WOT Adv 24

While you wait for Maeslyn, you approach Master Ferrin and ask if you can perhaps get some work helping with the horses in the stable.

"You're joking, right?" he chortles good naturedly. "What do you think I am, a wealthy noble, to be able to fund every traveler or stranger asking for work? I'm afraid I can't spare the expense, my good man. Now if you'll excuse me." And he moves off with a tray of dirty dishes.

You shrug and explore the premises. You explore the stable yard, where there are some outdoor tables and benches. And then there's the stable itself. Inside you meet Bennet, the stablemaster. He busily mucks out the stalls but makes small talk with you and seems like he wants to talk. You find out that just as winter was coming to a close earlier this year, there was an attack on the inn.

"They were foul beasts, they were. Made my blood run cold when I saw them. Monstrous beast with large fangs and eyes... the eyes looked almost human-like." He shudders, and wipes the sweat from his face, leaning against his shovel. "And they carried wicked looking blades. The worst of it, was I thought my little girl was taken for good. But some true heroes of light rescued here and brought her back safe and sound, thank the Light.

"Anyway, all this came back to me when that woman from Tar Valon rode in some days back. Said her name was Lady Maeslyn. I never caught her name before but I recognized her when she came in just last week. And I have her very horse in here, I do, and I take extra special care of it; she was one of them that saved my lass.

"I know Maeslyn," you chime in. "She has been my traveling companion these past few days."

He looks at you with wide eyes. "Really? Then you are a lucky man to travel with Maeslyn, Heroine of Light."

"Are there more of these creatures about?" you ask.

"The foul ones with the blades? I ain't seen any lately. Ever since that took place, Queen Morgase, ordered the Queens Guard to patrol the surrounding country-side with a bit more care."

"That's why there are so many soldiers about." you comment.

"Yes, May the Light illume good Queen Morgase, but these are indeed trying times." Bennet struggles with a feisty brown stallion, trying to pull it back into the stall. "Ah this beast simply doesn't know what's good for it. I don't know why nobles always want aggressive mounts."

"I know something about these beasts, perhaps I can help," you offer. You slowly put your hands under his nose and the large horse sniffs tentatively at your scent. He's wary, but as you slowly reach and caress him talking to him in soft tones, he calms and eventually lets you lead him passively inside the stall.

"Well you look like you know your way about horses, alright. Look if you want to help out for a few days with the animals, I could certainly use someone with your skills. I'll pay you a silver penny a day."

"Very well," you reply. "At least until Maeslyn is ready to leave."

"It's settled then. Why don't you stash your gear in the stable here and help me finish with these stalls?"

After placing your weapons and baggage in the stable, Bennet puts you to work. There's still an hour of day light left and you decide you may as well go and purchase some new clothes and possibly restock on some supplies as well. Two hours later, after dark, you carry several wrapped parcels back to the Golden Stag. Ten days of trail rations and feed for your horse. And a new selection of traveling clothes made by Caemlyn tailors. You stash your newly purchased belongings out in the stable. After getting your meal you sit in the common room and listen to the din of other travelers about you.

As time passes, other patrons eventually move off to their private rooms, leaving you one of the few still awake. The door opens well after midnight and you see the slight shape of a woman quietly open the door. She pulls the hood back from her head, revealing the face of the one you have sought. Her lips are pursed in concentration, and you would almost say worry. She sighs, and removes her cloak and starts to move past you.

"Did you have shade in your journey?" You quietly ask her.

She quickly looks at you, with a startled glance and with recognition a smile graces her face. "Maer? Is that you? "

You smile back, and then her smile is quickly replaced with a brooding cloud of near anger. "What kept you? You said you would catch up to me in four days?" Her hands are now on her hips and she gives you a disapproving glare.

"I was delayed," you apologize weakly.

"Were you now? I could have used your help when I was wandering about in the woods for who knows how many days!" Her foot is now tapping a regular staccato. "That short cut could have made up for the time I lost in the storm. And maybe I wouldn't have missed Nadira Sedai"

"I am sorry. I am now ready to fulfill my T'oh to you."

"Are you now?" Her foot stops tapping and she coolly looks you over and then nods.

"Very well, come with me, we have much to discuss." She leads upstairs, and with the turn of a key she enters a dark room and then lights a small oil lamp, the orange light reveals a small, simple room with a single bed, and a small desk. You notice some aged parchments cover the desk, but you don't recognize their writing. She locks the door.

"You are ready to fulfill your debt then?" Then she mutters half to herself, "I told you it was already fulfilled more than once, but if you insist on bringing it up, I may as well take advantage of it.

"This is the situation. We must get to the Almoth Plain region as soon as we possibly can. I do not know many details, only what she wrote in this letter." Maeslyn takes a parchment from a locked drawer on the desk and opens it, reading it out loud.

Maeslyn,
I have waited with all patience for you to come, but since you have not, Gable and I have made for the Almoth Plain regions. We will take a road less traveled but the quickest we know. You must also take such a route. I understand you know of what I speak and where to find it. While you must travel this road, do not do so alone; for the dangers are great.
May the light be with you,
Nadira Sedai

"Do you know what this means Maer?"

"That a dangerous road lies ahead."

She looks at you, studying your face. "No, you don't understand. But that doesn't matter. You will fulfill your debt ten fold if you but aid me in this last quest. "The road we must travel is in this very area located in the basement of a once abandoned merchant shop."

"Road?" you ask.

"A gateway of sorts." she continues in a quiet whisper. "Once built by the One Power. You will understand once you see it. I have been there before. Earlier this year. For now, you only need to know this: It is guarded by the cursed Whitecloaks!" She angrily bites off the last word.

Then she whispers sarcastically, still pacing back and forth, pausing every once and a while to accentuate her speech with a jab of her forefinger or a slice of her hand. "The Children of Light, ever vigilant in their cause to stamp out darkness, which they equate with anything having to do with the One Power, have placed a guard around the merchant shop.
"In fact they have claimed the property for their own. I found out today that they actually house a garrison nearly three blocks from this building. We need to find a way into that building, and into that basement, and then into that gate, possibly at the very risk of our lives. I need you to find a way to do this."

She pauses for a moment, but when you don't respond, she continues. "I have watched the building for some time now and have found that there is always at least one guard outside the building during the day, and two outside the building at night. I trust you will be able to assist me in this. What do you suggest we do?"