PS: He left...
A few days later, on Cormyr's western border, in the Stormhorn Mountains.
The Stormhorn Mountains lay west of Cormyr and were generally considered its national boundary. Their immense, precipitous peaks separated Cormyr from the lands to the west. These majestic natural barriers had both protected the kingdom from almost every potential invasion from the west and blocked its westward expansion.
"Some believe that, without the Stormhorn Mountains, Cormyr might have conquered the Sword Coast long ago. Others believe that, without them, Cormyr might have ceased to exist long ago."
-An opinion expressed by a Cormyrean scholar
Only two places offered relatively easy passage through the mountain range: High Horn Pass and Gnoll Pass. The Purple Dragon Kingdom had built a garrison fortress at each, protecting caravans, collecting taxes, and watching for incursions by outside forces.
Many Ork tribes in the Stormhorn Mountains fought against Cormyr. There were also some more primitive human tribes whose relations with Cormyr alternated between friendship and hostility. Many tribes frequently traded ore, hides, and meat for liquor, grain, and gold, but they just as frequently attacked passing caravans.
Clad in a brown cloak, Aaron walked along the desolate mountain road, leading his traveling horse, Pearl, at the foot of the Stormhorn Mountains. It was late autumn. The forests were ablaze with color, and fallen leaves fluttered through the air. Around the villages on the plains lay fields that had just been harvested. The farmers enjoyed the bounty of their harvest while beginning to dry hides and slaughter livestock in preparation for winter.
It had to be said that, although the Princess Regent's autocratic, dictatorial rule had displeased the nobles and townsfolk, she treated the farmers quite well. At least they could enjoy a good year this time. So many nobles had died