[IC] Into The Dark: Mercenaries (Heroes of Fame and Fortune)

[Jb]

The Wood Elf listened intently to everything that was being said, relegating herself to standing in the shadows and sipping at her ale from time-to-time, her eyes flickering back and forth between the assembled sell-swords in a somewhat absent minded manner. Some might think that she was nervous and on edge in the company of so many, and they would be right! She had never liked spaces surrounded by walls - not even toppled and ruined ones - and certainly held no love for being squashed together with such an assemblage of bodies, armour and weapons as this.

"Arassel," she offered to those about her, and to the self-proclaimed Captain, her voice like the tinkling of glass pieces or wind-chimes in a breeze, "archer, tracker and woodsman."

Apart from that she was loathe to offer anything to the current discussion, partly because she was too busy staring at the Elf from her distant kindred who spoke before the flaming Dwarf, and secondly because she couldn't care any less for the lives of this 'lord' or his underlings, in fact she would have been quite happy to sacrifice them all if it helped them get rid of the bandits afterwards.

Taking another draught of ale, and becoming quite used to the rather beige taste - not like Elven ale...not at all - she knew that if anyone wished to address her then they would; until then she would go back to her silent vigil at the rear of the group.

[The Fated Fallen]

Geremiah had first been a little scared of all the strange folks drifting in. It was obvious he didn't fit in, here more than anywhere else (and that was saying something.) But this talk of fighting was getting his blood up. He'd had precious little experience of it in the army, but slaying bandits was a service to the every-man. An honourable job!

"I propose a good charge up the middle, with any fortified archers being taken down by our own or nullified by shields and armour. They could well have some sort of gate, but it seems like we have our own battering ram!" he nodded towards the almost scary Dwarf with flaming hands. "Failing that he could just climb over the walls and give them a good fright! I'd expect them to surrender once that happens, their main advantage will have been lost and the fight knocked out of them."

Geremiah already felt hostile glances thrown towards him, knowing he had hardly answered the question they were in quandary about. But there was no right answer to that one, it was up to the Captain to decide

[Free Faller]

Throughout the exchange of ideas, Laila took the time to examine her left hand while she listened to the others. She sighed silently at the holes she’d stabbed into the supple leather where her two missing fingers should have been as she rolled the proposed mission plans around in her head. Most of the others seemed to favor helping the Lord and taking the bandits head on. She wasn’t a huge fan of that. In fact, she wasn’t a huge proponent of fighting anybody who had the advantage. She preferred to manipulate the situation until she had the upper hand. Smart rogues always lasted longer than the strong ones.

“Or,” Laila said stretching out her legs under the table nonchalantly. “We could soften up their ranks before we… run at them." She didn't seem pleased at the prospect of running at a fortified position with about a dozen men. "I know of a man in the tent city that makes a lovely poison. It’s mostly non lethal and difficult to detect, but it takes about four to six hours to take effect and has,” she paused and looked up towards the sky, seemingly searching for the correct common word to use, “...explosive… results.”

Her lazy smile turned a bit wicked. “If we sneak someone in and put in their morning meal, they would most likely still split their forces before the poison began working. We wait until they are sick and then strike,” she shrugged a little and then added, “If your lord and his men cannot defeat a weak enemy as such, well, there’s only so much hand holding one his station should have. And if we're attacking these bandits for your large friend's vengeance,” she added to the captain, "then why don't we make them suffer a bit for their trouble, yes?"

Laila, having said her piece, straightened in her chair slightly and softened the hard light caste about her kohl lined eyes. “My name is Laila,” she said like she hadn't just been talking about poisoning men and then slaughtering them. Her right hand moved up to her heart and she nodded her head at the lot before her, though it seemed more like an inbred, compulsive cultural norm than a sincere gesture. “And I am an unguilded rogue.”

[BayRat]

I looked back and fourth between my fellow mercenaries and are employers. Watching them discuss strategy and our objective. Charging head on or weakening their forces from within, such talk wasn't on my mind, I had other things to ask. "Thats all well and good, but I think ill be the first to address the more important topic. Should we succeed exactly how much will each of us be paid?" I sat up from a relaxed position as I spoke, glancing at my soon-be comrades before continuing.

"forgive me if I'm being a bit blunt or greedy, but I made a promise to a good friend of mine. And I'm not about to risk my hide if the pay is cheap. I expect that we will be paid handsomely for such a dangerous task. Dont get me wrong I like the idea of sharing extra loot and being rewarded with what we kill, but if the loot there is rubbish and your bounties for each head is as cheap as dirt that isnt really exciting." I paused a bit to remove my helmet. "My name is Fafnir Sigurd, and I hope that it will be a pleasure serving with you lot."

[BCTheEntity]

Nuva Doer listened as a number of other ploys were described. In particular, the idea suggested by the human Laila was one that seemed to increase their chances of success without overwriting most other plans save the first, since it relied on the poisoning of the bandits' morning meal. It sounded like the Captain wasn't necessarily enthralled with the idea of a night assault anyway... so, it came down to his opinion on whether or not to split the group. After Fafnir's display of interest in payment, Nuva chose to spoke again.

"I maintain my opinion on which strategy would be best to handle these bandits," he stated, "but considering the numbers, any assistance we can get in terms of weakening the bandits would be appreciable. If nothing else, it'd slow them down, and make tracking any who escape an initial fight against the lord and his retinue easier, which of course both make Jex's job far easier.

"As for payment," he continued, staring over at Fafnir, "recall that if this plan and the subsequent ogre hunting goes as intended, we are practically guaranteed a position in the area as a certified guild, rather than merely a group of bounty hunters. One presumes payment would therefore be in-built for this job, Sigurd."

[Fuzzybootz]

“Such tactics would be unwise, Lady Laila” Zin commented calmly. “Suitable time is needed to obtain such poisons and uncertainty in whether it will actually work. Neither of which can be afforded.” Zin left out the fact he believed that such tactics were cowardly and dishonorable. It would leave them no better than the bandits themselves.

Zin grew sick at thought of fighting an opponent he knew was handicapped. He glanced over to Captain Kayden to see his reaction and hoped the man had the same sense of honor. Zin only assumed Captain Kayden knew something of his actions and that was why Zin had been asked to this gathering.

Idly he ran one of his hands over the hilt of his Kukri. It was a nervous habit that he had picked up not long after his banishment. Constantly his eyes darted across the unfamiliar place and he strained to hear any more unexpected surprises. The horrors of his failure had increased his paranoia of the unknown.

[POOHEAD189]

The 2nd swordsman stood up. He had a well groomed mustache, and wore a red and golden Brigandine over a Gambeson. A well crafted rapier was strapped to his belt. He announced his name as Regeland. "Oui monsieur. T'would be bettere' to save ze noblemon and perhaps gain a few favours in ze city perhaps? I hear zere is an excellent brothel we could peruse once ze competiti-"

The fully armored Knight behind him dropped the steel ball at the end of his mace, letting it crack the stone on the ground to gain attention. His face was still fully covered by his heavy infantryman's Sallet. "We must focus on the Keep. I think even half of the criminals dead would suffice to win the competition. The forest is teeming with bandits and monsters. Our group is large and competent from what I've seen. We can mop up a few Gnoll or Orc bounties on our way back to Starkvale. So says I, Haukford."

"We can't take that chance." Virgil said with his deep voice rising, the old Knight glancing towards the heavily armored soldier.

"Enough! I've heard enough." Kayden said, quieting them all down. He waited until they were all staring at him, or had at least buttoned their lips. "This is the plan..." he said, and waved them all forward to glance at the map. "Tonight, Jex will take me to the Keep and show me the way there. There's a secret passageway he spotted before, and it's supposed to be lightly guarded. I will find that location and keep the knowledge for our trek tomorrow. Hobbnob." The Captain said, glancing the Gnome's way. "I want you, Arassel, Zin, Leonard, Regeland, and Jex to lie in wait here-" he pointed to the map near the bridge where the Lord was to pass supposedly. "All of you are either quick on your feet, or small enough to remain unnoticed. More importantly, most of you are ranged. You'll ambush the attackers once they fully engage with the Knights. Meanwhile, I will lead the rest of us toward the keep and into the secret passageway. I will need everyone to be alert because we know little of the Fort's layout and what these bandits are capable of."

He looked towards the Enchantress. "Cassila, you're right. We cannot destroy all of the bandits in these two moves. Once the guerilla team and the Knights have repelled the highwaymen, they will flee back to their fort bruised and battered and with lesser numbers. We'll keep a man or two alive at the Fort, and if you would, beglamour them into opening the gates and luring the rest of the men inside. We will shut the gates, and finish them off. Perhaps with a trap by Gurnson, or old iron blades. If this is to work, this means we are on a time frame, do you understand?" His voice was solid and hard.

"It will take about two or three hours to make it from the road to the Fort, which means we have roughly 4 or so hours, maybe 5, to slit the throats of the men already stationed within, for us to be ready for the stragglers returning. I don't know about you all, but I plan on being a rich man in less than a weeks time and no fucking criminals or incompetent team members are going to get in the way of that. If anyone has any questions or concerns, now is the time. If not, we'll meet here two hours after dawn."

"We have anymore Ale?" Morek asked.
"No" Kayden said, and the Dwarf looked crestfallen.

[frapet]

Halbark tuned in again as Kayden spoke, the time in the meanwhile he had passed by stealing a last mug of ale and clinking the tips of his gauntlet-clad fingers together in monotone repetition.
To the castle it was then, he was happy enough about that. When laying a trap was mentioned a grim formed under his gaping mask. Again he failed to notice that he was speaking.

"Traps, I like traps, traps are like a piece of art you know, bit of sulphur here, bit of oil there. Oh and twine! There is always twine involved.”

Halbark wasn’t really intending to stock up, he was sort-off always ready to go, shopping always was a coincidence rather than an intentional thing with him.

[rush99999]

"You can have my ale, Master Dwarf. I've sworn off the stuff after what it did to the liver of my Uncle Stumpy, EverGod rest his soul". With that said, Hobnob slid his unused flagon across the table towards the armoured dwarf. Although he didn't drink it himself, Hobnob had won many a friend and investor through the use of ale. And judging by the look on Morek's face when Kayden said there was no more ale, the gnome had a feeling that he'd be getting a thumbs up from the dwarf for this small act of ale based generosity.

"I'm going to go and round up my crew" Hobnob announced to the room in general "Once I've done that, my crew and I will see the people who are part of the guerrilla team at the bridge for the big ambush. I can already tell that it's going to be fun!". With that said, Hobnob hopped off his chair and made for the door. On his way out he activated the night vision enchantment on his goggles so that he could see in the dark that the night had brought.

[Austronaut]

Cassilda shrugged inwardly, it seemed a needless risk to aid the lord, but if it bought them favors in the town perhaps it would be a worthwhile trade. She briefly considered going to the bandits and selling them information about the impending attack. It would be a quick profit, assuming she lived, but what would it gain her. A few gold pieces here and there didn't matter when there were greater prizes to pluck.

For a long moment she considered it, before surrendering to the convience of the current situation. Maybe this captain knew what he was doing after all.

"Three or four prisoners," she said consideringly, her hand toying with her veil.

"Sometimes they don't survive, best to have spares," she concluded.

It would be a simple matter to pin the survivors between the gate and their own force, then shower them with crossbow bolts, and stone until they surrendered. She pulled the veil up over her nose and mouth.

"I am ready when you are captain."

[POOHEAD189]

Morek seemed curious about Halbark, then glanced Hobnob's way, and he gave the Gnome an approving nod and thumbs up. "Thank ye" as he scooped up the flagon and drank it in two gulps. Kayden grinned at Morek, and then looked Cassilda's way. He gave her a wink at her comment. Not a suggestive wink, but one of approval for the remark. "Right. See you all in the morning."

---

It was now roughly two hours after dawn for the companions. Kayden sat upon the roughly tumbled wall idly sharpening his fine arming sword as the companions met him at the base of the ruined tower. His dark hair glistened as if he had just been in the river, and the bejeweled rings upon his fingers glinted in the sunlight. Truly it was a fine day today, a clear blue sky with only scattered clouds. A bit warm though, for those in armor. Spring was finally here.

As the mercenaries approached, they'd see Jex atop the tower like a silent sentinel. In the light, his alien and monstrous form was fully revealed for all to see. It was as if a draconic crocodile had merged with a large man in some unholy union, and taken up arms to enact vengeance upon its enemies. Morek was nowhere to be seen as of yet. Regeland the duelist made his way to the tower and gave an extravagant wave to the Drabarian. "Monsieur creature! Yez, you! We are to be lee-veeng soon, yez?"

Haukford strode forward, looking as if he had never taken his full plate armor off the night before. Virgil rode up on a brown mare from the east, moving the beast expertly up the rocky and forested rise. He was older, but still had a lean, handsome and admirable quality about him. His eyes were iron grey, just as his burly mustache was slowly becoming.

Kayden looked up at the assembling crew, and slid the stone over the blade one last time before sheathing it and getting to his feet. "Those to the keep, gather around me. Those going into the forest, heed Jex." As if on cue, the Drabarian leaped off the tower top nimbly, using his steel claws to slow his descent somewhat by scraping them along the old stones of its walls. Leonard the Darkslayer was standing at the ready closer to the treeline. Regeland joined him, and Jex loped over towards the spot as well.

[rush99999]

Meanwhile at the bridge where the ambush would happen, Hobnob and his crew were already lying in wait for the bandits. During the night, the gnomes had decided to set up some traps for the bandits. They had set up the ideal amount of traps in under an hour. But since they had an entire night of trap preparation, Hobnob and his crew got a little overzealous. And by overzealous, I mean you couldn't take 2 steps on that bridge without springing 1 of the many traps that Hobnob or 1 of his crew had placed down.

Rope snares leading to nearby bushes of stinging nettles were attached to weight sensitive plates of cheese. 4 small kegs of gunpowder were strapped to the underside of the bridge. Tripwire keeping a plethora of swinging blades suspended high in the trees was tied to each vertical bar on the side railing of the bridge. Glyph activated hallucinogenic dart launchers pointed at the bridge were concealed among the trees. And for reasons known only to Hobnob, a small white dog suspended by a rope was hanging high up in the treetops, waiting to be lowered down by the code word that only Hobnob knew.

The crew of gnomes all now hid within a hastily constructed bird hide that blended into the trees surprisingly well. Inside, Hobnob and his crew were all patting themselves on the back at a job well done. "Great work everyone!" Hobnob said to his crew as he watched for the bandits with his thermal vision "Those bandits won't know what hit them! There's no way this can fail!".

[BCTheEntity]

Nuva had refused to drink along with the others that night. He preferred doing so in environments where his identity would not be revealed, and felt that to do so might hinder him the next day regardless. Thus, he was somewhat more invigorated after a night of- thankfully uninterrupted- rest. Heeding Kayden's call obligingly, he trudged over to him in the very same clothes and armour he'd worn the day before, rumpled after having in fact slept in them just in case. Replacing them without damage from his arm was difficult regardless. It had occurred to him just that morning that the keep assault would likely involve stealth as much as the ambush against the bandit attack, but far be it for him to question orders (though confirmation either way was still on the cards). It'd presumably progress to a full-frontal assault soon enough, anyway - his specialty, as it were. Perhaps another reason he'd been called into this group.

"So," he pondered, deciding said confirmation was better gained now than later, "might I ask what our strategy for this infiltration will involve, captain? Who'll lead the group, who'll protect the rear, and such forth?"

[POOHEAD189]

Kayden's hand rested upon his sword hilt, and he viewed the assembled team set before him. "So," Nuva asked, "might I ask what our strategy for this infiltration will involve, captain? Who'll lead the group, who'll protect the rear, and such forth?"

"Luckily, we can afford to travel in a loose formation as it stands, though you'll be following me since I know the way. The Fort is called Fort Hillcrest. It was abandoned a century or two ago, and was thought to be lost to the sands of time and perhaps ripped apart by giants. Seems cutthroats found it instead. It was built to guard the northern pass and to overlook the Deth'ulun, yet able to blend into the mountainous terrain."

Kayden looked to Virgil. "Horses aren't a good idea where we're going. Once we got the place, you'll be able to use the stables there."

"No matter." Virgil said and dismounted. He gave a smirk. "Rather rein my mount here than back at camp. Less likely to be stolen."
"That goes for all of you." Kayden said.

He gestured with a nod of his head for them to follow, then gave a curt wave to Jex as the team gathered around him. The group going after the Fort began to move, heading north of the guard tower ruins and proceeding through a rocky, lightly forested terrain that seemed to curve northeast. "We'll meet Morek up ahead." he told them, the Captain moving with the energy only a fit young man had. "Once we get there, I'll show you the way in. It should only be lightly guarded from within. We'll need to keep our heads down though for patrols on the wall."

He lead them east suddenly, and experienced woodsman could see a very small path under their feet from where Jex and Kayden had been traveling earlier. The forest was thicker here as they moved, and they had various sightings of wildlife. A Wolf stopped in the path before them, alert and watching, before disappearing within the brush as if it had never been. It was fortunate that they had not run into something more aggressive as of yet. Perhaps it was because of their next stop 3 hours in.

A small dell surrounded by gnarled Oaks held Morek the Dwarf smoking a pipe silently. The bark on the Oak trees were stained with blood, and 3 Orc corpses lay sprawled upon the ground. The Dwarf used one of their bodies as a makeshift stump to rest upon. He only had a small scratch on his left pauldron to show he had been in any kind of scuffle.

"Ready tae go?" The Dwarf asked. "We'll rest here a bit and get something to eat." The Prince replied. Haukford approached Morek and examined the muscled, moss green corpses. The Orc heads were primitive and monstrous, with tusks and yellow pig eyes. "Not bad." the armored man said, his voice emanating out of his helm.

"I aint seen an Orc up close in many years. Brings back old memories." Virgil said, and lit a pipe of his own to smoke for awhile. It was less than half an hour of a rest, and they set off once again with Morek at the Prince's side.

Soon they made it to the foothills and crags before the northern mountains, which lead into a more precarious path that wound deeper into the rocky terrain. Up they went. The Dwarves would have an easier time making their way across the sides of the mountains, their short but powerful legs used to such hikes. It was grueling work, but at long last their trail ended when Kayden held up a hand to halt the team, and then gestured them to stay low and quiet. Within minutes, their path winded into more ubiquitous curves before they ended up near what seemed to be a tall trench that was roughly human height. Kayden lifted his head to peek over quicky, then slipped down and rested his back quietly against the back wall in the middle of his group.

Fort Hillcrest. It looked like the gates were opening just in time.

---

---

Meanwhile...
"Well well, it certainly appears zat our litt'el Gnome frrrand is not accompanying us on zis fine day, eh?" Regeland said. Jex the Drabarian looked at them in a way that was difficult to tell whether or not he was sizing them up to eat or to see if they would slow him down.

"Come." was all the Bounty Hunter said, and his tail flicked as he spun and waded into the trees. The rest of them followed, moving with the experienced precision of those accustomed to the woods, or at least those with a knack for being light footed. Instantly the forest was much thicker than most would have previously guessed merely by looking from the mountains or a city wall.

Strange noises and animal baying would slip in and out of earshot as they moved. Green and brown filled their vision, as did the small rays of sunlight that poked onto the forest floor. Jex would switch between running on both legs, to moving on all fours, and even leaping up to swing off branches every now and then, using the dexterity one would expect from a creature or practiced ranger.

Two hours into traveling, Jex suddenly halted, and glanced back at those behind him. His intimidating gaze flashed with warning, and suddenly he leaped up into the tree that was at his side, grabbing hold of the lowest and strongest branch and scuttling up further until he was safely hidden within the trees leaves. There were many moderately sized trees around them to either climb up or hide behind. A few thick bushes were to their left. To the right were mainly weeds and various foliage.

The Elves would hear it first, but soon even the men would. It sounded like an inhuman laughter mixed with a mad dog's bark, and there were multiple of them drawing closer. Gnolls...
@Austronaut@Fuzzybootz@Jbcool@rush99999@boomlover@BCTheEntity@frapet@The Fated Fallen@Free Faller@dragonmancer@Fubsy

[frapet]

Halbark kept to the middle of the group heading for Fort Hillcrest, humming a Dwarven drinking song with deep tones along the way. Sometimes the clatter of vials and clay work pots might’ve jarred those trying a more stealthy stroll through the woods.

Halbark didn’t even seem aware that a wolf crossed their path and only when they reached Morek did he speak up (though he would earlier if spoken too), his constant humming pausing for the occasion.

“Orcs, by me singed beard, very very dead. Good job Kinsman.”

Halbark needn’t be told to get some rest twice. As soon as it was said he stopped and sat down rigorously. He ceremoniously pulled some beef jerkey out a sack hanging from his wooden backpack. After the meal he disregarded any of the orders to ‘stay low’ on the premise that he was a Dwarf. He did halt the humming though as the castle came up ahead.

[Fubsy]

---

---

The forest obeyed no one. It was neither slave nor servant, but rather the overlord that watched them all. Clothed in silken shadows, the green intertwined with whispers of the woods. Songs of what lay beneath the dappled sun and dark. No rhythm to their chorus, but there needn't be one. A rise and fall of chirps and snarls and rushes. A song that followed no rules. Gone were the laws, save for the primal instinct of kill or be killed. There was a wildness in the trees. Something alive with a tense energy. Watching like the hunter. Hiding like the prey. Beautiful like a painting. A masterpiece of dappled greens and browns and blacks and whatever lay scattered on the master's pallet. Something, Silias learned as slender shrubs faded to thick trunks, that one will never be accustomed to.

The Sahib stared out the carriage's small window, a thoughtful look on his face as the scenery tumbled by. In his left hand danced a coin, falling and rising over his slender fingers. Up and up and down once more. It was more of a habit than anything. Something to do when the soul was distant but the body needed something to do. His body swayed with every small bump, the carriage unused to such terrain. It was a small little thing, with few adornments and a tight, uncomfortable interior. But it was cheap and inconspicuous--a necessary sacrifice for such a...hefty load.

His fingers faltered for a moment and the coin slipped, saved only by the quick snatching of his right hand. Then, like an unfaltering machine, the coin was back dancing across his hand. The delivery. Nearly an ox's weight of iron, with a quarter as much Valdium. Valuable treasures for a valuable ally. As calm as he was, a slight shiver of anxiety crept up his spine at the thought of such a delivery. The trip had been calm enough, the only set back being a dead knight from an Orc attack, but he had learned that such fanciful whimsies did not last long. Fate was cruel, but luck was crueler. Still, there was no point in turning back. Only a day's left of travel remained, and he needed that Count. In a world of treachery and bloodshed, allies were important, and this one was no exception.

"Milord?" the silvery voice pierced Silias' thoughts, dragging him back beneath the shadowy forest canopy.

Silias turned sharply, his gaze meeting that of an elegant, young half-elf. "Val'rasar," his bronze voice rumbled pleasantly, the pleasant lilt of an accent evident as he spoke, "are you in need of something?"

"Merely wondering if you were alright." Val'rasar bowed her head slightly, her pale hair hiding her eyes as her gaze flitted ever so briefly to the two others that accompanied the carriage ride. "You seem rather...distracted."

Silias chuckled softly. "Have no worries, my dear. Just lost in thought."

He turned back to the window, though his eyes flickered to the others that sat with him. There were three of them, the Sahib not included. All were, to his comfort, familiar faces. Though half-elves were rarity in the deserts of Arad Luin, that did little for chance to bring Val'rasar and Silias together. Fierce and fiery, it was her skill with a blade that brought the fierce warrior to Silias' attention. Since then had been only a couple of years since her hiring as a retainer, yet in that time she had proved her worth on countless occasions. Sitting beside her, with the features of a withered apple and the body of a long dead corpse, wheezed Advisor Nezar Sarasala. Though as ancient as the woods they traversed in, the Rasheek had been employed by the House Rahmin since before Silias was born, guiding his parents before the...incident. Across from them, sitting beside Silias, was Run. No last name, no first name. Only a title of what he could do: Run. The servant boy was small, even for a child of eight. He grew sick quickly and seldom spoke, but he worked hard and followed orders.

"Soldiers, halt!"

The rough voice cut through the still air of the woods, silencing the buzz amongst the undergrowth. With a lurch and shudder, the carriage grounded to a stop. A clamor of armor sounded outside, growing louder before a bearded knight poked his head through the window. "Rest stop, milord. Best stretch your limbs before we go. Only a day's journey left."
Sighing with relief, Silias rubbed his back and grimaced as a loud pop was heard. After hours of rocky terrain, it was a relief to finally stop. Run hurried out the carriage and circled around to open Silias' door. The Sahib's legs wobbled as he descended. The sweet must of leaves and rot and some more drifted around him, carried by the dancing wind. His body turned with it, then froze.

There, with a dress of vines and a crown of debris, was an outcropping of ruins.

It was dark and intimidating, yet no immediate danger was clear. Shadows dwelled beneath the stones, amassing into a darkness that grew deeper into the remains. Something was...off. What, he did not know. But the feeling of unease hung in the air like a storm cloud, bearing over the small party of travelers.

"Beauty, ain't she?" the Knight from before grunted, following his gaze. "But, ah, I wouldn't go running in there if I was you. No offense, Milord!"

Silias blinked hard and tore his gaze away from the visage of rock. "And why not?"

"Thing musta be ancient. Y'dunno what's gotta be in it. Rats, traps, disease; not to mention that the stone's 'bout to collapse."

"Hmmph." The grunt was more interested than affirming, and his eyes shifted back to the ruin. The dark atmosphere remained, cold and foreboding. But at the same time, inviting. As if there was something there for him, waiting patiently amongst the rubble. His fingers rubbed against his coin, the markings nearly faded by the constant playing. Without tearing away his gaze, he flipped the coin, caught it in his palm, and traced the upward facing side. Heads.

Silias finally turned away, facing his emerging companions and the platoon of Knights. "You," he nodded to the bearded knight, "Half your men are to set up camp and rest. Maybe cook something up if you can. Others will guard the camp. Attack anything that so much as seems dangerous or strange. Run, help with the horses." The group split at the command, rushing off the build a fire or whatever they needed to do. The bearded knight turned to join them, only for a dark hand to grab his arm. "Wait," demanded Silias. "I have another request." His eyes drifted to the ruins. Closer and closer, they called. Farther and farther. "I want you to gather a small team," he whispered, bright eyes intense. "Scout ahead. Don't worry." A smile crept up his face. "I will be right behind."

[Jb]

Perhaps Arassel may have imitated the Drabarian, swinging up into the branches of a stout tree to hide from the incoming beasts, perhaps she may have pulled back her bowstring in anticipation or hidden within some dense foliage, if not for two important things.

The first of these was that she had known the Gnolls were coming their way at least since entering the boundaries of the forest, not so much hearing them as smelling them – they smelt rancid, their distinctive tang causing her nose to wrinkle, like sweat mingled with wet canine.

She had pondered as to why it had taken Jex so long to react to what was such an unusual presence within an otherwise Eden-like place, considering that maybe he was just not as attuned to his surroundings as someone who had spent more-or-less their entire extended life in a forest or forest-like environment, watching him slither upward to a safer point with some amusement on her face.

Why had she not bothered to tell the others about this potentially deadly threat? Mostly because she knew they were mercenaries, so-called professional warriors and killers, and if they needed her to tell them that they were being tracked by baying 'dogs' then they deserved to let themselves die here. Here, where the forest would grow from what remains the Gnolls did not devour.

The second reason for her lack of real nerves or even precaution against the forthcoming enemy was that she was, and had been since they had entered the forest, travelling in amongst the canopy of the forest. Indeed, it was often seen as something superhuman by those not of Elven blood, being able to leap with the athleticism of an acrobat between trees, barely needing to touch one branch or the next to propel oneself here an there.

Nevertheless she did freeze where she was, instantly seeming as if every one of her muscles had seized up, her half-crouched form blending nicely with the surrounding leaves and spattering of the suns rays peeking between the gaps.

One hand gripped the bow gently in one hand, the other leisurely resting by her side, oh how she hoped to use it soon...

[POOHEAD189]

Leonard Greystone drew his Valdium sword and slipped behind a copse of trees to the left, leaning his back against them and keeping as quiet as he could. Zinvalur had joined him a few trees over, his bola out and ready to be twirled. Both Kukri's were within quick and easy reach. Meanwhile, it seemed Regeland was looking back and forth, before roughly diving into some thick bushes on the right, muttering how he was not getting paid enough in his mother tongue.

The inhuman noises ceased suddenly, and a few of the mercs more accustomed to the woods could tell that the wind had shifted. It seemed the Gnolls had caught their scent. They were smart enough to use stealth tactics when necessary, it appeared. However, the Gnolls also seemed to underestimate how loud they had been previously, for they flew out of the bushes fully expecting to pounce on unsuspecting prey. And indeed they leaped far, as their legs were powerful with corded muscles. Five Gnolls had pounced out, with another red haired Gnoll charging, holding twin axes as it looked about hungrily.

They were all wearing crude trousers, with a few leather pauldrons and perhaps a bracer or two, but they were largely unarmored. They did not need to be, for their skin was thick and their impressive height and musculature were enough to win most fights out in the wilds. Their scimitars and short swords were notched and worn, but effective looking. There was the fifth Gnoll with a wicked tipped halberd, and the sixth with the twin axes.

From within the leaves, the Mercs could see the drool slathering off their snarling maws. A few sniffed the air again, and let out small eager whimpers. "Perhaps they had fled minutes ago." one of them said slowly. "No." the Halberd wielder said. "They're here..." With hair like fire and an unkempt mane, the one holding the Axes had an insane look in it's inhuman eyes. "Find them." it growled.

---

"C'mon" Kayden whispered to them, and he lead them through the trench, and past the perilously open crags of rock that led down to the canyon below the fortress. To the untrained eye, it looked as if he was simply leading them away. But by one of the pillars of stone that held Fort Hillcrest up, there was a small stairway carved into the rock. It looked surprisingly well carved, and even had runes etched into the stone. Morek and Halbark would notice them as Dwarven numbers, and the name of the stonemasons who built it.

Up and up they went, though it was slow going, for the stairs were thin and tall, before they made it to a small, but greatly barred door reinforced with iron. It could only be opened from the inside by a key. "Ok..." Kayden said, and he looked back to his team who were now standing on a thin platform. Outside of it was a good 60 foot fall. "Halbark, if you have a concoction to break through this, or perhaps Cassilda?" Haukford glanced at the rogue, Laila. "Do you have any tools to get us through?"

Kayden gazed at them, and then at Morek. "If no one here can help, I'll need to ask Morek to break the door down. Might be a bit loud though. I'd rather not draw attention."

---

As Hobnob waited, he and his team could now see a small field mouse sniffing the air, before slowly approaching the cheese. It would set off the entire bridge!

[rush99999]

While they waited for the ambush to start, Hobnob and his crew played cards and smoked on their pipes. As they played, the sound of the gnolls' laughter met their ears. "You don't suppose they're coming this way, do you?" Asked 1 of the 2 enchanters of Hobnob's crew.
"I wouldn't worry about them, Shortstack" Hobnob replied "They sound like they're hunting different prey". Soon after, the manic laughter of the gnolls died down and a new problem presented itself.

"Er, boss?" Shortstack said "I think we may have a situation". Shortstack was referring to a small field mouse that had wandered out of some nearby bushes and was now moving towards the cheese.
"We should probably do something about that mouse before if sets off the bridge" Hobnob said "Fortunately, I already know just what to do!". With that said, Hobnob pulled out his rifle, aimed it at the ground in front of the mouse, and fired. The shot rang out across the forest, the bullet lodged itself in the ground in front of the field mouse, and the mouse itself bolted off in the opposite direction of the cheese. "Problem solved" Hobnob declared.

[Fuzzybootz]

Captain Kayden laid out the plan for the next day and Zin nodded his agreement. It seemed pretty straightforward, but he knew that things were unlikely to go as planned. For now, he would withhold his judgment of the group until after tomorrow. If at the conclusion he was not satisfied, he would simply walk away.

For a short moment, he watched the Drabarian. Zin spied which leg the man put most his weight. Zin watched how he gestured with his hands. Zin hoped to glean some information about the man before heading into combat with him.

Captain Kayden dismissed them when all was said and done.

Zin pushed himself up off the wall he leaned against. He made sure to catch the Captain’s eye before bowing his head and pounding a fist to his chest. “On the Morrow.” He paused. “Captain.”

He then exited the crumbling tower before it could collapse.

****
Two hours before dawn Zin found himself once again at the delapitated guard tower. Jex stood guard from up above and Captain Kayden was close by. There wasn’t much conversation being made as they readied themselves. It wasn’t long before the groups assembled and were ready to go their separate ways.

With Jex at the forefront, Zin took on the task of watching their flank. They all walked in relative silence for a fair distance before Zin smelled something odd. He was unable to identify it before Jex came to a stop. Jex turned to the group and warned them, with an intimidating glare, that there was trouble up ahead.

Zin quickly dashed to the cover of the trees and pulled the bola from his belt. Graystone had a similar Idea and hid a few trees over. Zin took a moment to listen. His ears twitched as he picked out the position of Arassel and Regeland. Zin distinctly heard the pull of Arassel’s bowstring. On top of that, Zin heard the footfalls of 6 strangers. He could also smell them.

Zin signaled to Graystone the number 6 and then looked up to where Jex hid in the trees. He spun the bola once. He hoped that Jex would understand that he wanted to use it as a distraction. Zin would wait until the group entered the clearing and at an unexpected time catch one of the creatures. It wouldn’t hurt the Gnoll, but it would certainly distract them long enough to gain the advantage.

Just then the creatures entered the clearing. They were just as disgusting looking as they smelled.

Zin began to spin the Bola rapidly with as much momentum he thought he needed. The only warning it made was the whistle as Zin let it go.