Chapter #5

                                    

                                          
Completing a long bend in the river three more Orcs are seen. On the opposite bank two are hung up in a downed tree. One is stopped on a shallow point on Carr's side. Their bodies pierced with arrows. Though some of the flights have broken off, they seem from the same archer.
Stopping Carr hops down to check out the body. Covered in wet leather armor the Orc seems to be a few years older than the young rogue. The body has several cuts, one puncture high on the abdomen indicates the fatal blow. On its' belt two empty scabbards, one big enough for a bastard-sword, the other a short-sword. Checking the body for tattoos only finds a small pouch hanging around the neck. Inside the pouch several copper coins, which Carr leaves. Wanting a second arrow he tries to pluck out the only whole one but it breaks apart as soon as he grips it.
Looking at Ebony Carr queries, "where did these Orcs come from?"
The horse shakes her head about.
Carr smiles, "you don't now either eh?" Patting her side he climbs back into the saddle, "I suppose you don't know who killed them."
Snorting Ebony shakes her head some more.
"Sorry I was just asking." Carr laughs amusing himself as they continue following the river. Mind whirring with thoughts on what must have happened keeps coming back to an unsettling thought; If a single female can successfully take on four Orcs, what does she need with him. Even with concerns it all could be a trap he pushes on.

***

Late in the afternoon they come across footprints on the rivers edge.
Dismounting to examine the prints notices four different sets of boot prints and one set of small humanoid footprints. The footprints seem to be exactly like the ones he saw at the Great Swamp.
Leading Ebony, Carr follows the prints along a path into trees.
Not traveling far, the path cuts across a clearing. Encircling the clearing a collapsing rock wall. Contained within the clearing are three, vine covered stone buildings in slow decay. The largest to the south is a long church, complete with a front bell tower. To the north a fair-sized round building with no roof or signs of windows. A few paces past it, sits an old decrepit hut. The beams that once made up its' roof are strewn about. Its' small windows are covered by vines and cobwebs.
Speaking to his horse, "well this must be the place." Keeping bow and arrow at the ready, Carr cautiously enters the clearing. Only chirping and singing birds are noticed.
Walking over to a well that sits center of the clearing he looks down it. The well's water line is barely visible.
Scanning the area Carr calls out, "hello!" Getting no response tries it in a few different languages.
Casing out the northern buildings peers in the doorways. The structures are vacant of any large beings. Without a few days of hard work no one would be able to live inside.
Crossing over to the church he spots boot prints in the soil along with drying patches of blood. It's apparent to Carr that a fight took place here yesterday.
Inspecting the church's tower, no door is left in the main entranceway. Rusty fragments of metal nailed into the framework are all that remains of hinges. The square stone floor of the steeple is covered in dirt. Old logs embedded into stonework make up an ascending stairway to the top.
Leaving Ebony outside to graze Carr steps in. Looking up the tower notices the stairs are covered in a white moss. Several of the spiraling steps are missing along with sections of the upper floor. The roof of the tower seems to be intact. There even seems to be a beam to hang a bell from.