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As the daylight starts to fade, the woods finally fall behind, and open grazing and wooden fenced fields appears. Herds of horses canter around them, minded in the distance by mounted men, and overlooked by the occasional farm house. Another mile or two passes, and rising from the flat almost prarie landscape, a small hill rises. At it's foot, the farm buildings become closer together, merging into a small village. On the hill itself, a large rambling ivy covered building can be seen, made from a hotch-potch of different styles and ages.

As the riders enter the villiage proper, the thick bouquet of steer manure enriches the air around them. The village itself is an irregular circle, through which a stream from the hill flows rapidly. The farms surround the middle of the village, where there is a central area with several small businesses. There is only a single inn with guest rooms, a place called The Gilded Horseshoe. There's also a festhall that offers overnight stays - The Night Mantle - a Tavern - The Horn and the Hoof - and a gambling casino - The Gambling Golem.

Other businesses include Jaster's Ring of Bells, a shop that seems to specialize in casting and selling cow bells; The Leaping Hooves Trade Stables, which offers to buy road-weary riding and draft horses in trade for fresh ones; Nalathar's Fine Stirrups and Spurs; Ostever's Slaughterhouse; the Rolling Wheel, which sells supplies, and Sixhorns Select Wares, an all-around general store.

As the group approach the centre of the village, they gain a few glances from locals, and it becomes quickly apparent that Soggrin, with her obvious "Black Raven" barbarian markings, is the subject of their concern. No-one approaches the party, simply scurrying off when looked at.

Yvandel had put his puppet around his neck while they were traveling, but now put it back on his left hand while they were entering the village. When he noticed that the villagers were particularly 'interested' in Soggrin's appearance, he guided his horse to ride right beside her. Then, he started to move his puppet on his arm, making a bopping movement, as if the puppet were riding a horse itself. He then made the puppet speak as loud as possible.

(VOLO) "I'm tired. Can we stop now and rest for a while?"

(DOLO) "Tired? From what? Just sitting on a horse?"

(VOLO) "Yes. I'm tired. I want some time to relax. I have enough coins to spend. I'm sure I can find people willing to take care of us in this splendid village."

(DOLO) "Fine. Let's see if these people want to have our business."

At this point, the puppet moved its wooden head around, glancing at the villagers.

A couple of children point and laugh, but their mother grabs them and pulls them away, whispering harshly in their ears.

Another man allows himself a smile at the puppet, but he continues to look at Soggrin, frowning in a puzzled, and somewhat confused manner.

Another person simply scurries away, frowning with deep resentment on his face.

<Ceely aka Robson wrote>:
> Ceely looks around to the villagers and since no
> other sign of trouble appears, she decides to ride
> side-by-syde with Soggrin. "It seems that they don´t
> get a lot of pretty girls around here, like us.
> What do you say Cleo?" she says with her best fake
> smile.

Soggrin scowls at the people who keep staring at her - she is uncomfortable and it seems that she has pent up anger inside. At Ceely's words, she starts and looks at her. She frowns in confusion - not understanding the joke.

<Serena aka Douglas wrote>:
> <SNIP>
> With that, Serena directs her mount toward the entrance
> of The Gilded Horseshoe, where she dismounts and hails
> anyone there who looks to be an employee of the place.

Meeting Drake - landlord of the Gilded Horsehoe in Longsaddle

Serena leads the group towards the Gilded Horseshoe. It is a large inn, with horse posts at the front, and stables around the back through an arched gate. A man with an apron, carrying a box of fresh vegetables towards the front doors, glances at her and the rest of the group as she approaches.

"Greetings..." says the man. He looks at the rest of the group, only hesitating for a moment as his eyes pass over Soggrin. "Yer looking to stay?" he asks. Without waiting for an answer, he jerks his head towards the gate. "Take yer horses round back, and wait. I'll send out a stable boy for yer."

With that, he pushes open the door and disappears inside the inn.

"Hrmph!" snorts Larz. "Manners of a dung beetle!"

***** (Excuse me missing out an opportunity for you to do anything about it!)

About half an hour later, the group find themselves once more in the warm comfort of an inn. A couple of young boys had come out from the back of the inn and quickly stabled the horses, putting down fresh hay and grain for them, and promising to give them a good rubbing down. It certainly seemed that they knew how to look after horses here.

Upon entering the inn proper, the party is greeted by a different and much more polite man, who introduces himself as Drake Dourney, the owner. The inn has many rooms vacant - enough for one each if so desired - despite the fact that there are already quite a number of people in the dining hall already. None leave the impression of being locals however. It appears the crowd is a mix of caravan members and cattle or meat buyers.

Larz nods at the idea of a single room, and starts to dig into his money pouch straight away. "It'll be nice to have a bit o'space" he mutters to himself.

Drake continues his welcome. "The cost for a room is 2 gold a night - although that includes an evening meal and breakfast, not to mention stabling for yer horses." He smiles a big beaming smile and holds out his arms expansively. "If I can help you in any way, just ask."

His smile falters a bit as he spots Soggrin, and his eyes glance again at the other members of the party - reassessing them. "I take it you aren't familiar with recent events here?" he says rhetorically.

He shakes his head sadly for a moment, then, keeping his eyes on Soggrin, speaks again. "Last tenday, on the last day of Mirtul to be precise, Longsaddle was attacked by a large war-band of Black Ravens."

Soggrin's head jerks up and she is suddenly one hundred percent attention.

"Their attack was refuted easily I'm glad to say, and there were few actual casualties on either side. Luckily several of the Harpells were around to see them off with magic."

Soggrin's face is a mixture of anger, worry and frustration.

"Anyway," continues Drake, unperturbed by Soggrin's discomfort, "as you can imagine - locals here don't relate too well to members of the Black Raven tribe at the moment..." He pauses a moment. "So what's her story?" he says, jerking his head at Soggrin, as if she wasn't in ear-shot.

As soon as Drake asks about Soggrin, Ceely retorts :

"SHE is a good friend of ours, and she has nothing to do with the attack, since we were on the road together longer than a tenday, I assure you." She says that with a firm face and voice. "As for the attack, you said something about the Haplers. Who are they? A mercenary band?" she asks, trying to hide some of her concern.

"I'm sure he meant to say 'Harpers'," Yvandel interrupts. "And I'm sure they wouldn't want to be seen as a 'mercenary band'."

"It's good to hear that they were able to prevent any unnecessary deaths. And as for our friend here... Be it known that I trust her with my life."

Drake smiles and almost laughs. "No, No. Not the Harpers at all - although it is rumoured that one or more members of the Harpels is a Harper - I meant the Harpel family. It's the large extended family who live up on the hill. Wizardry flows in their blood it seems, and just about every member of their family can cast spells it seems!!" He lowers his voice conspiratorially. "Some of them are quite powerful you know... if a little eccentric."

<Merrell aka Mike D wrote>:
> "How far up the hill do these folks live, Drake, and how amenable
> are they to visitors. I should like to drop by before leaving this
> place."

Drake smiles at Merrell. "They're pretty OK, although they do have their strange ways, and you won't get up to their house without an invitation - but you may not need to visit them, for they often come down into the village - some of them may be in here for an ale later!"

<Lucretia aka Joe wrote>:
> "No worries from us good Inn keeper, nor our friend here
> (indicating Soggrin), we won't be staying long either so
> you shouldn't have any trouble from us <SNIP Luc's doubts>
> Yes, sir no worries from us..."

Drake nods, his face serious. "I'm worried less about trouble from you, than trouble from others. I just suggest you keep a low profile that's all..."

<Lucretia aka Joe continued>:
> "Don't do anything rash and stick with me while in town,
> once we leave this place, we will seek out your people
> and make sure you get home."

Soggrin glares at Lucretia indignantly as he starts, but softens when he mentions the finding of her people. "I look forward to that day." she says quietly, touching his arm for a moment.

<Serena aka Douglas wrote>:
> "Teth told me where to find a bow here in Longsaddle.
> Let's go there together. Maybe they will sell you a
> spear there, too."

Drake, overhearing, interjects. "The best place to purchase something like that would be from Jowden Pike, our local blacksmith. He is over there relaxing at the moment, but I'm sure come morning he can sort you something out."

<Balnor aka Mike B wrote>:
> "I would like to look around also" Balnor says as he
> stands to head outside.

Drake, seeing Balnor (and Cleo) about to leave calls out. "The evening meal will be served in only 15 minutes, so don't be long. "We only have one sitting!"

OOC: Balnor and Cleo have just enough time to "take in the evening air" before they return for the evening meal.

The party settle in, dropping off some of their heavy packs and things into their rooms, before returning to the main common room for the evening meal. The food is fair and full of flavour, with fresh vegetables. It certainly matches the appetite that a day on the road builds up.

As the party are finishing their meal, a group of three men - two young and the other in his 30s - enter the Horseshoe's dining room. The man in his 30s wears a red robe that seems to flash with colour. The two younger men wear purple robes. The innkeeper acknowledges his visitors and says, "Well met, Andall. Nothing unusual today." The man in the red robe replies, "Well met, Drake. Each of us'll have a hand-pulled." The three men then begin talking together quietly at the bar, deep in some private conversation.

Merrel rises from his place at the table, and strides to the bar, where he plonks his book. He listens to the 3 mages talking as he waits for a break in their conversation to speak to them. As he is waiting, he realises that although he can hear their voices plainly, the words that they are speaking are unintelligible. He guesses that they must be using some form of magic to ensure their privacy.

At the table, Serena finishes her meal, and is about to stand and make her way over to the man Drake had identified as Jowden Pike,the blacksmith. Before she can do so however, the three mages seem to finish their conversation, and all look towards the table where the party is sat, almost as if they remembered something important. Merrell, steps closer. "Good sirs," he begins in an even tone, concentrating his address to the older of the three, "I wonder if you might mind a bit of company and perhaps conversation?"

"Hmmmm what?!" says the older man whom the bartender had called Andall. "Why yes, actually I'd like to speak to all of you..." He steps towards the party, and waves his hands absently, muttering. Suddenly, rings of yellow light appear around each of the party members, including Merrell still standing by the bar. The rings constrict tight, and hold everyone's arms by their sides as if they had been bound by rope!

"Well met! Andall Harpell, at your service. Those are my cousins, Chiesedor and Wendlar. You're under arrest, of course, for the murder of the archmage Gaard of the Many-Starred Cloak in Neverwinter. Such a dastardly deed! A nice old man, Gaard was! And to suck all his blood out like that! I say! Are you vampires?"