10 PM: The unknown corpses were buried shallowly within the eastern forest and the fellowship, pushed to the limit with constant morbidity, looked to themselves for new direction.

The monk and cleric lightly debated the distribution of future discovered treasures of Raven should they be found. Oktavianus wanted a split to suit one's strengths while Torynth viewed that a basic equal spread was a wiser notion.

Nerendil wondered the distance to Airrdale and if they should perimeter the western portion of the Landretta's for signs of the week-old, western thief trail on their journey south.
Torynth spoke of the caravan horde " If Teflar can determine that these orcs are our guilty party, then we will follow and learn what we can of their journey. It's possible that the bonfire we encountered our first night was a signal to reunite the groups that left the east and north trails. That could point to the western trail as the route the starpoint took. Whoever is responsible must have organized the orcs. Hopefully we could get a lead as to whom it was."

Splendor whittled a broken, slender oak branch with his specialty knife
" We haven't seen the signs of the humans making these trails. I'm still wondering if these two sects, the orcs and thieves, were even linked and working together." Glade paused after gouging too deeply into the woodgrain. Blowing at the shavings, he continued " If these two are linked, I wonder if they even know what eachother's jobs are. Could a brilliant escape plan be coordinated by orcs to align with the actual larceny? How smart is an orc anyway?" He smiled lightly at Iron Raven who stared flatly at the sorcerer.
Gailwind silently flipped through a historical folio regarding the Violet Sea Pirates as the campfire crackled brightly among them.

Hebron shook his head " I suggest we use stealth. Find one or two of the orckish bastards, knock them over the head and spirit them away for interrogation. I am certainly not suggesting that we openly start a battle with the horde. A mutant troll is one thing, but even I wouldn't take on an army with just the few of us here."
Hebron smiled sardonically as discussion fell to the sending of a message to Bethlun for a possible counterstrike against the horde.
" The last thing we need is an army to go after the orcs. The group we currently have has the skills needed to do what we must. While the King needs to be made aware, I am certain that a courier can be found to send the information back."

Torynth interjected " If we go after the horde ourselves, Hebron, that leaves Marth and Iron Raven without having made a report and no attempt to contact the King from the nearest city...which is Airrdale." He glanced to the dwarf "And hence, no reinforcements."

Marth shook his head " We can get more done finding the army than worrying about a report that doesn't help any. I say we all join forces." The scout tossed a few splintered branches into the blaze and looked to his partner for verification.

The barbarian scout sniffed the air " No, Marth. Our duty was to help our village and I will go back if you wish to join clan Raven. I can say you were lost with the others if you like, but we must have Airrdale aware of the outcome and that war is at hand." The tall beast looked to Splendor
" Would you say that is a a smart move, owllover? After all, I do think like a bad orc you know."

Splendor set down a carved maiden figurine and laughed heartily " That is indeed flagrant intelligence, dear warrior. Don't mistake my ill words to include yourself for a brave act as you hold dear does not enlist a muddied orc. You are a true MAN. A friend to Airrdale is an ally to our Kingdom."

Just then, Teflar sauntered from the western forest with a report " All is safe. We should get some sleep." He joined the others by the fire while Moonshade hooted his contentment.