Wittgenstein offers a claw to Fodor the Bugbear, allowing himself to be engulfed by the other's presence.
"All fortune to you too. If I find your spellbook, I'll be sure to hold on to it for you." The kobold smiles at this. He is uncertain about splitting up so soon, but the Captain has been right before, and he is pleased that everyone at least now seems to recognize the threat and the need for action.
When Durvin cheers the others, he echoes their sentiments. Wittgenstein tries his bow again, this time to the Captain and those staying here. "We'll see you again, Captain, and I hope it will be soon. It won't be long until we will be out of communication." With the captain staying here, this will be a base.
Then an idea occurs to him. He asks aloud, to all the groups, but formally speaking to the Captain. "Captain, if I may. How long do we expect to travel? Should we plan on returning after a week's journey, if we have found nothing? We should specify something. It is uncertain enough travelling out like this unarmed and unarmoured, leaving you with limited defenses. A week out, a week back will mean that in two weeks, we would know if something happened to one of the other groups. Knowledge like that would help us stay alive. Similarly, if one group finds our provisions, it limits the time the other groups is defenseless."
Wittgenstein does a quick calculation: a week's travel is roughly 150-200 miles for this scouting group. Even that might be too far... Maybe two day's travel is enough. Maybe we should be bringing a runner as well... if it proved to be safe, one of the elves travelling alone could make much faster time, if one would come along. We have Daniel Willow, I guess, but... He looks around to the others. "Perhaps one of the elves would like to come along? It is possible that we could make use of your speed and your understanding of the natural world, even in a place as unnatural as this. We would of course endeavour to keep you safe."