SESSION 33 RECAP

The magical explosion intended to assassinate Mara kills two Dragon Knights, but the Fulcairns, Thaliere, and the mage Zander survive. Cuinn entreats Thaliere to let her assassinate the Dragon, but Thaliere refuses, stating she has no chance and as head of her house cannot risk herself.

The Fulcairns hear of a prisoner in the army encampment. It proves to be a young apprentice mage named Dorian of Bayside; he is imprisoned because he attempted to desert to defend Bayside. They assure him that Bayside is saved and promise to try and help him if they can.

The army begins moving westward to Stormpoint. A rider intercepts it-- it is the Ghost, Elgrin. He bears ill news for the Fulcairns: an organized and well-trained band of marauders is laying waste to Wilder's Gorge, and a feared tracker known as the Grey Wolf has begun hunting and murdering the Ghosts. Despite the warning that they have exhausted their last chance with Thaliere, with scarcely a second thought, Cuinn leaves. She attempts to go alone, but stops to thank Elgrin and assure him that he has not failed her. The Wilder archers overhear, though, and insist on leaving the army to defend Wilder's Gorge, and Mara and Aerona insist on accompanying her. They free Dorian, Mara intending to take him on as apprentice, and Mara summons an earth elemental to clear a way through the palisade. The Fulcairns and their unit of archers head for Wilder's Gorge.

Western Wilder's Gorge has indeed been ravaged by the marauders, but mercifully it is largely empty, as the Fulcairns earlier encouraged the country folk to seek safety at the Keep. However, before long, they find the staked bodies of Wilder farmers. They press on despite exhaustion, and Aerona sends  a magical message to Adair at Fulcairn Keep, bidding him to take the unit of billmen and trap the marauders between them. They trail the marauders to a hamlet, but Aerona and Mara are unable to continue and fall back, exhausted.

Cuinn and the archers attack, and discover that the billmen have already engaged the marauders. The marauders are no ordinary bandits, and fight fiercely, but rallied by Cuinn, the Wilders prevail. Cuinn is seriously wounded in the fight. She is soon greeted by Adair, to her great relief. Mara and Aerona catch up; the three interrogate several marauder prisoners. They provide little by way of useful information, stating only that they were sent by Boeruine to harass Wilder's Gorge.

The Fulcairns and their warriors return to the Keep. Cuinn sends an inquiry looking for nearby mercenary companies, and writes to Lord Tychon, seeing how Bayside is faring and asking for possible aid in an assault on Portage. They get what rest they can before leaving to find the Grey Wolf and seeking vengeance for the Ghosts.