Encountering a Search Party

From the elven settlement not far from Walants, we would have to head south, through the region of Ryngaerd and along the western edge of Lake Tol Nostra. The town we are headed for, Barryn, is situated near the southernmost part of the lake.

The geography of Terra Prime is rather different from that of most of the other Terras that we've visited, for some reason, so we aren't too familiar with the region, but even Grailing does not know this area very well. The map which he's obtained for us shows that Barryn is very near the boundary of what might be described as the "known world", and not far away is a region simply described as "Undiscovered Country". I wouldn't be surprised if the smugglers have dealings with people from that region, though, as well as with the countries of Ryngaerd.

Because Synizn, Grailing and I have to ride ponies, we aren't able to go as fast as if we all had horses. (It is too far for it to be practical for us to sit on a horse in front of its rider.) So we estimate that the journey will take something like two weeks. We will pass through a couple of small towns during the first five days or so, after we have left MalBoncton but before we reach the north-western shore of the lake. These are not named on our map, but the elves tell us that they are called Two Oaks and Orpton.

We set out, and after three days riding we arrive at Two Oaks. We take rooms for the night in the only inn in town, then go downstairs to the bar for a meal and a drink or three. We overhear a lot of conversation about the destruction of Walants and speculation about who could have been responsible. (News of this has apparently reached the town within the last few hours.) Since the folk hereabouts are mostly law-abiding, many take the view that whoever was behind it had done them a favour. There would be no more protection money to pay.

Then three athletic but good-looking women come in. From the look of their clothes, they have been on the road a long time. "Aqualarian rangers, from the look of them," Astra (who is using the name "Aynine") whispers to me.

The women go up to the bar and asks if anyone has seen a tall, red- headed woman. I guess Astra's family must have become concerned enough about her long absence to send out a search party. They aren't going to find the Astra that they are looking for, of course. She is now a demifox and on another world. But they might find an Astra.

1. It seems we are about to find out whether Astra 9's disguise is good enough.

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