With the season over, you traveled back to Durenmar. A few grogs from Dankmar traveled with you to the Kinzig road, and without the snow, the journe was completely uneventful (apart from the beer at Alpirsbach).
Horst only stayed long enough at Durenmar to report and pick up new letters before going on to Fengheld, not without wishing you the best.
You have been sent an invitation for an audience with Murion. She hasn't said what she wants but she has made it very clear that Horst's report impressed her and she wants to reward you in some way.
The meeting is in the Mercere hall again, and Xavier ex Mercere is present as well.
Murion and Xavier welcome the characters and invite them to tell of their winter adventure. They listen, interested, and when they end, Murion begins to speak:
"I see you have done the Order at great favor and you are capable young magi. I am not without gratitude. Of all the young magi in the Tribunal, you seem to be the most practical ones. This is why I have chosen you to recolonize the empty heart of Germany - I will use the strength of my house, my guild and my covenant to enable you to found a covenant.
You will be allowed to choose the location yourselves - but remeber that all other covenants must accept your decision, so I recommend that you avoid a location that is too close to one of the existing covenants. It would be a shame if nobody explored and used the vis that can surely be found in the Rhine region. Xavier will give you the details."
She rises, nods and vanishes.
Xavier blinks and says: "I've had my new apprentice make a list of four sites that used to be covenants that all failed for some reason. First there is Rudaria - fallen prey to the devil, then there is Oakdell - home to the traiterous Diedne before the Schism War, then Rheinstein and Trier - both had trouble with the archbishop of Trier. You may of course visit other sites but decent magic auras are rare as you know. If I were you, I'd explore the sites and then decide on the most auspicous one. Of course you can start building there as soon as you've found an arrangement with the locals, but remember: You will not be a covenant unless you find a sponsor from each other Rhine covenant. You will have to act quickly if you want to be approved by the 1221 tribunal: You've only got a bit more than a year till then. Of course you can wait till the 1227 Tribunal but without the approval, you will not have the full rights of a covenant. Those sponsors will usually provide you with starting gifts - you will need magic, money, vis and allies to succeed. I wish you the best of luck."
ooc: the list is p. 116 of GotF. If you want to include other sites you'll need area lore.