Episode 4--An Orc in the Land

When we arrived Puera's cottage was strangely empty, yet full of frogs. I checked her cabinets and the food was still good, though looking oldish.  I was feeling hungry, and glad to have a real kitchen to work in, so I began smelling the different herbs and chopping the ones that were good. I was eager to cook up the mushrooms I'd found. It only took a few minutes before the entire cottage was full of a truly delightful smell. It was so good that even Tristan looked up from studying the pages from the witches spell book that Eafra had given him to comment on it.

After sweeping out all the frogs, Tikaani explored the second floor. She found two beds and a wardrobe. The wardrobe had two sets of clothes--for a man and a woman (Puera I'd guess) and a mysterious wrapped bundle. When she unwrapped it she found a sword and chainmail--old, but very well cared for.

Meanwhile Elenwe was peering over my shoulder as I was cooking and recognized the mushrooms I had found as something called Rats Fungus. She said they were holy to the Nameless One and used to cause doubt in the minds of the weak. It could enslave men to the nameless one and keep blessed ones from calling on the name of their god. I'm glad, of course, that she recognized it.... but...