After receiving a letter from Xif’s uncle, the group decides to travel the New Keep the find out what it is he needs them to deliver for him. When they get there, he tells them that a rich merchant named Gildor wants a chest taken to one of the King’s advisors in Pitchfield, a man named Quarion. The chest must be delivered to him, and only him, meaning it must be given to him in person. Along with the chest, which is locked, but not warded, the group is given a letter that will allow them entrance into Pitchfield, as well as into the King’s court if necessary. Gildor has also given very strict instructions that the chest is not to be opened except by Quarion himself.

Loading up Xif’s cart, the group begins the journey to Pitchfield the following morning. The day passes uneventfully, but that evening brings trouble. The group is awakened by the sounds of someone attempting to take the chest out of the cart. Immediately they jump into battle with three apparent mercenaries and a spellcaster. The battle is hard fought, but the group prevails, driving off their attackers and retaining possession of the chest. With their guard up, the group continues the rest of their trek without further interruption.

Once inside the capital, the group finds their way to Quarion’s offices, only to be told by his assistant that Quarion is in session with the King’s council, so the deliver should be made there if possible. The party proceeds directly to the King’s court, wishing to deliver the package to Quarion as soon as possible. However, they are told that the King’s council is in an emergency session and cannot be disturbed. They are told to find lodging at a local inn, and they will be summoned to Quarion’s offices when the council is in recess. The group asks for the name of a well thought-of inn near the advisors offices, and is pointed to a nearby establishment with a good reputation.

Not wanting to draw an unwarranted attention to themselves, the group decides to hole up in their room at the inn, posting Isach at the door as a guard. Suddenly, Isach notices a couple of men in the inn’s common room, watching him with interest. At the same time, Xif and the others in the room notice men dressed in black and bearing holy symbols of Tharizdun creeping around outside in the alleys. Maybe the inn’s resident peacekeeper can be of some assistance? He goes outside and speaks with one of the men in the alley. Coming back in, he tells the group that the man he spoke to is one of the city guards, and there is little he can do to help them.

Suddenly, a spellcaster appears on the roof across the alley and begins incanting. At the completion of his spell a large, blubbery humanoid figure appears in the group’s room. Insuring the chest is safe first, the group works on attempting to get away for the dreadful creature. Luckily, the innkeeper was a former adventurer and is able to banish the beast, which he explains was a form of minor demon, with the help of a scroll he had on hand. No wonder the inn enjoys such a stellar reputation!

The next morning, the group is summoned to Quarion’s office. As they enter, his assistant ushers them past a pair of guards and through a pair of double doors into the office proper. Quarion rises to greet them, and asks to see the letter. As they hand him the letter, his assistant closes and locks the double doors on his way out of the room. He looks over the letter and tells the group to place the chest on the table. He then insists on paying them for their trouble and walks over to his desk. As he pulls a bag of coins from the drawer, a man suddenly appears behind him and slays him with a single blow of his dagger to the base of Quarion’s skull. “Gartrel is tired of waiting, “ is all the man says as Quarion’s dead body slumps to the floor. Xif instantly recognizes the name as that of the ruler of the Marchland of Medegia in Ahlissa.

Suddenly the assassin engages the group as they attempt to prevent him from getting away. An instant later, the room is completely dark and the assassin, while outnumbered, now has the upper hand. The guards bang on the door attempting to get in and help Quarion, but apparently the killer jammed the lock before he became visible. At least he cannot escape by that route. The group battles valiantly, but they are unable to stop the assassin. As light floods back into the room, they realize that he managed to get inside the chest, but all that sits there now is an amulet similar to the one they have left in Nori’s safekeeping back in Malwander. Further inspection however, reveals that this amulet appears to be a forgery.

The city guard has now surrounded the office and takes the group into custody thinking that they are responsible for Quarion’s death. Striped of their possessions and thrown into a cell, waiting to face whatever may await them the following morning, the group tries to explain what really happened. However, the guards do not seem interested in their story. Stuck in a cell, they discuss what to do next. Before they know it, a woman appears outside their cell. She introduces herself as Elairon, one of the King’s advisors. A beautiful high elf with long, brown hair and emerald green eyes, Elairon carries a staff and is wearing two distinctive rings that catch the group’s attention. She’s heard the group’s story and believes they are innocent.

“What do you know of the chest you delivered to Quarion?” she asks. The group explains what they can and she tells them that she was able to find out that the amulet was supposedly retrieved from an underground city in the Hestmark Highlands. “The city guard has lost both the chest and the amulet, claiming there was a robbery and two of their men were killed trying to stop the robbers.” She then tells the group that she can help them escape the city, but that they would not be able to return until they have proof of their innocence. They are given their possessions back and led out of the city. The only thing for them to do at this juncture is to return to Malwander.

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Chapters - Find out what's happened so far.

Chapter One – Shapeshifters in Our Midst

Chapter Two – A Prophecy Fulfilled?

Chapter Three – The City of Black Crystal

Chapter Four – Poachers? No, Murderers!

Chapter Five – The Vast Swamp

Chapter Six – Delivery for Quarion

Chapter Seven – Evil Afoot in the Menowood

Chapter Eight – An Item in Naerie

Chapter Nine – Back in Malwander…

Chapter Ten – A Journey Into Madness

Chapter Eleven - Serpent Isle

Chapter Twelve – The Return of Maj

Chapter Thirteen – The Hestmark Highlands

Chapter Fourteen – A Spy Among Us?

Chapter Fifteen – The Bonewood

Chapter Sixteen – Return to Rook's Roost