You continue your march, still skirting the western flanks of the Central Cordillera, which rise steeply to your left. The mountains force you closer to the desert, and the forest thins. You are heading generally south.
An hour before night falls you suddenly see a break in the woods, ahead. You advance cautiously, and see that it is an intersection. Two roads meet here.
Coming up from the south and out of the desert is a great road. It curves off to the north-northeast, following a narrow cleft back into the mountains and climbing steeply.
Running off to the left of you, northwest, is another road. It follows the edge of the desert. You guess that it makes for the town that you passed several days ago, near where you companions met their demise.
Running off into the thickening forest to the southeast is a trail.
As usual, there is a signpost. The elves are able to read it in the dying light -
The Cordillera Road: North: To Orbus, Silver Fist and Marmador.South: To Mestom, Camel's Dump and Mush Walk.
Northwest: To Death Death Death.
Southeast: To Lake Fort.
Standing at the intersection are four mounted soldiers. They wear chain mail, and are armed with spears, swords and light crossbows. Their livery is red and black. They do not appear to have noticed you.
You recall that this intersection is shown on Verona's second map. The trail to the southeast leads to the Rift of the Dead. You realise that you are probably no more than a day or so away from the entrance to the rift.
As you watch, you become aware of a growing rumble and hub bub from down the road to the south. After a moment you are able to identify the sounds as being those of wagon wheels on cobblestones, the clatter of hooves, and the tramp of marching men. The sounds increase in volume steadily.
Then, you hear the sounds of someone rapidly riding down the Cordillera road out of the mountains. At the same time, two more riders emerge out of the woods on the trail from the southeast, and trot their steeds over to the first four. These newcomers are dressed and armed just like the first four.
Zanax motions the others to pull back out of sight.
Kadlian also motions everyone back from the road.
You retreat perhaps 100 yards.
"I suggest we hunker down for awhile and let the caravan or whatever it is, pass. Aron, can you provide a silence spell? If so, we probably could pass by the checkpoint tonight by moving behind them. We need to go southeast, but probably not down the road. We will have to take a parallel course or risk a confrontation. And since we do not know what local garrisons might be nearby, it is probably best if we avoid them."
Aron shakes his head. "Tyr doesn't grant me such powers."
"You are not a cleric, then? Are you a paladin or just a devout follower of Tyr?"
"Just a devout follower of Tyr."
Kadlian nods. "Then, you are a fighter?"
"Yes."
Kadlian nods once more. "Okay, thank you for telling me."
Zanax says, "Rage, can you cast Invisibility on me or loan me the ring? I'll then move silently toward them to determine if they are evil or not. It's probably best if we don't alert them to our presence at all, but if we have to, at least I'll know their intent."
"That does not mean anything. I suspect that they are neutral, not really evil," the mage says. "It seems that they are guards, protecting their town and kingdom."
"And if they've been sent to watch for other strangers by the ones who killed our companions, then what? In any case, we don't know if they are good, neutral or evil...but we should find out."
"For what purpose, Zanax? I do not wish to fight them regardless of what they are. So, why is it important to determine if they are evil? We are going to sneak past them."
"And if they can detect invisibility, Zanax? Best not to risk it. We gain nothing by pressing our luck."
"If they can detect invisibility, then they are more than just common guards."
"What will we do if they head our way, Kadlian?"
"You mean discover us? Kill them. But, we are not on any road, so I think it is unlikely that they will come our way."
"I could walk to the checkpoint and investigate. I am new to this group - your enemies do not know of me."
"While that may be true, Aron, they were not my enemies until they attacked our friends. I do not know how they knew we were there or why they attacked us. I am concerned that they might attack you for just being there. And, although I do not know you very well, I do not wish to see you harmed."
In the end, you watch the scene unfold from where you are currently hidden.
The sounds of the approaching wagons gets steadily louder, until you see the lights of lanterns come round a bend in the road to the south. One of the riders detaches himself from the rest of the horsemen at the intersection, and rides down to meet the latest arrivals. After a few minutes he returns, says something unintelligible to the others, and then leads them as they wheel about and go galloping off to the north along the Cordillera Road.
A few moments later the first of the following troops reach the intersection. They are also mounted, and take up positions, watching. More troops go by, infantry, and then the main body of the train arrives.
It is obvious to you that you are witnessing the passage of a large train of military supplies. It takes about an hour for the several hundred ox-drawn carts and wagons to pass. The carts and wagons are laden down with boxes, barrels and unrecognisable bundles wrapped in burlap and canvas. More carts have catapults and ballistae mounted on them.
A continuous parade of infantry and cavalry ride along with the supply train as an escort. You estimate that there are over a thousand troops, in addition to the ones riding on the carts and wagons.
Finally, the last of the wagons passes, followed by a hundred man rear guard.
The cavalry who had been guarding the intersection wheel about and go riding after the train.
The rumble of the wheels and the clatter of the hooves fades away into the night.
You wait a bit longer, and then hurry down to the intersection and cross the road, striking off into the woods but trying to stay parallel to the trail running southeast.
It is difficult going for the humans in the party, for you dare not use lights to illuminate your way. The stars shining brightly overhead provide your only illumination.
After an hour or so you judge that you have travelled a safe distance, and make camp for the night.