[centre][b]Calais Cousland 
Near the loch west of Deliar[/b][/centre]

Calais along with the other two rangers, Wilson and Baldrick, left the vineyard later that day after ensuring that they each had full stomachs, some supplies and that their horses had gotten at least a bit of rest. They were of course eager to catch up with the bandits that Calais had been scouting, and so rode long and hard through the morning and through the evening. Given where the bandits were last spotted and the rough direction in which they were heading, the rangers were able to guess the route they would have taken for there were only a couple of old trails that they were likely to have followed. Wilson spotted their tracks not long before the sun went down and so they stopped to discuss their next course of action. [b]“We’re fortunate to have such a keen eye in our midst”[/b] commented Calais causing the older ranger to smile. 

[b]“You’re too kind brother.”[/b] Wilson replied as he studied the tracks, [b]“It looks like you were right, they are heading towards the loch. Unless they’ve taken to the woods, they have missed the trails that would have led em’ to Deliar. Given that the snows not yet completely covered these tracks I would guess that we’re only a short distance behind them.”[/b] 

Baldrick beamed at that, [b]“Then if we’re quick we can bring the rot to justice before the night grows too dark!”[/b]

[b]“Are you really so fucking stupid?”[/b] hissed Calais, [b]“We’re not here to take them out. We’re simply following them and ensuring that they don’t cause further harm. Once we have a better idea of what these bastards are up to we can get the local guards on them.”[/b]

Baldrick was gobsmacked at what he heard, [b]“But we’re rangers! Not cowards! It’s our duty to kill this scum!”[/b]

Wilson turned to his apprentice, empathetic to his words. [b]“Our duty is to keep the peace. Not to kill everyone we take a disliking to. Calais is right lad. Besides, there are ten of them and three of us. Even if we all fired straight and our arrows found their marks we would be lucky if each of us took down two men before we would be forced into a melee, at which point we would still be outnumbered. If they are deserters it means that they are trained and maybe have some battle experience; they may be wise enough to find cover from our fire and will likely destroy us in close combat. Now then, let’s get going before we lose them”[/b]