Trail Number 2
South Into the Woods
Swallowing hard and taking a deep breath, you turn south and enter the forest. As you travel, you notice that the woods are not as frightening as they first appeared. As a matter of fact, the birds are chirping happily and a slight breeze is blowing; your spirits are high knowing you made a wise choice by following the wizard’s advice.
After a few miles, you discover a clearing that opens into a broad valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Further south, nestled in the foothills, lies the small town you were looking for. With the sun nearing high noon, you make plans to arrive at the tavern just in time for the midday meal. If all goes well you’ll get started on your quest before night fall.
True to the wizard’s word, the Boar’s Head Tavern is unmistakable, being on the outskirts of the village. A signpost’s words greet you, “Welcome to the Town of Cree, the Trader’s City. Redbeard Doubletree, Mayor.”
That’s an odd name you think, but then, so is your own!
“I wonder what they trade here,” you say, speaking to yourself and not really expecting an answer. You jump in surprise when a voice behind you replies.
“Oh, a little bit of everything plus a bit of nothing,” says the voice.
“What is that supposed to mean?” you ask as you turn to face a tall lad staring at you with a wolfish grin.
“It means what you think it means, or maybe it doesn’t,” says the boy. Thinking to yourself that this is beginning to sound like Alice in Wonderland, you keep quiet. The lanky figure walks past you and points to the signpost.
“Allow me to introduce myself,” he says. “My name is Kent, Cree’s Hunter-at-Arms. And who might you be? A wanderer who wanders carelessly about so that anyone might chance upon this wanderer’s trail? Tsk, tsk. These are hard times and it would not do for someone like you to be overtaken along your way.”
Indignant at being called careless, you toss your head defiantly and state, “My name is, uh... I am Lletherial, traveling magic user.” You pause, hoping this will impress your inquisitor. It doesn’t. “Lletherial, apprentice to the Great Wizard of, hmm, of the North.” Pause. “I’ve been sent on a quest,” you finish lamely.
“Ah, now we have something,” Kent says excitedly. “What journey do you quest?”
That question is nonsense, but you answer anyway. After telling him what the wizard has told you, you say, “I must meet with three fellow travelers and find the two halves of the crystal so that I can save the people of the Sky Cathedral.”
“Is that so? And who might these three fellow travelers be? Maybe I can help you locate them.”
Doubtful that Kent could be of any help, you give him the three names: Galain, Trelina, and Marc.
“Marc!?” Kent exclaims. “Why, that’s my brother. Come with me to my house, he’s there right now preparing for a sojourn as well. It must be the same as yours.”
“But I was told to meet Marc and the others at the Tavern. I must . . .”
“Nonsense, my brother never frequents the Boar’s Head. As for your fellow journeymen, I’m sure they’ll be right along, but if not then I am more than willing to take their place.”
As you look at Kent and wonder if you should trust him, you realize that the wizard said nothing about how you would meet Marc. Then again, there is the Tavern and the other two travelers. After a moment of reflection you make up your mind.
Travel Trail Number 11 if you decide to follow Kent to his home.
Travel Trail Number 12 if you decide to go on to the Boar’s Head.
Swallowing hard and taking a deep breath, you turn south and enter the forest. As you travel, you notice that the woods are not as frightening as they first appeared. As a matter of fact, the birds are chirping happily and a slight breeze is blowing; your spirits are high knowing you made a wise choice by following the wizard’s advice.
After a few miles, you discover a clearing that opens into a broad valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Further south, nestled in the foothills, lies the small town you were looking for. With the sun nearing high noon, you make plans to arrive at the tavern just in time for the midday meal. If all goes well you’ll get started on your quest before night fall.
True to the wizard’s word, the Boar’s Head Tavern is unmistakable, being on the outskirts of the village. A signpost’s words greet you, “Welcome to the Town of Cree, the Trader’s City. Redbeard Doubletree, Mayor.”
That’s an odd name you think, but then, so is your own!
“I wonder what they trade here,” you say, speaking to yourself and not really expecting an answer. You jump in surprise when a voice behind you replies.
“Oh, a little bit of everything plus a bit of nothing,” says the voice.
“What is that supposed to mean?” you ask as you turn to face a tall lad staring at you with a wolfish grin.
“It means what you think it means, or maybe it doesn’t,” says the boy. Thinking to yourself that this is beginning to sound like Alice in Wonderland, you keep quiet. The lanky figure walks past you and points to the signpost.
“Allow me to introduce myself,” he says. “My name is Kent, Cree’s Hunter-at-Arms. And who might you be? A wanderer who wanders carelessly about so that anyone might chance upon this wanderer’s trail? Tsk, tsk. These are hard times and it would not do for someone like you to be overtaken along your way.”
Indignant at being called careless, you toss your head defiantly and state, “My name is, uh... I am Lletherial, traveling magic user.” You pause, hoping this will impress your inquisitor. It doesn’t. “Lletherial, apprentice to the Great Wizard of, hmm, of the North.” Pause. “I’ve been sent on a quest,” you finish lamely.
“Ah, now we have something,” Kent says excitedly. “What journey do you quest?”
That question is nonsense, but you answer anyway. After telling him what the wizard has told you, you say, “I must meet with three fellow travelers and find the two halves of the crystal so that I can save the people of the Sky Cathedral.”
“Is that so? And who might these three fellow travelers be? Maybe I can help you locate them.”
Doubtful that Kent could be of any help, you give him the three names: Galain, Trelina, and Marc.
“Marc!?” Kent exclaims. “Why, that’s my brother. Come with me to my house, he’s there right now preparing for a sojourn as well. It must be the same as yours.”
“But I was told to meet Marc and the others at the Tavern. I must . . .”
“Nonsense, my brother never frequents the Boar’s Head. As for your fellow journeymen, I’m sure they’ll be right along, but if not then I am more than willing to take their place.”
As you look at Kent and wonder if you should trust him, you realize that the wizard said nothing about how you would meet Marc. Then again, there is the Tavern and the other two travelers. After a moment of reflection you make up your mind.
Travel Trail Number 11 if you decide to follow Kent to his home.
Travel Trail Number 12 if you decide to go on to the Boar’s Head.
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