The party sets a slow, careful pace.  It doesn't make sense to hurry, knowing Hew is days behind you and you'll need to wait for him to catch up.  Not only that, but it is safer as well.  

This is borne out when Mica and Meili notice a horde of zombies lurking in a clearing full of chest-high grasses.  A less careful pace, and you could have stumbled directly into them and caused yourselves an unnecessary battle.  Instead, you are able to slowly circle around them and continue on your way unseen.  

It also allows you to take in some of the natural beauty of this land.  Given the nature of your quest and the frequency of undead, it can be easy to despise the jungles.  But from a purely aesthetic standpoint, there are few places in the Realms so green, lush, and breathtaking.  You pause for lunch at such a location, where a hot spring, no doubt warmed by the fires of the nearby volcanoes, reaches the surface, creating a deep blue pool of water.  It is an opportunity to clean off some of the undergarments, sleeping bags and other items that have accumulated a mess of grime on this journey.  After snacking on some orange fruits that Hew had previously shown Mica were safe, the party continues on.

The afternoon is even less eventful, and the party settled into camp under a clear sky of stars.

[Same watch order?]

Ran, still happy from having a chance to take a dip in the hot spring and get rid of what feels like weeks of sweat, mud, and jungle, almost enjoys the rest of the day though the forest.

"Not half bad when everything isn't trying to take a nibble out of you," Ran says. Then looks at the colourful bird. "Are you sure you don't want to stay?"

(Ran's good for last watch - Perception 6  )

(Same order sounds right. Meili Perception: 15)

The feeling of fresh skin and clean clothes was very pleasing indeed. But Meili tried not to relax too much. As beautiful and even (on a very rare occasion) accommodating jungles were, they remained extremely dangerous.

(Yep same sounds good. Danica on First Watch, Perception: 10 )

Other than the brief terrifying realization that they almost ran into a horde of undead if not for their easy and quiet pace and the keen eyes and ears of Meili and Mica, it seemed almost sinful how easy the rest of the days trek was. This was what Danica had truly thought of when they had first set out on their jungle adventure. A chance to connect with the land again as she hadn't done in decades. Yet their was a coil in her belly that wouldn't relax, though the hot spring certainly helped. It felt akin to waiting for the wind to turn against them or the current to change, even though there were no signs of either. She made sure to guard carefully as they took turns in the hot spring (for it was only so big) to make sure something wouldn't literally catch them with their pants down. Danica found herself looking up at the stars and down at her star map just as often a she would look around the camp on her watch. She still felt a heaviness over her, but it felt much akin to getting used to wearing heavier armor than one was used to. The Curse was still present and unable to be ignored, but perhaps not as detrimentally difficult as it was at first, more so due to her not being ill anymore as well as having renewed faith in their cause. She never failed to offer her prayers to Selune and attempt to glean what the stars might show what the future had in store for them before finishing her four hour watch and waking Meili for the second watch. 

After the time spent following closely along with Hew, Mica has become more comfortable in the jungle and he led the group forward with confidence and a cautious eye.  Unnerved by their strange visitor the night before, he takes special care in setting up camp and placing his trap, just in case they return.  As they settle down for the evening he asks “Does anyone know what we are looking for in this city? Now that we think we found the place, figure we should know what we are doing before we get there.”

(Same order works for Mica as well: Perception: 20.)

.

[That's a great question and we should let that conversation play out around the campsite tonight.  I'll let everyone have a chance to RP a bit before I advance through the night.]

When Mica asks everyone about the city, Ran pauses for several moments. It feels like a lifetime ago when they started down the river.

"Wizards, wizards and more wizards, mate," Ran finally says. "White ones looking for red ones looking for the source of this death curse thing."

Ran looks over at the bird.

"I don't know much about the curse," he says and pauses, knowing it seems to be affecting Danica, "but I do know that punk Tobem Rosznar is mixed up with the white ones and he might know what happened to my sister."

Danica looks up from her Star Map at Mica's question, head tilting in quiet consideration. Smiling a bit at Ran's answer, the elf thought a moment as she tried to recall the prophecies. "Assuming that this city is the one built by minotaurs and filled with snakes, there's supposed to be a black obelisk and a skeleton man further down in it. I don't know if he or the obelisk is the source of the curse, or just what'll lead us to it. But I know he's no ally."

Staring at Ran, she opens her mouth and then reconsiders and closes it before asking eventually, "Tobem Rosznar is the noble that your sister was traveling with, right?" Eyes flicking to the bird they all hoped was Shepard. 

"Do not think Red or white wizards are involved. No more than the Systers. They could use the situation or even serve the one we are looking for but they are not the curse itself."

Meili closed her eyes remembering the words of the prophet: "... a rift in the jungle, and at the bottom, a hidden city, built by minotaurs and crawling with snakes.  Within there was a monument; a black obelisk, and it concealed something deeper and darker. I saw a skeletal face and hand; the foe. He was surprised at our arrival; surprised we had found his lair and the source of his curse.  But he is strong there; he pulled me away from Savras, pulled me down, down into the dark. There are hollows in the earth; tombs of death and mockery and absolute darkness where he hides his terrible secrets".

In the darkness of the jungle's night, the prophesy sounded especially gloomy. "What the vision says... The city itself can be only the entrance. But the enemy is that man with the skeletal face and hand. He is in there, waiting, and it is his lair and his curse."

"Yeah, Tobem was the whelp that Shep was looking for," Ran says. "The one I have to bring back or his dad's going to take it out on my family."

He's about to say more but then listens to Meili recite the prophecy. 

"If that isn't the source of a death curse, it's bound to at least be the source of some nightmares."

Then he smiles.

"Ancient tombs are bound to be filled with ancient treasure."

Raising her eyebrows, a small smile plays at the corner of Danica's lips as she stares at Meili reciting the foreboding prophecy. "That's quite the memory you've got." She complimented before nodding in agreement. "Wonder if that obelisk is important or just a marker that we're close. Any force that's powerful enough to pull a cleric away from their deity is awfully formidable. If he's a skeleton, an undead, who knows how old he is, how long he's been there, gaining power..." Thinking of something capable of taking away Selune's guidance from her caused a shiver to run up the elf's spine. 

Wincing in sympathy as Ran re-explained Tobem's importance, she nods. "Right, definitely need to get him then." 
Barking a sharp laugh at the mercenary's comment about treasure, Danica replies, "You're awfully optimistic. Just remember we'll have to haul it back all the way through the jungle back to Port Nyanzaru." She refrained from commenting the unspoken, 'if we survive'. 

Mica scrunches up his face in thought, trying to pull memories up from weeks ago. “Yeah, I thought the wizards were mainly up by the basin, that’s why Inete was heading there.  Still I guess if they were searching for this curse they may have made it here. Tobem may be with them.”  He has a momentary pang of regret as he brings up Inete, still not sure what happened to her.

“So we will know we are at the right place if we find the obelisk, but that is only the start of something ‘deeper’, whatever that means.  And we won’t be alone, the place is crawling with snakes” he looks over at Meili “Volo talked about snake people back at the Port, they were in that book of his, what did it say about them? In any case, we best be on our guard.”

Meili accepted the compliment with a serious nod. "My memory is trained. Had to be for the remembering of teachings."

She watched the fire silently for a while then added. "I am scared. But the vision said we would reach the place and we might have the chance there. Nothing good is awaiting in that city. Maybe those snakes are not only snakes but the snake-people, who are worse than just snakes if Mr. Volo's observations are true. But we do have a chance."

Truly, it was better to think about treasures. Meili even tried to join in on the joke. "Maybe there is some magical ring that brings us back to the city with all the treasures we will find." The joke was questionable and brought another string of scary thoughts. So, she went quiet again.

As Mica mentioned Inete, Danica's countenance dims. Gone without a trace. Just like Velan after her. After they had assured her grandfather that they would do everything in their power to return her to him. But he knew, didn't he? That they would fail in the end... Had he foresaw Velan's disappearance as well? It was the not knowing that was the worst. If they were dead or alive and in need of help and if so, where they possibly could be and who took them. Endless questions with no answers. 

Meili's confession stirred the elf out of her dark musings. "You'd be a fool not to be scared. Any of us. Grandfather Zitembe said that both of you's had a chance still." Glancing at Meili and Mica before turning to stare at Ran. "But us...We're stuck in it. And not just because of some prophecy."

Snorting at Meili's joke, Danica replies, "Y'know I've heard of stranger things so maybe there's a chance. I'll even just take a gate scroll or teleportation or whatever the feck it's called so Nal here can learn it and just poof us back and forth."

Nalomanterys stares into the fire and listens to the prophecies, ponderings, and plans from his allies. He remains unusually silent... tonight seems like a good night for contemplation. Eventually, though, he joins in the musings of their quest. "Did I ever tell you about my old traveling companions? Clerics and paladins of Amaunator, and absolutely assured of their quest. The horrible heat, humidity, and buzzing of this wretched hellscape never seemed to dampen their zeal - everything that went right was a blessing and every setback was simply a trial." He pauses for dramatic effect; apparently being a performer is completely ingrained in him. "And then one night we were ambushed and they all died or disappeared." He ends his story abruptly. Not exactly a comforting note for the current situation, nor considering the footprints around their camp the night before.

He does go on though, after fishing for the right words. "My point being that their assurance and conviction did nothing for them. We have made it farther than they ever did. Any doubts we hold about our destination are irrelevant - this city we head toward will either be our ultimate goal or it will be a stepping stone on the way to it." He pauses again. "Tomorrow, I shall prepare ample spells for wizards, snakes, and skeletons. Anything else we need will undoubtedly make itself more available in the city than here."

"I have trust in all of you."

With minds keyed to the drawing close of their destination, and the potential for answers to the mysteries of the death curse, of Ran's quarry, and more, the party retires for the evening.  

...

During Danica's first watch, shortly after full dark, the entire party is wakened by a titanic roar.  It is unlike any sound you have yet heard... deep and vibrating.  Your thoughts turn to dragons and other mighty and mythical beasts.  It is answered almost immediately by another, a low, hooting cry.  For the next several minutes, calls reverberate through the jungle... snapping tree limbs, cries of pain, howls of fury.  All else has fallen silent, as though the jungle is holding its breath.

By Mica's best guess, the sounds are close, but not too close; likely within 1/4 mile.  And, it is coming from the southeast, where you must continue tomorrow.

When the noise dies down, the party continues to watch and wait, but no threat emerges.  Within an hour, the normal nighttime sounds of the jungle return to normal and the whole thing begins to feel like a bad dream.

...

The rest of the watches pass without further incident.  A light, warm rain comes with the dawn, though the sun shines brightly through gaps in the clouds.  Somewhere, the must be a rainbow, though you cannot find it for the trees.

The morning breaks cold and clear, broken only by the light rain and Mica thinks back on the discussion last night of ancient treasures and the challenges of removing it from the jungle “Ran, what would you do with all of this treasure? Return home and buy the city? What about the rest of you, what would you do with untold fortune?” He looks to the others for their answers.  He becomes quiet as he remembers Nalomantery’s tale and Danica’s memory of the warning from Zitembe “A chance, I don’t know that was ever true given the stakes, and it appears less so now.  Besides, without me or Hew you would never make it back with all of your loot, magic teleport ring or not.” He breaks into a wide grin.

He stares off in toward the Southeast, the direction they heard the terrible noises from the night before, the sounds of two great beasts in battle.  “Those screams were not far, and it is in the direction we are traveling, be alert.  We may come across the remains of a fight, a wounded beast or something else.”  Mica sounds almost excited to see if he can come across the trail of one of these great creatures and perhaps bring it down. “Shall we see what we can find today?”

Ran helps break camp and ponder Mica's question for a few moments.

"You know, mate, it's a toss up. Either become king of the Dock Ward and run all the gangs out of business, or go get one of those hoity-toity manor houses up in the Sea Ward and drive the rich and powerful crazy." Ran says as he finishes packing his gear.

When he hears Danica's ideas he laughs.

"I wouldn't say no to a lift home on a sky ship."

With thoughts far away from any treasure, Meili only answered Mica's question with the common saying "Money is like mulch, not good except it be spread" not specifying where she was going to spread the said mulch, and was clearly more interested in the suspicious sounds.

"Maybe if we continue moving slowly and cautiously, we can escape whatever creature is waiting there." Not like there were many varieties. By now Meili distinguished only two types of creatures in the jungles - living and undead, with the latter being most prevalent and more dangerous.

She finished packing and prepared to begin the walk through the last stretch of jungles before the untold dangers of the lost city were unleashed on the group.