"You have got to be kidding me!" Hope steps aside as the armored land shark leaps toward her, slamming into the ground but missing the devilkin by a hair's breadth. With a sweep of her blade, she severs the beast's head from its body, watching the creature topple over and its head roll away into the tall grass. As the dust settles, all eyes turn to Anna, who grins nervously and scratches the back of her head. "Uh...Oops? Guess I jinxed us, huh?"

Amadeo sighs, patting the horses to calm them before mounting up into the front seat. "Next time, no predictions unattributed to a diviner."

"Yeah, ok." The elf hops back into the wagon and helps Hope up.

Tyrion reloads the Gust Shot, crouching back down and watching out the back of the wagon. "Now that the danger's...subsided, what will we do in Mysthaven?"

"I thought we could just stop by for a bit, look for work. Master Yuri said there was an expedition of some sort planning to head out that pays well."

"Any idea what the expedition's about? If it pays well, it might be going to dangerous territory." Hope wipes some of the creature's blood from her face and lays flat in the wagon, enjoying the warm afternoon air.

Amadeo shrugs, passing a flask of water to her and snapping the reins to get the horses moving. "Not sure. Master Yuri only said it was sponsored by the Loremasters. Which means we're liable to run into a few bards."

"What are 'Loremasters'?" Anna asks from her spot in the back, fiddling with her pendant.

"The Zorhana Loremasters." Tyrion pipes up.They're an old organization that looks to preserve our nation's history, whether it's locating ancient cities or studying past events. Pretty good bunch from what I know. They're based out of the capital. I really enjoyed the study they published on the Ashgrove."

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"I remember reading that one. They found a castle that might have been Zorhana's original capital." Amadeo nods. "Fascinating stuff really."

"Wonder if Miss Serenity and her comrades will be there." The halfling muses as he sits back.

They continue down the road, heading through the fields and across the little bridge over the river.

Amadeo clicks his tongue and snaps the reins. "Almost there. Not long now and we'll arrive with plenty of time to find an inn and see about that expedition."

As they round the bend near the Vesper Woods, Mysthaven appears in their sights, the little flames blazing in their lanterns to light up the coming evening. Amadeo wipes his brow. "Stupid summer heat. I'd forgotten over the past two weeks how bad it could get." He swats at his neck with a sigh. "And the mosquitoes."

"Let's get to the Robust Raven. You and Anna see if they're still recruiting for that job, Tyrion and I will get our rooms and dinner." Hope stretches, sitting up and picking some of the hay out of her hair and armor as Anna giggles.

"Amen to that. We'll drop you off, then." The wizard pulls around to the front of the Robust Raven Inn, where Hope and Tyrion get out and carry their packs inside. She comes out a few minutes later, giving Amadeo the signal to continue on without them. He nods and waves, clicking his tongue to get the horses to move onward.

The adventuring guild looms ahead in the gathering dusk, and he pulls to a halt near the doors. As Amadeo and Anna step in, the rowdy crowd stops their hustle and bustle to see the new faces before going about their merriment. A musician playing a lute stops momentarily upon their arrival, then continues their tune as the pair makes their way to the request board. "Should be some-" He spots a long scroll laid out beside the board and nods. "-here we go."

He reads its contents carefully. "The Zorhana Loremasters request able bodied adventurers willing to escort scholars seeking knowledge of historical significance. At the expedition's end, any who assist will be awarded THREE HUNDRED CROWNS?!" He stops and looks around as some of the patrons chuckle at his surprise. Clearing his throat, he continues on. "We will be traveling to...Oh no."

"Oh no? What's wrong?" Anna folds her arms.

The wizard breathes deep, handing the scroll to the elf. His eyes seem to almost sink in as he frowns with concern. "Lothar. They're going to Lothar Mountain."