The Canterbury Tales- Chapter 4: Dead Drunk

[Dragonwriter]

Duncan frowns, considering the professor's words. "Hm. I suppose you are right. Sorry, but my zeal does get the better of me. We should be sure of them before we try anything... So, Francis, did you see the grain with them? You also said they seemed like they were close to fighting... Perhaps they will attack each other and we can wait for them to be finished before making our presence known."

 

[ethandrew]

OOC: DT - With Francis's 'Smatterings' Feat, would he be able to make out a bit of what's being discussed?

"You aren't thinking broadly enough, these are the bandits that torched the farmer's land, killed his family, then realizing a nice juicy caravan had plucked a grain sack they'd forgot, well, they came to claim their prize," Francis lied, not knowing if this was true or not but figured it was logical enough to appease to those who thought things through first. "Seems we'd be doing a service to those future caravans and God himself."

 

[Theroc]

Alwyn blinks at the debate. "Francis, if you are sure of what you said, why do we not simply cut them down now? Or does your God frown on removing murderers and thieves from this world?"

 

[ethandrew]

With a smirk and a couldn't-care-less shrug, Francis responds curtly, "Simply because if we charge down this hill, with the distance we be forced to cover, they'll have time to arm and prepare. However, if we catch them unawares, possibly splitting their group, it would be much easier, one would think."

He pauses, letting Alwyn believe the slight on his God was overlooked before he finishes up, "My God is a just and fair God: 'eye for an eye.'"

 

[Theroc]

Alwyn smirks at the comment himself, before responding. "So, your God would have the whole world blind? I'll keep that in mind..." Before he replied to the rest as well. "So, we try to sneak up on them... and then kill them all?"

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Francis
[sblock]
You are able to pick up a few words, as their language seems to be an ancient form of Sanscrit. There seem to be a number of different conversations going, and the short men may not be arguing with one another but instead something unseen. One man seems to be yelling about how he can fly or is a flying lizard, another shouts about a fire creature erupting forth from the ground, a third cries out that his sword has become a serpent of some sort and so on.

The conversations don't seem to relate to one another, though you might be off in your language skills.
[/sblock]

 

[ethandrew]

Francis holds up his hand to cease conversation, curious to find if they've already been discovered. He slinks close to the ground and moves to spy the fearsome-five once more. After a few moments, he comes back to the group. "I can't see the grain sack, but I did make out a bit of what they were saying, and you all wouldn't be pleased," he pauses to catch his breath and gather his thoughts for a moment. "If I were to take a guess, I'd say they were possessed by demons, with talk about swords of serpents, fire beasts coming from the ground, we need to destroy them and soon."

He goes back to drawing in the dirt, "Professor, you'll be our bait. I need you to crest this hill like you're walking home, see the five and shriek aloud, turn tail and run back here. Duncan, when they come around to find the professor, you'll need to ride around behind them, charge down any who remain in camp, but most like they'll all come running forth. If that's the case, just keeping rounding til you run them from behind. We'll be hiding here and spring forth when they get here. Does that work for everyone? Professor?"

 

[HolyMan]

"Demons? Are you sure? The same as the cow." the Professor says seeming to ponder. "No maybe not demon's but some sort of dementia." he says to himself. "What-? Walk up the hill and then coming screaming back down? I could do that, I guess." he says in answer to Francis instructions.

As the Professor starts to trod off and up the hill he turns to the others, "Look after Hillford for me if.. if anything should happen to me." he says then turns and marches up the hill.

"Can't be demons but what could cause a delusional disorder in so many at once." the group hears the Professor say to himself as he walks off.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

The professor trots up the hill, with his fellow scouts focused on him and ready to provide cover. As soon as he reaches the top, however, he relaxes and calls the rest of the party over to check out the scene. The screaming and yelling men are oblivious to the group as they go about their activities. The scouts watch as the five small and dirty men fight and argue with... nothing...

The largest of the so-called "goblins" stabs at the campfire with a twig as if trying to either stab or perhaps conjure something in the flames. He wears an interesting helmet and doesn't seem to have much luck with... whatever it is he's doing...

Another of the small men is on top of a large rock overlooking the rest of camp and flopping up and down while moving his arms rapidly. He makes what sounds like eagle impersonations.

The third and fourth men are circling around the camp while chasing each other. When one gets too close he shrieks and turns around, causing the chased to swap with the chaser. The keep picking up sticks, small rocks and other objects in an attempt to wound the other. Neither thinks about using the knives at their sides.

The fifth man is curled up in a fetal position, rocking himself back and forth while staring at the fire and mumbling to himself.

As you take in more of the curious scene a bell can be heard ringing louder. Somehow a familiar-looking cow got close to you unheard until now, and continues its walk up the hill before taking in the scene and giving a loud, echoing "MOOOOOOOO!".

The five humanoids stop in mid-crazy, causing the entire hill to become silent except for a swishing cow tail, and for a moment the tension builds as the thieves all simultaneously turn their heads to stare at the scouts. Before they can realize their possible threat one throws a rock at the other and they ignore the party once more and go back to their various insanities. If a cow could swish its tail in frustrated disgust, the one next to you seems to do so now.

 

[ethandrew]

Francis stares, mouth slightly agape. "Told you. Demons," he states absentmindedly. "But somehow I'd feel bad for killing them."