Tellior follows the others into the shop, take a breath to savor all the wonderful smells in this place. "We do keep you around for your keen eyes Triss. The only reason I'm sure!" He says in an equally playful voice.  Coming up to the gnomish proprietress, he takes a small sample. "I certainly wouldn't want to refuse such a generous offering, dear lady."  He carefully tastes it, enjoying the contrasting flavors. "Marvelous!"  

Cindrahal looks at Ember and says, “Well, aren’t you a big, strong fellow. We have many choices here. I can sees it might be overwhelming. As I say, this golden cheddar with a slice of apple is quite good. You are welcome to a free sample. But perhaps you would like a tangy emmental or good solid gouda? We haves fresh mozzarella, creamy gorgonzola, crumbly cojita, and more.” (The gnome provides small samples of any cheese requested by any of you and smiles broadly at any compliments.)

As Kellen looks around, he sees all of these types of cheese. Some are stacked on counters, while others are kept in containers, especially if they must be packed in water. There are also ice boxes to keep some of them colder to maintain freshness. A couple of barrels of apples stand in the corner. He doesn’t see anything that would connect with the food cart outside, although there are small windows that look out through the hedge wall to the road beyond.

In response to Celesta’s question, Cindrahal says, “Oh, yes, I saw it all. I was straightening up my stocks and I heard a ruckus outside. I went to the doors, worried that it might be the Wild Hunt--I always locks up when they are out and about. Who knows what sorts of creature they might be chasing or where it might lead them? I just knows I don’t want nothing to do with it. Terrifying is what they are.” She stares off for a moment and then shakes her head as if to dislodge unpleasant thoughts. Then she looks back at you and continues her story.

“So, like I says, I peeks out and sees it's just a pack of intoxicated fools parading by and making mischiefs. A couple of the satyrs are dancing around and runs right into Tuvi’s carts, knocking it over, smashing the pies to bits. Well, that gets Tuvi right mad, it does. Of course it does! Think of the prices he could have gots for those pies! Delicacy they are, fine enough even for Lady Daneliean. But not all wrecked and smeared all over the roads.” She clucks her tongue with disapproval.

“So Tuvi, understandably starts to yells at the boozers and dancers, but as the fumes fills his lungs, what do you thinks? His eyes go crossways, he staggers to the sides, one foot goes right into a pies, and down he goes. And what do you think he does then? The guffaws and chortles that came out of that elf! He was as befuddled as the rest of them. Two of the satyrs helps him back up and he joins in the dance! Off he goes with the crowd of fools!”

She leans in conspiratorially and adds, “Myrin is going to be furious with him! I wouldn’t want to be in Tuvi’s shoes when she sees what’s happened to her pies, oh no! I knows for a fact that those pies go for 300 golds each. Delicious they are, and well worth it if you can pay.”

"Are these sorts of drunken parades common around here? They seems like quite the nuisance."  Tellior asks Cindrahal as he listens to her story.  

"I wonder if perhaps there is something we could do to help," Tellior adds.  "Maybe let this Myrin know what happened?  Bring her back the pies that are still intact?" He looks around at his friends and at Cindrahal to see what they think of the idea. 

Triss nibbles on the food offered to them, making a small noise of happiness upon that first bite. They listen to the story intently, as well, giving a few nods to show that they're still listening every now and then. "We sorta got caught up in that party, too," they say. "Pretty easy to see how it could happen."

Then they nod along with Tellior. "Yeah, we could definitely deliver those pies that're still standing. Might help this Tuvi out some in the grand scheme of things." They look at Cindrahal with a bright smile. "Would you know where we can find Myrin?"

“Do folk not indulge in spirits where you are from? That group seemed to be especially strong in their celebration, whatever it was for, but most cities have those who carouse on occasion, yes? I have not traveled far, but I thinks this is true.” She laughs a little. Upon hearing that some pies may have survived the encounter, she grows more serious.

“If there are whole glimmerberry pies, then, yes, you must collects them before someone else does. I just assumes they were all ruins. And should you be so kindhearted and civic-minded as to returns them to Myrin, you would earn both her thanks and Tuvi’s, I’m sure. Now, you’ll be looking for Myrin Ulafir, owner of Berry Bakes. The bakery is right close to Sentra Village Crossing, the open air markets closest to the Rose Palace, on the sunside.” She nods with satisfaction. She says all of this while serving you all any little samples you like. 

When there is a pause, she looks at Tellior who still holds Parolanta and and asks, “Forgive me for prying, but is your little friends there okay?”

Tellior's grows a bit more serious as Parolanta is mentioned. "Well, I believe she is ok.  She got one whiff of those fumes from that wild parade and passed out." He takes a moment to look at her, studying her to see how she is faring. 

As Tellior looks more closely at Parolanta, she seems to be sleeping peacefully. Cindrahal’s eyebrows furrow as she examines the pixie and then says, “I don’t object to a celebratory drink now and then, but when they takes it to excess and breaks up food carts and pies and a poor pixie can’t carry on without passing out--” She shakes her head. “It’s just not right. Now, if you’ll give me just a moment, maybe I can finds something to bring her round.” She disappears through a small door behind a counter for a minute.

When she returns, she shows them a small bundle of dried herbs with a strong scent. “If you allows me, these may wake her.” Unless anyone objects, she rubs the herbs between her hands close to Parolanta’s nose and the sweet and spicy scent grows even stronger. 

The pixie’s nose wrinkles and she stirs in Tellior’s arms. Eventually, her eyes open as she stretches and looks around. “Ooh, what’s that smell? Where are we? What’s going on?” She looks up at Tellior holding her, blushes a little, and tries to fly up on her own. Her flight wobbles a little, but she manages to land on a counter and sit on a large round of cheese. “I do not feel well. What happened? The last I remember we were heading to Tacktallows, we saw a crowd of people laughing and singing ahead…Oh, my head is fuzzy…”

Tellior smiles at Parolanta as she blushes. "It seems you were overcome from the fumes of that crowd. Fortunately I was able to catch you before you hit the ground.  At the moment we are in the Cultured Cow; Cindrahal here helped you recover."  At the mention of the gnome he tilts his head in the woman's direction.  "Triss and I kept tabs on the rest of our inebriated team. And...  well, we visited a couple of shops while you were out!"  

Celesta says “welcome back!   Those fumes were potent”!”     (To the others she says) “if the pies are worth that much- we should return them.  Is it on our way to the Shoemakers I wonder?   Can we get the cart moving again?” 

Kellen becomes a little more at ease in the shop as he sees his friends take some samples and listens to Cindrahal’s version of what happened.  He takes some samples and talks with Cindrahal as the others tend to Parolanta. “Wow, this place sounds fascinating, we are still newcomers and have much to learn.  What is this Wild Hunt and why is it terrifying?  Should we be worried about one?” Kellen’s natural tendency for rapid questions is starting to return. “Is Tacktallow’s cobbler shop near Sentra Village Crossing?  That was a pretty cool trick with Parolanta, will that help make me and my friends better as well?  We are still a little woosy from our run in with that group.  This cheese is delicious, how much for an apple and a wedge of cheddar?”

Kellen turns to the group “Yes, let’s help take the pies back.  Is that okay with you Parolanta? Surely it won’t take too long and then we can go get the shoes.”

Kellen, Triss, and Ember do feel a little sharper as you smell the herbs that Cindrahal used with the sleeping pixie. She is happy to give you each a small sprig. Parolanta thanks Tellior and the others for making sure she was safe while she was out, but expresses confusion about the discussion of pies. Explanations are made and it becomes clear that it would make more sense to continue on to the cobbler’s shop which is on one side of the palace than to go back to the bakery which is on the other side. Parolanta gently reminds you that your task for Lady Daneliean should have first priority. The cart is broken beyond help at this point, but you could pick up the five good pies and return them to the bakery after your visit to the cobbler.

When Kellen asks about the Wild Hunt, Cindrahal shudders a little and says, “Oh, the Wild Hunt is a terrible sights to behold: a couple dozens of riders wearing horrifying animal masks and bloodstained chain mail, wielding cold iron pikes and tridents, and riding terrible horses with human faces! They rides through Hedgegrove, hunting and killing any beasts or peoples they think deserving of their justice. Should you hears their pounding hooves and dreadful hunting cries, takes shelter wherever you can as quickly as you can!” She covers her ears and cowers a bit for dramatic effect. 

Then she straightens up and says cheerfully, “Now, my gnome friend here would like to buy some cheese and an apple. Anyone else? I would love to stay in business here, so that we might meet again in the future! A wedge of cheese runs 5 silvers and an apple 1 silvers, although I can’t imagine wanting only one! A wedge and an apple for each of you would be 3 golds altogether.”

"Im buying." Ember said handing over the three gold and dividing up the food.

As he hands kellen his portion he adds in a whisper *mind lending me a dagger?*

Eyes widening a bit at the dramatic description of the Wild Hunt, Triss makes a mental note to never get caught up in that, thank you. They're sure it wouldn't end well; Ember would probably want to fight them all or something, and Triss would be forced to jump in to fight at her friend's back.

They start to decline the offer of food, wanting to keep better track of their money for once, only to blink in surprise as Ember buys it for the group. The resultant smile that spreads across Triss' face is wide and bright. "Thanks, Em."

Then they turn to the others, bouncing on their toes. "Well, as the pies might be a bit beyond our help, shall we continue to the shoe shop? Wouldn't want to keep Lady Daneliean waiting any longer than she has to be, given how gracious she's been to us thus far."

"Thank you Ember!" Tellior says graciously as his friend pays for everyone. "Parolanta is right, we should find the cobbler first.  But let's grab the pies and head to the baker's shop after?  I would like to get a chance to visit one of the markets! If they have anything half as wonderful as this shop it will be worth the trip for sure." 

He heads for the door out of the shop. "On to more adventures!"

celesta says “Agreed with the plan! Thanks for the wonderful cheese and the advice.  We will avoid that crowd if we can!” 

“Thanks Ember!” Kellen moves to pack the apple and cheese away for later, then thinks better of it and takes a bite, chewing happily.  He also passes over one of his daggers, handle first, with a shrug of his shoulders and a whisper “Sure, you can borrow one.” 

“Thanks for the food Cindrahal, and for teaching us a little more about the city.  Maybe we could bother you for a used box to carry the pies?  We wouldn’t want to smash them on the way to the bakery”

He prepares to leave with the others “Right, cobbler first, then bakery...and maybe some shopping later” he says with a wink.

"No. Cobbler. Then baker. Then ask the lady for our next job." Ember corrected with his mouth full.

"And ill be carrying the pies. You are too impulsive." This said in a joking voice. But still....

Cindrahal is happy to provide a wooden crate that would protect the pies. “When Tuvi returns, I’ll let him know you were able to save some of the pies. Indeed, it’s been a pleasure to meets you all. Feel free to put in good words for the Cultured Cow with Lady Daneliean. I didn’t realize I was rubbing elbows with her assistants. Good thing I’m always on my best behaviors, yes?”

As you all get the pies sorted, Parolanta gestures for Tellior to come over closer. She whispers, “I’m not sure I am completely recovered. Forgive me if I am overstepping, but perhaps I could sit on your shoulder?” Assuming Tellior is willing, she hops up a bit awkwardly as her flight is still wavering.

Once everyone is set, you all continue down the wide thoroughfare that is lined with these incredibly tall hedges that still boggle the mind. You pass a few citizens carrying on with whatever business they have. Some eye your group with a little curiosity; others completely ignore you. Sometimes they turn to open a door in the hedge that you do not notice until they use it. The sky overhead continues to glow with the same even twilight. A light breeze dances by every now and then.

After a short walk, you reach a large intersection with another wide avenue that crosses the one you are on along with a couple of narrower roads that come in at sharper angles. In the center of the intersection is a smooth round stone about 3 feet across. As you approach, Celesta is able to see runes inscribed around the stone. Parolanta announces, “This is a ley line intersection. We can use it to jump to another one that is very close to Tacktallow’s shop. Otherwise, we will have to travel over another stretch of road through the hedges, about as far as we have traveled already. As you have seen, anything is likely to happen on the roads of Hedgegrove. So skipping directly to the other intersection will avoid potential distractions and trouble. However, the ley lines are powerful magic. I use them regularly, but I haven’t traveled them with outsiders, so I wanted to give you the choice.”

As she explains this, an extraordinarily tall elf walks up, nods gracefully, says, “Excuse me,” and steps up onto the orange stone. She closes her eyes, mutters under her breath, makes a small gesture, and disappears with a quiet puff of air.

Celesta says “I’m excited to try it!   It may be wise to avoid too many more .. distractions on our way.  But I want you all to be comfortable with it!”  She looks at Ember warily.  

Tellior gives Parolanta a warm smile and responds to her quietly. "Of course. It is not a problem at all."  He helps her as she hops up.  As the group continues he gently rests his hand against her to keep her steady.  As they travel along the thoroughfare, he keeps up a light conversation with the pixie. "It truly is the least I can do dear lady. Had you not been helping us as guide I'm sure you never would have run into that drunken group."  He lightly inquires as to her usual duties for Lady Daneliean and about her ventures into his world.  

Once they reach the ley line intersection he lets out a slight exclamation. "Well!  I doubt I'd have ever realized this stone was what we were looking for."  He turns, trying to look at Parolanta, though she is a bit too close really.  "How do we make it work?" he asks excitedly.