"So, you're after a Sword of Truth, huh? Does anybody know what it does? Lore masters in my homeland know of the existence of a Sword of Truth, but they don't know what it does or even what it looks like."

That is pretty much all that is said by Devon unless someone addresses him directly. He continues to ride in the center position of the other riders.

The small group, much diminished, moves out along the side road back to the main road that leads to Tilverton. The brisk coolness that hinted of the end of summer and coming for fall fades for the late summer warmth. The cold weather clothes that some had purchases not needed this warm day. The sun climb to it zenith as the days were still long as the companions traveled onwards.

Brianna followed Xuor who scouted the way with his companion. She always rode with her bow out and a arrow held notched and ready to draw and fire. She guided her steed with her legs rarely using the reins. The stallion responded to the slightest pressure when she used if her legs. Most of the time though Shadowbane was the one that followed the rode and she let him. For a brief time clouds built up, but then dissipated later without dumping any rain on their path.

"Evil doesn't seem to count imagination among its characteristics. There is an evil creature that rules my homeland named Sver'ir which translates from draconic to common as "Dark One". The reason I was to go to Tilverton was to get information about an artifact called the "Horn of Lost Calling". With it, one could call back to its rightful place anything lost or stolen. I suppose I'll have to get my information elsewhere."

As Devon's horse walks, Devon shifts his hips with the rhythm of his horse's steps. Carefully he reaches into an inside pocket of his robe and pulls out his map to read the instructions of the destination planned after Tilverton.
It's Cormyr! The instructions say,"Search out a party to help find the Sword of Light." Well it seems Devon has the party part taken care of.

"It would seem that there may be many parallels in the other realms. According to my map, my father left instructions for me to try and locate a "Sword of Light". I wonder if the sword you seek and the one I seek are of a kind?"

"The Sword of Light, or a Sword of Light," quizes Lorae.

"There is a difference. The Sword of Light is a Holy artifact lent to the Light's Avatars and Paladin's in times of great need, it is literally forge if the Light itself. Swords of Light are given to the Paladins of the Light."

"Your Dark One, how long has he been here?" asks Brianna eagerly. Could it be their Dark One, or just another being of evil.

She waits expectantly for his answer.

Devon answers Lorae's question.

"I believe that I am to find THE Sword of Light. My homeland is in great trouble at this time so it could be the sword I seek. However, the word light in my culture could mean Truth. Many people misconceive what darkness holds until one sheds some light on the subject to reveal what is really there."

And to Briana, Devon responds to her question.

"It is rather quite fortunate that the Dark One which rules my homeland is not presently in this realm. Besides, I assume that this once paladin turned evil is human or at least humanoid, am I correct? Sver'ir lives in Mt. Darkhest, a volcano on the edge of the Desert Sea of Genesica.
He is a dragon that was blessed, reared, and trained by Tiamat herself. I doubt very seriously that the your Dark One and mine are the same. We are safe for now from any threat from Sver'ir in this realm."

Brianna listens carefully to what Devon says about the Oark One of his lands. With a sigh, she knows who ever this Dark One is not their Dark One. However it was another evil that needed to be cleansed if it could be.

The days of traveling settled into a regular routine, They rose early with the dawn to day breakfasted and set out riding for about 4 hours. They they broke for lunch for an hour or so to rest the horses, Hunt a bit to add to their food. Then they rode on for about another fours hours and looked for a decent defensible camp site whoever temporary it may be. Those that hunt practice their skills on the local flora and fauna. So far the late summer days gave then plenty of sunlight when they finally decided to camp.

Brianna practices every morning and evening with her weapons, and hunts during the day as she rides with a bow out and an arrow notch and ready to shoot if any animal suitable for food passes close enough to their route of travel. She would ask whoever wanted to go a few rounds with her with whatever weapon they choose. She even unlimbered the big Dwarven Ax though she used that against no one but just practice wielding it. The massive half-moon blades cut wickedly through the air. She hoped to master it wielding but she had to strengthen her wrist when she added full power to the swinging Aze's weight.

Brianna revealed in the power and beauty of weapons work. She honored the Warrioress's facet of Amaterrana above all others. Though when she was young she honor the Maiden.

Xuor ranges out ahead of the group and checks back in at random times, from 15 minutes to 45 minutes. The traveling is easy mostly flat lands, but there are some ups and downs. The weather warms to the 80's and the lunch stop at a stream provided time for a cooling wash of face and arms. the horse were allowed to drink only lightly at first and then they drank before the group started off.

Herds of deer farther from the road lifted their heads to watch the group as they road by. One group was crossing the road when they came over a low rise and the bounded off onto the deep grass and a copse of bushes.

If they had needed there was enough small game to provide a fine meal, as it was they were carrying all that they needed.

A lowering sun signaled the need to search out a campsite. Xuor came back and pointed off the Northwest to a stand of trees.

"I've found water and grazing for the horses, and fine cover for a camp. It looks like it has been used by a number of caravans."

Following him to the stand of trees, they find a well set up camp area. There is even a firepit made of field stone.

Xuor, Brianna, and Lorae, quickly set up camp and help those like Devon to set up his bedroll in the best place, and as the new man he is given a shovel to dig the jaks (Long trench that the user stands, or squats over to do what is natural.) downwind of the camp.

By the time everyone is setup the food is one and cooking. Xour built a low-burning fire so that it cut down the chance of flying sparks igniting the grass, though it seemed that the users of the campsite regularly cut back the wild growth to avoid that problem. Brianna cleared out he most recent surge of new growth and gathered firewood.

The sun set and for a while the warmth of the day lingered. The group soon found the warmth of the fire warmed the surrounding rocks and that radiated warmth rocks that countered the chill edged of the night breezes.

"We need to set up watches,"

After digging latrines in semi-sheltered and private areas down wind of the camping area, Devon takes the cues of where the best place is to set up his camping supplies, tent and bed roll. He figures that his horse could use refreshing so as to be ready for him in the morning. He gives a gesture and a word, no longer concerned as to who sees him, and the horse dissipates into nothingness. Devon catches the scent of dinner on the evening breeze and is drawn to the fire.

"I'm not much of a wilderness person, unfortunately, otherwise I could have helped in the hunting. I guess I spoiled myself in living in Sebria for almost five years. I'll take the first watch if that's alright with everyone. I don't need prayer or meditation and I'm too energized with excitement to sleep anyway."

During supper Devon listens in on the conversation, adding insight on what he knows about, asking questions on what he doesn't know or understand and after dinner lights up his pipe and puffs leisurely.

"The first watch would be a good idea for you, as it will not be completely dark yet. Therefore, you will be able to still see, and then have your sleep. I myself need little sleep, so I will take the rest of the night as a watch person, if there are no objections. It will give me time to do my nightly rituals, and prayers."

Alexandria looked around the camp which Xuor had chosen. It was quite a nice camp. Clear, open, plentiful resources... It was strange how perfect it could be. Perhaps however... it was this perfect for a reason.

Her brow furrowed, Alexandria continued. "If it would please everyone, I would simply like to cast a few spells before we decide to take watch. If anyone has any objections, then feel free to object now. It is not a malicious spell, and you will hardly notice it."

Lorae busied herself with grooming Moon Dancer, helping set up camp and taking a walk around the area to get the lay of the land. Once back in camp she sees to the cooking, having long ago learned not to let Brianna cook.

"Devon, feel free to ask questions about the why and wherefores of living outdoors."

"Alexandria, what are you thinking of casting?"

"Well, it's a simple spell really. I've heard it go by many different names. I myself call it Eilistraee's Eyes. It gives the affected persons Eilistraee's security, and the Dark Lady monitors them. She whispers the ailments into my ears, so that I know how everyone is doing. The Dark Lady whispers whether or not those affected are healthy, injured, poisoned, and many other things. It is simple a reassurance factor, as all that glitters is not gold, lest it be a gift of Eilistraee."

Alexandria continues looking around the campsite, trying to see any sign of outside influence, or person waiting in ambush.

-----------------

(OOC: This is the Status spell.)

"I think it would be a good idea to ward our area with a couple of "Alarm" spells. I think I'll cast one "Alarm" spell that you can hear and one that only I can hear and cover a large area with them. These alarms will last all night and then some."

Devon calls over all the party to a common area with sandy ground and uses a stick to write a word in the sand. The word is "Arcaniss". This is the password to enter the warded area without setting off the alarm. Once all of the party reads it, Devon uses his foot to erase the word.

(OOC: I will be casting 14 "Alarm" spells to cover a 60 ft radius or 120 ft diameter with our occupied area as the center point. Each 20 ft area has the spell cast twice so that everyone will hear if an intruder enters the area and I will be able to hear it mentally if I'm checking on any other disturbances. 102 mp - 14 mp = 88 mp till my mp replenishes the next day I'm assuming.)

Brianna could not see at night like the elves of several of the other races however her upbringing and training helped her develop other sense to help her when she stood watch in the night. She attuned her sense to the surroundings listening for sounds what was natural and what was not.

"I will take morning watch unless one of you needs to sleep though out the night to regain their powers. I have no need of continuous sleep to get enough rest."

"What will you Alarm spell sound like when it goes off. Will it tell me where our camp has been breached?"

Brianna looked around for Flame. She had not seen him since they left Pelan's Helm. Not that he was bound to her, or anything like that, but for some time he had been around her ever since She had found him with the Great Orb of Dragon Control. That had lead to the event on her home world that had somehow spun them to this one.

Brianna sighed. erhaps he had found a mate or something like that. He was a rascal but she would miss him.

"Anyone who enters the warded area which is roughly 60 ft from the center of the camp in any direction, without saying the password I've shown y'all, will set off the alarm. I could be almost a mile away and still hear it mentally, but to you it will sound like someone ringing a hand bell rapidly. As far as knowing the location of a breech, the 'Alarm' spell tripped is the one that will sound off so you will know the direction from where the sound is coming from."

Devon draws in the sand a rough mapping of the "Alarm" areas. There are seven circular areas, six of which are arranged in a hexagonal shape. The seventh warded area is in the center of the hexagon of circles which is the camping area.