Hearing about Lord Douglas wanting to meet the group again. He washes himself before coming down to have breakfast before going to meet with him.

The Next morning after everyone has had a chance to refresh and break fast you gather together to head to the main audience chamber of the Keep.  Inside you find the Lord sitting in his chair while to his right is Kelvin in full armor and to his left is the Red robed mage Lywenta.  There is a table to the side with water, wine and small snacks of cheese and meat.   The lord calls Jason and Rachel forward from the group and addresses them.  "You two have been here the longest.  Tell me what you make of this other kingdom and the lands to the east?  Do you feel they will be good trade partners and good as to their word of supplying my Kingdom with arms, Steel and other essential supplies to assist in this war with Merklin?"

"I feel that is the most likely outcome yes. The king appears to be reasonably honest, wise, and benevolent. Beyond that the people of that land seem good natured, leaving aside the inevitable criminals in a community that large. To my knowledge they also do not engage in slavery or other... potentially disturbing trades. We also managed to establish a decent working relationship with their mage guild. They are large and well supplied, and should prove to be a valuable resource if we can maintain access." I look to Lywenta, "Speaking of which, I have some notes on possibly working with them to establish permanent lines of communication. We should go over them when we have the chance madame."

"The possible fly in the ointment as it were is there is something of an ongoing power struggle. A faction of the lords there were engaged in some questionable activities some time ago, acting to extend their lifespan unnaturally and other such things. It resulted in a war between those lords and the local druids. The king brokered a peace, but our impression was that it remains rather uneasy, and that the lords in question are looking for an opportunity to supplant the ruler. This possibility would most likely be problematic for us, among other things we have reason to suspect they paid a local crime syndicate to attack our group in the streets. I'm afraid that simply having a druid amongst our number was enough to get on their bad side."

"I should also point out that there may be a better source for steel and weapons in the long run. To the south of Fetha lies a dwarven kingdom. From what we were given to understand, many of the nations on this continent get their higher quality metals and smithcraft from there. I would suggest making contact whenever it is feasible. That said, even if the dwarves would be better trade partners for our arms and armor, Fetha remains well positioned to supply us with other goods. The horses for example are excellent. We purchased a few of them if you care to take a look."

"Oh, one more thing. It turns out that Merklin was once a citizen of Fetha, and a member of the aforementioned mage guild. He was kicked out a long time ago for various crimes. Still, those few remaining who knew him may be able to provide some insight to his character and the way he thinks."

I decide to wear one of my new dresses to the meeting.  Pulling the foam green dress over my head, I like how it  hugs my curves.  I tug at it just a bit to show a little more cleavage.  

  As Jason and I are called forward I approach with my friend. I curtsey for Lord Douglas and smile.  I listen intently as Jason speaks.  " He is accurate in his assessment my lord.  The King is a good, honorable man. He will abide by any contracts we agree to. The anti druid movement though... they treated me with open hostility there and might have harmed me if not for Jonathan.  " I nod in his direction and smile. " They might have to be dealt with to ensure our continued friendship with their kingdom. " 

    " This was a significant step in growing your kingdom my lord though. They fear Merklin a great deal.  They were overjoyed to think that we might handle their problem for them.  I think that a spy mission to Merkle's land might be promising in the near future.  I volunteer to go in the event we undertake this one day.  We need more info on him and his resources.  "

"I see.  Well I thank you both for your assessment.", He looks over at the others.  "Jonathan I presume that is you as you seemed to have changed a bit since you were last here.  I would like to hear about this change and how it came to be.  Any of you others have any thing to add about the kingdom of Fretha?"

I nod "In accord with Jason, I just want to add that the Mage's guild there was very helpful and useful. They'd be an excellent resource to get in regular contact with and share information. There is a general thread of an underlying political conflict that we might need to support the best side of, later on. Other than that it was a useful side trip."

"You noticed that?" I grinned and looked at Jason, "Bahamut helped me be all I can be. If this is how I can best serve the Brilliant Scaled one, so be it. I have no information about Fetha, Fretha? I guess I was focused on keeping on guard most of the time instead of getting dressed up for politics. This shadow war that the city has though is very serious, serious enough that Bahamut called me to act. For the sake of our delegation, I must keep those acts to myself, but rest assured the platinum dragon cares what happens on this world." Opening my arms wide to show off the full suit, "I am living proof of that." 

The Lord nods at this and says, "Well you are no worse from the wear and I know people change on this world or even the world I came from after I was taken from Earth.   I was a six foot human when I first was taken and look at me now.   While the outside may have changed the inside is still me.  But enough talk of changes.    I think you as a group deserve a rest for a couple days.   After that you can once again go exploring to the north.   Make your way a bit more east and let's see what land is south of the big lake. "

I nod, grateful for the offer of rest, but there was something else I wished to discuss, "There's a big and rather foreboding marshland there. Actually, the area is our current best guess on the location of the lair of that black dragon that Lywenta was so kind as to dispatch. We were hoping to get together with the mages and try to narrow down our search area with some divinations. Hauling back a sizable hoard could do us all some good. Who knows, the dragon might even have that artifact that Merklin was hunting for tucked away."

"If you are willing to approve such an expedition, I would also like to spend some time getting a few lightweight skiffs together, spending as little time in the water out there as we can get away with is probably for the best."

After the meeting, I seek out Lywenta and ask her about the cost to help me create an extra dimensional backpack or bag, to help with our transportation of items we find. "This would allow us to take a whole horde, if we are lucky!"

  I exit the meeting with a big grin splitting my face.  " I don't know about the rest of you productive people but I am about to relax and let my hair down.  The inn sounds like fun about now.  Anyone care to join me in drinking up their entire liquor supply? We never have much downtime like this.  I need to blow off some steam.  " I will head to the inn with Caesar by myself if noone else comes along. 

After the meeting and giving Kelvin a smile;  I go with Rachel to the Inn, chatting along the way.

Herschel stays behind, grazing and partaking of the beverages-looking for the coffee/strong tea or their substitutes in this world.

After a bit, I’ll wander into the inn looking for a drink and if he’s not there, I’ll ask where to find Jason.

After a glass of wine and a discussion with Jason, I’ll head out once again wandering the town.

The Lord will agree that setting off to find this dragons lair may be prudent for both the exploration of the area and the finding of the cave.   He will let you take both Be and and another half elven lady to assist in the possible location of the lair.     Just hopefully if the dragon had it his from magical detection maybe some of that may have deteriorated some.

Ok Rachel and Vickie are heading to the inn.  Jason is heading to the workshop what is everyone else going to be doing for the next couple days.

Rachel you need to roll a d12 and a d10 please.

I'll be working on any magic items the group needs and, barring that, working on the Haversack if I can get a cost for casting the spell from Lywenta. With remaining time, I'll be making some alchemical items, if materials are available. 

Items in priority order:

Alchemical Sleep Gas x 4, Antitoxin x 2, Fleetfoot x2 , Ghostoil x2, Motelight

I'll also be crafting Korean arrow launchers for our land's defense, as time & funding by the Lord allows. (Not likely much of either, these days)

After visiting with Jason at his shop (and I assume getting fitted with either a chain shirt or breastplate), I’ll mosey over to the general store for a bit.

With a few items under my arms, I’ll make my way back to the inn and ask for a room. Storing the items, I’ll eventually make my way back to the practice yard and ask for Sir Eklon to join me when able. And, with a slight laugh, add that if he is busy I’m sure Lord Douglas would be happy to join in.

Travis spends some time scribing some scrolls onto parchment.

Lesser vigor scroll x 2

Restores 14 points of health ea.

Spellcraft check 20

Cost 250gp

When Herschel arrives at the Inn with the items udder his arm, Vickie see that he gets one of the better rooms in the Inn. Vickie  then tells the servants to take him to his room, and to treat him well; and to give him what he asks. 

Later  Vickie decides to go the training area to practice with her mace and bow for a while, if Herschel is there; will offer to spare with him(only if no one else is there).  Vickie don't spend much time there ..about an hour. Then head to the baths and back to the Inn for a  rest and relax until Kelvin arrives at the Inn.