Mayday Plays - 🌕 Heroes of The Doom 🌑 | Episode 4, "The Bones Know" | Inevitable

Episode Date: September 8, 2025

After another clash with the Jackals, the cadre beats a hasty retreat from Sonder in search of the pet keeper, a mysterious road mage Ashwynn suspects holds clues to the secrets near the Cartographer���s Mount. Though all signs point west, the party first returns to Myth, where Cecil, Sir Rose, and Cloudburst report to the Queen and her royal council, sharing the revelations unearthed in Sonder. CAST Amanda as Sir Rose Zimwalt the Errant (she/her) Zakiya as Cloudburst the Shadowjack (he/him) Sergio as Ashwyn the Mystic (he/him) Caleb as Cecil Odera the Taleweaver (he/him) Eli as The Oracle Click our affiliate link below to purchase your copy of Inevitable: https://soulmuppet-store.co.uk?sca_ref=3798865.joTwmU1OIf -- 👕 MERCH: http://ko-fi.com/maydayrp & https://mayday-merch.printify.me/products 💵 Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/maydayrp 📰 Join our newsletter: eepurl.com/iIVUjo 🎙 Listen to us: 🟣 Apple Podcasts : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mayd…ys/id1537347277 🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5vdTgXoqpSpMssSP9Vka3Z?si=97a6a19d71cf4be0 🟠 Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/mayday-roleplay 🌟 Other Socials 🌟 🐦 Twitter: http://twitter.com/maydayroleplay 📸 Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/maydayrp/ 🔴 Website: http://maydayroleplay.com/ 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maydayroleplay 👾 Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/maydayroleplay 🔵 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maydayrp Thanks for your support!

Hello, good morning and welcome to May Day Roleplay. We are here to continue on with our story of Heroes of the Doom and a doomed to Thorine Western using the inevitable system. Sergio, here to share a little bit more about that. Oh, I would absolutely love to, y'all, this and every episode of Heroes of the Doom is supported by none other than Soul Muppet publishing. And look, listen, I think we need to have a serious talk about September. You know, October's got Halloween, November's got Thanksgiving, December's got Christmas, but what does September have? Nothing. It's just vibes and residual summer sweat.

So I say we fix that. Let's make September the official holiday month of Soul Muppet Publishing. We'll call it Soul Timber. Now, how do you celebrate Soul Timber? You gather your friends like we have, you roll some dice like we will, and you cry a little, you laugh a lot, and you rage against the machine in style. Now, the traditions basically write themselves. Instead of candy, you hand out copies of Inevitable, the doomed Arthurian Western that we are currently playing every other Saturday. Trick or treat, wrong, it's prophecy or doom.

Instead of turkey, you serve Orbital Blues, a sad rock and rock. space noir casserole, delicious with extra melancholy on the side. Instead of carols, you scream into the night with mad as hell, the anti-capitalist demon-hunting RPG. Ho, ho, ho, more like no-mo worker exploitation. And hey, thanks to our new affiliate link found in the description below, you can support our channel by picking up one of these games. So click that link and buy a game today.

We will also soon have codes for listeners to win free copies of inevitable. So stay tuned. Nothing says holiday spirit like free RPGs. So mark your calendars, folks. September is no longer the month of just Labor Day and Talk Like a Pirate Day. It's Soul Timber. And the only requirement, play a Soul Muppet game. Back to you, Eli.

We'd like to thank our operator-level Patreon contributors. As always, their involvement here allows us at May Day to continue to produce amazing shows to tell stories with you for your viewing pleasure. So thank you to Advance Force Sammy Bimblewart, Brandon C, Brian P., Cameron S. Kai, H. Kaley, H, Matthew J, Ren E, Tony D, and Vince Kay. If you too would like to contribute to all that is Mayday, be sure to find us on Patreon. You'll get access to our wonderful Discord community, ad-free viewing of our streamable content, campaign diaries, on-server games and campaigns, and much more. If this is your first time here at Mayday,

be sure to check out our extensive catalog of completed shows in seasons like our Doom to Repeat, which is on our final series finale. We're a few episodes to completion, as well as Vegas by night, which we just completed our second season in the spring. So subscribe to our YouTube channel for our VODs and wherever you listen to your podcast.

for audio-friendly recordings, and as always, follow us on major social media platforms and our website for updates on future content and other news. Inevitable is a game about tragedy and failure in a world that can be unfair and unkind. This is an actual play intended for mature audiences, so be advised that there may be violent themes, adult language, and the exploration of darker subjects. Always please take care of yourself and be aware. Our table uses safety tools, and X-Car can be employed at any time. So with that, let's get started.

The wind blows gently here in the city of Myth, with the sun on the rise. And if you stand at the highest point in which the castle that looms over the city of the city, this great city, you will know that there is an outer courtyard where erected are statues. And those statues are images of knights of the mythic order, knights of the past, heroes who have laid down their lives time and time again across history for the greater good of the kingdom. And as that wind gently blows and the sun on the rise and that golden and light scattering across every inch of every district. Two

people stand and watch on the outlook here. One is Sir Levera Hemmerite leader of the errant knights who rings his hands impatiently

abounds to his knee as he stares out with a very hard stare. The second man. One who has very shaggy long hair a knight by the name of Sir Eli. And he comes with a coat ready for travel on, and he joins Sir Lavier.

Were you given the instructions I had sent, and Lee, Eli, simply nods? Good. then make way to the cartographers mount take your cadre complete what was asked and with that

Sir Levi Sir Eli begins to take steps and walk away and Sir Levi calls out one last time and he says remember we must prevent things before they become inevitable. Oh, wow.

Let's introduce our cast here for today. My name is Eli. I am your Oracle. I'm Amanda, and I'm playing Sir Rose. My name's Caleb James Miller, and I'm playing Cecil O'Dara. I'm Sergio, and I'm playing Ashwin. My name is Zach, and I'm happy to confirm I'm still playing Cloudburst. Cloudburst, you have a bit of words to share about what has happened over the last couple of days,

as you wrap up your time here and saunders. What do you have? I do. Okay. Hey, sunshine. I hope this message finds you somewhere peaceful, that your prayers feel heard and the air around you feels not only alive,

but in harmony with your own breath. I'm sure the eyes of your goddess look on your work with such great delight. And guess what? I'm back on the road again. Now, shine, you are deeply familiar with the nature of my complex occupation, that as much as I adore to regale you with the dangerous days of a shadowjack, I am bound to secrecy. And the thought of betraying the trust that I have built with my extensive list of high-ranking

clients is one that over-ripenes my heart to rot. But, girl, get this? The queen has given our errant of the hour, Sir Rose, permission to form cadre, in secret. For what you might ask, to see about a man in Sonder, to check if he still likes the queen, yes or no. It was not just two on this urgent quest. The mouth of myth himself, Cecil O'Dara, and the fiery young mystic, Ashwin, were also in the number. They were also coming down from a powerful drug trip as we speak, but that's for later. You know, I can have a really mark time passing in the faces of friends, and everyone is well.

Well, everyone looks well, doing their best in this whole doom fiasco. We're probably heading back now, and the only damage to report is some fiery words, one unfortunately cindered man, and a missing ceiling at the black cat. All else either quickly found its way to remedy or isn't worth remark. Except there is this pestly gang, the jackals, tormenting Sponder endlessly, and this two silver town's done absolutely nothing about it, even though they could use the cause for celebration. Everybody knows that silence itself is an answer,

and those loudmouthed jackals are distracting all ears and eyes from a basement full of venom. A woman drenched in red about as pretty as the devil himself is holding it all together. It's been weird, but I'm hoping for a little reunion with her. Even though I think I might be right that the doomed stuff is all just a crock of shit, I don't have any proof and don't scorn me for my means, but I do have it on very good authority that opalescent snake venom is about as good for you as copper nail to a lemon tree. That being said, it did make the skeptic see something.

something. Something best kept far from pen and ink. And I know this stuff can bum you out, but if you take nothing from these letters of the distant feeder of my life, take this. The only way to beat a prophecy might just be a dream. So sleep well. Hugs and kisses cloudburst. It's still night here in Sonder And some of you are hold up in a room drinking mushroom tea and invoking dreams While you rose are outside tending to horses And getting ready for a ride if that is necessary

And you swear you saw something Move behind this big house that you're standing outside of or just down the way of. You wonder if that might be something worth looking into. Oh, that is definitely something.

That catches my attention and I'm going to reach up and kind of pet on last hope one more time and whisper. Keep your ears out. And I'm going to walk around and

at the same time I'm going to also pull out one of the whittled whistles I have. And I would like to think it's like a round of leather cord. So it's going to be around my neck. And I'm just going to put it up to my lips as I, I'm not going to blow it yet, but basically like a thing is it like an alarm kind of thing. If I, if they do something, I'm going to let mellow and think like a very loud shriek is going to come out like one of those scary like uh like those war whistles that

goes ah that kind of whistle is going to come out excellent and you're moving towards the back of the house yes okay uh by the time it takes you to get back there uh you'll realize that uh there are there is a backway entrance into this house and you'll see like the last, like, boot, like, entering in and the door closed in behind. I'm going, I'm going to draw my, I'm going to grab my pistol. I'm going to go in after that. Okay. Yeah. Abruptly or? A little bit more stealthy, a little bit more stealthy. you give it a beat, grab your gun, and you go to push the door, the door's locked. So if you want to come in here, you're going to have to make an entrance.

All right. I'm going to, because of it's locked, I'm going to step back and I'm going to kick on that part of the door where the handle is. because it's also one of the weak spots, and I'm going to try to knock it down. All right. Easy enough. You're strong individual. You can kick that door open. Makes a loud noise, though.

Do you like it? You have your wits about you compared to the other three in the room in the house here. It's been quiet since you've been snooping and sneaking about. It's late. You do hear, though, a very loud bang at some point in the midst of you settling Ashwin and Cecil here. I'm going to slip out the door and go towards the sound. You slip out the door, you head towards the sound,

but when you slip out the door, you notice that you're not alone. You too are snooping through the house. and you'll see two people walking up the stairs and you guys clock each other. It's not Rose. No. It's not Rose. It's another snooper. But then I snoop alone.

Yeah. But they're sneaking up the stairs and they catch you. And you're both in that moment, like, two deer in the headlights looking at each other. I'm so sorry. Do you know where I could find just like a towel with some cold water? I've got some people coming out of a bad trip and I just want to make it easy for him. Right, right. Yeah, I could, what could help you?

Yeah, absolutely. Okay, great, great. Where are you going? Oh, we were just going down the hall, but that's the same way where you can get a rag. Oh, great. then I'll just stay with you. And now I will just publicly walk alongside these people.

Yeah, you're walking a little ahead of them. You're walking right behind you. Going down the hallway, the opposite way, you cross past Cecil and Ashwick. As you guys go towards the back of the hallway here, I think at a certain point down the hallway, you hear a click. A click.

Rose. You made that loud sound. Yes. Are you, you know the layout. Yeah, people know. Absolutely. Where are you going? You know the layout of the land.

There's a couple of, there's an area for the kitchen in the back here. There's the couple of offices and study rooms that were, you had were led in to talk to Aster earlier. You know that there's a nice little lobby area out front. with that stairwell that goes up to the second floor where you had him. With gun and hand and also other hand on saber, ready to, just

in case, I'm actually going to clear the kitchen first and then walk towards that office where we were signing earlier. I'm going to clear those. Basically, I want to clear the room so no one's going to jump up behind me and then clear the ground floor, go up.

If you go to the kitchen, you'll see that there's staff there trying to tend to a marriott of dishes that have been crashed onto the ground, as there was an institute earlier, but they seemed preoccupied with what's going on with that. So preoccupied, they didn't even really clock or note the banging of you walking in. No one in the study, no one in the other office

entered into the lobby area. And you see a light from a room that seems to be casting from the hallway on the side. second floor. I'm going to tent stealth as the objective. Well, cleared it up.

I'm just going to go cautiously as I can and clear that and check it on my on my comrades to make sure they're okay. That's what I'm going to do. Just go up the stairs and see what I'll see. Ashwin and Cecil you guys are coming down

from some mushroom tea I feel like sobering is on the horizon give it a little bit of the time though we're still sweating and feel that residual effect but anything you two are doing you saw clauper's

leave imagine they mentioned that they're just going to check whatever that is out Ashwin is on the edge of the bed kind of rubbing his eyes and then he does look around and notice Cloudburst isn't there.

Cloudburst, where'd they go? Did you hear that big old bang just a second ago? Maybe they went to check it out. I thought it was just in my head, but yeah, I guess so and realizing that this is not a town to be not sober. Ashwin starts kind of getting himself together and getting ready to look for his comrades. Listen, Ashwin, before we go out there, make some trouble. I want to give you a piece of advice

is very important when you take drugs like this. You do not want to kill another human being while you're on these. It will be perhaps something that stays with you for the rest of your life. I will take that advice wholeheartedly. Good. So maybe keep the power word

kills to a power word stun. Yeah? I don't really have that kind of ability, but I'll do my best. Okay. Well, best we can do. They're going to need backup. And our prerogative here is to be so loud, the cloudburst can be quiet. Okay. I'll reach for the door and swing it open. And you run into Rose when you do that.

I throw maybe the weakest punch of my life at Rose across the, like a bad hook across the bow. I kind of, take that you rough. Oh, Rose. I am so sorry, Saros. It's all right. We got to work on that punch a little bit.

Have you seen cowburst? I'm going to look down the hall. Down the hall, do, I just want to see where they're at. I'm like, they're not here. See if I can see them up on the second floor. You look down the hallway. There is a bend to that hallway

So you don't see anybody But if Ashwin and Cecil tell you that they They saw cloudburst leave And you didn't see cloudburst downstairs Might not be down the hall It's the only place you haven't checked What else? How are you two? Are you guys all right still? I'm going to touch both of you like

Good enough You haven't seen cloudbursts? No, they weren't downstairs That means those that came to hunt us are being hunted. We're being hunted? Somewhere in this building, Cloudburst is a predator among prey.

And the caribou that stocked these hallways will soon meet their maker. You know what? Can you check to see if cloudbursts is in the room that you got left in? Yeah, sure. Yes. Ashwin, check two, because we need two sets of eyes in there.

Cecil, like, throws his shoulder into the door. Hia! Ashwin turns around and looks in the room they were just in. Like, it's still not here. And then Sir Rose is just going to walk down the hallway. Just walk down the hallway. I'll close the door behind them to leave them in the room, but then I walked out. Ashwin, they got Sir Rose, too.

They're picking us off. Mr. O'Don, don't let your paranoia get the better of you. We, hold on. We just need to find them. Let's go downstairs. Yes. Okay. Go downstairs.

Excellent. You guys definitely go downstairs, cloudbursts. You heard as you turned that corner, as you get to a more secluded part of this upper area, that sound of a gun being clicked and knew that familiar sound, one where you know, that this is probably not staff. It's probably not staff. Probably not staff.

And they're standing. Uh, behind you. Hmm. Okay. I'm going to turn around slowly. And we're going to have a little meet and greet. How does that sound? Do we really need a meet and greet somebody who's on a, on the list?

A list? What? And I'd slowly turn around. Yeah. Um, It's dark here. There's no, like, real light, but you squint and you look at some of the features. You recognize these, too.

They were definitely at the bar. Look like jackals. Oh, I recognize you, too. Okay, well, I'm not looking to adopt a puppy right now, but I can surely find a good home for you, if you'd like. Oh, we're well. care. We're just doing our end, you know. It's nothing personal. I don't think it has to be at all. And I'm going to shoot first. Absolutely. I do not have a very quiet. I don't have a

like a silencer gun. It's this like iron wrought thing that burst out of the chamber. It's called the light fantastic. And it sort of has this blue lightning sparkling from the inside of it. But they take it out and fire. Beautiful.

You fire a shot, immediately dropping your hands, pulling your gun out. And it hits the first person who has the gun drawn on you. And they crumple to the ground. Rose, you turn the corner here just as that man hits the ground. But that loud, that bang echoed everywhere. Without hesitation, I'm going to, without hesitation, pull out better thorns and it's just point blank to the head out.

You, before that other person even clocks you and turns around to point their gun, you fire instantly. Crash to the ground. Two souls. Two shots. A household beginning to wake up from all that noise. You all right? We got to go.

I'm fine. Thank you so much. Yes. Yes, yes, yes. I'm going to check the jackals real quick to see if there's any extra, like, whether weapons or anything they have on them. They definitely, yeah, they definitely have both of their guns. They have daggers as well.

And munition. I'm going to take that and say, anything in their pockets. I'm going to just grab it and go. Yeah, they were like Carrie. Yeah. Ashwin comes stumbling down the stairs after hearing the shot and seize the dead bodies, sees cloudbursts and sorrows. Oh, definitely worth being paranoid. Grab your back.

Ashwin, we're going to get out. Go grab your bags with stuff. Cloud, grab Cecil. Cisle, where is he at? Cecil comes stumbling down the stairs and points the The ballad of Cavets made his revolver into the sky and points targets at no one that's there. I'll get you. Come on.

Line them up. I'll take him down. If you allow me, I can fire man. Shoulder him over my shoulder. The stuff would go down. If you guys grab the stuff, I'll grab Cecil. Okay. Okay.

You got a boy. I get other boy and things and meet you outside by the horses. Okay. Hey, sir, Rose, I like your style. I'm like a melted turret like this. Right, just wash my back. You just point me in the right direction. I'll take them out one by one.

All right. Okay, okay. Ash would help me pack the room up, please. Yeah, again, like rubbing the high out of my eyes and just going and grabbing everything, grabbing my poncho, throwing it on. Yeah. You guys move quickly as quickly as you can, but by the time you guys started grabbing bags people are poking heads out running around trying to figure out what it is by the time you

get down to the stairs there finally comes to screams as somebody found the two bodies that are up top and lights are turning on people are raising alarms but you guys are just walking straight out the door very sorry about that and i'll throw a couple of gold coins on the bar table we don't like these people i feel bad for the people that own this establishment just know that I'm going to take a lovely Cecil and just throw them over top vis account like it just right on top of this account right there yeah I'm gonna shoot two into the sky no oh wow save that we might need some hell yeah and he just Months.

I won't, so Rose will make sure everyone gets on their force and then as soon as we can. We're hauling ass out. Where's that goddamn redhead? We are leaving without the, uh, the artifact. It's less than optimal, but I suppose we have no choice. Oh, wait. Where's the artifact? I don't, I thought we had it.

We took it with us? You grab the, you grab the sub. We got the box, right? got the box, right? Oh, yeah. Do you? If I recall, you told me cloud burst that you grabbed the poison, but not the artifact. That's right. That's, I did, that's right, because I couldn't grab a lot without being noticed. It was super hard. Okay. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Do we need a turn around? I was to say, we can't go back in. We've made so much noise at this point. Well, it's still, all right, but we still got the element of surprise. That's the only reason I'm saying it.

Listen, if we don't have that artifact, then we can't find the missing peace that connects us to all this. We need to find out whether they mean good or evil to any of us. I think we can assume evil. But still, it's the secret to the dreams. Venom the toxic God, if we could sterilize it, then we could use it to find out about the doom. We've got to do this. But the problem is, is we're all mostly expend. I'm not going to be much use.

And we're basically going to have to rate the entire town for it. I think as much as I'd like to grab this artifact, we might have to live to fight another day. Oh, God. Well, then we have to find the missing piece, at least. We need something in our back pocket that they don't have. They got one piece. We need the other so that we can meet in the middle,

kiss, and then kill that goddamn redhead. I mean, yeah, as far as an order of ceremonies, I'm down for all of that. but we should probably at least report back on it first. It's better to come back alive with info than in a bag. Right. To the queen. Right.

You guys ride out into the desert out of Sonder in any direction that matters, as long as you're away from the town. And eventually when the sun starts to peek over the sky, and you start feeling the heat rise and the barren waste, Sondre will be just kind of a blip and a dot. you guys can start making your way home. May I ask, can we stop and visit Epp real quick? Yes, we have a bottle to deliver, as I understand.

Thinking about those beings, I understand yes. Yeah, that's fun. To be fair, I am kind of hungry. It's the middle of the night. I don't see what not. Yeah. You guys can ride. Keep in pace until you hit those mountain those hillsides again where you found at

He's not at the one spot that were you initially, but give a meandering around the the hillside here. You'll find him again, stirring beans in a pot, whistling a tomb, carefree, don't even realize that you guys are coming out of some trouble, but you'll see you all there and you'll be surprised to see you. So soon. I thought you guys were going to be in Sondra for a lot longer. Well. Our business was grief.

We got the mission, you. We thought we might come back for a little visit. Plus, we come with Titans. Oh. Bring the bottle that we stole from the Black Cat. Yep. Just claps his hands as well. Well, why are you all standing around?

Sit, sit, sit. Let's. Let's celebrate this auspicious occasion of your triumphant. What did you get there? What is that? Something I think only the true grittiest motherfuckers drink. Muscano. That'll have to do.

That'll have to do. He just gets like 10 cups. Starts pour them into the cups. I know that you say that all you need is a good drink, but I also brought you some supply. some medical supplies, anesthetic and gauze, in case you ever hurt yourself. I know it can be rough out here,

and I'll hand him a small satchel of things I asked Sir Rose to grab for me, hand them over to Epp. Oh, well, that's mighty kind. You're going to make a man tear for those generosities. Thank you. Well, there's tissues in there in case you need, in case you do tear. Wow. You like start rummaging through it, pulls out the tissue.

Fancy stuff I'll sit back in there, closes it off. I don't mean to ask more of you, but I learned something interesting while I was in town and I'll look at the others, realizing I haven't quite shared this with them.

But have you ever heard of the pet keeper? This wandering mage who's always looking for bones? I think I might be in the market to meet them if you've heard of anything of them. Oh, wow. Oh, yeah, I've heard of Petkeeper. He likes to wander around here south. I've seen him time, time again, just out there by his lonesome. Well, actually, he's not really alone. But, yeah, yeah, I know about him.

No trajectory, no consistent place where we could find him. You start heading a little bit west. There is another canyon area down there. A lot of old ruins from time far gone. Apparently a good place for picking bones. That's where I know he likes to frequent at the very least. Out Southwest, it's good enough. I appreciate the intel. Yeah, besides, I mean, I imagine an old mystic from myth will be willing to chat with you.

I know pet keeper keeps to himself. I certainly hope so, and I'll turn to the others and say, the Redhead told me this. Hmm. I guess convenient that all signs point west as of late. Cloud bursts, visions, the redhead's suggestion on a mage, and the thronebreaker. Convenient or destiny. Well, let's not wait around for three ravens to tell us. Are we staying here for the night? Are we moving towards myth?

It's late. Or maybe so late it's early? That's probably best to just keep mosing along. I worry that the jackals are hot on our scent. And we bed down long enough. They'll give another bite. We don't need to get it mixed in in our business. So honestly, it probably would be for the best if we do keep it moving.

Completely agreed, Sir Rose. Ashwin, what's your what's your pick with this mate? Just trying to get information off a redhead there? Partially that. Partially, I was honest with her and said that I'm looking for the ability to stop what's coming.

And she offered the pet keeper up. If it ends up being useful for us, that's good. And if not, maybe we'd better learn what her plan is. Maybe the pet keepers in cahoots with her. I'm not sure, but it's West, like you said. I worry that a woman working with the venom the way she does, all of her solutions look like that. Good chance that this fellow is a nuclear option. I certainly hope that's not really the case.

But a wandering road mage is their own island. Not often are they dedicated to one thing or another. So let's hope that he's just an independent source of information. Well, I am in the business as seeing you meet your mentors. It's very good for me to get to know as many tailweavers as I could in my time. And maybe the old man will have something for you to decide some chicken bones. Ashwin kind of gets his gets roach ready and

mounts it. Ashwin, I actually have a question for you. How would you, because I, after when we get to Mith and I drop this off, I told you I would take you to help you form your cadre to go to that was more north.

The mount, yeah. But you want to now possibly go southwest. So I don't want to be one to break word, but I need to know this is your, like, how would you like to handle that? If push comes to shove, I'd rather head to the cartographer's mount, but it's good to know where we can find the pet keeper. Okay. All right. If you take your wine, you guys would know, you guys would know on traveling that you could potentially seek the pet keeper on the way home. It would just require a wider bird south and maybe a little bit of time on your travel back. But, uh, It is a stop on the way, so it wouldn't necessarily be an inconvenience. You're not going...

You're not going... Yeah, surely you're not going straight to the cartographers mount from here. Actually, that's a good idea. I'm pulling. Now that I see it on the map here, what you're pointing out, it would actually be a little bit of a longer route, especially the way we love. All right.

We can do that. Peacekeeper first, then myth, then the mount. Sounds good, mate. Good for me. Let's do it. All right. You guys say your goodbyes to Epp. And Epp will just get back to his fire and his beans. And you guys continue to ride doing a wide kind of circle out westward

as you guys make your way north heading home to Mitz. myth. It'll take time to get into the direction in which Epp told you, and it'll be well into the day by the time you reach for

those canyons. And the sand, the earth underneath you is just baking and it's hot. And you'll see it just in the haze, in the distance, what looks to be a small patch of canyon here, apparently where bones can be found.

The safest way down, no one else minds. I'm going to go ahead and take glass, I'll kind of lead and see go down the canyon. But I'm also going to take the side of the canyon that has the most shade, because if we're getting that much heat, I want to make sure that we don't get like heat strobe or something like that. So I want to try to get the most shaded, safe, and lead the path in. Yeah. You kind of lead the pack and everybody kind of trails behind. You'll find a trail path in, one that can give you a bit of comfort and shade, at least patches, from the heat. It's a lot cooler once you start moving deeper, deeper down. Ashwin is scanning around, looking for signs of large litters of bones or maybe skeletons that are missing bones.

evidence of the peck keeper. Yeah, you'll travel further in. You'll come across a small little plateaus in areas, even caves. There are a littering of different kinds of animals, anything that range from aviators to little small lizards, things of that that you'd find out here in the desert. there are often pieces missing from those skeletons. Sometimes they're just like just one little remnants just left behind,

but it looks like scavenging somebody picking pieces and taking what they need and leaving the rest behind for another scavenger to find. I think Ashwin will stop at something, a skeleton that is whole, and maybe take a skull from it, something small, like a rodent or a bird, and he'll pocket that skull, hang on to it. Oh, yeah.

I think you'll find a skull of a falcon, and you find it and pick up the head of it, just the top part of it, no lower jaw, but something you can take with you. Absolutely. keep your eyes out we don't know anything about this person but maybe their case or something that they say I'm just gonna keep going further until yeah

keep scanning keep it safe as possible you guys will keep winding down eventually you do reach a place where the trail gets a much more wider birth. You kind of gotten at least towards more or less the bottom here. There's a couple more plateaus that lead you to

like what looks to be a dried out riverbed that cuts through this canyon. But the area that you find yourself at, you will find you will find like a series of caves. There's like three or four that are scattered about here all in kind of like a sort of.

circle. They don't seem, these tunnels don't seem necessarily naturally made. Like this wasn't like the earth making it something tunneled and burrowed these, these tunnels open as far as you can kind of tell. That definitely raises a touch of concern. But I think as you guys are taking a look at this area, assessing the situation, you'll Let's see, Cecil, you'll, you're probably trailing behind on Viscount compared to the others. You'll hear something rattling behind you. And coming out from, coming out from like this bend in the back, you'll see it looks like a skeleton just moving on its own. and the rattle comes from the bones grinding up against each other.

The closest thing you would be able to describe this creature is chimera-like, given that it seems to be the pieces of many kinds of bones all structured together. It looks to be like a wild cat. It's got wings on the back of it that is attached to the back from an eagle or some type of large predator bird. It's got almost like this serpentine-looking tail and a point that looks more like a scorpion than anything else. But it kind of creeps there along. You can see this green fire in the eye sockets of this creature.

And that fire kind of moves down the neck towards the center of the rib cage where it's almost like a heart. And you can feel that fire. You can see that fire just kind of beating. And it's just stalking you guys. from behind I think I found the first of his pets and I'm going to turn and point out to the rest of the cadre

and then put his hands up I don't know. I don't know. I don't know I'm going to I'm going to I'm I'm

Thank you. I don't know. You take that knee, you present this skull, you make that request, you'll see the cat head just kind of like rattle and then like slowly like crick to the side as it like can't, tries to cance its head. But then you see it like raise its gaze past you guys because you guys kind of move backwards to address this creature.

And when you turn around Ashwin on this kind of little predisp standing above the area where you're standing, you'll see somebody standing there. They're wearing these very large, oversized robes that kind of cover all the way down to his knees where you can't really see his body. His face is very leathery,

and his beard is just white and kind of scraggly. He's got this long, staff and on the top of that staff is an owl's skull on it with these very large brass rings that kind of loop beneath it. He's kind of crouched down, crouched over, holding the staff up high. And then next to him is some bird like creature made completely out of the bone, same as him. It has four wings. the beak is rather long compared to its lower jaw but it still has that same green fire in the eye sockets

the thumping fire in its chest and you just see him just like wave hail well met I'm Ashwin the tides rage a mystic of myth I've come looking for you along with my cadre and I'll gesture to the others. Rose lift up the bloody hand

that has all the respects from when they held the gun. And what could possibly a cadre need from Lowick, the Pat Keeper, I wonder. Lulwick. We come from Sonder.

We were there. on business of myth would you be willing to come down and speak with us in private so we aren't yelling across the canyon? You'll see Lulik stand up and he just takes like this one step

off the predisp and he goes and he just like almost free falls for a second but that bird catch takes flight and kind of like sails down, catches him just at the end so that he just lands more safely down. And then you'll see

a little bit kind of un-like crouch himself up. You can hear the cricking of his back as he straightens up and he raises the staff over his head and the stretch. And then starts walking towards you guys. I'll present my gift to him

the falcons skull to add to your collection. Hmm. It is good to know that the mystics of myth to do keep their rituals and decorum intact. He holds the skull

and then just sticks it into his robes casually. When was the last time you visited, Myth? He tightens his jaw at the question, but says, too long to remember, long enough to forget.

Petkeeper, I'm here. here because, as you probably know, our world is dying. And though the mystics of myth impress upon us young mystics, the importance of decorum, they aren't very good at fighting, fighting to keep this world alive. But I want to. I want to do what I can. I spoke to a red-headed woman in Sonder, one that we suspect has ill intentions for myth. Do you know of her?

Anastasia was her name and I'll study his face to see if he has a reaction There's a recognition in his face and he will respond truthfully The snake charmer Yes, I know of her Wonders the waist down south

So she's a roadmaid just like you In a way but one that prefers to move from town to town and stay a while, make their mark, and then move on forward. I was perhaps more honest with her than I should have been, and I mentioned my desire to find some kind of power that would allow me to help reverse the fate of this world.

And she pointed me in your direction, as if you would know something, a place of power, or an item that is worth seeking out. So that's why we're here. You seem reluctant to answer. Just recognizing one's clever ploy, I suppose. the serpent has been seeking answers from bones and has not been given

so she seeks to find it from others it would seem you suspect that she maybe sent me out here to learn from you and then take it from me perhaps you both seek the same thing Perhaps I don't consider

We don't consider ourselves part of her Intentions though We hope to have pure intentions of Saving this world Anything that you can offer Any knowledge you've learned out here in the desert Could possibly help us We intend to head eventually to the cartographers' mount

when you mentioned the cartographer's mouth, that definitely does peak his interest. Hmm. Lowick is going to nod at all of the, what you've mentioned. He's going to usher you guys. He's going to usher you guys to follow him. Our conversation can use a bit of shade and comfort.

Might as well get out of this heat, and you'll lead you off to one of the caves here where it does seem like he's residing there. You'll see a scattering of piles of different kinds of bones just off in the distance. A bit of couple of tombs and scrolls that he has off, and just a mat area where he sleeps. It's nothing fancy.

It does seem like he just spends a lot of his time traveling or on his lonesome, making his little creations here. But he'll offer you at least a place to sit down for a moment in this cave with him while he goes over and crouches and picks through the bones to grab a few things. I'll look to my allies for recognition that everything's going well. I'm going to, in one of the bags, we still kept the bottom half of the snake that was still there. So in the meantime, I'm going to try to skin it and I'm going to leave. I'm going to basically just kind of leave the bones, maybe some meat behind, basically skin it.

So I could be like, here you go is an extra thank you. Maybe that will sweeten the pot a little bit. You will, if you guys give Loika beat, he'll eventually come back with just handfuls of bones in his hands of all sizes and kinds. He just kind of sits down, cross-legged in front of you guys. He begins to cup his hands over the bones, and he starts to shake him in his hand. He whispers something to the bones, and you can see this little fire that glows on the inside as he rattles those bones. And eventually he'll just cast the bones onto the ground. You hear it just clatter around in all different places.

They just show up on, they just land on different faces and sides and stuff like that. You'll see what looks to be like spine bones from different creatures, little tiny bones from wings, teeth even. And then you'll just see him just, like, sit, like, honched over, like, a little goblin just, like, put in his hands on the bones and whispering things to himself. And you just watch this mystic work. Cartographer's mouth, you say. And he looks at you. to seek a power that lies in the mountains. There's a part in the cartagher's mountain,

it kind of like points to this particular like stretch of ribbone. There is a pass there. If you, there's a pass. There's a pass. there and in that pass there is a cave and where that leads is to your to what you seek for there are many things buried in that mountain um something buried like bones or something else Yes, the mountain is treacherous, and many do not find their way out of it, but there is knowledge there, places where many like us seek to keep away for time that seems relevant, and it seems that it is, as he continues to just marvel at this one particular bone.

But be wary, there are other things going on in that mountain. There are things deeper, ones that spark fire and create hearth at its base. You can definitely find what you seek, but there are things deeper if you seek it as well. Trying to appear more confident and more experienced than he maybe really is, Ashton kind of sits up a little bit and says, I know the secret name of fire so I am not afraid but I will be wary

as you warn me be fire is very old older than time and there are things even more powerful that invoke fire and use the same words in that mountain

the most important thing though is You'll need a roamer for this. You need one who is familiar with the cradle like it is, the back of their hand. If you wish to be successful, you cannot lead this charge on your own. A roamer, someone who knows the area, you said. I'll look to the others.

Anyone you immediately know that might know that area? roamers go everywhere we can app was a roamer but we can look around we could find somebody unless you recommend one petkeeper hmm he thinks for a moment I cannot be for certain if this individual remains in the city he like moves around looking in the bones as if he's searching for a name. But if he is, and he might be, he points to this very small sliver. His name is Caldwin.

I know he's a rumor from the mountains. And does arrive at the city from time to time. He's allowed to be there still. Calhwin. I don't recognize the name, but I'm sure we can ask around for them. Would I know them at all? Cicely. Yes.

Yes, Cecil. You would know Cowan. Cowan is a roamer that comes, that hails from a mountain town in the cartographer's mount. travels within that region. He's probably crossed paths a time or two. He's known as a guide. And he's also known for his gambling. Well, if anyone could take us there,

Calwin would be our man. He knows the area better than any other Roma. And he is in the city, in a manner of speaking. He's in the gambling dens. It should be easy to find him. It should be easy for you to speak to them. Of course. We'll just have to beat them at cards first.

Well, you are a resident expert on that. We'll do my best. You just make a pit stop in the other districts where some of that's placed. But all right. Pet keeper, may I ask, this place of power. deep in the mountains of a cartographer's mount. It really could stop the doom. Hmm.

It's never been done before. Kind of pulls out as, we all know words of prophecy. You know, it's binding power. But I'm just to say. We have learned recently, Cecil and I, that dreams are the only thing that can end prophecy. Have you ever heard of that?

It's a very small belief amongst mystics. While we hold word to high regard, sometimes it's sad. Dreams could transcend such powers, given how it moves through people, and even dreams can become words in the end. Ashwin feels kind of invigorated after speaking with this hermit who, still seems to, you know, have some kind of intentionality as opposed to the bureaucracy of myth. And he just kind of smiles at his allies. This is the best news we've received in a while. Yeah.

It's a lead, certainly. Definitely something. We thank you for the information. We've given you gifts, but we are also. Obviously, got quite a lot of traveling ahead of us if you have a message that you would like us to pass on to anyone in these areas. We might as well. Oh, well, kind as that might be, there is no words I have to depart on others along the way and certainly not back at myth. I understand.

Petkeeper, I don't want to I don't want to ask this out of place But would you be willing to trade one mystic to another I know the secret words of fire And water and truth Could I learn a secret word from you and I could share you one of mine Well,wick will not and in that he will collect the bones that he just used and puts them in a bag.

And he will teach you the sacred word of bones. And he will tell you that the bones know as he hands you that bag. I will share with him the secret word of water and how in the desert here without any resource, sources, one can procure it using that word to live more peacefully or comfortably, at least. Oh, yeah. You'll, with that here in the desert, you know that water is found deeper into the earth, and it's about how one pulls water in places where it is found. So with teaching him the words of water, it'll be in the form of watching water seep out from the ground freshly. Little sprigs and springs that can be made from one to to be able to survive in such a harsh and barren place.

And now a pet keeper will at least be able to carry water with him or bring water to him when and where he needs it. Very kind gesture in the exchange. Thank you, sir. If you ever need anything of us, send a raven to or one of your pets to Beth. and we'll happily follow and check on you. He'll nod, like pat his staff onto the ground to kind of indicate the finality of your guys'

trade and information that you guys can be sent on your way to continue on to get as home as quickly as possible. And with that, you guys can ride out of the canyons here and put your sites north. The travel will be easy for you all. You will have to bunker down eventually and watch will not provide any problems. But if there is any conversations you need to have

on the way home, you absolutely can have them just to mark them. But if not, you'll arrive back home to myth two days' time. I think just quickly, once we leave, I just want to, at the depth of a mountain, there's a great hearth and fire. Did that give volcano to anyone else? Yeah. Didn't tell them that.

A volcano's possible. I think it might be something else, something powerful. There are creatures that emit fire live in it. That's what I'm worried about, not the volcano. But if you think about it, it's just whatever we need is possibly in the cave or in there, but not too deep, because that's where something dwells. Okay. Let's hope we don't have to dig too deep. Yes. But Cloudbursts, I don't know if you noticed their mention aligned much with the visions you said you had while under the poison's effect. I did.

The venom did all of that, and I'm still not 100% sure what it means, other than West is good, and carcass is salty. The doom is coming. I want to be more helpful about them, but I'm honestly more disposed to forget they ever happened. Really?

Other than the hope they bring, I think they're a valuable tool, but I, they're not my visions. They are the product of venom. I'll look at Cecil knowing that he might not necessarily feel that they're not her visions, even though she had them or he had them. No, they're meant to be in our hands and they mean something, and it's not lost on me how close that imagery comes. to what the pet finder gave to us.

But I'll also be lying if... I didn't say that I'm worried for what's down there. These things have equal and opposite reactions to each other and something as strong as he's implying down there. I just worry for the consequences that come with the thing left out. All things that we are going to encounter in our... adventures together are going to present some kind of challenge. We simply have to be up for it. Absolutely. I just hope we make the right decision when we come to it, when we understand what's in

front of us. This is only going to get harder for all of us, and we're going to be tempted to make sweeping decisions for everyone. We have to make sure we get this right. I agree with you Then if the next Well then it looks like the next steps is Let's return to myth I'll deliver my letter And then we go and

Find our Calwin if you will We should ask the Queen If she knows anything of what she wrote to uh to uh saundar about as well maybe she could give us some idea of where he's supposed to be looking two birds one stone find the missing piece of the artifact and what's down in that mountain anything that can keep miss and prevent anything i do agree that we do need to present that to the plane anything to prevent. Yes.

You're comfortable talking to the queen above the table. I mean, I'm somewhat close with Sir Dist. We can make sure that everyone's telling the truth. Really? I have my allies in myth as well that I can reach out to and tell them what I know. Okay. Yeah. Yeah.

Okay. I'm agreeing with that. that if you're, if you want to come with me, Cloudlers. I wasn't particularly meaning that. Oh, I thought that's what you ran. I misunderstood then. I mean, I'll go with you if you need someone to go with you, but we don't have to. Our time

together is usually not in course. That's what I was kind of, that's what I was going to that's true. I was confused. I was one time, but it was like his birthday. I wouldn't mind speaking with the Royal Highness myself. I think it's about time someone opened her eyes

to the idea that everyone should know what she knows. I think she's still under the impression that this prophecy might be a little less than real. I think we need to open her eyes. I can't, well, I mean, I can't stop you. You can more than happily come along with that. Perfect. Yes.

You could definitely take that in stride once get back to the city limits, still have two days worth of ride, but regardless of that, eventually you guys will see in the distance as you guys make your way after two days headed north the city of myth. And with that, we'll take our break here and we'll come back in a couple of minutes and see what happens once we return home. So we'll see you in a bit. All right. Whoa, whoa, well, look who's back. I warned you, didn't I? I warned you and you just didn't listen.

Well, now you're going to pay the tax and enjoy this awkward silence. Don't look away. Don't look at your phone. You stay right here with me. earned this now listen this is the price of admission I don't want to hear any complaining just enjoy this okay you paid your tax I'm gonna let you through this time I'm feeling good this week I'm gonna reward you for your good behavior but if you were thinking God I wish there was a bank accountant that

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Listen, I don't want to catch you here again. You're a good kid. I like the cut of your jib. You're a beautiful boy. Just stay out of trouble. Join our Patreon. You all have been riding north from Sonder after spending several days down there. But as you ride this cadre of four, you will finally make it home beyond the gates here in the outer part of our city.

But eventually working towards the very same stables, you guys had. started this journey where you guys can give your horses a break, fresh water, hay, and care, and then make your way into the city. You have business to take care of. What business do we take care of first now that we're home? We have Cowan and the Queen. If you don't mind, I'd just like to get this. delivered as soon as possible and get this out of my charge.

Yeah, I don't know how smart it be to make the queen wait. Let's agree that if we're going to go our separate ways for now, we can meet maybe this evening in the central courtyard. Sure, yeah. Let's meet there. Just about sundown. We all take a little mosey. I'll go with Sir Rose up to the court,

and maybe we all come back together. for Caldwin or would the two you like to knock that out? We can do it together. Okay. Yeah. That works for me. Don't

get bit by any snakes. One time and I was on watch. Not got bit, it would have bit, y'all. So really, you're welcome. I'm just saying you picked the one time to be bit by a snake to be bit by the snake. And I'm iconic that way. I think.

I would agree with that on all accounts, but let's be iconic and alive, iconic and dead, is less fashionable. I agree. I agree. All right. To the queen. Two of y'all are heading to court, right? Yes. And then Ashwin, where are you heading?

Ashwin is going to go to where he knows Sifa the Gray. His closest ally in town, Sir Sifa, is, wants to you'll speak with them. Beautiful. I'll send you that way. And then, uh, clobbers, were you going to court, or do you have business elsewhere? I'm going to court, but I'm going to talk to Sir Dist, um, which can happen after the queen,

because he'll probably be next to her. Yeah, it depends on if you want to, um, if you want to be at court or not, then all depends to you. All right. Um, Rose. you have business to settle. You have been given task, and that task is not completed until return response is held in the hands of Queen El Saldare.

So you guys head from the lower districts here in the outer reaches of the city of myth, and you work your way upward and inward until you arrive at court. You pass that outer courtyard where you'll see statues of heroes of myth looming here, looking out amongst the city. Anyone from any part of the district

can see those statues just lingering, a reminder that this is a city of heroes and they are not forgotten so long as we're willing to remember them. But you guys move inward into court and find yourself in the same hall, rows in which you were given said tasks, again empty, just three of you there as you wait after giving word that you have returned with message.

Ah, if you can. Clablers, just don't take anything. I'm getting, I'm getting, sorry. Let's try something new. There is nothing in here. Everything is made out of stone or 600 years old. If I want things that are 600 years old, I'll go home. I want the queen stuff.

Now he's all huffy. If we want some of the 600 years old, you might want the pet keeper's stay if that thing looked at age. It's incredible. Clearly, he loves his things very much. I must respect that. Uh-uh, I do. Terrifying little creature that, that road.

road major. I don't want to say it to him lest I turn into a toad myself, but it is that scorpion tongue, tongue, no, that scorpion stinger, that in the end that that's what kind of did. I was like, oh, that was a choice. I don't know what it is that Ashwin has planned with dealing with an individual like that, but God, at least the boys got a bright enough head on them to know more than I do. I am. As you guys are kind of chatting in the wait, eventually, you'll see guards of the castle arrive,

and shortly after, you'll be met with three individuals. One being Queen El Saldare, who kind of is in the center of this three. And on either side of her, you'll see Sir Diss Palper's familiar face. He's got short, Short hair here, a brown hair, a mustache with a little goatee. A slightly shorter individual, but just taller than our queen here. But he has that kind of amusing smile on his face when he realizes that you're here amidst the crowd.

The other one wrote, Sir Rose, you would know who this individual is. This is Servier-Livir Hammerite leader of the Order of the Errant Knights of Myth. He has short gray hair, a very stern look to him. Moustache beard situation, very thick coat around his shoulders and that great sword at his hip. I'm going to immediately go ahead and drop down to my knee, getting like in that bow motion. Whether they do or not, I don't care. I will follow with a big deep bow and then fall to my knees. Uh, your highness, uh, and I'm going to reach under my, uh, my pace and I'm going to go ahead and extend the letter.

You like, I have the response that you requested. Um, you approach, uh, it's Sir Diss who, uh, who takes the first steps to you and not queen as old there. Um, and he will, uh, take the letter, um, from you and, uh, take those steps back to fall kind of in line, um, with everyone here. Queen of Sildare will speak up as he takes those steps back. I entrust that the journey was not so troublesome. But you all return safely. No worse than where.

As I look at cloudburst. All warm bodies here. Good. Mr. Odera. Hmm. Very interesting to find you amongst this cadre for such a menial task. Well, it's good to see you as well, your royal highness. And I think that you and I are both under the understanding that anything you ask one of us to do is anything less than menial.

Especially if you're asking Sir Rose to do it, it's of the most importance. And of course, she trusts my insight and thought that maybe it would be good to have. it would be good to have someone to bullshit along the side of the road here in Sonder. Um, how have you been, my lady? I, uh, I farewell. Um, we're interested in, uh, in your thoughts and your words. Uh, you still tell stories, I assume. Oh, I never stopped, although as of late, it's been one, uh, prominent. concept, I would say, but hey, that's on the tip of everybody's tongue.

I do realize that, especially as years weighing on, we get particularly obsessed with few things, especially what you have your interest on. Tell me, how was the road? You must have your thoughts already recollect of your time to saunder and back. What do you take away from your time there down south? Well, the road was lacking in activity and rich and fortune. My queen, we were meant with portents and number. I am being met with signs that cannot be ignored. And to top it all off, as much as my colleagues

would like you to be believing that there were no stumbles in the road, we almost lost one of us to Opelight Banner. As you know, as well as I do, bring on visions.

And in a time like this, this is the language that we keep. I cannot in good, conscious, step before you, and not speak to the fact that I believe the doom is a credible threat, and real palpable. And I do believe that something is wrong and sonder, but I believe you already knew that. Thank you for allowing me to speak candidly and inviting my voice here in this chamber.

I know that it is not often that I am called upon, so I would like to make it count. I loved your husband. He was a fantastic man, man of honor. And he too was king. I only seek to help you, your royal highness. As you say that, especially when it comes to adding on your opinions with the doom, the moment you do that, that's where you can. sense already the closing of the soul there as she tightens up.

Always as, and she turns to both Sir Hammerite and Sir Diss and says, always ever the candid one, Mr. Odera, I appreciate your ever thoughts, but if If we leaned on every opinion of tailweavers, we would find ourselves always running and chasing the stories along. So I will consider that, especially with whatever Astor has responded with. What about you, Rose, Sir Rose? How did you fare? Was it same in the opinions of Mr. Rodera, or do you have more insight? I can't dispute that there is something wrong in Sunder.

There is, unfortunately, the law has not held up its standards, and a lot of our people are being taken advantage of a group called the Jackals. Unfortunately, before we left, they tried to do something, an attempt on cloud and a couple of our cadre's lives. And that's one of the reasons why we returned so quickly back here. I don't mean to bring you bad news, but that is something that you should be aware of. We believe these actions to be perpetrated by a rogue Rhodes Mage, a woman called the Snake Charmer. who sent a beast after our friend.

And I personally, though I cannot speak for the rest of the cadre, believe her to be poisoning the ear of your constituent. Pastor. Or at least working in league. I believe there's a good chance the turn coat is turning coat again. How unfortunate. Sir Rose, would you recommend, given the state, a fair response to what you found in Sonder?

They're still are, they're still part of myth. They still deserve the protection. There is some, there we also, there could be more to it, this Rome Mage, and believe that she could be in ties with other. that are very anti-myth. Your Majesty, there's proof of such things. The snake charmer, Anastasia, is her name. She's been in myth before and has been in cahoots with members of your court before.

There was an unfortunate espionage mission that happened shortly before the passing of the king. that went badly, but also before it went badly, included witnessing this woman. The parts in isolation don't present much of a threat, but the fact is that they're all moving together. And exactly as Cecil and Rose said, that makes it a huge threat. When you start speaking, El Soderre

will kind of look to Hammerite, and they make this eye glance together and look back at all of you. Wow. The crown is always is grateful for your service, your insight. And we will figure out how to respond to what you have seen and what we'll find as she looks to Sir Diss of,

who still holds the letter unopened, to what was spoken by Aster. And we'll see that Sonder has its needs met and resolved in its time. Well, there's nothing else. Thank you very much for your time. I appreciate it.

Your Royal Highness, I believe that there is something else, actually. I don't mean to speak out of turn, but I believe that we just need to lay this out. Listen, there is more to be done here. And I think that maybe you should loop us in into what it is that you're trying to accomplish out in Sonder. And maybe we can assist in those problems. Listen, you see something, too. I know how you move. I know how your husband moved.

I probably know how the boy moves, although give me a couple decades. You are keeping things under a veil that doesn't need to be within this group. We want what's best for myth, and if you let us in, we can help for them. What is it that you're trying to do? How can we help? The people out there are begging for some kind of sign that we're at least considering that this is real. Let us help you give them there, at least until the boy is ready. I appreciate your concern, Mr. O'Dara.

but those who are helping us move forward are helping and you have played your part in the matter all things come in time but for now it's not yours the omens disagree my lady but I will always act in the interest of your court I apologize for overstepping my boundary She will move first and leave, followed by Hammer Might.

Sir Diss will kind of linger for a moment. It doesn't say anything, but it kind of gives like a cursory look to all three of you. Last to Cal Albert. Give a very subtle smirk about it and turn to follow the rest of them. And they leave you once again by yourself in this hall. Alvin would have never done this. Well, she didn't give me another assignment, so. I think that went very well.

I see the looks on your faces, but I don't quite understand them. We're in the dark. We're on the outside, and they're going back in. We're always on the outside. Yeah, yeah. Well, we didn't used to be. Lisa Rose. Used to be you and I were intense.

And when we spoke, we were listened to. And when we had an inkling, it was trusted. Unfortunately, things change. Things change. Including us. Yeah, no. My friends, very little has changed. You are still, and don't ever say this again,

the best night I know and you the best tailweaver we have our connections and just like you said we're in the dark which means they can't see us either let's figure this out yeah yeah you're right

we just have to trust that she'll be okay with us doing this on her own it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission I say I don't Should I have mentioned the throne breaker in that area, but I wasn't sure about it. You know what?

Let's keep that one in our back pocket. That's what I was thinking to be on. It would be one less thing she'd forbid us from doing. Yeah. But I think that we ought to follow our boy and see where Ashwin takes us. Seems like old cornflake might know the best way through. I wasn't given an assignment. That was my, so as far as I'm concerned, I am available.

Oh, that is so good to hear, Sir Rose. I was so worried I was gonna have to do another little pep talk to get you marching with me. Like I said, I did everything that was asked to me, and I delivered a letter, I gave my report. Okay. She didn't give me any other thing, but to dismiss me. So as a night, I have to live up

the cloudburst standards because god dang that was a little high price but it's like okay you know when cloudburst does speak it holds a lot of weight in that room you see the way her eyes came alive the second that she realized

cloudburst was in the room oh I saw okay okay people like information I have information the spy speaks and suddenly the room fills with the kind of fog that becomes

conversation. Ooh. To the description. Thank you. Eyes connected between royalty, this, the underbelly of our government. The secret dagger at the end of her royal sleeve. Keep going to start walking away from the two of you. Ashwin, you decided to not follow the rest of your cadre.

cadre de court to exchange words with the crown you decided to go to maybe more humbler places down where you might find your mentor a friend of yours that here in the city Siffa the Grey the last time you saw Siffa was when you petitioned the Mystic Order for permission to go to the cartographers mount and was denied but you'll find her here in this small park that's nestled where the mystic order resides at here. It has a small pond there,

and Siffa is just enjoying a leisurely afternoon watching the water here and the bouts of ducks and geese that kind of eventually land and disturb the still waters here. Just as are casually. Come up behind them and pull up, lightly say, I've come to take court with the infamous beast slayer of myth. I see that they continue to hone their craft with the ducks and the swans of the lake.

Crafty are those ducks and swans. They always look so beautiful, but they have such ill intention underneath. You always have to be cautious and careful to see through such illusions. Hill intention of swans, my good sir, you are quite paranoid. And I'll kind of step to the side so they can better see me. I see you returned from your travels. How was Sonder? At the mention of my mission, Ashwin drops all kind of formality

and becomes almost like a young kid in his excitement, sitting next to my mission. sitting next to Sir Siffa. It was wonderful. The most incredible adventure I think I've ever been on, so far at least. There was gunplay, and there was someone got poisoned, and we learned all kinds of secrets about the leaders of Sonder. I killed a man, but it was only out of self-defense. They were meant to harm us.

Oh, Sarsifah, I've learned quite a lot. a bit, and I don't know where to begin. Well, perhaps I'll start at the most obvious. I have a sneaking suspicion that the leader of Sonder, Astor, he's in cahoots with this person, this woman named Anastasia, a redhead, some kind of roaming mage. We were able to deduce that they might be creating some kind of point. poison out of snake venom.

And they have an artifact. Cloudburst was able to find it. But I don't think they have every piece of the artifact, so they're not able to quite use it yet. And then I spoke with the road mage, the pet keeper. Lulke, Lulwick, that was his name. He spoke of a power to the west by cartographers' mount. Just like I said, just like I told the the council.

He said to go there to find a power that maybe could help. And I'm just kind of searching Sisyph's eyes to see if they, if anything jumps out at them or if they seem as excited as I am. She definitely follows along in the passion and the excitement

that you bring of telling your accounts of your adventure here. Almost like one, who gets to revel in the moments of youth, you know, and reminisce even on their own accounts of being just as young, passionate, and willing to give everything to whatever task has been given to you. There is a shift to the wariness when you move back to the cartographers' amount. Not in a way that is like this is

a problem for you. She's always heard you out in regards to it. It's more of a wariness of concern knowing that the cartographer mount is a very dangerous place and that it seems to be just the thing that you just

simply cannot let go. And yet you have somehow found another way that points you towards that mountain. Um, so, um, with all of that and the accountment from, uh, the pet keeper, um, I assume again, you seek, uh, a way to west in the mountains. I still do. Regardless of whether the council gives me permission, I believe I, I've formed a cadre that is

willing to go with me. Tell me, is there anything you know about the cartographer's mount? You're a great lore master. Surely there's a legend of some kind that can point me in the right direction. The cartographer's mount is one of many legends that mountain has withstanding time, as they say in many stories, have found their, The most notable is that of the one that I was told as a child, that of the great Drake. It's said that a fiery dragon lives down at the bottom of that mountain, if you would, to believe it.

I know it. No, I had a sneaking suspicion. Oh. Pardon my excitement I just As a mystic who has Come to learn the name of fire I have to admit it

Ignite something within me To know that I could face something like that Yes But It has always said that The Drake slumbers Beneath that mountain Some say that as long as it slumbers

The world is safe I don't know what you're seeking brings you to such thing, but I would air caution to, as much as that sounds, excitement, one for tales and songs,

the risk as well. But those mountains outside of that have always been home to mystics who have found a safe haven there to expand their knowledge. So I

heard um so it is always a it is a place of secrets as well as danger secrets is what is uh what i'm in the market for and i hope that i find them i don't suspect i'll be in myth very long as we seek to find a roamer who can help us get to the mountain safely and traverse it she nods her head um perhaps there's actually one thing you might want to consider doing before you leave and they're going to like go through their pockets. They're going to pull a letter. This was requested of you shortly after your departure from to Sonder but I was entrusted to get this to you. It's yeah, It seems that you, uh, it seems that you are, uh, requested, uh, by the stargazer.

Probably to yell at me for, for simply, uh, raising a fuss about my quest. Do you really think it's wise that I speak to them before I leave? Um, uh, well, uh, I think it would probably be worthwhile. You know, as far as I know, the Saragaser sees things that we don't. Perhaps it's a good omen. Perhaps. And Ashwin's demeanor is changing from kind of plucky youth to smoldering anger.

And he says, The Stargazer also chooses to ignore things when they're quite plainly obvious to everyone else. But I'll take your advice into council and perhaps with my cadre, I'll feel more, I'll feel brave enough to speak to them. And I'll take the letter and put it behind my poncho. Oh, well, if I don't see you before you travel,

hopefully the mountain will give you what you're looking for. I have a good feeling about this, Sir Siffa. I hope that our time apart finds you well. Excellent. You can say there, as long as you wish Ashwin, but Siffa's going to return back to her battle against ducks and swans in this pond.

But will you seek out? the stargazer? I don't know if I want to do it alone. But before I leave, I'll turn around and I'll see Sipha still just kind of at the pond and I'll

whisper the word of water and create a very small wave that splashes onto the shore and gets their boots wet and before they can yell at me, I'll run away. You swear you can hear just the

the slight yell after you, Ashman, but you can run off. You guys said, do you guys... As I'm walking back to where I know I'm supposed to meet the rest of the cadre, I look up at the Stargazers Tower and just kind of contemplate what I should do.

But I'll meet with my cadre first. Beautiful. You guys set time to come together once your initial business was done. in the city but you guys will find your way here it's pushing towards the later parts

of the day by the time you get that given when you rode in but you're all these together now Hello friends I hope it was productive with the queen I think so yes I suppose

it went as you know it went well and the objective cleared. That's the best way I can say it. Our work with the crown has ceased to be. Not for any negative feelings as far as I could understand, but this is as far as our circle of influence goes. Well, I think we can count it as a blessing now that the court's eye is not on us.

We're free agents to do what we wish. Yes, yes, but I used to interview Kings, Ashwin. And now I can't even find out what the fuck the crown is up to. Mr. O'Darrow, don't let your ego get in the way of destiny. And I'll point, I'll gesture to the west towards the mountains. My ego's the only reason I got the invite, young boy. But yes, I happen to be in agreement that you have the right direction in mind. And that means we have to jump down the pit of a volcano.

Oh, sure. Well, how about first things first, we get this one a drink? Would that make you feel better? Because we have to meet someone anyways, but we get you a drink. Speaking of invite, I received the letter, the Stargazer, the lead mystic. He wishes to speak with me. And while I would be willing to go alone, I don't know, I would feel more confident if the three of you came with me. You have to go.

Yeah, I'll come by and, yes. Yes, we're going. It doesn't have to be immediate if we think that a drink will loosen our... Do you want to go now? Is that what you're asking? I mean, honestly, I'd like to get it over with as soon as possible, but it doesn't have to be immediate. Is this someone you think has honest intentions? Are we just, we're just coming along with you.

We're not back up. Oh, yes. Because I don't think the Stargazer does have the best intentions. They're, well, as their name implies, they stare longer at the stars than they do at myth. I don't think they have the best intentions. They're the ones that have denied me the permission to build a cadre and to head to cartographers' mound. But there are also beings of prophecy, and we have been receiving them left and right. We need every hint we can get as to what it is we have to do to meet this thing head on.

If it means talking to some crotchety old wizards, I think you owe it to yourself. Plus, look at this, Ashwin. You were just telling me about ego. You have done something so grand that the most important people of your organization have asked for a private meaning. We will see. I think it's going to be more of a talking to than a recognition. often they are the same thing when it comes to stuffy people in power if anything I can in anything I can give a character about whatever that can hold

yeah and if anything we can just start shooting it seems to work for us quite a bit we won't do that we won't do that we're not going to do that thank you please as much as I dislike the authority I don't need to have their blood on my hands I suppose they just burn You need to minimize, you need to minimize all the blood that goes from those hands, all right?

What we talked about. Don't encourage anything, Cecil. Sorry. Oh, if they need a burn and burn them, Ash, well, the world needs it. Get it out now, Mr. O'Darrow, while we walk towards the tower. Okay, okay. And I will lead them to the Stargazer's Tower. You know, I got a funny story about a Stargazer,

and the whole time he tells a very awful Lourid's, uh, rumor, just rumor after rumor of what Stargazers have gotten up to for the last 90 years, spins it like a Catholic priest. I just don't trust them. What do they keep under those robes? I don't know. That's why I wear a poncho. It's easy to see. It's often very little can't confirm.

You guys make your way back, Ashwin, to where you? just were, but move towards the tower of the stargazer. For those who have been around mystics, certainly ones who amass great power

instead of being rove mages who traverse across the barren waste, finds settlement in these such towers. You know off in the distance there are other towers that stretch five strong across the waist of wizard's

live far beyond the city of Miss, but the Stargazer has found refuge and home here in our city. You walk in and led to the highest point of this tower in which the room and office of the Stargazer is. actually, Ashwin, you would know. There is, the Stargazer has an apprentice. And usually when one visits the Stargazers Tower, they are met by an individual by the name of Bright Moon. A very young individual, one that has been known to also invoke the words of prophecy, one that knows the names of starlight and gravity, but you are not met with such person who does not see bright moon is here, led by another apprentice in their stead, leads you to the stargazers room. And when you do and enter in here, you'll see this observatorium in some way, this giant

kind of rotunda that kind of breaks open so that one can look and gaze at the stars in the sky, you see shelves upon shelves of books and tomes older and more ancient than you have been, scrolls about everywhere, a place that is well lived in by somebody who spends a great deal of time here, even in the pile of what looks to be dishes and cups and stuff off to the side, definitely gives the impression of one that shuts themselves in from the rest of the world and just spends their entire existence looking at the stars and you will see that person with their gaze up into the sky even though there are no stars to see just the just the late afternoon sun that finds its way cascading in here and gives a gentle glow a person older than

time with their white hair that lingers to about the shoulders wrinkled individual, one that wears the weather of age on their face and does not seem to mind it. But their eyes just wide and look, back turned to you, and still just eyes up as you guys kind of fill the space here. And you'll hear this. Ashwin walks forward and the other three members of his cadre will tell that there's a tenseness about him, but he bows his head respectfully and says, Great Stargazer, it is I, Ashwin, the tides rage. I've come to answer your call, the letter that you've sent for me.

Ashwin. He says, very simply. And it is the first time in months that you've seen the Stargazer. Your petitions have always been met with an empty chair. And this is the first time you've even heard a voice come from such a person who's supposed to be leading the mystic order here in the city, who's supposed to be a guidance, who's supposed to, in your opinion, be addressing such ill will that seems to befall in words of prophecy, that he is oh so familiar with. And they follow up that the mentioning of your name

as it lingers for just a moment. It's good to see you. And that's when he finally turns around, almost disregarding their absence here. How have you been? I have been quite busy seeking out answers to the problems of our world as I promised I would

in the several council meetings I requested where you were not present. And have you found your answers? As a matter of fact, I believe I do have some leads. Thanks to my cadre here, and I'll gesture towards the three allies. With me is Sir Rose, Mr. O'Dara, and Cloudburst. They assisted me in heading to Saunder.

And after that, eventually speaking with a roadmage named the Petkeeper, Lulwick. You might be familiar with them. Lulwick mentioned that there was a great power in the West that I believe that I'm going to follow up on, regardless of the council's permission, as this cadre has volunteered to assist me. And I'm like kind of defiantly holding my chin up, waiting for, you know, him to shoot it down. You keep your chin held high. this passionate plea, once again, to the one person that you have yet to be able to really make this petition for time and time again. And you find the stargazer just staring at you, and that silence kind of fill the spaces.

I'll look to my allies, like, after a moment of awkwardness, and then back to the Stargazer. I would be very cautious to always heed the words of mages of the road. You know yourself that the road is wide and treacherous, and one can come to find belief. anywhere, even in the heat and in the wind. But I think that perhaps you might find blessing in your ventures forward. Would you like that, Ashwin? his body shifts as if you know something that has been denied of him time and time again

is just offered up in such a gingerly fashion and he's not really sure how to respond but of course sir it has been my only desire to have the support of the council as I attempt to find a way to save this world He pauses as you kind of put that in. Your blessing to the cartographer's mount is not one in a pursuit of your higher knowledge,

but one in pursuit of something that should return back to the city, something that has come to my attention and a concern that I think is far more important than your personal needs. If I may, sir, my personal needs really have nothing to do with this. My interest is only in finding a power that can save myth. If you know of something there, ask it of me and I will do as you say. happily bring it back. I need you to bring back

Bright Moon. Bright Moon, your assistant, your apprentice. She has found herself in a situation most troublesome and where she has gone

surely will get her killed and we cannot have that so I need you to bring her back I will ignore the fact that Bright Moon is allowed to travel to Cartographers Mount and yet I was denied but yes I would happily

do that for you if Bright Moon is in danger my cadre and I will seek them out and make sure they are safe correct and I'll turn to the others to make sure that they're okay with this absolutely yes and I put

I put my shoulders on Ashwin's or my hands on Ashwin's shoulders to stop him from shaking absolutely Sir Rose kind of covered their hand when you're like going off on like they got to go not me and I'm like yeah I'm fine Sir Rose, was it? Yes, sir?

I've heard of you. The battle, the violet feels you are the one who faced strong, no? Yes, that was me. Do you know the one amongst you, uh, Sir Eli? I know of. What do you know of him? That is different points of view, but he's a not for a reason, and he is good what he does.

Then I'm interested in wondering why Sir Eli was given such a hasty task to the cartographers' mount. Sir Eli was sent to the cartographers' mount. So I've seen You'll need to unlock your iPhone first Well that was that's news to me I can't unfortunately

I can't speak on that behalf But that's Is all I can say that is news to me Yes Do you have knowledge of who sent him That I do not know No. All I've seen is that they have been sent to find the bowels of the mountain and what is down there. How long ago was it?

I saw it two days ago. Oh, God, the stars. Well, they have quite a lead on us then. And every second that we waste, bright moon could be in even more danger. I will head off immediately once we've made preparations. Starkey's are one last bit of advice. You will recall my story. I met the living saint, the keeper of scrolls on the road.

They taught me many things. They were much like a roadmage. Sometimes staring at the stars only gets you so. much information. You must connect with the earth, with the grounds around you to truly know the whole story. And I pray that your wisdom shows you that. Stargazer looks at you and just very plainly say, you have wished to take action against things that will fall inevitably. I wonder what you will actually do when you are confronted. with such doom.

I will be brave and I will fight back with all of my rage. That is what I will do. And then as if... They say nothing more to... Yeah, they say nothing more to you. Yeah, I deflate after saying that as if I don't even completely believe it,

but I set it in defiance anyway and then I'll give a respectful bow and turn to the others and say, I think we finished our business here. One last thing really quick. Did bright, was Bright Moon going with Sir Eli? Were they in the same cadre? It would seem so. Interesting.

They have quadrides before. It seems that he called upon Bright Moon. amongst others who are following a perilous path. Wow. Okay, good to know. I'll lead the group out. Thank you. Stargazer will return, turn their back to you,

return to looking at the sky that'll eventually turn into stars and leaves you guys alone. The assistant, the other additional assistant will lead you guys back down. lead you guys back down the tower until you're back out to the streets here in the city. I'll turn to the others and say, now you understand

my frustration with our leaders. Yeah. All of you as bosses suck. Gotta go freelance. Cannot emphasize that enough. It was hammering my He's just tough.

Fortunately, I think that's what we're doing now. Let's take our time to find this romer that we need and make our way. I can't believe they put Sir Eli on this. Forgive me, I don't exactly know everything about Sir Eli. What is the surprise? I mean, he's not much older than you are. He's all caught up. in the hero of it all, chivalry of it all.

He's a very good doer, I can say that you. He's a guard dog. You point where to bite and he'll bite. He listens to any order you give without so much as a consideration. Are they sending him? It appears that someone knows as much as we do regarding the West, and perhaps they're after the same thing that we are. And they got a two-day head start.

Now, my question to you all is, how fast do you all want to move? As fast as we can find this roamer. Yeah, Caldwin is an essentiality to this. We need to get him tonight. Yeah, I don't see why we can't leave tomorrow. We visit tonight, get all our fairs in order, and first light tomorrow get out all right I'm fine with that okay in the meantime I was gonna say shall we shall we go collect our

room really quick get that done or yeah let's go pick up cold one I'm sure he's in a gambling hall somewhere mr. O'Darrow lead the way absolutely and I will walk through the city to the place I know Caldwin plays cards and bets the most. Well, yeah. We head down to the Blue District, down to the gambling dens that are nestled amongst all of those blue painted buildings in the tapestry. It's down alleyways where there are stepways that lead to basements deep where you walk in and they're quite smoky. You can hear the quiet chattering, the rolling of dice, the shuffling of cards, the pouring of liquor, and the shifting eyes of people seeing new faces mixed in with the crowds here. There are people lingering around tables trying to see what the action's kind of like and the sweat of people who are running hands that are not so fortunate.

But you, Cecil, will see amongst all of them, just the cutting laughter that comes from Cowan. It's boisterous, and it rattles through the quiet silence, especially after a successful dice roll, where you're watching him just slowly rake coins over to his person. He's a ponchy guy, definitely built. for mountain life. He's got that gruffness on the shoulder, a no-nonsense kind of look, though playful in the way that he just kind of cackles and laughs

and kind of slaps the guy next to him who's got a pout on his face after losing with him. He grabs with his very thick hand, the pint of ale that he has next to him, and he just starts shoving it back, that bouts of beer just kind of spilling onto his shirt and he doesn't pay no mind.

to a shaven head, but he's got a beard going on and the hat that he usually wears, all dusty and patched up, sitting right next to him. After he kind of like wipes the beer off of his face, he claps his hands together and looks to see if there's anybody who would like to play again. Please sit down. Caldwin.

I swear that's maybe about half the money you owe me, huh? Oh, Jara, you know I don't owe you a coin at all, my friend. All debts are paid away in good company, I suppose. I suppose if the company is good, it depends on how you're on the right side of that flightiness of yours. Oh, I don't know, the last time we were together, couldn't remember what we did. I'd say that's a pretty good night. Well, I said that depends on the how good that alcohol you brought around was. Perhaps you have some with you. I'm sure that we could arrange as such, but first I'd like to introduce you to some friends. You already know Sir Rose,

I'm sure. That's familiar. That's Ashwin. He's new around town, but God, don't fuck with him. I'll bow and then kind of look at Cecil when he says that. And then this is Cloudburst. You know them, but you never know that you do. Indeed. These are all my good friends, Caldwin. I'd like you to treat them with some respect. Oh, well, uh, they could try.

Good to hear it. Listen, let me buy you a drink first, but, uh, I got something for you. All right. And O'Dara will go and buy the most expensive, hard-hitting, smells like piss, almost like moonshine quality, jugs for everyone within the group. Go ahead. While you're getting those drinks, Caldwin looks at all of you. So you're with the song, Bert. quite probably he's gotten us out of many a pickle in fact the last time we were playing

in fact the last time we were playing cards I set a man on fire and then he was able to help us get out of that shit you just out there just talking about said a man ablaze just so casually he's a young one he's yeah he's that that's why we're like we keep an eye on him make sure he doesn't part of the uh the osmosis of being around cecil is speaking in great sweeping metaphor yes metaphor yes metaphor wow uh take a see don't burn it yeah i think he's ceasel before uh before calvin says anything else to add to it seemed like he had something on his mind to say you just come in with all those drinks Yeah, I hand one to Ashwin, and I whisper into his ear, I say, you've got to drink this one.

If you don't, it's off. Listen, you're going to go blind for maybe about a quarter of a second. That's part of the process. He'll look down at the mug and then, you know, sweat for me on his brow. So, Baldwin, you met my beautiful friends. I'm sure that they've regaled you in some of our recent exploits. Um, would, would you like to get down to business now or would you like to see if we can out drink you? Well, if I hear your business, will you, uh, keep my cup full?

Of course. Well, then we don't need to be, uh, surely we don't need to be wasting the time. Dick measuring about who's going to out drink who. We already know the answer to that. Uh, so why don't we just get down to the business and then we just keep the drinks, uh, keeping us all nice and loose and open to hearing proposition. Caldwin, I will keep you in pearls, should you stick around long enough. We are about to make an expedition to a place that not many people have an understanding of,

but only one person has a true expert's eye on the topography of the local environs. We would like to take you on a little mosey through the woods, maybe up a mountain, to cartographers' mount. He, like, takes a swig when you mention that. What could you city folk possibly need up in that mona? Call it vacation. Ashwin, do you want to elaborate? We're looking for a cave, one that is near the cartographer's mountain. There is supposedly some kind of source of power there that we're looking for.

It's going to help the city of myth. Surely you want to help the city of myth. Keep drinking, Ashwin. Rise. Listen, Caldwin, you haven't understanding on what's going around on the wind People are scared You're speaking to a lot of

A lot of the fear of the world And you and I both know that when people are just scared There's a lot of money to be made And even more so A name to be made A lot of people know you. I know you. That's important.

Not a lot of people have an understanding of you like this would make for you. I just need you to find some fire in that mountain. Maybe you come back down a lot more than you went up.

You know, I was raising those mountains. I've heard my mother over time and time again say that while we're people of the mountain, you shouldn't be going looking for things up in there. There are things older, far scary than you even realize songs. and stories, well-forgotten, only left by the whispers of people who roam up there. I know about your caves that you're looking for. I know about the fire and the belly down there.

Hmm. How much money you think and you reckon you're gonna add to my pockets to make it worth my time. Such a foolish, I have the support of the order of mystics, and their coffers are quite substantial. I can offer you a substantial amount now and make a promise that you don't have to stick your neck in any place dangerous that you don't want to. You simply have to lead us there.

Something else, besides goal that you also may be interested in? That may be that can sweeten the pot a little bit. I would say there's a lot more to score than gold in these mountains. As I'm sure you know, gold is the most reduced form of what's valuable, really. There's information, there's presence, there's reputation. He's going to point at you, Rose. You liked the court. It's part of the job.

So that means you can petition stuff at court, right? I can. You're right, there's some stuff about, that I like more than gold. And perhaps a little bit more on the sentimental type. on the sentimental type, but. And what might that be, actually? People. Interesting.

There are people up in the mountains. My people. Up in the mountains. Could use a little bit of aid. Winters coming in all soon. Get scarce up in there. Would be nice for maybe a little help from the crown to get us through the winter.

honestly that I can do I can actually I can provide some aid medical food food supplies now is there other supplies that's of the protection defending variety no we can handle that kind of stuff about the medical food supply, whatever, this crown could scrap up. Apparently, it's hard to come by aid from such a magnificent city as this. Seems like no town gets help from the crown these days, so. Well, we're trying to change that. The people in Saunders needed help, and we helped them.

A roamer out there in the desert needed help, and we helped them. We're in the business. all right well if you're in the business so coin and supply for a little guiding around the cartographer's mountain

do we have a deal sure why not all right we write out tomorrow if that's good for you It's riding on tomorrow anyways, so look at that. It all works out. It's like it was planned.

Well, I want to get a start on my end of the bargain. So if y'all, excuse me, I got some supplies to go round up. And, um, so Rose is going to get up. So Rose is going to get up and just know for the rest of, like, leave my objective. She's going to, if anything, going to grab a lot of winter supplies, like cloaks, ponchos, blankets, but simple, like, antiseptics, medicines, and any, like, all of that and put it in, like, a trunk, almost like a caravan of worthy supplies to do that. And maybe a little extra because Sir Rose will use the name of the crown to make sure that that people get taken care of it.

When Sir Rose leaves, and while you set the intentions to get those supplies, we'll talk about that in a minute. Cowan looks to all of you. I know you were a part of court, but keeping the crown very close to your best, O'Dara. Listen, these are strange times. I was a little closer with the king than I am this court. Caldwin, I'm going to be honest with you. I'm scared. I think it's true this time.

And I'm just trying to do everything I can to make sure we're ready when it happens. It means you too. This comes to pass. That mountain will be a lot safer for you and your people. But it won't guarantee that what's coming ain't coming. Well, that's the thing, O'Dara. I don't have to worry like you. This is only coming here for myth.

I don't got to be here when the doom comes. I just got to be right outside watching the city burn whenever it does. You're the only one who's got to sweat about it. I hope for you, buddy, that that's true. I hope that whatever prophecy spoke this into existence didn't have you in mind. I hope that for all of us. But I have to look at life how it is and realize that this could be the end of all things, not just myth. Mr. O'Dara, speaking of seeing, I think the blindness is starting to set in and I'm reaching for,

Christ, kid. Blink! Blank! Oh, there we go again. Get some water. Get some waters. Buddy. Well, this sure is going to be one

eventful ride out to the mountains. A Cowan just laughs, sits back, and takes a sip of his drink. And while Rose, you go, set out to try to attempt to get some supplies per the promise of your end

for the people who live in the cartographers mountain the rest of you enjoy your night hanging out with Caldwin. Perfect time to take a step away from this story. We'll look to heading west of the mountains suit next time after you guys get the things you need here in the city before you part ways in that direction. But we'll call it for now.

Hell yeah. Ooh. Sweet. Awesome. Thank you guys so much. Rock and sash, guys. it only gets better. Only gets better. Thank you guys for joining us.

We'll see you all very soon. Love y'all. Have a good time. Bye, guys.