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Redmane, his life more intact than all of his wagons, spent several minutes in silent prayer to the Morning Lord, before rising from his knees to turn and face the party - each of them involved in their own morning rituals, be it praying, studying or merely preparing something to eat.

"We should reach Sunderbar before night fall if we get an early start" he announced. "So those who need to study spell books or pray - I suggest you do so from the back of a wagon" he adds.

Before the sun had fully cleared the horizon, the two remaining wagons were trundling off the bridge, leaving behind nothing but a few blackened areas and flecks of ash to show where they had camped the night. With stomachs rumbling, there being no time to spend properly preparing breakfast, the three mages and two remaining priests sit on the bumpy wagons, doing their best to mediate and pray respectfully in order to prepare themselves for the day ahead.

Having crossed the Rauvin, the trail turned more southward, leaving the foothills of the Rauvin mountains behind them, the river, now remaining mostly at their right hand side as they passed through gently rolling hills, wove back and forth, cutting its own route through the terrain. Looking out over the water, some of the group remembered how, nearly two months ago (even longer for Milo!), they had set out on the larger, slower flowing Surbrin - heading upstream from Nesme on an ill-fated journey towards Silverymoon in the gnome made oil fired boat.

"Flows all the way to Waterdeep" comments Redmane, seeing a few glances towards the river. "Damn long way" he adds bitterly.

The day continues on, Redmane driving the horses fairly hard, pausing only to swap over the spare horses. With one wagon gone, albeit with the loss of two horses as well, the two wagons now had three spare horses between them, four if Thunderbolt was considered, though Redmane never asked Lucretia and the warrior never offered. By mid-morning, the group pass a clearing showing the marks of numerous camp fires.

"This is where we would have camped tonight, had we not made extra progress last night and started early this morning." he comments. "If we can keep the pace on, we should make it Sundarbar before nightfall."

Mid afternoon, the group pause for barely 15 minutes to deal with a broken wagon wheel. With so many willing hands and an essentially empty wagons, replacing the broken wheel with one of the spares is an easy job - especially under the experienced guidance of the resourceful Redmane and his men.

Beyond the numerous herds of deer and elk that the group could see roaming the mostly grassy hillsides and the wide variety of bird life that seem to live in or around the river, the group see little to worry them, even as the light slowly starts to fade as evening approached. "Only a few more miles" mutters Redmane a couple of times when others enquired on how close they were.

At one point, Yvandel pulls out Lady Alustriel's map, and confirms that indeed, they appear to be nearing the city of Sundabar.

As the evening light grows dim, the group keep expecting to see the lights of Sundarbar appear in the distance, but it is only once already quite close that that they finally realise they have arrived at the city. Very little light seemed to spill from the city - making it the almost opposite of Silverymoon - which fairly glowed in the night by comparison. Unable to make out much in the fading light, they pass a few outlying farms and a large patrol of heavily armoured warriors on a patrol, who peer suspiciously at the group, but otherwise leave them alone.

Finally, they come to one of the city massive gates - set deep into what looked like a huge stone wall - of a size comparable to those of Citadel Felbarr - if not larger! "Used to be a dwarven citadel" confirms Redmane, who seems to be fairly knowledgeable about the area. "Just as miserable and suspicious as the stout folk" he adds, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Dorn wasn't near to overhear. "The city watch are known as the Stone Shields, though they also have an army of defenders called the Shieldsar in case the orc hordes come here" he adds. "Oh, and they ain't keen on strangers here - so be careful, they have hidden watchers everywhere, and are quite happy to drag people off for questioning if they are acting at all suspicious!"

The wind changes slightly and a faintly sulphurous smell drifts over the group as they pause at the massive gate, engraved in dwarven runes and common with the words "EastGate". From intimidating murder holes comes a bodiless voice, demanding who they are, what business they have in Sundabar and why they are arriving at this late hour. Redmane answers truthfully, and in short order the massive gate opens, revealing a torch lit narrow bridge, beyond which is a second, equally massive wall and gate-house. Below the bridge is an inky blackness that reflects the torch-light in places, revealing it to be a wide moat. "Man-eating eels they say" snorts Redmane sceptically to those sat on his wagon - though he does so quietly.

The two wagons trundle noisily across the bridge, their wheels clattering against the cobbled surface. The inner gate is easier to pass, though there is a moment's pause as the outer gate is confirmed as closed first and some sort of signal is passed to verify it would be all right to allow the travellers further in.

Once through the inner gate however, the city itself is finally seen, or at least the nearest part of it, for almost without exception, the buildings are all tall and built from a close cut dark, almost black stone, with slate roofs and shuttered windows, meaning little light spills out onto the streets themselves. All of the buildings look grim and uninviting, some even more so than others, looking more at home as castle keep buildings than buildings in a city.

To either side of the inner gate house, the city walls stretch away into the dusk, a clear gap of probably twenty yards or so to the various buildings. Roughly straight ahead, a wide street leads slightly uphill towards a distant impressive looking fortress, barely visible in the gloom of the late hour.

"I'll be parking these down on the Circle" says Redmane, halting his lead wagon briefly on the broad street pointing towards the distant fortress. "That's the area around yonder castle" he explains. "And then I'll be trying to get a room at Malshym’s House - an inn where merchants tend to stay" he adds, though it isn't quite obvious if he is implying that 'adventurers' stay elsewhere or not.

As they rolled into the city, and Redmane made his statement about where he would be staying, Cleo moved up to him.

"Master Redmane, if you had some coin and wanted a good place to stay, where the food was good, the drink even better, and the beds clean and soft, where would you go?"

Redmane smiled back at Cleo. "Well now, I'm not familiar with all of the inns and guest-houses of Sundabar, but I do know of Baldiver's, a sprawling castle where old warriors are welcomed, and quiet guests are preferred." He nods ahead in the direction the wagon is aimed. "That's the other side of town though." He frowns for a moment. "If you're looking for entertainment, then the Firestar Chariot is a place of loud revelry most nights of the year. That's southish of the Circle." He shrugs. "Though if comfort and privacy are your bag, then the Trumpet is the place to go - more expensive, but pretty good by all accounts." He glances to the left. "Just follow the wall around for that one and you'll find it soon enough."

Lucretia shrugs and speaks to the group in general, "you guys decide, I don't care much... as long as it has a private bath house" he finishes with a wink at Vaslin.

"But first, I say we go try to sell of the stuff we found and repair or buy equipment!" he adds.

The merchant laughs. "Look around you!" he says chuckling. "This city isn't like Silverymoon. People go to bed at night! You'll be hard pushed to find any merchants or craftsmen around at this time of night!" He frowns for a moment. "Hell, we'll be lucky if they are still serving food in any of the inns at this time of night!" He looks at them impatiently. "Make yer minds up where yer going - me and the lads mean to get to bed." He looks to Blondung and nods once. "Me thanks again fer agreeing to travel with us" he says, addressing the mage. "Come find me at Malshym’s House tomorrow midday - I'll have had a chance to see Homilar Drace by then."

"Baldiver's sounds good," said Cleo, "thank you, Master Redmane." She turns to the others, "Ok, people, let's hurry before we have neither food, nor baths. Grab you stuff, and be quick."

Assuming the decision has been made, Redmane grunts an acknowledgement. "I guess if you are going to Baldiver's then you may as well keep your stuff on the wagon till we get to the circle, where I guess we'll part ways" he says, flicking the reins and making the tired horses trundle onwards down the street.

A short while later the wagon comes out into a wide area in front of an impressive looking castle. Some semi-permanent market stalls can be seen to one side, closed up for the night, and further around can be seen a number of trader's wagons lined up close to a large barn like structure. Two separate patrols of armoured men, eight in each, can be seen, walking in loose formation at different points of the circle. Near the barn a stationary guard stands looking out from a small sentry box. The group also get the feeling of unseen eyes looking down on them from the castle walls.

"We'll be parking here" states Redmane, turning his wagon and lining it up with some others. Ryan, driving the other remaining wagon does the same and moments later he and Davie are busy unshackling the horses.

Redmane pauses to gesture off further around the circle to a street almost opposite from the one they had entered by. "Head off down there," he says. "Can't remember the street name, but if you ask one of the Stone Shields, I'm sure they'll direct you" he adds.

The group gather their belongings from the wagons as Redmane, Ryan and Davie secure the wagons, leading the various hoses off towards the large barn structure. The guard emerges from his sentry box and as the group leave, they can just hear him discussing some sort of late entry fee with Redmane.