The second day was a beautiful and clear day, the air was crisp and light as the adventurers continued north to the homesteads. Bongles was in rare form as his comedic routine swelled into a performance that is the making of legends. However, it is quite possible that the dour halfling, Silus, while amused found more entertainment in offering Kudos in the form of well shot stones. Beyond those antics the journey to the homestead passed without event.
The homestead is nestled in a shallow bowl and is made up of a few small out buildings, a barn, and a main house; small white tendrils of smoke belied its position just beyond the rise. As the party arrived on the crest of the hill they looked down on a tense scene: three mounted riders surrounding a cluster of standing and kneeling individuals. Beyond on the other side of the main house were a group of cowering individuals resembling a family. As soon as the party was in site the three riders turned started riding out to meet them and it was clear from their manner in the saddle that the riders were both highly competent and very professional.
The riders were dressed in crisp uniforms and carried the banner of of a fist rising out of a mountain top. What players expected to meet were emissaries of the kingdom, instead they were intercepted and escorted back by orcs. Grim’s uncle was a member of the same cavalry unit, 2nd Brigade “Heaven’s Fist”, and this provided his some leverage in explaining the party’s motivation and intention for being at the homestead. The remaining members of the party still grappled with the reality that the orcs of the high plains carried themselves in a professional and respectful manner, quite a contrast to the garrison and Captain Sandoval himself.
Lt. Nazrhul was leading this contingent of the 2nd Brigade on patrol when they came upon a group of Ghost Monkeys preparing to raid the homestead. His unit fell upon them swiftly before any injury could come to the settlers. The settlers were grateful but confused as the actions of Lt. Nazrhul and his men are opposite of what they were taught to believe about the orcs of the High Plains. The demeanor and professionalism also left the party at a loss of words with only Bongles and Grim fully understanding that the beliefs and views of the Kingdom were wrong.
Interrogation of the surviving Ghost Monkeys, prior to the arrival of the party, lead the the clue of Rakengaard as having some bearing on the recent attacks on both sides of the border. After a night’s rest and armed with this information the party struck out for the former dwarven stronghold.
