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Faustinia smiles at the young woman. "I do believe you're right. Once we find some time when there is not an immediate crisis, I would be happy to show you what I have learned so far. You should know that to learn the arts of magic requires a keen mind. Mathalen assured me that you're a very intelligent young woman, though. You should do just fine." Faustinia reaches out and takes one of Tarvi's hands in both of hers. She gives a nod of encouragement before taking her leave. "I suspect we won't have much time for these things tonight, but I will be sure to make some time for you when the climate around here is a bit calmer. Start thinking about what kinds of things you hope to accomplish through magic (if you haven't already), and we can discuss it more later."
---
As Gorvio spins his excuses, Faustinia's expression changes from politely interested to politely suspicious. "Ah," she replies once the man finishes, one eyebrow raised. "Well, I offer my condolences about your parents. I am truly sorry to hear that. Still, to work with one's family is no shame. A horse trader is still an honorable profession, and certainly those animals bear a certain equine nobility, don't you think?" she adds, keeping her tone normal to lull the man into thinking she's bought his ruse. "You know, I deal with most of the economic upkeep of House Xerysis, and I find myself dealing with traders of all sorts. Do you know what I like about horse traders in particular?" she asks, and before allowing Gorvi to answer moves in closer to him so he can hear her answer, in a low voice, "They're very honest merchants. Wouldn't you agree?"
---
Faustinia creases her brow as Yakopulio stares her down, first in annoyance, but then in bemused intrigue as the gnome continues. "I see," she replies once Yakopulio finishes, taking a pause afterward to gather a proper response. After a beat, she says, "Well that's very kind of you to consider their feelings. What a drab life to play guard dog for Asmodeus and Thrune, no?" Faustinia grins as she plays along with the gnome's bit, but she still looks somewhat confused. "In any case, it was a pleasure to meet you. Despite what it may cost me in shoes, we should chat again later. Perhaps we can have some drinks that mostly stay in their cups," she adds.
Amaya shakes her head as Catina shows her all the things making her “ugly”. “Beauty has many forms, you should know it. Even if you have horns and scars saying awful things, I think that you can still be beautiful, Catina. The way people react to you is due to their own shame: they see their worst fear embodied in you, they see you as the result of their mistakes. You remind them what they have accepted to allow in their lands for peace’s sake. A peace bought at a very high cost. That’s the way I see it. But you can show them that you can be beautiful nonetheless. Your soul is beautiful, I’m sure of it, as it’s your mind. You just have to find a way to show it”. With reassuring words, Amaya pats Catina on her shoulders and smiles at her with sweetness.
Amaya’s eyes go wide as she hears Catina speaking about her mother. “Your mother was a violin player? What was her name?”, she asks with an encouraging smile. “You should really get rid of that apologizing tone, Catina. Your existence is not a guilt. OK, maybe your fingers’ conformation is not optimal to play the violin. You have to accept it. But it is OK: many of us are not gifted at playing the violin without having any physical impediment. But if there’s one thing life taught me, it’s that one has to work hard in order to find his own talent. It can be hidden behind any activity, even the most unsuspected one. I wanted to become a singer, but my voice was not that beautiful. I had to turn to other forms of art instead. Why don’t you choose something else? Something that you can accomplish given your nature? Even if your mother was a great violinist, that doesn’t automatically mean that you’re going to be as good as her. Try something else, maybe singing? Or perhaps storytelling?”
----
Yakopulio keeps laughing loudly, even as Catina speaks to her. “I know, I know, that was just a little prank…” she explains amid her laughter. Then, keeping from laughing for a second, she whispers in Catina’s ear: “I know. But it’s boring to call people with their real names. Kathrina is much better, because it unsettles you!”
---
Larko smiles at Catina, listening to her as a caring father would. “I’m not the best one around to speak of beauty, but there’s one thing I know: you should see the lands outside of town. Yes, we didn’t create their beauty, but that’s precisely their appeal: those lands are beautiful not because a mortal made them so, but because they are naturally beautiful. And no, it isn’t just a lot of farmlands and such outside the city. There are hills, and rivers, and trees, and plains. There are animals and plants, cliffs and crags, streams of water and mountain peaks. They look wonderful, and they give you the chance to contemplate their beauty in silence”, explains Larko with dreaming eyes.
Fiosa smiles back at Lorenzo. “I’ll do it. Yorith is a good guy, I’m sure you two will become good friends! I’ll let you go and speak with him, then”, says the little halfling with a warm smile.
---
Yorith gives Lorenzo an admired look. “I’m glad to accept your offer. Ermolos told me about those weapons, and I saw them. The fact that they are longswords, the holy weapons of our Lady, seems just like a message for us, don’t you think? Thank you for your offer, I promise you I’ll give my best to learn swordsmanship. Do you think we could start today?”
---
Ermolos nods to Lorenzo. “Yes, a helping hand would be most appreciated, thank you. C’mon, let’s take him downstairs”. Before Ermolos and Lorenzo can take Rizzardo downstairs, though, Janiven calls for attention .
“DROVENGE FAMILY?!” Fiosa’s voice rises in surprise as Sev reveals the family he escaped from. Shock mixed with awe are clear on her face. “Wow, I didn’t think it was possible at all. I heard all kinds of wild stories about them. You must have been incredibly skilled to succeed in your escape…” For a few moments, it is not completely clear whether Fiosa’s shock is a negative or positive one, but then she helps clarifying the nature of her reaction commenting: “It’s incredible! Amazing, wonderful! This sets a precedent! An example to mention to all those who fear for their lives and prefer to live as slaves instead of attempting to flee from their unjust slavery. You’re great, Sev! Just great!” Enthusiasm and joy have completely taken control of Fiosa, whose voice is high enough that everyone can hear it. “As soon as things will cool off, we’ll spread your story, without mentioning your name of course. This will change things! This will give us the courage to act! It’s wonderful, wonderful!
---
Larko laughs kindly and pats Sev’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about it, my friend. You’re not the first one to make that mistake, and I’m sure you won’t be the last. At least, you correctly identified my original ethnicity. You know, there are those who call me ‘filthy Mwangi’ at times”. Larko shakes his head in disdain, but he seems to have long learned to live with prejudices. “Please, Sev, stop being nervous. There’s no reason for it. I’m going to eat you. Remember, I’m not a Mwangi but a Garundi!” The man laughs kindly again, “Even though I suppose that Mwangi are not so used to eat people either”, he explains, still laughing. When asked about his homeland, his face grows serious and he stops laughing. Several thoughtful lines furrow his forehead as Larko ponders the question. “Well, as far as I know my grandfathers were from Sargava. The once-Chelish colony, you know? I think it would be a little risky to venture in there, but, you know…you’re right. I should make a point of visiting my grandfathers’ homeland, at least once in a lifetime”.
---
Janiven listens attentively to Sev’s report, and once the halfling has ended his speech, he congratulates him with a path on his shoulder. “Good job Sev, I’m impressed. I mean, I know you were capable of such feats, but this proves you’re even more skilled than I thought. Keep up the good work”.
Then, Janiven calls out for the attention of the whole group by clearing her throat loudly.
The safe house is full of voices, some chatting quietly others making much more noise. A lot of different conversations centered upon various topics echo in the shrine of Aroden. Janiven has to work hard in order to make everyone stop their conversations without shouting above the voices of others. The woman clears her throat, bickers her glass with a spoon, claps her hands, but nothing seems to gain her the complete attention she’s looking for. Losing her patience, Janiven grins to those who already turned their eyes on her, and yells at those who are still talking. “” Almost instantly, her voices echoes in the shrine, bouncing against the finely decorated columns. “Now, that’s better!” The woman smiles at everyone in the room, takes a deep breath and stands up.
“Ladies and gentlemen, friends and new acquaintances, I welcome you to our safe house. As everyone here knows, we still don’t have a name, and perhaps we would need to discuss our uniform, but today, today we’re here to discuss a much more important matter. Our leader and founder, Arael, has been recently captured by the Hellknights. We need him to get this group of devoted people going. Many of you have already met him, and therefore I trust they can understand why I suggest we do everything we can in order to save him. For those who didn’t meet him, the only thing I can say is to trust us: Arael is our leader, and if this place is safe and running, and this group is gathered here, today, is all because of him. He risked his life for our cause, and we cannot let him down just when he needs us. Let’s show him we do not forget our friend. Who’s with me?”
All the members of the group shout their consensus with firm determination. Janiven smiles with satisfaction. “Well said, friends. Let’s see what we can do, then”. The woman takes a deep breath and starts revolving around the table in order to look each of you in the eye. “First, this is what we know about Arael. Thanks Sev for helping me out with this. Hellknights have finally secured control over Arael, the bureaucratic complications of what jurisdiction the prisoner fell into finally having been resolved in the Order of the Rack’s favor. The Hellknights are preparing to move Arael from the city jail to Citadel Rivad, the order’s stronghold outside the city walls. Once he’s there, he’s as good as lost—there’s no way we can rescue him then, even with the help of our new friends Catina, Lady Faustinia, Lorenzo and Sev. Without Arael, our group is likely to fall apart—worse, I’m afraid that the Hellknights will use magic or other extreme interrogation methods once they get him into their custody in the citadel, using them to extract the identities of all us”.
As the group silently listens to her, Janiven does her best to explain things plainly: “I want to rescue Arael while the Hellknights are transporting him on the road outside of Westcrown; there won’t be any witnesses to see us attacking the Hellknights, nor any civilians around to get hurt, and there will be fewer guards than at the prison or the citadel. Even more importantly, by rescuing him beyond Westcrown’s walls, we aren’t technically breaking city laws. Many in Westcrown, including a significant portion of the nobility, bristle at the Hellknights and see them as little more than mercenaries, and won’t take issue if they lose a prisoner on the way to the citadel. Best of all, since Arael is now in Hellknight custody, Westcrown is no longer interested in his supposed crimes, and if he escapes, the city won’t be bound to turn him back over to the Hellknights unless enough government officials want to do the Order of the Rack a favor. Trust me, I know such a favor is unlikely to be granted, especially since handing the prisoner over to the zealous Order of the Rack is already just such a favor—I’m confident that if we can get Arael back to Westcrown alive, preferably without the death of any Hellknights, he’ll be safe. But most of us are just untrained, simple folk. We need your help, Catina, Faustinia, Lorenzo, and Sev. We really need it. Will you help us?”
The eyes of the whole group turn to you now. Will you accept?
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Faustinia faces the group with determination, lifting her head slightly to emphasize her steadfast posture. Her eyes roam the crowd, falling on a mix of hopeful and scared faces, feeling the weight that hangs above ready to be accepted on their shoulders. "I accept," Faustinia states simply. "Consider Arael as good as rescued."
Catina breathes deeply, and succeeds in listening to Amaya with an open mind. She looks around the company of people gathered, and has to believe that they truly want what is best for her, and would not lie to her like that. Spelled out like that, Amaya's explanation may just make sense. "Thank you, Amaya. You've given me much to think about."
--
Catina startles at Janiven's shouting, engrossed as she was in the picture that Larko painted about the countryside. She blushes and shuffles over to listen, as quietly as she can. She nods emphatically when Janiven talks about Arael's virtues and importance, looking around to confirm her words to those who don't know Arael yet. She's caught up in the woman's speech and firmly cheers with the others in the group.
She falls silent as Janiven explains about the difficulties of Arael's current situation, and she's relieved to learn that there are options. She's a bit scared when the entirety of the group turns to her, and her new companions. Still, she feels connected to them, and safe. She has no idea yet what's expected of them, but she is sure that she will do whatever it takes. "Yes, I will do whatever I can."
Arael had been the person he is most interested in meeting and learning with so it takes Lorenzo no time to make up his mind.
"Of course, we will do what we can to get Arael back. But perhaps some of you could offer some ideas on how to go about doing that."
He gestures his heart in a silent prayer to Iomedae, "I'll do what's in my power to see this man back."
He neared Lady Faustinia, "Madame, you certainly don't lack confidence today. Any ideas how we will do this?"
Fiosa's praise and Larko's easy demeanor put Sev at ease fairly quickly. Once he was done speaking with the two other rebels he was starting to actually get comfortable. Instead of skirting the edges of the room, he started to creep closer to other conversations, almost ready to participate, though not quite.
Janiven nearly shattered it all by announcing that he was the one who uncovered the recent information about Arael. He can feel the blood rushing to his head as his face turns scarlett. Thankfully no one focuses on him for long as Janiven reveals her plan for recovering their leader. It's risky, it's bold, and Sev quickly realizes that he's going to be in the thick of it.
Suddenly all eyes are on him once again and he begins to shake. His tongue is tied and his hands fidget nervously in his pockets. When Faustinia, Lorenzo and Catina offer their services, Sev stands up straight, as tall as he can muster. He can't quite stop the stuttering but he looks at Fiosa, who was impressed by his escape, Larko, who spoke to him as an equal, and Janiven, who offered him a home, and he knows he has to help, no matter how scared he was.
"Y-yes. I-I'll do it!"
“Very well. Then let’s get straight to my plan then. The road to the citadel is an offshoot from the main road that winds off to the southwest—the land along the route to the citadel is mostly open plain, with a few scattered groves of trees, some of which are cut back every few years to make it harder for bandits to hide, and one stone bridge crossing a stream. I thank Larko for the insights on this matter. With rare exceptions, the only people who use the road are Hellknights or those providing services for them, such as food, messages, and so on, and on a typical day only three or four groups travel the road in either direction. Because of the low traffic and the proximity to the Hellknights, banditry is unheard of on this minor road, and while the forces of Citadel Rivad aren’t careless about the possibility of being attacked in this area, they certainly don’t expect it. This all makes the road the best point to attempt a rescue of Arael. Another factor works to the advantage of my plan—the Order of the Rack’s arrogance. This Hellknight order is the oldest, and they’ve faced very few failures over their long history. As a result, the escort for Arael’s transport will be relatively light, as far as I learned from my contacts. As the entire operation to capture Arael was, basically, a training exercise, and let me add that we should receive a payment from the Order of the Rack in thanks for providing such a convenient opportunity, the honor of escorting Arael back to Citadel Rivad has been granted to the group of armigers most directly responsible for his capture. Word on the street is that the other armigers’ failure to catch any other supposed “rebels” has resulted in quite a bit of shame and mockery, and much of this current crop of trainees’ remaining pride rests solely on Arael’s imminent imprisonment in Citadel Rivad. According to various reports, Arael’s trip to the Citadel will be escorted by a total of 10 Hellknight armigers, led by their sponsor, a young and gifted Hellknight Signifier named Shanwen. As you can see, this is probably too many foes to handle at once, particularly since I want to avoid any Hellknight fatalities if possible. The more Hellknight armigers who live, the less brutal we’ll look and the more humiliation and shame we’ll inflict on the Order of the Rack. Everything clear until now?”
Janiven makes a pause in her speech, takes a sip from her glass of mead and ensues: “Don’t worry, I have a plan to even the odds even further. While Catina, Faustinia, Lorenzo and Sev make the primary attack on the armored wagon transporting Arael and mount his rescue, I’ll lead four of us in a feintambush against the Hellknights. Given the absence of bandit attacks on that road, the Hellknights are sure to interpret any attack as an attempt to rescue their prisoner, and the likely response to sighting a group of what appear to be bandits stepping into the road ahead will be to split their forces, sending their mounted troops forward to handle the supposed highwaymen while the prisoner and his guards hang back and perhaps begin to turn around to make a retreat back to Westcrown so they don’t lose their prize. This would give the main force— meaning you, Catina, Faustinia, Lorenzo and Sev—fewer opponents to fight and making it much easier to free Arael—especially if the mounted Hellknights fall for the plan and ride their horses into a section of the road the secondary group prepares with caltrops. The real question is where to stage the ambush of the transport…”
At this point, Janiven sketches a map of the road to the citadel, pointing out the small stone bridge that crosses the swift but relatively narrow stream called the Athua, which might make a good place for an ambush. She also indicates a few locations before and after the bridge where there’s much more tree cover to allow a hit-andrun attack and to complicate pursuit via horseback. “The choice is yours” she says addressing you directly, “since you’ll be the ones in greatest peril.”
Of course, Janiven allows you to discuss your own plan, if you have one, but she refuses any proposal that requires the main force of the rebels to battle the Hellknights head-to-head; “they’re neither trained nor equipped for it”.
“Oh, one last detail. Time is of the essence. We only have about an hour to prepare before we must leave along the northwest road. If you don’t have horses and don’t want to buy your own, I can arrange to have Gorvio talk to his uncle Jacovo to lend you horses or ponies, with the understanding that the horses aren’t yours and you really need them back in one piece”.
Lorenzo frowns, from stonemason to daring rescuer. Not what he had in mind.
With the legalities of the situation solved in his mind, he approaches the task at hand.
He asks Janiven, "So you are comfortable leading a few armigers away so we would only have to deal with fewer but how many is that?"
He continues, "I also have no experience fighting from horseback so I think we would have to get to our ambush location before the hellknights and dismount."
He turns to the others, "How are your horse riding skills?"
Looking at the map, he adds, "All things being equal, I think the bridge is the better location. This would at least limit the movements of any mounted knights and force them to use the bridge as a funnel of sorts. A lot better than having them fan out and strike from more than one direction."
Once more he asks for opinions, "What are your thoughts?"
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"This seems like a solid plan," Faustinia says with a nod. "And it will be good to take some more armigers down a peg - embarrassment will weaken the Hellknights at least as much as striking them down. I agree with Lorenzo, using the bridge as a bottleneck seems like the best plan. It would also provide some nice grouping for some of my spells."
Faustinia frowns when Lorenzo asks about horses. "I may have done some riding as a girl, but none of it really stuck. Still, we'll need them to escape at the very least, so it's not like we have many other choices. Janiven, would you be so kind as to inform Gorvi of our needs? And please assure him that we'll be very careful with them."
Faustinia turns her attention to the map again, frowning in concentration. "We should be able to do this. Lorenzo, if you can engage them so that I can get in close, I know of a spell that could end the fight if I can make it work, and without hurting any of them, too. Sev, I've seen what you can do with a bow - could you offer us ranged support? And Catina... I know you'll be able to keep everyone alive. It might require your healing, but you might have cause to use that weapon as well," she adds with a nod to the tiefling's glaive. "Steel yourself, I know you can." Faustinia concentrates on the map again, tracing possible approaches with her finger. She takes a heavy breath and looks up at her companions. "Does that sound like a plan?"
Catina readily agrees to Lorenzo's suggestion to stage the attack near the bridge. "I've only ridden a pony a couple of times when I was little," she confesses. "I think I could stay in the saddle as we move to the bridge and to get back safely to the city, but not when things get so hectic." She thinks for a moment. "I guess we should leaves the horses somewhere off the road, out of sight, at this end of the bridge. If we've rescued Arael, we run back to the horses, and then ride back to the city before help can arrive."
She nods gravely as Lady Faustinia assign her task. "Yes, yes, I can do that," she replies, thinking about the healing. "I prayed this morning for a blessing to keep people from death's door. I just hadn't... though we'd be using them on Hellknights. Armigers," she corrects herself at the end, hoping to keep the perceived danger manageable by using the proper words. Her gaze follows Faustinia's to her glaive, and she swallos. "I... I'll try. That's why I brought it today, didn't ?" she lies to herself.
She looks back at the map to get her thoughts away from having to actually strike people with her weapon. "Should we hide behind this bush here?" she asks, pointing at a big of green on the map, to the north-east of the bridge. "If they split up after Janiven's distraction and head back over the bridge, we can attack them from their rear."
Sev is, once again, completely out of his depth. Battle planning? The most planning he ever had to do was making sure he set the appropriate number of plates at the Drovenge table! His eyes glaze over as Janiven explains her plan.
When Lorenzo turns and asks about Sevs horse riding skills, he almost laughs. "I c-c-can't ride a horse, s-sorry Sir Lorenzo!" He says with a bow, keeping his eyes at the young mans feet. Keeping up with the conversation he nods quickly at Faustinia.
"Y-yes my lady, a-and if there are any trees or anything to c-climb I can b-be more accurate!" He hadn't expected the planning to begin so quickly, but that's how everything lately.
"If we attack them from the rear c-c-c-can't they just keep running?" He questions Catina before blushing and feeling terrible for speaking out of turn. "Sh-shouldn't we attack them h-head on instead? To cut off their escape?"
Gods! Did I really just suggest that!
"Very well!"
Janiven is pleased you have accepted her plan. She listens to all of your questions, then takes a sip from her glass and anwers. "You won't need to ride those horses in battle. I mean, how could I even think that the horses could be returned in one piece to Gorvio's uncle, if I was reccomending you that? No, you just need to use them to get on the ambush location quickly and flee from there without anyone chasing you. As Catina suggests, it would be best for you to leave the horses somewhere safe and out of sight before things get hectic."
Janiven then smiles to Sev. "They're holding Arael in a heavy wagon. They won't be able to run away, Sev. Besides, they are Order of the Rack Hellknights, sworn to crush any form of criminal organization, and bandits are just such a group. They wouldn't run away from us."
That said, Janiven comes closer to you and invites you to follow her. As the other still discuss the plan around the table with excited voices, Janiven takes you in a secluded room that appears as a study: there's a fine wooden table along with a chair made from excellent wood in here, and also several tapestries bearing the symbols of Iomedae. "Arael's study. We use it to have private conversations, if the need arises. Anyway, I've taken you here for a reason. As I said, I need a group of four to accompany me in my attempt to split our foes. I know you've had little time to know them, but I would like you to choose the group that will be coming with me. Those people have potential, but are no heroes. They can improve with time and practice, but they will need your assistance in order to improve their skills. Who would you like to come with me?"
Catina follows Janiven into the study, and takes a moment to look around. She drinks in the mood of the room; the quality of the furniture and the inspiring tapestries. She surprises herself to note that she doesn't feel scared at all. Somewhat nervous yes, but there is also a calm that comes from feeling close to Arael in his study, and knowing that she can do something for him.
"I think Larko should come, and Gorvio. Larko feels at home outside the city, so he should he able to guide you to safety. And Gorvio will be best with the horses, I suppose." There is a bit of silence after that. Those two names had jumped out at her, but the others take more consideration. Not any of the hotheads, or those who are too shy... "Maybe Fiosa? And Mathalen? Or Yorith, if he wasn't upstairs sleeping off his stupor..."
Lorenzo is taken back by the question.
"We have just met most of these people and have no idea how they will react in a stressful, even dangerous, situation."
He continues, "Janiven, I think you should trust your own instincts for this."
He looks about, "My first and very preliminary inclination would be as follows: Larko, Rizzardo, Ermolos, and Mathlahen."
Sev's eyes widen at the idea that he might be directly responsible for choosing the people that put themselves in danger for the mission. Nervously he fidget and listens to the others suggestions.
"I-I don't feel comfortable choosing, I'm sorry." he bows his head nervously. If pressed for suggestions hell point to Larko, Gorvio Rizzardo and Mathlahen.
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Following Janiven into the study, Faustinia eyes the fine furniture with approval before turning her attention to what the woman has to say. "Hmm..." Faustinia creases her brow in thought as the others make their suggestions.
"Larko seems like an obvious choice, given how familiar he is with the surrounding countryside. And Gorvio would be good to have around the horses, as Catina points out." Faustinia fiddles with the ivory cameo around her neck as she thinks. "I think Mathalen and Yakopulio would be good choices as well. They have a certain boldness about them that I think would serve them well in this venture."
"Very well. I'll take Larko and Gorvio with me then. I'll choose the others personally". Janiven smiles warmly. "Arael was not wrong about you. Thank you for your help. I'm sure we'll succeed. Now, I'll go and speak to Gorvio to inform him to have the horses ready for you. I'll leave with my group as soon as possible. Prepare yourselves as best as you can: you have about half an hour. Then reach Jacovo's Stable at Corentyn Road, 89. Take the horses and reach the place we have agreed. Remember not to leave your hiding before we draw away some of the Hellknights. Good luck, we are all going to need it".
With that said, Janiven leaves the room. As you reach the common room again, you hear Janiven giving precise orders to the people gathered there. Everyone leaves the shrine soon thereafter, Mathalen included. As Janiven told you, you have some time to prepare youself for the upcoming battle.
---
After your preparations, you leave the safe house and easily reach Jacovo's stables. Three saddled horses and a pony await you in the stables. Gorvio's uncle was informed about you and gives you the horses without asking too much questions. "Please just be careful. I need them back in one piece before tonight. And please do not stress them too much, if you can..."
---
Mounted atop your new mounts, you exit Westcrown through the city gates and reach the place you've chosen for the ambush. You're in perfect time, and when you arrive you can see your fellow rebels stationed behind some trees and bushes at a distance. They wave their hands at you as a greeting then go back to their hiding places. Now it's time for you to find a good hiding.
---
Moving through a square with a tree stump counts as difficult terrain, and a stump is tall enough (3 feet) that a creature standing on one gets the benefit of higher terrain. A Small creature can crouch behind a stump or a Medium one can lie prone and have total concealment from creatures on the opposite side.
Small boulders have the same game effect as the tree stumps. The large boulders are 5 feet high, and creatures cannot enter or pass through them without climbing; Small creatures can easily hide behind them, and Medium creatures can do so with a slight crouch.
Most of the smaller stones near the bridge were used to build the bridge or small cairns near the camping area on the north side. The stream isn’t particularly cold, but it quickly reaches a depth of 4 feet. The water flows fast; any swimming creature not actively moving against the current travels with it at a rate of 20 feet per round (wading creatures are unaffected). Standing up from lying prone in the stream is a standard action, or a full-round action if the creature carries a heavy load.
The bridge is made of mortared stone and is a singlearc span across the stream, cresting about 2 feet above the water level at its highest point. It is quite sturdy and counts as a masonry wall, with the top equivalent to a flagstone floor.
____________________________
The ride out to the bridge had luckily been uneventful. Lorenzo kept checking on his companions making sure they were OK. It wasn't like he could provide any tips on riding or anything, his sore rump was testament to that, but he still felt protective towards them.
Once close to their desired location, the paladin dismounted and tied his mount to a nearby tree. He massaged his legs and was happy to continue walking to the bridge.
Finding a bush where they would be able to hide and also see the coming entourage, Lorenzo states, "Once some of the hellknights are drawn away, we move in. Everyone ready? "
Sev almost enjoys the rid out to the attack point. He's small enough that he can adjust his position on the horse and have plenty of room. It's a bumpy ride, but for the most part uneventful and the calmest time he's had in a long time.
When they arrive at the bridge, he sees Lorenzo choose a large bush but he moves toward a boulder apologetically. "I-I'm small, it will be easier f-for me to hide back her w-with my bow." He says as he moves down, drawing his short bow and keeping an arrow ready.
As he waits he tries to calm his small shaking frame. He hopes once the battle starts he'll be useful, and not a burden. Still shaking, he gives Lorenzo a thumbs up, to show he is ready.
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Faustinia dismounts with Lorenzo, patting her horse on the neck. She finds the ride somewhat relaxing, reliving memories of a (relatively) more prosperous time in her youth.
Once in position behind Lorenzo, before the convoy arrives, she casts a spell that covers her body in a shimmering force which quickly turns invisible. [b]"I'm ready. I'll try to take out as many as I can--there's a spell I know to knock them out without killing them--but we should be prepared for a fight. She takes a deep breath and keeps re-checking to see that her crossbow is loaded and ready.
Catina loses the calm she felt in Arael's office, almost as soon as they leave the shrine. She puts up the hood of her cloak and wraps her glaive firmly to avoid notice. "Did everyone bring their healing potions, the ones we found in the sewer?" As they make their way to Jacovo's stables, she is reminded of Larko's words and she plans to take good notice of the countryside, on the way.
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The tiefling girl grows more nervous as they leave the city, and Lorenzo keeps asking whether everyone is all right. Her previous intention to enjoy the countryside is mostly forgotten by the time that they get beyond the city walls. She notices her surroundings, but finds it impossible to enjoy or appreciate the view for now.
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Catina takes the horses away from the path and sees that most everyone has taken a place when she returns. She stands in doubt for a moment, trying to hide behind a cairn as Sev had done, but ultimately deciding that it wouldn't do. She also doesn't want to have to stand close to Faustinia, scaring the woman by her proximity. Who knows how long they'd have to wait? Lorenzo also makes her feel uncomfortable, reminded as she is by his questions that she has no idea what she's supposed to do.
In the end, she chooses to lie prone behind the next cluster of tree stumps. She has her glaive next to her on the ground, and a loaded sling in the other. While waiting, she prays. Shelyn, blessed rose. I know that you wield the glaive only as a reminder, and that every life has the potential for good, and love. We will really try to... to not kill the armigers. But Arael has done so much for this group already, and we really want him back. I really want him back, I suppose. Please be with us, on this day.
A fresh breeze blows from the east, bringing a hint of salty air with it. Silence envelops the place you’ve chosen to lay your ambush to the Hellknights, and only the sound of songbirds break the otherwise complete quietness. Time passes, but no one arrives. 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes…Still no sign of the Hellknights escorting Arael to Citadel Rivad. 15 minutes, 20 minutes…No one comes. As doubt begins creeping in, you hear the sound of several horses and a heavy wagon coming your way. After a few minutes, the source of those sounds becomes clear: you can see 10 Hellknight armigers and their sponsor Shanwen. Four of the Hellknights ride on warhorses, while the other six ride on the carriage, one atop manning the crossbow, two on each side clinging to the running boards, and one in front with Shanwen, driving the carriage.
Arael is being transported in an enclosed carriage built to hold and transport prisoners. The carriage has a locked door and is made of iron-reinforced wood. It is approximately 7 feet square and 5 feet high, riding about 2 feet off the ground, with a running board on the sides and rear for easy climbing to the roof and interior. A team of two horses (hitched in series) pulls it, and the drivers sit on a small bench attached to the front of the roof.
Mounted on top of the carriage roof is a small ballista; one bolt is kept loaded in the crossbow during travel, and a quiver of nine more bolts is affixed to its side.
The wagon and the Hellknights get past you without noticing anything out of place until the wagon reaches the bridge. At this point, Janiven leads a group of other rebels out of the tree cover a few hundred yards west of your actual ambush point, down the road ahead of the Hellknights. This secondary group, made up of Larko, Gorvio, Mathalen and Ermolos, has taken the time to prepare the road with caltrops; they move into a position at the far side of the caltrops and wave weapons in a threatening manner. As they do so, the Hellknights immediately stop; mocking laughter and shouts of delighted challenge reveal their arrogance as the four mounted Hellknights gallop forward, leaving only six of their fellows to guard the carriage. As the riders hit the caltrops, two things happen at once: the horses shriek in pain and stagger, breaking their charge and bucking their unskilled riders from their saddles, and the secondary group of rebels breaks for the trees and flees back to Westcrown. Now is the time for you to strike—if you launch your attack, the four armigers several hundred feet down the road are likely unable to return to aid in the battle before the fight is resolved.
When things go bad for the mounted Hellknights, those back at the prison carriage begin the laborious task of turning the carriage around—with the road ahead suddenly unclear and dangerous, Shanwen gives the order to retreat back to Westcrown for a “real” escort. It’ll take some time for the cumbersome carriage to effect its about-face, giving you a great chance to launch your portion of the ambush.
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Lorenzo starts huffing as his armor weighs him down. But he was no distance fighter; he can have the best effect up close.
He yells at his companions, "Someone take out that ballista!"
And then turns to the armored wagon, "You all have an innocent person imprisoned so just let him go now."
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Faustinia ducks out from behind the tree cover, following Lorenzo toward the transport. The hairs on her neck bristle with fear as she sees the full company of armigers and the size of the ballista on the wagon. Despite that, she manages to keep her voice level as she announces, "We'll be taking things from here. You should give up before you find out how many of us there are."
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Pressed against the ground as she is, the wait is agony for Catina. She is about to peek several times, but knowing that she might screw up the entire thing. When she finally hears the wagon and Lorenzo's voice, she gets up as quick as she can and steps out from the tree stumps, glaive in one hand and loaded sling in the other. She would like to add some boisterous words of her own, but nothing comes to mind. Please, Shelyn, let us do the right thing today.
Lorenzo was surprised that Lady Faustinia was following him and even more surprised that she made her presence known. He was hoping that he would be the main target and the others be safe.
He yelled back at his companions, "Do not give up your positions! These men will comply. They've already seen what we did to their mounted guards. We know our mounted companions are coming around real soon...."
Keeping low to the ground - a task fairly easy for a halfling - Sev creeps closer to the bridge, hoping to remain unseen. He's hoping they'll be distracted by Lorenzo's discussion, so he can line up a couple good shots.
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The Hellknights’ reaction to your words is predictable, and clearly shows their nature and ideals. Instead of taking seriously your threats, the whole group bursts into a mocking laughter. “Give up?” says Shanwen, the troops’ leader. “Us?” he asks again, as if he was trying to understand if you were serious with your threats. Looking at Lorenzo’s face, though, give him the answer he was looking for. His reaction is another loud laughter. “Armiger Torvian, shoot at him!” orders the man as he tries to make the carriage turn around with his armigers’ assistance. Armiger Torvian nods to his boss and points the ballista at Lorenzo. “That’s what you get for your forked tongue, filthy bandit…” he whispers as he takes aim.
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“”
Armiger Torvian carries out the order. He fires the ballista, aiming at Lorenzo. The huge bolt comes whistling through the air, almost perforating it and flies dangerously close to Lorenzo before you can breathe a sigh of relief as you see the big bolt flying over Lorenzo’s head, pass through the foliage of the tree behind Lorenzo and land violently at a couple of feet away from Faustinia. All in all, it was a pretty bad shot. By the look of it, Armiger Torvian is not a master engineer. Not at all.
In the meantime, all remaining armigers except one of them get off the wagon in order to facilitate its turn-around.
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Lorenzo
Catina
Faustinia
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Since none of the Hellknights have called him out, Sev decides to act now, before the combat gets convoluted and his accuracy suffers. He pulls back on his bow and fires at one of the men in range. He watches the arrow flail in the air and doesn't even bother keeping his eyes on it, he's sure it will miss. He rushes forward behind the next boulder, hoping it will give him cover from any return attacks.
He waits for the Hellknights to answer his attack, and hopes his newfound friends will be okay. When he's worked up his courage, he sneaks out from behind his cover and takes another shot at any knight not engaged in melee or behind cover.
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LORENZO!" Catina shrieks when the ballista is fired. She already has visions of his being skewered by the large missile, and gasps when it turns out to miss. I should have been there with him, creating mist to cover his approach. Stupid goat!
The young tiefling hurries around the cluster of tree stumps, taking some cover behind the next cluster. Wanting to weave some magic, she has to choose to free up a hand. Looking at the glaive in her right hand and the sling in her left, she opts to keep Shelyn's weapon close at hand. Weaving magic, she utters a short prayer. "Dear Shelyn, please guide us this day. I will do me best to make you proud..."
--
Lorenzo heard Catina's warning and saw the large bolt that barely missed him. Bolt? More like a spear. He would not tempt luck again.
Mustering all the speed he could, he goes up right next to the armored wagon, hoping that would give him some protection from the ballista.
Once next to the wagon, he yelled, "Arael, we're here to free you. Can you help us out from in there?"
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Faustinia dashes over to the front of the bridge, standing ready to interpose between the wagon and its route. She smirks as the armigers climb down from their perches as she starts to weave a spell. "You look tired from your journey. Why don't you lie down?" With that, barks an arcane syllable and makes a dramatic gesture with her free hand, conjuring a pool of grease beneath the two closest armigers.
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Sev misses his target with his arrow, while Lorenzo and Catina approach the wagon and Faustinia casts a spell to impede the Hellknights. One of them falls to the ground immediately, while the other manages to avoid falling.
“Wha…What’s going on?” calls out a voice from inside the wagon in response to Lorenzo.
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Sev succeeds at his second attempt as his arrow hits an unaware Hellknight, piercing his armor and almost killing him right away. The Hellknight somehow manages to stay on his feet, but he’s badly wounded. “COUNTERATTACK! Abandon the wagon and attack!” orders Shanwen as he climbs down the carriage. “Prince of Lies, drive away this heretic from our carriage!” he says as he unleashes a scorching bolt of divine fire from his outstretched hand, pointing at Lorenzo. You can target any single foe within 30 feet as a ranged touch attack with this bolt of fire. Fortunately, the carriage protects Lorenzo, who would have been otherwise hit by the fire bolt. Shanwen grunts in frustration and keeps barking orders. “TAKE THEM DOWN! Armiger Torvian, you’d best hit them this time!”
Unfortunately for Shanwen, though, loading a ballista takes some time; enough to not allow Armiger Torvian to fire it for now.
The other Hellknights are much readier to carry out their orders, however. The one who had fallen prone thanks to Faustinia’s spell stands up again and tries to move forward despite the layer of slippery grease below him. He somehow manages not to fall again despite his chainmail, and reaches Faustinia. “Surrender now, or I’ll be forced to arrest you ma’am!” At the same time, the other Hellknight, the one hit by Sev, does not risk and holds position as he pulls a potion out of his belt pouch and drinks it. The potion instantly heal the worst of his wound, although the armiger is still badly injured.
The rest of the armigers move toward Lorenzo as a group: one place himself between the paladin and Lady Faustinia while the others just move in melee reach. Some of them are flanking Lorenzo. “You filthy outlaw, you’ll spend the rest of your life in a cell!” Lorenzo manages to keep two of them at bay with amazing prowess, twirling his sword as a master swordsman would do. But three foes at a time are too much even for the young paladin, stabbed in the back by an armiger. “You deserve no honor, thug” whispers the armiger who has just pierced his armor in Lorenzo’s ear.
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Lorenzo
Catina
Faustinia
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This was a bad idea. Taking on a whole bunch of armigers. Too late for that now. Lorenzo's protective nature kicks in.
"Lady Faustinia, take cover. That ballista will kill you!"
He then moves to attack one of the armigers assailing the older lady.
Lorenzo then yells back at the prisoner, "Arael! we're here to free you! Can you help?"
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Faustinia surveys the foes before her with a look of consternation, brow worried and thinking. This would be . . . somewhat trickier than she initially thought. To the Hellknight who's kind enough to give her a warning, she simply replies, "I'm afraid that's not an option."
Stepping back where the armigers' swords can't reach, she takes aim at Torvian atop the wagon and conjures a dart of acid that flies at his head.
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What is he doing?! Running off there by himself? Can he really think to defeat six of them? He held off three in the sewers, or course. But six?! ... Oh no, and Lady Faustinia as well?
Thinking that the two of them could never hold on against that much opposition, Catina does what she can to divide the armiger's focus. She storms forward at full speed, whirling her glaive as she's been taught. Still not sure that that will do the trick, she tries the first thing that comes to mind, in a spur-of-the-mind effort to draw some of the Hellknights' focus away from her two companions. "For Westcrown!" That sounded silly. Stupid goat, they'll never fall for that!
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Lorenzo hadn't counted on a spear-throwing device.
Seeing that Faustinia did not heed his advice, Lorenzo tries yelling at her, "Lady Faustinia, I told you to take cover!"
And now Catina was here as well. "What did I think? That I was going to take them down by myself?
"Catina, stay behind cover. See if you can take care of the ballista. Can you set it on fire?"
Sev is nearly as surprised as the hellknight when his second arrow pierces the mans armor. He hear's Lorenzo shout about the danger of the Ballista, but he knows he has to do his part. His whole body is shaking, but his hands feel steady and he sneaks further afield to get a better shot on the Hellknights.
He sees a Hellknight on the edge of the bridge not engaged in combat, he's not sure if it's the one he already hit, but he doesn't care. He wants to protect his friends. So he lines up a shot and fires it at the armored man.
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Lorenzo executes a middle blow quickly followed by a low blow, and his foe is not ready enough to parry his attacks. The paladin’s sword cuts deep in the armiger’s flesh, but it is not enough to take the Hellknight down. After lowering his head to avoid a response, Lorenzo finishes off his opponent with a vigorous shield bash. The armiger drops to the ground, rivulets of blow flowing out of his mouth.
Meanwhile, as Catina reaches Lorenzo and tries to help him out by drawing the attention of the remaining armigers, Lady Faustinia tries to hit Armiger Torvian with an unfortunately inaccurate acid dart. The dart whistles high above the armiger’s head.
“Someone help! HELP!” keeps calling the voice from inside the wagon.
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Sev stealthily moves outside of his cover and fires another arrow at the wounded armiger. Just like before, the halfling’s aim is almost perfect, and this time the Hellknight cannot manage to stay on his feet. He drops down with a suffocated scream.
“KILL THE F#%$IN’ ARCHER!” orders Shanwen with a rage distorted voice. He then kneels down close the armiger Sev just took out and says a prayer with a deep, echoing voice “” As Shanwen speaks the unholy words, a red flickering light emanates from his gauntleted hands. The armiger’s wounds appear to be cured almost instantly. “RISE AGAIN, FOR YOU HAVE A DUTY TO FULFILL!”.
In the meanwhile, Armiger Torvian is ready to fire the ballista. “This will send you right to the hell you belong to, thug!” he yells at Sev as he points the ballista at him. This time, Armiger Torvian has aimed with much more carefulness, and the huge bolt flies toward Sev with alarming speed. Fortunately, the halfling is quick enough to lower his head just at the right time, avoiding the bolt. “F~%!! That was a nice shot!”, protests Armiger Torvian.
The remaining Hellknights respond with fiery rage. The one Sev managed to take out stands up again after Shanwen’s profane healing and tries to move forward with renewed rage. Having to retrieve his longsword again slows him down however, and he just manages to get in a good position to strike. “Now you will pay!” he shouts at Lorenzo. Another armiger steps forward and executes an oberhau, an upper strike launched from above to disorient Catina, followed by a zornhau, a diagonal upper body strike launched from above aiming to hit her directly. An excellent execution. So perfect that Catina can’t even attempt a parry. The armiger’s blade almost slices her in two, and weren’t it for her tiefling resilience she would have been dead now. Anyway, Catina falls to the ground unconscious and badly bleeding.
At the same time, another armiger steps to Lady Faustinia’s side and tries to grapple her, but the noble woman opposes a fierce resistance, preventing the armiger from grabbing her. A few steps away from this scene, another armiger, taking advantage of his good positioning, tries to stab Lorenzo in the back once again, and again he succeeds.
Unfortunately for Shanwen, though, loading a ballista takes some time; enough to not allow Armiger Torvian to fire it for now.
“EVERYONE STOP NOW!” shouts out Shanwen, “If I channel negative energy your friend will die! SURRENDER IMMEDIATELY!”
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Lorenzo
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Catina is struck down before she can properly react. She has no breath left to cty out, but thoughts seem to come at her in waves. Silly goat! You want to save Lorenzo, and let yourself get cut down by the first armiger you come across. Waving your glaive like that. Did I really think I stood a chance? As vertigo hits her and she finds her arms go numb, thoughts leave her as well. Please, no...
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Faustinia winces as Catina is cut down. The girl still appears to be breathing, though, so she isn't worried--until she hears the Hellknight's threat. Her eyes dart from armiger to armiger, and to the intimidating Shanwen. He really would kill that poor girl, wouldn't he?
Faustinia takes a brief glance at the malformed tiefling, and sighs as she mumbles an apology. I'm sorry, Catina, but we're all going to die if we don't do something. Faustinia steps back and her voice becomes clear and books once again as she begins speaking arcane words. Magical energy accumulates at her finger tips as she prepares to summon something.
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Oh no, oh no. I knew it. This was foolish to even try. Us. Heroes. Me. Hero? And now Arael was going to die...
With nothing else to do but try to incapacitate as many armigers as possible, the paladin moved to the side and attacked the man that was wounded.
"one more warning before my friends come around with their horses. Leave now!"
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Sev nearly passes out as the shot from the ballista flied overhead, he feels his hair get pushed back by the force of the shot and reconsider his action, but then something even worse happened, Catina was cut down.
Sev scurried forward, trying to catch the Hell knight who hurt Catina unaware with one of his arrows.
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Lorenzo executes a another middle blow with his longsword, but the armiger parries it with his sword. With a quick move, Lorenzo catches his foe unaware with a shield bash immediately after the parried attack, but his attack is not powerful enough to knock his opponent down.
“Get me out!” keeps calling the voice from inside the wagon.
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Sev fires an arrow at the armiger who downed Catina and his aim is once again precise, although his small arrow does not cause a great harm to his foe.
“KILL THE ARCHER!” keeps shouting Shanwen. “ARMIGER TORVIAN! ANOTHER MISSED BOLT AND YOU’RE OUT OF THE ORDER!”. Shanwen grits his teeth as he sees you completely ignore his warnings. The man is clearly starting to grow nervous. “You asked for it!” he cries out as another fire bolt dances in his palm. “This will kill her! SURRENDER NOW OR SHE WILL DIE!” he yells at you as he steps forward in the greasy area, but as soon as he does so, he slips and falls to the ground in a roaring clatter. The man in full plate cannot move easily, but he somehow manages to get back on his feet. “YOU’LL REGRET IT!”
In the meanwhile, Armiger Torvian loads the ballista again, waiting to fire once more.
The remaining Hellknights continue their assault. The most wounded one executes a wrath blow by swinging the sword from above, and diagonally aimed towards Lorenzo's ear. Fortunately, the paladin is able to parry the attack with his shield. The armiger Sev hit with his arrow dashes towards the halfling, jumping over Catina’s body. Sev didn’t expect such a sudden attack, and cannot dodge it in time.
At the same time, another armiger steps toward Lady Faustinia and tries to grapple her again as she casts her spell. Fortunately, the noble woman manages to slip away from his grapple without losing her concentration.
Finally, another armiger tries to stab Lorenzo in the back, but the paladin executes an elegant circle parry.
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Lorenzo
Catina
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Lorenzo sees Catina bleeding out and everyone else engaged in combat. There was still the leader and the ballista. Things were not good.
He raises his sword and shield in defensive positions and slowly makes his way to the fallen tielfling.
He takes out a healing potion and makes Catina swallow it, massaging her throat as the liquid is drank.
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Lorenzo sees Catina bleeding out and everyone else engaged in combat. There was still the leader and the ballista. Things were not good.
He did the only he could do. Pray to Iomedae and strike at his foes.
With longsword and spiked shield, he tried to at least get himself out of being flanked.
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I'm bleeding, I'm bleeding! Someone help!
It's all Sev can think as he stares at the Hellknight that came to engage him, the wound he caused didn't even hurt, the shock had set in and Sev was so scared he wasn't even shaking anymore.
Stiffly, with arms and legs that feel like they didn't even work, Sev steps back, pulls on his bow, and fires on his foe, knowing that if he misses, he's dead. If he hits and the man falls, he's open to the ballista, and he's dead. Stay where he is, and he's dead. In all scenarios, he's dead.
But not a slave.