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Robert speak up "I do not like leaving anyone behind, even Virgil, but Dallid does spek true in that I do not know what good would come in attacking those elves. Let us move stealthfully and quickly to Haven"

"Virgil has been adament that he works best solo, and has indeed displayed significant success with his lone-wolf tactics. I think we should have faith in his abilities, and trust he knows how to handle himself in that theater."

"Mortimer, please continue directing us on course for Haven."

"I guess there isn't really anything we can do...I mean if we do go down there and rescue Virgil he is just going to run off and get him self into another situation just like this. I just feel kind of bad leaving him, even though he has been a pain this entire time."

Zeira takes a deep breath and nods his head from side to side

"Stupid...Dammit...Wish he would have just cooperated then we wouldn't be in this situation. There's probably like a million elves on the other side of that portal or those other elves would have followed to help. Hopefully he got away. Let's continue on to Haven. Maybe he'll be there waiting for us."

The group moves out, wondering about the fate of Virgil, about what it might mean to their safety, their mission. Whether upset about these events or just the lost time, Mortimer pushes harder and longer into the nights before stopping. Days pass uneventfully, as the group passes through sparse lands, lands that long ago gave up the battle and have simply wilted in defeat. At times, the group comes across ruins of old towns that one could almost still hear the echoes of its vibrant lives. Onward they travel through meadows, across creeks, through forests. Nearly two weeks later, Mortimer stops midday, a curious change in routine, but he smiles and says, "we're within half a day of Haven. Best to know what we're doing."

“13 of us stand together now – a group of sufficient size to attract undue attention. I suggest splitting into smaller groups and approaching Haven from different directions. I also suggest avoiding contact with anyone initially.”

“We cannot engage the Elves as an enemy here. Nor does negotiation appear an option. We must seek to infiltrate Haven to learn what we can of the Elves and the situation there. Try to observe Haven citizens first to learn what must be done to be accepted as one of them. See if they carry an obvious branding, or if they must present papers or a seal to Elven patrols. Try to discern if citizens are acting under any compulsion, and what regulations by which they must comply.”

“I would suggest the following groupings. Zeira, Cristo, Brey, and Theon – flank right and approach the town from that side. Robert, Daniel, Gravin, and Paul – head straight toward Havne. Malachi, Daine, Azra, and Mortimer – take the left flank.”

“We are close enough that each group has at least one person familiar with the area. You should be able to find your ways about just fine. I cannot go any further, and will remain here. Return to this location in two days time, and we will discuss your findings and decide how best to proceed.”

“No splitting up. Robert you said you had connections to get us in undetected. You had best go talk to them and see where that stands. If they are unavailable than we go in as one big group. Three small groups entering on the same day is just as suspect as one big group. Hears what we are trying to figure out. How many elves are occupying this place? What do those magic eyes on the towers do? Who is in charge here? How many resistance people do we have here and what do they need? Who is the resistance leader? Why are the elves here? Are they looking for something? Do they have any ‘Secret Weapons’ we don’t know about? How do the elves actually feel about all this? Are they being controlled by some unseen force? That’s ten things we need to figure out. Is there anything else we need to figure out?”

Brey walks over to Zeira, and his brothers with a smile on his face.

We should find out if Virgil's around as well.

“If Robert has a reliable method for infiltration, then we do have a considerable advantage. My primary concerns are how readily the Elves can detect ‘outsiders’, and how likely the current citizens of Haven might give us away out of fear or compulsion. This is why I recommend observation only, initially – in small, stealthy groups.”

“However, Robert, if you all ready have answers to these concerns and are confident you can infiltrate the party into Haven as one cohesive group, then much time can be saved, and much risk avoided.”

Robert take everything in as usual.

"My men and I will head out and meet with our contacts. As for the rest of you i think Dallid has a good plan to scout and see what you observe. It should not take me too long so let us meet up here this evening a few hours before sun set."

With that Robert and his men head out.

Zeira looks over at Dallid

"I don't like splitting up but you do make a good point. Hopefully nobody will get in trouble. Remember if things get bad we meet up here. Let's get going."

Zeira starts heading towards the right flank of town

Malachi nods to Daine, Azra, and Mortimer

"Whenever you're ready..."

*Azra smiles, and shifts her quiver.*

As ready as I'll ever be.

*Once the others are ready, Azra begins to make her way stealthily around to the left side.*

*I am going to compress what both parties see into 1 post for the sake of time*

Haven stands as it once did, but bigger. Buildings have been rebuilt, and there are many people who seem to come and go as they please. As you circle around the town the fort comes into view and you are stunned at what you see. A wall of polished stone reflects the late afternoon sun. Towers, 4 total rise of like trees with a single spherical lens that seems to move with a will of its own, and some rises from within. As you continue to watch something seems out of place and then it dawns on you that there are elves, but very few are armed. In fact many of them appear to be walking here and there, reading, singing, and generally at peace.

About every 4 hours you see about 10 armored troops march out of the fort and travel through the town and out to some unknown location, only to return as the next set is about to leave.
Besides that you see a normal busy day, and perhaps a bit more peaceful than anything you were use to when you were there.
Eventually you all meet back up to the spot where Robert is already waiting.

Robert turns to each of you
“Before we do anything we need to find a camp, and frankly this place is too close and too open. Graven, found what looks like a small cave that should fit most or all of us. He is there now constructing the necessary camouflage around the exit. Let us go quickly, there is food, and we can talk”

Robert takes you a couple miles through the woods until the land quickly runs downward. Once you reach the bottom you turn left along a small stream for about 200 yards before turning toward the hill. It is then you see Graven pop out of nearly thin air and motion you all inside a small cave.

Bread is passed around as Robert tells his tale:

“I have spoken to some people still loyal to us. The Elves have this area secure, and worse, have secured the hearts of many. There are a few humans who have risen to a place of prominence among the elves, and it is through their aid the Elves are able to keep control. They are a corrupt bunch, but the elves do not mind as long as peace is maintained which it has. The area is more peaceful than it has ever been and many find comfort in peace. No one knows what the towers do, but the people fear them. Any open resistance has for the most part been rooted out in midnight raids by the elves. Anyone who is found without a mark, is marked, but there does not appear to be in central security making sure people are marked.

What now do we do?"

Dallid considers what he hears carefully.

“The land is at peace, apparently secure, allowing its people to live and prosper without fear. That is all most would want. But beauty can be only skin deep, and I would like to know exactly how this peace and security is maintained. Many legitimate reasons might be found, but also more insidious factors may be at work. For instance, how many newborns have there been since the Elves took over? Elves plan for the long term, and I can imagine them treating crops and providing food that make non-elves sterile – effectively removing them from their lands in the course of a generation or two. Retrieving samples of food and drink should not be difficult."

“It would seem we can enter Haven at will, but we would have to be unarmed. Only the military patrols appear allowed weapons. The only risk would then be that infiltrators may become marked. I would suspect such marks need not be seen to be verified, but merely sensed. While such sensings surely take several seconds to complete, I doubt one could move to avoid it without arousing suspicion. But what is the purpose of such marks? Once marked, we cannot discount that one might also be tracked or made susceptible to compulsion. Returning such a mark to Far Reach for study might prove useful, but getting back may be difficult if the mark truly allows for tracking. Regardless, the situation may be taken away from us should one or more become marked.”

“There is another risk I see. Given the Elves apparent total success at counter- insurgency, one might assume the lens towers allow their operators to both hear and see what they are focused on. Perhaps even through walls. Infiltrators will therefore need to guard their tongues well lest they be heard and arrested. Speak nothing of our mission or discuss findings in town. All discussion should be reserved for when you are well away from Haven.”