-----"Yeah, n' keepin' the horses ready n'case they be a'chasin' us into the woods," Pil adds.
-----Lovan merely keeps quiet for the moment. He suddenly seems out of ideas and energy.
-----"I wish I had something bigger than a toad," Caranip grumbles as she begins rummaging through her pouch.
-----"Garrison, I guess that's up to Raven. I'd choose south, but our own hunter will know best." Sol then glances at the three warriors, "No, there's no point in a distraction until we know we need one. It'll just put them on guard. We'll have a look at the keep first, then work out what is required."
-----Sarah nods. "Sounds good to me. And don't worry Caranip. Sometimes frogs can be very scary indeed." Sarah thinks back to the giant toads the group fought not too long ago.
-----Remembering the same incident, Sol looks comically pious as he echoes a comment past made, "Poor things."
-----Raven looks at Sol and then shakes his head. A smiling Raven says, "Let's head out." Raven starts to move away from the large host so they can circle around them.
-----The adventurers quietly retreat from the edge of the rise toward the woodland border of the two estates. Not quite gaining the woods, Raven then leads everyone in a southern direction in order to circle the orc encampment on its southern boundary. In that way, the party could still remain mounted as it made its way behind small hillocks.
-----Rinda nods at Raven as they ride, soothingly whispering as she smiles, "Soon, my love, the foul ones shall become the hunted."
-----Garrison keeps his hand on his great axe handle; all the while his eyes remain on the small rises on his right. The woodsman appears edgy as if expecting the orcs to appear above them any second.
-----Lovan continues to remain quiet as a strange smile crosses his face. Meanwhile the trio of Dilton, Strolum and Pil ride in the rear of the company riding close to Marlexana.
-----As she holds on to Sarah with one small hand, Caranip continues to gaze into her pouch as if seeking something.
-----Finally at midday, the party stops behind one of the rolling hills predominate on the plain and uses the time to rest and scout. Here, it is easy to leave the horses at the bottom of the hill and within a few moment send one of the hunters to spy from the hilltop.
-----As Sol, Raven and Garrison lay on their bellies surveying the stronghold and the orc camp just to the north, they still see the leaders of the humanoids bullying about, grumbling at some of the lesser orcs who seem sluggish.
-----"Humph," Garrison grunts, "I'm surprised these orcs are out and about like this. By the Great Hunter, it is high noon. They can't be happy to be out in this sunlight."
-----"No, they wouldn't. Which means something they respect or are a'feared of is keeping them there." Sol notes with a small smile as he watches the orken leaders boss their subordinates about. Now that they are closer to the keep, the Gorian takes some time to study the structure, looking at the building itself, as well as looking for any signs of life.
-----Raven growls, "Let's get closer. Every minute those orcs are alive stabs me like a spear." Raven begins to move forward.
-----"Caranip, do you have a candle?" Sarah asks, wanting to give her apprentice a chance to be helpful. "If not I think I have some in my saddlebags, could you fetch one for me?"
-----As Caranip gets the candle ready, Sarah begins casting a spell. "Pay attention to the way I pronounce the words." The mage advises her apprentice. "Precision is absolutely necessary or a spell like this could go terribly wrong."
-----Sarah casts the spell. "A monster will soon be here." She tells her 'bodyguards. "It is under my control, so do not fight it."
-----Within a few moments, the air a few yards in front of Sarah begins to quiver. The transparency of the air begins to darken and forms begin to materialize. A half-dozen shapes become more discernible and begin to lengthen. Suddenly, greenish-gray skin and fur come into focus.
-----In the space of a few more seconds, six snarling humanoids sporting savage dog-like heads and wearing battered and grimy armor stand before the young mage.
-----"Gnolls!" Caranip gasps as she ducks behind Sarah.
-----Lovan looks angry as his eyes widen upon the humanoids which stand over seven feet tall! "What is the meaning of this, girl?" he snarls.