[IC] Into a trap

[Kelewen]

"We should be close," said the old man excitedly, pointing at his barely legible map. "The ruins shouldn't be much farther."

"About time," muttered Althea under her breath as she adjusted her bow and rubbed her hands together to warm her cold fingers. It was early spring and the small group had been on the road for several days now. She, along with a couple others, had been hired by the old man as protection while he searched for some trinket or other that was supposed to be in these ruins he was leading them toward.

Althea thought the old man was a little off his rocker. But no matter. It was a gold in her pocket either way.

The small group trudged on, unaware of what waited for them at the ruins...

[Rina]

"Great!" Estella said with a small smile as Straw spoke of the great news. Besides the excitement that a few highwaymen brought a few days ago and a few other minor incidences, the trip to the ruins went quite smoothly. "I wonder what the ruins will look like?" The young adventure almost reaching, if not yet at her twenties said standing to the right of the old man. Although her short sword was sheathed, it was easily accessible to her if the need arose.

"It'll probably be interesting to look at in the beginning but you'll get tired of it pretty quickly since everything will pretty much look the same." A man in his late twenties or early thirties said walking at the rear. "No offense to you Straw but the namesake of the ruins speak for itself. Everything is in ruins and there's probably going to be overgrowth with the plant life invading. We'll have to make sure we keep our guard up even though we've made it. Places like these are usually the breeding ground for highwaymen and other thieves hoping to take advantage of unsuspecting adventurers and the like." Zed said with slight nod. Although the temperature was cold, the weather wasn't too bad which gave him hope that their situation would be as bright.

[Kelewen]

"None taken," Straw replied, eyes scanning the forest in front of them, as if he were looking for something. "I've dug around more than a few in my day. Guess they do tend to look the same after awhile."

Althea nodded her agreement, glancing back at Zed. At his warning, she pulled an arrow from her quiver and knocked it loosely to her bow. She'd only traveled with this group for a little under a week, but was already beginning to feel a bond with them. At least with the Estella and Zed. Straw had been a little distant, but Althea chalked that up him simply being older. "Ever find anything interesting in them?" she asked Zed. The only ruins she had ever seen had been close to civilization, so any treasures they might have contained were long gone.

It was not long until the first site of the ruins came into view. Something that might have been a smile played at Straw's mouth. "Looks like the map was right."

[Rina]

"Well, I guess it depends on whose prospective you are looking from." Zed said with a slight chuckle to Althea's question. "Personally, a half burnt library written in an uncomprehending ancient text was mildly interesting for the first hour or so but the small group of scholars we were escorting seemed to be in heaven even though our time there was cut short to about eight days." He said with a slight shake of his head and a small snort of disapproval as he recollected the events that unfolded when he was younger and inexperienced.

Hearing Zed's remark about keeping alert, Harper gripped her short sword and slid it partially out of it's sheath. Although she knew that there was a greater chance in which there would be no one there, she could feel the excitement and her adrenaline start to flow as she watched the forest ahead. Giving a slight nod in agreement to Althea's question, she listened as Zed described visiting a library in the ruins. Although he described it as an event without much excitement, finding a library filled with a mysterious undeciphered language seemed interesting to her. "What caused the trip to be cut short?" Harper asked with interest.

Listening to Harper's curious question, Zed gave a slight chuckle. "That's a story for another time and place. But to keep it short and sweet, let's just say that we weren't the only one venturing through the ruins that day." It didn't take long before the first signs of the ruins appeared. Things were going smoothly so far and Zed was quite optimistic that Straw would be able to find what he was looking for without too much trouble. If they were lucky, the group would be able to leave later that day or even tomorrow morning.

---

It was the commotion of his captors that woke the old dwarf up. Although his captors were far enough away that he couldn't make out the words they were saying, from their intonations and their hurried voices as they departed, he knew that something was happening. He had a feeling that he would have a new cellmate to join him soon enough. With a sigh, Orin sat up as he wondered who would be joining him.

[Kelewen]

"Straw, what is it again we're looking for, exactly," Althea asked, turning her attention to the older man as the group approached the outskirts of the ruins. Over the past week, Straw had told them they were looking for a book, but he'd been a little less than forthcoming with much more detail than that. "I mean, do you have any idea where we might find it?"

"Oh, ah, a history codex of great importance," the old man said as he rested a hand on a fallen piece of wall. "It'll probably be in one of the underground chambers."

Great, Althea thought. He's got no idea.

She moved forward to explore the ruins. The archer looked up at a large slab of stone still partly supported by a thick column, then around at the surrounding ground when something caught her attention. "Zed," she gestured to get the man's attention and then motioned for him to come closer. No need to alarm the old man just yet. The partial print on the ground could not be more than a few days old at most, but a recent rain made it difficult to read. As the armed man came closer she pointed to the track, "None of us have passed this way yet. Does this look like a boot print to you?"

--

The drow sat very still, examining the new arrivals from his dark, well concealed hiding spot. He was taking note of each traveler and the weapons they carried as well as speculating on what price each might fetch.

[Rina]

"If we are going underground, we should probably prepare the lanterns before we go too far." Harper said to Straw as Althea called Zed over to look at something. Not giving much care about the ongoing conversation between the other two, Harper helped Straw with the lanterns.

Hearing Althea call him, Zed went towards the woman to see what she was trying to show him. Looking towards the direction the woman was pointing, Zed looked carefully at the tracks she found. Crouching to get a better look at the print, he could the partial boot print that she was talking about. Out of slight curiosity, Zed brushed his fingers against the print. Although most of the moisture has evaporated from the print, it was still moist from the recent rain that has occurred. "It appears that someone was here either during the rain or slightly afterwards. Let's hope that is was a traveler that sought out shelter during the rain and nothing more. Either way, it would be best if we kept our guard up around Straw and if possible search the surrounding area in case the traveler is still in the area or turns out to be more than one little traveler." Standing up, Zed looked towards Straw and Harper who were preparing for the next stage of their journey. "For now, it might be best if we keep this between the two of us. It could be more problematic than good if Straw knew the danger that he could be in. He needs to make sure he keeps his focus on the main goal and not about an issue that may or may not arise. We should keep Harper alert but until we find anymore evidence of someone here let's leave it as it is. I'd rather not have the girl hyped up over nothing."

---

"Straw has done very good this time." A second drow whispered to the first, keeping her voice low and out of reach from the unsuspecting travelers. Although strong and very resilient, the dwarf that was given to them last time was old and wouldn't bring as much of a profit as the younger batch that Straw brought this time. "Yes, very good."

[Kelewen]

"Even coming underground," Rhyldaer smirked and looked back over his shoulder at the second drow after watching Straw and Harper begin to light lanterns. "Almost makes it too easy when they come straight to us," he said, moving aside slightly so that the female drow could get a better look at their quarry.

-

While Zed examined the print, the archer stood relaxed, but alert, letting her eyes roam over the outlines of the ruins, looking for movement or other signs they might not be the only ones here, but nothing caught her attention. She nodded her head in agreement with Zed's remarks. "Probably a good idea. Whoever left it could be long gone by now," she said, not sounding particularly confident that was the case.

-

Meanwhile, Straw was holding a lantern steady so that Harper could light the wick. He glanced around the ruins himself as if looking for something, but even knowing they were there, probably watching right this second, Straw could not spot the drow. It unnerved him slightly every time he came here, but he was well practiced at keeping his emotions to himself and gave Harper a confident grin. "Bound to be a way down to the lower level somewhere around here. Everyone keep an eye out for one."

[Rina]

"For now.The strong ones always put up a fight. But more fight also means more money" Laele smirked in response as she moved forward a bit. "I'll trap them from behind when they enter they come under if you want to take the front. Just make sure to erase our tracks, the older lady and the male seem to be a little suspicious already" With one final look at the group, Laele retreated to the first off branch from the main passageway and waited for the group to arrive. Once they did, she would follow far enough behind that the light wouldn't expose her nor would her footsteps give her away. The group would then be trapped and easy to take on with no chance to escape.

~.~.~

"That is what we are hoping for." Zed said in response before making his way back to Straw and Harper who both seemed prepared now that the lantern was lit.

"Hey Straw, is that the entrance you want?" Harper asked, pointing towards the entrance before making her way towards it. "There might be another way under but I'm thinking that this might be the one." Harper said with confidence as she turned around and looked at the others. "Shall we get going?"

With a nod, Zed looked at the entrance that Harper pointed out. It seemed to be the plausible answer to him. "Harper when we go down, I want you to take the lead. I'll take the rear and Althea you can take the mid section so that you can shoot from either direction."

[Kelewen]

"It will be done," Rhyldaer bowed his head slightly in deference to the female drow. He moved deeper into the underground passageway, silently signaling to a third white haired figure that was approaching. The figure paused his stride, immediately recognizing Rhyldaer's meaning. With only the slightest whisper, a long, serrated blade appeared in the drow's hand as he and Rhyldaer took up well concealed spots on opposite sides of the tunnel.

--

Althea nodded at Zed's plan. "Straw, you keep in the center with me," she said with a look at the old man. Did he seem slightly on edge? she wondered as she noticed him glancing quickly side to side as the small group approached the entrance that Harper had found. But she assumed any uneasiness was simply caused by worry over actually finding this history codex or whatever it was.

If anything, he seemed to tense more as they reached the top of a narrow staircase that led down to the entrance of what looked to be a tunnel. He held the lantern aloft, indicating he was ready. "Down we go, I guess."

[Rina]

"I guess so." Harper said in response as she walked down the old staircase with care. The light gave her enough visibility to barely see in front of her but nothing more. Although she wasn't afraid of the dark, being unable to see unnerved her a little bit as she walked as she wondered what could be waiting for her ahead. Pulling her short sword out of its sheath, she held her weapon beside her as she walked. It didn't take long before the group reached the first corridor. It was small enough to assume that they would be continuing down main path so Harper continued after a quick glance reveled nothing. One thing she was glad was that the tunnel seemed to be free of spiderwebs going across the tunnel as she wondered why that was so. She assumed that spiders would love dank, dark tunnels such as these but so far she was web-free.

At the rear of the group, Zed followed the group as he glanced behind him ever so often. As the group reached the corridor, Zed paused in front of the path as he wondered if it would be wise to check down the path. However as the things started to get dimmer as Straw and the rest continued, Zed gave a slight shrug before following the group. Knowing that it would be best to continue instead of wasting their time through every corridor the group passed, Zed continued. Although he couldn't hear anything behind him, he has a sinking suspicion that something was behind him but each time he turned around he didn't see anything. Deciding that he was overreacting due to the footstep Althea showed him earlier, Zed continued.

~.~.~

Laele was surprised at the group's speed as she saw the light approach her from the distance. Moving deeper, she watched at a distance as the group peered towards her and continued as they assumed that the path was empty. Waiting until the light faded away, Laele then trailed behind the group, being careful not to get the attention of the male at the rear. It wouldn't be long before they would meet up with the other two.

[Kelewen]

"You worried about getting lost in here, Straw?" Althea asked as the small group explored the main tunnel. It was wide enough for her and Straw to walk side by side, but just barely. "Maybe we should leave a trail or..."

She never finished the thought, for it was at that moment that Rhyldaer and the other drow sprung their ambush. A whip shot out of the dark toward Harper's wrist, intending to immobilize the girl's weapon while from the other side, a sword pommel struck out toward the side of her head.

At the flurry of motion, Althea brought up her bow, trying to get a clean shot at the figures attacking Harper. And Straw, doing his part to ensure the drow had every advantage, extinguished the light...

[Rina]

Harper was surprised how well things were going. Glancing back as Althea talked about getting lost, Harper had to agree. Suddenly, a sharp, gripping pain came from her wrist. Surprised, a small yelp escaped her lips as she pulled her arm towards her as she tried to escape the hard grip from the whip. However, before she could get free a hard force hit her head, causing her to drop her weapon. "Guys..." Harper said urgently as she tried to warn the others about the attackers as she tried to fight blacking out. As the tunnel suddenly became dark, she felt her knees hit the ground hard as she felt herself slip away.

Hearing the girl's sudden outburst, Zed quickly unsheathed his weapon. Suddenly, he could hear footsteps behind him quickly picking up it's pace as it made it's way towards the group. Turning around, his visibility suddenly disappeared as Straw's lantern went out. Readying his weapon, Zed listened to the footsteps as it quickly came closer. Swinging his sword as he hoped to hit his target, his attack failed as it swung through the air. However, his target was more successful as he felt a blade unexpectedly hit his sword, loosening his grip. Quickly following the first attack, a hard punch landed on his face making his stumble back a few steps. Pulling up his arm to strike again, his attacker was ready as Laele attacked mid-swing unarming the man.

Kicking the sword away, Laele quickly took advantage as the man stumbled around now weaponless. Grabbing a stone off the ground, she slipped around the man and quickly hit him on the head before he could find out where she was. As the man fell towards the ground, Laele turned around to see the progress. The younger girl was taken out and the older woman was all that was left. It was almost too easy.

[Kelewen]

"Zed!" Althea yelled as the tunnel went dark, unaware that the swordsman was engaged with another of the drow slavers. Only a second after the light went out, the archer loosed her arrow at the spot where an attacker had been, but whether it found it's target, she could not tell.

Dropping the bow, she reached for the short sword that hung at her hip and managed to elbow Straw in the process. "Straw, get out of here! Run!" she told him, still not realizing the part he was playing in this.

Haelerin, the dark elf that had ambushed Harper along with Rhyldaer, moved toward the fumbling archer. "Friendship is the mother of betrayal, darkness is the father," he said.

Althea desperately swung her weapon toward the voice, but it met only thin air as Haelerin easily stepped out of the way of the wild swing.

[Rina]

A soft chuckle escaped Laele's lip as the archer warned Straw to run. It always amazed her how gullible and how trusting people could be towards other people. She watched the archer fumble in the dark and as she tried to attack the archer, Laele attacked. Aiming for the woman's head Laele threw the stone that she attacked the man with as she hoped to knock the woman out. Even if that didn't work out, it would cause enough trouble for the others to knock the woman out. Things were quickly coming to a close. All they had to do know is lock the three up with the dwarf and send Straw on his way again with his payment.

[Kelewen]

Haelerin smiled grimly as the stone cracked the archer just behind the ear and she stumbled to the side, catching herself against the cold stone of the tunnel wall. "Zed!" she yelled again and the drow could hear the fear and desperation there. But she surprised him slightly by hurtling herself toward him. Her aim was poor though and Haelerin parried her blade with enough force to send the weapon clattering to the floor, then followed it up by shoving the woman back against the wall, a strong hand gripping her throat. For a few seconds, she struggled hard, trying to land a punch or a kick, but soon the lack of oxygen had the intended effect and her body feel limp.

"Lolth be praised; all victory is her doing," he said, reciting a familiar line as he let her unconscious form fall to the floor.

[Rina]

Laele nodded in agreement to Haelerin's recitement before turning towards Straw. "You may turn your lantern back on so that you won't stumble around blindly." She was always amazed how blind people could be in the dark, it almost took all the fun away in knocking the prisoners out. However, that was what they had to do to insure that they lose their value by becoming hurt in a fight. "Rhyldaer, do you have the coins for Straw? Haelerin and I will start to move the three." Laele said moving towards the younger girl. It would be more logical to move the person closest to where they would be taken instead of shuffling the man around Straw and over the two women.

[Kelewen]

Straw was quick to re-light the lantern. Though he'd been in business with these slavers for a good long while, he still felt better when he could see them. He knew the stories about how putting trust in a Drow was asking for a knife in your back as well as anyone else. As the wick caught the flame and bathed the tunnel in light again, he found Rhyldaer disturbingly close.

"These three are young and healthy. Should be worth at least 10 crowns a piece," Straw started.

"They might fetch 10 at market. I can give you 4 crowns each," Rhyldaer countered.

"Surely, being trained in swordplay increases their value..."

Haelerin didn't bother to listen to the dickering over price, figuring the two would eventually settle on maybe 6 or 7 gold pieces for each slave. He pulled a length of rope from his pouch and knelt down next to the archer, pulling her arms behind her back and binding her wrists tightly. He worked quickly, being well practiced at the task of securing prisoners. Leaving the girl, he moved toward the male, intending to bind his hands as well. Couldn't have him waking up and taking off, after all.

[Rina]

Laele listened with slight interest as Rhyldaer and Straw started to discuss. As long as they got their share of the money, Laele was fine with their discussion. If Straw decided to play unfairly, she knew that Rhyldaer could persuade the old man with a little force. Tying up the younger girl, Laele turned towards Haelerin to make sure that the other two were bound before they moved the prisoners. "Watch the male while we are gone." Laele said to Rhyldaer before picking up the girl and tossing her over her shoulder, glad that the prisoner was small enough to make her easy to carry. Although it seemed as Straw and Rhyldaer was still in the midst of discussing, Laele didn't mind taking the prisoners before the deal was made. She was confident that Straw would go through with the deal.

Walking down the tunnel with the girl on her back, it didn't take long before she could see the imprisoned dwarf. Although the old dwarf was now laying down, she wasn't too sure if he was truly asleep or awake. However, the distance between the old dwarf and where she was eased her worry of the dwarf trying to escape, knowing that she would be able catch him before he made it halfway towards her.

[Kelewen]

Rhyldaer nodded to Laele to show that he had heard the order before continuing the negotiation, glancing occasionally toward the bound man on the tunnel floor.

Haelerin, meanwhile, returned to where Althea had fallen and knelt next to the woman, quickly going through her pockets and then sliding a hand into the tops of her boots, checking for weapons. The archer stirred slightly at his touch and her eyes fluttered open, trying to focus. "Tsk, tsk," Haelerin said as he pulled a small dagger from her right boot.

As Althea woke further and the situation she now found herself in started to sink in, panic almost gripped the girl. She struggled against the coarse rope binding her wrists. Haelerin watch her, amused. "I believe you'll find them sufficiently tight, rothe," he said as he grabbed the archer by the back of her leather jerkin, dragging her in the same direction Laele had taken the younger girl.

Althea looked around desperately for her follow adventurers and she spotted Straw near the other drow. "Stra..." the name died on her lips as she saw the drow begin to count gold coins into the old man's hand. "You can't! Bastard!" she managed to yell through the tears that were threatening.

[Rina]

A small smile crept on Laele's lips as she heard the echoing of the other woman's voice. As much as the woman fought, there would be no escape for her nor for the other prisoners. Dropping the girl a little harshly on the ground, Laele checked for any weapons or tools that could be used by the girl to escape. After thoroughly checking the girl, Laele quickly locked the girl up while keeping a watchful eye on the dwarf. It didn't take long before Haelerin arrived with the older woman and keeping the gate open, she waited until her fellow drow came back.

"Let's bring the male now." Laele said as she walked back to where Straw and the unconscious man was still laying on the ground.

~.~.~
Orin listened to everything that took place and as the drows approached, the dwarf laid down so that he wouldn't cause any suspicion from the drows. Watching through half-closed eyelids, Orin watched as two imprisoned women were locked up with him. From what he had gathered from the drows, there would be one more joining the three of them. If they were able to find a way to escape, they might have the opportunity to fight off the drows together.