CaseOfTheMissingMap part 1

[next: ASecretTunnel]

It is now the 71st of Summer. Ezra, Sjer and Afalar pull their sorry butts through the gate. The guard looks somewhat startled to see us.

The guard questions us as we return, especially concerning Ezra.

The place looks a little fuller and more green than before. The fountain is burbling its spray in the pool. There are some new strange spiky plants near the Koi pond. The Koi are swimming lazily.

We go straight to our rooms, Ezra comes with Sjer. We then go to arrange baths and get some food.

On the way Ezra tells Sjer some about his past. He tells of an old man who lived among the people of his village for 20 years. He taught and healed and generally improved the village.

Then one day the Si'limari came with members of the Fist. The old man resisted. The villagers defended the old man. The village people were killed, but then rose up again as shambling corpses and again fought for the old man.

We eat and bathe and change into better clothes for the special event hinted at by the cook that is supposed to happen tonight.

Just before dinner Sjer knocks on Afalar's door. There is no answer and trying to move the door gently gets him nowhere. The door appears to be stuck, despite the fact that there is no locking mechanism on these doors. At the sound of Sjer's attempted entrance to Afalar's room, the door across the hall opens and Zali'haro comes out into the hall.

The two friends reacquainted. Sjer introduces Zali to Ezra who has been given a new room of his own across the hall from Sjer. The warriors greet each other gruffly, so Sjer finds a way to break the ice by describing to each how the other has saved Sjer's life on more than one occasion.

At dinner the guests from the house Tahar have come to sup with us. L'talus introduces them and we all toast together.

Dinner is a little fancier than the regular dining hall generally sees. The wine is also a little better than usual.

Sjer tells a few tales from the journey, but most of the evening is spent wondering at the occasion of it all.

Then L'talus tells us that Sru'haro has entered into a trade pact with the Tahar. This more involves trade routes and shared caravans rather than shared goods or storefronts.

L'talus then leaves us to our meal. Afterwards the Chamberlain tells me that L'talus would like to see us first thing in the morning.

We spend the evening finishing dinner, making sure Volorn is settled.

After a night's sleep Sjer wakes around 4 and goes out to spend some time with Volorn. As they walk about they find Afalar's boots sitting out by the fountain. After rousing Ezra, we look around the fountain but cannot see anything else. We decide to wait until after we see L'talus to do anything. We do notice that the water in the bottom of the well was recently disturbed. We can see uneven traces of wetness around the edges of the well and around the center stone about 8 inches up from the water line.

L'talus is gracious and hears our story. He is suspicious and not at all pleased that Afalar is not present. Sjer relates most of what befell them with Ezra giving the occasional nod of confirmation. Sjer shows L'talus the large tooth as well as the eagle talons from the giant bird.

L'talus shows us out with a request for the map. After an excursion to the races, a trip to the doctor, and having broken into Afalar's room, we return to let L'talus know that Afalar seems to be missing. He has left enough items and money to imply he did not mean to leave permanently but the fact remains he is not currently available.

L'talus commands us to find Afalar.