The Problem:

Between the quickly made garlic spread and the fire toasted bread, Bodger felt better; much better than normal food would usually give him. The bites on his legs seemed to literally knit faster and turned into healthy scars.

When Greg tried to offer Baradun a piece, the Sorcerer politely declined. "I don't need any food; I didn't get hurt." Baradun already knew Greg was capable of making food items that gave back Health Points. Seeing the blacksmiths injuries disappear didn't surprise him. "But… I want my spell book back."

"Yeah, I… am not going give it to you right now." Greg replied; when he saw Baradun's surprised look, he repeated himself, "I'm not going to give it to you right now." Even Bodger was looking surprised at Greg's refusal.

Suddenly a bird appeared in the tree behind them; a very beautiful bird, like a bird of paradise. Beautiful plumage, gorgeous colors, just absolutely stunning. It was making a very amazing song that was just as beautiful as the bird itself. Greg was almost taken by it until he noticed, as the bird turned towards them, that it seemed to have Baradun's face on it! Its song also developed words: I'm a bird, look at me! Glaring back at the Sorcerer, Greg scooched back slightly as he realized Baradun was trying to snatch the book. "Ah! Get away!"

"I'm… I'm sorry. Give me my book, please." Baradun huffed, a little disappointed his distraction didn't work.

"I'm not going to –no!"

"Please." When the farmer continued to resist, Baradun sighed heavily. "Fine. Learn spells, then. Learn spells."

Greg gave him a leveling look. "Yeah, we're going to have to… we're gonna have to cross a bridge or… we're gonna have to build some trust here." He admitted. This was the only time he felt he had the upper hand over the High Sorcerer who always seemed to delight in bad mouthing his home and his way of life. Who also liked to treat everyone around him as if they were beneath him. Things needed to change; and perhaps this would allow him to begin giving Baradun a better appreciation of others.

A heavy silence descended on the trio. At least until Greg stood up and started hunting around the surrounding forest for more things to cook or to build up their small camp.

Meanwhile, Bodger was checking over his own items, finding the parchment with a weapon recipe that one of the rats dropped. It peeked his interest, so he began assembling the ingredients. Without knowing how, he knew he could still craft this item, even without a forge. That was the beauty of magical recipes; and Bodger could feel this was special. This was to make The Sword of… something… the parchment had blood covering much of the title. Even so, the ingredients were clear: a glass jar, iron bar, leather, wood, a potato, ore as well as another ingredient he did not fully comprehend. Bodger was mumbling the items as he read the list, which attracted the attention of the Sorcerer Baradun.

When Baradun saw the blacksmiths disappointment that he didn't have all the ingredients, he intervened. "Did you want those things?"

Startled, Bodger looked up. "Yeah… no. So, what have I got? I've got leather… and I've got iron bar. I don't have a glass jar. I have wood. I don't have a potato… and I don't have the Heart of… something…" he trailed off; the end of that ingredient was also covered in blood.

"I can check for a potato…" Greg commented, pausing his search for edibles. "I will… can check. If… you promise to make me a sword at some point."

"You probably have a glass jar as well." Baradun told the Farmer confidently.

"Yeah, and a glass jar." Greg looked askance at Bodger, waiting for an answer.

Bodger considered for a moment, seeming to debate with himself. "Still don't… ah, just give it ta' me." He announced as his answer.

Wasting no time, Greg rummaged through his bag and found a glass jar and a potato. He hands them over, not realizing he didn't get a promise for his own crafted sword.

Having all but one of the ingredients, Bodger figures the last indecipherable ingredient is simply for an extra enchantment, so he should still be able to craft the weapon without it. On impulse, instead of a sword, Bodger decided to make this weapon a war hammer for himself, as a way to test out the recipe. With the aid of the magical recipe, and his own expertise in making such items, with a loud BINK! Bodger is soon gripping a newly crafted war hammer in his hands. "It's finished!" he can't help but say proudly!

The farmer goes back to scanning the forest, hoping one day he'll have more than a garlic strand to defend himself with.

The High Sorcerer of Azerim, however, has his mind turned to the disturbing events that took place in Honeywood. The odd event that lead to their freedom was nigh forgotten in light of seeing rats reanimate without a spell caster to cast such an effect on them. Baradun rubbed his temples, trying to look within for answers or a path to take in finding the answers. He knew for sure that it was some sort of necromantic magic. As smart as he was, Baradun knew if he had his spell book, he'd be able to figure this out easier. So he knew there was definitely necromantic magic going on, and that sort of magic had been outlawed in the land by the King. No one was allowed to use that sort of magic; so this instance was definitely dodgy. That didn't mean it couldn't be studied. In fact, there was someone, a colleague of his, at the Temple of Carlabor, the Grandmaster Terrance, who works in studying the necromantic magic's more closely. Perhaps he would be able to tell Baradun more. "I know…" he said abruptly, getting the other two's attention, "I know some people who know dark magic, we should go check them out." No need to tell them this person was the leader of his order. Baradun turned to Bodger, "So you want to come to protect me?" Then to Greg, "You're gonna have to come because you currently got my book. That's the only reason I'd want you to come." Though he could risk a portal; this was important enough to fudge Terrance's "no portaling directly in my study" rule. Or he could portal outside his door; Baradun thought with a grin. The NPC's were not behaving the way they should since the error. Though the other NPC's still had their roles unlike the three of them, it seemed the ties that bound everyone had loosened. Who knew what he would find when he went to Terrance?

Greg gave Baradun an odd look. "I… so… you're telling me, if I give you the book, I don't need to go?" He really did not want to go meet another magi like Baradun. One was enough.

"Yep."

With surprising quickness, Greg reached into his bag and pulled out the spell book and thrust it over to the High Sorcerer.

"Alright! Thank you!" Baradun takes the book with delight. This will definitely make portaling into the Temple much easier. "Stay here. I will be right back!" With a sharp crack, a portal appeared behind the Sorcerer and engulfed Baradun before both disappear.

Which left Bodger to continue enjoying what food was left from the meal, and Greg to explore the forest once more. The Garlic Farmer was able to find edible berries and all sort of edible moss that would work really nice as some kind of base for salad with its sweet taste. An abandoned bird's nest held a few cold eggs. As the farmer searched further, he also found some loose wood that could be useful for Bodger. Always liking to be prepared, Greg also finds in his bag materials for Bodger to make another weapon; which he lets the blacksmith know, hinting that Greg himself would like to get a weapon.

At the Temple of Carlabor, Baradun takes one breath before breezing into Terrance's office at the top of the highest west tower. Made of cold stone, the walls are adorned with shelves full holding many vials and jars and bottles. Many of which have gross fetuses, body parts, and goopy mixtures in them. This was a very different office then when Baradun was here last. The Grandmaster had wasted no time with his longer NPC leash. "Ahh! Terrance, you redecorated! It looks lovely…" he trailed off; something subconsciously nudging his brain, but not fully forming. If that nudge was important, it would be back.

From the ceiling hung a wax covered chandelier and by the open window stood a large brass telescope, as well as a complicated model of the solar system. In the center of the room, a large oak desk stood, cluttered with papers and overturned empty ink vials. At that desk sat, on a large wooden chair, a three foot tall gnome with gray wild hair, a pointed goatee, and a bulbous nose. He was wearing thick, dark and hooded robes and was scribbling fervently on a piece of parchment.

"Terrance," Baradun tried to get the gnomes attention again, "looking charismatic as ever."

"Oh! Baradun! I didn't hear you come in." Terrance took off his tinkering goggles; a remnant of another life. "What do I… ah… what do I owe the pleasure?" He clambered off his chair, plopping lower than he was before, and toddled around the desk.

It had been a very long time since Baradun had seen Terrance stand up. "Gawd damn it, Terrance, you're short… you're literally at my knees!" He couldn't stop himself from saying; though in their backstory, they always ribbed each other for their respective heights.

Terrance chucked, automatically going into the rote of one of their routines. "Yes, I'm a gnome; we go through this every time, Baradun. I am fully grown, and as you know, I'm actually slightly above average for my race!" he recited proudly.

Continuing the banter, Baradun makes a motion as if to lean on Terrance, "Hold on one second… I need to lean on something… there we go!"

"That's offensive," Terrance countered with a laugh, though grunted when the Sorcerer actually did start to lean on him, "I'm technically your superior, I don't need this."

At that, Baradun knew the banter was over and straightened with some disappointment. It had been nice to have his friend back, even if it was only for a moment.

"What are you doing here and what can I do for you?" Terrance asked, getting to business.

For a moment, the High Sorcerer forgot why he'd come. The Temple was his home after all. Then he remembered with a snap of his fingers. "Right! These… idiots got attacked by undead rats in the starting zone."

"Undead?" Terrance perked up at that word.

"Yeah, what's going on?"

"There shouldn't be… undead… where?" Terrance seemed to say the first part to himself, but the last word was definitely directed at Baradun.

The Sorcerer shrugged. "In the… do you know the shit starting zone, the place… Honeywood, whatever." Of course he remembered the name of the town, he just didn't like saying it.

"Honeywood?"

"Yeah."

Terrance lifted one hand to his goatee and his vision had that far away mien. "Interesting…" He gave his comrade a side glance. "These rats… powerful? Were they strong? Were they…"

"Not for me." Baradun interrupted with some haughtiness.

"Not for you… of course. Interesting. That's interesting."

"One of the shop keep's got like, blood all over him…" Baradun began, having difficulty recalling the experience as he didn't really do that much.

Terrance refocused on Baradun with a sudden attentiveness. "Did you try… did you manage to kill them?"

"Yeah."

"In combat?"

Baradun blinked, unsure what the gnome was getting at. "Yes, as did the others."

"Even with your staff?" When Baradun affirmed that as well, Terrance held up his hand. "Can I have a look at your staff? See if…" He trailed off, waiting. Surprisingly, Baradun hands him the staff and the Grandmaster puts his tinkering goggles back on. "Seems to be workin' fine. Shouldn't've come back… Let me just…" He gives the staff a bit of a wave and some of the things in the room right themselves, and the ink bottles stand upright again. They hear a cluttering and a clinking of a tea tray as the cups sort of right themselves and a tea pot floats over to the desk. "Ah, seems to be working." He points it at the tea tray, and it starts to pour some cups and Terrance repeats more firmly, "Uh, seems to be working." He hands the staff back to Baradun, who snatches it back with a hard thank you. Terrance poured some milk into his tea and stirred it absently. "Necromancy… shouldn't be around though. Um… usually they're in pockets, so when they're found, there's some sort of blood coming out of the ground. Uh… maybe if you head back… yes. Head back and have a scout around for me. If, if there is necromancy, the King will want to know about it. Uh, finish your cup of course and then head back and scout around. See if you find anything else… um, and let me know. Report back."

As the Grandmaster speaks, Baradun takes a cup of tea and drinks, taking another look around. When Terrance is done, Baradun nods and heads into the hallway. Half way, he stops and turns. "Just before I go… I love the fetus you have in the jar, in the hallway… can I take that with me?"

Surprised, Terrance takes a moment to comprehend what the High Sorcerer of Azerim just asked. "Uh… wha…. Is it the furry one or the one with three arms?"

"The furry one, yeah yeah, the furry one." Baradun chuckles to himself; this impulsive request has him near giggles.

"The furry one… yeah. You can have that, I'm done with it…" Terrance agrees, trying not to smile at such an odd request, though it may work out to his advantage later.

"Perfect!" Baradun wastes no time taking the tightly closed jar under one arm.

"Not gonna ask why you want that jar of a…" Terrance trails off while shaking his head.

Baradun gives the Grandmaster of Carlabor a cheeky wink. "See you later! Portal away!" Not bothering to leave the office first, Baradun backs into his portal and vanishes.

It cracks and flashes, making Terrance wince. He heads back to his desk, sits and steeples his fingers. Now he waits.