With a weary sigh Pol settled back for a bit of a rest before continuing on. To keyed up to sleep she sat, head propped on her knees, studying the group. Slowly she was coming to know the others and in doing so was coming to love them all as well. Brother Grishal had her deepest respect and though seemingly harsh in his views at times, she admired his strong unwavering stand. Having come from such a chaotic, less than proper upbringing, he represented all that was as proper, and how well brought up folk must surely live, though she had not the slightest idea what proper was to be sure, only that Brother Grishal embodied that in her mind. Spagl she could see was suffering immensely and she did not yet know how to help him. And Kyil was Kyil, her partner in doing the scouting and someone she was becoming more in tune with as time went by. Pol made a mental note that she must sit down soon with Kyil and get to know her better.

Next her gaze and thougths turned to one she found herself increasingly draw to, T.A. He was so quite, and reserved, that initally the more flamboyant Mag had been the enite focus of her attention. But then T.A. had opened up about his past a bit and as he did, she began to realize the depths that were yet to be plumbed in that gentle soul. She laughs to herself, Aye, I could well understand how he might have gotten in such trouble,if his propensity to run forward in battle is any measure. It quite took her breath away to see his near brushes with death. She studied his strong featured face, the light brown hair and eyes the color of the sky. She also noted how he carried himself, the set of his well muscled body,his full, uninhibited laugh. She was equally drawn to his gentle and courageous heart, and how he always seemed so good natured and with a kind word for everyone. She did not know the nature of his former studies but could easily imagine him becoming a paladin or a noble knight. Hmmm he did so remind him of Maglor's brother Rigel, and she had come to love Rigel for the same qualities she saw in T.A. Think I will arrange for a swap in the guard duty roster from time to time, she thought, see if I can't pull some more of the same time on duty with T.A., and off duty—see if I can't get to know him better.

Lastly she regarded Maglor. How that man both infuriated her at times and excited all in the same moment. There was no doubt of his ability to summon forth her own passionate nature. *sighs* whatever else, he was able to elicit the most intense feelings from her. At times she wanted to take a club and clobber him, honestly. But then—smiling—she thought about the short time ago when she finally worked up enough nerve to at least kiss the bard. Her mind lingered over every little sensation. It had been spontaneous really, a lark as it were, so persistent had he been. There, in the evening, soft breezes carrying the scent of newly bloomig flowers she leaned into him, gently pressing her lips against his own soft mouth. She becane aware of the fresh outdoor scent of him and how very large his dark brown eyes were. She had put a hand to either side of his smooth clean shaven face and slowly, lingeringly put her own lips to his. Her own eyes shot open in surprise as she felt her own body come alive, as if every vessel in her body had opened, suffusing her with warmth, a bit confused, she broke away abruptly, laughing and making light of the "little kiss".

Shifting a bit, she thought, Aye, I now know what the bards mean by "setting someone on fire." Still he is much to prone from fliting from flower to flower. There are only two flowers in this group and look how he buzzes about both. Much better to set my sights on someone else for when I give my heart, tis only to one, and I could not bear the thought of my love, who ever that may be, giving his heart to more than myself. I have had to hard a life and want my man to be constant in his love for me. Aye much better for my own heart and pace of mind to leave the bard alone, no matter how he makes me feel, for I could not bear the pain of seeing my love with another. Still she could not put out of her mind all the wonderful sensations she felt as she had kissed the bard under the starlit skies.

Outline

1. Trabulta meets thanks the group and offers well water
2. The well grants power and wisdom to the adventurers
3. Trabulta tells party of drider's possible master. Tells party to head west.
4. Maglor and Polradia's tryst, broken up by Grish
5. The party heads out, and rain starts
6. Rain continue for days, almost unnaturally
7. The group is beset by strange creatures during this journey: vampiric birds - stirges - and a cockatrice.
8. by the 10th day the rain slows to a drizzle, but the ground is so soaked it's swampy.
9. soon a cry of help is heard in the distance.