[IC] Chapter 1 - Concerning Orcs

Gramun isn't sure he could take on all six humanoids, but he's quite sure he doesn't want orcs traipsing around the woods. He's going to continue to observe the meeting hoping that maybe the group breaks apart a bit so he can take them out separately. Regardless if he is seen by the group he is no fool and will cast entangle on them as he beats a retreat. For now he finds a comfortable spot in the underbrush to observe.

In the forest the meeting between orcs and humans is actually resolved rather quickly. There’s nothing much said between the parties other than the note being passed and a small satchel being handed back from the orcs to the humans.

"The humans are nervous" Silas sniffed the air. Soon one of the orcs holds out a hand, the humans pause staring at it a moment before returning the shake.

Then they turn, the orcs toward the woodline somewhere between Dennan and Gramun. Both are currently still hidden from each other but the orcs will pass fairly close to them.

The humans turn back and start back to their horses.

Back at the mansion, Veronica shuffled through the papers on the desk.

They are mostly mundane reports about managing the town, receipts for supplies, trade ledgers, tax records.

After shuffling with the papers on top of the desk she edges over toward the door to listen at the mumbling.

She can hear what sounds like hushed fighting between a voice she recognizes, that of Sir Antonic, and a woman.

"… can’t make deals with…" she is cut off

"Don’t you start with that now, you are the one who started us down this path." Anger builds in Sir Antonics voice.

"I never said to ally yourself with demons!"

"It was you who said the it should be me in Threshold ru…" he is cut off this time

"But not this way! Are you so stupid you can’t think?" Her voice raising to a near yell.

"Quiet woman, the guards will talk."

"And what will they say of their leader that they likely aren’t saying already? Hmm?"

A large stomp as he near yells "I will not have you speak to me like this!" Heavy footfalls get louder as Veronica can only assume they are getting closer to the door.

In the forest, the humans are still getting on their horses as the orcs head into the forest along an easily followed path they cut through the brush. Dennan and Silas, his wolf freely walk through the clearing to follow. Gramun can see Dennan from his hiding place in the brush.

The clearing is quiet except the sound of orcs trampling off through the brush slowly getting further away. In the clearing, the bonfire still burns brightly, now unattended.

Veronica easily slips out the window shutting it after her. As she is departing, the sillouette of Sir Antonic appears in the window. He mutters something to himself behind the windowpane before turning back and sitting at his desk.

He opens the desk drawer and pulls out a box. From her place outside the window, Veronica can’t see what’s in the box but he pulls out some paper and starts writing.

He pours himself a drink, puts the paper he was working on away in the box and the box back into the drawer before standing and walking out the door, presumably to the stairs down to the hall.

"Spying on spies." Graman chuckles to himself. Wondering where the figure in the brushes allegiances lie, he figures the best way to answer this is to create a little chaos. Seeing this separation of the groups as an opportune moment Gramun prepares to cast ice knife at the orc in the center of the group hoping to catch the other two in the blast.

"Spying on spies." Graman chuckles to himself. Wondering where the figure in the brushes allegiances lie, he figures the best way to answer this is to create a little chaos. Seeing this separation of the groups as an opportune moment Gramun prepares to cast ice knife at the orc in the center of the group hoping to catch the other two in the blast.

The orcs are surprised by the sudden attacks.

The shard of ice flies from the brush where Gramun is hiding. It hits a tree near the lead Orc and shatters sending razor sharp shards into each of the orcs.

As they cover their eyes, Dennans bolt finds Purchase in the shoulder of the lead orc.

With eyes blinded by blood the lead orc points back and shouts in orcish. "KILL THEM ALL. I WILL DELIVER THE MESSAGE". He turns and starts retreating through the woods holding his shoulder where the bolt is embedded.

The other two orcs turn to face the attackers, readying their swords if anyone comes close as they look frantically around the dark woods. .

As Veronica reaches the hostle, she can see most people sleeping. Or at least what few remain in the town from their original party. She does notice a faint light under the door to Sabastians office, flickering like a flame. Her bed is freshly made and a stray cat has made its home in the comforter.

Confused as to where the shards came from, but with no time to consider that (because the leading orc with the note is evading the scene and trying to deliver it), Dennan yells (in the Orcish tongue) at the two possibly confused remaining orcs , "Your leader has abandoned you. Are you fools going to stay here to be delivered into the hands of the Stone Tusk!?? Suit yourselves."

(Dennan does himself hope the ice chards are not a result some magic of the Stone Tusk orc clan, once again alerted to the blazing fire in the clearing.)

Dennan fires a bolt at the orcs and says to Silas, "Attack!"

Gramun grumbles to himself "looks like I'm going have to take care of these two before I can put out that fire. Now pay attention this time you old dwarf." He fires off another Ice Knife at one of the orcs.

The kitten pet a up to Veronica’s pets and stretches; it’s claws reach out and grab the blanket on her head as it does it’s imagation of downward dog. After it is fully awake, it grubs its side against Veronica purring loudly.