“No need trouble yourselves… I’ll be fine on my own,” Tana replied dismissively, but then thought better of refusing their offer, after all the Hills were still teeming with orcs, so she added in a more congenial tone; “But you did free me from that vile lich and his horrid dungeon, so if you want to come with me I’m sure you’ll be welcomed. At the very least you can resupply before you’re on your way.” “Sure lass,” Tarl answered for all of them with a smirk, amused by her bravado. “We’d be glad to accept your generous invitation… just lead the way.” It was Aeron who actually took the lead, guiding them along a rugged trail in the cliff-face which eventually opened up into a safer path down the steep rocky hills. It took the entire morning for them to make their way out of the rugged Frost Hills and onto the open plains of scrub that lead to the river Surbrin, their progress slowed to allow Tarl to keep pace, but along the way they took the opportunity to learn more about their new companion… and their destination. “Winter Edge is one of the new Zhent settlements isn’t it?” Galen inquired of Tana curiously. Despite having spent most of his time sheltered in the academic halls of the Lady’s College, of all the companions he knew the most about the Silver Marches, at least what could be learned from maps and lore. “What of it? No one else had claim to the land we took. We’ve as much right to settle here as anyone. Just because we come from Zhentil Keep it doesn’t mean we have anything to do with the Zhentarim,” she shot back harshly. She was all too aware of her home city’s reputation… and for the most part it was well deserved. The Black Network held the city under its heal openly now, which was still trying to recover from being sacked just four years ago, so life there was nearly intolerable, and they were thought to have spies and infiltrators everywhere. But, as far as she knew, there weren’t any in Winter Edge. They were just looking to start a new life free of the Zhentarim’s oppression. “Easy now! He wasn’t accusing you of anything. He just meant that it’s a recently established town… and from what I’ve heard I wouldn’t want to live in Zhentil Keep either,” Aeron interceded trying to calm her down. He may not have the same expertise in lore that Galen did, but he wasn’t the simple forester that most people took him for either. “No one in this company will meet you and your people with prejudice or preconceptions. Trust me… I know first-hand,” Faeryl offered sympathetically. Ironically, considering the prevailing bias against her race, the role of diplomat often fell to her. “But if you lash out at everyone who asks about your settlement, they’re likely assume the worst of you.” “You’re not what I expected from all I heard of drow, but everyone you met must think the worst of you, so what do you do to convince them you’re not wicked?” the young Zhent warrioress bade, clearly frustrated with how she and her confederates had been greeted since their arrival in the Marches. “Eilistraee teaches us to meet prejudice with patience and tolerance,” the priestess replied with a heavy sigh. “Well Tempus demands we face every challenge with blood and fury!” Tana sniped back proudly. ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Disclaimer: Some of the material presented here may be the property of Wizards of the Coast, LLC© taken from the Dungeons & Dragons® Forgotten Realms® Campaign Setting authored by Ed Greenwood & Sean Renyolds, the Dungeons & Dragons® Forgotten Realms® Campaign Accessory Silver Marches® authored by Ed Greenwood and Jason Carl and/or other sourcebooks registered to Wizards of the Coast, LLC©. This is unofficial “Fan Content” permitted under Wizards of the Coast, LLC© Fan Content Policy, it is not approved or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast, LLC©.