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Are there any other bodies around maybe hidden. move the 2 ogres perhaps they could have fallen on some more of those that cut them down?

"It was smart enough to cork a bottle," Barber says to Eldon.

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Papa pokes around under the ogres but finds only more grotdier. On closer examination, though, given the light from Bastian's coin, an odd fact comes to light (literally). Many of the grotdier have dried blood in and around their ears, particularly those closest to the burnt ogre.

"Strange" Liri says as she joins Papa in the examination of the bodies. "Blood in the ears is supposed to be a sign for something, a parrticular kind of injury, but right now I can't remember what it is."

"Yes, not so savage..." Eldon agrees. He walks over to the other bodies and shrugs, "Something happened to their hearing, I'd say." He comments.

"We shouldn't tarry here too long." Angel says brushing close to Liri before looking ahead.

Barber speaks up: "There are a many things that can cause bleeding from the ears. But a plague of ear infections seems unlikely. An explosion could cause ruptured eardrums in those close enough to it."

Maughus has been picking his way around the edges fo the battlefield, and eventually says: "They made a stand here, but some of them escaped up the hill, southeast."

"They had strong magic, an explosion is possible, I have seen such things before." Angel ponders, looking south east. "We follow them?" She asks the Soldiers.

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Eldon let's out a whistle, "I've seen magic like that, a blast so big it wrecked a whole town, hundreds of people killed, I was lucky to escape." He grins, "Let's follow what's the worst that could happen?"

Bastian looks at Eldon and flatly replies, "You mean besides excruciating pain and possible death?"

Angel gives the pair a long glance, and jumps back on Praesul, "South east?" She repeats.

Liri can't help it, a snorting laughter escapes her at Bastian's remark. She shakes her head, re-mounts Casta and joins Angel, nodding.

Papa remounts his horse "to the southeast"

Bastian sighs and mounts Gertrude. "To the South East...." he says resignedly. "...and to excruciatingly painful death!" He attempts to maintain a straight, dejected face but his face breaks into a broad grin and he bursts out laughing!

Ash looks at Bastian askance. "Easy now, friend. Look at it this way: whatever happened here, it would appear we missed it. I give it even odds that whoever walked away from this got hit again a mile down the road, or they are badly mauled and licking their wounds someplace. The way I see it, there is definitely a very slim chance that some of us might survive."

Little leans in toward Eldon and says: "If he starts talking about a tontine, walk away."

"Enough, boys. Barber, you may take one of these apart on the trip back, if you like. Otherwise, if there is nothing useful here, the time has come to move on. Ash, leave a marker for Wheels."

Ash grunts and pulls out his gladius and cuts an arrow-shaped mark at eye-level on a prominent tree. Beneath the arrow he carves a few symbols.

(OOC: Does Liri know the symbols from her work in the Imperial messenger service?)

Angel waits silently.

"I will." Eldon replies, a little unsure what they are discussing. "see priest, death is unlikely."