Back in Eredy, several of the consortes present Sir Hamral with gifts in honor of his wedding to Lady Isabelle of Derwich. Meanwhile, Dominic and Renton arrive on the scene from Upchurch.

The consortes discuss possible interpretations of Purer's strange dream. Some argue that Argus, Nestor, or maybe even a third son is poised to shepherd the rucks back into the Pentian fold. However, based on the gruesome answer received by Coric, it seems that a reconciliation between Nestor and King Tereus is not forthcoming in the near future.

The group debates trying to put an end to the incessant raids from Orestes, or seeking out the hidden camps of Prince Serapis. Noxumbra flies out to scout the forward camps of Prince Busirane for activity, while Mendelor is dispatched to root out Serapis and his army.

Based on Noxumbra's reconnaissance, the consortes lay a trap for Orestes and his raiders. They find an appropriate spot near where the raiding parties have often emerged, and there they wait. Sometime after midnight Orestes, his son, and twelve troopers are caught fast in the ambush.

The consortes quickly overwhelm the raiding party, but both Orestes and his son prove to be fierce and formidable warriors. In the course of the fighting both Mendelor and Renton are badly wounded. Eventually, Renton cuts down Orestes's son while the enraged father looks on; Owen then lands the killing blow on Orestes, and poor Mot is at last revenged.

The consortes loot the bodies of the raiders. Both Orestes and his son have several enchanted items, including a hauberk and shirt of mail, and the two ruckblades Furlgrim and Narthanc, the latter sword once said to have been wielded by Prince Briareus.

The victorious group then returns to Eredy with the corpses of Orestes and his son, and a full report of the ambush is provided to Brother Gregory the Risen. The Seekers are most grateful for this service, and Gregory gives his permission for the group to search for Serapis.

Following a few scant rumors, the group leaves Eredy and heads into the wild lands north and east of the Seeker camp, hunting for signs of the slothful ruck prince. After a hard day of fruitless searching, the group makes camp on a hill.

During the night the wind shifts direction and Achrach smells something foul on the air. The group investigates and finds the ghastly remains of the lost Seeker patrol. The brother-knights and their horses had been torn apart and partially eaten.

Shaken, the consortes then hear distant shouting from the base of the hill. Noxumbra takes wing and reports that a large group armed with torches, whips, and spears is quickly pressing on through the woods, heading toward the camp and driving before them two huge, shambling, figures.

The consortes immediately begin preparing for battle. A bonfire is lit and weapons are drawn, just as a series of terrifying screams sounds from the darkness. Just then, two enormous boulders come hurtling out of the night, striking both Mendelor and Renton.

Just then, a pair of horrible, bestial figures emerge into the flickering light. Their massive forms are bent and slouching, their bodies covered with terrible scars, brands, and burn marks. They go naked save for dark red paint smeared across their warty hides, and drag behind them great lengths of spiked chains.

Valerius conjurers up a monstrous elephant of earth to combat these horrors, which prove to be incredibly tough and strong. Their wounds heal quickly, and with a just a few lashes from their chains they drop the enormous elephant. As the monsters progress up the hill, the consortes rain down arrows and spells and are only able to slay the creatures just before they reach the camp.

The next morning Noxumbra is sent back to Eredy while the consortes follow the monsters' tracks deeper into the wild lands. Later in the day they find what appears to have been Prince Serapis's camp, recently abandoned, with campfires still smoldering.

Soon after Noxumbra reports in from Eredy, where both Serapis and Busirane have attacked in concert and with such force that the Seekers are withdrawing and making at best speed for Heremac. Hoping to help distract Busirane from his pursuit of Gregory, the consortes rush toward Heremac.

After a long, hard push the consortes arrive near Heremac to witness a great battle between the Seekers and the ruck-men. The most intense fighting appears centered on the eastern shore of Edric's Bridge, which spans the Corin River. While the consortes watch, the Seekers collapse the mined bridge, stranding the armies of Busirane and Serapis on the eastern shore, with the nearest ford some five miles distant.

Meanwhile, Noxumbra reports that a new army is streaming down from the north along the western banks of the Corin. Sir Hamral suspects that this is a ruckish force from Derwich, perhaps led by King Tereus himself. Dominic casts a spell on Valerius that allows the magician in black to take flight and investigate this new army himself. However, as he approaches he encounters a giant bronze eagle, which probably confirms that the new army hails from Derwich. Valerius outflies the eagle and reports back with the news.

The consortes debate what to do next. Some members, recalling the prophecy foretold by the Lady of the Keep, despair that Heremac is doomed to fall to the rucks. Others argue that there is nothing to be done against an entire army and that they should head at once for Upchurch.

In the end, the consortes decide to attempt to do whatever little they can to aid Heremac. The group rushes south to the nearest ford, then turns back north again. By the time they reach the city, King Tereus's army has completely encircled Heremac. Meanwhile Busirane and Serapis are idled on the east bank with much of the ruckish siege equipment. To further bollix the ruckish plans, Dominic and Valerius use sorcery to magically appear on the east bank of the Corin, and there they wield terrible fire magicks to destroy as many siege engines as they can. After unleashing much havoc the two magicians disappear from sight and the consortes head off to Upchurch.

The Roleplaying Award (RP) includes PBM responses as well as participation in the live session.