On announcing the intent to track down the wayward castaways, the rest of the surviving crew are less than enthusiastic, but resigned to the necessity.
"We're too few to be spread so thin for long," Garnett remarks, the old man folding his arms almost defensively, "Raphaela's nigh unto useless out there, but Rollo's a fair hand. They've been gone too long though, and if he's injured then he'll need help. Take Avedis with ya." The halfling looks surprised, but nods in agreement.
"I'll go. Think you two can hold down the homestead?" Avedis asks, knowing full well the answer.
"Aye, We've weapons and traps. We can hold our own," Garnett nods.
The rough packs are loaded quickly, 4 days of food, 2 of water, along with the basic gear, like rope. Everyone is familiar with the nearest of the paths up the cliff, and since Rollo was intent on exploring further inland, that's where he'd likely start. The base of the cliff is quickly reached, and since there's no sign of Rollo or Raphaela there the trio begins the treacherous ascent. Even taking their time and making full use of the rope there's a couple of close calls on the way up. At one point the root Tempest was holding onto for support along a narrow stretch pulls away from the cliff, nearly dropping her 50' to the jungle floor below. Only her mad scramble to find another hold stops her fall. Near the top of the cliff Avedis is knocked off the trail, clipped in the shoulder by a falling rock. The rope tied about his waist arrests his fall, slamming him into the cliff face but leaving him otherwise intact. Griselda and Tempest are able to pull the halfling back up without too much effort. Presently, though, they all reach the top and get a brief moment to rest.
Chapter 2: Landfall
