The next day they met in the common room before dawn and had an early meal of fresh bread with butter and oats with milk, and a few fresh picked berries. It was a fine meal, and they all had woken refreshed - a boon from the magic of Ceili's singing last night. They spoke little as they ate, and afterwards they made their way to the stables where their mounts and provisions were being kept. MacRauri checked everyone's saddlebags which were now full of provisions, and Korgan and Ceili saw to their mounts while he did. Everything was in order, and on the way out MacRauri passed the stable hand a silver coin.
They mounted and rode out into the morning fog of Greyhafen. Soon they reached the South gate. MacRauri wore his travelers cloak pinned back to reveal the silver livery that marked his station. The gatehouse guards took one look at them and moved aside. One of them broke into a smile and doffed his cap as Ceili rode past. Ceili's gaze did not change, but a slight smile curved her lips. "That was the girl I was telling you about, the one who sang last night at the Eagle's Nest..." The guards’ voices trailed off. The walled city of Greyhafen disappeared into the fog behind them and they made their way past farmland and into the forest. By midmorning the fog had cleared, and the sun broke through the trees in patches.
After about 10 minutes past the gate Korgan broke the silence, "Can you tell us now MacRauri, what errand we are about?"
"Yes I suppose I can. We are to meet with O'Brien and Donegal of the Order in Fishenheim, from there we will seek out the renegade sorcerer Irrenheart whom the Order has tasked us with apprehending and returning to the camp of Marcus Victorious."
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Ceili bit her lip, "so the magic is controlled, but the man is not."
Korgan was diplomatic, "I can understand the need for secrecy then." MacRauri inclined his head, and no more was said for a time. Talking here and there, Ceili humming occasionally, the light and sounds of the forest filled their senses for a few hours. The road was well traveled and there were wagon ruts new and old, but they had seen no one since leaving Greyhafen.
In the afternoon their road was joined by the road from Dorsten. Suddenly MacRauri slumped in his saddle, clutching his chest. "We must stop - I need to look into the eye." Korgan and Ceili stopped and found a small clearing a small ways off the road. Ceili tied the horses while MacRauri laid a small rug onto the ground upon which he sat cross-legged. "Keep an eye on the road Korgan." MacRauri then closed his eyes and Korgan and Ceili began to scout the area, was danger near? Minutes passed with Korgan and Ceili taking turns to scout. Steam began to rise off of MacRauri, his eyes were closed and he was swaying slightly, holding an object the size of a small apple in his hand, turning it over and over in a trance. He was muttering when Ceili returned from scouting.
"Archers up ahead, they did not see me. I believe they are setting up for an ambush." The creak of a wagon axle needing grease interrupted her.
Korgan gripped his greatsword "A merchant?!" he hissed. Ceili saw conflict flicker across his features. "We must protect MacRauri, and hope that their guards are skilled enough to see them through." Ceili nodded. They could do nothing but wait.
