(Did Keller see anything on the map that might give us a faster route through backcountry to our destination?)

((Not with well traveled roads, you could strike cross country in the general direction, but you'd be drawing a line between two points. Continuing on roadway would put you in the vicinity of the region the knights were headed for, you might be able to skirt around, but going crosscountry through unknown territory is likely to slow you down. Turning around and backtracking to the south is doable too, but would add time to your trip.))

The rumble of hooves fade into the distance, the wind picking up and swirling the dust away. Insects resume their activity on this warming summer day. It's looking like it'll be a hot one by the middle of the afternoon. The members of The Forge sit astride their mounts, glancing at one another.

"Well Storm, what are we waiting for? Let's fight of some giants; what could possibly go wrong?"

Ramdy takes back his human form. "Well that was unnecessary preparation. I am ready to keep moving"

"Might as well move along then. If we can see a decent option for a shortcut overland to get there, we should try it. Anyone who has a flying companion, feel free to have them do some scouting on that front as we go. If we can get around those knights and get a read on the situation fast, we'd be in better shape. Otherwise, let's get going." Patter's voice is still a low rumble, but he's on one of his more verbose kicks and it turns into a blur for a bit. He begins moving down the road in the same configuration as before.

"Where should I scout to, commander? Are we continuing on the road or do as Patter suggested?" Ayen waits for their commander to give his word. Either way, once given, Ayen whistle two short notes followed by two clicks and his horse will dash forward to create a distance from the rest of the party, as usual. Then, he'll focus on spotting threats as he always does. 

Perception: 14

(Patter was saying to stay on the road and just scouting for options overland as they went down the road, consulting the map. If there's no good options, then staying on the road was fine.)

Rusty sighs, and goes back to his 2 eye colored sulking.

Bryn moves with the group, staying on the outside edge of they are not in a line, near the front but not at it (second or third) if they are. He’s casually whistling the whole time. 

Quote from DragonDenn >>

"Giants huh?" Storm says, eyes on the plume of dust the knights are kicking up ahead of them now. "And we are heading in that direction... Wonder if it has something to do with our current mission." He sighs and nods to the road. "Let's get moving, daylight is wasting."

  "As I said, let's get moving." Storm says with a frown to the others. "One of you cast a silence spell by mistake or what?" He sighs and starts his own horse down the road. "Scout ahead as usual." he directs as he responds to the question on scouting. "We'll stay on the road, as it will get us where we need to go fastest."

With their string of remounts, and riding more expensive horseflesh than you, the knights leave you well behind them as you follow along the roadway. You make camp for the night, and except for a few curious creatures nosing about in the night, (none of which are keen to venture into a camp as large as yours) everyone's watches pass undisturbed, other than some light showers that pick up right before dawn.

The day starts gray and dreary, and it holds through most of the morning, making for a wet day in the saddle, your horses hooves squishing and schlorping in the mud. You make slow progress, but after couple hours or so, pick up the trail of the contingent of knights, the mud churned by the passing horses. A few more hours of travel and the sun makes a belated appearance, and the day rapidly grows more humid feeling as the sun begins drying up the morning rain. By a bit after noon, the roadway is less slick, and you start making better time. It's about then that Ayen spots some wagons approaching the party from the north, surrounded by folks on foot and on horse, an assorted lot. Good bet they are refugees.

Ayen slows down, takes out his horn and blows it. Storm is the only one who can hear it, as the short series of dots and dashes tell him: "Company is ahead, doesn't look like trouble." 
(I figured this thing could be used for a morse-code kind of message but, if not, Storm hears the blare and knows that someone is ahead.)

Ayen then proceeds towards the wagons, hoping to get a grasp of the situation in case it is not what it seems. Once he gets there, he'll approach the ones in the lead. "Hello there, fellow travellers!" He fakes a friendly voice while watching their reactions. "What has brought you all on the road? Where are you headed?" 

Ayen looks carefully, trying to understand the people's emotional state and whether or not they are lying to him when they answer.
Insight: 17 (Passive is 20, if it matters.)

((Yeah, I'll say you can toot any sort of <6 second code you'd want, would make sense for you to have some pre-arranged signals.))

A stocky fellow with thickly muscled arms kicks up his mount to ride forward and meet you.

"South... as far as we can get. At least until the Duke's men drive the forkin' giants back to the hills. You best be turning around too, unless you fancy a giant using you as a toothpick."

You got a clear read on the folks. The guy talking to you has the look of a craftsman about him, and seems the least distraught, you note the hand not holding the reigns rests on a worn hammer at his belt. A few old burn scars dotting his corded forearms suggests he's a smith. The rest of the rabble seems to be assorted farmers, townfolk and the like, men, women, and children. A few clutch old, poorly cared for weapons nervously, everyone seems on edge.

"Sounds like we have more people ahead." Storm says as he frowns towards the road ahead. He continues along, and relaxes a bit when the wagons come into sight.

"I have business up north, but I'll try to be careful. Thank you for your warning, I hope your journey sout is as uneventful as possible." Ayen moves to the side of the road but doesn't continue riding, rather waiting for Storm and the rest. When they arrive, he'll ask the commander about his thoughts on the matter. "Many refugees, this campaign up north seems to be serious."

"All the more reason to get there quickly. Who knows if the situation has changed on the ground, or where our contact is now." Patter says in a low rumble, encouraging more speed out of the mounts.

Seeing the refugees and fellow craftsman, grandpa walks up to the craftsman

"What happened to you, why did the giants attack? And are there any wounded that I can help?"

(Assuming we still have some days of riding ahead)

Grandpa will cast cure wounds on the wounded if there are any; regaining his spell slots during the next long rest.

"Grandpa, let me help you". He trots beside his squadmate. Lending his own training to Grandpa's, he aids the refugees any way he can. If he gets a chance he will question the mounts of any who have sought their medical expertise.

((Wild roll for Healing Spirit if applicable 6 ))

"Yes, it is concerning." Storm says as he watches his team aiding the refugees. "Let's keep moving, as we won't be able to do anything about it until we are there."