The Neverwinter woods.

“Qiao,” the General began, “you and your friends are going to the woods. Take Malham and his unit with you. Neverwinter is preparing, and we have scouts in place. You don’t need to stop them all. Harry them, low them down. Buy Neverwinter the time it needs to prepare.”

Qiao nodded to her friends, and they left the larger group to discuss strategy. “The woods are deep and thick,” Himo said, “Horses won’t be able to travel through the thick woods.”

Qiao nodded, “Right, so we ride that far and go on foot from there.”

“Or,” Marlak had his knowing smile strewn across his face, “We take horse and carriage, put a small boat in the back, head straight down the edge of the forest and paddle upstream.”

Malham nodded at the suggestion. “We would need two boats, but it would work. If we change the rowing order, we can keep more people fresher for any fights, and it is leading into winter. The river is slow and sluggish this time of year.” Malham was a fit soldier with blonde hair. He held the neck of his leather jerkin with two hands as he stood there thinking.

“Alright,” Qiao said, “it’s agreed. We will take two small boats by carriage down to the Western side of the Neverwinter woods. From there we will take the river.

Nemeia nodded, “The undead horde won’t know what’s coming if we get through the woods alive.”

“Optimistic as always, I see,” Himo replied with a wry grin.

The first day of travel was quiet. The group organised supplies, a wagon and two small row boats and left the city. Marlak rode close to a female guard Trilele for most of the day, and Qiao guessed she would be busy that night. In fact, as she looked around the group, several of her party seemed to be pairing up. It was understandable, their task was immense, and they might not survive. Better to take solace tonight in the company of another.

As she thought about it, she looked towards Malham, he smiled in her direction, and Qiao wondered for a moment if he would be interested in spending some time together.

About an hour before sunset, Qiao called for a stop. “We should start camp now and head out early tomorrow,” she said.

Malham nodded, “Makes sense.” Quickly he took charge and started barking orders to the folk under his command, and within the next hour, a camp took shape. Qiao was glad that Malham took the lead. She was so used to being the one to take charge that it was refreshing.

A while later, as Marlak called people for the meal he had prepared, Qiao took her to leave to freshen up in a nearby brook. As she doffed her chainmail, she heard a polite voice behind her. “Would you like some company this night?” Malham asked, “Many of our colleagues have already found their distractions this night.”

Qiao turned to face him as she pulled her undershirt over her head. “You are bold to approach a cleric of Lathander thusly,” she said.

Malham smiled as he looked at her form, lithe and strong with skin kissed by the sun. “Well,” he said as he loosened the straps holding his leather jerkin in place. “One does not get reward without risk, and if I didn’t ask, the answer would be a no.”

Qiao smiled at him, “Bold and assertive,” she said, “then please, join me, and tonight, we forget our worries.”

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