Upon reaching the fork, group had encountered a considerably sized caravan of 8 large carriages pulled by pairs of large draft horses all belonging to a single company, made clear by the markings each on the tarps that cover them. The company itself was familiar to Flinel as the leading woodworkers of Liloch and they cut and process the wood as well as making furniture and tools out of them. The only bit of woodworking they do not solely control are carving and etchings.

Tula began to break into a run as she wanted to join up in the middle of the caravan but Elna stopped her while saying, “Hold it you idiot! We don't have permission to walk with them.

“But I think I saw a sister of ours there with the guards.” Tula was struggling under the Elena's hold of her but only got more discomfort as her wrist was being twisted behind her back and ankle the arm was blocking her collar.

“Just hold and wait.” were the words Flinel gave.

Heran was taking in the view of the diverse procession.

The merchants were clear with their fineries as their servants wore a kind of uniform where men wore plain cream shirts with soft straight brown pants and trim gray vests and the women had a cream blouse and wide and long brown skirts with a gray bodice over it, and all of them either kept their hair short or were kept tied or braided.

There were also a uniform set of reasonably well equipped guards of two for each carriage, one having a crossbow and the other a spear and both with a sword and knife at the hip and armored with open-faced helms and padded jacks, gauntlets and greaves. The company of merchants, servants and guards were already at around fifty individuals and there were an addition of thirty differently armed and specialized individuals some in heavier armor, others in lighter ones and a few in plain or colorful robes.

Apparently, the merchants, servants and guards were a mix of different beastkin with bovine, swine and equine and few others. While their armed escorts were at around half being various beastkin and the other half were elves, humans and the odd dwarf and khar.

At the tail of the procession, three people met the group, and were made apparent with their attires as one merchant, one guard and one heavily armed individual.

“Haloo wanderers! The name is Bren of the Mailed Fist. Care to join us on the way to town?” the heavily armored boar-man inviting them with a bright smile as the two others were also in approving expressions.

The group moved closer and gave the three a modest bow before they introduced themselves.

The equine merchant was named ‘Clarence Wraft’, an accomplished carpenter turned merchant and looked to be quite strong for his age in early 40s. While the bovine guard addressed to himself as ‘Henry’ looked just out of being a trainee with a pair barely growing stubs sticking out of his helm but he had a stern and disciplined auburn gaze which betrayed his youthfulness.

Their journey was uneventful but quite informative as the hired escort of adventurers were open and welcoming after Bren introduced them. Advice on further routes, hunting grounds, delicacies of different towns and cities they may encounter o want to go to, and the like.

Adventurers, pioneers, mercenaries, or whatever iteration they are called, these men and women who chose such a life and profession have a kind of competitive and supportive form of rivalry/comraderie that is shared between them. And such a thing has now been fully realized in Heran’s thoughts as at her own experiences with working in teams of mixed peoples back at home had been normal for her but seeing it first hand from total strangers has established it in her mind.

Halfway through the caravan’s travel, they made camp just off the road and within sight of a small stream. The different parts of the group began to separate as others came together to socialize. The merchants and servants set up their tents beside the carriages while the guards covered the roadside part of the perimeter and the adventurers took the other side.

“It’s been a while sister, Freni. It's so good to see you again after so long.” Elna greeting one of their sisters while Tula jumped with arms wide open even with Freni still in armor as their helms and mail clinker and collided with one another.

“It's good to see you too Elna. Tula please settle down. I missed you too. Oh! Rina! The three of you are all here.” Tula rellenting her grasp as Freni gave them all a hug each but was startled by the sight of Flinel which she hadn't noticed earlier.

“At ease child. You already graduated from the training and I'm not here to take you back prematurely. There's still two years for you before you need to report back home, so don't worry and bring home the skills and knowledge you've gained.” Flinel had returned the quick but formal salute Freni made before breaking into a smile and giving the Ranger a few moments to slip out of old rolls and she turned to the last member of the group.

“Hello there. Heran was it? I am Freni Eridin, a Ranger yet to be ranked and an older sister to these three you have been traveling with and a former student of Sir Flinel.” she stated while giving a curt nod to Heran.

Heran noticing that Ferni also had the same surname as the three which was previously explained by Rina as all traveling elves use a common name for their travels and it determines their station and from where they came from. A single syllable name is for civilian laborers, two are for artisans, three for combat related professions and four for those of noble descent. Though once they return home and or receive rank, they are given the choice to keep the common surname, have a different one of their choice or return to their given names.

“Greetings to you too. Yes, I am Heran Fairhand, an adventurer by trade and generalist in vocation. I met these three in Scaleshard and am traveling with them up to Crackedhorn as per the wanderer’s agreement.”

“Let us get along then.” Freni offering her hand to Heran which was firmly taken and shook. “Just like how Flinel said, I am still learning and after three more years I am returning to elven land for my mandatory service. But for the time being, it's good to meet new friends and learn new things.”

Flinel’s group joined up with Freni and sat together for the dinner sharing what each group had and trading stories for a good hour before they retired to their tents and a few to guard shifts.

Morning came with no fanfare and the caravan had breakfast before setting back off. The most exciting thing of note in the day was when they were nearing the Fortified Town, others may call, a small city, that they encountered a slaver’s booth just beside the punisher’s gallows. The slaver and his wares were unremarkable as he simply said he was out of tradable goods and was waiting for criminals which chose to serve out their sentence as slaves. He said he was there as transport to bring these criminals to a penile colony in the next town over.

A post was there detailing the crime of the person in the stockade and written on it were the words Sentenced to Death on the Crimes of Rape, Infanticide and Inducing Feral Regression. A guard house was beside the stand opposite to the slaver’s tent. They to were there waiting with the slaver for the hand off and were serving as escorts.

Bren moved to inquire about the Ram Beastkin whose horns were broken of at the middle. And after a short exchange, returned to the column and shared what he learned.

He turned to Flinel and started, “The bloody bastard over there was found in his him bloody one day by a nosy neighbor which complained about strange bucking and clacking noises which called in the guards. The guards caught the ram washing up and were greeted to the scene of another Beastkin naked, bloodied, tied and tethered to stakes driven into the packed earthen floor. It turns out the Doe was beginning to foam at the mouth when the guards were about to free her and the Ram was a previous suitor that thought of wanting to be her lover in place of the one that hadn't returned for the past year and a half. The bastard killed the child in front of the mother after raping her in the child's view promising that if she submits the child wouldn't be hurt, though he still beat the kid to death from the frustration remembering the kid's dead father.”

Bren let out a long sigh looking at the his listeners’ souring expressions. “They had to put down the doe on the spot after trying and failing to calm her and bring back her consciousness, as grief had broken her. She was put down as per law regarding untreatable ferals and the cause of it was shamed for three whole days of the attempts to treat the victim and before being left out here for another three and after all that will be put to the axe back in the public square.”

It was a truly gruesome thing, the cure, more difficult and near torture compared to the pushing of a beastkin into feral nature. Heran later discovering that the same kind of turning feral was present in the Uruk, the collection of Orcs, Goblins and Trolls, and the way to push them over the edge was a different kind of detestable and vile process. Both Beastkin and Uruk sharing the stigma of being a step away from degenerating into monsters.

At the gates the merchants presented marks of business and badges of trade and travel, while the adventures showed their own badges of profession. The badges of traders and hired workers both showed names, ranks earned, and trade practiced or professions/vocations offered. Traders would have the seal of association to a company, workshop or group and may even be used to identify their entourage of servants and guards. Adventurers on the other hand, had a list of skill sets they can offer which is certified by the guild, though most either try to fill up or put as little as possible.

“Well, this is goodbye for now.” Freni hugging the her sisters and saluting Flinel.

“Keep growing young Ranger and we will see each other again back in the Elven woods.” Flinel replied as the other sisters lined up to salute her.

Heran also received a hug and gave a salute as Freni addressed her.

“Newfound sister and friend, Lady Heran Fairhand. I wish you safety and success on your journey and mission.”

“Thank you Ranger. To you too I wish you a keenness in times of lull and peace and calmness in testing and trials.”

Bren stood within earshot of the group and gave an approving nod and waved goodbye As Freni rejoined their Adventuring party as the new friends parted.

Heran and the rest had gone to the Adventuring guild as caravan were off to report to the Merchant Guild first. They sold the rest of the skins, teeth, bone and herbs they had gathered and split the coin they gained, even some of the rations were divided and Heran was given a bit more than was prior agreed upon.

“This a bit much for me.” Heran looked to Flinel

Rina was quick to reply. “Think nothing of it. We already gained much from stopping over at Oomha village and truth is we are strictly out for testing our skills and resourcefulness, not for building up coin, though the rare curiousty or artifact is a welcome companion to have.” she said making Flinel grin.

“Think of it of it more as a little something to help you get started when you reach Trask.” Tula remarked in the same stern and concerned expression she had when Heran told her at a few nights out of where they first set off.

“May success be with you.” was all Elna said as she had the neutral and confident look which Heran just somehow knew was filled with the same concern Tula had expressed.

“One last thing.” Flinel placed a scroll on the table gesturing for Heran to open it. “A route premarked from my last travel to Trask which I reaffirmed with that Bren fellow leading Freni’s party.” Flinel’s finger tracing a faint line of ‘mana’ drawn on the parchment. “Wait for them here as it seems the caravan they are in will continue eastward and Freni said Bren would welcome you as a temporary addition to their party. They can get you halfway there in another two weeks to walk the roads before they turn northwards on the caravan’s last stop before setting back towards Liloch.”

“Thank you again sir.” Heran bowed before continuing. “I hope to meet you all again someday.”

The Elves took their leave just in time for Freni to enter the tavern portion of the Adventurers Guild. The elves acknowledged each other and they greeted one another with a simple yet graceful display reserved only between elves and those they have welcomed.

After the fleeting image of grace, Freni made her way to the table Heran sat in, stood, smiled and extended her hand before saying, “Welcome to the Mailed Fist, Miss Fairhand. I believe it's best to continue with getting to know the members of the party, so shall we?”

Heran nodded and took the offered hand firmly and followed after Freni.