Mid morning finds the Wandering Rangers deep in Vultures country, winding their way through steep sided gullies one moment, windswept dusty open spaces the next. The area seems to be throwing every form of geographical feature at them, as long as it involves rock, dust and grit.

There's no vegetation to speak of and water is a distant memory in these parts, so they'd  filled every available container back at the camp, watered the beasts and ensured that they were well fed.

Every ravine corner, cliff height and pile of rocks was a potential ambush site and it put everyone on edge...

Tarnessh was relieved that he had Tulox, his eyes in the sky, flying overhead and keeping watch.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:40, Fri 13 Mar 2015.

Henal keeps a keen watch around the left hand side where he rides relying up the others in the formation to keep watch on their areas.

Rikki alternates between looking around and settling down to nap in the baggage behind Henal.

Akala was pleased to be riding at the front of the group.

To have earned the respect at arms of the party enough to ride at the vanguard made the Brave proud.

Of course, the danger present with such a position did not escape him either, and he kept his eyes, ears and nose open for the slightest sign of trouble.

With Broo, it could be the nose which detected the enemy first.

Akala checked his lance, axe, sword and Javelins to make sure everything was where he needed it, should he need it.  He was once again in his armor, and felt a little more secure, as it was his uniform during his days guarding the Caravan and had always served him well.

Hopefully the armor's legacy would endure.

Once they have settled in to a steady pace, with regular checks behind them, "I'm Melock and this is Nixa" He says to the Blue Llama riders with them, "Have you travelled this way before?"

The two braves nod their heads in the negative, looking down from their high vantage point at the two Bison riders. They're slightly older braves and both have barely concealed looks of amusement on their faces.

"I'm Al and this is Paca, we've travelled all of the western side of Prax, and some of the wastes, but never the Bleak Hills."

Before the group set off, Hoskar did the rounds of the Rangers; having had a thought about their hosts; asking the same question of all. Remembered why blue sparked something off in my mind. We nabbed some indigo dye off that Corflu merchant and these Llama folk use blue a lot. Maybe that would make a nice friendship gift for their care of our mounts. What do you reckon?

Preparing to mount, he mutters his echo of the family's words where once there was a garden we ride to restitution in subdued tone; shifting in the new metal armour he's not worn for real before not that helmet unless I have to: it's like having a bucket on my head then takes a place on the right with Kobal and a Blue Llama brave he discovers is called Merlez; well away from the Sable hostage with reason to hate him.
Out on the trail, he scans about nervously, on new and dangerous territory, fearing surprises behind every rock.

Tarnessh spoke to the others near him. "Personally, this is going to be my first trip to the Giant Finger Holes too. I joined up with the Rangers when they returned from their first big adventure. I can't believe that we're so young and we're already talking about 'first adventures' and such." He said with a chuckle.

Well and weary: nighted hunting fruitful, even Hungry sated. Ride for rest on boon companion: wend my way without the walking.

One eye open, watch the winged one clean Ram rhino, teasing ticks from his strong skin.

"We avoided it on the way to the river. We went south, passed Zebra Graze, though considering what we ran into going that way, its hard to tell if it was a safer way to go."

"What trouble was that, couple of snakes or a Broo" laughs Al.

The first two days pass slowly as the large group winds its way deeper into the inhospitable hills. There's the constant threat of attack and numerous false alarms keep everyone on edge. It's hot too, but at least there are no flies now.

On the whole the children are quiet, subdued by the heat and fear of what lies juts out of sight...Their parents faring little better.

Whilst the Scouts are out looking for a place to camp they spy a glint of sunlight on armour a half kilometre away. With the use of charms they go to ground and zoom in on what turns out to be a large group of men, both on foot and on horseback, making their way to the West. They're travelling parallel to the nomads and will unless something stupid occurs likely pass them by. Bamled and his Blue Llama companion say that the men are armoured, carry long spears and that there are Impala riders with them.

After several close calls with Condors Tulox had been keeping close to his master, but now the hawk enquired whether he should go and investigate.

"Only from a distance, Tulox. Don't do anything to draw attention." Tarnessh said.

Tarnessh's hands subconsciously moved to his pack that contained the Golden Disk he had found when he saw the Yelmalions. "Dammit, why're they after the disk? I took it fair and square! It couldn't have been that Sun Country foreigner we let go, right?"

"Tulox, come back and stay down. The Yelmalions have hawks too." He told his familiar.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:22, Fri 13 Mar 2015.

The Big Brave scratched at the non-existent beard he had always hoped would grow on his chin.  Still, he did so, thoughtfully.

Akala had returned to the center of the group at first word, and after having words with the others, would return once again to the vanguard.

"Yelm lovers," He said slowly, recognizing the tell tale signs- partially from his caravan work, partially just because.

He cocked an eye at the others, "Will we seek to trade?  Or try to stay from sight and avoid detection?" he then raised the other eyebrow at Tarnessh, "And what is this disk you speak of?  Do the Yelmalions search for us?  Is it something they might trade for?  Perhaps we can gain much for that which is only a trinket to us..."

Akala let the idea hand in the air.  He was more concerned about being pursued unknowingly by the Yelmalions. Joining the Rangers meant he took on the groups enemies... and he wanted to be sure he knew who those enemies were.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:28, Fri 13 Mar 2015.

"I don't think so. We bumped in to some Impala riders who where looking for the disk when we were at the Rhino gorge and found some dead Yelmalions near Grandmother Spider, which is were Amara, Kobal and Hoskar got their scale armour from. I'd guess that this is another group looking for it. I remember Fireborn said it was some sort of map. If they want it that bad, I think we should keep hold of it until we can work it out."

Amara went to the centre of the group as the word was passed of the sightings and joined the others. "My words on the matter are these. We have no cause to be generous or seek to gain the attention of those who aid the Invaders. Let them pass by and continue their search for the disc elsewhere, out of our sight and minds. Let them attract the attention of enemies in the area." Amara bit her lip "If they do come under attack, we can always lend a hand, but not if we do not need to do so." Amara having said her piece left the others to deliberate as she wandered around the edges of the travelers making sure to say hello to the Llama people she recognised and play with the children. Her only other stop to greet Delendra and talk to her some more.

"This is no trinket. It's a map, and it's got powerful magic. It makes charms that involve light twice as powerful, also it looks really good." Tarnessh replied to Akala. "I say we avoid them. We have children and mothers here, and this crossing is dangerous enough as it is."

Yes, avoid the sun worshippers if we can. No need to end up having to parley or fight if we can steer clear of them.

Akala's mouth turned down at the corners, his eyebrows moving upwards at Tarnessh's statement, saying only, "I knew not."

The Large man only nodded at the words of others advising to avoid the Yelmalions.

"Likely a fight as some of us wear armour and carry their bows and arrows taken from their dead. I fear they would detect the disc if we get close. Haratt hinted that there was something important about the disc which would mean that we had to go somewhere in the sun worshippers' lands. We have a pass, signed by one of their leaders don't we?"

Salen had rejoined the others to talk, his eyes watching the sky constantly.

During all this the Blue Llamas listen to what the Rangers have to say. They seem surprised that such a large force of the Sun County people are so far from home and the fact that they have horses riles some of their younger braves who instantly call for a raid to kill the beasts.

It's at this point Bamled Horse Killer speaks up "We have to kill the abominations, they have no place here in our lands." Those turning to look at him see that his magical club is glowing.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:58, Sat 14 Mar 2015.

"I must think of our families, this place is dangerous enough already. I will not allow my people to fight now. We must let them pass."

The Blue Llama elder glares at those of his braves that are suggesting a raid.

The Sable rider greets Amara, perhaps not warmly but at least without hate. She'd been riding with Ohanzee and the High Llama riders for the last day and a half and for the most part had spent it in silence.

"Greetings Amara...There is word that a large group of warriors have been spotted.Are we in danger?"

Ohanzee, like Amara joins the group as they gather to discuss the threat. He had hoped to share the knowledge gleened from Kinope with the Rangers alone, eeven though these people seemed honest enough, but as the others seem intent on sharing secrets then he offers "It is a map and it is important it does not fall into their hands. We must follow it for I know what lies at the end, Kinope told me."

He doesn't elaborate, but he gives Tarnessh a strange look, untrusting perhaps as he remembers the warning in his initiation vision.