Immersive Ink

Yes, yes, interjects Valorn. Let us get going. I feel too exposed out here.

| So that is everyone. I am ready to move on to the adventure. |

"Right you are my Lords and Ladies", replies Helmut with a mock bow, "I trust you slumbered well and are much refreshed from your labours, that we might venture a little further?"

Without waiting for a reply he turns and lifts his pack from the earth and slides his great-sword into the sheath on his back. Donning the pack, he then trudges off in the direction they had been following.

"Madame flaming arrow", he calls behind, "Perchance you would like to lead us? Your sharp eye may serve as early warning if we come across any greenskins"

Condorcet wrote:"Madame flaming arrow", he calls behind, "Perchance you would like to lead us? Your sharp eye may serve as early warning if we come across any greenskins"

"Thank you Helmut for asking I'm glad to assist leading the way to the abbey, for the Lords and Ladies. I will keep a sharp look out!", says Ashtad.

Valorn will follow Ashtad. "Nice to see that a few people here know what they are doing."

So it is then that Ashtad strides gallantly ahead of the main group along the virtually invisible "road", enjoying the morning sunshine and a bit of highland air. It is a fine spring morning; to be sure.

Helmut and Valorn follow some score or so yards back, with the gaggle of camp followers in tow.

"It shall be mid-mornin' prayers soon," mutter one anxiously,
"Not to mention tea," replies another, more upbeat,
"'cept the tea's bin gone a week," scowls another,
"Quit remindin' us," complain the others.

And so on it goes in much the same manner of gossip and petty squabbles as they have been at since the journey began...

However, none of this impacts progress overly, and the going is relatively good all morning. Before noon, the abbey is spotted on the opposite side of a deep ravine. There is a precarious rope bridge passing over the obstacle about a mile nearer, but even from here it is plain to see the abbey has been sacked! There is smoke rising from within--so plainly whatever happened must have been recent--and some of the outer wall appears to have been tumbled down.

There is no activity apparent at this distance, nor any cries or other sounds, but even so it is a mighty disheartening sight to see after all the weary days on the road.

What now?

"It would seem that our goal is no longer the refuge we had hoped", observes Helmut, a cool fire burning in his eyes, "Perhaps the rumours were true?"

"Let us approach cautiously. With any luck, those responsible may still be around to taste redemption."

He draws his massive blade and heads off toward the bridge.

Valorn will follow Helmut.

"Lady Ashtad, perhaps you can cover us as we cross the bridge."

Lady Ashtad agrees to follow with bow drawn and eyes open for covering fire, but first Ashtad will address the seven camp followers in tow.
Ashtad explains to them, "there has been a little trouble ahead we will make sure all is okay and when we get back we can all enter the abbey. We will not be long but be good people and wait quietly in the bushes off the road to be on the safe side, until we return." With that Ashtad follows Valorn and Helmut.

Helmut, carrying a bare two-handed sword, strides purposefully toward the near edge of the precarious looking rope bridge followed by Valorn the dwarf.

Ashtad lingers with the camp followers a while, lecturing them about the safety of the road side (albeit the "road" is a scarcely used goat track), before taking up a duty of covering fire for the advance group.

"We've all heard their are wolves about," "we're doomed," whine the camp followers.
"We'd be safer in the abbey, fer sure," is the general consensus.
They trail somewhat behind Ashtad, not quite staying put, but not quite moving on at pace.

Meanwhile, as Helmut and Valorn approach the footing of the bridge, some 30 yards ahead.

It is a flimsy, neglected, rope bridge. The deck comprises severely weathered timber palings of about 2ft width, with two rope banisters--one to either side. The entirety of it spans a 50 yard ravine that is deep enough to be a concern. It's clearly a single file affair, and not for the faint heated.

There is on visible activity to either side of the ravine, though it would make a perfect check point for any trouble makers or enforcers...