THE OTHER PARTY
Torynth imparted to the archer " You are still injured. Stay behind me and I'll keep anything that gets past your bow off you." He waved Oktavianus and Nerendil over indicating where he intended to invade the brush {30 feet to right of orc's hewn passage}.
Suddenly, from out of the hewned path pushed a man covered in cut vines and loose plant roots! The tall orc's black eyes narrowed and a low noise growled from his throat transforming roughly into common speech Raising his eyebrows at these forceful words, the human stranger smiled briefly and tossed his staff upon the matted grasses between them.
Torynth disappeared into the forest while Leah remained behind standing in her element. With sling poised, she seemed unconvinced to the theory of their arrival.
" I am called Iron Raven." spoke the broad orc-man " Put aside your arms and let us have our mourning in peace. You have done what we could not. For that, I owe you much." He pointed again past them towards the charred troll remains smouldering on the hill.
The archer lowered his aim and gave light orders to the dwarf " Deal with this." Hebron then strided away past the pond and up towards the cave.
Hebron curled his lip and remained were he stood; bow never wavering a millimeter in its' cocked position.
Leah and the cleric followed Torynth as he took fresh steps into the northern treeline. Intending to step past dried leaves and twigs, he angled his way in the direction the orc might be.
Silence lay ahead of them save the returned twitterings of the courting spring birds.
" Slowly now..." grumbled a deep voice behind the stranger " Let's not disturb them, but get our companions down. Hanging there is no good. They are a cautious lot and filled with witchery!" A huge orc then appeared bumping roughly into the man who stopped dead in his tracks. Staring ahead, the curious pair watched the archer's arrow as it pointed directly to the orcs' head.
" Hold strangers, we mean you no harm. Those are our companions strung from yonder trees." His thick arm pointed up the far slope
" We mean only to take them down and show proper respect."
The archer and paladin studied the duo intently as the scouting trio paused in the brush. Suddenly, the cleric plowed through the waist-high mulberry bushes and stomped right up to the unfortunate pair. With a firm grip, the dwarf held his hammer's head in his left palm.
" We are 'Raven', the King's elite army. I suggest you throw down your weapons at once while you can still speak."
"Good people, we are the last survivors of a group sent to track an orckish horde who have been troubling the village of Airrdale. My name is Marth Hendel and wish no quarrel with you." The young man stood expectantly as his monstrous partner tucked away his weapons.