Riom holds up his fist to try to stop Catriona and Gawain in the back. He then motions to Trimar that they should fire. When Trimar appears ready, Riom steps around the corner.
Rion holds up his fist to try to stop Catriona and Gawain in the back. He then motions to Trimar that they should fire. When Trimar appears ready, Rion steps around the corner.
I dislike attacking the unaware... But by his own words he is helping kidnappers and any sound he makes may mean the death of Elmina...
Trimar doesn't even have time to line up a shot as the two arrows from Rion's bow bury themselves deep in the kidnapper's neck. Choking on his own blood, he falls to the ground grasping his throat before the light leaves his eyes and the area grows almost unnaturally quiet.
Trimar raised a brow and shook his head. It seemed this man was a hypocrite. Better to be one than a fool he supposed.
Trimar nodded at him and moved forwards. He grabbed the body and carefully moved it out of the way before he pressed his ear to the door hoping to be able to tell their number.
He pulled away and offered whatever info he gleaned before he prepared to open the door for the group.
Cat likewise raised her fist to relay the 'Hold' command from Rion. When they were ready to move forward, she complied, her blade itching to dispense justice as necessary.
Rion moved forward with a noticeable slumo in his shoulders. I am different from Trimar... Aren't I? That man admitted to being part of this operation, not simply a bystander. And he was awake and alert... Not a helpless sleeper... The young knight tries hard to justify his surprise attack to himself but merely goes goes back and forth over and over in his own head.
With a heavy heart, he moves the body of the man he killed out of the way. He quietly breaks the two shafts that killed the man, crosses the man's arms overs his chest, and leaves the shafts on the man.
He then moves to the door with Trimar and nods that he is ready with an arrow knocked for whenever Trimar opens the door. He also motions for Catriona, Gawain, and Owen to be prepared to assault whatever was on the other side. Now, he could not see his mentor, but he was certain the wise knight was there nonetheless.
Wondering if another, more peaceful option could have been entertained, Gawain prays to Arkay to guide his way. Clearing his mind, he focuses his spirit to detect the presence or absence of evil on the other side of the door...
The area immediately before them was clear now and while there was a tunnel that lead off to the left there also seemed to be a door at the right. Nothing for Gawain's eyes to see, yet.
Owen used the keys they got from the first bandit to open to door. "Tools." He muttered to them. "Nothing for us. Lets keep going."
As the group makes their way down to the core area they can hear laughing and movement. It was then that Gawain found his sight worth while. The gift from Arkay told him that within the next room was at least five people but only one was strong enough to easily be seen through the walls the rest could just be felt slightly.
Five, Gawain signals with his hand, pointing to the next room.
Catriona nods as her grip tighten's on her blade.
Rion ensures that all are prepared to enter the next room. Once they indicate they are ready, he moves silently up to the door and throws it open, preparing to fire with his bow.
Trimar nods and prepares his bow. He'd let Rion open the door this time.
The room the door lead to was obviously to main area. A large table was in the middle with three seated around it playing some form of cards, another was over by a small fire cooking something in a pot, and the last was further back at what seemed to be a desk.
When the door was flung open the group to a moment but all stopped and look. Eyes wide with shock for that moment.
Rion
Bandit 1
Trimar
Bandit 4
Catriona
Bandit 3
Bandit Leader
Bandit 2
Gawain
Rion's eyes dart about the room. He calls out to the bandits "Surrender in the name of the king!"
Seeing one of the thugs reaching for his weapon, Rion fires rapidly.
The first arrow finds it mark deep in bandit's shoulder though the other bounces off the armor.
Taken a bit back by attack the bandit takes a moment to pick up a throwing axe at his side of the table with his good arm and throw it at Rion to attempt to return the favor.
But his aim is off, likely from pain, and the axes crashes against the stone exposed on the wall.
Trimar nods and follows Rion's lead, picking a target and lining up his shots.
The first bandit finds another arrow this time embedded in his chest before he crumpled to the ground.
One of the bandits who was on the side of the table that was across from the door, does the smart thing and pushed the table over with his foot. Grabbing his own bow and quiver from the back of his chair as he ducked down behind the table.
The Knight of East Watch quickly moved into action against the still shocked bandits. After closing the distance between herself on one of the foes, she brought her sword down intending to drop one of them quickly.
The bandit before Catriona stumbled back to avoid her blade, which he successfully did, and snatched up his own sword and returned the favor.
His attack however was far too close for comfort for the redheaded warrior woman as she felt the blade travel down the front of her armor but the armor held strong.
The bandit leader on the other hand remained where he was and began speaking in a tongue few knew but didn't take long to register... mage
As the law of the land arcane magic belonged to the crown. The law stated that only those of royal blood could have the power of a mage at their disposal. But there are always some who fall through the cracks.
Bandit two grabbed a large two handed battle axe and moved to flank with his friend Catriona had attacked.
While his edge also didn't get through Cationa's armor, she knew she was going to have a bruise for quiet some time.
Feeling the impact of the axe on her back, Catriona reversed her grip on her sword and stabbed backwards.
Catriona feels the blade become more difficult to push as it goes through armor, flesh and into what she is fairly sure are guts. The gasp of shock and cry of pain tells her that she hit her mark well.
Gawain focuses his righteous fury on the mage and hurls his Starknife at him...
The Prince of Taelen's blade goes wide and missed the mage.
Rion fires at the bandit attacking Catrion, attempting to finish what she started with her backhanded blow.
Rion fires hist first arrow hastily at the bandit behind Catriona. I must defend my comrades! But the shot goes well wide. He remembers Owen's training "Keep breathing. Make your shots count." The young knight calms down and exhales serenely while drawing his second arrow. Then he lets it fly with deadly accuracy at the bandit's eye.
The one that Catriona had approached hardly made a sound when the arrow found his eye. He dropped his blade and crumpled to the group dead.
Rion
Bandit 1
Trimar
Bandit 4
Catriona
Bandit 3
Bandit Leader
Bandit 2
Gawain
Trimar spies the rather impressive blow landed by his fellow archer and adjusts slightly before firing his own volley at the Leader.
The first arrow goes wide but the second arrow hits the mark.
The bandit leader stops casting, only for a moment due to the pain now racking his body, but it's long enough for the spell to fizzle out.
Sticking his upper body out of cover for a moment the bandit behind the table he takes aim at Catriona who is the closest and almost too close for comfort.
Unlike his fellow bandits his aim is much better and slides through Catriona's armor and piece into her flesh.
Despite the newfound pain her side, Catriona withdrew her blade from the bandit she stabbed, and brought it around to finish the job in a dazzling twirl.
Rion
Bandit 1
Trimar
Bandit 4
Catriona
Bandit 3
Bandit Leader
Bandit 2
Gawain
The looks around to see three out of his four are dead, and seeing that you made it this far told him that two of his others are dead as well. Swiftly he opens the door that was too his left and vanished out of site through it.
"Bastard!!!" The bandit behind the table yelled when he saw their so called leader running.
But there was only one way put of here wasn't there... then... why was he running away from it?
Gawain's starknife returns to his hand as he rushes across the room. He makes his way to the door and throws the blade once more, aiming for the mage's leg...
Arkay seems to be with Gawain as he second throw goes far too well. The man give a cry of pain as the star knife cut through flesh and muscle down to bone and he fell onto the stone floor.
Rion fires at the fleeing leader, attempting to bring him down without killing him. Gawain is wise. The leader would likely make the most valuable captive.
The bandit leader gave a loud cry of pain this time as arrows pieced his legs.
Trimar shook his head, he had almost gone running after but the others saw to the fleeing one's capture.
He turned his attention to the lother Bandit in the room tied up with Catriona and fired.
Taking two arrow from the half-elf, the last bandit there ducked back behind the table and calls out "I surrender! I surrender!!"
Catriona cautiously stepped forward, ready to drive her sword into the man's head if he tries something, "You had best do so if you wish to live beyond today."
The man dropped his bow and held his hands high in the air. "I was just here for the coin." He told the knight before him. Yes is does seem like this man is rather hurt and has given up.
Gawain rushes to the leader's side. "Where is she?" he demands, barely containing his vengeful wrath. The good paladin seems to have little compassion for the wounded man before him, his rage assuredly clouding his judgement. "Speak now or I swear that I will feed you to my griffon!"
Painfully, Catriona sheathed her sword before turning her attention to the arrow protruding from her flesh. Wish I had my pack and pouches.
Looking at the pair of archers, "Care to help get this out of me?"
Trimar let the boiling of his blood pass and he takes a deep breath before he looks at Catriona with a smile. "Of course, my Lady." he said as he moved forwards and looked at the wound for a moment. He looks up at her "You're gonna wanna brace for this." he said before snapping off the tail, hooking his fingers under the head pulling it through.
Rion breathes heavily and looks around for any further threats.
Once satisfied, he moves quietly to help Gawain cover the leader. He nods at Trimar's treatment of Cat. He knows how to dress a wound too... An interesting knight... He covers the leader silently, allowing the more experienced and smooth-talking Gawain handle the leader. Though his manner is meek, there's a steel in his eye that suggests he'd shoot this leader very, very fast should he try anything.
Stiffling a grunt of pain as best she could, the Knight of East Watch turned and kicked the obviously dead bandit with full force. Twice.
She then turned to Trimar, "Thank you. That was a real pain in my side."
"She's here." Owen said as he met then half way in the hall where they had the leader pinned to the floor. In his arms however was a slumbering Elmira. "I had faith you all could deal with them, so I went around and found her in another room. She seems to be out cold but she is alive." He when on to say.
The bandit leader seems to glare hatefully at the knights around him, yet he hasn't said a think.
The bandit that was with Catriona and Trimar just set back against the table he had turned over. "So... what's the likelihood of me getting out of this with my life?"
The Knight of East Watch breathed a sigh of relief that Elmina was alive and mostly unharmed.
After managing to find a clean cloth to attend to her wound, Catriona responded, "That may very well depend on how cooperative you are. If you tell us as to why you abducted the Page and under whose orders, the King will most likely show mercy."
Trimar looked at Catriona and then looked at the bandit. He wasn't too amused with what the man had asked.
He drew his sword and came up to squat down in front of the man. "I may not be too much of a spiritual man, but I have to wonder. You ask how likely you are to get out of this with your life...but I have to ask, how satisfied will you be with your afterlife? You have a chance to talk, stop for a second and think not what you can get out of it, but what is right." he said staring into the man's eyes.
"Who sent you," Gawain hisses in the leader's ear while the others interrogate the turncoat. There is venom in his voice. "You won't get a second chance and I won't hesitate to end you right here and right now," he threatens.
The young knight tries to stand imposingly with his bow, though he never was much of one for putting on a show.
"What is right don't put bread on the table pointy." The bandit stated. "As to what I know... Well not a lot. Honestly I didn't know what was going on till after Seth there," He pointed to the bandit Rion had shot through the eye. "Comes up to the wagon tossing a passed out kid in. At first I thought it might be the case of a run away or parent issues. You see it from time to time, one rich parent paying to get their kid back after they run off for some reason or another." He went on. "However when we got back and I helped carry her inside that I noticed the armor... told me she was likely a noble's kid... started wondering if it was a randsom kidnapping ya know? But I was just brought on about a week ago, so I've never spoken to those who... hire us out." He explained.
"I don't know!!" He finally shouted. "Just got a letter and a bag of gold... but I can tell you this much, it had to be a noble."