Gavyn easily finds a merchant passing through town willing to take the bijouterie off his hands in exchange for a leather pouch of gold. The "lockpicks" are a bit trickier to find. A weary gambler, still up from the night before, is willing to sell his set due to his current lack of funds.

Direcris asks around about heading up the Arrowhead River. The bartender, a dapper and cheerful dwarf, is happy to help. He tells Direcris, "If you are looking to head either way along the Arrowhead, it's best to do it by land. The river 'round here is choppy at best, but more often deadly. There is an old mountain road that heads along it, that'd be your best bet. Though, even that's steep at points."

Gavyn returns with his new purchase and a still rather hefty pouch of gold. He looks around at everyone. "We ready, then?"

About an hour into the march, Uri signals to the others to carry on and that he will catch up with them in a couple more hours. He selects a suitable vantage point - a large oak, standing proud above the surrounding scrub - where he can remain hidden. He then settles himself down to watch.

Sir Gadston

Sir Gadston moves along at an even pace. "The life of High Adventure" he mutters to himself.

Gavyn scouts ahead with his goggles: perception 27

Dench moves steadily along the old mountain road, listening as the sounds of the town disappear behind them, replaced by the sounds of the rapids. The breeze off the river is cool and he likes that. He splits his attention between the woods and the guidestone/compass they were given.

Direcris looks over his spellbook, twirling his dagger along his fingers as he does. At each page turn he takes a slow look around, as much to observe the landscape and weather as to see if any others are around.

Your party continues travelling for a few hours this way. You follow the old road twisting away and back towards the Arrowhead River. The rain lets up only to be replaced by a light fog

Up ahead where the road now hugs the mountainside, Gavyn spots a collapsed wood and rope suspension bridge. It spans a hundred foot gap around a crevasse in the mountainside. The drop to the rapids should be and a near equal distance, but is hard to be certain due to the fog and water sprayed from the river. The bridge dangles vertically from your side of the crevasse, but the frayed ends of the rope are still tied to supports on the other side.

In the rearguard, Uri notices a group coming up behind them. There are four humans: a large man with a bald head and large beard, a woman dressed in a full bear pelt including the head, a woman caked in mud holding a horn,  and a man with one arm and a large gnarled staff. The are two Large wolves with snow white fur with them; one is at the front and the other is in the back. Oddly, the wolf in front seems to be talking to the woman in bear skins. They have not noticed Uri.

Uri carefully descends the tree and proceeds after the party at a fast pace. When he reaches them, he will inform them of the group behind and his appraisal that they are no mere travellers; possibly they are adventurers like themselves.

Sir Gadston

Upon hearing Uri's report Gadston will ask: "Are they following us or just traveling in the same  direction as us? This is a main road and folks do travel it." he finishes.

Gavyn looks out across the gap, thinking over Uri's report. Not quite a main road, I think, Sir Gadston. Wheels spinning, he starts looking around the area for possible ambush spots.

"If we get across the chasm before they catch us, we'd be at an advantage", declares Uri. "How much rope do we have between us?"

Uri has 50' of rope and a grappling hook. If he can get down to the foot of the cliff, he may be able to grapple the end of the bridge on the other side, tie it to the rope, climb up and then haul the bridge back using a block & tackle. However, he explains to the others that even if this is feasible, it might be risky - and time consuming. Time they don't have much of.

"Of course, they may just be innocent travelers". Innocent of what, though?

Sir Gadston

"Not every group an enemy makes Gavyn Ole boy" says Gadston. "But, I must confess caution may be the better part of valor." he continues. "As I see it, we can either try to cross the bridge 1 at a time with rope secured to the person to ensure they do not fall into the depths. The issue I see with it is if some get across, then the bridge falls, it will leave the others on this side." Gadston thinks for a moment. "Or, caution being better part of Valor, you take position and I start a small camp and greet these travelers."

"Unless our Master of the Mystic Arts has a suggestion." he says turning to Direcris.

Gavyn cracks a grin. "Why, Sir Gadston, caution is a wonderful idea." Gadston had made trying to get them into an ambush spot even easier, as Gavyn wasn't looking forward to talking him into it.

Uri confers with Gavyn on the best locations for an ambush, reminding the ranger that he can harness his inner ki in order to better hide themselves, even from the noses of the strangers' canine companions.

"Hmm," Dench says. "I'll 'camp' with Gadston. It's always fun to listen to him talk." Dench takes his crossbow from his back and sets it close by. He does his best to smile around his tusks, practicing for the other group's arrival. "That's alright, I hope, Gadston?" He tucks the compass/orb away, takes off his pack, and stamps his left foot three times as he mutters something under his breath.

"There appears to be little room for the Hut." (Perception check jic: 16). "I could see but not hear them. Once they draw closer I can learn a few things. The more I attempt to learn, they will know of. Not that I would mind but it would be best of more of us were hidden than visible. I'll cast the bond, of course. Sir Gadston, would you mind the company at the fire?"

He is reaching into his component pouch as he speaks. His fingers on the eggshells, he then casts Telepathic Bond on all of them.

Uri

Pass without trace: -2 ki (9/11 remaining)
Stealth: 36

Sir Gadston

"Alright then." Gadston says.

Gadston sets down his pack and starts to set up a small fireless camp. Gadston will draw his sword, take a seat then lay his sword across his lap. 

"Now we wait." he says.

Gavyn tries to find a spot to hide that still gives him a good view...he goes a little farther than the others, trusting his goggles to help him see. 

stealth 15