As the Summer comes to a close, things have progressed for the little group of magi newly arrived in Helgelund. But not all is well.
The two small houses have been completed in Oberland, but with the search for stonemasons having failed so far, the larger house hasn't been begun yet. Still, Pytheas has begun unpacking the furnishings of a first laboratory in one of the single-story houses, which also contains some living space for a single magus. For now, the second house is being used as a combination of living quarters and guard house for some of the grogs, so that there is a permanent presence and protection in Oberland.
The rest of the covenant's people are residing in the former inn on the outskirts of Meden town, which also serves as a more permanent warehouse for what little belonging that the covenant has. The ghostly woman makes it difficult to hire additional staff in town, as the rumor of its presence spreads. Dietlinde reports that some of the townspeople are avoiding her. Nothing overt, she says, but the occasional drumming at night combined with rumors of the magi and the occasional strange drumming at odd hours, all are contributing to the townsfolk's suspicion. The fact that a dead sailor was discovered in their backyard doesn't help either.
The covenant receives another blow with Pytheas' and Quercus' departure. The first one hadn't gone into much details, but apparently he had received an offer that he could not resist. Quercus, for his part, had been moody and frustrated for some time, before announcing that he felt the island did not offer him fertile ground to develop his abilities. Be it as it may, both were leaving Prochorus and Japik alone to build their small covenant. The departures also depleted some of the covenant's already small resources.(1) There had been time for some quick copying of those books they left with, but only barely. The smaller boat was also gone, leaving only the Baltrum at the covenant's beck and call.
Silver was still quite limited, at only 12 pounds in reserve.(2)
For a while, it seemed like a new magus might join them. But when Japik had travelled to Anvers to meet with a young magus called Konrad of Bonisagus, he had waited in vain for him to show up.(3)
(1) I have now adjusted the library to show only those books that remain after their departure.
(2) As detailed in The Business of Trading.
(3) Trogdor kind of disappeared, so I'm writing his character out.