Ace announces "I want to charge in."

"That's a good way to get yourself killed," announces Tor to Ace. "And I don't get paid if I don't get you all to Leilon in one piece. Skabor, I saw how quiet you can be when you want. Go on ahead, carefully, see what it is, and report back. Don't act without us."

"Uuuh. You don't understand. I'm trained in cavalry tactics. There are two options right now, one or two sneak over there, which would take a long time, and if they get caught they would basically be dead. The other option is to charge in there, having all of us together. If someone is in danger, we can help them quicker. If there is danger, we can attack as a full force."

After a pause, Ace says: "Look I'm sorry about what I did earlier, OK? I'm kinda under a lot of pressure from a lot of important people right now. I did what I though was the best option. I actidentally let my emotions take control..." He pauses for a moment. "My grandmother, you might have heard of her, Linene Graywind, was killed by a group of orcs, so I'm kinda sensitive around them. While I shouldn't have let my emotions control me, right now is a pure tactical decision. As you are my higher-up, I will respect your decision Tor, but I highly suggest, from a professional point of view, that we go in there with our weapons out."

Having spoken so much and so quickly, Ace is now panting. You see a desperate look on his face, yet one of the most determined you have ever seen.

Sigi looks at Tor and then to Ace.

"Ace," the dwarven cleric begins, "I have no reason to doubt your skill and tactical knowledge.  If it comes to a cavalry charge, we can count on you.  But my beast is more fit for the fields,, and much the same could be said for his rider!  So all of us riding in together may not necessarily be as advantageous as you suggest.  At the same time, I saw with mine own eyes last night Oloven's ability to pass unseen.  We all bring something to the table.  Have faith in Tor's decision... but be ready if circumstances demand action.  When the time comes, you will acquit yourself admirably."  He pats Ace on the boot, imparting a tiny bit of wisdom from his matriarch.

*Sigh* "OK, FIIINE." *grunt*

You hear a cry of pain that cuts out in a strangled gasp. It was quite loud to have been able to be heard from this distance.

"Ok, NOW do you think we should go? I don't doubt Oloven's abilities, but we might be pressed on time here."

Tor listens to Ace's speech with a face like thunder. Before he can respond, Siegfried is able to convince him to back down. But then the scream... The job right now was these three, but the broader role was keeping the law for all of Leilon, and that had to include the way there. Besides, would he be able to look himself in the face if he left an innocent to their death.

"That changes things. Alright Mr Tactics, here's your chance to be a hero. Everyone watch each others backs."

Tor starts to move towards the smoke and the scream.

Oloven, green skinned and tusked, is wearing a face that is distinctly un-monk like. It seems he's about to say something, then he hears the scream.

And Oloven flicks Daisy's reins and charges without a word. 

(Daisy takes the dash action, 120 feet of movement.) 

Ahead, as you come around the bend, you see a horse-drawn cart ablaze; a pair of draft horses have been burnt to cinder. In the middle of the pile are numerous broken bottles of wine and liquor. Encircling the conflagration are several charred bodies cloaked in thick black smoke.

Just as you're taking in the scene, you see a massive creature nearly 12 feet tall stand up from within the conflagration. It has crimson skin and multiple black horns and is dressed in decorative armor and damask silks. In one hand is a large flaming scimitar, in the other, a now lifeless body that is as charred as the others lying about the cart. It drops the body and bellows in a demanding voice, "Put down your arms, mortals, and bow down in subservience!"

If you are not planning to obey--you can, that would just take us to a completely different campaign--then for the first time ROLL INITIATIVE.
Also, everyone but Tor may roll an Arcana check to know the nature of this creature.

Tor knows, from his background: 

Ace mutters under his breath "yes". He then sees Oloven charge ahead. "Dammit, that ruins my plan. OLOVEN... WAIT, WE NEED A FORMATION." He then turns to Tor

"Ok, we will form an Y formation. I fill take top left, Tor, you take top right. Siegfried, take the middle, and when Oloven gets back her, he will be in the back. Niek, you stay here with the wagons.

(I'm going to assume that Oloven returns upon my yelling. If he doesn't disregard this, and all three of us just charge towards the fire. Everything is the same except anything involving Oloven.)

"Oloven, get in the back. Wait until we get to the fire. If someone surrounds us on the rear, protect Siefried. That goes for you as well Tor. If no-one cuts off an escape route, use your teleporting thingy to pop right next to an enemy in the front. Tor, no matter what, protect Siefried, because he is the only healer among us, so he is automatically the most important. When we get there, I will most likely charge ahead, and attack. If we are surrounded, stay on the defensive, all of you."

Ace takes a deep breath. "Lets GO!"

(this happens before the previous post by Wizardously)

Initiative: 4

Arcana: 4

Oloven absolutely does not under any circumstances turn around. He takes his bow and two arrows from the sleeve strapped to his quiver, knocks, and draws. 

Arcana: 15

Initiative 7

(I'll wait to make an attack until after initiative is determined.) 

((Edit: I'm assuming we're still at a bit of a distance from the monster. If we're within range that I could get to it with Daisy's normal movement speed, then I guess I'd make a melee attack instead of a ranged attack.) 

Anyone who gets above 13 recognizes the creature as what is described in the spoiler above.

Upon recognizing the creature, Ace shouts "Forget everything I just said, this is a boss we are dealing with. Tor flank right, I'll flank left. Siefried, stand-by to help one of us. We are either going to be burnt or cut, so prepare those spells. Everyone is already dead here, so this is a retrieval mission: get Oloven out. We would win in a fight with him, but one of use would be likely to die, and I ain't risking that. If one of us does die during retrieval, surrender to it. It will kill you otherwise." He then calls out to Oloven "YOU CAN'T BEAT THAT THING OLOVEN, RETREAT".

"Genie..." Tor growls under his breath. He gets down from his horse and looks up into the monster's huge face. "You don't belong here." He draws his battleaxe, handle three feet long with shining bearded blade.

"I'm going to put you back in your bottle."

Initiative 26

Initiative: 16

Arcana: 14

"Mother preserve us... looks like I'm tagging along with you!"  Sigi shouts as he leaps up onto the back of Tor's horse, hanging sideways like a kidnap victim in a mummer's show.  There was no time to go back and unhook the cart and bring his own horse.

...

"What an ugly brute... something from the lower planes?" Sigi mumbles to himself, never having seen such a monster before.  He finds himself in agreement with Tor's sentiment - "You don't belong here." - and he clutches his holy symbol as he jumps down from the horse, preparing to cast banishment as soon as he draws enough divine power to send this interloper back wherever it belongs.

Monster initiative: 18

Everyone who got above an 8 can go ahead.

((I'll let the others go ahead of me since they rolled so much better than me in initiative, but would you tell us how close is everyone to the efreeti at the start of combat?))