“Let us be out and see how Xanth is fairing then, shall we?” Kwiz says, heading for the exit.

Andrømeda nods, following him.

As you breach the opening in the top into the evening air, you spot Xanth, not far away, keeping watch for any potential predators. At the sight of the skeletal horses, he initially readies his shield and his battle axe. 

"What have you found there?" he calls out, not sure whether to be concerned, or not.

"Friendly spirits, not yet ready for rest Am think." Andrømeda says as she makes her way down the hill.

"Interesting," he says. Honestly, considering he's half horse, himself, he's likely troubled by the sight of the skeletal horses, but he doesn't make any more of a deal of it. Then, he says, "Did you get what you came for? If so, and if you're intent on keeping up your end of our deal and helping me, my home is about 40 miles that way." He points almost due east, into the heart of the Neverwinter Wood. "I can see that there are three horses, but four of you." Then, eyeballing Kwiz, he says hesitantly, "You may ride with me."

Trying to be as polite as possible Kwiz replys “I shall be as light as the wind. Thank you for your kindness.” Trying to hide his bit of excitement.

Andrømeda swings up onto the back of one of the skeletal horses, patting at it gently as she would a living horse. "Lead de vay, friend. Vi ha our sverd, but du are still out a home. Best vi fix det, ja?" She gives him a smile and a nod.

Xanth kneels down, and uses his arms to help Kwiz up onto his back. "Hold on, there, because I won't be allowing you to put a saddle on me."

Once everyone is on their mounts and ready to rock, Xanth begins leading them towards the woods. Before you actually enter the wood, he finds a spot to make camp. "It's dangerous to travel at night, if we don't have to. We'll make camp here and then ride into the woods at first light. We will need to make camp one more time after this before we arrive."

Kwiz holds on tight during the ride, enjoying the view and resting his legs... even if it’s not padded. At camp he looks over his book and again offers to take the morning watch waking up early as always. ((Perception 15))

Andrømeda offers to take the first watch, sitting near the fire and strumming a gentle tune on the magical lute, completely infatuated with the little magical effects it produces.

Rush will take the middle watch 

perception 27 

Sael takes second watch. 

Perception: 11

Xanth isn't sure what to make of everyone in the moment, and he doesn't offer to take a specific watch. He sets himself up somewhat separated from the rest of you. You're not sure if he just doesn't care or if he doesn't trust you all enough, yet, to watch his back. 

While playing her new lute, you can see musical notes materializing in the air and drifting up and away as the sound of each note resonates in the air around you. After Andrømeda begins to lose herself in the music and she mentally retreats into her imagination, the musical notes change into a tapestry that is being painted in the air around you. There are images of snow capped mountains, glorified battles with beasts, as well as images of what you might imagine is Andrømeda's family or tribe and their village. 

But, nothing of note actually happens throughout the night. You are all able to take a Long Rest, so click that button just to be safe, and you pass the night safely.

At first light, Xanth makes sure you are all awake. As soon as everyone is ready, he kneels down to help Kwiz onto his back and says, "Are you ready? Even with your transportation, it'll still take us a bit to get through the woods. Parts of it can be rather thick."

"Alvays ready." Andrømeda says from the back of her skeletal mount, smacking a fist to her breastplate with a nod at Xanth.

Without another word, Xanth starts off into the forest. The travel is quick at times and slow at other times as the centaur leads you through brush and vines, over debris and detritus, across creeks, around trees, and under low hanging branches. 

As you go, you come upon a sixty-foot-wide forest clearing, in the middle of which is a black, needle-like spire — a forty-foot-tall pine tree ravaged by fire long ago, its limbs burned off. Tied to the dead tree near its base are several ghastly dolls made of twigs bound with black hair.

“Xanth, how close are we?” Kwiz says. “This is clearly set as a warning... How long ago was your home taken again?” Kwiz then sends Duncan up to look around the opening for anything moving ((perception 6))

"We are about another day, or day and a half ride away. This wasn't here when I came through, before."

Duncan doesn't see anything that you can't see for yourself. It's a clearing in the woods, which in and of itself doesn't seem abnormal. The tree in the middle is definitely odd, though.

"Den is very spooky, but Am think vi can take a better look vhen vi ha done vhat vi came for, ja?" Andrømeda speaks, eyeing the blackened tree and the creepy dolls. "Dir is enough of a slag vaiting for us, Am vould say. Unless du think vi should?" That last was directed at Xanth.

“Avoid it. Whatever it is, it’s a delay we can’t afford. I mean... right?.” Rush looks to the others.

Quote from nschrock >>

“Avoid it. Whatever it is, it’s a delay we can’t afford. I mean... right?.” Rush looks to the others.

Go ahead and roll Persuasion just to see whether or not Xanth agrees (vs DC10)

Persuasion 12 

Rush realizes he’s talking to someone who is basically a stranger and just gasps through the whole thing, unable to make it a coherent thought.