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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ShawnLStroud" data-source="post: 20324" data-attributes="member: 1374">Episode 1 (continued)The rest of the day is spent in silence; the entire coffle trudging along at a quicker pace (if that were possible). If anyone looks up from their feet, there seems to be an orc who cuffs or snarls at that person, forcing their eyes down.  Our heros numbly notice that the rest of the coffle has no trouble handling the grueling pace, even some of the older grandparents.  Several hours after sundown, the coffle stumbles into a large clearing.  One of the tattooed orcs strides up and down the coffle, shouting "You get down now! You rest now!" Slowly, the members of the coffle attempt to slump to a comfortable position, but not fast enough for the orc raiders.  The members of the coffle are kicked and tripped into laying down.  Their elbow straps are released, and there are groans and shrieks as numbed,  long-constricted blood vessels are suddenly flooded with life and sensation.  Again, as was done in the morning, a pair of orc raiders circulate up and down the coffle, offering a ladle of water, then a ladle of cold, soupy gruel.  It's been a long day, and our heros succumb to hunger -- having long ago succumbed to other, less savory bodily needs.  After that, several orc raiders move up and down the coffle, untying and taking more of the women from Tavolo Green to the farthest part of the clearing (some 70 feet away) for another hideous "Victory Party."  A group of four younger orcs build a small campfire midway between the "party" and the rest of the coffle, and are obviously the first set of sentries for the night.  Two of the sentries look longingly at and call encouragements to the rest of the orcs "enjoying" themselves at the far end of the clearing.  The raid leader has had a lean-to shelter constructed for herself with a small fire in front, and disappears inside it.For the first time in almost two days, our heros are left to their own devices; albeit uncomfortable and bound.  Huddled and tumbled together, each pair in the coffle makes discoveries and plans."We've got to get out of this situation," Tannon whispers to Erev-ba.  "I'm afraid we'll be the next victims.  Can you think of why they haven't ever picked us?""Hmmmmm.  I don't know." answers Erev-ba.  "Maybe we smell wrong..."Tannon becomes aware that part of her discomfort is because of something sharp laying underneath her.  She begins shifting her weight around, and is finally able to pick up the sharp item -- a broken off pork rib bone, its splintered end both pointed and sharp.  She looks at Erev-ba and smiles.  "I have our way out of here, I think"Erev-ba smiles back, "I always have a way out.  I've just never had the time or privacy to use it."  She turns her right hand toward Tannon, then produces a large, sharpened coin.  Both young elves lean forward, then begin cutting at their bonds.Jared and Tethka are together.  "Girl, we've got to get out of this, you hear?  These orcs ain't actin' normal.  I don't know what they'll do now, and that scares me.  I been huntin' these bastards for twenty years now,  and I've never seen a band act like this.  They left FOOD behind, do you hear?  Orcs don't leave food behind!  It don't make sense."Tethka merely looks at Jared with weary eyes. " Unless you have something to cut these bonds, I cannot help you.  I've been trying since we got here to break them, and they won't."Jared grins, then reaches carefully back over his head, and comes back with a small knife.  "I always keep an insurance policy on a string, girl.  People see the medicine pouch on my chest and never think to see how long the back is.  Give me your hands, then we'll get out of here.  Maybe we can cause a commotion and lead some of the stupider orcs out into the woods.  We jump 'em there and we'll get us some weapons.  You with me?"Tethka looks at him for a moment, then mutely holds out her hands.Edo and Dain are tumbled together, their faces almost touching in the dark. Dain is still having trouble with breathing, his nose swelled to almost twice its normal size and clogged with crusted blood.  Edo whispers, "We must free ourselves, friend, so that we can rescue the inhabitants of Tavolo Green.  Are you with me?""I can barely breath, but I can try to help." Dain answers."What skills do you have, Brother Elf?  I myself am a Priest of Torm, and have been blessed with his power.  Some of His blessings include healing.  Is there aught I can do for you?" hisses Edo."I can weave some spells, human, " answers Dain.  "With luck and timing, I believe I can lead off most of the orcs, then you can try to escape.  If this works, then we can meet back here at midnight tomorrow.  What do you think?  And, if you could do something about my face; I can barely breathe."Edo reaches into his torn cassock and pulls forth a pendant in the shape of a metal gauntlet.  "Do you accept the blessing of Torm, Brother Elf?"Dain looks at Edo for a moment, then nods in assent."The in the name of Torm, who protects the weak and guides the strong, I bid your torn body be healed.  Let his divine power sweep away your wounds and weariness."Hidden by their bodies, a blue-white glow passes from Edo's pendant, through his outstretched fingers, and into Dain's body.  He closes his eyes, the opens them.  "That's good, human.  What may I call you?""I am Edo, of Torm.  And you?""I am Lhathordainadin Mordre.  You may call me Dain." The slight elf looks up at the stars, then back at his coffle-mate. "I am aware that you carried me, Edo.  I owe you a debt; and that means something to me.  But this will have been in vain if we cannot escape these cursed rawide bonds!"Slowly, each of the pairs begins to notice that they're trying to speak to another.  By inches, they creep together and formulate a quick plan.  Dain will create a diversion to lead away as many of the orcs as he can, and in the confusion, the group will slip away.  Edo is opposed to this, but in the end agrees to slip away in order to find weapons so that he can then rescue the rest of the coffle.  Jared and Erev-ba look at each other and smile, then shinny away through the darkness.  Almost immediately, they disappear into the knee-high grass of the clearing. Next time... A Battle! </blockquote>

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