Aanparon whispers in common to Kira and Garth, "Follow my lead, try to get behind them. Be ready to attack. C'mon, let's go." Garth nods and disappears in the brush.

Aanparon walks out and accosts the two orcs in orcish. "Where the hell have you two been? Haratai is really going to be pissed. I should make you take the horses to him."

The two orcs drop ahold of the rope and automatically draw their weapons, the one of the left says, "Where you come from? Dunno no Haratai!" The one on the right begins looking around for other people to come flying from the brush but doesn't see anyone.

Aanparon says, "Never heard of Haratai? You mean these aren't his horses? Aren't you two Gutrot and Offalbreath? Who are these horses going to?"

The Orc replies, "Naw we not and nona ya business! Getout da way," as the other orc bends over cautiously to pick the rope back up. The two begin to move again, watching Aan closely, their hands tightening on the hilts of their swords.

Kira turns to motion to Garth but he is no where to be seen, shrugging her shoulders Kira quietly strings her bow and nocks an arrow.

Aanparon says, "Look, Snoutnose, I gotta have horses and I gotta have 'em now. Haratai gonna kill someone if he don't get horses soon, and it ain't gonna be me. Gutrot be here soon, you gimme your horses, when Gutrot shows tell him Demonbreath said he give you his."

Aanparon pauses and then continues, "Cripes, we're gettin robbed, these horses are crap compared to Gutrot's. An he has six horses. Still, can't wait." He starts forward for the reins, his hands clear of my sword. He sees that Garth is slowly creeping up on the two orcs that are now focused solely on Aanparon.

The talking orc shakes his head in confusion and then snarls, "Stop talk!" and swings his sword at Aanparon. Already prepared, Aanparon dodges out of the way with ease. The other orc tugs on the rope and brings the horses to a light trod, moving away from the group. The talking orc stays in place, his eyes on Aanparon.

Kira assumes that this is her cue to fire arrows. She'll choose the target that Garth is not currently stalking if line of sight permits.

Aanparon says, "What you do that for? Gimme the horses, you take Gutrot's. I gotta get--wait, never mind, there Gutrot now. Gutrot, over here." Aanparon looks over his right shoulder as he speaks and then starts walking in that direction.

The orc laughs and says, "No fall for old tric.." his voice cuts off short as his eyes roll upwards in his head and he falls to the ground, his lifeless fingers dropping the sword. Standing behind him, a large grin on his face is Garth. Garth bends over and wipes off his bloody sword on the orc's clothing.

Kira fires two arrows at the orc that is hurrying away with the horses. Both arrows take the orc in the back and drop him like a bag of flour. Curiously enough, the orc retains ahold of the rope and the horses stop.

Kira saunters over the the orc she killed and takes the reins of the horses. She secures them and then retrieve her arrows. "Ah suggest," she comments, as she cleans her arrows on the clothing of the dead orc, "that we take anything of value on thuh bodies, maybe rough 'em up a bit. Make it look like a robb'ry." She stands, surveying the area. "And then," she adds, "we git outta here right quick."

Aanparon says, "I agree with the taking of anything of value, and I would make it obvious they've been searched, but I see no need to rough them up, I think you guys did a good enough job of that already. Just strip and take whatever they have. Then grab the horses and let's ride."

Garth nods his head in agreement and begins searching the orc at his feet saying, "We could get to the orc city a lot faster now, don't you think?"

Aanparon nods in agreement.

Kira finds a small pouch with 10sp in it as well as a cheap looking bronze ring. Garth finds a pouch with 5gp in it.

Kira notes, "Ah found a few coins on this one. If we have to puhchase anything, we should use thay-uh coins. Ga'th, that goes fo' the coins you find on yours, too." Kira noticed Garth's stealthy attack from behind, and figures that he's the type who might have slightly sticky fingers.

The three mount up and begin to ride. Approximately three hours later, the sun is beginning to set. The three adventurers had covered a good 30 miles. The horses do not seem tired but Garth says, "We shouldn't ride the horses when it gets dark. They might break a leg or something. They don't have infravision like we do."

From her memory of the map and from the ground that they have covered, Kira estimates that they are roughly a third to a fourth of the way to the Orc City. "Ah don't want to risk the horses," Kira responds, "but Ah'd like to get as far as possible. Why don't we ride on for about anothuh half-hour or so, and then we can sta't to look for a place to camp fo' the night."

Garth nods his head and says, "I saw a good camping site about five minutes back, why don't we go back and set up for the night?"

Aanparon replies, "Stopping to find a camp now is probably not a bad idea, but if you saw a camp from the road, I don't think we want to use it. I would rather we camped somewhere far enough to be out of sight of the road. Let's turn off the road in a bit here and see what we can find out of sight of the road. Doesn't need to be much, mostly a place to tether the horses and feed them."

So the group heads down the dirt road for another half mile before turning off into a large clump of trees. Moving into the trees, they find a rather small clearing. There is barely enough room for everyone and the horses. Garth begins to tend to the horses as the group gets ready to camp for the night.

"Ah'll take the first watch," Kira volunteers.

The group settles down for a very deserved nights rest. The watches pass uneventfully and everyone wakes up in the morning, after a quick breakfast, "Shall we be going?" Garth asks as he gets his horse ready to ride.

Kira nods and the three mount up. The rising sun gives the three orcs headaches as the day goes on. Several times during the day the group stops to switch horses and then to rest the horses. Nothing out of the ordinary occurs during the day; however, the group does see signs of recent orc camps along their route, but do not see any resting orcs. By nightfall the group has moved many a mile. Looking to the distance, the smoke and lights from the orc city can be seen. Garth estimates that the group will reach the city some time after nightday on the morrow.

The horses look weary from the hard days ride, as do the orcs, as camp is set up for the night.

Aanparon asks, "Suggestions on a plan of attack once we reach the city?"

"Avoid attacks," Kira suggests with a smile. "Puh'haps if we do as we did befoah, pra'tend to have business in the city... Find some reason to be in the city, and barge past those who would try to stop us. We know the name of at least one high-ranking orc we can use from your previous encounter. Once we get in the city, we can lose ourselves easily enough. Then we can see about getting back this magical whatsit and freeing or terminating this military dude. Sound like a plan?"

Garth nods his head, his tusks bobbing up and down, "Sounds good to me."

Aanparon replies, "I don't know how high ranking Haratai is, all I know is he was more than we could deal with. We can certainly try bluffing our way in, but remember those former orcs we took the horses from never heard of him. I have no idea how representative they are. My real question, though, is how do we locate Ganth, Adriena and Malis. Only reason I came back is for them, not for the guy the Lady wants us to find. Though I hope to find him as well, or the bitch will probably try and send me back again."

Garth shrugs his shoulders and says, "We agreed to take on the quest, who knows what she will do if we don't bring her back what she wants. I don't think that we could force her into changing us back, she would probably fry us where we stood."

And so the night passes uneventfully. The next morning the trio head for the city. Krimba-Hai is laid out in a rough circle, taking full military advantage of the terrain. Watch-towers are spaced every 50 yards around the high stone walls and the trio see that each of the towers have orcs standing watch in them. The guards at the gate give the group a detailed inspection but let them pass without any altercation. Inside the gate there is a mill of activity. Orcs are everywhere, most all in armor and carrying weapons. This is definately a military city.

**** Kira walks behind Aan, letting him and Garth do all of the talking.

The group moves through the city, avoiding the press gangs and making inquires. The search proves unfruitful. Though Kira notes that Krimba-Hai is a city geared for war, and the layout of the city reflects this fact. Noxious fumes belch forth from the many smelters, foundries and forges on the surface; as well as almost all of the orcs seen are in standard uniform.

Aanparon notes that there were four heads stuck on spikes outside the gates. Three had the orcish rune for "deserter" carved into their faces, and the fourth had the rune "thief" branded on his forehead.

Several orcs give the group a few seconds glances, obviously deciding whether or not to challenge the three for their horses but the readied stance and hands on hilts of the transformed orcs disuades them.

After a few hours Garth says quietly to Aanparon, "Aan, don't stare, but you see that large orc behind you on your left," Aanparon is able to slightly turn and catch a glimpse of the rather huge looking orc, Garth continues, "He has been following us for some time now. Maybe Haratai sent him to watch for us or something. I think we should find an inn and pretend to get a room and then follow him back to where ever he goes to report his information.." Garth face is all lit up with his own cleverness.

Aanparon says, "Okay, Kira, take a glance at him when you get a chance. Remember what he looks like." I continue to walk, looking for an inn and/or a stable. We'll take a room as Garth suggests, but Garth, you will make a point of retiring early, while Kira and I go back to the common room for some food. Once out ot sight, Garth, you sneak around and find the guy. He may not be alone, so either follow him, or if he sends someone else follow them."

Aanparon continues, "I'd be surprised if Haratai set someone to watch for us. Only idiots would come to the city chasing after Haratai's band. Any orc with a lick of sense would right off his former companions and move on. Gods, right now I almost wish I was an orc..."

The three stop into the next inn and get a room. Garth slips out the back and in moments has disappeared into the din of the city.

Kira finally asks, "Tell me Aan, is there some way Ah can recognize these friends of yours? Something they're wearing, or some distinguishing mahks? Ah've been studying you and Ga'th, as well as the o'cs we've met, so Ah I think Ah can tell 'em apaht now."

Aanparon gives as best a description as he can of their three other companions. Kira tries to imagine what they would look like but doesn't seem to be able to form the necessary mental images.

A little over an hour later Garth comes sneaking back into the inn and lightly taps at the door, his face is red and flustered and he begins speaking rapidly as soon as the door is closed, "I found Adriena and Ganthanor. They are at an Inn. Ganthanor is cleaning dishes and Adriena is waiting tables. No sign of Malis. The big orc was talking with Adriena."

Aanparon replies, "Okay, here's the plan. Don't eat too much here, we're about to go have another meal. Garth, you and Kira go in first and take a table together. I'll come in five minutes later, if you give me a signal it looks safe I'll join you, otherwise I'll take a table by myself. If all is cool we can get together and talk. Most likely that won't be the case. If not, then I'll try to get Adriena to take a room with me. Her trying to make a little extra on the side shouldn't look too suspicious, though it's way out of character for Adriena. If that works you two can either try to sneak up and join us, or come back here and I'll meet you here as soon as I can. Garth, remember Kira doesn't speak orcish, so you'll have to do the talking for both of you."

Garth nods his head and says, "That won't be a problem."

"Okay," Kira replies. To Garth, "Don't bury yourself in the part, please," she says, smiling.

Garth smiles and says in a sweet tone, "Who gave you permission to speak woman?" Letting out a light laugh, Garth gives Aan a wink and says, "Well, let's get moving."

The trio step into the busy streets of the city. Several times the party has to duck into an alley as a press gang sweeps down the street looking for volunteers. Kira notes that the press gangs are increasing in their frequency.

Reaching the inn, Garth says to Aanparon, "See you in a few," and motions for Kira to follow him into the tavern.

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