With some supplies left by the kobolds, it was easy enough for the Delvers to have a comfortable night, recovering, breathing easier, away from danger.  The hole down into the earth gave occasional growls and rumbles as the night went on, but by morning it was silent and still.<br/><br/>The trek back was far from pleasant, rappelling down a cliff quite a bit easier than climbing up one, armor and clothing still shredded and ripped.  The path through thick jungle, four days walking on a road (made a day shorter by a kindly farmer more than willing to pick up three gorgeous barely dressed women), and an embarrassingly public arrival in Heaford were passed through relatively uneventfully.<br/><br/>Then finally a welcome, familiar sound.  The rising and falling of fluted music as they draw near the Storm and Queen, followed by the sight of Ayca outside and a warm greeting from the familiar barmaid (though always a slightly hesitant one, concern over broken bones or too-much-yuckiness puts up a slight barrier).  "Come on in, come on in, we'll have baths made up," she calls as she brings the three in, a look of concern on her face as she asks, "And Lorel-  You'll have to tell me when you're settled.  Settle in first.  Baths and drinks, some excellent stew, come on, come on."<br/><br/>The three are hurried in as Ayca gets back to chattering, drawing them through the tavern and dozens of turning, interested eyes back to the Delver's Company Holding.<br/><br/>"You'll need to meet with Scholar Zrande at some point to tell him your discoveries and you'll of course be paid then.  I've gathered some rumors and job offers as well, they're just pouring in these days.  And of course there are a couple of Delvers ready to go on another delve.  You know, once you recover and everything."<br/><br/>The meeting the next day with Zrande goes well enough, the scholar attentive and insistent upon all of the details.  Discussion of the mysteries complete (and with an assurance that he can call upon the Delvers later for more details if he needs them for his history), he hands over the promised money with an added bonus, totaling 250 gold to be split as the Delvers see fit.<br/><br/>From there, the Delvers may have odd jobs to do or things to seek, but the Ancient Stronghold would not be forgotten.