I set out at the foredawn to make good use o' the early light. The Brandywine were runnin' higher than expected and Thornegil the Ranger were standing guard, as Rangers do.

Hard to find a dry path across, and with me wet boots I didn't fancy the blisters I'd surely get hiking to Herne, so I spoke with the stable-master and hired a horse. 10 silver and 50 coppers he wanted! Still, I knew me boots would dry and it'd get me to Herne in time for an early lunch.

I waved goodbye to Thornegil and headed east, knowing there'd like as not be a red rock bandit or two in the Ruddymore hills - but I rode fast enough to not be worth the bother.