“Let’s us push on with carriage so we can find more rest while to horses push themselves.”

Despite not being the most ardent proponent of forcing beasts to bear burdens, Crannoc finds wisdom in Gallant's suggestion.

"True, we have an empty cart.  As many of us as possible should ride to conserve energy.  Still, it will not hold all of us.  The strongest and hardiest of us," (he looks at Hildr) "should walk alongside.  I am eager to find the source of this fire, but it does us no good to arrive exhausted."

(Crannoc will advocate pressing on with as many on the cart as possible, but as soon as anyone walking reaches one level of Exhaustion, he will reluctantly agree to camp and rest, biding time to avoid further depleting the group's strength).

"Dorra," Gawain calls as he packs up his things and prepares to leave. "We need to get to the tower tonight, and we need to be in shape for a fight when we get there. Have two of your men drive the wagons while the rest of ride along in the back. If they get tired, swap them out." He tosses his pack and weapon into the back of one of the wagons, pulling himself in after. "Once we get close, those who have exhausted themselves can stay behind, we'll handle the rest."

"Hells you bunch are crazy. But we already figured that out." Dorra mumbles, rubbing her temple. "Pete. Rhuda. You're up first." She says, motioning for the two to take control of the wagons. The masons, the cleric of Chauntea and your party climb into the wagons and set off towards the inferno.

You press on for the next hour - as you grow closer to the blaze, it doesn't abate, growing brighter with each passing minute. Smoke and ash has begun to fill the air. Rhuda and one of the horses are beginning to show signs of exhaustion (disadvantage on ability checks). At Dorra's order, Artur taps the man on the shoulder and takes his place at the reins.

Over the next hour your group continues further, until you finally reach the last fork in the road before reaching the tower. The smoke has thickened, and through the dense foliage you can see a roaring inferno in the distance. The tangleweed and brush closest to the road has already been burned away, leaving naught but ash behind. 

From this point on, you know it's a short trip to the tower. The path will narrow even further, and you'll see be at the foot of that rocky slope leading up to the tower. 

Pete and another of the horses start to show signs of exhaustion (disadvantage on ability checks) as the wagons roll to a stop. Dorra hops out, approaching your group. "Alright, this should be close enough. What's your plan from here?"

After leaping to the ground, Hildr advances cautiously, attempting to use the surrounding smoke, and whatever remains of the dense foliage, to her advantage.

Dexterity (Stealth) check: 10 + 3 (Guidance) = 13

Her "smokescreen" is none too effective, however, for the inferno looming before her casts a long shadow behind her. There is no place to hide.

Crannoc, seeing Hildr sneaking ahead and disturbed by roaring fires, taps her shoulder and imbues the northern warrior with Silvanus' guidance.

Even with the light from the fire, there's so much smoke in the area that everything is still lightly obscured. So although Hildr feels her shadow is too obvious, it's unlikely that anyone watching could even spot her. You move forward down the path...The rocky slopes, once filled with tangleweed are now barren and burned. The tower stands atop the hill, it's stone walls covered in soot and ash.

The smoke and ash get in Crannoc's eyes, the sight of everything burned assaulting his eyes as a war zone full of corpses might for others.

Briefly, instinctively, he pulls Silvanus' Guidance back to himself, rubbing his eyes, reaching for sounds or scents that seem out of place besides fire.

Perception plus Guidance to hear or smell anything:  19 + 1 = 20 (dirty)
(Or if by sight, Perception at disadvantage due to lightly obscured conditions plus Guidance:  8 + 1 = 9 ... he is rubbing his eyes).

Despite the heat, a chill runs down Hildr's spine.

Without putting herself too close to smoldering embers or licking flames, she examines the base of the tower and its environs, searching for signs of the vampire bride or another threat or any fire-revealed place of egress (an entrance to a tunnel? exposed stairs?) from the subterranean parts of the tower complex.

Wisdome (Perception) check: 23

Gawain hops out of the wagon, turning to the masons as he does so. "You all take the wagons and get off road and out of sight, head that way and we'll find you after." He says, pointing in a direction that will take them away from the flames. "Dorra, leave two with the wagons. You and the rest with us. Fira, we're going to need you as well if that undead creature is still alive. Stay close, I'll make sure nothing gets past us to you."

Holding his polearm in one hand, he hides his face in the crook of his elbow to avoid breathing in as much of the smoke as he can as he moves forward, leading the group of followers after Hildr and Crannoc.

Gallant will follow

"You got it boss." Dorra says. She points to Pete and Rhuda, motioning for them to follow her. The other two she leaves with the wagons, which the masons begin directing off into the rocky hills to the west. The halfling cleric hops out of the wagon as they do, following closely behind Gawain. "Was someone trying to smoke it out? This is awful." Fira says, coughing into her robes.

Crannoc's sense of smell is completely overrun by the scent of burning foliage, but over the roar of the inferno he can hear shouting in the distance. While the smoke stings his eyes, Hildr is able to peer through to see the blurry outlines of figures. There's a flurry of activity around the tower - many small humanoid creatures milling about, carrying full sacks down the rocky slopes on the east side of the tower. Suddenly through the smoke you see the shadow of a bulky figure exit the tower, easily standing somewhere between 6 and a half and 7 feet tall. They begin to follow the trail of small creatures down the east side of the slope, with another group of normal sized humanoids following close behind. Two of them seem to be carrying a chest between them. 

"I cannot see or scent anything in this smoke," Crannoc mutters hoarsely, "but I hear shouting some ways away."

"Can any of you make out what is happening by the tower?  Hildr?  Have others come to slay our quarry?  I think not.  This feels like something else."

Hildr retreats to her companions and explains what she has seen, emphasizing the most important point: "They're making off with the loot!"

She then mumbles about wishing one of the party members were a ranger and spits on the ground. Her spit lands on an ember and sizzles, which amuses her, so she spits again. And again.

"I suggest we keep a distance and try to track them. The vampire bride has either perished or can wait."

"Is it worth taking a look in the tower after they've left?" Iris questions aloud, squinting her eyes against the glow of the blaze and the smoke its throwing off. "Or...Did it look like they were wearing uniforms?"

"If there's enough of them, we could just walk up and act like we belong." She offers, though even she doesn't sound entirely convinced by the idea.

"The only people who were there when we suggested burning the tumbleweed were our current two benefactors. Do you believe they had anything to do with this?" Gallant says worried. "Either way, it will be better for the town to retrieve their goods, the tower can wait. I say we follow whoever these beings are and take back what is Greenest." 

"I found I trusted pack leaders Nighthill and Escobert.  And if this was their secret plan, why would they also send us back here to arrive at the same time?  Perhaps these people are from the army to the south, seeking all of the shiny city-coins to help... pay for their ah, operations?"

(In truth, Crannoc has little idea how human armies are funded.  He muses that returning the treasure to Greenest might make the city the next target.)

"I agree that the undead horror can wait.  It may no longer be there in any case.  But I am uncertain whether to bide our time and follow, or attack now.  Hildr, did you say there seemed to be one large, bulky leader, along with several smaller humanoids, and some medium humanoids doing the work?"

"Yes, and if you would prefer to attack now, let's get to it. It is night, and at least by the firelight Gawain and I can see."