As soon as we were prepared, we activated the portal and went through, soon to discover that it was a one-way passage. We appeared in a cave that contained nothing but the statue of a woman and a shallow pool of water. The tunnel which led to out of the cave towards sunlight was lined with four sets of protective magical glyphs, but they were inactive. We had no time to examine them, as we heard footfalls outside, and had to give chase, lest our presence be known.
We followed the sentry through the woods, until we saw a tower in the distance. Thanks to the Infiltrator's sprinting ability, he was dead before he could reach the door.
The mercenary told us that the tower was heavily guarded by wizards, and although we didn't trust him, it was clear we would want no part of that tower. He suggested we pass through the adjacent graveyard and avoid the dangerous forests, but that advice seemed suspect. The graveyard was an large, open space, and we would be clearly visible to anyone in the tower who cared to look out. Besides the danger from the tower itself, we would be giving its occupants time to warn the castle.
The walk through the forest was relatively uneventful, though the greater part of the morning passed before we could see the castle in the distance. It was as the priest had described it. A funnel of energy rose from the castle, creating a vortex of swirling purple clouds above. While we were looking at it, we were spotted by a patrol of five cultists, who immediately attacked. The battle was not overly difficult, but one of the five ran off, and we had to chase him down before he could get reinforcements. I cast a spell which shot a corrosive arrow of acid into his back, while the Infiltrator chased after him. By the time the Infiltrator arrived, the cultist was dead.
We saw quite a few other cultists on our way, though none saw us. The ruined and overgrown city was full of patrols, which we avoided by following the forest and, when we could no longer do that, hiding behind buildings. In the distance, our goal was clearly visible by the vortex and by the glowing blue spires, which rose at least six stories off the ground. Such an immense structure must have taken centuries to build.
The city was an unusual place. In the middle was a small region of forest, which we avoided. Elsewhere was a grove of trees shaped like a building. One building was split evenly in half, though both halves still stood. There were also several areas where the priest and I, and the samurai's servant, felt weakened to the point where our magic would not function at all. The feeling was quite unpleasant, and I would like to avoid it in the future.
Finally, we arrived at the castle, and it is an imposing sight. The walls, which extend four stories up, are lined with arrow slits. There are no windows until the second floor, and those are small. No guards, and in fact no living things at all, are visible, though they have to be somewhere, just out of sight. The mercenary tells us there are a hundred soldiers inside, and the Infiltrator, scouting out the entrance, has found six men, all draconic in appearance. One has only a dragon claw, while three are as dragon-like as the creature we fought in the kobolds' tower.
We have already spent over an hour discussing how to get in, and none of our plans offer much chance of survival. Our best option so far is to scale the wall, either the Infiltrator with his natural climbing skill, or myself with a spell. Once at the wall, we will lower a rope, which the priest can climb and then reshape the stone to turn an arrow slit into a passage. If we are not shot on the way, and are not seen on the wall, this will leave us on the second floor, from which point we will have to make our way down into the basement.
The winged woman has just arrived, and there is no more time for deliberation. I asked whether anyone saw her coming, and she said no, though it turns out that she met a patrol on the way, and let some of them escape. If we do not enter the castle soon, they will come out to us.