Disappointed that the Stonde boy didn't appreciate Ozzy's charming, if inarticulate greeting, Tamlara watches her closely.
I hope she doesn't let this discourage her from trying again. She just needs practice talking up strangers.
Ozzy is about to reply when she feels Aldhranhand's hand on her shoulder. She pouts a little, but doesn't interrupt him, and runs her hand through Mr. Blinky's fur as she waits for the Stonde boy's response.
At the back of the group, Tangar, shakes his head hoping they don't miss out on any information here. The elf's admonishing should help in teaching them all about who should speak for the group overall. The barbarian was still unsure on what to do with Ozzy, but possibly that will work itself out soon.
From his vantage and his height he has a good view of all that's going on, but takes the time to look around the place.. you never know what lurks in places.. seeing nothing obvious he watches to see what happens next with their contact.
As Aldhranhald mentions the Lady Commander you notice Davon, and then the woman and other boy as well, relax their positions, and Davon even sets down the sledgehammer. You also see a young girl of about 10 holding an infant in her arms and a little toddler all come out the front door now and they are all staring with very big eyes at your group.
"Well, while I care nothing about the church, since they don't care about us at all, but the Lady and her soldiers do at least try to provide some medium of protection for us, though their 'taxes' are too high for such simple folk as us. So if she sent you, and you intend to get rid of this menace, then I can certainly share my story with you, and show you what I got out of it if you think that may help in any fashion."
"It all happened 10 days ago now. We will forget that day! The three of us had gone into the forest leaving my younger sister Dalia to watch over the two smallest kids. We were trying to gather some mushrooms since they sell decently in town."
"As we know the forest can be a dangerous place, and also sometimes the mushrooms can be difficult to dig out when they are under logs or rocks, we had taken along these very pitchforks you see here and this big hammer. It turns out it was very lucky for us that we had them with us! We had found an unusually large patch of the mushrooms, but they were well back in a crevice between some rocks and difficult to reach, so I was hammering away on one of the rocks while my Mother and brother here tried to pry it up. I don't know if it was all the noise that attracted them or what, and it really was silly of us, being in such a dangerous area to let our guard down and be so focused on those mushrooms, but there was enough there to provide food for at least a week!"
At this point Davon pauses for a moment, but you can see in his eyes that he is re-living the moment and while you see terror in his face, you can also tell he is becoming very animated and ecxited. "Anyways, just as I swung my hammer back to take another hit on that rock, I felt something like claws grabbing my shoulder! They ripped into my skin and caused me to spin around. Look here I can show you the scars!" As he lifts his shirt off over his head and you can clearly see a set of 5 parallel scars that certainly look as if a skeletal hand had ripped through the skin on his shoulder.
"I realized I had gotten quite lucky indeed, in that my backswing had also just happened to coincide in meeting with the skull of that skeleton as it was grabbing me, crushing its skull and dropping it to the ground! But there was another skeleton a mere 5 feet away! And we were in an area surounded on three sides by impenetrable forest! We had no where to run to! Here was this horror of a walking skeleton, strangely enough wearing a blue robe! And it eyes glowed blue as well! It was trying to grab at us and who knows what it wanted to do to us, but we weren't about to just stand there and find out. My mother and brother both tried to shove it away using their pitchforks, but only succeded in getting them entangled in the creatures robe and bones. That however proved to be luck on our side again, as then they were able to keep it from coming in closer and hold it somewhat still, while I took my hammer and swung at its skull! I missed the skull, but went right into the shoulder area causing it a fair amount of damage. I swung again, missing the skull again, but this time my hammer went right through the bones in its back! At that point it had little to no movement left, but out of the sheer terror of it, I went on to smash all the bones to dust! As I did so, I noticed there were several small green pieces of what looked like glass of some sort attached to the bones. I tried to take some of those, but as soon as I would touch them they would just crumble into dust. However I did keep that skull intact! I have it in the house and can show it to you if you'd like to see it." At this point he starts to head to the house, pointing and waving for you all to follow. Then he stops at the door and looks back at you, "If you all come in its going to get in there! Let me get it and bring it out here for you to see in the sunlight!"
He comes back out holding what certainly appears to be a human skull. "I kept it because it seemed strange, something I didn't notice during the struggle, but I saw just as I was about to smash the skull, there was a symbol engraved into the very bone of the skull on the top! Here take a look for yourselves." As he holds it out for anyone to take and look at it closer.
Anyone who looks at it will see an image of a skull wering a crown clearly etched or somehow engraved into the very bone of the skull.
Boudacia examines the skull carefully, then replies:-
"Your courage is to be admired Davon. These creatures could well have killed your brother, mother and yourself had you all not fought valiantly. I am going to use a cantrip to see if this is magical, don't be concerned I am not going to harm anyone. Would you consider selling this skull Davon? It may give some hint as to what is behind these creatures if properly examined."
Boudacia examines the skull for three rounds with the detect magic cantrip. If it is relevant-
[dice= Knowledge Skill Arcarna] 1d20 +9
Boudacia casts her detect magic and takes the skull in her hands and studies it for a little bit. Other than the symbol it appears to be a completely normal skull.
When Boudacia asks Davon about the possibility of selling it, everyone sees a large smile spread across his face. "For the right price, I certainly would sell it! My family has been on some very tough times ever since my father was unjustly hung! What kind of an offer can you make?"
While this conversation is happening other members of the party will also take a look at the skull. Some prefer to examine it letting others hold it for them, while others have no qualms about holding it and taking a closer look.
Alex will confirm that this is just a normal human skull other than the unusual mark. Ozzy and Tangar feel fairly certain that Alex is correct. While Aldhranhald, Mr. Blinky, and Tamlara don't seem sure if it is just a normal skull or not.
"Does ten gold pieces sound fair to you Davon?" Boudacia asks. If Davon agrees Boudacia will give him the gold without more ado.
"Well, this is a rather unique item, and considering my mother, my brother and I risked our very lives in obtaining this, do you think you could make that 15 gold? See, that way at least it represents 5 gold for each of the lives that was at risk? I think our lives are worth at least that much don't you?"
After handing the skull back to Boudacia, Aldhranhald says, "I would be happy to add in another five gold coins." He pulls the coins from his buckled leather pouch, and hands them to Boudacia to add to her ten. I'm fairly certain this skull is about as useless as any other skull, but we need friends in the area, and perhaps, if it comes to that, the Stonde family will let us camp on their property, should we need to. He thinks to himself. "Is there anything at all you can remember about these skeletons? Did they seem to be after anything in particular? Or just mindlessly attacking because they heard the noise?"
As Boudacia hands over the ten gold she asks "Do you think the place they attacked you was significant at all?"
In the privacy of her her own mind, Boudacia thinks we may be paying too much, or for nothing. If we survive our trip to the Spire we can certainly afford it and this family has lost it's main breadwinner.
Davon gets one of the biggest smiles you have ever seen, as you agree to give him the 15 gold pieces. The mother starts to cry and thank all of you very profusely, while the other boy and the three smaller children all get eyes as big as saucers! You hear many various whispers and comments, some of which then turn into shouts, "Fifteen whole gold pieces! I've only ever dreamed of such!", "These people must be to pay 15 gold for a useless old skull!", "WOW!!!!", and such. You find yourselves suddenly in the midst of a spontaneous celebration of sorts with all the kids running around, shouting and jumping for joy! At some point or other each of them comes over to stare at the gold and reach out ever so gently to touch it, almost as if they can't believe it's real or that it will disappear.
After a moment to compose himself, Davon will focus more upon the group, but especially so on Boudacia and Aldhranhald, "If ever there is anything else you all need, or some way we can help ya, please let us know! We will be happy to help such good, generous folk in any way that we can! ... Um the skeletons ... I'm sorry to say I recall nothing else about them. Just the sheer terror that they caused us! Like I said, we were so focused on those mushrooms that we didn't even see or hear them until they were already upon us. So whether they came due to the noise, or some other cause I have no way of saying good Sir Aldhranhald! And no M'Lady, there is nothing significant about the area either. We had been through there many times before without ever seeing such!"
Then re-focusing to include the rest of the group, "We don't have much to offer, but would anyone care for a fresh drink of water maybe?" and turning to the other boy, "Darius! Go fetch a bucket of fresh water from the well for these fine folks! Dalia, bring out clean cups for our friends here!" Turning back to the party, "Now please, I got the name of the good Sir Aldhranhald here, what are the rest of your names please? Oh, my name is Davon, that is my mother Ilyana, the one fetching the water is Darius, my sister Dalia, the little feller over there is Donte, and my baby sister Darcia. You may notice my father had a fondness for the D." He finishes off with a sheepish grin.
After looking over the skull, Tamlara will address Davon's request for everyone's names.
"We may not have met officially, but I am from Ft. Inevitable, and I believe we have occasionally passed by each other in town. My name is Tamlara."
Ozzy says nothing, but makes a point of taking the skull into her hands and looking it over, even holding it up and trying to peer inside through the bottom. She holds it out for Mr. Blinky to examine and look inside as well. Then, with a knowing look on her face, she hands it off to the next member of the party.
Boudacia introduces herself to the family, has a drink of water and introduces the kids to a somewhat shy Wayne.
Then does what women normally do with babies and asks to nurse Darcia, makes a fuss of her and tells Darcia's mother how beautiful her daughter is. Holding little Darcia up so she can "listen" she has a quiet work with Davon and Ilyan, saying:-
"The skull might be a clue or it might not. As for us being rich, well no, but we are going to the Emerald Spire and if we have any success we will come back with a lot of loot. We know you lost your husband and father and times are tough. I suggest making the money last and keeping you have it quiet or someone will try to steal it."
"I would appreciate a drink of fresh water, yes, please." Aldhranhald says, then thinks, I'll not mention that I can use a cantrip to create an ample supply of clean drinking water. Let them think they are providing something of worth. He then looks down at Ozzy, and says in a whisper, "It would be polite to introduce both yourself and Mr. Blinky to the family Ozzy."
As things start getting friendlier, the barbarian slowly, and almost imperceptibly starts to back off a little. All these children bouncing about has him thinking of home and his older sisters kids. He's suddenly missing home, after leaving there some months ago, he hasn't had anything really make him feel this and now it all comes crashing back to him, like a winter wave over the bow of a raiding ship.
When they finally get back to where he is, he kneels down so as to not be so imposing to the half sized children. He graciously accepts a drink of water and thanks them, without thinking, in his native tongue. Takk, that vas very good. Your lucky to haf such good vell vater. He smiles when the children laugh at his thick accented words, but it is something he tolerates from children, especially when they reminded him of home and his nieces and nephews.
Just before he left, his sisters kids kept asking him why he had to leave. The reasons were many, and it wasn't just due to his desire to see the world beyond their cold world of the north.
Between Helga, and Gertruna demanding time with him, and fathers insistence he spend more time in the forge, he barely had time to think, much less have any time to himself. It had been time to leave, like his older brother had warned, it would happen. Like a winter storm that suddenly clears, he was back in the present.. his thoughts on what drew him here... the spire..
The north-man shakes his head and finally stands, he waits until a few have spoken their names and then finally adds his own I am called Tangar... he tosseles the hair of one of the children as he finishes with You haf a very nice family here, be careful, and sparing vit ze gold. You don't vant ze Hellknights catching vord of your sudden good fortune. I vould be for ze best I sink, yes?
He drains the cup and hands it back down to the child nearest him.
"It would be polite to introduce both yourself and Mr. Blinky to the family Ozzy."
Ozzy is not inclined toward politeness after being rudely rebuffed and ignored by the Stonde boy when she was trying to be nice. The girl remains silent, and it's all she can do to keep the anger from her face.
"Thank you for the water, it is appreciated," says Tamlara. Then, indicating Ozzy & Mr. Blinky, she explains "This is Ozzy and her companion Mr. Blinky. Would either of you like a drink of water before we head back out?" Tamlara asks them. "Assuming no one has anymore questions? It wouldn't do to be out in the woods any later than necessary, and while it's not exactly a long trip, it could still take us a while to get there."
No, let's go. Ozzy turns and begins to walk away.
Agreed Tamlara, we should be on our way. Thank you again Stonde family for your help. We may return at some point, so be on the lookout for our presence! Aldhranhald smiles and waves at each member of the family in turn.
Boudacia gives the delighted Dahlia a final hug and tickle before returning her to her mother and bidding the family a fond farewell. When back on the road, she asks Aldranhald and Tangar:-
"Would you two mind if I joined in learning the language? It may be useful someday and it is a long walk."
The norseman looks at Boudacia and wonders what her reasons are, but in the long run, he doesn't mind, nor care very much either. It will be a simple matter to get them both up on the easy stuff, simple words and phrases, and they can practice easily enough where ever they are.
He nods at her, then responds.. I haf no problem vit dis .. it is somesing to pass ze time avay. Perhaps, Aldhranhald can teach us somesing as vell, maybe to read ze common tongue.. fer me zat is.. und somesing else fer ze lady.. Tangar thinks it a good trade off himself. He's curious what the woman could teach him... she's obviously intelligent, she probably has skills he does not, knowledge even...
As the group is getting ready to depart, "Hey, since your heading to the Spire you may as well cut right across the meadows back behind our house. From here that's the most direct route and you will even find a bit of a path from here on into the forest. Just head straight east! Once your in the woods of course the trail will start to split up, but if your able to keep mainly to the east, you should get there within a few hours."
"And you little one, Ozzy I believe she said was your name? I'm sorry for not accepting your initial introduction, but I honestly thought you were just a child that was trying to get attention or something like that? If your going to the Spire you must not be the child I took you for!" Or more likely your very foolish and naive!
"Thank you again Davon." Aldhranhald says as he moves in the direction he's pointed and looks for the indicated trail.
Aldhranhald then looks at Tangar and Boudacia and says, "That sounds like a wonderful way to pass the time. Though we'll need to be at rest before I begin teaching you to write the common tongue Tangar. Writing and walking makes for an unnecessary distraction. After leaving the Stonde farm behind, Aldhranhald calls to Tamlara. "Tamlara, would you mind taking point? My guess is that your perception and reflexes will give us the best advance warning of any threats."
As you all walk out behind the Stonde home you easily see a path going across the meadow towards the woods. While some of you are busy discussing languages and the different nuances of words, all of you also start wondering to yourselves about what may lie just ahead.
Some of you have heard the stories of how things are just a little harder to find and a little more confusing within the forest’s shadows than they ought to be. Travelers and inexperienced loggers have reported hazy mirages, strange thrumming noises, and winding paths that change from one visit to the next.
As you near the edge of the forest you can see it is a temperate mixed forest. You have heard tell of ordinary animals such as deer, beavers, squirrels, hares, sables, otters, foxes, gray wolves, and black bears; boars, elk, and panthers are somewhat rarer. Large birds such as owls, hawks, ravens, and woodpeckers are also found throughout the forest, but smaller songbirds seem to be scarce, lending an air of eerie silence to the entire place, interrupted only by the chittering of small critters or the sudden takeoff of a murder of crows. The Echo Wood is notorious for its population of spiders, ranging from miniscule bramble spiders (named for their thorny carapaces) to massive moon spiders, which are pallid, round-bellied horrors that can catch prey as big as elk—and the occasional woodcutter—in their sticky ground webs.
In addition to potentially dangerous game, you have heard the Echo Wood is home to numerous monsters, bandits, marauding barbarians, and tribes of evil humanoids. Kellid tribesfolk from the steppes of Numeria often pass through the Echo Wood on their way to raid the settlements of the River Kingdoms. Kobolds, ogres, and even a few trolls make their lairs in caves or ruins within the forest, and several prominent goblin tribes have attempted to restore their lost empire of Zog in the scattered temples and dilapidated forts throughout the woods.
All in all, the Echo Wood can be a very dangerous place for the unprepared to visit. And you are walking into it.
The north-man nods in agreement with the elf, writing isn't the best when trying to walk around underbrush, especially in a new landscape. Tangar looked forward to the strange sights the Echo Wood will hold.
Indeed my friend, ve shall save the letters for ven ve are done vit dinner. I vill also show you some of ze runes ve use for vords as vell. Zey are similar to dvarf runes, if you can believe it. Tangar takes up looking around to see if he can see anything odd about them or maybe watching them, he knows something will be just by the rumors he's heard about this wood. Looking up at the canopy he is glad to see the black birds around them. He knows they are smart and make good pets sometimes, as well as alarms when something is nearby.
"Thank you for your assistance Ilyana, Davon. We will see you again soon," Tamlara says as they leave the Stonde family behind.
As the group nears the forest and a marching order is discussed, Tamlara responds,
"Umm, sure, I'd be glad to take up point again. Just . . . umm, let me get my compass out, here. . ."
Tamlara looks a little nervously out at the forest. 'I've never been very deep into the forest before, I hope this compass helps. . .'
As they proceed Tangar watches as Tamlara seems pensive about taking point, he moves closer and puts a hand on her shoulder.. You'll do fine, ve haf confidence in you. If you vant help ask, I vill be right in ze back.. he smiles and squeezes her shoulder slightly so as to not hurt her.
Watching the interaction between Tamlara and Tangar, Aldhranhald comes to a conclusion and reacts accordingly. "You know, Tangar, seeing as you seem to have quite a bit of confidence traipsing through the woods, would you mind taking point instead? I can see Tamlara is, at the very least, uncomfortable with it, and I'd rather not have someone uncomfortable in the lead position. Perhaps Tamlara would be better served at the rear? Dhampir are rarely surprised, so it would keep us from being ambushed on the backside. Also, since we're speaking of it, my idea of our best marching order would be: Tangar, me, Boudacia, Alex, and then Tamlara. Sound good?" Watching as his companions fall into order and follow Tangar's lead into the woods, Aldhranhald pulls his bow from his pack and carries it in his left hand, so it is at the ready, for threats, or a partridge or other game bird if one shows up. Rations are not his favorite food.
At Tangar's approach, Tamlara stops and turns around. Nodding at his words, she seems to gain some confidence, "Thank you, Tangar, I will let you know if I need assistance. " She sounds more sure of herself, but still looks pretty concerned.
When Aldhranhald speaks up, Tamlara looks like a heavy weight has been lifted from her shoulders, and anyone close by can hear her whisper, "Thank the gods!" As she and Tangar switch places, she hands him her compass. "Here, you'll have more use for this right now, though I may need it back once we're under the Spire."
Moving to the back of the group, Tamlara looks much more comfortable, though still on the lookout for anything unusual.
As your walking through the deep woods, it quite noticeable that the sunlight does not penetrate fully through the foliage. It is eerily quiet as you don't hear any birds chirping or any of the usual sounds of nature that you would expect to hear out in the wilds.
The group is walking along and Tangar, Aldhranhald and Boudacia are discussing the differrences between their different languages, while Tangar keeps guiding them further east and further into the woods, the rest of the group is fully on alert trying to watch or listen for any signs of danger.
Suddenly you all see a humanoid creature as he comes walking around the edge of a large bush on the path in front of you, on the other side of the fallen tree. It seems to be surprised at seeing you, but it is immediatley raising a bow, getting ready to take a shot at you.
Boudacia's form shifts, melts, shrinks and transforms. The sound of bones growing and shrinking can be heard. Then two bats streak across the path into the woods on the right of the path, disappearing into the foliage.
Tangar looks over at the elf when he makes his comments about Tamlaras confidence and skill, and his own confidence in the wilds. he was amused.. How vil she ever gain confidence in herself hiding in ze back, also, she has oser skils zat may help her vit zat position.. He shakes his head. When Tamlara offers him the compass he looks at it for a brief few moments as she talks, he's never really seen one, but he has heard of them. His people have something similar, yet different, involving a special crystal.
As she heads to the rear of the group he gives her a soft, almost whispered Takk.. it may be usefill.. he slides it into his pouch for the time being, and grabs up his axe again, as he was doing earlier while they walked to the Stonde Homestead. When she is out of ear shot Tangar mentions to Aldhranhald.. Did you see how her face changed ven I offered her encouragement in taking ze lead, I could haf helped her by guiding her vit tings I noticed, und let her build on her skills in ze vild.. He looks up and around as he's speaking My eyes are no so goot in zis dense forest. Ve cannot even really see ze sun so much... he lets it pass, and they move on..
As they walk and chat, Tangar seems to feel as if they are being watched or.... something is amiss.. as he looks up and sees everyone looking ahead, he too looks and sees the hobgoblin raising a bow at them. His grip tightens on his axe and he hunches over slightly and leans forward, his left arm shrugging in a manner that will bring his shield to his hand.. those near him will hear an almost imperceptible growl come from the north-man..
He barely notices Boudacia change and take flight, his focus entirely on the creature before them, hi knows of them from his fathers teachings of fighting and what to expect in the wild..His breathing starts to quicken.. anticipation builds... the beast is about to be released...
Aldhranhald lowers his left hand, the one holding the bow, and raises his right, the one with the walking staff, slowly, in gesture of greeting. He then hails the hobgoblin. "Good morrow traveler. We mean you no harm. Do you speak common?" He then says, "Sana zarar vermemek demek. Orc'u konuşuyor musun?"
Suddenly you all see a humanoid creature as he comes walking around the edge of a large bush on the path in front of you, on the other side of the fallen tree. It seems to be surprised at seeing you, but it is immediatley raising a bow, getting ready to take a shot at you.
Upon seeing a creature behaving in a threatening manner, Tamlara stops walking and brings her bow up to fire, holding action until/if the hobgoblin actually moves to harm one of her new friends. She hears Aldhranhald talking, but can't make out what he says after the common tongue, so she calls out to the creature herself:
"ra pai! tikanga matou a koutou kihai i aha!"
"He could just be very defensive! I know this place gives me the willies, and anyone who lives or makes their living out here has got to be constantly on guard!"
Tamlara will hold action to see what the hobgoblin does. If he moves to attack, she will shoot her shortbow:
Unsure of what the rest of the party intends to do, Alex simply raises his crossbow, pointing in a general direction towards the hobgoblin and stands at the ready. He does look strangely at Aldhranhald, and those nearby will hear him speaking softly to himself, "We mean it no harm? It's a Hobgoblin! Of course we mean to kill it, as surely as it means to kill us if given a chance! I'll have to talk to him later about this."
The hobgoblin gets surprised when he sees what appears to be a human woman turn into two bats and fly away. And for the briefest of moments, he is caught staring at that. When he hears an enemy speaking peacefully first in common and then in a tongue similar to his which he knows enough to be Orc, but does not understand it, he is slightly confused. Then one of them wishes him a good day in his own tongue and declares again that they mean no harm?
What kind of trickery is this? Are they trying to get me to lower my guard? I know humans kill my kind and we kill theirs! But they actually seem to mean me no harm? The fools will die all the easier!
The Hobgoblin draws back on the string of his bow, obviously about to fire.
Seeing he can't charge the hobgoblin, Tangar moves off the road and through the bushes and forest towards the opposite of where Boudacia headed off. He settles into a spot where he thinks he can get to the creature in the next few moments, as time and movement will allow..
My previous post was a response to an earlier one, but I included my response to seeing the hobgoblin, I figured we'd try to post in init order as we went along.. maybe we should address that in the discussion thread.. I should have just posted a Hold action, but I figured those first up would try to kill it, not talk to it.. sigh..
Alex immediately fires his crossbow at the hobgoblin.
He misses by a wide margin!
Seeing that the hobgoblin means to press the fight, even though he is hopelessly outnumbered, unless he has hidden allies, Aldhranhald drops his quarterstaff to the ground, quickly draws an arrow from the quiver at his side, and fires.
After firing the shot Aldhranhald calls out, "You're hopelessly outnumbered. Surrender now, and we'll spare your life. Press the fight, and you'll meet your gods today!"
When she sees the hobgoblin pull back to fire his bow, Tamlara waits no longer and looses her arrow.
As Alex's shot goes way over the head of the hobgoblin and Aldhranhald's at least comes a good deal closer, Tamlara's shot scores true on the mark! The Hobgoblin lets out a little yelp. He hesitates just the briefest of moments while looking back and forth between the huge, muscly, figure who is approaching through the brush off to his right and the fiery red haired one who just shot him. The huge muscly guy looks like a much more dangerous threat so the Hogoblin turns slightly and fires at Tangar!
Boudacia takes advantage of the available cover to move forward as stealthily as possible, takes cover behind vegetation, and then uses the slumber hex on the orc. Wayne will stay where he is.
For just a split second, you see the hobgoblin get a confused look on his face, but then he straightens back up and continues drawing another arrow.
Aldhranhald draws and fires another arrow.
And again is off the mark. Thrice damnit! He mumbles under his breath.
He then moves up and behind some foliage for a bit of cover.
Not liking the idea of having the group so spread out, nor his being so far away from the majority, Alex moves up closer and takes some cover behind a bush, loading his crossbow as he moves, he then takes another shot at the Hobgoblin he believes fully intends to kill the party.
"Come on Tamlara! Let us move up closer so we are not so separated from the rest of the group!"
This time he takes a better aim at the Hobgoblin so that he doesn't shoot so far overhead.
"Of course, you're right." replies Tamlara as she moves up beside Alex.
Nocking another arrow to her bow as she moves, Tamlara takes a second shot at the hobgoblin.