C1E10: With Great Haste
With their quarry on horseback with a two day start, the FCG set out at a hard pace for the Labenda Swamp.
Having finished their investigations at the estate [https://aedificium-arcanum.com/building-a-mystery/] by mid-morning, the party returns to The Pillow Trove to collect their belongings and their mounts and ride with great haste towards the eastern gate leading out of the Tri-Spires.
Berleben, the only real settlement in the swamp, is roughly 70 miles away, and the FGC sets off at a fast pace.
They stop and question a trio of traveling merchants on their way to Zadash. While hesitant to speak at first, Erash convinces them that the party means their quarry no harm, at which point they open up.
“Aye, we seen a lady what matches that description about a day ago. We was pulled over, having a bite o’ lunch. Have to in this miserable weather or you’ll catch your death, y’know. Travel’s no excuse not to have a hot cup of tea to ward off the chill. Long blonde hair in a braid. Pretty in a “never seen a day o’ real work” sort of way. Dressed for travel, though I have me doubts that her cloak has ever seen weather like this afore, least for any length of time. > “She joined us for some tea; seemed grateful for the break from the road. Ain’t we all. Had a lot o’ fancy ways of movin’ and speakin’. But she was polite and kind enough. She were asking ‘bout how far we was from Barelben. > “Can’t say that armpit of a town seems like the sort of place for the likes of her… but it ain’t my business. Something about going to see her grandmother, I think? You never know, I ‘spose. Still seems odd to my mind. > “We sent her on her way with directions. Horse was steaming fierce in this cold… clear she’d been moving at a fast pace for quite a while. I did tell her to mind that ‘tis a ways into the swamp and the road is always in disrepair, so she’d have some uneven footing ahead. She thanked us, rode off at a gallop. I worried a bit about letting her go on alone; there are bandits what stalk the Amber Road, after all.” As the shadows lengthen, the sky grows heavier and the rumble of threatening thunder rolls through the valley.
The party stops for the evening. Tree cover is scarce, but they manage to secure and protect their horses, preparing dinner by the fire as the clouds converge overhead.