The next morning the babysitters we rescued took us to the Elven City; on the way we came upon the city’s Eastern Outpost, which seemed intact but was quite deserted.  Finally we had our audience with the Queen and she asked for our help in finding the Shadow Crown (the object that Panril and the Mages believed Lloth was using to make war with Kord).

 

As our guide, the Queen introduced us to Dunk, a crusty older Dwarf who had seen many battles.  She also gave us credit at the city’s more than ample marketplace.  Pax took full advantage of this, loading up on supplies, both needed and not so much.

 

While we were at the marketplace, Fingers drew my attention to a teenaged girl holding a distinctive golden stickpin club adorned with two rubies in the pommel.  I didn’t have to be told who the club belonged to:  Coran , the infamous elf-adventurer and thief.

 

“If he’s here, there must be a hefty prize somewhere in the city.  I’m going to follow that girl and find him.  Then I’m going to find out what he’s after and beat him to it.”  Said Fingers.

 

I fully understood my new friend’s desire to outwit Coran and truth be told, I would have probably gone with him if I wasn’t on this mission.

 

“Dunk wants us to head out first thing in the morning.”  I reminded Fingers.

 

“I’ll try to be back by then, but if I’m not, you’ll just have to leave without me.”

 

“I’m going with you!” Announced Jerro.  “Coran is famous even in my little backwoods town.  I’ve always wanted to see him in action.”

 

I couldn’t tell what the wizard’s real motives were (or even if he had any beyond what he had just stated).

 

“You’re probably going to die.”  Dunk told me, when he learned of Fingers and Jerro’s absence.  But Grizzle and Pax didn’t seem to be worried about our group’s suddenly slim numbers.

 

After two nasty encounters we made it to the Western Outpost and found that it had been sacked and everyone there massacred by the witch the Queen had warned us about and her dragon.  Dunk left us there and returned to the city to report to the Queen.  He promised to guide Fingers and Jerro back to us before we set off up the mountain.

 

The monks at the Temple had taught Pax their resurrection rites and she was able to bring some of the fallen soldiers back to life.  Now all we have decide is whether we go over or through the mountain.  And will we have Fingers’ and Jerro’s help?