"Yeah!"
As the shadows grow longer, and the day-time noises of the forest give way to the night-time noises (insofar as anyone can tell), Reekis’ nose catches the barest hint of smoke – the barest trace. A few moments later, Jasper gets a slight sense of agitation – not danger, but a sense that there may be something significant or perhaps out of place – from ShadowWing as the small owl flies through a certain patch of the forest a short distance ahead.
As twilight comes lightning takes off to hunt from the air. The bird keeps close, but circles a little ahead, swooping down after mice and other small creatures.
"Smoke."
Qliver cocks his head at the bold prediction, "Are you certain? All it means is fire. It could be anyone that needed warmth or a cook fire, much like we will soon. So, if you think it may be hobgoblins, I would ask that you be certain."
"Let's check it out and see."
"Let's check it out and see."
Adalwin raises an eyebrow as Reekis moves off into the tree's alone. "That's brave. Is Reekis feeling ok?" He whispers to Jasper
Anor grins at Eljoy's description.... "Well, the joy of being a pessimist, is you're never disappointed. Eh Eljoy?"
Keeping Jeva close, Anor interrupts lightning's hunting to have the bird have a look too.
Reekis creeps a few yards ahead, skirting about trunks, hardly getting tangled up in any vines at all, until he reaches a small clearing amongst the trees. It appears empty, with the exception of some flattened patches of grass and undergrowth surrounding the cold remains of a small fire pit.
The watching familiars, hawk and owl, give no sign that they have spied danger.
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Anor grins at Eljoy's description.... "Well, the joy of being a pessimist, is you're never disappointed. Eh Eljoy?"
Keeping Jeva close, Anor interrupts lightning's hunting to have the bird have a look too.
...
"No. I am always disappointed." Eljoy turns away and steps after the theif. "Better make sure Reekis doesn't fall into trouble."
Adalwin raises an eyebrow as Reekis moves off into the tree's alone. "That's brave. Is Reekis feeling ok?" He whispers to Jasper
Hiding a grin behind his tiny hand, the orcling whispers, "I'm no expert in such things, but he didn't appear to be feverish."
Reekis circles the clearing to make sure any danger has passed.
Adalwin grins back at Jasper, but quickly moves into action when he spies Eljoy moving forward. Surveying the clearing, he moves to the fire and the flattened patches, trying to ascertain how long ago the area was vacated.
No danger is apparent.
Adalwin finds small human tracks and more of the small three-toed tracksaround the clearing. The fire is cold, but a very faint smell of smoke remains in the air - Adalwin thinks this camp site was abandoned within the last twelve hours or so.
"Do we seem to be gaining on them? Or falling behind?"
Adalwin kicks at a charred stick in the old fire pit, feeling helpless. "They are still well ahead of us, and night is upon us. If we continue in the dark we may lose the trail, or be exhausted by the time we catch them, but if we camp for the night we fall even further behind!"
He looks at the group plaintively, hoping one of them will have a solution to their troubles.
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Eljoy spits. "Quit mewling and man up. We track them 'til we can't see the trail. Then we sleep on the trail and we're up at first light. No camp. No fire."
The big man pulls a torch from his pack, plants it in the ground, and stands over it, striking sparks from his flint. Once it catches he lifts it up and begins circling the camp.
"I want that reward."
Reekis bursts out from behind a bush looking furious. "How the Seven Hells am I supposed to scout if you lot are going to clump around behind me, jabbering and moaning? This could have been a trap or anything! Next time... Bah, forget, there won't be a next time! You can do your own scouting."
Shrugging, "It just means you were in the perfect position to save us if it was a trap. Then we would owe you."
He moves over to the woodsman and tries to assist in finding tracks.
Eljoy easily spots the tracks leaving the clearing, heading north.
"So are we going to rest here?"
Eljoy spits. "Quit mewling and man up. We track them 'til we can't see the trail. Then we sleep on the trail and we're up at first light. No camp. No fire."
The big man pulls a torch from his pack, plants it in the ground, and stands over it, striking sparks from his flint. Once it catches he lifts it up and begins circling the camp.
"I want that reward."
Adalwin's face turns instantly red at Eljoys reprimand, and he moves to the other side of the clearing, poking about the tree line as if looking for tracks, but really just wanting to avoid eye contact with the others in the group while his embarrassment passes.
Eljoy's last comment makes the lad bristle, and he half turns to confront the axe man, but loses his nerve.
"Lets go then." He mutters
Reekis pulls a face but falls in line with Eljoy.
Jasper climbs back into his saddle and sends ShadowWing forth as an inconspicuous spy, but he waits for the others before falling into his normal position in line.
.
"Lets get going then."
Adalwin leads the way forward. Soon enough, the light is gone, and torches, lanterns or light spells are needed to spy the way forward (please tell me who is holding / using light sources). There are frequent sighs and curses as people trip over roots or stumble in hollows beneath drifts of fallen leaves. The forest is alive with furtive creaks, distant hoots and howls and other unnerving sounds.
The trail is slow and difficult to follow in the dark, but Adalwin stays doggedly on it. As the night wears on …
If light is called for, Oliver readily and eagerly offers to provide it, in the form of casting his light spell on the tip of his spear.
The orcling climbs down off of the mule when it becomes clear that it won't be able to navigate in so little light. He leads the creature, murmuring to it in hopes of keeping it calm. Or maybe to hide his own nervousness.
Kira casts light on a stick, and hands it to Jeva to carry....