Returning to our abodes in Ierendi we soon decided that it would not be safe for us to stay here with the stones. We needed to get somewhere safe where we would have more time to look at the stones. After a detailed debate it was decided that we would need to be on the move. I am unsure who first remembered it, but we had a magical boat that could keep us on the move quite well. Our decision made we put our lives in the hands of Brother Alexi, who plotted us a course upriver and away from civilization yet again. We were wary of what powers this church wielded, but were certain that they would not find us without a fight.

We found a place where we could go upriver no more. This is where we dug in our position, the others constructing crude fortifications to protect us from the native wildlife while each day Aria and I used our magics to conceal the location of the Hope Stones from scrying. It was not ‘til the 23^rd that we would return down river, unmolested to Ierendi, knowing that we had erred. The debate raged onward once we realized what we had done. The stones revealed that the Peoples Church at one time had been more chaotic and over the years the Priests had steered them towards a more lawful doctrine. Long ago someone must have realized that the church would not grow without the stones disappearance and so the staged destruction of them. If we revealed the truth, we would be aiding chaos. If we kept the secret then we would be promoting an age-old lie. Needless to say it was not an easy, or quick decision.

After returning to Ierendi we made our way dismally to the Peoples Church. Whether it was Gods will or not, finally I was forced to decide and I chose to hand the stones back to their priests without letting their secret out. We had a more important mission than some mildly deceptive priests. Were chaos to rain on this isle, surely we would never succeed in our goal. Law must prevail at all costs. I’ll admit they seemed surprised that we were not going to denounce them, but that gave me little satisfaction. Somehow I felt there was no right or wrong in this situation and it tore at the fabric of my being that I may have not picked the best route.

The only solace I felt was that within the writings of the hope stones I had gleaned a puzzle that I felt pertained to the rod of seven parts.

When the time is ripe the pieces of
The wind will be recovered by the
servants of law. Where there is no
black nor white, cold nor hot, left
nor right; therein lies that which our
land has been entrusted.