Mirica shook her head: "There seems to be hells of miscommunication lately. I did not propose to attack those forces head on - only get near them, and while being hidden (surely we have something allowing us to do that!) wait for the Regiment to show up. Only then we join the battle."

"We are not waiting here for the battle to begin, risking to miss it, no. We are not searching either. Ambushing forces are already in position, so we are joining them. Sort of."

Chen agrees with Toc. A scrying might turn up nothing, but it also might glimpse a building or body of water or something they can locate more easily than a group of people, and narrow their search area.

     Fianna bites her lip and considers for a moment.  “Well I’m not against trying it,” she says softly, almost reluctantly.  “I’m just afraid it’ll be a bit of a waste of power...  Scrying works best when you know the target, or have something of theirs.  When there’s a connection...All I have is a vague description.”

     She walks around the space the party occupies, a bit distracted, scratches FinFin’s neck once or twice.  “I guess it is worth a try... Just don’t be expecting to much.”

     “I’ll need to concentrate for as long as possible in order to get as much information as possible. Maybe SinSin, Chen and Loane should stand guard?  Toc, Mirica and Jahren stay closer so you can hear everything I describe, maybe pic up on clues I don’t?  Toc knows these lands better than I, Mirica seems to know nature well...  and Jahren just seems to know a little of everything?”

     Assuming the plan is accepted, Fianna will find the most comfortable spot she can to sit down and lean against a tree before casting the spell. It is not a quick spell, and it’s more delicate than the battle spells she’s more used to...  but if it works it could be more valuable than any fireball.  With party warned of what to expect and assignments given, Fianna casts her scrying spell and closes her eyes, concentrating on every small bit of information she’s learned about  Sergeant Coons specifically and the 22nd regiment more generally.  Holding all that in mind she casts her inner eye out into the world to try to spy upon the object of her concentration....

Fianna focus' on Sergeant Coons.  She pulls out a silver mirror with fine engraving work all around its frame and handle, and small gems inset into its back.  When she's ready her mind focused, she opens her eyes and looks into the silvery surface.  It wavers like liquid for a moment.  23. Then the surface settles down and she sees nothing but her own reflection. The spell has failed.

Toc taps his fingers to his lips.  "You know....I'm not sure about the informant in the regiment idea.  We setup this meeting with the regiment, what.....6 hours ago?  The forces FinFin saw in the old elven court...if they only found out 6 hours ago or so, how could they have gotten here and setup so fast.  We teleported here and only had a brief stay in Mirica's happy place.  I'm unsure how they could have setup an ambush so quickly.  The 22nd picked this spot to meet in, in a day and a half from now.  Maybe they were already heading here and these forces already knew?"

"Toc, you suggested we might take advantage of this situation while the enemy is, I hope, unaware of our presence.  What exactly did you have in mind?"

"Otherwise, it would seem that we will have a difficult time finding the 22nd before this green dragon and this significant ambush force does.  I see little choice but to use the magic we have to warn both the regiment and the 22nd squad."

"Yes! Exactly!" Toc worded Mirica's concerns in understandable way. "It could be the regiment had another business in the area, one they planned to wrap up before our meeting. May be it's them who is in reality settyng an ambush? Some trap to discover the spy or catch the enemies all in one place? In that case a warning will be either useless or dangerous.We had to ask that drow when they expect regiment to show up. But anyway - more reasons to think the regiment will appear near that ambush."

     "So we still seem to be left with the same quandaries though:  Do we warn the 22nd through the main regiment? And how to find the 22nd if we are to aid them?" Fianna says.  "If we now believe there is likely no inside spy, then I don't see any reason for Toc not to warn the regiment of the ambush.  If it is useless, it's useless.  I'm not seeing how it would be dangerous...?"

     "As for finding them, if we do pass along a warning, we can also pass along an offer of assist.  I suspect they're too human-centric to accept, but I think the real danger would be us trying to assist them without their being forewarned of our presence.  As much as the Hillsfar Humans seem to dislike the rest of us, I don't imagine the midst of combat would be a good time to try to convince them that we're trying to help...:

"Spy or not - we can send warning. But also - an invitation. Surely there is some easy to find point around here where we can meet - not in two days but sooner. We invite them and FinFin can wait there keeping guard. If they come - we teleport there, if drow or dragon comes instead, we know there is a spy for sure and see what would happen."

"Now you're talking" says Jahren to Mirica, approving of the plan to set a new spot and see who shows up via familiar.

     "Assuming Toc can indeed manage to send enough messages and arrange such a thing, it does seem like a solid plan," Fianna agrees.

"I agree. It's safe, or as safe as we can be in this situation, and allows us to change at a moment's notice. Are you fine with putting FinFin in possible danger for it?"

     "Well that is up to FinFin," Fianna answers, instinctively reaching up to give the top of their head a scratch. "But FinFin is a brave little beast... And a sneaky one." 

     Fianna looks back to the group and turns a bit more serious.  "FinFin is more than what you may be used to from familiars, but worst case scenario they return once the recover enough to do so.  I'll not send them to their death out of mere curiosity, but we're willing to accept tactically responsible dangers when needed."

Seeing Toc's logic about the timing of the message and the ambush, he agrees that sending a message to arrange an alternative rendezvous is the best plan.

Toc nods to the group.  To Jahren's query he shrugs, "I had no specific thought in mind. Just...in war....when you have the drop on your enemy there can often be creative ways to use that information against them.  However, I have no specific ideas."   He turns to Fianna, "Yes, I should be able to send enough messages to arrange one. Let us choose a new meeting location they will know."  He taps his finger on his chin.  "You know, just west of here is a famous location. The Vault of Unquenched Vengeance. It's an intimidating name, but a fine landmark to meet at.  There is a large unusual jet black tree just west of here, perhaps three miles.  It is next to a large clearing with a pond. FinFin, if you wish to go scope it out and ensure it's safe, I suggest we meet them there." 

Fianna gives FinFin a little scratch on the neck and then the small dragon flaps up into the trees to go look for the jet black tree.  It only takes the dragon an hour to locate the jet black tree.  Flapping around the area, FinFin sees no sign of any trap, enemies, or watchers.  The place is quiet, though still within the dark woods. It is far enough from the ruins that your water sources won't be tainted.

Toc looks about for approval before sending a message to the regiment to pass on to the 22nd, then he sends his message.  He grimaces and mutters, "I'll need to use another spell.  Waiting a few minutes."  A few minutes later he casts yet another sending spell.  "The 22nd has agreed to meet us at the black tree. They agreed to give the ruins a wide berth on their way there. They figured they'd be there by around noon tomorrow.  Are we camping there or elsewhere tonight?"

What does the group do to prepare for their arrival and where do you wait? 

"A touch too close to the drow patrol. On the other hand, we can watch them this way. Are there any means to make our camp undetectable? If not - we might want to move somewhere without spoiled water and dragon forces around." Mirica did not know that woods and could not even advise about direction, just hoped that the place is big enough for a coomb or a cleft overgrown with underbrush that would allow some safety for the night.

Toc, "I can make my magical dome, which you can't see into or cast spells into, so it's pretty safe.  But, that's the best I can do at the moment. All of us can fit in the small dome.  It'll be a bit cramped, but we should be fine. I've squeezed 8 other folk into it with me in the past."

Mirica glanced at Chen, sighed and asked: "Is it invisible? Or should we still find some concealed spot for it? Can add something to the plants around if it helps."

Toc shakes his head, "It's not invisible. You can see it.  Like a big old unnatural perfectly round grey rock.  Covering it up with plants should work great."

"Are we putting it here, closer to the black tree, or even further away?"

(after you decide where to situate it...)

He spends ten minutes summoning the magical dome, situating it against a hill so it blends in a bit, then inviting everyone inside.  It has the perfect temperature inside, is quiet and the air is still. 

Mirica begins going about concealing it with plants that creep and crawl across its surface.  Everyone can have a long rest if they wish.  Anyone doing anything else during the next period? 

     Fianna will suggest we move before we set camp.  Just in case the drowse we released either somehow remembers or has his mind read or who knows what...  Best to be somewhere different.  She suggests somewhere close, but not too close, to the meeting point.  Somewhere like a half a mile, a mile away... Over tough terrain so it's unlikely the 22nd would happen by accidentally and be a bit less likely a spot if they are looking.

     Other than that, Fianna will rest and enjoy some quiet before what is sure to be a chaotic next day.