Land of Athlora

* Epilogue- A Merchant's Report

-24th day of the 10th month of 1519

Ferris, a newly registered merchant bites his lips as he searches for a merchant mission. Still in the process of building his clientele as a new merchant he needed to undertake a mission to build his merchant reputation. Suddenly, one of the merchant vice-leaders with an eye glass says, "Ferris, I have just the mission for you," and handed Ferris a mission slip.

Ferris eyes gleam at the easy mission of delivering goods to Tora-Gorge, but best of all paid very well! With disbelief, Ferris says, "Can I really take this sir?"

"Of course, my lad, we at the merchant guild offer an equal opportunity to all," the vice-leader cunningly replied.

Amazed at his luck, Ferris says, "I won't let you down, sir!" And hurries off to undertake the mission. After darting through the capital, Ferris gathers his needed supplies shares the good news with fellow comrades. To Ferris shock the more experienced merchants burst out into laughter. Confused, Ferris anxiously asks, "Is there something wrong?"

One of the merchants chokes and says, "It's a mission to Tora-Gorge, right?" Ferris nods his head in reply as the merchant continues, "That place is basically a death trap as you have to pass through Fern Woods which is infested with thieves and black wolves. So, you tell me if you weren't made of a fool of?"

Ferris pales in understanding that he had been tricked. So late in the game it would be impossible to hire trustworthy mercenaries at a low price. Worst of all, if Ferris waited to find a trustworthy group, the fresh goods which he had bought might rot by that time. Stuck between a hard place, Ferris knew that if he didn't deliver he would be unable to cover his debts incurred.

Ferris head drops down in gloominess but perks up at the merchants next words. "Well, you could always do that," another merchant hesitantly said.

Ferris heads perks up and eagerly asks, "What?"

The merchants tentatively glance at each other until one of them says, "You could take the short cut through the Misty Woods."

The blood from Ferris's face drains at the thought of entering the most feared place in the entire kingdom. In an effort to cheer Ferris up another merchant says, "If you're careful, you can even make it through the forest in just two hours' time before sunset." Ferris face is still damper as the merchant's clap Ferris on the back to give him strength, before heading off to finish their own business.

Sighing, Ferris numbly returns to the stable that has the ready goods on the rented pack horses. With the aid of a stableman, Ferris manages to climb onto the packhorse and sits rather awkwardly. With a slap to the horse's butt, the packhorse sets off as Ferris fearfully clings to. By the end of the day Ferris reaches the Misty Woods close to sunset. At the edge of the forest, the horses snort and shuffle uneasily back and forth.

Ferris patiently rubs their sweating necks until they finally settle down. With care, Ferris dismounts and winces at the soreness between his legs. Grimacing, Ferris hefts the heavy-laden travel bags onto this back and chest. Barely able to move, Ferris activates the wooden horse charms braided into the horse's hair. The spell compels the horse home and allows the owner to know that the horses are on their way. In turn, the horse owner activates the protection spell on the horse's saddle from his end. The protection spell will ward off dangerous animals and allow the horses to safely pass unseen from bandit's eyes.

Ferris gloomily waves goodbye to the eager horses, who soon disappear into the distance. With a trembling chin, Ferris steps into the eerily quiet forest and presses forward. The most important thing to do was find shelter for the night as the forest darkens oppressively. A candle-mark later Ferris halts and climbs off the path at spotting a strange tree. The tree itself wasn't strange, but rather that all the lower branches on the red oak trees were chopped away. Ferris eyes widen at seeing vicious claw marks that failed to reach the safety of the middle branches and gleam in understanding that a traveler had safely passed the night away in this manner.