Yew readied his crossbow once more. He was ready to move out as soon as the rest were. He decided he would stay at the back of the group to guard their rear.

[Language unknown: "Omsa oreoutter sswer salelieita etfous ho weion k chioof ilsaof lo?" ]Iviana asked the orcs [Language unknown: "Nde u om bece nd wa peenha pa niar ilarto il thate day be a."]

[Language unknown: "Kor ivementic uryin wil waheil tervenhou hou a our ekutsa yin dayounthu,"] they waved to the north east,[Language unknown: "atefo iththarom al encpreons e sominehas neersa, ntiis m wasng k ivfina ck wer i erpowica. Nceingichomeeve esofat erhas wivir ououn i oneithwhi res rehonc ckioin iv forionoul, pre i prowastin nata nd."]

Iviana translate the orcs words "Bandits in the tower" she pointed . "Giant birds and wolves. And at night there may be a ghost" she looked at the others

"It may be a gauntlet, but it's the only way out. There are a lot of us. It is just as likely that the creatures will be afraid to attack us. And rightly so! So let's get started"

Sven shrugged, grabbed Wonnilon and led the way out in the direction Ivianna pointed with both swords drawn and a spring in his step.

"Straight out the gate south of the temple," Yew suggested. "That is the shortest route out of here."

Sven, Wonnilon in tow, headed out the door and skirted the temple intending to head off to the ruined tower in the north east (where both the orc and Iviana had pointed).
Meanwhile the remainder of the party stood around discussing...

Amathaon had had enough of talk. He followed Sven, with his falchion at the ready. He quietly said, "I've had enough talking. What about you two?"

"We don't go after Bandits now" Iviana said firmly "We get the people safe. Then we come back and play"

She pointed south

"Let's go"

"Freedom and safety lie to the south," Brother Yew agreed and gestured for others to head out in that direction as he intended to guard the rear.

"The code is clear. Civilians first. Then everything else. South it is."

He doubts the prince'll disagree with that one.

Amathaon put his falchion back in its sheath. He thought, well at last someone has made a decision.

Gwythe follows the others as they leave the building.

Sven noticed the retreating footsteps, turned and followed the group back South. Spitting curses under his breath he stalked to the front and once there frowned like hatred itself back one last time at the tower before leading the way.

"There is much here for us to deal with later." Ronalt agreed, "We come back with supplies and play as Iviana suggests."

The group soon has a mile or more behind them and pauses for a moment to assess the next move.
The obvious options are camp nearby and rest up, return directly to Homlet, pay the village of Nulb a call (although you have been warned it's best to keep away), or head back to Rikers cave and collect the treasure and other items left there (including Iviana's horse and a bunch of weapons and equipment).

Nulb is no more than an hours walk or so away, the cave five or six hours, and Homlet a full day. There is about four to five hours of daylight left.

"Lets make for the cave. We can strike for Homlet tomorrow." Ronalt encouraged his companions.

"Wha' 'bou' Kombie?"
"How 'bou' Tindoome lead mos' o' tha' group to th' cave while a few o' us 'ead back in and grab 'im and anyt'ing else not nailed down? If we're quick we shouldn' be too far behin' such a large group."

Ronalt's eyebrow rose, "we are carrying all we can now. Though bringing out our dead companion would be a weight off our minds."
"A small group. Leave the prince with a few to guard the civilians would work."
Looking to the others, "whom wishes to go and whom will stay to guard?"

Amathaon raised his hand and replied, "I'll go help you bring out a friend."

"Wonnilon, you keen to dive back down a little?" Sven asked the gnome as amicably as ever (not very). "Bet you came down with more than you came up with - might be a good chance to recover losses." he said pointedly while glancing at his own lent shortsword.

"I think I'll head over to the cave with Tindoome for now. I don't know if I can be a lot of help wearing nothing but rags and carrying a borrowed sword."
Once properly equipped however...

"I will come with you to the temple," Yew confirmed.

He handed his waterskin and whatever rations he had left to one of the non-combatants to take to the cave, to lighten his load still further.

"I'll stay with the civilians and help the Prince guard" proferred Iviana. She wanted to see her horse again, and quite seriously wanted to see the treasure again. But she had a Duty of Care for the civilians.

Personally she didn't care if they walked all night, and she suspected most of the civilians would rather do that, than chance being re-captured by troops from the Temple
This message was last edited by the player at 13:50, Fri 17 Apr 2015.

"I'm afraid this is where I must part ways with you. I've been absent for many years and my presence surely has been sorely missed."
"All I ask is a horse and sufficient funds to get me to Verbobonc."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:48, Fri 17 Apr 2015.