Events initially seemed to have taken a turn for the better after our defeat of the dragon and cleansing of the temple. Barrin and Barricade announced that they would return later with an expedition of dwarves to claim the temple, so we left the gargoyles there as guards and proceeded back to Stonyvale heavy-laden with equipment, coins, and stories.
There we discovered that my pessimism about the source of the attacks was unwarranted; all became peaceful on the exact day we destroyed the dragon. We spent a couple of days in Stonyvale resting and recuperating while I quickly studied and copied the remaining spells Jarba had promised me. Jerrold "the Bold" was still suffering from his affliction of terror and madness, but I think Malakar was able to help. When we were sufficiently rewarded and resupplied, we headed back into the hills towards Denska.
Although we didn't interrogate Gavinor when we captured him, later events prompted us to revisit the events of the cave. His thoughts betrayed his mission: they were sent by Nassiral Hate to retrieve the blade of Syneri (the legendary Elven Archmage responsible for the hundred-year geas), and it sounds like they succeeded in finding it. It's worrisome to think about the purposes to which Hate might put such a powerful relic, and it continues the pattern we saw back at the Temple of Kavara. I can only speculate as to the kind of dire and overarching goal which might motivates Hate to disperse his troops on artifact-fetching missions, instead of concentrating them for conquest.
The trip back north was uneventful, right up until we reached Condor Pass itself and the famous Aerie. Sheer cliffs rise hundreds of feed to bottleneck the pass, and the fortifications of the Aerie plug the gap near-impenetrably. Refugees were encamped on the Denskan side, and the guards weren't particularly welcoming. We were taxed and peace-bonded (I'm going to have to find a way to keep my hands free next time something like this happens), but as partial compensation the city inside is well-equipped (though, of course, nothing comparable to Corinth-that-was). We were able to unload some of our less-desirable goods (Grumpy the cook and Gavinor of Mammoth Tribe not least among them!) and had some success finding resources and information.
The Wardens here are formidable war wizards, well-equipped and trained, who ride to battle on tremendous ill-tempered condors. I was fortunate to earn a modicum of their trust and gain access to their library through their master, Nicodemus. With the wealth we recovered from the dragon, my spellbook is getting close to full, and I've begun to work on modifying some of our items to better complement our group's strengths and weaknesses -- the dangers we've been facing have exceeded even my worst expectations, and it seems prudent to prepare for every eventuality.
But as always, onrushing events don't permit continued comfort or ease. Shortly after our arrival, we learned of an incoming Deverenian army, led by a Sorceress named Ygraine (I'd never heard of her, but apparently she's an aggressively martial spellcaster and leader). In a suspicious echo of Ghostwood, there have been "raids" on Deveranian towns near the border, and the witnesses claim Denskan soldiers (including members of the elite Silver Guard) were responsible. The 5000 implacable Deverenians descending on the Aerie must stem from some peculiar definition of proportionate response.
It's not at all clear that the Denskan forces, even with the might of the Wardens and the extensively inventive fortifications, can stay the wrath of Ygraine's force. So here we remain, sitting on the anvil, waiting for the hammer to fall.
Naturally, we volunteered to help, and met encouragement from our masters and mistresses back in the Free Kingdoms, as well as the General in charge of the Aerie. However, seeing the fury of the war about to break over us, I'm beginning to doubt the wisdom of that course. We've been unable to put enough of the puzzle together to see any way to stop this conflict, and our meager force of arms won't make any difference at all.
What do we know?
First, Malakar asked his deity for advice, and received the typically cryptic "Seek the Eye". My best guess, given present circumstances, is that this refers to the Eye of the Storm; presumably figuratively in the form of Ygraine, rather than literally in the heart of malign cyclone these Deverenians bow to. Still, I'm reluctant to "seek" Ygraine anytime soon, as she's consistently killed every messenger sent to her. One other possibility is that "the eye" refers to the source of the scrying attempts the Denskans have reported. But we have no means to track those directly.
Second, I received another vision from Cassandra's stone: a clear crystal sphere, tainted by the tiniest wisp of smoke within, next to some kind of polearm of impeccable craftmanship (perhaps a spear, halberd, or pike). The viewpoint drew back to reveal shadowy figures clustered around these two objects on a table. None of us have any idea what this picture means, unfortunately. Unlike the previous vision, it doesn't even offer a setting.
Perhaps it's time to reconsider our assumptions.
1) We've been assuming that the Denskans are innocent, and that a third party is sowing discord (just as at the Ghostwood). What if elements here in the Aerie are culpable? Can we discover their duplicity and legitimately leave them to their fate, or expose them to save the innocent rest?
2) We've been assuming that the Deveranian outrage is legitimately motivated (if disproportionate). What if the raids were just a pretext for an attack they wanted to make regardless? In that case, there's little hope we can do anything to stop them.
3) We've been assuming (OK, we minus Borrow) that we're meant to be here, that there's something we can do. Maybe we're wrong, and Borrow's right, and we should get the heck out of here.
4) We've been assuming that it would be foolish to try to go to talk to Ygraine, because she's a cold-blooded Deverenian killer, and lacking any reason to listen to us could swat us like flies. Maybe... she's just misunderstood and needs love and acceptance? I'm having trouble finding a plausible alternative to this assumption.
In the meanwhile, I'm wrestling with an unaccustomed problem: more gold than I can comfortably carry. I can imagine laughing with Mom about that one someday when this is all over... "small town boy makes good, helps slay dragon, staggers around with too much gold"... hopefully the story doesn't end with "died in an unrelated border war far from home because he was weighed down with useless wealth". To stave off that eventuality, I really ought to invest in some extra-dimensional luggage like Borrow's. (At least I think it's an extra-dimensional bag; either that or he has extraordinary packing skills).
Oh, I almost forgot: I finally commissioned those Glowing Orbs I've been craving, so I have a suitably refined light source for the next time we go underground. It'll be so great to ditch this clunky old lantern. I'm pleased to note that Ili seems to share my enthusiasm for illumination; she's asked me to start working on a Watch Lamp circlet for her. It's good to have something to keep hands and mind busy on the eve of battle, since it seems fruitful to let our intractable problems brew in the subconscious for a while, hoping for a creative solution to emerge.
(Updates to Who's Who : Adolphus, Gavinor, Grumpy, Nicodemus, Syneri, Ygraine)
Verdatha are steeds, specially trained to enter combat at the will of their masters. They are taught to charge, to sweep over their opponents and burn them with fire-breath, and serve as flying war-steeds for Deverenian knights. Verdatha know no fear, and are expectionally loyal.