The group travels southeast across the rolling rocky hills of the Greenbelt, the tall grass making the source of the regions name painfully clear. It also does a good job of making the trail the bandits left obvious as well. It continues on for a few hours, heading ever towards the approaching woods of the Narlmarches in the distance. By the time you reach the forests edge, the sun is nearing the horizon over the tree line, giving the dark forest beneath the canopy a foreboding, ominous feel.
The trail also has become far more difficult to follow, as several game paths cut through the woods and intersect one another in multiple locations...
Travelling behind the two trackers, Chrysa whispers with a tight voice "This would be a perfect place to ambush us."
"Any luck?" she call to the scouts after a few moments of worry.
”We must decide whether we enter the woods and continue our search, or look for leads elsewhere. It will be more difficult to track, here.” In a low voice, ”perhaps if we rest, our foes will believe we are unprepared and weak, and we can take them by surprise, though. But I can keep going in if we want to.”
Dunstan struggles to keep pace with the rest of the group, but doggedly moves forward. "I can keep going as long as needed. The dark doesn't bother me, and I'd like to bring these bandits to justice. I say we keep going for as long as we can track them."
Orri purses his lips for a moment as they stand at the edge of the woods deciding on their next step. "Well, let's weigh it out. If we stop and continue in the morning we will at least be able to see which could be helpful when roaming about the woods, but we could also loose the trail. If we go in now, we are at a disadvantage with the light, but it may provide an advantage to sneaking up on them."
He pauses as he thinks "If everyone else agrees I say we go after them tonight. Dunstan can help us navigate the darkness. We just need to be careful and quiet."
While the thought of pursuing foes in an unknown territory in the darkness was not appealing to her, she does not speak directly to it. "Do we know that we will have an advantage with darkness? Dunstan is able to see clearly at night, perhaps that may be able to as well."
"I am for continuing to pursue them while we have light. If they don't know we are coming now, we still have the element of surprise."
Sophie shrugs, ”I can see well enough in the moonlight, too.” She will attempt to find the trail again.
"I too can see in the dark." Chrysa admits, tilting her head to bring focus to the horns if they had managed to forget about them. "Once I have a trail can scout forward, but until I have one it will be wandering in woods."
The group presses in into the forest, the canopy darkening the undergrowth more than the setting sun already has. Sophiel manages to maintain the trail easily enough. She leads you further into the woods, until you come to the banks of a river, where the trail turns south. As you travel, now with the moonlight glimmering quite serenely on the rippling waters, you eventually spot a campfire ahead in the darkness.
”Uuunnnnnggghhhhh!” you hear a man groan in pain in the distance.
”Shut your belly aching, Happs! You brought this on yourself, you incompetent s**+!” a womans voice barks back.
”Yeah I f@&*ed up! But you didn’t need to do this!” Happs retorts.
”Keep it up, and I’ll do it again!” the woman snaps in response. There is a brief silence before her voice adds ”What was that?”
”Nothin’! I didn’t say nothin’!” Happs shouts back.
”You better believe you didn’t. Don’t push me Happs! Don’t. Push me!” she replies.
Chrysa will make the gesture to the others to wait, thinking actually it would have been a great idea to work on what gestures to use when, but it being too late for that, she just went with a hand up, pointing to herself, her eyes, and then moved quietly to see who/what/how many.
Chrysa slips away, making a bit more noise than what makes the rest of you comfortable. She gets close enough to the camp to make out all the figures around the fire...
Happs’ head snaps up and looks into the darkness of the woods in Chrysa’s direction and he says ”What was that?”
The woman’s head snaps around and she shouts ”Shut the f*+& up, Happs! I’m tired of warning you!”
Nose or toes would have been better. the former bandit thinks to herself. One hand makes the man just shy than from useless, since he was an archer. Better to have just put him down.
But makes their life easier, is her last though before before sliding back into the darkness, hopefully quietly this time, abd back to the others.
Bella leans in to Orri and whispers "What do you think is going on up there? How will we know if she needs help? If she screams?"
Returning back, much quieter than she had left, Chyrsa tells the others "The good news is that the leader of the group we fought has been punished for failing. His hand..." she raises her left hand and wiggles her fingers for effect. "... was the price."
She'll then relate the rest of what she saw.
Sophie puts her hands on her hips, and whispers, "So, our options are: fight, bluff, intimidate, and diplomacy? We could also try drawing a few away alone, or catching them while most are asleep to improve our odds." Sophie considers for a moment, "Bandits or not - as we can attest, nobody is irredeemable," she glances at Chrysa, "so I would prefer that no matter what we do, we give them at least the chance to make amends. If they refuse, so be it, but if we are to lead this land, people of *all* inclinations need to trust that we will act with honor and mercy, I think." More quietly, she adds "As much as we can at least."
Chrysa's eyes narrow a bit at Sophiel's look, lumping her in with them, but she listens to the end.
Then she offers her own opinion, focusing her eyes and words on the half elf "Hanging is the norm for captured bandits. The Stolen Lands have no jails, no guards to watch a work gang, no clerics to tend to the soul. And life is too hard on those being honest to fill those voids." her voice is calm and logical. "Flogging or dismemberment of some kind is an option, but without treatment they'd most like suffer before dying anyway. If they were lucky enough to live, there isn't much out there in the wilds other than desperation and hunger. So back to thieving."
"Any you offer a chance to will grab it. In that there is no doubt. But we are alone. We can't keep prisoners and if we let any go, we'd more than likely get a knife in the dark from at their earliest opportunity." pausing she'll look to each of the others "We are acting with honor by doing the task given to us. And we are acting with mercy by ending them quickly. Anything more is needlessly endangering our lives as well as those of the merchant and his young wife."
Orri considers both of the women's words before chiming in "I have to agree. Our charter was clear that we should strive against banditry and the punishment for those unrepentant was clear. I say we wait for some to go to sleep and then take care of the situation. However, where I would depart from your suggestion..." he motions to Chrysa "is that if any should surrender, then we give them the opportunity to do so."
Sophie nods, "you're right, of course, our charter demands blood. Respectfully, I have known bandits who are malicious fiends, and I have known them who are simply unfortunate folks on a regime's bad side. So if you say these are the former, I defer to your judgement." Sophie nods solemnly and respectfully at Chrysa.
"Regarding my other question, as Orri has pointed out, though, we would do well to engage when some are distracted, either by sleep or by picking them off one-by-one. Sleep seems most effective to me, as he said, as it seems most likely to minimize our casualties."
The group waits in the cover of darkness for the bandits to settle in for the night. It soon becomes clear that the woman in charge, a hateful brunette named Kressle, plans to retaliate on Oleg’s at dawn. She orders her crew to get some sleep.
About an hour later, you spring your attack! It catches the majority of the bandits off their guard, and several throw their hands up in a sleep addled panic immediately! Others grab weapons and defend themselves. They tide of battle grows tense a moment, however, when it soon becomes apparent these bandits have some archers posted in well hidden tree stands! Their fire is enough to distract Isabella at one point, resulting in her taking a heavy club to the rib cage!
Kressle, however, proves to be a capable foe. She locks her axes against Orri’s blade, the two going toe-to-toe for several exchanges. However, she is soon without allies and surrounded! She refuses to surrender, and lunges at Orri aggressively...which opens her up for a heavy slam from Dunstan’s hammer to the back of her skull, sending her unconscious to the ground!
You find yourselves amongst 6 dead bandits, two surrendered lackeys, a surrendering Happs Bydon, and an unconscious Kressle...
After the fight as they round up the prisoners, she'll glare up at the tree stands, irritated at herself for not seeing them, before joining the others.
The discussion has already taken place before the battle, and if the dwarf or the sister does not speak up, Chyrsa knows she is outvoted, so she asks "What is the plan then?" pulling out a rope, she'll work tying the unconscious brunette up. "No matter what the thoughts are on those..." nodding at handless Happs and the lackeys () "... this one can't be let free." obviously talking about Kressle.
Sophie helps to tend to Isabella's wounds, as she can, and takes stock of the situation, wiping some sweat from her brow and cleaning off her hands. "I'm not inclined to let any free, especially not her, but... I guess we can deal with her later."
She squats and speaks to Happs so that she's at his level, "well, what can we do with you." She takes a look at his hand, seeing if there is anything they can do to ease his pain (in the hopes that it could facilitate some info).
Once the fighting ends Orri is quick to tend to his sisters injuries. As Chrysa asks about those who survived and Sophie’s replies, Orri adds ”Let’s secure them and see which ones plan to repentant their bandit ways. Those that do we take with us, those that don’t, we end here.”
Chrysa doesn't argue (as already noted) so once angry brunette has been bound, she'll brush off her clothes and suggest "Might as well use their camp to get some sleep. With watches of course." it still being dark and they have being awake since morning. "I'll go get the horses, if you all keep an eye on our unfortunates here."
"Justice should be dealt to these bandits. If we can get any useful information from the leader here, we should. Otherwise, we should not let them continue with their banditry.
Dunstan is willing to let any who would truly repent be brought back with them, but does not wish to deals with those who would not repent.
"Rest does sound good. Do we know if there are any others who may come back to the camp, however?"
Happs left hand has been roughly chopped off just above the wrist. It is crudely bandaged and still slowly bleeding. He glowers back at Sophiel and grumbles ”Just get on with it. Unless you are gonna cut me whatever deal ya cut her,” as he nods his head towards Chrysa. ”That horned b~&&# has done far worse than me, lemme promise ya...”
Chrysa looks to the dwarf as he speaks about justice, a concept she rarely sees used correctly, and wonders about him. "Good question. We can count the bedrolls to bodies. Even if people are out scouting, more than likely they'd have laid out their bedding first, or left it out from the day before."
As Happs starts pointing fingers, "No deal, Happs. I left the Hag employee on my own terms. No threats of hanging or imprisonment. Just My Choice." at that point she starts moving around the camp gathering the gear from the fallen bodies, not giving him her full attention. "She was dead. You could have left the life, but instead you choose to remain in it. Now these fine people are giving you another choice." her dark eyes lift up to his to give him a hard look, emphasizing "These fine people" to make sure he knows, she would have just killed him.
"Tell them what ever you want about me. The truth, lies, it doesn't matter. Someone higher up has given me this task along with them. And I intended on seeing it through."
As she gets the piles of stuff collected, she'll say to her companions "We should see what belongs to the trading post, and if Oleg knows if any of the rest of the stuff is local. We could claim it all instead but having allies in this place is worth more. In my opinion."
Orri listens to Chrysa's exchange with the man. He twists his whip around his fist and tightens it as he speaks to the surviving bandits "Anyone who wishes to have a better life and give up banditry, join us and help to bring stability to this region. Anyone who doesn't, well I don't think you'll like the alternative. You need to make your decision now."
"Happs, is it? We didn't cut anyone a deal, so far. And for my part, I don't care about my friend's past. She's shown that she is tough, and trustworthy, and that's all that I need." She pauses, and adds, [/b]"But listen to my friend, the decision is up to you, and this is your only chance. I doubt this 'Stag Lord' would extend the same courtesy if we let you go."[/b]
Dunstan feels a bit uncomfortable with his team-mate's past, but will not be making his feelings public (you might notice him giving her some side-eye, however). He begins to gather the items found in the camp to bring to the trading post when they leave. "What say you, then? he asks the bandits.
The two surviving bandits and Happs exchange looks with one another, before giving wary glances to the unconscious Kressle on the ground. ”What proof we got ya won’t just hang us once we talk?” Happs asks. ”And whatcha got planned for her?”
Chrysa looked at the other's hesitation. Sighing she'll say "Oathbreakers die." she cites the River Freedom, knowing he'll understand.
"We won't hang you for banditry if you truly repent and give it up. We won't protect you from past victims or help you start a new life, but we won't kill you for the past one. I swear."
Nudging Kressle with her foot, "She was the boss, wasn't she? Bosses never go free, you know that Happs. What exactly happens to her hasn't been decided, but either way, she won't be coming after you once you spill your guts to us. That we can promise."
It would seem the promise of even a chance at avoiding the hangsman’s noose or the chopping block is enough to loosen their tongues with promises of redemption. They go as far as even feeding some information along in their babbling.
”She wasn’t the boss! Our boss is a monster of a man. Calls himself the Stag Lord. He’s a deadeye with the bow, and I saw him crush a prisoner’s hand to mush in one fist. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen him without his creepy stag helmet on—some of my friends think he ain’t got no face under it, but not me—I think that creepy helm is his face!” one frantically prattles on.
”Pfuh,” Happs scoffs. ”The Stag Lord is a bloody drunk. All that booze under the platform’s for him. He's half of what he used to be, and ain’t never been right in the head. A few weeks ago he punched my horse for spittin' in the yard. Personally, I wouldn't care if he dropped dead tomorrow, but even drunk out of his mind he's still got a fair amount of fight to him. Not to mention that he keeps a strange old man locked up in the basement. I suspect the old guy might actually be running the show, using the Stag Lord as a puppet, you know. I got a look into the old guy’s eyes once, and it terrified me. He ain't someone I'd want to cross...”
Orri is a little surprised at the wealth of information but he notices some glaring omissions asking for some clarification "Well, most importantly where can we find this stag lord? How many other groups does he have out in the wilderness like your little band?"
Sophie adds, ”and are any of his other minions especially dangerous or ... redeemable? It sounds like he’s far gone, but the more allies the better.” Sophie watches Happs carefully for signs of deception.
Chrysa listens as the others question Happs and the others. The comment about Kressle not being the boss does put a wrinkle in the needing to kill her. She still thinks it would be best if they ended her, but decides not to push the matter.
Pulling out the silver stag amulet the hatchet woman had been wearing, letting it dangle in the firelight, she asks, "Do all the bosses get a fancy necklace, or was she special?" to no one in particular, just open air musing.
Happs adds ”He has a fort down south. And crews spread out doin’ s@+* for him. All of his lieutenants get one of them there pendants to show whose runnin’ a crew. I been assigned to that b#%%*es team for a few months now. But he has several more. And he is gettin’ more followers daily,” before he looks up at Orri and scoffs ”You all got lucky here, but you won’t last long down here. No one does except the Stag Lord, but good luck killin’ that prick.”
Isabella is frustrated she is caught by surprise and takes the club to her ribs. As her brother and Sophie lord over her to get her in tip-top shape again, she tries to make it as quick as possible and clearly isn't interested in undue attention. She repeatedly tells everyone that she is fine when she cleary is in pain.
Though she has a way with words, she is quite happy to let the others to the talking to the prisoner. As the information pours in, she tries to break it apart into useful segments.
Dunstan eyes the prisoner, and is slightly caught off-guard with all of the information that he is spouting. He seems like a fool who got caught up with the wrong crowd, so feels better about letting him free. This sounds like a much bigger problem than just a couple of bandits harassing a trading post. We should take care of these guys here, rest a bit, and see if the trading post needs any more help before making further decisions. I'm all for going after this Stag Lord, but lets get this sorted out first.
"Agreed." Chyrsa nods at Dunstan. "Night time then." Pointing at the three conscious prisoners. "The oath is in place, no hangings, unless you try and escape in the night of course. So Don't."
She'll check their bindings to be sure, then work with the others on a watch, suggesting Dunstand and herself for the first watch, being their nightvision is best.
Sophie nods, and stretches out, "best if I get my beauty sleep, then, right?" she smiles slightly and adds, "wake me up early, I prefer the liminal hours." She promptly retires to a private tent and heads to sleep.
The night passes uneventfully for the group. As the sun rises, you all see that Kressle is finally starting to stir from her trauma induced slumber. Moreover, her forehead has a crude sketch of what appears to be a pile of feces on it (and likely drawn with the same substance).
”’ey. Brody,” Happs says to one of the other bandits. The man looks over at Happs, as the one-handed man says ”Nice hair.”
The bandit looks confused before a frustrated look comes across his face, and then he tosses his head back and forth to try and get some of his hair in front of his eyes. His lime green hair. ”SON OF A B&&#!!” he exclaims.
The trek back to Oleg’s is a quiet one, but your victorious arrival plants a look of obvious relief on Oleg’s face. ”Well done, My Lords and Ladies! Well done! We are forever in your debt. My guest house is always open for you and yours, if ye ever need it!”
He then stomps over to the prisoners and smirks. He spits on Kressle’s face, and punches Happs before adding ”I’ll get me some rope. We’ll hang ‘em from the walls as a warning to any o’ there buddies!”
"We cannot help you, sir." Chrysa states, getting off her horse, and giving him a honest regretful look "We gave our Oath that we would not hang them for their past if they repent and tell us what they know about the stag lord." pointing to Haps and two others "Those three did. But we also promised that we would not protect them from past victims though which would be you and your wife." she'll look to the others to see if they wish to argue.
Isabella does not argue with Oleg's plan. Agreeing with Chrysa, she adds "We have fulfilled our stated terms. Whatever justice you wish to bring upon them rests in your hands."