Within the hour we were on our way to Vlar's boat.Once again, the undesirables showed up to greet us as we traveled overland to reach the boat and set sail for Moonglow. Alas, they were of no match for our stalwart party, as Elma, a young, very brave Knight had joined in our quest to go as far as Nujel'm. Gareth and Hans fought valiantly as Vlar and I lent minor aid to the one-sided affair. As we came nearer to the coast, we came across what appeared to be an abandoned tent. A lady's voice cried out to us for help. The voice was very familiar. We hurried towards the tent. An ettin and other miscreants were all around. After another masterful display of bravery by all, the foul creatures were laid low, and we hurried to enter the tent. To our great surprise, it was Lady Marjo of Wispfelt. "Lady Marjo, what.. how.. did you get here?" I stammered. "I was trying to travel by gate to Moonglow from the Britain gate and landed here. What is worse is that all my magical energy was drained as I entered the gate. I barely had enough time to hide myself here in this tent before the foul creatures your brave party destroyed grabbed me. I am so very grateful you came along when you did. "Hmm, Lady Oni, this is dire news," replied Hans. "Something very wrong is going on. Something or someone sinister is twisting the very fabric of the ether." "Aye, I have felt this also in my scryings to locate Jupiter. I cannot see through the darkness." For the moment, we turned our attention back to Lady Marjo. "Perhaps, you should join our band for now Lady Marjo."Vlar had recovered his voice after being shocked to see her here in the wilderness. "An excellent idea, Vlar," I commented. "I will gladly come with you," Marjo replied as she regained her composure.A warm, big smile had returned to her face. This was the Marjo I knew. We traveled on to the ship and set sail for Nujel'm. After getting settled in and gaining our sea legs, we all sat down to collect our thoughts and rest. So much had happened on the journey from the Eternal Realm to Vlar's ship. I had just settled into my chair and closed my eyes, when Elma approached me. "Lady Oni, This tragedy that happened to Lady Marjo. Is that why we did not just use the gates to travel?" "Yes, Elma that is why. For a while, it will be a path not taken. Something very sinister is going on, as Hans said. The gates have become too dangerous. Never go into one if you do not know the caster. I fear something catastrophic and calamitous is coming to this realm. Something this realm is ill-prepared to handle. It will come as a thief in the night. Many will be caught off-guard and will not survive. All that they have sought and lived for will be lost, forever." "I will remember all you have told me," replied Elma. "I will be ready." "I know you shall, Elma." Our conversation was cut short by the cry of Gareth. "Water elementals off the starboard side!"The whole party readied for battle. The outcome was very favorable to us.. The elementals were put to rest. (the burial was at sea). Vlar being the ship's captain said some nice words over the departed. "Splish splash. It is all right now for you to be part of me bath." We made Nujel'm without any further disturbances and put ashore to find Jupiter, or at the least some clue as to his whereabouts. There were no ships in the harbor, and the harbor master reported a single ship had set sail just a few hours ago headed to Moonglow. He confirmed that Jupiter and the two hooded fellas were still onboard We were gaining on the ship carrying Ol' Jupe. "If we hurry, we may be able to overtake them, Lady Oni," Vlar said beamingly. He was proud of his new ship and rightly so.We had gained considerable time on the ship that bore our friend. "I would like nothing better, Vlar, but the two hooded fellas with him might panic and harm him. Perhaps the Grey Wizard was able to leave some sort of clue that might give us an advantage as to where he is headed." "Aye. Say, meet back here in one hour?" asked Vlar. 'That would be very good," I replied. Hans split off the party for to go check out a place he knew would have information. The rest of us began to question those around the docks. A guard named Deshani remembered seeing a grey robed figure up around the excavation area. He was with two hooded fellas "I did not like the looks of the two ,but the Ol grey robed guy looked respectable. I kept my eye on those two while they were there and would not let them go down the ladders as it is not under my protection. I feared for the workers down there. The grey robed man went down but only briefly. He must have been checking to see if the tunnel to Moonglow had been completed. But I could have told him it wasn't." I kindly thanked the guard, and we all headed to the site. Perhaps, The Grey One had left a clue there. I volunteered to climb down the rickety ladders as Vlar and Gareth were quite reticent to descend into the pit. Most likely, the fondness for Rose's cooking had made the two a bit more heavier, and the concern that the ladders might collapse weighed heavily on their minds. The lighting was better than i expected as workmen were digging in the tunnel. I saw nothing that would suggest a clue. Perhaps the guard was right. Just as I turned to go up the ladder, I saw a crumpled piece of paper. In a moment of desperation, I reached down and picked it up and unfolded it. A wave of exultation came over me as I began to read the crumpled note. It was in Jupe's handwriting, scribbled very hurriedly. It simply read "Gates of the stars" I put the paper inside my robe and climbed back up the ladder. I did not say anything to the party about the note, maybe it was the presence of the brown robed figure standing within earshot. Something inside me held me back. "Find anything, Oni?" everyone seemed to ask all at the same time. "Just that the tunnel is still not finished.," iI answered. " Another path not taken," I mused to myself.I did not want anymore hindrance than we already had. "We better head back to the ship and see if Hans has come up with anythingMy mind was already mulling over the few simple words on the crinkled paper I would tell the rest of the party my findings later, but I wanted to consult with my Old Mentor, Xander the Scribe. He, if any, would now about the Gates of the Stars. We met with Hans, and he only found out that Jupiter was truly headed for Moonglow. We boarded ship and set out once again...for Moonglow...
