(Day 32). Party climbed stairs to the second floor. They reached a small landing with two doors. The door to the left of the stairs was shut and the door further down the corridor was ajar. Party lined up in standard formation in front of the door. Lars suddenly decided that he might as well check for traps. He did not find anything. Eonan kicked the door in an attempt to open in. The resulting noise resonated around the keep. As the noise died the group could hear the sound of movement from behind the other door.

The company turned to face the other door. They could hear orc voices from the other side. Dar opened the door while Eonan peered inside. He spotted an ambush and while attempting to shut the door took a bolt in the chest. He bolt did not see to have actually injured him but he was badly winded (-25 to activity). An Orc voice demanded that the party throw down their weapons. Insults were exchanged. Sounds of movement could then be heard from the other room as well. Not wishing to be surrounded the party milled in confusion for a few seconds then headed down the stairs to prepare an ambush of their own.

Party prepared to defend the bottom of the stairs. However no Orc attack was forthcoming. After waiting about five minutes, Dar sent Lars down to check the keep doors and the basement. Lars reported that the doors seemed untouched and that there were only natural sounds coming from the basement. It was decided that the Orc were probably waiting at the top of the stairs. So if a flask of oil were thrown against the ceiling above them and set alight, burnt Orc might result. Dar and Thorin co-ordinated this attack. They spoke in Sindarin hoping that this would prevent the Orcs from figuring out was going on.

The oil burst into flames as expected, however no-one heard a reaction from the Orcs. Dwalin snuck up the stairs with a crossbow. As the reached the top, he was struck by a bolt in the arm. The fired his bow while yelling for the party to charge. A second bolt hit him in the chest, knocking him unconscious. Dar and Thorin responded by charging up the stairs. Dwalin's limp form tumbled past them but there was little they could do as they were running and holding weapons.

Reaching the corridor Dar could see three orcs. One was lying on the ground clearing having just shot Dwalin, another was crouched against a wall reloading it's crossbow. The third orc was drawing a scimitar and stepping to the front. This orc was particularly large and tough looking. Dar charged the Orc. In one slash the Orc stunned Dar and he almost passed out from the force of the blow. Dar stumbled back and Thorin took his place in the melee. The Dwarf and Orc exchanged blows in a stalemate for a few seconds, then Thorin got past the orc's guard getting in a mighty strike (E-crit). The Orc fell back but only to make room for Orc#2 to fire his crossbow. Thorin realising this shut the door to the room. The Orcs tried to knock open the door but Thorin was strong enough to hold it in place.

Thorin continued to guard the door while Eonan and Dar readied their bows. Lars checked to ensure that Dwalin was not in too bad a condition. He then also went up to the corridor. From there Lars started listening at the unguarded door. Hearing nothing, he lowered himself close to the ground and eased open the door. He saw a large room with a big rug, fireplace and the remains of a bed. He slowly started to stand in order to get a better view. An Orc aiming a crossbow at his head came into sight, he dropped flat. He Orc was only instants too slow, the bolt ricocheted a wall. Lars slipped out shutting the door.

The party realising that they were probably outnumbered and with several members in bad condition decide retreat was the only option. Eonan and Dar slung their weapons and picked up Dwalin's body by the shoulders. Thorin and Lars covered the retreat. Once out of the keep the party hurried back to the packs and horses. Dar mounted Eonan's horse, the unconscious Dwalin was placed in the saddle in front of Dar. The party head south until nightfall. The plan being to get as far south as possible. Then in morning they would reach the river. There they would be able to camp in relative safety. This would give the injured party members a chance to heal. After two days rest, the party started north once again. Only travelled five hours north. Hopefully this would be far enough south that the wolves would not attack.