The Sword and the Swamp

In the morning, they press on, coming across a group of tracks. Alexander theorizes that it could be from a tribe of elves he's heard of being in the area called the Entheans. They decide to try to find these people, rather than risk getting caught sneaking around.

Alexander suddenly gets caught in a snare trap. Several elves approach the group, and say that they will cut him down, if the group will come and look at something for them. Leona agrees, and they cut down Alexander.

The elves lead them to a large, well-hidden camp. They bring the group a human man with cartography tools named Sam. He tells them that he's there studying this tribe, and he's been there for a few weeks. He says that what they want them to look at is in some special grove. He asks what they're doing there, and when they tell him the direction they're heading, he asks if they're going to the "heart".

An older elf hears this and says that she can help them find what they're looking for, if they identify an object and break its hold on his nephew. She tells them that there is a green dragon, from whom her nephew stole a sword, which is demanding blood, and with which her nephew is enamored. Alexander says he will take a look.

They are lead to a cavern, where the is a dark black longsword, sitting on a stone. Alexander identifies it as the Sword of Kas, and the sword speaks to him in his head. Alexander tells it that he opposes the whispered one, and it demands to be given to someone worth to wield it. Alexander asks it about the woman's nephew, and it tells him that he promised it blood, and it won't release him until it's satisfied. It also tells him that the eye and hand of Vecna are in the world, one to the north, and one to the west.

Alexander briefs the others, and they discuss what to do. The woman, who gives her name as Nayona, says that she has tried restoration spells on her nephew, and Alexander doubts that anything he can do will be any better, but they decide it's worth a try. She leads them to him, and Alexander manages to pull the curse out of his body.

Alexander tells Nayona this is a very dark weapon, and she says that she wants it gone. They agree to take it, and Nayona gives them directions to get to the Heart of the Grim, which is where they need to go.

They go back to the grove and put the sword in Alexander's bag of holding. Alexander tells the others that he's not opposed to the sword re-entering the world, as long as it's done very carefully. They return to the camp and speak to Sam. He tells them that he can help them get closer to the Grim.

They speak to Nayona again, picking her brain for more information about the kinds of things to expect. She tells them that they call the Dragon Emerald Sky, and his territory is between their camp and the Heart. She shows them some helpful leaves, roots, and berries, and tells them about some nuts that will glow. She also tells them about some beetles that will help them with disease.

They prepare to leave the horses at the camp and go with Sam into the jungle. Kesra says goodbye to Red, asking her what she knows about the Sword of Kas, which isn't much. They walk until nightfall, and make camp. Sam asks Alexander about the sword, then quickly transitions to demanding that they hand over the sword, soon transitioning into the form of an ancient green dragon.

The dragon immediately blasts them all with a poisonous cloud, knocking Leona unconscious, and Alexander turns over the sword to him. He takes it and flies off. Fate's Chosen, dejected, and feeling sickened from the poison, makes camp, with Alexander casting a tiny hut. They reflect on the day's events.

Leona exchanges a few messages with Salix, learning about the Godfall book, and about an undead army in the north. They advise her to hide the book, and Alexander and Elden contact Xytharia and Val to warn them about the army. Leona contacts Aureo to check in before going to bed.