4/149/358 SV
Dear Reader,
Therenborough at last. The spring rains let up enough to free the
roads of their ever-present muck and we left shortly afterward. I still
had enough lirum left from traveling through the fourth province that
there was little need to make exchange at the Crossing's bank. To be
honest, I paid little heed to the scenery along the route for I know I
will be seeing it again on the return trip. Now is not the time to linger
with the roses.
The small villages passed quickly behind us and, other than a
rumbling earthquake near the Lesser Fists, there was no opposition to the
journey. Damaria and I reached the ferry crossing as the "Her Opulence"
was untying from the dock. We had to leap for the flat-bedded raft and
barely made it without becoming soaked. The captain merely smirked and
made sure we had the 35 copper necessary to pay for passage. He would not
even discount us for the two feet of river we had to jump over with our
own ability.
We skirted Riverhaven by staying on the docks and sat to await the
arrival of the next barge across the lake to Langenfirth and beyond. It
proved to be the "Northern Pride" and we climbed aboard with a large
number of other folks heading north. It pulled out onto Lake Gwenalion
with barely a lurch.
Any journey is made easier by the company one keeps and we met
several kind folk as we made our way across. A fellow paladin by the name
of Culane was leading a number of people to Therenborough for the purpose
of shopping. He was kind in his advice on the Quest to come. One of his
friends, a self-styled "Carrier of goods", by the name of Dariien also had
wise advice. Both were instrumental in making the normally tedious barge
trip a breeze. The only sour note was some coins lost by fellow
traveler's to an unseen hand.
Spring on the road to Therenborough is a glorious thing. Flowers
and blossoms were growing in great abundance, and even the Dunshade Moors
had a green and renewed glow to them. We had traveled nearly halfway
between Langenfirth and Therenborough when we ran into an old friend by
the name of Ammara. He is a guild-brother as well, and I can think of few
paladins finer. He played the part of gracious host and welcomed Damaria
and myself to the province. Upon hearing of the Quest, he was very
interested to help in any way. Readily I accepted, for such companions
upon a journey as this will make it that much more achievable.
By this time, and after so long a trip over two provinces, we were
interested only in a roof, a bath, and a bed. Ammara insisted he knew of
a fine inn, and with our thanks he lead us to the Village Inn within the
town of Therenborough itself. The rooms are well crafted, and from the
balcony we can see the ruins of the Baron's Castle. With a further
promise of aid and friendship, Ammara and we parted company for the night.
And so shall I, good Reader, for the day's travel has been long and the
night will be too short. Tomorrow the hunt begins, but for now I will bid
you safe passages till next we meet.