| 154 The risk of trouble in Das Frontiere is too great. Guardsmen like those you have encountered in Miller's Crossing are common enough throughout the Kalborean Union and the provincial capital has far more than its fair share. Turning Pallenten to the west you urge her forward and the great horse quickens her gait further. You estimate that at her current rate of travel you should reach Melem's Fork by late afternoon. As you ride the road joins with another from the south-east, and from this point onwards becomes uneven and heavily rutted. Recent rain has left the dirt track soft and easily damaged, but Pallenten seems to take the changed conditions in her stride and does not falter as she pounds away the leagues towards Melem's Fork. With the great horse set on her way you use the opportunity to survey the horizon for possible trouble. All about is clear but on high you notice something unsettling. Above you dark clouds are beginning to crowd the sky. The horizon to the north and west have disappeared within the mist and gloom of an approaching storm. Although the weather front is still some distance away it will cross your path before evening. Such storms can be murderous affairs, it will be prudent to find shelter before it hits. This is not your most pressing concern though. Directly above you, at the very edge of your sight, you can just make out a number of large birds circling about. This seems innocent enough and under other circumstances would be unremarkable, however these birds have been with you for some time now, always directly overhead and always high enough that you cannot identify exactly what they are. A feeling of being watched has been with you for most of your journey and these birds do nothing to lessen your growing sense of unease. The countryside is pleasant enough however, small farms are scattered about the grasslands and every so often you pass an isolated stand of trees about which congregate groups of cattle and sheep. All seems very peaceful but you smile ruefully, knowing full well that here on the frontier it can all change so quickly. With nothing much to do except think about the unusual nature of your quest you ride onwards, keeping a watchful eye on both the road ahead and the gathering weather above. Although the sky is darkening with the approach of the storm the remainder of the journey to Melem's Fork passes quickly and thankfully without incident. As you expect you reach the village by late afternoon. Cresting a slight rise in the ground you look down at the village and gasp in disbelief. Before you Melem's Fork is in a state of chaos, the usually peaceful settlement under attack and desperately trying to defend itself. Smoke billows freely from a number of buildings and men and women are running about frantically between them trying to quell the flames. At the far edge of the community you can see a group of large creatures moving hastily to the south-west. It is a Hordim raiding party making off with its plunder.
| Do you wish to help the villagers fend off the Hordim. If you do, turn to section 116. If you would rather avoid any confrontation with the Horde at this time turn to section 258.
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