<b><span style="font-size: 18px">The Evermoor Way - 5 hours east of Yartar</span></b><br/><br/>The carriage, emblazoned with the livery of House Arramont and frankly a bit ostentatious, continued on its way, one wheel still creaking despite the driver’s best efforts. Shoddy maintenance of the fleet was to blame, Everlund was not used to such distinguished traffic.<br/><br/><i>Should have come back via Silverymoon.</i><br/><br/>That would have been a nice detour,<a class="link link--external" href="https://i.postimg.cc/pLSscTGR/Lydia-di-Arramont-01.png" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">Lydia di'Arramont</a>had always enjoyed her time as the Arramont High Factor in Luruar’s capital. Even if the regulations were a bit stuffy, at least it had all the comforts of civilization, including several distinguished colleges. Those offered a ready local supply of handsome and beautiful young people who were looking to make a career for themselves, sometimes with Arramont’s backing. Backing they needed her approval for. She could have seen herself staying in Silverymoon for the rest of her career, away from the furtive glances and rumor waiting for her at home in Waterdeep. Or at least until all the full-human elders died off. Another plus for Luruar, half-elves were ... if not exactly common, certainly you were likely to run into one or two on any decently trafficked street.<br/><br/>But the damn orc war had interfered. Oh, sure, it was good for business. Or at least, she had *made* it good for business. Learning both dwarven and orcish had been a massive boon. As Sundabar was depopulated, and Luruar collapsed in bickering, House Arramont had been able to pick through the wreckage, even playing a key role in bringing Sundabar back after the orcish pillaging. But doing so had been long hard work. She was required in Sundabar for the better part of a year, and her former lieutenant had to step up and take over local affairs in Silverymoon. So for the time being, Lydia was without formal assignment.<br/><br/>The downriver trip from Sundabar to Everlund had been fine, and the family’s business representatives there had been obsequious enough. But clearly they were also lax at keeping the carriage wheels properly lubricated. But there was no point worrying about that now. The middle of the Evermoor Way is not a place where you can pick up premium wheel grease, so the noise would be tolerated. But soon they would be in Yartar. She might as well stay for a while. The city was an important trade hub, and the family’s presence there was not as substantial as it really should be. The family elders didn’t think much of the Savage Frontier in general. As far as they were concerned civilization stopped at Waterdeep. Fools. They’d probably send her to Amn or something. The sweltering south. It just better not be Calimshan and its endless desert.<br/><br/>Noticing the decrease in the carriage’s pace she considers calling out to the driver. It’s too early to stop for a break, but perhaps a tree has fallen in the road or something. Lydia hopes it won’t take too long, she was expecting to be in Yartar by nightfall.