"Well the road up to the castle is not the way we came in though we did find the path that led directly to the keep.  Let's see where this path goes.  It certainly must leave the mountains at some point."

Chill moves out ahead to scout the road.

“I would not impose such task on your Mr. Nimbatuul. I will take one of the horses from the mercenaries and make my way to Axelholm, then to Phandalin. I just want to be certain that the townsfolk are safe back to town.” Kazri will take the horse with the Saddle of the Cavalier. “After that, I shall go to Gnomengarde, and retrieve Serenity and our wagon, and I will bring them back to town. If that is acceptable to you all.” Kazri will take the straightest path to Axelholm, and go as fast as the horse is able to. She will also cast Speak with Animals so she can keep better tab on the horse.

(All this time I forgot that we sent our stuff to the gnomes. Also, does anybody mind if Kazri equip the saddle on Serenity?)

"We will go all together with you lass, Gnomegarde is on the way to Axeholm. Even we rush to Axeholm we will have to take a day or two of rest along the road. So it is appropriate to say our thanks to the Gnome Kings too, their amulet was very useful in our fight. It will take time for the people of Phandalin to return to their home." says Krom while checking the horses.

"I am not used to ride an horse, but if we share those three horses we may move a little bit more faster."

(@Wolfy: Rhogar certainly wouldn't.)

(@MaxHam: Beaten to the punch yet again! Editting)

Rhogar nods in agreement with Chill, and then frowns a little at Kazri. Just as he's opening his mouth to speak, Krom beats him to the punch. He couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at that, before nodding in agreement to the dwarf. "By an hour or two at most, I imagine, Master Krom. Though with the changes in my body, well-..." He shrug helplessly. "I may need to invest in something more stalwart in the future. But be that as it may, t'was why I mentioned my surprise you had not again asked to use the Griffon, Kazri. By air, assuming it lasted long enough, you could reach at least Gnomengarde or however you pronouse that place's name within half a day with clear skies. And this coming from someone whose spent more time at sea than he's ever had on land, let alone in these strange lands of yours." He reminds, as Ghorar nods enthusiastically from his shoulder.

"In any case, let us yet be off."

Chip would rub his head and eat a hardy breakfast. when the group is ready Chip would follow a few steps behind his companions. The sun would reflect off the bright brass scales aof the dragonborn as he strutted down the road with his new white cloak. "I think I'll take along to until we collect our things and get back to town. Once there I suppose it might be time to split ways for a bit." He would say with a small frown. 

Kazri mounts the horse and prepares to ride out with the rest of the group. The other horse is led out and carries the bodies of the two mercenaries. At the base of the mountain Krom encases the two warriors in stone.

Here Kazri gives her intention to try and ride straight south, retracing the path the party took. She wishes to reach Gnomengarde and retrieve her own horse and then make straight for Axeholm. She is eager to help the people return to their homes.

She soon realizes though, either by persuasion of Rhogar or by herself, that she cannot ride south the way they came. The reason they had to turn the horses and cart away was because the way could not be ridden. Alone she is still a powerful warrior and she does not fear the dangers, but in the end she acquiesces and joins the others. The narrow path up to the keep has now widened and they can ride or walk 2 or 3 abreast, the path is in need of maintenance and overgrown but easy enough to follow. It winds its way north for a bit around the base of the mountain and eventually picks its way west and you find yourself in the foothills on the northwest side of the Sword Mountains.

You are able to follow the north-western edge of the mountains in the direction of Phandalin. You travel easy and a couple days later you come near the pass that leads to the Mountain Toes Gold Mine. But you have pressing business elsewhere and skip past a visit there and eventually work your way south and find yourself at Gnomengarde late in the day.

You find the gnomes busy at work doing what they do and they greet you heartily and are overjoyed to hear of the demise of the dragon. You also find your horses and cart safely in the care of the gnomes. A hunting party had found the horses wandering and were able to bring them in and care for them.

(The party now has 2 more horses to ride. Kazri has Serenity with a new saddle, the 2 new horses have riding saddles and saddle bags, bit and bridle. Rhogar has a draft horse and cart.)

Rested and resupplied at Gnomengarde the party decides to continue together or split up?  Southwest to Axeholm or north to Phandalin?

 After their stay in Gnomengarde, Kazri will use the stone to ask Linene of the town's status. Are they all back at the town or still on their way.

(That was a pretty good wrap up. :-)

Chip would allow others to take the horses if they want them. 

Rekuberk would go to Phandalin after going with the others to Axeholm, wanting to stay as they continue to bask in the glory of their victory. Once back in Phandalin he would do his best to give someone a description of his father and mother so they could cast Sending to tell them of his new home.

Kazri is able to get a hold of Linene regarding the status of the peoples return to Phandalin.   She reports that the majority of the people had safely returned to their homes.  However a number of dwarves had stayed at Axeholm and were intent on getting the forges running again.  There was no true leadership among them when she left, just a couple of families.

She has many choice words about Harbin Wester.  The coward had never left his room in Axeholm during their stay.   He also refused to leave the safety of the fortress until it was obvious no one was going to stay and feed him.   Most of the people grumbled about him and she was certain that he wouldn't be mayor much longer. 

"Even if the majority of the people of Phandalin have left Axeholm, I still would like to visit the fortress together before riding to Phandalin."   says Krom as Kazri informs the group of the current situation within the dwarven fortress, "I would also like to speak with the dwarves that have remained there about the future of that fortress, a good number of Firebeards will move there from Neverwinter."

As soon as possible Krom will write or use a Sending to contact his clan leader informing him about Axeholm, asking him to send some clan members to help and the future visit of Rhogar.    

"Truthfully, I had been hoping to head to Phandalin sooner than later." Rhogar admitted frankly as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Though, I understand, Master Krom. After having gone to the trouble to clear it out, solidifying your clan's claim, if only as having leading control of Axeholm should take priority. At the very least, seeing as how the majority -- who I assume to be the non-dwarven folk -- have already returned, a pit stop should be more than fine." He agreed with a toothy smile. 

"I'm headed to Axeholm with Krom.  From there,  who knows?"

Chill says.   He's taken one of the extra horses as no one else seems to want one. 

"It seems that the townfolks are safe back to town. I shall go with you, Master Krom, to Axelholm." Says Kazri, now riding on Serenity.

Chip would nod. "I got nowhere else to be at the moment... I suppose a quick trip to Axeholm won't hurt.'

As the party continued on together towards Axeholm talk amongst the friends turned to future plans. Krom had sent a sending to his kin in Neverwinter and was told that there would be Firebeard dwarves headed his way within a tenday.

He spoke of getting the Axeholm forges fired up again. He would cement his families control of the fortress. He would spend most of his time forging fine weapons and armor to equip his friends.

Rekuburk hoped that Krom could do a sending to his parents but Krom wasn't familiar with them enough to complete the spell. Being that they are great wizards, perhaps someone in the House of Wonders in Waterdeep would know them. There were also orders of wizards in Neverwinter. Rekuburk had to find someone familiar with his parents to send them a sending.

Kazri laid out her plans for a militia to protect Phandalin. Thinking it through she ran into a couple logistical problems. She was willing to accept Krom's offer to supply weapons and armor to equip the militia. However her friend, and who she hoped would be the next mayor of Phandalin, Linene Graywind ran the Lionshield Coster for a mercantile company out of Triboar. She would want in on the business of arms and armor.

Chill hoped to find a way to enchant his cloak to allow him to hide like the elves. But who would have knowledge of such an enchantment? Perhaps something else would catch his attention along the way?

Chip was planning to head to Waterdeep, to carouse and entertain in the great city. He would work on the Ballad of the White Cloaks and try and train with his axe/lute. He would need an instructor to teach him.

Rhogar hoped to craft a bag of holding. He would need to do arcane research. It may be easier to try and buy one. Waterdeep or Neverwinter would be good places to start.

Later that day they made their way through the gates of the fortress Axeholm. Two families of dwarves, about 10 in total, had stayed behind. The party found the fortress for the most part cleaned up and serviceable. The dwarves had started the forges but had done little else but keep the keep clean and worked on repairing anything that they could with the limited supplies they had on hand.

The dwarves had heard of the parties defeat of the dragon from Linene Greywind. They had no intentions of trying to take over the keep for themselves but sought to attach themselves to Krom whom they rightly thought would return to claim the keep for himself.

"Of course you can stay here" says Krom to the dwarves at Axeholm "Axeholm is now a keep under the rule of the Firebeard clan, but we will never turn away a fellow dwarf. With your help we will restore Axeholm to its former glory! We will reopen trade with Phandalin, Gnomengarde and Neverwinter. No wrym, giant or orc will threaten again this part of the Sword Mountains!"

When the time is right, Krom will then travel with the rest of the group to Phandalin. He will inform the Lionshield Coster that after suppliyng the militia with weapons and armors, the mercantile company of Triboar may have access at discounted price to the goods made in Axeholm as payment for Linene's help. 

"Now I know why my father considers Sending Stones a must have for any adventurer... I shall have to  buy a pair at some point in the future." He says as he moves to go his separate way to travel on one of the trade caravans towards the Neverwinter.

After leaving Axelholm under the wise ruling of Master Krom, Kazri returns to Phandalin. When things settle down, she approaches Linene. "Greetings Ms. Graywind. I would like to discuss a very important matter if you would give me a moment of your time. It goes without saying that your leadership during our encounter with the dragon was instrumental in keeping the townsfolk safe. There is no one in Phandalin that I trust more, and I would like to ask you to become the next mayor of the town. If you agree, I will do everything in my power to make that happen. This town is in great need a more capable mayor. I also have about 800 gold pieces that I would like to donate towards the town's rebuilding, with the condition that I will do that only after you become the mayor." Kazri waits a moment to study Linene's expression.

"I also intend on staying in town, and I plan on creating a militia to protect the town going forward. I will make sure that this militia will be loyal to the town, and that it will be taking its orders from the mayor. Which, again, hopefully will be you. With that said, I just came from Axelholm, and they have kindly proposed to furnish this militia with weapons and armor when the time comes. Now, I do realize that we may have a conflict of interest between your patrons and Axelholm's offer. Thus, I would like to make a proposal. If you become the mayor of Phandalin, you would take that job full time for there is much to do for the town. You are welcome to hire someone to watch over the Lionshield's business, but I ask that your loyalty lie to the town. I have no doubt that you only have the town's best interest even now. Thus, regarding the items provided from Axelholm to the militia, Lionshield Coster would be the sole transporter, and the town would pay the company a 'transportation' fee, if you will. My good friend, Master Krom, also promised that any goods made in Axelholm would be available to the company at a discounted price, as payment for your services towards the town. Whether you accept that offer, that would be your prerogative." Kazri takes a deep breath after speaking for so long. "I have other plans for the town, and we can discuss that in another time." Then Kazri waits for Linene's response.

"Perhaps the Firebeards could help us both acquire our own magical trinkets, my friend." Rhogar admits after clapping Rekuberk on the shoulder. But from there, he leave the man to go his own way as he hit up the local tavern. From there he would ask around regarding the next expected traveling caravan expected to come through, and if none are to, he would catch up with Rekuberk, Chip, and whoever else intended to leave town by foot, assuming they're not lured to stay one more night for celebrations.