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[center][b]Kalar Splint, Chief Ranger of Galuntrung Keep.[/b][/center]

[center][b]Traveling east along the Geshmere Road. Passing into the Geshmere Downs.[/b][/center]

The journey was slow, by Kalar's standards, but he and his company managed a steady march in their cautious formation. They met no traffic coming the other way, which was something his men were eager to mutter about when he wasn't listening. The rain had broken, giving way to scattered clouds and a bright sun. The smell of wet grass and shrubbery was thick in the air, obscuring other odors that Kalar may have picked up otherwise.

"Smoke, milord," Gormagh hissed from beneath his hood, pointing a gloved hand towards the north east. 

"Not a Lord," Kalar retorted with a sigh, before shading his eyes and looking towards the distance. 

It was hard to see, almost dissipated by now, and obscured by gathering storm clouds - but it was there. A smear of black smoke marred the sky, and was drifting lazily over the horizon. Kalar's eyes widened, and his gut fell an inch or two at the realization of his prophecy; Okly had been attacked, but had it been destroyed? 

As if in answer to his thoughts, a peculiar and high pitched bird song sailed across the air. The Rangers stopped dead in their tracks, crouching low as if commanded by a hive-mind. 

Kalar looked back at Adria, "no doubt your hound ears have detected something a little odd about that bird call, and you would be correct in thinking it was forged by a human tongue. Liara has just announced her safe arrival at Okly." He turned to his nearest ranger, Gormagh. "Let's pick up the pace, get the men moving. Throw caution to the wind, I wont have Liara alone."

Gormagh nodded, and moved off to issue his master's commands. The Rangers grunted their approval, one by one, and started into a jog down the road. By now Kalar could be fairly confident the road was safe, Liara would have reported any threats laying in wait for them... though there 
was no guarantee she hadn't missed something.

"We've still a bit to go, but we're going to need to quicken our pace," Kalar said to Adria, turning to address her fully. "I know little of your race, aside from a few rumors of its conception, but I have heard your stamina is more in line with a wolf's, than it is a man's. If you're able, perhaps you can run up ahead of us? My scout is alone at Okly, and though she has reported her safe arrival, I'd like her reinforced sooner rather than later." 

Kalar took a moment to internally debate his decision. Sending ahead a bard to reinforce his best fighter? Did that make sense? No, no it didn't, but his gut told him it was the right thing to do regardless. He shrugged, and awaited Adria's reply.