Into the Woods

**Into the Woods** is the fourth episode of The Broadswords.

**Summary**

### **Synopsis**

Mepris demands of Gris, "Who is Hamara?" Gris says he probably isn't the best one to ask.

The matron explains that Hamara was a ranger who came here when she died and that her soul is bound to the Moss Stones. She takes men who remind her of her lost husband, but eventually returns them home. Though they may have been gone a long time the men who return are the same age as the day they were taken. Mepris is confused as to why the responsibility of returning the men falls to the pilgrims and asks if they had similar dreams commanding them to get him home. One by one the pilgrims say they did not receive such a dream.

Mepris checks the man on the ground to see if he is alive.

He stirs tiredly, slowly coming to his sense. Impatiently, Mepris asks his name. He says his name is Borovic. "How long?" He asks. "I need to go to Irling; my wife..."

Mepris asks if he is married to a witch. He says yes, his wife's name is Silanna. Borovic explains that he was indeed taken by Hamara.

Gris says that he can't go out of his way to go to Irling as his caravan is headed for Immilmar. Yllairies has gradually been inching closer to the commotion and now goes up to and says that the woman in Mepris' dream also appeared in hers. Yllairies turns to Gris and says with authority, "We've been called. We shall ensure his safe delivery." Mepris seems reluctant, thinking the newcomer untrustworthy. Yllairies insists self-importantly that he is helpless and needs them.

They tell him what year it is and he stares in shock mumbling that it's been 20 years. Keilah watches these events warily.

Mepris raises her hand to ask a question of Gris and asks if he has any horses or supplies to share.

Gris doesn't have much to offer, but is concerned about how Yllairies and Mepris will fare, given their current track record. Seeing Keilah to the side he says that she might help them.

Keilah weighs up staying with the caravan and then considers the possibility of earning money from rich people in Irling and agrees to go. Gris says he will spare what he can. He gives them a two-person tent, but no horses.

They get told that, to get back to Irling, they need to go back 4 hours the way they came and there's a turn-off to the north which will take you straight there.

The caravan packs up and leaves to continue to Immilar leaving the Broads to their journey.

They take a lot longer than expected and by the time they reach the turn off it is dark, so they set up camp.

During the night they are disturbed. It seems that they are being haunted but are at a loss as to how to solve it. Their tent collapses at one point and Mepris is overcome by a feeling of intense lonliness and crumples to the ground. Yllairies awkwardly pats her shoulder.

Mepris then goes to fix the tent. Without warning, one of the tent-poles launches into the trees. The spirit haunting them is still here and will not let them rest.

### Locations

* Irling - A sacred city right on the outskirts of the Sacred Wood. It is a city of witches. Outsiders may enter the town but may not enter the forest. The witches who reside in Irling are largely high ranking. It is located in a grove of alders and evergreens. The houses resemble mounds of earth, which helps disguise them.

* Irling Wood - a sacred forest which cannot be entered on pain of death. Only the Hathryn - witches of Rashemen - are allowed to enter.

* Immilmar

### Featured Characters

#### Main

* Yllairies
* Mepris
* Keilah

#### New

* Borovik
* Silanna

#### Returning

* Pilgrim Matron
* Gris