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-----"Hmm...if only we had a bird’s eye view." Sarah says, hoping the not so bright orcs won't catch onto her suggesting that Seth ask Albert to look ahead.
-----Sarah keeps an eye on the woods to all sides, especially in front and behind the party, watching for an ambush.
-----"Obviously something screwy’s going on." Sarah says. "Sol could eat six orcs for breakfast, and the dark people seem to know it."
-----Seth nods at Sarah's suggestion. He had already asked Albert to scout a head for him. "Good idea, Dread. Too bad I don't know some spell to burn the heathens out with, what about you Sarah?"
-----The Gorian had winced at Sarah's comment about eating orcs, and jumps at Seth's, "We don't want t'start a forest fire here. Dread, Sarah...yer absolutely right, orcs just don't act his way. Hey Raven, yer th' expert wi' 'em. What th' hell are these dogs up to?" Sol reins Thunder to a stop, taking heed of Dread's caution. He flicks his attention to Raven, before once again scanning for the orcs.
-----The young warrior notices that his question goes unanswered as Raven is already well hidden somewhere in the surrounding brush.
-----In the next moment, Albert takes flight, sweeping his wings toward the tops of the trees. Within the next seconds, an excited cawing comes from the crow overhead.
-----Suddenly a quick movement exposes Raven as his head appears above some brush and the ranger lets go with an arrow. The missile flies straight for the treeline ahead and vanishes behind the cover. A pained angry humanoid cry splits the air. As if in response, some movement is heard at different points around the party as shuffling and rustling is heard in the greenery.
-----Although the party cannot see what is causing the noise it is apparent they are being quickly surrounded!
-----An approving smile lights up Sol's face and disappears just as quickly when he barks out, "Sarah, Seth, make sure yer both in th' centre and stay there. Th' rest o' ye, cover a quarter but try not to bunch up too much, just enough t'keep them out o' the circle." That left everyone but Raven, but Sol figured he'd be very much fighting his own way in this battle.
-----With the advantage of his horse's movement gone, Sol leaps off Thunder as he gives his orders. He moves himself back to take his quarter, pulling Thunder back with him. Feeling the excitement build up, he smacks his left hand down on the stallion’s shoulder.
-----Seth dismounts off his horse in the center of the group, cause he knows he can run faster than any horse! As an afterthought, although it has become obvious now, he states, " Albert said we are surrounded, but I guess we knew that." He turns and asks Sarah, "With the sleep spell, do we have to be able to see the Orcs or can we just cast it in their direction? I think we might be able to put a 'quarter' to sleep and slip out the back door so to speak."
-----The Dread Pirate hops off his pony, cutlass in hand, stating, "This isn't the best option. We should've charged our way back out, using our greater mobility and speed, rather than standing here facing Joren knows how many orcs and critters. I doubt that many of the orcs are stupid enough to stand in front of a charging horse. But I suppose we're committed to this course o' action now though."
-----"I don't know, I don't have that spell today," Sarah responds quickly to Seth. Unlike the others, Sarah decides to remain on her horse.
-----"Whatever you guys do, don't look at me." She says quickly as she moves into the exact center of the group, hoping that this way nobody will turn to watch her since they are surrounded by orcs.
-----With that said Sarah pulls out a stick of incense, lights it quickly and begins to chant sonorously while moving the incense stick in arcane patterns in the air.
-----Suddenly an angry orcish voice yells into the air. It is followed by the same voice yelling, "Humans die!" in the common language. With that, over a dozen orcish warriors leap up from behind the bushes raising their beaten and tarnished swords over their heads. The orcs menacingly stalk slowly toward the adventurers enclosing them in the wide circle the humanoids had formed.
-----The orcs walk from about thirty feet from the nearest of the party. Five of the orcs stare at Sarah who sits on her horse slightly above the heads of the others. They take in the visual display of twisting colors weaving in the air and slow their stalking motion. The orcs begin to lower their weapons while standing open-mouthed at the illusional pattern. The rest of the humanoids continue to creep forward ready to strike within the next few strides.
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