Arrival at Nurok

The trail to Nurok is long and boring, with the only excitement coming in the form of heavy precipitation blowing down out of the mountains during your first night. Thick drops of sleet turn to wet, heavy snow as the temperature drops to below freezing, and by the morning their is a thin coat of late-winter/early-spring snow to contend with. While it slows the pace a bit, you still manage to make decent time, and by the middle of the second day you can spot your destination.

Fort Nurok is nestled at the base of a mountain pass that twists and turns its way up into the barrier peaks. A wall of stone blocks forms a large half-moon around the base of the hill, and there are three towers giving access to the wall walk at the top. The large wooden gates stand open, and look to have heavy damage on this side. You can see small trails of smoke rising up from campfires within the bailey, and there is movement in and around the place. It seems as if the soldiers who left ahead of you have set up a makeshift camp.

Hraefn
Looking around from on high, it is easy to see that whatever attacked the fort followed the same trail down out of the hills as you will soon be following up. Additionally, you can see several funeral pyres are alight outside of the fort, along the back side, away from the trail.

Aye, I'll head in as well, see what the situation is.

As you all make your way into Fort Nurok, the stench of death and decay assault your nostrils. The men inside are mostly wearing face covers to help stave off the smell, and you see details of soldiers carrying bodies out to the funeral pyres. There are also several large fires burning inside the walls, though most of the fuel comes in the form of plant life. The greenery causes a thick haze to linger in the air.

A dozen or so tents have been pitched and the largest stands across the bailey at the base of three large cave openings Small groups of soldiers move in and out of there as well, though the majority of work seems to be in repairing damaged buildings and the entry gate.

You are hailed at the gate. "Halt! This place is under quarantine by order of Colonel Beaman DeLarouge. You shall have to camp elsewhere, as there is nothing here for you."

A group of four soldiers comes up to block your way, and the leader points off behind you as a suggested direction to travel.

Bram
The soldiers look you over, then back into camp. "Very well, sir. Dismount, leaving your weapons there with the quartermaster." he says, pointing to a tent just inside the gates.

"Captain Agard is just there." he then adds, pointing to the large fire in the middle of the bailey. You see a human man garbed in half-plate, with the insignia of his station born atop the helm he holds under his arm. A large sword hangs from his belt. With him are three other, lower ranking soldiers and they appear to be discussing the contents of the fire, as the captain points, waves and otherwise gestures toward it.

"He would be the one to whom you should speak."

Caedwyn
As you move forward to address the guards, they all snap to attention at the recognition of your rank. "Aye, sir!" the lead guard says. "Captain's orders merely seek to prevent undesirables from trying to enter and start trouble. We're in the midst of cleaning up and resettin' the garrison, so only authorized folk are to be allowed. Of course, you bein' authorized and all, there's no need to set your weapons."

As you watch, Merriweather goes to the quartermaster and deposits his rapier before heading into the bailey.

Hraefn
Turning to you, the guard has a look of uncertainty on his face. Having just let Caedwyn passed with his weapons, and you seemingly with him, he stops short of allowing you entry, asking first "Are you with him? Or do you have a decree from his majesty?"