They ate fish, despite BogWalker’s fears there may not have been enough, everyone had plenty. After the meal Berri had kept the children busy with a game of tag in and around the stone circle. That gave the adults some time to speak plainly and to decide what to do next. Ijah was surprised when Flint included the orc-blooded woman in the conversation, though she said little through most of the discussion.

Two of the adults and the three children were from East Madden Downs, a small farming town overlooking the Sudakkar Wasteland. They had been travelling in company of Sir Gathvion Eln’Ashlyne who had been en-route to Madden Bridge with a small entourage. His business had been one of trade, the women had been going to see relatives.

Sir Gathvion and a few of his escort survived, but he felt the need to return home quickly and see to the defence of his lands. He had left the women in Flint’s care, asking that he help them to Madden Bridge.

The other woman and the half-blood had been with the orc. If Ijah understood the situation they had been slaves, though the word they used was a derivative of gatherer. Their Andalee was heavily accented and laced with bits of the orcish language. Despite both of them being fairly robust they displayed signs of abuse; some of it physical, with the human woman having numerous large bruises, newer darker marks lay over older purple and yellow blemishes. The half-blood also had a fair number, though she did not have bruises on her bruises. Both of them had obvious tells of long term emotional abuse, they rarely made eye-contact with anyone and they both displayed submissive attitudes, especially towards Flint.

Their submissiveness angered Ijah. The presence of the half-blood made her uncomfortable. Though she knew that such things happened, she had never met someone with such an ancestry.

Flint and Walker had agreed to escort the women and children to Madden Bridge. Though they had warned the women that there were undead to the west, they seemed less concerned about that and more concerned about the orc along the borders of their home. Apparently the number of raids and the sizes of the raiding parties had been increasing over the last few years.

When Flint had asked her what she intended to do, Ijah had informed him that she and Berri would be continuing southward, seeing to their business. He had mentioned something about an unresolved debt between them. Ijah also wanted to talk to him about Igma Kalit, though she was not comfortable discussing her business in front of so many strangers.

The local women went uphill to fetch their children and to settle down for the night, they intended to sleep in the old house. She asked them to inform BogWalker that she wanted to speak with her.

Flint asked the other two what they intended to do, they seemed confused by the question. Flint explained that they had a choice to make. The two of them nervously rose to their feet and moved to stand in front of the two men. Both gave curious glances towards Ijah and then they turned their backs to them. To her horror, both women grabbed their skirts and hitched them up as they dropped to their knees. Submissively, their raised their posteriors. Ijah was stunned, angry, she glanced to the men.

Flint stared in confused disbelief, Walker looked away, embarrassed.

Ijah surged to her feet, moved between the women and grabbed them each by an arm, “Get up! Whatever you used to do isn’t happening here.”

Once they were on their feet she gave them a shake, or at least she gave the human woman a good shake, the half-orc was solid muscle and well grounded despite her apparent confusion, “Let’s head uphill and have a little talk, ladies. There are some things you need to know.”

She encouraged them forward, on the way up to the circle they passed the other women and children coming downhill. Ijah forced a smile and asked if they knew where Berri was. They indicated she was still at the standing stones.

BogWalker was at the northwest edge of the circle, leaning on one of the stones, a long piece of grass stuck in her mouth. She gazed westward until she heard their approach. She turned and smiled, “Everything alright?”

“No. Yes, mostly. I think the four of us will sleep up here tonight.”

“Oh, well, it’s near a full moon and you know what they say about the stone circles and the fey. Especially on a night with a full moon.”

“No Berri, I don’t know. Regardless, we’re sleeping up here, in the circle or outside the circle, I don’t care. I need you to have a little talk with these… women… Explain to them that they are their own person and they can choose to go to Madden Bridge if they want or anywhere else they choose.”

The girl looked baffled, but nodded and said, “Okay, sure.”

Ijah gave an exasperated sigh, “Just do the best you can.” She turned around, heading back the way she had come, “I need to talk to Flint.”

Ijah heard the orc-blooded ask Berri, “She, war-leader?”

“Um, no. Just a messenger.”

Ijah shook her head and continued downhill until she found the two men, they had just finished talking to the other women and had lent them their bedrolls and blankets. “Can we talk?”

“Now, before you get all mad at me, I never asked them to do that.”

She raised a hand dismissively, “I know. That’s not what I wanted to talk about. I had some thoughts regarding your undead situation.” She gestured towards the old oven, “Shall we sit by the fire?”

“Sure.”

The three of them settled by the broken oven.

“So, it seems apparent these undead are after you.”

He gave a nod, but refrained from speaking.

Ijah continued, “Well, it happens that I’m taking a message to the sorceress Igma Kalit. Swampdon, which is where my family operates from, is presently being attacked by Tannica. So far the alliance has managed to keep them away from the city. However, towards the end of last year’s campaign season it became apparent that a powerful necromancer was on the Tannican side. After a major battle that had been won by the alliance, the dead rose from where they had fallen. Regardless of which side those dead soldiers had fought for, they attacked the Swampdon forces and the alliance suffered its first major defeat of the war. As winter settled the Tannicans did not retreat westward. Later we learned that they were using undead to guard the perimeter of their camp.”

“Sounds like a rough situation. I don’t really see the connection though, I mean, other than us both having an undead problem.”

“That was what I was trying to indicate. As long as these undead decide to follow you, you will be a danger to everyone around you.”

Flint gave a discomforted nod, “Sure. So you think I should help you find this sorceress?”

“Well, I already know where she is.”

“That’s interesting.” Walker commented, but did not elaborate as to why.

“Some of our people have had dealings with the sorceress you speak of, though we had assumed she had died some time ago.”

“Well, as I understand the situation, she is originally from Swampdon. The High Council, the leadership of Swampdon, are all mages and some have reason to believe she might be disposed or convinced to help the city with its present problems. I speak of this hoping the two of you will hold this in confidence?”

They both gave a nod, she proceeded, “My thoughts on your situation, regardless of your future plans, concern the safety of those who will be exposed to this horde that is following you. As we speak there are likely fights taking place between the Madden Hills folk and these undead.”

In the days dying light his expression was hard to read, but he spoke up, “I’ve been troubled by that possibility since the attack you warned us of, and helped us survive. Though I’m not sure what to do about it. Truth to tell, my plan up to now had been to go help the people of Madden Bridge fight the undead. Though I can hardly afford the delay, I’m trying to find some help for my kin, we have other issues we’ve been trying to deal with. From the sound of it, you think this sorceress might be able to help me?”

“I have it on pretty good authority that Igma Kalit is a ‘good’ necromancer.”

The two of them remained silent, though she had noticed they exchanged a meaningful glance. When neither was forthcoming with a response she rose to her feet, gathered her sword and gear, “We’re camping uphill. Hopefully we can illuminate the two you rescued to the idea they are no longer beholden to anyone. I expect Berri and I will be heading south shortly after sunrise.”

Flint stood up, “I will consider your words. Am I correct in my assumption, that should I take your advice, you will share the location of this sorceress?”

“I would do so. You have until morning to make up your mind.” She turned and started uphill.

Walker spoke up, “Thank you Ijah, for the information. Sleep well.”

When she reached the circle of standing stones she found BogWalker and the other two sitting outside the circle, chit-chatting quietly. Berri stood up when she noticed Ijah’s approach, “Good news, Lothi has decided to go with the others to Madden Bridge and Osran,” she indicated the half-orc woman to her left, “Has decided to travel with us.”

That would complicate things, Ijah just nodded, “Alright Berri, I’m tired and need to sleep.”