The bandits looked at me in astonishment. There was a confused, awkward end to the combat. They turned to the burly Mapach, Grimsley, for a sign of what should happen next.

We shut the gate to the inner courtyard behind us and advanced toward the keep. Another pair of Mapach guards awaited us at another pair of double doors.

The Jerbeen thief’s word was good and, by following his directions, we arrived outside the bandit stronghold in a third of the time it would have taken us alone.

Five tedious days on the road. We travelled in a group of well-trained adventurers: our party of three, ten members of the Perch Guard, and a couple of experienced mercenaries.

It was the early hours of the morning by the time the entire procession reached Alderheart but the city was abuzz with talk of our victory. We were welcomed back as heroes and taken straight up to the canopy to meet with the Birdfolk Council.