The Long Way Around to Alderheart

by Jenny W. aka Mavry

Artwork by Leesha Hannigan on Deviant Art

I’ve known these folks for five days now, and I’m still not sure what to make of them. People are opportunities, and the ones who don’t realize this are the ones who will lose in the end. These past five days, I’ve met and talked to more folks than I would in an entire year. I’ve fought together with strangers I ran into only hours ago, and they willingly offer me support, healing potions, inspiration spells, gold, and loot, all while knowing how easily I can steal from any one of them. Either they underestimate me or they are incredibly stupid, but I don’t think that’s the case. They trust easily, and I have everything to lose by staying with them. I know this. I know.

I’m in Alderheart now, staying in Paikea’s parents’ home. We managed to arrive here with the help of a butterfly (of all things). We ran into sprites that look like steam, creatures made of fire, more mapach bandits, a dead corvum chopped in half, and another hedge who wants us to “take care” of her sister who might’ve caused the fires (again). All in all, it took us 3 days to get here. We got lost several times and nearly died -- which is typical for us it seems. We met another vulpin, some fancy noble, along the way. Once we got to Alderheart, we had to get our documents signed by Gregor Thornspur (god...) before we could speak with the bird council. We convinced a few Jerbeen kids to stop vandalizing the city -- which is what I used to do but more skillfully. In the end, the bird council ended up being useless, as they saw the bandits as more of a threat than the fires. This is why I don’t deal with bureaucrats unless I’m robbing them.

Paikea’s family is welcoming and friendly, and they willingly offer us food and a place to stay even though I look just like the bandits. Why is it that the most vulnerable, weak-looking families are always the most giving? Just earlier, after we delivered the message to the bird council, we saw a skirmish between the bandits (led by Frey again) and the Perch Guard, except I guess I was on the other side of that for the first time. I’m used to getting almost-arrested by the guards, but this time I didn’t actually do anything wrong. Not that I would ever work for Frey myself, but it wouldn’t have been long ago that I would openly welcome any bandit force causing unrest in the city -- it’d lead to more nervous guards who are too distracted to think about catching me. 

Once I cash the gold from the magistrate, I’ll be set for a while, and I won’t have to worry about making it one day at a time. I can start focusing on finding the galluses and the pendant again. There haven’t been any leads along the way, but it’s most likely that Alderheart is where they’d be. Then again, there’s no point finding them without the pendant first. What would I even say?
For now, I could see about investigating this Midden Heap and seeing if she has any valuables I can look into. If not her, then I can see about looking into that gem of seeing. Before I go, I’m gonna make a pit stop and visit The Merchant if he’s around. 
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Loot: 2 gold, 2 silver, 2 well-used daggers
Trustworthy: The whole gang, for now