Subject: The wizards plus one; almost to Gully's

What dim sunlight manages to get through the heavy cloud and tree cover finally fades, and the forest is plunged into darkness. Kasen calls a halt, and Farron nearly collapses with relief. Only through a massive effort of will has he managed to remain on his horse for the last few hours. He swings his leg over his horse, and then his knee buckles, and he falls on his back. Sa'id rushes over, mouthing a quick cantrip for light.

In the dim witchlight, Farron's face is gray and haggard. He had survived the wraith's attack, but something vital had been stolen from him. Sa'id knows that his friend's vitality will return, but it will be a slow process, and he will be very weak in the meantime.

Kasen rubs down Storm, and then begins gathering sticks for a fire. Father Dominic's friends had provisioned them well, and a few moments after the fire is started, the smell of roasting meat and potatoes fills the air. Farron surprises all three of them by being ravenously hungry. Kasen, with a soldier's simple practicality, says, "A man who can eat almost always gets well. It's a good sign."

Sa'id looks up at the canopy of leaves and cloud overhead. He would give much for even one star. How far to the trading post? It can't be more than a day, can it? Last time they had gone southeast, and then turned north. This time they came overland, straight east. That should actually reduce the time traveled. Tomorrow then? Are they even on the right path?

[stopping here for RP or whatever. Next turn from me will be the following day. Please check in. Gracias.]

Subject: Leaving the town behind; back to Gully's

Garyth sits on his borrowed horse, watching his men gather up the last of their gear and provisions. They are quick and professional; no wasted motion. The will all die in the temple, something says to him. You will watch them die. The lucky ones will not go under the red light, but none will survive. And after you've watched them die; watched their souls ripped from them by the light, then you will die too, screaming forever. "Talk all you want. But we're coming for you, demon." He hopes no one can hear him talking to himself, but it feels good to confront his fear head on. Maybe they would all die, but they would die fighting. A soldier can ask for little else.

Rennik is stripping excess gear from his pony. Someone had loaded it down with cookware and tools. He curses as he cuts away the extra baggage. A month ago, Garyth would have found him a comical figure. Not any more. Now he worries that some foolish townsperson will come and try to lay claim to the pony and its cargo. There will be nothing funny about the fierce Halfling unleashing his temper on some hapless peasant. But Rennik finally gets the pony stripped of almost everything, then swings awkwardly into the saddle and rides over to Garyth's side.

Garyth nods at him. "How long?"

"Two days. We won't need the horses after that."

Right. The jungle. No taking horses into that. No reason to save their strength. Leave them in the barn where Elise had left her heavy charger.

The Falcons form up around Garyth, and Osred says, "Ready to leave at your word, Captain." Pensive sadly adds, "Melani never came back. I hope she is well, and gets our message."

Rennik laughs, "She is one of the Reth. They move through the forest like cats. She will probably beat us there."

Garyth turns his horse. "Let's move them out, Sergeant. Rennik, you have the point. Vincy, watch our backs."

Rennik trots off to the west, setting a hard pace.

[stopping here for RP or whatever. Next turn from me will be a short camp the following night (you guys have already been up most of this night, so Rennik will push through the next day).]