---

---

Lerraina didn't budge from the tree stump when Keystone offered the bottle of ale. As much as she wanted to share in spirits, she raised her own flask, as if it still contained some of its warmth within and dipped her head. "Perhaps when we emerge from this ... shit storm, I will try some of that. But for now, it's best if my eyes remain sharp. I know what Dwarven drinks can do to a person...", she chuckled some, returning her gaze to the shadows just beyond their circle. The elf and his elk bounded out, and something sunk within her stomach. A sense of worry and concern perhaps ... he should stay with the rest of the group. Idiot.

From the corner of her eye, she spied Kyra packing up any stray belongings. It seemed at least that she were of the same mind as Lerraina. It just wasn't safe. Every hair on the woman's body stood on edge, and the eerie sense still tickled at her nerves. They barely made it out of that last one, and that scared her. She wasn't used to feeling fear, that was for certain. Perhaps it was the otherworldly nature of their foe. Perhaps it was because she was caught off guard. Whatever it was, she hated it. Within her time resting upon the stump, from the embers of her fear sparked a sense of resolve, and it hardened within her as she kept a vigilant gaze upon their perimeter.

As Kyra muttered something about the ice wall, her eyes moved to the one who cast it. It was curious, how Sana had not stirred, not one bit. Lerraina didn't really understand the workings of what ailed the woman, and didn't even begin to know how to help. But as the wall was brought to her attention once more, she wondered if there was a link of some sort between the perseverance of its structure and the state of their unconscious ally. "When the time comes, perhaps the mage can help the melting along. For now though, until we are ready to leave, it is best if it remains." She didn't know what else to say, but anything to help keep them safe in this moment was enough for her. She only hoped this wouldn't become an icy crypt, caging them all in for death to wipe them out.

Satilla Valen

“Ahhhh...” Satilla made one final sound of fatigue before she brought herself together as much as she can and moved over closer to the fire before going for Keystone's supplies in search of the coveted tea! Sure enough it was easy to find when you knew what to look for. Good thing Keystone stated what the box looked like. Following that was the search for proper kettle or metal bow or anything to boil the tea.

“I will take a sip...” The witch suddenly stated as Keystone offered the dwarven spirits. She usually didn't drink alcohol much. She preferred to use it as disinfectant or to numb pain of wounds sometimes. Still at the present situation she was gladly going to drink some. With the chill around them and the fact how tired she felt, this would at least make her feel warm for the moment.

“I usually do not miss beds, but I feel like I need a good long sleep in a comfortable bed... we all probably do.” She mumbled, turning to take the drink from Keystone. This was going to be interesting. She had never tried dwarven alcohol before.

Cyneburg

Location: Orc Cave
Interacting with:Keystone, Ntaj

The subtle shifts in Keystone's body language and facial expressions immediately clued Cyne in on the fact that he noticed she was being perhaps far too cautious around the man. She chastised herself in her head. She had forgotten one of the most important lessons of the wild: above all else, be confident. Fear was a weak point. A scared creature, for all the proverbs about cornered beasts was predictable in behavior and could be easily pressured by the object of their angst. Still, she supposed it was better that she realized her mistake here rather than potentially committing that same folly around the Orc Chieftain.

Finished with the knife business, Cyne stated to make her way into the bowels of the cave when she heard Ntaj moving in the same direction behind her.

"Are you still insistent on going with me, even after I said just one of us would be sufficient," she queried over her shoulder to the other halfbreed. Going in a pair would be less necessary here than the earlier firewood trip. This was dealing with a known danger with a minimal level of danger, rather than the unknowns of heading off into the unknown for a rare resource. If be some chance she did not return after a short period of time, the rest of the party would probably know what occurred and be able to react accordingly. The idea of Ntaj simply going to retrieve something he left in the cave didn't come close to appearing in her head.

Well, that was embarrassing. A failure of embracing, or perhaps an overabundance of it once Thomas hit the ground. Yes the ground was more than willing to embrace Thomas as he fell back on his arse. Which just goes to prove even the cleverest of mages are no match for the most foolish monkey. It would have been to have climbed a bit higher but his robes and sleeves made climbing difficult. Perhaps if he were clad in leather or spandex (What is spandex?) with the dexterity of a limber cat, then perhaps Thomas would have been able to prevent his fall from grace with a bit of grace. Yet perhaps it was the dharmatic way of the universe to punish him, if not a dramatic way. For one so high to be felled so low, but it wasn't his pride that hurt most, no falling from a distance and landing squarely on the unforgiving earth was more than winding. Luckily no neck was broken, but it would be a soreness to move.

"Ugh... Thomas rubbed the back of his head with a scruffed hand. His eyes still dizzy as his vision blurred. His shoulders felt twisted, his coccyx snapped forward and his legs heavy. It was probably a fair assumption Thomas would just lie there for a bit. The Sun was calling, and he did need to meditate under its light to recharge his spells. But for now maybe a little rest would do him well, if that ice wall doesn't melt in the next hour, he'd need to expend a spell or two to melt it. Assuming someone needed it gone.

---

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Location: Woods North of Salarn, Orc Encampment, Small Hours of Day Four

Interacting With: The Group

---

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Gretchin did seem the type to partake in the wonder that was Dwarven spirits, although she seemed sated by her own bottle of nerve tonic. Perhaps even the stuff that she had was of better quality than the solidly pronounced (yet subtly nuanced) notes of earth-and-oak aged, traditionally distilled Dwarven spirits; the type of alcohol produced with the collective knowledge of countless generations of a long lived, often perfectionist race. That being said, the stuff could peel the varnish off a footlocker. Maybe it was best she stuck to her own brand.

What did surprise him was the healer, Satilla, taking him up on his offer. He wasn't going to take it back, but he did feel the need to give a word of encouragement. Or a warning.

"Y'might ought take that snort slow an' easy, Miss. I bloody start fires with this stuff, yeah?"

Keystone looked down at Sana, still in the same state she was five minutes prior. If this is what you got for channeling magic through your body, he wanted nothing to do with it. Still, her spell did very likely save all of them, though the cost was high. The underclass brawler wanted very much to be far away from this place; all of them. Well, most of them. Someplace removed from ice and dirt to sit upon, with a warm, glowing hearth and a kitchen full of yummy things being prepared. Home would have been lovely. Hell, he'd settle for a more or less decent tavern, so long as it had walls and a roof. A bed for his Bard friend with thick blankets, too. Of course, the nearest place for any of this, so far as he was aware, was three days' journey south of their present location.

Through an Undead infested forest. "...peachy..."

"Right, look all... Terms of our contract're up. We can't hang about with the Orcs forever, right? Wherever the arse Cremwise is at, if he's not a fonging pincushion, he'd agree. I'm needin' to resupply. If we sod off from 'ere come daybreak, we can make it back to Salarn 'fore I run outta solid foodstuffs for us all."

"O'course, we gotta make arrangements for Sana. Wagon, litter we can drag, somethin', if she don't wake up strong an' soon."

“Yes.” Ntaj said plainly. True he did mess up somewhat for not coming to the conclusion that the chief was in the cave earlier, but regardless he was here anyways. Besides if on the off chance he wasn't here, or that somehow one of the undead managed to slip by, Ntaj was still armed and ready for a fight. That and as with all things, never do things alone. Cyneburg may be a lonewolf but they only survive by avoiding trouble. Plus he was asked to find the chief too. As far as he was concerned, finding him in the cave just meant he was doing his job.

Of course being on the cave itself was rather nerve wracking. As soon as he was inside Ntaj notably slowed down. He held his shield arm close to his body and his hand rested on his club. There shouldn't be anyone on this cave but the chief, but Ntaj wasn't certain. Even with his dark vision he was ready for anything to pop out. Or for the ceiling to collapse. That's always a looming threat.

Ntaj followed after Cyneburg in relative silence, with only their footsteps echoing in the halls. On one hand if the chief was awake Ntaj wanted to make sure he was spooked by their sudden arrival. But if there was some sort of monster in here, or something happened to the chief before Cyneburg and Ntaj arrived, he wanted to make sure they could get the jump on the interlopers. That and he really, really didn't want to do anything that might cause this cave to fall on top of them. While he had no idea what would cause that, the stench of magic was far too ripe in these forests, and its stink wafted through these caves.

Hypothetically speaking. Ntaj couldn't actually smell magic.

---

---

Once Kyra had finished packing up hers and Sana's belongings she took a seat next to the fire and just watched Sana for any sign of coming to, her hand still resting on the hilt of her sword. She did not like this one bit. She had seen Sana perform magic before and seen how weak it made her but it was nothing like this. Granted, she had also never seen Sana perform two spells back to back in the fashion that she had this night with such backlash. Her breathing was steady, even if raspy, but that did not put her at ease. Kyra was never one to show a caring side, so she sat there stoically as she did the only thing she could do at that time. Watch and wait.

Over in the cave it seemed rather sparse compared to what Cyneberg had seen earlier, at least when it came to the number of Orcs within the cave. They eyes the two entering for a moment, ready to strike, but the ended up leaving them alone and going back to speaking amongst themselves. Many of them wondering if the group that had arrived earlier was the cause of it, if it was their fault so many of their tribe had died because the Ice Wall had kept them outside the area of the cave, and more. Either way it was clear they were not happy but they had not yet decided how to handle things. Some said slaughter them, some said the only reason any of them were alive was because of the group. Many wondering if Brezcar would return or if he was among the dead. Yet there were not fights breaking out among the Orcs, this was a good sign. It meant that the Chief was not in needing of replacement. Still the two would need to wander further into the cave to see just where he was and why he hadn't left to fight.

Kyra continued her watch over Sana and stopped breathing as a heavy cough started coming from Sana's lips. A rough hacking sound that nearly sounded like she was choking but unlike earlier where she had barely moved with each cough she was actually curling up against Keystone and trying to cover her mouth. Kyra's eyes widened some as Epona trotted over towards Sana, nudging her with her snout. Sana's eyes still were not opening even as the coughing died but they were held tightly shut now and she managed a weak "ugh" as she rolled onto her side facing Keystone and took some long deep and for the first time clear breaths.

Satilla Valen

“...” She didn't really reply to Keystone's comment as she took the alcohol from him and brought it to her lips. She then suddenly raised it to get a decent gulp from it, before bring it down again. She swallowed the liquid right away, but damn it was strong! Her eyes opened wide as her body suffered a rapid shock from the experience of her entire mouth and throat burning! She made an expression showing a mixture of pain, displease and having drank something really really hot. Her face actually gained quite the reddish color as she felt her temperature raise. A thing that she actually found good after feeling cold and tired from the experiences they just had.

“Haaaaaaaa...” She let out a sound as was trying to get her bearing together after the strong kick of the stuff. If nothing else she at least felt nice and warm now.” That's some... STRONG alcohol...” She finally managed to say, slowly returning it to Keystone.” I think I lost the ability to taste...” Satilla added, blinking a few times." But that means it's working."

“She... should get better soon.” The witch finally said, looking at Sana, as she started to prepare the tea.” After I get some rest, will use some more healing magic on her... “

---

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Location: Woods North of Salarn, Orc Encampment, Small Hours of Day Four

Interacting With: The Group

---

---

Sana moved of her own accord in Keystone's grasp. It was the first voluntary action she had taken since casting that last spell and falling unconscious, and Keystone took it as a good sign. Of course, that "good sign" faded to instant worry as she shuffled around to face him. The Gypsy-Archer was a stubborn woman; perhaps more stubborn than himself. Depending upon how quickly she recovered, the big guy might be forced to defend himself against the volatile woman's more aggressive attention. The thought of it made him very happy that he didn't try to keep her warm by way of shared body heat. The idea had crossed his mind. Granted, bundling up in a blanket with the lady (as enticing as it might sound) was hardly pragmatic given their circumstances, fresh out of direct combat with dead people and behind a wall of ice with most of a tribe of Orcs looking on. Plus, it might have caused one hell of a misunderstanding when she finally came around. The kind that involves several awkward discussions about intent and/or attempted castration. He was keen to avoid either.

Instead of directly addressing the woman, Keystone locked eyes with her and gave a slight nod. If she wanted to further announce her sudden improvement, that was on her. The brawler would just as soon give her the opportunity to rest. He silently let Sana know that he knew, and turned his attention elsewhere.

"Warned ya there, didn't I? Eh?" remarked Keystone in a noticeably more upbeat tone. "Dwarf spirits. Takes some acquirin', it does - mostly use it for trade. Hard to come by, 'less you're in Dwarf lands."

Keystone had spent a good bit of time with Dwarves in his history. It had been a while, but given the circumstances of his career lately; mostly fighting undead in places neutral to his presence and sometimes openly hostile, it seemed like a good move to make. In his experience, they were gruff but hospitable people, respecting superior craftsmen and warriors of most races. It had been a long time since he had the occasion to spend a season in training, conditioning himself and reinforcing his techniques (or picking up new ones), surrounded by comforting stonework. If Keystone survived this foolishness, it was one of the things he had planned. Thinking about it, there might be one or two such strongholds more or less on the way back to his home, far to the north.

But first, his road took him to Salarn. As soon as possible.

Keystone dug into his pack nearby and retrieved a common-looking cup. He looked to Sana and motioned to the water on the fire, coming up to temperature for tea. He shot her a quizzical look, and mentioned aloud to no one in particular, "Water's almost good for tea."

Cyneburg

Location: Orc Cave
Interacting with:Keystone, Ntaj

Cyne didn't bother replying to Ntaj after he had confirmed he'd be following behind her. He wasn't easily swayed once he'd made the decision to do something, trying to talk him out of this would be more trouble than it's worth. Additionally, upon further review Cyne concluded that it would do better to have some form of back-up in case somebody got ahead of themselves and unintentionally created a cascade of chaos. So she walked down through the cave in silence.

As she walked, she did her best to maintain the appearance of total confidence. Her feet moved with purpose: never hesitating or stumbling, her head was held high, eyes straight ahead and her chest puffed out. The orcs talking about her as if she wasn't there was something entirely to be expected, and she made sure to make it seem like she didn't even notice the topic of their conversation or some of the choice words the orcs had. She wanted the air of confidence to act as a suit of social armor, something that would stop anyone from being dumb. These boys sat in this cave steeped in testosterone, and in an environment like this one, playing pussy was a sure route to getting screwed.

---

---

Lerraina cast a side glance at Satilla and chuckled. There was a reason she passed on that, and it wasn't that she didn't care for the drink.

Their ally was awake at last, Lerraina's posture softened some, a sense of relief blanketed over her features. She still feared for their elf companion, but couldn't help but think that as Sana's condition seemed to improve, the group's overall status might as well.

She remained silent, ever vigilant as she kept watch over the camp.

Meditation and meditation.
Nothing more than erudition,
in the light and dark of the hours,
basking by day for thine powers.
Resting there in seated place,
soaking what channels space,
dream state of higher plane,
empties the mind and brain.
summoned sunbeams filter through,
and cosmic magic empowers you.

Still nothing from Thomas, who calmly dozed into a daze, tranquil in his meditation and easing off the pain of his fall. It was sometimes a waste of time for a caster to spend so long, but sorcerers like Thomas, especially young ones, needed to attune their bodies to the innate powers. Unless they wildly tap into forces that would tear themselves apart. Still though with the next cycle, Thomas should have his flares renewed, and perhaps a cast or two of light. Depending on when the team picked up.

Assuming after all they bothered to wake him from his state of meditation.

Deeper and deeper into the cave and Ntaj continued to feel uneasy. He understood that all the dangers were just in his head and that this cave was probably structurally safe, but he still worried that this cave could fall on his head at any moment. But Ntaj tried to put his paranoia aside, looking towards some of the orcs who were dwelling in this cave. He wasn't sure if they were already here when the fighting happened or somehow came in to protect their chief. Now that he thought about it, there may be more than one entrance into this cave that Ntaj didn't know about. That could be either a good or a bad thing depending on what happened to the chief. And speaking of the chief, Ntaj and Cyneburg still haven't found him yet.

Wanting to be out of this cave as fast as he could without looking like he's fleeing, Ntaj asked a few orcs who would bother paying attention to him. "Where is chief? Qhov twg yog thawj" He asked in both common and orcish. When he did so Ntaj made himself look more imposing, his chest out and looking directly at the orcs. While he generally skipped the lessons about leading others back as a child, he was no stranger to making demands to servants, and simply regressed back to those times. While it may be dangerous for him to assume he has any authority over these orcs, Ntaj had too much pride in himself to act like a stooge to anyone that wasn't the chief. And even the chief would be, in Ntaj's mind, his equal.

---

---

Things in the camp are well, still tense, especially considering everything that had happened. The sounds from the forest were growing less and less and further and further away. It seemed whatever had attacked was done for the evening. Evening? Hell the sun was starting to break and a soft blue started to set in with the first rays as she sun still hung below the horizon. Maybe the attack would have continued but the sun was rising and that was what kept them at bay. Whatever the reason, it was a bit of a respite for the group and one that they really needed.

Within the cave, the Chief was finally found. Seemed there was a battle within the cave itself as there were dead that were now truly dead surrounding the Orc. Seeing Ntaj and Cyneberg he spat on the ground as he dropped a skull. In Orc he told them there was nothing happening within the cave to start and then suddenly he was surrounded. How he did not know, there was a light fog clearing out from within the cave; seeming to seep into the cave walls and clearing. Either way it was over and there was now an explanation to why the Chief had not joined the main battle outside. He asks both of them, not really caring who answers, what happened out side of the cave as he kicks a pile a bones.

Sana still is waking, groaning slightly as she lays curled up against Keystone, seemingly unaware of where she is yet as her eyes still have not opened. Kyra looked over towards Satilla and chuckled a bit with a shake of her head. "Probably better to sip anything Keystone gives you instead of gulping it," she teased in a rather oddly light hearted manner. It was unlike her but it seemed a wash of relief was coming over her seeing Sana was finally stirring from whatever unconsciousness she had been tangled in.

"The sun is rising. We should probably try to get out..." she started before Sana bolted up right as her eyes opened and she spilled out of Keystones lap wide eyed and confused. As she did there was a loud cracking sound and the Ice wall burst from its seams. Ice cold water cascading down and flooding the camp site several inches deep in the frigid wetness. "Shit..." Kyra muttered as she stepped back, watching the water pool around her ankles and wash into the cave and out into the forest in all directions.

Satilla Valen

“It's the best alcohol I've tried...” She stated, her face flushed. Satilla certainly was feeling better after she tried it. The alcohol fixed her body temperature after it dropped from all the ice around and from the fatigue caused by rapidly using the most draining of her magics. Now that she was around the fire, that also helped. Still she wished she'd get the chance to get a proper resting sleep, but the witch doubted it would work out that way. By all accounts once the undead were dealt with, she'd probably have to help prepare medicine for the orcs unless the group starts traveling right away.

She nodded as Keystone tried the water.” A little bit more and I will put the tea leaves.” She stated with a smile, closing her eyes for a moment, suddenly feeling a warm fuzzy feeling on her right side. The cat skittles had showed up once more from within her bag.”Hey...” She whispered, scratching him behind the ears.” Knew you'd show up sooner than later.”

“No, it was fine, Kyra. I actually needed that. I needed to get my blood flowing. The magic's draw was intense and the frost from the wall wasn't helping any. Alcohol's actually a beneficial thing for the body in moderate consumption.” She replied with a smile, noticing that Sana was waking up.

Her brief joy that the bard was waking up wasn't lasting as the wall burst and the ice water spread everywhere. Her eyes opened wide as she jolted up, but a tad slow as her skirt was already partly wet, but at least her boots prevented her from staying with wet cold feet with was really bad thing.” What happened?!” She asked in confusion.

Cyneburg

Location: Orc Cave
Interacting with:Ntaj

It was probably all sorts of taboo for many different reasons, the first thing Cyne thought upon seeing all the bones scattered about was how to avoid wasting them. There were all sorts of useful tools that could be made from bones like this; the large, sturdy anatomy of orcs meant that a lot more could be done with them than most other animals that could be found in a forest like this. Spears points, fish hooks, needles, knives and so much more could be salvaged from here, but more likely is that they'd all be buried, which was the proper thing to do. That did not stop the detached mindset of the druid survivalist from kicking in.

<<Mist rolled in from the forest and skeletons began to attack everyone. They were easily dispatched, but then the skeletons began to explode, and the bone shrapnel was highly destructive. Ultimately one of our number was forced to erect a great wall of ice in front of the mouth of the cave to stop them from getting any farther, at great cost to her own health. The wall has managed to hold up against the explosive skeletons, but can probably be cleared away without too much difficulty.>> Sure there was a lot more that could be said, but the Chief probably didn't want a full debriefing at that very moment. Those were the important bullet points he'd likely immediately care about. She would see how he reacted to that news before going ahead with any potential requests.

(OOC: Because I don't feel like translating any more I've decided to pull a handy-dandy system for representing languages other than Common easily out of my butt. Replace quotation marks with the following sets of symbols:
<<>> for Orcish
[] for Dwarven
{} for Elvish)

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Location: Woods North of Salarn, Orc Encampment, Small Hours of Day Four

Interacting With: His own seething rage, mostly.

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Surprise brought Keystone to his feet. A massive, vertical slab of ice splitting open with a solid crack, spilling a ton of previously ambient moisture onto the ground in waves will do that to a person. Sana's sudden explosion into the waking world was a bit of startle, but not something with the pants-darkening potential of a wall of ice immediately converting into the secondmost mobile state of physical matter.

Keystone grabbed his pack and sought to lift Sana from the ground as the freezing water quickly made their campsite unpleasant. He noted with a defining lack of enthusiasm that the water had not only soaked the ground around them, but instantly put out their small campfire, eliminating any chance at the base luxuries of civilized existence. He sighed heavily into the gloom of the approaching morning. He remarked about his feelings on the subject with a slow, even voice, his tone tinged with sardonic irritation. "Jolly. There went tea, chance at bacon, and any sodding possibility of salvagin' an hour of three's rest 'fore we piss off out of 'ere. And I do intend pissin' off, thankya."

"I'm done with today. Day ain't bloody started yet, and I'm done. Fonging Mulligan, or somethin'."

Complaints aside, he did note with raised hopes that Sana was coming through her little ordeal. The coincidence that she regained her senses at the exact moment the ice broke was not lost on him, though further than that observation he could only speculate through a remarkably cloudy lens. Keystone was no spellcaster. His voice quieted as he posed Sana a query, Oy, have a nice nap, didja? You good?"

---

---

The redhead couldn't help but smile inside as the area flooded with ice water. Especially that it had accompanied the sudden consciousness of their companion. Having no skill in magic herself, she often wondered about the intricacies of the craft, and the effects or ties it has on those cursed with the gift. Or blessed... however one chose to look at it.

She pulled her body up onto the stump completely, as to avoid the water surrounding them. "Not entirely unexpected, but ok ....", Lerraina muttered, more or less to herself.

Is water wet? True, that water was covered and saturated with itself, however are the boundaries so clear?
Can something that cannot ever be not wet truly be wet? Where does the water end and water begin?
The many mysteries of water.

The wall on the border melted. Glorious ice turning into fleeting water, cold water which did not creep its way through the camp, but rather like a small tsunami engulf it all. Quite a startle to the skin, and certainly soaked his robes, to which Thomas sprang up from his seated meditation. A quick note of the ice wall having melted down explained it all, he probably should have had melted it all down earlier, the heat to evaporate all the waters. But all magic seemed to have a price, and the price for protection was, as it appeared being completely chilled by ice water.

Perhaps it would be a good time to take leave. The fire's out, and Sana seems to be awake from what Thomas could see so far off from the group. That or Keystone was just doing his morning callisthenic lifts with a person.

As Ntaj suspected, somehow the undead managed to get inside and fought the chief. As he also expected, the chief was able to fend for himself. Cyneburg explained what had happened neatly, and Ntaj didn’t have much to add aside from agreeing with her, though he added some other information that the chief. <<It is as she says. Necromancy. Many who had fallen rose again and walked into the forest. There was also a creature made of red mist that we could not fight with normal weapons. Only magic and holy water was able to harm it.>> Having no knowledge about these creatures, Ntaj wasn’t sure if the red mist monster was unique or not. Zombies and skeletons, even exploding ones, seemed “normal” enough for undead. But surely ghosts that feed off blood were not a dime a dozen.

There was one more thing Ntaj vaguely remembered, but at that time he was consumed by primal rage so the details were shaky. Hopefully Cyneburg remembers it better than he does. <<And there was a voice and laughter when they attack. They said something about… Paka aka… And mentioned reinforcements.>> Ntaj was certain the the chief was all too aware of these constant undead attacks so maybe this information wasn’t relevant. But maybe this was the first time that the undead came with a message. Deadmen tell no tales after all, and they usually aren’t intelligent enough to goad and make insults.

((OOC: I’ll also be using Dragonknighte’s handy translation methods. Makes it easier for me to type this out on my cellphone.))