On Aerie's behest the group made off at best speed. Karion and Paskan leading the way.
Around midday they passed through some more ruins but thought it prudent not to stop. Some several hours later they espied a river meandering through a wooded valley. The mountains to the north seemed a lot closer now the trees had thinned a little. Smoke was rising from above the trees near the river.
They approached cautiously and were surprised to see a small hamlet.
They crossed over a small stone bridge and past a small house.
The path opened up and they could see more buildings. The hamlet was deserted. The group stood around when a small voice was heard behind them:
Turning round they saw a small, hairy creature.
Bandur: "Are you a Gnome good sir?"
Voice: "Do I look like a Gnome? Well, I 'aint afore you say it."
Bandur looked to Karion, who just shrugged his shoulders.
Voice: "Now then, what be a Dwarf, an Elf, a Half whatsit, a Human and a small dragon looking person be wanting here? Come on, I aint got all day."
Bandur took the lead once more.
Bandur: "My name good sir is Bandur von Grom, and my companions are, Karion, Aramil; who is part elf and part human, Anor and Paskan".
Aramil was none too pleased but kept his own council on the matter.
Voice: "I'm Neldhu Wild Prowler Dependent Lookout, you may call me Neldhu".
Anor: "Are you alone, are there others like you here?"
Neldhu: "Why do you think I'm called Dependent Lookout.......silly!"
Anor: "So where are these others?"
Neldhu: "They aren't that silly.....silly"
Neldhu: "You may wait. You can sit over there, or if you're inclined you can help me by moving that pile of rocks from over there to over here....but that is your choice."
Neldhu pointed to a very large pile of large rocks at the bottom of the field, and then to a point about 50 feet from where the group stood.
The group shrugged their shoulders, they had nothing better to do so thought they would lend a hand moving the rocks. They looked around but Neldhu had gone.
Aramil told them to keep an eye out for any trouble that might be brewing.
The group laboured all day and at last, near the close of day they had moved the rocks. They didn't see who but turned when they heard a voice.
Voice: "Now then, now then, now then. What's all this? Why have you moved my rocks from down there to up here?"
Anor: "Because you asked us to do it Neldhu, that's why".
Voice: "No I didn't. And I aint called Neldhu, I am Feldhu Rock Keeper Bottom Garden, now be so kind as to move those rocks back where you found them, please...But tomorrow is soon enough."
Paskan: "Let me hit him, please let me". He said half-heartedly.
Karion: "I think this may be some sort of..... test?"
By the time they had finished discussing this they noticed that 'Feldhu' had disappeared!
The group kept a watchful eye on their surroundings as they tried to get a modicum of rest.
14th:
The morning of the 14th was no different than the others. No-one was around. Shrugging their shoulders they started to move the pile of rocks back to where they started yesterday. No sooner had they finished when a voice was heard behind them:
Voice: "Now then, now then, now then, what be all this now?"
The group looked behind them, they saw the same figure that had greeted them twice before.
Anor: "Now look Neldhu.....Feldhu....whatever your name is...."
Before he could finish, Anor was interrupted.
Voice: "Ah, you've met my two brothers then. Neldhu and Feldhu. I am Feldhu Deep Warden Keeper. Well you've moved the rock pile.....twice. We Korreds are the keepers and my two brothers are very mischievous. You must now meet the Grandmother for she is now waiting your arrival. Karion, she knows what you carry. May I see it....and the other thing too?"
Karion brought forth the stone and the acorn.
Feldhu: "The stone is truly cursed. The acorn, a gift from Silvanus himself will help cure it of it's ills. But for that you need the High Priestess, or as we call her 'Grandmother',".
Karion: "Did you ever meet Eillisande Velorna. she travelled through these parts before becoming the High Priestess and guardian of our grove?"
Feldhu: "No, I don't think I ever met your mother. Now young Aramil half a human, just whose backside where you going to set on fire?"
Aramil smirked a half smile.
Aramil: "So, Feldhu, how do we find the Grandmother?"
Feldhu: "Now, as to the we, first there is strength in numbers and in numbers there is strength, but as my mother always said too many cooks could spoil the broth".
Anor: "So are you now saying only Karion should go, or all of us?"
Feldhu: "Well certainly Paskan cannot travel. He is still not over his near death experience and shall stay in the village until your return or he is well enough to join you."
Aramil: "So how far is it to the pools and how do we get there?"
Feldhu: "Come with me".
Feldhu led them to the river.
Fedlhu: "Now is it that way, (he pointed up stream) or that way, (He pointed down stream), You tell me"
Aramil: "We were told the pools were in the mountains so which way are they?"
Feldhu struck his forehead with the palm of his hand.
Feldhu: "Which way is the water flowing? Does water flow up hill or down hill?"
Anor smiled at Aramil.
Anor: "I think he is telling us that the water is flowing from the mountains so we should go up stream or up river".
Aramil: "He didn't tell us how long it would take us to get there!"
Feldhu: "About 3 days travel!"
Aramil: "So, it's 3 days there, 3 days back then we have to get to Karion's village and thats well over 1,000 miles as the bloody crow flies. So how are we going to get there in time, I ask you?"
Feldhu: "Aramil 'Self Doubter', You have the means".
Bandur: "Aramil, we have the central pendent, Karion can take us there in an instant. We just have to get to the pools."
Aramil: "Well, I was just....thinking out loud. Someone has to!"
They turned around and Feldhu was gone.
Karion led them up stream for the rest of the day they travelled in silence keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings. They made a hasty camp that night and split the watch between them.
The night was uneventful.
15th:
They set off early travelling into the mountains.
Another uneventful night.
16th:
The group set off, Karion taking the lead, followed by Bandur, Aramil and Anor bringing up the rear. Karion stopped. A short distance away he could see a fine stag, standing proud on a mound of earth.
The hairs on Aramils neck started to stand on edge, a sure sign. He warned everyone that something wasn't right and to be on their guard.
Karion attempted to communicate with the stag but suddenly two large tentacles grabbed it from behind the mound and pulled it down out of sight. Two doe's, feeding in the long grass, came bounding past eyes bulging in terror.
The group moved into a position to strike and saw a 6 legged, feline creature with two large tentacle appendages coming out of its shoulders.
Aramil cast a fireball on top of the creature. All that was left was a burned area of bushes and the smouldering remains of the stag.
Karion detected a strong evil presence off to his left and the group circled around to try and gain surprise on the creature. Karion cast Faerie Fire on the area that had indicated a strong evil presence.
