Throughout the morning, the various merchants would deliver the goods that the women had purchased the day before.  Around midday, the group started to get hungry, that's when Petra said to Marren, "Marren, why don't ye and Lyranda go pick us something to eat?  To tell the truth, I could really go fer some of that Jongtai spicy duck, kimchi and plumblossom wine."  Looking at the woman, Marren replied, "it's been years since I've had any of that... sounds great!"  Looking at each other, Lyranda said to Cailin, "do not worry Cailin, I will find us something a bit less exotic."  "Thank you," Cailin replied, " not sure my stomach could survive the inferno."  Nodding her head in the direction of the other two women, Petra said to Marren with a half smile, "wimps... well, just don't stand there ye two, get a move on.  A hungry dwarf be an unhappy dwarf."

As the couple left, Petra turned to Cailin, "have a seat darlin', the next delivery's not due fer almost a half hour."  After a few moments of silence, Petra addressed her young friend, "did ye have a good time last night?"  "Oh yes," Cailin replied, "the new clothes, the food and then the music was very nice."  "What about the dancin'? Did ye not enjoy that, too?", Petra pressed on, "especially with Marren?"  "What?", Cailin sputtered, then calming down, "yes, the music was fun to dance to, but..."  "But what, dear?", Petra inquired, "ye sound a bit perplexed." 

"Well, when I fell, I was glad Marren was there to catch me, but when he asked to dance, I started to refuse," Cailin said.  "Obviously ye changed yer mind, why?", Petra asked.  "I don't know, something told me to, like a voice telling me I had to dance with him... I don't know how to describe it, when I saw the look in his eyes, I couldn't say no," Cailin replied.  "Perhaps ye be starting to care fer the man, maybe even like him a wee bit?", Petra said to her friend, "maybe even something a bit deeper?"  "I just don't know!", Cailin exclaimed, " I mean I admire his skills and his courage.  But his cockiness makes me want to kill him, then I remember what Lyranda said of his past and how that can make a person be the way he is.  Then I want to comfort him... Petra... I really do not know how I really feel for the man!"  "It be alright, love", the dwarf replied,  " ye would not be the first woman to be so conflicted and ye won't be the last.  I know ye two got off to a rocky start and there be some issues that will need fixed, but it'll have to be a two-way road, each must give and take.  My only advise lass, follow yer heart and go where it takes ye."  Gazing into her friend's eyes, "thank you", Cailin whispered, "I am so lucky to have found a friend like you so soon after my sorrows."

Shortly after the two women had finished their conversation, Marren and Lyranda returned with the food and they all sat down together to eat.  By mid-afternoon, the last of the supplies arrived and were loaded into the wagon.  At that point, Marren turned to Cailin and said, " I have a plan for our trip to Crider's Blight, but I want to run it by you, all of you and get your take on it.  Let's head over to the garden gazebo so we can relax while I fill you in."  "Sounds good, sir," Cailin responded, I think we'd all like to know what you suggest." Arriving shortly at the gazebo, the women sat down while Marren pulled an old faded map from his tunic and laid it out on the table before them.

Pointing at the map, Marren began, "okay, we're here in Myra's Cove, taking the road north and at our travel speed, we should reach the edge of the Darkwoods by late afternoon day after tomorrow where we'll rest for the night before entering."  Continuing with his briefing, "from now until then, we should have no problems, but once we enter the woods, that's where the 'fun' begins.  I propose we take the back roads, my information tells me the main road is constantly under watch by the bandit gangs for caravans and people to rob... it's also said that they are not adverse to killing their victims whether they co-operate or not."  "I'm beginning to like this plan, already," Petra interjected, "oh, sorry lad, please continue."  "Thank you," Marren replied with a chuckle, " now along these old roads are old fortifications of the former  Noble's army, so we'll have safer places to spend the nights while we're in the woods.  Now... I'm not saying there isn't a chance we could run into a gang, but the odds are in our favor that we won't.  I'll shorten my scouting distance so I can remain in earshot of the gong you bought... which by the way was an excellent idea, but far enough out to spot any problems and get back in plenty of time to prepare for a fight."  Then glancing up at Cailin, "well, what do you think?"  "Marren," Cailin replied, "with your knowledge of the area and your skills, the answer can only be, 'yes'," then speaking to the other women, "anybody have any objections?"  The other two women agreed with Cailin and the decision to use Marren's plan was heartily accepted by all.  Cailin then asked, "why is the town called Crider's 'Blight'?"  "It was a leper colony.  Then a group of The Light's priestesses traveled there to aid them, it's no longer a leper colony, but the name stuck," Marren replied.

"A sound plan, sir," a scantily dressed woman said to Marren as the group was about to depart for dinner, "you are quite a strategist."  "May we help ye, miss?", Petra addressed the interloper over her shoulder.  Though the stranger's gaze seemed affixed on Lyranda, she answered the dwarf, "please forgive me, it was not my intention to eavesdrop, but I too have a need to travel to Crider's Blight.  You see, my aunt is one of the priestesses you spoke of.  She is getting along in age and I haven't seen her in years.  There's a caravan due to leave in three weeks, but I would prefer not to wait so long, as my aunt is not getting any younger.  The gentleman's plan is very sound, though not without possible danger and there is safety in numbers."  "And what can you do in case of attack?", Cailin asked.  "My name is Lilith Whytemane and I am a practitioner of the arcane," the woman replied, I think my skills may prove helpful for a successful trip through the woods. I also have my own horse, wagon and supplies that I will be more than happy to share."  "A mage," Petra responded, "aye Cailin, her skill could be very useful.  What do ye think?"  "Very well, Lilith, meet us at dawn in the small meadow north of town and you may join us, Cailin stated to the woman.

Lyranda, noticing Lilith's constant stare, asked the woman, "is there a question you have, miss.  You have been staring at me for quite a long time."  "Please forgive me, but you're M'buri aren't you?", Lilith sheepishly replied. "Yes, I am... is there a problem?", Lyranda stated, matter-of-factly.  "Oh no!", Lilith exclaimed, "you see, I am a historian for my order and so little is known about your people, mostly tales and conjectures.  I pray you will honor me by telling me more of the M'buri, so that my people will come to understand your culture as we should."  "A noble aspiration," Lyranda responded, "I will help you."  "Light Bless You!", Lilith cried out with joy, "thank you, dear lady!  I'll see you all at dawn, good night and thank you!"  A few moments after Lilith had departed, Lyranda turned to Marren, and with a lilt in her voice, "and you were concerned about my lack of attire?"  Bowing his head, Marren turned to her and replied in an uneasy chuckle, "sorry."  Marren's response caused all the women to slightly laugh at the man's discomfort.

That night as the women settled in for what would be their last night of luxurious comfort, Cailin spoke to the others, "a mage, huh?  Tell me Lyranda, do the spirits say anything about her?"  "They say that she is who she claims to be and she does have family in the town we travel to... that she is good of heart and an able warrior in her own means,"  Lyranda replied.  "I look forward to our conversations, if she is able to bring knowledge of the M'buri to your people, then I will be more than happy to assist her."  "Uh, during those conversations, do ye mind if we listen in sometimes?", Petra asked, "there be so much more I would like to know, also."  "As well as I," Cailin added, "in the few short days you've been with us, you've proven to be a good and trustworthy friend.  I would be honored to also tell others one day of the wonderful people called the M'buri kada Kakiruu."  A few moments later, the women bid each other a good night and returned to their beds for a last night of luxury.
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