[IC] Chapter 1 - Concerning Orcs

Veronica rested well. She slept like the dead. When the sun rose, she woke up and stretched before saying "That was lovely. I have not slept like that good in days. So what are we doing next?" She drops her stealth invisibility and smiles at everyone.

Dennan woke earlier than the others from the uneasy sleep he had finally fallen into after standing watch for a while. It was hard for him to settle his mind. These caves remind him of the scared child he once was, stumbling fearfully into them for protection against the unchecked evils of the world. A loud yelp from one of the rescued prisoners who wakes with a start, brings his attention to the present and the prisoners.

He is relieved that he knew of this place and was able to lead the party to safety. But now as he finally has the chance to scan the the group of rescued prisoners, he can't help but wonder which one of them would have sold out the rest to survive the torment of the orcs, and which of these flawed humans might still yet.

Lost in his thoughts for a while, Dennan is suddenly startled by Veronica's voice as she seems to emerges from perfect concealment in a shadowy nook.

"Oh. Good morning, I did not know you were there," he says. "hmm...good question. I think we should move out as soon as possible, but I'm not sure all of the other prisoners got a chance to partake in that wonderful weevil ridden bread the orcs offered before our escape. Maybe hunger is the next foe we should quell?"

Layla streches out after a bit of a nap. It had been a rough night, but surely others had it rougher.
She can't help but wonder for a moment which of the orcs had won the fight, her bet was the Stone Tusks, and how that might affect their situation.

"Morning all," she said. She made sure to make a little round around everyone, to check on any injuries and signs of starvation and thirst, and provide aid where needed. Not by magic, she'd probably need that hard enough before the day was over, but by using a semi clean piece of cloth as bandage.

"Hunger and safety are our main worries, I agee Dennan. We can't travel fast is people are hungry. But if we stay to hunt, the orcs might find us."

She sighs for a moment, giving Silas a scratch behind the ears as a thanks for looking after her last night.

Then she looks a little worried at Veronica. "Is your hunger under control?"

Veronica looks at Layla and nods. "Of the life energy of others? Yes. I don't need that again for a week. I do eat normally for fun but life energy is what nourishes me. As for finding food for the others, if there is a river nearby, we could go fishing. Or Dennan could go hunt with his wolf for food like a rabbit or deer or something. "

"Veronica, I could hunt for us and maybe gather a few plants to help Layla ease the pain of some of the prisoners’ wounds."

Dennan looks at Layla and see the concern on her face for the party of prisoners, "If you do not need any help Layla from me here, I will venture to capture us some food and scout the area."

He pauses and has something on his mind. Not sure he should mention it but he continues anyway.

"Layla, you spoke of the Gods last night when you warned Veronica not to count on the mercy of the Immortals. What do you know of the eternal? I sense you know more than your years would allow." Dennan pauses for a moment then continues with a slight pain in his voice, "You remind me very much of my father. He was once a cleric, dedicating his life to the well being of others. Ultimately, he gave his life protecting."

"If you need any assistance, Dennan. Let me know. Otherwise I'll remain with Layla, Cadigan and the others. Be careful and stay safe. Sir Cadigan, that's a nice poem or song you wrote. Are you a bard? Just curious. I'm sorry, how rude of me, I'm Veronica. Veronica Crane. " Veronica said a moment later after she did her morning stretches and turned to Cadigan with a friendly smile.

"So Layla, what do you plan to do once we reach the safety of civilization again? Just curious. I am definitely looking forward to a nice hotel room and bed as well as a bath. I've been on the streets so long that I can't remember what it was like to be clean. Also we'll def need to see about getting food and supplies too. I usually steal things but only from bad people that don't deserve them." Veronica asked a moment later after twirling her hair around her fingers.

Layla looks at Dennan. "If you could hunt, that would be great. I think food is the main concern for many of these good people now." she says as her own stomach rumbled audibly as well. "Your father?" Layla asks then and takes a deep breath. "It sounds like you look up to him. Which is a good thing. My father... I am not even sure. He abandonned my mother and me before I was even born. Mom says he was a celestial. That is what gave me certain... powers...to bless to heal and to manipulate fire." She is quiet for a moment. Her jaw clenches, very much unlike her. "Truely, my father was nothing but a disappointment. I guess that explains my distrust to the gods as well."

She continues tending to the injured and listening to Cadigan attempting his poem.

To Veronica she smiles at the comment on stealing from bad people who don't deserve supplies and she says. "To be honest, I don't have that much plans really. I have always lived in this tiny hamlet of Timberfalls. If it ever was on a map, it now no longer is." She is silent for a moment as her gaze trails away. "My first concern now is to get all these people to safety.... I never seen much of a hotel or a very proper bath. It sort of seems nice actually... how luxurious it might be. Maybe something for when all this is over." For a moment she is calm and quiet. "You know, when I saw you drain that orc, I wasn't too sure what to make of you. An ally to secure an escape perhaps... But now that I have seen you a little longer... I trust that you are of a good hearth... I trust you."

Veronica scoffed at that before giving a dark but sad smile to Layla.

"Trust is hard to come by nowadays, lass. It took me a long time to put my trust in humanity after they treated me so harshly and after I was turned into a dhampir, a creature of the night, half human, half vampire. I was only 16 when it happened and I can still hear that brat noble who what changed me say in my ear' All you will ever be is a street rat who will forever lick the shite off our boots. Who can love a freak like you?' Well, she can rightly piss off then. I'm glad you and Dennan can put your trust in me when the world treats those of us who are different like trash. To be a Crane is both a blessing and a curse. I'm just glad to be alive though it'll be a lonely eternity for me now." She said after removing her hood.

Dennan looks sincerely at both Veronica and Layla, "I do understand mistrusting others. Trust...trust has always been hard for me. After last night, though, I know I can trust you both. If it weren't for you two, I might have been trampled by that bear-riding Stone Tusk orc, and not here to discuss what we're having for lunch. Thank you my friends." He turns toward Silas and says, "the wolf and I can scout the area, being on the look out for any orc activity, and come back with some game and forage."

Veronica nods at that. "Stay safe Dennan and may fortune smile upon you. We'll be here waiting on your return. "

"So are we moving on after lunch or are we going to rest here for the night and move on in the morning? Just curious. I'll leave it up to you guys on what you want to do. If we rest here for the night, we'll need to take turns and keep watch. Saw a pair of crows watching us. It was very strange. " Veronica said to Dennan and Layla a moment later after helping Dennan to skin the boar with her dagger.

"That's is odd. I think getting a move on after lunch and not lingering is a good idea; I'm not sure I like the sound of your crow encounter. Some unsavory forces can put eyes in the forest, even some orc shamans have been known to do so. Although, the only sign of orcs I saw out there was tracks of one, likely fleeing from last night's battle. How do you think everyone will feel after our meal Layla?"

Dennan continues seeking Layla's judgment. "If the bit of rest we got last night paired with the healing you've provided makes the others sturdy enough for travel, I say let's move. But do you think for their sake we should take the longer yet less arduous path East through the open fields to Windrush Road and then follow it North to the town of Verge? Or should I lead us to Verge, taking the more direct path North East, through the cover of forest hills and avoid the road altogether?"

"I read in a Norse mythology book once that Odin used crows or ravens to spy for him and use as his eyes. He was always paranoid about everything. So if dark forces like shamans or witches use them as scrying tools, then that is not a good thing for us. If we find a town, we need to find something that will prevent someone from scrying on us when we go get supplies. Also something to prevent mind-readers from reading our thoughts too."

Veronica noted a moment later to them.

Layla looks at the people we has taken under her wing. Sure, many of them look weak, but waiting here doesn't seem like a good idea. Especially not the the crows.

"Those birds make me nervous. I am not sure about them. Still, would the orcs use such birds to spy? That seems a bit... too finesse for them."

She makes sure to get her utensils from her gear.
"Good catch, Dennan," she says "I am actually quite a bit of a cook. Let's have lunch and get out of here as soon as we can. I leave it up to you to find the safest route."

She focusses her powers of fire to ignite some wood and start a fire.

Pleasantly surprised about how easy Layla got the fire going Dennan says, "Well that's a pretty handy trick!"

He goes back to the crows. "If not the eyes of the orcs, I fear what else could be watching."