The Long Journey Home

The party continues to try to get back to Lord Hugh. They have seen signs of smoke in the distance and Ash wonders if the Fort will still be standing by the time he gets there. He worries he will have missed the fire – all that dried wood – would be a really cool sight that he would have hated to miss it. The group encounters more trolls attacking a group of humans. A Paladin is the only person from this group to survive the rescue. This Paladin worships Pelor who Moin tells Ash he should like because he worships the Sun God – and the sun is a “ball of fire”. Ash has heard this theory before and likes this idea much better then the “ball of lightning” or giant “dancing light” theory. Ash does not mind the Paladin – one nice thing about Paladins is you know what to expect from them. When push comes to shove a Paladin will give up their life to save another – Ash always welcomes another walking shield in the party.

The Paladin says he “owes us one” for rescuing him, Ash allows him to summon his mount to carry him on the rest of the day’s travel. Ash tells the party to keep track of the times the Paladin “owes them one”. When Ash says he “owes you one” it does not mean that much since he feels no obligation to do what he promises – a Paladin on the other hand can always be counted on to settle his debts.

Some of the party wants to look for the Trolls lair. Ash convinces them that their job is to return to Lord Hugh as quickly as possible. Ash has his own reasons for wanting to get back to the Fort quickly and smiles when the mention of “duty” gets the Paladin to change his mind. The weather is bad the next day. Ash positions himself behind his walking shields to minimize his discomfort. The next day when the weather clears the party continues in the direction of the Fort. On the way an army of undead attack. The leader of this group is able to escape. Another two days of travel back to the Fort and Ash wonders what kind of reward he will get form Lord Hugh for all he has done in his name.