Desvartes takes a five foot step to his left, the better to open up his allies firing lanes and possibly to begin flanking the bug0bear.
"While I do apologize for the lack of entertainment." Des quips to the Qa'drahn-es, "Perhaps the fine lady would care to join the fun?" He asks her. Then return his whole focus to their larger foe.
"You know, while I really doubt it will catch on as a fashion statement, you should do more to keep your pelt in better condition. I mean, how many people are going to pay good money for a mangy Bug-near pelt cloak?" And Desvartes' grin is back to being mocking and feral.
Cole shoots the Qa'drahn a murderous glare, before he takes his holy symbol out and holds it aloft, rasps a prayer to Iomedae, (and once again is amazed he still has his gods favor).
Once he has finished he turns to glare at the Qa'drahn mercenary "All right, what the hell do you want?"
Mash's unconscious body slightly smirks at both the healing and mention of disreputable. He doesn't know what it means, but he's been called it so often that he deems it a compliment, even when unaware.
Cole walks over to the unconscious form of Mash, and then cats another healing spell on him.
He then stands up, and addresses the Qa'drahn, "So, why does the Raja send his pet assassin, to harass travelers? Oh wait, let me guess, because you heard about our package, and the Raja decided he could not live without another knick knack to add to his collection? Am I right?"
Desvartes definitely tries his best not to show how badly he is wounded in front of the lady. He simply goes about cleaning his weapons and then searching/stripping the fallen Bug-bear.
"Now, where did our recently walking carpet of a combatant put his advance reward payment?" Des mutters to himself as he searches.
Now at 5 hp, Mash opens his eyes.
Now at 5 hp, Mash opens his eyes.
Cole mutters, "Keep your weapons sheathed, or by the gods, I'll put you down again."
Mash stands up. "Very well, god-man."
Cole returns her glare with one of his own. "Really? Put that damn blade away. We both know if you wanted us dead, our blood would already be staining the forest floor. Well, since your master seens to be full of wisdom, I suppose he did not authorize you to impart such gifts on us lowly travelers, am I right?"
Cole replies to her, "I don't trust you either, so no worries there." He looks to the unconscious form of his brother, and his voice softens, "Now, if you help him out, it would go a long way to building trust again."
"Well, looks like we camp here for the rest of the day." He turns to the Qa'drahn and continues, "Unless you have a mount we can use for towing a litter, we are waiting here until the next morning. Sorry about the delay, Miss, but I am sure the Raja will understand, these things happen."
With a slight wince Des walks casually over to the healer of his little group of merry men.
"Sorry to be a wet blanket, but would you perchance happen to have a tad more amount of pick me up available? He asks quietly, both trying not to draw attention to his wounded state as well as hide his intentions from the Quidaran woman.
This group is starting to try my patience. With a sigh, he pulls out his holy symbol of the Lady Iomedae, and concentrates for a moment, then healing energy flows out to encompass the party.
After the group settles in for the night, Mash goes over to the cleric. "Thank you for saving me back there. I am in your debt. If you like, I could stand watch over the Other during the night."
Cole, lost in thought, thinking about how this trip has deteriorated, jerks his head up at the half orcs statement. "Ehh, don't mention it. I do appreciate the offer, but I would feel safer watching him on my own. Not saying I don't trust you, just, I can't sleep now anyway." He thinks for a moment, and says, "Why don't you take my watch later tonight, I won't need much sleep by then, Mash."
Mash beats his right fist into his armor as a symbol of obedience. "Just tell me when."
"You got it, Mash."
Cole will keep a watch out, and just after he wakes Mash up, before he rolls his bedroll out, he motions Mash over, and whispers, "Make sure no harm comes to that one", indicating the Qa'drahn. "We need answers, and her corpse won't tell us any tales."
"Lok'tar." He then moves to with two feet of the Qa'drahn's head, and stands tall while maintaining watch. He keeps his shield and sword ready.
Keselous finally comes to if he wasn't knocked unconscious then he must have fainted. feeling a bit better with the prayers of a cleric healing him.
He looks to mash and the woman sleeping near them What the hell, is she doing in camp?
Cole, after waking Mash up for his watch,rolls out his bedroll, hearing his brother's snores, thinks Yeah, he'll be fine. I recognize that snore anywhere. Looking over at the Qa'drahn, his thoughts are more confused, and briefly considers have ner not wake up, but discounts the idea. What is your game, woman. Why save our lives back there instead of finishing us off after having that bugbear weaken us? What does this artifact do? If it is so powerful, why send a bunch of novices to transport it? Who is the mole...then slumber claims Cole, and soon after, his snores echo his brothers.
Raff slowly rises from unconsciousness. He sees that his little group has all made it through the encounter as well as the woman that put him out of it.
"Ok, normally I pay good money for a woman to treat me like that. What's the current situation with our mission?"
Raff is comforted by his brother's presence. He takes stock of their equipment and supplies.
Des groans as morning dawns. He's cold, stiff. Been lying upon the ground and the prospects of a morning bath are nil. He grins though, at least he has woken up, which is surely a good sign.
Rising slowly Des takes in the other members of his group and the Qa'drahn woman.
*Well, the enemy that doesn't kill me in my sleep is potentially my ally.* He thinks philosophically as he straightens himself out and goes about making himself presentable. Pouring a small amount of water into a pot to warm over their small camp fire.
"Morning chaps!" He calls to every one.
Cole rises from his short rest, and proceeds to call on the glory of Iomedae to honor her servant with her blessings.
Once the others have woken he nods in agreement at the dusk skinned elf, "Aye it is morning, we should get moving, but first we need to talk before she wakes."
Seeing everyone wake up, Mash tells everyone he'll be back. He will attempt to scavenge for food, preferably meat.
Survival
Keselous sneers at the woman and not saying a word repeats his question from before with but a look. His thoughts are read plainly on his face and his disgust with the woman remains there.
"I just don't understand where she is coming from, gutting Mash and then dismissing us as acquaintances.sharing camp with us. it doesn't add up. if she wanted to be friend us she could've met us down the road and warned us about the trap. I don't understand her game whatever it is, but I don't like it.