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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Capellan" data-source="post: 470953" data-attributes="member: 6294">Leaving Ulfgar to stand guard over Macwood as the halfling plots his "distraction", Briar and Ming Li make their way down through the trees toward the orcs, each skilfully employing their training in stealth.  Eventually, they reach a spot no more than 30' from either of the two grey-skinned humanoids, both of which are still absorbed in the spectacle of the struggling horse and handler.  Up close, the adventurers can see that the third figure is a human male.The two crouch behind some scrubby bushes, carefully loading their crossbows,"How do you think Macwood will get their attention?" Briar whispers."He had a sling with him." Ming Li suggests, equally quietly, "He will probably shoot at them.  Then, when they charge toward him, we will be able to shoot them both."It's a good theory, but nothing like what actually happens.Macwood suddenly appears at the top of the rise, waving a garishly coloured shirt above his head and yodelling:"Na Orc klaw din ot raab ud yass - Ack!"[1]The string of consonants obviously means more to the orcs than it does to the halfling's companions, as they both immediately start to turn toward him."Now!" Ming Li hisses, and both she and Briar unleash bolts from their crossbows.Neither shot is terribly accurate: Ming Li's is too low, digging up clumps of mud as it ploughs into the ground about 5' short of the orcs.  Briar's, meanwhile, strikes a glancing blow on the closest orc's scalemail shirt ..... then promptly ricochets upward and into the unfortunate creature's neck, killing it instantly.As its companion drops with a choked-off shout of alarm, the remaining orc looks around wildly for the source of the ambush.And then it too suddenly topples backward, a dagger sunk to the hilt in its left eye."Where did that - ?" Briar's question trails off as he sees Ming Li already shaking her head."It came from somewhere on the other side of the road, but I did not see where."Apparently undeterred by the presence of an unknown participant in the ambush, the young monk moves out into the road toward the one remaining figure they can see, calling out to the man who has finally given up his struggle with the horse."We were sent by the town to look for the missing wagon ... are you injured?"The man's only response is to make a few gestures in the air with one hand and mutters to himself, moving slowly backward as he does so."Are you a fool, girl?" Ulfgar has appeared beside Macwood, as the gleeful halfling capers with excitement, "He could be in league with the beasts.""I'll not attack a human without cause." Ming Li answers, keeping her crossbow unloaded and down by her side.  Briar decides to play it a bit safer, loading his crossbow, though not actively pointing it at the man.The subject of their attention draws and loads his own crossbow, possibly in answer to the young rogue's actions.  He mutters and gestures again at the end of this process."Please," Ming Li makes another attempt to speak to him, "we're not hear to hurt you.""Glad to hear it." the man snaps his head up and gives the monk a feral smile.Then he shoots her.[1] "An orc walked into a bar and said - Ouch!"</blockquote>

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