Into Babylon Pt. II - Returning
Pushing the four wheelers as quietly as possible, you cut through the woods in an attempt to avoid anyone whatsoever seeing your actions. This proves to be a rather easy task as most of the clans were either sleeping or engrossed in their nightly rituals of drinking and gaming. Upon arriving once more at the circle, you are instructed to head towards the southern edge of the forest; the elders follow behind, escorting the prisoners. Tethering them to the four wheelers, you proceed to walk further into the woods before stopping to prep for the ride. Lashing the captives as best you can, making certain no slack existed lest you lose one in transit, you finally ignite the roaring beasts. At this distance, no one would have a chance to see you and, more than likely, wouldn't care simply assuming someone out for a late night drunken rampage through the woods.
Although the moon is high and rather full, visibility through the actual forest is, understandably, limited. Combined with your extra cargo this forces you to move at a much slower pace than you were accustomed to. It was, however, a necessity lest you collide with any number of unforeseen objects littering the forest floor. The old path south towards the logging road was barely a memory, having not been used regularly for nearly 15 years. Branches and limbs of all sizes whipped like snakes at your faces and arms as you forced your way through wide swaths of new, lush growth. Finally, you arrive at the old logging road, muscling your way through the thick underbrush surrounding it. The road had not been used in quite some time but clearly the hard pack was holding as the forest tried its hardest to reclaim the land with limited success.