Winter visitors in Tinderos

The gate erupted into motion as soon as the Margrave was recognized. A runner was send ahead to palace and after inquiring about any need for immediate assistance, a guard formed up to lead the delegation through the streets of Tinderos.

The city was bustling with activity and as the delegation moved through the streets they were with greetings and salutes. The old friendships between the people of Zweiwasser and Sagara evident.

Upon arriving at the Palace the delegation was met by an officer of the Palace guard. She bowed deeply and introduced herself as Marwa. “ Welcome to the Palace, your lordship. The Count will receive you immediately.” After the formal greeting, stable hands and servants swept out to help the guest. Soon after ushering them toward the main hall.

The gate erupted into motion as soon as the Margrave was recognized. A runner was send ahead to palace and after inquiring about any need for immediate assistance, a guard formed up to lead the delegation through the streets of Tinderos.

The city was bustling with activity and as the delegation moved through the streets they were with greetings and salutes. The old friendships between the people of Zweiwasser and Sagara evident.

Upon arriving at the Palace the delegation was met by an officer of the Palace guard. She bowed deeply and introduced herself as Marwa. “ Welcome to the Palace, your lordship. The Count will receive you immediately.” After the formal greeting, stable hands and servants swept out to help the guest. Soon after ushering them toward the main hall.

The gate erupted into motion as soon as the Margrave was recognized. A runner was send ahead to palace and after inquiring about any need for immediate assistance, a guard formed up to lead the delegation through the streets of Tinderos.

The city was bustling with activity and as the delegation moved through the streets they were with greetings and salutes. The old friendships between the people of Zweiwasser and Sagara evident.

Upon arriving at the Palace the delegation was met by an officer of the Palace guard. She bowed deeply and introduced herself as Marwa. “ Welcome to the Palace, your lordship. The Count will receive you immediately.” After the formal greeting, stable hands and servants swept out to help the guest. Soon after ushering them toward the main hall.

Balor smiled and nodded his head to the guardswoman.

"Thank you, Marwa. Be so kind and make sure, that the men and women in my retinue get some rest and food. The way was long and arduous. I am looking forward to seeing the Count."

The Margrave was almost as worn from the journey as his followers, but he strode straight for the main hall, when Marwa indicated the way.

Balor smiled and nodded his head to the guardswoman.

"Thank you, Marwa. Be so kind and make sure, that the men and women in my retinue get some rest and food. The way was long and arduous. I am looking forward to seeing the Count."

The Margrave was almost as worn from the journey as his followers, but he strode straight for the main hall, when Marwa indicated the way.

Balor smiled and nodded his head to the guardswoman.

"Thank you, Marwa. Be so kind and make sure, that the men and women in my retinue get some rest and food. The way was long and arduous. I am looking forward to seeing the Count."

The Margrave was almost as worn from the journey as his followers, but he strode straight for the main hall, when Marwa indicated the way.

Marwa bowed to the Margrave and waved two scarabs to accompany him. As soon as he was away, she turned to take care of his people.

__

Inside the palace Count Vermillion strode down the hall, retainers hurriedly dressing him as he went, the finishing touches being made as enters the main hall. Looking over the servants bustling to make the hall ready for the delegation, he raised his voice “Let’s give our guests a prober Sagarian welcome”.

Sitting down, Vincent tries to order his thoughts and be ready for his surprise visitors. It had been to long since he had last seen Balor.

Marwa bowed to the Margrave and waved two scarabs to accompany him. As soon as he was away, she turned to take care of his people.

__

Inside the palace Count Vermillion strode down the hall, retainers hurriedly dressing him as he went, the finishing touches being made as enters the main hall. Looking over the servants bustling to make the hall ready for the delegation, he raised his voice “Let’s give our guests a prober Sagarian welcome”.

Sitting down, Vincent tries to order his thoughts and be ready for his surprise visitors. It had been to long since he had last seen Balor.

Marwa bowed to the Margrave and waved two scarabs to accompany him. As soon as he was away, she turned to take care of his people.

__

Inside the palace Count Vermillion strode down the hall, retainers hurriedly dressing him as he went, the finishing touches being made as enters the main hall. Looking over the servants bustling to make the hall ready for the delegation, he raised his voice “Let’s give our guests a prober Sagarian welcome”.

Sitting down, Vincent tries to order his thoughts and be ready for his surprise visitors. It had been to long since he had last seen Balor.

The delegation of Zweiwasser hardly fit the main hall, shining in the light of the candles, everything showing the wealth of Sagara. But his travel stained clothes didn´t seem to bother Balor, as he strode down the central aisle towards Count Vincent and his court.

There was a smile on Balors face when he came close to the leader of the Pathfinders. He stopped and bowed his head in formal aknowledgement.

"Greetings, Count Vincent of Sagara. I apologize for this ... unexpected and unannounced visit."

Then Balor´s smile broadened. "But it has been to long, Vincent old friend."

The delegation of Zweiwasser hardly fit the main hall, shining in the light of the candles, everything showing the wealth of Sagara. But his travel stained clothes didn´t seem to bother Balor, as he strode down the central aisle towards Count Vincent and his court.

There was a smile on Balors face when he came close to the leader of the Pathfinders. He stopped and bowed his head in formal aknowledgement.

"Greetings, Count Vincent of Sagara. I apologize for this ... unexpected and unannounced visit."

Then Balor´s smile broadened. "But it has been to long, Vincent old friend."

The delegation of Zweiwasser hardly fit the main hall, shining in the light of the candles, everything showing the wealth of Sagara. But his travel stained clothes didn´t seem to bother Balor, as he strode down the central aisle towards Count Vincent and his court.

There was a smile on Balors face when he came close to the leader of the Pathfinders. He stopped and bowed his head in formal aknowledgement.

"Greetings, Count Vincent of Sagara. I apologize for this ... unexpected and unannounced visit."

Then Balor´s smile broadened. "But it has been to long, Vincent old friend."

“Greetings Margrave Balor of Zweiwasser”, Vincent responded, before a wide smile bloomed and he stepped down and embraced Balor thightly. “Far too long, Balor and merrier your surprising visit.” Vincent turned and stepped up to the high table again. “ Let's get you fed and settled, then I will hear what has brought you to Tinderos”.

The rest of the court greeted Balor and clearly people were drifting in as soon as their duties permitted. There would be no lack of friendly faces this evening.

“Greetings Margrave Balor of Zweiwasser”, Vincent responded, before a wide smile bloomed and he stepped down and embraced Balor thightly. “Far too long, Balor and merrier your surprising visit.” Vincent turned and stepped up to the high table again. “ Let's get you fed and settled, then I will hear what has brought you to Tinderos”.

The rest of the court greeted Balor and clearly people were drifting in as soon as their duties permitted. There would be no lack of friendly faces this evening.

“Greetings Margrave Balor of Zweiwasser”, Vincent responded, before a wide smile bloomed and he stepped down and embraced Balor thightly. “Far too long, Balor and merrier your surprising visit.” Vincent turned and stepped up to the high table again. “ Let's get you fed and settled, then I will hear what has brought you to Tinderos”.

The rest of the court greeted Balor and clearly people were drifting in as soon as their duties permitted. There would be no lack of friendly faces this evening.

Balor seemed relaxed and truely happy to be back with the Pathfinders after such a long time. But underlying was a tension, as if a shadow lay on his thoughts.

After he has shared food and wine with those of the Vincents followers who were present he leaned over to the Count.

"I thank you for your hospitality, Vincent. The expedition to the south ... was not easy, to say the least. We got out and we found valuable informations about the past, but the fighting was hard and I can´t say it felt like a victory in the end. The Skargen were strong in the far south and the Undead were there as well, though fewer in numbers then those mist-walkers, may Ignis burn them to cinders." Balor shook is head.

"Varek was gravely wounded. He barely survived. I really hope that it was all worth it. Tovak and the other knowledge seekers brought back a lot of texts, scrolls and old books." He shrugged. "You know, I am not much of a reader myself, but I hope that they will find something that will help us to end the suffering of the land and give new power to the elements."

Balor took a sip from his goblet.

"How did you fare in the last months, here on the Shimmering Planes of Sagara? Did the natural desasters hit you as badly as some places? Oron was struck by a rain of ash and in the north we had earthquakes. But it all dims if compared to the Eastern Realm. They have suffered the most ...". For a moment it seemed Balor wanted to say more, but then he fell silent and waited for Vincent to answer.

Balor seemed relaxed and truely happy to be back with the Pathfinders after such a long time. But underlying was a tension, as if a shadow lay on his thoughts.

After he has shared food and wine with those of the Vincents followers who were present he leaned over to the Count.

"I thank you for your hospitality, Vincent. The expedition to the south ... was not easy, to say the least. We got out and we found valuable informations about the past, but the fighting was hard and I can´t say it felt like a victory in the end. The Skargen were strong in the far south and the Undead were there as well, though fewer in numbers then those mist-walkers, may Ignis burn them to cinders." Balor shook is head.

"Varek was gravely wounded. He barely survived. I really hope that it was all worth it. Tovak and the other knowledge seekers brought back a lot of texts, scrolls and old books." He shrugged. "You know, I am not much of a reader myself, but I hope that they will find something that will help us to end the suffering of the land and give new power to the elements."

Balor took a sip from his goblet.

"How did you fare in the last months, here on the Shimmering Planes of Sagara? Did the natural desasters hit you as badly as some places? Oron was struck by a rain of ash and in the north we had earthquakes. But it all dims if compared to the Eastern Realm. They have suffered the most ...". For a moment it seemed Balor wanted to say more, but then he fell silent and waited for Vincent to answer.