Rolud Örm: Bandits

"The bandits are said to be hiding within the caves, and after a birds eye view Damian says that their in a small open crevice and have set camp there" Serene told the three people who were gathered around her pointing to out a small area on the map. Before Damian's accident they had been hired by an associate of the High king of the Dwarves to clear out a party of bandits within the Disenka caves. They had only stopped at the old library as it was on the way to Parkva. The man who hired them had told them that they were guarded by a Fire Drake but Damian said he had not seen it, nor the other two bandits. Solomon suggested that they could be getting firewood. But it didn't seem right to Serene.

"Damian you take Willow around the back and she'll be able to cause a gust of wind to whip up a cover of snow so Solomon and I can sneak up unnoticed and take out the three bandits before they no what hit him" Serene continued, showing them with the map.

"One of them is Repintia, he'll smell you a mile away" Damian told them.

"He'll be preoccupied with the snow" Serene said pushing it aside.

"Then let's get going!" Solomon smiled putting a hand on one of his swords. As they were leaving Willow walked up to Serene placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Thank you for keeping me away from the violence as it does sway from my beliefs" She said softly.

"Don't mention it" Serene said, running of into the tunnels with the speed her elf genetics gifted her along with her brother.

"Let's go" Damian said holding out his hand and looking to the grey skies.

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The fire flickered as the snow whirled around the bandits, they knew something was afoot. Ever since they had gotten here three attempts of attack had been tried, though none had used magic they knew it was only a matter of time. Delentra gripped his sword tight, the reptilian was not a fan of the cold and was almost always by the fire.

"I don't like this" He hissed to a human man named Conner who was nocking a bolt within his crossbow.

"Then ge' to work an' use that nose o' yours!" He said with a mouthful of crooked and yellowed teeth.

"Very well" he said dropping to all fours.

"Duck!" he cried leaping up swinging his sword around. Conner ducked as an arrow embedded itself in the wooden structure where his head had been.

"Yargh!" the Berserker Yossin cried swinging his battle axe round as the Rogue he fought leapt back but slipped in the snow and fell on his backside.

"Die ye miserable thief!" the warrior yelled swing the axe down at Solomon as he lifted his swords to intercept. Serene fired an arrow at the Repentia hitting it in the shoulder and turned to fire at Yossin.

"Damian we need some help!" She cried letting loose the arrow aimed for Yossin's weapon. The arrow struck the axe sending it flying back. A crossbow bolt whizzed past Serene's ear.

"Damian!" She cried nocking another arrow.

"Hiyaah!" a young man cawed swooping down letting Willow touch the ground before he delivered a swift kick to the bowman bellow. Damian swung his sword down impaling him before he could recover and looked over at Serene who was trying to help her brother defend against Yossin. Behind her the Repentia had recovered and was about to lob her head off.

"No!" Damian cried waving his hand making the ground beneath the lizard man began to as something below moved underneath shake and threw him back. Hands then grabbed at him from all sides pulling him into the earth, never to be seen again. Damian then knelt down breathing heavy, he'd used what magic he had and was now very tired and would collapse if not for Willow who rushed to his side.

"Time for a dispatch!" Yossin yelled swinging his axe in an attempt to take Solomon's head off. He quickly dodged and stabbed at his knee causing him to cry in pain only to receive an arrow to the mouth from Serene. The large man fell to the ground with a large thump.

"Damian are you all right? You seem to take a lot of damage these days" Solomon said, getting up off the ground to go comfort his friend.

"I'm fine" He wheezed letting Solomon help him up.

"Did you... did you... did you find that... that Fire Drake?" Damian asked his friend placing an arm around his shoulder. His feathers ruffled behind him. They did not do well in the cold, though he himself had previously insisted he was not cold and did not need a cloak to warm him. Solomon believed him, his wings were quite soft and he usually slept with them wrapped around him in place of a blanket. As if on cue a hiss pierced the silence of the settling snow.

"You jinxed it" Serene scowled to her brother. Soon another sound pierced the silence. This one a hardy bellow of a man.

"Who do you suppose that is?" Willow asked.

"There's only one way to find out" Solomon said with a smile of wry.

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The Party of the Crow completes the quest Bandit Bounty, but it may not be over yet.

Done