The small ship moves quietly across the dark waters as the slivered moon plays behind clouds.  Even when its soft light reaches the boat, the grey-dyed sails give little that a watcher would note.  The breeze across the waters comes from the northwest, still carrying the last chill of winter.  The days will be warm though, even hot from what is known of the lands they approach.<br/><br/>The figures on the deck stand together, looking into the darkness at the growing signs of the opposite shore.  They share a common purpose, a common quest.  A quest to recover that which was lost, both material and (perhaps more important) the immaterial.<br/><br/>Last autumn, a paladin and his priest-squire went on a personal quest to recover a relic of the Light: the Chalice of Compassion.  The paladin, one Sir Richard Redmark, had come across information that the relic had been taken by a merchant into a foreign enemy land, ignorant of its full nature, and merely thinking of it as a bejeweled silver chalice with some healing properties.  The Chalice was noticed by an spy of the Church, who relayed it to the Order of the Silver Guard.  Sir Richard, perhaps swayed overmuch by his pride, immediately set forth with his loyal squire, Kevin Stanard, to recover the Chalice without considering all of the dangers and subtleties of the situation.<br/><br/>The Order has been unable to find out what happened to Sir Richard, though divinations suggest he is still alive.  A recent intelligence report has found the location of Kevin Stanard, now a slave to a powerful merchant-prince.  It is hoped that both the squire and his knight can be saved, both in body and soul, and that the Chalice can be recovered.  The Order is well aware that the direct approach that the paladin took was foolhardy, riding straight in on his holy mount in his Order's tabard with his sword ready.  They now have brought together a group that is considered loyal and pure enough to handle a relic of the Church, yet canny and capable enough to bring some subtlety that will be needed for success.  It is now spring, and they have called to sail across the narrow gulf to the Eastern lands.<br/><br/>The Order of the Silver Guard has placed Sir Jo'ann Whiteheart in nominal charge of the expedition, both due to his august position as a Paladin, his title as a Lord's Champion, and his noble birth.  He will be wise to take counsel and strength from the others, but they should harken to his word.  With him are Sir James of Lacshire, a blessed child of celestial birth, who skill with song is greater even than his skill with sword.  The wiry figure of Ivan Aust Raathe the Fifth stands here as well, a warrior who is known for his skill with two blades as well as with his hand-and-a-half sword.  The beautiful Kaitani Whiteshield's half-fey ancestry is evident in her features, but this has been sanctioned by the Church for her great service and skill amongst the woodlands and with the bow.  Crouching on the deck, his eyes seeking to piercing the dark, is the least in station of the group, a good-hearted young commoner named Felix.<br/><br/>Soon the ship will deposit them on a marshy shore, where the Order has arranged to have a native guide meet them.  They have been cautioned that the guide's primary motive is that of base greed, but that he has been loyal and good under the Order's pay for quite some time.  This guide will help them follow the footsteps of the lost, and hopefully to the Chalice itself.