"Let us be more precise in our language here.
Kenabres still exists and has many in need of protection.
It would be incorrect for these soldiers to infer that there is no Kenabres to return to.
This choice must be freely made with full knowledge of the facts of the matter."
Cecily nods to Aroden, "Precision in language is very important. Is is their duty to carry out our wishes, so it is our duty to take care with our wishes and in doing so, take care of them."
The Alchemist nods to Cecily as she brow beats him (again).
Human political paths are really confusing. Let me know when you want a bomb throw at any unruly crusaders.
"Ahmose, should you require specific guidance, you have but to ask. I was born into these paths." Her tone is a bit less inviting than it could be, but it's clear that she is being genuine and that she thinks she's being quite magnanimous in extending the offer.
Sergent Dann takes a moment to speak with her people and stops the party from leaving them, "If its alright with you sir. We've changed our minds, you're on an important mission and if we can help, we will."
Cecily addresses the group of soldiers joining them. "Welcome, Sergeant Dann, soldiers. We'll see to it that you're well provided for and healed up. Your captivity must have been taxing, but your strength brings us closer to victory in Drezen, and your enthusiasm is inspiring."
Thawm decides to invite Tandyn to help her use magical detection magic first on their advisors, and then on Sergeant Dann and her group.
"Certainly. It's a fairly routine inspection, but you should know that it can be fooled with a little effort. If it were sufficient, we wouldn't need the inquisitors."
Tandyn seeks out their siege expert. "Aron! Did you hear Aroden's description of Keeper's Canyon? There must be a way to use such terrain to our advantage. Perhaps we can keep them at range. Let's talk this one out..."
You line up your officers, advisors, Dann, and her people, one by one and scan them for evil and fiendish presences, not a single one of them appears to be concerned; with the exception of Lann they have suffered such magics numerous times before. Your divinations provide you no positive results. Lann smiles, his lizard half looks strange with the expression, "No fiendish influence, ha! I don’t know whether to believe your magic is flawed or if my people's history is."
With daylight becoming high in the sky, Irabeth asks, ”Knight commanders, my friends. Shall we camp here or march north further still? We can march today and recover tomorrow, and then move on the two armies stationed there.”
Nurah explains, ”If we march north now and don’t wait, we could make it to Keeper’s Canyon tomorrow afternoon.”
Keeper’s Canyon was once a holding of Drezen, a small town that helped facilitate shipments to and from Drezen. With time and the Worldwounds influence it is very likely a ruin. It is a defensible position, but with your foreknowledge of the armies present it is unlikely that they will take you by surprise.
"I would suggest that we continue marching, if the army's morale is good enough to do so. As with our decision at Valas's Gift, my preference is to move swiftly when we have the opportunity to do so, since we do not know what unavoidable delays may lie ahead. As well, I think it better to fight our battles in daytime, since many of our foes will be able to see in the dark."
Standing in the line of the advisory committee, the Blue Whisper nods his approval.
"Agreed. I think we ought to rest after the next battle." Knight Commander Uhturj suggests.
"Let's carry on and march, and give the demons what-for tomorrow in the canyon then."
"No fiendish influence, ha! I don’t know whether to believe your magic is flawed or if my people's history is."
Tandyn chuckles. "Probably a bit of both, but you've certainly earned our trust."
"We're still in fairly good shape, and we don't know enough about their armies to gauge whether a rest is worth a delay. Either way, we should avoid fighting both of their armies at once. We will need to scout this one out thoroughly."
Keeper’s Canyon, 4th day of marching high noon, distance traveled 126 miles
As you move through the canyon you take the approach slowly, expecting opposition at any moment. Anevia and the other scouts report, ”The enemy consists of two forces, dretches 100 strong and tieflings 200 strong. There are a few shells of buildings left from the town and what remains of a number of piers. The dretches are holding the ruins while the tieflings are out in the open. If we engage one force the other will be able to flank us easily. I saw a demon among the dretches, humanoid with bat-like wings, he is clearly their commander. They are at the ready, we won't be able to get the drop on them with a standard assault.”
Aravashnial provides some insight, ”I believe the demon commander is an incubus. Such creatures delight in inflicting pain and misery on others, more so than their other demonic brethren if you can believe it. They are quite perceptive, if you were thinking about assassinating him, the attempt could fail. But they cannot pierce illusions like more powerful demons.”
Irabeth scoffs, ”I don’t believe either army will pose much of a challenge. Iomadae’s might will be channeled through our army and they will be smote. We should charge.”
Nurah agrees with Irabeth, ”We should be aggressive here. I suspect the Brimorak commander from Vilareth teleported here to report their failure. I wouldn’t be surprised if we found its body. But there could be reinforcements from Drezen marching south to meet us. If we may be facing three armies not two.”