Angeus finds the tracks of two humanoids with boots and two horses.
Returning through the brush, Angeus takes her reins back , mounts and says "The tracks go that way, 2 on foot and two horses."
In a low voice, Kevros responds while hinting to dismount, "Do you know how far and should we proceed on foot?"
'Not more than a day old, perhaps a half days travel away or less, by estimation, assuming they rested for the night.'
Do you follow her estimation and stay on horseback or do you dismount?
After 3 hours of riding and tracking Tristan and Angeus has the group slow down.
You believe you have tracked down your quarry. Two on foot and two on horse back. They all appear to be human and armed, though their defenses are weak with leather and only one shield among them. They are about 300 feet away.
"Shall we give them the opportunity to surrender first? Surprise is important, but we don't know these men have done any wrong, do we? If we choose to fight, this One is less capable mounted than many and his prefer ence is to fight on foot."
Surrender seems a fine choice. Lets give them the chance I suppose.
Tristan rides forward with a hand held high.
You men there. I am Tristan Morgan of the Green watch Wardens. This land is under our protection. What are you doing out here?
I am assuming others ride forward as well.
Angeus allows the others to ride forward and surround the others, she hangs back , unnoticed in case one bolts.
"Since quarter is our own charter, then we will offer them quarter to those who surrender or are too injured to fight. Those who fight, I will not be attempting to subdue."
Kevros rides with Tristan with his crossbow aimed at the bandits on horse back, preferably the one that appears to be leading. After Tristan issues his challenge, "DROP YOUR WEAPONS AND NO ONE WILL BE HURT!
The men on the ground drop their club and quarterstaff. Then fold their arms before them and looking not amused.
One of the men on the horses gets off and drops the shield and club, taking on the same stance as the other two not riding.
The other rider takes the reins of the horse and attaches them to his saddle. Dropping his club, but leaving his blade in its sheath. "That will soon determine in time."
How are they dressed, similar manner as the other bandits?
So who are you lot. We got word that you were bandits in service to the Stag Lord. What do you say to that?
Quince rides in with Tristan looking able to be a menace, if needs be.
Kevros is itching to tell the last rider to dismount but he is guessing that bandit is the leader and to keep the peace through respect, Kevros lets him remain mounted. In addition, he lets Tristan do the talking since he is from the area and after all, he is a Warden. Kevros keeps his crossbow at the ready but not directly pointed at anyone since they lowered their weapons. Making sure this small group is not bait; Kevros repositions himself to make it harder for the challenged bandits to attack him and scans the area for anyone trying to sneak up on their position.
You could easily say that about them, same as half of your own group. It appears to be leather or hide armor, simple weapons,
"We are just travelors, bandits you say well what have we done to be bandits?"
Saren and his beast are slowly circling around with 60 feet of distance between Saren and the bandits.
Angeus does a circuit of the glade where the others are talking to the bandits, about 25 feet out, looking for any outliers.
Perception
Not really a glade, more like open plains with a few tufts of trees, bushes and rocks sparingly around.
Saren circles around the opposite side of Angeus. He shakes his head 'no' when he sees Angeus then continues.
Quince seems to soften when he sees that theyhave lowered weapons.
I know what your thinking, and I know why your are not armed as the others. Trained to fight in the monastic arts maybe? You can answer are questions and make things easy, or you can challenge us. If you are the Stag Lords men then you must have been sent. So I ask again who are you and why are you here?
Kevros speaks up, "They are all trained in the monastic arts because their armor is only for looks, not function. It will all fall off if they pull a string or two. So is this a bandit hit squad or bandits trained in the monastic arts, that's the next question?" Without taking his eye off them, "S'ala, does that sound like any monasteries you know of that use this particular ruse?"
"Huh"
With that being stated all the 'bandits' pull on said strings and the hide and leather simply falls off of them. With simple light free flowing garments before all three take on stances ready to defend or strike. With legs in supporting spots, crouching low, and hands at the ready.
"We have not heard from some of our brothers within the last several months, no correspondence has come back from our messages, neither did the messengers. We are of a monastic art like you say, but yet you have not state who you are nor by what rights do you have us throw down our weapons." The leader says from the saddle still. His armor falling to the ground as he says it. "I am Nightwing and these are my apprentices."
Kevros replies, "Well met Nightwing, we are the Wardens of the Greenbelt, also known as The Stolen Lands, also known as the River Kingdoms. We are tasked by the Swordlords of Restov to end the banditry in these lands. It was reported by our scouts that bandits were operating in this area and that happened to be you and your apprentices. During our operations and to my knowledge, we have not seen anyone else who practices monastery martial arts in this region."
"That is not good news to hear, but expected to hear. The monostary is South for a few days. We thought it best to dress as bandits and it worked through the River Kingdoms. At least there is some order coming to these lands. Is there anything else that you wanted from us, or may we go our way." Nightwing says.
Quince addresses the monks, "If indeed you are not bandits we beg your pardon. Perhaps the trail of your brothers and the trail of bandits in region draw us along the same path."
"Perhaps we never know what is in store for our future." Nightwing says.
What was your brothers doing here, where did you send the messangers. We have some bandit prisoners being reformed. You can travel back with us and look amongst them for maybe the messangers. We didn't encounter any trained to fight unarmed. This Stag Lorg forcefully recruites men into his camp so their lives could have been threatened if they didn't take up the sword in his name. Other than that you could give us the names of your friend and we can be on the look out for them as well. Please accept our apology for a show of force and riding up on you, but you can understand how taming these lands and dealing with bandits requires such. I am Tristan, Nightwing. Well met.
Kevros backs up Tristan by also talking to the Master, "It is possible that the Stag Lord used Magic to change your men to fight more like us than you so we would not know if we were fighting monks or not. Like Tristan states, we have fought no one possessing the fighting prowess you seem to have nor do I think the Stag Lord could sway your people to fight for him without using magic. If we do not currently hold any of your men as prisoners for banditry and we do come across your men, what would you like us to do? Tell them to return to the monastery or follow us back to our fort of operations or some other request?"
"It would be best to call out your office, Wardens, otherwise others might think you bandits. No I am sure that the messengers and our bretheren are dead, we are here to find out what happened to them. Though we will take you up on your offer to accompy you to your 'outpost' to see if any of your prisoners are my men. Send them to your fort if you come upon them." Nightwing says.
"Collect the ruse, and let us be off." Nightwing orders his men and to travel. His apprentices collect the ruse and leaden up the extra horse. They keep good pace even though they are on foot with the horses.
Kevros nods, "We normally do sir but since you were dressed as bandits, it was made to be a surprise. However, thank you for the wise advice."
S'ala eyes the brother monks suspiciously at first, listening and watching intently to see if they give away any tell-tale signs of being untruthful.
If he is reassured of their honesty, he greets them with a bow. "This One did not know a monastery was in the area. I would join with you to see this place. Can you mark it on wise Quince's map?"
If he is not assured they are being truthful, he will ask, "What is your discipline that you would so disguise yourselves and slink through these lands like bandits. Have you know pride in our order?"
Angeus pauses in her circuit, noticing that a parley was ongoing with the "bandits".
Seeing that the other and the "bandits" begin to make their way towards Oleg's .
Angeus spurs her horse and comes up beside Quince "Friendly sort are they ?
"Seems so."
"Greetings beautiful one. I am Nightwing, may I have your name or shall I continue to call you as such?" Nightwing says as Angeus comes back to the group.
Moving ahead...
The group gets back to Oleg's with their new guests. They check your prisoners and do not see any of their brethren or messengers.
"We thank you for this hospitality and offer of watchful eyes. But we must be on our journey." Nightwing pronounces once all is checked.
It is now near noon.
"This One did not know a monastery was in the area. I would join with you to see this place. Can you mark it on wise Quince's map?"
Nightwing accepts you, "You are welcome to come with us, our knowledge says the monastery is a few days South of this outpost. Though we don't know much of these lands. Your help would be good."
"Greetings beautiful one. I am Nightwing, may I have your name or shall I continue to call you as such?" Nightwing says as Angeus comes back to the group.
Angeus draws herself up in a haughty pose as if offended, then smiles at her little joke and smiles widely down upon Nightwing. "Finally some soft words in this hard land! You are well met, Nightwing. You may call me Angeus. As I missed the previous parley, pray tell me of your purpose here in the Green."
Diplomacy
If nothing else...
The monks head South with Sala in tow.
Leaving you half a day to explore an area, 'hex', or do you rest your tired bottoms for the rest of the day. Or do you go with the monks?
As Kevros sees S'ala depart with the monks, he sighs as he begins to follow them, then looks back for all to follow. "Perhaps the Monk's beliefs will enlighten us as well?" Kevros then looks at S'ala, "S'ala, you know this is not really in our current contract with the Swordlords?
We should stick together. We will go along with S'ala
"Yes we'll all go along and see this monastery."
Along the way , Angeus will be friendly with Nightwing but will demur if he tries to escalate the relationship. Her focus is on making the Charter happen....dalliances with handsome monks can wait for later ;)
Nightwing enjoys to flirt but it seems to be that is all.
The monks don't worry about the disguises with your group.
As they talk to Quince they find out that your group is exploring these lands methodically. They think that will be the best route for them to find the monostary. They will travel with you if you explore the 'areas' to the South of the outpost.
Quince speaks with them at length about the region. "Perhaps you could show me on the map where your monastery is."
Kevros watches to see where the monk master shows where his monastery is on the map.
"We don't know where the monastery is, all we know is that it is a few days South of the outpost. Hmmm perhaps it is this landmark here." Nightwing says pointing to the one landmark you have that is about 3 days down and near the river.
"Shall we explore these lands or just travel to the landmark?" Nightwing asks.
If you are in no hurry we should explore.
Kevros nods, "I agree, if you are not in a hurry Nightwing, we do prefer to explore our way they there."