MOTHS TO THE FLAME
Gulius and Morray figured the flames were an event that could be examined in the morning when everyone had their proper rest. Not until Nerendil walked out of the circle heading east alone, did they realize that direct action was already underway and needed to arise.
Hebron eyed the young paladin as he sauntered transfixed out into the darkness.
Splendor seemed mesmerized on the vision east and scowled
The archer jogged out of camp and caught the paladin 50 yards down the lawn. As the gang collected upon the pair minutes later, he reported to all that a house may, in fact, be on fire. The paladin's right arm trembled as if he were in fear.
MYCRAN 2 ~ MIDNIGHT: For an hour, the fellowship hurried and became exhausted. They climbed the north endhills of the downs and caught various sight of flames that leapt 100 ft into the air. Its' source was still unknown.
1 AM: Up ahead, it was now visibly seen. A bonfire lay before them that had a girth of 25 feet and seemed to hold as much wildness as two hours prior. The fuel source was a towering wood display.
" A bonfire." Gulius grunted perturbed " We walked half the night for a bonfire!"
Thrusting his battle axe into the ground, he turned towards the paladin " We can't be chasen after every little ting here. We got to be keepen on track!"
Staring at the site in front of her, Morray advanced to the front of the group. She spoke quietly
"Sounds like the smart thing ta do." Gulius stated as he tugged his bearded chin. " We will wait here, but if you get in trouble, 'scream'; that will be our signal to come in with blades a' swingen'." Gulius hefted his axe with a look of confidence.
" Well, someone going to stop him?" he muttered while quickly packing away his array of arrows.
Leah looked out at the large fire with dismay " It figures the knight would get us into trouble early. I would have preferred going after the thieves!"
The cleric grumbled an agreeing dwarven dissent.
The monk, ranger, and bard were quick to prepare as they tucked away their gear quietly.
" What is going on here? We are leaving?" He then looked into the nightsky above as if expecting something to happen.
Suddenly, the owl screeched into the party making a few members jump. As they trotted quickly east, Glade reported that the bog seemed a clear road should they backtrack in the morning.
Gulius grumbled as he wiped his tired eyes. The paladin was as pale as stone and shivered softly.
Spaced triangularly around the flames lay two 20'x20' canvas tarps {each wrapped around something slender} and a medium-sized figure propped upon a large chest. Its' back was against the group as it stoically faced the fire.
StarPoint Raven crept upon the western arc of wavering light wondering what had happened or what was taking place.
The paladin gazed off into the inferno not seeming to hear the mild curses of the dwarf. A few tears trickled down through dirtied sweatlines of his left cheek as his trembling gained intensity.
" If all of us go over there, we may get ourselves into something that isn't of any concern. Let me see what I can find out, then I'll come back and give everyone an update."
Smiling at the fighter, Morray replied
" Don't worry, they'll never even see me."
She pulled the cloak hood over her head hiding her face in shadow.
Teflar and Salimen offered verbal support as the others readied their weapons with anticipation.
" Well, you've sure got a lot of heart for someone your size." Oktavianus gave the half-elf a fatherly pat on the back. "Just remember, we don't want you to get in over your head. First sign of trouble, you come running back. Let all the muscles and steel around here earn their pay."
Both spellcasters kept a quiet stare ahead as they watched Morray soft-step toward the roaring flames.
She kept low trying to stay unnoticed, and within a minute, crept around the northside of the bonfire. Her nimble footing tried placing her within any shadows possible, but that proved futile with the intense brightness.
Nevertheless, the scene was undisturbed and the slouched figure remained motionless as she crouched down near the tarp. Tension in the air grew thick. Morray wavered, careful not to disturb the canvas if unnecessary.
"RAGGGAAHH!!!!"
Suddenly, a horrible gutteral shattered the calmness of the night! Morray quickly spun around in time to see three fierce orcs break from the northern darkness and run at her!! They leapt at the lonely girl swinging spiked clubs intent on killing her outright!