Continuing her account of her journey, Taenya found it hard to believe so much had happened in less than two ten-days; “In Ashabenford we met with the High Councilor of Mistledale, Haresk Malorn, and the high priest of the shrine of Tyr, Nerval Watchwill. I told them of Eilistraee and her dogma, while both Coran and Adamar, before he was executed, revealed what they knew of the drow who had taken residence in the Cormanthor… which is quite surprising. They are not a single unified military force, as many believe, but several disparate groups as much at war with each other as everyone else. Also, the attacks made on the Dales by group that has occupied the Elven Court, which calls itself House Jaelre, are really only distractions and supply raids to keep the dalesmen form interfering while they try to warp the high magic mythals left by the elves to protect them, but they have had no success yet. More importantly, their inexperience at surviving in the forest has forced them to steal supplies form the Dales, but their rank and file are still starving, which has made them very desperate… and all the more dangerous! Apparently several of them are defecting, striking out on their own, or forming their own small groups, to fend for themselves… and some of those are turning away from the darkness fostered by Lolth.” “In Ashabenford we met Mistale, who had traveled with Coran in the past,” she went on with he narrative, “and we chose to take a different route back to the Velarswood, taking the Dark Road heading to Essembra, where we encountered a rather vengeful elven ghost, but were able to parlay our way past her without having to resort to hostility. In Essembra we were welcomed at the Green Door, an inn with a secret… a hidden bower that holds a pool of prophecy sacred to Mielikki. The four half-elven innkeepers joined me in my Circle Dance in the bower with the Forest Queen’s blessing, and offered an open invitation for shelter to all of us in exchange for keeping the inn’s secret. From there we went on to the small village of Hap in Battledale, who had recently repelled an attack by a Red Wizard of Thay, his dragon allies and a cadre of drow… so we weren’t that well received at first, but my Circle Dance that night seemed to improve their opinions. Finally we skirted past the Dun Hills and the Cold Fields, where Rowan joined us, and made our way here.” When she finished, the entire assembly was staring in a mixture of awed silence and envy, until Myrymma remarked; “Eilistraee had blessed you with a truly remarkable Run. I don’t think any of us have had such adventures, or learned so much valuable information… not to mention finding a haven where we can get sanctuary and welcome.” Then she turned to Coran, whose presence was sure to create a stir amongst the priestesses since men were a rare sight at the temple, and professed; “You have been extraordinarily loyal and honorable toward our sister Taenya… especially considering the recent developments in the Cormanthor.” “It has been both my privilege and pleasure to travel in her company,” he replied in a humble tone, looking to the drow priestess he had spent so many days… and nights… with, showing an affectionate smile; a gesture which was not missed by either the high priestess or Deryth, who scowled jealously. Something that wasn’t overlooked by him, as he remembered that Taenya had mentioned that her mithral breastplate armor was a gift from the temple’s smith, whom she referred to as a friend, but he had suspected was much more. Myrymma also noticed Deryth reaction, knowing that she and Taenya were very close, certain that traveling with the ruggedly handsome monk had been a pleasure for her as well and suspecting that many of the other priestesses would like to enjoy his company before he left, inviting the companions in a congenial tone; “You are all most welcome to enjoy our hospitality for as long as you’d like… and join us in our evening prayers, if you so desire.” Even as she made the invitation, she could sense the smith fuming with jealousy as hot as her forge, knowing that she preferred the company of other women over men, but her daughter, Yrlissa, and several others, eyed the man with the look of hungry predatory cat… obviously eager to show him just how hospitable their temple could be to the rare male visitor who happened upon them.