Hearing the discussion turn to diplomatic measures, Arawn smiles to himself. Negotiating is what he was raised to do. With courtiers and nobles, no less. How difficult could it possibly be to talk circles around a bunch of unwashed, uneducated bandits? And of course, if all else fails, one spell and they all go to sleep...
He clears his throat, "Combat may not be necessary at all, actually. If you all will give me the chance, I may be able to talk them down without the need for violence."
"No, it may not." Rufus agrees. "We can certainly hope it will not, but we need to be prepared for if it does."
Having said that, Rufus nods to Svetlana & Oleg before making his way once more back outside to examine the structures of the trading post.
"Once quarter is asked, it should be given. Before that though... I'm loath to surrender the element of surprise by trying to parley first. But if you think you could it, I'm behind you, Arawn. With an arrow nocked to my bowstring, just in case."
After that, she turns to Oleg, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Worry not, Master Oleg. What began as a misunderstanding has indeed turned into a serendipitous occurrence for the both of us. Your generous hospitality will be repayed, I promise you"
Castor sits quietly, listening with a smile as most people seem to be in agreement, until Xelani speaks up about the element of surprise.
"As much as I agree about it being a shame to give up one of our advantages, our foes are far less likely to respond to parleyance with any kind of positivity if we try to speak after pelting them with arrows. I believe it may be a sacrifice we have no choice but to make. On the other hand, I doubt the bandits are expecting the trading post to suddenly hold six combatants, which ought to be great help for us."
Castor turns to Oleg and Svetlana. "How many of these troublemakers usually come to your fort?
Arawn chuckles and shrugs, "If it worries you that much, we can always take them by surprise, then try to talk to them after they are tied up." He holds up his hand, now surrounded by a twisting, swirling mass of multicolored energy, the makings of a spell, "If they cluster close enough together, I should be able to catch them all at once. Knock them unconscious for thirty to ninety seconds."
He turns and looks around, allowing the uncast spell energy to fade as he nods at the gate, "The perfect choke point is there. Wait for them to gather at the gate, open it just enough for me to stick my hand through. Pretty pretty lights and a few seconds later they will all be asleep. Of course, one with supreme strength of will can resist the spell, so there is always the risk that one might overcome it. I doubt it, thought."
"Indeed, I have no shame in admitting I'm worried. I have witnessed first-hand what happened to many villages who attempted parlance with those kind of raiding parties. As much as I'd wish for it to be true, not every war can be won with words alone - but Arawn's idea seems sound. Bullies are better bargained with from a position of power, and even should someone overcome the effects of his spells, we could easily force his surrender through sheer numbers alone."
Alayi thinks for a moment.
"We do not have to give the full element of surprise. If they prove unrepentant we can set an ambush of two of us behind where they normally appear as well as three more from the trading post. Send Arawn to open negotiations, if they aren't swayed he can then give us a signal to reveal ourselves... and if they then turn violent we are in decent positions to both keep them from escaping and possibly still take them alive."
"I'm afraid I don't have much in the way of offensive casting, but I have a certain proficiency with healing magic. You can also count on the blessings of good luck if we come to blows."
"So. What shall it be, then? Ambush them and negotiate after they have been captured? Or shall I attempt to negotiate first, and bring them down if they resist? My only worry is that attempting negotiations first will put them on edge, and make them more likely to attack preemptively."
"By negotiations, I assume, we mean giving them the choice between laying down their arms or meeting us in battle. Master Oleg, Lady Svetlana, did they seem that sort of fellows who would make the smart choice in such a scenario, or do you think their wisdom could benefit from a show of force - their new options instead being cooperation or the gallows?"
To Castor's questions, Svetlana says,"They've been coming around the last few months, first time they had a small army but there has been less and less with each passing month. I think the second time they came here, there was 8. Next month 6. One of them seems in charge. Nasty man in a tattered, smelly cloak. He's always with the group but the others tend to change from month to month."
To Xelani's question, Svetlana says, "I don't really know how they would react. They seemed to be well armed and demanded everything. We weren't really in a position to stop them." She weeps softly recounting the traumatic experiences.
Oleg comforts his wife before saying, "I personally would rather see the men killed rather than let free. Nothing would be better than to see their corpses on the palisades." He swings his dinner knife in a slashing manner, though anyone of you can tell he hasn't been in a fight in a long time...or ever.
Each of you, along with Svetlana and Oleg, are talking around the tables in the courtyard near the pit fire, eating a meal cooked by Svetlana. It is late afternoon, closing in on evening.
Arawn's gaze snaps to Oleg, suddenly growing much more intense as he focuses on the older man's face. His eyes burn with a mighty passion and his face hardens to chiseled stone. He speaks, much more forcefully than he has yet, in a tone that rings with righteous authority seemingly beyond his years, "And to kill a man who has laid down his arms makes one no better than these cowards who prey on you. If any of them surrender, I will not allow harm to come to them, Master Oleg."
A moment later, he releases a soft sigh through his knows, allowing his face to soften as he looks over at the gate once more. He studies it from afar, as well as the buildings just inside the gate. When he speaks again, his voice is once more calm and soft, though still somehow carries further than it probably should, "Well armed, large group. I do not believe that attempting to negotiate will circumvent bloodshed, so long as they remain armed. I recommend an ambush at the gates. My spell can render them unconscious, but only if they are in a tight group. The area just inside the gate would be ideal, but it is too wide to reliably cover with one spell."
"And to kill a man who has laid down his arms makes one no better than these cowards who prey on you. If any of them surrender, I will not allow harm to come to them, Master Oleg."
"Unless one has was invested with some sort of authority granted him by a higher power; then that would make him judge and executioner instead" Xelani bitterly reflects, nervously fidgeting with the rolled up parchment sheet she keeps in one of her inner pockets. But that was just a moment, and it takes her only an instant to come back to her usual, kinder self. "But alas, that would be but a tyrant's justice, and it's nice to see you're not one, Arawn. Still, try to go easier on Oleg. His words are those of a traumatized man, after all" she immediately adds, her voice gentle and empathic rather than accusing.
"Well armed, large group. I do not believe that attempting to negotiate will circumvent bloodshed, so long as they remain armed. I recommend an ambush at the gates. My spell can render them unconscious, but only if they are in a tight group. The area just inside the gate would be ideal, but it is too wide to reliably cover with one spell."
"Agreed. Most of those bandits have never truly understood any kind of argument besides "might makes right", anyway. As long as they feel they might have some sort of edge, it will take a more... emphatic show of force than our mere presence to persuade them to lay down their arms" Xelani resolutely says, joining Arawn in examining what might very well be tomorrow's battlefield.
"Your strategy seems very sound, Arawn. Other than that, should anything go wrong, know that I've got your back".
"You can count on my blessings as well. I prefer not to strike first, but if these bandits come seeking a fight, I am prepared to give them that fight." Csstor nods, slipping his holy symbol of Desna off of his neck and placing it on the table, symbolically putting forward his deity's blessing.
Oleg is taken aback a bit by Arawn's words. He flusters a bit but Svetlana calms him down.He composes himself saying, "Bah, these men have prayed on more than just me. Robbers and killers the whole lot of them. If you think that deserves them any mercy, I don't suppose I have any way to stop you. You're helping us with them so you can deal with them as you see fit. However, I don't really have a place to keep prisoners so they'd probably be carted off to Brevoy when the guards get here anyway."
With that said, Oleg gets up and pats his legs a bit. "The misses and I aren't particularly fighters of any kind so we're best off hiding somewhere once the fighting starts. However, before the morning comes, I can help in whatever way any of you need. of course, you have a free nights stay here."
Alayi draws her longsword and places it on the table.
"You shall have my sword as well. As for advantages and chokepoints... we could always burn our foes into a tighter group before hitting them with your spell."
Alayi picks up her sword and concentrates as she speaks.
"It takes great discipline not to run from fire, not to break formation. Our animal instincts on that score are strong."
At this point she has the sword glowing from the heat she is channeling into it, pointing it safely away from people and to the ceiling.
"Give me some oil and some straw or rags and we can keep them in a tight enough group once they get into the gate. We can even keep them from leaving if any resist or are out of your radius."
Alayi smiles and lets the sword cool.
"Shelyn will smile upon our venture. Do not worry Oleg. Any who are spared will make restitution to you both as a condition of their surrender. In time, service, or money... depending on what they have to contribute."
Alayi smiles grimly.
Oleg is taken aback a bit by Arawn's words. He flusters a bit but Svetlana calms him down. He composes himself saying, "Bah, these men have preyed on more than just me. Robbers and killers the whole lot of them. If you think that deserves them any mercy, I don't suppose I have any way to stop you. You're helping us with them so you can deal with them as you see fit. However, I don't really have a place to keep prisoners so they'd probably be carted off to Brevoy when the guards get here anyway."
Oleg's word strike a raw nerve in Xelani's soul. Her face tense, her voice probably comes out harsher than she herself expected: "Trust me, Master Oleg, few know better than me the truth your words speak. But in the end, we have to remind ourselves what it is that makes us better than them."
That said, she joins Castor and Alayi in pulling out her holy symbol and laying it on the table, bowing her head in deference to those deities whose blessing has already been invoked. "And may Erastil's favor add to the Starsong's and the Eternal Rose's in this endeavor. So I implore, an humble servant of Old Deadeye"
"If I may interject?" Rufus interposes. "Before we proceed too far?"
"This plan presupposes a number of matters, matters I fear we have no more reason to expect will fall out as we desire than as others might. Let's examine some alternatives, shall we?"
"If we intend to deal with them from ambush -which seems the best course to ameliorate our own disadvantages- we are in fact, best served by allowing them within the confines of the enclosure." Turning to Arawn, "If you think they won't be grouped obligingly within the common yard, they are likely to be even less obliging outside the enclosure entirely; in fact, if their leader has any sense whatsoever, the first thing he will do is command one of them to immediately run for their camp, which we most assuredly do want."
"Therefore, it is in our best interests to not only lure them all inside -most readily achieved by simply not impeding their entrance- but also to see to it that none of them have an easy time of leaving, should they recognize that the field has turned against them with time enough to respond to that realization."
Looking from one to another to another of the rest of you, determining that everyone is understanding, Rufus continues. "If we keep those individuals not accustomed to hand-to-hand combat," looking rather pointedly between Arawn & Korinne, "concealed up on the walkway," pointing to the interior walls to each side of the gate, "they will be both best placed to close the gate behind the bandits, and to rain down whatever sorcerous mayhem their talents & wits provide."
"In either case," now looking at Alayini, Castor, and Xelani, "we will best act, both to prevent the bandits from reaching either of them, and from doing some mischief to either our hosts," now nodding to Oleg & Svetlana, "or their home." His arms spread wide to indicate the entire structure & everything within it.
Looking about the interior of the enclosure, Rufus points to the walls nearest the gateway. "If they all come in, it will be simplest merely to hold behind the doors themselves to affect our concealment, particularly that," now pointing to the East door, "one."
"If they do not all come within, we have an entirely different problem." Focusing his attention now upon Xelani & Castor, "Are either of your mounts trained to battle?"
Arawn grins as Korinne speaks, an almost mischievous gleam sparking in his eye. The grin fades to a confident smirk as he listens to Rufus' assessment, "Actually, sir Rufus, you are half right. Since lady Korinne can cast the same spell, Color Spray I believe it is called, we can easily cover the entire spread between those two buildings." He points between the stables and guest house, "If we were to hide there, and wait for them, we can catch them all at once, as well as their horses, for added confusion. Yourself and lady Alayi would best be served behind the open gates, to force them shut after they pass through, to prevent them from fleeing. Judging by the bow sir Castor carries, I would recommend that he and lady Xelani wait on the palisades to lend ranged support if necessary. I do not fear for my own safety, even if one manages to withstand the combined spells."
Alayi ponders this, and nods.
"If the gates are iron, I can heat them after we shut them, at least by where they would grab to open it. That way if they try to escape they will get a nasty burn for their efforts."
"I believe Sir Rufus's words are wise. Better for us to use the advantage the fort confers us and using it to trap the miscreants. That way, we will have the advantage of high ground and preparation and cut them off from possibly getting any reinforcements."
At Arawn's suggestion that Castor fight from the palisade, Castor shakes his head to the negative, displaying his holy symbol in the palm of his hand.
"Though I am not adverse to archery, I believe I will be more useful within arm's range of our front line, so to speak. Desna's blessings are best given through the touch of a hand. Beyond that, I'm afraid this meager thing has nothing on my old longbow," he nods, his tone turning somber as he mentions the weapon.
Arawn glances over at the gate again, "Looks like wood from here. Besides, you would be standing between the bandits and the gate."
"Well, that makes this harder then... but a bit more fun at least. I will just be the dancing flame flickering around those trying to leave the party early then."
Alayi smiles at the thought of getting to use her dancing skills in combat for a change.
"As for you, Castor, if you can get me the materials to craft you a new bow I will be more than happy to give your arsenal an enhancement. Wood never has been exactly my strongest suit, but I can keep my fire in check well enough so that your new bow doesn't smell of charcoal."
She gives him a wink, and turns to the others.
"That offer stands for anyone by the way. My father was one of the best weaponsmiths in Restov and I was his best apprentice. The only thing that keeps me from crafting here is lack of raw materials to work with. You provide me with those and a rough idea of what you want and I will make you the tools you need to tame these lands."
There is no small amount of pride in her voice as she makes this offer.
The night goes by without any problems. Oleg and Svetlana clean up from dinner and help out you guys with any needs you have while talking over the coming battle. Svetlana mentions that the beds are prepared and each of you, one by one go to sleep.
Morning
Oleg wakens those who are not immediately up on sunrise. Oleg quickly opens the gate to the trading post and moves to make sure that everything looks normal in the courtyard, normal except for the 6 heavily armed and armored people now occupying the fort.
While the tensions rises, the morning silence is finally broken by the sound of several men some distance away. Xelani, from her perch on the palisades, is able to see a small group of 5 men, each on horse back. As the group approaches, you can hear them mentioning various rather uncouth things. One of them seems to be in charge, taking the lead and bullying the others. They move into the trading post as if they own the place and the "leader" berates Oleg, "What no welcoming wenches? No leg of mutton to greet your guests? You're one of the worst hosts I've ever seen!" He laughs as do the other men, shortly after the leader laughs. Oleg seems to mumble a bit but then procceeds into the post, saying "Of course....sir, I'll get your food and mead."
"That offer stands for anyone by the way. My father was one of the best weaponsmiths in Restov and I was his best apprentice. The only thing that keeps me from crafting here is lack of raw materials to work with. You provide me with those and a rough idea of what you want and I will make you the tools you need to tame these lands."
"She's not boasting, you know. I've witnessed her crafting skills first-hand, and she can make metal and wood bend to her will as easily as her dancing can make heads turn - and that's saying something, believe me".
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Xelani was already up when the sun rose, having stood the last watch perched upon the palisades, her keen half-elven eyes scanning for incoming threats in the dim pre-dawn light.
Better safe than sorry she thought. Oleg said they would be here in the morning, and we have no reason to doubt him... Still, night raids all but unheard of.
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As she sees the bandits approaching, Xelani silently beckons her companions down in the courtyard. She then stands still, waiting for Arawn and Korinne to put their plan in motion.
Castor is seen retiring to sleep surprisingly early, and is similarly awake as the sun rises. As the sun peeks at the horizon, he retires to a quiet area of the fort to pray, quietly performing a series of aimless steps and movements, a sort of quiet, introspective dance. With this done, he joins Xelani up on the palisades to help watch for bandits, and follows her down into the courtyard.
Arawn awakens as the others start moving about. He takes a minute to use his magics to clean himself, a lilting and random melody alike to a harp playing as he moves his hand over himself, magically wiping away any grime or dirt and straightening any wrinkles in his clothing. He joins the others in the courtyard and goes over the plan one last time before they take their positions.
He directs Korinne to take up hiding in the stables, where she will be shielded from any retribution. The nobleman himself takes up a hiding spot just behind the wall of the guest house, within view of Korinne, and waits.
**********************************************************************
As the bandits enter, Arawn peeks around his corner to watch their approach. He gauges the distance and their speed, timing his spell for when he and Korinne's crossfire will catch all of them at once. He catches her eye and holds up his hand, counting down from five fingers...
four...
three...
two...
At one, his hand erupts in a swirling mass of multicolored energy. His hands move like a conductor, and his voice rings out, almost as if singing, "תרסיס צבע"
Suddenly, the energy erupts from his outstretched hand, washing over the area and the bandits within range. The spell is accompanied by a strange ring, almost as if one had struck several random keys on a piano all at once. The signal for everyone to jump into action...
Rufus awakens with the gloaming of the dawn, having secured Xelani's promise that she would waken him by then if he was not already awake. Quickly performing his ablutions, he secures his gear & dons his armor before full daybreak. By the time the bandits arrive, he is by the wall, west of the gateway, his sword drawn & ready. As the bandits make their way within, he takes their measure.
Alayi falls asleep as she always does, imagining flames with swords dancing in circles around each other... the occasional crash of the swords creating sparks that form new dancers.
Alayi awakens with the rise of the sun, and spends the prebattle hours readying her sword and bow, and polishing/oiling her armor. After all, best be presentable to these ruffians.
All too soon the bandits have arrived. Alayi watches them enter from behind the nearby bunkhouse and immediately is unimpressed. How can undisciplined men such as these command any territory? They deserve to lose these lands to us.
As Arawn and Korinne ready their spells at them, Alayi positions herself to close and seal the gates. When the spells go off she quickly pulls the gate shut and slides whatever locking mechanism in place. She then draws her longsword and prepares to keep any foes not knocked out who try to get out at bay.
Color Spray 1
Color Spray 2
The horses fall over, seemingly unconscious. All the bandits seem to be unconscious as well, though you only get a small glimpse as the horses seem to fall on top of them.
Arawn's face breaks into a grin that seems to engulf the entire bottom half of his face. I love it when a plan comes together. He motions to the others, beckoning them all inwards to the carnage, "Everyone! Quick! Tie them up and get their weapons! And get them away from the horses! Gods know what will happen when they wake up!"
As the Bandits & their mounts fall to the spells of his compatriots, Rufus kicks his own door closed. Pointing with his blade at the now-unconscious talkative one, "Happs Bydon." As Arawn declaims, Rufus is already on his way toward the man he just named. "Most likely some kicking & panic. We can pull all the men from the hourses, or we can tie them up. There aren't enough of us to do both." So saying, he pulls Happs from the fallen form of the horse, dragging his unconscious formwell clear befor setting him down in front of Oleg. "If you would be so kind as to divest this one of his weapons. Try not to kill him, he needs questioning & a man should at least have to chance to shrive himsefl before he dies."
With that, Rufus makes his way back to pull the remaining bandits from the horses.
Arawn rolls his eyes and aids Rufus with the work, "Get them away from the horses and do your best to get them all tied up. I can always hit them again if necessary."
Putting the arrow she has previously nocked back into the quiver, Xelani rapidly descends the ladder leading down to the courtyard.
"You surely didn't want to share your fun" she says to Arawn and Korinne, her slightly pouting lips feigning indignation. "But in the light of this astoundingly successful start of our little venture, consider yourself forgiven" she then adds in a mockingly frivolous tone as she helps dragging one bandit's unconscious body away from his horse, carefully putting herself at a safe distance from the soon to be kicking and panicking animal.
She then proceeds to disarm the brigand and to casually point her dagger at his throat, lest he gets some strange ideas upon awaking.
"It seemed that your magics affected something of a broad swath." Rufus answers Arawn's reply. "What say we try making use of our clear advantage & actually talking with them should they awaken, hmm?" His own brow arches at Arawn's flipancy.
As Xelani stands over one of the other bandits, Rufus nods in the direction of the others yet unplucked. "Holding a dagger to that one's throat will serve little use if another comes up behind you still armed."
Arawn chuckles and shakes his head at the armsman's overreaction. The man does not look to be too much older than himself, and yet acts as if older and more of a codger than Oleg! Giving Rufus a confident smile, the nobleman answers nonchalantly as they continue working, "The horses were unexpected, I will admit. However, the spell will last longer than you seem to believe. They should be well restrained before waking up. I was merely trying to reassure you that should this take an extraordinarily long time, I am fully able to handle any uprising without the need for lethal force. In other words, my friend, relax."
As Xelani stands over one of the other bandits, Rufus nods in the direction of the others yet unplucked. "Holding a dagger to that one's throat will serve little use if another comes up behind you still armed."
"And that's why I'm presently traveling in the company of such valorous knights. If a lady can't feel protected when she's surrounded by five allies - nay make it six, counting our good Master Oleg - against five foes, all of them presently defeated, unarmed and unconscious, I say our endeavor is already doomed" she quips.
"Jokes aside, let's tie up as many of them as possible before they wake. The few left will surely understand their position and cooperate - this dagger was just meant as a brief reminder of that".
"We are not friends, Master Vaska." Rufus responds. "We are at present, acquaintances. We may become allies, perhaps comrades; if you begin to display sense to match your arcane puissance. Unfortunately, that has yet to occur. I'll relax when they are all disarmed & bound, and I will thank you to do the same."
Turning to Xelani, he adds, "Truly? I see no knights present. I see a lordling who has convinced himself a scrap of arcane power renders himself invulnerable," nodding to Arawn, "a Sorceress who at least has the sense not to crow that her magics render her without peer," now inclining his head to Korinne, "a priest of the Lady of Dreams, Roads and Fortune," at this his gaze alights briefly upon Castor, "a dancer," pointedly taking note of Alayini's colorful raiment, "who claims also some talent at smithcraft, and a curiously honey-spoken follower of Dead-eye." With this, his gaze rests upon Xelani once mre. "I see no knights. If I did see any knights, I would hardly assume that simply because they were knights, they were someone I wished standing 'gainst treachery in my stead until I had stood the field with them several times before. None of you are my înapoi, nor are any of you înapoi to each other by my reckoning."
"Well, that worked."
Alayi comes from her post to the courtyard. Hearing the quip about her being a dancer, she shrugs.
"Aye, and what of it ye crusty old horsemaster? I can dance circles around your steed leaving it in agony from my strikes any day of the week. Oh, and before you forget, I do like watching my foes BURN while I dance around their husks. So, before you go assuming that I cannot take you in combat because of my outfit alone, you had best be deciding how many cauterized scars you want from the ensuing duel."
When she says "burn", she casts Spark 5 paces before his feet at any loose straw and sticks that happen to be there with the intent to cause a small fire that can easily be put out, but will prove her point.
She sheaths her sword and pulls out her rope, practically throwing it at him.
"Make your pathetic hide useful and tie them up, Mister Rufus." So saying she returns to the gate to keep any who wake up from escaping.
Arawn's face darkens at Rufus' assessment, finally sick of the patronizing tone, "You know, considering that of the two of us, I am the only one who has been of ANY use today, it may behoove you to be a bit more respectful. Demonstrate your own worth before you disparage the value of others, or else display yourself as an uptight buffoon with delusions of grandeur. Now if you do not mind, let us finish this while my power over these men still holds."
"Well, that worked."
Alayi comes from her post to the courtyard. Hearing the quip about her being a dancer, she shrugs.
"Aye, and what of it ye crusty old horsemaster? I can dance circles around your steed leaving it in agony from my strikes any day of the week. Oh, and before you forget, I do like watching my foes BURN while I dance around their husks. So, before you go assuming that I cannot take you in combat because of my outfit alone, you had best be deciding how many cauterized scars you want from the ensuing duel."
When she says "burn", she casts Spark 5 paces before his feet at any loose straw and sticks that happen to be there with the intent to cause a small fire that can easily be put out, but will prove her point.
She sheaths her sword and pulls out her rope, practically throwing it at him.
"Make your pathetic hide useful and tie them up, Mister Rufus." So saying she returns to the gate to keep any who wake up from escaping.
"So you enjoy burning those critical of you to death then?" Rufus replies, ignoring the sparks and letting the rope fall as he continues to pull the fallen bandits from the horses.
At Arawn's demand Rufus doesn't even bother turning to face him. "I am." He rebuts simply, as he moves the second of the bandits he has pulled from the horses.
Turning her head over her shoulder as she pauses, Alayi replies, "No, I enjoy watching those who dishonor my fighting style without even having bothered to see it first walk away with a few reminders of why challenging an Ifrit to a duel might not be a wise decision. I have yet to kill anyone in a duel. One of the benefits of heating my weapons is that I can minimize my opponent's bloodloss, and thus improve their chance of actually learning from their mistakes. I would not kill you, even in a duel."
She begins walking toward the gate again, making one last comment before turning her head.
"Your life wouldn't be worth the lifetime of regret I would have from taking it."
Turning to Xelani, he adds, "Truly? I see no knights present. I see a lordling who has convinced himself a scrap of arcane power renders himself invulnerable," nodding to Arawn, "a Sorceress who at least has the sense not to crow that her magics render her without peer," now inclining his head to Korinne, "a priest of the Lady of Dreams, Roads and Fortune," at this his gaze alights briefly upon Castor, "a dancer," pointedly taking note of Alayini's colorful raiment, "who claims also some talent at smithcraft, and a curiously honey-spoken follower of Dead-eye." With this, his gaze rests upon Xelani once more. "I see no knights. If I did see any knights, I would hardly assume that simply because they were knights, they were someone I wished standing 'gainst treachery in my stead until I had stood the field with them several times before. None of you are my înapoi, nor are any of you înapoi to each other by my reckoning."
"Indeed, I thought there was at least one knight among us" she replies, her voice suddenly biting, her stare fixed on Rufus. "I now realize I was gravely mistaken. But luckily, I can still proudly claim to be standing among an even better lot than mere knights. Alayi, here, whom you so blatantly disrespected without having been given the slightest cause, is my friend and companion, and one of the fiercest fighters I've ever seen. Arawn has accompanied me on the road from Restov, and everyone who has eyes to gaze upon the vanquished foes filling this very courtyard can testify how his words are backed by facts. Same with Korinne. Castor, I admit, I can't claim to know as well, but his gentle and compassionate words resonate of the kindness of the Starsong - and that's good enough in my book. As for me, my tongue is my own, just as my heart and my cause belong to Erastil. I suggest you distrust anyone whose words look suspiciously too adherent to a particular faith or doctrine - either they're fanatics, or they're trying to fool you."
Oleg, busy pulling one of the bandits to the side as quickly as he can, says "I think our...discussions can wait while we're dealing with these...soon to not be so heavily armed....bandits." he says the last one with a huff, as the bandit slips free of the horse.
With everyone working together, the bandits are quickly pulled away from the horses, disarmed and tied up. Some do seem to groggily move about as the last knot is being tied but they are disarmed, little comes of it.
However, just as you step back from the prisoners, the shouting starts. The prisoners appear to not like being...well, prisoners. Loudest of the bunch is the man Rufus identified as Happs Byden. Seeing Oleg, he yells out "You soddy son of a...I knew we should have killed you! Left your wife to clean our &$*%! When I get you, I'll..." It probably just then dawned on the low-life what position he was in. Tied up and surrounded by 6 well armed people is not the easiest bargaining position for sure.
Looking around at his fellows, he spits into the ground and says, cockily "Ok, so you lot caught us. What of it, huh? Taking us to Restov? Hired to do a job that that fat puss bucket couldn't, like a real man?".