"Good bread, good meat, thank the gods, LET'S EAT!"

With a big smile on his face, Devon began to dig in and pass food to everyone in the group as it was requested.

Having found what they thought was a good place to rest in the ruins they had found in the Barrens, the adventurers set about unloading the horses. Well most of them as Moraglin stepped off her carpet and reached into her bag of holding and pulled out her mattress and bedroll. As they worked a scent wafted through the standing and fallen stones of the buildings and the keen senses of the Felani, Oko and the 1/2 Felani, Moraglin caught scent the musty odor. Alerting the others Zara took to the air in the form of a tiny dragon and flew to Moraglin to have her cast a spell of invisibility on her.

Once in the air Zara followed the air currents and found the source....sources of the smell. Troglodites hundreds of them and more coming from around the corners of walls and building she could not see over from her angle, they were heading straight toward where they were camped. Zara zoomed back and gave the warning. Barely unpacked the group scrambled to repack and mount. Zara pointed to the northeast, that way, I will go up and scout a path. With Zara's keen night sight she lead them through the streets with the least amount of litter. She went up high again, enough to reconnoiter where they were in relation to the Trogs.

As she flies down she spies an area of active magic right in the center of the an open area off to the north. As the rode it there were two large stone pillars standing 15 feet up and about 20 feet apart. To the magic users the glow of magic was an unsteady pulse. "Moraglin can you check it out, I think it is a portal or gateway from the looks of it.

It took a bit of time to discern the nature of the magic as it fluctuated, but they did. Meanwhile Moraglin set up some walls of force to block the most direct routes to where they were, as it seemed the Trogs were still coming their way. Oko prepared for battle as the Trogs closed in and indeed a group of scouts ran into one of Moraglin's walls. Dumb as they were the piled against it givin Zara the perfect opportunity to flame them. She flew to the best spot and sent a cone of flame across them. Meanwhile another group of scouts coming from another direction came int from where there were no magic walls set yet. Oko was there to meet them his might sword began a deadly dance while up in the air above most ot the shouts and screams Zara's keen ears pick up new sounds. Turning she caught sight of another army working its way southeast through the city. ORCS! It seemed they were in the middle of a battle over the ruins.

Zara few down and warned each of the others to fall back then she went to Moraglin.

"Well?"

"It's a portal, It seems to be working sort of and she tosses a rock through it and it disappears, "but sometime it doesn't work."

"We are going to need it and fast we are in the middle of two armies," said Zara.

"Yes, but where does it go?"

"Be ready,"

Dae looks to her half sister worriedly. "Zara?"

The next moment Zara flew through the portal and was gone.

Moments later she returned. "It's a one way thing, but it is open grasslands and trees and mountains, so it is far better to be there than here."

"Zara, the magic dimmed as you went through, it is now less powered than before."

"Then you all need to go now, Oko, then Dae and Moraglin. If we have to Moraglin and I can feed it some power."

"What if the Orcs or Trogs stumble on this and come through?" Dae asked worriedly.

"They won't I am taken the pole with me, now go."

Oko gave Zara a funny look and then rode through, and the portal dimmed more. Dae went to one pillar and Zara the other and transferred some power to the portal stones for Moraglin to fly through. Zara stood by the pole and waved Dae to go. Meanwhile the Trogs found their ways about the walls of force Moraglin had set and were now entering the open area.

"Go," yelled Zara as she enlarged and as a good sized dragon she pulled on the pillar to loosen it.

Somewhere else Oko, then Daeand Moraglin came out into a undulating grassy valley, and it was daylight. There were mountains to one side and the land seemed to slope down towards a river course the banks of which could be discerned from between the trees that lined it.

At Dae's urging they moved away from where they exited and waited. Agonizing minutes later, for Dae at least, a pillar appeared and was set on the ground.

"I'm here," said Zara. Why don’t I go up and have a look around while I am still invisible.

"Zara." Dae said a bit irked, "you failed to mention daylilght."

"It wasn't important at the time." replied Zara.

"So where is home."

Being invisible she could not point. "Do you see that tall oak close to the river, that way."

Sometime later Zara returned and deposited a deer by them. Then back into an elven looking teen and reported. “Nothing for 50 miles in any direction, but there is a small almost smokeless campfire over that rise and down in some trees by the river. There are some nice looking horses grazing in the meadow close by." In Zara disconnect way of speaking on many subjects at once she went on. “I do not think it would be a good idea to butcher the deer down there though there are trees to hang it in. Oko, can you dress the deer here, I change back and hold it up for you to do it, and save me the heart and liver."

That is what she does and Oko quickly dressed the deer. An hour later they are ready to go, the quarters of the deer packed in a bag of holding and the heart and liver given to Zara. Now to ride over the knoll about a 1/2 mile off and then down to the river where Zara said there were people, well as soon as Zara turned back into herself and mount they would ride there.

Alexandria, Soronuume, Brianna, Lorae, and Devon had finish the meal provided and began to clean up what an aweful braying sound reached their ears. Coming down off the same knoll they had appeared on was a small group of riders, two mounted on horses, one on a big black and white appaloosa mule and the last on a flying carpet.

One male and 3 females and the male was definitely catlike and the female on the carpet was likewise catlike. (I will let the necomers describe themselves.)

The mule brayed again and his young rider slapped his neck to stop him.

Devon was startled by the strange noise while cleaning up. He looked up and saw a rider on a mule and another on a flying carpet.

"We seem to not be the only ones drawn here. We have company, Y'all."

Riding down the knoll, Oko will keep an eye open for trouble; He is aprox 6 and a half feet tall and Must weigh at least around 300 to 350 pounds, unmistakably he looks to be a fighter. With 2 long swords one on each side and a Bastard sword on his back, as well as a long bow in a case and a finely crafted quiver with arrows., He is dressed fairly simply in leather paints, a shirt that covers up most of a silvery chain shirt under it, A pair of leather gloves are on his hands, a simple silvery helm covers his head. What parts of his face are visible look to be a bit furry and his eyes are cat like yellow. His cloak is medium grey and is lined in green. A cut on his cloak is edged with what looks to be fresh blood. With 1 hand near his sword the other on the reins he easily guides his massive horse.

Shadow a magnificent steel grey dappled war horse in heavy barding is still tense from the fight and is alert and watchful as a result each massive foot is placed with care and no foot steps are left in the soft ground. Of the extra horses following the group another large gray war horse is also seen, but unlike the ridden stallion she is a bit more relaxed but watchful.

Seeing movement in the trees ahead he will stop and ask Zara without taking his eyes off of the place where he saw movement.

“Zarra, arre the people you told us about the ones watching us now?”

(Oko is ready for action and is loosing up his swords in the scabbard. Shadow is standing rock still ears forward waiting for the command to charge)

"Yep, that is them? I wonder what they are cooking, I am famished. I could eat a whole bison about now. It is dinner time. Relax, Oko, they are not evil, they look pretty normal, well there is the Drow." and this was all in one breath.

Brianna stands, to watch the newcomers, as she gives a brief look to Lorae. When Lorae gives a nod, she removes her hand from the pommel of her sword and steps out from under the tree as the riders approach.

She notices Shadowbane watching also, soon the stallion begins to arch his neck and prance over to the group. Brianna snorts, there had to be a mare in the group of horses.

Long ago she learned to assess the riders by their horses and how they handled them, so far she like what she saw, except for the mule. The riding mule was an enigma so she had some reservations about its rider. As for the one that rode on the carpet, now that was entirely another matter.

As she watched the newcomers ride down the hill, Flame and Precious fly out to greet the group, flying about them and generally being pests at this point.

The wild elf sat up on her heels watching closely the approaching travelers. A strange band indeed, her amber eyes moved across the group studying each. Unsure of their intent Soronuume moved to stand beside Brianna to await the newcomers.

Devon studies the newcomers sizing them up. Then, he takes notice of the small dragons' behavior. In order to best defend them, he also approaches the strangers and about half of the way to them he bellows out a warm, "HELLO!"

"They look friendly and I smell food, so let's go."

She kicks Sebastian and kicks again, and again. Finally she half turns in the saddle to slap him on the butt, whe he took off with a lurch. Zara scrambled to regain her seat and the mule trotted forward in the most uncomfortable bone jarring trot.

As she bounces forward she waves and finally draws rein reaching the small group.

"Hello." she said looking them over. "I'am Zara."

What Devon and the other see and a gangly teenage girl, golden blond hair that seemed to have been tangled in the wind and curing locks went hither and yon. Her golden eyes seemed to large for her pixish face. She was as yet not grown into herself, but the bones of her face and body and certain aspect of her figure hinted of a budding beauty.

"Well met Zara. I am called Devon. The first two in the welcome wagon are Flame and Precious, the dragons. If your intentions be pure, come, meet the rest of our small group and have a meal as well", he says with a big goofy smile.

"Yes food, I am famished, what will all the hard riding into the night and trying to find a camp site in the ruins and then all the Troglodites coming in a ruining our chance for dinner and rest, It was a mess and then we ran into an army of Orcs trying to get away from the Troggies. Seems the two were going to have a war over the ruins and we were in the center. Soo, what's for dinner and what brings you here, we came through an ancient portal, but don't worry none of the Troggies or Orcs can come through, I fixed the portal by taking down a power pole. Oh, of course we can not go back that way, but who would want to right now."

This was all said quickly and seemingly in one breath.

Watching the actions of the new people and the way that Zara greeted them. Then the Hello from a human looking fellow, named Devon. Oko will remove his hand from the sword he was loosing up, pats his horse on the neck and somehow direct him to follow the bouncing mule.

Upon getting nearer to the party they will see a fairly hairy face with cat eyes looking them over, a slight pause when he sees both a drow and an elf together in the same group was strange to say the least.

“That prrettily much coverrs the last few hours. My name is Merrowyn oko Windstrider. You can call me Oko” The voice is low, soft and rumbly, yet very clear. “My horse’s name is Shadow Runner. Pleased to meet you all.” Oko will give a nod to the people he see’s. His horse will give a snort, and stands tall when he spots the other stallion.

Oko is aprox 6 and a half feet tall and Must weigh at least around 300 to 350 pounds, unmistakably he looks to be a fighter. With 2 long swords one on each side and a Bastard sword on his back, as well as a long bow in a case and a finely crafted quiver with arrows., He is dressed fairly simply in leather paints, a shirt that covers up most of a silvery chain shirt under it, A pair of leather gloves are on his hands, a simple silvery helm covers his head. What parts of his face are visible look to be a bit furry and his eyes are cat like yellow. His cloak is medium grey and is lined in green. A cut on his cloak is edged with what looks to be fresh blood. Shadow Runner a magnificent steel grey dappled war horse in heavy barding is still tense from the fight. the pair move with surprising silence and no tracks are left in the soft earth.


Sorry short lunch gotta run

Moraglin remained on her carpet surveying the scene below, she took the time to case True Sight before venturing forth.

What she saw was unexpected, not where the people were concerned as she knew Zara had a knack for knowing the alignments of others, but it was the two dragonettes that caught her eye.

"Very interesting she said to no one in particular for Dae had join the others riding down to the camp.

She finally set her carpet in motion and it floated down the hill after the others.

When the carpet's rider came into view, the people at the camp were presented with a odd sight. The dark figure was a stunningly exotic and beautiful young woman with the black skin of a Drow, and the fine features and fur coat that was not as feline as the big feline fighter, but definitely showing the Feline mixed with Drow features. Her hair, unlike a Drow's, was jet black.

Moraglin's robes were of midnight black had no rival except for her lusterious raven locks. Cheery red lips pouted a bit but is seem to be her natural for her even if one where not exactly sure what she was smiling about. Her rich robes were embroidered in designs reds, red violet and purples and picked up the colors in the brocade lining them. Once to the camp she did a quick clean and fresh and stepped regally off her carpet. She swept her arms wide and let the robe flow out from her body. The intensity of the reds and re-violets set off her fine gown of unrelieved black as it clung closely to her breasts and hips and then flared out wide which was useful for riding and making entrances. It was showmanship, but as natural to her as breathing.

"Good Day," she said pleasantly, I am Moraglin, Soceress Extraordinaire."

Dae rides up into the camp after checking out their back trail. She rides up to the rest of her party and dismounts from Starshine her golden palomino mare.

"Peace to you all, by the Light's Grace. I am Dalyndra Golden Wings. I serve the Light. I checked our back trail and it appears that Zara was able to keep the Troggies and Orcs from getting through to here."

We know where we left from, but do you know where we are now? If you will enlighten us, we would appreciate it very much. We were on an important mission and need to get back to it. At least I do."