Mr.Dark stops abruptly and looks at Auric, "Uhhh, what?"  He smiles and pats his shoulder, "No...seriously...I have no idea what you just said? Does your dragon hate laughter?"

"I'm not well-versed in fancy talk like Auric is, but I think he's saying that the dragon's got good hearing and that your jokes might catch its' attention."

     Kaemgen follows Auric’s eyes, if not his words, and turns to also look skyward while instinctively reaching for his weapons.  “We may want to grab some cover and then be still,” he says in a hushed voice, glancing around for any likely cover nearby.

Mr.Dark finally follows everyone's eyes and instinctively ducks, "Oh crap....." and in a hushed tone takes cover.

Auric:

With no more discussion, Auric moves into cover and watches for the dragon to either approach or depart.

Stealth:  7

The dragonborns manage to silence the Dark, but it was Auric’s reflective scales that’d glint, catching light despite the rain. The wind howls, whipping droplets against ones face and rustling the leaves of the trees. Tense moments heavier than the fog around you hang in the air. Those squinting through the precipitation with their eyes to the sky would witness the beast almost pause. It’d then circle the skies where the group made camp before diving out of sight.

Auric:

"Methinks it is time to move on," says the dragonborn once the true dragon is out of sight.

Perception:  6  --Did Auric get a good look at the dragon?  Could he tell its size and color?

     “Are they too immune to all but silver and magic” Kaemgen asks after it seems they are in the clear.  The idea that a war hammer upside one’s head could have no effect still confusing to him.

     “But yes, let’s make haste to our destination…” Kaemgen says, his mind turning to the wolves and hoping they’ll be smart enough to take cover of the beast flies overhead…

Mr.Dark shivers and for once says nothing. He silently follows the group, his eyes continuing scanning the sky behind them.

With the rain whipping against his face, Auric doesn’t really get much of a good look.

The group was only 3 hours into a 9 hour march. So hugging the tree line of the Triboar trail, with the dragon somewhere behind them, the group continues on to Butterskull Ranch.

Only time could tell whether the twins reached their destination and successfully delivered Kaemgen’s message. They should have arrived by now, right? They knew how to find him again, right?

The trail dragged on, and on, and on. The day dragged on, and on, and on. The rain continued and the fog still didn’t lift. But eventually, the group would come up on an abandoned town. While consulting the map, Auric would figure they must be entering Conyberry. It is eerily silent except for the whistling of the wind as it blows through the settlement’s burned and crumbled-down structures.

Auric:

“The trail leadeth on from here, fair companions mine, but I mislike the feel of this abandoned hamlet.  Let us proceed with the utmost caution,” says Auric, keeping a wary eye out for trouble.

Perception:   12

Butterskull Ranch Quest.
“Orcs have attacked Butterskull Ranch, five miles east of Conyberry along the Triboar Trail! Travel there with haste, assess the damage, and help any way you can. Ranch owner Alfonse “Big Al” Kalazorn is a retired sheriff who can reward you for your efforts. If he’s dead, return to Townmaster Harbin Wester with proof of Kalazorn’s demise to receive a reward of 100 gp.”

Mr. Dark snaps out of his reverie and creeps forward into Conyberry, staying to the outsides and silently creeping about trying to determine why Connyberry is deserted. 

Stealth : 16

Perception : 13

     Kaemgen keeps his eyes and ears peeled, his head on a swivel... But the destruction looks pretty complete and he has no high hopes of finding survivors. Not even retired Sheriff Kalazorn.  Still, he wonders what kind of evidence of his demise is required...

Perception: 9

     It is weird without the wolves around d.  Weird how used to their presence he became so quickly.  But he trusts they will find Adabra...  And that she will take care of them.

Castor and Pollux

Conyberry

Auric leads the way through the ruins while Mr. Dark takes a scout around the outskirts of the village. Both of them gather that the Triboar Trail runs right through this abandoned town, which was sacked by barbarians years ago which is why lies in ruins.

Without his loyal companions, Kaemgen was not complete. He couldn't sense much beyond his own being in this fog. However, Auric would spot three unsaddled riding horses grazing near an old well.

Sneaking around amongst the mist and shadows, Mr. Dark comes upon a deserted old house with shattered windows. Through one of frames of the shattered panes were a pair of eyes that stare in his direction. At him? Through him? It was hard to tell. It took a minute to really make sure, but there was no doubt about it. The eyes belonged to none other, than a cow. It wore a flower crown and a rectangular bell around its neck.

Also, leading out from the building was a dirt road extending south of the town.

Auric:

Heading towards the horses, Auric says, “Methinks these livestock may be strays from the Butterskull Ranch.  Let us gather them and return them to their home in the east, for the southern trail leadeth to the dragon’s demesne, if memory serves.”

Animal Handling on the horses:  20

      Kaemgen follows Auric and attempts to assist with the gathering of the horses.  He was never much of a horseman but he has been around them and doesn't have the natural hesitancy many do who are unfamiliar with the beasts.

(Animal Handling if he can also try: 9 )

     Kaemgen also flips a copper piece into the well and closes his eyes for a moment, trying to hurry some good wishes for Castor and Pollux through his mind before he hears the coin plop at the bottom of the well.  Truthfully he's never found the little ritual to ever have much effect but he still couldn't help to do it whenever he saw an abandoned or unused well.

Mr.Dark sneaks through the deserted town, realizing it's long been destroyed. He oggles the one house in fear, imaging dark shadows flitting about within, or a pour soul trapped in some lower room by a wicked murderer that is just about to rise from behind him and knock him unconscious.  With his head on a swivel and being extra twitchy he sees the eyes. THE EYES.  A few thudding heart beats later and the animals shuffles slightly into some light revealing its true nature.  With a sigh of relief, Mr.Dark shakes his head. He pulls out his lucky coin, flipping it in the air and catching it smoothly.  "Dark...you fool." 

He walks past the cow and says to it, "I hope you don't have any innocent bovines trapped in the basement for your torturous pleasures you sick animal." 

He meets the others in town as Kaemgen and Auric attempt to wrangle some animals. He watches their attempts, knowing nothing about the process, and occasionally offers an unhelpful hint.  "You gotta show that horse who's boss!  Make eye contact, and stare it down. You're the alpha!  Remember that!"

(It was meant to be read. Placed it in spoilers for those who wanted to read it and so that it doesn’t take from the main adventurers. I intend to fill in their side of the story as I can. Thank you.)

With Auric’s booming voice and imposing figure, the horses were set on edge. Then upon Kaemgen’s approach they were spooked even further. Compared to the wolves, he just didn’t have the gentler touch to handle a horse. However, Auric and Mr. Dark could make out that the horses were branded with the letters BAK.

"You gotta show that horse who's boss!  Make eye contact, and stare it down. You're the alpha!  Remember that!"

Standing behind Mr. Dark is a cow wearing a crown made of flowers and a rectangular bell around its neck. It leans in to begin grazing on his hair.

     "Riiiiight..." Kaemgen replies, backing slowly away from the horse to let it know that it is definitely the one in charge.

     "You see the problem is the saddle - I totally forgot mine back at the tavern.  Silly, right?  So really, the best thing we can do is let them graze and roam free while we continue on our journey..." Kaemgen says, trying to suppress a smile as he watches the cow stealth up behind Mr. Dark.

Mr.Dark says out loud, "Hey, those things are branded with BAK.  Batterskull.  BAK.  Maybe belong to the ranch."  

Then Mr.Dark swats at his hair feeling a bit of a tug.  Then scratches his neck. Then, when a moist thick breath rolls down his neck and the cow gives his hair a good tug, he spins around. Face to face with a cow is not the worst thing thats ever happened to Mr.Dark....but based on his reaction you might think it was.  He leaps about two feet in the air and windmills his arms while yelling the following phrase, "RRAWWWHRAWHWAATTHEOHMYCRAPDAAMMITWHATTHE!?!!" 

With his eloquent speech and momentary attempt at flight complete, he bolts away a couple dozen feet with his eyes wide as he stares at the cow.....ready to dodge should it charge him.