While the others search for any sign of the kobold, Coloua stops in the trail where the tracks disappeared and slowly turns in a circle, searching out any sign of unusual or occult activity that might be causing their difficulties.
"Words for my nominal underling, indeed." Tired of the tedium of greenery and vegetal-infused air, Godfrey assists in the search with what little skill he possesses.
Coloua eyes begin to glow as she scans the area for magic. Alas, apart from her own party, she does not find any.
It takes a while, with each of the group fanning out and searching in their own unique ways. It isn't until they begin to work together that they manage to hear something in the forest that doesn't belong. A faint snoring that almost could be mistaken for the wind.
The four of them slowly manage to find the source, difficult as it was. The snoring was coming for a tree filled beyond natural with foliage. Just barely do they make out what looks like a tuft of fur from a wolf mixed in with the greenery.
When they found the creature, likely a wolf, Ileosa looked over to Godfrey. Very softly as she not wake it she asked "What are the odds that this is your underling's wolf?"
Coloua stops when she sees the tuft of hair and stays behind the larger folk.
"I'd appreciate it if you guys checked it out. I'm not a big fan of mammals, they're too hairy...and warm"
"It seems unlikely we lose the trail of a wolf we've been following and just happen across a different one randomly. I'd say good odds. I suppose I'll have a look." Despite his confident assertion, Godfrey draws his blade, careful to minimize the noise he makes. Weapon in hand, he advances slowly on the brush where the wolf is hiding. He stops a few yards away and calls out, "Draa'lik? If you're there you've led us on a merry chase. Show yourself and your Wolf."
The wolf is first to stand up slowly from inside the brush. It wasn't quite intimidating as perhaps some that had been told of but all the same, it looked quite vicious. It growled lowly and then a rock flies down and hits it in the head. "No! Draa'lick not give the command. This one comrad." he said quietly.
Draa'lick dropped down from one of the larger branches and rolled to his feet beside the wolf. He stared at Godfrey and the others. "Yes? OH yes yes, Draa'lick has been waiting. Found wolf, managed to sneak ahead of his prey and noticed that man's scent was all over nearby camp. Came back as quickly as he could to make sure they could ambush prey at their favorite camping spot." he said nodding and grinning wickedly as he reported. His hand pointed off towards the north of the tree he was sleeping in. "Felt best not to leave potential scent to scare horses. Panicky things." he said as he yawned and stretched a bit.
Ella nods, even grunts, in agreement. "How far?"
Draa'lick stands there staring for a minute trying to do math it seems. He sits down and uses his toes even as he counts. "Mmmmmm.....thirty minute ride at horse pace." he said after some ruminating.
"Look at that I was right..." Ileosa said mostly to herself, actually surprised at something. "That is lucky..."
"You're a smart one aren't you." Ileosa stated as she crossed her arms. "So they're thirty minutes to the north? South? Which way?" She asked.
Draa'lick points north from the tree he was camping in. "Wind blows southward around here. Choose to camp south of their camp so that scent wouldn't likely be found." he offers with some mild irritants in his voice from having to repeat himself.
Ella glowers at the kobold, letting out a little growl to let the little one know, he doesn't get to include even mild irritants to Ileosa. "Lead us there" she insists.
Not wanting to join in the conversation, Coloua silently watches as the others talk with the kobold, trying to decide if he is completely trustworthy.
Godfrey's lips twitch in amusement at the irritation that he hears in his minion's voice. He says nothing, merely watching the kobold's reaction, at Ella's threatening growl. Sink or swim. I have no use for weaklings who cannot learn or who foolishly get themselves killed. He does, after letting the silence stretch a moment, say, "Yes, let's rid ourselves of our prey. We'll discuss later a better way to communicate in similar situations. Your trail.... left much to be desired."
Draa'lick turns his head towards Ella when she growls and narrows his eyes as it seems he debates for a moment. Perhaps he feels outnumbered, perhaps he accepts she is more powerful, all the same his irritance in his voice leaves for the moment.
He seems to contemplate what to say when Godfrey also speaks up. Feeling that he is outnumbered and not in a position to do much else, he nods. "Draa'lick did his best to provide trail, otherwise none would find him." he said simply before he began walking forwards towards the camp site.
True enough, if any of them looked...suddenly there was no trace left from the Kobold's feet. Though it seems the wolf still left some as it plodded to catch up to the kobold. He hopped onto the wolf once it came close enough and then he led the others close to the edge of the camp.
He stopped about a hundred yards out. He looked to the others "Draa'lick should not go further, scent would alert them. What do?"
Unsure if the reply was intended to be insolent or insulting, Godfrey narrows his eyes a moment before following the kobold silently (or as silently as a city bred nobleman with no interest in forestry could). On their arrival, he nods to the creature and turns to the others. In a whisper, he says, "Not bad if we have the element of surprise. Do we know they're there? All of them? We can't let any escape and it'd be best I think if they simply disappeared. Search parties will be sent and anything not on the wall is good for us." He eyes Coloua, "Your friend might be of some use, I think."
Nodding to Godfrey, Coloua silently approaches the edge of the camp, remaining in the shadows of the trees and scanning the area carefully. She quietly releases her centipede and directs it to patrol through the enemy camp area looking for any enemies.
"Do we want to play the lost travelers to just go right in for it when they come back?" Ileosa asked."I can do either, but if we're going right in for it I suggest we send someone to sneak in and kill their leader first while they are sleeping. Men with no command are easier to break."
Ella's cat meows, but Ella shakes her head. Letting the other familiar go instead. The large woman looks at Ileosa "Attack while they sleep if Coloua can find the leader I could go straight for him?"
Healing done before last night rest:
Infernal Healing (Godfrey - now 23/44)
(now 29/44)
Healing done after rest:
Infernal Healing (Ileosa - now 32/40)
(now 45/50)
This is in addition to any healing done overnight by the rest itself.
Coloua and her familiar settle in to watch and wait. The centipede makes it's way around the clearing but finds nothing for the moment.It however seems that what the Kobold had said was true, there are evident signs of regular use of the area as a camp.
The centipede makes its way up a tree at the edge of road, perfect for alerting it's master for the coming of the guards. Hours go by and the sun starts to set before the sounds of hooves begins to finally be heard.The centipede offers some mild distress to Coloua but remains hidden.
Soon it becomes apparent why as a rather strapping and strong looking man atop a surprisingly muscular looking horse enters the encampment. Soon enough, his entourage arrives shortly after. Six men atop stallions make their way into the clearing as well and the group dismounts and begins tying the horses close to the road and going about setting up camp. They talk loudly and some revelry is heard as they go about setting up a fire and preparing to make a hearty meal from a doe they had shot earlier.
The Captain issues orders and sets up one man to post on watch as the others set up camp. He himself joins in the work, helping with the heavy lifting and the more menial tasks. Despite the peaceable times that have become the norm, the Captain and his mean are well armed. All the men have longsword and dagger on their belts and a bow upon their backs. The Captain himself is covered in Full Plate while his mean where chain shirts.
Ileosa sat silently waiting, listening all the while as the group set up camp and went about their normal camp jobs. She was a patient woman after all, so waiting till night wasn't going to be a problem for her... for her allies... that might be a different story.
Godfrey sat, leafing quietly through his spellbook and scrolls, with a contented smile on his face. Hrm, yes... that could be the one. Or perhaps... He quietly muses the hours away. While eager to flex his arcane muscle, he's never been one to seek out a fight that he wasn't guaranteed to win. As the appointed time approaches, he carefully removes his armor and packs it into his horses saddlebags. Fishing the selected scrolls, he finishes his preparations in time with the others. "Shall we, gentlewomen? I'm loath to leave our venerable hosts waiting."
Ella nods to the nobleman. She drinks her potions and slips into the dark night.
Coloua sees the large one slipping off and raises up from the tree under which she'd been dozing. Nodding to the two remaining, she slips off behind Ella to keep an eye on her and help if needed.
Ella moves slow and steady in the night. Her skin shifting between the blacks and blues of the shadows with ease. Softly moving through the sleeping men, slipping past the fabric of the captain's tent, hovering over her prey, she waits, watching him for movements or any tensing. One heartbeat, two heartbeats... he is relatively handsome she notes, wide-shouldered, clean cut... three heartbeats... he turns his head to his right, just a normal movement, some dream, showing her his throat... then she slams her spear into him.
Ella slips through the camp as a cucumber placed behind a corgi. With Coloua's guidance, she quickly finds the right tent. Gleaming full plate armor sets just inside the flap as she enters. She pauses only to look over the man and lament over the waste of handsome features and she lifts her arms up with the spearhead pointed down at the mans throat. She puts her back into it and SLAM. She cuts straight through his throat and severs the spine cleanly.
There is some soft gurgling noises, only faint enough to be heard right beside him as his life essence drains away. The man never felt a thing.
Coloua appeared from the shadows of the tent and a spell half prepared and looks down before dismissing her magics. The biggest threat was done. Now it was just up to them to slip through and kill each and every man before the guard notices anyone.
Smiling contentedly, Coloua moves in close to Ella and whispers in her ear "You seem better suited to finishing them quickly, so let us continue with the rest. I will keep watch while you do the deed, and silence any that stir." She slips out of the tent and points to where the rest of the men lie.
Ella nods in agreement, pulling her spear out of the man, then starts moving toward the next one.
The stealthy twosome make their way from the Captain's tent and across the open field to the next tent. Inside they find another sleeping man which Ella dispatches in a single stab and twist of her spear. Nodding and gaining confidence, they move towards the next tent.
It seems however that some tinder twigs had been dropped carelessly by one knight and Ella manages to step on it making a loud snap in the crisp silent air.
The Knight on guard duty swirls about to look and see what made the noise but Ella had already slipped into the tent. Coloua scooted quickly into the tent as well and managed to lightly scrape some of her
sickle on her belt against the sleeping guard's tent!
The noise confirmed the man's suspicions and he goes to raise the alarm!!!
His eyes go wide and he blows his horn to rouse his companions. "CAPTAIN, QUICK RETURN TO BALENTYNE!!! WARN THE TROOPS!" he shouts as Ella's spear is hastened into the second Knight's chest by him sitting bolt straight up into it. The look of wide eyed surprise quickly dulls as the life fades from those hazel eyes staring into Ella's.
Seeing the guard alert to their movement as she enters the tent, Coloua spins and grabs at her belt to send a spell his way to keep him quiet. Unfortunately as she is pulling out her bone marionette and starts manipulating it she realizes she was too slow and his voice is already carrying through the camp.
Growling, she finishes off her movements and watches to see what comes.
"That's our sign." Ileosa told Godfrey. Then she stood and took out her crossbow, and made her way to the camp. She wasn't in too much of a hurry, nor was she walking slowly. It seemed she had total faith in the fact that Ella and Coloua had done their proper job.
The guard manages to get out the word 'warn' as Coloua's spell goes into effect. There is a terrifying snapping and twisting that fills the air along with his blood curdling scream in pain before he drops to the ground limp.
The sounds of the camp coming to life swirl as men roll out of their beds still in their Chain shirts and trousers.
[Spoiler=Initiatives]
Ileosa Initiative 27
Coloua 11
Ileosa walks calmly into the Camp with Crossbow at the ready.
The time standing and waiting seems to stretch as he waits for some sound to indicate either success or failure. The shouting, suddenly cut off with a pain-filled scream, elicit a smile from the noble arcanist. It may not be efficient, no. But more interesting? Certainly that. Sword and scroll in hand, he nods acknowledgement to Ileosa as he strides into the clearing. Taking a quick inventory, he slips the scroll back into the scrollbox hanging from his waist.
Turning from the now strangely shaped corpse of what used to be the guard, Coloua sees the new appearance and strides towards him. Laughing at the sight of Ileosa's crossbow bolt sticking out of the confused man, she stops short and stares at him boldly.
Ella's calm killing has not eased her need to kill at all, so she charges the nearest guard as soon as she sees him.
The camp is a swirl of action. The sound of blood curdling screams sparks the flash of fire in everyone's eyes. Ileosa and Godfrey quickly make it onto the field right as the first of the Captain's remaining men gets out his tent.
Ileosa fires her crossbow and lands a nasty bolt into the poor man's lung barely missing the heart. His eyes widen in pain but adrenaline keep the man in the fight, however he appears to be breathing heavily.
Coloua turns her attention to the man and attempts to curse him!
Another guard steps out of his tent with longsword in hand as Ella spies him and charges him in a fit of rage. He sees her coming and barely brings his sword of to push the spear tip away from him.
The last man exits his tent looking around with wide eyes at the horrors of the scene.
"Oh I won't lie. I've missed this." Ileosa said with a small smile upon her lips.
Taking aim again she shot at another poor man who was just following orders.
A wicked smile slips onto Godfrey's face as he quips, "How nice of you to join us, sir. Let me introduce myself." Chanting, he hurtles across the clearing in a flash, leaving a trail of images showing him raising his sword into a vicious hacking cut. Those watching him are left with afterimages flashing in their eyes as he spins his blade into another slash as he appears next to the man preternaturally fast.
Ella drops her spear, clearly disappointed in its inability to kill a simple man. It is clear because she growls like a hungry bear.
A swipe across the man's face, a hack into his soft gut, blood gushing all over, the good things in life.
Still grinning at the silliness of a confused man with an arrow in his lung, Coloua growls and leaps. "You're not even worth expending arcane energy on, you pitiful creature"
She continues to taunt him, daring him to strike back
Before the man could get his bearings, Ileosa lets loose another bolt. However, the man lurched at just the right time that the shot barely missed him. He almost threw up right there and then.
Godfrey spied the unengaged guard and his eyes gleamed with cruelty. His actions happened before the guard could even register it. Two slices just inside the thigh on both sides and the man falls to the ground as blood sprays behind Godfrey. He doesn't even scream as he falls unconscious and starts bleeding out.
The guard swallowed his lunch and lurched towards Coloua who was closer. He had to at least take out one of the villains!
He manages to remember his training and maintains his discipline, striking Coloua as hard as he's able. He blood sprays and flows from the wound. But he is shocked as insects pour from the wound and bite at him!
His screams echo into the night as Ella's clawed fingers grab purchase in the man's flesh and he looks at her in shock as he goes limp only held up by her hand in his stomach.
The night goes quiet, as the final guard lays on the floor screaming in agony as the insects bite at his flesh and eyes.
Coloua crouches down over the helpless guard, letting her familiar wander over him cleaning out his wounds. She smiles and plays idly with the swarm that she had released from her wound. Wanting to finish him, but also wanting to let her pets have a warm meal as long as possible, she decides to finish him slowly.
She directs her familiar to bite, while she watches with a gleam in her eye.
Ella will calm down, slowly, heaving shoulders finally resting. Coloua has a toy, Ileosa and Godfrey are fine, so the giantess will look around, counting bodies to horses to make sure there are none hiding.
The man whimpers and moans in his unconscious state once the centipede takes a small bite out of his neck. The swarm enjoys their food as Coloua directs them with gentle prods of her wand of misery.
Ella goes about finding bodies and is indeed satisfied that there is a horse per each dead body in the camp. Draa'lick pokes his head in from the treeline to look about and finds that the scene before him is sufficient. He doesn't allow the wolf to come in so that the horses don't get unnerved. He starts going through the camp finding all the oddities, bits, bobbles, and gear and makes a sufficient horde pile of them close to the fire. He looks at one of the ration bricks with curiosity, sniffing it.
"Is there something you've taken an interest in?" Ileosa asked as she stepped up to the pile that Draa'lick had made. "And good work gathering everything up."
The kobold seems perturbed by the ration and gives it a small lick before throwing it in the fire in disgusts. "Humans create terrible food." he said simply and wondered off towards the horses. He began eyeing them up and down.
Godfrey looks down at the slain man-at-arms at his feet as his lifeblood pulses weakly from arteries so painstakingly rent asunder. He opines aloud to himself, "If this is the best they have to offer then this whole endeavor will be quite dull." Shrugging in resignation, he cleans his blade off before the horrible clattering and sickeningly wet fleshy sounds of her pets going to work draws his attention. Suppressing a shudder of revulsion, he directs a bow to the distract witch and asks politely, "If it's acceptable, can I have my servant move the man out of earshot? Your creatures can go about their feeding-" he casts a sidelong glance at the gristly sight of the still living man and visibly gulps, "-but it will let the rest of us go about our business without disturbing them."
As he's speaking, he notices the kobold's reaction and then continues with a sly smile, "And perhaps he will see to the disposal of any leftovers himself."
Coloua breaks out of her reverie when Godfrey speaks and smiles up at him as she reaches down to the soon to be corpse. The small swarm of insects run up her arm and back into the wound the man had given her. "We can dispose of them whenever you want. The little ones don't get to see the world very often as they are too busy keeping things running. I just wanted to let them have a little fun."
She grabs the sickle off of her belt, runs it across the man's neck, and wanders off to look at the horses.