Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-12599067-20141107033353/@comment-12599067-20141122160818

Ranwulf and Veranwen both studied the path ahead for a moment longer before Ranwulf finally led them onwards. The group was much more wary now that they knew someone or something was following them, even though they couldn't see their pursuers. Many times they looked back over their shoulders as they trudged on, as if expecting to see some horrible Daedra melt out of the shadows and hurl itself at them. But still they saw nothing.

At least, they saw nothing of the foes who followed them. But on the path ahead, they did find some tell-tale signs of what awaited them. Amongst the pine trees that dotted the Pale Pass they saw that some trees had been toppled, snapped in half as if they were toothpicks. Sometimes they would also find large rocks that didn't look like they belonged where they lay, like they were uplifted and thrown by some kind of mountain god.

As they continued onwards, the group saw the ancient Akaviri fort that marked their arrival at the Pass in the distance, sitting atop a rocky hill near the path ahead. However, Ranwulf halted the group a ways away, and as they directed their attention towards the fortress, they could see why. Fallen trees and cracked rocks surrounded the fortress, and a plume of black smoke was barely visible rising over the top of the stronghold. When the wind blew in their direction, it brought with it the scent of smoke and hints of the terrible odors of charred flesh and burning hair. While a campfire would normally be inviting in the cold of the mountains, it seemed unlikely that whoever made this fire was going to meet the group with welcome arms.

"Looks like we're not alone up here," Ranwulf noted, forever stating the obvious. He squinted up ahead but saw nothing, making him a little hesitant about approaching the Pass. "I'd say it's giants or bandits, but bandits don't go around cutting down trees for no reason and usually you don't find giants this far south," he mused. "But in any case, it looks like we either have to find a way to sneak past them or try and fight whatever's camping out up there. What's the opinion, folks?" he asked, turning to face the rest of the company.