May 5th is another lovely day under a sunny blue sky. An hour after setting out the road bends away from the Mississippi and actually turns a little north of east. It continues in this direction all morning, then curves south again and runs down to the bank of a river.
This is not the Mississippi, you realise immediately. This flow is much smaller, less than a mile wide, and flows out of the northeast. It is obviously a tributary of the Mississippi, which it must join up with some miles to the southwest.
At the place where the road meets the river is a bridge. Its foundations are old but you see a lot of new construction, so you surmise that it has been recently rebuilt.
On the bank beside the bridge on this side stands a large fortress complex, also recently rebuilt. Flags depicting a thundercloud with a lightning bolt shooting out of it fly from the battlements. You see black-clad soldiers - more heavily armed and armoured than those you encountered back in Bridgewater - manning the walls and towers. They are watching you but making no moves that you could consider hostile.
Nevertheless, Rage pauses.
You also note that the six ships you saw two days ago are anchored in the river, and surrounded by a number of small boats.
"Mmm, maybe a town that won't attack us!" Logan muses, *though with this
crew, that won't last long*, he thinks to himself with a smile.
Carburator says, "We going to talk with this one or attack this one?"
He gives a slight smile.
Niko squints at the flag. flying above the fortress and any symbols worn by the soldiers.
"Anyone recognize the flag? It looks like they're ready for war."
"Seems our friends arrived here before we did, so who will be doing the honors of knocking?" Logan asks.
Kadlian rolls his eyes. "Does anyone feel the need to stop at this place or should we cross the bridge and continue on?"
Rage speaks. "Kadlian, there is something odd here. That is the flag of Nolthern, a province of Saltar. I know, having seen it while I lived in Steckdar."
"Geographically speaking, Steckdar was several hundred miles east of the easternmost boarder of Nolthern. They had a lot of influence in Steckdar, as well as a variety of other smaller kingdoms. And if I remember correctly, the closest border of Nolthern has to be like 100 miles or so away from here, to the north east."
The mage frowns, puzzled as she continues, "If I remember my history correctly, Nolthen was attacked by the Wizard Imrimil some six or seven hundred years ago. He lead a huge army composed of humanoids and demons," she says, as if something is clicking.
"Imrimil was a black Wizard as I recall." the mage says, "So he would have represented evil. The fact that they are here, now, does not bode well. I do not know if Imrimil is alive still, but he and his tower could easily be behind all of this. If we investigate the city, we better be ready for anything, including a tactical retreat. I do not know what to expect, and that scares me."
"Oh, wonderful...something that scares Rage..."
"Then why go in? We can bypass this place and continue on our way."
"And have a potential enemy force behind us?" the mage says, "Therein lies the decision."
"What advantage is there to knowing if this is an enemy or not? If they are, we are not able to deal with them anyway and only give ourselves away. If they are not, then we have not lost or gained anything by not knowing."
"I see no advantage to going in there." Kadlian looks up at the walls. "Only a place to get trapped should we annoy the wrong people."
"This is very strange."
"Do any of the rivers north of here head towards Nolthen? Perhaps they are here for trade?"
"What is your recommendation, regardless? Should we just bypass this place or do you think we need to investigate what ships from Nothern are doing here?"
Dor replies with a hopeful look, "Perhaps we could explore the town and the taverns to find out what's happening in this part of the world."
"Sounds like Nolthern has expanded their borders quite a bit...was Nolthern conquered by this Wizard Imrimil? I wonder how this fits in with the rest of the events going on in the world..."
Malvis waits for an opportune moment to interject his thoughts, then says, "Indeed, this wizard Imrimil sounds interesting. If he won, could he still be alive? Could his conquests have reached this far? And just how does he fit in to the prophecies we know?"
"Wizards are immortal," interjects Windul.
Rage shivers.
"I am not sure I want to know," the mage says, "I am not at anywhere near the power that a Wizard would have, and if one or more are there, things could get dicey. While I would rather we avoid this place, it may be best to know what is here and what is behind us. Do not mention our goals, or anything to do with that, lest it draw attention to us."
"But at least we have the advantage of numbers, at least when it comes to mages," says Malvis lightly. "If we go into the city, we can attempt to sort of 'blend in' and feel our way, keeping our business to ourselves."
Dor nods in agreement.
"Malvis, one Wizard trumps thirty mages."
"Want me to check out the fort?"
Kadlian shakes his head. "Not yet."
"Kadlian, I think it is important to learn what is happening here. I will volunteer to check it out. For the safety of the group, do not let me know where you are going. Take the crystal ball and find me when I am done."
"If we do not all go in, Kailar, then you may go in alone. However, I do not think it wise to try anything when we are so close and have the notice of the guardsmen."
"Kadlian, I have more sense than that."
"Sorry. Of course you do."
Kadlan looks around for any other opinions. "I am of the mind to let Kailar explore for us while we continue on our journey. If anyone can present a good reason for entering this fortress, please speak."
Carburator says, "Let's move on! We are wasting time at this place."
"I say we leave, and keep going, and don't let Kailar go. If he gets caught, who knows what might happen, and depending on the force, we might not be able to rescue him," Rage says.
Kadlian nods at Rage. "You have a point. Kailar, could you scry using the crystal ball when we are far away from here or does that also present its own dangers?"
"Scrying can certainly be detected by people who know what to look for."
"Then with Wizards involved, let us not taking any chances. Okay, get moving everyone. I would like to be far away from this place before we make camp."
"And a wizard would certainly know what to look for," the mage says.
"Then the risk is too great. We shall just put this mystery behind us for now."
You form up and ride up to the fortress, which lies beside the bridge. As you pass the gate a grizzled old sergeant comes out and intercepts you.
"G'day, folks," he says, affably enough. "Toll's a silver apiece, plus another for your mounts."
Looking through the gate behind him and into the fortress courtyard, you see some stables, an inn, a tavern and a few businesses. It is all somewhat reminiscent of Borderland Keep, though larger. Most of the people about seem to be military, however.
You pay the sergeant the toll and continue on your way over the bridge. At the south end is a small toll house. Two guards sitting outside in the sun nod to you as you pass.
The rest of the day's ride is uneventful. The road is bearing south-southwest, and by evening is is running close by the east bank of the Mississippi River again and curving more to the south.
The night is uneventful, though you maintain an anxious watch.