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.