Jareen winces at Arakan's reference to Magic, but generally nods agreement to the plan.
"Are you sure Th'kal? We've been through a lot no for you to wait here?"
"They didn't have dwarves in their party. I should take one of the illusions or invisibility."
"I will stay here." The enigmatic 'kreen doesn't offer an explanation for his change of heart.
Jareen shrugs at the infuriating insect, and returns to the planning.
A crestfallen Grea looks at the big 'kreen. Her shoulders slump ever so slightly. Then her gaze slifts over to Djal and her lips thin. Her head rises and she squares her shoulders. Her head keeps turning past Djal to Jaryx.
The big fellow watches the thri'kreen and nods.
Jaryx looks at the leader. "How does Jaryx be prisoner?"
Arakan tries to plead as best he can, and only as much as he's willing to admit his own weakness, to get Th'Kal to join them. In the end, it's the Kreen's protective nature that Arakan reaped the rewards of on so many occasions that keeps Th'Kal adamant about staying with the tribe.
Getting nowhere, he returns his attention to the plan. "Fine, Morthak, since no matter what I say Th'Kal will not join us, that means Old Man can use his skills for you without giving too much of himself." To answer Jaryx, he simply explains, "When we get near enough, we will pretend to bind your hands behind you, but it will just be looped, and not tied. Grea can hold the 'tether' to make it look as if one of us has control of you. Grea, if need be, you need to act abusive toward the half-giant. I leave it to you, since he is part of your tribe, and you may know how far is safe for show."
"And what for me?"
"Jareen will use his prayers to grant you the image of one of the bandits along with Morthak."
"So we leave at first light then Arakan? I need to rest and prepare."
Arakan corrects, responding to both Djal and Jareen, "We leave after a night's rest. We bed down now, and rise as early as we can. We want to travel and arrive on our terms. That's easier to do having time to spare rather than running late."
"That sounds good. Can someone find me a place to sleep?"
The group find accommodations in the cave the elders use for a meeting place.
...
Grea speaks up after the invitation for the visitors to sleep in the cave. "It will be crowded, but if you prefer, you could sleep in our nest."
The adventurers concoct their plan and take is easy, resting for the trials to come the following day. It is Grea who notices first: Danet, one of the primary warriors of the tribe and who Grea, Jaryx and Djal scuffled with the previous night, has gone missing.
"You may be right. We must find out when he left, and if anyone gave him aid. We should talk to Hedla." Spear in hand, Grea goes looking for Hedla.
Jaryx follows Grea - which is pretty standard if he doesn't have something else to do.
Cahel attempts to extract information from the animals around as to if the person who left took an animal and if so how long ago.
"That weasel went and warned them!!!"
Jaryx glares back at Djal, moving protectively between him and Grea, "Need tracker. Need plan. He get lost easy in desert, fast rider goes right by. Jaryx did it. Danet smarter, can do it."
"I can look for tracks. We should leave soon."
Assuming the others of the group are interested in leaving, Cahel will look for tracks.
Arakan curses himself for trusting the dune-blasted fools to not go and mess things up. "Well, chasing him may not be an issue. If he's going where we are, we have some advantage. We have our prisoner guide, and the kanks and inix to get us there with some speed. We just need to leave now. Grab whatever supplies we need for the trip. We will stop this 'Danet' from ruining my plan."
Jareen, yawns. Not looking forward to encounters without the required sleep to re-prep spells.
Cahel thinks he's got the direction Danet was travelling.
Before leaving Grea takes a good look at the smallest of the dead bandits. She strips off his outer robe, axes, and loose gear to take with her and make her disguise more complete.
Morthak grabs one of the bandit's packs of rations and water and heads out behind Cahel.
Yeah, Jareen will do likewise, but will also pick up a longbow. Having it can't hurt and may work towards the disguise.
Jaryx follows the others. He glances around and grabs a couple of ration packs and waterskins (if there are any remaining). He's a prisoner, so he takes none of the weapons.
Arakan grabs an entire complement of the bandit's gear. If he's going to be in the front, he needs to be believable. He wouldn't dare try to wield any of the weapons, and can't even pull the bow, but he will use them for his disguise. He decides that he will have to hack at the hide while they travel, so that his current armor only looks like it with well placed patches. There's no way in the Silt Sea that he's going to wear and try to function in the hot and heavy stuff.