As the group nears the more intact tower, within about 30 yards or so, most of the people notice something among the sands in front of the tower. Califax and Novo don't see anything but Burikan, Sathras, and T'Vala are able to get a better sense of what it is in the sands ahead. They pass the information along to the others; Ahead scattered in the sands is what appears to be be scraps of some sort of material and larger fragments of what may be bone. As this information is being passed around every aht-ra at once stops dead in its tracks, refusing to move forward one more yard. Every one of them trembles visibly and everyone in the group notes that the feeling of wrongness that has been growing takes on an almost palpable taste of evil.

OOC: Aaban and Shadow may make Intelligence checks at even odds.

Shadow looks around, trying to figure out why the animals are so nervous.

Sathras peers at the area of devastation. "Sathras think something bad happen here. Sathras got a bad feeling about this place." He idly tries to kick his heels into the aht-ra in the hopes that it might move forward a bit more.

Aaban looks blankly at the scattered remnants ahead, focused on keeping his aht-ra under control.

Califax scans across the area and shakes his head.

I agree with you there Sathras.  I think being ready is called for.

He slides from his mount and starts to enact one of his spells, making gestures as if strapping on a suit of armour, as he does so a shimmering of actual armour starts to appear around him.

(ooc: 10:59, Today: Califax rolled 10 using 1d20+2. Casting Armor of the Aeriad.  Well that will give me PR 4 for a bit.)

T'Vala makes sure his hurlant is ready, peering ahead into the dimness; "I don't know that we can force our mounts to move ahead, I would be concerned about them panicking again and possibly bolting. If there is something to fight we would probably be better off dismounted anyhow."

Murron can just barely be seen nodding in agreement with T'Vala as he checks his bow to make sure his arrow is set properly; "I would agree as I know that even though I have trained to fight in the saddle it is still easier to fight not having to control a mount as well. Plus I would hate to lose my mount and have to be walking. This situation is bad enough as it is and heading towards worse by the minute it seems. Sathras needs shelter badly, more than the rest of us, so regardless of what is ahead our survival through the night may count on that tower."

"So... we leave aht-ra," Sathras asks. He pats the neck of the beast under him. "We turn aht-ra loose? Or we butcher to have food later?"

T'Vala speaks out before Murron can reply to Sathras; "I think we leave them for now but come back for them once we find out whatever is up ahead. They don't appear to want to bolt but won't go forward either. Perhaps Shadow can impart to them that we are not abandoning them but rather will return once it is safe."