dirk grins widely. You really ought to think about covering your tracks... if you dont want to be found. dirk chuckles and rubs behind Lady's large ears.
well, you're out in my turf now. And out here you adapt or you die. You look like fighters, but a tussle isnt all that can get you killed out here. But... I can help you there.
What was this thing that intrigued you? Might help with the tracking. And I was serious about if you know what they smell like. If you have ANYTHING that carries their scent, Lady can find them.
YES SIR! but first, Lady doesnt work with anyone she hasn't shaken hands with.
Lady will make a big show of walking up to everyone in turn, sniffing them, then giving them each a big, sloppy lick. she then returns to dirk, tail wagging as though she enjoyed what she just did.
there! now everyones happy. you guys go ahead and finish up breaking camp, Lady and i will move on ahead to see what we can find, letting you talk about how obviously crazy i am and how its foolish to trust me. Dirk grins, showing a mostly full set of pearly white teeth.
Dont forget those scents girl. they seem alright, but we cant trust them with our lives yet.
after that, theyll look for tracks.
yes
yup
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You and you men ride to the spot where the military diviners where last able to locate the renegade Mortimer. On arrival, it takes your party just under an hour to pick up the wizard's trail: it heads deeper into the hills where the only paths are little more than game trails.
After following for close on half a day, a scout returns with report of sentries in the trees. "I think it were them bandits, sir. They'd hear our horses a long way off, just so'n you know."
Esther describes the pond where the red shirts were spotted and Dirk is able to lead them to it inside two hours. Once there, it takes mere minutes before Dirk is able pick up the mercenaries' trail.
The sun covers most of the sky as you follow the prints left by the few hired swords. A handful of hours before dark, Dirk signals the party to stop and indicates the increased traffic in the area.
"Best that we dismount then and move in on foot. Jenkins (there's always a Jenkins), you stay here and guard the horses. The rest of you form a skirmish line and we'll move in. Keep the noise down, hand signals only as we move in. Keep in sight of your two flankers so we can communicate. Remember this is a dangerous mage by all accounts, so don't engage until I do, or you are attacked. "
Victor will send hand signals to his flankers:
Halt in place.
Keep hidden and quiet.
Relay orders.
Cover me.
And then he will proceed on alone to see who these people are.
He will walk up with his hands empty.
"Greetings traveler, I'm with the army of Amerys, and I'm looking for a fugitive. Now you folks look like you've been around some, so you might have heard of him. Mortimer Talinth. He's wanted for some fairly unsavory acts. If you could offer me any information which might lead to his apprehension it would be appreciated. "
Dirk will approach casually, but will stop a good distance away.
well hi! Name's Dirk, forward scout for Amerys, and these fine people and I have been trackin some bandits in these hills. Now, I aint personally heard of this...Mortimer, you say? But I do know that im pretty hot on their trail here. From the looks of these tracks, a buncha horses trampled through this area not too long ago. And they trampled riiiiight where you came from.
You see, Mr... Armor? Can I call you that? I dont mean no offense, but Im gonna need some proof of what you say bein true. Dont wanna make nice and be filled fulla arrows later.
Dirk will peer around the area Victor came from.
you hidin somethin from me, Mr. Armor? Or someone? M'lady here, she's sniffed out something...sinister.
Dirk will get into a more battle ready stance, ready to dodge any attacks, but not drawing his weapon. Also at ladys direction, will he be able to look again? If so,
Esther will tense up a bit and will try to see if the man is not alone or if this is an ambush. But for now she is more than happy to let Dirk do all the talking
"Well if you've not seen him, then I will be on my way. I don't believe I have to justify myself to you. Good luck finding the bandits. "
He will make sure he gets a look at everyone present and that they don't match the appearance of Talinth. Then he will be on his way back to his men, but will be cautious about doing so, keeping glances back in case of furtive moves.
Dirk shrugs and watches him go, eyeing Lady to be sure all of them have left. When hes sure they have, he'll turn to the others.
welp, that was weird. I wonder if hes really here to find that mortimer guy. You guys ever hear of him? I bet he made him up. We should sleep in shifts tonight. This looks like a big traffic area, I could lay some traps..
Dirk grins devilishly.
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Suddenly, a horn sounds in the quiet wood and the cries of soldiers and the sounds of battle preparation spring up from a much closer position than one might have liked.
Whilst lounging in your tent, a horn blows and suddenly the camp is full of noise and movement. Before you've fully registered what's happening, Captain Aventus Gaszeretti bursts into the tent with two men in tow.
"You still want to fight Amerysi traitors?"
"Is that your people? I don't take kindly to ambushes. "
and he will use signals to tell his troops to get in a position for support.
not mine... and not yours either, what with these men youve brought not attackin me.
Dirk will draw his glaive and get ready to fight, standing shoulder to shoulder with Lady, who senses his readiness for battle, and prepares herself as well, digging her paws into the earth and barking menacingly.
Now I really smell bandits. Hope all that armor's good for somethin, Mr. Armor.
"Hmm, maybe the bandits are more trouble than HQ thought. Guess we better handle them before getting on with the mission. "
and he will draw his scimitar and make ready for battle.
Mortimer asks what's happening and how the group intends to attack; he basically wants any information on the impending fight that he can get.
Alright here goes Nothing she says casting a Barkskin on herself and moving forward 30 ft pulling out her longbow