----- The headless body wears a thick piece of leather for a belt. Tied onto it is a pouch similar to what the other two orcs had. Raven opens the pouch and empties seven gold pieces into his hand.
-----Raven stands up from the body of a dead orc. He then moves closer to Randal, "I found another one of those black gems on one of the bodies. So the orcs are somehow a part of this curse. Also..." Raven hands each member of the group 4 gold pieces, "here is how much they had on them, with 2 gp left over. Here, Arliss." Raven hands Arliss the 2 gp, "Your court fees." Raven gives Arliss a half-smile.
-----"Court fees, eh?" Arliss smiles at Raven's jest, a nice counterpoint to the serious business just concluded. "Perhaps I missed my calling in life. Come on then, let's see about earning some additional wages." Pocketing the coins, Arliss turns towards the building where the orcs reputedly are hiding out. "I say we put the whole thing to the torch and cover the exits, killing the majority and trying to take one or at most, two, alive. A simple plan...those murderous scum will get the justice they deserve, Joren willing. Who's with me?"
-----"Is 'score to wesgol' orcish?" Thalog listens intently to Raven's reply.
-----Raven looks at Thalog for a moment and says nothing. "No, that is not orcish. Why do you ask? Oh, the note we found. Right? I would think that 'score' meant 12, like in 12 orcs. What do you think Thalog?"
-----"I think your number is too low. Score, when referring to numbers means a group of twenty! And that's just one meaning from the Common tongue. Could I please see the black stone you found?" Raven pulls out the gem and hands it to Thalog. Then Thalog continues with what he is saying, "It would be best if you three 'dispensed justice' and let me take care of keeping some orcs alive to question. All I ask is that you do not mix ranks."
-----Raven frowns. "What the hell does "mix ranks" mean? You got me stumped on that one, college man."
-----"My magic will be most effective if there is a group of them standing together. I understand how difficult this might be in combat, but please keep it in mind."
-----The four men move cautiously toward the ruined structures. It feels considerably warmer now combining the effects of the sun with the rush of fighting the orcs. Now a slight tension builds as they move toward the building they know holds more of the evil humanoids.
-----As quietly as they can, they move behind the roofless shelter. The next building over is the intact structure Raven said the orcs were in. Raven carefully peers around the corner toward the spot where the orcs first gave chase to him and Rand. Suddenly, all four men freeze as they hear sounds issue from inside the targeted building. Starting in low, they hear a number of inhuman voices grumbling and growling as if cursing and arguing with each other.
-----Raven leans closer to the orcs and tries to listen. After a few minutes Raven pulls away from the corner and speaks to the group in a low voice. "Okay, from what I can hear the rest of the orcs know that the three we killed are missing. They know we're human and they want to kill us, but some of them want to wait until tonight when the sun won't harm them. What say the group?" Raven pulls out an arrow. "As you all are thinking, does anyone here have some oil?"
-----Arliss leans in and whispers to the others, "Sorry, no oil. Whatever we want to do, let's get it on before it gets too late. The sunlight gives us an advantage, eh, Rand? I also want to tell you all that Joren provides me with a measure of protection against evil creatures, so, if things get rough, it might be better to stick close to me. So, then, if the fire is out of the question, what other options do we have?"
-----Raven says, "How about if I put on one of the dead orcs' cloaks and then try to lure a few orcs out of the building. I know the dead orcs' names and I can use that to at least throw the orcs off balance." Raven turns to Thalog, "Why did you want the orcs grouped together? I could try to do that."
-----"It is a condition that effects my magic," Thalog simply says.
-----"Unfortunately I have no oil either. Raven's idea seems like a good one. Unless anyone else has a better idea I suggest we follow his". Rand looks around waiting for a response.
-----After a moment's consideration, Arliss nods his head. "Well, I don't have a better idea, Raven, so if you can stand to wear the filthy thing, let's set the ambush!" The paladin looks grim as he runs a thumb along his sword's edge.
-----Raven nods and then runs over to the nearest orc's body and puts on as much of the orc's clothes as possible. He rubs mud on his face and hands to hide his white skin. He has the group hide behind the corner of the closest building to where the orcs are hiding. He takes out one of his sacks and fills it with small stones and dirt.
-----Raven then stumbles from the corner where the group is hiding and comes into plain view of the orcs' building. He carries the sack in his right hand and one of his swords, hidden in the folds of the cloak, in
the other hand. He keeps his head down and then cries out with a voice filled with pain. Raven moves about 20 feet away from the group and throws the sack down and cries out "Rross! Krasos drimss
hummis frassosi!". He falls to the ground and looks out with one eye see what happens next.
-----As Raven does this, Thalog readies the horses to ride if need be.