In a relaxed camp, Hamar gets roaring drunk, while Djan snatches some timely rest..

the day ends and while the magi sleep, Djan keeps an uneasy watch. Hearing noise in the dark he rouses the camp and the company stand to arms. Raschid fires a lightstone into the dark and reveals a band of gnolls making a stealthy approach. surprise lost, the gnolls charge,

As the bloody melee ensues, while Hamar tries to concentrate n order to be able to cast magic, the gnolls begin to wear the party down. the battle hangs in a balance when the appearance of a flying man, in ragged robes, crying out in a strange language, spells doom for the magi. First, Djan is struck to the ground by a paralysing magic, then as the wild voice rises in triumph, so do three of the dead...

With the sudden addition of two undead gnolls and a dead trooper things look grim. Raschid calls upon Ilmanar to turn the horrors, and one shambles back, but almost immediately turns back to attack under the compulsion of its creator.

Assessing the dire situation, Raschid breaks from the line, running for the remaining horses, and is immediately followed by the rest of the group. with some luck and no little skill, the party escape, with the Porcelain Jannissary bearing Djan away into the night...

After a night filled with Uncertainty and terrors, the group gather in Ilmanat’un and discover to their surprise that all those who fled the fight have survived the experience!

Bitter words are exchanged between Hamar and Raschid over the withdrawal from the fight, and it continues onto the division of spoils, and the treatment of Undead body parts... Rabaht jokes that perhaps Raschid Heel-Turner would more apt than the Rachid the Prudent, prompting chuckles of agreement from Hamar. The Lich Lords head detects as magical, and horrified by Hamars intent to keep it as a source of Magic, virtue or other, Raschid calls upon Ilmanar's Power to cleanse it, as he has done against other walking dead. A subsequent Detect magic shows it now to be inert. Raschid claims this proves it was a malicious undead thing, but Hamar is outraged at the destruction of his toy.

Amidst the bickering, Raschid’s claim to the Lich lords sword is recognised by the Magi, Methomet claims the helm, Imbued with Protection from Evil, and Hamar takes the enchanted Shield.

Taking counsel, the Constellation decide more diplomatic endeavours are called for, and send a letter proposing a pact of mutual defence to the dwarves. They journey in person to the Elves, taking with them Rakim and Feyza, as well as as many other things of beauty and refinement as they can find. Camping on the elves borders and announcing their presence, they await the Elves response. In time ten elves come forth, and dally a while, exchanging poetry, rebuffing the Constellations offer of a mutual defence pact, but indicating some interest in trade. Wines, Spices and luxury foodstuffs seemed to be their main interest, and they stated their intent to come to Aq’Quallat in two weeks with such things as they might wish to trade. At the conclusion of the meeting, They tell Rakim the Musician they will allow him to accompany them for some time, and once they have gone, Feyza too, is found to be absent.

On To Zunshit, Where Nebunnadar is surprised at the offer of a mutual defence pact, and only to happy to accept. The Constellation extend their friendship further in Inviting him or his representative to attend their counsels, which Nebunnadar again accepts. The Ruined Town is named by Nebunnadar as Khoram, one of the Major towns of the old fief, and that the mines are for calamine (Zinc ore). Khoram was a site of Brassware manufacture, and a prospering town in its day.

• Chapter Twentythree

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