===== Treachery at Silverwood =====

A month after [[Mikkel]] and [[Ajay | Ajay's]] arrival in [[Silverwood]], it is discovered that there is an infestation of Goblins in their lands. The pair volunteer to go with the patrol assigned to track and route them. The patrol locates a cave system that the Goblins have been using as a base, and the group systematically goes through and eliminates them. In the process, they discover a detailed map of the Silverwood palace, including some of the hidden passages, and some places marked. They also find a number of Halfling costumes, as if the Goblins were planning to disguise themselves. They also find the Halflings the clothes came from and free them, taking them and a Goblin prisoner back.

Investigating the map, they find one of the places marked was Mikkel's apartments, the find a secret passage from outside into his bathroom. In the larder, another marked spot reveals a secret room with a recently placed sack containing a large quantity of powdered poison, and second map, with a line marked that led them to the palace's water reservoir. An interrogation of the Goblin leader shows that they had been hired by a human to infiltrate the palace dressed as Halflings and poison the water supply, then set off a roman candle to signal to someone waiting in the woods.

The Elves decide to prepare, and use the candle to signal for whoever is waiting to come. When they do, a party of  thirty Dwarves on ponies arrives, led by a Dwarf named [[McGeebers]]. Under interrogation, McGeebers admits they were there hired by a human named [[Matthias]] to obtain the Queen's signature on a document, and signal someone else when it was done by using a pressed log.

They light the log, which releases a billowing red smoke. Within an hour a small group of Elves appear, including Mikkel's cousin [[Aimon]] and Mikkel's betrothed [[Tobin]] and the human mercenary [[Matthias]] who made the arrangements. It is revealed that their plan was to force Queen [[Mabin]] to abdicate in favor of Aiden, who would marry Tobin, giving them control of Silverwood. At some point Aiden would be killed, so that Tobin could be with her brother, [[Thalanil]].

Tobin is sent back to [[Darkwood]] to face the punishment of her father, while Aimon, Matthias, and McGeebers are imprisoned at Silverwood.

When all is settled, Ajay and Mikkel return home to [[Santa Cruz]] for the first time since they arrived.