Chapter 6: Another Battle on the Plains!
The Twenty-Ninth of Greentide, D.Y. 500
-----That night the adventurers spent very peacefully. A campfire was set between the hillocks and it was easy for those on watch to take positions above on the surrounding hills. The thick clouds finally relented allowing a nearly full moon to shine down on the land. With the first day of summer now two more days away, the air felt warm though the ground was wet from the day's torrent of rain.
-----Nothing seemed to stir in the countryside. Even though the men watched in pairs, they saw little more than the stars and the moon through the clouds. That and the distant burning bonfire and the flickering light it sent against the dark keep. Chessie provided a bit of entertainment as the small owl flew about chasing down evading field mice.
-----The morning dawns with a bright morning star rising ahead of the sun. The golden rays branch out over the far trees of the Silvery Woods revealing what could be a very pleasant day. The sky is blue with some high clouds though they do not reflect a reddish color. Close to the keep, the bodies of the orcs smolder as a smoke rises off the large pyre. Strangely, it reminds the adventurers of the smoke seen before the large orken army moved out the day before.
-----To the south and the west, hills rise on the land hiding what other features the Estate of Ravenhold may have.
-----Sol begins to saddle Thunder as he slowly chews some rations. He squints skyward every now and then, as well as checking the horizon in all directions. Once the Stallion is ready for travel, he begins to put on his own new armour. Once completed, he looks to the others, "Are ye ready t'head int' th' depths o' Ravenhold?"
-----Raven gets to his feet and works out his stiff muscles. "Yeah, let's get moving while we still have surprise on our side." Raven saddles up and waits for the others before heading out.
-----"Yes, let's get moving." Sarah says.
-----Garrison gingerly puts his chain mail on as he also scans to the west and the south. As he readies his own horse, the woodman asks, "Anyone know where or what we're heading for? I'm guessing Hearthorn lies to the north and Silvergard is toward the east."
-----"Wait!" Rinda interjects, "Wasn't there a map among those papers you found, Sarah?" Turning to the Hunter, she asks, "Didn't she hand you a map yesterday?"
-----Raven looks confused for a moment and then says, "Map?" Raven digs in his pack and then pulls on the scroll. Raven motions everyone over as he rolls it out on the ground. "Here it is! Okay, I think we are here." Raven points at a spot on the map.
-----The terrain that is featured is a land mostly made of plains with a winding river running through it from the southwest to the east. On the eastern side of the map is a great forest with a few swamps surrounding the river as it enters the trees.
-----Raven points to a small castle on the east side of the map circled in red. "This is the keep we just captured. We are just south of the keep now. Just five to ten miles north of the castle is Hearthorn. The river lies about the same distance south of the castle. The village of Ku would be about 40 miles southwest of us. From Ku's position, to the southeast lies a large town called Black Bog. There's other villages around, but they are not labeled. Should we head for Ku?"
-----"Well, if the orcs had it marked, it must be important to them. The people of Ku could be in danger! Let's get moving." Sarah agrees as she saddles up Marlexana.
-----"Ku it is. Lead on, Raven." Sol smiles as he eases into Thunder's saddle.
-----Raven rolls up the map and climbs back into his own saddle. Rinda smiles and breathes deeply of the morning air. "On with the Hunt!" she says quietly.
-----The adventurers then turn away from the sun and, following the Hunter, make for the hills to the southwest.
-----Pil rides quietly alongside of his two warrior companions as they follow along behind Sarah. He glances about at the hilly country with a contemplative expression.
-----Raven's wolf picks up the trotting stride of the horses and casts several glances up at Raven. As the riders gain the first hill, the wolf sprints off occasionally to investigate tufts of grass or chase birds.
-----Strolum winces as he goes bounding along on his horse. Trying to forget his wounds, he hums a few festive battle songs.
-----Lovan smiles and holds his new shield on his left arm as he rides. The Storm Priest looks peaceful as he looks at the partly cloudy western sky.