Setting: Town Square, Tolemac

Characters:
Mirla - A grinner, a lover, and a sinner
Thanos - Owner/Operator of the Guardian Swords
Odessa - Dancer and Acrobat
Severan -Guild Master of Entertainer's Guild, Tar Valon
Diemis -
NoFace - A shady figure
Bandrin - Mercenary
Bishop - Lord from Cairhien on a business trip
Renoir - Senior Lieutenant, Children of Light

Thanos walks quietly through the square, filled with merchant wagons, many with bare holds now after a few days of selling. He turns Mirla's direction as she lets fly with the rocks, "More ravens, or rats this time as well?" he says in a flat voice.

The rock connects with the raven and it falls over, dead. She pushes it with her toe. "Just the bloody flaming raven," Mirla says.

Thanos watches Mirla kick the dead bird, and sets up beside her, "Well he will not be reporting much anymore I suspect."

Mirla growls, "There's a bad feelin' in tha air taday, Handsome."

Thanos looks about himself, and at the nearby hills, "Now don't go off predicting the weather now Mirla. Or are you thinking on something less innocent than rain?" he looks at Mirla.

Mirla says "Whadda I look like, a Wisdom?"

Thanos keeps his gaze on you leveled, "Perhaps not, but you just sounded like Anadra, the Wisdom of my home village before I left there."

Mirla says "I mean I've gotta bad feelin'. Like when yer neckhairs prickle cause there's trouble on its way."

Thanos cocks one eyebrow at Mirla, "And just what kind of trouble might that be?"

Thanos looks more than a little dubious

Mirla says "If I had that kinda a link ta tha Creator ta know /that/, I'd chuck it all after a few big winnin's at an Ebou Dari horserace, Handsome."

Thanos almost snorts with amusement, "Well I might suggest not speaking so freely of your 'feeling' then. The mayor of this little bunch of huts is more scittish than a squirrel. You could likely set that sod into a panic."

Mirla smirks. "There could be some profit for you in that. I'll set the sod into a panic, you make him pay you to protect his flamin' hovel collection of a town.

Thanos grunts, "It's worth more to me to keep his whining hide as distant from me as I can.Do you know he offered to hire me on as captain of his town guard? Imagine it, a Blademaster, running a two bit outfit of lazy townspeople with weapons." he shakes his head in disgust.

Mirla smirks.

Thanos finishes his head shaking with a final grunt, "Well perhaps with some luck something bad /will/ happen. Then at least I'd have something to do other than send out patrols for those bandits and dodge the mayor."

Mirla says "Any luck findin' those flamin' bandits?"

Thanos frowns deeply, "No. Not a flaming sign of them anywhere. It's like they just vanished off the face of the world..."

Mirla makes the sign to ward off the Dark. "Dark One's luck."

Thanos nods slowly, "It's enough to make me think they DO have his aid."

Mirla makes a sour face. "Lets hope they don't."

Thanos hrmphs, "Of course they don't. If they trully did, that Dark One would be free and we'd all be dead already."

Mirla says "Good point."

Mirla glances out into the distance.

Thanos appears to looks about the rooftops nearby in the quiet moment.

Mirla leans against her wagon again.

Odessa opens the doors from the inn, and comes down the hill into the town square.

Thanos turns and nods to Odessa as she walks out of the inn no far from himself, he looks dark of mood.

Odessa's brightly-garbed silhouette emerges from the inn, pausing briefly to survey her surroundings. As her amber eyes catch Thanos's greeting, she inclines her head to him. She looks as though she's just finished a performance, by her garb and by the towel draped over one shoulder.

"Did you give an enjoyable show?" Thanos asks somewhat dryly.

Mirla continues to lean against her wagon, brooding now.

Odessa eyes Thanos wonderingly, her brows furrowing. Obviously she's curious as to the tone of the question. "Always," she replies lightly, her hands settling on her slender hips. "My apprentices and I amazed the crowd, as usual. They're resting, now."

Thanos hmms and nods to himself more than to anyone else. "Well then this little trip was almost a success."

Mirla shakes her head.

Odessa frowns at the man, more considering than disapproving, though there is a bit of the latter. "From the Apprentices' point of view, yes."

Thanos looks for fully at Odessa, "The apprentices?"

Mirla flips her hair over her shoulder and crosses her arms, mumbling curses under her breath, annoyed, though seemingly at herself.

Odessa arches a brow at the man, gesturing toward the Inn with a toss of her head. "Yes. That's why Severan and I brought a wagonload of them. So they could practice performing in unfamiliar places, in front of unfamiliar crowds."

Mirla says "And sheep. Lets not forget tha flamin' sheep."

"Sheep?" The yellow-eyed woman casts Mirla a confused glance.

Mirla waves her hand through the air. "Forget it. It was just a stupid joke."

"Ah." Odessa nods once, turning back to Thanos. She seems tired enough that jokes don't register with her today. Glancing between the two shecomments, "You two look displeased, to say the least."

Mirla shrugs, pasting on a smirk. "Naw. Just thinkin'."

Thanos hrmphs, "Displeased? I'm hidding my emotions well if that is all that is showing.."

Odessa leans against a nearby wagon wheel, arching a slender brow at the man. "Do tell."

Thanos looks straight into Odessa's eyes, "Do you see Marla around?"

Odessa's gaze narrows as she returns Thanos's stare. "No. But then, nobody has near so much as mentioned it in days. How'm I supposed to know what's going on?" Pressing her lips in a thin line, she glances down the cobblestoned street. "You have no ideas for finding her?"

Mirla looks at Odessa. "I thought you did."

Thanos looks darkly into Odessa's odd colored eyes, "There has been no sign of her. And I mentioned it.."

Odessa shoots Mirla a cautioning glance, her arms crossing over her chest. She might, but apparently it's not something she relishes. Casting a glance at Thanos again, she mutters, "There must be some kind of clue."

Mirla walks over to the fountain and sits down on it.

Severan opens the doors from the inn, and comes down the hill into the town square.

Diemis opens the doors from the inn, and comes down the hill into the town square.

Thanos turns and steps away from the inn, moving towards a few of his men, Bandrin included to speak with them.

Diemis stands outside the Inn, looking around thoughfully. Her strung bow is in hand and the quiver is still at her waist.

Mirla scrubs her fingers through her bangs, muttering about bad feelings. She chances a look at the sky and then fingers the hilts of her daggers warily.

Severan sits on the fountain of the town square, idly dipping a few fingers in the water.

Mirla's eyes can probably note a painfully familiar figure as it circles high over the town.

Gradually the raven begins to circle lower and lower. It screeches once or twice disapearing amongst the trees for a few moments, the clouds another moment and then just hovering there circling round and round over your head, watching you

Severan glances up at the raven. He smirks, a strange glint of amusement in his eyes. He turns to watch the raven's reflection in the fountain's waters.

Diemis frowns at the raven and narrows her eyes. She draws up her bow and an arrow and waits, judging the way it moves and then she prepares to fire...

One of the village yells out from atop his look out position. "To arms!" He points out to the edge of the forest where a makeshift line of archers is forming behind a steadily davancing line of briggands

Severan turns swiftly and smoothly to watch Diemis as she aims.

Mirla ,upon hearing that call, draws her daggers. "Toldja I had a bad feelin', Thanos," she says, grimly.

Severan's eyes instantly become an inferno of emotions. He turns to look at the line of archers, trying to judge their distance. His hand moves down to where his short sword rests at his side as he slowly crouches beside the fountain.

Thanos spins at the cry of alarm and bellows, "Form squads! Bowmen to the buildings NOW!" and men dash off, drawling weapons fluidly and racing to their posts.

Guardian Swords Troop race about, bowmen all but leaping to higher buildings to get a view of the oncomming enemy.

Mirla holds her daggers at ready, edging closer to where the enemy will hit, every sense alert and ready.

Diemis begins to climb up onto the Inn. Not caring that anyone can lok up her skirts as she does.

Severan moves swiftly from his position by the fountain to an alleyway next to the inn across the open space of the square. No use being surrounded...

The line of brigands seems more like a phalanx now as they get closer. Most of them brandish long spears held at arms length as they move in. Their pace increases steadily as they get closer and their adrenalin rises.

Mirla mutters, "These guys sure are organized for a bunch of bandits..."

The first arrows arc from the buildings closest to the advancing line of brigands, at the long range, only a few find their marks, but regardless, two foes go down.

Half-covered by a building next to the inn, Severan studies the brigands as they approach. "Flaming spears..." He reaches down to pull a concealed throwing dagger from his shirt.

Diemis reaches the roof and pulls herself over, pulling out arrows and waiting for a good distance. She draws arrow and fires.

Mirla waits until they get closer, eyes narrowed.

Thanos takes precious time to organize a few near paniced townsmen, and sends them off into their homes to keep their families safe. Equally frightened guards look about, you are not sure if they are looking for escape or for comfort in the other warriors there.

All at once the brigands give out a howling yell and break into a full run. Those arrows made them mad. In the rear their own archers respond by raising their longbows into the air and letting lose a storm of about 20 or so bolts. They arc up into the sky and seem to come down on the town all at once immediately proceeding the onslaught of men.

The arrow Diemis shot suddenly begins to smoke as it goes closer to the brigands. And the arrow is going much faster then it should. The man it his goes flying backwards and his clothes smoke for an instant.

Severan isn't anywhere near the range he needs for throwing knife or short sword. He stays half concealed by the building, watching the approaching bandits. He waits until they come in range of his throwing knives...

Mirla throws herself to the side as an arrow comes within inches of going through her left kidney. It quivers in the wood of her wagon where it ended up. She grits her teeth. "Come on. Just a little closer," she murmurs.

A pair of guards scream as arrows pierce their bodies, leather armor being scant protection against the steel arrowheads. They fall, one writhing in pain, the other motionless, an arrow through his head.

Diemis starts to launce arrows faster now. These arrows go at normal speed and don't smoke.

The brigands do indeed come closer. They seem literally to wade into the town their swords and spears and clubs seeming to smash into everything at once. In the distance you see glimors of torches then all at once another storm of arrows is loosed from the briggands archers.these arrows set alight and seemingly aimed for houses and whatever might burn well.

Severan pulls his head back swiftly behind the building, an arrow bouncing off the inn behind him. "Light help us all..." He shoots a glance out again, judging the distance of a bandit just coming within his range. He quickly brings him arm back and snaps it quickly forward, a knife launching towards the approaching man. Unfortunately, it only grazes the man's shoulder. The bandit quickly spins towards Severan at a full run.

Now that they're here, Mirla lets out a loud whoop of glee. An insane light shines in her bright green eyes as she launches into the fray.

A flaming arrow heads right for Diemis... but it bounces and falls as if hitting a solid, yet invisible wall. Then it smothers itself before it sets the building on fire.

Thanos, having formed his melee soldiers into two great troops, howls with rage and charges at their fore, straight into the teeth of the wave of bandits....

"Always knew I should've studied the knives more..." Severan mutters as the man approaches him. "Good thing I can still use acting..." His face becomes a mask of fear, and he makes as if to dart into the alley. However, he remains just behind the corner, his short sword now unsheathed and at the ready.

Diemis is out of arrows and closes her eyes, consentrating.

Silvery streaks mark the place in the air where Mirla's knives fly; soon they become silvery streaks tainted with red. However, in the superior numbers and weaponry the bandits seem to have at their disposal, in no short order Mirla has aquired quite a few wounds. She seems to ignore them, laughing even each time she gets them, her eyes glimmering.

Severan's short sword plunges into the abdomen of the brigand as he races around the corner, smiling as he begins to chase the man he thinks is now far into the alley. Severan quickly and cleanly removes his short sword, pushing the man down. He pauses for a moment, then pulls the man farther into the alleyway.

Arrows seem to bounce off an invisible wall around the blond haired archer on the roof. Then suddenly Diemis looks up and mutters something softly...

The Guardian Swords and the town guards initially appear to do well as they hit the enemy mass. Pushing their foes back with hacking and stabbing, but against so many their momentum slows, till a deadlock develops...but how long will that last?

NoFace reaches his fingers up through a grate in the ground and slides it away. He pops his head up and looks out into a quiet part of the town. Seeing no one right off the bat as the sewer entrance leads up into an alley way he quickly hoists himself up. After looking round again he motions back down to the whole and 15 men come out of it one at a time and ready themselves for battle.

Severan begins examing the brigand he's dragged into the alley. "I can match that aspect..." He begins moving towards the entrance of the alleyway, not seeing the men emerging from the sewers behind him.

Suddenly out of the darkening slightly clouded sky comes a bolt of almost pure blue lightning. It crashes down into the brigaders.

Mirla doesn't notice this new problem as she continues to fight, blocking one particularly nasty swipe from a short sword with the smaller dagger and then stepping in to plunge the longer through a brigand's heart...moving almost in time to avoid an attack from behind. Almost. The spearhead plunges into her shoulderblade instead of through the ribs like it was intended. Mirla cries out as he pulls it out of her back and then whirls around, kicking the man in the jaw, slamming his spear arm down with another kick, and slashing his hthroat. She takes all of three seconds to be startled by the lightening and the moves back, putting her back very firmly against her wagon to avoid anymore attacks from behind, regardless of the pain this causes.

The crash of lightning into the ranks of raiders causes a pause of seconds as everyone steps back in shock. But that lasts on a moment before the blades crash again, though confidencefor the Brigands is certainly shaken a little.

NoFace looks around his eyes seeming to take in everything now. He can hear the sounds of the battle raging just around the corner. He looks to his companions and they proceed to do exactly as planned.

Thanos's axe can be seen now and then, swinging over his head and plowing deep into the ranks of the enemy, flanked by his own men.

Suddenly an arrow passes through that invisible shield that seemed to be around Diemis and she yells out as she is hit in the arm. She loses her grip on the roof and begins to slip...

As Severan reaches the alley entrance and begins to turn, he catches movement out of the corner of his eyes. He gazes back into the alleyway, now discerning the figures emerging from the sewers. His voice carries across the open space. "Guards! Soldiers! They're flanking you from the sewers in this alleyway!"

Severan pulls a throwing knife and hurls it smoothly down the alleyway at the first of the brigands.

Severan hears a scream from a nearby roof. "What in the Light..." Still wary of the brigands, he looks upward to see where the scream came from.

The brigands growl their suprise all but ruined. This little guy is in for it. 2 of them charge him the rest move swiftly out in an attempt to catch their foe from behind

"Great," Mirla mutters sarcastically, but continues to fight. Wounded now, she seems to regain some sense--though not much more sanity, only dealing with those who come upon her.

Bandrin himself, second only to Thanos in the Guardian Swords heards Severan's call, and with a few men they spin and rush to aid him.

Severan begins backpedalling from the alleyway, glancing only once behind him and once upward at the building next to him. He pulls a third dagger from his shirt and hurls it towards the closest brigand in the alleyway.

Diemis regains her grip on the roof and looks down into the alley below her... Where Sveran is. She sees he is in trouble but also appears helpless. Or at least she appears that way.

NoFace sighs. So much for suprise. He waits until he is relatively certain that the briggands have chased Severan out of the alley way and ducks back into the whole

NoFace mutters something about wolves and lightning bolts as he reaches down into the whole and hauls out the squirming form of a young girl. She is bound at the arms and securely gagged. He looks round once again. The plan slowly forming in his mind

Severan's jaw drops a little as he sees Diemis hanging from the rooftop of the building. "Blood and flaming ashes..." He looks to the brigands chasing him, sheathing his short sword and pulling his final two daggers. He hurls them both at once, praying for both to strike cleanly. He looks up to Diemis. " I'm here if you need me!" The statement seems absurd, but in the heat of the battle, it's apparently the best he can do.

The overwhelming numbers of bandits are beginning to tell, and the proud Guardian Swords, their town guard allies in tow begin to fall back further into town. Pressed hard by their foes.

1 briggand is indeed struck by severan's knife. The other seems unimpressed. "No you're not going to be here for her very much longer friend." He moves in close to Severan and attacks. His buddies rush by him to engage the men Thanos sent to help

Mirla fights on, grimly, not moving from her post at her wagon. Blood now seeps from a wound in her leg, staining the hem of her dress. Nevertheless, ny brigand who comes her way finds himself wounded too badly to continue or dead in very short order.

Bandrin and 4 others arrive at Severan's location, the massive warrior steps forward, axe bared to meet the surviving brigands of the suprise party.

8 of them survive and 8 of them attack

Severan's arms fly out in front of him, and he quickly moves himself to where Diemis is about to fall. His eyes become calm, and he does indeed catch Diemis. However, he's overestimated his strength; both he and Diemis fall to the ground. As he begins to fall, the brigand's attack comes. His motion starts to carry him away, but he receives a nice cut on his left shoulder.

A small growl erupts from Diemis seeing Severan get hurt for helping her...

Mirla notes a slight lull in those attacking her--now that she's pressed against her wagon instead of charging forward they seem to be looking for other targets again, unless the battle drives them to her. Mirla rips a piece of cloth from her sleeve, not sparing a thought for the fine dress, and uses her teeth to quickly and expertly tightly bind her shoulder wound. The leg wound she doesn't even bother with as its just a scratch. She readies her weapons once more.

The raven purches himself on a roof top. He quietly overlooks the whole scene taking in the battle. He screaches something adametly and then flies to another roof top.

Bandrin's axe swings cruelly, bitting into a foe as the others do their best to fight off the murderous foes.

A howl, heard even at the far ends of the small village is heard amoungst the crash of steel and the screams of the dieing, Thanos has found Creel once more in the throng of bandits, and the two swiftly enter into their previous dance of death.

NoFace smiles down at Marla as he takes her by the arm and moves to the opening of the alley way. He looks to his bird and then quickly to Diemis and Severan then the big man with the axe. He waits for a moment and then seemingly by a Q the line of Brigand archers sets another round of arrows alight and then sends them soaring into the rear section of the town

Her wound bound, Mirla decides she's ready to get mobile again. But maybe a little more carefully. She moves around the other side of her wagon, pops out near the fountain, and brutally stabs a bandit in the back. Honor, in the thick of a situation like this, is a foolish concept she doesn't waste time on.

NoFace awaits the appropriate moment which soon presents itself and then hauls Marla out along with him. She struggles and does her fair share of resisting but really isn't strong enough to do more than resist. About the most she can manage through her gag is a squeel. A sound which would be almost undistinguishable through the roar of the battle unless one new what they were listening for. NoFace quickly moves her to a ware house and shoves her inside

Thanos's axe sings a song of death, accompanied by none other but his own Heron mark sword, weilded in the hands of Creel, leader of the bandits, to those with time enough to watch, their battle would seem a dance if not for the cold reality of death on the end of each blade.

Bandit arrows land amoungst more buildings, setting them on fire and their occupants rushing out in panic.

All around things are not looking to go well, guardsmen and mercenaries alike are pushed further and further into the town's streets, burning buildings all around it seems.

NoFace smiles as he closes the door behind Marla and himself. The only sound heard now is one little sqeak from her

NoFace walks up the hill and goes into the Sunchaser Inn.

Sweat courses down Mirla's cheeks. "Fire." Grimly, she stabs another bandit in the back. This seems to work better. "I hate fire."

A flicker of movement. Mirla looks up...watching the flight of the raven, and where it lands. And out of the corner of her eye, a splitsecond, movement. Frowning, her neckhairs prickling, Mirla moves towards the warehouse, dodging blows and swiping at anyone in her way, but no longer battling in earnest. Reaching the warehouse, she tries the door.

Bandrin and his two surviving warriors take a stance over the collapsed forms of Severan and the mysterious Diemis, the immediate bandit threat there gone.

Mirla walks up the hill and goes into the Sunchaser Inn.

Diemis sits up very slowly and lays hand on Severan... she nods to herself and says, "He'll be fine after a little rest an attention.." Then she grits her teeth and pulls that arrow out of her arm.

Bandrin glances down at Diemis, "Keep your head down lass, things don't look good here."

Diemis reached down and rips off a strip from her dress and ties it tight around her arm to cut off the bleeding... All she mutters is, "I'm going to help..."

Thanos and Creel duel hard and fast, even in the din of battle, a small circle has opened giving the two warriors room to battle.

Renoir rides in leading a force of about one hundred CoL, they quickly charge into the back of the line to begin their attack.

Diemis picks up a sword that is laying somewhere ... She isn't just going to stand there...

As Renoir and company smashes into the rear of the bandit force, irregular armed ruffians scramble in panic, not expecting such a force to attack now.

Renoir leads his men in chasing down the bandits and dispatching them. The numbers of the bandits hamper the efforts of the CoL.

Creel, leader of the bandits is even taken by suprise as he sees panic rush through his men, but he has little time to give orders as Thanos, enraged at seeing Creel weilding the Heron mark that belongs to Thanos, brings blow after blow against the bandit leader with his massive axe.

The bandits panic, but a few of them have their heads screwed on tight, and they rally their fellows, just enough of them keep their blades to the mercenaries and town guard to keep them busy, while the rest turn and attack the Children of Light with new frevor, grinding the CoL advance to a slow halt.

Two mercenaries, at Bandrin's orders get Severan into a building of bricks and guard him. "I'd advise you to remain with them lass." he says to Diemis, and then rushes off to the line of battle to aid his fellows.

Battle rages in the town. Bandits, containing the town's defenders, now attack the force of the CoL as well, still outnumbering their foes, but assailed from two sides. Thanos and Creel still duel within the midst of the fight.

Diemis looks at the big man and frowns slightly. She has no intention of doing as he says. She hefts her sword in the uninjured hand and follows, though it is obvious she knows nothing about sword fighting. Somehow any attacks at her are reflected though.

Reflected apparently by the sword. Maybe she can use it.

The CoL pulls back to regroup. Only a few men remain to keep the bandits engaged, they are able to both remain alive and keep most of the bandits engaged. Suddenly the CoL comes rushing back in a new charge.

Bandrin rallies the remainder of the Guardian Swords, and in a single cluster of battlecries, they plunge into the thick of the fighting once more, intent on reaching Thanos, who is himself deep in the enemy's lines, dueling with Creel.

The sky darkens more and more, and the clouds grow together. After a moment of building tension a bolt of blue lightning darts down. And it hits near a group of bandits. Far enough away from the CoL not to cause more than startle their horses.

Mirla opens the doors from the inn, and comes down the hill into the town square.

Mirla emerges from the warehouse, an unconcious Marla in her arms. Catching sight of NoFace, she very quickly makes her deicsion. Braeaking into a run, she heads for a wagon. She deposits Marla inside of the wagon, slams the door, and whirls around, seeing if she can still catch sight of the man.

NoFace strolls back behind a building out of sight. Taking his own sweet times as he makes his way towards the woods.

Mirla 's lips curl up into a feral snarl. "Now," she mutters, "lets just see who the smart one is." Silently, she sprints after NoFace, dodging any arrows that fly in her direction, well aware of the places of everyone in the battle as she runs.

Diemis takes a few steps backward, breath suddenlt coming hard and she seems unable to block with her sword anymore because she gets hit in the arm by a blade. She takes one last big swing and then walks backward to where they put the unconsious Severan.

A raven flys out of the ware house. Its silhouette is low and barely visible against the night sky. It flight seems just as lazy as NoFace's pace. his eyes seem ever attentive though

The bandits push against the CoL lines, striving to break them in one great rush before they are defeated.

The CoL pull in to maintain a tight but narrow line. They continue to hack away at the bandits, not without their own losses. However, their training and being mounted keep them low.

Slowly it begins to rain, totally naturally. The clouds thunder rumbles slightly in the clouds.

A scar faced bandit, nearly the 6 feet in height himself spots Renoir and lunges at him, a long spear meaning to do him in..

Diemis settles down beside the uncounsious Severan and reaches for his hand. He was the one who helped her. She keeps her sword just incase anyone gets closer then she wants them to.

Renoir dances his horse aside, as the man approaches Renoir delivers a devistating overhead blow which splits the man's head. The CoL continue to battle the bandits and the archers continue to scan despite the rain.

Within the ranks of the bandits, the duel of leaders rages,. Creel lunges forward attempting to spit Thanos on the sword, but the attack is dodged, and Thanos strikes back, and keeps striking back, blow after blow unanswered...Creel falls back.

Thanos continues his raging attack, the suddenly less confident and bloodlusty Creel falling back, and finally, he trips over the body of a fallen citizen of the town. But even as the cruel leader of murderers hits the ground, Thanos's axe brings it's weight to bear in a mighty overhead swing, a swing which Creel has neither the time, nor the strength to block, and with a shreik...Creel dies...Thanos's great axe buried in his chest.

Thanos snatches up his sword, the Heron-mark returned to it's rightful owner and he gives a cry of his victory! Almost as if on cue, Bandrin and the 8 living Guardian Swords burst through to their leader, and together they rush forth again to battle.

Diemis pulls Severan into her lap and begins to smooth his hair slightly...almost in a motherly fashion.

Renoir leads his men to a rout as the numbers have begun to even and the leader is dead.

The bandits suprisingly are difficult to rout, the fact that their leader is gone either not known, or not cared.

Let by their leader, Renoir, the CoL begin to seperate small groups of bandits from the main group and eliminate them.

But the bandits are for certain pushed harder and harder, ground is not gained easily, but it is gained.

The CoL are now cutting the bandits down in numbers with their new tactic.

Diemis continues to smooth Severan's hair... whispering something softly under her voice. She seems calm despite the pain she must be feeling. An arrow wound to the arm and a sword wound to the other...

Under the pack-hunting tactics of the Children, and the raging small band of Guardian Swords the remaining bandits finally well and trully break, scattering in all directions they turn and run for the hills, dropping weapons on their way and just as often cut down by pursuing mercenaries or Children of the Light.

A small cluster of stubborn bandits finally falls, and even as they do Thanos and his men meet up face to face with Renoir and some of his soldiers.

Renoir halts his horse so that he may face Thanos, however his warhorse continues to prance about. "Why were those men attacking you?"

Thanos and his company, pant heavily with no enemies before them at the moment. Thanos himself raises his head, resting his heronmark sword on his shoulder at he looks at Renoir, "Women, riches and murder, for which I care not. But for yer help I do give thanks," he looks closely at Renoir a moment, "Lieutenant." he finishes.

Renoir looks down at you with a cold stare. "How do I know it wasn't darkfriends attacking darkfriends?"

Diemis continues to smooth Severan's hair, ignoring any comotion unless it looks like it is threat to her or Sev.

Thanos laughs openly at Renoir's words, "Because soldier, I am hired to protect the merchants within this burning town, and I don't deal with friends of the Shadow. Now are you to pursue those surviving murderers, or do I and my men have to take that duty upon ourselves as well this day?" his words taking on a colder meaning in the now pouring rain.

Renoir doesn't take his eye off of Thanos. "Is that so? Some of my men have begun to chase them down. They will know justice, but are they the only ones needing instruction?"

Thanos's men pant tiredly, look about them as if not quite sure the fight is over.

Diemis looks up now at the WCs... Something like grim respect flashes inher eyes but she shakes her head as if they are wirth respect but mis guided.

Thanos looks at the Whitecloak leader with a sterner eye, "The only people I've ever known to be qualified to instruct anyone in anything other than war is a sage, and none of you have the look of that much wisdom about you. Now if you'll excuse me. I must see how much of a command I have left."

Renoir raises his eyebrow at your remark but remains slient. Once you start to walk off he follows you on his horse.

With that, Thanos turns to walk away, accompanied by his men, the massive Bandrin amoung them.

Renoir follows behind Thanos with the remainer of his men.

Thanos ignores Renoir, giving orders to his men, those close enough to hear know he is sending men to gather the surviving town guard and organize them, find the cowering mayor of Tolemac and let him know it's over, and take a headcount of the merchants to ensure they are all present.

Renoir turns and gives some orders to his hundredman. Quickly the CoL remove their dead from the pile and then drag the other dead off into a pile in a clear area.

Thanos steps over to his horse, Nageki and pulls out of a saddlebag a tabacc pipe. In the moment alone he lights it and puffs, observing the several buildings burnt to the ground and the citizens now fighting to keep other buildings from burning down.

Once they have separated the dead several of the CoL pull burning planks from the fires. They then set fire to the bodies.

A tall mercenary rushes up to Thanos, pointing to a nearby wagon and saying something about, "She's there!"

Thanos rushes over to the wagon his man fingered.

After seeing that the dead have been properly disposed of, Renoir heads over to where Thanos now is.

"The creator be praised" Thanos nearly breathes as he sees what lies in the wagon, Marla, unconcious and sleeping peacefully, the hardened warrior, holder of the highest honor any soldier can have, lays his head on the deck of the wagon and nearly cries with his relief.

Renoir looks down at Thanos. "So, what was the cause of the attack?"

Thanos spins and looks at Renoir as if expecting attack, but calms himself quickly, resuming an even face. "No, this woman disappeared from us, kidnapped by some scum before we got into town. I don't know how she has been returned but I am, very relived that she is."

Renoir rests his arms on the pommel of the saddle. "So, why did they attack then?"

Thanos shakes his head, "For all the reasons I gave you 10 minutes before Lieutenant, and I know none of those reason for certain. They did come upon the caravan once before we arrived at the town, but in much much smaller numbers." he passes a glance at the sleeping Marla.

Renoir continues to stare at you, his gaze is ice. "And?"

Thanos looks back at Renoir, "And what?"

Renoir says "You've told me what they did, now why did they do it?"

Thanos sighs, "I have already told you my only answer to that question, beyond the normal reasons bandits attack people, I don't know. If you don't understand that answer perhaps you should seek out a sage to teach it to you. Now what else can I do for you this bloody day?"

Renoir looks at Thanos wrily, as if the fool doesn't understand. "You said the attacked the caravan?"

Thanos nods and takes a puff on his pipe, "Aye."

Renoir nods. He turns to his second. "Alright, search what's left of these wagons, find it...now."

Some of the CoL that gave pursuit begin to return from their chase.

Thanos now looks at Renoir quizically, "It? I take it you have a specific item you search for then Lieutenant?"

Renoir nods. "I do, I search for whatever the bandits wanted. Obviously if its worth something to those Darkfriends its in my best interest to keep it from them."

Thanos chuckles, "You may be needing to confiscate all of the furs and toys of the entertainer's then."

Mirla enters the town, rubbing her head, looking frankly very bewildered...and a trifle upset.

The Children of Light have begun smashing the containers in the intact wagons, searching for anything unusual. Renoir smiles at Thanos. "Perhaps."

Thanos is standing next to Mirla's wagon, where Marla sleeps, his own men are busy ensuring the safety of the townspeople and merchants.

Mirla heads for Thanos, still rubbing her head. "I lost Marla's kidnapper," she says, softly. "I apologize. Is she awake yet?"

Thanos looks closely at Mirla, "You saw him? He wasn't......hmmm no no, she is not awake."

Mirla nods. "I saw him. We faught. I lost. He's gone."

The CoL continue to search each wagon, eventually they come to Mirla's, one of the men says to Renoir. "We need to move that woman sir."

Mirla looks at the Child of the Light. "If you people think you are gonna go inta /my/ flamin' wagon and smash my livelihood, ya got another think comin."

The man who spoke turns to look at Mirla. "We must search each wagon. The Shadow can not be allowed to gain what it seeks."

Mirla widens her eyes as she says, "Oooh, the Shadow. Well, I'll gladly submit to a search, but only if you boys," she smiles charmingly, "look through my things /nicely/."

Thanos speaks up, "And it won't...you don't need to smash her possesions to ensure it."

Renoir motions to the man, he then looks to Mirla. "This can be avoided you know."

Mirla lifts an eyebrow.

The last of the Children of Light return from their pursuit, the form up behind Renoir and take remounts so their horses may rest.

Thanos eyes Renoir cautiously.

Severan is still unconcious. He mutters incoherently, his head moving slightly from side to side as he sleeps.

Renoir continues to rest upon his pommel. "Merely turn over what they wanted."

Mirla grins. "What they wanted? I ain't got a clue what yer talkin' about, handsome."

Renoir shrugs, then nods to his man. Several Children walk up and gently set Marla aside. Others then begin to search the wagon as before.

Thanos steps up, "Alright that is enough Lieutenant." he eyes Renoir solidly.

Renoir turns his cold gaze upon Thanos. "You're ready to talk then?"

Thanos gains a small smile once more, "I've been talking soldier, give me a topic of conversation that isn't a fool's errand and we will talk even more."

Renoir lets no emotion touch his face. "This is no fool's errand, we are combatting the Shadow. You were given a chance to cooperate."

Mirla looks at Renoir. "Hey, handsome..."

Renoir turns an ice cold gaze to Mirla. "Yes?"

Thanos chuckles, "At the moment lad you are combatting nothing more than barrels of goods."

Mirla says "Some guy came and sold me a little statuette in one of the towns on the trip up here. Weird stuff started happenin' after that. A gleeman came and bought it off me a few days ago...is that what ye're lookin' for?"

Renoir says "Perhaps, what did it look like?"

Severan begins to stir more. He starts suddenly and his eyes open, gazing up into the sky. "Nighttime..." he says softly, his voice full of something which can only be described as fondness. He quite clearly doesn't have his wits yet, and doesn't move from his position on the ground.

Bishop walks down the road from the edge of Tolemac, coming into the town square.

Mirla says "An ugly little fat man."

Renoir nods. "And the gleeman?"

Mirla says "Kinda black bluish, about yay high, really crude workmanship. Worthless, if ya ask me."

Renoir says "What else?"

Bishop quietly comes limping into the camp. He doesn't look very good at all.

Severan is lying on the ground, just coming out of unconciousness. He gazes up at the night sky.

Mirla says "He had sorta a suspicious look about him. Smiled too much. I reckon he was a darkfriend if there ever was one. Tall, black hair, back in a ponytail. That same manner all gleemen have, you know, self-assured. The cloak."

Renoir turns to his second. "What did you find?"

The man looks to Renoir. "Just furs sir."

Renoir frowns then looks at the man. "Alright, rip apart the wagons, search /everything/, and shake out the furs."

Mirla says "Hey! You rip apart my wagon, how am I gonna get home, pal?"

Renoir looks at Mirla. "You have horses, ride."

Thanos steps right up into Renoir's face, "Now lad, I was hired to keep these merchants AND their wears safe, and now here you are threatening them for no good reason. Give me proof and I'll let you do it, fail, and I'll keep you from it. Clear?"

Bishop leans heavily on his cane as he slowly makes his way into the town square..

Renoir listens as his men move off to follow his orders. "No, you didn't."

Mirla nods. "Well, he did. I'm tellin' ya ya oughta send someone off ta find tha guy and quit buggin' us here. Otherwise you'll loose him."

Renoir turns a cold gaze to Thanos. "You have what, 30 men? I have 90, do the math."

Renoir looks back to Mirla. "How long ago."

Mirla says "Three days."

Mirla glances back at the whitecloak dismantling her wagon. She scrubs her fingers through her bangs. "He was on a fast horse."

Renoir looks at Mirla with a raised eyebrow. "One more day won't hurt then."

Severan sits up smoothly. He looks around calmly at the scene around him. Placing his hands behind him to steady his position, his eyes focus on Renoir. Seemingly a natural response, he nods to him. "Walk in the Light."

Twin yellow flashes of light are the first thing visible of Odessa as she ambles in from the shadows of the Inn, her slim figure becoming outlined against the shining cobblestones as she ventures into the street. "Well, the apprentices are finally settled..." She blinks at the scene before her, peering at Mirla and the Whitecloak.

Several Children can be seen whispering near Mirla's wagon. One then moves off to where she is, he is mounted.

Thanos stays right where he is, glaring at Renoir, "You have closer to 60 last I looks soldier, and my men have seen far worse battle then you likely ever will. Even if you were 300 I'd not let you tear apart this caravan without good reason..."

Mirla looks up at the Whitecloak. She tries another charming smile on him. A single trickle of sweat rolls down the side of her face.

The Child roughly grabs Mirla. The second walks up to Renoir holding a case of something. However, Renoir is focused on a sudden yellow light he saw, ignoring both Thanos and his man.

Severan frowns at Renoir at his being ignored. He stands, moving across the open space towards the Child.

Mirla says "Whoa, hey now, handsome," Mirla's laugh is nervous, but she doesn't struggle, knowing she'll be dead in a heartbeat if she tries it, "calm down."

Severan's voice carries across the open space, even though the man he's addressing is only a few yards in front of him. "Walk in the Light, Child."

Mirla 's eyes go frantically about, searching for some method of escape.

Bishop frowns as it occurs to him what is going on. He looks around, taking a long moment to think.

You can hear an almost audible sigh from Thanos as his hand goes to the sword sheathed at his belt, "I will give you one chance soldier, release her right now."

Mirla grins at the Whitecloak holding her. Then she straightens and looks at Thanos. She clears her throat and says in a loud, ringing voice, "Don't argue with him, handsome. Not about this. Nobody else is going to die for me today."

Odessa's slim form slips toward Severan, silent on the cobblestones of the street. Frowning first at the Children and then at the Guildmaster beside her, she crouches to attend him. "Are you--" Her voice trails off as the Child grabs Mirla, her nose wrinkling. Yellow eyes widening, she watches carefully.

The Child holding Mirla looks to Thanos. "She is being held on charges of smuggling."

Thanos cocks an eyebrow at Mirla, but says nothing, he does not look quite as ready to draw his blade at the moment.

Several men go to assist him. The second then holds up the case and says to Renoir. "We found these in her wagon sir. She was smuggling, they are also illegal in every nation. The penalty is death."

Mirla looks at Thanos, gulps, sighs, and nods, slowly. "Tell your men to stand dow, Handsome." she says, her voice shaking like crazy, and nothing to be done about that, and hey, who can blame her?

Mirla looks at the Child of the Light, thinking fast. "If you kill me," she says, quickly, " you'll never find out where the evil artifact is!"

Severan regains his senses and memory rapidly. His eyes swirl as the memories of the battle flood back into his concious mind. He finds his bearings, then begins an attempt to assess the situation around him. From his expression, he's failing, but finds comfort in a familiar face near him. "Hello, Dess."

Renoir looks to Mirla. "I understand the the Hand of Light can be hard at times, but it is necessary to ferrit out evil."

Thanos just looks at Mirla, his face unreadable

The slender acrobat's frame looks rather tense as she watches Mirla, her hand on Severan's arm tightening its grip uneasily.

Mirla looks rather sick at the mention of the Hand of the Light. "Yeah well," she says, hoarsely, "maybe theyan uh, reform me or somethin'." She straightens. She will not be shamed before those she's come to call her friends. Her voice rings loud and clear through the square. "So what are you waiting for, Captain? Take me away. Stop harrassing these people."

Bishop can't help thinking there is irony in here somewhere as he sits watching the CoL talk to Mirla about darkness and evil. He can't keep from smiling even though he is horrified by the prospect of Mirla being executed.

Renoir clears his throat. "Conspriacy carries the same penalty."

Mirla says "They didn't know anything about it! I'm smarter than all of 'em. Had the wool pulled down right over their eyes."

Thanos's cocked eyebrow goes to Renoir now.

Renoir sighs. "That is often the case, it is sad to have to carry out punishment in those cases. However, sometimes it can be avoided."

Bishop brushes a hand through his hair. Yes he's getting too old for this sort of thing.

Mirla grits her teeth. "Then tell me how I can avoid it, because I don't want to see anyone here hurt for me."

Renoir nods. "Tell me what I seek."

Mirla sighs. "A masked man showed up with a Kid all tied up. Told me if I didn't give it to him she'd die. I gave it to him. I followed him into the forest but he got away."

Renoir says "What else?"

Odessa shakes her head at Mirla's words, casting her a reassuring glance. "It'll be okay," she murmurs softly. Who knows where she got -that- idea, but she does seem to relax those tense shoulders a bit. Frowning, she watches the exchange, not wanting to draw attention to herself.

Mirla says "The object looks like a rock. I'm sorry, but it does. Blueish black, irregularly shaped, about the size of a child's ball. They paid me five hundred gold to get it here and promised me another five hundred so its obviously valuable."

Renoir nods. "Alright, you'll be coming to camp with us." He looks to his second. "Burn the rest, burn everything. Make sure those cases are secure, we'll need them for evidence."

Mirla takes a deep breath. She decides not to say anything about the burning. She looks straight ahead.

Bishop lifts a cane. "Um excuse me?"

Bishop says "You will not burn my cargo under any circumstance."

"How is that necessary?" Odessa speaks up, her brows furrowed. "Sir, many of these items belong to simple entertainers, most of them children. There is no reason to ruin their belongings, what little they have."

Renoir looks at Bishop. "Oh, you wanted to be tried for conspiracy?"

Bishop says "I am obviously not a conspirator and if you would like to try the Lord of house Aylerian for conspiracy...well I hope you have a good case."

Renoir looks hard at Odessa. He speaks but his focus isn't on his words, but on Odessa's face. "The children can come with me, they'll be taken care of."

Thanos takes his former stance once more, "You can burn the woman's stuff Lieutenant, but as I said before, destroying the rest won't happen."

Severan's eyes flash as he completes his assessment of the situation; as much as is necessary, that is. "Your destruction of the property of innocents is unjust. If the White Tower finds out about it, your camp will be gone."

Mirla 's eyes go wide. "The children are especially innocent!" She shouts, "leave them alone!"

Odessa's gold eyes flash as she narrows her gaze on the Whitecloak, her expression turning stony. "They will not," she says coolly. "They are not your children to take, but apprentices to a powerful Guild. They stay."

Severan's face becomes ice; his eyes become fire. "These children are also none of your affair, Child. Go after the object which you seek; leave the Light-fearing people to their own lives."

Renoir looks about. "No harm will come to the children, they will be cared for. However, if you wish to protest then you must stand trial."

Bishop says "Not to mention the merchant's guild, those interests which I represent, my house and a few other odd personalities of some note thrown in for good measure."

Renoir looks to his second, his face is covered in obvious disgust. "Gather up this /stuff/ as best you can. We'll be taking it and these people to camp."

Mirla grins suddenly, looking insane again. SHe gets very quiet as she says, "You'd better just take me. If you don't I'm going to uh...call upon my special powers."

Severan smiles. "And which camp will *that* be? The one outside the city of Tar Valon?"

Bishop smiles to himself and can't help thinking this is hilariouse. He'll go along with it just to see how it turns out

Thanos beams a look directly to Renoir, "And you'll lose every man you have doing it to. Now you will remove yourselves from this town now, or you will face me, my men, and the surviving guard of this town, who stood against twice their own number for 2 hours without the losses YOU sustained in this fight."

Renoir looks at Mirla. "Oh, well in that case, blindfold her."

Mirla laughs. "You think a blindfold's gonna stop me?"

Renoir shrugs. "Alright, knock her out."

Bishop blinks and does a double take, his eyes focusing on Mirla.

Mirla laughs. "Too late."

One of the men raises a gauntlet covered fist to do just that, he moves to smash Mirla firmly on the crown.

"Not again." That's all Mirla has time to say. Then she slumps over, unconcious.

Renoir looks up at the sky, then at Thanos, if a depreciative voice he says. "I've been out a long time, backup will be arriving shortly."

Severan's eyes and entire aspect darken. His acting abilities are now used to give him an extremely ominous presence. "You stand in a dangerous circle. Begon-" He snaps to Mirla as she's knocked unconcious. He glances to Thanos, Odessa, and the rest, as if asking whether or not they're ready.

Odessa frowns at Mirla, moving to stand beside the woman. Her lips rising in an unconcious snarl before she steels her expression. ""We have done no wrong." She lets out a yelp as Mirla is knocked out beside her, ducking out of the way.

Thanos continues his glare, ignoring Mirla's situation, "And they will arrive in time to find your bodies, slain by lovers of the light because you were too stupid to know what is right before your eyes.." he nearly growls

Renoir sighs. "I really didn't want to do that." He moves a hand slightly and a dozen men draw their bows. "I'd much rather you didn't have to face the Hand."

Thanos's own men take up their arms, too many of them still atop the buildings that still stand, their own bows drawn and ready...then men on the ground armed and prepared..

Renoir nods. "The Hand of the Light, better known as the Questioners."

The sound of galloping horses can be heard in the distance.

Bishop watches from his seat on the fountain. Yes maybe not today or tomorrow but one day soon Renoir will have to face the Fist...not the sort of thing one takes lightly.

Odessa's expression becomes resigned, her gold eyes looking to the forest surrounding the town edge. Quieting, she no longer appears to be paying so much attention to the present situation.

Thanos grunts, "I've seen them before, and they do not yet frighten me, nor will they ever. Your choice still stands lieutenant, stand down, or you will be the first to know what folly you have made here."

Bishop grimaces and prepares for the arrival of those damned dogs again...maybe they'll be more interested in the cloaks this time...

Suddenly the forest burst with noise and numerous Children ride out of the forest.

Severan glances at Odessa as she quiets. He looks at the forest around him.

Renoir smiles at Odessa. "I've heard rumors about about yellow eyes. I hope none prove true, they look quiet nice on you."

Only a few of Thanos's men look to the forests, and only for a moment before their eyes turn back to their immediate problem.

Severan turns to Renoir. He smiles, saying nothing.

Odessa's attention is brought back to the present by Renoir's voice, and she stares at him levelly, her hands stuffed in her pockets to keep them from shaking. "What, that they're commonly found on innocents terrorized by men such as yourself? Well then, they'd be true. Anything else you've heard I'm sure would have been misleading."

Severan moves between Renoir and Odessa, allowing the man view of the her, but blocking his path. Again, he says nothing.

Thanos grunts, almsot amused, "Stalling for their time. Very well then." he turns and shouts, "Bandrin, get everyone into their wagons and ready to leave. We've worn out our welcome here." and a massive man bearing an equally massive axe begings bellowing orders to other warriors. They ignore the present whitecloaks and get about getting merchants into their wagons to move on.

Renoir nods. "Yes it is probably wrong, let's keep it that way."

Severan's eyes are fixed on Renoir as he shouts to Bandrin. "If you don't mind, gather the Entertainers, as well."

The Children from the forest ride up to join the current ones, their leader, a Lieutenant rides up to Renoir. "Any problems sir?"

Bandrin passes a quick nod to Severan and steps into the inn.

Too bloody noble. That's what it is. Mirla's eyes open just a slit. She doesn't let on that she's awake, but mentally she vows never to stick her neck out again...if she survives this. It turns to berating herself for not following her own advice.

A howl sounds in the forest, off in the distance. Odessa's gaze moves in that direction a moment, before nodding to Severan's words. "There's twelve apprentices," she adds to Bandrin. "They should be ready."

Renoir looks back over the entire troop now, he then turns to Thanos. "That's right, let's go, we'll escort you to camp, to make sure you don't meet any more /trouble/.

Severan laughs.

The sun slowly dips down behind the horizon. As it does so a familiar stiring sound can be heard. But this time they have learned from their past mistakes. Very slowly by 1's and 2's the little rats pop up out of the sewers and scurry out into the night. Their targets...the vast field of dead bodies...blood...food...One at a time their little bodies scurry up to a dead man here...another one there and very discretely begin to work away in the darkness.

Odessa straightens, her gaze going to Mirla for the briefest of instants before turning to survey the Inn again.

Thanos takes enough time to bark a laugh at Renoir as he mounts Nageki, "And if you even attempt to take my charges to a camp, then you'll be doing something even Aes Sedai don't do, wage battle on people who walk in the light. Now away with you, I've work to do." and he rides in amidst the wagons, ensuring everyone is ready.

Bandrin comes out of the inn once more and helps the young ones to their wagon before mounting himself.

Mirla continues to hang from the whitecloaks grip.

Thanos appears not to have heard Renoir's comment, listening instead to a merchant as he slowly turns his wagon about.

Severan watches the entertainer apprentices file into the wagons, frightened looks on most faces, and tears from a few. He looks to them, sadly, then offers Odessa a hand. "Ready to go?"

The Child, being careful hits Mirla again then carries her to the back of the assembled men.

Severan mutters to himself, "... Hand... the..."

Renoir looks back over his now 360 men. "If you want, we can battle, but it will hurt you."

All the members of the Guardian Swords, plus an odd few of the surviving town Guards, seeing not much of a town to defend anymore, have mounted up and are ready to move, looking to Thanos for the order to move on.

Thanos rides his mount close enough to Renoir to respond, "Aye, hurt it would, but you would be in the wrong, I would be in the right, and I would be the victor regardless." with that, he rides away, "Alright!" he shouts, "Lets move out! Wagons forward!"

Renoir sighs and shouts. "I thought you carried for these people, you wish to see them dead?"

The performers and apprentices of the Entertainers' Guild finish filing into their wagons, most of the performers casting fearful, hateful, and/or reproachful glances towards the Children of the Light.

Mirla doesn't cast any glances anywhere. She's too busy being unconcious and in deep deep deep trouble.

Bishop doesn't move. He just watches the scene passively.

Severan still stands next to Odessa, his hand still extended towards her. "Odessa? Are you ready to leave?"

Two more howls can be heard, closer now. Like the town guardsmen, it sounds simply like a signal of readiness.

Renoir looks at Thanos. "I beseech you, return to Tar Valon with me. This can all be worked out."

Thanos turns his horse about, "Nobody under my protection is going to stand trial OR have to prove they are not a darkfriend to your Questioners. You have the smuggler, you don't need anyone else."

Renoir says "Not all trials are conducted by the Hand, some are personal audiences with the Lord Commander."

Thanos shakes his head, "And if I thought he would look at my people as anything other than already convited darkfriend just for being there then I'd agree. But sadly I don't."

Renoir says "He's a fair man, cooperate and he will know of it."

Bound and gagged and blindfolded on her horse, Mirla makes an effort to raise her throbbing head. It proves to be too much. She puts her head back down.

Thanos looks evenly at Renoir, "I will make you a counter proposal then."

Renoir says "I'll listen."

You say "I, alone will go with you to your camp and speak with the Lord Commander. Alone, you will let the rest of this caravan make it's way to Tar Valon without further incident."

Renoir frowns. "They proceed to Tar Valon, under protective escort."

Thanos retorts, "To Tar Valon, /not/ your encampment. I will go to the camp with you, /they/ will go to Tar Valon directly. No detours."

Renoir nods. "That is fine." He points to Severan, Thanos and Odessa. "You three appear to be the ring leaders, let's go. You have my word that no Questioner will touch you without the direct order of the Lord Commander."

Thanos puts his hand up behind him in Odessa's and Severan's direction, "I said myself Lieutenant, not them."

Renoir says "You have my word, no harm."

Odessa speaks up, approaching Thanos. "I don't mind going, if the children can go straight back to the Guild."

Cori wanders in to the area, hands in her pockets, humming merrily, having been gone for over a day now. As she looks at the scene, she stops. "Whoa, what's happening/"

Thanos keeps his gaze level, "If they don't want to go, they won't. I will."

Renoir looks at the three. "I put you under your honor, no attempts to escape. Can you accept this?"

Odessa's yellow gaze flicks to the leader of the Whitecloaks, and then back to Thanos. "Yes, I'm sure." She sets her jaw determinedly, her hands still firmly at her sides. "I don't want anyone hurt."

You say "As long as I don't find out that you are some Darkfriend, then I will not be going anywhere."

Renoir smiles. "Neither do I, you may then ride unbound. I ask that you cooperate. You will be treated kindly as long as you do."

Mirla mumbles around the gag. It appears to be a string of curses mixed in with a bunch of moans.

Renoir frowns darkly. "You dare accuse me of being a Darkfriend."

Odessa stiffens at the scent from Renoir, her gaze shooting warningly at Thanos. She turns to the Whitecloak, somehow managing to smooth her expression. "We said we'd go. That's enough, isn't it?"

Thanos gives an icly stare, "If I suspected you to be a servant of Shadow, you'd be dead already."

Cori wanders closer in. "Really, y'all... I wasn't gone fer all that long. What's happenin'?"

Mirla closes her eyes. . o O(Burn it Kid, /Run/. Leave. Get. Go. Don't hang out here for these bloody whitecloaks to snatch /you/, too.)

Bishop frowns as he watches all these people. All but one wouldn't know a servant of the dark from a hole in the wall. It's kind of sad really.

Thanos turns his head to Cori, "Don't worry about it young one. The Children of Light just want to be sur we make it safely to Tar Valon."

Renoir says. "Mount up. I'll ask that you stay quiet if you can only make wild accusations."

Renoir turns to Bishop. "What is your name sir?"

Renoir nods. "I'll remember that." His gaze appears to be burning you into his memory.

Bishop quirks a brow and shakes his head incredulously. "Why would you want to do that sir?"

Odessa eyes the horse that is led to her, her concentration divided between the sound of children crying in the Entertainer's wagon and Renoir, where she now directs her gaze. "We cannot talk while we ride?"

Renoir smirks. "No reason at all." He then whispers to a Child near him.

Thanos turns his horse and prepares to continue the journey, knowing perhaps too well what awaits him.

Bishop smirks and looks back to his cane. He frowns as he nots a smudge on the pomel and sets to polishing.

Renoir nods. "If all that you will say is wild accusations. Otherwise you are free to speak."

Mirla closes her eyes again. . o O (Well, you always knew you'd get it in the end, Sunami. Shoulda known it would be flamin' cloaks that did it. Cheer up. At least you can say it took 90 of 'em to catch you. That's not so bad.)

Cori still looks rather confused. "A little dancing... made some new friends... now I don't have a clue what's happening..." she mutters to herself.

Odessa hoists herself into the saddle, taking the reins in one slender hand. "What about her?" She nods in Mirla's direction. "She doesn't need to be gagged like that, does she?"

Mirla . o O (Maybe Will will write that book.)

Renoir looks at Mirla. "She has special powers, I must be careful."

Bishop smiles and is going to show this guy special powers before this is all done and over with.

Mirla snorts around the gag. . o O (Stupid whitecloak. Gullible...I was caught by a stupid gullible whitecloak with ninty friends.)

Odessa casts a dubious look at Mirla, then at Renoir. He may as well have told her the sky is made of apple pie. "You must be kidding."

Renoir shakes his head. "From her own mouth."

Mirla . o O (He isn't, Odessa. He honestly believes that story I made up.)

Mirla 's shoulders start to shake and that insane light appears in her eyes again. She seems to be laughing.

Cori can't help but laugh.

Thanos rides along with the caravan and the whitecloaks