"We better save twice as much for re-entering," commented Livly when the group was out of eavesdrop of any guard, "or be prepared to live in these hills. Though, I would not mind. Have not seen such a beautiful picture for a long time!"

"Curious, though, if bandits is such a problem, and wild orcs - sorry Keth - are everywhere, why there are so many people leaving the city?" "By the way, when are we going to stop for a lunch? Keth and I did not buy all that fancy spices for nothing!"  

As Ulfgar rides along the road on Beauty, he whistles a melody that he's not even sure where he learned it. And he seems to not even really know it all too well because he stops and starts over with a quizzical look on his face each time. Nonetheless he's enjoying the scenery now that they've passed the mass exodus of people coming and going. There's a difference riding out on a boat and the serene nature of a horse ride through the hills. If they weren't in search of bandits, he'd be relishing every moment of this trip.

"I think lunch will be on the go today Livly," Keth says as he rides along and keeping a close eye on their pack mules. Not only did we spend a while shopping this morning but that whole fiasco took a while too. And no offense taken, orcs can be a big problem, I feel no real kinship with them anyhow.

"Why don't we ride until camp. Did that man tell is where to start looking?"

They party notices that they're decidedly unique among the travelers, they are almost entirely locals. 

Perception checks folks!

Perception: 12

Livly Perception: 2

"I am OK with riding for a while" Skip would reply as he looks around and watches the other travelers and scenery.. 

perception 19

Perception: 4

Perception: 17

Landrae has been enjoying the ride, as much as she loves the city, the hustle and bustle of people all around and the familiar sounds and smells, there is something just relaxing about the countryside. The low rolling hills all around remind her of the tales where people are starting their journey, or coming home to see family after an adventure. The way the hills signify an easy start to something much larger, as the terrain in those stories always turns harsh when the protagonist encounters a personal struggle... Musing to herself if her story starts this way, she thinks about how their group has bonded so quickly, the rag tag bunch they are. Idly her thoughts drift and the music she plays on her flute echoes that feeling, a floaty melody that manages to accompany Ulfgars whistled tune,despite how many times he repeats the same progression.

Skip would watch every person they pass... sizing them up as they go. While looking around, he seemed to keep noticing the same figure keeping pace with the group... Trying not to make a scene.. The young man would rub his smooth chin and whisper to the other... "Hey..... PSSST... HEY... There is some hooded person following us.... don't... DON'T Look... act natural... " he would say.. trying not to speak loud enough for the person behind them to hear or act as though he is saying anything if he was being watched from behind. "Do... Do we speed up? Try to lose them? Want me to jump off my horse and try to hide untill they pass me by.. " He would ask.. still remaining perfectly still... talking forward but moving his eyes to each of his companions. 

Brace calls to his horse "Here here Phalaris, not to hasty" he says when it gets jumpy.

perception: 18

"Are you sure he is following us? There is only one road here after all. May be he is afraid to travel alone yet does not want to disturb us?" Livly did not see any hooded man, but it's not like she was looking. "I know! Let's just wait until we are all alone on the road, then let him come closer and suggest to travel with us. Then we will know if he is friendly!" If idea was not met with equal enthusiasm (which is most likely), she would sigh and with regret turn from a peaceful and so pretty scenery to the sad reality: "It can be either one of our employer's man - but they were wearing some distinct cloaks, we would know, or - more likely - one of this young bandits from the gates. Then, I guess, instead of lunch we have to expect an ambush. What a pity! In such a lovely day!"

Ulfgar tugs on the reins and very obviously moves out of the order that they're riding and moves to the back of the pack. He clearly heard what Skip had to say but he's never been a shy one. He approaches the hooded person riding behind them, smiles and waves. 

Brace noticed the hooded figure shortly after Skip did and about the time Skip was surreptitiously sharing his discovery.  He see Ulfgar back up and follows.  "Livly, you are a wonderful friend but sometimes you talk to much when it is just time to act."  He tries to stay close to Ulfgar while watching the hooded figure closely.

As Ulfgar circles around to the figure, Skip would run his hands through his shaggy hair.. "Well crap.." He would say before pulling on Muffins reigns and turning her around to follow closely behind him.

Keth looks a little perturbed at Brace as he suggests such things to Livly. As Brace leaves the current line up and moves with Ulfgar, Keth will lean over to Livly, "I don't think you talk to much.I enjoy your talking." He continues riding down the road.

"Nah, to Brace even his horse is probably too chatty and not enough action packed. And here they say elves use their head first! Never trust the common proverb." Livly smiled to Keth warmly: "But thanks anyway - I love to talk to you too." 

"So, for dinner I am thinking a nice stew to go with that tack we bought," Keth suggests to Livly and anyone else nearby. "Maybe some of the dried meat in a broth. Nice and hot to really fill us up. Throw in some flax seed and black pepper."

"Ulfgar, where are you going, the creature of interest was over here."  Brace starts towards what he thought was the creature Skip was referring to but gets confused when it turns out to be a hooded mother pulling along a child.  She looks at Brace questioningly and moves on.  Brace makes his way back to Skip hoping for better information "Ok it would seem that I need your help finding this mysterious follower.  Can you help us track him down?"

The figure isn't visible to Ulfgar or Brace or anyone else for that matter. Looking behind them they see the two caravans now pretty far apart and a myriad of folks on horse back and foot all traveling west on the Gold Road towards the Far mountains. The road now is in a great expanse of land. Plenty of single riders have dashed ahead out of the line of folks dependant on the even road. The riders disappearing into the distance where the great mountain looms in a graying haze. A spring storm moving over the mountain towards the travelers. It's now late afternoon and the road is thinning out slightly. Rougher patches with muddy ruts from spring wash outs as the travelers arrive at a bridge and a river raging swollen with waters from winter melt.