D1: Ashin's Commission (El Jefe judging)

[Rystil Arden]

(OOC: Oh, right--that one. I consider that open to interpretation and don't allow it, even in LEW games, so I always forget that some GMs do run it that way. Perfectly understandable.)

 

[ajanders]

Michael rides stiff-backed and silent, either offended or sulking.
He tries to put his horse through streams or over rocks...anything to hide his tracks.
If this results in him splitting away from the group, he finds that acceptable -- perhaps even welcome.

 

[El Jefe]

Michael rides stiff-backed and silent, either offended or sulking.
He tries to put his horse through streams or over rocks...anything to hide his tracks.

The entire party crossed the small stream in the floor of the valley beside the road twice, once during their flight from the canyon, and a second time when re-crossing the valley to climb up beside the canyon. The party quickly stopped there to water the horses and refill their waterskins, wary of any approaching patrol.

Aside from that, it was pretty dry going.

 

[ajanders]

Periodically Michael looks back, both at their trail, which is probably sadly obvious, and at the skyline.
If blood appears on the trail or cavalry on the skyline, he supposes he'll have to do something.
Zaeryl's probably hoping for it.

(OOC: D&D healing rules are a little vague on stabilization, but it does occur to Michael that an excellent way of breaking open a lightly-healed wound would be to hang over the back of a saddle and get jolted for 3-4 hours.)

 

[Erekose13]

Eternity will continue to ride with the others, aware of both the burden she is placing on Kailie, but also aware of the soldier slumped behind her. She keeps a careful eye on him, not wanting to have to do anything. She keeps her dagger close though just in case, but does not alert the others yet.

 

[El Jefe]

The band continued up the slope leading to the mountains before them. Although not as steep as the valley wall behind them, the lay of the land seemed to match that of the canyon beside them, meaning that although the canyon carved a sloping trough leading up into the mountains, the floor of the canyon was no less far below them now than it had been when they first mounted the shoulder of the broader valley an hour ago. Ironwolf guessed that it would be about another mile before they were above the spot where the altercation with their captives had taken place.

His reverie was interrupted by the sound of Private Kneeler sliding off the back of his horse and landing with a sound that seemed a cross between a plop and a thud on the ground beside him. Kneeler didn't immediately stand to run but sat dazed for a moment while the party stopped beside him. It seemed obvious to all that flight was not an option, sore as he was and unmounted like his captors. He rose slowly but gamely to his feet and stood blinking before his keepers.

 

[Patlin]

Damn. Must've done a lousy job of tying him in place.

Ironwolf brings dream to a halt, and slides off his saddle.

"Don't try to escape. I can only guarantee your safety if you come quietly. You're a prisoner of war. Count heads quickly and you'll come to the correct conclusion."

 

[El Jefe]

"Don't try to escape. I can only guarantee your safety if you come quietly. You're a prisoner of war. Count heads quickly and you'll come to the correct conclusion."

"I...I wasn't running", the soldier said somewhat sullenly. Indeed, he wasn't...not only can he count heads, but hooves as well, and decided that the party had some and that he didn't. Spying the other prisoners on the other horses, he added: "They alright? Or do we need to bury them?" His voice is a mixture of sadness and anger, and perhaps a touch of fear...although not much.

 

[Patlin]

"We've managed to keep both your friends alive too. How'd you three wind up being in an invading army, anyway? Volunteered for the greater glory of Fallon?"

 

[El Jefe]

"We've managed to keep both your friends alive too. How'd you three wind up being in an invading army, anyway? Volunteered for the greater glory of Fallon?"

At the mention of the phrase, "an invading army", a puzzled look crossed the man's face, followed by a look of contempt. Instead of answering the question, he asked rather pointedly, "If I'm a prisoner of war, what army are you in?"