Teflar listened to the oncoming ruckus with a growing grin " There are between six and a dozen orcs from the amount of sound they make. Leah..." he turned to the druidess "...can you entangle them as you had at the troll's brook? They should come out at the head of that brush."

" No Teflar!" the dwarf interrupted with stern disgust " Your prior choices have been horrible. I say we move south. These elven paths in Gailwind's book may be our best bet yet to retrieve the shard."
The monk agreed and offered to protect the rear as they eluded their predators.

The ranger looked expectantly at Leah as she stood there wide-eyed. She spoke simply " I am against any further battle that may be on your mind, dear ranger."
Teflar, lowering his bow, reluctantly followed Starpoint Raven as they hurried along the new route. Strange growls broke loudly as the cluster of unseen monsters came out onto the scene. The party held at least 300 feet distance from their pursuers as they jogged until they no longer had the will to move their legs.

6 AM: Dawn broke the eastern horizon. The fellowship practically collapsed under the hard push to escape their pursuers, but successfully they were able to become. The road still ran between the downs and the forest, but no more threat was felt.

Gailwind sat on a platt of broken branches neatly piled off the roadside and thumbed through a yellow, hardbound text. Clearing his throat, he spoke distinctly " We are a day's journey from Pinedroi, a martial community along our path that clears the Nalmiar south. Before that, however, we can move back into the forest with a clearer view around us as the trees are thinned. Going west would give us another try at the mystery fort to find Salimen. Pinedroi, a chance to spark a return strike to quiet these orcs."
" How fast can the retaliation be?" Erelis asked as he calmly breathed the cool, morning air.

" There is no telling if Pinedroi will launch a counterstrike without the approval of our kingdom, " cautioned the Lorist "...but our safety IS secured. If we go west into the unknown district harbored by nonhabitual elves, we may continue our dangerous trek and with a hive of buzzing beasts right above our heads!"

Breathing heavily, the cleric jogged into the group after lagging behind. He collapsed upon the ground gratefully " It is a good thing we stopped." the dwarf mumbled between deep huffs " This endless running is taking a toll on the lady."
Leah crooked a singular smile as she watched the dwarf try to compose himself.

Aramil pursed his lips " So if we keep the road, we abandon Salimen. I'm afraid that was a terrible fate we put him to." Teflar's face hardened at the mention of the lost bard.

Oktavianus propped his hammer as a crutch and restood " As I have said from the beginning of our journey, we need reinforcements. I say we go to Pinedroi and ask for assistance." With muted vote, Starpoint Raven seemed to agree. They headed south after a brief waterbreak.

NOON: Amid a turn in the road, the team sat on a small hillock and ate heartily from their rations. Their commune was silent as deep thoughts raced through their minds. A slight depression seemed to wrinkle into the fabric of their comradery.
Erelis tried to lighten the mood " In Pinedroi, they shall be riled in anger at what happened to Airrdale. I am sure they see the orcs as a whole threat to our region and won't wait to see if Bethlun approves. They will act in a swift fashion knowing bumbling orcs came out of the trees heading their way!"
The monk agreed " An orc as captive would have secured it. Maybe we should wait for our pursuers to catch up with us. They should be really small in number now.""

Gailwind rose fast from his apple lunch turning his head swiftly to the east.
" What is it, elf?!" barked the dwarf rather suspiciously. " More trouble?!"
" You look back to Bethlun." remarked the druidess rather curiously
" You hear our kingdom call?"
" I hear beautiful singing on the wind." spoke the sage crisply. " Does anyone not note a sound?" The party listened intently not hearing anything but the warm coastal breeze ruffling through their hair.