Q'Barra: Facing Truth Chapter 2

[Rookseye]

Sepoto collects the arrows, and then begins to help Trebuchet rig the trap. Deciding that some of the bandits might flee into the room to escape the cascade of fire, Sepoto props and wedges ten or so of the shortspears into a half-circle on the floor so that they point inward toward the doorway.

The shifter is hoping that in their panic at catching flame, the bandits will run in and impale themselves. He will also be certain to darken the shinier points of the spears with any pitch from the torches, extinguishing them before the party departs to plunge the room into darkness to create more confusion for those who discover the room.

"Not bad, Friend-Trenchbucket, hopefully the bandit's curiosity will do the rest!"

 

[Yeoman]

Catherine nods approvingly. "That should provide them a nice little surprise when they rotate guard shifts. Now let's double time it out of here. Darrick and I will take the lead on the way out. Trebuchet, you stay behind us. You three, pointing at Sepoto, Charles and Kaelan, guard our backs as we retreat." Catherine waits for Darrick to fall in, and heads down the hall in the direction the party came from.

 

[Pebele]

As the party retraces their steps, they all keep their ears open for any sign that the bandits are on to them. They reach the room where they fought the three bandits without any incident, only to discover that those three are no longer in place.

They waste no time in continuing their retreat, and manage to make it out of the temple without further incident.

Once they see the light of day, however, they note that the bandits they had left in the trees are also missing. It is some small comfort that there seem to be many footprints leading away from the temple, but the party really has no time to worry about where their "captives" have run off to.

(Sorry for the delay. My internet connection is very spotty at the moment. Where is the party heading, back the way they came, still?)

 

[Shayuri]

"If they have rejoined the other bandits, it will be more difficult to defeat them," Trebuchet notes. "They will have knowledge of our tactics and specialties, and the necessary manpower to try to overwhelm us."

 

[Yeoman]

Catherine points off in the direction to the left of the temple itself. Let's move a couple miles in that direction and make camp. If someone wants to try and track those footprints to determine that they did in fact run from the temple, you can either do it now, or catch up to us. As far as them being more prepared for us later, keep in mind that we made a LOT of noise while we were in the temple. If they weren't already aware of us, then I doubt extra time will make a difference.

 

[Rookseye]

It is clear that Sepoto is curious about the tracks as well, but a frown creases his brow just the same.

"In this matter, Friend-Catherine, Sepoto thinks we should remain together. My feelings tell me the bandits we have defeated may fear the wrath of their leader more than anything else; perhaps with good reason. These men likely have fled for wherever their desperate kind go to when they must lick their wounds. I doubt they will return."

Looking in the direction Catherine suggested for their withdrawal, Sepoto nods with a seriousness completely out of character.

"We may need to remain together should the rest of the bandits find us."

 

[Yeoman]

"We may need to be remain together should the rest of the bandits find us."

"That's fine with me. Let's get going, before anyone starts following behind us. Charles, I need you to take the point position. Kaelan and Sepoto, cover our backs and watch for pursuit. They may pursue, so I need sharp eyes to the rear, and a skilled pathfinder leading us." Catherine points forward. "Move out!"

 

[Rolzup]

"Please, remind me," Darrick comments to Catherine, breaking into a jog, "To see what I can do to lighten this armor up. I'd rather not be without it...I doubt that I would still be standing now if I wasn't...but I'm not enjoying running in it."

He offers a strained smile, and then quickly discards it. "If they've any sense at all, they'll be following our trail as soon as they find it. We need to keep our eyes open for a defensible area. And if we find it...perhaps we pass it by, and then backtrack to it. Set up am ambush, rather than vice-versa."

 

[Pebele]

(It seemed as if everyone was going to stick together and head to the left, so that's what I am assuming. Correct me if I am wrong.)

The party sticks together and heads towards a very, very overgrown trail to the west of the temple.

While there used to be a trail here, it has been unused for many, many years, and as such the party is unable to move as quickly as they would like. Still, They are able to cover a decent distance before they find a small clearing.

No one has yet heard anything following them. Either the bandits did not hear their battle, or their trap worked and bought them some time. Regardless, the afternoon sun is starting to fade.

 

[Yeoman]

Alright, this is about as good as we'll get. Let's set a camp here, and start fortifying the area. Anyone who needs any healing should let me know now. She pauses, then continues. Also, we need to figure out what to do with all of that gear. We can't just leave it out in the open. Perhaps we should dig a little cache?