Linar rests his hand on Eariel's, but only for a few seconds, "Those words mean much to me. Tahnks you also." He smiles briefly, adding, "I protect as Corellon wills."

Back to business all too soon, "We should be moving on. Who wants to take point? I will take it if no one else wishes."

Garroth shrugs.. "I gave a very respectful formal introduction and they showed no respect.. I need not suffer insults with them inferring they needed to talk to Signa about his choice of allies.., really..? Did you not hear that? Don't berate me for giving as good as I got... Uncouth savages... "

Garroth resumes travelling...

Lanar lets that one go and follows his bull-headed companion, keeping a sharp watch to the right flank, bow in hand.

(Ooc: his fiery stubborn streak comes from his mother..)

The group continues southward along the road, making good time and experiencing no further encounters. Midday comes and Eariel has the salvaged rations distributed among the civilians as they walk. Each of them seems weary from travel, but eager to have the journey done. During the journey the clamor of the

[does the party want to stop for a rest or press on? ]

"I think we should take twenty minutes for some of us to catch our breath. Minimum two on watch though, yes?" proposes Linar. "How about: Garroth, you take first with someone and I'll take second with someone?"

"I'll go second with you, Linar. It'll give us a chance to compare our books.... Maybe we could see if our spells could be better used if we tandem our studies." Van offers.

The High Elf will look for a suitable shady spot to nap/ commune with the forces of magiks.

"Eariel and I will take first watch.. do we have any more healing available?". Garroth nods..

Garroth will look out downwind, trusting his sense to detect an odour of Orc or Troll from upwind.

"Keep your nose peeled buddy." Garroth says to Thoreau..

"I don't", answers Linar. "Not until tomorrow."

Taking a position in the shade with Van, Linar says, "You can sleep when you're dead!" with a smile, adding, "Now get out your spell book."
The pair compare spells and agree which ones they will swap come nightfall.

Van will give the Drow a "Oh really?" kind of look. He'll plop down in the shade and say to Linar.

"No; rest I said and rest I will. On our watch we can confer our studies. Perhaps."

The High Elf will draw his hood down and rest from the march. "Gentlemen, wake me when it is my turn to stand guard."

Apart from raising an eyebrow, Linar will not comment, planing to nudge the hooded elf in about 9 minutes time.

Eariel nods and stands guard with Garroth; Hew taking a position to the far side. When it is time, Linar and Van keep their watch as well, and Tag takes Hew's place. The pairs keep their watch, which pass without issue.

"Good to go?" asks Linar, keen to get to the group's destination.

Garroth nods and calls a short meeting before resuming leading the group towards Bordertown..

"Confirmed Orc activity and likely wandering trolls.. it's likely that if we encounter any trolls, they could be working with the Orcs.. So we need to be prepared. I'm not at full strength, but I have one fire spell ready, burning hands.. That gets saved for a troll, to be used if and when we take it down..

Orcs, they are organised and militaristic, they will use sound tactics for any attacks they make... but if you can appear as something other than what we are, appearing as a weak band of travelliers, tgeybwill treat us as such, then when they present, we cut them down in a crossfire.. and grind them into pate.

The freed travellers take the road, while I lead our strike force in a parallel path off the road, hidden.. The Orcs will do what they do, and then when they show their hand, we hit them..

Any questions or ideas?"

"That is one way to do it. And assuming the orcs do not simply attack the travelers on sight we might have time to intervene. Of course that also assumes we can be quiet enough in the forest not to alert them to our presence, and that we can make as good time in the trees that the folks on the road are making.
"Then again, it might be a good idea to scout the road ahead for signs of ambush, rather than use this lot as bait. But what do I know?"