Adriena replies to Haratai, "As you wish, Priest Haratai. Is there anything special the vessel will require in this state?"

Haratai grunts and then says, "She will be weak and disoriented. She will need to be fed and help with her natural processes."

Adriena then over-sees the orcs carrying Malis to the back of the wagon. Once Malis is secured , Adriena moves to get into the wagon herself. Once inside, she again looks about the wagon interior, this time searching for loose boards in the floor and siding where Haratai may have a hiding place for valuables, knowing him to be crafty. With this more in-depth search, Adriena finds a loose board. Cautiously she moves this board to find the top of a metal chest. The chest doesn't appear moveable. It is as if the wagon was built around the chest. On the lid of the chest there is a keyhole. Adriena quickly replaces the board and then leaves the wagon. She retrieves her belongings and settles down by the wagon, she then sleeps.

The nights seem to blend together as the caravan of slaves picks up their pace, (to the slaves' torment) to eat up mile after mile. After three days the amount of orc farms increases as well as orc caravans and patrols on the road increases. It would appear that the caravan is getting closer to its destination. Adriena is able to determine from the speed of the caravan and her memory of the map that they are only 2 days away from Krimba-hai and that the iron mines that the slaves are destined for are a days ride to the east of the city. Each patrol stops briefly but after speaking with Red Tusk, they continue on.

During the days, Adriena looks around for the moss but doesn't find any. She tries to devise a way to pocket some of the moss but Haratai gives her the moss each time and watches her carefully as she administers it to his chosen vessel. Haratai leaves the pair alone during the traveling, checking up on them daily. Adriena watches in curiosity as Haratai waves his hands over Malis' body and mutters some incantations that she doesn't recognize. Adriena endures Haratai's wandering hands upon her because from the constant human cries from Haratai's bed rolls and his grunts of pleasure, she knows that he is being sated elsewhere.

Ganthanor continues in his role as the cook. He becomes quite good in turning the simple fares into decent meals. On the second day of the march the caravan runs across a wild boar. Ganthanor is among the orcs that scramble to down the beast. The boar is a huge monster of an animal weighing several hundred pounds. Ganthanor takes a cut from the boar's tusks but is the one to deliver the killing blow. The other orcs accord Ganthanor a look of respect and for the rest of the journey the caravan eats roasted boar. Ganthanor frequently wonders what the good Lady was thinking sending the group on this mission against such overwhelming odds. He realizes that this was the only way to get a group into Krimba-hai but he is not happy that he is one of the group. Still, Ganthanor gave his oath and his honor will not permit him to shirk his duties. He has a task to complete and he will see it through to the end.

The day arrives that Kribma-Hai can be seen in the distance. It is laid out in a rough circle but deviates enough to take maximum military advantage of the terrain features. Ganthanor nods as he sees how the fortifications are placed. He thinks to himself that this would not be an easy city to take militarily, more the reason for the smaller group. Things make more sense to him now. Watch towers are spaced every 50 yards around the high stone walls that surround the city and guards can be seen walking both the walls and in the watch towers.

Upon reaching the city, Red Tusk calls a halt and Haratai says to Adriena, "You will take the Vessel into the city. You are to deliver the Vessel to my quarters in the city. Take the Cook as well for protection. There are those that would seek to harm the Vessel because its affiliation with me." Haratai then gives Adriena directions to his quarters and finishes, "We should be back to the city in about 5 days." He gives Adriena a small pouch and then directs some orcs to help the Vessel out of the wagon.

Adriena listens closely to Haratai's directions and repeats them aloud , logging it away in her memory. She takes the pouch he hands her and bows when he finishes talking. "Yes, Priest Haratai. No harm shall befall your chosen vessel, but can you tell me more specifically who it is that I should be watchful for? What Circle do they belong to?"

Haratai laughs a deep laugh and then snorts, "All circles." After Adriena's last comments the caravan continues on its journey. Looking into the bag Adriena sees several gold pieces as well as a scarab that looks similar to the ones that the Lady gave each of you. However this one has different colors upon it..

Adriena says, "I am grateful for your protection and attention these past few days, and I accept the company of the cook. Though he appears dumb as a rock, he is strong and loyal. I will pray for your safe return." She bows again and motions the orcs to carry Malis to Ganthanor. She follows, peering into the bag. Once the contents are known, she tucks it away into her robes next to her dagger. Once the orcs have laid Malis down - "Gently !" Adriena scolds - Adriena says to Ganthanor (not too loudly) , "You will carry the vessel and follow me. Bring your possessions. We will be staying at Haratai's home until he returns in four or five days. We will make preparations to receive him."

Once they are out of earshot from the wagon train, she says to Ganthanor, "We need to find the others. Do you have any idea where or how we should begin?"

Speaking softly so that only Adriena can hear, Ganthanor says, "No actually. Now that we are away from that group, do you think we should continue on with our mission? We have 5 days to complete it with relatively little scrutiny by others. I want to get this over with so that I can find a time when I can kill that bastard Haratai. Look what he's done to her." Ganth starts to curse softly to himself. "Maybe the others have been following along and are watching us. let's be very visible as we leave that group and reach this address we're going to. Let the others have an easy time following us."

Adriena replies to Ganthanor, "Ok. Let's go." She stands away from her warrior companion and says aloud, "You will carry this one, NOW! Don't get me angry, or I'll have your eyes out right here." She slaps him across the back of the head and adds, "Get moving." As he picks up Malis, Adriena heads towards the gate.

Ganthanor responds mumbling under his breath so that only Adriena can hear, "Don't get to enjoying your job to much missy..."

Adriena gives Ganthanor a sideways glance and smiles an ugly orcish smile. "How can any of us enjoy this?" she asks, waving her hands around to indicate the city, the orcs, themselves. "We need to be as convincing as we can, but I'll try to slap a little softer next time. " she winks and renews her stroll towards the gate.

Ganthanor replies, "You shouldn't wink at me like that... I might just have to... ugh!!!! I can't believe I thought that! Does polymorphing into a creature eventually effect the mind as well?!? I just wanted to throw you down right here and... oh geez... think of dead kittens Ganth... think of dead kittens...." Ganthanor looks away completely chagrined.

Adriena draws in a breath at Ganthanor's words. She looks at the still body of Malis and remembers Haratai's abuse of her. Quickly turning away, she shakes herself as if to purge the memories from her mind. She walks on towards the gate, occasionally watching out for over-curious strangers and her two missing companions.

The three finally reach the gates of the city. The guards at the gate look at them suspiciously but decide to let them pass.

The three orcs move through the city, Adriena mentally recites the directions given to her as the three make the proper turns. The city is alive with movement. The streets are packed with orcs moving to and fro with a pace and purpose that is not characteristic of orcs.

Orcan patrols are heavy through the city as well. Adriena lets out a small gasp when one patrol, trailing a large wagon, moves through the streets knocking orcs out and throwing them in the back of the wagon. The three are able to press themselves into a wall and escape the notice of the patrol but watch as a stout orc tries to defend himself and get pummeled into submission, "Thanks for enlisting." the lead orc of the patrol says to the unconscious body as it is tossed into the back of the rapidly filling wagon.

Moving with a bit more speed, the three finally arrive at their destination.

At no time during their march did they see hide nor tusk of their two shadowy companions. Perhaps they decided to abandon the party? Perhaps they were captured? Killed? Who knows...

The destination is a large house, noises can be heard from within it. No one is sure how far it is from the city gates, due to all of the turns that they have made, but they can see that it is only about a half-mile from the large Keep that dominates the center of the city. The house itself is three stories tall. All of the windows are shuttered. It is a dull brownish black color, there is smoke coming out of the lone chimney. It is around 100' wide by 60' deep.

Checking the door, they find that it is locked.

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