Render gave Basyl the rope, murmuring under his breath about the stupidity of this mission, ignoring Basyl's jibe at him. Yet it seemed everyone was to be a hero so Render simply follows suit cursing and chuckling every now and then when different thoughts of death or chivalry enter his twisted thought trail.

At battles end the party slowly surveyed the carnage and shared mixed emotions. Some felt pity and grief while others felt pride, relief, and even some anxiety. Some of them came close to death and that realization was a sobering one as the corpses on the ground could surely of been them. Blood soaked the pine needle ground where bodies lay, forever marring the forest floor with the scene of a battle.

Leanderia looked around after the storm of combat had passed and realized she needed to defend herself for another fight ahead. She knelt near the body that just moments before was alive and ready to kill her, and acquired the weapons he had used. Sliding the dagger into one of her own sheathes she picked up the Scimitar and examined it curiously. Satisfied with it, she kept the two weapons to use against the bandits in the certain fight ahead.

Valandril crossed paths with Leanderia as she picked up the weapons that were set aside, and they shared a few words as he slowly handled the corpse of the elf. He felt a kinship even though they were enemies, and respect was to be had for a fellow elf. Laying his body against a tree and covering it, he set the chain shirt aside and did not find any other weapons on him. A quick prayer to Corellan and the elf was set to finally rest in peace.

Uryuu moved off, only commenting briefly to Leanderia and headed into the woods to see to his own needs of concentration and focus as his anger was building like a storm. Slowly, he focused it and put it away to use it later against foes who will surely deserve it being unleashed upon them.

Basyl knelt near the man who slowly bled from his chest, a piece of cloth soaked with blood over the wound. He asked the man the elfs name, and he responded slowly and carefully said words, "Syle". Afterwards when Render returned with the rope, he sat him up and tied his hands behind his back with a sturdy knot, and hefted the man to his feet with help from Leanderia.

The night was now settled in and the surrounding forest was dark, only the fire light flickering from branch to branch illuminating the surroundings. Leanderia moved in the direction where she came from, remembering that she only came in a straight line so going back that way must be it. The prisoner stumbled slowly and walked at his own pace, but complied and brought them along the same path as Leanderia came on. "It's just bout a mile in this direction, give 'er take a few steps either way." The man spoke slowly and sometimes he would stumble, almost falling once or twice. It seemed like his energy was draining quickly, and the wound is beginning to bleed more and more as he stands and moves. "You're all gonna get your asses kicked.." He coughed and spittled a bit into the dirt. "Just let me go and be on your way, and you won't die."

As the group stayed farther back, Valandril snuck forward scouting out the forward position. He was about a quarter mile ahead and the forest was dead quiet and pitch black, the moonlight hidden by the canopy above. Growls, yelps, and barks could all be heard in the darkness but nothing would stop Valandril from expertly exercising his skill in scouting for the first time with this new group.

After about ten minutes of skillfully moving through the brush, the terrain changed from gentle rolling wooded hills to a more rockier outcropping, and small cliff faces. Ahead of him Valandril could barely make out white canvas tents, but no fire. There were three of them in a triangle formation on hard packed dirt and to the back of the camp site was a cliff face. Nearby a slowly flowing stream could be heard. The trees in this area is even more sparse than usual, small brush and thickets replacing the foliage. Over the rustle of leaves and branches, faint voices could be heard with a few men walking from one tent to another clearly in view. They seemed just as armed and dangerous as the fellows that were just taken out. A quarter mile behind him the group was slowly approaching, Valandril deducing they would arrive in about ten minutes at the pace they were going.

To his gratitude Basyl had asked the surviving bandit the elf’s name, and the bandit had answered. Syle, part of an elven name, likely the only part of the original name that could be pronounced in the common tongue. How people conversed in such a tongue Valandril couldn’t be sure, it lacked a certain fluidity and grace. Valandril looked down at the man as Basyl sat him up and bound the man’s hands, and then watched as Basyl and Leanderia hefted him to his feet. She then led the way from the camp as they began their short track to the reported bandit camp as he returned to the fire to pull it apart in a meagre attempt to extinguish the flames.

Leaving the campsite himself Valandril followed the heavy breathing, cursing, snapping twigs and rustling undergrowth to the rest of the motley group he had become a part of. Night was fully upon them now and they crept through the forest, in the distance the eerie and pressing stillness was punctuated by the barking, growling and baying of predators, closer the silence was punctuated by the comments of the captured bandit: "It's just bout a mile in this direction, give 'er take a few steps either way.", "You're all gonna get your asses kicked.." and "Just let me go and be on your way, and you won't die."
None of the group headed these words but the crimson stain from where Valandril had struck the bandit with his dagger was growing almost with every step and the man was visibly in need of healing magic or good bedrest. Not wishing to hear what else the bandit may have to say Valandril decided to scout a head and find the camp using the bandit’s simple direction. The girl had done well to run a mile in her armour; he certainly wouldn’t wear such encumbering protection, even for a short time. He indicated to the group that he would find the bandit camp, and come back tell them what he found, saying that he’ll go alone in case it was a trap, but he doubted that as should anyone want them captured or dead then they surly would wait for them to be asleep before attacking.

Leaving the group behind as he got closer to where the bandit camp should be he began thinking of how a possible slaughter could be avoided. He wouldn’t trust these bandits, he had learnt not to trust anyone, human or not, unless they both had no choice but to trust each other, but still they had one of theirs so that could help. They could trade prisoners, or simply demand to have the family Leanderia had entrusted herself with to be released, but if they were outnumbered then it was the bandits that held the cards. More than likely it would turn into a fight, but they would need something over the bandits, something they could turn to their advantage.

As Valandril thought he crept closer to the bandits’ camp and hid behind a large bush. Cover was sparse but three sides of the camp were open to the forest whereas the forth, the side directly opposite where the direction he had come from, was a sheer cliff face. It was the advantage he had hoped for. There were five in the group now, it wasn’t the best number but it was enough. From his position he could see three large tents and two bandits but could hear more voices coming from the tents. He wondered if he could climb one of the nearby trees without being spotted to gain a better vantage point and then returned back to the rest of his group to tell them what he’d found and suggest his ideas.

(In Elven) “The camp’s up against a large cliff face, there are three large tents and although I could only see two men I could hear more. There isn’t much cover as you get closer to the camp but there are large trees, bushes and rocks to hide behind. Ask Leanderia how many she thinks there are at the camp, if it’s more than our numbers then it might work best to draw them out and separate them rather than attacking the camp itself.”
((OOC: Valandril will give any more specific details about the bandit came when/if he is asked for them.))

Uryuu decided to look at the camp himself. He heard another of the group doing the same, so he didnt venture as close, only enough to get the outline of the camp. When he heard the other person returning, he followed, rejoining the group to listen to the report.

Beneath his mask, his eyebrows furrowed. More than two? And three tents of that size.... Uryuu was willing to bet four on the small side.... perhaps 8 on the large. They would need a plan.

He ran over his mental map of the camp again, thinking over the last battle, and the brief chances he'd had to witness everyone in action, offering at the same time a prayer to the Red Knight for guidance, for inspiration.....

His eyes flashed around the group as a plan hit him. He only hoped this new group could work together well enough to pull it off. It wasn't great, but it was, Uryuu judged, their best chance at survival. The trick was presentation... he needed to be forceful, but not commanding. No one here had elected him leader...

"Listen, all of you." Uryuu grimaced. That came out more forceful than he'd intended, but he pressed on. "If we hope to save this family, we have only one chance. We will offer to trade the prisoner for them."

He paused here, waiting for any complaints, then pressed on. "I realize how dangerous it is, so this is what we must do. First, whoever is fast and stealthy must leave with me to the camp." He turned brifely to the elf. "Probably you. When we return we will have the rest of the rope, and some manacles, which will need to be placed on the prisoner instead of that rope, which we should use to gag him instead. We then need to take the rope and set up a tripline."

He waited for the skepticism he was sure was coming. "It's the only option we've got. We'll set it up by the southwestern pair of trees at the edge of their camp. You two," Uryuu said, pointing at the halfling and the woman fighter, "shall hide behind a nearby boulder, or bush." He turns to Basyl. "We need to someone to offer the bargain, and you seem to be our best speaker, and light enough on your feet to get away should things go wrong." He turns back to the elf. "We will circle around to the east. I will take post behind one of their tents, you the larger tree, and be ready to attack their backs if things go wrong."

He looks around again, realizing how little experience they have working together. "Remember, under no circumstances are we to attack first. If all goes well, we make the trade and go back. If not..... " Uryuu paused, looking at the fighter, then at the rest of the group. "Concentrate on protecting each other. Losing any person riskes our mission."

"Now, if nobody has a complaint, we need to get to camp and back as quickly as possible."

Basyl pushed the prisoner along the straight path Leanderia was certain of. He began to debate the point in bringing the man along; a fight could very well break out and the man would be in the way. Basyl frowned as the captive stumbled about and began to hint at their own demise; he wanted to shut him up but he couldn't kill him, he had offered him a chance at life. Though, given the way the man was holding himself as he walked, it could be a matter of time...

Valadrin signalled that he would scout ahead, so the three of them, Render, Leanderia, and himself, were moving slowly towards the camp with the captive. The blue figure was still hidden within the woods. The man had spoken little to him, and Basyl hoped he could be trusted

He could tell his two companions were getting restless, and, from what he could gather,for completely opposite reasons. Render had begun to alternate between muttering curses and chuckling, which was a tad concerning, but no more than Leanderia's fixed goal to free the captives at any cost...

Oh ye great Sisters, how you play with me. Even when I start anew I am but a pawn to you both. It was more an internal reflection than anything. He sighed heavily as he pushed the man forward, keeping his blade ready to strike just in case. May I remain an interesting piece in your great game. He had no idea how he got himself into such messes.

Valadrin returned from the darkness suddenly, the figure in blue following shortly after. He listened intently to the elf's report, keeping a tight grip upon the captive's bonds.

"Listen, all of you."
The words caught Basyl off guard, but they got his attention. It seemed the silent fellow had decided to join the team. For once Basyl held his tongue, not wishing to lose an ally's good will.

When we return we will have the rest of the rope, and some manacles, which will need to be placed on the prisoner instead of that rope, which we should use to gag him instead. We then need to take the rope and set up a tripline."
He grinned at that, glancing at the bonds he had formed so quickly. If others had the means to hold him captive, why had he done all the work? Plus, they would finally shut the bastard up.

The figure looked directly at him. "We need to someone to offer the bargain, and you seem to be our best speaker, and light enough on your feet to get away should things go wrong.
Basyl nodded in appreciation before letting out a low chuckle. "Aye, I'm your man. You need it done quick, or done loud? I think I can draw as much attention as you're aiming for no problem." He began to run the plan over in his head, and it all seemed to add up nicely...except for one thing. He doubled back on the plan, before piping up, casting a sidelong glance at Render.

"Perhaps we'd be betta off with the little one up a tree; bushes can only offer so much protection. And I think he'd rightly prefer the advantage." From what he knew, a out-of-harms-way half-pint was a happy half-pint.

"Remember, under no circumstances are we to attack first. If all goes well, we make the trade and go back. If not..... " Uryuu paused, looking at the fighter, then at the rest of the group. "Concentrate on protecting each other. Losing any person risks our mission. Now, if nobody has a complaint, we need to get to camp and back as quickly as possible."
Basyl nodded again before checking the bonds, looking at the quickest method to disable it. By the time they returned he had it mapped in his mind and quickly exchanged the rope for the manacles. Taking a few extra seconds he cut a small portion of rope and stuffed it into the man's mouth as a gag.

"Now then, just give the word and we shall set this ship a sea." He held the captive at the ready, his blade at the ready. As great as this plan was, he hoped to resolve it quickly.

Render was starting to develop a dislike for the elf, and thought the feeling was probably mutual. Though he felt as though most the group felt at least a little dislike towards him, he did not care for he was here to make riches and get women again. He was a halfling of simple tastes, and these people were mere helpers towards this aim. The only problem with them were their damn morals out of all the bloody rascals he had seen on the recruitment day he got paired with the only decent lot! Looking at the bandit leader he envied him wishing he could have a life of outright thievery, banditry and crime. However his forever searching of his deceased fathers pride, left him leading a life of somewhat fair trade and fair play. For this he looked over to the bandit leader tied up and booted him in the face with all his force, not because of the wrongs in his life but because of Renders built up tension and anger.

The elf came back from his scouting mission, as Render looked up to him he could not understand his fluid and pretty language and wondered how elves conversed with one another, after all it must be a world in which you must choose your words and think before you say, not something which Render was familiar with. Yet he listened and by the elfs facial expression he could tell that raiding the camp was certainly a possibility though it wouldn't be easy. The elf also kept glancing at the bandit leader who was looking a little worse by the minute. Once the elf had finished he piped a suggestion “I am more than happy to slice that ones throat.” He said with a grin filling his cheeks and pointing at the bandit.

Render was concerned as to where the foreign looking warrior had stalked off to. Just as the thought crossed his mind the man popped out of the undergrowth with a plan put forcefully enough for Render to be drawn in to and to believe the plan would work. He was also happy it involved little danger towards him too, as even if it went horribly wrong they wouldn't need to know he was there and he could go back to Natalie and tell her a horrid lie about what happened, and a meal and bedchamber would surely follow. He almost wanted it to go wrong.

“I'm in.”

Uryuu moved as quickly as he could back towards their camp, being well away from the enemy's. He and the elf quickly gathered the supplies they needed. He sent the elf ahead with the rope, and once he was gone, began gathering everybody's equipment that he could find, and stashing it in the shrubbery surrounding. Even if things went wrong, they would have to move camp, and breaking it now would save time. He carefully climbed the tree to get the last party member's gear, stowing it all away and marking the ground so he could find it later. Manacles in hand, he rushed back into the forest.

Uryuu was a few minutes behind the elf getting back. He handed the manacles to Basyl, watching how quickly the rope restraints became a gag. He would need Basyl's help again soon. Once everyone was gathered, he nodded, then silently led the way towards the bandits camp.

He moved slower as they approached, the others following his lead. They were still a good ways from hearing distance, and farther from the dim light provided by the campfire, but it never hurt to be cautious. He motioned the elf and Leandaria to stay there, and Basyl and the halfling to follow him. He led them slowly closer, around the southwest of the camp. He pointed at himself, then Basyl, raising his arms, then pointing at the halfling. Slowly, and quietly, they raised the halfling up into the northern of the two trees, where he could provide cover to the trap, and into the camp if needed. He then gave the rope he had taken from the elf to Basyl, speaking in a low voice. "These two trees, as tight and well hidden as you can, but high enough it will work. To answer your earlier question, you need to be loud. We don't know exactly where the enemies are in camp, and it is vital they be focused on you. If things go wrong, retreat this way for support, but mind the trip line"

Hoisting Render into the tree was an easy enough task, but it surprised him just how quickly the little one disappeared among the branches.

He then gave the rope he had taken from the elf to Basyl, speaking in a low voice. "These two trees, as tight and well hidden as you can, but high enough it will work. To answer your earlier question, you need to be loud. We don't know exactly where the enemies are in camp, and it is vital they be focused on you. If things go wrong, retreat this way for support, but mind the trip line"
Basyl nodded and kept his voice at a low whisper as he crouched down. "Aye, then loud you've got. I'll take the man in, put on a show, and if it turns for the worst I'm back and diving over the wire quick as the sea is fickle. But do mind me back..." He ended on a grin, but the pause turned him serious. "Watch closely, as in I'll be needin your aid. If I'm ta not draw their attention I'll have to loop around a bit, cause while I may be swift on my feet, I'm na the quietest." He makes a brief motion towards his boots, suggesting the extra weight of the blade mechanism.

He then cast the rope about the tree and made quick work of preparing the knot. He motioned a piece the allowed a second loop to feed. "When I get about to the next tree wait for the rope to be nearly taut, then pull this line." He indicated a slack piece sitting just inside the loop. "That'd make the whole thing as stiff as a board. Aught to be to your liking."

He then doubled back a bit before rolling off to come up behind the other tree.

Uryuu was thankful that at least one member of the team was level-headed... even if a bit loud at times. He did as Basyl asked, helping get the rope tight. " Circling around is likely a good idea... make sure the gag on that man is tight.. we can't have him warning them... knock him out if you have to. He turned and left Basyl to his task, walking back to the others.

The elf was decidedly impatient, clearly not used to taking orders. Or perhaps, Uryuu thought, just resented taking odrers from him. He motioned them forward and had them follow quietly, stopping behind a large boulder south of the tripline. He pointed to Leandaria. "Wait here. If things go wrong, wait for them to come across the tripline to you, and try to help Basyl out." He hesitated before adding with a bit more emotion than he ever gave anyone, "Stay safe. This will be far more dangerous than last time. Be on your guard." He motioned at the elf, moving a little ways away from camp, circing around eastwar. He stopped to the southeast, pointing to a large tree just inside the camps border. "There. Circle around quietly and hide yourself. Try and pick out where they are if you can while Basyl distracts them, and be ready to move if we need to." He watched the elf leave, unsure of how he was taking things, but soon pushed such thoughts away. They were trivial, compared to the mission.

Uryuu stealthily moved northwest, concealing himself behind the southernmost tent, careful not to touch it and aler any occpuants. He gripped his kukri and focused, feeling the rage build inside him once again. He fought it down. Focus. Anger will make you strong, but it will slow you down and cloud your judgement. Wait till the moment is right, then lash out, and quickly bring yourself back in. Uryuu listend and looked carefully. Depending on how things went, he would either have to rush to help the elf, or Basyl and the others. If he chose wrong, the group he left alone could be overwhelmed. He prayed again to the Red Knight, something he had done only sparringly until now. Uryuu did not like working in groups. There was too much that could go wrong. With his fate no longer solely in his own hands, he would truly need the Godess' favor tonight.

As he was scouting he was aware of a person behind him, he could hear the odd rustling of leaves as he himself approached the bandits camp but whoever it was held back a distance away from the camp whereas he had snuck as close to it as possible. It was only returning to the group he found it was the man dressed entirely in blue. He gave a quick description of what he had seen and then the Halfling piped in with the helpful comment “I am more than happy to slice that ones throat.”. Thankfully the man in blue spoke with a plan before the Halfling could be reproached. Valandril simply nodded when it was suggested they should return to gather the rope and manacles from the camp and nodded again in agreement of the plan. Quietly he wondered why the manacles hadn’t been used in the first place, it seemed foolish of the man to have not mentioned them in the first place, when the bandit was being tied up.

The others had already agreed to the plan so it was decided, he would return to the camp with the man in blue then, when they traded prisoners, would hide behind one of the large trees to the east of the camp. In case it went wrong, well hopeful it would work so that noting could go badly wrong, but there seemed to be a lack of forethought as to what could happen if there is a fight… were they all to do their own thing? Why had a trip rope if things went wrong and you attacked them? Perhaps it would be better to draw the bandits out of the camp site and into the trees in case it came to a battle?

Back at their camp Valandril grabbed the rope he’d returned to get but ignored the blue man’s ‘suggestion’ that he should return to the group and quickly packed him bedroll into his backpack and slung it over his shoulders. The time he’d spent on the run had taught him to keep his own equipment with him at all times, just in case. His training for the rebel army, as they were now called, and his upbringing also meant he could survive on very little and hence his pack was lighter than many other people’s. Mostly because he didn’t carry odds and sods like rope and manacles. The two factors combined meant that he could travel and fight with his backpack on his shoulders.

Seeing that the man in blue had pulled the manacles from his bag and how had them in his hand they hurried back to the others where they had been making the preparations. Render had presumably been hoisted into a tree and was out of sight and Basyl held the prisoner so that he could be manacled and gagged. The man in blue and Basyl then proceeded to tie the rope around two tree and set on untying and slipping the manacles onto the bandit as he began to circle round to the side of the camp so he could hide. As he did so the man in blue caught his eye and explained for a second time his part in the plan. For the love of The Seldarine the plan had already been explained. Anyone that needed something explaining twice was a fool and shouldn’t take part in whatever was being explained, particularly if it was something as important as a battle strategy. Valandril was reminded briefly of being back with his clan, as they were driving back the drow assaults on their settlement. Everyone warrior knew what to do, when and how to do it, so victory would be won decisively and without casualties. This human, with or without his planning, knew little to nothing of that kind of discipline. Why would we have two ears but one mouth if we were not meat to listen twice as much as talk?
Valandril was in place and ready, an arrown notched on his bowstring ready to pull back as he darted out from his hiding place and teach both the bandits and his companions the meaning of a strong bow and a swift arrow.

((OOC Note: Val is hiding behind the large tree to the north east of the big rock in the east section of the map.))

Leanderia looked behind her to see if anyone was following, and to her great relief, they were. She trudged onward, certain she had come in a straight path toward the camp upon which she had stumbled and found help in the process. She thanked her lucky stars above for her good fortune in finding this group, most of whom were willing to help.

Then the bandit spoke, "It's just bout a mile in this direction, give 'er take a few steps either way."
Leanderia smiled and nodded to herself, “I knew I was on the right path. Good to know Malik’s training hasn’t gone to complete waste yet.” she thought.

"You're all gonna get your asses kicked.." and "Just let me go and be on your way, and you won't die.”
Her first instinct was to tell the scum just where he could shove it, but she refrained. She could just see the look on her Mother’s face if she knew what she’d been about to say. Leanderia might be a girl, but she’d heard enough talk from the knights as she grew up to know how to cuss with the best of them.

Once the group got close enough to the camp, “Listen, all of you.” Is the first thing Leanderia heard. She looked in the direction of the speaker, and saw it was the blue-eyed man. “Oh, he must be this group’s leader.” She thought as he proceeded to lay out a plan.

"If we hope to save this family, we have only one chance. We will offer to trade the prisoner for them." Leanderia started to protest, but thought better of it and snapped her mouth shut. The way this group had pulled together to help her with those men who were chasing her, they must know what they are doing. She was very concerned about the woman and her family. She was starting to feel a bit impatient. She prayed to anyone who would listen, that the woman and her family remained un-harmed.


"Remember, under no circumstances are we to attack first. If all goes well, we make the trade and go back. If not..... " Uryuu paused, looking at the fighter, then at the rest of the group. "Concentrate on protecting each other. Losing any person risks our mission."


"Now, if nobody has a complaint, we need to get to camp and back as quickly as possible."
And everyone started doing what they had to do to set the plan in motion. Leanderia sat back, as there was nothing for her to do at this particular point in time, and watched everyone curiously. These were certainly not the trained knights she was used to seeing. She had no experience in these matters past the little skirmish they just experienced a few moments ago. She did not know these people, and figured they had been together for quite a while the way they had banded together to dispose of the imminent threat which she had brought upon them. She frowned at that thought.

Leanderia watched as the Blue-eyed man disappeared through the shrubbery and trees on his way back to the camp they’d just left to obtain additional supplies, including manacles. “That one’s a curious one. He seems to have an air of mystery about him.” She thought of the moment he had offered her his own weapon, which wound up making him far more vulnerable to attack than he ever should have been. She could see his crystal blue eyes looking back at her as she had accepted his offer gratefully. “Of course his face and entire body being covered save his eyes, may be why he seems so mysterious. I wonder what he looks like…”
As her thoughts wondered about the blue-eyed man, she glanced around and noticed Basyl. He was keeping watch over their captive. “Hmmm. I believe he said his name is Basyl..something.” Leanderia smiled as she watched him momentarily. He was the first who had helped her when she needed it. He was a gentleman, though not like any she’d seen at the castle. Those men were soft and almost frail; too concerned with their appearance; weak. No. He was not like those men. He appeared strong and weathered. “But in a good way.” She thought.

Suddenly the little one kicked the bandit in the face. “Hmph!” Leanderia scoffed to herself. She could not for the life of her understand how this group of seemingly strong, good men wound up with one such as him. “First appearances aren’t always what they appear to be.” She could almost hear her mother’s voice saying the words in her head, but Leanderia shooed the thought away. “This one has shown what he’s made of. Nothing but a coward, is what I say.”
Leanderia dismissed the little one and thought about the elf. She had no idea what to make of that one. “He must not speak the common language. I wonder if he knew the elf bandit who died. He seemed so upset about….”
Suddenly Leanderia felt horribly sick to her stomach. In the commotion she hadn’t thought too much about it. Her training, along with her anger at what the bandits had done, and had tried to do, had kicked in and she just acted on instinct. But the consequence of her actions suddenly came barreling down upon her like a chunk of mortar wall falling from a defeated castle. She jumped up and ran behind a tree apart from the group and wretched violently, yet nothing came out.

She fell to her knees wrapping her arms around her stomach and rocked back and forth. Her body was wracked with the tears that pooled on the forest floor. “How could I have taken another’s life from him so easily, so thoughtlessly?!”
Leanderia was lost in her thoughts, contemplating her life-long desire to fight like the men she saw training every day. Her mentor had drilled her and trained her hard once she finally convinced him she could take it. But no amount of training could ever have prepared her for this. One who once lived, now no longer existed because of her. How was she supposed to reconcile that fact within herself?

She knew not how long she had been like that, but she suddenly heard the return of the blue-eyed man and the elf. Leanderia slowly stood and tried to compose herself. She pulled the leather strip out of her hair and let the long black tresses cascade down her back. If she had sat down just then, she would have sat on her hair. She fluffed out her curls slightly as she combed her fingers through her hair, then wiped her face as clean as she could. She cursed herself for giving in to her female crying. “Now these men are going to think I’m weak. Blast it all!”
Still mumbling to herself, and hoping against hope that no one would notice she had been crying, Leanderia walked back over to the group to see what was going on and do her part. As she listened she pulled her hair back up into a bun, securing the leather strap back in place. Then she followed the blue-eyed man as he showed her where her hiding place would be. He pointed at her and told her, "Wait here. If things go wrong, wait for them to come across the trip-line to you, and try to help Basyl out." She nodded in agreement then was taken by surprise when he added with feeling, "Stay safe. This will be far more dangerous than last time. Be on your guard."
Leanderia blinked at his last words to her and watched as he moved on to the next post with the elf, and whispered after him, “You stay safe as well, Blue Eyes.”
She shook her head to clear her thoughts, and to ready herself for whatever may come their way next. The plan to make a trade was a good one. She hoped they would not have to fight, for she did not relish the thought of killing another being. However, these were bad men, with no apparent morals or respect for other life. A picture of the man who had failed to assault her flashed through her mind’s eye briefly. It was enough to steel her resolve. No. She would not strike first, but she would fight if she had to, to make sure that family got out safely.

Satisfied that everyone knew their role- and ideally wouldn't run off on him- Basyl brought the prisoner closer to the camp. Keeping a firm grip on the bonds and his blade, he moved slowly and calmly, taking in the sounds around him ((listen check)).

He knew that they wanted to propose an exchange, but Basyl doubted it would go over well - first of all, how did he know they had prisoners of their own? That would be a problem the second it came up. The condition of his hostage was also a problem... in his dealings with 'respectable merchants' he often found that bartering led to the exchange of goods of equal quality...

As he began to enter the camp a thought occurred to him; a practice he was used to on board 'legitimate business' vessels. Parle. He made no effort to cover the sound of his footfalls; attention needed to be on him.


'Damn me conscience, but I canna be one to abandon the captives' the realization of just how foolhardy this was began to sink in...and his gaze shifted to his own prisoner. 'It'd make me worse than them; and Basyl To'chet does not leave folks for death or enslavement'
His resolve steeled, Basyl cleared his throat. "Ahoy!" He called with a grand boon of bravado, seeking to make his presence the fixation of all within. "I've come to speak on terms of 'Parle' with whoever be in charge." As he spoke he actively sheathed his blade, still holding the manacles firmly.

Every moment, nay, every word counted. He wanted to be in and out as quick as possible; it would have been so much simpler to attack them, but he couldn't ignore the plight of captives. He could feel the eyes draw upon him, and his legs began to itch. Blessed sisters, please protect your plaything....
((OoC: Simply put, Basyl is walking in to initiate the 'exchange' or at least how it starts; he sheathed his blade in hopes of achieving parle. Also, actions are readied to toss the prisoner forward and tumble back-left (south-west) towards the trap in the event that a) the bandits outright attack (including projectiles), or b) negotiations go south fast. Here is hoping.))

Render sat silently in the tree peering through the branches to watch Basyl. He really was insane, more mad than me. Watching the haughty sailor swagger through the clearing towards the bandit camp he felt nothing except admiration, he literally put his life on the line for others welfare. Quickly the admiration had slipped back to the normal reaction to such things 'stupidity' he was either blind stupid or exceptionally dumb. He could see the courage but wondered why anyone would feel inclined to take part in this madness, it was lost to someone like Render.

Next his attention turned to the girl in the tree opposite. He rustled the tree gently just enough to attract her attention, waiting a couple of seconds, he hoped to scare her a little so he whispered to her “You're a killer girl, like me. Like all of us, you are making us take more lives than what we are saving. Just remember if there is a fight, you are solely responsible for there deaths. Enjoy the next few minutes girl, they could be your last!” Whispered Render, hoping to frighten the girl.
He felt more at ease now, for he was scared himself, so he had simply passed some of his fear onto the girl. Once again Render thought about his last couple of sentences and felt the urge to let out a little chuckle once more, he was starting to get worried about these outbursts. Was he going mad?

Render wanted to get his mind off the fearful anticipation he was experiencing. His thoughts turned to the new self proclaimed leader. The lithe exotic man, although he seemed like he knew what he was doing, he worried about his charismatic influence on the group. His first plan was forced upon them very quickly with people he barely knew, to Render this seemed as though he had rushed the plan and hadn't fully thought it through. The plan was feasible, however he just hoped he didn't have to fight. He really disliked his first taste of it, and it didn't seem to moreish.

Having put an arrow to his bow's string Valandril peaked out from his tree into the camp, or rather would have peaked into the camp had he not just seen the vital floor in this plan they had agreed to. His sight line was severely limited. Due to the tents he could barely see anything of the camp and couldn't see across to where Basyl was meant to be entering the camp. If he didn't do anything the plan would fowl up should it turn to fighting. The elf cursed under his breath as he heard Basyl walking forwards making a right noise as he did so. Basyl will be killed if it turns to fighting. That man has divided our forces so successfully that we are totally isolated from the rest of the group. Val's mind worked as fast as it hadn't for ages, it raced to find a solution that wouldn't end up with himself in harms way.

Not even looking at the man dressed in blue he snuck behind the rock, the man, and to the tree to the west, the one that the tripline had been tied to, as Basyl talked. He hopped that this would work, and he hoped that should it resort to combat Basyl had sense enough to flee backwards. Valandril prepared himself for the battle again, readied himself to cover Basyl when he made his retreat should be run.

((OOC: Moving to the tree in the center of the map and readying an attack should Basyl need to run back. To be specific: should this degrade into combat and Basyl run south he will step out from behind the tree (5ft step) and shoot one of the bandits.

EDIT: I realise that this is quite a large move but Val is banking on Basyl talking long enough to get to his new position.))

The moon shone bright tonight as the parted canopy let the light trickle through into the bandit camp. Unbeknownst to its residence, an ambush was expertly being put together right outside. The party had come to the consensus of hoping that things went well, while secretly some individuals hoped things divulged down into a fight. If there does end up being blood spilled, the morning coulds will surely be painted red.

Roughly thirty minutes at most had passed since their initial battle and the group was ready and waiting to spring their next plan. Rope set and people placed, everything was ready to be executed in a moments notice, if things decided to turn bad.

Render sat in his tree waiting and watching as Basyl stepped into the camp, bringing along the wounded man who seemed to be almost passing out on his feet.

Leanderia stood behind the boulder feeling the cool stone against her, able to hear everything happening just mere forty or so feet away.

Uryuu stood behind the tent, ready to back either side that would need support if things did go bad, his Kukri's blade ready to do work.

Valandril sat in his tree, but realised that from his view he could not see and felt uncomfortabely vulnerable. Slowly crawling out of the tree he snuck out wide and around, making it to a better tree and vantage point, no one apparently noticing him along the way.

And Basyl walked right into the camp, half dead bandit in hand. Upon entering the camp, he could hear voices coming from the tent to his right. " Hey, do you think they should be back now? Maybe we should go look for them." Another distinct voice spoke up, confidince and malice lining every word it spoke. "No. If they died trying to find a bound woman then they are no use to us. If they're alive, well they know the way back. I grow tired of waiting, I'm going to retire soon and it's up to you to watch the prisoners." The previous voice spoke up once more, a hint of fear spattering his words. "Yes, I'll go straight there."
Foot steps could be heard coming from the tent flaps, and as Basyl stood with his prisoner he spoke out with as much confidence as he could muster.

"Ahoy! I've come to speak on terms of 'Parle' with whoever be in charge."

Then the man suddenly passed out unconconcious in Basyl's arms, blood dripping down the front of his clothes and armor staining it all crimson. He almost hit the ground but Basyl was able to grab him in time and hold him upright, blood staining his sleeves.

Just then the man who the foot steps belonged to came from around the tent, a strange look of disbelief on his face as Basyls voice rang through out the camp. The man had nasty looking teeth, a hankerchief over his head and rutty looking stubble over a sweaty dirty face. He wore no armor and only had a studded club in one hand. "Hey, who are you?" The man then glanced at the prisoner, and stiffened up in a fighting stance. "You! Stay right there, damnit! Don't move a damned muscle or I'll beat your filthy brains in! BOSS!!!!" The man stood looking at Basyl, sweating and shouting as more foot steps could be heard from inside the camp, men coming from tents. Basyl watched as two men came out from the western most tent, and one woman came from the eastern most. One man wielded a longsword, while the other held an axe. The woman who came from the tent held a spear taller than her as a walking stick, all wearing leather armor.

Then, coming from the southern most tent which the dirty stubbled man came from appeared a tall handsome man. His slightly pointed ears and short cropped black hair easily gave him away as a halfblood. He was cleanly and shaved and wore heavy black cloth breeches with leather shoes, an exposed chain shirt with a white shirt underneath and a button up light blue shirt over the chain, and on top of it all was an expensive looking grey fur coat that draped down to his calves, and to his wrists. On his belt was an ornate looking rapier, its hand guard golden hued. He slowly walked past the club wielding man and shooed him away with a flick of his wrists, and made his way up to Basyl, an air of confidence obvious in his step, but also lacking any aggressive movement also. Stopping a few feet away, the eccentric looking half elf looked the prisoner up and down and chuckled.

"So, you wish to parlay? From what I know that only worked with pirates and privateers, but i'll see to what you want. From the looks of it you bested my four men who I sent out after that pretty dark haired girl. Also from your looks, your either a very skilled man who can slay many, or you had help. Either way, I rather not fight in either circumstance. So I'll enteratin you for now as today was boring, please put that useless thing down, he's done no good for me today and he's gotten more than he has deserved just by living through your little fight."

He turned to move away, and quickly turned around again smiling at Basyl, "Oh, please follow me, I'd like to take these talks into my private quarters, it is chilly out here and I was about to retire." He turned again to wait for Basyls response, as behind him the four figures started to move back into their tents.