Khromm glances up from his work as Isani moves to the first body that seemed to be moving. His face is rather neutral as he pockets another set of loose coins. He moves quickly through the goods and gear, picking up a dagger and testing its edge – then tossing it into the dirt… Very rarely does he pause through the fallen, except for coin, or other similar portable wealth – such as a ring or a broach.
As Isani glances at Khromm, and the bodies – she can’t help but notice that the dead men are wearing fairly good gear – in terms of weapons and armor. Sliding the robes aside she can see finely woven chain mail under the cloth – it is blackened with some sort of soot, or other chemical – and she guesses that, from a distance, a casual observer would not see the gleam of metal on their person.
The weapons are – for the most part – rather subtle and nondescript. Daggers, knives, stilettos – not to mention a few small flasks that are certainly not magical – but the smell is toxic enough that it is probably best to avoid such things…
Only a few of them had weapons that were overt – bows, some short spears – nothing that would arouse proper suspicion… Some of the men have the fair skin of a northmen – even though they are dressed in southern gear. She wonders at that – why don’t these northmen wear their own gear or garb? Or perhaps this is merely evidence that they are so closely bonded with their “masters” that they are content to dress alike, and act alike…
Even so – as she moves quickly to where she saw movement she is startled to see another move as well! It seems there may be more then one injured person here…
… Your head hurts! The pain is near intolerable – cracked your skull when you fell, no doubt. If you could only get a draught of something to heal you – you should be fine… But for now – all you can do is stare at the bleak sun and curse your current position!
You had moved north from Cheliax – human barbarians had taken some clutch-mates from an eyrie and were planning on using them for some sort of “games”. You pursued for days, but even though you managed to catch them – you too were caught!
Imprisoned for a time, you were then sold to men who took you north for some sort of… experiment… that much you heard – more then that, you cannot say. You know that the men who took you were likely fools – the orders were – as you heard them – ”There shall be no harm or plunder taken from this creature – all goods and gear must be delivered; unharmed and completely intact – else severe punishment shall follow!…
It seems, then – that when you were brought north that the men who were guarding you were only fools assigned to a basic task – whatever their true reason for bringing you here – and your goods – their masters were wise enough to know not to trust these men with the truth. They were less then a day from some village near a swamp – and you sensed your time was running out!
In a feat of desperation you managed to escape – slaughter your guards, and reclaim your gear – and decided to flee east to avoid this cursed city! Quickly, then – you fled east – but not without pursuit – someone was waiting for you – and when you flew over the cliffs they shot you down – but not before you took many of them with you! Then, the battle ensued – your head injured, you collapsed, near unconscious – and were able to awaken just in time to see two newcomers going through the dead folk near you – one of them moving toward you. You wait – not certain if this wyrd-eyed woman is a friend – or a foe…
Lazurien takes her time staying still and listening to the large man and southron woman, seeing if they are friend or foe. The pounding of her head making it difficult to do more than breathe anyway.
A second movement appears to the side of the first. There is still life, here, in this killing ground.
Isani moves quickly toward the first creature, bending down and pushing aside any of the fallen on either side of it.
She gently brushes her hand across the dark-skinned creature's forehead, lifting the white hair off its face, careful in case the creature had a head injury.
Isani has a compassionate manner, speaking slowly and softly to the creature whose eyes are still closed. She is efficiently checking over the dark-skinned creature.
Khromm strides over the battered body of the ebon-colored flesh of the creature on the ground. His eyes flick over the long black wings, and he glances at the creature's eyes - not sure if they are even open... or closed...
Seeing that Isani is performing some sort of strange or vile Osiriac sorcery - he eases his shoulders somewhat, the blades loose in his hands.
"What'd you find - anything of value?" he asks, in a lackadaisical manner, his sandal-covered feet crunching on the bits of gravel on the canyon floor as he strides over to her.
Seeing that the creature is laying on the ground - not moving and silent, he shrugs.
"Eh - just as well - it's probably dead anyhow - was there anything else out here?" he adds, his eyes jutting up to the tall cliffs of the canyon - not knowing if there are any enemies there, or not... Only that you are both in a very bad place to be ambushed.
"Anyhow - we ought to get moving... If this canyon is carved by a river; chances are that the river may have come from a source up north - which is where we're heading... And anyway - you won't be able to get your horse out of here unless we back-track several miles - or if we push forward north and hope to get lucky. But as those other lads were riding north in the gorge - chances are that there's a way north for their horses to escape - else they are fools to ride in here..." he adds, glancing up the canyon to the north.
"Well, woman - what's next?" he growls out - waiting for a reply from someone.
A second movement appears to the side of the first. There is still life, here, in this killing ground.
Isani moves quickly toward the first creature, bending down and pushing aside any of the fallen on either side of it.
She gently brushes her hand across the dark-skinned creature's forehead, lifting the white hair off its face, careful in case the creature had a head injury.
Isani has a compassionate manner, speaking slowly and softly to the creature whose eyes are still closed. She is efficiently checking over the dark-skinned creature.
- Nature: You think it is a bird-like creature, with ebon-skin and long black wings and white hair - possibly all black eyes - but you are not sure if they are open or not...
As to what that means - you don't know - unless you have lore from Cheliax...
- Heal check - ironically the injuries are hardly bad at all - you think the creature must have been hit by a "Grapple" check - fell from the sky and was hit in the head - rendering it "Staggered" - which it is probably - at most you would probably need to toss out a Cure Light - but chances are that with a little rest and some water the creature's headache may go away rather quickly.
Looking over her shoulder at the half-dwarven male, an astounded look on her face, "Excuse me, Mister Khromm, but this creature was moving moments ago, so I believe it is still living, so I must tend to it. Just yonder there was secondary movement, perhaps you could venture there to investigate? And, Mister Khromm, please refrain from using your blades on the prone creature."
It seemed the ebon-skinned bird creature was not badly injured, with mainly a head wound but not a serious one. "I will return with some water", she says to the prone bird creature, rising up and making her way back to her horse, taking down her waterskin and returning to the creature's side. "I will be lifting your head now, but gently, so I do not compound your injury. It is minor, praise the Everlight, but you will feel slightly unsteady but water and some rest should help." Isani puts one hand beneath the bird creature's head and lifts fluidly, and using her other hand places the waterskin opening to its mouth and allows small trickles of water to touch the lips and make its way down the creature's throat.
"What in the hell is going on? The voice is harsh and pained, snarling. Cla'ri pushes herself up off the ground, gasps in pain, and falls back down. "Dammit! " She looks around at the scene, then seeing two figures standing over a body, she scrambles back from them a bit, and whips out her blade, glaring at them with her mouth twisted into a snarl.
"Raiders?" She is not in great shape, still dizzy and does not have her bearings. She takes a defensive stance, trying to ready herself to flee from the raiders, who these two may be as far as she knows.
Isani hears a strangled voice coming from the direction where she had seen movement previously. After administering a few more drops of water into the bird-like creature's mouth, Isani lies it back down on the ground, making sure not to damage the wings.
Lifting her head toward the voice, she speaks in Common, "Have no fear, we are travellers passing through this land and mean you no harm. I am a healer. Are you injured?"
Khromm's eyes widen in surprise, and he grins darkly.
Then, he decides to on the weapon-wielding woman...
Isani should know - desert elves are a different breed - thieves, assassins, vagrants, spies and poisoners - not to mention ruthless merchants who monopolize trade prices - and would steal your goods then sell it back to you for twice its value!
So - when Khromm sees an elf - northerner though it may be - he has no trouble doing the right thing and taking action...
Ini Check -
She looks at Isani, not noticing the man readying himself for a fight, saying "Yes, very. Are you not raiders?"
init
Seeing the look on Khromm's face and his blades elevated and glistening, "Mister Khromm, halt! Hold off your blades! That person is injured."
"No, ghareeba, we are not raiders. We happened upon this slaughter on our travels through this land. I have another here with injuries. Give me a moment and I shall come to your side." Isani is intently watching Khromm, hoping the man will desist in his threatening stance.
Heeding Isani's advice, Khromm drops his short sword to the ground -
Then he pulls out a Bola from his belt -
Then he uses it to make a ranged trip attack on Clari -
Khromm's CMB to Clari at range - (-2 penalty...)
IF he beats the CMD - he will TRIP Clari - and does
Sub-dual damage.
IF he succeeds at tripping Clari - he shall bound over the 20 feet, and press his other sword to her throat, speaking in a dark growl.
"Throw down your blade and you live - we are not here to kill you - but if you try to harm me or my companion I'll spill your blood even now!" he adds, pressing the edge of his weapon against Clari's throat.
Looking over her shoulder at the half-dwarven male, an astounded look on her face, "Excuse me, Mister Khromm, but this creature was moving moments ago, so I believe it is still living, so I must tend to it. Just yonder there was secondary movement, perhaps you could venture there to investigate? And, Mister Khromm, please refrain from using your blades on the prone creature."
It seemed the ebon-skinned bird creature was not badly injured, with mainly a head wound but not a serious one. "I will return with some water", she says to the prone bird creature, rising up and making her way back to her horse, taking down her waterskin and returning to the creature's side. "I will be lifting your head now, but gently, so I do not compound your injury. It is minor, praise the Everlight, but you will feel slightly unsteady but water and some rest should help." Isani puts one hand beneath the bird creature's head and lifts fluidly, and using her other hand places the waterskin opening to its mouth and allows small trickles of water to touch the lips and make its way down the creature's throat.
Clari falls to the ground, as her newly clear vision clouds again as the bolas trip her. Seeing before her a man that does not look like one of her old attackers, and hearing Isani ask him to stay his hand, she simply growls, "You could have fooled me" Lowering her blade to the ground and releasing it.
She does so even as the blade screams in her head Be wary and keep me close at hand, lest they be treacherous. you never know what they are...
Khromm raises himself slowly - reaching down he toes her weapon to the side quickly, then, his hand still on his short sword - his free hand removes the string of the bola from her legs.
He glances at Isani - seeing what the witch has planned for this one - something fearsome, no doubt - and Khromm shudders involuntarily at the inert cruelty of spellcasters...
Who knows what the dual-eyed woman would do to this elf? Better he crush the elf girl's skull now - and further end it of any suffering...
But no - he would watch, and be patient...
"Well - what now?" he asks, as he reclaims his gear, the blade of the elf now in his hand, waiting to see if she is truly friend - or foe - before he returns it...
Isani watches as Khromm holds his blade to the elf's throat. "I will return", she says to the still prone bird-like creature, hoping it can hear her.
Isani stands and begins to run the 20 ft distance, hoping the elf is not badly hurt by the tripping.
"Mister Khromm, desist!" Her voice is steady but assertive, the accent thicker than usual. "You can see for yourself, the female is unable to attack for you have her weapon. Remove yourself! I must tend to her now."
Khromm raises a cocked eyebrow at the elf.
"Eh - she'll live," he says, watching the witch move to use her sorcerous powers on this elf - and makes a warding symbol to ware her witchy ways!
Seeing that there is no specific threat, he wanders over to the elf and looks down on her again...
"Who are you people?, she asks, eyeing her blade, desperately wanting it back... "I am Clari Miali'ahel, Elf of Brevoy, recently from Kyonin. As one requesting introductions I give my name first." She glares at the two, but the snarl has softened. They are not raiders, not the ones who attacked her.
"I'm Khromm," he says, glancing down at the elf.
He turns to look at Isani Isani Isu with a bemused look.
"City folk! How many names do you people need?" he asks with a grim laugh.
Laying her hands on the elf and gauging her wounds, she determines that the elven female can be lifted and taken over to the bird-like creature, where she would channel healing on them both.
"I am Isani Isu, recently from Osirion. I am a Priestess of Sarenrae."
Turning to Khromm, "Mister Khromm, if you would aid me in moving this female next to the other, Isani points to the bird-like creature, "I shall endeavour to heal them both."
Khromm shrugs and picks up the "female" - tossing her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
He then dumps her - unceremoniously - on the ground for the healing.
"How much longer you plan on waiting here - I think it would be better to be off - then not," he says, his eyes glancing up the gorge.
After the healing, Isani hands the waterskin to Clari, hoping the cool water would revive the elf even further. The bird-like creature was still silent.
"Miss Clari, do you have a horse? Mister Khromm is correct, we should be on our way."
Even as Isani waits for Clari's answers, she wanders a short distance away to look upon the males with the chain shirts to see if she can identify any familiar insignia on their clothing.
"Forget about her horse - but, if you remember, we passed a few horses down the way that the bandit folk lost - maybe a mile south down the gorge. If you take your horse hard fast - you could ride down and be back with them in a few minutes, I'd gather..." Khromm says, looking down at the lean features of the elf, tapping the flat of her blade in his hand, waiting to see what she would say - and if he should return the weapon to a new friend - or simply slay an enemy instead!
No doubt she'll make it clear on where she stands soon...
"Just one moment, Mister Khromm."
Isani cannot see any distinguishing features on the dead men's clothing so she decides to do a quick yet thorough search of the corpses and surroundings before Mister Khromm starts yelling for her to hurry.
You notice that, on the underside of their bicep is a tattoo - there seems to be a mark on each of the men - the mark is universal... It seems like a black beetle - possibly a scarab...
This information seems consistent with your thoughts... But do all followers of this cult have such a tattoo - and if so - what does it mean? That you don't know...
"Here now," Khromm says to the elf as Isani goes about the business of going through the men's personal effects, until she finds and identify the tattoo's.
He tosses the blade to Clari , and rests his hands on the hilts of his own weapons, which are currently sheathed.
"You'll need it - you were attacked by slaver types - probably wanted you because females are worth more as slaves, generally - but in either case - these folk weren't just slavers. They were also part of some religious cult - I don't know much about religion - but I know they are zealots who'd die for their masters's say-so. If they were the one's that hit you - and it seems likely as these scum here all have the ink on them - then it's likely we should stay together. They'll try again - sticking together seems like a sound idea... " Khromm says flatly, watching Clari take her blade back.
"Just remember - there's no bad blood between us now - we can't afford it - if we have religious zealots on our trail!" he adds, watching the elf clearly, even as Isani finishes her business.
"Anyhow - well met," he adds at the last - taking Clari's hand in his steely grip.
Clari takes Khromm's hand and shakes it warmly, yet her grimace onlyu slightly turns up at the edges looking like some sort of parody of a smile, or a cruel smirk, yet her gruff voice has no real malice in it. "Why would there be any bad blood betwixt us Khromm. You merely thought that I was a threat. I would have done the same. All things considered, I appreciate the fact that you threw that binding instead of taking a blade to me." Despite the nature of her expression and glaring eyes, you get the impression that this is cordial for her, and as close to smiling as she gets.
Do not leave me like that again Clari, or let such ...impure... hands be lain upon me. a voice says in Clari's mind. I do not appreciate such treatment.
The Elf strokes the pommel of her blade, "I know Keravel, I did not know he would lay his hands upon you. I apologize." She thinks to her blade, calming it.
I knooow, and I understand. I just don't like it. Keep me with you, I'll kindly thank you very much.
Looking up to the others she says "I have no horse, i would accompany you to collect one but with no horse, I should delay things more, but I can assisting in relieving the dead of anything of value. Grimacing at her little joke. [ooc]Clari will assist going through th bodies, calling out to Khromm if she finds anything particularly interesting.
She shall also crouch down, looking at the waking Lazuresh, "Hello winged one. What, prey tell brings you to these lands, and what exactly are you? She asks staring down at the Styrix, not exactly sneering at her.
With thoughts of the scarab tattoo and the Black Koda cult pressing on her mind, Isani walks over to Sadiki. She strokes the star pattern on his forehead before releasing him from his tether and climbing onto the saddle. Kicking her horse into a fast trot and then gallop, she rides a mile down the gorge to the place where they had passed the stray horses.
With soothing words in her native tongue and a little patience, Isani gathers all the horses, and securing them to one another, rides back to Khromm, Clari and the silent bird creature.
With her mismatched eyes on the elven female, she announces in a rich accent, "Miss Clari, choose your horse. The others we will use to carry gear and goods."
Then addressing the still silent bird creature, "We are leaving this place now. Are you strong enough to fly, ghamida?"
Lazurien opens her eyes, black featureless orbs stare up at the three of you. In heavily accented common she says Yes. Thank you for the healing, Didanaswigi. You get the feeling this is not a name and more of a title. As she stands you see she is quite tall for a female, standing about as tall as a human male. She unfurls her jet black wings and stretches them, her wingspan near 12 feet in width. Reaching down she picks up a beautifully made black bow, adorned with feathers of black and red. She pulls a rather odd looking quiver around her head and settles it on her hip. It has several pockets on it and you see the bladed tip of some sort of weapon sticking out the top of the largest pocket.
Thank you for the help. My name is Lazurien. I was tracking a group of my people who had been taken by slavers. Unfortunately I flew into an ambush and was brought down, being captured myself. I managed to escape after a time and flew here where another ambush was waiting. I slew many before being brought down again...and here is where you found me. Where are you headed?
"Well met, Lazurien" says the sour elf. "I have heard rumor of an...old acquaintance...of mine residing in a town up north of here called Saravale. The elves of Kyonin seem to have taken some sort of interest in the land, which is how i've heard of it. And you, what of your people that had been captured? Do you know of their fate?"
SHe is mildly distracted for a moment It is well that these men are slain, raiders and slavers, their reward is just. But be wary as they may be still about, as members of some cult. Fool zealots..." as her blade speaks in her head, then returns to attention
Lazurien shakes her head sadly Of my people I know not unfortunately. I am sure I will find them though. She pauses for a moment before saying But Saravale you said?!? I have heard of this place! A new nation attempting to be born! It is most exciting! She finishes with a broad grin showing rows of sharp teeth . My kind has a hatred for humans due to our continued mistreatment and incursions onto our lands by the Chelish nation. I am hopeful that if my people are able to see a land of peace where all are welcome then we may begin to enter the world we have withdrawn from. My people are a proud people and as such are not easy to dissuade once they have determined something about the "human devils", I had hoped after rescuing my clutch-mates that I could visit this Saravale and most especially this Cloudwatch Keep and bring back word of the good that I have seen. She has an exuberance that is endearing but you get the sense that she is a bit "flighty" and bounces between topics her attention moving quickly.
Isani listens to the conversation between the two females, pondering the group's eclectic mix yet thankful that she is not alone in this strange, imposing land.
"It is good to meet you, Miss Lazurien. You are most welcome for the healing." Isani bows her head. "Praise to the Everlight for granting me powers with which to heal." She touches the silver ankh around her neck.
"My name is Isani Isu and I am a priestess from Osirion. I was brought to this place under the pretext that I would be delivered unto a new land where acceptance is commonplace. Yet, from the first, my people were beset by slavers and captured. The deliverers were a smoke screen for some nefarious plot which I hope to uncover and put an end to. It seems we have each had a run in with the slavers, this Black Koda gang. The slain men over there have the ink markings of the cult, a black scarab. My companion, Mister Khromm, has seen their town and has noted there are at least 100 acolytes, possibly more."
Isani looks out over the dead cultists. If only I could have come sooner and labored to redeem these misguided souls. Again, she strokes the silver ankh about her throat. They are in the gods hands now.
Turning back to Lazurien and Clari, gazing upon them with her mismatched eyes, "I have been petitioned to find this Cloudwatch Keep and Saravale myself. Mister Khromm has mentioned a town in the north east that is the rival to this cultist group. We are travelling there. Perhaps they are one and the same. It seems fate has brought us together for a common cause." The others can hear Isani's rich foreign accent.
"Fate, indeed. Quite a coincidence. I am on mission, but have been unable to progress, my quarry is too well kept. As such I would not be unwilling to aid you two in your endeavors, especially if it means bringing these slavers justice." There is a dark air to her words, she seems like her justice is more about punishment and that she is less interested in things like redemption, rehabilitation and due-process... But that could just be the fact that she seems to look angry as a rule.
Isani notes the elven one's expression and tone. This one seems to have suffered. She is silent for a moment, not wishing to offhandedly offend a new ally.
"One must well note the meaning of justice, Miss Clari. If any of these lost souls can find their way back to goodness and the Light, then we must try. Creatures err in their ways and hearts and in their error and ignorance we must show compassion and offer them redemption and a different path. If they will not accept, and continue to perpetrate harm and glory in slaughter and death, then a swift justice is acceptable and my scimitar shall lend its strength to the cause. May the Everlight guide my heart and hand."
Clari simply looks at Isani with a bemused stare as she speaks of forgiveness, but cracks a slight smile as she mentions justice by scimitar. "Well, best to collect the contents of the corpses, waste not, as it were..." she says abruptly, moving to continue her work. "Thank you for the horse."
After collecting her things Lazurien says I will make sure we are out of danger. She takes a bounding leap and with several thrusts of her powerful wings soars aloft several hundred feet to get a look at the surrounding land, specifically looking for signs of their captors. Once she sees what she can, she returns to the ground and tells the others.
Clari simply looks at Isani with a bemused stare as she speaks of forgiveness, but cracks a slight smile as she mentions justice by scimitar. "Well, best to collect the contents of the corpses, waste not, as it were..." she says abruptly, moving to continue her work. "Thank you for the horse."
Regrettably - any loot on the corpses has already been removed by Mister Khromm. He seemed very thorough - and you notice that there are slots on ears and noses where gold rings once hung - he must have torn them from the bodies and pocketed them.
Meanwhile, Khromm himself has pulled himself onto a horse. You see his own bow is slung on his back now, along with the quiver of arrows, the bola is coiled at his belt like a lasso.
He urges the horse forward slightly, glancing to the slaughtered folk with a bored look.
"This town - this... Saravale - odd name for a town - do you think it named for some sort of god? Hmm... Well - we're riding north and east - that is enough for me. I am eager for a place to spend these trinkets," he adds, hefting a pouch, within comes the clink, clink of metal on metal - you presume it is a sack filled with the treasure he took.
"Think you that they shall have chariots there? I would fancy a wager if they did, but I doubt it - these northlands seem nothing but a hotbed of marsh and cesspits - the muck would mire the wheels of a chariot as sure as the dune seas would swallow a caravan whole! Well, no matter... perhaps there are other diversions in this town..."
He looks at the three of you, with a somewhat expectant look.
"Well - is there anything else - or are we free to be away," he asks, his voice still grim as he wheels his horse to and fro, his eyes constantly scanning the cliffs above...
After collecting her things Lazurien says I will make sure we are out of danger. She takes a bounding leap and with several thrusts of her powerful wings soars aloft several hundred feet to get a look at the surrounding land, specifically looking for signs of their captors. Once she sees what she can, she returns to the ground and tells the others.
Detect Magic
spellcraft:
Isani was not one to rifle through dead bodies and she left her companions to the task. She had brought gold with her from home which would suffice until she found a position and negotiated a regular income.
She bows her head at Clari's gratitude for the horse and looks up into the sky as Lazurien ascends and begins to scout from above.
Turning to her only male companion, "I have nothing more to do in this place. Miss Lazurien has taken to the skies and will join us shortly to advise us of what she sees. Then we can leave, Mister Khromm."
Detect Magic
spellcraft: 1d20+13
Khromm watches you for a moment.
First you must strip the bodies of their weapons - this takes time.
Then you must strip the bodies of the armor. This takes more time (ten minutes to "dress" or "undress" from armor - if I'm not mistaken - per individual).
Then you must find some way of putting the armor together in some sort of bundle, and collecting it, and hitching it to a saddle - or some other way of carrying it.
In less then thirty seconds, Khromm's face switches from neutral boredom to downright disgust at your actions. After thirty more seconds, he drops his hand to the hilt of his sword.
"Enough! Gold and jewels are one thing - but if you want to stay and root in the sand for bits of junk - be my guest! But we just killed a bunch of these folk and just now a thing with wings is flying above us for all the world to see... If there are any more of their scum around - they'll heading this way fast when they see her circling," he says, pointing to Laz, as he continues to watch Clari coldly.
Khromm will then turn to Isani -
"You waiting around for this - or are you coming?" he asks her.
"It's a long way from nowhere to maybe somewhere - and I don't feel like waiting any longer," he adds, watching the dark-haired woman flatly.
Isani was not one to rifle through dead bodies and she left her companions to the task. She had brought gold with her from home which would suffice until she found a position and negotiated a regular income.
She bows her head at Clari's gratitude for the horse and looks up into the sky as Lazurien ascends and begins to scout from above.
Turning to her only male companion, "I have nothing more to do in this place. Miss Lazurien has taken to the skies and will join us shortly to advise us of what she sees. Then we can leave, Mister Khromm."
"No - I say we move now - she knows where to find us - it's a sure thing she can see us," Khromm says pointing up at Laz.
"It's a sure thing that that girl with the wings might see some poxing whoreson's out there, if there is anyone to see - but even if she does - then they can damn sure see her. So - there's either a host of scum riding down on us as we speak, as they saw her soar out of here and they're after her - and are even now riding down on us hard. Or - there is no one around for miles - in which case she'll no doubt fly down in a few moments and tell us one way or the other..."
"Meantime - I don't plan on staying in this gorge any longer then we need to - it's a gods damned deathtrap! All it takes is a few archers on the cliffs and we're dead - covered positions in elevated terrain - no; we'd be dead fast."
"And," he adds, watching Clari for a moment "if there is no enemy coming in hard and we've no threat coming - then at the very least we're just standing around wasting time," he adds with a growl.
Isani concurs with Khromm's assessment. "Yes, you are indeed correct. Let us ride now and Miss Lazurien can join us when she is ready."
Turning in her saddle to speak with the elven female, "Miss Clari, we are about to ride out. We must leave for this place is not safe and we should utilize as much of the daylight as we can before finding a place to set up camp tonight."