| 254 Pallenten does not let you down. Her powerful strides quickly distance you from the guards as she races across the low hills. None of the attacking soldiers have any chance to mount a horse, and the one soldier who could reach for a long bow was unable to draw a shot before yourself and Pallenten were far from view. You again thank the gods that the Prefect had the foresight to give you such a horse. Cutting across the grassy hills is an unforeseen diversion from your route but it may have some benefits. It will only be a matter of a few hours and you will reach the west road to Melem's Fork. The small farming community will be a good place to tend and water Pallenten, as well as getting a decent meal yourself. As you expect it only takes two hours to reach the road. The rolling countryside is cut frequently by small streams and some marshy ground but the way ahead is thankfully straightforward. Surprisingly you cross the road a lot closer to Melem's Fork than you expect. After the uncertain footing of the countryside the road is a welcome sight. Not so the approaching weather. Looking up to the sky you see dark masses of cloud building ominously into a huge storm front. Already away to the west a gray curtain of rain is falling, advancing slowly towards you with the cloudbank. With luck you should be able to reach the village before it hits. Turning Pallenten to the west you urge her forward and the great horse quickens her gait. You estimate that at her current rate of travel you should reach Melem's Fork by mid afternoon. As you ride further to the west 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 takes 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 course you use the opportunity to survey the horizon for possible trouble. All about is clear, but on high you notice something unsettling. 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 though, 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. It is only an hour further on that you find yourself within sight of the village. Trotting over a small rise you look down upon a scene of devastation. Flame and smoke billows freely from burning houses and men and women are running frantically between them. You can see a number of bodies lying in the main road. At the western end of the village there is a large group of creatures running into the nearby brush. It must be a Horde raiding party making off with some ill-gotten plunder.
| Do you wish to help the villagers fight off the Hordim? If you do turn to section 116. If you would rather avoid a fight at this time turn to section 258.
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