Reaching the top of the ridge, the rest of The Wolves found Maeryn, Silvius and Benkin. Maeryn had dismounted her steed and surveyed the terrain. Benkin went over his unsheathed blade with a whetstone as Silvius had a small book out and reading it for short periods before poking his head up, looking out and then ducking his sight back into the tome for reference.

“I’d thought it be easier to see on horseback,” Hypatia said to Maeryn when the others arrived.

“Yes,” said Maeryn, turning to the others, “but it can seem a little suspicious if one is looking out on horseback in lands unfamiliar.”

“And there’s still that bounty Bellem put on our heads,” Silvius said.

“We’ll see how much concern the locals give such proclamations before we need to worry ourselves to sleepless nights,” Cid said to them. “But I agree with Maer, I’d rather us not drawn attention if it isn’t needed.”

Maeryn pointed out in the distance. “There’s a farmhouse not far from a cluster of buildings. I think we’re near a town.”

Silvius looked back into his book. “If I’m reading this right, I do believe this is the town of Sunnybrook in Eweshire.”

“Oh,” Gabriel followed. “This is a halfling settlement.”

“You’ve been here before?” Benkin asked.

“A couple,” Gabriel replied. “Lovely place, and they’re friendly.”

“How friendly?” Kveldulf asked.

“Not to where they’re crossing boundaries. Many keep their own, more or less. Even more when you’re arriving with weapons in hand.”

“Let’s try to keep the gear covered up,” Cid said to them.

“That might be a little hard,” Benkin said, looking nudging his head towards the handle of his long blade resting on his back.

“I said try,” Cid said, relenting a little. “I’m sure we’re not the first adventurers to travel these roads.”

“You we can get some work?” Jeanne asked.

Cid rubbed the back of his neck. “I’d be lying if I said that was not on my itinerary, but I’m also playing this one by ear.”

“Let’s hope it’s nothing embarrassing,” Kveldulf said.

“Could be worse,” said Leonidas. “At least you’re not having to harvest secretions from giant bugs.”

“Tell me you didn’t,” Jeanne asked.

“I didn’t,” Leonidas said thankfully, “but I knew a few back in the Outlands who did. Not a pleasant occupation by any stretch of the imagination.”

“I think I see a farmstead nearby,” Gabriel said, pointing to a small collection of buildings with two producing thin pillars of smoke.

“Any idea what that farm is?” Cid asked Silvius.

The scholar shook his head. “No, nothing really on this one, Cid.”

“Well, guess we’ll go down and have a look. Keep your weapons sheathed, I don’t want people to think we’re here to cause trouble.”

“We’re assuming these aren’t the type who assume that from the first look,” said Maeryn.

“True,” said Cid, “so stay on your guard, we may receive more verbal condemnations than anything physical.”

Arriving to the turn in the road towards the farm, Cid turned to Jeanne. He said, “Jeanne, I want you with me when we introduce ourselves. Kel, stay with the others until we get back.” Kveldulf nodded in acknowledgement of the order as Cid gestured everyone to follow him.

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Cid and Jeanne trotted their way down the path and towards the main farmhouse. The main building had a small porch. The second story jutted out to cover the opening underneath from rain and the high sun. To the right of the building was a small garden with various crops with a simple scarecrow propped up near the outer edge. To their left was a toolshed, with a plough leaning against the structure, and a rake and hoe resting nearby.

Cid knocked on the door, taking a step back and a breath as they heard soft footsteps moving from the upper level and down to the entrance. With a light creak, the slab moved slowly opened and the head of a Halfling woman poked out from inside.

“Hello?” she said with some reservation.

“How do you do?” Cid said, taking a small bow. “We’ve come from the south and were looking for a place to rest our heads for a day or two.”

“Oh,” the woman said, taking a step out from her place. “Well, there’s an inn not too far from here into town. Called the Fourth on Tuesday. The food’s not bad and the lodgings seem to be well thought of.”

“You’ve never used it?” Jeanne asked.

“For food yes, but I’ve always had a place to rest my head with either family or my husband.”

“That would make sense, then.”

“Who might we speak to if we’re looking for work?” Cid asked.

“Depends on what type of work you’re wanting to do. If it’s farmwork, you might want to check with the local job board, though it’s not glorious work. And if it’s for something more on the dangerous side, I think our reeve would be the person to talk to for that.”

‘And where can he be normally found?”

“Over at the reeve’s house,” the halfling woman said, pointing down the road towards town.

“I guess that would make sense,” Cid said chuckling.

“Well, we’ve had a few who spent more time enjoying the status of the job, instead of actually doing their job.”

“We’ve had more than our fair share of such persons. But that should be more than enough. Thank you for your time.”

The woman nodded before moving back to the door. “Not at all, I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

Cid and Jeanne returned to the others and relayed the information. “Well that’s not a horrible welcome,” Silvius said.

“At least she didn’t slam the door in your face,” said Hypatia.

“That’s always fun to experience,” said Gabriel, making slight adjustments to her mask.

“Like I said before, keep your weapons sheathed, try not to break anything,” he said giving Jeanne a quick look.

“I’ve done nothing of the sort,” she demanded.

“Yet,” Cid replied.

“Well, if you’re going to be that way, then,” she said, grimacing out of the corner of her mouth.

Journeying down the road, The Wolves began passing houses made of wattle and daub with thick thatched roofing forming low peaks as they met together

Reaching the center of town, The Wolves dismounted their steeds and hitched the reins to nearby posts. Nearby was a three-story building. Dark brown scalloped shingles covered the roof, with two large chimneys on each end along the width of the structure. A column of smoke lifted out from the right chimney and into the sky above. Stained glass decorated the windows, with light from the inside beginning to illuminate the interior. Before the inn were a series of planks placed tightly together to form a walkway towards the entrance. Much of the surface was covered in dried dirt and other stains.

Inside the inn, there were several parties sitting at some of the tables scattered in the dining area which sunk in shortly after a landing area. The landing itself was used for patron to throw off their cloaks and get comfortable and was connected by a small set of stairs five steps deep. The Wolves found a halfling woman tending to the bar while a male dwarf and elf made the rounds to the rest of the patrons.

“Pretty quaint place they got here,” said Benkin. “Kind of eager to taste the ale here.”

“Starting to get a bit parched from the ride,” Kveldulf said.

“And I’m starting to feel famished,” Silvius followed.

“We could probably get something to eat and drink while we’re here,” Maeryn said.

Cid turned to the rest, “Kel, if you could arrange for some food and lodgings, while Jeanne and I go see the reeve here.”

As the two left the inn and surveyed the streets, Cid said, “What do you make of this place?”

“If I was looking to buy property around idyllic ocean of wheat and hay, this would be a good candidate.”

“And of the people?”

Jeanne turned to see several of the townsfolk peering out of the windows of their shops. Not all of the gazes their way were friendly, and Jeanne could only imagine what words were at the forefront of their minds. “Hmm,” she said with some hesitation, “I don’t think we’re going to find much welcome here.”

“Same,” Cid said as he pointed to a house in the distance. “I think I found our reeve’s home.”

Jeanne saw a single-story building with the walls lined up with blocks of beige colored stones. There were three doors situated on the side facing the street, with two of the doors closed. The thatched roof stretched out to hangover slightly over the doors and small openings for the windows. Nearing the home, Jeanne could smell a hint of smoke coming from the inside. A halfling man stepped out of the opened door, sweeping out dust and other debris from the home.

As they approached Jeanne noticed Cid tapping her shoulder. “Hmm?” she replied.

Using the hands signs they used back in the Cold Company, he said, I think it might be wise to use your alternate name.

Jeanne nodded. Right, not a terrible idea after that mess in Inderwuda.