Ashshar explains, deadpan, Nalverren's suggested scheme to Vaard in their tongue. Then they both gape and hiss - lizardfolk laughter.
"Driftwood does not float upstream. Even the Finbacks know that," says Ashshar, to more hissing guffaws.
He recovers himself and replies more generally to Will, Nalverren and "You misunderstand, I will explain again. It will take three days to get to Da'Sheth if we follow the shortest route past the Finback village, but we will likely be met by Finback braves if we go this way. The Finbacks are readying for war - they will be vigilant, day and night, and I do not think we can get past their village without being seen. To follow the other valley is perhaps seven days, where we will not meet Finbacks but may meet other monsters. If we follow this other valley, but cross over along the path back into the Finback's valley, avoiding the Finback's village, will take five days if we find canoes when we get there.
"I do not know of other places with standing stones like the one that was here."
" so it looks like option 3: the other valley and hoping for boats on the other side is our best bet"
Ashshar shrugs. "Only if we can find acones on the other side."
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"If the Finbacks are preparing for war at Da'Sheth, there may be much traffic on the river between the village and Da'Sheth. I think it would be wiser to take the other valley, even if it takes longer. "
Cole shrugs, "I have no idea how long it would take to make rafts good enough to carry us all. If its' more than a day, we might as well take the long way and be that much more assured the finbacks don't know we're coming."
Rehil observes drily, "We've not done well when we've tried to make things so far. If we push day and night through the longer valley, maybe we can make up some of the time."
Clearly more comfortable with the idea of a forced march than crafting a serviceable raft, Cole nods along with Rehil.
" so that leave only option 2 and 3"
"I still vote for walking. Improvising a raft to carry my frame could be ... tough. And we haven't exactly proven to be handy with oars."
"Our canoes are not far away. Can we take them up the river in the other valley?"
His idea thoroughly discounted, Nalverren awaits the outcome.
”So Rehil and I prefer the long march. Will expressed mild interest in the trail above the finback village, but didn’t specifically say he thought that was the best idea. Nalvarren suggested we try to make ourselves and our canoes look like driftwood floating up-river past their village, an idea which our guides think is unlikely to work. And Wultram and Portforged are more-or-less un-voted.” He looks around to make sure he hasn’t missed anything. “If we’re going by votes, the long walk has it, though a few people are uncomfortable pushing ourselves too hard.”
"so long march it is" he says petting james on the head
"Wouf! " seems to agree with the idea of walking instead of having to swim once in a while
"Fine by me."
"I have no objection to a long march. I do not tire, after all."
[I]Looks like we're agreed on the long way. Wultram is already thinking about our way out.
"I think we'll either be heroes or on the run. If we're heroes the lizardfolk will help us get back. If we're being hunted we'll have to improvise. I'll just point out that stealing canoes and running down past the Finback village would be the fastest route out and most of their warriors will be up at Da'Sheth by then. The other way out would be just to run into wilderness and make a wide circle back to civilization."
"The long way follows the valley of the Bright Hunter River, which rises on the side of the Empty Mountain where Da'Sheth is found," says Ashshar. "We will be travelling by canoe for most of this journey. Only when we reach the foot of the Empty Mountain will we be walking."
He mutters something to Vaard who grunts a reply. "This place is not well known to our tribe," continues Ashshar. "What I know is this. The river is quite slow and wide, and so travelling will not be hard in that respect. But no tribe lives along the river. There are the thunder lizards, of course. There are also the great bright hunters, what you call in your tongue dragonflies, which are common there and can be dangerous. But we are many and should be able to fight them off, as they hunt alone and not in packs. But there is talk of greater monsters within the valley, but little more than hunters' gossip - I cannot tell you if this is true or false, or what we might find when we go there.
"It is said that the dragon gods made the top of the Empty Mountain blow away many, many generations ago. In the empty hollow now inside is a lake, filled with blue water. Da'Sheth stands beside the lake. Bright Hunter River rises on the east side of the mountain. The Finback River, the other river we will not take, rises to the south."
"great sounds like an amazing trip, lets get going then" he says trying to sound hopefull
Cole listens to Ashshar's words, nodding at mention of thunder lizards and great monsters ... his eyes flashing briefly at mention of dangerous dragonflies. "If we're taking the slow route, then we're already behind. Would those finbacks we left back there know more about these lands? They may know a faster route. Otherwise," he shrugs massive shoulders, "Will's right."
He shoulders his longspear in readiness, ready to head back towards the other lizardfolk and their canoes.
When Ashshar mentions the big lizards, Rehil's mind flits back to the big one they met in the night before reaching Pooma's camp. He begins to doubt the wisdom of the long route, but keeps his mouth shut.
***
"Can't ask the captives unless we kill them or take them with us," Rehil comments. "It's probably best if they don't know that we went back to the canoes too. Unless we tell them that we're giving up. I don't like the idea that Finbacks will be hunting us."
" i don't think any one likes that idea. So how about getting this show on the road?" he says ready to ride forward
Rehil makes sure he's in the lead as the party approaches the pit where they were ambushed. He holds his bow low with an arrow nocked on the string and pauses in the shadow of the trees at the clearing's edge to see if their captives have freed themselves yet.
Stealth to avoid being seen:
Perception
The group return to the clearing where they fought their battle, but the lizardfolk they captured have made their escape.
Cole shrugs and plods along, stoically eager to continue their long trek.
William follows along also not really concerned for the moment
"should've killed 'em"
"Maybe, but it's too late now. We should hurry to the canoes."
"Maybe, but it's too late now. We should hurry to the canoes."
The group get back to the canoes at the bottom of the slope. There is no further sign of the lizardfolk they captured, so with little more discussion they set off upriver once more. "We will be travelling by boat whereas they are most likely on foot," says Ashshar, "It is unlikely they will get to the Finback village, if they get there at all, in time to warn anyone."
After a few hours on the river, Ashshar explains, "We will soon reach the point where the Finback and Bright Hunter Rivers meet. The Finback River runs through hills and and narrow and fast, but the Bright Hunter is slower and the land is flatter. It flows around the hills to meet Empty Mountain. We should not have to deal with rapids or waterfalls. As for monsters, I cannot say."
As Ashshar predicted, the fork in the river is met about half-an-hour later. Paddling around a bend they find the Finback swirling from the north, and where it meets the more placid flow of the Bright Hunter from the east the churning currents can be seen rippling the water.
Cole points a metal finger to a point where some trees overhang the water by the mouth of the Finback River, creating dark shadows by the bank. "There. Two canoes. Eight Finback braves on watch."
He quickly looks at the banks, the braves, and his squad-mates. "Beach and hit them from the jungle? I hate to attack them if we can avoid it, but I can't see a way of getting around them without them seeing us."
" i am fine either way in fact but if we fight them none can survive and should any of them flee to the waters its over"
Rehil rests his paddle on the gunwale, blade down on the side opposite from Cole's pointing finger. He shades his eyes against the water's glare, and after a few seconds nods in appreciation of the warforged's sharp eyesight.
"We could take out on the far bank and drag the canoes upstream around them. No need to fight at all."
Portforged moves its mechanical eyes, barely taking anything in. Finally it looks where Cole is pointing.
"I have no strong preference," it replies.
"On the topic of their escape, it is unlikely we could match their skill on the water if they chose to flee. Combat isn't wise."[/b]
"if we wanted to avoid detection, i don't think we can pull it off. so i am with Nav on this one"
A yell goes up from the hidden lizardfolk and the canoes turn into the river towards the adventurers.
"well then someone better make sure non of them survive or escape"
William will be getting ready to charge
"Turn! Let them think we flee!"
Cole nods, "Good call." He looks to Ashshar, making sure the guide knows that's the plan before he coordinates his strokes with the lizard-man's to best make for shore. He spares a glance at the other canoe, "Don't get separated."
"Yes, go with the flow of the water, and they'll pursue. Get them out of signalling range of any other members they have."
Portforged rows with the others.
"Let us lure them away from their tribe."