"So, what do you want to do?" Tristan asked. "We did not get any information on any leads regarding a way to acquire a Dragon's Key. Maximus, I know we have asked before, but are there are not any ruins that could have a way to get Gwen home?"
They were back at the inn, and they were all sitting in the brothers' room discussing their plans for the coming day.
"While there are two other outposts that I know which are within a reasonable distance, neither of them was large enough to have a DRAG Key," Maximus responded.
"There really are not any certain options. I think we might need to take a gamble," Tristan stated.
"From my knowledge we have two possible options. There is the dragon city of Granarak to the north and the Pelendorf Magic Academy to the far south. Both of these locations are likely to still have an intact DRAG Key, however both have many obstacles to acquiring the Keys," Maximus explained.
"Do you mean the holy city of Granarak? The seat of power and administration of the Draconic Temple?" Tristan questioned.
"Yes, those annoying dragon fanatics do have control of the city," Marigold replied with annoyance.
"That is one of the main reasons retrieving the DRAG Key will be difficult from the city. If the Draconic Temple has discovered the Key, which they likely have, it would be deemed an invaluable holy relic. Getting it away from them would be exceedingly difficult," Maximus stated. "The two positives of going to Granarak are that it is much closer than Pelendorf Magic Academy and the Draconic Temple is less likely to have used the power of the DRAG Key than the Magic Academy."
"Gwen what is your opinion?" Gabriel asked the girl.
"I am not sure. I keep thinking about what the information broker at the Lawrencia Trading Company said, about something happening in the Elven Woods. I just have this feeling that there is something important there," Gwen stated.
"Well, the Elven Woods are to the northeast. It would be possible to make a trip there while on our way north to Granarak. Granarak is to the northwest, but the Elven Woods would not be a terrible detour," Tristan explained. "We will follow whatever you decide, Gwen."
"Let's go to Granarak, and investigate the Elven Woods on the way," Gwen decided.
"Perfect. We will spend tomorrow acquiring supplies and getting Tristan a new shield," Gabriel said.
Their decisions finalized, the companions all went to their own rooms and prepared to sleep.
The next day, the companions went about making their preparations for the journey.
Gwen accompanied Maximus and an invisible Marigold to purchase supplies. They purchased dried meats and salted fish as well as flour and other necessities.
While Gwen, Maximus, and the invisible Marigold shopped for supplies, the brothers were at a weaponsmith. They were attempting to have Tristan's shield repaired or search for a new shield if repairs were not possible.
After they finished their respective tasks, the adventurers returned to the inn for the night. They gathered in the brothers' room. Tristan had purchased anew shield. The new shield was slightly smaller than his previous shield but was otherwise identical. The brothers had also gone to the Cathedral to see if they had anything that needed to be delivered to Granarak. The brothers had been denied due to the fact that they were not going directly to the dragon city. Before retiring to their own rooms, the companions went over their supplies.
______________________________________________________________________________
The following day, the companions retrieved their horses and headed through the north gate of the city. They set off on a road leading north. This road was the main thoroughfare between the capital and the Holy City of Granarak.
It was a beautiful day for travelling. The sun was shining brightly in the sky. The air was a fair temperature. Gwen was once again riding behind Maximus, she had had some practice with horse riding while staying at the Magician's Keep, but she was not confident to ride on her own for a long distance.
The northward road was very different from the main road that Gwen had traveled many times. That road which connected the town of Stoneroost to the capital of New Roanoke and from which the path to the Magician's Keep diverged was knitted in with the river to the south and the Stonespear Forest to the north. This road northward to Granarak passed through an expanse of plains. These plains separated the mostly uncharted Stonespear forest from the equally mysterious Elven Woods. These plains themselves were fertile and had many farming villages scattered throughout. This area was the breadbasket of the kingdom of New Roanoke. Maximus was explaining all of this to Gwen as she took in the scenery.
From where she sat on Maximus's horse, she could see fields of wheat, corn, and vegetables stretching to the horizon. The sight was truly breathtaking.
The companions spent the entire day travelling. As evening approached, they came upon an inn located next to the road. The inn was relatively small, simply a stopping point for those journeying between the capital and the holy city of Granarak. The inn had a stable where the companion's horses could rest.
Entering the inn, Gwen noticed that there were only a handful of occupants. The inn was relatively quiet, the only noise being travelling groups talking amongst themselves. Most of the occupants appeared to either be clergy of the Draconic Temple or people on a pilgrimage to the holy city. There were also two separate merchant groups. These merchants were easily distinguished due to the presence of their guards.
The inn also had a muscular middle-aged man who was armed with a longsword at his waist. He was also wearing gambeson armor. A large shield was leaning against the wall next to him. The man was drinking quietly in the corner, although it appeared that he would be ready should something happen. Gwen assumed that he was essentially a bouncer, although he was more likely to be defending the inn from a stray monster attack than breaking up fights.
While Gwen looked around, Gabriel had walked up to the counter to secure them rooms and food. As he walked back to his friends, he gestured at a table at which they could sit and wait for their food.
"They have plenty of space, so we will be staying in three adjacent rooms," Gabriel explained.
"I hope the food is good, I am starving," Tristan joked.
The group chatted while they waited for their food to be prepared. They spoke about the orphans and how they were adjusting to life in the Keep and what the children were likely doing at that moment.
When their food arrived, it turned out to be a vegetable stew. The stew had potatoes, carrots, and other root vegetables in a thick stock. With their meal, the adventurers drank a thin herbal tea.
After eating the adventurers retired to their rooms for the night.
The next morning, Gwen was awoken by a knock on her door. The knock was followed by a voice announcing itself as Tristan. Gwen told the knocker to wait a moment for her to get ready. Gwen quickly got dressed and put on her gambeson and belt. She grabbed her dagger but left her sword leaning against her bed. Prepared, she walked over and opened the door. Gwen opened the door and wished Tristan a good morning.
"We will be leaving after breakfast, get all of your equipment prepared and we can all go down to eat together," Tristan told the girl.
Gwen walked back, grabbed her bag and attached her sword and dagger to her belt. She then went down to breakfast with her friends.
After eating breakfast, the companions set out onto the road again. Gwen now rode with Gabriel so as to not overstress any single horse with.
The companions rode for another full day before they reached a fork in the road. The large main road continued northward, but a smaller road branched off, heading east towards the direction of the Elven Woods. The adventurers turned down the eastward road heading towards their destination.
After traveling for a short while along this new road, the companions stopped to rest for the night. They lit a fire, ate dinner, and slept in the tents that Maximus provided.