Veo looked to the young woman and then back towards the mountains. "They go all the way to the top of the mountain, the mines are more closer to the base of the mountain. They were iron mines that lived for about two or three years until we bleed the mountain dry of the iron within it. They were then abandoned. Well not anymore though it would seem." He answered. He looked to the tracks and thought the orcs were rather sloppy with their tracks. Orcs were gratefully not known for their intelligence. Perhaps they did not think or expect anyone to follow their trail and decided to not cover them, or perhaps they were just to stupid to think for that matter. "It is curious as to whats at the top of the mountain, as you know Alice the rumor on the grape vine is that there is a dragon up there that the Bloodmoon sisters pay homage to with supplies from their inn as well as a bit of gold. I am guessing its to keep the dragon from attacking or for it's protection, I honestly don't know." He said shrugging. He then sighed and looked to the sky and then back forward. "Our job is just for my gem though, that's all I want. If we can get it back and ditch these orcs then fine. We will report this find to the Jarl when we get back. We may be experienced ,but it will take more then just us to kill a bunch of orcs...... then again maybe we do. We do not know how large the orc group is." 

  [i]"Hopefully their dogs don't smell us before we get to them...."[/i] He thought and looked around making sure they were not walking into a trap or anything. He was starting to wish he had recruited the orc blacksmith now. That one was crazy and hated his kin. 

 Eirika listened to the conversation and wondered if such a thing was true. A dragon being bribed or paid to protect or stay away. I suppose if the gold was steady and big each payment a dragon could be convinced to do whatever. Dragons did love treasure so any deal to increase the size of their trove would have a chance. Drow were manipulative too so there is that. Elduin looked around and began to notice something very strange,.....

 "Do you hear that?......." As he commented on the silence of the forest. It was quiet too quiet. Then they started to see smoke again, this time it was black from a burning fire. The orcs must be stopping to rest, that explains the silence. "Be careful everyone,... as we close in they may have scouts...."