"[color=f26522]Well, what wonderful enthusiasm from some of you- I'm impressed.  So, here's how things stand.  Less than an hour or so ago, we heard a bit of a commotion from the North, up towards Ardeep forest.  We thought it might have been some trouble with the elves but it turns out it was a band of orcs heading South.  I figure they probably saw the lights of the watchtowers and decided to try their luck.[/color]"  As he spoke, he started gesturing to the crude map on the table before him. "[color=f26522]My men spotted a bunch of them trying to swim the moat near to the drawbridge.  Between the palisade and the few arrows my men shot at them from the towers, they gave that up quickly enough.  Since then, we've been hearing lots of shouts and such from the darkness and caught a few glimpses of several different bands of them, but none have yet tried the moat again.  We think they are scouting the perimeter of the town- either to find a weak point or to eventually try climbing the palisade at more points than we can effectively defend.[/color]"

"[color=a187be]It was my suggestion that we retreat to the keep.[/color]"  Kella added in, gesturing vaguely near the bottom edge of the map where the keep was marked.  "[color=a187be]If they struggle to get past wooden palisades then they certainly won't be able to take a more sturdy structure.  I figure they'll loot what they want from the village that the goblins didn't already ruin, burn the rest and move on.[/color]"

"[color=f26522]Suggestion noted.[/color]." Xolkin muttered with some reluctance, clearly not thinking very highly of this plan. "[color=f26522]Yet by your own report the keep was hit hardest by the previous attack.  Walls do us no good if we show up and find them already collapsed.  Besides, I only just claimed my rightful rule of this town, I would much rather not see it all burned down the very next day.  Either way, if any of you lot have any experience with this sort of fight, I would welcome your input.[/color]"

"[color=a187be]You two are quiet.[/color]" Kella abruptly cut in, looking from the table over to Anchor and Theren, mistrust evident in her voice. "[color=a187be]I'm assuming we can still count on the both of you, right?  No wild and reckless heroics based on some nonsensical notions about how the Zhentarim are mean or whatever. If you plan on making any sort of scene later about how things are in this town I advise you to get them resolved now instead.[/color]"