Both Thagakh and Arafiel remember that a vampire has the ability to shapechange into a bat or transform into a mist.  It would reason if you are dealing with a vampire that could account for not foot steps.

“Do you think we should bury him or something?  I also think we should get as far from here while the sun is still up.”

"He was our companion once. He deserves a proper burial. Do we have a shovel?" Tyrus asks.

Boghadair says" Yeah,  he was our mate. He deserves the respect. "  and he starts digging with whatever took he can find. 

After about 30 minutes of digging with improved weapons, a grave of about 3 feet deep has been dug.  Unless someone says differently the group will continue down the road.  I am assuming morning rituals and breakfast has been taken care of.

sounds good to me :)

Thagakh packs the food he found for their journey into their wagon.

"Sheesh, news of vampires early in the morning makes Thagakh worried."

The half-orc asks their paladin as he drives the horses on the road. 

"Hey Tyrus, besides us, do you have a clue who might have an interest finding the shield you're looking for?

I mean, a shield with a god's name seems pretty powerful. Thagakh doesn't find things like that everyday."

“Oh ..... yeah.  Tell us about how you got the information about the shield.  I bet that is a good story.”

"I am uncertain whether there are any other interested parties. Come to think of it, I never asked Linene how she came across the map. At the time, I was too busy..." Tyrus realizes where his words were heading and coughs loudly. "Sorry, it appears I have something caught in my throat. Let's be on, yes?"

Arafiel smiles slightly, "yes lets"

"Lienne seemed like a nice enough lady, " Boghadair says,  "but now do we know how authentic this map is?  Or how many others just like it she sold to other young...ummi...Paladins?"

“I am sure Tyrus would have been able to detect some trickery if she had been deceiving him.”

As your party continues along the High road, you pass the edge of the Sword Mountains and into the land know as the Mere of Dead Men.  It is approaching dark.  You have another full days ride to Thornhold.  This is the next major city along the High road.  Thornhold juts out into the Sword Coast.  The next city beyond that would be Waterdeep.

To pass the time during the day, Thagakh sings a familiar song he heard when he was a little tyke.

"We'll be travlin' round the mountains where we'll go, we'll be travlin' round the mountains where we'll go! 

We'll be travlin' round the mountains, we'll be travlin' round the mountains, we'll be travlin' round the mountains where we'll go!"

Since memorizing things wasn't Thagakh's best skill, he whistles the parts of the song he doesn't know.

Tyrus walks, content to listen to the half-orc's questionable singing. Worry can be seen etched on his face.

Something killed Johnson and flew away...why do I have a bad feeling that this is related to that barkeep...

"We might want to double up watches tonight,  i only need four hours of meditation so i can to two back to back"

"Thagkh feels your worries Arafiel. A place called 'Mere of Dead Men' isn't exactly inviting and then there is the unexplained death of Johnson.

But don't worry Arafiel, except for the thirsty barkeep, Thagakh fears nothing.

Now let's set up camp before it's too dark. Thagakh will take the first watch."

Perception 8

I will let the other three choose then stand the two open spots

watch 1 perception:14

watch 2 perception: 14

Boghadair says "Doubling up the watch is a good idea. I still feel wide awake.  I'll take first watch with Thaggy. "

Perception: 9

OOC:  Yeesh!  This does not bode well for our heroes.