Chapter 5: Return to the Surface

Hunter purses her lips. "Perhaps it is best if we move to the side," she says, warning the group of her realization. "It may be a dance troupe practicing, but I suspect it is a military unit.

And Sarith may be well disposed to remain out of the sight, at least until we can suss out their intentions."

Agreed. Mai’ngor steps aside with the others.

Hunter is primarily interested in moving away from the obvious path, and less about hiding herself.

Not interested in hiding now that he's finally made it out of the Underdark and in familiar territory Elfog will continue to move forward a bit to see what's approaching.

"Let's see what's out there, Beard!"

I try to find some sort of rocks to hide behind, or some dip in the dirt that will help mask my presence. I have no idea what to expect.

Elfog slowly moves back towards the others and says in a hushed tone. "Orcs. Lot's of 'em!"

He crouches down on one knee and adds, "From that flag their carrying I don't think they would mean us harm, but might be best not to test that."

Mai'ngor, who moved off the road but remained standing in plain sight, crouches beside the dwarf. "How many? What makes you think they won't attack us?"

Hunter mentally curses her lack of suspicion, simply because they're above-ground. "Let us hide. Should we hide? Maybe we should hide." She looks at some of the larger bushes to the side of the presumed path taken by the orcs, and with a "push" of her hand digs a 5-foot hole behind one of them. "Someone get in there!" says Hunter, reasoning that one or two people can try to conceal themselves better with enough cover. She looks to repeat the same process at another shrub.

"They are flyin' the banner of Many-Arrows. Not exactly a peaceful bunch, but they've got an agreement with the locals" Elfog responds before getting back to his feet.

"You lot should keep out of sight till them pig-noses pass. I'll walk out a ways and draw attention away if needed. They can't tell an Oakshoulder from a Battlehammer!" he says with a smile.

"Should I stand with you?" asks Hunter. "I understand Orc, in case it matters."

Elfog stops and looks back at Hunter and looks her up and down for a few seconds before responding.

"Might need the support and ya don't look out of place here. Let's go."

Before she joins Elfog, Hunter digs another pit behind a shrub with Move Earth.

"Easy, Friend" Elfog responds, obviously struggling a bit referring to the pig-nose as a friend.

"We're merely traveling, meaning no one any harm."

Hunter curtsies, respectful of the orc's station, but mostly for their weapons and sheer number.