[center][@Zool][@Loksfjoer][@Saiyan][@Teyao][@Zapdos][@Jay009][@Dark Cloud][/center]

As the flat-bed wagon rolled finally up and around the last mountain in the wild central region, the view opened up to broad flat expanse of westside farmlands on the outskirts of the Valhiem.  The wagon driver halted immediately.  The farms were on fire.

With time to take in the view, it was possible to see small regiments of mounted soldiers moving around outside the city.  Some of the regiments might be mistaken for Valhiem Garrison Cavalry.  However, there were other regiments that were not so easily mistaken.

Lizard Cavalry.

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/LMfBWNy.jpeg[/img][/center]

Second Chance's temporary chaffeur was frozen stiff, not even able to utter a curse.  Even from the distance they were at, which made the Lizard Riders look small, it was clear that they were not horses.

James Sirius was correct:  Valhiem was under seige.

Sharp eyes might see the translucent distant glimmer in the sky of the massive magical barrier that spread across the northeast quarter of the city, or the enemy artillery fire exploding into dust as it hit the shield, high up above the city.

"We knew it would happen one day."  The wagon driver finally found his voice.  It was trembling.  "The war in the East has come to us."

[Center][b]_______________________________________________________________[/b][/center]

The wagon driver was forced to turn around at this point.  It was clear that enemy patrols were keeping people from leaving the city, which also meant that they were keeping those outside from entering too.  If he got too close, they were would be noticed undoubtedly attacked.  He also needed to get word to the villages and towns in the region.  They would have to be ready to exodus to the West, if Valhiem fell.

[i][b][Center][u]Second Chance had a decision to make:[/u][/center]

1.  Forge ahead down the road, making a rush for the Southwest Gate of Valhiem.  With good timing and fortune, the shortest route to may a defensible, tactical retreat.  Providing there was someone brave enough to open the gate upon seeing them, or not mistake them the enemy and shoot at them.  (Even with Second Chance's injuries and poor health, this might be possible.)

2. Try to sneak slowly and methodicallly, along the same direct route to the Southwest Gate, using cover of bushes, trees, burning buildings and fire-ridden cropfields.  Once close, send one member of Second Chance to go and try to get the gate open for them, or scale the wall if possible.

3.  Move around the Southside of the outskirts of the city, at a safe distance, to the high ground where the edge of The Mazy Hillocks sat.  From that familiar vantage, and with the river at their side, they might time it right to swim up the channel, or sneak along the riverside, and hope not to get seen.  (Or attacked by Friendlies as they tried to breach the riverway war-barricades.)

4. Move Southside to the edge of The Mazy Hillocks, but make camp and survey the situation for longer, perhaps waiting for the night time to use the cover of darkness.  (Waiting until midnight would also restore any 'X-Times-per-Day' powers of the adventurers and sleep would recover their injuries and health up to 70%.)

5.  Turn around and go with the driver to request horses from Cherrad and directions to the closest city to go and get reinforcements (also giving them the chance to recover back to 100% at a hospital while doing so.)
the 
6.  Turn around and head West, perhaps for Capitol City, for safety and to inform the highest authorities in the kingdom of progress of War.  (Bare in mind, Capitol City is the most logically likely place that Second Chance might get some answers to the Big Question: "Why are they in this world?")

7.  Head North to Mountain Fortress of Fornost.  Glee John Artorius had once hinted to Adam Phillips that Fornost was the location that most strong adventuring parties had been called to.  From the big-picture perspective, tactically, perhaps Second Chance would be best off making a difference to the War Effort there.

8.  Choose another path entirely, or some combination of the above.  Split up?  Go around to the Eastside of Valhiem (where the enemy had surely approached from.)  It was up to The Heroes from the Sky to figure out their own destiny.[/b][/i]