Martin put Mjelde to the test. Enlisting Hedge's aid
(Justice refused to participate), he presented the young woman with a wounded
dog and while he pretended to go prepare spells, the beast was healed by her
touch. The young priest was overjoyed and announced her training would begin in
earnest immediately, but before the reality could even sink in, Prince Euwyn
arrived with Lex and Giada. The time had come to head to the Old Fort in the
woods hopefully to find answers. Marty refused to go, stating Mjelde's training
was more important. A debate ensued and eventually a delay of 3 days was agreed
upon.
Marty, Hedge, Prince Euwyn, Lex, Giada and the dog - having
taken quite a shine to the elven huntress - suited up and headed to the woods.
Hedge beheaded a bear that Lex managed to agitate, and several discussions were
had concerning the implications of Mjelde's apparent ascension to divine
conduit, but largely the trek was uneventful. That is, until the woods
changed...
Music filled the air and shadows deepened all around. A
nightly cast fell over the forest though it should be daytime, and a spell came
over the party. Some wandered toward the enchanted fortress others dropped into
slumber. All save Marty who -unable to free his team from the magic which had
seized them - retreated back to sunshine and sanity, returning on the morrow
with a set of spells to better protect himself and free the team. At the edge
of the fort's domain, he encountered a satyr who knew his name and stood over
the unconscious team. "Marty, it's good to see you, but please. Take them
far from this place. Take them back to reality."
Euwyn and the others were stunned by their shared dream that
seemed to fade from substance the further they got from the fort. They
remembered the fairy queen. They remembered failing to impress her with their
respective talents. They remembered being sentenced to serve her for eternity.
Then a handsome satyr with a beautiful voice recognized the prince and argued
for his release. After which, they woke to find Marty standing over them. It
was Euwyn who realized that the satyr was somehow Gaston!
The party learned that the elves had no memory of the calamity that led to the downfall of Malwan and were highly concerned with the possibility of the return of magic power to the humans in Malwan. Upon reflection, Hedge speculated that the elves were an imminent danger and preparations for a defensive attack must be commenced.
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