Stern will re-assess the situation when he gets closer, whether or not Tass needs help. The main goal for now is to keep moving and not get caught in the open.
I am hatching a plan to maybe topple the scaffolding and send the workers crashing to the ground. In my mind the scaffolding is suitably rickety that Stern could knock it over with his great strength. Is this a plausible idea?
Stern cautions, "The harpies might come to investigate the smoke, so it's important to get indoors, or underground, as quickly as possible. If we have to fight the guards, don't get caught in the open. Try to draw the battle under cover of buildings, archways, tunnels. Tass , if you hear flapp...
Stern agrees, "That would certainly get their attention. They wouldn't want to watch their hard work go up in smoke." (grinning down at the hobbit hobbet) "Tass, can you make it look like an accident?"
Stern hoists his big sword and follows Garamon into the ruins. He skulks from building to building, taking cover as he can, anxiously scanning the horizon for the harpies' return.