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Liri had stayed with Ari, and when the dwarf finishes speaking, she nods. "He is right, you are a strong and brave boy. May you and all you care for fare well." She bows to him with an ancient Elven greeting.

Angel stands outside, separate from the others fighting her own anger, more death and for what? Nothing.. she wanted to tell the boy it would be ok, offer words of kindness and comfort, yet seeing Salia like that, walking away because that was all she could do, she had locked her emotions up, kept them safe.

Hopefully Liri could offer what she could not.

"Just make sure you kill Quintus when you see him." the boy says, by way of farewell. Then he follows the group to the gate and secures it behind them.

The next farm is less than an hour away on horseback. It some point the vineyards give way to rows of grain, and beyond the grain an open area with a small villa, from which issues a thin plume of smoke. The courtyard gates here are wide open - one is actually hanging askew, attached only by its lower hinge.

"What would you have me do?" Angel asks as they ride, she couldn't save everyone.

Approaching the Villa she draws her sword, the weapon resting easily in her hand as she prepares to enter the broken gates. "Be alert."

"Would you like me to scout ahead?" asks Galanis quietly. "There might be some bows aiming at us right now..."

Ari rides silently with the others, keeping his eyes sharp.

"Feel free." Angel responds, "Watch yourself and we will cover you." Drawing her bow she notches an arrow.

Galanis moves with the others up to 200 feet from the Villa, he then climb down his horse, leaves the reins with Ari and then flanks the Villa scouting for danger.

Galanis reaches the foot of the exterior wall with no trouble.
He pauses, listening intently, and now that he has gotten closer he can hear the muffled sound of a crying baby coming from inside the walls - probably from inside the main house.
As he approaches the gate (from the side, in case there are archers within) he can see the doors have been badly damaged, probably by a small wooden ram - both leaves have been dented and split, and the fallen one has had its upper hinge torn from the frame. The fallen leaf is covered with footprints, some of which are smudged with blood.
Galanis peeks through the open gate and finds the courtyard in disarray. Someone has sacked the place, leaving blood and disorder in their wake, but oddly no bodies.

Liri kept with the rest of the group, happy that Galanis offered to scout instead of her. She states the obvious: "It seems we're getting closer, this villa was raided just recently"

Angel waits for his return.

With a feeling of urgency Galanis drops off his guard considerably and strides fast to the house, stills looking in the windows and the side walls for anything to pop up. He tries not to step on the footsteps to check them later but his main target is to check on the baby and if there are other survivors. If he can see the group he will signal them to get closer. Otherwise he will go to them after checking for survivors.

If Ari sees the signal, he will heft his shield and move up to join Galanis

"It appears clear. Would you like to remain with the Horses?" Angel asks Liri as she catches the signal with her Elven vision, bow still drawn she dismounts Praesul and moves catiously into the courtyard.

"I can do that" Liri acknowledges and rounds up the animals, watching out for anyone approaching when she has done so.