Morning broke bright and cold across the hills. The dragon was dead, the smoke had cleared, and for the first time in days, the party awoke well rested. With renewed determination — and righteous fury — they packed their gear and set out toward Phandalin. Their new mission was clear: **the Mayor.** The road back was eerily quiet until the group stumbled upon a patrol of cultists along the trail — cloaked figures with the same red insignia burned into their robes. The fight was short but vicious. When it was done, [[Ellette|Ellette]] pressed the tip of her dagger to the throat of the last conscious one. “Why are you here?” she demanded. The cultist sneered. “We were sent to make sure you’d been… disposed of.” The words hit like a spark in dry tinder. [[Ellette|Ellette]]’s eyes blazed. “I _knew_ we shouldn’t have trusted that craven!” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] raised his hands. “How were we to know?” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] sighed. “I’m inclined to agree with [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]. There was no indication of deceit.” “This,” [[Ellette|Ellette]] snapped, “is _why_ I don’t trust anyone! Liars, cheats, and murderers!” [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]] shifted uncomfortably, looking away. [[Ellette|Ellette]] noticed, groaning. “Ugh, not you, [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]] — you know what I mean! Anyway, let’s just kill this prick and _end it._” ![[Chp11.1.jpg]] When they reached the outskirts of Phandalin, a hush had fallen over the town. Empty streets. Shuttered windows. Not a soul in sight. [[Ellette|Ellette]]’s expression hardened. “Something’s wrong.” She marched straight to the Town Hall and kicked open the door. The heavy wood splintered against the wall — but the office was empty. No secretaries, no mayor, no guards. Just silence. [[Ellette|Ellette]]’s voice trembled with fury. “Where… is… _he?_” Her hair flickered red. [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]] tapped her shoulder and pointed toward the corner. There, half-hidden behind a fallen chair, lay one of the twin secretaries — pale, unconscious, barely breathing. The party rushed over. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] checked her pulse. “She’s alive, just weak.” As they tried to rouse her, a slip of parchment fell from her grasp. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] picked it up, scanning the ink-blotted words. “Well?” [[Ellette|Ellette]] asked. “What does it say?” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] frowned. “It only says… _Abandoned ruins._” “That’s it?” “Apparently.” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] perked up. “Oh! I know where that is.” The others stared at him. [[Ellette|Ellette]] crossed her arms. “First — _how?_ And second — _where?_” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] smiled. “I went for a walk once. It’s past the shop, down that dingy road that smells funny.” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] tucked the note away. “Then we have our bearings.” They left immediately, moving through the desolate town. Their footsteps echoed on cobblestones as they approached the outskirts — and there, on a lonely hill, stood the ruins of an old **mansion**. Its roof had long since caved in, its walls cracked and overtaken by vines. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] pointed. “This one! Look — no roof!” [[Ellette|Ellette]] sighed. “There must be a secret entrance. Start searching.” They fanned out across the debris, kicking aside old planks and rubble. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]’s voice broke the silence. “Over here! I think I found something.” The others hurried over. At his feet lay a heavy **stone slab**, partially shifted aside. [[Ellette|Ellette]] crouched down. “All right?” “It’s been moved recently,” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] explained. “See the scrape marks? And the dirt’s fresh.” “And the _lack_ of dirt,” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] added helpfully. [[Ellette|Ellette]] nodded. “Good. Now we just need to figure out how to open it.” They searched the room — pulling levers, testing walls — until [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]] brushed his hand along a nearby bookshelf. His weight shifted, a book slid free, and with a deep rumble the stone slab began to move. Everyone turned. [[Ellette|Ellette]] blinked. “[[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]]… you genius.” The Goliath tilted his head, pretending to accept the praise, though they all knew it had been pure accident. [[Ellette|Ellette]] smirked. “Right then. Let’s go kill him. But remember — we move _silently._ No stealth songs.” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] pouted. “We _never_ get to sing the stealth song.” The slab ground open fully, revealing a staircase descending into darkness. One by one, the party drew their weapons and began their descent into the hidden depths below the mansion — where the truth, and the traitorous mayor, awaited them. [[Chapter 12. Mansion Path]]