Returning to Arhem

Having fled Cruri, the group met up with the Kvurs, who showered them in blessings and gifts like tooth necklaces and such. They also were invited to share the bed of the Kvur women, but strangely declined. In the camp they also met Baldyr the Brummer, together with his wagon, filled with boxes.

Having rested up, they set out to meet the Ice Giants at the agreed upon place. Perrima and six Kvur hunters joined them, but Robur, Gistaki and Didra decided on going straight back to Arhem.

The trip to meet with the giants was uneventful. The Great Thule introduced the "little people" to his son, Basimor, who was very eager to start the war. However, Albrich advised against that, noting that some more preparations were necessary. After agreeing to meet the giants in the same spot in two weeks, they parted ways for the moment.

That parting also saw some strife within the group. Part of the preparation was to got to the mercury mine, until recently owned by the dwarves, to recover some of the mercury for the rightful owners. Tindri was not at all pleased that Sir Rolande, a noble, would engage in what would be perceived as thievery by Trakorian authorities, which was behaviour unfit for a noble, but also would seriously endanger relations with that same sovereign government. Sir Rolande, Albrich and Rowri, for their part, argued emphatically that they needed the dwarven knowledge about the Iron Tower if they were to make a successful raid against it.

The discussion unresolved, they continued. After about a day of travelling, they happened upon a small herd of bison, and Tindri and Rowri downed one of the animals. The rest of that day, and the next, was spent smoking its meat. Continuing, they happened upon a patrol of White Beret Wolven scouts from Arhem, who asked about what they were doing out there with such strange weapons. They informed the scouts about what had happened at the Kmorda temple, and how the Shagulites were raising the dead. When the group learned that the White Berets were looking for Baldyr the Brummer, they immediately gave very precise instructions about where they saw him last. One of the Berets joined them to report back to Arhem.

After another couple of uneventful days, they finally reached the Trakorian town. A small group of guards were posted on the way in, and asked them about their errands and about their strange weapons. The group spoke about where they had found them and asked to be taken to the Procurator, and they were promptly escorted there.

Gotthard da Melse proved very unhappy with the news about the Kmorda temple, explaining that the Empress wanted proof of Shagulite innocence, and maybe the group should take the convoy, leaving the same day, back to Trakoria? Sir Rolande refused as long as his brother was with the sect, but Albrich intervened and explained that they certainly had no incriminating evidence (which did not make Perrima happy), but rather they came to pay their taxes for uncovering ancient relics on the island. Then he handed over the Crown of the now twice dead king Ottar.

Now, Colonel Praanz da Kaelve of the Digeta Longa entered. He quickly dismissed the Procurator and had a long conversation with the group about what was going on here. He clearly suspected them to be involved in the weapon smuggling affair. However, when the group, back up by Perrima, re-told the story about the Kmorda temple massacre and the Shagulites raising the undead, he felt convinced, apparently. He explained that the Digeta Longa would support them in this, but that they had to be careful, as they needed evidence of foul play that could hold up in Tricilve. Sir Rolande told da Kaelve that they were going to the mercury mine in a couple of days, as the dwarves would reveal everything they knew about the Iron Tower, should they recover some mercury from there. da Kaelve sanctioned their actions, unofficially, and agreed to create a diversion for the Trakorian guards so that they could get in without stirring up trouble with that garrison at least.

To be continued...