While continuing to flee from the forces of a mysterious force that struck out against the throne, our band of heroes meets an Orcish mercenary by the name of Gru. As a former employee of the Ostian Throne, Gru agreed to help the team on the condition that the new Queen make good on her late father's promise of payment. The team's objective began to unfold as the path to Carmichael continued, but was abruptly halted by a hastily assembled, fire resistant, wall constructed along the bank of a raging river! To reach the port town across the river, our heroes threw their trusty bard, Sir Kyk Phlyp, across the waters, carrying with him a length of rope for the rest of the team to use in traversing the waves. After narrowly avoiding the eyes of sentries, they made their way to the town entrance and, using some cunning word play with the guards, snuck inside Carmichael to attempt to find safe passage to the North.