Subject The ride continues

The exhausted riders soon turn in to sleep. The night passes too quickly for most of them. Harp sleeps first watch while Ragnar and Ran stay up. He then keeps watch the rest of the night, first with Surin and then with Mund. At sunrise he wakes the others and they eat a quick, cold breakfast. Salix gives the horses some more of the hurtloam in thier morning fodder. The horses seem to none the worse for wear after the hard ride yesterday and the party members all seem refreshed.

Before much longer they are on the road again, Salix setting another blistering pace. Mund and Ran and Harp wonder how long the horses can keep up the pace, but the horses seem to be able to keep up the dangerous speed. They break for lunch and Salix dolls out another small portion of the hurtloam to the horses. The riders are feeling a little worse for wear, but are still able to keep their saddles.

The next several days pass in much the same manner. Salix adding hurtloam to the horses feed and water at every meal and some to the party's food at the evening meal. They ride into the night every day and are at the border by noon on the third day. Harp, Ranthir, Salix and Surin recognize the stone keep they see approaching. In the distance they can see a bustle of activity as the guards prepare for the party's arrival.

The familiar face of Lt. Halpin leads a contingent of 20 warriors out to meet them. When they get close enough the man signals the party and they slow to a walk. The Lt. lets out a bark of laughter when he recognizes Ran and Harp and a few of the others. "By Herionious will, I had thought you dead. When you did not return all those weeks ago, I had figured that you had been ambushed at the pass. I am glad to see I was wrong. I recognize some of your companions. Who are these others?" The question is addressed to both Harp and Ranthir.

Subject The ride continues

When did the party meet Halpin? I can't find it in the archives.

Subject The ride continues

Jan. 24 of 2005.

Subject The ride continues

Mark, I don't know why, but I did not get the original e-mail. I got Ashley's question/response to it (thank you for including the original) but I never got the original e-mail.