----- Rand squats down on the ground waiting patiently for Raven to finish questioning the orc. "Soon the orcs shall receive just punishment for the crimes they have committed".
-----The orc squints at Raven and holds its jaw firmly as if hating to answer. It hisses out, "Ul tolk hut. Oot ta doc."
-----Raven listens to the orc's words and then points to the building where they found the three earlier. "Drus tok gholor?" Raven turns to the group, "The orc said there were 12 more of his kind under 'the building', I asked him if it was that one." Raven then turns back to the orc to hear the answer.
-----The orc grunts out a reply, "Das." It lowers its head to the ground.
-----Arliss looks on quietly as the interrogation process goes on. He tests the edge of his sword with his thumb, in order to make sure that it is sharp enough for the coming task.
-----Raven nods as the orc speaks. To the group Raven says, "Yep, the other orcs are in that building. I suggest an orc bon-fire. Wonder how tough it would be to set that place on fire." Raven looks over to Arliss, "All right, he's all yours. Just make sure he doesn't see it coming and that he doesn't cry out." Raven places the dagger Thalog gave him back in his boot. Raven then walks over to see what the other orcs have on them.
-----Arliss solemnly walks around to the rear of the orc and stands directly behind the ugly humanoid. He waves a hand silently at his three companions, motioning for them to stand back from the orc. Once they have moved away, the paladin raises his sword into the air, and intones, "Life for life. Blood for blood. As Joren allows, let justice be served." The words are punctuated by swift action, as Arliss suddenly swings his sword with all his might at the orc's exposed neck, trying to decapitate the brute with one fell stroke!
-----Arliss's blade neatly cleaves through the humanoid's neck. Its severed head clumps to the ground, followed by the heavier thud of its collapsing body. Its dark and foul blood begins to stain the ground.
-----Everything seems calm and quiet in the afternoon sun. Ahead in the village ruins, it almost seems too quiet.
-----Raven approaches the orc carcass that he shoved off his blade. Now that the orcs are dead, Raven can see that the orcs were basically armored alike. Covering the torso is a worn studded leather vest. Dark and filthy fur leggings cover the feet. Around the waist is a belt little more than a rope.
-----Raven spies a small pouch tied to the orc's belt. Snatching up the pouch, he feels small round circular objects inside. He empties three gold coins into his hand.
-----Raven walks toward the second dead orc. It lies on its back with Rand's arrow protruding from its chest. Likewise, it has a pouch that Raven pulls from its waist. This one seems fuller and as he up ends the pouch in his hand, Raven counts eight more gold coins. Suddenly, he realizes there is something else besides the gold pieces. Glittering among the coins is a small rectangular stone. It has a shiny, black finish, very much like the small stone Raven had given Thalog. Looking around, Raven sees the other three men looking toward the village ruins.
-----Arliss looks on impassively as the orc's head rolls messily away. There is no expression of pleasure in his eyes, only a look of satisfaction that his duty is done. He briefly whispers, "Joren be praised," before turning to his companions. "Where do we go from here, my friends?"
-----Thalog watches intently as Arliss delivers "justice" to the orc. After hearing Raven's plan, Thalog says, "We must keep one orc alive to question. It is likely that some of the orcs will get out of the burning building so it can be one of them. What are we going to do if the majority get out of Raven's trap?"
-----Raven says to Thalog, "You're right. We should of asked the orc more questions. Hope we have the chance to capture another orc."
-----Raven then walks over to Arliss. Raven looks down at the headless corpse. "He died better than the family he helped butcher." Raven looks at Arliss, "We could try to block the main door to the building and then set the roof on fire. With all the fire and smoke, we should be able to get the drop on the rest of the orcs."
-----Arliss nods thoughtfully at Raven's suggestion, then says, "All right, then, that's a fine idea. We can kill most of them, and try to take one or two alive for further questioning." The last is said with a sidelong look at Thalog. "What can we use to blockade the door?" Arliss begins looking around him for any objects large and heavy enough for the job.
-----The ground around the men is covered with slightly dense grass. Every now and then, small stones are felt underfoot. However, nothing can be seen that might be useful in blocking a door. A few yards away lie the broken buildings and foundations of the ruins. . .
-----Raven rubs his chin and looks around also. "How about if we set the roof on fire and then three of us wear these dead orcs' cloaks. As the orcs run out, we can get the jump on them. We might be able to kill half of them before they knew what hit 'em." Raven walks over to the headless orc corpse. "Or we could block the door with these three dead orcs, put this one's head on a post for all of them to see. Then Randal and myself could shoot at the orc from the nearby windows. Thalog can unleash his art at them. Arliss could cover the main door. Then when the orcs are confused, I can demand that they can either surrender or die. What do you guys think?" Raven then bends down to search the headless orc's body.