From the Empress Elsbeth, Aeodan kept the heavy bronze broadsword and Ed the priest thoroughly checked out the staff, which had curious runes that were sometimes visible, sometimes not. The group of adventurers was aware that there were rumors that Ogred, the town leader, was losing his mind, and that he and his entourage were disgusted with the group and their actions and antics- though they only knew very little of what they’d been up to!

Sian the thane let them know that things were amiss, and unpredictable. Wanting to learn more about the staff and sword, and the ankh rod, Ed and Aeodan set off to see Ithael the mage. He was very curious where they’d come from and the two guys tried to not disclose too much about Empress Elsbeth.

He said the staff could be used for snake control, with a limited number of “charges”- and flipped open an ancient book with an exact picture of the bronze broadsword, which had slain the snake god, Gar. In order for Slypeghast to become godlike and resurrect the spirit of Gar he’d need to have some of Gar’s remains as well as the heart kept by Elsbeth. Ithael wanted to go off and consult with his mentor, a trip which would keep him gone several weeks. Aeodan mentioned the need for perhaps some help from someone magical, and Ithael said there were some younglings under his tutelage but they weren’t ready to face real danger.

The decision is made to hide the ankh rod away from the town. Several of the group went to Clynog’s Folly to hide it there, wrapped it in Aeodan’s satchel and hidden away in an alcove in a lower room. Bronwen put his hand on a piece of stone and a secret passageway opened up! After some time of walking they found themselves on a ledge just five feet wide overlooking a cavern. Bronwen threw a rock and it took 8 seconds to hit the ground. He then threw down a torch, much to Aeodan’s consternation.

They decided to get back to town. Aeodan vented his frustrations about Bronwen’s impulsivity to Owain, who is still recuperating. Next stop: More bee keeping to get some honey, wax, and maybe some royal jelly or larvae to sell. They had luck finding plenty of honey and wax. They had a close call with some warrior bees. They took different routes this time when they came to Y junctures and journeyed deeper in, which explains why they came upon a huge cavernous room never mentioned by Arthur the old beekeeper.

The entire wall to the left was full of honeycombs and to the right, more wax. But the most unusual and notable part of the room was the FIFTY FOOT TALL 7 headed Hydra stone statue and skeletal remains of such a beast, covering the floor, in the middle. Sentry bees flew around here and there.

There came a sound like distant voices or humming and the bronze sword, no other description, joined in with the singing! With the sword seeming to react at the close proximity to these skeletal remains, they backed out and crawled away as fast as they could, bursting out of the tunnel to catch their breath. Bees were buzzing around the entrance. They hurried back to town…