Green Squadron  The Valley

                        Fynvola Quain
Fynvola follows quickly on the heels of her new friend, keeping her horse
just behind his.  Having almost felt the tranqility of this place through
the words and manner of speech of Darrin earilier, she feels it's desolation
deeply.  Tears slide unabated down her cheeks.

She dismounts and walks amoungst the desolation, quietly, pausing to look at
any bits and pieces unscathed by the destruction.  She stands to look after
Darrin's disppearance and considers following him, but chooses to leave him
to his grief for the moment, to aid him when he is ready.  She turns and
walks back to the wagons and ties her mount securely before approaching Tag
and Zeptha.

She squeezes the other girl's arm comfortingly and looks her straight in the
eyes, questioningly, seeking the other girl's mood and needs.  She then
turns tear-streaked eyes to Tag and asks quietly,  "When? Why?" her voice
echoes the ghost of Darrin's misery.

                      Tag and Zeptha
Tag clears his throat and whispers softly, "Sometime yesterday late
afternoon.  I arrived this morning at around ten.  I followed their
tracks until I knew I must get back to meet Darrin.  They have tainted
the fields and I they have taken prisoners.  From the tracks they have
women and children with them.  Why?  I know not the minds of these
...Orc," he spits the word out.  "Terror in this region," he tosses out
next offhand.  "I can not say for sure."
    Zeptha says softly, "I am so sorry for these people.  I have so
longed to come here and meet those that offered such familial love to my
cousin.  And now this."

                         Dunz Kann
Once viewing the destruction of the village from the hilltop, the warrior
spurs his horse forward in case there's still trouble to be found. Then, he
will slowly ride around to check the perimeter before dismounting.

[Shiro]
Join me while I visit the other campers. Be friendly. Bow a lot. <grin>

[DM]
I ask them what they saw, know or heard about this destruction. When they
got here? Did they see another group (the one we met) heading in the
opposite direction from whence we came? Any other groups? Do they know this
area and can they tell me anything about this area? What do their parties
compose of from what I can tell? (guard types? travellers? caravans (going
to Waterdeep?))

[Tag]
Could we catch them on horseback? How many you think? Did you see another
group (describe to him) heading in our direction? Has anyone left since
arriving after the destruction?

[All]
I know we hired on to Waterdeep as guards for Darrin. I'd bet he knows many
of these dead people as well as those carried off. Perhaps, if he could get
new guards from the other camps, or join with those going to Waterdeep, he
could discharge us in order to pursue the orcs and rescue the people. Of
course, we may not have horses (any left here?) and sneaking up isn't easy
on horseback. So, we may need to use the horses until we get close,
dismount and leave them somewhere hoping they are still there when we
return, or walk back.

What do ye say?

                       Storyteller
You question the first camper you meet and he tells you that they are
all from the same caravan.  They are with Darrin and Tag.  He remembers
passing a group, but seeing Tag most groups don't stop to talk.  We are
all from Baldur's Gate and most of us have never been on this road
before.  Though he says after a second, you might ask Varn and Meag and
he points to the two dwarves, or Tag.  They have been along here many
times he says.
                           Tag
Tag listens to your questions but with a very sour expression on his
stony face.  Shortly he replies, "Hard riding yes, but how many of you
will there be and how well can you track in the dark.  For they do not
stop to rest just because the sun goes down.  Orcs never tire and never
quit moving until they are back home.  And if that is where you find
them, then you have found thousands of them.  Will you fight them all?"
he sneers at you.  "No one has left here, there was no one left alive to
do so.  They killed or took hostage everyone of this village.   What
concern is this group to me or to anyone for that matter?"  His tone
implies that he doesn't care if you are discussing a group of riders or
a group of luscious elf babes.

                             Dunz Kann
The warrior already knew what the answer would be as he listened to Tag's
comments. A brief thought as to whether this group was really up to the
task as a building wave of frustration overtook him. The callous lack of
concern from Tag almost left him speechless. "I feel sorry for you. That is
no kind of life."
"There's nothing we can do for the captives now. I suppose we should
continue on to Waterdeep and warn others we encounter.", says an obviously
frustrated and dejected man.

He slowly moves off and gets some food and a much needed drink, before
wearily plopping down somewhere to eat, to think, perchance to sleep.

[Jeremiah]
Should we make a funeral pyre?

                            Jeremiah
<Stunned by the slaughter and desolation he sees before him Jeremiah's mind 
reels and his body staggers with fear and dread.  The enormity of this tragedy; 
a whole village burned and lost and the lives taken before their time - these 
have pushed his mind to a point where he has been immobilized.>
<Startled now by a query from a companion, Jeremiah is now jolted into action.  

Dismounting from his horse, he responds as he walks towards the survivors:  
"Gather together the remains of those who have been lost, and at dusk I will say

the prayers, if they have no one here, to send these poor souls to their rest.  
But for now I need tend to those who may need my help to stay here in the realm 
of the living."
<Taking his healer's bag from his mount, he walks towards the survivors and 
moving gently amongst them, he tends wounds, binds cuts and salves the burns of 
those who have been harmed.  When this has been done, he helps the living 
prepare the bodies of those who have departed.  
<If the customs of these people allow, he will hold a funeral service at dusk, 
sending these departed into the night of darkness that we must all face someday,
in the hopes that they may come through that dark night into the dawn of a new 
beginning and life as promised by those who trust to Lathander, the 
MorningLord.>
<Jeremiah then seeks out his companions for news of any decisions they have made
to journey on, or to track and search for the enemy who has brought about this 
slaughter and also to see about the release of those captured and taken away.>

                              Fynvola Quain
Fynvola nods defference to Tag and Zeptha and moves closer the rest of the
party.  In a voice that cracks with emotion, she states emphatically, "Our
duty is clear, we have an obligation to escort the lady Zeptha to the city
and that is indeed what we will do.  But, by my sword, if I learn of a way
to aid these people thereafter I am very likely to take up on it!"
She dismounts, carefully tying her mount and stroking her muzzle as she adds
more quietly,  "Excuse me, if you please."

She turns away from the group and begins to walk away from the group towards
the carnage. Head low, searching the area with her eyes, tilting her head
occasionally as though listening carefully, she wanders away from the party.
She can be seen brushing her eyes occasionally.

                                 Dunz Kann
I will remove my armor after a bite to eat and follow Jeremiah's direction
on doing what's right for the deceased villagers.


The Pyre

     Unfortunately there are none living that can use the healing that Jeremiah
so desperately seeks to dispense, and it is a sad group that begins to collect
the bodies and place them in an area behind the inn that Tag has found.  For
all his cold and stony features, he carries many bodies and lays them with
gentle care one on top of another.  He gazes down at each person laid down
and tenderly caresses the cheek of an older woman here and grasps the cold
lifeless hand of a young man there.  And that is the bulk of the dead, young
males and the elderly.  You find no children, teenagers, or women under thirty
or so.
     Even as the last bodies are brought forward, Darrin appears, his face
smudged with dirt and both he and his stallion look as though they have
ridden through hell and back.  There is a dangerous gleam in his eyes and
his face is solid stone, so solid and set that Tag's face is a strange, soft
blessing to rest your eyes upon.
     Darrin stops his horse just short of running into Tag, and out of breath,
exclaims, "She is not here, Tag.  She is alive!  You will take Zeptha to 
Waterdeep, and...."
     Tag's hand snakes out and grabs Darrin's wrist, even as he tries to pull
away from Tag.  "No!  I forbid it!  You are upset and your grief makes you
crazy."

     "Bryll is alive.  I must go!" Darrin yells.  He kicks out a foot even as
he tries to turn his horse away, but this time Tag keeps hold of Darrin's
wrist and yanks him from his horse.  He holds Darrin off the ground in an
amazing display of strength for an elf, and does not let him go, even as
Darrin squirms and kicks to get away.  A cry of anguish escapes the youth
and then he collapses in Tag's arms with loud sobs and tears streaming down
his face.
     Tag looks up and glares over at Jeremiah.  "Begin, Priest, for once
these good people are sent on their way, we will all begin to feel better."
     Jeremiah begins a small ceremony, and his words even seem to calm Darrin, 
who weakly begins to stand again on his own feet, though still nestled in
Tag's arms.
     "Someone take him back to the campfire," Tag says softly when Jeremiah
finishes.  "I will attend to this."