[h3][color=00a651][b][center]Malkus[/center][/b][/color][/h3]
[Center][color=00a651][b]Location:[/b][/color] At a build west off the road, between Sarlarn and Yzewz
[color=00a651][b]Actions:[/b][/color] Waiting outside the door[/center]

Sighing, Malkus stood up. This rain wasn’t going to let up and he was getting hungry. He was only a little be less tired than he was before, but he still wasn’t in any shape for a fight. Still, he was going to leave this cave. It wasn’t safe nor very comfortable. The rain and mud was going to be a problem, but better that he deals with it now than when it can get worse. He could at least improvise something to help him with the rain: taking out his traveler’s anytool and taking off the cloak from Affrucio, he extended the metal rod to about three feet long, with a shorter set of six sticks protruding outwards at one end. They had small clamps at the tips, just as Malkus wanted. Hanging the cloak over the tool and securing it with the clamps, Malkus made himself a makeshift umbrella. He took advantage of the cloak’s wide cloth to make a fairly huge umbrella, though he also made sure to add good grips onto it. He knew that with winds like what’s outside, there’s a chance that the umbrella, as well as his tool, could be flung out of his hand. Just in case he included one more simple mechanism to the umbrella; a release. If the winds were too strong, he’d just let the clamps go so he could keep the rest of the tool and only lose the cloak.

[color=00a651]”I’m leaving. I doubt we’ll ever see each other again, so… Farewell.”[/color]

Malkus left the cave protected by the umbrella, and even with it he could hear the pummeling of raindrops against the cloth. The group was, sure enough, extremely muddy. Malkus was glad he was used to walking lightly, because a heavier footstep would sink into the ground a good few inches deep. And even with Malkus’ light steps, the mud left a notable foot trail. He did his best to cover his tracks by walking on the tree roots, but they weren’t always an option.

He didn’t really know what direction he was going aside that he was trying to find the road. If he could find the road he could follow it to the next city. But he’d have to be careful to avoid any patrols or scouts along the way. He still could get attacked by soldiers or robbers, and in which case his only hopes were to run and let nature take care of his pursuers. As Malkus walked through the forest, he came across a nasty sight. Two dead orcs. He supposed he shouldn’t be surprised considering the war going on. He couldn’t tell if these two orcs were part of a warband or just bandits who got unlucky. Didn’t really matter to Malkus; he was going to loot them.

He rifled through their pockets for coin or other valuables, but whoever killed them first must have already gotten it. He did find some meat, but taking a swiff he could tell that it was rancid, so he tossed it away. He noticed that they seemed to be covered in some sort of spider web, so perhaps it was spiders who got them. Or someone who could control spiders. He tried not to worry about it and just kept looking, but aside from the clothes on their backs the only thing they had worth taking were their weapons. There was a greataxe and a crossbow, with a few bolts still useable. Malkus only took the crossbow; the axe was too heavy for him, and even if he could use it, Malkus doubt he could find someone to sell it to. A crossbow he could sell to a merchant or even peasant, but a great axe required a more specialized customer.

One thing that Malkus did notice that disturbed him were the fact the orcs were missing their ears. He was no doctor, but he could tell that the wounds were fresh. Whoever killed these orcs not only had spiders, but a thing for collecting trophies. It sounded like something another orc would do, so perhaps these orcs ran afoul with a witch doctor or shaman? Something along those lines anyways. Either way, Malkus took what he wanted and left.

He found the road soon enough, but he also noticed some tracks in the mud and a building in the distance. To no surprise, the tracks were heading in the direction of the building. This worried Malkus because he couldn’t really tell if the tracks had more than one person; it looked like it was just two, but he was no ranger. They could have all stepped into the same footprints, or simply had taken a different path just a bit away. Malkus would have used the footprints and go any direction they weren’t, but that building was promising. Certainly seemed more homely than a cave, and possibly had supplies. Whoever these tracks belonged to may have also gone to the building hoping the same. If Malkus was fortunate, the building would be locked and the owner of the tracks would have turned away. Or…

Or maybe the owner of the tracks also owned the building. Which means if he followed the tracks he may walk right into a witch’s den. Or whoever in their right mind would want to collect orc ears. Malkus had no doubts that he had the ability to break into the building so long as it wasn’t magically sealed, but he wasn’t so certain about his skills against mages. His tactics against them were either to run away or get them in their sleep. At least with a warrior Malkus knew he could outspeed them, but a mage had too many tricks up their sleeve for his liking.

But the prospect of a good shelter and food were too good to pass up. Malkus honed his eyesight on the building and made up his mind. [color=00a651]”Doesn’t matter who’s in there or what they’re doing… Time to make a robbery.”[/color] Malkus made his way over to the building, pass the road and through the forest. Once he was close enough he took the cloak off his anytool, turned it back into a small rod, and put the cloak on. The building appeared to be some sort of storage house, considering how large it was, but it was entirely made of wood. There were a few high windows that Malkus won’t be able to jump to, probably for ventilation. The building didn’t seem particularly old or damaged, and it certainly didn’t come across as some sort of witch hut. Still, it was large and probably big enough to shelter more than a few people. People such as… That caravan Sona was with.

Malkus gulped. What were the chances that whoever killed those orcs were with this group? It had to be slim. Malkus couldn’t imagine why they would be here… Then again, they were also the only people he knew were here. And they had plenty of strong people, probably mages too. The more he thought about it, the more it made sense than orc witches. The group probably had a guard or two scout ahead and found the orcs. They killed the orcs, looted their bodies, and continued to look for better shelter from this storm. And then they would run across this building, a perfect place for a wagon and it’s caravan.

This made Malkus completely reevaluate his original plan. While he still intended to rob the storehouse, he didn’t know how he’d confront the caravan. On one hand, he wanted to meet Sona again, but if they were the ones who killed the orcs and stole their ears… Malkus gulped. He suddenly wanted to go elsewhere. Anywhere but here. He wasn’t going to go find trouble. However he wasn't going to last much longer on his own. If those orcs don’t report back, they’ll send more orcs looking for them. Malkus couldn’t handle himself against more orcs who’d likely capture, torture, and then question him. If he didn’t die by the time they were done torturing him. And these caravan people… They had some crazy strong people, and probably some who are just crazy. Malkus doesn’t mess with crazy. But it was a choice of two evils he supposed. A gang of orcs or a gang of strangers… At least with the strangers there was a chance they might not kill him.

Swallowing his fear before it came back, Malkus went up to the door and knocked. Knocking was a polite thing to do, right? It showed that he wasn’t just going to barge on in. He saw the girls go in so he knew they were there. Though just so they didn’t shoot arrows or fireballs through the door and fry him, Malkus stepped back and stood out of the way of the door. If he heard arrows hit the door or lightning come out, he’d just run. But by knocking, he’d be asking if he could come in. [color=00a651]”What the hell am I doing, asking to come in…”[/color] Malkus whispered to himself as the storm continued to pummel him.