<html><head></head><body><div class="yahoo-style-wrap" style="font-family:arial;font-size:16px;"><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Sorry for the delay!</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Chris</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">**************</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><div> The invitation arrived in an unusual way. The town of Crowley was a quiet place this time of year. It was tucked into the lower slopes of the Sylvan mountains in southern Marigund. In summer it played host to many people trying to escape the summer heat of the city. But this was October and it was cold and the summer residents were all gone till next spring. This left the town fairly quiet. Just outside of town and up the mountain slope was a tall, stone tower. The edifice was surrounded by a low wall that was there more to keep out strangers than to help defeat an attack. Only a few servants and workers moved about on the usual mundane tasks of maintaining the place. The dining room was several stories up in the tower and allowed for a beautiful view down the mountainside and over the land below. Amelia and Fred Montague were enjoying lunch when a large bat flew thru the window and into the dining room. It circled around their heads for a moment. Then it dropped something and flew back out thru the window. "I thought window was closed,” Fred said calmly. "It is! And warded as well,” Amelia answered. “We need to improve the defenses.” She picked up the tightly bound scroll the bat had delivered and opened it. "It's good news! My cousin Misha is getting married!" "We have to go," he said. "Where is it being held?" "Metamor Keep!" "Oh! The place with the fascinating curses?" "And that magnificent library! I rather think that's the most important feature!" "Indeed! How far is it?" "Only 500 miles or so. A short trip.” "Walking is too boring and we cannot teleport. The magic there prevents it." "We could fly there. I could make a carpet fly. It'd have protection against wind and the elements and we could store our luggage on it." “Carpet is too exposed,” she said. “We could take the mortar and pestle. We haven’t tried that before.” "I like that idea. Been too long since we've been flying together." "It'd be a nice, scenic view as well." "We can stop at the restaurant you like in Giftum." "And buy goodies at that one shop you love there too!" He smiled and laughed. "It’s been far too long since we've been there." </div> </div></div></body></html>