Wiri is genuinely overwhelmed in this situation with the dragon. (Even if the dragon's fear/frightful presence has passed) She pauses, saying a prayer, tears rolling down her cheeks. 

You're supposed to be tough, Wiri, a voice mutters in her head. How are you to survive if you can't even function at the sight of a dragon?

The half-drow looks to Swan for support. Her typical calm, loving demeanor has been supplanted by fear and despair. She's never encountered a dragon, or anything like it. As the fear mounts, she kneels to the children and hugs them, perhaps more for her own comfort than their comfort.

"I'm so sorry," she mutters to no one in particular. 

Cerau tries to calm her shaking body as she listens to her companions. To be overcome with fear in such a way was almost more frightening than the dragon itself. It is powerful indeed, she thinks to her self, what could it possibly want from the town? It seems to be flying overhead causing fear rather than actively causing destruction... We must get to the keep.

"I'm going to choose to be brave," she says to the child in her arms with a smile, "Do you think you can be brave too, like mister Narr?" She looks to the dwarf for a moment of strength, reaches out and touches his shoulder, bestowing her Vigilant Blessing on him.

Cerau will prepare to cross the river where Swan has pointed out, helping the children with her. "We should split up those of able body - some to lead and some to take up the rear. Can anyone see a door on this side of the keep?" Cerau will try to look out to the keep peering into the darkness. Perception 17

The ash from the burning buildings or hay stacks is slowly falling like some strange, midsummer snow. After couple of minutes everyone got a firm grip on reality.Swan and Narr have already begun crossing the stream with some kids and handed them to their parents. With every step, you get closer to the keep and you need to look almost straight up to see the top of the walls.

Wiri only:

 Getting on the other side of the stream wasn't that hard. The depth was less than two feet and the speed of the water wasn't that big so crossing would be dangerous only to a very small child, but you could carry the girl easily. 

Cerau:

After your question you can hear a womans voice on the right. "The entrance is on the other side." said Linan pointing the other side of the keep. "It's the only gate" she adds in reply. 

OOC: There are no dangers to be seen. 

Sabynn:

You have sent the owl ahead. While Y'landrothiel was circling above you, you can feel she is focused on something, however the details are unknown to you. You may take a possession of her and use her senses but remember, you are blind then. She is around location marked "Y" north of you.

Sensing Y'landrothiel has noticed something hidden in the thick smoke, the white-haired elven maiden motions for the others to stop and quickly takes use of the owl's eyesight to take a brief closer look herself.

Perception: 6

Sabynn takes possesion of Y'landrothiel. Her eyes turn milky white as she makes small head movements as if turning her head...

Sabynn only:

Sabynn motions for the others to proceed towards the entrance of the keep, then peeking through the owls eyes again as it sweeps past the humans, ready to hurry after the others.
Perception: 9

Check 1: 12

Check 2: 22

Y'landrothiel swooped down and glided silently through the air. The people of interest move on both sides of the paved street. There is eight of them. All are armed with bows, swords, few with battle axes and torches in their hands. They are dressed in worn cloaks and armour without any theme or tabbard on them. Some, especially those few with axes (but not only them) have a sigil on their shields: a white bone crossed with a spear or javelin on dark background.

"Enemies coming from over there, hurry now, I will try to cover you." Sabynn says quickly, urgency in her voice now, looking desperately to Swan to lead the townsfolk on, motioning for the others to hurry up towards the entrance of the keep. She then hides and is ready to loose an arrow upon the first raider emerging from the smoke.

Stealth: 19

At Sabynn’s word to go, Cerau takes action. Holding the child tightly in her arms she reaches down to grab the hand of another child. Her voice floating down as she gently says, “Come along, I’ll help you cross the river. We have to go quickly now, okay?”

Cerau smiles encouragingly at the children and thinks to herself, The world away from home is still different and harsh. These poor children have already known too much hardship for their little hearts.

Swan's amber eyes turn to Sabynn, nodding at Sabynn's words, determination and trust clear in her eyes. "We'll make a run for it, but we need to stay together.” She takes the lead and starts moving towards the entrance of the keep.

"Thank you for taking care of the children, Cerau. We're almost there," she says, trying to reassure the group. "Just a little further."

Wiri stops moving momentarily, looking over each shoulder a couple of times. The half-drow closes her eyes for a moment, trying to think or recall something from the past, but it's not quite reachable. Like a word on the tip of a tongue, or a face that simply escapes one's memory, she just can't reconcile something in her past. She shakes out of a deep thought, realizing that she's fallen a bit behind most, if not all, of the party. Running to catch up to Swan and Cerau, Wiri asks, "Was anyone injured? I can heal on the move, if necessary. Or perhaps when we reach the keep."

As they negotiate the path to the keep, Wiri summons all of her courage, keeping an eye out for anything that may impede or challenge them on the way.

Perception if I may? 5

You move silently through the grass covered hill slope using the hills curvature to hide yourself from the enemies coming from the east. You can almost touch the high stone walls of the keep.

When you are at the corner (location 1A), Sabynn, who hid and scouted for threats can see the enemy party coming to sight (Location 2). At the same time Swan, Narr and Tyto, who are in the lead spot some movement (locations 3 and 4). With a quick glance you can see these are kobolds who try to get into the houses and didn't spot you... yet.

On the pawed road leading to the gate, you can see a few town folks. An older man and two young maidens running as fast as they can (Location 5). They do not shout, do not wave to get attention of the guards, but try to keep the low profile. This might indicate the gate is opened or somebody keeps it open, but this may be a gamble.

From what you can tell, you have two options. Stay and ambush and fight risk being flanked if you are spotted. The other option is to dash towards the gate. What do you do?

Seeing the townsfolk reaching the relative safety of the keep, Sabynn dashes up after them, letting Y'landrothiel keep an eye out and warn her if the dragon or any of it's servants close in on the keep itself.

Y'landrothiel perception: 21

“We have to make a run for the keep.” Swan says urgently. Her gaze flickers towards the group of townsfolk that just dashed towards the gate. Swan hopes that their presence means that the gate is open. She turns her attention back to her companions and nods her head, signaling that they should follow her. The air is thick with tension and fear, as if it could shatter any moment like glass. She looks at the others and says, “Stay close. We’ll keep the children in the middle.”

You move slowly at first watching for any threats but with time, your pace quickens. With every step you are closer to the paved path leading to the gate.

As you moved around the final corner, you can see the elderly man going inside the keep. A moment later a head takes a look outside. Tall, bearded man in a helmet takes a look to the right, to the left and then he sees you: a black haidred, green eyed, scale mailed dwarf with a warhammer, a firblog looking like commoner, an amber eyed blonde running like a valkyrie with her spear followed by two families, white haired elven maiden and a silver haired drow and a blue haired genasi - all helping the children who have some troubles with keeping up the pace.

With the guards lip movement you can clearly read "What the f..." but a moment later his eyes change. He takes a step outside and you can see he is dressed in a chainmail. His head is covered by a simple chain hood and holds a long shield and a spear in his left hand and waves with his right hand and shouts "Move god damn it! Move!"

As you slow down to take a turn into the keep's gate he almost pushes the first one who reaches the gate through the sally port. It's a tunnel of sorts. Beginning with the entrance gate that is getting closed as soon as the last of you is inside. The gates are being closed with a huge wooden log. 

You are being directed further, towards the second gate... The guards have their weapons drawn and constantly look at you.

"Linan! Cuth! Are you alright?" a strong voice of a dwarf comes from the gate that leads to the courtyard. The guards that surround you are making a way and you can see a fierce looking red haired mountain dwarf dressed in a plate mail with a scary looking warhammer in his hand. He takes a step towards Linan and takes her hand.

"Yes... yes we are fine Escobert, thanks to them..." Linan looks at all of you with gratitude but her voice breaks with every next word "Without their help, we wouldn't..." she starts crying as the dam holding all her emotions breaks down. Cuth is holding her and the children leave the girls arms and hug their mother.

After a few long seconds he speaks "I'm in your debt." looking at you as if trying to remember your faces. "Move inside!" he shouts suddenly but to guards rather than to you "Clear the sally!"

You are guided toward the second gate and you reach the courtyard of the keep. 

OOG: I am pleased to inform you you have leveled up :) In your posts please make a HP roll (those are always fun) but if you roll less than the average listed in PHB by your class, please use the average anyway [e.g. Cleric has 1d8 HP per level (or 5) + Constitution modifier. If anyone rolls let's say 3, please use 5 + CON mod instead. If you are lucky and roll 6 or above, please use that number + CON mod] If you have any questions or simply would like to confirm anything, please PM me :)

As the last person, Sabynn enters through the sally port, glancing around at the construction, a crude but likely effective defense for those incapable of magically enchanting their fortifications. As she enters the courtyard she briefly looks around to try to assess the situation before turning to red-haired dwarf. "There might still be others out there who need our help in getting here, let me go out again. The dragon is a truly terrifying adversary, but it is also a very proud and vain creature, not likely to bother itself with fleeing townsfolk, and the dragon's servants I can hopefully handle. " She says confidently, but then she glances over at the others, not wanting to speak for anyone else. 

The red bearded dwarf looks at Sabynn for a few seconds carefully. "No. I Cannot open the gates for anyone. I have kept them as long as possible but that's it." says firmly but seeing Sabynn opening her mouth to protest, he raises his hand and starts to speak a bit louder. "No. I am responsible for the keep and the people who took refuge here. I will not open the gates to let you out when there are enemies outside!" He takes a deep breath and continues with firm, but calmer voice. "If you do not like my answer, I suggest you speak with him." he says with a grin and points to the top of the keep's tower where you can see a man dressed in light blue cloak.

The courtyard is full of town's people who are directed towards the stables or the tower to find accommodation. There are guards on the walls, in the tower's top level and by the entrance to the tower.

The white-haired elven maiden visibly deflates at the words of the red-bearded dwarf, then nodding and gathering conviction again, glancing over at the others before starting off against the man in the light blue cloak. She knew her mother would frown at her putting herself at risk but this was the right thing to do, she knew that. Her being a Sun Elf from Evermeet didn't mean that she had any less responsibility against these people in need.

As they make their way through the keep's entrance, Swan can't help but feel a wave of relief wash over her as the gates clang shut behind them. Her heart is still racing from the adrenaline of their escape, but the sight of the townspeople and children huddled together in safety makes her feel a sense of peace.

Approaching the red-bearded dwarf, who is being called Escobert, Swan speaks with genuine respect in her voice. "I must thank you for your help, Escobert. Linan and Cuth spoke very highly of you, and it is clear that their trust in you was well-placed. My name is Swan Alexander, and I am honored to meet you."

She watches as Sabynn tries to convince the red-bearded dwarf to let her go out and help others. Despite the dwarf's refusal, Swan can see Sabynn’s determination. She falls into step beside Sabynn, offering her support. "I'm with you, Sabynn," she says, her voice gentle but resolute. "But we should also consider the safety of those inside the keep as well. Opening the gate may put them in harm's way and jeopardize their only place of refuge."

"Yes, you are right Swan." The white-haired elven maiden says with a nod, blushing slightly as she looks down. "It is not like me to not think things through. The dragon, it made me...unbalanced, I need to find my inner calm again, to think and act properly." She adds quietly as she swiftly together with the blonde warrior makes her way towards the man up in the tower.