Beowulf feels the wind on his face, watches the effect of the wind on Gwylla's hair, then tosses a bit of dust from the trail up into the air, all to determine which direction the prevailing wind is blowing.  When we scout around, we need to stay downwind of our adversaries.

Also, should we decide to use fire to help us encourage our foes to come out from hiding, knowing which area to start the fire for best advantage would be useful information (should the time come when we decide to do so).

Vanir, responding to Beowulf, immediately crouches down and hides in the cart supplies. Stealth: 5

You All See nothing, just 2 dead horses. Upon closer inspection, you realize that these horses belong to Sildar and Gundren. They are both lotted, and next to one is an empty map case.

To the team I ask, "Is there anyone who has any skill searching for traps?"
"We should search this scene in case there's more information to be found, but I'm still not convinced this isn't some kind of ambush."

Vanir's absent voice says: I'm hiding. Leave me alone! I might also be sleeping, but we don't talk about that, okay?

Gwylla will snap out of Lenore's senses and approach the dead horses, picking up the map case and trying to do a more thorough look, especially careful of traps.

Investigation: 14

You can tell that the map case belongs to Gundren. Suddenly, 3 goblins rush out of the forest for an ambush. Roll initiative.

Initiative. 4

OK, I have a +3 for initiative, but when I roll a two on a die 20, I guess I must have been somehow preoccupied. : (

That plus a surprise round is not going to be good.

As I raise my shield (long sword in the other hand) for the inevitable attack, I shout, "Vanir, wake up! Prepare for battle!"
"Cassia, Gwylla, get ready! Here they come."

Initiative:10 (remember Vanir is hiding in the cart with his stealth of 22)

I'll start combat when I have one more person's initiative.

Gwylla: 15