[center][h1]ℜ𝔢𝔫𝔞𝔲𝔩𝔱 𝔅𝔢𝔞𝔲𝔪𝔬𝔫𝔱[/h1][/center]
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Renault couldn't help but shift his gaze to the group's mysterious Elf companion with a look of tired agitation. In the short time he'd known her, she seemed devoted to biting the hand that freed them by any means necessary. They were prisoners, still, and didn't exactly have the privilege of objection in the tasks assigned to them. 

The Marches were no mere woodland, and it was more than likely that any creature they encountered would be beyond taming. But Renault was thankful that Marthan was a man of patience and reason, more suited for the robe he wore than the stern helm of distributing justice. Not an insult, for there was more virtue in a heart that bled heavily for others than one hardened to the world's cries. 

Though doing his best to present himself - and the group - with a certain confidence, Renault could not deny the anxiety that was welling in his chest as the reality of their task sank in. He rarely, if ever, dealt with wild beasts in his time as a Paladin. Andallia and Dorrathar boasted walls and fortifications sufficient enough to weather even Nature's might. But the unwalled towns and villages on the outskirts, much like Reddenbarrow, had to make do with whatever manpower they could muster. Those closest to the cities could count on at least a detachment of trained guardsmen to respond to threats, but a wolf pack or lone brown bear could make quick work of several men if caught unawares. 

It was times like this where Renault missed the protection of full plate.

With Renault entrusted with the scroll and its case, it was time for them all to be on their way. Using the temple's only other room, Renault took the spare few minutes they had to don his scale armor, ensuring every buckle and strap was comfortably secured to his body.

Now as prepared as he was going to be, Renault and his four companions were gently ushered out of the temple with reminder of their task's haste and the time it would take to reach their destination.

Walking towards what would almost certainly be a fight, Renault's muscles tensed, his heartbeat quickened, and his eyes glanced all around them for any sign of ambush. But the walk south was quiet...peaceful, even. As fortunate as that was, it did little to calm Renault. He anticipated battle, and unseen as it was, the threat still loomed overhead, manifesting as flashes in his peripheral vision that he would have ignored in any other circumstance. 

Stopping when their group came across the clearing and the charred husk of the farm Marthan spoke of, Renault swallowed hard. It was unsettling for him to see the vibrant green-gold of the vegetation creeping onto the scorched earth and blackened wood of what was, at one point, a quaint and fertile land.

[i]“There is much death here as there is life. Be on guard.”[/i]

Renault looked to Vah'lux and nodded in agreement at her words. With hand reaching towards the hilt of his blade against his hip, Renault allowed instinct to take over as he cautiously began to move further into the clearing; and closer to the desiccated corpse of the farmhouse. 

"Form up, don't stray too far." He warned to the others, scanning both the burned building and the outlying woods for sign of life, be it passive or hostile. 

[hider=Initiative Roll]
[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/rolls/18203]16[/url]
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