Meanwhile, in the Westwoods...

As they shop Raven would be looking to find someone to buy the extra gold rods and the gems the group doesn't wish to keep.

Mindartis wanders the market checking out the sights. It is still early in the spring, so the vegetables being sold are mainly fresh shoots and roots from the swamp. There are meat merchants selling small deer, rabbits, pigs and chickens, and fish sellers offering everything from buckets of tiny fry to huge slices cut from gigantic eels. Vats of dark brown wild rice are offered, and the color of the bread at the bakery suggests that this is the primary grain used here.  A tinker seems very busy repairing pots and sharpening knives and weapons out of the back of a wagon.  Beside the wagon, a pair of large, wolf-shaped dogs with dark, bristly brindle coats lie beside a crate of puppies offered for sale.  A farrier shoes an ill-tempered horse at the corner of the market. A vintner offers wild rice and cattail wine, and other odd vintages. The children's games seem to mainly consist of hiding, chasing each other, and attempting to steal each other's hats--or, occasionally, items from the market stalls--without being noticed.

The jeweler who is grinding the gold for Quentin would be happy to purchase the gems and gold tubes.

Celebrity has its price. Maybe a bunch of kids will be inspired  Shawm 18 this time, no need to risk monkeyshines and it's got an appropriately mournful drone...

I'm paying anyway by the way. Rich people getting free stuff peeves Del right the eff off. Gonna donate to the needy somehow too. Del always feels guilty with a lot of coin and we sold a bunch of gems just now - I calculate 360 each if we get market rates

Del captivates the locals once more, and the shopkeeper happily hands over the free strings, telling his apprentices to start making more shawms immediately. "There is likely going to be a demand for them over the next few days."

When you insist on paying anyway, the shopkeeper bows deeply and thanks you for your generosity.

 (( Elwin will definitely try his hand at the gold grinding. He's a bit disappointed at first at how boring and mundane it is, but perseveres, thoughts of being able to use the finished product to bend the weave of magic pushing him through. ))

The party passes the day pleasantly enough, and eventually you make your way back to the castle for the feast.  As the nobles assemble, Lady Ressara approaches you and asks if you have chosen a reward. She is intrigued by your description of the portable dungeon, and asks to see it.  There is quite a sensation as many of the nobles and knights check the place out curiously, and you stop each of them to make sure they are not carrying a portable hole or bag of holding into the place. Eventually, the sight-seers exit, and the tapestry is rolled up, Lady Ressara handing it to a steward and describing what needs to be done.  He promises you that the castle's best smiths and carpenters will work tirelessly to have it ready for you by morning.

Sir Amnarel has still not arrived when dinner is announced.  As the high nobles and courtiers sort themselves out in order of precedence to enter the dining hall, Thami Blackblade approaches, a tight smile fixed on his face. "My sister," he says to Raven. "I want to apologize for my manner this morning. I was...upset. I know we do not get along well, but we aren't children any more, and my behavior was inexcusable. I have spent the day finding a way to make amends." He hands Raven a folded parchment. "I know you are on an urgent journey to the west. There is a cargo boat at the Riverdocks called the Tipsy Swan.  I have bought passage for you and your...companions. You may leave the Fens with no delay, first thing in the morning."

He leans over and whispers  something quietly into Raven's ear, then moves on, just as Sir Amnarel bustles into the room, looking tired and flustered. "Ah, just in time, i see,: he says. "A sad business today was, and I will be glad of a chance to rest and refresh myself."

You file into the banquet hall and are seated.  When everyone has assembled and is seated, Lasy Resarra makes a speech of welcome, speaking of the visiting Prince of Lomalos (Lintelér has been seated at the high table, between Lady Ressara and a young noblewoman who seems very interested in gaining his attention) and bestowing lavish praise on the band of fearless adventurers who braved owlbears to return Moonmist's foals to the royal stable, and who were responsible tor wiping out a nest of blights and a hag coven in the Fens.

The description of your heroics causes a stir, and every eye on the hall stares at you in fascination and admiration...at least until the servants start bringing in the heavy platters of food.

As the evening goes on, Del tries to make sure folk know about issues bigger than charming owlbears - hopefully up to Lady "Lasy" Resarra - the connection between gnoll raids, missing children, attacks on the three world trees, and the the Arch Witch. He'll be alert to other stories of missing children etc.

People are concerned by Del's news, but surprisingly, there has been no increase in children going missing in the Fens lately. Perhaps the wet terrain is not ideal for kidnappers made of sugar.

"And if what you say comes to pass, then know I will also make sure it spreads much further than them, and you can be sure the embarrassment to our family as a whole will keep you from ever achieving more than stable boy to a goat farmer."  Raven calls out loudly to her brother as he goes to walk away from her.  "You do not control me brother dearest, and I do not deal well with threats.  You will want to speak to our father before you go spreading rumors..." She makes a show of tearing up the paper he handed her.  "You can be quite certain I will do so."

"Are you alright Raven," Mindartis asks, watch her brother walk away. "Need me to do anything?"

"No, I think i have it under control."  Raven says, though she trembles with barely restrained rage herself.

"I find," Mindartis says quietly, "if I'm being over come with emotions, the best thing to do is focus on breathing. Perhaps you should try that."

Always your decision, of course Sister Del says quietly when he gets a chance But remember a threat to any of us is a threat to us all. None of us is happy if you are troubled

"it will be fine." Raven says, but she would sound as if she were trying to convince herself as much as anyone else.

Quentin nods and says, “I had a whole counter rumor plan made up for myself that I’ll happily give you.” He says to Raven before continuing to stare at where the Prince is, reminding himself that jealousy isn’t a good look and that he shouldn’t put a wall of fire between the Prince and the woman throwing herself at him. 

The meal is heavy on game, fish and wild rice, subtly spiced.  Looking around, most of the people have the look of the people of the fens, with dark hair and eyes and guarded expressions.  There are a few oddities, though--a group of lizardfolk further along the table, and at the far end, a haggard old woman in a ragged black cloak, who seems almost to have a shadow hovering around her.  You are sitting among knights and warriors, who discuss dangers that have been plaguing the fens, though most of the conversation is about the blights, and how they now seem to be in retreat, with only scattered remains left to mop up.  Apparently killing the hags and the blighted tree has stopped the blight wave.  Several talk about the Arch Witch's retreat, and what is to become of it now, and try to figure out whether it is on the lands of any of the local lords, and if so, which.

When the meal is finished, the queen withdraws.  The diners begin leave the room, the older guests to various parlors to continue conversations, the younger ones off to a large, open hall.  You can hear musicians strike up some somber dance music from that direction.

Mindartis looks to the group, "What shall we do now then?"

“We’re here for the night right? So I think I’m going to go towards where the dancing is, see what rumors there are, and then tomorrow we should head to the High Court on that ship.” 

I guess we count as younger, so dancing. I've played a couple times today, maybe I'll listen to some other performers for a change. But to each their own if you need  quiet evening, I think we need not worry about splitting up here. ((I guess Del must dance, being a bard, hadn't thought of it before, but yeah, probably. Character=/=Player))

Mindartis nods, "I suppose you would be correct... though I haven't done much dancing... save for village festivals in the Feywild..."