Picking up an Old Trail
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Harvesting Berries
27th March 1221
In early spring Father Clement went to Montferrand to teach the children of Lord Montferrand. He took Arwa with him to teach her as well. He was also accompanied by Alfonse, the new scribe. Sir Bertrand used a visit to Montferrand to inform the Lord about the planned Storytelling contest.
Zeebebah went down to Bugarach to talk to Dominic. While they were both standing outside the Priory he noticed that one of the houses in the village was in a very bad condition and that nobody was trying to repair it. Most people were busy getting their home back into shape after winter but this house looked deserted.
Noting that it was the home of Pascal, the shepherd who suffered from a wolf attack the previous year, Dominic and Zeebebah went to investigate. They found that the house still contained Pascal's personal belongings but no trace of himself.
With the help of Chretien they questioned the neighbours and established that Pascal disappeared shortly after the attack. Apparently he was deeply disturbed after the wolf attack and suddenly started talking about getting lots of sheep. This reminded them of the story about a person crazy about getting sheep that the bandits had told them.
Interrogating the captured bandits who were brought to Bugarach they found out that this indeed was Pascal. This new information renewed their eagerness to pursue this matter. Zeebebah suggested travelling to Toulouse to find out more about the man who hired the bandits. Cautioned by Titus this plan was delayed to a later date.
6th April 1221
Ash the Redcap arrived at the covenant to deliver two letters. One for Sertorius from his parens and one from the covenant of Domus Liber, offering several books for sale.
The magi inquired about other covenants in the area and learned that beside Mistridge and Val-Negra, the home of Bernadus Cupidus, there are four more covenants of importance. Domus Liber in Toulouse, known for its focus on producing books of high quality and price. Bellaquin, a Jerbiton dominated covenant that fell into the hands of crusaders. The former inhabitants are now searching for a new home. Hidden in the Pyrenees lie the covenants of Lupus Specus and Cavea Orbis. Populated exclusively by members of house Bjornaer and Criamon respectively.
Ash received some letters and a bag for delivery from Sertorius before she left the next day.
7th - 12th April 1221
Sertorius, Zeebebah, Zola, Rafi, and Sir Bertrand with several of his men set of to harvest the red berries that had been proven to contain Creo vis. Knowing that a very strange (and powerful) wolf lives in the forest they hoped that they would be better prepared than last time.
After camping outside the forest for the night Rafi led them into the forest on the morning of the third day. After walking a few hours they seemed to be lost but Sertorius managed to get some directions from a tree and eventually they arrived at a clearing in the centre of the forest.
Here they found 16 plants with red berries, each containing about half a pawn of Creo vis. They decided to take 8 of the plants, hoping that leaving the others would ensure a continuing supply of vis.
On their way back Sertorius was scouting ahead, watching out for the wolf when they heard a terrifying howl. Scared to death they started to run. Sir Bertrand managed to grab Zeebebah and drag her along out of the forest. Gathering at the edge of the forest they realised that one of the soldiers was missing. They waited during the night for him to return and tried to contact him by magical means but eventually gave up an returned to Bugarach and the covenant.