"I´m sorry my friend, I will be more careful with our travel company in the future." Lord Darcio says patting Onyx trying to comfort her.
When back he says to the other travellers. "I guess we should move out towards Widdlestow then. Onyx can carry anyone not fit for walking there."
"Did you find Alasse yet?" He asks and looks around again for the elven bard.

Uncertain of how exactly how far they have to travel or what supplies will be available in this small town, Gorgo sees the sense if having a nice meal and preparing some snacks for the road.  Gorgo will begin to butcher ox that was slain in the attack.  

He is looking for some cuts of meat to cook immediately.  He will also look for cuts that can be smoked to cure and take on the road.  Any chance he can find materials in the wreckage of the caravan to construct a smoke tent over a cookfire?  Survival 11

Gorgo, you can't find the exact materials for a smoke tent, but you can find the small rusted metal grill most of you have been using to cook over the course of the trip. It's not so much a grill as a metal grate with two stands.  Some of the caravan is still burning, so finding fire shouldn't be a problem, and there are a lot of large cuts of leather from the caravans if you wish to try to use those for some form of makeshift smoke tent.

If you'd like to start cutting into the ox, please make a Nature check to see if you know just how to cut it. 

Gorgo clucks absentmindedly - the kobold equivalent of humming a half-remembered tune - as he works on butchering the ox.  Nature 7

"Caravan Master Dwarf!  While leading this animal this way and that across the land, has your dreaming heart been set upon any particular cut of the beast?"  Gorgo will offer the beast's master first choice of the steaks, as is the only right and honorable thing to do.

Gorgo's hands slip and falter a few times, and some of the cuts are uneven and jagged, but in the end the meat is prepared somewhat correctly, definitely well enough to be eaten. 

The dwarf stares down at the beast. Throughout the trip, you haven't known the caravan master to be an emotional man, as he's been fairly quiet and hardened, but you notice something somber in his eyes. "Such thoughts...never crossed me mind, to tell the truth to ye. This here ox...it's taken me on many a trip for quite some time, I'm not sure I can bring me-self to choose." Then, after looking at the assortment, he says, "Any cut's fine, thank ye kindly." 

Cyrillus watches curiously as Gorgo tries to prepare the meats. "Perhaps we should get going soon. We probably don't want to be this defenseless while we rest."

The dwarf nods. "That's a good point. And the sun only gets hotter from here. Soon, travellin' to Widdlestow will be unbearable." 

For reference, it's just past midday, and it's about an hour before the hottest point in the day. 

Gorgo listens to his companions concerns.  It must be difficult, he thinks, to live such uncertain lives.  Gorgo has the virtue of knowing his glorious destiny in advance.  There is no need for Gorgo to fear for his life or second guess his actions - as long as Gorgo does not falter from his path, his ascendance is written in the stars.  But the others?  They must treat each moment as though death itself could be lurking in the next.  Does their nearness to Gorgo offer them some measure of protection?  Certainly.  But it would be difficult to understand.  And no doubt, their caution has served them well in living as long as they have in this dangerous land.  There is no need to teach them bad habits... they may not always have Gorgo near for their safety.  Still....

Gorgo looks down at the tempting cuts of meat.  Well, the elders did tell him there would be many more trials ahead.  He did not expect passing up a delicious feast would be among them but... such must be one of the many prices of glory.  He wipes his hands and turns away from the slaughtered animal.  

"A shame," he says to Cyrillus as he makes ready for the march to Widdlestow.  "Gorgo hasn't seen so much meat laid out before him since he passed the Trial of Spiders.  Though, it was much easier to leave behind the spider meat."  He adds, in case Cyrillus is unaware, "Spider meat not tasty like ox, or even wolf.  Too crunchy, and the hairs tickle on the way down."

Crawling out from under a broken cart, Alasse looks around cautiously. Her forest dress standing out starkly against the dessert backdrop. "Um... is it normal to be attacked by bandits on the road? This is indeed a dangerous world." Looking around she sighs. Walking over towards the rest, she picks up a small stick and begins fiddling with it. As she reaches the group she pulls up her long platinum hair and uses the stick to keep it up in a bun. Reaching into her bag, she pulls out a lyre and begins to hum a quiet tune, nervously looking around for what the group wants to do next. 

Spiders.. Brilyn says looking at Gorgo. I have had some bad experiences with spiders. But that is no tale for now. 

Seeing Alasse emerge from under the cart the corner of Brilyn's mouth curls into a small smile of relief. Ah good, we are all accounted for. 

She nods to the dwarf leading the caravan. Then we should get moving. 

Looking around at the group as her eyes dart to all of them for a moment. Cyrillus can you take the lead, we will need your eyes to spot whats ahead. 

Gorgo, perhaps you can help the dwarf with the oxes. Surely they will remain calmer with you there. she says with a grin. 

The rest of us will stay close, we will need to keep up the pace. We might need to use your offer of Onyx if someone gets tired. She says to Lord Darcio

She will start walking hoping the tunes of Alasse will make the journey a little more bearable. 

(Btw since its desert like here i am assuming the area is open with only hills/rocks blocking view but with plenty of room between)

Lord Darcio brightens up considerably as he sees Alasse seems safe and well, but is less excited over the slaughtering process going on.
"I think Azrael should be able to spot any bandits or other threats on our way to Widdlestow, and it´s just about one mile I think." He says to Brilyn.
"I must say someone with your affinity for leading should consider leading others in resisting the oppressors." He adds in a sincere and encouraging tone, smiling at the eladrin.

Ready to leave Lord Darcio then turns his attention to Alasse. "Milady, allow me to humbly offer you my steed." He leads up Onyx by her side, gently patting her (Onyx that is). "And if you could bestow some solace upon us with that lyre it would make our steps that much lighter I believe." He says bowing deeply at the bard and helping her up in the saddle, should she accept it.

Lord Darcio then follows Brilyn and starts walking, leading Onyx, towards Widdlestow, letting Azrael scout ahead from high above.

Cyrillus nods in agreement with Brilyn before turning to Lord Darcio. "If your bird is scouting ahead then I shall keep a lookout from behind." As the ox and Onyx begin moving again and kick up some dust Cyrillus coughs briefly before heading to the back of the group to keep an eye out while they move.

Gorgo passes the time on the long walk by helping with the oxen.  Animal Handling 11

Gorgo herds the creatures much like a sheepdog.  He follows along, yipping and barking.  When that fails, he will scamper along side and prod the beasts in the leg or flank to get them pointed back in the right direction.  Along the way, Gorgo contemplates the synergies of existence.  Gorgo herds the oxen for Caravan Master Dwarf, much like Brilyn herds the adventurers for Gorgo.  

Seeing Alasse’s choice of instrument, Gorgo will call out, “That is nice music for walking.  Maybe when we get to village, Alasse will play honking pipe bag?”

(Yes, the terrain is quite flat, with very few blockages in view)

You make your way toward Widdlestow, and the trip is fairly easy, aside from the heat, which is only increasing. Keeping a lookout is easy with the flat terrain allowing for easy scanning of the land. Neither Azrael or Cyrillus spot any people wandering through while you walk. A few hyena-like creatures scamper by, but at the sight of the oxen, they quickly run away across the hardened rocks. 

Gorgo gets fairly good control of the oxen, though sometimes they buck out of control and Gorgo is kicked off their side, but it is simple enough to regain control of the beasts. With the dwarf's help, the oxen stay fairly calm, as they are used to walking across this type of land. 

After a bit more than half an hour, you begin to see something in the distance. It is clearer than when Azrael first saw it--there are about 30 or so wooden buildings clumped together in a town. There is a fairly large wooden sign that seems partly burned and worn down, but you can make out that it says: 'Welcome to Widdlestow.' If you wish, you can all enter into the small town. 

"Good Cyrillus, you do that." Lord Darcio says to the one-eyed ranger as they set off.
During the walk Lord Darcio enjoys any music played and makes remarks on the increasing unlawfulness due to the unrighteous war brought upon them.
"How quaint." He says as he sees Widdlestow in the distance. "Lets see if they have water at least." He adds and continues walking leading Onyx into the village prepared to talk to any inhabitants they encounter. He orders Azrael to fly closer to see if everything seems normal in the settlement.

Gorgo will jog up to join those near the front of the group as they near the town.  He doesn’t expect trouble - but if trouble finds them, he wants to be front and center.

“Who among us shall announce our arrival to the common folk?  Lord Darcio... does your name precede you in these lands?”

Alasse bows to Darcio, "Oh why thank you kind sir." Accepting his offer, she climbs up on Onyx and begins to sing a soft song in an ancient and forgotten tongue. As Gorgo asks her about pipe bags she laughs, "I do know of that instrument my friend but I do not have one on me. Should this town have one I shall see about acquiring it."

As they near the town, her music quiets. "This town looks so... lonely. I wonder if people still live here? I hope we can find some water. I am good at foraging for food and water but this is not an area I would expect to find much of either."

"We will soon find out my brave ox-shepherding friend, I will certainly don´t hesitate to make use of my name and standing if it could help us all out of this predicament." Lord Darcio answers the kobold.

Walking up to the edge of the town Brilyn is glad to get a chance to get some shade. 

Noticing the sign is partly burned she will move up to it and move her fingers over the burned area trying to determine how long ago it might of been burned and looking around to see if any smoke can be seen in the small town. 

Perhaps we are not the only ones that got a visit from the bandits. She says as her fingers leave the wooden sign. Brilyn will motion to the dwarf to stay here We will check it out first. 

Brilyn will duck down a bit and try to get a view of the town from up close using whatever is available as cover. She will try to spot some locals or any other creature inside the town.

Investigation for the wooden sign to see if its been burned recently like our caravan 26
(not sure if need but stealth 20)

As Brilyn sneaks forward Lord Darcio fingers his rod (the one tucked into his belt) ready to cover her should there be any unpleasant surprises waiting for them in the village. "Gorgo, Cyrillus, perhaps you should go with her?"

Azreal perception from above Widdlestow trying to spot any ambush or other threats:5