Pettilaen smiles at the sergeant's proposition. "I think we would all like that opportunity very much. I didn't come out here for a couple of days just to sate my blade on a few orcs and run away from everything else! Though I am quite good at running. I'm actually really fast. I'd put money on it even if anyone wanted to...." Pettilaen begins to go off on a tangent, until he notices the sergeant beginning to leave their group.

"Wait!" he calls out. "Do you have any extra horses? It would make the journey far quicker, and we -sort of- somehow forgot to bring our own. Three horses is all we need."

"Wait," Kanon says to Petti, "Shouldn't we get back to Candlekeep and grab our own horses first? Orst needs to hear our news, and I'm pretty sure he promised you pay for this mission." Kanon wasn't sure about the last part, but it might be enough to have the gnome change his plans. Kanon wanted to research these ancient Amn knights before setting off. It might be well worth it to get a better idea of their enemy. 

"I think we got the information we needed and running around out here is not going to tell us more. An army was routed, but they know that no one is around steady to keep them out. Besides it will be tomorrow before I can heal anyone." 

She slings her pack on her back and walks to the mounting Hellriders.

"It's settled then," Kanon says with a smile, "Back to Candlekeep!" He heads over to the Hellriders as well to 'borrow' a horse or ride with one of them. Either way is fine, as his legs were still burning from the run. 

"Back and forth and back and forth," Zina grumbled into her mug. It was woefully empty now. "My little legs are tired. We've come all this way, and the captain or sergeant or whoever it was in the fancy helm told us that there may be more information in Beregost. We're only an hour away!"

Kanon stops in his tracks. They were an hour from Beregost not Candlekeep! He looks at the mountains, then back at Zina, then over at Petti and Portia. "I guess it couldn't hurt to at least take a look in Beregost," he says. Perhaps the Hellriders will loan some horses?

Beregost is this close? Terrain had never been Pettilaen's speciality. He was good at maneuvering cities, because of the frequent landmarks, but terrain seemed to all look the same. "Yeah! Beregost is only an hour away ninnymuggins."

"But you guys aren't really stealthy, and this is more of a reconnaissance mission. Maybe only me and Zina should go, and the rest of you should wait here. Our magic will keep us safe. Too many will just draw attention, and those orcs didn't even notice me or Zina, so they shouldn't notice us if they're in Beregost." He looked to Zina, nodding his head. "It'll be perfect!"

"I can also turn invisible," Zina nodded, backing up Pettilaen's plan. She didn't think it was a particularly great one, but if it was the only way she could get to Beregost she would gladly go. The illusionist glared at the Hellrider she had scared earlier, casting message so she could nicely ask him for a refill. The Hellrider stiffened before complying and bringing her a fresh mug.

Much better.

Kanon stop in his tracks once again, "How will you two catch up to us? You'll be out here alone for the journey back to Candlekeep." He didn't want that on his mind. He didn't want to be worrying about his friends while he sat in Candlekeep by a warm hearth eating sweet pastries.

"You weren't too keen to go Beregost, I was just giving you an option," Zina sipped her brand new cup of coffee. "I'm sure Pettilaen and I could come up with something to get back. I'm a genius, and he's... competent."

Pettilaen watched Mara throw away her coffee angrily. This is why we vocalize our concerns... His thinking was cut short by Zina's compliment. "Huh? Did I hear you correctly? .... This isn't some veiled insult I'm not seeing, right?" He looks around at the other group members. "Right??"

He could only muster an awkward smile at Zina with a confused look. "Right... Well, I'd offer for anyone else to come join us, but we can turn invisible... so it makes it a lot less risky. But! If you wait here, then you won't be far! Or, we could all move to just outside of the outskirts, and then me and Zina could head in... for those who might want to see the state of the city."

Regardless to the group's decision, Pettilaen sends Gaia up into the air to get a visual of what lies between them and Beregost... and perhaps how Beregost is looking, with how close it is [17 on Perception].

Portia rolled her eyes thinking the crew could talk in circles just as well as it traveled in them. She got the attention of the First Sergeant who was getting everyone packed up to move on and several thanked her again for her help. The packing up to resume on to Candlekeep went far faster than the setting up for the break. She looked over at the crew knowing they were still arguing about which way to go or in some cases just getting pissy and walking off. She shook her head.

Once she had the First Sergeant's attention she asked, "Anyway we can have at least three horses? Beregost is close enough I'm quite sure some are going to want to go look anyway and even if I'm spent on spells helping you, I'm going with them. I'll make sure you get the horses back when we get to Candlekeep. We might even catch up to you if the recon doesn't take long." She looks at the litters they would still have to carry behind some of the horses for the dead and their equipment. "And you got most of the equipment we were given by the captain back since Argonox is in the armor and has the sword. It is best he has it anyway. And do you need the coffee mugs back?" She looks over at Zina that still has one even as the Hellrider started working on putting the fire out having packed up everything else now. The break was well over now.

The First Serjeant breaks away long enough to address Portia's final concerns, sending his men ahead.

"If your group will check on Beregost, we can spare the horses. As for the equipment..."

He draws a long, thin shortsword from a leather sheath at his waist and holds it out, hilt first.

"I found this on some fallen elven scouts some years back. I've never really used it to determine what it can do, but I know it carries an enchantment of some sort. In any case, it's what I am free to give. May it carry you to good fortune. And we have plenty of tin cups..."

He wheels his horse in a circle and gallops to catch the rest. When he reaches the rear of the line, he cuts three horses free and slaps their flanks to send them your way.

Portia lays the blade by the group before moving to catch the horses. She tries to remember how the Hellriders signalled their horses to get them to stop by her and then starts checking them out. She grins as all three stop before her and let her double check their gear. She climbs on to one and gets it to move however she wants. She slides back off to hug the horse's neck. "You are getting treats when we get to Candlekeep."

She turns to the group. "Come here, Zina. You can ride with me. Those who can use that sword can determine who gets it, but let's get on with this." She chuckles. "I can spare the dying all day, but not heal beyond one divine ability. Remember that!"

(Meta - nat 20 on animal handling check)

Kanon hops on one of the horses that Portia rounded up and smiles, "It looks like we're all going!" He didn't plan on letting Zina and Petti enter the town alone either, but they can all deal with that once they get closer to the town.

Kanon yells out to Mara, "Lets go! Get on the horse before Pettilaen tries to claim it!" 

Kanon laughs, pulling his horse closer to hers and whispers, "You don't really think we'd be ok with them heading out there on their own do you? Sometimes you take things a little too seriously. I'd even bet they saw you getting upset so started talking even more about going alone. Don't let them mess with you, Mara."

Kanon gives her a wink before trotting over to Petti and his new beautiful sword, "Hop on!"

"Of course I think you're competent, you braegfol," Zina snorted. "You may not be good at many things, but the things you're good at are things I'm... not as good at. I won't say it again!"

The gnome took Portia's hand and joined her on the horse. She glanced over at Mara, who looked dejected and frustrated in equal parts. "Apparently you're all racist and don't think Petti and I are capable," she called out to the fighter. "But if we're going out in full force, we might as well have someone good with a sword come with us. If we have to rely on Kanon to stab things, we'll be doomed."