Book Two, Chapter Four, �What�s a Virgin, Says Estalyn�

����������� (11/05/96)

The famous Erana Martyn Yanyez De Barbudo has come home to Thay with his mighty goat. Zytsi the magnificent Khuzdul mason has recovered from his close brush with death. Aruth of the War Wagon has reappeared, but Giles is still missing and Estalyn has gone missing. ((By the looks of things Dave and Jaine turned up late, possibly from Wales))� Daniel the Bard is coming to terms with being a heroic monster killer. We�re all here, but it�s the FA Cup Final.

My Lords, Ladies and Peasants I give you Sir Martyn Yanyez De Barbudo and his enormous goat!

Rumours of a haunted temple of Peoni and a 5,000d reward to go there and investigate it. It was trashed 20 years ago by Ivinians. Do we go on with the Saga, or go for the money. We are going to aid the tormented spirits of the nuns of Peoni and avenge the Knights of Larani (again) and kill the Undead Ivinian Lord (again), and incidentally gain 5,000d. It�s a brisk walk away.

Peoni is the Restorer, Bringer of Life Renewed, Maker of Balms, Lady of Truth, the Everliving Daughter of White Virtue, Guardian of the Meek, Lady of Industrious Labours and the Ripe Harvest, Confidant of Lovers.

Thuryle Ethiel - we have description - Peoni priestess. Baron�s sister. 1,000d to prove it�s her and 4,000d to release her soul - needs to be proved. Paid for by the Temple of Larani. It�s the other side of a very large river. We didn�t go. Hordes of Gargun are no problem, but a bloody great river is a major problem.

So its big boat time for the horses and the armour. We use Daniel Fichelscher�s legendary poem Strange Rescue to aid our planning. It is the record of a previous attempt to get the armour, and incidentally encountered the horses as well.

Halane 724

Estalyn holds a surprise birthday party for Zytsi. Birthday cake with a ship on top, 80d.

Martyn gets a shield cover 200d.

Martyn is knighted by the High Priest of Larani.

Leave 15th Halane 724. We need a virgin - Estalyn. Zytsi swung on to boat in wagon as Daniel sings at him.

IT�S NOT RAINING for both days in the boat. It takes 2 days to get there. Put ashore in longboats.

17th The Plan. Travel through woods north until we meet a river, up river to pool or water source.

18th first days on woods. First watch at the end - wandered by a quadruped - wake up the virgin - who turns into a fox and has a look at a deer. Estalyn scares off deer and everyone wakes up.

19th Next day north through woods - goat in the lead. Estalyn got by a snake which breaks his neck - our virgin�s broke, it�s gone all floppy. Martyn�s mighty healing cures him - but it takes 5 days. Martyn goes back to ship to buy another couple of weeks waiting.

Day 4 of 5. Giles goes off looking for herbs and attacked by a komodo dragon that trashes him. Martyn hears his shouts from 1/2 mile away and rescues him - lizard driven off. 8 days recovery from wounds. Oh yes Martyn broke his lance.

24th Estalyn wakes up. Thunder storm. Ship OK? Estalyn climbs a tree, falls out, breaks leg and shoulder. 15 days recovery.

Who needs monsters when you have the party?

26th Go to river and up it towards the mountains. See a bat-winged human torso. Put Estalyn to sleep for 2 days and 7 1/2 days recovery.

North side of stream for pool. Giant wasps.

29th day 3 find Hibile - log cabin, coral, smoke, woodsman. Bloody big eagle. He and Aruth exchange secret handshakes (he�s a ranger). Bring Estalyn here - move camp.

Hibile gets on eagle and flies off. There is a herd 2 days away. Leave Estalyn with ranger.

30th 1st night Zytsi saves everybody�s life - killed a dream vine type creature.

1st Savor. Find horses by pool. Martyn takes armour off. Puts on Zytsi�s cloak and goes up and befriends them. Got 5 horses.

3rd Savor Race at cabin with horses. 20 days sorting horses for the wagon - 4 days per horse.

Geryon half man, half snake, bat-winged, nice flock

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Daniel lent Martyn 240d. Paid for another month�s hanging about.