In contrast to the gliding horse, Maximus clomps about with heavy footfalls. His size difference to the other horses obvious as he walks forward. The sheen to his coat is almost 'radiant' one might say. Geared up, the pair moved seamlessly.

As the time to set out draws near, I triple check my gear, and poke others to do the same. Everything needs to be waterproofed. The trek through the swamps was going to be miserable enough without rancid swamp water getting into our food stores.

Everyone saddles up and is ready to head back north.  You will see Lywenta come out to see you off.  Walking up to Jason she will hand him a stone.   "I have decyffered the spells they used in using these stones.  They are short ranged speaking stones only good for about 20 miles. So you can always be in touch with each other.   I only have three so use them wisely.". She will hand one to Rachel and the other to Jonathan.  

As you make your way north you will find that the trail or road now extends a couple thousand feet past the bridge over the river and now sizable pond next to it.   You feel that some of the magical items hopefully were removed from the room below.  The trail is more of a roadway capable of allowing two wagons to pass each other safely.  At the end of the cleared road you can see that some of the trees and brush have been cleared for another thousand feet before it once again is just a dirt path heading toward the twins.   The first day is met with a nice peaceful day but as the first sun set a storm is moving in from the northwest.  You can feel the air temp drop as the winds pick up signalling a good down pour is about to happen.

‘So-noob here wanting to know if yon storm is something our tents can handle, or do we need to find a safe place to bed down above waterline with a secure roof, or-what? I’ve lived and work in Tornado Alley. Any comparison to be had?’

I look up and spend a few moments assessing, "Looks like a regular old thunderstorm. Lets find a spot to camp a little early and double up on the tentlines. This would be a good time for a wall of ice, literally just build a disposable barrier above our camp, but I don't think any of us can manage that one yet."

"Wall of ice, Leomund's Tiny Hut, Anything to keep us dry would be great, but if wishes were fishes..." I say as I look for suitable shelter nearby. "Within the forest, there should be a wayward pine or the like, if the local plant life is similar enough. That will keep us sheltered safely, as long as it's not also a lone pine." I grin as I search. 

I snort a laugh. ‘Never pictured you as Richard Rahl type.’

I grin in turn, "Thanks for reminding me. I recently improved my access to on demand spells. I should be able to pop a few Tiny huts. Won't be able to shield the horses so we still want to find a sheltered area, but we'll be able to rest without fear of rain or wind."

‘So which one is the Mother Confessor?’ 😊

"More from my scouting days than from the Sword of Truth books, but either way, it's a great natural shelter. A tarp and some trees and you can have a wind-prood, rain-proof tent site in a minute or less.  " I say back, smiling in return. "Farnham's Freehold also has a lot of good survival references, if you ever got to that one?" 

‘That doesn’t ring any bells-but then again my book collection was partially ruined by feral cats at the folks, my ex burned s ton and my wife always said I...’ voice trails off followed by a cough ‘anyway-anything that either provided knowledge or escape was found in my collection. Survival guides, preppers, yeah’ Look off at the approaching storm, squeeze eyes shut and inhale deeply and a slow exhale. ‘Best get that shelter set.’. 

I look towards Racheal and see if that would be agreeable with Nature in these parts.; then state the following;

"Surely there are enough boughs and branches around to make a shelter or lean to not only for us but the horses as well. Save whatever spells we have for when we really need them."

There are enough trees about that you can make a lean to or stretch a tarp like material and even pitch tents.  There are a few evergreen trees here and there but n wayward pines in this area. 

Finding a suitable location, I bring the horses into as much cover as possible, hobbling them as needed. Once they've been handled, I setup a tent, activating my Endure Elements just before it starts getting uncomfortable. 

Always with concern for the horses, I make sure they're set up well and fed. Before starting my meditation I make sure my armor is secure and I keep the blades with me. I holler over to Grant, "That was a smooth ride. It takes a while to get used to these new horseshoes, I've been working for a week with Maximus on gliding and wearing barding. It seems someone else has already prepared him for the barding though, a fine investment indeed."

Nodding in return, I reply "Yes, getting horses used to the magic is ...interesting. one thing I've wanted to try is having them climb on a fog cloud from my magic horn. Like misty stairs."

I'll help get things set up at the camp, with an eye to making sure everything is well secured. Having to scramble around in a storm to catch and resetup things blown away was not an experience I wanted to repeat. Once in my life was enough.

You all are able to get things set up and even have a little time to get a hut up to spend the night before the gust front is hear moving through the trees causing all sorts of strange sounds.  Soon it comes over you with a powerful force.  One of the smaller trees you have tied to snaps off just above your roes and topples down next to your camp site.  You know from the sounds that at least a few other trees around you have toppled.  Then the rain hits  It rains down hard for about half an hour before the winds die down and the rain tapers off to a light rain.  It rains lightly for another half hour before it stops.  The rest of the night passes quietly.  Almost too quiet.

After checking on the horses once the worst of the storm passes, I take a turn on watch. The next morning I'll help feed the steeds and the people, without eating anything myself due to the magic stone. Mounting up the next morning I mention "Nature's fury does seem to be worse in this universe. Too many weather-wizards playing with the environment?"

Going out side and helping with the horses I ask "Rachel? If you have any particular need to replant the little trees let me know. I'm sure Caesar and I can help get them upright for you, but there sure are a lot of them down."