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Craxzus- Waits to hear if there were any sign of Orcs in the area.

Thorgrim weighs in, "Let's head east. That's the most direct route so it will be the quickest one to check and eliminate. If we don't find anything then we can check northwards."

Throm "Very well let us go then time aint on our side so we best be hasty."

Eirenaios nods and sets forth with the party

Craxzus- agrees Lets set out then.

The captain sends one of his guards with the party to report back what you find and you leave the safety of the town walls, heading west toward the crater.
A packed earthen road makes the first hour of travel fairly easy. You pass acres of what used to be forests but now gently sloping hills dotted with cut stumps are all that remain at the feet of the mountain.
As the first shimmer of morning light peaks the mountains you spot a horse drawn wagon in the old road ahead. It isn't moving but you can see 2 horses and a figure kneeling next to it in the dim morning light.
"Probably a merchant." says your guard messenger. "Though what he'd be doing out here now is a mystery. There's a small mining town north of the mountains around Charlotte that has connecting roads to this, but its the long way around for sure. Most use the Iron Road through the hills."

Throm quickly has his weapon in hand "I dun like it, I smell a trap. Sumthin aint right bout this."

Eirenaios nods in agreement, Should we circle around him in case someone is hiding, waiting for an ambush?

Craxzus- Lets take a position on each side of the road. I will step out and talk to him. You be ready to attack if things go bad.

Thorgrim nods and heads off to the side of the road, hefting his axe.

Throm heads off to the side of the road as well.

Half the party flanks the wagon on the road while Craxzus and the guard make their approach.
The merchant spots those in the road and stands. You can seen from this closer distance that he is working on a broken wagon wheel. The horses are fine stock and the wagon is an expensive model. There is a chest in the back of it.
"Eh! Who dat be?" says the wagoner.
The guard besides Craxzus seems to relax a bit and whispers "I know this derelict. He's a laborer from the mining town I spoke of. Pathetic wretch who spends every copper on whores and drink."
The guard speaks up "Oy, Francis Fleabit. Just a patrol here. Yer a bit from home ain't ye?"
Francis puffs "Keep yer names ta yerself. Ya ain't got no right callin me fleabit. Thems wit ya, they ain't no road patrol like I ever seen. What you wantin?"
The guard moved forward "Come now. Is that anyway to speak to those who come to help?"
Francis spits and replies "Didn't ask fer yer help. Don't reckon I need it neither. Justa broke wheel. I got a spare. Go on wit yer patrol an leave me be."
(oops. I put craxzus on the side of the road on accident and Eirenaios in the road.)

Throm will come out from cover "Ah someone yah be known no trouble then eh?"

Eirenaios will come out staying a bit behind, still suspecious. He stands there looking around for anyone else that might be hiding

Craxzus- Francis is it? Where ya coming from. Ya have any trouble on the road other than this broken wheel? He walks over to the cart. Looking like he is checking out the wheel, but actually looking at the contents of the wagon. With a hand on his weapon.

Francis keeps a leary eye on Craxzus. "Trouble? 'Course not. I'm out from Ironton. North a Charlotte, o're da mountain yonder. Not that its yer business." he replies. The wagon is empty save for a cover and a chest.
The guard speaks up. "You'll fogive my curiosity, Frances, but where you off to? Kinda takin the long way round, yeah?"
He looks from Craxzus to the guard "You awful talkative for someone claimin to wanna help. I ain't done nothin wrong. I'll go where I like, by your leave yer majesty." Francis says in a mocking tone. "Lemme be and I'll be down the road soon 'nuff."

Throm "I dun think he is tellin us all he knows he's hidin sumthin."

Craxzus- May we see what is in the chest. As craxzus begins to lift the tarp.

Thorgrim, still smarting from having been duped so easily in town, stays hidden at the side of the road and scans the surrounding area for any signs of danger.