Upon Hau'dn's announcement, Caylin merely shrugs and returns to the task of securing his own gear.  Hearing Totmacher taunting Asher, the halfling calls out, "Leave offa that, big man.  We've a ways t' travel, if'n we're t' catch them beasties ye've been ridin'."

Perrato finishes his morning prayers, ending with the ritual request for guidance and succor in pathless lands.  Garryn readies his gear, and Villhalas does the same.  Asher has had his belongings ready for some time, and Totmacher quickly assembles his own.  Hau'dn also gathers his gear, preparing to move out.

The party breaks camp and gets ready to depart, when Caylin speaks up.  "What d'ye plan on doin' wi' th' saddles an' tack, then?  If'n we leave 'em here, can ye then ride th' horses back wi'out?"

OOC:  Those of you without any ranks in Ride cannot ride bareback.  What do you want to do?

"What morning is not a good morning to see new country?" says Perrato, surveying the horizon with a mild smile. "Ah, my friends, do not think I have forgotten your suffering. A journey however short, to be best appreciated, must be made with one's best possible health." Reaffirming his service to Vagrani, the cleric again applies some of the divine energies granted him to the mending of the party's wounds.

[Via Spontaneous casting Perrato replaces Remove Paralysis with Cure Moderate wounds for Totmacher, Hold Person with Cure Moderate wounds for Hau'dn, and Endure Elements with Cure Light wounds for Caylin.]

[21:53, Today: Perrato Viatomagne rolled 8 using 2d8+4. Cure Moderate Wounds--Totmacher.]
[21:53, Today: Perrato Viatomagne rolled 20 using 2d8+4. Cure Moderate Wounds--Hau'dn.]
[21:54, Today: Perrato Viatomagne rolled 11 using 1d8+4. Cure Light Wounds--Caylin.]

Totmacher has no issues with leaving the saddles and tack behind.

Totmacher is now at full stregnth.

Totmacher nods in approval of Perrato's healing.  "Well done priest!"

"Ahh.  Yer a credit t' yer cousin, priest o' th' new gods.  An' that man saved me sister...I thank both him, an' now ye, Perrato."

"..Ah - right you are Caylin.  I, for one, will definitely need this saddle..  Think your pony's up to hauling these for us??" Villhalas adds as he gathers his gear..

V

OOC:  No ride skill here.  will want to rig my gear to Caylin's mount if possible..

07:40, Today: Villhalas of Cameron rolled 18 using 1d20+5. Use Rope Chk - Rigging.

The halfling sighs unhappily, looking at the extra tack and gear his pony would have to haul.  Nonetheless, Caylin shrugs as Villhalas begins to strap his saddle and tack to the pony.  Moving to help the sorcerer, the halfling and the half-elf mnage to secure Garryn's, Asher's, Perrato's, and Villhalas' saddles and tack onto the pony.  Caylin mutters all the while, "Easy wi' th' cinchin', sorcerer--ye'll leave welts an' blisters on me ol' girl.  An', fer Danu's sake, will ye jest....here, let me...."  Somewhat awkwardly, the two manage the task, with only a bit of bickering.

Totmacher's saddle is left behind, as the barbarian can ride bareback.  Hau'dn must carry his own saddle, and shrugs resignedly as he shoulders his burden.

At approximately nine bells, the party is ready to depart their campsite...headed southeast through the perimeter of the Blackthorn Hills.

OOC:  Kevin, is Mal'ach rested up yet?  Perhaps we should have Hau'dn (as long as he's w/us..) make an attempt at picking up their tracks...

Casting a sympathetic glance in the direction of the pony, Perrato says,"This is much appreciated, Caylin. More than thanks enough for performing my charge to our group." The oriest scans the rest of the group and inquires, "Are there others who require the healing art? I am still able, but it might be prudent to hold something in reserve for the journey. Si no, ¡Vayamos!"

"My injuries can wait, save what remains should another emergency arise," Garryn advises as he begins to pack up the equipment he stored on his horse.

"My thanks to you and your pony, Archer"

Having loaded Caylin's pony with as much tack as could reasonably be expected, the party sets off towards the southeast.  Regaining the road, they soon depart the rutted wheel tracks, traveling overland.  The going alternates between relatively easy and requiring some significant effort.  Large, extensive brakes of blackthorn occasionally interpose themselves in the party's path, and must either be circumvented or bushwhacked.  Other topographical challenges, from ravines, steep and treacherous slopes, and thickets of various types of vegetation all combine to limit progress.  By noon, however, the group is descending from the hills into more level terrain.

The hill country segues into flatter, grass-filled plains dotted with copses of trees.  This is open country, and the party can see further than they could in the Blackthorns, and can likewise be seen more easily...

The party keeps moving across the grass-grown plains.  High buffalo grass and bluestem orchard grass rises to chest height.  Caylin's pony nips at the grass as the party proceeds, munching on the hoof.  Soon, the party sights a group of horses in the distance...albeit a larger group of horses than their own mounts would comprise.  Mounted riders, apparently, have drawn near the party's riderless horses.

OOC:  Need some Spot checks from everyone

OOC: 21:34, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 13 using 1d20+7. Spot check.