February 14, 1372 finally arrives: a partly cloudy day with the temperature barely struggling up above the freezing point.
After breakfast Agulhas teleports back to Sandas. He finds Kadlian, Kailar, Aron and Roganna in the common room at the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf. Niko, Dor and Kadlian's followers are not present.
Before he even has time to open his mouth in greeting, though, a young woman bursts into the room. She wears the robes of an acolyte of Odin, and her face is drawn, her eyes filled with tears.
She comes straight to Kadlian.
"The High Priest Navan sends his greetings and requests that you come to the temple immediately," she says in a voice barely above a whisper. "One of the prisoners has escaped."
Aron gets up, ready to go along.
"That is not good news."
"Everyone, come on."
Kadlian stands up and heads out at a run to the temple.
Kailar follows at a run.
"Kadlian, what prisoner and why the rush?"
"I shall try to explain when we get there. It is rather a delicate situation, but Occa's group is heavily involved."
Roganna sighs, rising from her seat.
"Why am I not surprised?" she mutters, grabbing a roll and stuffing some meat into it before following everyone out of the inn.
You hurry over to the temple of Odin, which is just across the square.
Meanwhile...
Niko, Dor, Kailar and Agulhas return to the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf, gather up their goods and chattels to prepare for the first stage of the journey north. That first stage, you recall, takes you to Strabath, where several of the party members are already located.
"Perhaps we could buy some horses and ride," Dor suggests. "Although walking is good exercise."
"Then I guess while our fearless leader is out questioning Occa's duplicate, we should get some horses and equipment for the journey."
Niko goes to procure a horse for himself.
Dor accompanies Niko. "On the way back, let's stop off at the stables where I keep my horse and riding gear."
Dor directs Niko to a reputable stable that he knows of. Prices are as follows:
donkey: 10gp
mule: 25gp
horse (riding): 45gp
horse (light war): 250gp
horse (medium war): 400gp
horse (heavy war): 500gp
horse (draft): 50gp
pig (riding): 5gp
War horses are not usually recommended for travel.
Other stuff you will need:
bit and bridle: 1gp 5sp
saddle: 15gp
saddle bags large: 6gp
saddle bags small: 4gp
saddle blanket: 5sp
Niko haggles and purchases a riding horse, bit and bridle, saddle, saddle bags large and a saddle blanket.
He will discuss which is the best horse with Dor and then haggle to try and get the best price.
Actually, Dor tells you, in view of the war and all, the prices are quite reasonable. The stabler does not seem inclined to dicker, anyway.
"Take it or leave it," he says, crossing his arms.
"Perhaps we should get a mule to carry some of the food and cooking gear," Dor suggests. "That's what we did in the Baron's army."
Niko sighs and purchases the riding horse and mule with the above equipment.
Next, you head over to the military stables and fetch Dor's horse and gear.
Finally, you head back to 'Dwarf, and make arrangements with Luthus for food and drink sufficient for the journey to Strabath. He tells you that the food will be ready in the morning. You stable your horses at the inn for the night.
It is approaching noontime.
"Kailar, when's Kadlian coming back?" asks Niko.
Kailar looks into his Crystal ball for Kadlian.
An image forms of Kadlian. He is walking through the West Gate and into the new section of Sandas. With him are Jesse the bard, Al the cavalier, Roganna, Orlon the cleric, Equinox the druid and Gar the mage. The latter has been untied and ungagged.
It looks as if they will not be back for awhile, so you go and have lunch.
Just over an hour after Agulhas and Kadlian teleported out, Rage returns with a load of miniature adventurers. These she expands into Kadlian, Sian, Malvis and a newcomer who is dressed like a mage. Neither Agulhas, Logan or the followers returned.
Together again, you next head over to what remains of Occa's mansion.