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Travels through the Wild West: a Forgotten Realms Story
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<blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 1387" data-attributes="member: 143"><p>Part 8</p><p></p><p>Benzan lay crouched in a gap between two boulders barely wide enough to fit his lean torso, perched on the edge of a steep rock-strewn rise. The crest of the hill was just a few feet ahead, beyond which lay, he surmised, the hidden camp of the bandits that they had been tracking. For the moment, however, the tiefling found himself trapped, just a few feet from where a pair of sentries were talking.</p><p></p><p>“Goin’ be a cold night,” one of them offered.</p><p></p><p>“Yeah, and them hobgoblins sure are playing the lords, making us stand guard duty,” his companion offered. </p><p></p><p>Benzan offered his own quiet assent—had hobgoblins been on watch, their darksight would have made it impossible for him to escape being seen. As it was, with the light of the just-set sun still lingering in twilight, the slightest movement would probably give him away.</p><p></p><p>“Yeah, well, you tell it to that wizard of theirs,” the first suggested. The snorted response left no question how the second bandit felt about that course. </p><p></p><p>“That woman was quite a piece, eh?” the first continued after a brief pause.</p><p></p><p>“Yeah, and you know that’s why we’re here, and they’re down there,” the second replied ruefully. “My ribs are still hurting.”</p><p></p><p>“Could be worse. She broke Darron’s neck.”</p><p></p><p>“Yeah, well, I never liked Darron. Bastard owed me money, though.”</p><p></p><p>“Steel Jack comes up here and sees us loafing, you’re going to envy Darron,” the first man said. “Those town folk don’t much like the wilderness, but you can bet that Dhelt’ll send some Hellriders after us, for a noblewoman and all.”</p><p></p><p>“Ah, it’ll be days yet before anyone follows our trail, and we’ll be long gone by then,” the second man responded. But he joined his companion and began moving along the ridge, crossing close enough by Benzan’s hiding place that he could have reached out and touched them. He willed himself to remain completely still as they headed further away, the faint sound of their voices still carrying to him.</p><p></p><p>“So, did you ever think it would come to this? Running with a bunch of hobgoblins, working for someone like Steel Jack?”</p><p></p><p>“Well, I suppose I’ve thought about it now and again… Really, I blame my parents…”</p><p></p><p>Their voices faded into the night, but it was another long minute before Benzan dared to stir from his hiding place. Wary of additional guards—apparently this “Steel Jack” wasn’t taking chances, for all that the bandits thought they were well ahead of any pursuit—he crept cautiously forward, until he could get a good look at the bandit camp in the dell below. Then, as the night deepened around him, he retreated back in the direction of the river.</p><p></p><p>* * * * * </p><p></p><p>“I didn’t see any sign of the prisoners,” Benzan said, “But I saw at least one of the wagons, which looked to be empty, and a half-dozen tents.”</p><p></p><p>The rest of the posse crouched in a circle around the tiefling, save for the two watchmen who warded their temporary camp. Cullan had found a clearing surrounded by uneven boulders that rose like sentinels in the darkness of the surrounding night. Telwarden had only allowed them a small smokeless fire for hot tea, and that was only embers now. He wasn’t taking any chances of the raiders detecting their presence, especially after what Benzan had already told them. The clouds from the north had already begun to obscure the night sky, leaving them only the faint hints of moonlight that made it through. Whether the storm would break before tomorrow was anyone’s guess. </p><p></p><p>“How many bandits?” Telwarden’s disembodied voice carried to him. The leader of their group was standing outside the circle, at the edge of the ring of stones. </p><p></p><p>“I couldn’t see for sure—there wasn’t much activity around the camp. I saw two guards, both human, and a few others around the tents. From what I overheard, though, there are at least some hobgoblins in the tents, and one of them is a wizard.”</p><p> </p><p>That got a response from the assembled men, a dark murmur of obvious concern. Telwarden squashed it by saying, “Well then, we’ll have to make sure we kill him first, then.”</p><p></p><p>“You’re going to attack the camp, then?” Delem asked. </p><p></p><p>“We didn’t come here to sneak kisses behind the barn, boy,” Telwarden replied. “So, you said that they were keeping a fairly lax watch?” he asked Benzan.</p><p></p><p>“Well, I’m sure they have other guards posted, although I didn’t see anyone along the riverbank, which is the first place I would have posted a sentry. But there’s only one straightforward approach to the camp, and it’s easily warded.”</p><p></p><p>“You got past that, though,” Telwarden said. His view of Benzan seemed to have shifted some since the tiefling had returned from his scouting mission, now bearing a hint of grudging respect. “Perhaps a two-pronged attack, with a few of us sneaking around the back to catch them unawares when the rest attack from the front. Even better if you could take out a few of the sentries, first. We can attack in the deep of night, when they’re at their least aware.”</p><p></p><p>Benzan opened his mouth to reply, but Cullan beat him to it. “With all due respect, sir, if there are hobgoblins in the camp, they would have a big advantage in the dark, while our men won’t be able to see. Most of our men,” he amended, with a glance at Benzan. </p><p></p><p>“In addition, we’re all worn out from traveling,” Cal added, “and it looks like they have been there for at least a little while, enough time to be well-rested.”</p><p></p><p>“Very well, then, we’ll attack at dawn, hopefully just as the camp is stirring. If you don’t mind another swim, Benzan, I’ll have you and another man cross the river while it’s still dark, to steal that barge. Once we make it across, we can see about setting up our own little ambush for this ‘Steel Jack’ and his men.”</p><p></p><p>He waited until his words had sunk in. A tangible air of anticipation had begun to sink in, as each man prepared for the culmination of their long chase. “All right then, get some sleep. You know the watch schedule.”</p><p></p><p>“Hopefully the bandits will keep to the schedule as well,” Delem said softly as they prepared for sleep. </p><p></p><p>“In battle, any plan rarely survives the first clash of arms,” Lok rumbled, the genasi seeming to blend into the stone itself in the near-darkness. </p><p></p><p>The night crept slowly onward.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lazybones, post: 1387, member: 143"] Part 8 Benzan lay crouched in a gap between two boulders barely wide enough to fit his lean torso, perched on the edge of a steep rock-strewn rise. The crest of the hill was just a few feet ahead, beyond which lay, he surmised, the hidden camp of the bandits that they had been tracking. For the moment, however, the tiefling found himself trapped, just a few feet from where a pair of sentries were talking. “Goin’ be a cold night,” one of them offered. “Yeah, and them hobgoblins sure are playing the lords, making us stand guard duty,” his companion offered. Benzan offered his own quiet assent—had hobgoblins been on watch, their darksight would have made it impossible for him to escape being seen. As it was, with the light of the just-set sun still lingering in twilight, the slightest movement would probably give him away. “Yeah, well, you tell it to that wizard of theirs,” the first suggested. The snorted response left no question how the second bandit felt about that course. “That woman was quite a piece, eh?” the first continued after a brief pause. “Yeah, and you know that’s why we’re here, and they’re down there,” the second replied ruefully. “My ribs are still hurting.” “Could be worse. She broke Darron’s neck.” “Yeah, well, I never liked Darron. Bastard owed me money, though.” “Steel Jack comes up here and sees us loafing, you’re going to envy Darron,” the first man said. “Those town folk don’t much like the wilderness, but you can bet that Dhelt’ll send some Hellriders after us, for a noblewoman and all.” “Ah, it’ll be days yet before anyone follows our trail, and we’ll be long gone by then,” the second man responded. But he joined his companion and began moving along the ridge, crossing close enough by Benzan’s hiding place that he could have reached out and touched them. He willed himself to remain completely still as they headed further away, the faint sound of their voices still carrying to him. “So, did you ever think it would come to this? Running with a bunch of hobgoblins, working for someone like Steel Jack?” “Well, I suppose I’ve thought about it now and again… Really, I blame my parents…” Their voices faded into the night, but it was another long minute before Benzan dared to stir from his hiding place. Wary of additional guards—apparently this “Steel Jack” wasn’t taking chances, for all that the bandits thought they were well ahead of any pursuit—he crept cautiously forward, until he could get a good look at the bandit camp in the dell below. Then, as the night deepened around him, he retreated back in the direction of the river. * * * * * “I didn’t see any sign of the prisoners,” Benzan said, “But I saw at least one of the wagons, which looked to be empty, and a half-dozen tents.” The rest of the posse crouched in a circle around the tiefling, save for the two watchmen who warded their temporary camp. Cullan had found a clearing surrounded by uneven boulders that rose like sentinels in the darkness of the surrounding night. Telwarden had only allowed them a small smokeless fire for hot tea, and that was only embers now. He wasn’t taking any chances of the raiders detecting their presence, especially after what Benzan had already told them. The clouds from the north had already begun to obscure the night sky, leaving them only the faint hints of moonlight that made it through. Whether the storm would break before tomorrow was anyone’s guess. “How many bandits?” Telwarden’s disembodied voice carried to him. The leader of their group was standing outside the circle, at the edge of the ring of stones. “I couldn’t see for sure—there wasn’t much activity around the camp. I saw two guards, both human, and a few others around the tents. From what I overheard, though, there are at least some hobgoblins in the tents, and one of them is a wizard.” That got a response from the assembled men, a dark murmur of obvious concern. Telwarden squashed it by saying, “Well then, we’ll have to make sure we kill him first, then.” “You’re going to attack the camp, then?” Delem asked. “We didn’t come here to sneak kisses behind the barn, boy,” Telwarden replied. “So, you said that they were keeping a fairly lax watch?” he asked Benzan. “Well, I’m sure they have other guards posted, although I didn’t see anyone along the riverbank, which is the first place I would have posted a sentry. But there’s only one straightforward approach to the camp, and it’s easily warded.” “You got past that, though,” Telwarden said. His view of Benzan seemed to have shifted some since the tiefling had returned from his scouting mission, now bearing a hint of grudging respect. “Perhaps a two-pronged attack, with a few of us sneaking around the back to catch them unawares when the rest attack from the front. Even better if you could take out a few of the sentries, first. We can attack in the deep of night, when they’re at their least aware.” Benzan opened his mouth to reply, but Cullan beat him to it. “With all due respect, sir, if there are hobgoblins in the camp, they would have a big advantage in the dark, while our men won’t be able to see. Most of our men,” he amended, with a glance at Benzan. “In addition, we’re all worn out from traveling,” Cal added, “and it looks like they have been there for at least a little while, enough time to be well-rested.” “Very well, then, we’ll attack at dawn, hopefully just as the camp is stirring. If you don’t mind another swim, Benzan, I’ll have you and another man cross the river while it’s still dark, to steal that barge. Once we make it across, we can see about setting up our own little ambush for this ‘Steel Jack’ and his men.” He waited until his words had sunk in. A tangible air of anticipation had begun to sink in, as each man prepared for the culmination of their long chase. “All right then, get some sleep. You know the watch schedule.” “Hopefully the bandits will keep to the schedule as well,” Delem said softly as they prepared for sleep. “In battle, any plan rarely survives the first clash of arms,” Lok rumbled, the genasi seeming to blend into the stone itself in the near-darkness. The night crept slowly onward. [/QUOTE]
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