Chapter 3.1: The Second Expedition

::It was supposed to be safe:: Ember thought to herself for the fiftieth time. Durgal had suggested that she lay low to get the heat off of her in Hookhill, so she'd headed west, into the Dim Forest and on to the obscure little village of Orlane, where no one knew her. Everything seemed fine at first, but then they'd come for her in the middle of the night. If she'd been a little bit more trusting, if she'd been a little more deeply asleep, they would've taken her unawares. As it was, she'd barely made it out the window and into the night. ::I don't know who they were, but they sure had a lot of stamina!:: she thought to herself. The cloaked figures had chased her as she left Orlane and kept right on after her into the forest.

Now, Ember was pretty sure she'd lost them...but she wasn't sure where she was herself. Strange noises from nocturnal animals and the fear that stealthy figures were sneaking up on her kept her moving in the darkness, feeling her way through the underbrush. She did her best to keep quiet, but it was slow going when she couldn't see her hand in front of her face.

So it was with great relief that Ember saw the campfire of the Dungeon Busters in the distance. Finally able to see, she snuck a little closer and started to observe the campers. As she watched them, she found herself relaxing: these were clearly not bounty hunters or assassins; they seem to be traveling adventurers settling down after a long day's march.

With great trepidation, Ember approaches the circle of light. She takes a deep, steadying breath, makes sure that her weapons are firmly sheathed, and then steps into the circle of firelight, arms spread wide. The girl is a human waif, of average height and build, probably no more than twenty winters old. Her red hair offsets her vibrant green eyes, and she wears an awkward smile. Her clothes are functional, but plain, of subdued colors. She wears leather armor and a rapier on her left hip. A leather backpack sports a length of hemp rope, and a shortbow is across her torso, the quiver at her side.

She approaches with arms wide, to show that she has no weapons drawn. "Ehr, hi. My name is Ember. Ember Heatherton. I've been wandering in the woods for what seems like hours, and I'm cold. Could I share your fire?"

"My frien...? No, I'm alone. At least, I think I'm alone. These people in the village nearby were chasing me. They tried to take me in my sleep, but I think I managed to get away. At least, I hope I did." She glances over her shoulder as an owl hoots loudly. "I don't know why they tried to take me."

"Most recently, yes. I arrived a short time ago from Hookhill."

"Thank you for both your trust and your hospitality." she says, taking a seat. She takes the offered food without question, munching hungrily.

Jonel looks up from his book as the stranger walks into camp. He keeps a close eye on her while pretending to continue reading.

Sudden glancing Morton's jaw drops as he spies lass at first. And later keeps himself quiet. Seems it is going to be an interesting night he thinks. Not going to sleep well at all.

"I... no, I don't think so, aside from some scratches when I was running away."

- " If a girl could stumble upon our camp," Arya reasoned, " Probably less innocent could do the same. Camping in this region seems to invite trouble or meeting a lone stranger. " She reminded that's how she met Jonel for the first time.

Addressing the girl with gentle compassion, "My name is Mother Arkon; I am a daughter of Pelor, the Sun God. May His light bless you for escaping those poor, misguided souls."

Leaning forward, "You mentioned they tried to take you while you slept. Can you tell us who they were? Were they strangers, or did you recognize any of them?"

"I did not recognize them, though I think they were townsfolk. If I hadn't been lying there awake, they might have taken me and done, gods know what." She shudders slightly.

Quiet Morton as he nibbles on his rations just states, "Endeavors in Orlane shall be complicated."

Ember eats timidly at first, but with growing ferocity with each passing moment. It is clear that she has not eaten for a while. Between bites, she answers Myrtha. "The Golden Grain sounds familiar. I think that was it. Why are they trying to take people? What do they do with them?"

Jonel closes his book and puts it away. He is all ears for the critical information.