Zephyros, while stroking his great brown beard, quietly listens to the crumbled form of the orc.

Hearing the young cleric and the deft rogue converse, Ironheart nods along in agreement as the women speak.

Answering Meira, the fighter says, "It very well may be too dangerous for us to go. Who can say except this orc, who would have gleefully slaughtered us had his bonds been loose?"

After gesturing to the defeated beast, the bear of a man asks the orc, "Tell us what lies in that old chapel. Give me numbers, races, names of important leaders."

Zephyros then offers, "Do this for us, and I will grant you a warriors death. one on one, arm and shield."

Meira glances worriedly over at Lyra when Zephyros accepts the orc's suggestion to fight to the death. It was not the result she had hoped for. But she also did not understand the orc's eagerness to just die. "Would you just allow us to release you? To return to your people and tell them of what you've learned?" She looks at Zephyros. "That seems like a fitting end of the day after all the previous violence." 

The orc says to Zephyros, "Thirty orcs, maybe less if other raiding parties failed to return like us. A hand full of ogres, and last I saw a giant was tagging along as well. Our War Chief was eaten by the white wyrm. Many young orcs bicker and fight for the title, but as far as I know, none have claimed it. Gal'Ulkan is our shaman. He's the one in charge until a new War Chief emerges."

The orc laughs at Meira before stating, "Ha ha... of course I would allow it. I'll tell my people the lands to the east bear greater rewards and that the white wyrm's reach grows by the day. Do you plan to follow me there to slaughter my people?"

Gareth ties the leads of the three horses together. He then holds the lead to the horses in one hand and the lead for the cow in the other and herds them back to the ranch house that way. He's just finished tying them up outside the house when he hears talking around the corner. He rounds the corner to find an orc tied up to the outhouse, with Zephyros, Meira and Lyra apparently questioning him.

"Found another one, I take it?" he says, his tone light. The lightness in his voice doesn't quite reach his eyes, however. "Did he tell you why there's been such an influx of his kind in this area? What're we going to do with him?"

"Well, if we let him go, he'll no doubt help rob and murder many others with his kin." Zephyros mutters, just loud enough for those around him to know the warrior's thoughts.

Ironheart slowly begins leaning on his trident, and starts puffing on his pipe.

"Alright then. I'll let you guys decide." The veteran states, sluggishly breathing out after a long inhale of smoke.

Turning to the ranger, Zephyros says, "Aye, this one was dead drunk while his buddies tried to assault us." The fighter then clears his throat.

"Apparently there is an orc horde in an old chapel. Thirty strong, possibly less if other raiding parties failed to return. Which we both know the answer to that." Ironheart slightly chuckles, then returning to all seriousness.

"They have a shaman named Gal'Ulkan, but he is only leader until a new war chief surmounts above the other orcs. A few ogres and a giant tag along with the horde."

Putting away his pipe, the bear of a man strokes his full beard and whispers to Gareth, "I don't think it's wise to let the orc go. Maybe my conscience is seared to killing and death, but I think more people will get hurt if this one doesn't."

"What do you think?" Ironheart asks.

After questioning the orc, Meira cuts his binds. The orc stands, rubs his wrists and head, then nods to the group. He says, "If we meet again it will be in battle." He walks away to the south. 

The group spends the rest of the day helping Big Al around the ranch. Gareth helps secure the animal pen and wrangling the pigs, while Zephyros piles up the orc bodies down wind from the ranch and sets them ablaze. Meira and Lyra help dig graves for each of the five ranch hands that died in the orc raid. Big Al continues to thank each of you for your assistance. He slaughters a pig and roasts it. The evenings meal is delicious and filling. You all rest in relative comfort for the night, thanks to Eldrin's work cleaning up the farmhouse. The next morning comes early accompanied by aches and pains from the previous days activities, but you all feel reinvigorated and ready for whatever comes next. Eldrin tells you all of his intention to return to Phandalin. He's decided the adventuring life isn't for him and he plans to continue his search for the missing archives fabled to be beneath Phandalin from the safety of town and is going to partner with Adabra to start a magical shop. He sets off first thing in the morning, bowing to each of you before he goes. 

What would you like to do?

[[OOC: You all benefit from a long rest and increase to level four. You have a Longbow, +1, quiver, Dagger, +1, Armor of Cold Resistance, Leather, a wool blanket, and a small leather pouch with 50gp. Eldrin does take his share of the gold.]]

Meira had quickly cut the knot that held the orc to the tree. "Tell your fellow orcs what you've learned here, for what it's worth."  She then pauses as the orc threatens to only meet again in battle. "Be that as it may, perhaps someday you will remember this kindness and find there's another path. I released you without any conditions, so whatever comes it comes." She glances to Lyra as she steps back to let him go on his way. 

She throws herself into the work of gathering up the dead and making graves for the ranch hands. She's a bit quiet as they all join in a good meal of roast pig and soon after finds a spot to sit and rest. She takes up her dulcimer and begins to pluck the strings, quietly playing a variety of tunes, all of which have a somewhat melancholy tone. Eventually she starts to sing to herself: 

"I sit beside the fire and think
of all that I have seen
of meadow-flowers and butterflies
in summers that have been;

Of yellow leaves and gossamer
in autumns that there were,
with morning mist and silver sun
and wind upon my hair.

I sit beside the fire and think
of how the world will be
when winter comes without a spring
that I shall ever see."

In the morning Meira is up as the others stir, standing and trying to stretch a bit to get out the aches and pains. She listens to Eldrin's plan to return to Phandalin. "Oh my, has Adabra's adequate visage enticed you? Or is it her moderate skill with herbs?" She grins. "And my goodness, how we will flounder without your sagacious wisdom to guide us!" She then grows a bit more serious, and glances around at the others. "Perhaps we should accompany him back to Phandalin? I think we've completed all of our tasks we set out to do. And there's still the gnomes to warn, unless someone else has done that already." 

Zephyros,

As the group is gathering themselves in the morning, Meira goes through the items that Big Al had so generously offered them. "It seems you had an eye on the fine blanket?" she says to Lyra. Next she moves to the bow. "A really fine thing, but I've never really learned to use a longbow like this. Is this something you would use Gareth? The dagger I could use, but I'd rather use my rapier in a fight. So I'm not sure."  Finally, she takes a look at the leather armor that seems fitted for Big Al. "Now this will certainly not fit me. Nor Lyra! Though I guess it could be tailored probably." She looks at Gareth. "Something you would take? I honestly would prefer to find something sturdier. Maybe studded leather, so I fear this would be of limited time use to me." 

The coins in the pouch divide out to 10 gp for each person, and she makes sure that Eldrin gets his share. 

Zephyros calmly awakes this time.

'Finally, no dreams. I wonder why?' The big man thinks to himself.

Hearing Eldrin mention his intent from now on, Ironheart gives a brief nod.

"It was an honor fighting by your side, master wizard. I wish to accompany you back to town." The bull of a man extends his hand to shake Eldrin's.

Zephyros finds the other group members and states, "I believe we should travel back to Phandalin with Mr. Eldrin. Out here, it's too dangerous for anyone to travel alone."

26

Adventurers,

You decide to accompany Eldrin back to Phandalin. He's grateful for your company, though he would never admit it. Big Al gives each of you a hug as you leave, thanking you profusely. He hands you a piece of paper and asks, "Here, put this on the job board will ya?" The notice reads:

Butterskull Ranch looking for hard working ranch hands.

1sp/day pay with room and board covered.

Come see Big Al to interview if interested.

Slackers need not apply.

The journey west has you pass through Conyberry, and past the road leading south to the Shrine. You stop and make camp late on the first night. The eastern winds have picked up and out here there is little in the way of shelter to be found. The cold is biting and the group huddles that much closer to the fire that provides a fleeting warmth. You awake, cold and miserable the next morning. Looking around, you surmise you're about fifteen miles north of Mountain's Toe Gold Mine and thirty miles away from Phandalin.

Do you continue on to Phandalin?

Zephyros,

Lyra is in good spirits as the party leaves Butterskull Ranch. For a moment, she thought Zephyros and the orc would fight to the death, but instead it ended with the orc's freedom. He did warn that the next time they met would be in battle, but the cleric is more than ready to believe what Meira told him. Perhaps there's a chance he and his people will remember that kindness and find another path.

She is saddened to learn that Eldrin will not be traveling with them anymore, but since he'll be settling in Phandalin, it means he won't disappear entirely—and they can still visit him and Adabra from time to time. The halfling makes him promise to investigate the cherry flavor of healing potions, and even suggests they try more flavors. Watermelon! Or blueberry! And so many more!

Lyra beams when Meira assigns the items Big Al gave them. She had been eyeing the wool blanket, and she's more than happy when she finally gets to touch it and even tries it on. So comfy and soft! It doesn't take long for her to put it to use, and when Meira plays her music that last night at Big Al's, Lyra covers herself and the rogue with the blanket—which of course ends with her falling asleep peacefully beside her. The next day, the cleric takes the rancher's note and promises to put it on the job board.

As the party nears Mountain's Toe Mine, Lyra turns to the others. "Can we check on Don-Jon? It would be better to return to Phandalin knowing his status, so we can pass the news to the cleric there—provided she's returned to town, that is."

Zephyros accepts Big Al's hug and firmly pats the other burly man twice on the back.

"It's always a pleasure to help those in need, Mr. Kalazorn." The bear of a man mentions.

Ironheart receives the job post with a smile and a nod. "Will do. Please, let us know if you need anything else."

"Yes, I believe checking on Mr. Raskin would be wise. Great idea, Ms. Lyra." Zephyros says, the big man's teeth slightly chattering.

Meira is very pleased to hand over the blanket to Lyra. And seems even happier when she shares the blanket with her that night. She hands over the longbow to Gareth, and for now hangs on to the dagger and leather armor until everyone decides.  She does put the silver inlaid sheath on her belt to carry the fine dagger, but the armor she just puts into her bag for now.  

On the journey the first day, Meira is in a good mood.  As the winds grow a bit colder, she grumbles in a good-natured manner and starts to proclaim the various merits of being back in the warmth of the inn.  And about enjoying a nice, long, hot bath. The next day though as Lyra asks about checking on Don-Jon, she nods along in agreement with the halfling. "We would have to press hard to make it back to Phandalin by the end of the day," she surmises. "We can easily reach the Mountain's Toe Mine today and then make it back to Phandalin tomorrow.  I say we do that."  She looks around to all the others. "That is, if it's ok with everyone."