We didn't get a whole lot of sleep that night. We mourned our companion's passing and we had to keep watch as well. My friends and I took care of the latter. Kivilan simply was in not state to be burdened with duties like this. He had cried and wailed as if he were a banshee. His face bore the marks to tell of it, where he had scratched it. His eyes were red and framed by dark rings, visible despite the fact that his skin was as dark as that of any of us. We had made an effort to clean Kor'za's body as well. Our success in that regard was rather limited though. After all we all looked like a bunch of vagrants that had been living in the woods and caves for some time, which to be honest wasn't far from the truth.

Breakfast was a somber affair. The meal wasn't abundant either. It consisted of some cold leftovers from yesterday. That was it. Afterwards we took some time to pack up most of our supplies. Everything that was easily portable and that we couldn't do without. We moved those deeper into the cave with the help of the children before the sun was properly up. I took some time to show Umar'za, the older of the two, how to handle a crossbow. It was a very brief lesson. Hopefully it would be enough should she have to defend herself or Ad'zan. Then we sent the two deeper into the cave as well. They had some water and what little was left to eat. It wouldn't last long.

I could only pray that they would be safe. Oh Moon Maidens, Maiden and Mother, let them be safe. If we didn't come back today, the two would be on their own. No, I shouldn't even start thinking like that. Only death and defeat awaited those who let their thoughts wander down this path. I had to fight smarter and I had to fight harder. I had to fight with all my heart to make sure we would return to take care of these two. Nothing less would do! I kissed them good bye and as Umar'za looked like she wanted to follow us for a moment I gave her a little shove to crawl through the tight passage in the cave that would protect her and her friend from anyone larger than them, which should include just about all humans ans most elven head hunters. “Protect Ad'zan.” I whispered in her ear. “And let us protect you.”

I looked back once more to make sure both of them had gone properly into hiding then I joined the others at the cave's entrance. I was back in my armor which was still in a bad state but it was patched up well enough to not get in the way at least and it would provide some protection. I had my glaive as well. Its new steel blade would serve me well. Instead of my old hunting knife, which was pretty much done for, I carried one of the knives we had taken off the head hunters last night. The others were fully geared up as well. They all looked grim. They knew that today would probably be worse than yesterday. Finally I picked up Kor'za's body and slung it over my shoulder, holding it in place with one hand while carrying my weapon in the other.

“To the top of the hill.” At those words of mine, we moved out. No one else said anything. The silence weighed heavy on our minds as we made our way through the forest. The way to the hilltop wasn't always easy although the growth of trees and bushes became less dense as we moved higher along the flanks of the hill. The kind of trees that grew here changed as well. Bit by bit the deciduous trees were replaced conifers. The smell of their sap was strong. That was one of the reasons we headed up here. These trees were rich in sap and would burn well. That would help with Kor'za's pyre. It would help with one last trap as well. Once we left the deciduous trees behind us we started cutting trees left and right of our path, to let some of their sap leak out.

The ground was covered in plenty of old needles as well. Those were rich in essential oils as well. Only in some places could I see the dark gray ash of Bleak Peak that the wind carried here every once in a while. Every once In a while I caught a glimpse of the charred remains of the last big forest fire too. Everything had dried up pretty well after the storm. Right now the wind blew uphill but that would change around later in the day. The stage was set. Almost at least. After we had marched in silence for the better part of an hour we finally reached the top of the hill. It wasn't much to look at. It had no name. It wasn't anything special. That all might change if we were to have success or if we would fail rather spectacularly. I for my part didn't care much for the latter alternative.

I set the body down against a nearby tree. “Lets get to work. I cut down the trees. You gather the wood into a pyre. Once the pyre is big enough, clear out all the needles on the ground and any remaining wood. I want a pristine clearing fifty paces across. The only burnables within all gathered into Kor'za's pyre.” Without any further ado I got to work. My weapon was best suited to cut down the trees. None of them were terribly tall or thick. A single strike, two at most, were enough to bring them down. Once the first conifers were on the ground the others got to work as well. There was no way to do this kind of work in secret. We made plenty of sound. Enough for a small army in fact. It wouldn't remain unnoticed. I counted on that.

Although none of the trees were old and strong, clearing a good number of them was still hard work. Building the pyre wasn't child's play either. By the time I was satisfied we were all drenched in sweat. We didn't have long to rest though. We placed our dead companion's body atop the roughly built pyre on a bed of still green branches. Then we sharpened our blades. After cutting that much wood, we had to. We couldn't afford our blades to be dull in the hours that lay ahead of us. I was hungry as well, but we had no more food with us. We didn't have time to gather anything either. I could only quench my thirst a little with the water we had brought. The others weren't much better off either.

We had to endure it. Just one more day. Just a few more hours. That is what I told myself anyway. I turned towards the others. By now they must have guessed at least parts of my plan but it would only be prudent to make sure they all knew all the details. “Now we head downhill and we won't be subtle about it. We will draw out the head hunters and as many humans as we can. Preferably their leader as well if we can. Kivilan, Khuzan and I, we will lure them up here. Eld'tide, Kaele, you will fall back behind us and will let them pass you by while hiding invisibly. Once you are certain that all that will follow us up here have passed you, you will start lighting the conifers afire behind them.”

I looked them in the eyes. “One of you heads around the hill in a clockwise direction. The other will go in the other direction. This is important. The wind will switch directions soon. It will drive the fires uphill. This way the fire will take care of most of the humans. Stay invisible as long as you can. Once you think the fire is large enough, head downhill and hide.” I paused and described a circle around us with my weapon. “This clearing will be just about large enough to protect us from the worst once we have dealt with the head hunters and any humans that don't get caught in the fire. It probably won't be too many.”

It was a rather crude plan. Not subtle at all. I pulled them into a heartfelt hug one after another. “The Moon Maidens' blessings with all of you. Fight smart. Fight hard. Fight with passion. But most importantly, fight to stay alive. Don't give up, no matter how bleak our situation my be. As long as you get back to your feet you can fight on. As long as you can fight you can make a difference. Under stood?” They all nodded. Kivilan a little more reluctant than the others. It was understandable considering how heartbroken he was. I trusted him not to give himself up though. “Good. Move out!”