Rising early and ready to continue traveling

Your sleep is untroubled and restful, and you rise with the morning light feeling ready to face the day's journey.

Glenda had been your bedmate last night, and you shake her awake. Her eyes open, and after a moment for her mind to catch up, she rolls over to sit up and begin packing everything.

You rise as well, stretching out in the dawn's light, still naked from last nights "session", then turn to wake Anya and Xallia. They're both cuddled up tightly, the little blonde's head pressed into the purple-skinned demon's cleavage. You regard them for a moment, draw your leg back, reconsider the move, then satisfy yourself with jabbing Xallia in the back of the head with your heel.

The succubus gives a start at that, jerking around groggily to face you.

"Whassa big idea?" She slurs out, looking more disheveled than ever.

"It's morning, and we want to make it to Dirk's Peak before dark, so we're moving out now."

Xallia groans and flips back over, trying to snuggle up to Anya again, only to find the girl has already gotten to her feet, yawning cutely and rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"C'mon Xallia, we all want to get to town for a proper rest."

The demoness grouses a little more, but eventually complies, shading her eyes and muttering darkly as she peers out to the open fields beyond your little wooded camp.

"It'd be too much to ask for just a little cloud cover, huh? The morning can't spare a tiny spot of shade, is that it?"

"Stop acting like a child, the sooner we walk, the sooner we can reach somewhere you can get out of the sun for a little bit."

The four of you dress, pick up your packs and set out on the road. In the soft glow of the sunrise, you make good progress, but as the hours pass, the light and heat climbs and intensifies, you leave the path to journey through the hills to your next stop, and you and your Sisters begin to wilt under the glare of the sun.

"So, we're all in agreement now, right?" Xallia starts to gripe again, "The sun is the true source of all that is bad in this life."

"Stop complaining Xallia," you throw back over your shoulder, "it just wastes more energy. Look, we're fairly high up in the foothills now, and the sun is past the noon position. We're more than halfway there."

"What's this Dirk's Peak like?"

"I don't know, I never went there personally. It's just a settlement built low on the side of this mountain, hamlets like that are a dime a dozen in these parts. Hopefully they'll have a stable, if not we should at least be able to get more appropriate clothing and tools."

"And Grelangen, what can we expect there?"

"You're asking all this now? It's an old seaport town, built along the bend where the river lets out to sea just beyond the end of the mountain range. It was a really high profile naval base way back when, and the military tradition is still a big part of the inhabitants' cultural heritage even now after it expanded and turned to mostly handling overseas trading, it's why the High Abbey was built there originally."

"Oh, that's neat... So any interesting stories about what kinds of-"

"Xallia, history lessons can wait until we're off the march! I'll take you sightseeing when this is all over if you want."

The demon pouts, but drops the subject. It's a long and uncomfortable trek, climbing the hills in fancy dresses, but you all keep at it. Finally, when the sun is low and dim, and the whole sky is a brilliant orange, you see the silhouette of a structure just beyond the next crest.

"There it is! Come on girls, just one last pass."

The four of you pick up the pace and soon find yourselves standing before a thick wooden wall, the top crowned in large sharpened stakes. There is a man walking along the wall, who stops and calls down when he sees you.

"What is your business in these parts!"

"Peace sir!" You answer back, "My companions and I are Sisters of the Burning Rose. We come to this place because our Abbey was attacked by demons and we are on the way to seek the aid of the High Abbey in Grelangen, but require more supplies to reach it timely."

The man scrutinizes your group, gives a short "Stay there," and ducks down. A few loud voices sound out indistinctly, and he returns with a second, older man.

"Your story, if true, is grave, young maidens." The new man states, "Have you proof of your dire circumstance?"

In response you unsheathe your blade and hold it aloft.

"Behold the holy blade of St. Magdalena, used to slay the wicked she-demon Hecate. It was entrusted to me to present to the Supreme War Mother."

The old man starts, "I saw that blade once many years ago, taken out in ceremony for my daughter's last rites when she was brought back mortally wounded from crusade. It sings with righteous power. Your story is true."

He calls back behind him, "Open the gate!"

The wall splits open before you, and you and your companions enter the village. The old man and the guard climb a ladder down to meet you.

"I am sorry to hear of such travesties occurring," the old man begins, bowing his head, "Tell us what you require and you will receive it, if it is in our means."

"Horses would be the greatest aid," You inform him, "Beyond that merely more appropriate traveling clothes and some lighter equipment to see us the rest of the way to Grelangen."

Glenda speaks up, "Night is almost upon us, a spare room and a chance to bathe and eat would be good as well."

"Horses I can provide. Only two, but they are both hearty beasts. They will carry you to Grelangan in a day and a half. I must warn you though, there have been disturbances within and over these mountains.

We have not been affected directly, here at the base, but beasts such as harpies and lizardfolk have been driven lower down the side than usual. Here, behind the wall, we are safe, but you will need to be prepared to defend yourselves when you begin the trek back down."

"Thank you for your warning sir," Anya responds, "will we do our best to keep safe."

"I will provide you any spare arms and armor I can find," the man continues, "But for tonight, just stay in Rhea's house, she has room enough, now her sons went down to serve in the army."

He indicates a house where a stout woman with a long black braid stands onlooking. With that he leaves with the young guard.

Rhea receives your party bluntly but without resistance.

"My boys' old room is the backmost door, go in and get comfortable, I'll bring some shifts down that you can sleep in and start drawing some baths."

"Your hospitality is greatly appreciated," you tell her as you lead the others to the indicated room.

Once you're all piled in on the beds and Rhea is elsewhere, Xallia let's out a breath, "Whew, not exactly a cheery place, is this?"

"It'll serve us well for the night." You mutter, lost in thought, "The townmaster is generous in his aid at least, though I'm not exactly looking forward to any fights tomorrow."

"We'll be fine," Xallia assures "You're awesome, I'm awesome, they're giving us extra gear, and Glenda and Anya are gonna be awesome with it. Now let's go see about those baths."

Heartened in spite of yourself, you follow the others back out.