[At this point a post appears to be missing, but it appears that the party encounters a group of elves.]
"Oh great," Furgh mumbles to himself, and does his best to fade into the branches of the treant.
"Hoi, brother," Logan says in Elvish, "we are mere travelers, just desiring safe passage. May we do so ?"
"Passage to where?"
With a wiseass grin forming on his face, he looks to Beauty and says, "Oh wise woman, do tell the brother where we are going."
Beauty rolls her eyes, "Casablanca of course...to Rick's...where have you been?" she replies.
"Ohhhh ...don't you look grand Mr. Elven man." Beauty grins, stepping a bit closer to look at his features. "You are awfully tall for an elf...so ... are you a half-breed like me?" she asks conversationally.
"Shut up, bastard," he replies, shifting his position slightly, and aiming his nocked arrow at Beauty.
"Well, technically speaking, I am not a bastard as my mother and father did have an official union. But if you are referring to my mixed heritage..." Beauty grins again, "That is another matter entirely. If you wish to kill me for something out of my control, feel free ... I guess you back-woods types have a different world view or some such," Beauty replies, smiling at the elf. "And pardon my rusty elvish ... it has been many years since I last spoke it ... I guess my mother was from a different region ... "
"If he doesn't kill you, I will. Now shut up!" Logan growls as he tries to move into the way of the elf.
"Shut up, you idiot!" says Wizbang, of all people, as she swings her stave and conks Logan across the back of his skull. He groans, and slumps limply in his saddle.
Kadlian looks over his shoulder at Logan. "Keep quiet and let me handle this!"
Wizbang looks abashed.
"Sorry...master..." she mutters to Kadlian.
Edelle giggles.
Kadlian looks to the elf with the longbow. "To southern Nlad. I was told that these lands were unoccupied. Have we entered claimed lands unknowingly?"
"Yes you have. You are heading the wrong way. Nlad is that way."
He nods to the east.
Kadlian looks puzzled. "It is? Hold a moment. I would like to check our map." He carefully reaches into his saddlebag and pulls
out the map. "Oh, I know the problem. We are heading south of Nlad. I believe it is all Mestom at this point, although we wish to avoid any contact with THEM."
"You will not get there on this trail. Turn southeast."
Kadlian looks at the map and then back at the elf. "Southeast? There is no trail that leads southeast that we have seen. We had a choice back there of southwest or south and south in where we need to go."
"There is no trail over the mountains to the south. You must strike out into the forest. The pass over the mountains is southeast of here."
"And how do I know that you and your friends have not laid an even better trap there than the one you have here?
"Why are you being so difficult? You can see that we mean you no harm. We were not aware of your presence until you surrounded us. You can see that we are accompanied by blink dogs and treants and that should reassure you that we are no danger.
"If there really is something to the south that you do not wish us to see than provide a guide to lead us around it. I will not attempt to lead this group off the beaten path without someone who knows the local area."
"Then go back. This trail will not take you to your destination."
"So you say. The map seems to indicate differently.
"My name is Kadlian Lun'Folard, a Ranger of Aldacan and the leader of this group. May I ask whom I am speaking to?"
"You may ask, ranger of Aldacan, but I will not answer."
"Is there some reason you will not answer?"
"I grow tired of your inquisition. Leave now."
Kadlian sighs and looks around the area looking for some sign of a trail to the southeast.
There is no such trail. You do see a large number of similar looking elves moving into position ahead and on your flanks, though.
Kadlian looks around in frustration. "I do not want to fight you and have dead on both sides needlessly. I will tell you this, if you want people to stay away from your homes, mark a trail to the southeast and let this one fade away. I cannot imagine travelers complaining too much if you also sent a guide with them to see them to the pass."
Kadlian looks at the rest of the party. "To the southeast, then."
"See Kad, that's what happens when you mess with the brothers," Logan says. "Brother, we will leave all alone, all we ask for is safe passage, as this is the quickest route to our destination."
"Have you People become so inbred with humans that you can no longer understand Elven?" the tall elf demands, his tone growing impatient. "This trail will NOT take you over the mountains to your destination. You need to strike out into the forests and climb over the pass to the southeast."
He says no more, but keeps his arrow trained on Beauty as you move away...to the southeast.
"Windul, lead the way southeast. I will take up the rear."
Kadlian slows Fleetwing and allows the group to pass him by, taking the rear position.
"And that, my fine leafy friend, is why I never much cared for elves," Furgh says to the treant as they amble off in the new direction.
"Valley elves," rumbles Barker the treant. "They tolerate none but their own kind."
Beauty grins, laughing up at Furgh. "Indeed, and a very fine policy that is. They sure are a strange lot."
You head off the trail and into the forest. Almost immediately you have to dismount. Beauty leads her horse and Logan's, as he is still too befuddled to walk, thanks to Wizbang.
The land climbs steeply, as you head up the flank of a mountain. The woodlands are quiet but for the sounds of your own passing, but every now and then you glimpse a flash of movement off to one side or the other, or behind you. Apparently the valley elves and their dogs are making sure that you do not try to retrace your steps.
Late in the afternoon you crest a ridge, and a narrow, winding valley opens up before you. It extends roughly to the south between two mountain peaks, climbing steadily. Apparently this is the pass that the elf was talking about.
You start the trek to the south, keeping to the slopes of the ridge, as the valley floor climbs to meet you.
After a bit you notice that your elven escort has departed, and you continue on alone again.
Two hours later it is dark, and so you make camp. The temperature plunges overnight. At midafternoon it was a balmy 62F. Twelve hours later it is 19F.