| 131 The rain does not stop until nightfall. The deluge has put out all the burning houses in the village, turning all about you into a morass of mud and ashen destruction. In the shadows of the evening you can see villagers slowly moving through the debris that was once their village. Shuffling about in a state of shock, they search for belongings and anything that may have survived the inferno. Standing in the damp shelter of the old barn you feel sympathy for the plight of the hapless villagers but wonder at the confidence of the attack. The raid followed the normal process of a Horde rampage, but to pillage such a large village as Melem's Fork, and to do it in broad daylight, seems very bold. News of the great battle to the north must have reached even these isolated Hordim bands roaming the mountains to the south-west. That was the other thing that bothered you. If they did know, how could they have found out so quickly? There was probably a lot more to this war than just the siege at Maenum. Still, it has been said around more than one campfire that the Horde has a cunning way of surprising the nations of man. You resolve to be far more careful as you journey closer to the Devkraager Tor. As the sky darkens to night the rain finally stops and you prepare to continue your journey. The villagers have all gathered in the few houses that still remain intact, there seems little that you can do to help them, and even less that they can provide to you in the way of provisions or feed. All you can do is move on. Pallenten is as eager as you to be away so you repack your equipment, pull your cloak closer about you, and head quietly out into the cool night air.
| The Ring of Stones lies a few hours journey to the west. There you will find a good campsite and fresh water for Pallenten. In the dark of the night the road is your only safe route. Turn to section 257.
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