The party left the well camouflaged outpost and began their trek along the Ridge Line pass. The view was breath taking to the west and to the east across the entire Southern Valley. The air was cold, crisp, and slightly windy at the higher altitude but manageable. Alyson was able to provide a elemental shield around the entire group to stave off the cold. While Lazheros scanned the area for any large threats such as trolls and owlbears that were native to the Ridge Line. Two hours passed with no encounters until the party reached the part of the pass that went between a rocky ravine. The wind had died down to an eerie calm and everyone felt like they were being watched. In the distance, Irzen heard a cry for help from someone as well as the sounds of goblins.

The Swordsman raised his hand and clenched his fist signalling for everyone to stop their advance. Then he turned and moved back to the rest of the group, "I hear goblins ahead, four or five of them at least. Also, cries for help, which means we have some civilians that need saving." Irzen turned to Willow, "What's the gameplan, chief?"

"Lazheros, I want you to remain in reserve in case we might need you to magically pull our bacon out of the fire," Willow instructed the others, "Irzen, Alyson, Caliaphy and Serna, you're with me. Irzen and I are going to directly engage the goblins. Alyson and Serna, I want you two to locate and protect the civilians who need help. Caliaphy, I want you ready to relay orders from me to Lazheros should the need arise. Any questions?"

"Like charades? Cool, I can do that!" The fairy flew in between the party members.

Alyson shrugged, "Okay."

"We still have the element of surprise," Willow concluded, "In order to keep it, we're going to have to eliminate all of the goblins. We can leave none alive nor take any as prisoner nor allow any to escape. Understand?"

Irzen nodded grimly.

"Irzen, lead on." The Prince commanded.

The Swordsman silently and wordlessly led the party forward to the spot where the attack was taking place.

The sounds of twenty goblins shrieks and their prisoners cries for help got louder. Irzen could now hear the sound of drums as something much larger lumbered out of a cave entrance towards the victims. Irzen and Willow had seen this kind of giant before in their travels, or at least heard of them. It was an Ettin, the loathsome two-headed giant wearing animal hide about its body with a crude necklace of skulls.

Irzen made a quick assessment of their situation, "I count twenty Goblins, one Ettin, possibly more in the cave, maybe their prisoners are there too. I have an idea. Alyson, the last time I checked you're a Fire Elementalist. Can you whip up a flash grenade in the form of a floating ball of light and send it into the midst of the Goblins and have it explode?"

"I see your logic, Irzen," Willow quickly surmised, "By doing that, you can swoop down there and take care of the Goblins while Alyson and I pick off the Ettin with my bow and her magic. Serna, you can join Irzen and give him shielding should we fail to deal with the monster. Any questions?"