Consciousness returns and it is painful. Xune winces, sensing an ache on the back of her head. She commands her hand to feel for the source of this pain, then realizes she is bound and worse, gagged by a rag and a cinched leather strap.  What the...!?  Her eyes fly open.  She sees a small wooden room with straw on the hard clay floor. The floor is damp, especially around the bottom edge of the walls. There are what appear to shelves with straw on them on the three walls. The air smells of old wet straw and .... what?  Chicken dung!  The door is wooden and there are no windows.  The roof is thatch with a thick supporting network of poles and limbs.  A prone figure, a woman judging by her hair, is lying on the floor at the opposite wall.  She has a bloodied face, is gagged and blindfolded, and is also subsequently bound by hand and foot. She is apparently sleeping or unconscious.  Not dead, because Xune notes regular movement of breathing. You do not recognize her.

The last memory Xune has is exiting The Rouge Lady after a few drinks, then nothing.

The night was young. Xune had just finished a job for Vamros Harg, the local magistrate. Nothing illegal, per-se. He had received several threats that he couldn't go forward to with his employer, but needed the blackmailer to know he wasn't the Hin the cross. Xune did what she does best, without the usual bloodshed, and made the magistrate's message abundantly clear. Her payment was sufficient for the task, and she intended on applying it to make the end of the evening memorable: a few drinks, a few rolls of the dice, and some pleasurable company, possibly some fisticuffs with one of the local slushes, maybe Geoff.

Her head rang as she checked her body for signs of damage, as well as to be sure she still had all of her belongings. Of course she'd been kidnapped after a night of binge-drinking. Xune glowered at the figure across from her, wondering who she could be as she tried to reach for one of her hidden daggers. Hopefully they hadn't all been taken. Barring that, she'd begun attempting to get the other woman's attention. Perhaps she could undo her bindings.
This message was last updated by the GM at 13:36, Tue 13 Dec 2022.

Xune spends several moments of agony in positioning herself so that she can check for her hidden daggers with her hands bound behind her.  The effort is made even more agonizing when she discovers they are not there and that there is a rope, the one that binds her hands, that extends out a small hole in the wall. Something weighted is attached there.  As far as damages go, she could "feel" no other pain elsewhere.  Only on the back of her head.  She hears something, and cranes her head around to look across the coup.  The prone woman there groans.  This is followed quickly by twitching movements, then violent shaking of the head and muffled groans. Her breathing increases until the air hisses from her nose in and out. Clearly, she is panicking.

Xune lets out a brief, silent, but aggravated grunt as she realizes her daggers have been taken. Rolling her eyes she begins to focus on her training. Sixty years ago, she was taught ropeplay in a brothel for one purpose, but never thought she would have to use the skills in reverse. Grinding one hand against another, she attempted to loosen the bindings on her wrists, incorporating the counterweight she was tied against. Watching as the woman across from her began to panic, Xune took a deep breath, slowing her motions but never stopping, observing what her co-captive had to express of their situation. The dark elf knew she had to give herself a Fighting chance to escape, but closed her eyes for a moment to make herself appear incapacitated as she worked on her restraints. Whoever held her here would surely pay in kind
This message was last updated by the GM at 13:37, Tue 13 Dec 2022.

As Xune works at the ties that bind her, she watches the other woman.  Her quick, panic filled movements soon abate and she lies still for a long while.  Then she manages to get upright, leaning against the wall between shelves.  Slowly and methodically, she moves her head up and down against the edging of the shelf until the blindfold is removed.  Steel grey eyes glare like daggers across the room.  Her eyes shift quickly, taking in everything. Minutes pass, then an hour.  Xune continues working at the bonds.  Thirst becomes an issue.  Dehydration begins draining the body of energy. [Private to Xune Vvedryx: CON reduced to 11][Private to Myshra Knowles: CON reduced to 15 ]

A rattling of chains at the door brings eyes front.  A shadow can be seen between the small cracks in the wooden door.  A heavy bar slides from the door and lands heavily on the ground outside, then the door opens.  A robed man with a thin stature enters.  The robe is black dyed wool and dusty.  The bottom coated in mud.  He wears wire framed spectacles, has thinning hair at the top, and long black locks elsewhere.  His nose seems oversized for his small framed face.

"Aaaahhhhh.  Heh heh heee. You wake at last", he wheezes at the human woman.  Then he looks over at the dark skinned elf.  "Both of you. Brutto was sure he had accidently killed you my friend.  No, I said. She will live, I said."  The man comes closer, and closer still with a smile revealing broken, yellowed teeth. "You don't see... but you will. You'll see... I see Her in you."  His voice is grating and reedy; his breath rancid with an odor of fermentation.  He stands and spreads his arms.  "OH JUBILANT JOYOUS SOULS. The time is nigh."

He turns, giving the human woman a thoughtful glance, then walks out.  The bar is replaced and chains rattle again before the clicking of a lock is heard.  A few seconds later, the reedy voice is overheard saying, "Get the pyre finished, then throw some food and a waterskin to the elf."

[Private to Xune Vvedryx: Please make a DEX check at +10 to the roll]

Xune worked at her knots, struggling as she feels the pain in her head throb harder, and her mouth began to fill with the taste of cotton as she realized just how thirsty she was. Her fingers began to go numb and clumsy, and the sound of footsteps approaching caused her eyes to jerk to the direction of the noise. Her eyes narrowed and brow furrowed at the sight of the robed man, and the way he gestured at her and the human woman. Xune tried to stand in protest, but could feel the ropes digging at her flesh. A futile effort.

As the robed man shuffles away, Xune turns her attention to the woman with silvery eyes, attempting to tap out a message to her with a knock of her head against the wall. Help. Untie. Binds. She couldn't be sure this would work. The woman seems to be just as perplexed as Xune, but also recognizes the foul-smelling man. All the while, Xune continues to work at her bindings. She tries to think back on his words. Some kind of cultist?
This message was last updated by the GM at 13:37, Tue 13 Dec 2022.

Some time later, an hour, maybe two... telling time seems to be a problem.  In fact, Xune is not sure how long she has been locked up.  One day? Two? The light that streams through the small cracks in the wood walls indicate the sun is low on the horizon.  She is tired.  She is beyond simple thirst [Private to Xune Vvedryx: -1 CON]  and hunger.  Her wrists are rubbed raw, yet she continues to work at her bonds. [Private to Xune Vvedryx: Make another skill check at +10]  The other woman fares no better.

The door is opened and the largest man Xune has ever seen walks in.  [Private to Xune Vvedryx: Make an INT check]

[Private to GM: Secret Roll: Xune Vvedryx rolled 10 using 1d20+2.  INT Check.]
[Private to GM: Secret Roll: Xune Vvedryx rolled 27 using 1d20+10.  Dex Check @ +10.]

Xune continues to fight against the bindings despite the pangs of hunger and thirst that have beset her. As light of day begins to fill through the cracks of the coup, the dark elf huffs and pulls, attempting to coax her palms through the bindings on her wrists, keeping an eye on her compatriot. When the door opens, Xune lays back, continuing to work against her bindings, without making it obvious that she is picking at the ropes and knots. Her violet eyes stare up at the figure that approaches, her brow furrowing as she attempts recognition.
This message was last updated by the GM at 13:37, Tue 13 Dec 2022.

[Private to Xune Vvedryx: Successful intellectual recognition]
An ogre! Or... more likely, an ogre-kin.  It looks like an orc, but the purple eyes and oversized muscles, give away its true heritage. No wonder the rope knot is so tight.

"Heh heh hehhhh", it laughs, approaching Xune with a wooden pail.  "No food!  Water only!"

The brute pulls Xune's head back with one large hand and with the other slowly pours the water onto the gag stuck in her mouth.  She finds it difficult to breath.  Water is pulled into her lungs by trying to breath and she coughs, but the brute easily holds her head in place as she writhes in panic.  The water continues to flow and Xune is certain she is going to die of drowning, but then he stops pouring.

He lets her cough, gagging on the thing strapped into her mouth.  It soaked up a little of the water.  The rest found her lungs or the straw beneath her.

"Heh heh hehhhh", it laughs, standing back up.  "Me no kill you.  Me no kill yet."

The ogre-kin leaves, closing and locking the door in place.  The silvery eyed woman is making noises muffled by her gag.  She moves her head downward, with eyes locked on Xune, then looks at the floor.  This she repeats several times.

[Private to Xune Vvedryx: Please make another INT check]
This message was last updated by the GM at 13:36, Tue 13 Dec 2022.

[Private to GM: Xune Vvedryx rolled 14 using 1d20+2.  INT Check]

An ogre, as if things couldn't get worse. She'd dealt with them before, but this was many years ago, when Xune was younger and more agile...and had the use of her limbs. The water is a godsend. Xune tries to lap down as much as she can before the ogrekin begins to waterboard the dark elf, her legs kicking and striking out wherever she can in protestation. She tries to shake her head, but he's grabbed her by the base of her scalp, and Xune can do nothing but struggle to survive. Thankfully he stops, and the dark elf is able to catch her breath through chokes and sputters. His parting words almost fall on deaf ears as she composes herself, dripping and soaking wet. Her Violet eyes are like the tips of daggers, trained on him as he takes his leave. In time...enjoy your breath. I will be there to take your last. the dark elf pants through her gag, before noticing the other woman's coded messages. Through winced eyes, she attempts to discern the human's message as she shudders, the elf taking time to continue to struggle against her bindings, with renewed vigor.
This message was last updated by the GM at 13:38, Tue 13 Dec 2022.

The other woman nods when she realizes Xune is paying attention.  She twists her body until her back is facing Xune, then begins moving her bound hands around in the dirt.  She even picks some up and sort of throws it across her bindings...

[Private to Xune Vvedryx: Successful INT check - water, or very wet dirt can act as a lubricant]
[Private to Xune Vvedryx: Make another DEX roll to escape at +5]
This message was last updated by the GM at 13:35, Tue 13 Dec 2022.

[Private to GM: 21:35, Today: Secret Roll: Xune Vvedryx rolled 18 using 1d20+5.  Escape Check +5]

Xune observes the silver-eyed human's motions and nods curtly, rinsing her wrists among the straw as quickly as she can. The dark elf attempts to pull herself free with the added lubrication, straining herself as she tents the tips of her fingers. Going back, she attempts to muddy her hands further to dislodge herself from the bindings.

[Private to Xune Vvedryx: Failed attempt at escape. ]

Hours pass, and exhaustion sets in as Xune finds no give in her bindings.  The little water she was able to extract through the gag did little to slake her thirst or subdue her dehydration. The small room is now dark... well, for humans.  How many hours has passed?  Unknown, but the air has chilled with the coming of night and flashes of lightning in the dark come more frequent by the minute.  The peal of thunder gets closer and the minutes pass until finally the storm hits with a fury.  Wind lashes the small coup and it shudders with the gale.  Then the rain comes.  It is a hard downpour and the rain seeps into the straw.  Rain is blown against the walls and drip with droplets of water.  Both women eagerly press their faces against the small rivulets of water that cascade down the wood.  Their gags are soon soaked with water that can be suckled in.  Both women renew their efforts in escaping with water to lubricate their wrists and to soak the rope bindings, perhaps loosening them just enough. The storm front abates and the winds die down.  A steady rainfall keeps the water seeping into the coup.

[Private to Xune Vvedryx:  Please make a DEX check at +5]
[Private to Myshra Knowles: Please make a DEX check at +5]
This message was last updated by the GM at 13:35, Tue 13 Dec 2022.

"Iomedae's grace", Myshra utters; the words muffled by the gag.  The water feels so good against her face.  She suckles the gag, draining it of its water content as fast as it can soak the liquid off the walls of the coup.  She can feel her body recovering from the dehydration, her mind becoming clearer by the minute.  She looks over to where the other is; a woman who must have been suffering as much as she.  She was a strange sight to Myshra, a dark skinned elf with violet eyes.  She has only ever seen a few elves, and only two up close.  Durwe and Tynia, close friends of her mother.  But they were fair skinned with exaggerated almond shaped eyes.  The elven features of this woman were not nearly so exaggerated.  But still, they were almond shaped.  Fascinating...

Now... only darkness.  But, she can hear her moving over there.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:52, Sat 10 Dec 2022.

The storm abates to a light rain and eventually only the dripping of rain droplets from the eave of the thatched roof can be heard, along with the crazy cacophonous noise of frogs and crickets.  Several times over the previous hours, the women hear shuffling sounds outside the coup.  What ever it was, it did not come to the door. Probably a prowling nocturnal animal of some sort searching for food. The captives continue to wrestle with the bindings, hoping against hope they will somehow loosen.

Some time later, many footfalls can be heard sloshing through the mud outside.  Soon torchlight filters through the cracks in the wooden wall of the coup. They stop outside the door, the torch sputters in the darkness.  The door chains to the coup begin rattling, the bar is lifted, and the door is pulled open.  The ogre-kin then roughly tosses a small child into the coup.  The boy hits the back side of the coup hard, the sturdy walls of the coup shutter form the impact.  The boy lies still, but breathing.  Another small child is thrown in; this time a girl of younger age than the boy. She crumples to the ground in front the boy.  The ogre-kin looks at Xune, then approaches.  He grabs her binds and inspects them and sees the raw abrasion around her wrists.

"Heh heh heeehhhhhh", he laughs.  "You try."  He does the same for the other woman and, satisfied all was okay, leaves the coup.

The little girl scrambles over to the boy and begins hushed murmurs between big sobs, trying to wake him up.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:35, Tue 13 Dec 2022.

[Private to GM: Secret Roll: Xune Vvedryx rolled 22 using 1d20+5.  Escape check +5. (It seems these knots are SUPER well done)]

Xune continues to struggle with her binds with renewed vigor, sloshing her hands wet with the slick water in an attempt to loosen the bindings, her eyes occasionally glancing over at the woman across from her. She is very pretty, for a human, but the elf can tell her wounds need attention, or she will be of little use to the dark elf in fighting their way out of wherever they've been taken. A coup, Xune thinks, perhaps they are in some kind of farm. Hopefully they haven't been taken too far from Falcon's Hollow.

Xune glowers at the ogrekin as he returns with the two children, pulling away from him as he grasps her wrists and inspects her abrasions from her attempts at undoing the binds, her violet eyes staring daggers into his grotesque visage. How she'd love to split it open. Yes, I'll try, and I'll succeed. You can't keep me here forever, she thinks, ears flicking in rage.

Xune's attempts are brought to a standstill as she observes the children, before she raps her foot against the floor to get the girl's attention, turning to show her the bindings covering her wrists. Through her muffled gag, still seeping water into her parched mouth, Xune mumbles a request. "Hmph mm. Hntnh mm, hhld." She gestures first at herself, then toward Myshra, using her head and eyes to communicate the request.

At the sounds coming from Xune, the little girl gasps; her eyes wide and glaring around in the darkness.  It is clear through Xune's elven dark-vision that she is scared.  She does not leave the boy's side.

As the night turns into pre-dawn hours, the sky lightens.  The boy rouses from an unconsciousness and sits up, hugging the little girl to him.  He feels the side of his head while taking in the scene around him.  It takes several minutes, but finally the boy crawls over to the human woman.  In no time he has released the leather cinch holding in the gag.  Once the gag is removed, words are spoken between the two and the boy shakes his head, looking over at Xune.  At the woman's urging, the boy finally approaches Xune, but warily at first.  Moments later, the leather cinch holding her gag in place falls from her face.  The boy skitters backward a few feet, unsure of the elf.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 13:35, Tue 13 Dec 2022.

"It is your eyes", Myshra states from across the room.  "He doesn't look very strong, but maybe with his help we can loosen these ties.  Will you help us boy?  Will you help us get free?  We will take you both with us and get away from here to safety."

After hours of struggling, fighting, and failing, Xune finally can breathe freely. As the cinch is removed from her mouth, she moans in relief, before gritting her teeth and sighing.

"Duwiau! You've done well, child," she states to the boy, before craning her head in his direction and nodding. She turns her attention back to Myshra and nods again, gesturing her bound hands toward the children. "As the human says, if you help undo our bindings, we'll see to it that you're escorted to safety. Cymwynas am gymwynas. A favor for a favor." Upon observing the children's hesitation, Xune leans in close, and finds a smile forming at her mouth. "Elves do not break promises easily."

"You won't let him eat us!?", the little boy asks.  "I'll help you.  I'm Wil and that's my sister Mina. She's four."

The boy pulls and tugs on the binds of the ropes.  "Gosh these are tight ma'am."
[private to Xune Vvedryx: Please make a DEX check at +2.  You both must be successful, him in STR and you in DEX.]

While the child is pulling and tugging, conversation an be heard, and it's getting louder.  Someone approaches!

"Brutto eat.", the ogre-kin says, some ways off it sounds like.  Perhaps around the corner of that building.  It's shadowy edge can be seen through the small cracks in the wooded wall.

"NO, not yet Brutto.", the reedy man's voice says.  "I know it has been a long night, and you will be well rewarded for helping him escape; for your bravery.  Right now, my friend, you must help with the pyre.  He is ready.  No more interruptions. Fasten her in the manner I told you.  Your hunger is but a small sacrifice. Think of what she will be sacrificing."
This message was last updated by the GM at 13:35, Tue 13 Dec 2022.

[Private to GM: Secret Roll: Xune Vvedryx rolled 10 using 1d20+2.  Dex check.]

Xune nods solemnly, knowing full well she couldn't be sure of keeping that particular promise. But if the children held hope, they would be of use. For now, it was up to the gods to determine their fate. As Wil pulls and tugs, Xune cranes her hands and tents her fingers, feeling something budge as she works with the child against the ropes. "Cachu! They draw closer, we will have little time to act.." Xune looks across the Myrsha, chuckling under her breath. "I suppose it is folly to think you have a blade hidden, or knowledge of spellcraft?

Myshra watches intently as the boy helps the elven woman.  "Iomedae, bless these children.  Give them strength and courage.  Aid them in their time of need.", she mutters.  She gives the elven woman an anguished look.  "I am Myshra, a priestess of Iomedae, goddess of valor and justice.  There is only one spell in which my holy symbol is not required. They took everything from me.  It will buy us only moments, and then after the duration of the spell the one affected will know it has been thus affected."

She turns quickly and looks at the door.  Voices!

"Ssshhhh.  Keep quiet.", she utters, listening.  A horrible realization overcomes her and fear grips her inside.  It takes her breath away.  Again she looks at the boy.  "You can do it son.  You can.  Give it all you have. You --"

Her plaintive plea is muted by the sound of approaching booted feet sloshing through the mud.  Myshra closes her eyes and recalls to her mind the practiced syllables for bringing about the commandment.  She begins whispering those words, opening her eyes and eying the doorway.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:46, Sun 11 Dec 2022.

The dark elf listens to the human's words and takes an acknowledging glance in her direction, before returning to her work. "Call me Xune, in as much as it matters." Xune continues to work her fingers as deftly as she can, urging the young boy on as she does her part. "Yes, like that, boy. Hurry now. Byddwch chwim eich llaw." The dark elf's ears prick up as the sound of the ogrekin...Brutto, as it would seem--an apt name for the brute--drew near with the wiry-haired man. Surely, both she and the cleric would find themselves set upon a pyre if they didn't manage a way out soon. Xune's attention was also drawn toward the door as Myshra began her chant as the sloshing of muddy boots beyond grew closer.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:11, Sun 11 Dec 2022.

Even with the help of the lad, the bindings holding Xune captive were not moving. The booted footfalls stop outside the door. Chains rattle and the bar lifted away. As soon as the door opens and Brutto enters, Myshra makes a movement, drawing the brute's attention. He looks over at her.

"Flee!", Myshra utters quietly. The ogre-kin's eyes go wide. He turns and begins running back the way he come.

"Come help me sis.", the little boy says. Minara timidly moves to his brother's side. At his direction she begins helping to untie those knots.

[Private to xune Vvedryx: Make another DEX check, now at -2.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:35, Tue 13 Dec 2022.

Xune's eyes go wide as Brutto enters the coup, her brow furrowing in rage as she grit her teeth. Bastard. Not now. The dark elf continues her struggle, working her hands and wrists to free herself from the bindings with the boy's aid. What she wouldn't give to have her knives back within her palms. As Myshra utters her word of command, Xune crooks an eyebrow and turns her attention briefly to the human woman. "Impressive. Hopefully, that's bought us enough time." Xune grunts with each passing attempt at unbinding her from the ropes, eyes darting on occasion to the doorway, struggling between freeing her hands and feet.

[Private to Xune Vvedryx: It actually makes it a 2 ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:58, Tue 13 Dec 2022.

The bonds slip just a bit. Xune is elated and begins working the bonds with renewed vigor.  They slip again and within moments Xune is able to free her wrists from the knots.  With the freedom to use her hands,  the knots around her ankles are easily loosened.

"We got them free!", the little boy exclaims. "Now can we go. He might come back to eat us!"

The ogre-kin has either stopped running, or it is too far to hear him.  Oddly, a cacophony of voices erupt from within the building nearby.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:39, Wed 14 Dec 2022.

"Praise Iomedae.", Myshra exclaims at seeing the elf freed from her bindings.  "Take the children and get to safety.  Think not of me.  Leave quickly, you have no time!"  Her eyes keep glancing toward the doorway, expecting the return of the ogre-kin within moments.

"Duwiau!" Xune rubs her sore wrists thoughtfully for just a moment before she undoes the bindings to her legs. As she does, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to assist the human woman. Why? She means nothing to me. But were our roles reversed, would she not do the same? Then again, she is a nun to the Lady of Valor...it is in her nature... Xune pauses for a moment, before looking back to the children. Elves are not often traitorous in their oaths, though as a dark elf, Xune has hardly been known to behave as the typical elf. She faces a conundrum and thinks logically for a spell. There are greater odds in my survival were this woman to stay behind. There are equal odds of my death in these children following me without her, should they alert the ogre to my position. Xune looks to the two human babes and scoffs beneath her breath, her violet eyes narrowing to snakelike slits. "Think me not a hero, this is for buying time," she states, tugging at undoing the ropes binding Myshra's legs. "If you can run, run. Dyled a ad-dalwyd." [Private to GM: Should I roll anything to attempt this action before progressing onward? Xune would only attempt it once, but would give it the 'college try' as way of thanks, I'd wager]

[private to Xune Vvedryx: You have no trouble untying Myshra's bound legs.]

Looking back to the human children, Xune urges them onward. "Stay close or die, I will not tarry. Tâl!! she orders in hushed tones, making her way through the doorway.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:15, Wed 14 Dec 2022.

It is morning beyond the doorway. There is a well used, muddy track winding between a wood post fenced pen and the corner of a large wooden building. That is the path the ogre-kin took. The voices can no longer be heard within the building. There are no doors and no windows on this side of the wood building.

Behind the coup and to the left are row after row of beans. The edge of woods can be seen in the far distance.

Beyond the pen and corner of building can be seen a road and the edge of a cornfield.

To the right, beyond the pen are more rows of beans and a farmstead in the far distance. Inside the pen are some vultures, cawing and clawing at something dead.

As soon as she is able, Myshra stands, still bound at the wrists and follows Xune.

"Children, stay close.", she says breathlessly. She looks in all directions. "Which way should we go?"
This message was last updated by the GM at 02:42, Wed 14 Dec 2022.

Xune darts off from the shed into the light of day, her eyes stinging at the sudden change of light. Cachu...how long were we kept captive? she wonders, before her vision adjusts to the light of morning. The dark elf sprints aimlessly for a moment, before craning her head in every direction, observing their path as Myshra pleads. She eyes the field of beans and woods, then the cornfield. Unarmed and outnumbered, they should strike from cover, especially with the burden of two children at their heels. "To the cornfield, we use the cover to make our flight!" she barks, darting beyond the wooden pen, where the carrion-birds peck and claw at their prey. Should they need to, they might be able to retreat to the farmstead in the distance. Hopefully there would be tools there Xune could use to arm herself.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:56, Wed 14 Dec 2022.

Xune leads Myshra and the two children along the muddy track between the pen and the building and into the road. Immediately to her left a skirmish is beginning.  20 yds away is a man and woman weilding a bow. Furter along, figures are advancing to a group of riders.  To the right the road continues to a distant farmstead.

Xune enters the cornfield after her quick glance left and right. At that moment  a booming "Aaaughhh!", reverberates from somewhere ahead of her in the cornfield followed by a raucus of noise as dried corn stalks are torn through.

Wil begins trembling. "He's coming to eat us!", he says in a wavering little voice.

Xune observes the skirmish beginning to their left for a moment, slightly perplexed. What a strange and unusual evening. She should really try to drink less, she thinks, before deciding on asking for a stronger mead next time. The ash-skinned elf leads the quartet, at least she hopes, toward the cover of tall corn, before the sudden roar and tearing of corn. Wil's trembling voice confirms the elf's suspicions of both the children still following at her heels, and the possibility that they were not quite rid of Brutto. Clicking her tongue, Xune reaches for the boy, shoving him to the right, guiding him out of the direction she heard the bellowing and tearing of corn. "Tâl, this way, and be swift! He may not be able to see you, but he may he able to smell you!" the dark elf orders, signaling her group further into the fields, hoping to swing around and catch the ogrekin from the rear.

Crossing the lane, Myshra glances to the activity on the left only briefly before she was moving headlong into dried corn stalks.  She did note open double doors on the large barn-like building, but what good was that right now?  Still bound, she nods at Xune and ushers the children along, moving them at a diagonal across the rows in the direction of the distant farmstead but away from the ogre-kin.  Her breathing becomes labored and she begins wheezing, but she continues on.

Xune flicks her ears as she moves, attempting to remain stealthy as she leads the group through the cornfield, listening for any sound of rustling not made by their egress, to potentially determine where their ogrish 'friend' was roaming.

Moments pass and Xune is confident the ogre-kin is not following them when she stops to listen. Myshra pleads for help with her bound hands.  The faint sounds of a skirmish can be heard.

Hearing silence but for the battle beyond the cornfield, Xune breathes a sigh of relief as she crouches, turning to see Myshra's still-bound hands. Gesturing to the human, Xune pulls at the bindings and unties the knot carefully, before keeping the length of rope as she deduces that in a pinch, it may be used as a garrote. "There. I will hold onto this, for the future. It seems Brutto has fled the other way...the battle concerns me; those kidnappers took my gear, and I need it back. You should take the children to safety now."

"Thank you.", the cleric utters as the ropes are pulled from her wrists. Myshra looks at the childeren, then back at Xune. "Be careful Xune!  Are you sure you won't come with us?  Even two of you are no match for that beast - whatever it is."

"We'll move northward along the rows until we get to that farmstead I saw in the distance.", she says, looking down through the row of corn.  "I will get help there and return, unless you meet us there first.  God's speed Xune."

Myshra then shuffles forward, ushering the children forward with her. Briefly, she looked back at Xune before disappearing beyond view within the corn leaves.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:08, Thu 15 Dec 2022.

OOC - This thread is now closed.  Continue posting in the main thread, "The Fugitive"