[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/n1r7s41.png?1[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/Sp545eH.png?3[/img]

[color=#1dc604]Time:[/color] Night
[color=#1dc604]Location:[/color] Desert
[color=#1dc604]Interactions:[/color] [@hide on mana] Kuroi, [@Tae] Mikazuki, [@Potter] Rosaria, [@baraquiel] Jomari, [@13org] Nuallán
[color=#1dc604]Mentions:[/color]
[color=#1dc604]Inventory:[/color] An old yellow cloak, an old set of clothes, a waterskin, some smoked meats, a set of very old Metal Gauntlets, and an old Spear.
[/center]
[hr]

Uzul felt reassured as everyone had managed to at least walk on the dunes. Being able to walk was the least they would have to accomplish if they wished to make it to Dugmaghord. Time will tell how long they can endure the heat before they begin to complain. The heat doesn't bother Uzul anymore like it used to. Maybe he has just gotten older or maybe it was one of the other benefits of the hammer tail.

Uzul was paying attention to the group dynamics as the desert could stress your bonds as much as your body. The sand. He tried not to listen in on more pleasant conversations. He still felt a bit awkward listening in on the princess in the bathhouse. But he was keener on the friction between Jomari, Rosaria, and Nuallán. It caused some pause in Uzul. Uzul tends to believe that speaking more openly about things is better as it can quickly clear up misunderstandings but it seems that there might just be an issue with the 2 parties' personalities and how they interact with each other. Those are things that take a while to iron out on any team. Back in Dugmaghord, they could simply settle it through a bout. It was a terrible system but mostly effective for orcs though Uzul doubts it will have the same effect for them. Well for Jomari at least. Nuallán on the other hand seems like he would love to just beat Jomari up and move on. Jomari seems like he will remember it and get back at Nuallán, something Uzul is very familiar with.

Uzul noticed Jomari heading towards the front and tilted his head to greet him with an acknowledging smile. Jomari's question was worrying for Uzul as it has only been a few hours. But what could he expect, they headed off at the worst time to do so. So Uzul pondered for a second looking around and turned to Jomari, [Color=#1dc604]"I would say maybe 2-3 days depending on our pace. It is one of my favorite spots. Plenty of shade and a small cave that is usually very cool. I remember visiting there 5 years ago with some other people I guided. They couldn't believe how close it was to the city. A little gem outside the city. I'm sure you will be able to go for a little swim there."[/color] Uzul could go on and on about the spot having been there so many times but stopped himself as it might ruin the true spectacle of it. 

As the sun drifted closer to the horizon, Uzul started to guide the group closer to a rocky outcrop. Sleeping on the sands risked being buried alive if a sandstorm kicked up during the night. The rocky outcrop will serve as a barrier against the nighttime winds. Uzul wasn't terribly concerned about the danger this far away from the city, they were less than a day away from Myriamor after all. He still would like to set up a watch system during their rest to start prepping them for the rest of the journey. Princess Rosaria and princess Mikazuki wished to be on the first watch as they had to catch up on some things. Uzul was unsure but decided not to show it. It was best for them to see that He trusts them after all. Uzul was working off the framework that his advice may be trusted by the group but he was not. 

They packed 3 tents to save room meaning people were going to have to bunk up. Rosaria and Mika were obviously going to be together as they were planning on talking and being on the first watch so it was fine. Uzul assumed that Nuallán and Kuroi would prefer to stay close to their respective princesses leaving Jomari and Uzul. Luckily for Jomari, Uzul rarely sleeps in a tent preferring just his cloak. However with the 2 princesses wanting to chat he would feel like an eyesore so he got in the tent. Uzul looked awkward as he got into the tent. He knew he was big and that he takes up a lot of room. He couldn't help but feel bad for Jomari who seems to believe his life has less value than the others here. Now he has to share a tent with an orc. Uzul turned to Jomari, [Color=#1dc604]"Sorry if it is cramped. Normally I would stay outside but I don't want to interrupt their conversation. I hope you understand."[/color] Uzul would keep to himself for the rest of the night. He still felt unsure having the both of them on the first watch but it should be fine he hopes

Later that night Uzul awoke to a scream. Uzul was wide awake and would have bounded to his feet if he had not been confined to the tent and potentially hurting Jomari in the process. Uzul squirmed out of the tent to see the bow laying there and footprints heading in opposite directions. Nuallán was already trying to come up with some sort of plan. Uzul listened to him but didn't give him too much mind. He was more interested in the footprints. The size and depth could tell us a lot about what took them. If it was orc then Uzul knew what the general strategy of them would be when it comes to kidnapping. If it wasn't then he had other ideas on how to best get a lead on the situation. The footprints seem to be mixed indicating a bandit group. Not killing the sleeping party means that they are most likely planning to sell them. Uzul believed that no matter what tracks they follow they will end up finding them. 

Uzul listened to Nuallán's basic way of communicating and tried to speak up before he dashed off but it was too late.  Uzul looked at Kuroi and Jomari, [Color=#1dc604]"The communication system is only helpful if you know where other people are going to be. The desert changes in level and if someone is on the low side of a dune they can't see it."[/color] The first thing to do is to figure out the general direction the bandits are heading. They wouldn't separate so long with their goods on the line. Uzul started to go to the rock outcrop to climb it to get a better sense of how they are turning their course. It was hard to get a direction even from this height. Uzul looked at Kuroi, [Color=#1dc604]"Do you mind helping me Kuroi?"[/color] Uzul asks him offering a hand. [Color=#1dc604]"I think if I throw you high in the air, we should get an idea of where they are heading before we head out."[/color] Uzul hoped Kuroi will trust him on this. It takes little time and could give them valuable information.