We made it back to the kingdom of Dagin safely. No parade or celebration for our return, only the facts were required of the King Regent Marek Surtova.

We debriefed the King and explained the threat of the neutral god as well as the pale face orcs. The King offered his hospitality and asked us to rest for a few days  before we meet again. I must admit I do see the pleasures of royalty. Meditating in such a luxurious bed was a guilty pleasure that was well earned.

On the third day, the King summon us to his war chamber. He had a new mission for us one that seemed to worried him.

To the south halfway from Dagin and free city of Restov the King had a contigent of Black Arrow woodsman. They we specialist in the arts of tracking and survival and their job was to keep order and lookout to the lands of the south. It has been a week since the King has heard from them.

There was a half giant called Barl Breakborne who was a boulder belly stone giant. This giant appears to be rallying the ogre clans under one banner. The King gave us as much information that he had on hand. The fact that the half giant was sent by the Patriach Grolki and was making his way to the valley of fire. This information was given by dwarves that are still loyal to the king. I find it interesting that the dwarves as a whole locked themselves into the mountain.

It did not take much to determine that the king was worried that Barl Breakborne may be trying to unite the Ogres. The King end the conversation with the fact that now word has been heard from Fort Rennick in over a week. The King reminds of that the free state while loyal to the kingdom did not follow under the kingdom rules. He wanted us to blend in and not announce that we were from the kingdom. I must admit my mind wondered a bit as I have not interest in human politics. 

We are provide magnificent war horse for our journey. The first day of riding was uneventful and we slept at a new settlement called Turtle Back Fairy. The people were very friendly and had heard of us. This worried me a bit, we are getting a reputation and some might view us as a threat. Darn human politics has a way of sucking you in.

We decided to move on to our primary mission after the settlement told us of the decapitated heads. We believe it to be the Black Arrows but until we can view it ourselves it is mere speculation at this point. We left our horses with the settlement and decided to hike it. 

I could hear it. The sound of a heavy bear moving through the forest. Without thinking I move forward to meet the beast. I noticed that its leg is caught in a trap and it is bleeding as it drags the trap along. I motion for everyone to hold and approach the bear slowly. I gently rub its head and lock gaze with with it, I am grateful that Mother and Father gave me the ability to speak with animals. 

I ask it what happen and it conveyed that it was caught in a trap and was trying to get help for its master. I told the bear to relax and that we would free it. I motion for Philip to approach.

“I need you to open this trap so that we can free it”

Philip nodded and pried open the trap, it appears he struggled a bit but his struggle would be better than my best attempt.

I placed my hand on the bear’s leg and silently asked Mother and Father to heal it. My prayers were answered as the bleeding stopped. The bear shook its head and motion for me to follow. I motion for everyone else to follow the bear.

We arrive to a small farm settlement and we see horses slaughtered and the homes boarded up. I glance at the bear and could see the fear in its eyes, its body would not move any further as it scanned the area. I withdraw my bow and move slowly forward scanning the area, I motion for the bear to stay.

Upon closer examination it looked as if the horses were mauled while still alive. Human remains were scattered underneath. I could not take it anymore, life is precious and we are blessed with the lands that Mother and Father provided. I withdrew an arrow and called upon the divine gift of fire, I was going to burn all three of those homes. Without saying a word Jonythyn conveyed his displeasure with my current course of action. I could also hear the bond I share with the bear pleading for me to save it’s master. I extinguish the arrow and take up a defensive position.

Philip kicks open and door and Tid and Greytome follow. Jonythyn goes in another door in the same building. I manage to cover all of them and the bear just in case something jumps out. Jonythyn was losing his lunch and I was losing sight of Tid and Greytome. I could hear the growl, another bear but this one was going after Jonythyn. I take a deep breath and let an arrow fly, unfortunately I missed. I had to watch as the bear took a chunk out of Jonythyn. I let loose another arrow which finds it mark and Jonythyn unleashes a flurry of blows. As the thought cross my mind that perhaps I could reason with the beast it is killed.

We open the next building and Philip is beset by a swarm of stirgys, while some type of demon dogs charge Jonythyn.  I pelt one of the unholy beast with arrows as it and its partner circled Jonythyn. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Greytome trying to help Philip. As always I have to assist the half brother. The spike thorns flow from my hands and wraps around one of the demon dogs dragging it ten feet closer to me. I then fire a perfect shot wounding the beast, the bear was embolden by my actions and it stir it to attack. With such ferocity it mauled the demon dog. I like this bear and if things do not work out for it I would be honored if it wishes to follow me as a companion.

We set out eyes to the next building and take a deep breath. We open the door not sure what to expect.