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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carlo-One" data-source="post: 8266314" data-attributes="member: 7015827">Old Hamish cocked an ear and said Runner was scratching at the door. Dermot immediately understood the implication of this, turning towards it with his hand falling to his sword. Loud barking noises were then heard and Old Hamish muttered that this was not good, as Dermot worked hurriedly to relight his torch. As the barking continued, Hamish told them to stay there as he took a quick look. Although Darrow volunteered to go instead, the old ranger told the dwarf that he would wake the dead, preferring to use his knowledge of the forest instead.Returning quickly, Old Hamish told them that it looked like trolls all right, a pack of them. Darrow asked how many there were, saying they could handle four or five - perhaps more in a pinch, added Dermot, if they were smart about it. A pounding sound started up from the far wall of the cabin, evidently trolls attempting to batter down the structure. Old Hamish said he had taken a quick count and there were at least several around the house, as Dermot let out a mild curse.Darrow and Dermot knew they had to get outside before the building collapsed and welcomed the old ranger’s assistance in the fight. Shouting “For Moradin!” the dwarf burst out of the door and began swinging his mighty axe at all of the trolls in range. Dermot was next out, working to backstab and apply his burning torch to those trolls hewn down by his companion. Old Hamish gamely brandished his sword as well, but by the end of the fight was leaning against a cabin wall, bleeding, as Dermot and Darrow surveyed the downed and burned troll bodies.The dwarf immediately moved to bandage and tie a poultice to Old Hamish’s wound, as Dermot called out to see if he was all right. Drawing a few slow breaths, the old ranger mentioned his appreciation for both Darrow’s bandaging and fighting skills. The dwarf explained that he had a lot of practice in both, his mouth having got ahead of his fighting in his youth.As they went back inside, Runner started barking again at the mound of burnt troll parts, but Old Hamish ordered him to guard the door again and the hound fell silent. The old ranger explained that normally the troll packs in the area didn’t bother him, so it must have been the scent of the troll spoor that drew them. He therefore advised that the two adventurers wash that off in the river before heading back to Reddansyr. Dermot said they would finish burning the troll corpses and wash up, apologizing for the incident and leaving a quiver full of arrows as a gift. They exchanged goodbyes and Dermot and Darrow departed the cabin.The two adventurers worked out a way to use their cloaks to drag the troll parts away from the cabin for disposal on the way to the river. Despite the hour-long walk required, they decided it would be for the best, dragging their morbid load the entire distance. By the time they reached the Reddan River, Dermot was exhausted and Darrow grumbling about their smelly burden.Darrow gladly heaved the troll parts into the river and then quickly stripped off his armor, going to wash himself while Dermot kept watch. Their roles were then reversed, Darrow declaring he was going to need another ale after this while Dermot rinsed off the troll blood and guck. Darrow reckoned, somewhat contentedly, that they had got an even dozen trolls that day. After another three hours, they made it back to Reddansyr and were applauded by the militia on guard, once they had told their story of defeating the troll bands.</blockquote>

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