OOC: Okay, so we're all set for Saturday! Yay! Mike's picking me up, Keith's bringing bagels, Matt has veggies and beer ... all seems right with the world.
IC: Okay, so we're all set to go.. except for one thing: what shall Master Tencoin do? I see the argument for having someone watch the caravan, but I think we need to devote all of our resources to getting those kids back.
Perhaps we could do something where we are alerted to another attack on the caravan. Maybe Master Thornwind could leave an animal friend behind who could find us during an attack ... or perhaps a Master Tencoin has a spell of some kind to protect the area? I don't know...
Wait ... I've got an idea.
*Lucius rummages through his backpack, find a bunch of scroll cases, leafs through a few and pulls out an elaborate looking scroll*
Okay, I've got a spell here that will create a protected stone cottage that will last for the next 16 hours. It's got sleeping quarters, an unseen servant, and magically-barred doors. It won't hold everyone, but the women and children could run inside in case of an attack.
*lowers his voice* Truth is, if we don't find those kids within 16 hours, well, there may not be much point.
What do you all think?