SCOUTS OF AIRRDALE
"Raven? King's Elite?" rumbled the orc-man as he gently touched a black feather entwined in his long hair.
Iron Raven grunted and cocked his eyebrow at Marth " Well enough, this is a good omen. We should talk with these men and woman when we have payed our respects to the dead." The paladin and cleric, realizing now that these strangers were no threat, apologized and formally introduced themselves. They explained their primary rash criticisms as mistrust they carried against orcs and anyone suspicious the past few days.
They waited for Torynth's return with his scouting report {No additional strangers} before escorting the mismatched pair up towards the hanging bodies. Leah watched every move intently while she followed slowly along. Silently, the team watched while the half-orc jumped and continuously cut away the pole cords that held his dead, inverted comrades. The lifeless bodies were caught by Marth before they fell to the ground.
Splendor stepped forth while the three dead bodies were lain across the dirt in an ordered row.
Splendor spun his staff between his palms and glanced towards the cave entrance abstractedly " You were damn lucky we were unfortunate enough to find this place first upon your revisitation."
Gailwind and Splendor came out from the eastern treeline awaiting the group as they marched towards them. Their other 'Raven' trio, from the western grove, followed after Hebron when he entered the cavern alone.
" These were your companions I see." Glade's magenta eyes darken
" How have you come about this area?"
Without hesitation, the duo explained their trek from the village of Airrdale and of their hiring to scout the large mass of orcs stomping north out of the heart of the Nalmiar Forest. They tracked the army for nearly two days before being waylaid by the giant troll. Their party of five were attacked as they refilled waterbottles at the brook. The fighter scouts either fought unsuccessfully or were chased into the inner depths of the forest. Only Marth and Iron Raven were lucky enough to survive. They hid in the northern peach groves fearful to return into the open grasses where they might become exposed to further danger. They waited and watched as the massive orc army returned; backtracking upon themselves two days later with cases upon cases of goods they hadn't previously carried. The humanoids headed south towards Airrdale and the duo finally decided, after gathering courage, to reclaim their friends, if any lived, and return back to the safety of their village.
Gailwind poked his silver dirk repeatedly into the ash of the burned troll while the group buried their three warriors in a clover patch on the western side of the forested hill.