The Journey West
Transporting Belker's belongings took the better part of the day, but was otherwise uneventful. Vornheim's gate guards at first attempted to extort a tax once they saw his horse-drawn cart ready to leave the city, but the rise of multi-colored smoke and an unexpected spark (which later turned out to be a harmless chemical reaction) convinced them to ensure you all a safe and speedy exit from the city.
It is said that the lands north of Vornheim are just as strange and dangerous as the realms east of it, although nobody could confirm this as the biting cold only grows worse and worse. But even traveling west Alex and Kana could see the oddness of the place. After spending the better part of the day traveling across snowy fields, you all camped for the night. There was a town off in the distance, but as you all approached it became clear that there remained nothing but ruins. Where there would be villagers, in their homes and hearths, were statues instead. Faceless, featureless statues in only the basest of human shape with no minor details seen on proper sculptures. Nothing happened unexpectedly, such as coming to life and attacking, but Belker wisely suggested that they should continue on their travels.
After nearly 3 days of travel you reached the city of Branbull. It was everything Akris told you it would be. In spite of it the climate the water was warm, people even wading through it! The buildings were multi-storied, the streets no more than balconies and bridges wrapping around homes linking them all together. The "ground level" was awash in canals and aqueducts, with rowers of miniature boats and greater barges offering to transport visitors about in exchange for some coin. Dominating the skyline was a huge white tower spotless in its glory.
"This is quite the place!" Belker said. "I am good friends with the high priestess, so securing a residence should be no trouble at all! Excuse me miss, can you direct me to the most convenient route to the Temple of Dorega?"
"How can you say such a thing?" she exclaimed.
"Beg your pardon!"
"Oh, you've just come? Then you don't know of it? It's horrible, a wicked sorcerer ventured inside and slaughtered the people, right there as they engaged in worship!"
"By the gods, that's terrible! What happened?"
"I don't know! We tried rallying the town militia, but they have yet to emerge?"
"And what of the high priestess?"
"I already told you, I don't know? River's grace, I hope she's okay..."
Belker stroked his temples. "This is very unfortunate. Well, you did bring me here, so you'll get your fee for ensuring my safe transport
(10 silver pieces each), but I'm afraid that the rest of the money was to be paid by the high priestess. And it appears that the people of this town are in dire straits. Since you're here, wouldn't you mind seeing if you can do anything to help?"
The Temple of Dorega was none other than the massive white tower in the center of town. The only windows were high, high above, so nobody could tell what was going on inside. The front gate was no more than an archway with no doors, but an odd translucent barrier was erected over it.
"That gate should not trouble you if you're going inside," the girl from before said. "But you're nonbelievers, so once you exit the temple you'll be forever barred. If you hope to rescue the priestess or kill the sorcerer, you're going to have to do it one go."
She turned back before leaving. "May the river of life take you on peaceful journeys."
