"I must concur with Rolf. There's little wisdom in pushing horses to the death. They move the wagons far faster then any other means."

The Knight, of course, knows all about how horses and their care, after all.

  There was a big grin on the head  wagoneer's  face.Yeah...ye  see there? Some of yer people have a head on their shoulders....

 There is a Look of Displeasure on Kree's face   as he looks at the others, but he nods  slowly, Very well...Master  Wagoneer...You tell us  when the  wagons  need to stop.. I will let the outcome, be on your head.

 He looks  towards  the rays of the  rising sun, Get  ready... we movfe out in  15 minutes.... Put the  Prisoner on the back of the first  wagon, and the Beggar on the back of the 2nd  wagon.


 This saying, he  turns  to gather his pack and  weapons.

Brie simply scoffs at the comment but prepares her equipment for the next leg of the journey.

Lafisual shrugs.  Might possibly work out either way.  He gets on with getting ready to move out.

  The wagons  roll along  with the Arrows  spread about keeping a watch...

 The  wagoneer calls  down..About another  Hour and  I want to water the horses ....

 Kree did not  say a word,  Just waved his    hand in acknowledge . The looks on his  face stern

Motioning to Kree Lafisual points to the east and relates in a hushed voice, There seems to have been a couple of puffs of smoke out that way.  Just what the cause of it was is anyone's guess - from a simple campfire to something more concerning.  It's enough though that we should be wary of it.  Lafisual goes back to his scouting position extra alert for more signs of anything that might explain what he saw.

    The elf's eyes shift towards the Driver, who  doesn't  see his concern.

    ..You..Diana  and  Brie, check it out...  he turns back  and gives a whistle to Rolf to catch up to the wagons.

When they started moving again, Rolf fell back to his usual guarding the flank role.  He'd never been fond of anyone in his wake, he liked to see ode about.  He'd been certain that Kree hadn't liked his disagreement.  Sure, it was probably just more of Kree trying to get under people's skin and make sure they know who's in charge.  Still, there were limits.

Despite such musings, Rolf was still focused on the job.  At Kree's whistle, he takes an extra look about, then picks up the pace to quickly catch up.

Brie hears her name called and moved towards Lafisual and Kree as he makes mention of the smoke off in the distance.  She gathered her bow and nods.

Better safe than sorry, she said and looked down at her calf sheath at a small dagger. Lead the way.

In reply to Brestine Darksbane (msg # 93):

Diana turned back to Kree, when she heard her name called.

When he motioned towards the smoke in the distance, she just nodded.  She wheeled her horse around, and slowly headed off in that direction.

She had thought about getting into the previous disagreement over the treatment of the horses, but decided to stay out of it.  Although, she was glad when it was decided that the horses could be watered.  She really had no desire to put a good horse down, just because it had been run to death.

Lafisual nods at the others and carefully heads out to see if they can get some clarity on what he saw.

  The  three make their  way  towards, where the  puffs of smoke  came from... there  is no real sign.

 a few 100 yards  to  the  south west ( left) of the Road. Diana can see where the high grass has been  flatten... there are several 'trails' leading  further south , paralleling the  road... there  is  a small fire patch, that has  been covered with dirt and water.

 Laf and Brie begin to see it  as they get through the high grass, nearer the flattened  area.

It seems like we are being shadowed.  What do you think...investigate more or report this?  We don't want to get too far away from the group.  I imagine that they are surely aware of us and could use it as a distraction.  Lafisual contemplates while looking to the others for feedback.

In reply to Lafisual (msg # 97):

"Yeah, I smell trap as well." Diana said.

"We could try and flank them.  See what we can see." Diana said.

Brie looks about trying to see if she can catch a glimpse out of the corner of her eye or if a familiar smell came to her.

If she does see something she nods in its direction.

Either way, they will be hunted down.  Just a matter of timing.

 The Three look at the  Clearing, it is easy to see the fire  was not for warmth, or a Cook  Fire...

 From her  place, atop her horse,  she  can see   three , that merged  with a few 'game  trails' , through the   hill grasses.

In reply to to tou (msg # 100):

Diana dismounted.  She pointed out the three game trails.

"You two cover me.  I'm gonna be bait." Diana said.

With that she stepped out, towards the fire, her hand not frar from her blade, ready to draw it as quickly as needed.

She will examine the fire closely.  Estimating how hold it is, ect.

  The  fire   was  recent.. it had been, near-expertly, put out  with  moist dirt and more  water, Using the greener grasses to cause  smoke... but the smoke didn't fill the sky, just a few puffs  that caught the eye  Of  Laf, and the others, as he pointed it out.

"If you mean to trap them, I'd suggest herding them towards a certain point. I don't do stealth well, but if you force them towards me..."

Then he can do something.

Lafisual readies his bow and stands as low as possible while still being able to see reasonably well.

Brie moves off to an opposite side to guard Diana as she goes to examine.

She also looks around for and additional intruders.

  The  Wagon MOves  and the    Head  Wagoneer, feeling full of himself whilstles  back to  Kree,Hey!...Elf.... There is a  Stream about  2 Miles up  the road,  will water the horse there....

 Kree  walked   his normal walk and looked around at the grasses as he maintained his watch,..I said... this  was your  call.. anything that happens , outside my suggestions are on you....

 The  Wagoneer  just  sneered  and  turned  his attentions back to the Road. The Merchant was looking  around.


  The Prisoner seemed oddly calm... The Beggar just  sat on his  wagon, trying to tie some of the rags  that covered his legs , into  a better  looking...rag.

...............

 The Three watched  Diana    take one of the paths... from their  spot in the grasses, they could  barely  see   the Canvas covered tops   of the  wagons, and the bit of  dust the  wheels  caused.

  There was no sign of  , whomever  was in the grass, but the slowly  raising , bent  grasses, showed that  fresh tracks had been made.

Hearing the words between Kree and the wagoneer, Rolf volunteers some input.  "That'd be a good place for an ambush.  Let's go a bit further, then I and who ever and head on to the stream and see if it's clear.  If you've got the water bags to spare, maybe we haul water to the horses instead."

  The  wagoneer  seems a bit put out.... we..could..perhaps a  few yards  up the road?... i..um..would rather  they drink it fresh from the stream?

In reply to to tou (msg # 106):

Brie looked at the bent grass and took visual queues of the direction the grass, trail was leading to.  When she had a general idea of their direction, she'd clue in Diana and Lafisual.

She'd then send out her companion to alert Kree if need be.

(tracking and companion/messenger)