Khûm – Chapter 8

“Spring of 68. Second Age. The Roofbeams.
“Zamût’s tits, am I bone-sick of that forest.
From up here, it don’t seem so bad. Snowy white pines, stretching as far as the eye can see. Compassed on either side by rocky mountains, like everything here. Cold stars winking overhead, moonlight glittering on the frost. Seems almost peaceful.
But it ain’t. There’s spiders and savages aplenty beneath those boughs. You just can’t see ‘em. And they don’t much care for mercenaries in their wood.
That’s the thing about being a mercenary. You don’t belong no place. You’re always a foreign invader, always a stranger in some strange land. Even Pudding don’t hardly recognize his home no more. No matter how much they pay you, no matter how long you’re embedded in a place, you’re always an outsider to the people you’re fighting or fighting for.
And this place, more than anywhere else in the world, hate outsiders.”
 – Beholder's Log, Hemson 32, 68 2A

With great reluctance, the queen and her mercenaries surrender to the Mystriarchy. Their weapons are collected but they are otherwise unharmed – Dûnya especially, who is returned her steed and allowed to ride at the head of the column with Father Yorad. Along with the dragonslayers, the party is marched north from Havhed's statue and towards the Sanctum in Stone.
As soon as he gets a chance, Griffon attempts to warn Father Yorad about Zhoraska's approach, about how exposed they'll all be to the incoming dragon. The priest shrugs this off, seeming to have a plan all his own. Sure enough, a day into their march north, they all hear the bellowed threats of the enraged red matron, screaming for Dûnya to hear her challenge. 
Nonetheless, the Mystriarchy continue north, taking to mountain roads to better hide their passage. When Zhoraska inevitably finds them, Mouse seizes their opportunity and manages to elude their guard. Acting quickly, the Mystriarchy and their captives take shelter in a cave, closing off the entrance with their stonesinging, and away the dragon's departure. Only Mouse witnesses the Red Matron's descent, breathing fire nearly hot enough to melt stone and promising vengeance upon the cowardly queen.
Soon enough, though, Zhoraska winged away, as if need compelled her north.
Mouse continued to shadow the company the further north they marched along the Range of Sovereigns, waiting for their opportunity. Dûnya made it clear to the mercenaries how imperative it was they escape the Mystriarchy before they reached the Sanctum and so, the party began working on a plan. While Remorhaz attempted to befriend one of his guards and Umber made an abortive attempt to kiss the queen that ended with a sock in the mouth, the mercenaries all knew that their best hope of escape was during the daily prayer – when they were physically separated from the army and under the least guard.
Finally, when their chance came, they took it. Springing into action, the three mercenaries fought to subdue their four paladin guards, retrieve their weapons and escape. Help came in the form of a thrown knife from the bushes as Mouse appeared to help free their comrades. By the time the Mystriarchy had any idea there was a problem, their captives were long gone, disappeared into the surrounding hills.

Campaign: The Menagerie
Game Date: Hemson 32–35, 68 2A
Starting Point: Range of Sovereigns
Player Characters:

• Griffon 
• Mouse 
• Remorhaz 
• Umber