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Message: <blockquote data-quote="howandwhy99" data-source="post: 2259110" data-attributes="member: 3192">The large band marched down the curved entrance ramp away from the keep. The day was hot and dry. A little while later Igor was seen trailing behind and running to catch up. It seems they had left without him. By midday they arrived back at the spot where a large pool of dried blood was left over from the dead owlbear. Igor led the group off the road and to the north. After a short distance he spied the other owlbear in its nest. Very quietly Kayla crept up on the creature and sung a soft lullaby putting it to sleep. The soldiers silently surrounded its vast bulk and noticed the awful smell coming off it. This one was much larger than the other owlbear. When weapons were drawn, Igor mentioned to Darius that he could kill the beast with one stroke as he had a learned such things being a chef. Darius eyed the strange man, but eventually agreed. Igor raised his bastard sword over his head with the tip pointed at the owlbear’s neck. He stabbed and missed.  The massive creature went from sleeping to shrieking rage in the blink of an eye. An enormous paw swung wide throwing backwards every attacker that had surrounded it. Dram, and three others lay fallen and bleeding from the crushing assault. Igor, Dalin and Darius somehow managed to stand back up after being thrown ten feet from the blow. Brother Ben moved closer and pulled Dram’s body away, while taking out his bandages. Mirel ran up to the owlbear swinging with one of the fallen soldier’s swords. Possibly shamed into action by the young girl’s bravery some of the other soldiers pressed in to attack too. Others backed away shaking in fear. Darius swung his hammer hard connecting with the beast’s back. Kayla skirted along behind the fighters with her sling and helped Ormand the Redd fire into the melee.  Mirel scored a hit and Darius moved into the space beside to her. He shouted that she should move away from the battle. Mirel didn’t listen. Brother Ben used his healing powers on Dram. Igor circled around the back of the beast flanking it and tried to stay out of its vision. The owlbear stood up on two hind legs and attempted to back away from its attackers. Finding itself surrounded once more it changed course and charged forward instead. Dalin and two other soldiers were crushed beneath its hulking form. More soldiers began backing away and shaking in fear of the beast. Mirel and Darius continued their attacks and drew the owlbear’s attention. As it turned on them Igor held up his bastard sword above his head and thrust its tip up into the creature’s neck. This time he connected. The animal fell to the ground as Igor skipped agilely back. Others dropped to their knees in the sand tired from the fear and heat. “I killed the mama owl!” cried out Igor.  An accounting of the dead was taken. Five soldiers were placed on horseback for later burial. Dalin would survive as would Dram, but both needed a day to recuperate. In the nest Igor found four large eggs. Three had hardened brown shells, but the fourth was leathery and speckled. He placed them in his backpack for later. The caravan turned their horses around and began the slow walk back Keep Margrave. The whole trip had cost the party seven more militia members. Brother Ben prayed for their souls that evening in a sequestered room at the temple. He believed he had failed once more in keeping the lives of those around him safe. Ben counted to himself. Only five militia members were left to bunk in the barracks with the corporals of outpost Xavier. And two of those were Ormand the Redd and Rogg. Ten other militiamen were left back at the outpost. He then meditated upon the witch woman Kayla. She had saved their lives more than once in the past week. But he felt uncertain about her powers, which he believed were unholy. He wished the Gods would speak the truth to him. “Perhaps she shouldn’t read so much from wizard Zelligar’s books?” he thought.</blockquote>

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