" Orcs, Oktavianus, and plenty of them." spoke Torynth as he stared off at the western road. " To Nalmiar Forest we return. That is where our journey must take us. Soon I trust other kind-minded men of Airrdale will be joining our band for the battle that is forthcoming. But before we go, we need to rest and bolster our supplies."

The ranger agreed " We will find what we desire in Airrdale. What's left of it anyway. A countryman named Erelis will fetch what we need." He eyed the outer line of wooden buildings as they smoldered in a black haze " Let us go and find the hostel the towermen described. Rest is a virtue to us now."

Leah started to sob realizing the carnage she was about to see.
StarPoint Raven was formed, once again, when the druidess collected herself and they walked east into utter village destruction.
A stench of death carried upon waves of burning fumes bombarded the group as they walked into the township. Not a person was to be seen. Most of the wood buildings were aflame and the team turned south on a dirt avenue that swung them in a counterclockwise arc to the southern tier. As the fellowship passed on, they noticed less destruction, but still no signs of life.

" Strange." breathed Gailwind " Not everyone was killed, right?"
Teflar interrupted " Look! There is where we must settle in today." He pointed to a beautifully-built inn on the corner of an intersection of roads.
" Let's not worry about guards. We need all the rest possible. Find a bed and sleep until you rise naturally." And with little coaxing, the comrades entered the respite and did just that.