Videric placed a small locked chest carefully to his backpack. He hated the trouble he had had to get the artifact, as he was forced to pay a lot more to that he expected. He had not been prepared that another man would try outbid his offer, and that the stranger would even threaten him. Luckily Videric had enough gold with him, and the stranger lost the bidding. After that Videric just quickly stepped to his boat and sailed away from Magincia to Deepwater.

Videric did not want to waste time so he had the caravan planned for the very same day he had gathered the special item to Ogodei. When he arrived at Deepwater he once again was happy to see that there was pleanty of people to escort the caravan. But he was especially pleased to see his love, Morgaine with her loyal llama Max. It was hearthwarming to have another merchant with him, it was just what the caravan needed: more merchants. Many of the people coming were familiar as well, Videric was happy to see Mayor Brook, Lady Asaka and Thorin Kjeldoran to just to name few familiar faces present. After everyone was se go Videric gave few instructions to protect the caravan, and after that all was set to go.

Gathering at front of Deepwater tavern.

Soon the caravan was once again on a road to guardsmen militia of Yew. The trip moved slowly in a bit chilly Autumn weather. And after a while the caravan reached Yew without any trouble.

Videric was surprised of the eagerness of the militia guards to buy the goods. As Morgaine had most of the goods, her table was practically surrounded by the guards, all wanting to buy something from Morgaine. The bargain was very intense indeed, hopefully the trade would be as good next time. Another interesting thing was the old woman who came to speak to Mayor Brook, and insisted to talk to him in private. As Videric was curious by nature, the private meeting made him even more curious. Maybe Mayor had gained name among Yew elders as well, but why the private meeting?

Hard Bargain

Towards Tosgun, village of Oymak Batachikan

Finally the Mayor returned from the mysterious meeting and the caravan set forward. When asked about the meeting Dardan just told he was given a story book, and he would read it to the crowd later on. Private meeting over a story book sounded rather strange in Videric's ears but he did not ask more questions as his mind was set to reach Tosgun safely.

Chieftain of Oymak's, Ogodei was at Tosgun to welcome the caravan.

The task was difficult as the caravan had to go trough the forest where the orcs lived to get to Tosgun. Specially on the forest part of the journey, near the orc fortress, the caravan would be in danger.But with the help of experianced ranger Shri the caravan managed to get safely to Tosgun by only conforting few orc scouts who did not escape the caravan's guards blades. At the village the caravan was welcomed by Chieftain Ogodei and his tribe.

The feast for the arrival of the caravan was ready to begin and everyone was merry. At crowd of the feast Videric secretly gave the mysterious chest he was carring to a Oymak shaman who took it. At the same time Dardan read the book he had received and finally the importance of it was revealed, the staff meantioned in the writing could be a lead against the orcs (You can read the story at Courant). Then while rest feasted, a few people gathered at the temple of Oymak. The shaman placed the stone on the floor and everyone looked at the treasure carefully, and indeed it was a Blackrock gem, just like Videric had promised. Then suddenly a loud cry broke from the forest and a strange man chased by band of brigands ran from the woods.

Videric's mysterious gargo were revealed at Oymak's temple. (Image edited)

Luckily everyone was not yet too drunk to help, and Oymak warriors and caravan guards killed the attackers who fought to their bittern end. After the chaos had settled everyone gathered around the rescued man to look for some kind of explonation, though Ogodei seemed convinced that the attackers were after the Blackrock gem. The stranger, who had a silver pickaxe, introduced himself as archeologist Benon Trag, the son of famous and rich Frederic Trag. He told that the brigands attacked him when he was searching information of somekind of wand. He thanked everyone for their help, and told of his findings in Britain. Videric felt in his bones this was his change to make a good impression to the famous Trag family was at hand, he immediately offered his caravan to be at Benon's disposal if he needed it. But unfortunately Videric did not get yes or no, and like Dardan pointed to Videric, it might not had been the right time for business, after all the man had just been attacked. After a lot of small talk he told he would be glad to show his findings in Britain, but that is another story... Excavation

Benon Trag