Meanwhile, in the Westwoods...

"Certainly not! I shall vouch for you, and make sure that the story of their rescue is told. It is likely you will be rewarded."

"Still... it's a shame we didn't find them sooner. We might have rescued their mother before this all happened..."

Del asks and/ looks at maps to figure out: How far is the Council of Courts, how far Castle Whisper, and are they in the same direction? Also Lomalos - trying to figure out what's on the way or out of the way

Castle Whisper is less than three hours ride away.  The Hall of Courts is about six days journey.  They are both to the west, so it is more or less on the way. Taking the river might cut a day or two off your travel time, though you would need to go back on land before the rapids and the falls.  Lomalos would be another five days beyond that.

Raven looks upset at the realization that the foals are going to be taken from her.  "I suppose it is only right they go back to the lady." She says though.  "We should probably take the wagon..." She says and starts getting it ready. 

We can use two horses on the wagon and three can ride. Hopefully the Prince and Sir Amnarel can secure transport there, and we five can continue on to the Hall

((Wasn't it mentioned Raven's dad is a paladin? Find (his own damn) Steed?))

Quote from skuk >>

We can use two horses on the wagon and three can ride. Hopefully the Prince and Sir Amnarel can secure transport there, and we five can continue on to the Hall

((Wasn't it mentioned Raven's dad is a paladin? Find (his own damn) Steed?))

 ((LOL, true.XD Forgot that...d'oh...That's the trouble with trying to DM while still inexperienced with 5E...))

Quote from Astalda >>

 while still inexperienced with 5E...

(( Well, you certainly aren't coming off as that inexperienced, believe me.

To be clear though, we all seem to be eager to move on? Unless there's a magic shop or training pit nearby, I don't think Elwin has any motive to stick around.

If we do, it looks like we'll be escorting Sir Amnarel to Castle Whisper, then continuing (with the prince, I imagine) to the Hall of Courts to fulfill our new mission and report to them? After that we have the option of visiting the Pixie Tree to examine the local source of the hoop wood, or traveling to the Feywild or Shadowfell to find the other sources.

(Sorry if this is redundant to everyone else, it helps me keep track of where we are to summarize.) ))

((Yeah, was just sort of waiting to hear from everyone...Jacwalke hasn't spoken up yet, but seems like everyone else is ready to move on.))

"My father has ordered me to return to Lomalos with the High Druid, so I suppose this will be our last journey together," says Prince Lintelér, his face gloomy, as you prepare to set out. "Del, I will send you something at the Hall of Courts to take the place of the sword you returned to me. Perhaps a bow?  Or maybe some armor. You seem very formidable without actually entering combat. And Sir Elwin, I will be certain to make your knighthood official. You will be hearing more about that. You might want to think about what you will put on your coat of arms." Looking at the wagon, he says, "Frankly, this...conveyance looks a bit splintery.  Lord Quentin, Rufus seems very strong. Perhaps I could ride behind you instead?"

(Sorry. Yes I'm ready to move on.) 

Quentin has quietly been there just nodding along, he seemed to be a little tired after having figured out some new magic. Smiling at the Prince he says, "Of course. I will happily share my horse with you." A slight blush appearing on Quentin's face. 

Mindartis smiles, "Well, seems like that's settled. Glad to have you aboard your highness."

The prince slips onto Rufus's back, putting his arms around Quentin's waist as you set off.

The roads in the fens are few and far between, but shortly after leaving the manor, you enter a track of banked soil that is mostly dry. It's a warm, sunny day, perfect for a drive, and the time goes by quickly.  Soon you see the great outer wall ahead of you, made of tall, straight black log pilings with enormous thorns and iron spikes sticking out.

The guards at the gate eye you suspiciously, but recognizing Sir Amnarel, wave you in.  Inside you see the closest thing the Fens have to a city, clusters of small huts around the outer walls and larger, more ornately carved buildings toward the center, all made from the dark wood of the fens.  Many have sigils of protection or decorative luck signs carved into their doors and shutters.  There is an open market full of stalls where people conduct various sales and business, but there is little of the noise and bustle you would expect from such a place. Sales seem to be conducted in a hushed whisper, and even the children running and playing seem furtive. The road before you leads to the gates of Castle Whisper, as black and thorn-covered as the outer wall.

Suspicious eyes watch you from the market. Some window shutters slam as you pass, and others crack open, just enough to let the inhabitants watch the band of strangers Sir Amnarel has brought into their sanctuary.

Quentin does his best to behave with the Prince as they travel, not wanting to start any sort of rumors as they travel and enter the Court of Whispers. However, at some point he turns as red as a tomato while they are traveling. 

Looking around the "city" Quentin remarks, "This...is....very different than the Ellentar Court." 

In response to Prince L It is a pleasure to be of use, Highness, and the use of Ziia here is already a boon of surpassing value. Protection is probably more urgent that a better bow. The one I have is all I have from my mother, wherever she is, other than this pretentious name. Del is happy to ride in the cart. He feels a little bummed at the hush, commenting quietly Doesn't seem like the natural home of music but he will quietly bow a little sad / gloomy / minor key music on the crwth

(Performance roll?)

((I wasn't trying to impress anybody, not until I find a venue, but if you want))

Instrument 15

((The marketplace is the best public venue you'll find here.))

Del's sad music seems to strike a chord with the locals. They don't come flocking around like they might have in some other town, but the air of wariness and hostility fades considerably, and some turn to openly listen.  Shutters closed a minute before slowly open and the inhabitants lean out of their windows.  Children stop their games and stand, entranced at the melodies. You see tears running down the faces of some of the elves in the marketplace.

Del didn't really have a set list, but seeing what wins the crowd, he carries on. Ends with something more poignant than sad, but ought to slay https://youtu.be/HXxUt3E_3gI

Attunement achieved

The inhabitants continue to listen as the party rides along.  A young female impulsively runs to Del and tosses a braid of spring marsh flowers over Alcari's mane. Raven is startled at how quickly Del's music wins the hearts of the elves of Whispers.  It usually takes several visits each summer before the townspeople get used to her presence and stop giving her the stink eye.

The party continues to the huge castle gate. Guards looking down from the wall signal, and a smaller postern gate is opened so that the party can enter. Sir Amnarel is greeted by friends among the castle guard, and Raven also sees old friends, who call out to her various versions of, "Good to see you, Raven! I thought you were not to come home this year."

But it's the two foals that gain the most attention, and after hearing how the party rescued them, the captain of the guard insists that you all come to the throne room at once.

You enter the throne room, foals and all. An elf is kneeling before the black, thorny throne, and Resarra, Lady of Whispers, is speaking to him. "If you accomplish this task, brave warrior, you will be granted a title of your own, and lands near the--" She breaks off, looking up in shock at the foals scampering across the parquet floor.

As if not even noticing the interruption, the kneeling elf says, "My Lady, I swear to return Moonmist to your stables, even if it should take--"  One of the playful foals bumps into him, almost knocking him sprawling. The elf leaps to his feet and looks back at the party, and at the foals, with anger, disgust, and growing outrage. (Raven recognizes her half-brother Thami.)

"My Lady," says Sir Amnarel. "I fear I have grave news of the fate of Moonmist, but as you can see--" he gestures at the foals, "--even the darkest news may carry joyous blessings."  He tells the story of how the party found a horse being devoured by Owlbears and snatched the two newborn foals from under the monsters' noses.

Even though her face is sorrowful, Lady Resarra strokes the foals tenderly. "Without a doubt, they are Moonmist's colts. I see her beauty and her markings, and the strength of their father, Drowsong. I thank you for returning these foals to me.  Moonmist was as a member of my family, and as bitter as it is to know she is lost, I will have the comfort of raising and cherishing her children. What reward will you ask of me for your bravery and heroism?"

Quincy looks towards the others and say, "Go ahead. It was all of your actions that saved them. I just stood by like a dolt." Happy to let them decide the reward, if any.