Setting: Road to Tolemac

Characters:
Tomar - Adventurer, Scholar, Explorer, and Treasure Hunter.
Thanos - Owner/Operator of the Guardian Swords
Marla - Guildmaster of the merchant's guild.
Bishop - Lord from Cairhien on a business trip
Cori - Barmaid at Will's Tavern
Irya - Second in command of the merchant's guild
Bandrin - Mercenary
NoFace - A shady figure
Mirla - A grinner, a lover, and a sinner
Odessa - Dancer and Acrobat

A pair of arms warriors step before Tomar and his horse, "Hail, state your business." one of them says drolly.

Thanos turns himself to face Irya, Marla's second in command, "None." he speaks dryly, "Only a few signs of wolves, like they flaming disappeared..." he takes the flask but seems to forget it's in his hand the instant it arrives.

From atop the brown stallion, Tomar holds one hand to the warrior in a gesture of peace as he stops his horse. "My name is Tomar. I am a traveller and I noticed some trouble, but I was too far to come help earlier."

Bishop glances up into the sky for a moment as if catching some measure of movement there. He quirks a brow not seeing much of anything but sky. He looks back to the rest of the caravan eyes still occassionally searching about though.

Thanos eyes Cori a moment, "Very little for now."

The two armed men speak quietly to one another a moment, then the previous speaker voices himself again, "Very well, you may pass. But at the first sign of trouble you'll be cut swifter than an eagle to it's meal." and the two part to let Tomar through.

Tomar looks at the guards and says. "What has been going on around here?"

A scar faced warrior, bow and quiver of arrows across his back answers Tomar as he walks past, "You must be new, the leader of this group ran herself off when we stopped for the night and another from this caravan grabbed her and flaming disappeared!"

About you, as you ride, Bishop hears a familiar sound through all the hustle and bustle of men moving about and what not. He quickly glances up from his polishing and smiles. He moves a bit away from the caravan to a nearby tree which he promptly sits down under, leaning back against it and glancing up into its branches

About you, as you ride, Irya gives quick orders to the members of the caravern who only nod, seeing the commotion from the guards. Worried murmering spreads across the wagons as they prepare to go. Irya herself goes over to her own wagon when she notices the newcomer and immediately her eyes go wider admiringly. ON hearing the warrior's words she nods sternly, "Yes, the problem with a young leader is that indeed."

About you, as you ride, Tomar looks up at the warrior atop his large black stallion. He replies. "That is bad news indeed. I was a scout in the Shienar army once. I maybe of assistance to you if you need it?"

About you, as you ride, Soldiers move about, mounted and on foot, and the caravan comes to life with preperations to move on.

About you, as you ride, The brown stallion neighs and stamps his hooves. The horse seems impatient and wants to be riden. Tomar pats Socrates nose and glances about as the caravan prepares to move out.

Thanos rides himself over towards Tomar, "If you want to join the group you may, but if you want payment for it, you would be better advised to find our missing merchant leader to discuss pay." and he rides away, paying no more attention as he oversees the formation of the caravan.

About you, as you ride, Tomar nods to Thanos and gives him a small salute that is more habit than anything else. He surveys the area before him, taking note of terrain and tracks. He surveys the ground for a moment.

Irya shakes her head worried to Thanos, "NO way sir....I am going to take care of the pays, I am next in charge here now our leader is gone so I will take care of all this."

Tomar seems satisfied with his initial surveying of the situation. He walks his horse over to a tree, which is out of the way of everyone and tells him to stay. He then walks around looking for someone who isn't too busy, and eventually just finds Thanos.

Thanos spares little time for Irya, "Your choice then." and speaks with Bandrin alone near the west of the formation.

Tomar looks up at Thanos atop his horse and asks. "Excuse me sir. But can you tell me where the leader of the caravan was taken? There are a lot of tracks around here and it will be even more difficult to track when it gets darker."

Thanos looks down, then points to the trees not far off, the start of a nearby forest, "There, been easier to track wolves than that slug kidnapper and Marla."

Tomar puts a finger to his chin and looks at the area where Thanos pointed. "I'm going to go over there and check it out, thanks. So you know the kidnapper then? Tell me as much as you know please. It will help me track."

Bishop glances to Tomar for a moment, looking him over.

Irya jerks the reigns of her large wagon filled with clothes and brings it to the front. Her eyes go to Cori with a gentle laugh, "Child? Are you going to join me here? I would hardly think that with such things happening you should be not in the cover of a wagon."

You say "Larger than you would think a man could be and move like he did. Overweight, bloody dogmeat ran like he was 15 and thin though." and he frowns darkly in rememberance of the man running."

Bishop says "The man was a merchant?" Bishop speaks up suddenly

Tomar hmms and rubs his chin. "Then he was carrying the leader off. Marla did you say her name was? That would have taken a very strong man indeed. Was she struggling or was she unconsious at the time of the kidnap?", looks at Bishop. "The more info the better."

Cori hops up onto the wagon with Irya. "I'd be 'k anyway I rode. Er walked. But I'd ride wi' ya."

A soldier near Bishop speaks, "Who knows? I saw him join up with the Entertainer's wagon when we started."

About you, as you ride, Irya turns her head around on hearing Bisshop's voice, "He was not a part of our guild," she sternly speaks and with a smile to Cori she says, "Good....now tell me child, how are you? I have heard yuou are good friends with our leader?"

About you, as you ride, Tomar bends down and picks up some dirt in his hands. He rubs it between his fingers and looks at Bishop. "I see...do you know what this is all about? I mean, is he asking for a ransom?"

About you, as you ride, Bishop smiles and makes mental notes. He heads over to his horse and retireves something from the saddle.

A soldier near Bishop speaks, "Who knows? I saw him join up with the Entertainer's wagon when we started."

Cori nods to Irya. "Ah, well, she is a pacifist. She would not fight them, would not struggle.

Bishop says "Allow me to take that back. I do have a theory...but that is all it is just a theory."

Thanos rides himself over to Irya, "The men are ready to move, as it the caravan from what I can tell." he pauses a long moment, "Your word and we move."

About you, as you ride, Tomar nods at Bishop. "I see.", looks at Thanos. "Is there anything else you can tell me sir? A description of Marla would also be helpful.", looks over at Cori and nods. "Yes, that is helpful. Thank you miss.", looks at Bishop. "Please share your theory."

Irya shakes her head worriedly and she calls TOmar over, "There it is. ... the girl (even she speaks over her when not near her) is gone so suddenly. And as a desxription, she is 16 and amazingly beautifull, she is Domani you see." Her voice gets meaningfull.

About you, as you ride, One of the guards beguis to laugh coarsely, "Excuse me sir, but I thought you were there too when she was dancing in the inn the other night."

Bishop says "I'll just put it this way. if I do not miss my guess Marla made a certain visiting dignitary from Carhein very angry shortly before she left. This is not the sort of thing even guild masters should do if they can help it."

Tomar walks over To Irya and listens to her. He takes in all the information...blinks. "You mean that girl dancing on the lord Nobreon's table? That is Marla?", he looks a tad stunned and then frowns a bit. "This is sounding very mysterious indeed."

Tomar says Nobreon's name with some bitterness. He smacks his forhead lightly with his hand and bends down again to survey the ground. "Yes, if that is the Marla you describe, then I know what she looks like.", he looks over to the forest.

Thanos sits in his saddle, motionless and expressionless.

Bishop leaves the rest of his ideas to himself as he heads back over to the tree a goodly ways away from the caravan where he had previously been sitting. He pulls a small piece of bread from his sack and crumbles it in his hand. He proceeds to spread it on the ground behind the tree.

Cori watches Bishop curiously.

Tomar closes his eyes as if visualizing something. He opens them suddenly and says. "I will catch up with the caravan shortly. I'm going to go over to the forest to see if I can find any tracks.", he looks determined.

Irya nods drily to Tomar's words, guessing that if the rumours are true he knows /very/ good how Marla looks like and she doesnt like that. Sternly she looks at Bishop, "I am pretty sure that however young she is she won't anger a noble without thinking of the concicuences, she didnt become guildmaster this young because of her stoupidness." her voice indicates it was because of ehr seduceness and her brains.

Tomar whistles and his stallion Socrates trots over. He pats his horses nose and reaches into his pack for some oats. He feeds it to Socrates and continues to look at the forest once more.

Bishop laughs. "Oh trust me dear. She angered this particular person. I'm just curiouse to know to what lengths they were willing to go to see their anger satisfied. This does seem...a little extreme."

Tomar glances over at Irya as she speaks, but he doesn't reply. He looks at Thanos and gives him a small salute, not really intending to but does it out of habit. "I shall return.", he gives Bishop a curious look.

About you, as you ride, Tomar mounts the brown stallion.

Thanos grunts and moves to Tomar's side, "I am riding with you scout." is all he says.

Tomar nods to Thanos. He spurs his horse into a trot and heads towards the forest outskirts.

A few of the mounted guards share curious looks but say nothing.

With a demanding sway of her arm Irya gives the 'all go' sign and chattering with Cori about what types of clothes would look /so/ well on her she looks over the edge, aware of wolves and toher things like that.

Thanos rides off, keeping close pace to Tomar as they become small to your sight

Cori listens politely to Irya prattle.

Bishop stands up he looks around for a moment or 2 and proceeds to step behind his tree for a moment. and then he's gone where to none can say but he made sure to make his move when no one else was watching

Bishop walks up the path into the forest.

Irya furrows her brows on spotting Bishop dissapear and then reappear.

[Scene changes to the Forest]

From atop the brown stallion, Tomar is alert and seems at home in the wilderness. His eyes careful scan in front of him and he keeps Socrates at a slow canter. He stops his horse suddendly and puts his hand up to stop Thanos as well.

Tomar dismounts the brown stallion.

Thanos slows his mount to a halt, but remains astride him

The brown stallion neighs and watches Tomar.

Tomar examines the ground in front of him. He walks over a bit to the left and examines some of the plant life. He sniffs at the air and looks over to Thanos. "I think I may have found something. There are signs of someone covering tracks.."

Tomar puts his finger to his chin and examines the area carefully and thorougly. "It seems that someone was very very careful at covering their tracks.", his eyes dart ahead of him. "The underbrush gets heavier over there."

Thanos nods from his horse, "Indeed..too careful."

Tomar looks to the north. I think we should head this way. We can't take our horses, the underbrush it too thick.

Thanos doesn't issue a word but is down from his horse in a quick second.

Thanos ties Nageki's reins to a tree and moves nearer to Tomar.

Tomar motions for you to follow. He takes the lead. Walking silently and carefully. He is obviously quite skilled at this and his face is a mask of concentration and determination.

Thanos moves along behind with all the silence and skill of a seasoned warrior, a bush is brushed now and then but no twigs are broken by his movements.

Tomar continues along the invisible path. He leads you deeper and deeper into the forest. Often, he will stop and just survey the ground for several minutes. He continues on, moving very silently and sometimes almost dissapearing from sight.

Thanos follows quietly, his eyes darting from place to place, you get the smallest impression of a cat stalking it's prey from him when you glance his direction.

Tomar stops suddendly and puts his hand up to signal for you to stop as well. He gets down, very low to the ground and kneels there. He points to an area ahead of him and it looks like just a hint of a cave, covered by thick underbrush. He whispers to you.

Tomar nods to Thanos and silent like a shadow, moves ahead towards the cave entrance. He gets closer and closer to the cave and then something catches his eye.

Thanos remains where he was, motionless as Tomar reads the sign.

Tomar almost smiles and then kneels down beside a small hedge. He listens and watches for a few minutes and then motions for Thanos to come closer.

Thanos slowly, every so slowly makes his way next to Tomar, being sure to be slilent.

Tomar taps Thanos on the shoulder and then points upwards towards the sign. He whispers to Thanos about what the sign reads and adds that who ever did this evil deed, sure has a sick sense of humour.

Tomar whispers to Thanos.

Thanos growls noticeably, although with light volume as he reads it for himself.

The two warriors trade whispers near the cavern entrance.

From Cavern: Tolemac, you hear someone yell "Let me go!"

Tomar blinks as he hears a shout. He stands up and quickly, yet silently enters the cavern.

Thanos leaps to his feet, sword drawn in the blink of an eye, "Go!" and he rushes forward like an angry bull!

Tomar silently enters the cave as he hears shouts echoing from inside. He walks with cat-like grace. His senses are on full alert for anything.

NoFace moves behind Marla and stands her up. he speaks quietly as the knife shred its way through her bindings "Now listen here Marla...I'm not the one that kidnapped you. I'm giving you what you want, letting you go without giving my little friends at your feet their supper. Now you give me what I want.

Tomar glances behind him to make sure Thanos is following silently.

Thanos thunders his way into the cave, paying no heed to Tomar's quiet approach, angry as a bull and sword drawn, he rushes past Tomar down the cave's length, slowly only enough to ensure he does not smash himself into a wall in the fleeting light.

Marla jumps away from the rats and Noface as soon as she's free, she tries to at least but Noface holdshers her, "yES, i HAVe no idea how this thing looks like and I dont'want to know either." she responds quickly and turns around.

Thanos comes to a grudging slowdown as he rolls his shoulder off one stoney, jagged corner after another, trying to push on as fast as he can in the darkness, but with little success.

NoFace scowls he's pissed at the little girl now and the big rat at his feet lets her know it as it proceeds to bight her little foot. He claps a hand over her mouth listening...hearing Thanos aways down.

Tomar catches up to Thanos and puts a hand on his shoulder. He whispers into his ear. Tomar whispers "What are you doing?? Do you want to get Marla killed. You have to use stealth. Trust me, I've done this sort of thing before. Just hang back and follow my lead. I'll let you know when it is ready to barge forwards. Okay?"

NoFace smiles and looks to his little friends as he sets Marla back down retying her hands and gagging her. Barely visible even to her in the darkness. He looks to the assembled mob and says quietly. "See if you can't make life hard for them would you please?"

That said the rats...big rats literally seem to scurry down the path braking up as they go and disappearing into darkness.

Thanos gives the dark form of Tomar an angry glance and with a thrust of his shoulder sends Tomar's hand away from him, "If they wanted her dead she'd already be by now, we must move fast!" he hisses, continuing, although slower still.

"AUUU" Marla cries out but this stops on feeling his hand, "Mmmmm" she tries to speak and she squirms in panic to all these powers, unable to do a thing, she tries to get away from her holder.

Tomar blinks and slows down for a second as he hears something off in the distance. If there was enough light to see his face, it would show frustration. He shakes his head. "Fine...but I think something is coming towards us...lots of somethings."

NoFace ties the pesky little woman securely and proceeds to set her back where he found her, just as helpless as when he found her. He glances around his eyes not having much trouble with the darkness. He whispers to her.

Thanos is listening for the sounds of a human, not anything else and doesn't notice the approach of small defenders.

Tomar wrinkles his nose and almost sneezes as he catches scent of the pesky critters. "Oh boy...I don't like the smell or the sound of this.", he says quietly enough but can be heard by Thanos.

Marla yells out, "Help!!!!". It sounds helpless as she knows she's in big trouble with all these rats and scared. Her eyes go to the man whispering to him, "How do you know my name?" she asks scared and her eyes try to cutr the darkness.

The rats scurry along the sides of the wall somehow making their way onto rock ledges above them, a few of them positioning themselves selflessly on the ground in front of the oncomming men preparing to trip them.

Tomar puts his hand reassuringly by his side where his whip is. He hears the scurrying and whispers to Thanos. "Be careful...whatever it is, it's close.", he continues on ahead. He is still trying to be as stealthy as possible and hangs back a little.

Thanos growls lowly, "Smells and sounds won't kill..come one." and promtly steps on his first rat, he nearly falls backwards as it squeals in pain!

NoFace smiles as he fades into the shadows away from her his black body suite blending very well with the stark darkness of the cave. He says simply. "You look like a Marla.. With that said he's gone."

The rat Squeal and scurries off practically unseen in the darkness.

Tomar upon hearing the squealing of the rat, knows exactly what they are up against now. "Rats! Why did it have to be Rats?!", he pushes on ahead and kicks at a few furry bodies as he boldy goes ahead.

Suddenly the crow Shrieks behind the 2 men, its wings beating fiercly very close, watching them angrily

Thanos growls loudly now, pressing forward through the cave and paying no attention to further squeals of rats he steps on.

Tomar throws his arms up over his head. "What in the?!", he ducks his head and follows Thanos further into the cave.

4 rats on the ledge above the oncoming men manage to shove a fairly descent size stone down over them. ABout brick size.

Marla's deepblack eyes pierce towards the darkness and is afraid of what will happen. Her eyes drift to the direction the strange man went to she heard but can't find anything and her body begins to shiver and her tunic becomes soaking wet from the sweat.

"Blood and ashes!" Thanos exclaims as a stone hits his shoulder and a raven sounds off behind him.

A literal swarm of rats seems to run by Marla all at once as if trying vindictively to scare her for not telling their master what he wanted to know. They scurry about her legs and feet some over her lap and shoulders, not biting her just scampering on her. They are gone as quickly as the came.

Tomar yells out to Thanos. "Watch out...er nevermind.", he watches as the stone hits his shoulder and he hears a thud. Scurrying, ravens flapping and cawing..its just too much. But he is determined to at least get a glimpse of hope at seeing Marla alive.

Screams of terror roll echoing through the cave as Marla's high voice reaches his peak as the rats go over her and make her feel this helpless. Tears roll over her face but when a rat begins to lick it Marla presses herself to stop this but the shivering goes further and finally she just faints from the panic.

Tomar flinches as he hears a scream. "We've got to find her!", he presses on despite the feeling of dread that comes over him as furry things crawl around him and ravens fly about.

NoFace moves quietly. He's had time to get they basic layout of the cave its obstacles traps and pitfalls so he is able to move relatively quickly without stumbling or making much in the way of noise. He moves up onto a ledge following his little friends example under which the 2 gentleman will pass...He can hear they're very close now.

Thanos growls and grunts, wordlessly as he presses forth through rats on the floor and the occasional stone being dropped from above, one arm is raises above him to shield himself from those attacks while his sword arm holds ready, just in case.

NoFace smiles as he sees the 2 men pass under him. He considers his hand going to the knife but deciding against it. He lets them pass him by amused at their odd noises.

Tomar has a chilling feeling, his sixth-sense for danger so to speak. He assumes its just going off because there are a million rats and ravens flying about...not to mention that their lives are in mortal danger.

Thanos actually catches a rock as it bounces off his armored shoulder, and he tosses it down the cave, meeting the sound of scurrying and squeeking rodents.

Lying against the rock, packed in like a worst Marla's unconscious body lays asleep yet there seem to be trouble as the caveroof begins to shudder, exactly above her head in that little corner and some little dirt begins to collapse.

Tomar and Thanos continue on. Valiantly, courageously, and probably stubbornly they continue on...the brave heros finally find what they are looking for and...

NoFace hops down off his ledge landing on the path that Tomar and Thanos had come along a few moments earlier. His feet making an eary scratching sound as they contact the ground. That sounds fades quickly as he quietly makes his way down the path the way they had come

But The sounds of the ravens wings can be heard beeting as it flys out of the cave and into the light.

Bigger rocks begin to fall, cutting Marla's way out off as it collaps inside. Some rocks fall on her arms and this awaakes Marla and with wide eyes of fear she looks up at the ceiling and then at the quickly falling rocks which cut her way out of now she hears people's voices she recognises. "Help!" she yells, to no avail it seems.

Tomar nearly stumbles at one point as he trips over a giant furry rat. He hears a scream and then sees a light up ahead. This must be it. He also hears falling rocks. "Come on.", he says to Thanos as they both make a run for the light!

Tomar and Thanos are running for their lives it seems, as rats crawl all over and ravens try to peck at their heads. They get closer and closer to the light and they hear the rocks falling with more intensity now.

Face leaves as silently as he came in...without hitting his head on the damned sign this time.

Tomar decides that stealth in no longer an issue anymore and yells out. "Marla?! Can you hear us?!". They both continue to get closer to the light and hopefully where they will find Marla.

Thanos stalks forward, scowling, "Marla?" he calls.

Thanos steps on a rat and pushes it into the ground with a snarl as he moves forward.

The cave collaps quicker and quicker and Marla jerks back but her eyes shine on hearing these voices, "I'm here!" she calls out happily yet this is changed as the rocks tumble down and now really cut off her way, "Look out, you will get huu.." the voice trails off as one big rock hits her head.

Tomar upon hearing the voice, smiles as they near their goal...but then he flinches as he hears her get cut off and the increasing noise of rocks falling. Tomar hates falling rocks, he frowns. He dashes on ahead...

Tomar snarls."Bloody flaming ashes!", he says as a small cave-in nearly kills them both. A rock falls down and hits his head, cutting him across the forehead. He ignores the blood and looks at Thanos. "We have to retreat and get more help!"

Thanos stumbles forward off a moving rat and slaps his back against the stone wall, he spots a better glimmer of light just before rocks fallin from several directions, a focued fall before him closes the pathway nearly complete!

Tomar grabs the front of Thanos's armour and looks him straight in the eye. "Retreat is the better part of valour, because we can live to fight another day.", he lets him go and starts to retreat. "Come now, don't be a fool!"

Tomar starts to head back the way they came.

Grumbling can be heard at the cave and more rocks begin to fall down to the floor but steady.

Tomar throws his arms up to shield his head. He looks at Thanos one last time and yells. "We have to leave now!", he quickens his pace as he retreats.

Tomar kicks at a few rats, but they too are scurrying in retreat from the falling rocks.

Thanos hisses, "Then go for help, I'm NOT leaving! Move!"

Thanos begins to slowly try and move stones from the top of the pile that is blocking his way.

Tomar glances back and then a huge rock falls on Tomar's head. *Whack* His eye's roll backwards into his head an d he collapses to the ground with a groan.

Tomar groans and gets to his feet. "Um...where am I? Who am I?", another rock hits his head and he blinks and remembers everything again> "By the light! I'm going for help!", he staggers into a run and heads for the entrance.

Tomar exits the cavern, walking into the dense forest.

Thanos pays no mind to his companion's mumblings as he moves off, prefering instead to work at moving rocks and doging them as they drop on occasion.

The whole caveway to the place Marla is has collapsed, it's impossible to get in or remove t he wall with one's bare hands. Big rockstones are pressed together and it seems that the cave isn't steady above Thanos head either.

Mirla slides in and immediately starts digging through rocks. "Hold on there, Kid!"

Cori enters the cavern from the forest, her footsteps making an eerie sound.

Mirla calls to Marla, "You okay, Kid?" She doesn't wait for a reply as she keeps digging.

Mirla is digging.

Tomar manages to crawl into the cave and shout weakly. "Wait...cave-in...it's dangerous...", collapses again.

Cori helps Mirla.

Marla isnt' even able to say something back as the bruises and the fear are too much for her and atop of that the rock which tumbled on her head so she's unconscious. And as the rockwall is too dig not even yelling can be heard through it and suddenly ther's another grumble and rocks fall down.

Thanos grunts as he makes veyr very little progress against the rocks, occasionally being hit by one himself.

Mirla looks up, "Oh Light..." She tries to shove Cori out of the way, just as rocks come crashing down on her.

Tomar groans as small rocks pelt him on his backside. "Ouch...ouch...ouch.", he crawls towards the cave entrance.

Cori falls out of the way. "Bloody ashes! These bloody rocks!" She takes a nasty blow to the shoulder.

A litteraril rain of smaller but sharp rocks begins to fall down as the way in begins to collapse as well, it's the heafies above the heads fo the rescuers.

Mirla herself is now up to her waist in rocks. SHe grunts and wriggles around in them. "Blood and bloody flaming friggin'..."

Tomar manages to stagger to his feet and lean against the cave wall. He looks at the two ladies. "Get out of here...this whole place is gonna.", then another rock hits him in the head and his eyes roll back in his head. Second concussion today. He falls unconscious

Thanos finally sheathes his sword, trying to hold himself steady against the rocks and try to keep digging.

Cori calls, "Yeah, I guess."

Mirla clears a few of the smaller rocks off of herself and then starts trying to push a really large one off her leg.

Tomar manages to shakes himself awake with a groan. "What the...", he blinkblinks and then realizes where he is isn't very safe.

Rats scurry about your feet in a panic, trying to get to cover or just out of the cave!

Mirla growls and tries to smash some of the rats with rocks. "Bloody eyes of the flaming Dark One!"

Cori frees herself from the rubble and begins kicking rats.

Tomar looks at Mirla and is seeing double. He shakes his head to clear his vision, but now sees triple. That isn't a good sign he thinks to himself. Then he realizes there is like a zillion rats heading towards him. He prays.

Thanos struggles, several cuts causing him to bleed an unsightly amount but he ignores his own pains, trying to make headway against a wall of rocks.

Mirla takes one of the rocks off of her leg. "Ow." She grits her teeth and keeps digging rocks off herself. She addresses Tomar. "Handsome, when you said cave-in, I thought you meant it was bloody well /done!/"

Thanos growls and loses any and all thought to what is around him, only an arm above him recognizes the occasional falling rocks as he digs.

Tomar goes cross eyed as another rock hits him on the noggin. "No thanks mommy...I'll tuck myself in.", he falls unconscious again.

Bishop enters the cavern from the forest, his footsteps making an eerie sound.

Cori is kicking rats and cursing.

Mirla is cursing.

Thanos heaves a large rock out of the way, causing a number of smaller rocks to pour down at his feet, but he is making headway at least.

NoFace slips in quietly from another way in. He smiles as he notes Marla right where he left her, a solid wall of rocks between him and the man he can hear on the other side digging away. he almost laughs somehow managing to be quiet as he climbs up and pears down over them at the man

Thanos moves rocks slowly but surely, making almost enough room to crawl past the barricade of rocks, he should be through within another hour's work.

Thanos is heedless of a watcher nearby, focused totally on getting through the rubble to Marla.

NoFace just watches the man work, his eyes are like hawks in the darkness. They move to the blade strapped to his side and the heron mark. He quirks a brow always having believed that blade masters were brighter than this

Mirla slings the last of the rocks off of her legs and grimaces at the bloody mess of one of them. It isn't broken but Light.

Cori holds her shoulder, looking pained.

NoFace looks next to him finding a particularly large rock which he lifts quietly with some effort. He positions it over the working man and smiles as he just steps aside and lets it fall with a thup.

Thanos is hit square on the head even as he struggles with another stone, not even a grunt comes from him as he is grounded with the single well placed shot. Thump!

Thanos is out cold, motionless and crumpled in the bed of loose rocks, blood wettens those rocks with a slowly growing pool.

Mirla wipes at her eyes and starts methodically digging. Works not done yet. Cave's still closed off. Eventually she'll find her way to the other unfortunates trapped in here.

NoFace smiles as he simply unfastens the man's sword from his belt removing it sheath and all. He's never had an heron marked sword before. His pride tucked up under his arm he hopps back the way he came. If only poor Thanos had seen the little whole in the rock wall. It would have been much easier for him...

Mirla digs her way over to Thanos, two seconds two late to save his sword. Oh well. She bends down and starts digging him out. Again.

Suddnely that oh so familiar scurrying sound begins to rise up from within the depths of the cave...the darknes...the shadows all the liitle reats come scurrying..pitter patter pitter patter squeak squeek!

Cori hears the rats and moves backtowards the mouth of the cave, bringing her torch with her.

Mirla swears.

Cori's torch casts a very feeble light, illuminating mostly her face and little else.

They begin swarming all over poor Thanos...literlly mobbing him all wanting a littl taste of that delicouse blood.

Mirla shoves the rats off of Thanos as best she can.

The rats sense the smell of blood on Mirla's legs now as well and begin literally to scurry in droves about her feet. All waiting their turn to pile onto poor Thanos...nibbling, licking...biting...tearing. So many of them.

Cori relights her torch with a small bottle of oil, allowing it to illuminate more. She sees the situation with the rats and screams.

Mirla shouts as the rats start swarming her, draws one dagger, stabs at the ones on her legs,shoves with her free hand, swatting the ones away from Thanos' face, at least, yelling, "Move, Kid! Find yourself a way out!"

NoFace says "Be sure I looked up at her eyes happy and proud at last I knew Porphyria worshiped me. Suprise made my heart swell and still it grew while I debated what to do."

Mirla looks up. "What?" But she quickly is back into the rat fray, more interested in getting them /off/ her.

NoFace says "That moment she was mine, mine, fair, perfectly pure and good. I found a thing to do and all her hair in one long yellow string I wound 3 times her little throat around and strnagled her."

NoFace picks Marla up now, quite heavy for being such a small one. He hefts her over his shoulders.

Mirla yells, "Who in Shayol is quoting poetry in the...aargh!" Rat bites all over her legs. She fights madly.

NoFace says "No pain felt she, I'm sure she felt no pain. as a shut bud that holds the bee, I warily oped her lids, again. I laughed those blue eyes without a stain and untightened next the tress about her kneck her cheek once more blushed bright beneath my burning kiss"

Mirla shouts with frustration. Rats everywhere. A few dead by her hand. She abandons her pursuit to get them off of Thanos and draws the other knife, content now to stab at the ones on her.

Thanos is able to let out the softest of groans, still very unconcious.

Cori squirts oil on the ones closest to her. Using the torch, she lights one, which screams and ignights it's brothers. Soon, there is plenty of light in the cave and the sickening smell of charred fur and burnt flesh.

Rats run everywhere now...too much light. SOme of the hungrier ones just start melting on Thanos' face.

NoFace frowns and decides to make his exit now telling his little friends to scatter so as not to be hurt.

Mirla 's eyes go wide. Fire. All over the place. Fire...sweat streaming down her cheeks she starts to frantically stab, run, panting, screaming...she's panicking.

NoFace carefully makes his way out carrying Marla...hoping...praying no wolves will be out there waiting for him.

Mirla scrambles back. Away from the fire. No rats now, though...none on her legs.

Suddenly light makes it way down the tunnel, along with the sounds of armor and metal and disgusted sounds of men as they make their way deeper towards you.

NoFace makes his way out the back, with Marla draped over his shoulder.

Worried cries of, "What's going on down there!" echo through the cave as members of th Guardian Swords quickly make their way closer

Cori grabs Mirla and pulls at her. "Come on. Let's get out of hree!'

Mirla stumbles after Cori, blindly sheathing her knives. "BlloodandbloodyflamingashesbloodyflamingburningashesbloodandbloodyflamingohLightohLightohBurnmeohLight."

Thanos moans again, louder this time.

Mirla stops and in between swearing says, "We have to burn me we have to go dig burn it blood and bloody ashes...the swordsman out."

The soldiers finally reach Mirla and Cori, a couple of them moving to help the women get out safely, one offers to carry Mirla as he sees her bloodied legs, "Don't worry, we'll get him." another man says with a darkly serious tone.

A pair of large men make their way to Thanos's motionless body and move a few rocks from him, Mirla shakes her head a t the offer to be carried, coming back to her senses. She stumbles out of the cave.

Mirla exits the cavern, walking into the dense forest.

A pair of large men make their way to Thanos's motionless body and move a few rocks from him, each looks a little sick as they see the wounds to his back and head.

Cori exits the cavern, walking into the dense forest.

[Back to the Forest]

Thanos is carried out, by arms and legs by two large warriors, he is completely unconcious as they drap him over his horse and cover his head, tending a little to his wounds before going anywhere.

Mirla moves over to the wolf. Desparate for something to do, sweat streaming down her face, she tears the bottom of her dress into strips and starts bandaging the wolf's wounds.

Lightstorm is lying beside a rock, still unconcious.

Odessa comes in at a trot, not from the road, but from the forest. Seems she's been looking around for all of you. "What... what happened?" Her eyes light on the dark form by Mirla, and her face pales.

Thanos lays drapped over his stallion's back, a soldier tending to wounds to the back of his head. He seems completely unconcious.

Mirla blindly hands some strips back to whoever might take them. "Dunk these in water," she orders, "and bring them back."

Several other armed warriors stand around warily.

A slighter built mercenary takes the strips, and with no streams right near, douses them with his and other man's canteen of water.

Mirla thanks him and cleans the wolf's wounds as best she can. "I don't know why I'm bothering with you, wolf," she mutters, "when there's hurt humans." Still, she tends to the wolf as best she knows how. Perhaps because she doesn't have to look him in the face and have him know she did the unforgivable...she paniced.

Odessa's gaze darts from the dark, furry form on the ground, to Thanos's body. "Is he all right?" She means Thanos, but she hurries over to kneel beside the wolf. "Oh, Light. Oh, oh."She rubs her fingers down his coat, searching for any sign of life. "You know healing?" This question, to Mirla.

Mirla nods shortly. "Enough to patch him up."

The warrior tending to Thanos doesn't take any note of Odessa, dabbing cloth at thanos's head, his armor thankfully saving him most of the damage he could have gotten.

Odessa sits beside that black head, cradling it in her lap. She watches Mirla work, her gaze frankly curious. "Why are you doing this?"

Mirla shakes her head. "I haven't got the faintest bloody idea." She finishes up, quietly, without speaking, and says, "I think he'll be all right. Cori? You hurt?" Calm, for now, has returned.

Cori frowns and rubs her right shoulder. "I did someting to it."

Mirla motions her over. "Lemme check it out." In the meantime, her legs bleed all over the place. But she ignores them.

Cori comes over to Mirla, looking rather pained.

Thanos groans, and moves a slight bit as the man tending to him bandages his head some, covering the back of that head and forehead.

Odessa's fingers rub at the wolf's fur as she watches Mirla walk off. "You should tend to yourself, as well." She indicates the bites on the woman's legs. "What happened?"

Mirla says "Cave in, fire...rats." She shudders. At the word fire, not the word rats."

Mirla doesn't walk off either, she just sits there, letting Cori come to her.

Cori sits down near Mirla.

Mirla runs gentle fingers over Cori's shoulder. "You banged it up real good, Kid."

Thanos appears to come concious, somewhat, although his eyes open they close and squint, he moans a slight bit.

Cori nods, wincing at her touch.

About that time you notice a pair of guards coming out of the cavern, carrying another man with them. The unconcious man does not look like much of a soldier, and bears a bloody mess over his face, hit by a rock in the face perhaps.

Thanos shares some whispered words with his aid, and slowly rightens himself on his horse with stubborn determination, although he nearly sways off once he is seated.

Odessa, still kneeling with Lightstorm's head in her lap, glances over at the sudden movement by Thanos. "Are you all right?"

Mirla grimaces at Cori. "This is gonna hurt like Shayol. Hold still."

Thanos's head very slowly makes it's turn to look at Odessa, in a low slow voice he says, "I'll be alright once I wake up from this flaming nightmare.." and says nothing more.

Odessa remains silent for a time, her worried gaze on the occupant of her lap. Finally, she looks over at the injured man a-horseback. "Can I help?"

Cori gasps as Mirla fixes her shoulder. Tears well up in her eyes.

Mirla slams Cori's dislocated shoulder back into place and gives her an apologetic look.

Thanos mutters quiet words to a few of his men.

Cori bites her lip hard and cries out softly. "Ahh."

The warrior Thanos spoke to turn and looks at everyone gathered, "Alright folks, we need to get moving. Boss's orders, we need to catch up to the caravan and they should be near or in the town by now, so let's get set and move."

Mirla says "Sorry, Kid."

One soldier takes Tomar's limp form and draps it across teh back of his horse, Socrates.

Mirla stands up. Her knees go weak beneath her.

Three of the warriors mount up and ride to Odessa, Cori, and Mirla in turn. The one who spoke before speaks again, "Please mount up, we don't have any extra horses and we need to make up time."

Odessa looks at the form before her, the wolf's head in her lap. "I can't leave him. How do I know he'll be okay?"

Mirla looks at Thanos. "I got my own wagon. I'll help the entertainer here get her friend in it and we'll catch up." She smirks. "I can take care of myself."

The soldier looks at Odessa, "You are that worried about a wolf?" he seems a little stunned.

Odessa straightens, her yellow gaze narrowing as she glares at the soldier. "I have my reasons!"

The warrior's eyebrows raise some as he catches sight of those yellow eyes, but he says nothing.

Mirla looks at the soldier and waves him on. "Leave her alone, Light. It's been a rough bloody day for all of us. If she wants ta be bloody worried about a flaming wolf," she indicates her tonrn dress, "it ain't so strange. Now go on. Ya got a caravan ta defend."

The soldier near to Thanos responds to Mirla for him, "Then you'd better round up that wagon, we should go."

Odessa casts Mirla another bewildered look. Why is the woman going so far out of her way to help them? She glances toward the forest, toward unseen eyes.

Thanos glares about him, waiting for the group to get moving.

Cori still nurses her shoulder.

Bishop quietly makes his way into the forest. He doesn't look his best by any means but certainly better than some.

Mirla picks up the wolf. She winces as this aggravates her wounds. She turns to the strange, yellow eyed woman and says, "Come on."

Odessa's breath catches as Mirla picks up Lightstorm. Light, but that woman must be strong to lift so big an animal! She doesn't notice Bishop sneak off, nor had she noticed him here at all, for all her attention on the black form in Mirla's arms. "Be... becareful. Do you need help?" She goes to the head, helping lift the animal's front end.

Mirla grunts, "Help would be good."

Bishop gives Mirla a side long glance as he notes the wolf. Instinctively whom moves to stop her but then he remembers his previouse logic and simply lets Mirla go by

A mercenary shrugs to his fellows and hops down from his horse, taking the large wolf in his own arms he hauls the brute over to the wagon with Mirla's guidance, an odd look on his face the entire time.

Thanos sits astride his horse, everyone being flanked by mercenaries as they travel along slowly.

Thanos rides at the head of the small group making their way back to the caravan, although quite a bit subdued you can see.

Time passes...

[They've moved on to the Town Edge: Tolemac]
You stand at the edge of Tolemac, where the town ends and the open country meet. The few houses here are more widely spaced than in the centre of town, and the roads are much l ess travelled. One main road goes from the centre of town continuing one through the country to the next closest town. To the north east lies a lush, dense forest which surrounds most of the town, and to the very east lies a tall cliff overlooking the main road, various rocks perched on top of it.

The group comes to a halt and is greeted by many people in the camp, soldiers and merchants alike swarm around the group of latecommers demanding or asking a hundred questions and more.

Thanos sets himself off to the side and talks with his men.