Homeward for a Spell

Sage Wilderstone has made her living as a member of various adventuring parties, but has never had a chance to lead one—until now. So when she is offered the chance to hire her own crew for an expedition, it seems a dream come true—until she realizes that it is a winter adventure into the most inhospitable area of the kingdom. But then, it could finally put her name on the adventuring map, and how bad could it really be?

Araphi Clauneck—whose secret passion is music—is looking for one last chance to perform before she is married to a man she does not love for the good of the greater Clauneck family. So when she sees a poster seeking a bard for a party, she heads eagerly for the audition. Only to find that the party in question is an adventuring party, led by a woman she has been fascinated with since she first laid eyes on her. If she takes the job, she'll still be back in time for the wedding...and how bad could it really be?

What follows is basically the worst winter camping trip ever, filled with danger and misadventures as a ragtag band of adventurers—most of whom have only just met—must learn to work together to overcome the many obstacles thrown against them. Not the least of which is the insane chemistry between their tough party leader and the pampered city-girl bard she has somehow decided to bring along.