"Sure," He says gladly, "Where're you all headed?"

"Have you heard of Corrin's Mound? We are travelling to Ardeep Forest and had word to meet a friend near there."

"I indeed have," He confirms, "My farm is just an hour journey east of the Mound. Who's your friend, I may know them?"

"A Daywalker - Lightstream. A mutual connection we have, though I look forward to getting to know her well. Say, living so close to the forest, you wouldn't happen to know of anything odd there that we should know about? We'll be a few days in the area, and I wouldn't want to be caught off guard."

Grumm takes a moment to look over to Evas as he glows on the pumpkins. He grins. The sight reminds him of something. 

Ebony watches the exchange from the vehicle, Ivory poking his head out from the back.

"Ah, do you mean Jayva?" He recalls, "I have met her a several times, I deliver her a batch of Suncrop Pumpkins from my farm about once a month. Her niche loves suncrop-pie, and she helps make my crops grow healthy in return."

"Something strange with the forest?" He asks surprisedly, "My farm is in the Jahren Meadows, quite far from the Ardeep Forest. My family and I have less contact with the Ardeep than those at the Mound would. If something's been goin' on with the forest, I haven't heard of it. Any mention of the Janson fellow from your friend? 'Could have something to do with that . . ."

"Ah, no, no such person was mentioned, but I'm sure it's important, if you have a moment to share your news with us."

Grumm blinks, absorbing the previous statement. 

"And... you said that she helps your crops grow healthy? Is it a blessing, or does she..." Grumm twists his hands in a gesture that vaguely suggests something magical, though the gesture could be otherwise interpreted.

"Ah, it's probably nothing," He says, "Just a teenager that went missing at the commune at the Mound. The troublemaker runs away about once a month, so it's probably nothin'. Just has been gone for longer than normal. They're starting to worry. Anyway . . ."

"You don't know much about Day Walkers, do you?" He chuckles, "Jayva Lightstream is a Sun Priestess, a halfling follower of the Sun, the only one in the region. She runs the commune on Corrin's Mound, in charge of business there; giving residents what they need to live, keeping the peace, protecting the residents of the niche, and so on. She helps cure my crops of disease, provides nutrients, and drive off pests." 

Ash frowns "The mound? Is that some sort of tomb?" 

The stoutling smiles, "No, sir, it's not. It's just a small hill near the Ardeep Forest where Jayva's religious community is. The commune there was started by Corrin Lightstream, Jayva's ancestor from ages ago, so it's named after him."

"Well, anyway," The farmer says, "I must get going. Good luck with whatever it is you're doing."

He then tells his mini horses, Sebastian and Willie, to move along, and his horses clop down the path pulling the cart. 

Grumm waves goodbye to the friendly farmer, and looks to see if Evas is ready to subject his fine vehicle to further rigors on the rougher road ahead.

"Curious and exciting! We must be sure to ask after this missing person once we arrive! Evas, are we ready to go?"

Kane listens to the farmer’s tale, but he’s not really concerned. Although he still wants to become an agent, he hates that they left the inn so quickly. Kane sits in the vehicle thinking. 

Evas starts driving. "I will drive a bit slower to avoid some of the bumpiness."

“That would be much appreciated there Evas,” Ebony says.

Ivory pokes his head out, watching the scenery fly by as they continue on.

You continue driving, a bit slower than before to make the party not as motion sick as before (that is, the ones that are capable of being motion sick. I'm looking at you, Evas). 

After about an hour of driving, you come across a bifurcation of the road, one heading right and another heading left. There is a sign pointing to the right saying "Corrin's Mound", "Ardeep Forest", and "Nightstone", and another sign pointing to the left saying "Jahren Meadows" and "Goldenfields". 

You drive down the right side of the trail, heading towards Corrin's Mound. 

(Do you want to roleplay about that encounter, talking about what could possibly be happening, or just move on?)

(Fine with either. Evas will start up a conversation. If we choose to move on ignore it.)

"I wonder if that Janson kid going missing has something to do with those nightmares, keeper Illan was talking about?"

Squeezed in the back, Grumm nods bumpily. "Yes I think so, Evas. Sometimes the dreams of youth take a foul twist. He might have already had the disposition, but it wouldn't surprise me if something worse has happened to him this time. I hope it's not permanent."

(I may have just missed it, but I dont think we know anything about your quests at the moment. Also, would Ash know about anything called a Nightmare?)

Ash looks up "Nightmares? Like a bad dream? What exactly are we doing here? Me and Ebony are completely in the dark at the moment." He draws his sword along with a whetstone and begins to sharpen it. 

(this is the post that explains it.)

"Yeah, as in a bad dream. Maddening dreams, Keeper Illan described it. I hope that Janson fellow is okay."