Witch hunting

As the older half-orc strides off towards the forest, you can tell he is a bit agitated. "Thror? Thror, is something wrong?"

"Yeah, there is actually!" He grumbles, stopping at the treeline. "How the hell are we going to fight a WITCH?!?! If this farmer is to be believed it can FLY! I've never fought anything that can fly before, have you?"

"Well, no, but..."

"Look, brother, relax!" Dukash interrupts, coming to your rescue. "We are going to be fiiiiine! For all the extravagance what has she really been able to do? Poison some crops? Make a girl touch herself? I've done both of those things! And let me remind you that we have a magic user of our own now!" He rests a hand on your shoulder, giving you a rush of pride. You feel so valued as part of the team!

Dukash's words seem to alleviate some of Thror's worries, though he still seems on edge. "Well, I guess you're right. Still, stay on your guard, the both of you!" Turning away from you, he casts a long gaze into the forest. Seeing him so worried definitely makes you realize the gravity of the situation.

"So, uhhhh, what's the plan, bro?" Dukash asks, his voice seeming to mirror your increasingly anxious thoughts.

"Well, only one thing to do." Thror draws his battleaxe, still focused on the woods. "We have to find her first, don't we?" There is a silent agreement amongst the three of you and, after a moment's hesitation, you all head into the forest.

Under normal circumstances you quite enjoy walking through nature. The sounds of animals and songs of birds are usually so calming. However, now each rustle of a bush puts you on edge. There is something about this forest that makes you feel uneasy. You cannot quite explain it but the natural pattern seems... off. There are lulls, the entire forest silencing itself for just a second or two before resuming as if nothing had happened. The air seems stale, like the trees are holding their breath in anticipation. And most damning of all... Dukash is not making any jokes!

After a while of wandering, it is Thror who notices something suspicious - an old walnut tree with runes carved up and down its trunk. However, the symbols do not seem etched by a knife. There are no tool marks to be found! It is almost as if the bark grew the runes itself, folding and morphing itself to create the satanic text.

"Well, this looks like a promising lead if I've ever seen one!" Dukash chirps before his brow furls. "Though I have no idea what this stuff means!"

"It means the witch might still be nearby," Thror replies, doing a quick scan of the treeline. "We should split up, look for more clues."

"Woah, Woah, Woah! Split up?" Dukash glances over to you then back to his brother. "Maybe you and me but Rosa has no offensive spells! She'd be a sitting duck if she ran into the witch."

"Rosa is perfectly capable of handling herself," Thror counters, giving you a warm smile. "Aren't you?"

"I... uhhh..." You really want to show how capable you are. On the other hand, though, you are quite terrified of being alone in these woods.

"At least let me and her pair up!" The younger half-orc offers. "We both know I'm not as capable as you are. I'd personally feel a lot safer with a healer at my back."

"You just want..." Thror stops himself, pinching his temple. "How about this. Rosa, you decide. Do you want to go by yourself or go with Dukash?"