Arilee awoke to the warm smell of a morning fire. However, she could feel the cold bite of the morning air through her blankets. Closing her eyes for just one more second, she let the heaviness of sleep fade from her.

Outside the tent, she could smell Idril and Chip preparing breakfast. She equipped her gear and walked out to join them.

"Good morning all," she said with a smile. "How was the rest of your night?"

"Oh we didn't stay much longer after you went to sleep. You didn't miss much."

"Idril let me play his lute last night."

"Yes I did, Chip isn't too bad at playing."

Chip smiled sheepishly, "My dad made me practice when I was younger."

"You will have to play for the rest of us sometime," said Arilee. “Should we wake Leela and Slicks so we can get started on the day?”

“That sounds like a good idea,” replied Idril. “I have already spoken with the Elder earlier this morning and have his message to deliver to the Southern Caravans. A Great Gathering has not been called in some time. I am glad he heeded your warning.”

“When do you plan on leaving?” asked Arilee.

“After the rest of the group wakes up,” said Idril as he packed away a few of his belongings. “But first, I was going to stop at the Gnome and Dwarf’s shop you mentioned yesterday. I have a few questions about the new King who took over.”

“Oh, we can take you back to where we met them. It’s the least we can do,” said Arilee. “Truly, thank you for all your help getting us here. I hope we can fully repay you one day. You saved our lives back in the city.”

“Just get to the Caravan of Elders. I will see you all again there. In the meantime, Chip came up with the idea that you should join the Caravan Guard. I think that would be a good idea to give you more training and experience.”

Arilee looked at Chip, who smiled back. “It was just a thought,” he said. “We don’t have to.”

“No, it’s a good idea. Nice thinking, Chip,” Arilee congratulated him.

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Once the rest of the group was awake and ready, they set out to meet back up with Tallus and Rorick.

When they rounded the corner, they saw the dwarf from yesterday outside the shop working on the anvil.

"Hello there! Do you remember us from yesterday? We were hoping to talk to your gnome friend."

"Hello there back to ya. I do remember you all, much to my embarrassment. I want to apologize to you all. Especially your friend there, Slicks, if I recall. I've not been myself as of late. My name is Rori..." the dwarf paused, looking lost for a second, "Rorick Anvilshine."

Chip reached out his hand to shake Rorick's, "Pleasure to meet you Rorick. I'm Chip, this is Leela, you've met Slicks, that’s Arilee, and this is Idril."

Rori smiled and reached out his big meaty hand and shook Chip's. Arilee laughed inwardly at how small it made Chip's hand look.

Chip drew his hand away, wiping the anvil grease onto his robes.

Rorick started, "So what can I help you with this morning? Tallus won't be around for a little bit."

Idril explained, "Well, I had questions about what happened in the Mountain Kingdom. I heard there was a new king?"

Rorick looked down into his beard, a look of distraught on his face. "Ah, yes. Well, I guess I can tell ye' about it. Aye, there's a new King of the Mountain. King Yuridarf Dunedalt."

"I've never heard of him before. Or the House of Dunedalt." said Idril, perplexed.

"Nor had anyone else, but it didn’t matter. He said he was from an old line. A forgotten line. That he could "save the kingdom".

“Save the kingdom?” asked Idril. “From what?

“Our kingdom had been having problems the last few months. A strange darkness had befallen the mountain. It started with our rocks and metals weakening, turning a strange purple. Miners began disappearing, strange noises coming from deep in the mine. And then the sickness came.”

“What happened to the old King?” asked Idril.

“Old King Narok fell ill, and that's when this Yuridarf showed up. The dwarves were desperate. They were sick. Starving. And Yuridarf said he could fix it. When the Old King died, the people picked Yuridarf to replace him."

"But what of the royal line? What about the Prince?"

"The people wanted Yuridarf. They forced the Prince out and coronated Yuridarf. There was some resistance by those loyal to the old line. But what remains of them is what you see here at this camp."

"And the sickness? Did Yuridarf cure it?"

"We don’t know. We weren’t allowed to stick around to find out."

"Forced to wander...like the elves," said Leela.

"Yes it does seem to be that way."

"Where is the King's son now? The Prince?"

Rorick seemed to be trying to stutter out an answer when Tallus appeared and answers. "No one knows. But I hope he comes back."

"Well I hope he does too, for you all. Thank you for speaking with us this morning, but I’m afraid I must be off now.” He tipped his hat and turned to walk away.