The Return to Ocard

.... The Raven heads off to the Isle of Ocard ....

PORT ANNO

As soon as The Raven docks at Port Anno, the Baron runs into the town, making sure that Tom is not following him.

As the Baron strolled around the harbour he heard stories about storms and floods on MyFarm Island which had destroyed everything. The Baron found someone who hadn't heard this news and sold his Estate.

Before leaving Port Anno, the Baron buys a horse. (He can't walk everywhere surely and a ride from a Dragon is not an option)

.... The Baron climbs on the horse and sets off and heads south - He would get a bit wet heading in any other direction ....

The Baron rides his steed along the road leading out of the town and soon reaches a crossroads.

The Western road leads to his home village of Tyro, which is tempting as he has not been back there for a few years now. The Southern road to the town of Marron and the Eastern road leads to the Town of Ellington, where he had been heading before his cave accident.

A short while later the Baron comes across a dead forest. There is a strange sounds music like sound coming from the forest. There is a narrow path into the forest but it doesn't look safe to take the horse. He ties up the horse and starts along the twisting, uneven path.

A few fallen trees block the path from time to time, however the axe makes short work of these.

The remains of a few wooden huts appear along the track but there is no explanation of why the forest is just full of dead trees. They aren't burnt, so the dragons can't be blamed.

.... The Baron examines the hut remains but finds nothing, not even enough to use as a shelter ....

The Baron continues down the path but soon trips on something.

"What? Here? How?" Baron Benico exclaims as he looks at what has helped him slump to the ground.

A small gnome statue stands on the path, next to a tree with what looks like a door.

The Baron tries to pick up the statue but it appears to be stuck to the ground.

"What magic is this? A gnome? And stuck to the ground? A job for Mr Axe? Maybe not this time."

As the Baron struggles back to his feet he hears the music again and realises that the sun is starting to set.

"Where is that music coming from? I'll have to find out tomorrow as it will soon be too dark. The huts aren't good enough for a shelter, so I had better get working and fix one."

.... The Baron continues working on fixing a hut .... BUT THEN ....

The sun sets, the music grows louder and the gnomes appear, dancing around the woods.

The Baron stops, shocked by what he can see.

After a few seconds, he follows the gnomes to another clearing, where the gnomes are having a feast. They invite him to join them an he eats well, really well and ..... falls asleep.