Red Sand Raiders - Part 1 - RPLOG
Participants
Date
25/10/477
Log
The merchant's missive from the Freesword's Guild implored the erstwhile escorts to be at the base of Firebough Mountain, today, at... roughly this time, and sure enough, there are three laden wagons, with draft-lizards and drivers, waiting for reinforcements. One wolf who carries himself with a regal bearing seems to be in charge, pacing circles around the small convoy and glancing out across the starlit sands, then up the mountain, then back out across the flats as he waits.
Dressed as fancifully as ever, though in a regal dress instead of her suit, this time, Cassidy slips onto the scene, hands folded behind her back. "Hello, hello! I heard you needed some help?" She asks, bringing a hand around to adjust her top hat. "Well! I am here to do that!"
Thelergramor is, surprisingly, maskless and wearing a red shirt today! Which is strange, not just because he's wearing a shirt. But because it's usually a bit hot here... Along wiht his striking change of apparel, is a red noble looking cloak. Really classy and expensive looking. The wolf makes his way towards the wagons, lugging along his cannon, flamberge and life drinker. A smile grows on his face when he sees Cassidy is here. Immediately heads over to her, as she addresses one of the merchants. "I'm here to help. So, bandit problems? Should be easy enough." Steps up next to Cassidy. "Hey, Cass. Beautiful as ever." Glances back over his shoulder, assuming there will be more freeswords coming.
A few moments after a slight plume of sand forms in the desert, Selena makes her way up to the group and dusts herself off slightly. "Cassidy, Thelergramor." She greets the pair, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Aren't you both a bit overdressed for an escort job?"
Surely enough, she's in the same clothes she almost always seems to be in - blouse and trousers. "Nevertheless, you mentioned some bandits were getting more active in the area. I was wondering if we should know anything about your cargo that might help us get a better idea of why they're after it. Usually bandits don't really ambush people in the desert to my recollection, more often around the swamps or pass - they're generally safer."
Fenris is already waiting by the wagons. Not that anyone would recognize him. He is wearing a new outfit and a new face. Today he is a grizzled looking lynx with a thick handlebar mustache. He wears an open leather vest and a necklace made of animal teeth that camoflage a plain soul pendant. The rangy feline has his wide-brimmed hat tipped back as he tosses a boomerang end over end. "Let's get this party started," he says with an unusual accent, "Ash Dustcloak don't have all day!"
In the middle of yawning, and rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Sara leaves the Freeswords inn and makes her way to the guild for the daily look over the job boards located there. After dragging a clawed finger across the wooden structure, and a few 'No's' that only seem to drone on in a dull fashion, Sara plucks a request from the board and mumbles aloud, "Drytongue.. bandits.. need of guards.. hm. Sure." After finishing, Sara's crimson gaze falls upon the requested time and gulps, knowing full well she'd have to hurry if she wanted to meet the deadline.
Upon leaving the guild Sara hastilly unbuckles the cloak covering her form, stuffs it into the satchel at her side, and takes to the skies in a frantic dash for her destination. While the flight itself is short; the winged lizard catching powerful currents that lead her over the landscape, it does leave her winded as she just barely lands with a skidding halt near one of the wagons. "Phew.. S-Sara.. Sara Longtail.. reporting.." she pants before bending over, and placing one hand on her knee, and using the other to offer a brief wave to her employer. "Did.. did I make it in time?"
Jera breaks his landing with a tumble, having flown the distance, and picks himself up with a soft yawn. His normal bow replaced by a long staff that he is using as a crutch, even though both his legs are working fine. "Just bandits. Let's finish up quick and go back home. Shouldn't take too long."
The wolf cries out cheerfully as the Freesword's arrive. "Our salvation!" He quickly shakes the hand of anyone who will let him as he introduces himself. "Yes, yes. I am Thakar Glimmertooth, and I have been -plauged- these past four nights, I tell you! Plauged!" He gestures back at his wagons. "I run a trade route along the edge of the flat, north towards the Green Valley, bringing tools and equipment and the luxuries of the big city to mountain prospectors, relic hunters, and those idio- erm, poor sods trying to claw out a bit of farmland from the grasp of the Green Menace." He pauses as a few of the Freeswords call for the show to go on, and he grins. "Yes! Well. I trade good equipment - which every bandit seems to be in short supply of - for food, precious metals, and the like... which also seem to be high attractive to those nefarious fiends! And normally my special route is safe enough, but every night... EVERY NIGHT for the past four nights, my outriders have reported sightings of the Red Sand Raiders, and I haven't felt safe enough to embark on the second half of my journey. But, if you are all ready, we can head out." Thakar climbs up onto the lead wagon, sitting next to the driver. "It is a cold night tonight on the flats, but who knows, the Raiders may get your blood fired up."
Cassidy giggles softly and adjusts the large grimoire cradled in her arms. "Might be, Selena. But you know me. Always overdressed. And you're -especially- overdressed for you, Thel." She bows her head towards Sara and smiles behind her mask. "Nice to see you, too. And cold tonight, huh?" She closes her eyes for a moment, a few flaming embers kicking up to hover near her. Warmth! "Well. I am ready for it! And if they make a move, we will be ready."
Thelergramor smiles at the simplicity of the job. "Great. Butchering bandits. Like I said, easy." Turns back, nods to Selena. "When am I ever dressed appropriately for anything?" A chuckle as he nods to the rest. And back at Cassidy. "Never know when I might need to impress a classy lady." Winks, and chuckles. Looks over the wagons; trying to picture how he'd go about hitting them... Sniffs and looks back at the group.
Selena nods back to the merchant, letting out a quiet sigh. "Well, that would make enough sense. The Red Fever is still fairly recent on the mind, and even if the desert isn't that close to any of our borders I suppose it makes sense that trade might've slowed." She replies, raising an eyebrow slightly.
"The desert's always cold during the night, though hopefully it won't be particularly bad. I could just conjure my elemental if we're not worried about visibility, but I'm not sure it'd be well-advised unless it's being used as a decoy."
The wolfess moves over to the wagons, shrugging slightly. "I wouldn't know, Thelergramor. I've only met you a few times. Ash, Sara, Jera. It's good to see you all made it.
Ash spits into the dust and swings up onto the side of a wagon. He adjusts the musket on his back and tucks his boomerang into his belt. "Me an' Sheila're ready for anythin' this dustbowl can dish out," he drawls, using his free hand to brush along his mustache. He gives a brusque nod to his erstwhile fellows, steel blue eyes appraising each of them. All business, this one.
After a brief moment of panting, Sara rises back to a standing position and takes a glance about the general area, looking over the other freeswords. Of whom, she immediately she recognizes Cassidy, and Thelergramor who get a friendly wave, a warm, "Good to see you too, Cassidy, Thelergramor." and a low nod. As Jera lands close by the lizards eyes go wide for a brief second and back as her lips curl into a smile. "And it is good to see you too, Jera." With a final wave to those she had missed, Sara fishes the cloak from her satchel, slings it about herself, and makes her way to one of the wagons which she quickly hops up into. "So, Mister.. Thakar is it? How many bandits usually attack you?"
Jera smiles and gives Sara a big hug, patting her back and smiling to himself. He nods and hands the merchant his staff. "Newest design. Self defense stick. Hold it any way you want...but as long as you are holding it it will sense snemies and fire blasts of air magic to keep you safe." And then he draws out his dagger, returning the greeting to Selena with a small salute.
"None!" Thakar replies to Sara, wriggling his eyebrows at her. "Because I'm careful and I would rather go around problems than through them. These fellas are pernicious, though, so it seems I have to part with some of my lucre to hire you all. Now, if you'll all get situated, we'll be on our way - I've got many miles to cover tonight, ladies and gentlemen." The wolf waits for the Freeswords to pick which wagon they are riding with, then gives a sharp whistle and the group sets off, rolling across the flats under the stars and the shattered remains of the moon. Thakar himself keeps glancing up at the sky, slightly adjusting his course here and there, and a few times a rider approaches from over the sands, confers with the wolf, then takes off again.
When it turns out that they'll be riding instead of walking, Cass waves a hand to dismiss the floating embers and instead moves to settle into the back wagon, pulling her knees up and propping her book up to begin looking over the pages while they ride along. She hums a quiet, gentle tune all the while, waiting for something to happen. Or to not happen, as would be preferable.
Thelergramor rubs his muzzle, badass expensive cloak billowing about him. Produces a flower and offers it to Sara with only a nod. Then, regardless of if she accepts it, moves on and mounts up in the front wagon. Usually his first choice as target, back during his bandit days. "Hm. Uncovered. Watch for arrows or crossbow bolts. Or musket rounds. And magic..." Sets his cannon next to him, smirking.
Selena nods back to Thelergramor. "When and if we're ambushed, I'll take some measures to hinder the bandits from targetting things. Until then, though, i'd rather not risk making us more obvious to the bandits. A localized sandstorm is fairly easy to tell apart from a true, environemental sandstorm. fog banks in a desert are too obviously unnatural. So until they're here, we can either put some of the tarps to use or prepare ourselves in some other way." She replies, setting herself down on the middle wagon - clearly not too fussed about her position in the great scheme of things. "If they do come, it'll probably be best to try and generate a localized sandstorm anyway - there's plenty of sand here, but not much water."
Ash hangs lightly from the side of a wagon part way down the line, steely eyes watching the horizon. The cool night air does not seem to bother him much. He keeps his musket ready on its sling. He could have Shiela at his shoulder in a heartbeat should he need his weapon. He tucks his hat down among the crates, letting his tfted ears stand tall.
Sara's tail begins to sway as Jera wraps her in a hug and leaves her nuzzling Jera in thanks. After parting from the fox she notices Thel's offering and with a warm smile, and a nod Sara takes it from the wolf and says, "Thank you very much." before climbing aboard the lead wagon. Once there Sara responds to Thakar's anwer with, "Got it.. lets hope our luck continues then." but still pulls her musket into her arms and waits.
"So many people on watch!" Jera giggles, deciding to kick back and wiggle his toes a little, taking up quite a bit of space in the wagon to sprawl out and relax. Keeping a small air magic spell on hold but otherwise...not seeming so interested in the job just yet. He does mumble softly though, calling out an advanced equation to call out what seems like a little ball of rock and mud.
Thakar laughs, a short bark of amusement. "Oh, believe me, I've heard of a few of you Freeswords by reputation! And I expect I'll get the contract's worth from you before the night is done; a bit of overwhelming force to teach the currs not to cause a commotion about my comodities." Pleased with himself for that one, Thakar grins. The night wears on as the journey continues, and it seems Thakar's route has taken him closer to the edge of the flats - the dark shadows of the surrounding mountains loom ever closer, until a sharp turn points the convoy towards what looks like a canyon. "Yon canyon over there skirts a plateau, and will get me to my destination in... about four more hours. But my scout," he pauses, and nods towards the outrider the group of wagons is approaching, "says there's likely an ambush." The wagons roll to a stop, and Thakar and his scout converse for a moment before he stands up and claps his hands. "It's like this every night, they know they can't catch me out in the open, but somehow they've gotten ahead of me to find a good place to jump me, should I keep going. Soooo..." he drawls it out. "Go up there and kick their faces in for me, yea?"
Cassidy clears her throat and slips out of the back wagon, wandering up towards the front to speak to Thakar without having to raise her voice. "We could go ahead and deal with it, yes... And risk leaving you unprotected here. Is that what you wish? Perhaps some of us should remain back here, just in case? As much as I'd hate to miss out on the action... It'd be remiss of us to -all- go and leave our flank open."
Thelergramor cracks his knuckles, picking up his cannon and dropping out of the wagon. "Alright, let's get on with it then." He smiles as he looks over the group, knowing no mere bandit <himself included> could stand against these people. He mutters to himself: "Oh, these bandits are screwed..." Nodding at Cassidy's wisdom, he adds. "I could stay behind, if needed." Smiles over at Sara, approving that she accepted the flower. Glances over the plain, likely not seeing anything important.
Selena rubs her cheek as the convoy comes to a halt. The announcement from Thakar prompts a slightly surprised 'Mm?' from the wolfess, who moves over to the rest of the group. "Depending on how many you're expecting, it might be best for me to stay here in case the ambush is a red herring. It mostly depends on where you all think I'll be needed more, since we don't have much of an idea about the group's numbers or how they typically plan attacks on caravans. Are we expecting arrows, firearms, javelins..? They can't be using serious fire magic or they risk destroying the goods, so you could argue it's also safter here if they do."
Sighing quietly, she moves over to Cassidy. "Still, I know most of us are capable either way."
Sara nods to Thakar's wisdom and answers him, "Guess so. In anycase, I'm certain we wont let you down." After which Sara just reclines back in her seat, lifts the flower that had still been clutched between her thumb and index finger, and sniffs it before stuffing the flower in a pocket, deep enough to make sure it doesn't fall, and still show the bloom.
Once the wagons slow to a stop and Thakar mentions his plans Sara nods, hops out of the wagon, and continues onto the destination.. at least for a few steps before Cassidy asks her question, "Huh.. she's right. How do we know this place won't be some elaborate setup? Lead the defenders away from the cargo.. uh.. any of you able to summon an elemental and command it to protect the place while we're gone? Or will we just be splitting up?"
Jera watches Sara for a moment with a soft smile on his face, and then he finally picks himself off his lazing position now that things have started to get a little bit more serious, getting an idea. "Our wagons are silent enough if we travel slowly. A few flowers in the sky to make it look like we're headed in that direction and we're scouting there first and then we do a simple bait and switch."
Ash snags his hat, floppy brim and all and hops down from the wagon. The lynx sets off in an easy lope, his long legs eating up ground. "Going topside," he calls, hurrying to find a likely spot at the top of the canyon to help offset the ambush.
Thakar raises his eyebrows, then tilts his head, as one after another the Freeswords volunteer to stay with the wagons instead. He finally laughs as Ash goes and wanders off, then nods his head at Jera's suggestion. "Yea?" he asks. "Like, light the canyon, pretend to scout it, then send a decoy in?" He spreads his hands. "Look, I figured asking you to go charging in was worth a shot, but since that seems to be out, what will you have me do? I'll go along with whatever, you all are the experts, but if anything of mine gets damaged it's coming out of the pay."
Cassidy raises her brow and glances among the others. "Honestly, I was going to suggest we just split up or something. But I am okay with whatever you lot decide. I am here just to provide help," she says, bobbing her head before looking towards Selena, and then at the others. "So. What's our plan? I don't want to stand around forever, you know?"
Thelergramor scratches his muzzle. "Yep. Expert on bandits. That's me. I'd've expected them to be less obvious of the fact that they are bandits. Amateurs." Shakes his head, looks over the area and watches the Ash leave. Glances at everyone again. Then, steps up next to Cassidy and Selena. "Ok, as the person with the worst recor for planning... I say, we walk straight into the trap and slaughter 'em." Shrugs, horrible plan proposed: "And now, since noone could have a worse plan than me... Let's hear 'em." He chuckles softly, checks what his cannon is currently loaded with and smiles.
Selena shrugs. "It'd be a waste to stay here forever. I can conjure elementals, so I have that in my favor. The issue is that if you use a feint and it doesn't pull their attention, they'll know you're coming. Honestly, Thakar, it would help us a lot if we knew what kind of weapons they have and how they usually attack. Since we don't know that, we can't use that to our advantage. I'll stay behind if there are no issues with that - I'm quite capable at handling a small area."
Ash is long gone. Fenris would have loved to stay and hear the plan, but he had to establish Ash Dustcloak, merc for hire, and that meant getting the job done fast and hard. The lynx scans the approaching ridge for a likely spot to set up with his custom made musket. Somewhere with a commanding view of the canyon. Hopefully he could spot any bandit patrols up here before they spotted him. He stays low and keeps his long strides light. Stealth was the watchword. For now.
"Not sure myself. I suggest whoever has the ability bring a couple elementals in existence, thus offering the wagons some defence, and maybe time for us to return if danger rears its head." Sara mumbles after looking to everyone. "Not sure whether it would work, but that's my suggestion." she concludes with a brief shrug. After turning in place and walking off to the canyon Sara calls over her shoulder, "Either way, if anyone wants me, I'll be off scouting the place out.."
Jera assembles his bow and then pulls his bow, showing off the glimmering flame runes and the arrow tip catching alight with magical fire just to test, slacking the bowstring after and retrieving his arrow. "Fire arrows, you know. If only to attract more attention here. Scout the area and we bombard with weapon fire and Thel's cannon?"
Thakar listens, then makes a quiet grunt. "So... one vote for just running into them. And I am sorry, beautiful miss wolf, but I have been avoiding them as best I can! Getting into a battle with bandits was my last resort. I have heard, from other people in the area, that they're mostly Apostates, like attacking in numbers, and have been seen with the usual collection of clubs, axes, cheap swords... none of them have been reported with anything too nasty, like-" he answers, then cuts off, blinking, as a sudden howling wind kicks up, plumes of sand and dirt getting lifted to the air. "Er. Did you do that?"
Cassidy smiles at Selena and nods. "Yes, looks like we'll have to do some party-splitting," she says, watching the others move off. "If you want to stay and guard, I'll go with the advance team to provide some magical support- Hold that thought." She frowns as the sand starts to kick up. "Not me. But let me see if I can put an end to it." Rolling her shoulders and flexing her fingers, she tries to summon forth a counter-wind to try to cancel out the other.
Thelergramor squints at the, uh, windy-thing with the name the wolf is not privy to. "Wonderful." Glances at Cassidy, is sure she has this. "I'll go with Cassidy, if noone objects." Checks his other weapons, satisfied with his cannon. Life drinker, flamberge, pistol... Yep. All good. The wolf scratches his muzzle and waits.
Ash takes cover behind whatever outcrop is handy. Looks like somebody is making a move down there! The lynx runs a thumb along his mustache, then shoulders his gun, sighting carefully along the barrel while whispering a bit of air math to activate the covert runes within the weapon. He is not firing just yet, but he is ready to, should these figures be his target.
Selena raises a hand before her eyes as the wind starts to kick up, looking back over to Cassidy - "It should be easier to divert than just stop. If they're planning to come to us, the damage is already done; save your energy." She replies, though nevertheless making her own moves to help the vixen with reducing the effects of the winds. "Keep back unless you're comfortable with direct combat." She notes to the beings around her, unsurprisingly moving somewhat back herself.
As she notices something moving off in the distance Sara crouches down amidst the rocky landscape and encircles the pitch black cloak around her, and in doing so hopefully leaving her difficult to see amongst the darkened landscape. As the figures move closer Sara slowly pulls back the hammer of her musket, slows her breathing considerably and waits for the figures to move past.
"Mmh. I guess a few warding shots to draw off a part of the group might still do some good." Jera peers out of the wagon and decides to leave the vehicle to fire a few flame-charged arrows in another direction, only willing them to light on their way down.
Just as quickly as the windstorm had begun to pick up, it is squashed by Cassidy and Selena. There is a surprised shout, and about a half dozen Beings who had been trying to sneak up on the wagons - covered in tattered cloaks almost the same color as the ground under them - rise up and begin approaching. There is another shout off in the distance as Jera's arrows ignite, and Thakar grips the defensive staff in his hands as he (and his drivers) move to put the wagons between them and the approaching Beings.
Cassidy smiles softly under her mask and nods at Selena. "Yes, perhaps you are right. But I wanted it stopped entirely. And look, we have guests." She swivels to face the group, arms still folded and cradling her grimoire. "Halt," she says, kicking up another bit of wind math to buffet them with wind and sand of her own. There's no earth magic here, though, simply using what was already there.
Thelergramor yawns at the approaching people. "Hang on a moment Cass. While I'd never turn down killing these random armed bastards walking towards us... They haven't pulled their weapons yet." The wolf, still smiling, begins to walk towards them. Calmly, cannon held in one arm, the other up in a gesture of parley. "Aye, halt and all that..." Just keeps approaching them. "I just want to talk." No he doesn't.
Selena shrugs slightly. "Creating a sandstorm out of nowhere like that is as good as announcing your presence." She replies, looking back to the group that was approaching. "It'd be another story if they were carrying them readied. There's no reason to attack them at this point, all right?" She comments, rubbing her forehead. "Besides. If they're alive then there's more of a chance we can get some information out of them. Like exactly where their allies are and if they've laid any traps further along this route." The wolfess's tone takes an inquisitive tone as she lists the information, directing it as much to the bandits as Cassidy and THelergramor.
"Boom!" Ash whispers quietly to himself, now that he is sure he has his target right, the lynx carefully lines up and takes the shot, aiming for a knee. There is a sharp CRACK! as he pulls the trigger and lets fly with his shot. He would love to parley and get the bandits to surrender, but he had a reputation to build! First shot made, he quickly sets to reloading. Those bandits would have friends. Creators, he hoped he had not gotten anyone killed tonight.
Sara jumps and makes a brief yelp as 'Shiela' is fired, and raises her own weapon, considering stealth long gone now that they'd soon be fired upon. With nothing left to do, and unwilling to leave the mercenary alone Sara raises the musket up to eye level, aims for the quickly approaching bandits, and fires.
The sudden gale of wind is enough to knock a few of the approaching beings from their feet, and another collapses as the gunshots ring out. The rest shield their faces and brace themselves, then shout out a challenge as they charge towards the wagons and draw their weapons, two of them closing in on Thelergramor with axe and sword, while one each rush for Cassidy and Selena.
Cassidy grimaces a little as they start their charge, shrugging at Selena. "I did not want to fight or harm them. I was hoping just to slow them down and warn them not to approach. But it seems like we've little choice, now." She still refrains from lethal force, keeping her voice calm. On the outside, she doesn't appear to do anything at all. Still standing and maintaining her posture, unphased by the charging Being. She levels her eyes at him all the same, from behind her mask, and tries to draw the air from his lungs, hoping to halt his advance.
Thelergramor just walks right through the wind. All it does for him is make his cloak look cool behind him. And ruffle his fur. Makes him look 'dashing' and 'romancable', like a guy on the cover of a romance novel. Maybe. Doesn't care that his allies fired on the bandits, was planning on attacking anyway. Sends out some dark magic, entropic fortune, to cause some bleeding... and other effects... but primarily orificial bleeding. "There ya go with the weapons..."
Selena glares back at 'Ash' as he puts a round into one of the beings, cursing quietly. "Well, there goes the diplomatic option." she grumbles, shaking her head and backpedalling slightly as she brings her elemental into being between her and the assailaint. "I'm going to have to take this as another reason not to consider freesword requests, aren't I?" She mutters to nobody in particular.
Ash is a professional. He has Shiela loaded and back to his shoulder in only a few heartbeats. He carefully scans the area fir a clear shot. As soon as he sees it, there is another CRACK! as his musket ball zios out from the darkness toward another foe. After the second shot, the lynx shoulders his gun and runs a thumb along his mustache as he pulls his boomerang from his belt and hurries toward the fight.
As two targets go down, and Ash had attempted to shoot another down, Sara returns the musket back to her shoulder, turns in spot and moves back to the wagon, and the combat that had taken place there. On the way, Sara pulls a flintlock pistol from within her cloaks confines and points it at one of the already wind battered targets and pulling the trigger.
The bandit that had been charging Selena skids to a stop as a fiery copy of the wolf her had been after springs up before him. He glances to the side, seeing another one sagging to the ground and clutching at his windpipe, and one of the other ones attacking Thel takes a musket ball that, through luck or precision, drops her to the ground twitching. With a horrified look on his face, the bandit turns and begins sprinting back towards the canyon, while the other one that had been facing off against Thel seems too busy to notice the fate of the rest of the crew.
Cassidy shrugs at Selena as 'her' bandit drops to the ground before her. She doesn't make any move to continue the assault upon the poor Being, though. "Perhaps... I mostly consider it a reason to remember who is on assignment with you and learn who to keep an eye on. Like Thel. A couple of times, I consider throwing sleeping dust in his face at the start of an assignment just so he'll be out of the way. He tends to complicate things if left to his own devices," she murmurs casually, making small chat while she watches the rest of the action.
Thelergramor squints, seeing that his magic didn't seem to take effect. Unhappy, he just lets the attack hit him, to draw the opponent in closer. Can hear Cassidy, kind of. "I love you too, Cass." Doesn't bring up that she has the authority to order him around... And so, because he is Thel and doesn't have any common sense, braces for the hit. Takes a slash from a dagger; the enemy stumbled, thus, shallow wound. On the abdomen. A small growl, before lunging at the bandit, and attempting to take a bite out of his throat.
Selena rolls her eyes slightly - "With as cavalier an attitude towards slaughter as some of you have, it's no wonder you'd want to put them out of commission for a while." She sighs under her breath with a roll of her eyes. "I don't like taking the deaths of beings to sleep with me, especially when they could've been avoided." The wolfess watches as the one terrified bandit tries to flee. "If they have to say something to their companions, they'll have a message to stay away from this caravan now... Bandits tend not to like risks this large." She notes, rubbing her forehead slightly. "We should get a move on."
Ash does nit seem to hear Selena's words, running as he is from the direction if the canyon himself. "No runners," he growls, flicking his boomerang toward the fleeing being, hoping to down the bandit without killing. "These aren't alone!" he calls in a strange, foreign accent, "Don't let your gard down!"
The bandit that had, previously, been choked scrambles up to his feet, glances around, and starts running as well. Thel's scramble seems to have devolved into... something, as the wolf bites down on his assailant, and the bandit cries out in pain and surprise before trying to jam their dagger through the wolf's armor. The one already escaping tries to dodge the thrown boomerang, stumbling under the hit before picking himself up again
Cassidy nods at Selena and frowns. "Yes. You are right. I've been trying to be less... Vicious, myself, as of late." She prepares another spell, this time a gust of wind directed at both Thel and his assailant, trying to knock them -both- over and apart, before one of them ends up killing the other.
Thelergramor digs his teeth into the arm, blood running over his muzzle, not the most effective attack, really... Doesn't stop him from tearing his jaws away with a bit of flesh in his maw. And is then blown over by Cassidy. Doesn't know it's Cassidy, but, wouldn't care if it was. His love is too profound for such an inconsequential happening. Just chews and swallows the flesh; in full view of his allies. Cackles a bit afterward.
Selena sighs quietly, looking back over her shoulder. "Ash, if you're going to shoot them anywhere, the foot stops them from running without outright killing them." She comments, quietly generating some armor for herself out of the desert's sands. "If an attack starts, again - I'll set up some fog banks to make it harder for them to attack us effectively."
Ash snorts at Selena. "That's why that one is still alive, girly," he says, pointing out the injured being, "The kill shot wasn't mine." The lynx speeds after the fleeing bandits, scooping up his boomerang from where it landed after dealing its glancing blow. He slips off of the trail, doing his best to move low and blend into the night. He had to be sure that these brigands were actually fleeing and not preparing an ambush.
It may have taken a while for her, but finally both Sara's pistol, and her once discarded musket are reloaded and like before she aligns the musket to her eye and drops to her knee, aiming for the fleeing bandit. The shot however doesn't seem to go off, instead after hearing Ash's response, and figuring he had a plan, the rifle is lowered and again slung over a shoulder. With the weapons returned the lizard woman follows in the lynx's footsteps, doing her best to close the gap between the two.
Holding his gnawed-on arm against her chest, the last mobile bandit begins crawling away. Eventually he stumbles up to her feet, then breaks into a staggering jog as he tries to get away. After a few moments, Thakar begins slow clapping for the group of Freeswords. "Well. See if they try to get me again! Uhm. Very... intimidating, yes. You don't have to worry about me not paying." The wolf whistles, gives Ash a while to do whatever he is up to and for the Freeswords to get together again, then motions for his wagons to start moving. In about four more hours, the group finds the settlement that Thakar had mentioned, and he eagerly pays out the reward that had been in the contract. "There! Paid. Please don't eat me."
Cassidy stares disdainfully at Thel and shakes her head, wandering off towards one of the wagons to retake her seat. Hopefully the rest of the voyage would be clean, and she wouldn't need to do anything else. "I can't wait to get home," she murmurs softly.
Thelergramor wipes the blood from his muzzle and takes a seat beside Cassidy. "Too easy." Puts a hand on his minor wound, takes it away. Only minor bleeding. Remains respectfully quiet next to the fennec.
After arriving and receiving payment, the wolf smirks. "I won't eat you. Nope." Turns to his allies/friends: "Hey, Selena, if you're not busy later..." Shrugs. "Dinner? How about you, Sara?" After their answers, heads home. Which takes a few hours...
Selena gives Cassidy a pat on the back, as they retire to the caravan. "And it wouldn't have been too difficult to incapacitate them without killing them." She grumbles under her breath. "I'm not surprised, Cassidy. I could use a rest after this either way."
Thelergramor's request is met with a shake of a head and a raised hand. "No thank you, Thelergramor. I'd rather not."
"Thakar, if you're concerned about the trip back, you know who to ask for help. Ultimately I don't think they'll give you trouble unless there's a LOT of them. Failing that the Ironsoul's Defenders do still take requests about this sort of thing."
Ash follows the fleeing bandits until he is satisfied that no further ambush awaits, then returns to the wagon train. The lynx stops by the fallen bandits and does what he can to patch up the wounded. When questioned about it, the merc growls something about not getting kill pay. As soon as things are sorted to his satisfaction he leaves the surviving bandits among their dead. He swings easily up onto the lead wagon as it passes, taking up a spot behind Thakar for the rest of the journey, steely eyes back on the road and dark horizon.
Sara's chase soon comes to an abrupt end as whatever Ash had planned on doing simply.. stops. With a tilt of her head, and a brief glance at the lynx in question Sara simply shrugs, and turns back to the wagons which she promptly hops up into, and spends the remainder of the wagon ride with her hands supporting the back of her head, and just looking at the stars. As the wagons reach their destination and Thakar makes his closing statements Sara offers a nod of affirmation and turns away from him ending with, "Well.. glad to have been of assistance. Hopefully that'll be the last we ever hear of those bandits.." before taking off into the skies, and from there, back home.
