The night is damp and cold as you emerge from the ruined observatory and back into the Cinder Lands. From the position of the moon, it is well past midnight.

Took ya time, didn' ya?

At the top of the rise leading out from under the stone outcroppjng stands Krojun, arms folded across his chest, sneering down at you. Still. Ya managed not ta die yet again, eh? There's a campfire an' some meat back there he nods behind him.  You can smell something barbecuing. Rabbits probably. It does smell tasty.

Krojun cocks his head slightly and studies you all. Including your new allies. So. Whadya'll do now then?

Selvin turned at the sound of the voice, whirling as if to react to danger quickly as usual. He relaxed almost instantly, also rolling his eyes even as his lips curled back slightly, when he saw who it was. Like the houseguest who couldn't take the hint that they had overstayed their welcome. But he curbed his first instincts at a response.

Instead he gave the man a nod. "Hello." He gave a shrug. "We took the time we needed. Can't rush greatness, man." He grinned widely.

His eyes lit up a bit at the mention of a campfire with cooking meat, and he tried to keep his mouth from watering or his stomach from growling. "I don't know about anyone else, but what I'll do now....is eat." He chuckled but then let out a breath. "Tomorrow, we go on an'..." He waved a hand and then stopped as he realized that the next step was to get eaten by a giant worm. He let out a long sigh and he glanced at Izzick and Zuni. "We lead a charmed life."

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 2):

Hmmm. Some kinda charm ya got goin' on there. Krojun studies Sial and Chainie then shrugs. Outlanders. He then turns towards the fire. Well. You did survive the wee beasty. So I give you props. And that I think deserves at least a word of caution. The Cinderlander did a raid on one of the caravans passing through. Word is he was asking about a crew that looked like yours.

Zuni grinned at Krojuns words, surprised that the larger man was being so friendly to them.  Maybe wrestling with Bulgar had changed the mans attitude.  There was still no denying how Krojun had distracted the tentacle creature to allow them past.  She dug into her back pack to retrieve the last bottle of wine that she had pilfered from the mansion and walked up to Krojun.  Still grinning, she put the bottle into his hands in a gesture of gratitude.

"Food sounds good, just as long as it's not seafood."  She said, walking towards the campfire.  Zuni sat down and helped herself to some of the meat that was being offered.  "How far away from us was the caravan that got attacked?"

Krojun was definitely acting friendlier than usual and the half-orc moved with caution. Maybe they'd proved themselves by now, but Izzick had enough enemies at this point that he wouldn't count them allies so quickly either. "Surprised you're sharing with us Krojun.
 I won't complain, though best thing I can offer in return is a wedding ring to a woman you don't want to meet." He took a seat down towards the fire as the discussion of attacks came up. "I do wish a few more of our enemies could soften up to us however. Wouldn't mind something cooked up by the queen with a written apology on top."

In reply to Izzick (msg # 5):

The meat is hare. A brace of them. Krojhn's men even seasoned them with wild garlic and herb.

I dunno nothin' about no queen, he says in response to Izzick. And my wife might have somethin' ta say about the ring. As for the caravan, it was two days ago south of here. About fifty miles more or less. If he is hunting you, he's close.

Sial tosses a bone behind him and asks Who is this Cinderlander?

On another note, I would like to accompany your group if we may. Our interests coincide. And it would be easier to travel with you than keep bumping into you.