The Seekers finally climb out of the trapdoor leading down into the ruins. They are dusty and dirty but they carry treasures, as well as the canvas wrapped corpse of the baron's son. Gazing across the blasted ruins, they take a deep breath of fresh air. It is good to feel the cool wind on their faces after being trapped below ground.
Pedro soon enlists Ayla and Kind's aid in tracking down the horses. Good or ill, he wishes to learn their fate. Having a fair amount of skill, Deigh volunteers to help the group. It takes a few moments to sort out the direction the horses left and they set out with a promise to return soon.
Ceru, Tormal and Tyrm begin looking for a possible campsite that will be both defensible and out of the breeze. They quickly find a hollow between the rocks that will serve adequately. Ceru looks to the sky. Clouds are moving down from the north and he predicts the weather will cool considerably once the sun sets. He and Tormal begin collecting firewood to keep the camp warm.
Oceas quickly makes his way down to the river and wades into the shallows. He dips Seache into the water and prays to Xanthos. He is too far away for any of the Seekers to hear his words, or any response that Xanthos might send. Soon enough, his prayer is finished and he begins the long, difficult hike back up the bluff toward the ruins.
Ceru finds a late blooming raspberry bush between some boulders and picks the remaining fruit to supplement meager rations. On his way up the bluff, Oceas spots something among some boulders. Approaching cautiously, he finally recognizes one of the horse's saddles. Somebody had thrown them over the bluff. With help from Tyrm and Tormal, the gear is soon spread around the camp.
Ayla and Deigh track the horses quickly and efficiently. After a couple of miles travel, they finally locate them. Ayla's and Pedro's horses are leading the rest back toward the ruin. The horses have obviously been attacked, but their minor injuries are quickly cured by Kind and Pedro.
That night the Seekers share a meal with their new companion, Deigh. A heated discussion erupts over whether the Seekers should make a fire for the evening. But Ceru points out that he chose a site where a fire would not be easily seen. Besides, a storm is moving in.
Winds kick up making the night watch cold and miserable. Around midnight, the first snowflakes begin to swirl past. By morning, there is a quarter inch of snow on the ground. It is decided that Deigh should ride Li's horse to Delve. Wrapping their cloaks about them to ward off the wind, the Seekers leave the ruins.
They ride hard, stopping occasionally to search for any signs of the goblins or the worgs that Deigh and Ceru heard in the night. The days are chilly, and the nights are downright cold. The feed for the horses is running low and fingers are numb on the reigns when the Seekers finally crest a hill so they can see Delve.
The city sits a mile or more away. It's stone gray walls are scorched in places that the Seekers did not notice when they left. The river snakes past the city, and a couple of ships can be seen, but none look like the black sailed ship. Skye lands on Ceru's shoulder and tells him that a large shape floats in the air beyond the city. Straining, Ceru can make out a large cylindrical shape floating in the sky, possibly near Kelust's tower. It is unlike anything he has ever seen before. He is just pointing it out to the rest of the Seekers when a harsh bark and growl is heard from a nearby hill.
Worgs! With goblin riders. A quick count indicates a dozen, with more coming up the hill. Most have goblin riders. The lead goblin stands up in his stirrups and yells something. Another rider blows on a harsh sounding horn, it's brassy cry echoes off the hills. The worgs charge toward the Seekers.
The chase is on, can the Seekers reach Delve before they are cutoff by the goblins?
We will begin the next session with a chase. We will be using the rules from Adamant Entertainment's Hot Pursuit. Don't worry, the rules are easy. See you soon.
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