[Aqua-chan]

From the rows of wounded and tattered people, a woman walked forward. There was nothing special about her other than she was not scarred and bleeding, but she was dirty enough to have been in combat all the same. “Yes, Arch Druid?”

Faldorn did not answer her, but turned back to Sytze. “This is my scout. She’s been tracking and predicting the orc movements since they first made their presence known, and she’s familiar with their habits. She believes she knows a group that can find out the identity of this mysterious plague that has befallen my lands. She will tell you of our efforts.”

Amara, a case of maps and scrolls tucked under her arm, approached quietly. She kneeled on the ground and withdrew a particularly large map from the cache, unfolded it, and spread it out flat. Small stones and rocks she picked up from nearby served as paperweights for the corners. After a short examination Sytze realized that extensive notes, lines, and routes had been marked on the map.

“We first discovered their smallest band here,” she indicated to a circle drawn on the outside portion of the Tethyrian woods, “After we destroyed the group inhabiting that area, we learned that there were many more on their way. In the past few weeks they’ve assembled themselves in a line, a front, if you will, that will probably stretch as far as this grove to the western coast. It would seem they’re trying to set themselves up to blockade the region: they’ve begun attacking caravans on minor trade roads between smaller cities.”

“What business would orcs have trying to block off Amn?” Sytze asked.

Amara gave the rogue a small glance. “I don’t think they’re necessarily trying to hurt Amn’s economy.” Sytze noticed that this druid didn’t speak with the same disdain for towns and cities that the others did. “Their forces are a bit thin, but they’re still very strong because of the forests. They are able to hide and regroup after every blow we deal to them, making battles quite frustrating. Anyway, after watching them I’ve theorized that they’re not laying siege to Amn, but are rather trying to envelope the woods of Tethyr, which could be where their base of operations is. Their small bandit raids on caravans traveling south leads me to believe that they only do it because they need supplies to restock their forces, and only on small-time merchants to minimize risk of getting official authorities involved.”

The archer smirked slightly. “Even if the Order did get involved, they wouldn’t be any good in the forests. The plate-clad dolts would get stuck in the brush.”

“Not to mention it would be a full-scale slaughter. These orcs, they’re not just uniformed and equipped. They’re trained and completely combat ready. I don’t think either Amnish or Tethyrian authorities have much of a hope at ending this threat. I believe it will take a smaller group to infiltrate; to investigate low profile and try to figure out weaknesses.”

“I’ll go out on a limb and suppose you have a group in mind.”

“It was my intention to seek out some former companions of mine, a group of mercenaries,” the woman stuttered, tucking a few strands of her long hair behind her ear, “You may have heard of the Order of the Dark Flame?”

“The ones who killed the Abomination? Who doesn’t know of them?” he asked sarcastically. “They only saved the Realms from utter destruction.”

“And that was a critical blow to the balance of nature,” the forgotten Arch Druid, Faldorn, snapped. The way she eyed Amara caused the younger woman to look down at the map uncomfortably. A heated presence graced her cheeks as the blood rushed to them in some unspoken shame. No druids in the room even dared mutter. Sytze thought Faldorn’s priorities were a little skewed.

In the midst of all the uneasiness, Sytze, wondering if he could change the topic, shot a glance to Amara. “Where are these friends of yours? I thought the Dark Flames had parted ways.”

“The group has since disbanded,” she conceded, “But I have general ideas. Some went to the elven cities, some to the Spine, and others to Tethyr. However, there is not a doubt in my mind that at least a few have already begun investigating this threat on their own. It’s only a matter of catching up with them. I hope to do such catching up in the town of Windhaven.”

“Well, I wish you luck with that, then,” Sytze said unceremoniously, hefting his light pack back on his shoulder and readying himself to depart. “I’m sorry that there’s not really anything I can do to help you guys out, for I have my own troubles and problems. Not a whole lot of good I can do considering how limited your options are.”

“But you can help!” Amara exclaimed anxiously. “You’re a traveler. I presume you’re headed south.”

He quickly pieced together what ideas she was clearly thinking. “I’m sorry, Amara, but I have no intention on being your escort. I’m trying to lay low as it is, and being your bodyguard to a city won’t help. You’re gonna have to find somebody else.”

“Well, okay,” she drawled innocently. Sytze gave her a suspicious look and rolled his eyes, already regretting his next question..

He sighed. “What is it?”

“Well, remember how I told you the orcs were aligning themselves in a straight line to the coast? They’re still there, and you’re more likely to run into a group of them than make it through unseen.” Sytze stopped for a moment, now recalling this small detail. Amara saw this and knew she had an upper hand. “But I’ve been watching them for weeks. I know where they camp and patrol… and I know where they don’t. You’ll be able to breach their forces much more safely with me than without.”

“I don’t like being manipulated,” he growled under his breath to her.

“And I do not like manipulating people, but I do need an arm capable in combat to get me to Windhaven. I’m no warrior, my friend, and I don’t expect you to swear any allegiance to me. Once we get to the town you’ll be free to come and go as you please.”

Sytze gave her an evaluating stare, taking particular note of the look of hope in her eyes. This must have been the only break she would be able to get, and he was headed south anyway…

“Have you any belongings to prepare?” he finally asked grudgingly.

“I have no possessions but my maps and these clothes,” she replied happily, gathering the large piece off the floor and starting to fold it up. Sytze realized her possessions apparently did not include a weapon.

“You’ll both leave now,” Faldorn told the two firmly, losing patience with her present company, “You’ll have to move with haste, as the enemy’s reinforcements arrive quickly. Amara, call a beast and go.”