Falnis reigns in his steed, signalling for Caled to do the same, and glancing left and right for any spots that look like they'd offer enough cover for a knight to hide in. Judging by the dubious look he sends the fully-armored knight, he seems to feel he'd need a lot.

"What is it?" Caled murmurs as he comes to a halt, "Have we caught up with the riders?"

There are a number of trees dotted sparsely along the road, though the tilled farmland beyond offers few places to hide. There is an embankment to the left of the road upon which one might remain relatively concealed if none of the riders were to glance back after they had passed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:02, Fri 31 Dec 2021.

"Yes and no," Falnis says, already dismounting and leading his horse behind the embankment. "Yes, there are riders, but they are coming towards us, and riding slowly. Either they are a different group than those we are chasing, or they have finished whatever business they left to do and see no need to return in haste. Either way, I do not fancy meeting them openly on the road. Thanian horsemen and my general wellbeing seldom seem to go hand-in-hand, in my experience. I intend to climb one of those trees for a closer look, by the way, once I have hidden my horse. If you are any good at climbing, perhaps you'd care to join me? Otherwise, I suggest you stay well out of sight until you are sure that they are either friends or foes worth fighting."

Caled frowns darkly as he considers the implications of the riders 'finishing whatever business they left to do', but obediently dismounts and follows Falnis up the embankment.

"I shall wait with the horses," he says in a tone which suggests the knight was around Erald's age the last time he climbed a tree.

Falnis sends the knight a sharp smile that suggests he has correctly interpreted that tone, before making for one of the taller trees near the edge of the road. He makes sure he picks a nice, sturdy oak with no branches on the trunk for a good twenty feet to climb up. Making himself comfortable, he peers at the road as the approaching hoof-beats grow louder.

OOC: Dalmar Argant rolled 50 using 1d20 +32. Hide.
Dalmar Argant rolled 50 using 1d20 +32. Move Silently.
Dalmar Argant rolled 33 using 1d20 +25. Spot.
Dalmar Argant rolled 28 using 1d20 +24. Listen.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:58, Wed 03 Apr 2019.

It is another minute or so before the source of the approaching hoof-beats comes into view. Falnis counts twenty-seven riders. The majority of these are dressed in a combination of leather and chainmail, and bear swords, clubs and crossbows. Five of the men are dressed heavier armor and have a bearing more akin to Thanian man-at-arms. Between them trundle four wagons. Three of these are loaded with injured men. Some have bandaged legs or heads, others lie motionless on the wagon, faces white and clammy with bloodstained bandages about them. Upon one wagon Falnis spots a group of Tyronius' men. There appear to be ten of his man-at-arms, looking muddy and grim, but otherwise unharmed. He can make out another three who rest with injuries similar to the mercenaries. He also spots Calvorn seated among them. He sits in the rear of the wagon, looking singularly unimpressed and bored, although Falnis notes his eyes moving sharply about the landscape as they trundle along, taking in their surroundings. There is no sign of Marabir, Tyronius or Aerendir amongst the prisoners.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:05, Fri 31 Dec 2021.

Falnis notices the agent's gaze linger on the embankment above which Caled crouches with the horses, and the agent stiffens ever so slightly and scans the remaining surroundings more closely. He does not seem to notice Falnis.

OOC: Calvorn Areldan rolled 35 using 1d20+16. Spot.
Calvorn Areldan rolled 32 using 1d20+16. Listen.

The varim also notices one of the mercenaries at the front of the party seems to glance around with interest at the embankment, and then the trees. He nods thoughtfully to himself, before reigning in his horse to pull up next to another mercenary shortly behind him. He is too far away for Falnis to make out anything he murmurs to his companion, though from Calvorn's narrowed eyes the varim suspects the agent does.

Falnis' eyes narrow on seeing Calvorn. He seems to be mostly interested in if there are any letter-shaped bulges in the ranger's pockets.

It is difficult to see from this distance. What is all to obvious to the varim, however, is that Calvorn seems to have shifted his position slightly so that his hands are visible to anyone looking from either the embankment or the line of trees. With his fingers he is subtly communicating something that if Falnis is not mistaken is the varim sign language of his native city.

The mercenaries are planning to turn on the man-at-arms and kill us all.

OOC: Calvorn Areldan rolled 24 using 1d20+8. Sleight of Hand.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:23, Wed 03 Apr 2019.

A moment later, Calvorn sees movement in the oak tree a few meters ahead. Falnis stares down at him smugly.

What a delightful mess you have landed yourself in, comes the fluent reply. Are you hoping I will do something about it?

OOC: Dalmar Argant has taken 25 on Hide.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:46, Wed 03 Apr 2019.

Calvorn notes his location with a faint smile and an ever so subtle nod.

For two thousand carens I am hoping you might. I would offer half up front in keeping with the varim custom, but well, as you can see...

I can indeed see. Fortunately, I have a knight with me carrying Tyronius' personal seal, so I am sure he will be happy to stamp all IOUs once the job is done. Tell me, will the mercenaries be considerate enough to kill the men-at-arms before moving on to you and your friends, or will we need to fight them too?
This message was last edited by the player at 11:51, Wed 03 Apr 2019.

Calvorn glances grimly at the numbers of the mercenaries compared to the man-at-arms.

I suspect some will move to kill us while the others engage the man-at-arms. They have the numbers and will not want to risk us escaping in the skirmish.

Falnis drops lightly out of the tree, and stealthily pads his way over to Calvorn.

Well, we will have to discourage them from doing anything rash like that, won't we? What is your situation like for weapons and restraints? Falnis asks, appropriating a spare quiver of crossbow bolts from the backpack of an unfortunate man-at-arms on the way past.

OOC: Dalmar Argant rolled 33 using 1d20+16.  Sight of Hand.

Calvorn doesn't need to answer Falnis' question. In the dim morning light the varim can easily see that Tyronius' men have had all their weapons and shields taken from them, though they still wear their armour. Most of these weapons appear to have been piled in the rearmost wagon, beside several of the wounded mercenaries. The hands of each man have been bound thoroughly, though their feet remain unbound.

Whether due to the dim light or some varim magic or simply Falnis' superb skill, none of the riders appear to notice Falnis as he darts through their midst. When one of the horses gives a slight whinny it's rider quickly quiets it down as the men continue to make their way down the muddy road.

OOC: Caladormists rolled 8 using 1d20+4. Spot.

From this distance Falnis has no difficulty in overhearing the mercenary captain conversing in a low tone with another of his men.

"Soon as we attack Valdarn's men, kill the prisoners," he says, "No survivors, got it?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:08, Fri 31 Dec 2021.

The man nods grimly as he turns his mount to canter gently down the procession.

Falnis draws a longknife and cuts Calvorn's restraints.

Do try not to look too obviously free. If you managed to hide a hunting knife or two in your boots, perhaps you could work on freeing your men? I don't trust Thanian soldiers not to panic at the sight of me if they catch me doing it.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:09, Wed 03 Apr 2019.

One step ahead of you. Calvorn signs as he slips the dagger out of his sleeve. However, whether due to the cold morning or his stiff limbs or simple bad luck, the dagger slips past his open hand to clatter with a thud on the wagon floor.

The ranger gives a curse as the mercenary riding beside them does the same.

OOC: Calvorn Areldan rolled 16 using 1d20+8. Sleight of Hand.
Caladormists rolled 22 using 1d20+4. Spot.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:11, Fri 31 Dec 2021.

"He's free!" the man cries to his companions.

The mercenary captain, once more up at the front of the procession, growls a curse.

"Get 'em lads!" he shouts, swinging out his blade to slash savagely at the surprised Valdan.


OOC: Dalmar Argant rolled 23 using 1d20+11. Initiative.
Valdan Felrand rolled 21 using 1d20+1. Initiative.
Dared Galdon rolled 19 using 1d20. Initiative.
Calvorn Areldan rolled 12 using 1d20+7. Initiative.
Caled Aravor rolled 11 using 1d20+1. Initiative.
Thanian Man-At-Arms rolled 10 using 1d20. Initiative.
Caln Deran rolled 8 using 1d20. Initiative.
Caladormists rolled 4 using 1d20. Initiative.
Caladormist Man-At-Arms rolled 2 using 1d20. Initiative.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:43, Wed 03 Apr 2019.

Valdan may be surprised, but he is by no means stupefied. With a curse of his own he swings his sword out, narrowly avoiding the mercenary's blade as he brings up his own to slash the man across the arm.

"What is the meaning of this?" he snarls indignantly.

OOC: Valdan Felrand dealt 6 points of wound damage to Dared Galdon.
Dared Galdon dealt 13 points of vitality damage to Valdan Felrand.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:12, Fri 31 Dec 2021.