Ali continues her dash at the remaining orc.
Skyreaver flies forward and continues his attack.
Marikel keeps running after Alicia.
"The other one isn't talking," he pants.
Mahath races to keep up, considering what he could do to try and restrain the orc without slaying it.
Double move to J73.
Levvy slows down a little as she gets in closer, but otherwise continues to move up towards the others.
Dorn moves to the opposite side of the half-orc. "Any thoughts of givin' up, stupid? It's either that or we kill ya dead. Doesn't matter ta me. Personally, I'm hopin' ya pick 'kill ya dead'," he says with a wide grin, nodding enthusiastically.
Dorn circles around to pen the orc in.
The orc shifts its grip on its vicious weapon, swinging each end quickly in succession at the roc. The first swing comes close enough to sever several feathers; the second is harmlessly wide. It steps nearer the small boulder.
Alicia dives a diving roll last the orc's guard (). Coming up, she feints and strikes the orc with the pommel of her rapier.
Alicia tumbles past the orc before it can react and delivers a sturdy blow to the base of its skull. It drops in a heap.
A grin crosses Marikel's face and he steps towards Alicia. "Alicia, that was..."
Marikel catches himself.
"I mean, well done, Miss Alicia."
He looks around to the others.
"Well done everyone. Let's secure the hostage."
Alicia grunts and resheathes her rapier. "Thanks."
Nudging the orc in the ribs with a boot, Ali looks around at her companions. " Someone wanted to interrogate him or somethin'? Or can I just cut his throat and be done with it?"
"That would be murder, Miss Alicia," Marikel remarks absently. "It would negate the point of your fine work. And the town may want to question it too, before its likely execution."
After stabilising and securing the hostage, Marikel turns to the spell casters. "Have either of you any mind magics?"
Marikel gently slaps the creature awake.
"Other than an ability to momentarily daze a creature, no, I'm afraid not," Levvy replies.
Mahath shakes his head and says "I mostly just burn stuff."
Marikel secures the unconscious orc and prepares it for questioning.
"Wake up, my friend. Wake up. Can you understand me? We'd like to ask a few questions. And you're going to answer them." Marikel's voice is soft but firm.
"You're going to tell us what you're doing out, here. Far away from the main battle."
Marikel looks to the others and gives a hint of a smirk before turning back to the captive.
"You're not a coward, are you?"
Coming to, the orc struggles ferociously against its bonds. Baring its tusks at the party, it betrays no comprehension of Marikel's words.
Sighing, "I got this, lad." He then turns his attention to the orc. "Die seun wil weet wat jy hier doen so ver weg van die hoofstryd. En hy wil ook graag weet of jy 'n lafaard is. Omdat ons soort dink jy is," he tells him, shrugging.
"Ek is nie lafaard nie!" the orc roars back. "Jy is die lafaards! Maak my los en veg regverdig!"
"He's returning the insult and calling us cowards," Levvy says for the benefit of those who don't speak Orc. "He's also demanding we face him fairly."
She turns to the orc and speaks to it.
Ali hovers over the orc with her dagger and attempts to be menacing.
The dwarf calls over Skyreaver to him as he inspects his hammer. "Miskien wil ek na die dame luister. Ek dink regtig dit is in jou beste belang."
Turning to Marikel, "I just told him he needs to listen to the lass. Which she told him he needs ta be answerin' our questions. But the first thing I said to him before Levvy there said somethin' to him was what you said. And I also asked him if he was a coward and added after that, 'because we thought he was'. And ya know what, he really didn't like that too much. Go figure," he says, shrugging again.
Marikel nods and pulls his sword out.
"Tell him if he cooperates his tribe won't find him face down with a sword blow across his back."
He moves behind the orc and faces Alicia.
The orc looks over its shoulder nervously. "Ek is nie lafaard nie! Ek volg bevele!"
Still twisting its neck to keep an eye on the armed priest behind it, the orc answers, "Lewer 'n boodskap. 'N Gebreekte dolk."
Levvy nods. "Starting to get somewhere," she tells the others, then readdresses the orc.
"'N Gebreekte dolk beteken dat die aanval misluk het," the orc shrugs sulkily. "'N Onbreekbare dolk sou beteken het dat ons die dorp gevang het. Ek ken nie die naam van die man vir wie die boodskap is nie. 'N Halwe man van Vryheidsdorp."
Levvy smiles and speaks a couple more words to the orc.
She turns to the others. "The dagger was a message for a half-orc from Freedom Town. A broken dagger means a failed attack, and an unbroken one a successful attack. He says he doesn't know the name of the half-orc."
"I suspected as much," Marikel nods thoughtfully.
He grabs the orc and forces it to its feet.
"Let's get this scum back to town and let the council know."
Mahath smiles, pleased that the side trip to check on the farm resulted in valuable information for the defense of the community.
Just as quickly, his thoughts turn to considering the half-orc members of the town, and which might be a traitor to them all.
Ali ponders whether she's met a half-orc from Freedom Town lately.
The orc's relative complaisance evaporates well before the group reaches the damaged palisade, and despite Marikel's assurances to Omast Frum, the sun has set before they reach the damaged palisade. The Patrol on guard at the gate are undoubtedly on high alert for orcs attempting to breach the wall under cover of darkness; to approach without warning and prompt identification will risk coming under friendly fire.
"Marikel Selentin, Light of Iomedae, and friends. Returning from scouting."
Marikel mutters a prayer and light glows from his hand, revealing them all.
"We bring a prisoner, and more information for the council."
He raises his hand beside the orcs head, revealing their captive.
"And bird! Don'tcha be shootin' at me bird!" The dwarf motions to the oversized bird as Skyreaver can be seen picking at his wing.
There are some shouts of alert from the direction of the palisade as Marikel lights up the group. After a moment, a voice calls back, " -- and ... bird, "
Alicia grits her teeth as the group walks toward the palisade. The nerve! Assuming that she was an orc-lover.
Marikel complies, responding above but with a glance to Alicia.
"We understand your caution. We too spilled blood today defending Trunau."
The party complies with the Patrolman's instructions, prodding forward their captive as they advance at a measured pace. The broken gates have been repurposed in their absence into a moveable barricade to block the road; as they approach, soldiers maneuver the whole thing out of the way like a giant's tower shield, while other guards rush out, weapons at the ready, to surround the group and escort them into the town. Once on the other side of the palisade, it becomes clear that the Patrolman's warning about the number of archers on the wall was exaggerated; no more than a dozen are presently available.
"Well," the commanding officer sighs with relief when the gate has once again been put in place, "good to see you, Padre. We were told you'd gone out to scout around and hadn't made it back yet." He nods to Mahath and Levvy, recognizing them as locals.
Marikel nods.
"We were delayed. Fortunately, my team were more than up to the task."
He sweeps his arm towards his companions, finishing with his hand extended to Alicia in particular.
"Miss Dawnblade was even able to secure us a prisoner."
The Patrolman looks doubtfully at the bound orc. "Anyone sees an orc walking the streets of Trunau tonight, there's going to be a panic. We'll hold it here at the gatehouse, and the Council can send for it if they want it before morning. I'm not going to take the blame from the Patrol Captain for causing a public disturbance after curfew. They're in Ivory Hall. Here," he fumbles at his belt pouch, "I'll give you a token so you don't have to explain yourself at every checkpoint. This will get you through all the way to the Inner Quarter."
"An excellent idea. Your assistance is appreciated."
Marikel takes the token and waves to the others to follow him as he makes his way onwards.
Dorn follows along behind the others, with Skyreaver right with him. He keeps a watchful eye on the posted guards, making sure none try to shoot his avian friend.