During the celebration the parents of the rescued children along with some of the town elders present the heroes with five gifts. (See first journal entry). Balgrim is the first to choose and picks the Ailgras boots and Strom finds the Oakenhama a perfect fit. Mallion is next and chooses the Vulkentoten while Rolan takes Yorkin's Cram. Vori declines to choose a gift so the Tynbox remains with the elders.

The following morning Deela, wife of Lutmovath, approaches Balgrim and Strom with an offer to sell them one of her husband's maps. This is soon brought to the attention of Vori, Mallion and Rolan. Two other men take an interest; Derek, a northman warrior, and Konsefni "The Hammerbearer", a Beorning. The map is soon bought, for over twice Deela's asking price, with Balgrim, Mallion, Strom and Vori contributing coin. Vori and Mallion both study the map, an area near Mirkwood to the west, and both find much that is hidden, including moon runes that's meaning is not clear. Gear is purchased and preparations are made.

The group sets out the following morning, with only Derek staying behind. The first two nights are spent in relative comfort but then all settlements and farms are left behind as the group heads into the wild lands. On the fourth day out of Dale Mallion finds tracks of orc wolfriders as Strom unearths more sign of their foul presence. Mallion investigates the area and finds a ravine that shows recent use by a large band of orcs. A decision is made to head back east out of what is possibly orc-infested territory and to go around it.

With Vori in the lead the group travels deep into the night and longer. Soon it is obvious something pursues. The group presses on and soon comes upon a battle between a Plains Ogre and two northmen of the lowland clans. Before the group can give aid the northmen are slain and the Ogre flees. The bodies of the two slain men are composed and Balgrim sends them off in the fashion of his people. The group continues east.

Soon it becomes apparent that they will be overtaken before morning and an ambush is set. All lay hidden as a half score of wolfriders approach. The wolves have the scent and it is a matter of time. After a few tense minutes the lead orc is almost upon Vori when the dwarf fires his crossbow. At the same moment Mallion uses the Vulkentoten upon the wolves. Two orcs are immediately thrown to the ground as their mounts turn upon them. The rest are in confusion and the trap is sprung.

Mallion moves to guard Vori as he reloads his crossbow. Meanwhile, Rolan is set upon by two orcs on wolfback. He uses the reach of his spear to good advantage and downs one. The second charges but suddenly turns tail as the huge figure of Konsefni thunders past a newly-blooded Rolan and falls upon the orcs, smashing two with his great hammer. Strom and Balgrim are in their element and a trio of orcs falls before them quickly. A fourth takes flight but is stopped by an amazing spearthrow by Strom.

In the end only three orcs escape. The group is unharmed and resumes the trek east, as there are other groups of orcs about in the night. Finally, the long night passes and safety is reached. The group rests and makes alternate plans.