The revived prince introduced himself as Dristan and explained that he was cursed by a beautiful woman who turned out to be one of the hags. The Daring Friends escorted the prince back to the house and discussed their missions, sharing The Chanson of the Grayl with him. Prince Dristan suggested the case could refer to a reliquary and the Meroving sceptre might belong to the old Merovingian bloodline. He also mentioned the passing of Roland, who was betrayed by one of his own and is now remembered in song.
After returning Prince Dristan, the Daring Friends took a short rest by the river. Balthasar asked Dameron about his happiest memory. After pondering this, the cleric replied, “I remember a day, it wasn't all that different from many other days, but I came home, back to the farm, after purchasing some supplies from town. My wife was there with our little one in her arms. My older one ran from her side to me and tried to leap into my arms. She was small so I had to drop what I was carrying to scoop her up. I just remember the sky was mostly clear with little white puffy clouds and the weather was warm with a pleasant breeze. My wife smiled at me as I carried my big bundle of joy toward the porch and the look my wife's eyes... I couldn't help but think I was the luckiest man alive.” After their rest, the Daring Friends traveled along the river to reach the chapel. While floating, they passed a large shaded tree, beneath which was a beautiful woman having a picnic all alone. Beside her was a chest of jewels and weapons. Shoring the boat, Dameron greeted her, and she introduced herself as Goldenbow and invited them to sit and join her in her meal. Offering them some wine, she mourned for company and entertainment so Dameron told her the tale of Sir Isembard Hollowheart and Dame Elsinore Dragonsbane and Balthasar sang her The Chanson of the Grayl. After attempting to make an exchange with Goldenbow, the Daring Friends blacked out and found themselves in the catacombs in front of a chapel. Goldenbow was nearby, as were the three hags, even the one they thought they had slain. The holy symbols of the chapel had been profaned. Dameron asked Goldenbow why she brought them here and was silenced by a hag who revealed that they would return Goldenbow’s eggs after she disposed of the Daring Friends. Goldenbow then transformed into a huge gold dragon. Stepping forward, Dameron cast Storm Kick and smashed the corrupted sun symbol that was being used as the source of the hags’ spell. Balthasar cast Protection from Evil on Camwise and summoned Sir Aldric. The Night Hag tried to frighten Dameron with a Fragmentary Dream. The Winter Hag shot a Cone of Cold on Balthasar, Camwise, and Sir Aldric. Reluctantly, Goldenbow attacked Balthasar, who redirected her bite to the Winter Hag. Camwise ran to a pile of items and retrieved his spellbook. The Green Hag tried to knock Camwise out with a Hex. Picking up a nearby brazier, Dameron Banished the Night Hag and moved down the stairs. Summoning Rufus, Balthasar slashed critically into The Winter Hag, stunning her. Sir Aldric slashed into the Green Hag. Goldenbow tried to claw and bite Balthasar, who defended himself with a Shield spell. Retrieving his component pouch, Camwise was clawed as he ran toward the profane sun symbol, hitting it with an Acid Arrow. The Green Hag was slashed by Sir Aldric as she chased after Camwise and tried to claw him. Dameron dashed toward his equipment and retrieved his holy symbol. Balthasar slashed into The Winter Hag. Sir Aldric slashed into the Green Hag. The Winter Hag clawed into Balthasar. Goldenbow clawed into Balthasar but her bite was redirected to the Winter Hag. Camwise was clawed by the Green Hag as he moved away and hit the profane sun symbol with another Acid Arrow. The Green Hag chased after Camwise but was ineffective. Afte retrieving his morning star, Dameron destroyed the profane sun symbol with a Guiding Bolt, ending the hags’ spell. Balthasar slashed into the Winter Hag, stunning her again. Sir Aldric engaged the Green Hag. Taking flight, Goldenbow retrieved her eggs from the cauldron and secured them in the corner before engaging the Winter Hag. Camwise cast Mirror Image. Dameron blasted the Winter Hag with a Guiding Bolt. Balthasar slashed into the Winter Hag. Goldenbow spit molten fire on the Winter Hag. Sir Aldric slashed into the Green Hag. The Winter Hag melted in the molten spit. Goldenbow flew over and breathed fire on the Green Hag. Camwise hit the Green Hag with a Shocking Grasp. The Green Hag transformed into a rat and was chopped down by Sir Aldric and Goldenbow as she tried to scamper off, and was eaten by the dragon. As the Daring Friends retrieved their belongings, Goldenbow expressed her gratitude asking how she could repay them. Balthasar spoke in Draconic and she summoned her chest and withdrew a scimitar. Embedded in its hilt were three rubies, two of which were cracked. The third burned with a brilliant luster. She handed the sword to Balthasar who spoke in draconic again. The Daring Friends suddenly found themselves in the Morning Glory temple. Standing on the altar were Dameron’s wife and children, returned to life. He ran to them, scooping up Tiffany on the way and embracing Melania and Ivanka. Joyous at their fortune before the impending invasion, Camwise invited everyone to the Mirthful Minotaur. Balthasar hung back, and Dameron soon felt his heavy hand on his shoulder. With tears in his eyes, Dameron turned and Balthasar met his gaze and said, "It is better to fight with purpose than for anger!" At first, Dameron recognized the words of a wise dragon who had lived many a battle, but he held Balthasar's gaze and saw a glint of humanity and heard the emotions behind the words, that a man shouldn't live with such pain in his heart. “You should return to your family,” Balthasar continued before exiting, “we will talk soon enough for the darkness comes for us.” Dameron embraced the Drakkenwhyte before heeding his words and returning to his family. After an hour or two, Dameron arrived at the Mirthful Minotaur with his wife and children. They were all smiles and were very interested in listening to Camwise's tales. Occasionally, the older girl turned to Dameron and asked, "Were you there?" with a gasp, or "Did you really do that?" and beamed with pride as her father nodded quietly. Dameron was quieter than normal, occasionally staring blankly as he took in the scene before him, a wide grin splitting his face. After a while, his younger daughter's eyes began to sag and Dameron insisted that it was late and they needed to go to bed. Turning to his friends, Dameron said, "I have to get them tucked in." His eyes welled up as he quickly turned away and ushered them toward the door. Gruffudd fought back tears as he watched Dameron, to see his friend so happy and to have what's most dear back to him. He had longed for that once and given up everything for it, but now, looking at his friend and those closest to him, he couldn’t help but feel his heart’s gem surge with joy. “Ye all have saved him, I know too well the path he was going down, for even if we won the day and eradicated the Red Hand, it would have been a battle he’d be fighting all his life. I know because you all saved me from that fate. Camwise your kindness has heated the forges of me old stone heart once again. Balthasar your strong arm works the hammers, while Dameron’s wisdom controls the bellows. Jarvellios, perhaps I have ye to thank most of all, ye have become my closest friend with a shared darkness that haunts us, you are the armor taking shape. Much like the armor I left behind at the old oak yea called home. I was consumed by revenge, but I swear, it was like my beloved shone through Rana’s silver light to move me past it. Tomorrow we fight for each other, for our friends and family and let me be the first to say it, if I die among you lot, it will be a death I’d be proud of. But that wont be the case! Those this just be the fingers of the Hand, after that…” Gruffudd slammed his stump down hard on the table “We come for their whole damned red hand!” He yelled and raised his mug before downing it in one long swig. Around an hour later, Dameron returned to the Minotaur. He smiled at the crowd still gathered around Camwise, puzzling whether the wizard was telling a tale or lecturing the room on the fundamental principles of arcane chemistry. Sauntering over to Balthasar and Gruffed, he shared, "They're all sound asleep, but I just couldn't. It's all so much to take in. I can't thank you enough, Balthasar! I never thought such a thing was possible. I'm so happy...but I'm also filled with dread. After they died, I had nothing to lose. That's how I got through it all, everything we did together. I was never trained for this. I wasn't even trained to be a cleric. But I had nothing to lose. And now..." His voice is slow and controlled as he tried to keep it from cracking. "I don't want to lose them again." He orders another drink, adding. "This will be my last. I don't know if I can sleep, but I want to be there when they wake up and we have a busy day ahead of us." Before turning to leave for the night, Dameron turned to Balthasar. "Do you remember one morning I woke and was startled by your presence?" “I do, friend,” Balthasar replied. "I was frightened because of a premonition I had. I was at the Morning Glory temple, but it was different. My family was not there. I felt your heavy hand on my shoulder and I knew something was terribly wrong when I turned to face you, and I was afraid. I never knew what to make of it. St Aster's visions are not always clear." Placing a hand on Balthasar's shoulder, Dameron added, "Now I'd like to think whatever I was afraid of has been averted. Good night, my friend."
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