Chapter 4: Of Toads and Lizards!
The Eighth of Greentide, D.Y. 500
-----At the bottom of the hill, the adventurers see the entire troop begin to cross a wide valley completely filled with short scrub vegetation.
-----As they head in a southwestern direction, the ruins of yet another small, fortified structure lies in their path at a distance of a half-mile. As they draw nearer, the structure looks to be an old friary or moathouse thickly covered with vines and weeds. Surely no living creature could be expected to dwell within. One collapsed wall gapes open like a mouth; its dark recesses revealing nothing while resembling an expression of anguish.
-----Very quickly the scouts in the troop grasp their arrows and pull their bowstrings as if anticipating trouble. The only noise here, however, seems to be the birds in the distant trees and the gentle breeze stirring through the brush.
-----A few moments after they survey the structure, they begin motioning to the rest of the troop to move on. A few scouts move on out ahead. Soon, one comes back to report to Roderon and Lord Howrun.
-----Roderon then pulls back and speaks with Raven, Sol, Sarah and the others. "Good news!" he says with a smile on his face, "Just beyond the next short section of woods lies the first place Lord Howrun was looking to stop. It is an outpost of sorts and there we can rest a bit."
-----Sol nods his thanks to the ranger and continues to follow along with the troop.
-----Raven takes time to survey the area around the structure and seems to be looking for tracks. Like the scouts, Raven has his bow ready for trouble.
-----The elven scouts cast a frown of concern toward the vines covering the old stronghold and the taller weeds that grow here.
-----Raven's search along the ground brings him in front of the yawning opening in the wall. Behind the ranger, he hears a bit of whimpering. Turning, he sees his wolf following faithfully along. The animal then looks at the opening and lowers its head. It begins to let out a low growl.
-----Rinda creeps up with her weapon likewise drawn. She quietly nods to her hunter with an inquisitive look on her face.
-----Sol looks at the wolf first, Rinda next and finally at Raven. "Something amiss, Raven?" The warrior inquires comfortably. After a smooth dismount, Sol walks his way up to near where Raven searches, trying to both study the vine-engulfed walls as well as keep a sharp watch on the wall's opening in front of the hunter.
-----Raven crouches down in front of the opening and grabs a handful of grass and dirt. Raven rubs the dirt between his fingers and takes a sniff of the dirt.
-----Raven looks over at the wolf and then at the opening. Finally Raven turns to Sol and says, "No tracks, but the dirt here is...not right. The ground here is too wet. It's not natural." Raven pauses as he weighs what he sees and senses.
-----Raven nods, "Let's take a look inside and see what we find. We should grab some torches and rope before we go in." Raven smiles and then says to the group, "Ready for some exploring?"
-----"Well, we still have Dread's rope, I think. Does anyone else have torches?" Sol asks his companions before turning back to Raven. "I guess a quick look around wouldn't put us out too much. Let's do it."
-----Lovan looks uneasy at the stronghold. "Why waste our time in there?" the storm priest asks.
-----Romney immediately dismounts and grabs his sword. The guard then eyes the golden haired mage waiting for her reaction. He then looks at Sol and gives him a questioning look.
-----Garrison looks grimly at the vine-covered opening and says, "Hey, if you're going in there, I need to too!" He then pauses before adding, "But I hate leaving Mirian out here and I don't think we better take her in with us."
-----One of the passing elven guards frowns as he walks past Raven. The elf glares at the opening saying to the hunter, "It would be best to leave this place for now. Orcish troops may be on the move before we reach Rushfen."
-----Several of the other archers add their grim agreement before striding off with the Lord's troop.
-----Rinda smiles and cocks an eyebrow to Raven. "A hunter never knows what he's going to scare up, does he?" She then motions to the yawning portal for Raven and Sol to lead the way.
-----Sol replies to the leaving elven guard, "We do not plan t'be long, and will ride hard to catch up should we not be done by th' time ye move on." The warrior then looks at Garrison, nodding in agreement to the man's words, "Absolutely. Romney, can ye take Mirian along with Lord Howrun's troop, so that Garrison can come along wi' us? I'll worry about th' other." He adds with a quirky smile and glances at Sarah; the 'other' in question.