"And tell us what's down this way," says Kobal, giving the man a firm shake.

Henal grimaces and yawns. "Lets get done in here soon, we still need to get to Pavis. Damned if I'm in any state to keep a watch tonight after Hoskar and I saved you from the bandits. If we can't find anything quickly lets just move."

Hoskar's charm lights up a large area above and below where Ohanzee now stands, his arms and legs supporting him in the near vertical crack in the rock.

"Alright alright hold your Bisons! Our boss' cave is down there and an escape route to the river. She told us about the deadfall, but we never saw how she activated or made it safe. Believe me there won't be anything down there now.

But I've a stash in the other cave, well hidden I hope and it will pay my ransom."

Suddenly bathed in the glow of the highlighted trap above and below him and on hearing Orlan's words, Ohanzee back tracks very carefully "Show us then."

"If I were you I'd move on after this. If your boss didn't trust you lot before she'll certainly never forgive you after showing us the hideout.

Melock dismounts and keeping Stinky between himself and the river, he leans on his mount to steady his crossbow in case he needs to fire it.

Amara, not being in her armour, and not being a very good swimmer initially flounders, though at least she can't drown. But she suddenly gets the strokes right and is soon on the other shore, where she appears wet and bedraggled. She's faced with an open stretch of beach, a line of dense vegetation, a dead bandit and a deserted boat.

From somewhere in the distance she can just make out the sound of animals galloping off.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:50, Thu 07 Sept 2017.

The Bandit brings them into the empty sleeping cave and shows the Rangers a small fissure high up on one wall. Taking a bundle from it he passes it to Kobal, who finds inside it a rolled up parchment and an ornate silver chalice.

Making it safely back into the cave Ohanzee holds back as Orlan leads the others into the sleeping cage rubbing the muscles that he'd exercised in keeping himself off of the floor of the crack by bracing against the walls.

When they are through into the the sleeping cave he goes to the niche and takes up the small carved effigy assuming that he can communicate mentally with the ghost when he touches it, thinking Shame to leave it lying around. Down right careless in fact, what if someone happens on this place, kids looking for somewhere to play!

He sends silently We're moving on. You can guard the loot on my pack animal till we settle for somewhere.

Kobal hands the objects to Hoskar for the moment, so he can keep both hands free in case the bandit tries anything.  More squiggles on think bark...  "Anything else?" he asks in a warning tone.

Hoping that the bandit can't understand Earthtongue, he says to the others, "If that's it, do we let him go then?  He said he was going to show us the bandits' stash, but it seems that stash is halfway to Pavis now..."

As soon as he touches the figurine Ohanzee is engaged in spirit combat.

Amara grumbled to herself, granting Melock several baleful glances from the other bank. Sighing heavily she cast her detect life charm to make sure she was alone before searching the boat.

Amara is just casting her charm when a crossbow bolt flies past her body, breaking her concentration. It came from somewhere in the dense bushes before her. The only cover is the nearby boat, which she'd have to run for.

Much to everyone's relief Ohanzee rallies after an epic battle that goes on for several long minutes. The ghost is defeated and the figurine breaks with a loud crack.

Reconvening outside the Rangers see Amara climb out of the river on the other bank. Meanwhile Hoskar has his head in the scroll and determines that it is a letter of credit for training at the Temple of Orlanth in New Pavis....Worth 800 Lunars. The chalice he reckons is worth perhaps the same or more.

 Picking up the figurine pieces Orlan follows the Rangers out

"Are you letting me go now?"

"I'll give them a hard time if they don't..." Temush draws himself up to his full height "Seems to me the man held up his part of the deal"

Henal responds "that's true, so let him go".
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 11:55, Sun 10 Sept 2017.

Whilst the Rangers talk the Enlo sit under a shady rock, watching their new master on the other side of the river. Their stomachs audibly grumble.

Exhausted spiritually if not physically, but exhilarated by his victory Ohanzee agrees "Let him go. A deal is a deal and he worships Little Brother as our tribe do for the most part so I'm inclined to honour it this time."

"We should get a move on, Angelika will not be happy if we delay her arrival in Pavis!"

Giving Ohanzee a clap on the shoulder for his victory, Kobal nods in agreement with the other braves and releases the bandit.  His mood mollified by the ransom which had turned out worth more than he'd expected.

"Go, we Wandering Rangers stick to our word" he says to the man. "This pays for the past, but if you help your mates against us in future, don't expect such a peaceful end as this time.

"And the deal isn't quite done yet - remember the last part," with a look to Blue Arm who had suggested it, "you're to leave this place and take your family with you."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:02, Mon 11 Sept 2017.

Temush presses a bundle on Orlan "Take this Llama cloak, it will keep your kids warm on the road, or you could trade it if you need to. Good luck."

Kobal looks at the brave in surprise.  First Hoskar, now Temush.  This man tried to rob or kill us all; now we're giving him gifts...  Not even one of us Dedra, but a foreigner on our land...
This message was last edited by the player at 12:33, Mon 11 Sept 2017.

Temush shrugs but meets Kobal's stare  with his own."Kids don't need to freeze chief, twit for a dad or not. Plus I like it when we don't kill all the folks we meet. It might be nice if one or two had a good word for us."

Temush can see that the bandit won't forget this and with a quick "Thanks" and a nod at those present he jogs off.