Swordslinger

[Townopolis]

The tracks that Rina found are another day old, but she and Claw manage to pick them up again without much trouble. They lead northeast from the farmlands for a while, before dropping into a dry ravine that runs north-south. Here you stop for a short break as the trackers pour over the ground. It turns out there are tracks leading both ways. Soon enough, however, it is confirmed that the freshest tracks, the ones you have been following, lead north.

Heading that direction, you follow the ravine as it wedges itself between two hills, then opens up as the hills part. The path slopes steeply downward into a small valley. The land in this area is grassland, suitable for pasture but not crops, and this particular valley has a stream running through it. It also just so happens to have a dozen or so horses grazing in it.

((On a side note, where does everyone see themselves in the marching order?))

[jagadaishio]

Elia

Upon coming across the field of horses, Elia cranes her neck to see if there are any bandits around. If there are, but they do not appear to have noticed them yet, she immediately looks for somewhere to hid.

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I see Elia as being somewhere in the squishy centre.

[The Boyce]

Murdoc Hillstomper

Murdoc takes a good look at all the horses, more than he really bargained for, but a good number nonetheless. They'd certainly pad their wallets, maybe even more than the actual reward for the bandits.

((OOC: I could see him being fourth or fifth given his lack of sneakery))

[Sicarius]

Rina

Rina sizes up the terrain carefully, looking for the most ideal spot to start a battle, if there was one.

((Rina is second in the battle order, given that Claw is likely tracking, and Rina wants to be close enough to shout orders to everyone else))

EDIT: Rina's preferred order (which she will, of course, voice to everyone) is Claw, herself, Elia, Murdoc, then Penn. Claw in the front will be tracking, Rina next will be the ideal place to see the entire battlefield and give orders, Elia is in the front because she can be adjusted as needed (Rina won't admit to saying that she thinks Elia is absolutely useless in a fight), Murdoc is the baseline that Claw and Rina can fall back to in case a tactical regrouping is needed, and Penn's bow and keen eyesight would suit him well in the rear position.

[Townopolis]

The valley sits between five large hills, with the creek cutting between hills to the east and west, and your ravine opening into it from the south, then appearing again on the north.

((starting at your position and going clockwise, the areas between hills are: ravine, empty, creek, ravine, creek))

To the north, you see the hills rising into craggy half-mountains, not large enough to be thought of as an actual range, to the east and southeast, you know the grasslands quickly turn into badlands, but they seem to be continuing elsewhere, in a hilly way.

Rina

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If you do end up fighting, you're going to want the higher ground, so the tops of any of the hills would be ideal. The valley itself would be the last place to get caught, as you would be easily surrounded by reinforcements, possibly without knowing it. The ravine is poor as well, as it is the ultimate low ground, and would be difficult to get out of while under attack,.

About the only thing the ravine has for it is some cover against ranged fire and an easier transition into the valley.

Elia

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As you peer at the surroundings, you catch sight of movement on the second hill to your left. Focusing on it, you see a figure pacing upon the hillside facing the valley, very close to the hilltop. It seems to be headed your way around the circle of hills, then stops, and walks the other way. After a bit of this, it hikes up to the peak and stands there for a bit.

[jagadaishio]

Elia

Elia crouches down and motions for the others to keep their heads down as well. She points up to the hilltop where she saw the figure and says, "We don't want to get spotted yet."

[Snowfall]

Claw

Claw nods at Elia's words, and then turns to Rina "The dogs' eyes. We hide from them or blind them."

[Townopolis]

((Saying everyone ducks, covers, hunkers down, kisses gravel, etc...))

When Elia points him out to the rest of the group, it only takes a little peering and squinting to make out the figure, on the second hill to the left. Everyone scrambles to keep out of sight, and it seems, for the moment, that you are successful. Peeking over the lip of the ravine shows that the sentry is continuing to meander around his post atop the hill, watching over the horses.

As you ponder your next move, the sentry seems overcome with the boredom of watching over livestock, and lies down on the hillside to soak up the sun, or fall asleep, you can't be sure at this distance.

[Sicarius]

Rina

"Not a very effective guard. We could easily slice his throat and drag him over to tree cover. If he's so bored with his duties that he falls asleep on the job, his compatriots would be not too suspicious if he disappeared for a few minutes."

Rina scoffs. This could be a trap, but she would need to be closer before she could make sure. "Claw, it should be either you or I. While I don't doubt Penn's skill with a bow, I doubt he could sever the vocal cords with absolute precision from this distance."

[Snowfall]

Claw

Claw nods at Rina, smiling "Hunt together. One may catch what another misses. High ground is good for eagle eyes too."

Turning to the others he adds, "You will be ready. The dogs may stir."

"Bai tho, dost" he says to Ghost, who whines for a moment, but then walks over to sit by Elia. Claw checks his daggers, nods at Rina again, and then silently moves off into the brush.

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High ground seems like a good tactical view point. After taking out the guard we could also spook the horses to draw the rest of the Black Dogs out, sending Ghost to play "wolf". Or drive them into the black dogs camp itself.

[Sicarius]

Rina

"Then let's move while we still have the advantage of surprise." Rina begins to follow, moving as quietly as a mouse.

[jagadaishio]

Elia

Elia watches as the hunter and the noble woman move out to take out the potential watcher. Having Big Bear's Ghost next to her is actually fairly comforting, as she's sure that he is a great protector if the fight were to reach the bottom of the hill.

I hope that guy actually is a guard and not a herder or something, no matter how unlikely it may be that he is.

[Townopolis]

Rina and Claw ascend the hill and approach the sentry, keeping cover in the overgrown grass and brush.

Rina & Claw

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As you come close, the sentry sits up suddenly.

"What?!"

He rises from his nap and looks around, his eyes sweeping over your hiding places searchingly.

"Jorgen, you there?"

As the sentry calls out, one hand comes to rest on the handle of a hatchet at his hip, the other reaching for a dagger tucked in its sheath under his belt.

He is a short-haired youth with stubble around his mouth and a thin face. He wears a leather jerkin over common clothes, trousers and a simple shirt, belt, and boots. He also has a peasant's shade for the sun, but that lies on the ground next to him. Without it, his dirty blond hair hangs over his eyes and he squints against the light.

Those watching from the ravine see the sentry suddenly get up, but cannot discern more about his actions.

[Snowfall]

Claw

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Claw crouches patiently, dagger in hand but behind his back so as not to catch any light. He waits for the young man to come closer.

If he doesn't approach, Claw will make scratching noise on the ground with his dagger.

[Sicarius]

Rina

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Rina keeps herself hidden and quiet, her hand on her bow.

[Townopolis]

The sentry begins to slowly approach the direction Rina and Claw would be approaching from, though neither of them can be seen.

Rina & Claw

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The sentry doesn't look like he's going to investigate, but then he hears Claw's scratching.

"Wha... what's that digging in there?" His tone changes from worry to amusement.

He begins climbing up towards your position, peering at the ground intently, as if he will find a groundhog or snake there, he casually draws his hatchet.

He approaches within feet of Claw's position, but his eyes are glued to the ground, and his eyes don't even pass over your positions as he passes between you.

[Snowfall]

Claw

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When the guard passes between himself and Rina, Claw rises up swiftly and strikes with his dagger, seeking to rip his blade across the young man's throat.

[Sicarius]

Rina

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When he gets close, and seeing Claw's reaction, Rina attempts to slice at his jaw with her finely wrought fencer's blade.

[Townopolis]

As the sentry ascends the hill, two figures rise suddenly from the grass on either side of him and assault him. A moment later, the sentry falls to the ground.

Claw & Rina

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Claw's blade catches the sentry on the collar bone, and stabs upward into his neck, Rina's rapier strikes truer, and blood flows from the sentry's throat as he lets forth a wordless cry. The cry is stifled by the cut, only a tiny sound comes out, and then he crumples to the ground at your feet.

His eyes are still open, and he desperately clutches at his throat, having dropped his hatchet, trying to staunch the flow of blood.

[Sicarius]

Rina

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Coyly, Rina puts her finger to her mouth. [COLOR="RoyalBlue"]"Shhh..." /COLOR] She smiles the devil's smile."Tell me what I want to know and I'll let you live. Are you one of the Black Dog boys?"

[Townopolis]

Rina & Claw

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The man tries to speak, but ends up slobbering blood instead. There is a desperate look in his eyes

[Sicarius]

Rina

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"How utterly disappinting." Rina reaches into her pack and begins staunching the blood flow.

[Townopolis]

Rina

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The man isn't dying, really, rather the cut across his neck has pierced his windpipe, and he is partially bleeding into it. It is a nasty wound to suffer, but you know how to deal with it. With care, you staunch the flow and get a seal over the problem. The man coughs up some more blood, then seems to breathe easier and relax.

Rina & Claw

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Rina manages to mend the sentry's wound, and he coughs up some more blood then relaxes. With his crises averted, he looks up at both of you, as if seeing you both for the first time, actually, he probably is.

"Who... are you?" His voice is tinged with fear.

[Sicarius]

Rina

Claw and Sentry

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"In this, I will ask the questions. If you answer them, you may be...rewarded." Rina lightly stroked his cheek with her finger, and pouted her lips a bit for maximum effect. "And if you don't...well, you've seen how good I am with a blade...Now tell me. Are you one of the Black Dog boys?"

Totally Sensing his Motive if he tells us anything. My intent is that I want him to answer honestly, not tell me what I want to hear.

[Townopolis]

Rina & Claw

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The captive looks at Rina then Claw, then back at Rina, confused fright in his eyes.

"... Yes?"

Everyone Else

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You catch sight of a pair of figures entering the valley from the ravine across from your position. They appear at its mouth and then drop down into the valley.

At first, the horses all shy away from the two figures, and some outright run from them, but after a few moments, one of them is coaxed over by one of the figures. At this distance, everything is quite small, but you can tell at least that both newcomers are carrying something, probably saddles, on their shoulders.

[Sicarius]

Rina

Claw and Sentry

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"That's a good boy. Now, would you be a dear and tell me where you are based currently?"

[Snowfall]

Claw

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Claw continues to listen to Rina's interrogation, but quietly moves a few feet away to keep a lookout on their surroundings.

[Townopolis]

Rina & Claw

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Your prisoner's eyes flit back and forth around you, refusing to make eye contact with either of you. He looks at Claw, gulps, and chews on his lip for just a moment, then tries to compose himself before giving a quick response.

"No."

[jagadaishio]

Elia

Penn and Murdoc:

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Elia looks carefully and tries to see if the two men would be able to see Claw and Rina at the top of the hill. Either way, she nudges Penn and Murdoc and whispers, "I think we know where their camp is now."

[Sicarius]

Rina

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"That's...so...disappointing. But maybe that means I get to play." Rina removed her dagger from her sheath and licked the edge in an attempt to scare the helpless little sentry. "You know a human can live for a few seconds after getting stabbed. I wonder, do you want to know what your own heart looks like? I'm more than happy to show you...up close."