The village of Sevon, an hour or two after noon.
Lucien introduces the child, Bobby Maxim, to the rest of the group at the grove. They question Bobby on what he witnessed of the raid and how it was he escaped. At first Bobby is reluctant to say anything only nodding or shaking his head in response to questions. From the boy's numerous glances at Aurin Edgaar suspects the child is afraid of the elf, so he suggests the elf go and take a closer look at the body on the road outside the village. The elf departs the grove but stops some 80 yards away and sits down. With the elf out of ear shot Bobby tells of the raid.
In the middle of the night Bobby was awoken by the sound of Aurin departing the village. Unable to get back to sleep he snuck outside to snoop around Aurin's house and perhaps get inside. The elf keeps mostly to himself and is an enigma to the boy. Bobby is also a little scared of him. While he was outside outside the village was raided. Lots of scary men with swords infiltrated the village from the path that leads to the road. By the time Bobby noticed them they were already amongst most of the houses. He was terrified and immediately hid in the bushes at the edge of the village.
One of the raiders yelled out something and all of them started kicking in doors and dragging the villagers from their homes. Bobby's father and older brother managed to arm themselves in time to put up a fight but were quickly killed. The only other member of Bobby's family, his mother, Patricia, was taken captive. A neighbour, Tom Fisher, also was not taken completely by surprise and fought fiercely killing two of the raiders before taking a serious wound and being captured. There was something strange about his fight. Those nearby exclaimed surprise and wonder at those Tom had slain and pointed to his sword muttering amongst themselves. Angry some raiders were about to kill Tom when a large raider, apparently their leader said Tom was to be taken alive. The leader examined Tom's sword and mentioned something about taking Tom to "Rag" when they get to Elredd.
The raiders bound the villagers hands while others lit torches. They slit the throat of Tom's mother. Tom flew into a rage and it took a number of raiders to subdue him though he was seriously hurt and his hands were tied. The raiders began to torch the entire village including the boats. One raider who had just torched a house was moving away when he suddenly stopped and stood perfectly still for a few minutes before running back into the burning building! He emerged a short while later clothes smoldering and carrying what looked like a small rectangular box or book. The leader yelled at this raider and struck him before taking the object from him. He quickly examined the object before stuffing it into a sack and resumed barking orders. Other raiders were still torching buildings and one headed in Bobby's direction so he ran off to hide in his tree house in a nearby grove.
After hearing the child's tale those at the grove headed back to rejoin Rondo and Saab at the village. Rondo and Saab had been searching for signs of where the raiders entered the village. They found no tracks other than evidence of traffic along the path to the road and recent tracks on an individual leaving the village by way of the creek that flows into it from inland.
Tellius digs graves for the slain villagers while Edgaar and Saab check the dunes and waterline for about 500 yards south of the village for evidence of a boat landing. No evidence of such a landing is discovered. Edgaar and Saab then examine the path leaving the village right up to where it joins the coastal road. Aurin joins them. Just south of the junction Saab reports that there are tracks of a large group travelling along the road from the south and taking the path to the village, but no such heavy traffic returns south down the road.
The three follow the tracks south down the road. After about half a mile where the tracks leave the road and lead to a small beach where there is evidence of two longboats having recently landed. The three return the village to tell of their discovery. By the time they get back the slain villagers have been buried. A few words of prayer are spoken over the graves. Aurin appears not to care much for the dead, having no interest in paying his respects.
All head back to Safeton with the boy.
It is late evening but still light when the group arrive at Safeton. They are stopped at the south entrance to the walled city by a pair of guards and a robed individual sitting at an outside table with ink, pen and parchment. The guards question the group as to who they are and what their business is in Safeton. On Aurin's previous visits to the city there was no such questioning. The group quickly answer the questions before telling the guards of the Sevon raid. The group are made to wait while additional guards are summoned to escort them to see the mayor.
The group are taken to a walled manor inside the city. Before entering the group are told to remove all weapons and armour. They are then escorted inside the manor to a waiting room where bowls of water are brought for them to make themselves presentable. They are given instruction on how to behave in the mayors presence, not to speak unless bidden and to answer any questions promptly. After a short wait the group is admitted to a room containing the mayor and four of her councilors seated at a long table facing the group. Also in the room is the captain of the Mandragora. He is seated in a chair off to one side facing both the group and the council.
The group is questioned in detail about what they discovered at Sevon. The captain remains silent during the questioning. During the questioning the group learn that the captain and some of his ex crew investigated the burning of the Mandragora and confirmed it was arson.
Bobby was given over to the care of the church. The group was dismissed, including the captain, but Aurin was ordered to remain. As the group left Saab informed Aurin they could be found at the Deep Anchor inn. Once the group left the walled manor the captain filled Edgaar in on what his investigation uncovered. Casks of lamp oil were stolen from a shop on the docks and the body of the shop owner was discovered under the docks. Those same casks were found floating half burned among the wreckage of the Mandragora.
The group not long at the inn when Aurin arrives and joins them at their table. Edgaar asks Aurin why he was asked to remain at the manor. Aurin replies that the council wanted to ask him more questions about Sevon.
The group discuss their next move. They decide to try and purchase a boat to sail to Elredd. Edgaar mingles among the patrons to enquire about such a boat. Meanwhile, looking to make some coin, Rondo shouts a challenge, to wrestle and wager on the outcome. A large individual accepts the challenge. Rondo asks the innkeeper for permission to hold the match but the patrons are already clearing a space in the middle of the room. With the patrons already having made the decision the inn keeper merely adds that any damage to the premises will need to be paid for.
The challenger slaps down 10 silver. Rondo matches it and gets another 20 silver in coin covered in side bets with members of the crowd. This ignites a flurry of side betting amongst the patrons and the jingle of coins can be heard throughout the room. Lucien leaves the table and worms though the crown to get a better view of the contest. His boat enquiries disrupted by the imminent wresting match, Edgaar returns to the group's table.
Rondo and the challenger square off and begin. During the match Lucien takes the opportunity to weave among the crowd and lighten some purses. It is a closely contested match. Both are capable wrestlers though Rondo is possibly the more skilled of the two. The tide turns against Rondo when the challenger get a lucky but tenuous hold on Rondo. Rondo misses his opportunity to break the grip before it is re-enforced and it quickly leads to Rondo's defeat.
Swearing and cheering break out as money changes hands. Rondo curses his luck but buys the challenger a well earned drink. The challenger returns the gesture and the two of them sink their ales discussing the match. Suddenly one of the patrons yells out claiming some of his coins have been lifted. The other patrons check their own purses and two more report being robbed. Some accusations and fights break out but they quickly evaporate and the inn returns to it's regular rowdy atmosphere. Rondo rejoins the group at the table. Edgaar reports that he has had no luck so far finding an appropriate boat for sale.