The smell of blood and mud begins to rise from the woods as the rain continues to fall. The party finds itself in the clearing following the battle, having lost one and gained one in the form of a prisoner. Storm offers up a length of rope with a grunt, and Guilliam binds the prisoner's hands behind his back.

A few words of thanks and encouragement are shared within the party as each examines his own wounds and reflects on the battle. Storm, looking worn and weary, accepts Edryd's offer of some small healing. Edryd gladly obliges, and Storm looks slightly better, though not great, as a result.

Cy looks worried, thinking out loud about the battle, analyzing its outcome. "We must find Canter, as soon as our mission allows" he announces as fact. "With that I do agree," Edryd concurs. Storm grunts in approval, Crayne and Guilliam nod. "What were those last words?" Cy asks rhetorically, "'they'll be milling about...'"

As the interrogation begins, Cy and Storm begin to collect the equipment and pile it in the center of the clearing.

Guilliam takes a long time looking over the man. He appears slightly below average height, wearing leather armor. His short sword was of slightly better than average quality, and his knife and dagger were new and pristine. His dress is comfortable; not aristocratic, but certainly not of the gutter. The man has a narrow face, with black curls atop. He is clean shaven, and one can see a short scar on his right cheek, evidently the result of a blade or duel sometime in the past. Guilliam notices that the man's clothes are all of soft cloth--the man could move quite quietly if he wanted to. His slender frame might do him well were he to hide behind doors or in shadows at night. He appears to be in his mid 20s or early 30s at most.

Crayne, furious with the man because he is responsible for his dagger wound, and glad that he is now captive, threatens him first with words. "I could turn you to dust." A smirk comes across the man's face. Though not always the most physical of men, Crayne pulls back his arm and slaps the man hard across the face. "Consider that a warning."

"Your name," demands Guilliam.

"Sander. And that is all I will tell." The man answers directly, without hesitation.

"I think not..." replies Guilliam.

How will you interrogate the prisoner? Do you have any specific questions? How senseless and close to death are you willing to beat him? I assume you'll want to take him with you, am I correct?

When the questioning is done, the party turns to the loot which Storm and Cy collected. In the pile lies the following:

3 Long Swords, 1 Short Sword

3 Short Bows, 2 Battle Axes

1 Dagger, 1 Knife

3 suits of Brigadine armor (identified as such by Cy)

and 1 suit of leather armor

In addition, Storm collected 20 gold pieces from the bodies.

Does anyone want to claim any of these items? Will the money be distributed equally among the five of you (4gp each)?

The party then decides to keep moving, as Mitchend is waiting. As they set off, continuing their journey along the narrow path, the rain begins to let up until it is a steady light drizzle.

The rest of the trip is relatively uneventful. After perhaps an hour or two of travel, Dillend is in sight. The fort looks very similar to Mitchend in its wooden construction, though it is slightly smaller. The woods begin to thin out and the fort is situated a couple hundred yards from the edge of the forest. The path leads directly to the main gate. Beyond the fort lies plains with wheat, perhaps barley, or some kind of grain.

As the party approaches the gate they are stopped by the guard. "We come on an urgent mission," explains Edryd, "from Mitchend. We wish to see the Knight."

The guard, a young man, quickly nods and opens the gate to the weary men. The soldiers inside, fewer than in Mitchend, raise their eyes to see the newcomers. Some soldiers are sharpening their swords under the porches of the shops, others brushing horses by the stable. A few appear to be teaching a group of younger recruits the basics of swordplay. The attention of all quickly moves to the prisoner, his head high in defiance, though visibly bruised.

As the party crosses the square, they are greeted by a tall man with shoulder-length blonde hair. He wears a suit of chain mail and a long sword at his side. He appears to be the Knight. "Greetings, good friends. I have been told that you come from Mitchend with an urgent message. It must be from my good friend, Captain Frond. I am Sir Logan of the Knights of Rinder." He then begins to take notice of the party's battle-worn shape. "Gods be merciful, it looks as if you have had a bit of a run-in in the woods. Probably that lunatic Mazen's men again. Please, come into the officers' barracks where you will be fed. We have a priest here at Dillend who may offer you some magical healing. And I am eager to hear the tale of your journey and the message from my good friend Captain Frond..."

Reactions to the Knight, Sir Logan? What do you tell him of the journey? The prisoner? The situation at Mitchend? Will you accept his offer of a meal? Of the priest's services?

PLEASE TRY TO RESPOND TO ALL THREE PARTS OF THIS TURN, which can only work to your advantage as it will offer you as much information as possible. I will include the prisoner's responses to the interrogation and the division of the loot in the preface to the next turn.