Guilliam looks sheepishly to his companions "You know guys, I can't help but think that in their years, these hobgoblins are nothing more than kids. They didn't put up much of a fight and now they're asking for their moms." Guilliam rubs his chin as if it will help him say the words that are about to follow. "I don't want to have anything to do with killing them now. They're defenseless and the adrenalin from the heat of battle is waring off. I say we take them as prisoners. They could be used as guides and if I get a chance to talk to them more, I could learn to speak their dialect properly."

"You are very trusting Guilliam!" Crayne narrows his eyes, "It could get you into trouble someday! I suggest we kill them, but I do know that most of you here wouldn't have the stomach for it. So, we have a little problem here! If we let them go they'll go running off to their own foul kind and tell them what has gone on. I think we've all got better things to do than face more of these things!" As Crayne stresses the word things Crayne prods at one of the Hobgoblins with his staff. "Or we can kill them which I'm heavily for! Or we can take Guilliams suggestion which means that they'll probably slit our throats in the night. You say they'll be your responsibility, but are you prepared to sit up all night long and watch these things! What does everybody else think?"

Crayne walks away a little annoyed at the parties indecisiveness in dealing with these Hobgoblins. He quietly thinks to himself and asks himself why should we risk our lives for these Hobgoblins.

Cy then leans into the circle, articulating his opinion. "Killing the hobgoblins is unnecessary. They are truly like Children in this respect. If we kill them, our reputation for ruthlessness grows and we become like them in deed and perception. I, for one, do not wish for the same stigma to be applied to thoughts of our band that is applied to the likes of common marauders. Let them live."

"I mean no offense, Cy, Guilliam, but I have to side with Crayne on this one. You may be responsible, Guilliam, but let's be honest. You probably couldn't hold back both of these guys if they turned on you. While I would love another chance to duel, I'm frankly a little too sore now and don't want to fight this slime," Canter says apologetically, looking to Crayne for support.

Storm, the adrenaline still running through his veins a bit, fidgets noticeably in the back of the group. He taps his feet, folds and unfolds his arm, inspects a few of his many daggers, looks at his fresh wound, though does nothing to care for it, and looks around distractedly. The only thing he mumbles loud enough to hear is "them ugly buggers..." One might wonder where he gets the justification for saying that, considering Storm's look in the first place. A few of his looks, it is noticed, are directed toward the north, where tall peaks of the Raimeads stand.

Edryd stares hard at each of them, his jaw muscles twitching with tension. His eyes cloud with visions of his family being brutalized and massacred by humanoids such as these so many years ago. His eyes flash as he chokes back tears, not wishing to show weakness in this matter. He knows his efforts are probably in vain in this matter.

Finally, he speaks, "I know that we must return to the miners, and we must leave this place. Before I cast my judgement into the ring, I must know what they were doing at the village they said they were coming from. These vermin have no place in Rinder, for many more than just my own mother, father and sister have suffered to their like. Guilliam, please ask them? I must know!" His eyes flash as he awaits an answer.

Guilliam raises his eyebrows and exhales loudly, considering the task before him. "You know," he says to Edryd, "I don't speak their dialect very well." Edryd nods in understanding, but is insistent. The others remain close, waiting to hear the exchange and answer. Guilliam thinks for a moment, trying to recall the few words he knows to get the right question across. He then speaks to the two hobgoblins, who are being held on their knees, their hands bound behind their backs, with Edryd and Cy looking over them from behind.

Guilliam's question comes out slowly, his voice uttering the strange sounds of the hobgoblish language. The two hobgoblins look at each other after hearing the question. Then, as if coordinated, they spit at Guilliam's feet. Guilliam, wholely offended, looks up to Edryd and Cy in silence. They get the message immediately, hitting the two hobgoblins hard across the back of their heads.

With the impact, the two monsters begin to babble loudly, obviously intimidated. Guilliam listens to the answer, and then takes a big gulp of air before translating for the others. He looks straight into the eyes of Edryd.

"They sacked it. Burned and looted," Guilliam reports. Lowering his eyes, he mutters, "I'm sorry."

After a moment of silence, Edryd speaks. "Not your fault, young man. Better we got to them before they reached the next village. But these vermin must not be permitted to live to see another day. You may not want to be a part of their sentence, but I believe it is Anhur's will to bring to light his justice. And the justice of Anhur is swift and fair. These two have looted, burned, plundered, maybe even raped and killed. For that they must not go unpunished." Edryd then looks around the group. "I will do it alone if I must, I will meet the rest of you back at the camp."

Guilliam, his head still low, nods to Edryd in understanding. He slowly turns and begins to walk back toward the miner's camp. He is joined by Canter, who puts his arm around the bard, saying softly, "they don't need me for what they must do. I'll walk back with you. There was no way to know. Not your fault..."

As those two leave the clearing, with the small fire burning low, Storm, Edryd, Crayne and Cy carry out two swift, painless executions.

Upon returning to the camp, Storm, Edryd, Crayne, and Cy find a hot bowl of stew waiting for them, and Canter and Guilliam in much better spirits. Guilliam is strumming a quiet tune on his mandolin, trying to get a good feel for the new instrument. The dinner passes without incident.

During the evening, Guilliam approaches Crayne and reaches into his money pouch, pulling out his gem and five pieces of gold. "Here you are my friend. We agreed on this payment for teaching me magic and you came through with your end of the bargain" Flashing a smile, and speaking quick with enthusiasm he adds "That trick

you tought me helped us out pretty well back there. When I finished casting the spell, I felt a great rush of excitment. Is that normal?" Before the mage can respond, Guilliam is already talking again "The spell came more naturally than when we practiced. I think I'm ready to learn more....and I think that we could use all the help we can get on this mission. How about teaching me something with a little more pizzaze!"

Crayne looks up smiling as he sees Guilliam offering the money and the gem. Quickly reaching out he pockets the gem and the money in his pouch at his belt. He then makes a reply to Guilliam's question, "Of course! Of course! I'll teach you more! I was thinking that maybe a further charge would be in order. However, because I am such a nice guy I'll teach a new spell for free. How about I teach you the sleep spell. That is a nice and fluffy spell and it doesn't involve any killing. You can all rest yourself assured!" Crayne grins wryly referring back to the point about the Hobgoblins. The two then move off to the side, and as mentor and student, Crayne begins to instruct The Gale in the ways of the Sleep spell.

When it is time to lay down for the night, Guilliam approaches the miners with a businesslike look upon his face. Speaking as if he is a veteran of many missions like this, he suggests that the miners set up watches while they (Rinder's Six) sleep. "As you can see, we have just fought a tiresome battle. We are weary, in need of the healing that sleep brings and it is unlikely that another band of beasts is nearby. Set up watches amongst yourselves. Their are enough of you to partner up for one and a half hour shifts. We will awake at first light a depart from here."

Biln nods, stroking his beard. "Ya. We'd do that..." Watches are set, and all rest peacefully through the rest of the night.

In the morning, the group sets off again on the road. By mid afternoon they are approaching the base of the mountain, winding their way toward one of the passes in the chain. [See image] The peaks seem majestic, especially when seen from this close; they almost fill the sky.

And as the sun begins to set over the hills the party has traversed by the day, the miners begin to slow. Biln moves over to Rinder's Six, pointing up the mountain. "You see that little path? The mine's up a there... We be settin' up camp here. Are y'all gonna head up by night er wait for mornin'?"

1. Guilliam may add the "Sleep" spell to his spellbook.

2. All characters gain 1 hp for rest overnight.

3. Unfortunately, you guys gain no experience points for the executions: The DMG explains that there must be a significant challenge or threat to warrant XP points, and I don't believe that a significan challenge/threat exists in an execution. Sorry!

4. So what's the plan? Will you ascend right away or wait until morning? What preparations will you make? Will you leave anything behind in the care of Biln and the miners?

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