4 On to Phandalin

After Ammos gives both Gundren and Sildar’s wounds a once over the group heads back toward the wagon. With Sildar and Ammos guiding Gundren he is able to walk on his own, but he does stumble still as you progress through the woods. It takes you about an hour before you are stepping out of the woods and back onto the Triiboar Trail. You are able to find your cart again. The ox seem content having munched down all the grass they could reach in your absence.

When you come to the wagon Sildar and Gundren slump down to the ground. Gundren, face drawn and shoulders tight, covers his face with his hands. It is odd for you who know him, his usual bight and sunny disposition shadowed. Ammos stays by Gundren’s side, Tatiana you can see the worry on your brothers face.

Upon seeing the wagon, Raven immediately goes to check on the two oxen, talking quietly with each of them like they were old friends rejoined, checking on how they had been and if they needed anything.

Returning to the group, he updated everyone on the status of the oxen, not that anyone probably wanted or needed an update on the beasts. "They are fine. Seem to have enjoyed the rest. Looks like nothing bothered them."

He glanced a Gundren, the man seemed broken by what had happened. Raven hoped they would be able to help him. "Do we want to camp here for the night or push on up the trail a bit? We all could use a good rest - but I wonder if the goblins might make trouble."

Trouble can be everywhere. Trakomak don't hide his opinion to make camp where they are, but is not the one to decide.

"The oxen and wagon were undisturbed," says Tatiana, "so I believe we will be the same if we rest here. The goblins may also be as tired as we are, giving us some time before they resume their patrols."

Should the decision be made to camp for the night, Tatiana casts her Unseen Servant to prepare a low fire and set up her tent. She will secure her belongings and her person with a magical Alarm, then ward the area of the camp with the same. Once things have settled for a bit, Tatiana will inspect the two vials to try and determine their contents.

Raven nodded, "I'll get some wood for a fire. I think we all could use some warmth and a meal."

I'll join you, lad. Two can carry more than one, says Alex, remembering how Raven dragged him to safety in the fracas.

"So, we're planning to rest here? Where the goblins who might be scared of us but who certainly are not tired or injured can just wander out and attack?" Decklan clarifies, folding his arms across his chest, his gaze sweeping across the battered troupe.

"I think it's a bad call, but fine. Here's what we do: I'll stand watch. Yes, all night. In the morning, I'll ride in the cart and... gather my thoughts... while we travel. Objections?"

Tatiana has no objections to Decklan's offer, but she adds, "Your stalwart efforts are admirable, but you will not stand alone. One of us shall keep watch with you in shifts, as two are better than one. I will take the first shift."

Wake me up when it's my turn. HalfOrc falls asleep in no time

Raven will get a fire going and agree to take a turn on watch.

I'll take the middle witching hour shift. I have some extra rations if anyone needs, but after I eat, I'm going to go right to sleep. Wake Lady Goldenhair, wake me for the second shift, please.

Freed from the task of setting a fire, Tatiana's Unseen Servant prepares a hot cup of chamomile tea, then begins the process of dividing up the coin from Klarg's chest. Tatiana herself sees to identifying the two vials of red liquid.

Alex and Raven get a good fire going with the help of Tatiana’s unseen servant. With the supplies provided in the cart Raven makes a thick and delicious stew for all. Sildar and Gundren eat the food as if they haven’t eaten in days, maybe they haven’t. The night is dark and overcast and the place where you found to hide the oxen was a good one, well concealed. Sitting next to the fire with spell book and red vials it takes Tatiana no time at all to identify 2 potions of healing (regular).

Sildar and Ammos apologies about not taking a turn at watch. Sildar is exhausted and doesn’t think he can stay up at all. Ammos wants to stay with Gundren and watch over him in the night, in case the blind dwarf needs help or wakes up and doesn’t know where he is.

Tatiana will leave the possession of the healing potions open for discussion. "Alex and Decklan, you both were very mobile in the cave," she begins. "I believe your flexibility in maneuvering the field might provide you the best opportunities to use these healing potions, whether for us or for yourselves."

In the event that no one can decide who will hold onto them, she will keep the vials in her pack for later distribution.

.

Raven wrapped up dinner and settled into his bed roll to get some sleep before his watch.

Thank you, Lady Tatiana, that is most generous of you, Alex responds to the offer of the healing potion, which he will accept barring anyone else's objection.

The night is passing without incident, then just before second watch will be woken Tatiana hears what seems to be a great rush of wind through the trees. It seems to be just a gust from the south at first, but then another swirl sweeps through coming from the north west. A few more moments pass before, in the distance, a great roar is heard. The roar is followed by strange cracking noises. Then silence....

Tatiana looks to Decklan to see if the other can recognize the sound. She tries to estimate the distance and direction of the roar to gauge whether it indicates a potential threat, or an imminent one.

"...the hell was that?"

Tatiana's voice is soft, as if speaking any louder might attract the source of the noise. "Whatever it is, it sounds big. There were rumors of a dragon flying above these woods; perhaps there is some truth to them."

Tatiana can tell that whatever made the roar was far enough away that the camp is not in immediate danger. The beast flew close but whatever it caught was a distance away. From your studies you know it could be a dragon, there are also other possibilities, you can’t be sure.

Decklan you hear the roar and the crack and only then connect the rush of wind to the possibility of a flying creature.

The roar is far enough away as not to wake anyone who is asleep. It comes from the east, the direction you will be traveling in the morning.

"I think we're safe for now," whispers Tatiana over the crackle of the campfire. She closes her spellbook and tucks the tome into her vest, then moves to her tent. "I will retire for the evening. Please wake Alex and have him assist you."

Before she closes the tent flap, she pauses. "And... thank you, Decklan," Tatiana says, and retires for the remainder of the evening.

Decklan watches Tatiana slip into her tent. After she's gone, he looks to thy sky in the direction the roar had come from. "Whatever it is, I hope it stays good and far away from us."

With that, he moves over to wake Alex. Nudging the man in the side, Decklan growls, "Wake up. You've got watch."

The remainder of the night passes without incident. The day is cloudy but it’s not raining, yet. Is there anything you would like to do before breaking camp.

In the morning, Raven will ready the oxen. He feels more in touch with the beasts than ever before.

Tatiana quickly secures her possessions thanks to the assistance of her Unseen Servant. The greater efficiency allows her more time to ward herself and her pack with magical Alarms, and provide Ammos with the opportunity to see to Sildar and Gundren.

If Decklan did not mention the noise from last night to everyone, Tatiana reports the incident. "I cannot definitively say that it was the rumored dragon., nor if that creature noticed our campfire. It is best we remain alert on our journey and include the sky in our watch."

Rumored dragon? Trakomak is surprised about such rumors. You believe there is a dragon around Phandalin and still going there?
Trakomak realizes he have underestimated Tatiana. But he believes in no rumors and will tag along the party toward the Phandalin if you don't have any objections. Safer together.

"I don't place much in rumors," says Tatiana, "but last night's disturbance is still evidence that something large and predatory roams these woods. And yes, we push on for Phandalin. Our benefactor requires assistance that we cannot provide; hopefully such can be found there."

She then asks of Sildar, "Have you been to Phandalin? I imagine it must be a small town, so far from the main road. What might we expect?"

Alex listens attentively as he stows his meager belongings and prepares to move on.

As Raven was hitching the oxen, he listened to the discussion about dragons. The young man worried about the two friends who would make a good meal for a hungry dragon. Hopefully they would not encounter such a beast on the road.

"They are well rested, so hopefully we will make good time today." keeping to business discussion rather than adding to the worried talk of dragons.

"No point worrying about maybes. If we run into a dragon, we're fucked anyway. If everyone runs in different directions, maybe some of us get lucky and get away. But I'm not letting a maybe control me," Decklan says with a shrug, his usually harsh tone making it sound almost like a challenge.

He gets up on the bench seat of the cart and settles in, crossing his arms over his chest. "I was up all night. I'm going to relax for a bit."

Tatiana sees to Sildar and Gundren, assisting Ammos in whatever he needs to prepare the injured duo for the journey. She expects Ammos to ride with Decklan while she is ready to walk alongside.

Sildar shakes his head at Tatiana’s question of if he’s been to Phandalin himself. "I’ve never been, but an associate of mine is there. I’ve been tasked with helping him get the town on its feet."

"Phandalin is a town of hard working folk, they are good people. If a bit ruff around the edges sometimes." Gundren gets a hint of his old simle before it slips away.

---

Everyone packs up and the group heads out. The oxen pulling swiftly along the trail begin to get a little antsy after only twenty minutes of travel.

Raven you notice that the ox ears are searching as their nostrils flare and huff, their eyes are fixed on the curve of the road a head.