Ladrian

Clearly a bit disappointed "Ah yes, of course that makes sense. We should try to get more underlings villagers safe" he quickly nods. "It seems we have a rear covered, shall we go towards the mentioned caves? We have horses available I believe"

As the five members of the party make their final preparations and saddle up the riding horses, Torem offers a few words. "The caves are filled with narrow passages--goblin-sized passages--so be prepared for a bit of single-file."

Vigan

The goliath listens to Carrow's speech, and stands to face him. Clasping his hand, he speaks. "I have no doubt we will find you some combat shortly. Let us proceed."

Having searched through his backpack and other belongings, looking to cast off some dead weight, Vigan casts aside a shovel and iron pot in his possession, and places three empty vials, priestly vestments, a silver holy symbol of Mielikki, and an alms box containing 15 sp and 45 cp on the table. Feeding the vultures..., Vigan murmurs to himself, thinking back to something Carrow said earlier.

Pocketing the Potion of Heroism on the table, Vigan heads to the Trading Post the others had already visited. After rummaging around in the clutter for a while, he find a few useful items and places them in his backpack.

Vigan exits the trading post, and walks with purpose towards the slowly decomposing bodies of the goblins and worgs in the village square. Pouring the flasks of oil over the corpses, he lights the pile with his tinderbox and stands back as the flames take hold, rising higher and higher into the sky.

With his final destination the stable, he stops beside Toren and Simeon on his way there, and interrupts their conversation. "The body of a woman lies upstairs in the inn, most likely not from here. There is a shovel just inside the door if you're feeling energetic. Failing that, tip her on there", hey says, nodding in the direction of the bonfire.

Vigan

"Your advice is noted Torem, thank you." 

How much use will I be if we are crawling through rabbit warrens?, the goliath wondered.

As he finishes preparing his horse, he catches Rixton's eye. "Rixton, a word of advice, if I may... If I were you, I'd stop waving my snake around in public so much. You will horrify and disgust more people than you will impress. Besides, the size of it means you won't be intimidating many people, like our friend Xolkin, who just laughed at it. People who frequently wave their snakes about in public usually end up on the wrong side of the law at some point, too." 

Rixton:

I dart into the inn and grab the healing potion and remaining gold off of the table (77 GP). Nobody seems interested in these, but there is no doubt they will be useful at some point. Vigan catches my eye and offers some unsolicited advice. I shrug. It was a gambit that didn't work. I can dissect how it failed some other time.

I hop aboard my chosen horse and cross the drawbridge shortly after it touches down. While I wait across the river for my companions, I scan the trees and road for signs of anyone.

Perception: 14

Carrow

Carrow releases the goliaths hand content they see eye to eye. Taking the three empty vials from the table, he fixes his equipment about his person and heads over to grab a horse. Passing the guards he doesn't pay them any notice, they will surely surrender after we leave. Grabbing the reins of his horse the Half-Orc walked across the square leading his horse around the burning corpses, after crossing the drawbridge Carrow gets low to the ground and starts looking to track the human villagers who fled the goblin attack.

Survival 16

I have advantage on tracking humans and elves.

Andor

Moving forward on the horse Andor tries to stay in the middle of the group as they move out. Whilst a little concerned about the guards he feels they will be fine if they don't panic as he doubts the Zhentarim will be back quickly or in great numbers.

"The road calls my friends, keep your eyes peeled, I doubt the goblins will let us walk straight into their home uncontested." 

As the party turns to the north and heads through the trees, the rattling sounds of the drawbridge chains comes to a stop, indicating the guards have raised the bridge and sealed off Nightstone from the outside world. Within a matter of minutes, the terrain becomes rocky and hilly. After a few false leads, Carrow finds signs that a group of people has passed through the area on foot. Following the trail north for a quarter of an hour leads the party to a gaping cave mouth on the south face of a rocky hill topped with pine trees. 

Rixton:

I tie my horse to a tree out of sight from the cave entrance and return to examine what lies ahead. I can see in the dark better than all of my fellow travelers except my fellow hybrid companion. I peer into the cave and listen carefully for any noise coming from within.

Perception: 12

Ladrian

He ties his horse nexto to Rixton's as well and tries to peer into the cave "I can't see a damn thing in the dark" he says "Can any of you see in the dark? How are you going to advance without telling anyone who's there of our presence?" he continues "If it's the villagers we want them to see and hear us. If it's goblins on the other hand..." he trails off

Andor

Having tied up his horse next to the others and joining them by the cave entrance the sorcerer answers

"I'll need a light too, and I don't have a spell for that, so it'll be torches, I think."

Rummaging in his pack he pulls out two torches, offering one to Ladrian and preparing to light the other for himself.

"Do you want one of these? "

Ladrian

"Yes, thank you Andor" he nods and grabs a torch

The sound of approaching horses diverts the party's attention from the business at hand. Someone is approaching from the south, the direction from which the party has come. None of the party members is able to see anyone or anything yet, but the sound is unmistakable. 

Map of the area: 

Andor

"Do you hear that?  It sounds like we have company."  The sorcerer slides the torch back into his pack for now, slinging it over his shoulder again, keeping an eye out on the area to the south he scans for the source of the noise.

Perception 10

Rixton:

"Hrm," I say. "I doubt the guards from Nightstone changed their minds about joining us. Hide. Or at least take cover."

I sprint to i12, hiding if possible behind a tree trunk, and ready my shortbow.

Vigan

Pressing himself up against a tree, Vigan loops his horse's reins round a low branch, keeping his eyes peeled for the riders coming into view.

Perception: 16

Peering through the gaps in the trees, Andor and Vigan are able to discern the silhouettes of three people on horseback. Until the riders move closer, it isn't possible to discern more specific information.

Vigan:

Vigan

Watching the dark forms of the riders come into view, Vigan strains to make them out, listening for conversation. His ears prick up when he hears a voice, carried on the breeze through the trees, but not from the direction of the riders. Quietly signalling the others, he indicates that a fourth person is somewhere to the west.

Numbers are on our side, so far...., he thinks.

Andor

"If it is the Zhentarim, and those three stay together do not block my view, I have a spell that might finish this before it begins, although it will be loud." he whispers to those close by.

Ladrian

Watching Vigan gesturing he realises there's someone to the west.

He decides to take cover, climbing to a tree a drawing his shortbow, getting ready.