Of course Vark is disappointed to learn that their return to Sheercleft has been delayed for another day, but he quickly decides to turn that free time into a useful study opportunity. He retreats to his room and is not seen for the next fifteen hours. The young mage dives into the runestone, allowing its overwhelming flood of information to fill his mind. He begins sifting through this deluge, attempting to discern useful bits of information and understanding. It's strange, not like reading a book or being taught a lesson. As Vark works to grasp the data flowing into him, each little bit is implanted into his mind as if he'd always known it. He makes good progress, but he does have to take a few breaks as he goes. At last when it gets too late to continue, he puts the ruby down and finds a well earned rest much easier than he had the previous night.

That evening, Aiden retreats to his room and takes a seat in the middle of the floor. He hadn't done this before, so he let his instincts guide him. He reaches out with his thoughts and thinks of Eikthyrnir -- of the small farmhouse on the edge of the village. He lets the images of his adoptive home fill his mind. The shield hanging on the wall, painted much like his. The sounds of bleating goats pouring through the window in his room. The broken and repaired piece of wall that he'd smashed with a hammer the night his father died. And his mother, world-weary but fierce shield-maiden that she was.

"Hello mother. I'm sorry you haven't heard from me. Thor's magic brings my voice to you. I hope you are well. You can respond."

It occurs to Aiden that she very well could be dead. He feels his stomach fill with lead as he waits for her to respond.

It takes a moment, but the reply is short and heartfelt.

"Aiden! It's been so long! Where are you? Are you coming home? I've missed you so much. I thought I'd never hear from you again."

The tension in Aiden's guts uncoils as Drea's voice fills his head. With relief in his heart, he sets about casting the spell again.

"I missed you too. I'll come home as soon as possible. I'm haven't found my parents yet. I'm traveling with Thurston Barnatson."

He adds on that last statement as if to say, Don't worry, I've not forgotten the culture you raised me in. I'm still Norscan.

"Thurston Barnatson?" Drea repeats with concern. "Be careful around that man. Half the warriors of Eikthyrnir and Vedrfölnir are hunting for him. Better to return home alone."

Aiden's mood turns from a quiet happiness to deadly serious in a heartbeat. He spends another 10 minutes casting the spell. "What did he do? I remember him as a hero -- Thor's champion, just like father. What happened?"

"He dishonoured the clan before our neighbours by abandoning his duty as the Chief's son," Drea explains. "Nobody knows where he has run to... where are you?"

"We're in a dwarven settlement," Aiden says after casting the spell yet again. "It's best if I don't say too much. I will keep tabs on him and let you know."

Oh, Thurston, he thinks, getting up from the floor as he awaits her reply. What have you done?

"Stay safe," Drea tells Aiden with a soft fondness. "I miss you. You'll always have a home on Eikthyrnir."

His heart warmed and worried at the same time, Aiden heads down to the ale hall to see Thurston returning. He furrows his brow, but decides not to inquire about the trouble he apparently caused in such a public place. He sits with the group and remains rather quiet throughout the rest of the night.

Early the next morning, Aiden meets Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark at the boar pens where they are gathering near the three new beasts and Jex's wagon to prepare for the journey back south to Sheercleft.

"Góðan morgin," Aiden says as he shoulders his pack. "I'm excited to leave this place. I've been here for too long."

"Good Morning my friend!" replies Thurston " We will hit the roads this very morning and let's see if we have safe travels this time! Do not despair for we could run into a dragon and Jex ride the dragon over her tail!" 

Aiden laughs. "Let's hope we can avoid any such encounters." But he looks on the paladin in a new light. He had seen the hero of Eikthyrnir when he looked at him yesterday. Now, he just sees a question -- one that would need be answered soon.

Now drawn by the two enormous boars rather than poor, aging Tomasz, Jex's wagon rolls on out the gates of Khaz a Grungron and down the high road back towards Sheercleft. They make good time on the journey, unmolested by goblins and unslowed by the weight of the heavily laden wagon. It's mid-afternoon by the time the fatigue of the journey begins to take hold, but still they push on.

For most of the trip, Val had been more quiet than usual, keeping a distance from the others and responding minimally to any questions. She kept running her fingers over the new runes that had appeared down the haft of Rook following the strange dream that had plagued her sleep. She did not know what to think about it or what it meant and Larkin was not as much help as she had hoped he would be… He was often quiet outside of battle but for a few words here and there. Perhaps she should speak with the cleric Aiden about it again, he seemed to know much about the matters of spirits and… whatever this Rook was. It made her uneasy. Not frightened. Val was never frightened, but strange magic was… ‘Unnerving.’ Larkin’s deep, but distant voice whisperer in her mind.

The day of travel dragged on and on, at one point Val found it difficult to keep placing one foot in front of the other, but after a short rest she was refreshed and ready to push onward. As the twilight was setting and the group prepared to stop for the night, she looked at Jex. “Another wager? Best spot gets to skip their watch?” She forces a grin and holds her massive hand out for him. 

The two of them split, each going their own way.  Val’s keen eyes quickly find a very comfortable spot with a gently sloping overhang with several pine trees leaving a soft bed of needles for them to bed down upon. The trees provided a nice barrier and protection from the wind, but also a soft screen from view of potential enemies and the rocky overhang would prevent an assault from above or behind. She returns a short time later with a large grin. “What did you find? A bunch of rocks?”

Jex grins and runs off into the brush himself always eager for the challenge and his head filled with confidence from the last time. He soon finds a high point with jagged rocks making entry hard, the soil is soft and there are enough trees to provide shelter.

"You could say that." Jex smirks. "A few jagged rocks guarding a high point off of the path. It is well sheltered and would protect us well. Have you improved upon your last offering?"

Val laughs as Jex described what sounds like a rather uncomfortable evening before she describes her own spot. “I think we should let the party decide where we shall sleeping. What do the rest of you think?”

"Uhm, I'm fine with either, I guess. I uh... well while I was studying the codex yesterday I realized it has aaaa," he stalls as he tries to pick the right words to describe the spell. "A security function. Once I activate it it'll make a noise to alert us if anything comes within a certain area. So whichever we pick I can use that to make it even safer."

"If that's the case, I would prefer the more comfortable place," Aiden says, jerking a hand in Val's direction.