Byron called us for a meeting. He mentioned that Thorin, the mayor of Hackby, has asked Byron to send someone to look into activity of the old fortress outside of town. Apparently Hackby used to be the seat of power in the area and there was a fortified mansion house outside of town. Since then the fortress has fallen into disuse and some time ago, a group of settlers tore down the mansion and put up a makeshift village and decided to try to make their own community out of the fortified area.

For some reason, the settlement only lasted about three seasons and they all gave up on it and moved back to Hackby. Lately, there has been activity in the area of the fortress. Thorin wants them investigated. Byron wanted us to look into it. He doesn't know what it is but four nights ago lights were seen.

We head over to Hackby and take a ride out to the fortress. Yes, that's right, I said ride. I didn't like it, but I have spent the last couple of months controlling my fear and have learned to ride the pony Byron gave us. I can now ride for short periods of time. I have high hopes that eventually I may come to enjoy it, but not yet.

The fortress is singularly uninteresting, except some tracks I have found. They were restricted to one building and the cemetary. They came from the east and about a mile away I just lost the track. I couldn't find it at all. To be even more interesting, there was only one boot print, the right boot. There was not track for a left foot at all or even a crutch.

After the preliminary look, we decide to head back to town and return in the evening, since that was when all the activity has happened. When we arrive at the community building, Thorin asks Reese to perform and he does so with vigor. There seems to be an expectation from the townfolk that was never satisfied. We then return in the evening and setup for the surveillance.

.......more later