Loten kept his enchanted blade close & ready and whispered an uncomprehended word to himself as he studied the handlegrip. Aramil was confident to announce that the tome he held was a simple book of spells and that this could aid the group in the trials ahead. He continued to pour over every detail as Gailwind also finished his official study.
The sage began his oration with a pronounced snap-close of the cover.
" It was well-noted that Noleratis planned on creating an empire right here in the Nalmiar. He invented creatures from a combination of many foretic animals and used these horrors of life to protect his secrecy from the outside world. We were unfortunate to lose many precious Ravens to the owlbear we faced on the hordepath a few days ago. There may be more of these guardians. It is a wonder they have survived this long without their maker to reign them in." The lorist's elven eyes sparkled a cool azure in the snapping firelight.
" Noleratis was selfish and with this trait there is always a call and desire for more power." He paused for emphasis " Unhuman power."
Gailwind stood and circled around the back of the companions as they listened intently. " From my understanding, this mage desired to become a lich...an obscene thing of unwavering corruption and longevity. In the guise of a skeletal corpse it now lays in the tower's basement, but only because its plans were somehow fouled." Gailwind came before the fire; his blonde hair enhanced by the orange light " Its last stage almost complete and realized save for the sealed entrapment it was imprisoned in." All eyes turned to the tower door as the last rays of the sun disappeared behind the Grizzledane.
" Now its life force has been released to gather claim."

9 PM: Nanith took hold of a hollow stick and tickled awake the dying fire. He pushed and prodded the small, licking flames spurring it to burn brighter. He sighed deep and looked at where Teflar's body lay motionless. The ranger seemed drained of strength; very odd result for such a potent warrior. The cleric and paladin had gone to sleep already; possibly retaining energy and preparing themselves for their lead tomorrow. They seemed to have little disregard for the potential danger still left at the tower.

Off to one side, the wizard casually flipped through his new book occasioning a nervous yawn while Roslyn warmed herself beside him. At this point, the rogue apologized for any distress he had caused the fellowship in his days with them. Aramil received the verbal reparation and told Nanith to worry no more about it. With this tension out of the way, the men relaxed and discussed the ongoing battle. Were we winning? How was the operation going?

" That is an important clue." said Gailwind; snapping the conversation in mid-stride.

" What is?" queried Erelis; his head perking up from his curled, resting position north of the fire.

" Those urine-stained rugs..." pointed the elf looking precarious " ...they were heading for Zastian. I interpreted the stamped codes inked upon the mintgreen fibers. This proves that these orcs were tied to the recent massacres."
This official confirmation did little to amaze anybody; it was quite obvious that the viscious attacks was perpetrated by these foreign humanoids from the beginning. The question was...could they find a way to stop them? Were they the key to the enigma?

As the silver moon came out in its full view of the world, the companions, one-by-one, nodded off to tense sleep...a light one at that.