"That seems like a question we could have asked back at the temple." I say grinning. The bluish face matching your own.

"Another dragon here the ones here aren't to friendly I agree with Jason I think we need to give those creatures a wide berth. We have enough problems dealing with all those other creatures," Travis replies.

  I shake my head.  " I truly wish that we could find a friendly dragon to aid us.  I am only 3 dragons away from being Rachel Targaryen.  " Grinning at the others I look off into the distance.  

With a slight grin, I say "Well, that's not completely true. We know one friendly part-time dragon. But I agree completely - I'd love to talk to one of these amazing beings! Just think of the knowledge they'd have after so many centuries of life?"  

Captain Saswalg answers that he has heard of a few metallic dragons that are around.  He tells you that there is a large Silver dragon that swims in this vast lake that is why it is safe to travel over it without fear of a sea monster or the like.  The silver does require a fee for safe passage however and it is paid without pause about midway in the passing.  It is said that she is keeping the green and the white dragon from causing too many issues. 

The next couple days on the ship pass with nothing out of the ordinary going on.  Soon in the afternoon of the second day you can see land on the western horizon that grows clearer and clearer with each passing moment.  Soon you see the heights of the green trees and then the outline of the trading post as it sits in the small bay.  You see the pier taking form as you get closer and closer.  You also see a couple campfires and some tents as you get closer to the west of the trading post.  As you get closer you can make out three figures standing on the pier.  One is a familiar figure especially to Vickie standing in his plate mail red head bare.  Next to him is the trader Deqata as he prepares to catch the mooring rope.  The third figure is a smaller figure that may be Keolatha.  beyond them you see a gathering of people along the shore west of the trading post.  Among them you can see a person in just robes but he does not look like a mage. 

"Land ho!" I exlaim, "Oh, I can't wait to get these guys off the boat" I say patting down the horses. "Before I got here, I never knew I was a horse person."

As we start making our way towards the trading post, I ask grant to help me put on my armor. 

As Herschel gets closer to the stronghold he sees a castle looking place that is round in shape.  He has seen some nice castles and his experience at playing D&D helped him to think that with the garb the farmers were wearing and now this place made him feel he was not in the USA any more.   Before the stronghold he could see a inn standing three stories high across from what looked like a general store and beyond that a blacksmith shop as some smoke was rising in the air next to it.   a bit farther down the road and more across from the strong hold is another building slowly taking shape.  It looks like it will be long and two storied.  The other walls are mostly done as the roof is going up too.  A little farther and to the north you can see what looks like a bridge with a large pool of water to the east.  On the wall of the stronghold he can see some people patrolling the ramparts.  He can see four people in armor heading his way casually. 

Nice! Continue onward.

I wave at those on the shore as the ship approaches the dock. I'll say aside to the prince, "Welcome to Deqata trading post, neutral ground. I suspect that there will be a town here in short order, given that this is likely to be the principle trading route between our nations."

I hear the words "neutral ground" and cannot help but still look around to see make sure that our princely ambassador isn't in any trouble. I also check to make sure his guards are doing the same thing. I'd rather they don't trust us then to let him get hurt.

Spot check: 22

  " Well Caesar, back on solid ground again.  I know that you will be happy. " I pack up my belongings and help with the group gear. Walking with Caesar I head down the pier when everyone is ready. 

After you have docked the prince and his guards are first to depart.  They are greeted by Sir Kelvin who bows his head and addresses him.  "Welcome to the western lands your highness.  We have arranged an escort through hostile but claimed territory back to the main keep.  The group still on the ship has been tasked with clearing this area of hostiles and they have done a remarkable job but there are still dangers that lurk and more have moved in while they were promoting our goals in the east.  If you will follow me I will introduce you to our main ambassador that will be heading back east with the ship.   Her name is Nemori."  Kelvin then turns and leads the prince and his guards to the party waiting further to the west along the shoreline.  The rest of you are able to disembark as you wish.

Herschel soon finds himself standing in front of a patrol.  They look him over and says "Follow us you have been expected."  They will lead him into the stronghold and then into the keep itself.  Once inside you are shown into a room with a short figure sitting on a throne like chair.  The figure looks up at you and then speaks.  "Welcome to Thayer keep.  I hope that you can tell me about earth and what has changed since the last ones have arrived.  Do help yourself to some snacks if you would like."  He indicates a small table set to the side with meats and cheeses upon it.

Herschel looks the figure up & down. “Please forgive the rudeness, but who are you? How did I get here, why am I here and where exactly IS here?”

I unload my horse and gear, ready to ride on, and the spend some time talking with Jason and the gang "whats the plan? I'm thinking we head home for a day or so,re-equip , maybe spend some down time, and go back on patrol. Unless Lord Douglas has new tasks for us, via sir Kelvin?"

  " A few hours in the baths sound good to me.  Hopefully we can have a short time to rest a bit.  I might be a druidess but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy civilization too.  " 

I hang back and let Sir Kelvin handle the introductions and the formalities. When the opportunity arises, I'll speak with the ambassador, giving her a concise account of what we learned and did there, including about the apparent political divide in the court.

In response to Grant's question, I shrug, "We need to restock and make our reports to the lord anyways. He may also have new instructions for us given whatever we've missed while away. Besides, we've escorted the prince this far, might as well complete the journey."

Travis listens in and chimes in. "Heading home again re-equipping, re-stocking essential supplies. Not to mention fresh herbs and plants to make a diverse range of potions which would come in handy with more patrols," he said.

The lord stands up and walks toward Herschel.  "Well by the looks of your clothing I would say that you are from earth.  Having others show up less than six months ago makes me remember when I was taken from earth back in 1981.  From what the others said it was 2019 back on earth.  Is that still the case or is time moving forward quicker there than here?  As to who I am I am the Lord Thayer ruler of this area and one who will offer you a job and a place to rest in relative safety.  Why are you here I do not have that answer nor do I know why you were chosen and taken from your life.  Where this is well it is a young planet full of life.  I had hoped to find a unsettled planet but I have run into a maleficent force to the North West of my position and my scouts, the ones who arrived before you, are on their way back from the east where they have found some civilizations and a settled area.   I had hoped to see that this planet would be a place where mankind could live in peace with nature in a much better way than we did on earth.  If that helps you some."

The party is able to get their stuff on land and over by the western shore where most of the people are waiting.  Nemori will walk with you after having met the prince and ask you you thoughts on the situation in the eastern kingdom so she will be better prepared when she gets there.  You can see a feast is being prepared for the evening meal to honor the prince's safe journey over the waters.  You are all told that everyone will proceed to the stronghold via a gate after the meal.  This way there is not going to be a issue of the prince marching through yet cleared areas. 

OOC-does he look like you?

’Well Lord Thayer, it is mid year 2020. There is a supposed global pandemic rumored to have been created by the Chinese which causes massive respiratory issues. The President managed to thwart the impeachment by Pelosi and her ilk and has been pushing forward with his ideas and plans. He remains not a very PC person-which is a breath of fresh air for politics. There are fresh riots, looting and gang mentality groups attempting to disband the police and remove all traces of our history, including monuments and renaming of cities. Stocks are yo-yoing as are grain prices. Due to the pandemic there is massive unemployment which is leading to massive unrest.’ Herschel helps himself to a plate of food. ‘That’s the $5.00 version. Anything else you want to know about?’

Vickie smiles as she sees her beloved upon the shore and longs to have his arms around her in an embrace. 

She is silent as Kelvin speaks with the Prince, but later during the meal she sits by him and asks how things are back at the Inn and Stronghold.