<div align="center"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong><em><span class="bbc_u">The Lady of Castle Rend</span></em></strong></span></span></div><br/><div align="center">(http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=93996&amp;d=1518218771&amp;stc=1)</div><br/>After several days of travel—including a two-day voyage by boat across Lake Asher—the village of Gravesford came into view, a humble handful of houses amidst the rolling farmlands. Once, Gravesford had been Ruxvan territory, protected by the Order of the Blue Talons from their mighty bastion, Castle Rend. When Castle Rend fell in Carrowynn's civil war Gravesford was deemed to remote for the Duchy of Ruxvan to defend, and thus the village fell to the Barony of Bedegar, a longtime ally of House Ruxvan.<br/><br/>But perhaps times were about to change. Larissa Ruxvan, daughter of House Ruxven, had come to reclaim Castle Rend. The Duchess felt the pursuit of Castle Rend was largely folly, but perhaps a year or two of Knight-Errantry would help her daughter through this restless phase of her life.<br/><br/>Gravesford itself was quite a rather small burgh, twenty buildings at most, most of which ringed a quaint town square. Several market stalls had been erected there, and townsfolk milled about perusing the wares.<br/><br/>Larissa's elven companion, Kasala, pointed out one stall in particular, where a sign painted with colourful flowers proclaimed PINNA'S POTIONS. The stall itself, however, appeared to be unstocked and a second sign proclaimed, "OUT PLAYING, FIND ME. LOOK FOR THE HAT. OTHERWISE VISIT THE SHOP AFTER MARKET.” Larissa vividly recalled Pinna, a cheerful freckled girl wearing a homemade wizard's hat perched atop a tangle of bright red hair.<br/><br/>A small smile played at the corner of Kasala's mouth. "It would seem that Gravesford has not changed my student one whit," the elf chuckled. "Well, my lady. Shall we seek her out now, or would you rather find lodgings for the evening??"