Chapter Seven: The Stalemate At Loton's Cove

Just pointing this out because it would be clear to your characters, but not necessarily obvious from the area descriptions given: it would be possible to make your way east and find a path down to the cove without placing yourself within sightlines of Gorham's camp.

The party makes its way out of the woods and over scrubby hills that lead down to a rocky path cut out of the steep cliffs that rise above the sea. A tumble here would spell death, but you pass through without incident, and the path veers back away from the sea to climb over the southern shoulder of hills that shelter Loton's Cove. Here, a great many cypress trees cling to the ground and bend themselves toward the sea. Though numerous, the trees do not grow close together, so there is not much cover--and near the peak you spy a figure in a brown cloak, crouched behind a cypress, clutching a short spear.

Evidently, the figure has heard your whispers. It stands to its full height -- about five feet tall. "Come no further!" says a raspy female voice. She levels the spear in your direction but starts slowly walking backwards as she speaks. "Gorham said there'd be no more of you skulking around unannounced. What are you doing here?"

"He's at the -- wait, who are you?"

The girl cowers, holding the spear protectively across her body. "It--it's Tarlen!" she stammers. "They said I could still do my patrols! Gorham, he, he's at the house, same as...same as every...wait..." she continues to inch backwards, but her expression changes. "You're not with Gorham. You're here to kill him. You're Kells' Men!"

Did we lose everybody?

Whatever blood was left in her frightened face drains right away at Domarc's words. "Then you're not here to help us. You just want that rotten sphere."