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The Heartwood
After Dusk, the Town of Cragside
Rameday, The First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Camelia, Celi, Cesare, Kadri, Daxia, Bekkah, Mikah and Darian and Longtooth

"Just a fullhand of crowns ... that'll cover the tab your mercenary built up and a full saddlebag of cookie's wares. Though I can't be seing a need for the latter."

Dunwich pushed his hand through his hair, shaking his head.

"We carry this for between towns, because there's far too many of us for a day's travels inn to handle. You and yours, well, you'd be what an innkeeper would call a real good night."

The exchange was made, and tallies settled. The Horde's quartermaster bid Daxia a god afternoon. Pointedly there was no mention of a good night.

Dusk fell far far too quickly. It was if the entire town was waiting for the day to end; the Hart and Horse mostly empty by the time She touched the far horizon, as if everyone was already expecting the arrival of their Noble family come the dawn. The tavern conversation had been hushed growing softer as night approached, for in a place as small as Cragside secrets of this sort were an impossibility in keeping. For the conspirators there was time to rest, be it in a room or the commons or the stables. It became obvious that this place was a shelter in the storms; the death of the Veilikki had focused everyone's attention on the hilltown's darker activities, sending all to cover. As long as they stayed put ... and the steel stayed put, no need for intervention.

Sometime, however, long or short, after dusk but before the moons had risen they gathered. The town was asleep; even the stirring in the commons from the mercenaries was subdued. If anything there was a curious look, but that was all, as one by one rest was given up for the evenings tasks. Gear and horses gathered, and into the Cragside backstreets the small troop promenaded. It was, however, a very, very slow promenade. Because it was dark. It was not just dark, it was the pitchest black; the shadows between the buildings swallowed any hope of illumination. A two edged sword for sure; on one hand it made progress to the warehouse extremely difficult. On the other hand it made being followed and spied on equally hard. And like Mikal's preferred fighting style, there was another two edged sword in the fray. The sound of their feet upon the hard packed ground echoed. Just as did the curses of those watching the Horse and Hart.

"Krysta's crowns they be moving ... who does anything after dusk ... you cannae see a bloody OOOIIIIIIIIIOOOOOCH damn damn damn ..."

The warehouse was eventually reached, the lock opened, the door slid back and then closed behind. Now there could be the lighting of lanterns; the ones that hung from the rafters. In their stalls the big carters stirred; a couple sticking their heads out of the stalls to the unexpected activity. Perhaps hopeful for some oats and some water or a little attention. The three carts waited, each with their three lare coffin sized crates. As eyes grew accustomed to the bright light, Kadri's words were proven true. In the back of the warehouse, neatly stacked - because it was Kadri's previous work to see to such things. Rope was there, in long lengths and aplenty as well as block and tackle and metal crowbars of various lengths and sizes for opening crates of various lengths and sizes. From the rafters above were several big metal hooks, for hanging the pulleys of course.

And in the horse's tack, of course, leads and horse collars. And very conveniently, six big strong draft horses.

In the end, matters ended up in an odd reversal.

The warehouse was built to handle cargo.

Not to open up the walls between two adjoining warehouses. The trick, of course, is that it could not be simple vandalism. The walls had to be able to be put back together when the work was done. Thus it was those tasked with the steel that ended up waiting for those tasked with opening up the walls.

By then ... whether it was deep into the night or the dawn of the next day approaching, it was not known. Pulleys and ropes and the strong shoulders of the carters made pulling the rates into the adjoining warehouses a straightforward task. Rebuilding the walls took an equal amount of time and an overwatching of Kadri to return them to a passable condition. A wheelwright or carpenter could probably tell something was wrong; but anyone else, they would have to be specifically looking for the subterfuge to notice.

Leaving, of course, was only a little better. By now the two moons had chased themselves across the night sky and were almost touching the Black Mountain peaks. All their silver illumination did was cast grayer shadows in the darkness.

Backstreets again, and the sound of footsteps behind.

All the way to the gate.

"Mikal ... if they have my head for this ...

"I'm coming back and haunting you."

Slowly the town gates of Cragside were opened. And slowly they closed behind all.

The Heartwood
After Dusk, High Falls Tavern
Rameday, The Sixth Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Camelia, Celi, Cesare, Kadri, Daxia, Bekkah, Mikal and Darian and Longtooth

The road west was a quiet trip; as expected, as predicted. When dawn had shown Her face above the mountains a week ago they were a good bit down the trail, at a walk because riding in the dark would have been a foolish thing. The twists and turns of the foothills, however, had vanished behind them both the town walls and the ramparts of the Rock.

Pursuit, it seems, was not forthcoming.

Out of sight, out of mind, out of sight a convenient scapegoat to settle concerns of blame.

To put it simply, asfar as the Shannons were concerned, they were somebody else's problem.

Each day, as the sun rept her way to sleep, there was someplace to take shelter. If not a tavern, per se, but a farmhouse whose family made a few extra coin providing shelter for a few extra places at dinner and a corner of the barn to rest.

Dunwich was proven correct, of course. The trail rations bought went mostly un-needed.

A handfull of days from Cragside brought a true wayside tavern. It was set at the base of a rocky outcropping, either the last of the first vestige of the mountains behind them. There was a spring at the top which cascaded down into one of the many streamlets crisscrossing the rolling farmlands.

The inn itself, named for the pretty waterfall was little more than a collection of three simple buildings.

The first, a small house, where the barkeeep and his family lived.

Second, an open sided barn where horses could be sheltered. Where spring and summer it would have been nought but open timber posts and a roof, for the storm season they had made makeshift walls of hay and straw tied into simple bales.

Last, of course, was the commons hall; a one room building with a big fireplace in the center. Folks were expected to sleep in the commons; traditional for a day's travel inn.

A stewpot dominated the hearth and a couple planks on a pair of wooden trestles served as a bar and a place for bread and cheeses to be stacked.

The tavern owner was obviously doing well, of robust tummy and a lackadaisical manner. But he was friendly and his wife cooked a good stew, so it was a comfortable place to spend the night.

OOC Note: if the players wish to backfill conversations, the High Falls Tavern is a good place to do so. The action post continues, to bring you to a point where SOMETHING ACTUALLY HAPPENS that you can respond to!

The Heartwood
Midday on the Brementown Road
Hasday, The Twelth Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Camelia, Celi, Cesare, Kadri, Daxia, Bekkah, Mikal and Darian and Longtooth

West of High Falls the plains opened out, the first hints of the rolling farmlands and scattered boulders that become the High Tarn. The air was brisk, frosting one's breath, but the pace was kind; a simple walk from one farm to the next, each day a day farther from Cragside and a day more sure that the events within that town had stayed inside that town.

For now the weather had held; if there came rain, cold and icy and borne by bitter winds, it came around sundown and left a little ater dawn. The wind's howl became an accustomed companion come each night, making one very happy that there was shelter findable at the end of each night.

It was, however, cold enough that the Brementown Road, linking that strange village with Bordertown, was hard and frozen, Her light not even softening the ice through the length of the day. Those with Highgaard cloaks thanked their warmth, the others looked forward very much to the stewpot waiting somewhere, anywhere, come sunset.

To the right, to the far horizon, there were mountains no more. Just the low, far off haze of green that was the edge of the Dirkwood. No sane person would tread beneath the canopy of that forest. To the left, closer and closer, was another wood; the Forest of Roth. Equally cursed and beshadowed it grew closer and closer to their trail with each day.

High Falls was over a week behind the travelers, and the odd place called Brementown two days past.

Brementown had felt ... uncomfortable. Not that there was anything wrong to be seen. A small collection of perhaps twenty buildings, clustered about the simple crossing. Here was where the Road East joined the mainland's trails. Heading along it would thread between mountains and the Dirkwood Forest; the only towns between there and the Imperial City were those whose names were known only for their destruction by the East at the end of each age.

It was not that the folks were unfriendly or unkind or mean spirited.

It was like a blanket of quiet hung over the small town, like a fog, like a cloud, dampening everything.

Even the stew in the stew pot tasted ... a touch ... bland.

As if they had given up on matters many years ago and were now only going through the motions of living.

Even the cold air and harsh glare upon ice covered streamlets seemed more welcoming, more alive, once Bementown was left behind.

A day out, when they sat down at a farmers oversized dinner table, the goodwife noted,

"Brementown ... aye the folks there are a touch strange. But they cause no trouble, they don't do anything at all."

Two days out and at the makeshift inn Brementown wasn't even a matter of conversation. They were more concerned about the upcoming midwinter's; if they were going to spend it at home or travel west to the Tumbledown Tavern for a real celebration. That and their winter stores and the health of their livestock against the rains. And, it being just into the Storms, all was well.

Traveling the main trails in the storm season was a quiet matter. Most traffic heads west, towards the coast, so it is only rarely that one crossed the path of other travelers; usually a farmer moving between fields or doing business with his neighbors.

Thus, when something, different occurs, it stood out.

It occurred at a bend in the trail, just coming over a small hillock.

It was both Celi and Darian whose attention was snared first; by a warning, by the hint of motion from behind.

Motion accompanied by thunder, the thunder of hooves upon frozen ground, not of a walk or a canter, but a full out gallop, hard and fast, so fast.

The rider rounded the trail's bend and lightnings through their small group. The horse, it was the color of snow, its confirmation fair and slender, light. It was fast, upon them, in their group and then past in less than a handful of heartbeats - there and gone again before any action could have taken place.

The horse was unlike any seen; by Kadri, by Celi ... by Mikal and Daxia.

Its rider was slender, crouched over her steed, pressing as hard and fast as possible. Lithe and light, she was probably a she ... hinted at in tunics bright colored, sparkly bangles on her wrists and long, long black hair - the color of midnight - streaming out behind her like a playful banner. Her face was unseen, a full length heavy cloak with a fur lined hood protecting her from the cold.

There was a glance, a glance behind as she passed. A look of panic, of horror, but not to them.

She immediately turned her horse, hooves skittering on the hard ground, almost falling but not.

She galloped, hard. Heading for the nearby woods.

What ever she was running from was worse that the threat of the Forest of Roth.

What she was running from was off to the right, cutting across the bend in the trail.

More horses, more riders.

Over a handful.

They too were galloping at a breakneck speed. They too were riding horses of white. And they were bedecked in the most garish of colors, of bright mantling, the covers of their steeds snapping in the wind. Blues and reds and purples and greens, bright and clashing, patterns intricate and tangled. Like a hell bent kaleidoscope they pursued the lone girl.

She had just herself.

Their steel sparkled bright beneath Her light, shining silver and polished, some reflecting black as night. Their blades were curved, for slicing from horseback, their spears sharp, doubling as lances.

Daxia saw; one rising to ready a horse bow ...

And then cursed as their quarry vanishes into the tree line.

They followed.

Celi had taken to sleeping out and alone, a little odd given the weather but she seemed to be no worse for the wear and in fact was considerably better rested and more cheerful than anyone might expect.

She had been a big contributor to their traveling rations, finding palatable root stock, berry patches, greens, and bringing in game both small and deer-sized as needed, even when the others had uncovered no spoor at all.

She ignored questions and passed the meat along, letting others practice their cooking chops on whatever she found and cleaned.

SHe had made an effort to travel close to Mikal -- as close as her being on foot and him on horseback would allow. She had the ability to wolf-run for long distances without getting exhausted, which allowed her keep up with any pace trot or slower that Mikal chose to set for intermediate distances.

So it was they were close together when they werfe surprised by the single rider followed by the pack.

Celi looked at Mikal, said softly, "I -- that uis to say, *we* -- can take one of the pack and disrupt their pursuit, giving us someone to question if 'we' are ... careful. But I am learning; I will start this *only* if you think it right. I personally hate to see anyone run into the ground, and she looked very much afraid. I would like to help her, but I have no way of knowing what the right of it is, without asking one of them. If it were me in the front, I would wish for help but be too proud to ask."

Daxia
with Bekkah and Kadri on the road

Daxia road at the head of their small group today, accompanied by Kadri with Bekkah walking between the two horses, a pattern that had emerged early in their journey. When the first rider barrelled their group, Daxia merely looked at the strange horse and rider with puzzlement. But when the group of similar riders went flying across the road in front of them, combined with the girl's look of terror, she let out a short expletive, and pulled her bow from its pocket hanging from her saddle and quickly began stringing it.

"Kadri, if you are any good at throwing that knife from horseback, I'll welcome your assistance... Bekkah, ask Darian and Longtooth to follow; Celi and Camelia are no good against armed men, but stay with them, please. Follow if you must, but stay together. And I suppose Cesare will do what Cesare wishes to do." She smiled briefly as she rested the bow in front of her so she could grab her helm.

She turned towards the back of their little strung-out group. "Mikal," she called, "follow!" She nodded to Kadri before putting on the helm, and simultaneously grabbed bow and reins, then spurred Fern forward to move as quickly as possible after the riders.

Darian

The walk and the company was pleasant though the weather tried to make it not so. The movement kept her warm enough with the addition of the deer hide to the underside of her cloak and the furs tucked into the open spots. She had kept her bow strung and at hand in case there be need, but there had not. Shelter had been found at the end of each day, be it farm or inn.

The sudden sound of riders had Darian drawing an arrow and setting it to bow before she had even moved off of the road. It was pure defensive reaction. Beside her Longtooth's hackles raised, and he growled. Both remembered what that sound had led to for their Pack.

The appearance of the girl astride a loan beast was a puzzle, but she was gone before more could be made of it. Darian had not missed the look on her face though. The look of the hart that knows it is caught.

Then the others came, and something about them set her teeth on edge though she could not name it. Then Dazi, who had called them friend, was stringing her bow and giving chase. She glanced down to Longtooth and asked, "A Hunt in Roth?"

Kadri:

"This cannot stand."

She moves to range, and readies herself to throw a knife, should the opportunity present itself.

Cesare

"Remember, we do not know what is occurring here. She may have murdered someone."

He calls out after Daxia who seems intent in getting involved in something that is not her business, splitting their group in two and likely bringing trouble down on them all.

Mikal

After the hard work at the warehouse, the ease of exit is a relief. "I owe you one." He replies to his friend, clasping arms with him as they leave.

The initial few hours on the road consists of constantly looking back over his shoulder, at first for the sounds of pursuit, as it is too dark to see much, and then once She rises for any telltale dust. By the time afternoon arrives, he is fairly relaxed in the surety that they've gotten away.

The following days bring him back to the monotonous repetition of road travel. Dozing in the saddle when it is not his turn to be watchful, his unconscious familiarity with Talia's gait allowing him to keep steady in his seat even while taking cat naps. He appreciates the stops at inns and farmhouses along the way, both for the softer beds, or even hay to sleep on, and the warmth of the indoors. He bundles up in layers while on the road when it gets too cold, eyeing those with the heavy cloaks enviously.

He has a series of conversations with Celi, trying to drive home the point that as much as he understands her wanting to be helpful and contribute to the group, there are some things that she is best off keeping to herself. Things he doesn't want to get into, or know about.

He doesn't mind carrying the trail rations, even though it turns out they don't need them, as had they been pursued and had to have run cross-country, they would have, and as his ma always said, Better to have and not need then to need and not have.

When the girl on her horse, pursued by the others crosses the group's path, he pulls up, and automatically grabs and dons his helmet and checks his crossbow hanging from it's strap. He curses softly at the expected command from Daxia. He finds himself in agreement with Cesare. For all they know this girl is a murderer under just pursuit, and he isn't sure they should be getting involved, but he also knows that you don't question your leader in times like this, you follow orders or people die.

Turning to Celi, who is near to him, he says softly, "Anything you do must be unseen. I leave it to you to decide whether you can or not, but lean toward not if you are unsure. Keep your skills to protect yourself and these others."

"Lead Camelia and Bekkah, and Cesare if he stays with you, to a safe spot, and keep them safe. If we are not back in the time it takes to slowly count to a fullhand, a fullhand of times, and that again a handful of times (i.e. 25x25x5=3125, or roughly an hour), I leave it to you and they to decide whether to continue on the road or to follow our trail."

He then spurs Talia and takes off with the other two riders chasing the strange white horses and their riders into the Forest of Roth. He knows Celi can find his trail and follow if needed, so he has no concerns about that. That group will need to decide whether to do so or not.

Celi

Celi resented being cast aside, when she could easily have solved the problem. But, doing so would put her in a difficult position with the others, so she elected to take a secondary leadership[ role, and keep the others safe.

She collected Camelia and Bekkah, got Cesare's attention. "Listen to me. I am going to take us away from here, to a safe place where we will not be assailed. I can keep us safe from any attack, and after a while, if we have not heard from the rides, I can follow them.

"If the riders return, I will deal with them and keep you all safe.

"I cannot command you, but I can swear to you on Her Bright Spirit that I can do what I have told you, and i will keep you all safe if you come with me. I am expert in the Wild and with the children of Nature. First, I will find us a nice comfortable place to await the return of the others."

She turned about once, and found a point in the forest that seemed to hold her attention; she appeared to be looking for someone or something invisible to the others. After a moment, she relaxed and returned her attention to those around her.

The Heartwood
Midday on the Brementown Road
Hasday, The Twelth Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Kadri, Daxia, Mikal and Darian and Longtooth

The snarkhound's answer was both immediate and predictable.

It was a hunt.

Head low, he immediately turned and ran, heading not upon the trail of the girl and her pusuers, but straight across the frozen fields and into the trees; a path of interception.

The riders were distant, perhaps too far, as Kadri's first dagger sailed through the air and while the arc was true it never reached her target; on one hand this was a blessing in disguise - for the group of riders stayed on their own path. Their quarry was the girl; they seemed to care not for those behind them. This left the Amber lass one but one choice to close the diastance, to urge her horse after Daxia.

The three; Daxia, Mkal and Kadri, turned to pursue the pursuers. A breath, a handful of heartbeats and they too vanished into the tree line.

Followed by Darian; while on foot the hunter might fall behind.

But a bow's reach could render that difference moot.

The Heartwood
Midday on the Brementown Road
Hasday, The Twelth Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Camelia, Cesare, Bekkah and Celi

Told to wait, to hold the path, the four watched as their compainions vanished into the Forest of Roth. While the woods themselves were not cursed like the trees of the Dirwood, that could not be said of those who lived within those woods. To take shelter there, that was something done only by the most desperate.

Celi lead the other three into the shadow of the treeline, to what she believed was a safe place.

While four of their little troop went after the girl, after her pursuers, against the pack of riders ...

... outnumbered.

The Heartwood
Midday on the Brementown Road
Hasday, The Twelth Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Kadri, Daxia, Mikal and Darian and Longtooth

There was a small break in the tree line; this is where the black haired girl upon her white horse rode.

Her pursuers, pursued, into the very edge of the forest, but for a moment, for a moment, lost from sight.

Ahead, there was the sudden sharp cry of a horse's paniced whinny.

And then they saw into the break in the trees.

But a few fullhand of paces into the woods it the trees thinned, forming a small, sheltered, protected glade. The little copse was no simple field, however; it was a rough and tortured ground - shards of wood, splintered, rose through the tangled underbrush. Bits of metal, old and rusted hoops, poked through the tall brown grasses as well as rough mounds, large and small, unidentifiable at a glance, having been overgrown by more than a few seasons.

It perhaps explained the scene before them.

The girl was in the center of the wreackage, on all fours, desperately shaking her head as if trying to regain her bearings. A few paces away her horse wandered, hooves dancing, as if losing it's rider was as panicing as being chased.

The pursuers rode to close upon their prey; one riding hard and around to the right, another to the left, encicling her like the horns of an angry, ill tempered bull. Three riders faced her, still mounted, dark swords held in their grip. Just beyond them one had dismounted. He wore no armor, stepping towards the girl as if he owned her, as he interlaced his fingers and then pressed downwards. His knuckles popped, a sharp rattle and snap echoing like a smith's hammer blows.

Their archer, he held back, bringing up his bow, nocking an arrow and leveling it at the fallen woman.

In the center of the glade, lost and lonely, there was what was left of a tall banner; perhaps two tall people high. It hung in tatters, its colors faded by Her light. A silent witness.

The unarmored one spoke,

" ... al'khashtena'ha'al'kh'lhy'al'rohmshkya ... al'khasten'daylna'khorran ... al'khantistan'mishya!"

Darian

She could have guessed Longtooth's answer. Partially did, tucking her cloak to be out of the way of her ability to draw, set and shoot arrow. She followed her Hound companion at an easy lope, her gait not unlike his, and watched him for the signals. This separated them from the others but so did the speed of their mounts.

"Lord Khannish favor us," fell from her lips as she bounded away, if any had been close enough to hear.

A Hunt...a true Hunt. It had been many handfulls of days...since before the last time the Grey Men came to Yagherspring. She felt her spirit soar with the chase...

Longtooth led her true as they wove through the trees, and she came along side the riders she knew. She did not call to them but kept in the Hound's wake. Her footfalls made no more noise than his did, though under the noise of the white horsed riders they could not be heard.

She watched as Longtooth cut off toards his intended target then drew bead on the middle of the three she spied and let fly.

As Kadri rode up, she muttered under her breath - where none but the horse - and one other - could hear.

"My Lady, mother, sister, I think its time for that man's aim to become aimless. Let him contend with the shadows in which he stands."

"Light unto the dark one; hear what shadow sayeth. Dark unto the Light one, upon your head it layeth. Light and dark make shadow - hear what shadow sayeth. Shadow lend your aid."

A smile, perhaps a tad dark this time, crossed her features momentarily.

No. She did not like. . bullies.

Daxia
with Mikal and Kadri heading towards the glade

A glance... just a brief glance at the banner, and Daxia jammed her bow back into its holder as she started keening. It was soft at first, but a mournful sound full of pain and anguish. She spurred Fern on to even greater speed as she drew her sword. She and Fern wove between the archer and the swordsmen being harassed by Darian and Longtooth... the death wail getting louder. She came to a stop in front of the girl, in front of the banner, and stood between them and the man who spoke in the unknown language. The keening ended in a single shouted word...

"STOP!

"This is MY banner. Where stands my banner, I stand to defend it and those who claim refuge beneath it.

"Girl... do you claim sanctuary in the shadow of Dawnview Vale?"

Celi

Celi set about making the others comfortable, making sure they rested, took water and whatever food they required. If warmth was needed or hot food, she dug a pit then built and banked a fire that could not be seen from more than foot away. The scent she couldn't altogether dissipate, but she promised them she would know if someone was coming before they got close enough to windward to scent the fire.

"Anyone have thoughts as to who the girl or the rideri might be?"

Meanwhile, she went through another of those distant-attention episodes, focusing away and then returning.

P

Bekkah

At each farmstead along the way, Bekkah had spoken with the owners. She knew that seeing a Lady of Attera amongst the group would instantly relax their would be hosts. She always offered her skills if any within the household needed her Lady's attentions. Other than that, the time was spent idly chatting, getting to know some of the people they now traveled with. They were each unique, but they also possessed a goodness to them that she liked.

When traveling, she now wore the fur wrap around her neck, keeping her even warmer as Darian had said. Other than her boots, it might be the finest thing she owned. She walked each day between the horses, never slowing, never complaining. For the most part, she was always smiling. A lot of it had to do with being reunited with Dazi, but the others also made her feel good.

Then the rider flew by them and everything changed. Before she could say anything Dazi was gone, not that anything she would have said could have kept her sister from going after the girl. No, that would be as useless as trying to swat away rain drops.

She wanted to follow, but at least for now, she would do as Dazi had ordered. Things went smoother when everyone did what was expected of them.

"Celi, is there any way to get closer without being seen?"

{OOC apologies for any inconvenience but I have not had chance to post since my last post less than 24 hours before and Cesare will not stay back with Darian running in on foot.]

Cesare

Longtooth charges off, instinct and presumably training kicking in. He turns to Darian to suggest she recall him but Darian is already giving chase.

With a soft curse under his breath, he runs after her concerned that, with the speed of the hound and the horses, she could be caught out on her own.

He is not about to let that happen.

[OOC: That's kinda why I said Cesare would do whatever Cesare wanted to do. No inconvenience, and as far as the map/drawing Wolf did, we should assume Cesare is next to/behind/near Darian? Welcome to the crazy zone.]

[OOC That's fine Apology was also for Nicki]

Mikal

He rides along the twisting trail, following Daxia and Kadri. The ride is shorter than he'd suspected, his having prepared for a long forest chase, as they quickly come upon a clearing where it would appear the girl had been thrown from her horse.

As they close, he quickly takes in the tactical situation. They are outnumbered, but seem to have the element of surprise on their side as their foes are focused on the girl.

He drops Talia's gait to a walk so he can choose his target and glances at his companions. Kadri appears to be staring intently at the mounted archer to their front. To his left he can just see the movement of Longtooth and Darian headed toward the group of three in the middle. That leaves the flanks to he and Daxia.

**Well, to me I guess.** He muses as Daxia rides straight ahead into the clearing.

Guiding Talia to one side of Kadri, he slides from her back to the ground, crossbow in hand. He drops her reins to the ground, knowing she will not move.

Mikal focuses for a moment, as his ring mail covered leather tightens about him and brings up his crossbow. He takes careful aim at the mounted man off to his right, beyond the mounted archer and fires a quarrel. He aims low purposefully, intending to hit the man in the guts, or if he misses, to hit his horse.

Once the quarrel is away, he prepares for the reaction. Should he be charged, he expects to use the trees as cover to continue firing until surrounded, at which point he will drop the bow and draw his blades, using the trees to cover his back.

[Ooc: "it'll give 'em to know our intentions was serious..."Rooster Cogburn]

CELI (with Bekkah and Camelia, but not with Cesare who took off on his own)

Celi had been working on making the site she had chosen suitable for a long-term occupation, since she had no idea at this moment how far the chase was going to run, or how long their horsemen would be engaged. She didn't sigh or roll her eyes or take any action that would show frustration, since in fact she really wanted an excuse to take them closer to the action. Then she could bring Stormrunner out of the shadows and into play, if needed. And if not, then so much the better; they weould be closer to a reunion. And she could use Stormrunner to guide Mikal to them, and save some time.

"Yes, I can follow them, but you must all stay close to me and move as silently as you can. We don't want to put our group in danger, which might cause our horsemen to put themselves in danger to protect us. Do you follow what I am saying?"

While she checked with the two women in her charge, she immediately started Stormrunner on the trail of the riders, with a proviso that he remain out of the action for now, and lead her group silently to a safe point close to the riders, before she would join him in taking a more active role.

The Heartwood
Midday on the Brementown Road
Hasday, The Twelth Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Kadri, Daxia, Mikal and Darian and Longtooth

The girl on the ground shook her head. She didn't look up, still dazed, only knowing that the crash of hoofbeats meant her pursuers aware upon her.

Through the small glade a suden wind kicked up, slamming through the trees, whipping like a harsh stampede through the leafless branches, making them sway like they were alive. Clothing and cloaks snapped, the banner looked as if it would be blown to its very threads. It roared, it swirled about the glade ... and then with a treetop rustle, braches snapping as if punched by a huge fist, it was gone.

"Kkkkhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ...."

The sharp, guttural cry of sheer terror slashed in the whirlwind's wake, matched by the sudden snap of a horseacher's bowstring. The arrow, however, went wild as beneath his shadowed tree the brigand convulsed. He was but a silhouette beneath the trees, shorn from Her gaze. His horse reared, nostrils flared, as its rider desperately slashed about him with a hastily snared dagger. The light through the trees cast him in a moire of grays and black, as like a drowning man he panicked. His horse bolted from beneath him, galloping deeper into the forest while he ... his back arched, his gray eyes bugged like an instance ... his heart having bucked and stopped before he hit the thick underbrush, his sprawl awkward, his fading eyes still full of whatever horror had stolen his life.

One down, six to go.

The second bow shot, however, found its mark. From her shadow Darian's shot sliced between tree trunks and through the low lying branches. Square in the back of the middle rider his shot pierced, through armor and into flesh. He jerked forward, causing his steed to move forward too. A cough of red burst from his lips and then he fell forward over the front of his saddle, across the neck of his retreating horse.

Two down, five to go.

Three down, four ... no.

Mikal's crossbow shot true, catching the brigand in his side, just below his ribcage. It caused him to start, to jerk his attention from his foe. He reached around and as he yanked the quarrel from his side there was a splash, a starburst, a cometing of rainbow sparkles. He in turn drew his destrier around, tucked close and down and charged. A ton of horse and armored thundered towards the Jvrillian, the sword drawn against him black as the night.

The warning of those fallen did not go unheeded. The two remaining riders, sharp, sure, professional, turned their horses to face this new threat. One rider headed into the brush, seeking the archer who took down their compatriot. The other ... upon Kadri.

For a moment, like the space of time in the flash of lightning, there was silence.

Broken by Daxia's mad dash through, to the banner to the girl.

He, however, did not see a joke.

They saw a threat.

"Daylna'sitari'm'rtyu!"

The girl panicked, tumbling over on her back, pushing herself into the underbrush, away from the Dayalan, as if she had just jumped straight from the frying pan right into fire.

"Starrybred killer ... strawberries ... haven scary ... sanc .. sanc ... sanctuary?"

The unarmored man locked his gaze with Daxia and raised his hands.

That simple motion.

The girl screamed, her sibilant voice loud and sudden.

"Strawwwrrrrry-berries! Havenny-scary! Sanc-sanc-sanc-tuaries! YES YES YES!"