[GM Post]

The party was roused at the crack of dawn by a red-eyed Matilda, who seemed like she barely got a wink of sleep overnight. Thanks to Cedar and Anderson's effort they managed to restore the saddles into working condition. While setting off for Hdur immediately was preferable, doing so on empty stomach would benefit no one - thus a quick ride back to the camp where breakfast was prepared and food supply stocked as quickly as possible before the departure.

[b][color=#4269E2]"May you have an eventful trip, Ser and Madam."[/color][/b] Anderson saluted at the departing party, now one man less than when they came. [b][color=#4269E2]"If I find anything I'll send a messenger."[/color][/b]

The sun still hung low in the east when the party departed. Cedar's figure would've been an eye-catching one under normal circumstances, but thankfully the traffic between Hdur and the royal forest was practically nonexistent. Cant be conspicuous if there's no one to spot him be inconspicuous.

*****

The village of Hdur was a relatively prosperous one, though still quite some way from growing into a town. Sitting in a fertile lowland with easy access to a forest for hunting nearby, a sizeable bog was discovered not long after the village was settled. This lead to a particularly important export of relatively cheap iron products, for the bog turned out to be a very rich source of bog iron.

That said, agriculture still remain the largest portion of the populace. Grain field and vegetable patch and pastures and cattle pens spread out from the farms like gigantic spiderweb, no sign of planning in their placement. At the center of the village was the square, one one side was the tavern that doubled for inn while opposite of it sat the smithy side by side to the ore smelters and the fletcher. On the far side of the village where the lowland gently slope into a small hill sat the lord's manor, a knight by the name Sir Rabe who governed with surprising competence contrasting the man's complete lack of ambition.

The entire place was a picture of idyllic countryside, their walls barely qualify as fences to keep wild animals out. Now, where should the investigation begin?