A group of us are called into Tara's office (Tara, a Belar, is the Dean of Art). Someone has stolen a statue she made and replaced it with an excellent forgery; she wants us to find the thief and recover the statue. Honestly, it doesn't seem that important to me, but I guess if I were Tara I'd certainly want to know what happened, plus it smacks of a threat to the Belar (can't have that, I guess.). But here's the good part - if we go, WE DON'T HAVE TO TAKE OUR FINALS! AND WE GET TO GO INTO THE OUTSIDE WORLD AND HAVE ADVENTURES! AND THE BELAR ARE PAYING FOR IT! WHEEE! So I'm in, of course, and will do my best.

The group is a motley one. Kestrel is a big fighter with some kind of big pointy stick. I plan to hide behind him whenever necessary. Vernon is our cleric and stableboy, a mix made all the stranger by his shiny plate mail. Still, he seems dedicated to the party's welfare (though I'd hate to be wounded at the same time as a horse - he just might heal the horse first!). Vaugner is an all-round rogue and a bit of a nutcase, but I think (hope?) he'll be more dangerous to our enemies than to us. Errol is a bard and an epic mama's boy, but I like the way he plays the drums. Malif is our wizard, so of course he's fascinating to me - maybe he'll be able to teach me something later. He's the strangest member of the group, though. I suspect he may lack discipline, too.

We leave to follow a caravan led by a man named Jacob. Apparently, we're going to have to RIDE. I'd really prefer to walk. The Belar loan me a horse. Vernon tells me the brute is named Red.

After much cajoling (really!) I get the group to agree to some standard orders of march.

Standard double file:

Vernon            Kestrel

Vaugner           Blink

          Malif

          Errol

Single file:

Kestrel

Vernon

Vaugner

Blink

Malif

Errol

Advancing in open ground:

            Vernon             Kestrel

Vaugner           Malif               Blink

                        Errol

We also agree on keeping watches. We'll do it in this order:

Blink - Vaugner - Kestrel - Vernon

In dangerous situations, we'll go to two watches:

Blink+Kestrel, Vaugner+Vernon

We stay overnight in a small town named Maro. I'm wondering if we can spare the time, but the inn seems comfortable (more so than the road!). Malif tries to buy endless rounds of drinks. Why? We're on a mission for the gods sake! Like I said, no discipline. I mean, I'm happy to be free (AND NOT TAKE THE FINALS!), but still.

The next night, we camp outside. Errol complains endlessly about how hard the ground is, how no one is around to change his diapers, etc. Kestrel wakes us because he sees some distant creatures that look like blinking lights. I can remember that Uncle Plato told me these things are valuable - they're the material component to some spell. Too bad he didn't say whether they were dangerous! Vaugner is all for chasing them down. My intuition tells me they want to lure us in and get us killed by dire wolves. The rest of the group agrees and we go back to a careful sleep. Adventuring seems easy as long as you're not stupid.

Speaking of which, I notice that Vernon spends the last part of his watch looking after the horses. That's all very nice, but what if someone attacks right then? After much convincing (it's like trying to reason with a horse, I swear!) he agrees to wake me every morning when he starts taking care of the horses.

Plus, I notice that Vaugner surrounds himself with caltrops (nasty things!) when he sleeps! Malif and I talk idly of rearranging them every night. I couldn't do that, of course (but is it undisciplined of me to secretly hope that Malif goes for it?). I make a note not to sleep anywhere near Vaugner.

The next night, we get attacked! Or really, our horses do. One of them wakes us all with a terrifying scream - they're being attacked by three carnivorous horse things! I go straight in and kill one with a blow of my fist (the long training and discipline finally pays off!). My first victory, and the party's too! I'm so proud. Kestrel and I polish off another one, and the last one runs away. Errol played something really inspirational on his drum. I'll have to ask him to repeat that one.

My horse Red was wounded in the incident. I offer to walk, but Vernon tells me we'll travel much faster if I ride (sorry Red!). I have new respect for horses, and of course for Red, who was wounded in the gallant action.

I consider adding "Horse Killer" to my name. "Blink, Horse Killer". Doesn't quite have the right ring, though. I don't think Red or Vernon would like it either. I guess I'll have to wait for the next victory.