| 225 The risk of trouble in Das Frontiere is too great. Guardsmen like those you have just encountered are common throughout Kalborea, and more than enough of them reside in the provincial capital. It will be better to err on the side of caution. Turning Pallenten to the west you urge her forward and the great horse quickens her gait. From a canter to a gallop in just a few strides it is not long before the leagues are again disappearing behind you. Ahead lay the dangers of Stoneholme and the ancient Tellandra, but Melem's Fork is your next stop and at your current speed you should be there by mid-afternoon. As you ride further to the west the road joins with another from the south-east. At this intersection you take the time to rest and water Pallenten. Unlike most roads this intersection is not signposted, it does have a watering trough and a serviceable well, one that you make good use of watering Pallenten and refilling your water bottles. When you are done you remount and continue on your way westwards. For some time the road remains straight and flat, but as you begin to climb onto higher ground the way becomes uneven and the road surface heavily rutted. Recent rains have loosened the ground which makes it treacherous underfoot, however Pallenten takes the changed conditions in her stride and gallops on towards the village. Although you are focused on your horse's progress a shadow falling onto the fields to your right instinctively makes you look up. Above you, at the very edge of your sight, you can just make out a number of large birds circling about. On its own this would seem innocent enough but a feeling of being watched has been with you for some time. These birds do nothing to lessen your growing sense of unease. As you watch them you consider that only the future will show if these unwanted companions are a threat to the completion of your quest. Onwards Pallenten gallops, without sign of fatigue or falter she pounds away at the leagues. Grassy fields pass you by, interspersed with isolated copses of trees and exposed piles of large boulders. Every so often you see a small farmhouse nestled inside a group of trees, a shelter needed in these places as ferocious winds can hit the plains here without warning. Very little of your fellow humankind can be seen though, and the remainder of your journey to Melem's Fork passes quickly and without incident. As you had hoped you reach your destination by mid afternoon. Pulling Pallenten to a halt atop a slight rise you look down towards the small farming community. It is in a state of complete chaos. Smoke billows freely from a number of buildings and men and women are running about frantically between them. At the far edge of the village you can see a group of creatures moving to the south-west. It is a Hordim raiding party making off with its plunder.
|  |  | Do you wish to help the villagers? If you do turn to section 116. If you would rather avoid any confrontation with the Horde at this time turn to section 258.
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