A Time for Rest

After the fire was blazing, they gathered round and ate a small meal of cured meat and dry biscuits that was all Fred had left in his pack. It wasn't much, but the girls devoured it ravenously, as though it was the tastiest meal they'd ever eaten. They then drank gratefully the cool water of the stream. Fred wondered what the dragon's minions must have been feeding them, for them to react this way to his meager provisions, and shuddered at the thought.

An air of despair hung over the young women, natural given the circumstances. Some of them had suffered weeks of captivity at the hands of the dragon and his minions, and had escape seemingly in thier grasp, only to have their friends and relatives ripped from them when freedom had seemed imminent. Fred cursed again his inability to save them all. But as the night wore on, some of the girls started to come around. Princess Exotica and Lady Sara made quiet conversation by the stream's edge while rinsing their bandages. Sofia soon joined them, telling a reflective story about her sister Helena and their childhood in the royal court of Califie. Soon enough, tears were flowing all around, but they were tears of healing as well as sorrow.

Imelda sat apart from the others, staring blankly ahead, still seemingly in shock. And Diana was restless and pensive, pacing back and forth. Clearly she was still preoccupied with whoever had killed Astra, and who very well might be stalking them still.

1. The party rests the night, with Fred and Diana taking turns with the watch. They resume their journey north in the morning.
2. The party is again set upon by orcs during the night.
3. Imelda wakes up screaming after a terrible nightmare. The others try to comfort her.

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