Despite the idea that another bow would be better, Kastus can't help but find himself waiting around with his sword in hand. Perhaps it was the fact that he'd spent so many hours at home playing with sticks, pretending to be a swordlord. As the bandits come into position, he starts slowly making his way out from the stables where he'd been hiding. He curses as he hears Bydar's shot fired, and starts running.
Happs is blindsided by the amount of fire recieved in an instant. He takes the arrows fairly easily but Kastus' mighty sword blow sends him reeling, though he's still alive. "Kill these idiots!" He screams, a bit hysterically, and his men draw weapons to join in the fight.
For
As Cedrica drops her bow and places another arrow into Happs the glancing shot almost seems to drop him from his horse, but he clings on.
Kastus smiles as his blade rips into Happs, but then frowns as the man remains alive. "Not quite what I was hoping for!" He has little time to think as the other bandits begin attacking. Kastus nimbly sidesteps the runt attacking him on the ground, placing a tap with the flat of his blade on his opponent's arse as he dances under Happs' wild swing. Coming around in a spin, he lashes out, fully intending to end the bandit leader.
Hurm. I was hoping that would place a little better.
Liam quickly draws another arrow from his quiver, places it, and without a second of hesitation lets it soar downwards toward the bandit that attacked Loriel.
Loriel curses loudly as the bandit takes a swing at her but luckily manages to evade the blow as she stumbles backwards. Drawing her dagger she takes a swipe at the bandit's out reaching arm as his sweaty body looms over her. Missing the brute all she can do is hope her allies cut down these bandits before the is herself killed.
"Kill these idiots!"
"Now is that a nice thing to say," When he can go again, Bydar fires another bolt, this time at one of the enemy bowman who is not in melee. Maybe this time he'll strike the mark.
for
Happs looks down in dismay as Kastus' blade opens his gut, looking almost fascinated as he tumbles into the mud.
At the death of Happs the other bandits all gasp with fear and attempt to wheel their horses about. One is knocked from his horse by Bydar's bolt and lies in the mud, moaning. The other takes Laim's arrow but continues to wheel. The men are obviously ready to flee until they see the gate, which has been closed and barred. Oleg turns back from the bar and levels his crossbow on the wounded man.
Oleg's bolt is perfectly placed, hitting the bandit low in the throat and taking him off his horse in a spray of crimson. "Not one of you is leaving here." Oleg says, stony-faced, as he begins to crank his crossbow for another shot.
The bandits, cornered, charge ahead at Kastus as the most obvious target.
Liam licks his lips as he tries to quickly take in the current state of the battlefield. Somewhat amused at Oleg's sudden display of bravery, he docks another arrow and almost casually fires it at a bandit.
As the arrow enters flight, Liam chirps out. "I was hoping at least one of you would surrender, you know. I hope maybe this will make you consider it.'' He smiles to himself, amused by himself.
Cedrica calmly pulls out another arrow and switches targets upon seeing Hamms fall to the ground. She mearly changes target to the two charging upon Kastus.
Bydar smiles at Oleg's words and actions. Love can lend a sort of desperate courage at times like these. when he can again assist, He fires at whatever one with fight still in them that might be furthest away from Kastus' blade.
Smiling once more, Kastus grins as Happs falls from his horse. "Now that's more like it. Anybody else want some? No?" He isn't surprised when the men wheel about, but is less than enthused to see them charge back at him. Diving sideways, he makes it out of the horses' path just far enough to avoid a sword in the guts. Standing again, he readies himself for another charge.
Loriel, unable to find much else to do, throws her dagger at one of the bandits as he rides past.
As the riders wheel about, Kastus is ready and swings high above their horses to get them off.
As one comes back by he is easily hit by Kastus, who kicks him as he reaches the mud and ensures he is down. Meanwhile Loriel's dagger and one of Cedrica's arrows lodge lightly into the last bandit, who drops his blade and puts his hands into the air. "I surrender! I surrender! Please by the gods don't kill me!"
seeing the man drop his sword, and seeing the other bandits down, Cedrica shouts EVERYONE, HOLD! Stooping down and picking up the musket, she walks down the stairs from the wall, and walks up to the lone prisoner.
let's tie him up and throw him in one of the pits while we clean this mess up. We need to question him before we hang him
Kastus shrugs, but wipes his sword clean and sheaths it once more upon his back. Pulling out his dagger, he calmly slits the throats of every bandit except the one who surrendered himself. That done, he nods at his companions and says "Excellent work. I admit, I had my doubts, but it seems we do quite well after all." Turning to the proprietor of the Post he asks, "Oleg, after we string these bastards up, do you mind if we take their things? They won't be needing them much longer."
last time i checked, kastus, the charter said that we were to HANG the bandits, not slit their throats like the common thieves they are. We are the representives of law and justice out here in the wilds. If we are to work together and chart this land, then we must do it within the confines of the law, otherwise our actions may be seen as banditry by others. Cedrica growls at Kastus, ramming a bullet and wad down the barrel of her musket for emphasis.
Bydar listens to both Kastus' practical nature and Cedrica's ethical opposition, seeing merit in both. He gathers one of the horses, "I lack Cedrica's passion in this matter, not caring much personally for any dogs who would threaten innocent couples so...however, I do believe she is correct that the charter wanted them dead BY hanging, not before hanging. It may not matter to the bandits, but it might matter to those who sent us. I think we shall eventually have to find the line between the practical and the ideal together on this journey. "
He looks to Oleg, "Oleg, you are a brave man. My respects. I shall be needing one of these horses for our journey. No doubt we will have more bandits to seek out and pacify and horses will speed that process."
Cedrica snorts at Bydar's comment. Not that hard to figure out. We follow the letter of the charter, otherwise others will see us as bandits and want to hang us. Now, I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't want my neck stretched.
Having reloaded the musket, Cedrica turns and looks at the prisoner. You. You have one last task to do before we question you. You will take that horse there and you will drag your dead friends out of these walls and hang them up a tree. And you will leave a noose ready for you, for that is what awaits you. Now, get moving.
As you search the bodies you find various armors and weapons. Happs' bow is indeed of fine quality, very finely crafted, but a tough draw. The only other item of particular interest is a silver amulet from Happs' neck, which shows a helmet sporting stag horns.
The young boy looks at Cedrica. "Begging your pardon miss, but I see no reason to help you if you're just gonna kill me when you're done."
Looking at the boy, Cedrica just glares Should've thought of that before you took up being a bandit and robbing this man, and who knows however many others. I know not what god you pray to, but think of it like this, do a good deed to the man whom you have terrorized for the past few months, and hopefully your god will give you entrance to his realm. If not, well, that is up to you...she finishes with a malicious smile.
Bydar gazes at the stag symbol on the amulet, "Seems unlikely a bandit would honor Erastil. I wonder what else it could stand for?"
He glances at the young bandit, "Hold now. Technically, the crime of hanging is for 'unrepentant' banditry. I dare say the boy is now considering repentance most seriousl now. Why not let his victims decide his fate? If they wish, they can demand the boy head north and never return, or have him serve them as laborer for a year and a day to make up for his part in crimes. Or...if they insist, we can hang him."
"By the way, boy. What's your name? I'm Bydar of Shelyn. I doubt you call the goddess of love and beauty as your patroness, or else you'd never have tormented these good people who are so clearly in love with each other... but if you would hear of her, or just talk to a priest for a shortwhile while your fate is decided, I am here."
Cedrica pulls out the charter and skims through it. Groaning, she looks up at Bydar Huh, so it does say unrepentant. Course, he could be unrepentant just to save his skin. I would point out that if this was his first time doing this, then it meets the requirement of unrepentant. But, if he has done this more than once, and has been in the raids the last 3 times, then I say that sets precedance to him not being "repentant".
Turning to Oleg, she shoots him a question Master Oleg, Has this boy been involved in the previous raids on your establishment?
Liam looks at Cedrica with a mixture of disgust and fear, but keeps his words to himself. Instead he shuffles over to the boy and looks at him sympathetically. "Aye, Bydar. That's a good way of doing this. Let him speak his piece."
"I've been here many a time." The boy, who can't be more than 17, says, his eyes angry. "And I can answer for myself. Not all of us are like Happs and Kressel. Some of us just need to eat. And it's a lot easier to be a hunter than the hunted." The boy's chin is thrust up as he pleads his case, obviously he is not going to snivel or beg.
"Aye... boy has been here before. Not every time but the first time, when the whole group came." Oleg scratches at his beard as he ponders. "I remember him cause he looked way too young to be with these types."
"That was when I first joined the band. Better to eat than starve. Especially after my Pa took a boars tusk to the gut." The boy steps over to Bydar. "I never had much truck with the gods, though me and Pa asked Gozreh for bounty and Pharasma to keep calamity away sometimes." He holds out his hand to shake. "My name's Devlin, and Happs there never had much use for Erastil, it's not a stag but a helmet. The helmet of the Stag Lord, or so he said. I've never seen him myself."
Liam smiles at the boy's sudden cooperation. However, just to make sure the boy wouldn't hold anything back, Liam had a spell...
Liam mumbles something to himself and soon he can feel energy emitting from him to Devlin.
"Glad you're seeing sense, Devlin. Now, just who is this Stag Lord?"
"I've been here many a time." The boy, who can't be more than 17, says, his eyes angry. "And I can answer for myself. Not all of us are like Happs and Kressel. Some of us just need to eat. And it's a lot easier to be a hunter than the hunted." The boy's chin is thrust up as he pleads his case, obviously he is not going to snivel or beg.
"Aye... boy has been here before. Not every time but the first time, when the whole group came." Oleg scratches at his beard as he ponders. "I remember him cause he looked way too young to be with these types."
"That was when I first joined the band. Better to eat than starve. Especially after my Pa took a boars tusk to the gut." The boy steps over to Bydar. "I never had much truck with the gods, though me and Pa asked Gozreh for bounty and Pharasma to keep calamity away sometimes." He holds out his hand to shake. "My name's Devlin, and Happs there never had much use for Erastil, it's not a stag but a helmet. The helmet of the Stag Lord, or so he said. I've never seen him myself."
Cautiously, Bydar shakes the hand. He'll check his goods surreptitiously later to make sure he hasn't been picked of something. He doesn't THINK the boy is that brash, and he'd like to think the better of folks, but prudence does have its place.
"Well, Devlin," He says as he shakes that hand, " It may seem better to hunt than be hunted, but men aren't animals unless they make themselves so. I'd say nice to meet you, but I have no doubt we both wish it were under better circumstances. Your fate is still up to Oleg here and his wife, I think. Now you speak of the Stag Lord, who you have never met. Perhaps if you tell us more of what you know of him and his other bandits, Oleg will be moved to be more merciful. I can promise nothing, sad to say. I'll pray for you whether I help string you up, or whether I have you swear to pay off your debt to them with service, or whether you are simply released and sent north after agreeing never to take up banditry again."
Devlin seems a bit dazed for a moment, then answers Liam. "Stag Lord's the big boss in these parts. The guy everyone answers to. Wears that helmet all the time, haven't met anyone who's seen under it. He stays in his fort, since I'm the latest into the gang they haven't taken me back there yet." Devlin shrugs with a half smile. "Guess I won't be now."
"Men may not be animals, but most of them act like it out here." The boy says as he waits for Oleg's response.
"You tough boy?" Oleg asks him as he sizes him up. "Tough enough. Used to hunt with my Pa."
"How about animals, you any good with them."
"Better than most."
Oleg grunts, then turns. "If you'd think it's all right I'd have him. Keep him from any weapons and I'll keep my crossbow near when he is, but he could tend to the horses and help around here."
Kastus snorts with derision at Cedrica. "I don't remember anyone making you my leader, last I checked. I don't give two hoots what you want from this. Maybe you don't remember, but the charter also gives us the option of the sword for those who choose the path of banditry. These guys chose that path, and I'm not gonna let 'em wake up to tell me how sorry they are. Now, if you're complaining about me using my dagger instead of my sword on them, well, that I can accommodate. But don't try and tell me how to do my job again." Kastus doesn't glare, but his gaze makes it clear that he's not about to budge on this subject. "I don't know how you treat bandits where you're from, which is obviously not around here with you wielding...whatever the hell that is. Where I'm from, which is around here, Rostland namely, those who rob, rape, and murder are dealt with swiftly, and in a rather final sort of way."
Cedrica laughs snidely at Kastus. Then you failed your job
Pointing at Devlin, she continues That boy there is still up, still alive, and he is now working for Oleg, since he has apologized for his recent transgressions. He has obviously robbed this man before, and yet your not walking up on the boy and, as you put it, using your sword on him. So go on, use your sword on him, since you "can accomodate". You are from around here, this Rostland, and you deal with these types of bandits "switfly". So be swift. Go plunge your sword into the boy. Or hang him from a tree. I dont give two hoots as you put it. She finishes up, musket in her hands.
Oleg grunts, then turns. "If you'd think it's all right I'd have him. Keep him from any weapons and I'll keep my crossbow near when he is, but he could tend to the horses and help around here."
"I would like to think it isn't too late for him, or his soul," Bydar nods to Oleg. Of course, I have selfish reasons for believing that a man can redeem himself by acts he thinks to himself.
Looking to Devlin, and smiles "I'm concerned with your soul, you are, understandibly, concerned with not starving. I think a year and a day working for these good people might do you some good spiritually, and I am sure they won't let you starve. We can't linger long, much to do, but if we return to the trading post, I'd like to talk to you about Shelyn sometime. Even if you never folow the faith, it's good for a man to think of what he wants to stand for, and the gods help us do that."
He glances to the Kastus and Cedrica, "As you may have heard, the matter seems settled for now anyway."
[bI"I don't remember saying I was stupid. I don't think Oleg would take too kindly to me slaughtering his new errand boy. If Oleg's willing to consider him repentant, then who am I to say otherwise. As for the rest...they didn't surrender like the boy."[/b]
Relieved, in a strange sort of way, Liam glances at Kastus.
"I see your point just as much, sir. But look at the bright side! There are a lot more dead than forgiven," Liam says, pointing towards the corpses littering the earth.
With a nervous chuckle, Liam then clears his throat. "Now. I think we should attend to the matter of this Stag King, no? It seems like the next logical step."
"Look, just...I grew up a farm boy. Bandits are a fear we all had. We prayed every night for them to stay in the Stolen Lands. If I can get rid of that fear from my home, then I won't hesitate to cut down any bandit in this place. I'm not going to cut up people who surrender, but I'm also not going to hold back on those who don't. They chose to attack after it was clear they were done for, and I gave them the blade because of it. Does that make things clearer?"
Kastus sighs in frustration. "I guess we got off on the wrong foot. I don't really want to be at your throat when we have to work together."
Kastus shrugs, putting his dagger away. "Yeah, Stag King...good."
"I would in fact have issue with you cutting down my new help." Oleg says with a wry smile. "But I don't mind any of these other dogs dying in the mud."
"The Stag Lord." Devlin corrects as the topic is brought up, then shrugs. "I don't know too much. They say he wears that helm, and never removes it. No one I know has ever heard is real name either, just The Stag Lord. He runs things from a fort in the south, along the lake banks." After a few other questions he continues. "Our base is southwest a bit, at a ford in the Thorn. There's generally between 8 and 15 bandits there, depending on who's hunting or robbing at the time. Two hidden stands in the trees for watchers." The boy draws a crude map in the mud, though it's hard to make out much. "You could be there shortly after sundown on a good horse. Just watch out for Kressel. She runs the place, nasty b&@%~. She's one to skulk and hide and tougher than anyone I've ever met, so watch your backs if you intend to go."
"I would in fact have issue with you cutting down my new help." Oleg says with a wry smile. "But I don't mind any of these other dogs dying in the mud."
"The Stag Lord." Devlin corrects as the topic is brought up, then shrugs. "I don't know too much. They say he wears that helm, and never removes it. No one I know has ever heard is real name either, just The Stag Lord. He runs things from a fort in the south, along the lake banks." After a few other questions he continues. "Our base is southwest a bit, at a ford in the Thorn. There's generally between 8 and 15 bandits there, depending on who's hunting or robbing at the time. Two hidden stands in the trees for watchers." The boy draws a crude map in the mud, though it's hard to make out much. "You could be there shortly after sundown on a good horse. Just watch out for Kressel. She runs the place, nasty b&~+@. She's one to skulk and hide and tougher than anyone I've ever met, so watch your backs if you intend to go."
"I think meeting this 'Kressel' and her crew might indeed be a good next step," Bydar looks about the others, and helps with the bodies of the fallen. "Assuming you all agree, should we go now... or wait till tomorrow? She might have more warning the later we wait, but a time to recover might be useful to us. I see merit in both."
Casting his glance about Kastus wonders aloud "Were any of us hurt during the fight? I didn't think we were. It was honestly rather one sided." Kastus starts dragging the bodies together, simply to get them out of the way.
Once he's done, he takes hold of the other horses. "Given our situation, don't you think it would be better to go now? I'm willing to bet that this Kressel was expecting them back before the sun disappears. She'd probably end up here with her whole gang the next morning, and we'd be under siege from them. I'm not afraid of common bandits, but I really don't like the odds we'd be under."
"You make a good point. The more damage we can do to them at the start, the better. If no one is truly in need of my healing, then we can pursue." He glances to Liam and the ladies, "What say you?"
"I think the faster we cut off the snake's head, the better." Liam puts away his weapon, and twists his face as he looks over the bodies.
Bydar will nod, and help to deal with the bodies, praying softly over each one as he does silently and swiftly. It won't take too long, and while he doubts any of them were believers, every man deserves some ritual onto the final judgement.
Cedrica sneers coldly. "I believe I will be taking a different path. I disagree with your methods and I don't feel it will be productive for us to continue working together." She is polite but distant until her departure and she leaves without much fanfare.
Oleg takes a handaxe and cuts the heads from two of the bodies, mounting them gruesomely above the gate. "That'll scare them off for a while I hope." He says as he finished the grisly work. "You folks be careful out there."
It was around 25 miles to the bandit camp at the ford and the night began to clear as your party rode across the plains and finally into the forest. Finally the group grew near to where the camp should be. The dusk is chill, and the air between the trees is lightly misty, echoing the sound of the Thorn River somewhere ahead.
Cedrica sneers coldly. "I believe I will be taking a different path. I disagree with your methods and I don't feel it will be productive for us to continue working together." She is polite but distant until her departure and she leaves without much fanfare.
"Your god or goddess be with you," Bydar wishes her well.
Oleg takes a handaxe and cuts the heads from two of the bodies, mounting them gruesomely above the gate. "That'll scare them off for a while I hope." He says as he finished the grisly work. "You folks be careful out there."
"Shelyn bless you all here," Bydar says, hoping their instincts about giving the boy a second chance are accurate.
It was around 25 miles to the bandit camp at the ford and the night began to clear as your party rode across the plains and finally into the forest. Finally the group grew near to where the camp should be. The dusk is chill, and the air between the trees is lightly misty, echoing the sound of the Thorn River somewhere ahead.
As they ride, Bydar tries to remember the landmarks and so forth, they are here to explore as well after all. As the air chills and the sun sets, he looks to the others in expectation. "Should we find a place to tie the horses and go further on foot?"
Liam leaves without much fanfare, thanking his hosts simply but sincerely.
Upon departure, Liam keeps an eye out, trying to familiarize himself with the local environment. Suddenly hearing Bydar's voice, Liam shakes himself out of his concentration.
"Hm? Oh, yes. We would be able to explore in a more thorough fashion, I 'spose.'
Dismounting from his own irritable steed, Kastus says "As good a plan as any. My arse certainly could use the break from riding." Kastus leads his horse to the nearest copse of wood that could serve as a hitching post, and ties the horse off. Stretching a bit, he sighs as his back pops. "That's better. Now then," he says as he draws his sword, "shall we get moving?"
Tying his own horse up near Kastus', "After you," he follows the warrior, crossbow in his hand.
Now without horses, the heroes move forward, stopping at the edge of sight from the camp. The watchtowers are where Devlin stated they were, with 7 other bandits scattered around the fire, including one woman holding an axe, who is presumably Kressel.
Liam spots the bandits, and instinctively reaches for his bow. "Do we want to go straight at them or do some surveilance?"
Liam spots the bandits, and instinctively reaches for his bow. "Do we want to go straight at them or do some surveillance?"
"Survey everything you can. Once you're ready, we take out the first watchtower. Then we move in closer. If possible, we take out the second watchtower. If we could start that cart on fire, or maybe somewhere in the wood, we might have a good distraction for an attack."
"if the cart contains goods that were stolen from Oleg and the others, I don't think we should set fire to it. However, the wood might be possible. I could create water to put it out after. Or, we could wait till one of them men feels the call of nature. It might take an hour or two, but eventually..." He shrugs keeps his eyes as peeled as much possible and checks the wood skirting the main bandit areas and towers first.