The team fell silent and watched the familiar flap its wings and look around in earnest. The elfmage nodded " Yes, yes I realize that." He turned his attention to the others." It seems that we have about 30 minutes to move out of this canyon before the awful rats realize our presense and band together." Aramil's eyes seemed to grow frantic though he kept his repose before the group.

" That is easy to do. We shall scale these steps in less then that and be free among the trees before that can happen." said the ranger with a little false bravado.

The mage spoke frankly " I am not sure of that. There are swarms of goblinoids above and they are on the prowl." With a look of worry, he said simply " If we are to escape uncontested, for now anyways, we should either move north or south along this valley floor."

The druidess and the lorist grudgingly protested staying within the dry channel. Both thought that the forest provided the sanctity they needed despite the risks on getting there.

" We are in no shape to fight anything." Nanith pointed out to those rallying for the hike upwards along the steps. " In our state, it might take longer then you anticipate to climb, Teflar." The rogue intended no disrespect, but pointed out that time was of the essence and to disappear in the rough brush might actually benefit them in the long run. Gaining the confidence of the others, they followed Nanith through the broken walls of the courtyard and stomped northward with renewed emphasis.

2 AM: " I can barely see where I'm going." complained the ranger as he shuffled along behind the group. The team had made progress, but the concern that plagued them were the thoughts that they were being watched from above or tracked by vermin.
Aramil thus cast a dull green light from the tip of his staff to provide a simple path for any to follow. He said with graveness " I think we are okay. Moran suspects no menace around us, but then again, we are early in our flight." The falcon flew unseen in the sky above the gorge; its swooping wings the only sign it still was in their presense.

Timbra pushed past a huge scragbrush blocking their path and he nicked his left hand knuckle upon a gripping thornbranch. " Damn these vile nettles!" the gnome spat while shaking his injury with distaste. " I wish I had a machete like Erelis does up there."

The psion half-smircked and replied " I am catching its wrath just as much there, cleric. I just wish I didn't have to spend my energies trimming the weeded verge to benefit."

Roslyn glanced around her and slid comfortably through the impeding boulders and snagging plants. Ineffable words kept her from stating their plight, but it was clear that she did not like it here.
Her fellow hobbit thought better of the situation. " Let�s look at it this way. If anyone should decide to follow us, these brushes would surely hamper their progress as well." Nanith jerked his hand away as another thorn decided to leave his mark. " Ouch!" he sorely protested.