Well, for all we know, they may have sappers, and there may be cunningly concealed siege machines placed theire to squash us. If we can move them further along to our destination, which as far as I'm concerned is the capital 'city' where I can make my reports. I'd assume most of the towns and villages fall under Buzwe. Perhaps if the donkeys can somehow be led away, it would mislead them and give us more time to flee. I need the GM to give a recommendation about routes and whether there is a loyal garrison somewhere not allied to Buzwe. Perhaps we can persuade whasisname at the village to take the donkeys in a different direction.

And I'm reluctant to go head to head, the battle might turn nasty for all we know.

I expect the villagers will be able to help, if we just so indicate that it would inconvenience Buzwe. Not sure if Malim is under any danger, he's not part of the plot. Probably doesn't know much. Perhaps if we combine an illusion with a prop, like the opened club, we could mislead them in an alternative direction and that would give us time to reach Malim.

Is Orha the capital? Is that west as well?