The Heavy Standard: The Fool's March

[Part of the Party Time journal] 

Meanwhile Eagle leads the others including Dr. Qwek Qwek and the elves South to the shore, away from where the wind was blowing. A strange woman floating on the water introduces herself as Lady Longwein (whose power is limited to the ocean she says) offers to help stop the spreading forest fire by using a seed of water she provides them before vanishing into the night. They just have to put it at a specific part near the frozen waterfall close to the fortress. The elves are obviously keen on doing this so they accept and circle around the forest fire inadvertently putting them back into the mirrored grove... the team members who had previously had hair taken by crows suddenly explode in flames and more crows arrive as a voice calls out that they broke their promise!

Dr. Qwek Qwek manages to locate the naked crow controlling witch in the mirror grove and Eagle shoots her dead, but not before she immolates a few more of their number. They then make it to the spot to plant the seed of water and upon doing so are rewarded by a massive earthquake which quickly cracks around the swamp region and in a sudden motion the entire burning swamp sinks under the ocean. A most shocking end to that forest fire!

The remaining elves state they will join the 555 on their quest to the Waiting City as it was told that the Emperor had stolen a seed of their great tree long ago and planted it up there, but for now they will make camp here and recover from the shock of losing their home while the highlanders return to the Fool's March fort and meet up with Agrellon and Juris to rest up... losing a few more people to a disease before Dr. Qwek Qwek can cure it.

Soon enough a column of mounted Skyriver braves led by Bad Horse (built like an ox) approaches. As the 555s are trusted friends as decreed by the Death Speaker they can sort the mess the fort inhabitants caused when they kidnapped, abused and killed the chieftain's wife I-told-you-so. They simply strong arm all of the forts inhabitants to be taken as hostages for the tribesmen to enact their justice on those deserving it.