[Tevildo]

Azhar sat quietly and listened while Beloan repeated Lindir's words: that everyone in the camp must make haste to gather their belongings and leave in the morning to venture across the plain.

"But why?" Athwen had prodded, "Why so soon when many lie sorely wounded?"

This time, it was the girl who responded, "In the camp, we found orcs....six sleeping orcs that the scouts seized and threw into the pit."

At the mention of the word "orcs" Dorran stood up and hurried over to where his wife stood. "Six orcs? But were there others? Orcs rarely travel in small bands."

The girl nodded her head in quick affirmation. "Yes, that's just what Lindir said. He fears they may be the advance party for a battalion of warriors coming across the plain. It's not safe here. Perhaps not safe anywhere, but it is better that we come together in a single camp. The wagon will help us. We can use it to carry anyone who cannot walk or ride."

"Orcs!" Dorran grimaced and spat on the ground. "Lindir is right. If these six are scouts, the main party will not show for a day or two. We still have a small window of time to act. It's important that we leave early in the morning and travel as swiftly as possible." He looked down at this wife and asked, "You know the state of the wounded better than I. Is this thing possible? Can we make it?" He glanced over at his wife.