Crom and Edward leave the Hall of Bulls and it is now dusk as the streets darken. They return to The Prized Cow for a meal and a night's sleep.
Mornington sleeps through the night on the floor of the treatment chamber, waking with slight aches from the hard floor. He seeks out Rine Mordred in her room and has to convince the guards to allow him in. He catches up with Rine, now able to talk with far more conviction. He informs her of his travels, the current state of the wider family and his intentions to rekindle their familial relations. Rine asks the guards and handmaids to leave the room, which they do after some hesitance. She slowly gets up from the bed and embraces Mornington, exclaiming that it is good to see him, that he has grown to be an impressive individual. Rine promises she will try to help Mornington and his companion before sitting back on the bed. For a brief moment Mornington sees her pregnant belly fall for a moment, she turns away in embarrassment and rearranges. Mornington asks if there is anything she wants to tell him and she immediately changes the subject. She shuffles back into bed, calls the manor staff back in and sends Mornington on his way.
Crom and Edward wake and eat before wondering the streets of the town proper. They visit the market, purchasing some spell components for Edward, reserve a barrel of ale at The Sour Udder, see oversized saddles being maintained at the barracks, before ending up at Melora's Orchard.
An area of beautiful trees, planted in a symmetrical pattern with space for a path that leads straight to its centre. Here a small temple lies at the heart of the orchard, constructed of beautifully carved and stained wood. The temple looks like a sculpture of a water spring and crashing waves. But upon closer inspection, some of the crashing waves feature the heads of grazing animals at their peaks, looking outward over the trees. The two party members could see robed worshipers moving around the orchard before disappearing into the temple. They followed to do the same, drawn in by the tranquility.
While inside they both join in prayer and Edward makes an offering in one of the donation bowls. His vision clouds over, the familiar dark oil obscuring his vision. His patron displeased at his current actions warns that his actions will change the favour of his patron. Edward tries to shrug off the visions, and succeeds, finding it easy while in the sanctity of the temple. However, between Edward acting strange under his trance and Crom rudely ignoring many of the religions customs they are asked to leave and do so hurriedly. They then approach the hill at the centre of town, to see if Mornington is free from the Mordred's manor.
Mornington, upon leaving Rine's personal chambers is told he must be escorted. Luckily, Neve Mordred comes to his aid and whisks him off, to make sure he is feeling a little more level. She lets him use her chambers to bathe and get cleaned up before taking him to the Hall of Bulls to feed him. Mornington is a little impatient, wishing to meet up with his companions and get back to the pressing issues that now burden his mind. He does however sit through the formality and get to know his cousin a little better.
As Crom and Edward approach the Hall of Bulls they see a small cavalry unit of Mordred soldiers gallop past. They tie their horse's reins at the base of the long staircase and make their way up and into the hall. The two follow, sensing the urgency from the soldiers movement. Mornington hears the large entry doors swing open, and soldiers enter the hall. Muffled voices echo through the long hall and one of the guards moves to get Torma Mordred, Neve stands from the table expectantly and goes to take her seat in the row of thrones on the wooden stage.
Mornington spots Crom and Edward enter the hall, and rushes over to them to embrace and greet them. They ask Mornington some questions to reassure themselves of his current state of mind and quickly join the small crowd that has gathered at the thrones. Torma enters the hall and everyone bows, he nods and waves a hand before sitting in his throne. The soldiers inform him that they have seen a band of humanoids to the west, hiding in the tree line. Trails of smoke were spotted by a scouting party and tracks indicate a large troop of creatures moving through Mordred land.
Mornington approaches the front of the crowd, interrupting the conversation between the lord and his soldiers. Torma is amused to see Mornington, not sure if he is to see another dose of insanity. Mornington presents himself once more, now a confident, adventuring wordsmith wishing to right his reputation. He informs Torma of his travels across Usta and his contributions to protecting the Guradam Kingdom. But as soon as he mentions the Dragon, he is met with skepticism and Torma taunts him, accusing him of a delusional mind. The other party members chime in, backing his point and the seriousness of this danger.
Eventually, they win over Torma, and volunteer to travel with his soldiers to deal with the threat that looms to the west. The party have the support of the Mordred's, if they can prove their loyalty.
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