The signs begin...

All is quiet this morning, having a nice quiet drink with Takkamer in the Chieftan's Bell, smiling a wry quirk of my lips at the collapsed goblins snoring in the corner, when a very unlikely figure enters the inn. Tak looks unimpressed. I decide this is likely going to be a cracked spoke in the wheel of my day.
 
This guy is entertainment! He's clearly made an impression on Agshela... she doesn't even growl at him! He does need to keep a closer eye on his moneypurse though... flashing that amount of silver is going to get him knifed in a hurry around here.
 
Ah... he's after going into the Forest. Salindra's Hope... I hope Takkamer charges this flashboy double. If nothing else, those robes will fetch a pretty price is some of the shadier back streets around here. He seems entirely unprepared and about to be so, so fleeced. Didn't even bring a bedroll.
 
Ugh. Tak dropped it down to two Thaler. This hunter needs more business acumen. Oh.. I see where this is going. A definite spoke in the wheel of the day. Hopefully this will be worth our time. Wait, wait, wait wait... Bacon! There's going to be bacon! Okay, this could absolutely be worth my while. Perhaps that wheel will turn a little more smoothly instead...
 
The day is bright, the clouds aren't heavy, and Tak seems pretty enthused about the whole venture. I suppose this could be a nice break from the city for a little while. I'll go and get the prettyboy his supplies and then we can leave Kastor behind for a few days.
 
Hmmm... there are a lot of City Watch around the square today. I can't really see a reason for them; they don't seem to be after anything in particular. I'll make sure that my acquisition mission is entirely above board today. It's going far too well for me to have unnecessary tangles with the Watch today. It's strange that there are so many just being a presence. I pick up some rope, tinder boxes, lanterns, climbing gear and jerky.
 
Sister Darda looks more sad and tired than usual today. I had my breakfast bought for me today.. perhaps I can lighten her stresses a little. She is a good soul. Says there is supposedly work to be had there if people are brave enough to venture there. She warns that Prios' light doesn't enter the Forest and I should take special care against the Darkness. I wish that I could.
 
There really is a large number of Watch here. They seem to be all gathered at the base of the tower - the bell's still quiet, so we're alright there. Still... it's making me a little nervous. I share a glance with Tak; he's definitely on the same page. It's time to leave.
 
Tak finds a dowdy ferryman, Bartello, who has agreed to take us on his boat - as long as we don't break it! What an absolute wonder this thing is! The bobbing of the boat on the river is strangely soporific - and we're going so fast! I feel a little flutter of happiness in my chest and realise I'm very enamoured with this means of travelling. Maybe if things go well, I should look to start my own goods movement by river. I could get used to this.
 
Then there are the trees. The Forest is looming ahead of us. It is beautiful, but menacing. These trees - they don't like strangers. And under the canopy! The light just seems to have gone out - it is snuffing the light out from around us. This is where I need to start paying attention. The darkness is growing. But at least the silence has gone - creatures and birds seem to be alive again. For what little comfort that brings.
 
Bartello shores up the boat and suggests we camp for the night. We've made way into Clan territory - we'll need to keep ourselves close and not venture where we're not welcome. Until I can get accustomed to this pitch darkness, I think sleep will be a long time coming. I'm very glad I bought some tea for when I eventually manage some.
 
The noises... there are things moving all around us. Small chitters, scrabbles louder than they should be. Roots and branches have been poking into my shoulders all night and I am stiff and aching. The light is a welcome relief, though. As is being back on the boat - the gentle rocking is a balm to the crick in my spine and the throb in my skull.
 
With a scent of woodsmoke cutting through the mossy smells of the forest, we finally reach Salindra's Hope. It's an odd break in the ominous swathe of the forest. Bartello sets us ashore and leaves us to our fortune. I miss the boat already.
 
The mage looks around with a sense of purpose; thankfully, he seems to know what he's doing. I'll stick with Tak though. That's a chap who is absolutely prepared for everything.
 
This place is mud central. There is mud on the bank, mud at the door, mud in the palisades. Muddy workers are carrying muddy buckets through muddy huts, with a glade of mud. Still... at least it's not shit. At least it's fresher than Kastor. A very impressive ogre is standing by - she's even taller than Tak! We're heading towards a sturdier looking building when some barbarians burst out the door in front of us - we seem to be in for an interesting afternoon. At least there isn't any goblin vomit to step in.
 
The proprietress, Silvercheek, seems to own the main share of Salindra's Hope - chirpy lass, seems to be running a good shop. The mage asks for a man called Sykander - and she suddenly isn't very welcoming any more. Fire worship? What in the worlds is that about? Either way, it looks like our venture is about to turn. Maybe I should see what kind of things they're digging up. Perhaps they'd like a hand shifting some mud somewhere.
 
I hang back with Tak, who thankfully also has no desire to imbibe what is probably a mud-based beverage. A strangely smiling man - Gaia Bolgo comes our way, flashing a shiny gold piece. A swift way of getting you shivved. Somehow I'm slightly dubious about his claims of "a new treasure every week!" I shall need to keep a close eye on my wallet whilst I'm here.