he said to Echo, "but at least orcs go down when you smack 'em a good one with a steel edge.
Might even make you feel better to see your friend here gut one like a fish."

He pulled a strip of dried meat from his pack and ripped it in half, tossing one part to snow while he chewed on the other, waiting for the party to decide.

"It would appear that the majority is desirous of going along the river," said Aloysius.  "That seems a sound decision.  Let's proceed."

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