Atapax's Kingmaker Campaign
Game Master Aluvian

The captive licks his lips nervously and his eyes fall on Sia. It's obvious that he is well aware she was responsible for his little nap, and equally obvious from his look that he isn't one to risk his skin for no reason when a little intelligence can save it.

While there isn't anything of interest in the wagon, there are some items of interest under the watch tree for anyone wanting to check. Under less interesting supplies like food, firewood, and tents, the following can be found.

321 sp
90 gp
A pair of silver earrings worth 150 gp
A wooden music box worth 90 gp
3 crates of furs and hides worth 50 gp each
And a polished wooden case of potent greenish herbal liquor. There are still 8 bottles left.

The most interesting gear is found upon Kressel, little surprise there. Upon her corpse can be found 1 potion of cure light wounds, a suit of studded leather armor, 2 Masterwork hand axes, 4 daggers, and 85 gp. The other three bandits have the same gear as the others you had encountered, namely 3 suits of leather armor, 3 short swords, 3 longbows, 3 quivers of arrows, and 30 gp combined.

That is all of the treasure you find.

Sia, you are keeping track of the inventory, right?

Estruven walks over to the prisoner "Hi, my name is Estruven. And what would yours be, criminal?"

The weasely little man clears his throat a bit. "Norbert, actually. Pleased to meet you. I'd offer you a hand but well..." He gives a nervous grin. "Are you the one that will be severing my fingers one by one? If so could I ask a favor? Start with my left pinkie. It has a scare on it already that I'd rather be rid of." He might be joking but it's obvious he isn't taking this situation nearly as lightly as his words might suggest.

"I can't really say I'm pleased to meet you Norbert. You see, I don't really enjoy being in the company of those who steal, kill, rape, and destroy the lives of others."

Estruven holds up the face of her shield close to him so that he gets a good look of it. "You see this, here? This means I am a member of a group called the Order of the Shield. We devote our lives to protecting decent hard working people from scum like you."

With this, she stands up and looks at poor Norbert with disgust. "The good news is that we won't be taking your fingers. The bad news it that we will take something that you cherish more than body parts."

She walks over to Sia "Let's do your magic and get some answers as quickly as we can."

Norbert seems to be thinking quickly about what it is that he could cherish more than his body parts. Nothing immediately comes to mind but it obviously gives him a feeling of vague unease as Estruven obviously has something specific in mind. The fact that she's so certain only makes the threat that much more unpleasant.

"Wait now... I can be reasonable. I mean... There's no sense in jumping to something drastic before you've even given me a chance to answer some questions first, is there? Go ahead and ask me something... I'm sure I can help you all out in some way. I mean... I didn't even really like them." He motions towards the bodies. "Sometimes, you know, you just hook up with people to stay alive, doesn't mean you have to like them. But I mean really... do you see many other people out here to help protect from tatzlwyrms and nasty kobolds and whatever worse things are out here? I mean... Aside from yourselves that is."

"Reasonable? Really? Interesting. Listen, I don't want you to be reasonable, I just want you to tell the truth. You see, we have ways to get information out of you that doesn't include cutting pieces off of you. You tell us the truth and maybe we're the ones that can be reasonable."

Estruven takes Sia by the arm so that they are out of earshot from Norbert. "See if you can get the usual things out of him. See if there are any other bandits that are out on a mission that will be coming back here, and how soon to expect them. See where their other camps are, who is the other leaders, things like that. Also, see what kind of character you think he is. Whether we could trust him if we set him free."

She then goes over to the tree with the lookout post. "Calath, could you get up in this nest and keep watch for any unfriendlys who may be making their way back to camp?"

Sia acknowledges Estruven with a nod and takes a seat next to Norbert. "All right. This is simple. I'm going ask you some questions. If I think you're lying, we'll resort to magic. I don't want that, and you don't want that.

"First, how many of your 'friends' are likely to be coming back here later?

"Second, are there any other camps about here that we should be worried about?

"Lastly, your 'chums' stole a ring from the outpost a few months ago, and it's not in the loot. What happened to it?" Sia smiles politely, waiting for the answer.

Cal nods at Estruven, slings his bow over his shoulder, and works his way up into the lookout post. He checks the previous lookout for vital signs, then sets to his appointed task.

The bandit watches Estruven walk off and Sia come back with keen eyes. As Sia sits down he does his best to get comfortable as well, as much as he can with his hands tied around a tree.

"Well now. Those are good questions. And I'd be more than happy to answer them as well as I can. Let's see... I'm sort of a new addition myself, but I do remember that there were four of them that went off to some place called Oleg's. I gathered that was a trading post of some kind that they had taken a habit to robbing. Another two went out on a patrol, I figure the'll be back by tonight, and another two got sent off to carry a message down to the Stag Lord. He's down south." Norbert pauses and licks his lips a bit, thinking.

"Now I've never met that one, but I've heard stories. Supposed to be a mountain of a man. With a big stag helm. He's also a bloody drunk. All that booze under the platform’s for him. They say he's half of what he used to be, and hasn't ever been right in the head. A few weeks ago I heard he punched a horse just for spitting in the yard. I mean, if that isn't crazy right?" He laughs nervously, his eyes trying to see if he's inspired any mirth at all in Sia.

He sniffs loudly, and casts his eyes about, obviously wanting to rub his nose. "Oh yes, camps. Umm... I've not heard of any others aside from the fort where the Stag Lord hangs out. I think this is the furthest north one at any rate." Another pause as he tilts his head up to the sky, squinting as he thinks.

"As for a ring... I'm really not sure. But there was a commotion just yesterday. Seems a couple bags of loot were stolen by some mites. We figured they took them back to their lair under the old sycamore tree. No one was in any hurry to go get them back though. There wasn't much in them that was worth much. But, if you're sure they took something, and it isn't there, that seems like a good place to start looking."

Sia thinks about that for a moment. "If you've been to the Stag Lord's camp, can you tell me anything else about it? How many men are on hand there at a time, maybe, or any defenses?"

Norbert think hard for a moment. "I was only there once, a while ago. I figure there were maybe as many as ten people there, including the Stag man himself. There's a passphrase that they use to get into the fort. Something like ‘By the Bloody Bones of St. Gilmorg, who wants to know?" He shrugs a bit as though apologizing for the lameness of the phrase. "I do remember that there was a creepy man that lived down in the fort, locked up in the basement. I suspect the old guy might actually be running the show, using the Stag Lord as a puppet, you know. I got a look into the old guy’s eyes once, and it terrified me. He ain't someone I'd want to cross." He gives Sia a good attempt at a charming smile that does little to make his sallow and boney features any more attractive, "But then I don't imagine you are either.

By the way, Sense Motive check to see if he's lying:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Sia thinks about what she's heard for a few moments, then nods. "All right, Norbert. Here's how things are going to go. If you have any other information that might be useful, you'll have a few days to think about it. For now, I'm going to have to leave you tied up while we deal with any of your fellows who might be returning in the evening. Once that's taken care of, in the morning we'll break camp and take you up north to Oleg's. After that, we'll let you go without your weapons. The lands to the north of here are relatively safe and humanoid-free. Make your way to someplace and settle down. You're smart enough that I'm reasonably sure you can get by."

He nods a bit and glances around at the others of Sia's party. "If you don't mind my asking. What is it that you all are doing in these parts? I mean, you all don't look like River Kingdom folk. And no one else has ever seemed to care much about these lands."

Just so you know, Ata, I'm going to take some liberties here with what Sia was told she's doing in the Stolen Lands. What's coming up...well, it'll be a surprise to her, whatever some of the others might hear.

Siarani blinks in surprise as she's asked this, but quickly sighs. "It's a bounty and charter, I suppose. The Swordlords want a buffer between the Kingdoms and Brevoy, and hired adventurers to clean the place up." She grins. "It's likely that, once things are settled down enough the Lords will appoint a governor or even give someone a title and tell them they're in charge here. Good luck to that poor fool, but the rewards will pay off some family debts and I'll be able to return to Absalom."

Norbert laughs. "Can't say as I envy that guy either. Or you all. I mean it isn't any piece of cake clearing out these lands. There's a reason no one's ever done it before. Still... If you find yourselves needing help, well I can't figure I could deny such a pretty face." He flashes that ineffective smile again. "Not that I'm any kind of adventurer, but I do know a trick or two. Else I never would have survived myself out here."

Sia considers it for a moment, then shrugs. "I wouldn't mind having an extra pair of hands, but I don't think the others would go for it. I'd suggest just trying for a nice, quiet life out of the way of things."

"Well I can't say as that's too bad of an idea. Even if it does sound a little boring. Any chance I could find that life out around here? I really don't fancy the idea of going back to the River Kingdoms, and even less the idea of going to Brevoy. Maybe I could make a run of it out here. Find a cottage... a family..." He thinks for a moment then shakes his head, "Alright skip the family, but at least I'd have no one else to tell me what to do. And if you all are doing the civilizing... It might actually be not so unsafe in a bit, eh?"

Sia shrugs. "Maybe, but that likely won't be for a few months yet. The area north of the forest might be safe. But it might not, either, I'm really not sure."

Perception 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7 Did Gorax overhear the part of the conversation about the barrels of drink? No Unless Atapax thinks he did? I didn't think a 7 was good enough, but will change my actions if Atapax says I did hear.
Gorax continues his watch rounds, whilst Sia and Estruven interrogate the bandit.

Perception 1d20-1 Did Gorax overhear the part of the conversation about the barrels of drink? No Unless Atapax thinks he did? I didn't think a 7 was good enough, but will change my actions if Atapax says I did hear.

Gorax continues his watch rounds, whilst Sia and Estruven interrogate the bandit.

I'm perfectly willing to say you did. He's not trying to keep it a secret.

Gorax wrote:

Perception 1d20-1 Did Gorax overhear the part of the conversation about the barrels of drink? No Unless Atapax thinks he did? I didn't think a 7 was good enough, but will change my actions if Atapax says I did hear.

Gorax continues his watch rounds, whilst Sia and Estruven interrogate the bandit.

I'm perfectly willing to say you did. He's not trying to keep it a secret.

As Gorax is patrolling around the camp, on the lookout for any bandits returning or bringing reinforcements. he's not really interested in or listening to the interrogation, best left to Sia and Estruven. We'll see what happens next in the party. Give others a time to do stuff.

Yossian emerges from the bushes after his failed pursuit of the fleeing bandit. Plucking twigs from his hair he retrieves his bow, and joins the group. He stares glumly at the bandit as the latter tries to sweet-talk Sia.

"See, Norbert, yer ain't getting how things are. Right now yer damned lucky not ter to be in pieces like yer boss here, or swingin' from a noose like the four what tried ter raid the Tradin' Post. So when we says "go", you doesn't argue, you asks "how fast?". And then you goes twice as fast as that, fer fear o' catchin' an arrow in yer back. And yer thanks whatever gods'll listen ter yer that we was in a good mood. Understand?"

Norbert squints up at Yossian. "Ahhh I didn't realize we were just trading one group of thugs for another. My mistake. I thought I heard the lady here tell me that I'd be safe here for the night, then taken up to this Oleg's place and set loose from there to go north as I please. I didn't realize you all were the type to shoot a cooperative and unarmed man in the back just for not moving fast enough or wondering if he might be able to change his ways. But if you're actually the one in charge and makin the shots then just cut these ropes tying me to the tree and I'll be happy to take off as fast as you like." He looks back and forth between Sia and Yossian to see which one's orders to take.

Sia very, very slowly reaches for her walking staff. Her eyes are completely devoid of emotion as she slowly, deliberately gets to her feet, looking the ranger in front of her over for several moments, having gone unnaturally still.

Then, without a word of warning, she brings the stick over her head and brings it down in a sweeping move that's probably more impressive-looking than effective.

Melee attack, -4 for dealing non-lethal damage1d20 - 4 ⇒ (7) - 4 = 3

Quite obviously that is a miss, even flat-footed. But I'm sure it'd still be surprising.

Gorax, continues to patrol the camp and its outskirts, looking for any movements in the surrounding area and woods.

Perception1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

Yossian blinks rapidly, a look of total confusion on his face as Sia attempts to brain him. "Cayden's Tankard, what's come over yer, lass?"

If it looks like she's going to thump him again, he'll make a disarm attempt:

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 fft!

Calath whirls at Yossian's exclamation, peering down into the remnants of the bandit camp. "What's going on down there?" Not having seen Sia acting strangely, he keeps his bow trained on the captured bandit.

I'm going to give Estruven, Gorax, Norbert, the Stag Lord, the King of Pitax, and residents of a few outer planes a chance to respond before I run my post through. Just in case someone else has something to say. ^^

It seems to me that Yossian is never with the plan.

Yossian: Do you read the all posts that have been posted before posting or just post what you like? I'm not trying to be mean, but your posts genuinely confuse me.

In this case I believe Yossain is right, his character hasn't been in on the planning so would react the way he is. To be fair that's kinda how Gorax would react too. If we went from what's posted Gorax would have destroyed the bottles of drink by now. So perhaps Estruven should be taking Yossain away to one side and explain what's going on with the interrogations.

But on the general issue of plans, Yossain does not appear to have followed agreed strategies in which his character has been involved. This is obviously causing some discord in the group.

I think if we want these conversations we should be doing it in the pbp discussion thread

Norbert looks surprised but says nothing. The last thing he wants to do is get any weapons flying his way.

As a note, anyone who was listening in on the conversation would have been able to tell that he was quite sincere in his wanting to help and desire to make a life for himself in a cleaned out 'Stolen Lands'. No one got the impression that he was trying to pull a fast one. AKA Sense Motive checks

As a side note concerning inter-player conflict, I agree with Gorax that I think that's best done in the OOC thread. Where I'll post directly.

Oh, and Gorax sees nothing. In fact nearly puts his eye out on a branch. :)

As a side note concerning inter-player conflict, I agree with Gorax that I think that's best done in the OOC thread.

Agreed. Yossian, I posted an apology there.

From the far corner of the encampment, almost in the trees, you hear a loud, "OOOWWWW!!! What was that!", as a trees branch swings back into position. Gorax raises his hand to his face and traces with his finger a scratch on his cheek, one droplet of blood slowly gathers at one end of the scratch. Gorax looks around in a pose ready for any action, his sword waving around in the air, then starts to chop viciously at a branch, stripping it of leaves and bark. "Damnations that's a dangerous tree, waaah, take that you tree you."

After a moment he stops, as he realizes the tree doesn't fight back.

Estruven had been watching the interrogation from just within the distance to hear the conversation. After seeing Sia's face get red and her attempt to knock Yossian on the head she rushes in between them to break it up.

"What is going on here? Sia, what was that?" She looks down and sees Norbert's puzzled face. Grabbing Sia and Yossian each by the arm, she and pulls them away from earshot so that Norbert can't hear any disagreement between the two. "OK you two, lets straighten this out!"

That was a joke Gorax but kudos for going with it. Loved it. :)

Sia looks surprised as she's grabbed and dragged away. It would actually be comical seeing her go off like an Ulfen warrior, until one remembers that that was probably the only thing keeping her from remembering she has magic at her disposal to make her displeasure known.

Once she's dragged away from Norbert, though, she seems to realize what she did. While not calm by any means, she just starts to pace back and forth to calm herself. Her grip on her staff is no longer convulsive, but very definitely emphasized. She is waiting for further violence to break out as she speaks.

"What this was," she says "is that Yossian completely ruined this interrogation, which I was doing just fine at by the way, by coming up and threatening to shoot an unarmed prisoner in the back with a strong implication that he would enjoy watching the man die," She takes a deep breath, again calming herself. "Not that this is the first time, of course. Just the most blatant."

Sia's rant starts to pick up momentum as she continues. "Oh, don't think I've forgotten what you wanted to let happen to Oleg and Svetlana just to save your own skin! That was horrible enough, but you didn't even have the common decency to say it out of earshot. And trying to run from Peri and Tyg like they were some kind of eldritch abominations someone was keeping in the basement, waiting to rise up to devour the world.

"But even worse..." she goes on "Is your utter inability to keep even simple plans together. You nearly got me trampled during the ambush at Oleg's place. If I hadn't been faster than the bandits or Gorax things would have been a disaster and I likely wouldn't be standing here. Then you send Cal back through a guard post's line of sight, where he might get shot, rather than just take the shot so we could move in like everybody agreed. If you didn't like that plan, you should have said something before you left."

Now Sia's eyes are blazing again, but at least she isn't screaming. Yet. "Tell me, Yossian, what are they holding over your head to get this charter done? Because it doesn't look to me like you even want to be out here doing this, and you're doing everything you can to either delay the job or make sure that even when we're done whoever's coming after us to settle things won't be able to accomplish anything. A lot of good, ordinary folk will likely die if the Brelish settlers, for whom we are effectively the vanguard, get a reputation as murderous thugs. And you just made damn sure we're going to have to fight hard to not get that reputation."

"Didn't look like no interrogation ter me" growls the redhead. "Seems like yer was all but offerin' him food an' lodging and ter keep him warm on cold nights. He's given yer a sob story ter save his own neck, and yer'v fallen fer it."

"As fer 'holding something over me' - seems its yerself what has cards close ter yer chest. My charter says I'm ter explore and drive out bandits. That's what I'm doin'. I ain't heard nothin' about no settlers, or anyone comin' after us. If yer knows somethin', how about you goes about tellin' the rest of us, soas we knows too? Got a secret mission, Sia? Got some special orders the rest of us don't?"

He balls his fist and strikes the nearby tree.

"And I ain't no soldier, but my Mama was, and she taught me that yer don't fight a war battle by battle. Yer has a long-term plan. And we ain't got that at all. Four bandits just turn up at the Tradin' Post, and we deal with them. And then on ter the next camp. And then the next one presumably. What happens if they don't happily just wait around fer us ter get ter them? What happens if the Stag Lord organises against us. What if he takes his whole army against Oleg's? Reckon you can defend it, do yer? For a smart woman, you sure ain't thinkin' much. I wasn't ever goin' ter let anythin' happen ter Oleg an' Svetlana and yer a filthy liar if yer says I did. What I did say was we shouldn't start a war afore we knew the enemy and the lay of the land. Well, we've started that war now. Let's hope we cans finish it."

"And as fer the fey - well, we don't all have yer book learnin', Sia. You mays know instantly whether they're good fey, in a good mood, but all I know if from the tales I've heard tell - men blinded, or dream-addled by laughin' fey. Hot coals put in men's eyes an' ears. Poison mushrooms dropped in the stew when no-one was lookin'. Now maybe you knows better. Good fer you. How about sharin' some of what's in that little brain with the rest o' us, instead o' just tellin' us how stupid we all is?"

He leans close and sneers.

"An' the only time in my whole life that I've shot a man in the back was this mornin', as part o' yer fantastic plan that yer complainin' I didn't follow. Weren't so damned concerned about it then, were yer?"

Gorax stops his patrol and stands at the ready looking into the forest. He looks to see if any trees are animated, still not quite convinced he had walked into that 'killer' branch.

After a minute or two he continues his patrol. He stops by the stream running through the camp, the clear fresh water bubbling and bobbing over the smooth stones, he reaches down and takes a handful of water. He smells it, but no odour is given off, he takes a small taste, but nothing indicates that the water is not drinkable. Gorax takes several handfuls of water and drinks the cold refreshing liquid, filling his waterskins again. He pours water over his head to remove the salyy sweat from battle, before cleaning his sword and removing the gory remnants of the conflict.

If this stream is not drinkable, then please roll a perception for me to stop the description above happening. This is really just fluff til Gorax returns into the centre of the camp.

Estruven glances back over to Norbert. Moving her two companions out of earshot wasn't enough to keep him from observing the disagreement over him. Maybe it will work to our advantage she thinks, He definitely thinks we mean business.

"I see this is something that has been brewing for some time between you two. Well, its best to get it all out now. We're a team, and we make decisions as a team. Yossian, if something bothers you about our plans then please speak up when they're being formed. If we've not listened to your input in the past then I apologize."

"You have a valid point about the Stag Lord, I'm pretty worried about him too. I think the hardest part of clearing this area of bandits won't be the battles, but the hard decisions to make about what to do with any prisoners. We can't have them running off and warning the Stag Lord, but I'm not in to killing for the sake of killing either."

"If there is anything else you two need to get off your chests, then do it now. Otherwise shake hands and remember that we're in this together."

Cal glares down from his post up in the trees. "How can y' even know that? Y' weren't even in th' camp when she was talkin' to 'im! Y' were chasin' off after a runner y' hadn't a chance in a hundred o' catchin'! An' as fer th' 'sob story', yer a blasted fool t' even mention it right out in front of the feller! If he was tellin' the truth, y' just totally alienated 'im an' likely lost us a source o' information, an' if he was lyin', now 'e knows you suspect him of it! G%+@@~n foolish of y' either g@**#!n way!

"Anyone wit' half a brain could figger out that we's clearin' th' way fer settlers. Why would Restov hire a buncha adventurers to clear out unclaimed lands if they didn't have aims on claimin' 'em? An' if they's gonna claim these lands, they's gonna want to send people here t' settle, so they have friends on their border 'stead of enemies. Y' may be a woodsman, but I didn't think y' were stupid.

"As fer th' Stag Lord -- blasphemous as that is, an' I plan t' let him know that on th' point o' my arrow -- what else would you have had us do? Let the bandits pillage Oleg's while we sat aside and cheered 'em on? Would y' have joined in when they raped Svetlana, eh? I hope not, or we's gonna come t' more than words. Assumin' not, we had no choice but t' attack th' bandits at th' fort, an' that right there set us against th' Stag Lord -- not that we weren't set against 'im from the start, thanks to the charter you brought up. Once we took care o' th' raiders, we had t' move against this camp immediately; th' raiders not comin' back woulda let 'em know things'd gone wrong, an' then they would've attacked the fort in force! Y' think th' Stag Lord's gonna tolerate people sayin' 'no' t' his men? Th' war was started before we ever got here, man! Use yer head!"

Cal spits in disgust, then motions to the bound bandit. "An' now that we've aired all our dirty laundry in front o' th' captive, what d' you think we should do? Torture his information outta him? Think careful, now. You already made him yer enemy when he was at least actin' like he might be a friend." The priest's glare cuts into Yossian from above. "An' think quick! Who knows how far th' bandit lord's camp is from here an' how quick th' runner will get there? I fer one would rather be in Oleg's fort if they's gonna come at us in force."

Sia glances back up at Cal appreciatively once he yells out his peace. Then she turns back to the group. "At the risk of seeming childish, I'm afraid that I'm just going to have to state that Cal and I are of one mind on those points. A 'wait and see' strategy to dealing with this place is a long-term recipe for failure."

She takes a deep breath. "Personally, I don't think any further interrogation is necessary right now. I'm reasonably sure he doesn't know anything more than what I've gotten already. However, it would have been nice to keep him on friendly terms while we take him to a good release point."

Gorax hears raised voices where he left Sia and Estruven, he is unsure whether to return or not. The immediate danger seems to have passed, so Gorax hurries back to Sia and Estruven.

"Nice ter keep him on friendly terms..!" splutters Yossian. "Just who the hell does yer think these people are? I've got Cal yellin' in one ear that they're rapists an' murderers, and you lass offerin' em tea an' cakes. These is bandits. Rapists and murders, as ye say yerself. By rights they should be swingin' from a noose. I don't give a damn whether we's on good terms with 'em or not. If ye likes, ye can try makin' friends with 'em, just afore they slits yer throat."

He looks up at Cal. "So anyone with half a brain could figure it, eh? Me, I don't care if they is sendin' settlers, plantin' trees, or if'n the Regent just wants a new huntin' range. I'm gonna stick ter what I was told ter do, what it says here on my charter I'm ter do. You want to go guessin' what's in the mind o' the high ups, feel free."

"And damn straight we had a choice. Like I said at the fort, we could've given Oleg some gold ter pay off the bandits, followed 'em, scouted their camp, found out how many they was, whether they had mages or priests, what their habits was. And then we could have made a plan ter suit us, rather than chasin' after 'em and hopin' we can get away afore they organises against us, which is what we is callin' our 'plan' at the moment."

"And damn straight we had a choice. Like I said at the fort, we could've given Oleg some gold ter pay off the bandits, followed 'em, scouted their camp, found out how many they was, whether they had mages or priests, what their habits was. And then we could have made a plan ter suit us, rather than chasin' after 'em and hopin' we can get away afore they organises against us, which is what we is callin' our 'plan' at the moment."

"Oleg don't even deal in g#%#&*n gold. No one has gold out here! Why would 'e have gold? Th' bandits would be suspicious righ' off the bat at that moronic thought! Likely they'da searched th' place jus' t' be sure Oleg weren't hidin' nothin' else from 'em, and then we'da been found out anyway! An' even if they hadn't, they'da just taken the gold an' the furs, an' ye'd have done nothin' but helped 'em by stayin' outta their way. If y' hadn't freggin' interfered in th' questionin' of th' prisoner, we mighta found out all that info ANYWAY! Now it's sure we won't; great goin', Mr. Mighty Helpless People Slayer!"

Yossian stares in cold fury at Cal for a long moment. Then he wordlessly shoulders his bow and strides off into the trees.

Norbert watches and listens to the exchange with careful but slightly alarmed eyes. It's obvious he's a little worried now about how exactly he stands. This doesn't seem to be the most stable group of people. Perhaps Restov would be safer.

His eyes foloow Yossian as he exits, and then flick over to Gorax as he enters, but his body remains very still, not wanting to draw any undue attention to himself.

Sia stands around for a moment, taking a few deep breaths as she calms herself down. "....well, okay then." she says, as if that sums it up. Maybe it actually does. She slumps over against a nearby tree, looking far more exhausted than she's shown since leaving Oleg's.