Several hours after leaving the clearing they passed the halfway point on the journey to Cervik. Emeryl was sore all over and demanded some time out from the walk, and reluctantly the others agreed. Setting up a bonfire, Emeryl began heating up what was left of the meat and beans.
      "Berries?" he offered Prism, showing him a handful of berries.
      "No... Aren't those suppose to be in the kettle?" Prism hesitantly queried.
      "Yeah, but I accidentally picked some extras without thinking about it and I'm tired of carrying them." Emeryl answered.
      "You've been carrying them all this time?" Alan laughed.
      Flushing a deep red, Emeryl nodded lightly.
      "Here, give me those, we'll make some juice and have something to drink with this." Alan reached out one gloved hand.
      "Ok." Emeryl dropped them all into his hand.
      He brushed off the sticky sap and berry juice he already had on his hands and sat by the fire with his knees folded to his chest and his arms wrapped around them. Quietly he listened as Alan and Prism argued, then chatted, then began a debate about Cervik, and eventually wound up discussing how the old town used to be like.
      Since he didn't share any of the memories his mind wandered along with his eyes. He thought about the convent of nuns and the abbot at the Church and even his father, who was a minister at a cathedral in a completely different town. Quietly he wondered if he could see his father at some point during this adventure. In a strange way he didn't want to be like his father, though he became a priest he didn't want to preach as much as he wanted to journey. Suddenly, a small rustling caught his attention.
      "Who's there!" Emeryl shouted unexpectedly, jumping to his feet. Both Alan and Prism stood up by him, scanning the terrain for anyone.
      "What is it?" Alan asked.
      "I saw those bushes rustle!" Emeryl pointed.
      As they stared at the bushes three small green creatures popped out, two holding short swords and the other a rusty mace. They wore loin clothes and torn up clothes, undoubtedly scavenged from dead adventurers.
      "Oh, it's just some orcs." Alan replied calmly.
      "They probably think we're new because we don't have any horses or huge weapons." Prism added.
      "Garrr! Gunta attack, steal goods!" one of the little creatures bellowed.
      Prism stepped back and gave Alan some room as he drew his sword out of his sheath. The three monsters charged, flailing their weapons through the air. Within seconds Alan had knocked the sword away from one, dodged an attack by the second and thrown the third into the ground. Seeing that the adventurers weren't as new as they thought, the second two ran back into the bushes. The other paused to try and get his weapon, but Alan grabbed him by the scruff and held him back.
      "Tell me, what are orcs doing so close to Cervik? Don't you know undead creatures are near here?" Alan asked him, tightening his grip as the creature struggled.
      "Gunta no know! Gunta no know! See treasure, loot before anyone else!" he stuttered.
      "What treasure have you seen?" Alan continued.
      "Many leave money behind, Gunta pick up! Many bones, and a shirt with stone like that!" Gunta pointed at Prism.
      Prism blinked, glancing down at the stone embroidered in his shirt.
      "But only those who study the ancient texts of Elar wear this." Prism replied, "That doesn't make any sense."
      "Humans no make sense to Gunta! Gunta no know!" the orc growled again.
      "Hmmm... Get out of here." Alan shoved the orc away. He waited for him to be out of sight until he wiped off his hand, then sat back by the fire. The other two joined him, both pondering on what the orc had said.
      "He had no reason to lie..." Alan peered at Prism for a possible explanation.
      "The only other person I know who studies those texts is my apprentice, and he's back at Fara Fara." Prism shrugged, "Let's just eat, he probably doesn't even know what different stones mean."
      "If you're fine with it then." Alan took out one of the spoons.