After hiding the hobgoblins' gear under a pile of fallen pine needles and other woodland debris, the party sets out from the hunting lodge back toward Vraath Keep. Following a game trail running roughly parallel to the Dawn Way, the adventurers are soon sweating yet again, the morning proving equally warm, humid, and bug-ridden as yesterday.

A little over an hour later the group comes upon the worn footpath leading to Vraath's Keep, a ruined castle peeking above the tops of tangle of pine, oak and cottonwood. The Keep sits atop a small rocky hillock surrounded by dense woods. There are two approaches: a short hike up the overgrown footpath or a much more difficult and lengthy scramble up the forested hillside. Having completed his task, Jorr resumes his position near the rear of the party.

A line of smoke, perhaps a cooking fire, rises from somewhere within the keep. Save for the ambient sound of the forest, the area is silent and no enemies are seen within the woods ahead.

"Let's set up here to ambush the path," Eoni whispered to the others.  "If it's a larger force than the one before, let it pass this time."  She made particular care to ensure that Gaston and the other bowmen were clear on this last point.  Eoni didn't think they could handle a larger force than they'd met last night.

  Once they came within sight of the ruin, Marklin did his best to spot any sentries, or other signs of movement. But when Eoni proposed another ambush, the Warrior bristled. “Nay, nay more lying in the weeds, like a bloody fox, waiting for prey. I have nay intentions of being a bug main course, again."

 The Warrior strung his bow, and then slung his shield over his back. “I am heading up there to see what is what. Ye all are welcome to come with me. Valthur, I ask the honor of ye at me side." Marklin started head towards the footpath.

Valthur steps alongside the fighter. "I will join you for a closer look, Marklin, but let's keep our heads down."