-----"Ye be awful perky fer sumone carryin' fresh scars on yer hide," Dilton jests as he picks up on Strolum's humming.
-----"Don' be gettin' cocky wit' me," the red-haired warrior retorts. "Ye been workin' on gettin' yer own hide kicked." Nodding toward Sol, Strolum adds, "We be needin' t' ask Sol there fer a bit more trainin' if he be inclined."
-----As they top the first hill, Garrison sternly says in a low voice, "Keep it down. I get the feeling we may find less friendly folk here than we did in Rushfen."
-----Caranip simply smiles on the back of Sarah's saddle. The warm sunlight feels good on her back. As the keep behind them fades from sight, it is hard to ignore the glory of the late springtime morn. A fresh warm breeze greets them blowing their hair and cloaks behind them. Swallows flit back and forth peeping as they dodge toward the ground to swoop just above the grass.
-----As the party descends the hill, the dew sparkles in the grass where the sun has not fully touched it and the breeze has not caressed it. With the next hill a few yards off, they ride through a short flat place that opens up to the northwest to look upon flat lands spotted in the distance by areas of tangles and wetlands. Off to the north, about two miles away, a small structure is spotted.
-----With the next hill, Raven leads everyone around its northern perimeter instead of climbing it. They emerge from the shadow of the previous hill and enjoy the feel of the sun and the moving air. As they come around the western side of the hill, it is hard to believe that they are in a region whose people may be distressed in some way.
-----Straight west from the hill they move around, the land straightens out into a plain. There, way off in the distance, is seen the small structures of perhaps a village. Just south of it lie the trees and pools of a marsh.
-----Suddenly, as the party rides away from the hill, they quickly stop at what faces them from the south. As they clear the hill, a hundred yards to their left lies a small lake. In front of the lake is a large troop of soldiers that looks as if they are preparing to march. Mounted on medium warhorses looks to be at least a half dozen well-armored and armed humans wearing the red and black surcoats of Ravenhold. Behind them in ranks stand about one hundred and fifty hobgoblin soldiers. The entire army is facing the adventurers as they trot out from the hill and stop. The human leaders look as if they are calmly watching to see what the party does.
-----"My friends, I do not think this is a group we should test in battle," Sarah cautions. "Let us see what they desire. Do we have anything that could pass as a flag of truce?"
-----"Aside from our faiths, there's nothing on us that shows affiliation. No truce is needed, as they shouldn't know us . . . " Sol sizes up the Ravenhold force, as his fingers stray towards his sword. They stop some inches from the hilt, as the Rager realizes that certain party members would not be easily kept safe.
-----He then growls to himself before addressing the party, "Then what would you all have us do? I daresay that any talks with them would still end up with my blade free of its scabbard."
-----Caranip remains quiet clinging onto Sarah with wide staring eyes.
-----"Strong armor they be wearin'," Pil says lowly through his teeth. The big warrior grimaces as if not convinced to stay around and talk.
-----Raven's wolf growls as the playfulness long left the creature, staring at the army mostly made of hobgoblins.
-----"Don' be seein' how this'd be endin' up other than a fight," Strolum sighs.
-----"No clouds that bring storms this day," Lovan says, "though none can catch the wind."
-----"I can count only eight on horseback," Garrison says with a determined expression. "The hobgoblins are marching on foot." The woodsman then points to the ranks of humanoids, many of whom are carrying long pole arms. "We could draw the riders out and try to take them away from the main mass of this army."
-----"We are a small pack compared to these," Rinda says with a bit of nervousness in her tone. Looking at Sol, the Huntress says, "Some of us are wounded. If we try to meet with them whether in battle or not, I feel it will prove ill for us."
-----Giving an apologetic look to Raven and then Sol, she adds, "I think we should ride off toward the west or at least take cover in the hills we just left."
-----"Another thought. Th' humanoids are weak when leaderless, an' they tend t'break at real trouble. If we could deal with those in charge, th' rest could be ridden down at leisure." Sol's eyes alight with the idea.
-----"Not all at once." Sarah says quickly. "And remember Sol, you may be safe in your armor but not all of us have the strength to be able to wear such garments." Sarah reminds him. "Let us see if we can't lure those on horseback away and deal with them. Then we would have the advantage against the others."