November 13, out of the clearing
Scotley said:
"Wise council friend Casparan," he adds with a guesture to the bandit. "If you'd be so kind as to lead us back to your lair fellow."
The bandit looks as if to say something, then closes his mouth with a snap. He takes the reins of the horses and heads off, leaving the clearing via an animal track at the north west corner of the clearing. A little ways into the woods a sheep bounds past you, then another couple, then a few more. They take up position a little ahead of the bandit. If asked to get rid of them, he shrugs, and shouts at them, flailing his arms a bit. The sheep just run ahead a little before falling back into a walk. They bleat indignantly. They have obviously done this many times before. The idea of doing differently is not one they can comprehend. They don't slow you down any, and are subdued enough in the darkness if left alone.
For a while the track heads uphill. Then it begins to decend. Darkness soon falls, but with the moon and stars unobscured, there is enough light for you to be able to pick your footing and avoid (most of) the overhanging branches. You cross a few streams. Traverse your way along a hill side. Occasionally, you catch glimpses of a small valley stretched out before you, grey in the moon light.
The bandit disappears. The two ponies ahead of you come to a halt in surprise, and you have to rein in quickly to avoid crashing into them. You hear the bandit crashing and sliding down a steep slope on the side of the trail. The sheep bleat in confusion. You see him, already 20 feet away, stumbling and leaping down the slope through the trees.
Surprise Round
The bandit is hustling (60 feet) through difficult terrain (half speed). He will have covered about 30 feet by the end of his turn.
Round 1
Initiative: Bendyn (10), Bandit (5), Casparan (2).
