Torrent jumps away from the cart as it bursts into flame. "Well, that settles that," she says.
In response to Lytha's question, she says, "Thanks for volunteering. I used to study at a magic academy to the south, called Lyceum. They’re good people. So when word reached them about Ragesia’s ‘Scourge,’ they sent out messages calling for anyone fleeing Ragesia to come to them. They want to stand against the Ragesians, and the resistance wants their help. We just need to get these scrolls to them. Badgerface was a spy in the Ragesian court and he thinks they're important enough to blow his cover and bring them to us.
"I'm concerned that the Scourge will have patrols along every passable road leaving Gate Pass. I have a route planned that takes us past the Innenotdar fire forest that should be safe. I don't think the Scourge will waste any troops guarding a burning forest. And don't worry, I have plenty of potions to keep us from catching on fire." Torrent pats her bulging belt pouch.
You trudge on through the mountains. Walking a rocky road in the cold is never fun. After pulling an all-nighter it's torture. The road winds through the mountains following the path of least resistance to the Fire Forest of Innenotdar. The edges of the road are full of tough mountain bushes. Beyond them is usually a steep cliff, sometimes sloping up and sometimes down.
You walk for hours. Noon comes and goes. You watch the shadows lengthen, quietly cheering them on - when they're long enough you'll finally be able to sleep. You enter a section of road with cliffs rising up on both sides: 20 feet of possibly climbable steep cliffs rising to 40 feet of unclimbable sheer cliffs. Everyone make spot checks.
