Harvest 15

We still haven't decided to try and leave for Fara's task in 2 weeks or wait two months until solstice. An advantage for undertaking this obligation sooner is that if we fail we can try it a second time at the solstice. We decide to talk to general Liam first and see what was so urgent before we decide.

As we pass through the gates to Bliss the guards perk up and approach us. They tell us that we are to report to the stronghold and that Roderick has left orders to not let us leave.

As we enter town there seems to be quite a lot of activity in the streets and the port is full of ships. We drop the cart off at the stables before we head to the stronghold. There seems to be a larger number of guards than usual mulling around the entrance and when they see us they instantly say that we need to report to the administration offices immediately. As we enter the stronghold we notice the windows in the cliff face have been closed and sealed.

We enter the chief administrators office but if is vacant. Raven finds a housekeeper and asks where everyone is. She said she did not know but could find Miss Tompkins for she might know. Miss Tompkins said they all left and that she will see if she can find Marten the senior steward. Marten eventually arrives and tells us the senior staff has all left on an errand. Roderick has been left in command but he is very busy and I will tell him you would like to speak with him. With no one left to talk to Raven Stephen and Élensûl return to our quarters while Jaden heads to the Elfsong and I head to McCalls. As I enter McCalls I find it deserted. The only ones there are a farmer and the bartender. I ask where is everyone? He said that someone came in last night and said that under orders from Roderick all rangers are to return to the barracks. I ask if this was common and he responded only when they go off to war.

Jaden finds out from Aylith that there was an attack on one of the neighboring islands. He thought she heard something about an orc warship. Jaden then tells her the story of our adventure on Turlough, our rescue of the Halflings and the slaying of the dragons. Soon he notices that a group has formed and are all listening intently to his story.

After waiting a while Élensûl decides to wait on the green and Raven heads toward Rosewater. As night falls the stars seem especially bright on the inky black of the sky and as Raven is giving thanks for the events that have passed during the last week an unusual shape on the wall catches her eye. It is a dark shape and is almost hidden in the shadows. Raven finishes her prayers and then calls out "Hark who goes there?" A coarse gruff voice responds "Hail". She asks again "who goes there?". She hears rustling as if someone is moving through underbrush. As she looks at the shape it seems to grow in size. Getting a little uncomfortable with the situation she casts light and even with the added illumination the shape is still hard to make out but it seems to be a giant raven the size of two horses. Raven calls out "have we meet before?". It calls our again in the gruff voice a sound that is close to "Hail". It then takes its beak and in a shower so sparks rubs it against the wall. It then lifts it head up and stares back at her, its claws digging in to the wall. Raven asks "what has brought you to this island?". The bird seams to get bigger and then ruffles its feathers. It then gives off a deafening caw and takes off circling three times as it gains altitude and heads off to the south. Feeling a little unsettled she continues her prayers and then returns to the stronghold.

Soon after Ravens returns, Roderick shows up. He explains that an island called Jebetto, one of the alliance states, was hit very hard by a bunch of orcs. The orcs attacked on two fronts, coming down from the hills and by sea using some Triremes. The island is 2 weeks away by common ship. Some of the troops have been sent to assist but most of then have been reassigned along the Bawn for fear that if the orcs are using ships that Bliss may be vulnerable. I ask what you want of us? He says that it is General Liam that wants to talk with you. Apparently something came up involving the Gryphons and I believe that he wanted to talk to you about it. He and Janos left yesterday by navigator boat to Gryphon Isle. So, I asked, are we considered to be under house arrest until his return? All he said was that you are not to leave until he gets back. I ask if their has been any signs of danger on Bliss and he said all that there was a squad of heavily armed Ogres that created some havoc along the road just south of Green Hill before they were cleaned out. Just before he leaves he says he knows that he can not keep us here, but you will have to deal with the counsel if you do disobey the order.

That night I left for Rosewater Park and before settling in for some sleep under the stars I cautiously place the ring I hope to be of fire protection on. The next morning we are all at Rosewater before dawn. On examination of the wall where the raven was deep gouge marks can be still seen. Trying to get back into our routine Stephen gives Jaden a guitar lessen and Élensûl gives us a refresher on Elvin. After our lesson I ask Élensûl to assist me in testing the ring. We take a candle and I hold my hand over the flame. Before I notice anything Élensûl knocks my hand from the flame after he sees smoke rising from the charred flesh. An instant later I feel the pain of the burn. Thinking there must be better ways to test this I return it to the rest of the booty.

Scribed by BlackHawk Fox