Heathcliffe supports the idea with a cherubim smile, "You do that, determined Thraim, but be quick to return lest we have to search for you after some smoking." He pulls out his tabacco and starts to enjoy himself.

Semina is tired and weary from the days travel.  She dismounts Icerick and leads him off into the clearing, so she may feed and water him.  She notices the eyes that follow her,but is  not alarmed, for if she was to be dinner, Icerick would have alerted her by now.

She ties Icerick off to a local branch, and begins to dig up a torch out of her pack.  She walks back to the group, and looks directly at Thraim.  "Shall I light a torch to find some kindle?" she looks hesitant. "By all means Thraim, please don't lose yourself, for I will be displeased at making your whereabouts a side adventure."

Semina turns before Thraim can respond and lights her torch.  Glowing eyes are never a comfort for her, so she will begin to find kindle to keep the lurkers away in case they decide she is food.

Thraim looks in wonder at Semina as she walks away.  He clucks to himself as he readies his horse for the night.  He removes the saddle and tack.  He rubs down his horse throughly.

A good mount will save your bacon, Thraim thinks to himself as he works and mumbles nonsense under his breath.

hmmph!  'Determined' he says.  Well, yeah, better determined than dead.  Being a good scout is such a thankless job, Thraim snorts to himself as he secures his horse with the others, and then starts chuckling to himself.

Thraim polices his belongs and mount one last time before heading out of camp on foot into the darkness.  

"Don't wait up kids, daddy will be home late!"  Thraim says jovially to his companions with a wave as he leaves the camp.

Thraim's silhouetted figure disappears into the darkness as he walks down the road.  When he is out of sight of the camp, he loads and his crossbow and holds it as he walks down the road.  He keeps alert for any usual noises, and he watching for the tell-tale glow of a campfire to pinpoint the location of his quarry.

Semina just smiles as Thraim sounds off his idle remarks to the group.  She finds dwarfs quite fascinating, and humorous creatures.  Semina finds herself specifically drawn to this dwarf.  'It must be his fighting style I find so enamoring' she thinks to herself.

She walks back over to Icerick to make sure he is comfortable, and that he has fed enough for their journey tomorrow.  She lets her hand slide down his side in gentle motion to assures him that there is nothing to fear, and bids him good night.

'Now for some kindle for the fire,' she wonders about.  There are a few fallen branches she gathers up, and places them by some rocks.  Semina finds some dry leaves, and places them under the wood.  She then puts the rocks in a circular formation, to keep the fire contained.  Knowing Thraim will find his way back with no problem; Semina will keep the fire going in good faith, like a land mark.

(OOC: Sorry guys, been taking finals and applying to grad schools. I'll be able to check in more frequently now)

Sander approaches Semina.
"Need any help with the fire?"

Semina nods yes to Sanders request and hands him the torch.  "I saw some more fallen branches to your right if you would like to gather them up," she smiles at Sander.  "I will gladly take first watch tonight, even though Thraim will out and around."  

Semina  finishes placing the rocks in circular formation, and heads back over to Icerick.  She unties her horse in case any unforeseen events happen while the group is resting. "Behave yourself," she whispers to the horse as she grabs  her bed roll, rations and a water skin to refresh herself.  

'Good night to get in some Dokuen Chi practice,' she hums to herself.  'Besides, who can sleep with all the eyes lingering about.'

Sorry about the delays, folks, work was a bit hectic right before the holidays.  Should be smooth sailing from here on out, and I hope everyone had a good holiday!

"Give me thirty minutes and we may be able to set up a counter-ambush" Naren says, pulling out his spellbook.

(I've got a free second-level slot, so I'm memorizing Rope Trick)

Pleasant summer weather soon gives way to oppressive cold as the night falls.  The fire gets started well enough, and just in time it seems.  As the fire crawls over the wood and starts to brighten, the woods feel like they are closing in when an arctic blast of wind howls through the trees.  The fire gutters a bit, but flares up again with a couple of logs.  Despite the added fuel, it feels like the chill in the air allows the heat no purchase to reach you.  The ever-present flicker of green and yellow watching you from the edge of the clearing sets your nerves on edge as well.

The howling of the wind is punctuated with the hooting of owls in the distance, and closer with the malevolent screeches of some nocturnal bird you have not been able to identify, "Tekiki-ki!  Tekiki-kiii!"  It seems to come precisely when you want to concentrate on a spell passage, or just when you are about to reach a state of calm.  The animals appear agitated after the cries, as you can't see their eyes for a minute or so after the piercing screech and you can hear them scrambling about in the deeper woods.

After an hour or so the wind dies down, but the chill remains; it steals under your blankets and runs icy fingers into your hearts.

Three hours have past, and the cold finally agitates Semina enough to wake someone for second watch.  She walks over to Sander and taps him on the shoulder.  "Your turn for watch cleric," she calmly states.  "I need some rest, and a chance to warm the bones."  

Semina turns about towards her bed roll, and kicks it a little closer to the fire.  She looks at Icerick and sees he is more at ease now that the wind has died down.  

She noticed the eerie feeling that crept over the camp when a strange noise screeched though the darkness.  Having her hand axe ready for what ever made the noise, nothing came about, but all the animals seem to scurry into hiding.

'Hope Thraim is having some luck out there finding whomever,' she silently considers.  'I'll bet the rest of the bandits have taken off in a different direction after they heard the screams of the dying.'  Shrugging her shoulders, Semina settles into her bed roll and begins to close her eyes, hoping for some sound sleep through the night.

Settling down into her bedroll by the fire, Semina is getting ready to fall asleep when the sound of footsteps catches her attention.  Looking up, you see Thraim returning from his scouting mission with an air of disappointment about him.  Sander rises to take his turn on watch, and you all notice a pair of elves dressed in dark colours on the northern edge of the grove watching you all go about your business.  They don't have weapons to hand, but you can see they are within easy reach.  Their equipment appears geared towards a long journey, but judging by the bulk of their packs, they have been travelling for a while already.

The campfire snaps and pops occasionally as the sap burns on the wood.

Naren has given up trying to memorize spells, since there appears to be constant noise. Instead, he is...approximating sleep.

*Tekiki-ki! Tekiki-kiii!*

He is approximating sleep so well that he notices Thraim come back - But not the elves. "Wonderful place" he says dryly "Just as soon as I start dropping off, I wonder if I'll survive the night. Can't imagine why. Any news?"

Semina begins to  fight off her groggy state as Thraim approaches the camp.  She can tell by his demeanor that he is very perturbed about his findings.

She sits up to hear any comments Thraim might share, and notices two beings standing near the edge of the woods.  Letting her eyes adjust, Semina is definitely taking interest in the elves looking back at her.  She overhears Naren speak to Thraim, and awaits his information, noting everyone's slight turn of head.

Thraim looks over at the pair of elves and says in elven, "If you mean us no harm, then you may enter the safety of our camp and warm yourselves by our fire."

Thraim smiles at the elves and sweeps his hand in an inviting motion which comes to rest on the pommel of his longsword, and he says to them in a loud and confident tone, "however, if you mean us harm, then get to it!  I'm tired, and killing you will just be more exhaustive work."

Naren blinks. Thraim was talking to...Elves? Now fully awake, Naren monitored the situation.