Heirs of the Lyceum have gone missing! One Lady Sienna Tavani, from the barony sworn to House Daviega under the Malvici fealty chain, and one Lord Enzio Rosati, from the barony sworn to House Igniseri under the Rubino-Zaffria fealty chain. They were due to be married and set an adventurous marriage quest for each other. To lead a separate adventuring party to the Saffron and to see who could uncover the more impressive treasure as a wedding gift. It is a very Lycene competition. And, it would have been great fun for everyone involved, except both heirs have gone missing.

The members of the Compact brought together today have been asked to help find Lady Sienna Tavani. Another group is working to find Lord Enzio Rosati. The members of the Compact have traveled to the Saffron Chain to Pieros, a city under House Pravus's leadership, where the couple started their adventure.

The city of Pieros is bustling, with shops, markets, inns, and taverns everywhere. Certainly, given the nature of the competition, the couple would have each stayed in separate places. But the question is, where?

Harlex spits off to the side and growls under his breath, something about silks always getting themselves into foolish escapades. That didn't stop the Sword of Lenosia from attending to this matter when he heard of it, he's well suited to tracking down prey -- poor lost nobles. "Ought to start somewhere sociable," he suggests to his companions, "Lady Sienna wouldn't be able to help herself braggin' about this nonsense between her and her husband."


Looking to her companions, Emily speaks up,"It would be prudent to ask if any of the innkeepers saw the lady in question. I am sure the two spoke freely about their endeavors and may have even inquired as to the best place to look for such treasures. Locals would have the know, so likely ask about the lady as well as local knowledge of lost treasure in the area. Either could lead us to her." The scout however does not look at all given to begin the search, instead glancing amongst the merchants in the street, giving Harlex a nod before slipping over towards a stall to speak with the merchant, inqiring as any adventurer would about the knowledge of lost local treasure.


Having heard of this competition, Drake was intrigued. The whole thing did sound a little bit romantic, didn't it? But. Dangerous. Obviously dangerous. Being in a new environment, Drake is occasionally distracted looking at interesting things at the marketplaces. One should enjoy travel, after all, even on a mission. "Of course they'd have to keep their plans secret from one another," he says. "But, simple enough. We narrow down the places traveling nobles are most likely to stay... I think, go from there." He's thinking inns - obviously they'd have had to stay somewhere nice enough to accomodate them, so now he's just got to narrow down the possibility list.

Thea didn't catch anything that Harlex said about foolish anything. Nope. "Do you think she'd be a lady to hang out a tavern?" Likely not, but she asks anyway, agreeing with the man. Turning to Emily, she too nods. "But treasure? Drunk men like to talk. And people need to eat...."

Quintin takes in a breath, his gaze taking in Pieros for a moment. "Hrm." He muses, listening to the others offer suggestions. "Might also want to try places that are a little off the beaten path too. Can't speak for the Lord and Lady, but going to some of the seedier parts of town might have enhanced the 'adventure' for them." He shrugs. "Should we split up into two groups then? Oh, and do we know if the Lady is religious? Maybe she went to visit a shrine along the way."

"Sure." Harlex agrees briskly with Quintin and nods toward the direction of the tavern. "I need a drink anyway. Likely tried to find a guide or two by shaking some coin. Good place to start."

Emily checks perception and investigation at normal. Emily is marginally successful.

Harlex checks charm and intimidation at normal. Harlex is marginally successful.

Drake checks charm and investigation at normal. Drake is marginally successful.

Quintin checks perception and investigation at normal. Quintin is marginally successful.

Thea checks perception and investigation at normal. Thea fails.

Thea checks charm and investigation at normal. Thea is marginally successful.

Emily is looking for antiquities dealers. She asks around the market place, amongst the merchants, to find someone who can help her out. She finds one not far from where the others are going to do their own searches. People, she learns, are always eager to find 'the lost treasure' of the jungles, and that is what Pieros is, mainly, a jungle. "Lady Sienna Tavani you say? I think I recall her. Short girl. Olive skin. Black hair? With a sweet talking tongue? She tries to buy some of my best wares, and while she gave me a run for my silver, even I won't bargain that low." He hrms softly. "Yes. Yes. I'm sure she said she was headed into the jungle. Though I did warn her about what sorts of natives beasts she'd find there, she assured me she could handle it? Who am I to say no to such a pretty face?"

Harlex and Thea head to the taverns to see what they can find. There's a young lad there, a bit into his cups, singing about the graces of Lady Sienna Tavani. He looks like the adventurous sort, and seems quite smitten with her. "The fair lady she, will ever be to me," he speaks to the two of them, more to Harlex than Thea. "Upon her finger she wast wont, a diamond of great . . . " he trails off into his thoughts a moment, trying to find the right word.

Drake heads to the inns, asking around about Sienna. He finds an innkeeper matron who is willing to talk. "Lady Sienna? Yes, she was a perfect delight! Such charm and grace. I heard she went adventuring to the along the coast, something about a gift for her husband?"

Then Quintin checks with out the temples and within the shadier bits of town. It's in the warrens that he finds his answer. "Lady hired a boat. Headed northeast. Something about a mine?" He shrugs. "Not sure where one is, but she seemed to think it was up that way somewhere. A talker, that one, always asking questions. But a good looker too, ya know?" He gives Quintin a toothy grin and a knowing look.

"Along the coast, eh? Can you give a guess about how long ago she left for the coast? I'll be perfectly honest with you - I'm just here out of concern for her safety." Drake is, in fact, very honest. But he's trying to be casual about it. "You know how adventures can be."

Having what information he can get there, he'll gather up with the others and summarize that he found the inn she was supposedly staying at.


The merchant is given a coin for his trouble, "The information is appreciated, goodman." A smile curling her lips. "Do you recall who else was with her? Or by the method of which they traveled? The jungles are dense, not much like the forests of the Crownlands. Seems to me arduous journey to undertake on foot." She gives a look around briefly before another coin is drawn out of her pouch and shown to the merchant. "Any information will do that you are willing to give. Specifics are needed so that I might find her." She rubs the coin between her fingers.


Harlex has at least one drink while the adventurer goes on and only makes a stern, expressionless face until mention of a diamond of great -- something. "Great weight. Keep it simple." He suggests in a course, low voice. "Did she hire someone, someone luckier than you that is, songbird." But he won't press him more than that, clearly she was flashing some wealth. "If I were a brigand," he tells Thea hypothetically, "I'd have me and my crew wait in ambush. Diamond like that could feed a village for a year or two."

Quintin runs a hand through his tousled platinum hair and returns the talkative fellow's toothy grin with one of his own. "I bet she was. Hard to miss such a lady walking about town eh?" He reaches into a belt pouch and brings out a few silver coins. "Anyway, thanks for the information friend. I haven't heard anything about any mines to the northeast either, but you know how some folk are. Probaby listened to a tale that's been passed down a few generations." He shrugs and hands the coins over to the man. "Got any advice on who might be available for hire to follow in her direction?"

Thea leans against the bar, half her drink already gone. "Did she say anything to you,"Thea murmurs to the adventurer, her lycene voice low. Looking over to Harlex, she lifts a brow. But isn't surprised. "What all did she---how was she when she was here? Did she have a need for anything?"

The innkeeper tells Drake that Sienna left maybe more than a week ago? But really she's not sure. She turns over the rooms since people have been visiting Pieros often once they'd become part of the Compact, it's hard to keep track of one tourist over another.

The merchant tells Emily that he's not really sure who she took the journey with, just that she as pointed in his direction about some of the best places to find treasure, since, you know, he sells treasure. He does thank her politely for the coin, giving her a big wide-mouthed grin and a wink. She tells her that those at the docks might know something. Or, maybe she hired guides to traverse the jungle.

The young adventurous waif gives Harlex a few blinks before he answers. Remember, he's a bit drunk and lovelorn. Then Thea is asking questions too. Oh look! "Oh, she was a fine lady indeed, a smile so sweet. Her eyes so bright. Her hair like raven tresses delight! She bid me she had all she would ever need, to travel indeed." They manage to also learn she hired a few guys, some from the tavern and likely a someone from the docks as a guides.

The man with a toothy grin thanks Quintin for the pouch. "Mighty fine of m'Lord. I'd watch them fellas down at the docks. They're not always having the best of intentions, if ya getting what I mean. And her braggin' about treasure and all. . . " Well, he just lets that linger off for Quintin to form his own thoughts. "Thank you again," he says and then he's off.


Emily gives a nod to the merchant. "You have been helpful. Good luck with your wares, Gild bless you." The scout turns back around, looking for the others of her party and finding Quintin first she glances his way and heads his direction to share her findings. "Seems she was told by a merchant she could find lost treasures in the jungle but he suggested the docks be where we look next." She glances over the Ashford, adjusting the dark red wood bow upon her back with a light shrug of her shoulders. "Lets combine our efforts there?"


Not being the most--cheerful of women, Thea does offer the adventurer a slight smile. "Thank you. She sounds--delightful?" Sounds about right. Finishing off her drink with one quick swallow, Thea looks to Harlex, asking,"Find the others and look to the docks?"

Quintin offers the tooty fellow a small little salute. "Thanks again!" He watches him leave before he turns and makes his way back towards the others. Running into Emily, he smiles and listens to what she's found. "Ahh, well a fellow told me that she wanted to go to the northeast, mentioned something about a mine but had no information about that. He -did- say that we should be cautious with the people on the docks though. Should we gather up the others and all head to the docks together?"

"All she needs," Harlex repeats dryly, "I never do travel without my big fucking diamond." The swordsman grunts and pats the young waif on the back. He nods to Thea toward the door, moving to exit the tavern and track down their companions.

Drake thanks the inkeep, and, after downing an ale in the commons room just to make this a proper business transaction, he gives her a very generous tip. Then he catches up witht he rest of the group at the docks.

Drake checks charm and investigation at normal. Drake is marginally successful.

Quintin checks perception and investigation at normal. Quintin marginally fails.

Thea checks charm and investigation at normal. Thea is marginally successful.

Harlex checks perception and investigation at normal. Harlex fails.

Emily checks perception and investigation at normal. Botch! Emily is simply outclassed. This is monumentally beyond them and the result is ruinous.

The members of the Compact got to see the docks when they first arrived. There is something to be said for any city's docks. They have their fine merchants sailors and their rough sorts. Its usually the latter who have the lay of the land and who have the best gossip.

Drake asks around about Seinna and discovers that she's hired the 'Sassy Delight', and seemed amused at her reaction to the name of the ship. It was owned by a guy he knows, someone upstanding, even if she needed a bit of repair. It's the older vessels that are worth being on the sea, and he took good care of her as best he could. He vouches for the Captain.

Quintin, unfortunately, looks to refined for sailors to talk to him in a gossiping manner. They refer him to the harbormaster to and wish him luck.

Thea discovers that Sienna hired a few of the dock hands to help with the Sassy Delight. They're from all over, seem like good lads. But, also seemed just as eager to get a cut of the treasure that she finds, if she finds any. They hired on with that in mind. She is warned that they'd be quick to turn on her if she doesn't pay up though.

Emily. Sweet Emily. . .

Emily checks luck at easy. Emily is marginally successful.

. . . in so intent in her search for someone to talk to misses that she's at the edge of the dock and stumbles off the edge, right into the water. She manages to catch herself at the last moment before she's completely submerged, however she's definitely going to need a change of clothes. It's pretty easy to help her up, but her fingers are slipping.

Drake connects up with Thea, as they both had the same information eventually. "So, the Lady apparently left down the coast about a week ago. We have the name of the ship, a rough time of departure, but... not sure about the destination." As Drake is looking up at one of the ships, contemplating their next move, Emily seems to walk past and... a little distracted, into the drink. He looks startled, but goes over to help her up from the water. "Watch your step there!"

Harlex is in the midst of trying to light a cigarillo when he hears the commotion from Emily's stumble and fall. He exhales a bit of smoke and maybe he's about to help her up when Drake gallantly jumps at the chance. He drops some ashes instead. "Hmph. If we know the direction, at least, we can ride the coast to look for signs of the ship. Hard enough to hide."

"I doubt the harbormaster is going to be incredibly helpful." Quintin murmurs to himself as multiple people continue to point him in that direction. Shaking his head, he turns to see if Emily is having any better luck, but he watches her stumble off the edge of the dock. "Oh, hey!" He calls out, too late to be of help, and he does try to reach her but Drake is there before he can get there. "Let me know if you need any help." He says to both Emily and Drake, hand held out. He lifts his other hand up to scratch at the back of his head a little nervously. "Good thing she didn't fall in all the way."

"Maybe someone down here knows,"Thea suggests when Drake finds her. She's about talk more, but well---There's almost a splash of Emily. Thea blinks, watching as Drake helps her out. Skimming the woman, the Malvici is quick to ask,"Are you alright? You'll probably need to change because Gods forbid you get sick or something before we even start."


There is an audible 'irk' from the Deepwood as she slips off the edge of the dock, her foot catching her off-guard as she dips into the water but her hand reaches out, grasping at the edge to keep her form sinking armor, weapons and all. Grunting as she keeps herself there, bouyed by the water's tension she glances up to find the attention on her and Drake reaching out to help her up. Her free hand reaches up, clasping at Drake's foremarm instead of his hand. Only the can she take hold of Quintin's added aid and with her foot finally lifting to leverage her up on the edge of the dock, she rises out, dropping and looking unharmed. "Wounded pride, bruised...and its very clear why my name is not Deepwater." This said the scout nods to each, "Thank you." She glances to Quintin. "A very good thing for I would have sunk. I can not swim." Once fully on the dock and checking her gear she glances to Thea. "Yes, I should change, shake out the leathers and will be good to go."


Harlex scratches at his beard. "I don't know shit about sailing. Should we head Northeast? We could hire our own guide, while we're waiting for the uh -- " He motions toward Emily, sopping wet as she is, "Lady to get herself right."

Thea glances at Harlex, nodding her head. "I can sail. We can hire a guide as well, one that knows the layout and such more." She looks to the others as well and asks,"What do you say?"

Drake dusts himself off a bit after helping Emily, just making sure there's no water on his own leathers. He gives Thea a nod, and looks to Harlex. "Lady Thea knows her stuff. I think she can show us the way to do it." He looks at her. "You know me. Just tell me what rope to hold and I'll manage to stay out of the way otherwise."

"Ah, well it can take some time for a wounded pride to heal, but I'm glad that you are not physically hurt." Quintin smiles and looks as if he's about to say more, but the chatter from his other companions pulls his attention and he turns, "I wish the fellow I spoke with could point out a name or two as a guide, but..." He shrugs. "I'm fine heading after the missing Lady in whatever fashion the rest of you choose, though I'll add that my own skill at sailing is mediocre at best."

Drake checks charm and streetwise at normal. Drake is marginally successful.

Drake starts checking around among those for hire on the dock. Asking the relevant questions. Sassy Delight. Northeast. Mines. Diamonds. There's one guy that perks up. "Hey. I kinda know that place. Or, I've heard about it at least. I think I can guide you to the drop off point, but I really don't know the jungle part," he says with regret. "The mine is in a bit of a ways, from what I've heard. But, if you are interested, I could take you up to that point. For a fee, of course." Drake discusses the fee and eventually something somewhat reasonable is worked out; even if it may be on the pricier side of things. A guide has been obtained, so what do the members of the Compact do now?

While Emily changes and Drake hires them a suitable guide, Harlex snuffs out his cigarillo and looks Quintin over. "Don't know an Ashford that can't handle themselves in the wild. Why don't we make sure we got the supplies we need, in the event things go to shit."

Drake is never the best at numbers. But he's surprisingly good at finding people and chatting them up for information. The fee he settles on is a bit on the high side, but that's the 'no head for numbers' thing - he just has no idea of what wage is reasonable, as out of touch nobles tend to be. But it seemed fine to him. When everything is settled up, he reports back to the rest about the plan. "Suppose now we just head to this mine... see if that's our place. Hopefully it's a lead of some sort."

"Ha! I can't promise that I'll live up to all the great Ashfords before me, but I'll try at least." Quintin glances at Harlex and watches him snuff out the cigarillo. "More than happy to help get what we need though." He nods and pats another pouch on his belt. "We should probably hurry though."

Thea listens to Drake secure a guide. Her lips curve into a smirk, not surprised. "I can help with the sailing part. I'll go head down to the ship, make sure everything is in order and such." Since Quintin and Harlex are going to see about the other supplies. Thea herself makes sure she has the necessary medical necessities and then it's off she goes.

Emily checks mana and survival at easy. Emily is marginally successful.


Taking the time alotted as they get the boat and supplies together, Emily is quick to change, finding a rough linen blouse. It takes a bit of time but she returns with her dark hair braided and wound at the back of her head to keep it from getting in her way. She is quick to help them gather whatever they need and is eyeing the boat with a great deal of suspicion. Dry land is her forte but she does not worry overly long, listening to the description of the mine, as vague as it may be. She narrows her gaze and tilts her head, glancing across the way as if trying to discern something.


"If my knowledge of the area provides me with enough information I think we may be looking at a half days journey in the direction previously mention, northeast." Emily looks to Quintin. "From there we will need to head inland I would be glad to guide us to where I believe this place is. If all are agreeable that is and we are set to take off, we can likely be there before it gets dark and the jungle gives us trouble."

"Jungle sounds interesting to me. We'll just have to be on our guard and make sure we don't get ambushed by anything," Drake says. "...Or stung by insects. Understand that's a problem too." But somehow it seems as if he's looking forward to it all the same.

Harlex checks perception and survival at normal. Harlex is marginally successful.

Quintin checks perception and survival at normal. Quintin is successful.

Thea checks perception and sailing at normal. Botch! Thea catastrophically fails.

Emily checks perception and survival at normal. Emily is marginally successful.

Drake checks perception and survival at normal. Drake marginally fails.

The supplies are all gathered that they think they'll need. Food. Water. Weapons they've stocked on the boat. The guide settles in and sits up near Thea. He's a chatty sort, asking about her, where she's from, what she does, all that stuff. He's eyeing the others but mostly just leaves them alone except for the occasional probing question. He gives Emily a bit of a look, since they had gone and hired him and all, but doesn't look like he's going to get off the boat.

They do not have any trouble pushing off from the docks and heading out into the water. Thea is largely distracted by the jungled shoreline; rich green vegetation and other strange sights can be seen here. Trees that they've likely never seen before, with large palmy leaves, and other sorts of rain forest flora, much of it colorful. Because Thea is distracted, Quintin has to point out some of the shoals along the shoreline which she can easily steer clear of once her attention is in order.

Harlex and Emily point out that they see two ships ahead, and Quintin can make out the colors they were given for the Sassy Delight. No one mentioned there were two ships. . . .

Those ships are anchored, also.... in about the spot their guide and Emily suspected they should be getting off.

Drake loves a new frontier, and he's excited to see different trees and different birds on the coastlines as he watches the scenery go by. It's hard not for him to behave like a tourist just a bit... but at least, he's on the boat where his gazing doesn't do any harm. Like Thea is, Drake is just a bit distractable by the wonder of the whole thing, and misses what's important until the others call out about the ships. Then he snaps to pay attention.


"

Harlex studies the ships in the distance and if it were possible for such a grim man to frown deeper -- he manages. The sight of the pair of vessels causes the corner of his lip to curl into a snarl. "Damn," he murmurs. "Better that we ready weapons, just in case." He looks back to the others and then the ships again. "We need a closer look."

Thea listens to this guy chatter away. How much can he talk?! She's polite, honest, but---her eyes start to glaze over. For a moment. When the ship reaches the shoreline, her eyes round a moment and she only shakes her head when Quintin calls out. "Wait--TWO ships? Are they both hers?" Looking to Harlex, she doesn't even think twice, she just nods and reaches for her kopis.


"How very interesting," Emily remarks about the ships, narrowing her gaze as she tries to make them out. "Hard to say, perhaps the betrothed ending up chasing the same treasure..." she lets her voice trail off, a curious look crossing her face as she glances to the others. "Either way, Harlex is right, we should be perpared just in case." She is pulling her bow free and stringing it with care until it bends under the weight of the string.


"No idea. No one said anything about more than one ship going down the river towards this mine." Quintin says to Thea with a shake of his head while readying his bow and making sure his quiver of arrows is situated just right, in case trouble does arise." He points to the second ship and glances at the guide. "Do you happen to recognize that second ship?"

The closer they voyage to the shore the more the pit of their stomach might be dropping. That second ship? It bears the flag of Skal'daga.

Drake looks alert the minute he hears something about readying weapons. The second ship... makes disaster all the more likely. Immediately he gets to the front of their own ship, and looks forward, looking tense. "... All right, that's an enemy ship, I know that much. We're like as not going to have to board." He sees Emily preparing arrows. "No archery skill here, so I'll just have to wait until we're closer. I imagine they've spotted us already. Not like there's anywhere for us to hide."

Harlex checks perception and survival at normal. Harlex is successful.

Thea checks perception and investigation at normal. Thea marginally fails.

Drake checks perception and investigation at normal. Drake is marginally successful.

Quintin checks perception and investigation at normal. Quintin is marginally successful.

Neither Drake nor Quintin can see movement on the ship. As far as Harlex can tell, both ships seem abandoned. It's very possible that they have gone inland. Didn't someone say something about a diamond mine?

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Alessia before departing.

Harlex gestures toward the coastline. "Let's anchor near by but not too damn close. We'll need to leave in a hurry if they got the numbers on us. They likely went inland, huntin' for diamonds. We can catch them off guard, if we're lucky."

"Hm." Drake's assessment comes up with the same answer... doesn't seem like anyone is aboard that other ship. "Agreed. Not a lot of time to use on debating."

Emily checks perception and survival at normal. Emily is marginally successful.

Quintin nods to the others. "Agreed, not that I look forward to moving through this jungle at a heightened state of alert, but better than the alternative." He finishes what few preparations he needs to do and then readies to hop off the boat and go with the others to find the mine and whatever else awaits them.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Alessia before departing.

Thea exhales before she too is nodding her head in agreement. "Might as well get moving. We don't have much time, one would think anyway..."


"Hopefully we will find the Lady unharmed," Emily remarks, though the doubt in her voice is clear. Once thei are able to she climbs off the boat, bow in hand as the first arrow is nocked into place in preparation for any figures keeping watch. They are likely known and she looks to the others. "I have a general understanding of where the mine is." An offer though her eyes are on their immediate surroundings.


While everyone else is looking to the ship and talking about going inland the guide is all, "The fuck I'm going on there! Them's Eurusi!" Seems he may have encountered them before. "I'll take my chances here witg=h the crew!" He wasn't, after all, hired to go find Lady Sienna Tavani. He was just hired to get them to this point, even if Emily could confirm everything he was telling them.

The path to the jungle isn't clear cut, but Emily seems to head in an eastward direction and find it all the same, leading the way. The vegetation is as rich and thick inland as it is along the shore, making many great places to hide. But, there are also large swaths that are also cleared out, not by man, just natural clearings. It seems the path they are on has been trekked quite a lot of late, suggesting they've been moored here for several days and have made multiple trips.

Harlex inclines his head to Emily at her direction and prepares to follow suit. He keeps his attention on the surroundings, places to hide are a speciality of his but being caught in an ambush isn't quite on the list of things he wants to be a part of today. "Get us close enough," he says to the archer. "Can't do nothing for them until we know how many we're up against."

Drake is pretty good at keeping quiet it seems, himself. He moves slowly and doesn't chit-chat as they start to explore the jungle. When Emily scouts the path, he sticks to it, holding with the rest of the group, always ready to draw his sword if he must. If there's any sign they might be amubushed, he'll move more quietly still.

"This is--nice,"Thea observes, follwing Emily. Her gold-flecked green eyes survey the lay of the land, looking for anything out of the ordinary. Thinking about the what the adventurer said, Thea mentions,"I can--speak Eurusi, if needed. I picked it up during that burning boat craziness."


"I will do my best," Emily says in a hushed low tone to Harlex, not a whisper but her voiced pitched not to carry even in the dense jungle. She moves following the path with care and listening when she needs to be certain they are not being followed or watched. Her eyes all too often scan the jungle as she continues to lead the party, staying low as her breath soon moves past her lips. Readiness reads across her shoulders as the once dunked scouts moves with much more certainty on land. "It is a good thing you can, Lady Thea...we may need you to speak to them."


Quintin runs his thumb along the string of his bow and nods. Keeping it in hand, he follows Emily into the jungle, his eyes moving along the sides of the path to try and search for signs of a struggle (if any happened out this way) or for possible enemies. He does make sure to try and keep to the same path as Emily, if only to help prevent making unnecessary noise to give away their position. A quick glance at Thea and he smiles, "That will come in very handy, especially if they attack us. Then you can make it quite clear to them what we think of their fathers."

Harlex checks dexterity and stealth at normal. Harlex marginally fails.

Thea checks dexterity and stealth at normal. Thea marginally fails.

Quintin checks dexterity and stealth at normal. Quintin is marginally successful.

Harlex checks perception and survival at normal. Harlex is successful.

Quintin checks perception and investigation at normal. Quintin is marginally successful.

Emily checks dexterity and stealth at normal. Emily is successful.

Emily checks perception and survival at normal. Emily is marginally successful.

Thea checks perception and survival at normal. Thea is marginally successful.

Drake checks perception and survival at normal. Drake is successful.

Drake checks dexterity and stealth at normal. Drake is successful.

Quintin, Emily, and Drake have no problem blending into the jungle background. They seem to find small paths to follow along the main path and do so silently. Harlex and Thea, however, are not so lucky. Thea's healer's bottles jingle jangle no matter how much she tries to silence them and Harlex's star iron armor and accessories work against him, giving away their general location. For now, it seems, no one is paying attention to them. The reason for that is very clear very son.

Seated on what looks to be a makeshift throne of palm and other leaves sticking up behind her none other than the woman described to them as Lady Sienna Tavani; Thea recognizes her from some of the Malvici events she might have attended.

". . . and then I was telling my sweet, sweet cousin, Berenice - she's the Oleander of Leonosia. I told you that, right? How young Prince Alaric, our current king mind you, would dance the night away with me in the grand ballroom. Oh. He was just a young boy then, and quite charming. He had the most magnificent eyes and charming smiles, and of course, I was delighted. . . "

The Eurusi seem to be rapt with attention on Sienna's story, one of them leaning forward. So they are surprised when Sienna stops talking to look in the directino of Harlex and Thea, giving them a positively delighted expression. "Daaaaahlinks! I knew you'd come! I was telling them you would but they simply did not believe the attache of the Archduchess of the Lyceum would get lost. Shame shame on you. They've been dear, dear hosts of course, but don't you think it's time I get home to Leonosia?"

Wait, what is she talking about? Since when is Berenice her cousin. Why is she telling stories about the King? And more importantly, why do they think the Archduchess is here?

Also, maybe, she gives the members of the Compact a 'please help me' sort of look in a subtle, yet frantic manner.

Harlex makes a sound in his throat. It could be annoyance, or amusement. It's often somewhere in the middle with these Lycenes. He folds his arms across his chest and studies first, the Eurusi, then Sienna herself. "I would say so," he answers with a knowing look right back toward the woman. "Come along, m'lady. Much obliged to these fine folk for keeping an eye on you anyway." He turns his attention to the Eurusi again, more firmly.

Drake is impressed with this setup, really. Seems like she's got herself quite the working entourage here. He sticks to the shadows of a tree... but it looks like Thea and Harlex at least were spotted. Oops. Drake doesn't give his position alway all the same, at least for the time being. He sees that look on the woman's face and realizes... she's gotten herself a good enough situation now, but, this could mean trouble later.

Drake tries to move around the side a bit, looking to see how many Eurusei they might be up against if it came to a fight. Maybe it won't come to a fight. But he may as well take advantage of his hidden position if it does.

Fucking bottles. Of course they'd be noisy. Thea sighs, doing her best to just--be well. A bit quieter and not a human wind chime. Stepping further through the brush, the Malvici pauses. And blinks. "Well shit,"she hushedly murmurs. "I recognize her now,"telling the others. Though Thea lifts an eyebrow a bit at the mention at being a cousin of the Archduchess. Falling in line though, she nods her head, a slight smile appearing,"Yes. You've been missed and all." Looking to the others, the Malvici switches, speaking now in Eurusi,"Thank you so much for watching out for the Lady for us..."


It is clear there is a ruse and Emily merely stays back, making a motion to the others that are hidden enough in flora and shadow to stay. Her eyes follow Harlex and Thea but she is clearly watching the figures not so far away as she keeps herself armed and ready. Emily makes no sound as she braces her knee to the ground and gets herself in a ready position to draw and loose an arrow should the moment call for it.


Since it seems that Thea and Harlex are both noticed by the Eurusi and the lady they've come to discover, Quintin stays back within the the jungle and slowly begins making himself ready to draw and fire should things come to combat. While he waits, he spends that time looking over the group of Eurusi to try and pick out which might be armed with ranged weapons so that he can target them first while Harlex and Thea can potentially deal with those armed with melee weapons.

Moving around, Drake is able to count at least six Eurusi. But his gut is telling him that maybe there are more. . . maybe inside the mine? It's hard to say without going within.

"I do really hope you understand," Sienna is telling the Eurusi as she rises from the throne. "Lenosia cannot run itself, and while my cousin, Berenice, my Voice? Does a good job running things, well, only the Archduchess herself can make the final decisions, you know? But, I will see you all greatly rewarded for finding me lost out here in the jungle. Honestly, I have no idea why they'd send me this way when I told them clearly I wanted to see the famous gardens of Pieros." Does Pieros have famous gardens? She doesn't know! She beans them all a fascinating, charming smile. "I'm also sure my love, the King, will send you a reward too," she assures them and casually starts walking toward Harlex and Thea.

The Eurusi are fairly startled that more Arvani have walked into their encampment. They've debarked from the ship and brought some of their furniture out here, all to accommodate Sienna, it seems, whom she's wrapped around their finger to some degree or another. "But Archduchess. . . we were told that you would pay homage to our, er," one of them speaks looking to his brethren for help, "most esteemed Prince and broker a deal by giving us your ships for this fight with the Arvani. You cannot leave before that deal has been negotiated." She promised them ships?

Sienna pauses and smiles ever more endearingly at the man, "Dear Ahmad. Yes yes. But, I would prefer to wait on my ship you see. It's, ah, more comfortable? Surely you can understand, and now that my attache is here, they can protect me, can't you?" she glances over at Harlex and Thea, her eyes signaling once more 'help me'. A bit more insistently, while she moves only her eyes to scan the jungle to see if there are any other Arvani that might be there, if it's just those two.}n

Drake decides that saving Sienna is the priority, regardless of who might be in the mines. Six men here, and now, they can probably take.

But Drake is not going to give away his position yet. He waits. For some kind of signal. Maybe Harlex and Thea can simply talk their way out of this violence... well... But, all the same, Drake's hand is on the hilt of his sword.

Harlex makes a signal with his claw-tipped gauntlet, motioning her back behind himself and Thea so there's nothing between him and these Eurusi. He lowers his hand to rest on the hilt of his sword, but it's only his wrist resting on it and the motion is more lax than threatening. Though there's always a bit of a threat with him. Those slow, mindful movements. Those piercing, cold eyes. "The woman says she's leaving, so she's leaving. We don't need to make this something we all regret."

There's another look at the woman. But Thea doesn't say anything. She simply stands, unmoving. Compared to Harlex, pretty sure she's the less intimidating. Ever. "So sorry(no she isn't), but we've come to take her home. I'm sure you understand. Her family was a bit concerned. No need to make this into a situation."


Low. Emily stays low and prepares to cover Sienna' escape. She glances towards Drake and Quintin as they all wait in the quiet of their hidden spaces. But the archer looks ready to let loose her first arrow. This is not likely to end well when Harlex says what he does. She shifts her weight, the creak of her bow sounding but drowned out by the conversation.


Quintin remains ready to offer arrow support from the trees should a fight erupt. For now, he just waits to see if negotiating will prove successful, or if he will need to start offering up prayers to the Queen of Endings.

"We're afraid we cannot let that happen," the Eurusi addressed as Ahmed says. "Please detain the Archduchess," he tells the Eurusi, and of course they work to do that.

Harlex wields the whisperer of names.

Quintin wields longbow.

Thea wields Skystrike, the finely crafted diamondplate kopis.

Harlex checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Harlex fails.

Quintin checks dexterity and archery at normal. Quintin is marginally successful.

Drake wields Love's Sorrow, a Thorn-twined Blade.

Drake checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Drake is marginally successful.

Thea checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Botch! Thea catastrophically fails.

Emily checks dexterity and archery at normal. Emily is successful.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Emily before departing.

Emily wields Marrow.

Emily checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Emily is marginally successful.

Thea checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Thea marginally fails.


It was always going to come to this given who it is that has the Lady and Emily's bow already drawn sights down on the nearest one to cause damage to Sienna if they get within reach. The Deepwood tenses, holding her breath and releases as the edged arrow flies rapidly across the distance and strikes true through armor and more, sending the man down upon his back as she narrows her gaze and readies another arrow with a fluid motion of fingers grasping fletching. She does not immediately give away her position by springing up but rather uses the confines of her concealment to give her a moment more to ready her next shot.


"Alright," Harlex says to Ahmed in a manner that's more acceptance than hostility. He knows the score. He draws the sword loose from its scabbard, steps toward the Eurusi and takes a swipe. It catches the air, but arrows begin to fly and men are dying. The strange, silvery hue of his weapon gleams in the light through the jungle's high trees, readying it for more and holding his ground while the archers pick off the unlucky crew.

It looks like danger is in the air. Drake senses the tension rising, the Eurus men starting to get aggressive. But he has the advantage... from his spot hiding behind a jungle tree, not a single one has yet spotted him. His hands curl around the hilt of the thorned house blade. It's a dangerous weapon, but in a life or death situation, one cannot afford to take chances with less. He pulls the bloodwood forth, and, then, Drake lunges. With a desicive strike, he thrusts the weapon into the back of one of the Eurusi men.

Quintin lets out a soft sigh. Bringing up his bow, he draws back an arrow and lets an arrow fly, this one aimed at one of the Eurusi up in the front to help give Harlex and Thea a chance to assume defensive stances. His arrow only seems to wound his target instead of bringing him down, so he readies another arrow to fire again. Out of the corner of one eye, he sees an Eurusi fall to an arrow. He murmurs a prayer to the Queen of Endings for the Eurusi's soul, even as his eyes fall back to his target.

Thea starts to swear under her breath. "Fucking great,"reaching for her kopis. Lifting it, Thea looks well and ready until--well..She's taken by suprise by one of the Eurusi. She manages to fights him off just enough to not get hurt too badly. "This is going swimmimgly,"Thea declares,"still trying to block the other woman.

\"Uuugnghngh," comes the sound of the man that Drake stabbed through the back. He reaches behind him to remove the weapon from his back, or at the very least make sure that Drake doesn't push it in any further as he steps forward to pull himself off. He turns around to see who just stabbed him. "Stupid Cowbrained Arvani. You will regret that." His own sword is menacing Drake and he steps forward to make his own attack.

Emily shoots, she scores! The arrow goes flying through the air, hitting one of the Eurusi squarely through the chest. He THUDS to the ground before he even has a chance to draw his weapon, and there's no mistaking the surprise on his face as blood gurgles from his mouth.

Harlex joins the battle. He does his best to attack Ahmed, however the Eurusi man steps back and out of the way of Harlex. "Is that all the fight you got, Arvani? You'll need to do better than that." He gets a toothy grin from the Eurusi man. He can see Ahmed is missing one tooth in the back.

Fffwtttap. Quinton releases an arrow. It dives deep into a Eurusi's armor, and he can see the man stepping back in surprise. He glances down at the arrow and breaks it off, then looks around for the archer. His eyes fix on Quintin. Rage is seen in his gaze.

Poor Thea. She didn't see her attacker coming. He was sneaking up behind her, and although she sees him in time to swing at him, it goes just wide enough that it allows him to get a solid attack against her, doing light damage. He takes another swing, and they all go in for their own attacks.

OOC: @check dexterity + dodge at normal

"Uuugnghngh," comes the sound of the man that Drake stabbed through the back. He reaches behind him to remove the weapon from his back, or at the very least make sure that Drake doesn't push it in any further as he steps forward to pull himself off. He turns around to see who just stabbed him. "Stupid Cowbrained Arvani. You will regret that." His own sword is menacing Drake and he steps forward to make his own attack.

Emily shoots, she scores! The arrow goes flying through the air, hitting one of the Eurusi squarely through the chest. He THUDS to the ground before he even has a chance to draw his weapon, and there's no mistaking the surprise on his face as blood gurgles from his mouth.

Harlex joins the battle. He does his best to attack Ahmed, however the Eurusi man steps back and out of the way of Harlex. "Is that all the fight you got, Arvani? You'll need to do better than that." He gets a toothy grin from the Eurusi man. He can see Ahmed is missing one tooth in the back.

Fffwtttap. Quinton releases an arrow. It dives deep into a Eurusi's armor, and he can see the man stepping back in surprise. He glances down at the arrow and breaks it off, then looks around for the archer. His eyes fix on Quintin. Rage is seen in his gaze.

Poor Thea. She didn't see her attacker coming. He was sneaking up behind her, and although she sees him in time to swing at him, it goes just wide enough that it allows him to get a solid attack against her, doing light damage. He takes another swing, and they all go in for their own attacks.

OOC: @check dexterity + dodge at normal

Harlex checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Critical Success! Harlex is spectacularly successful.

Thea checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Thea is marginally successful.

Quintin checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Quintin is marginally successful.

Drake checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Drake marginally fails.

Harlex checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Harlex is marginally successful.


Forced out of her hiding spot, Emily rolls to the side, coming up quickly to her feet and avoiding that which is meant for her. She backs up, giving herself room to draw an arrow again when she finally settles upon her feet. She's out in view now, moving to a better vantage as quickly as she can as foliage slides free of her clothing where it has originally caught.

Quintin watches the Eurusi man fix his eyes upon him and then start in his direction. "No need for such anger, friend. Life is one adventure, Death is yet another, and not an end to anyone's story." He shrugs, and quickly dances back as he's attacked. "Though I'll admit that I'd like my adventures in life to continue just a little bit longer at least."

Drake strikes at the man, but there is a clash of blades. He thought the strike might kill his opponent outright, but he was mistaken, and he takes a cut back for it. He feels the hit, though he's in strong enough leathers to glance away some of the other man's blow. He has to concentrate on this, as surprise was apparently not enough advantage to kill the other man outright. His blade raised, he goes back in for another slash.

Thea continues, muttering a bit"Where did you even come from,"she huffs. Somehow, she manages to avoid this hit. Thankfully. She DID promise to come home in one piece.

Harlex doesn't say a word. He waits. When Ahmed comes again, the Seord moves effortlessly to the side with such speed that it makes the Eurusi stagger and opens him up to get a deep slash along his ribs. The blood running thickly down the length of the Whisperer's blade. "I'll make it quick as I can," he finally replies with a fixed and cold glare to his eyes, filled with black and murderous intent.

Blows are traded. Arrows launched.

"Secure the Archduchess. Do not let her get away!" Ahmed calls out to the others. "Or it will be your head if she does," he threatens.

OF COURSE, this brings out the other Eurusi that Drake felt in his gut were probably about. They come swarming from the mine shaft to help with securing Sienna.

"No, no, you brutes, unhand MEEEEEE!" Sienna squeals as one of them attempts to pick her up and carry her over his shoulder. She lady slaps at him, his face, his hands, his nose - not unlike a puppy, his eyes, anything she can! She even tries to bite him! This girl, for all her charm, also has spunk!

One of the Eurusi finally spies Emily coming out of her hiding spot, as she's stayed relatively safe during that first round. Now he's heading for her, sword drawn. Some of the others are joining the battle. And, of course, those already having a target attack back against the members of the Compact.

The one addressing Quintin says. "Death WILL BE an END to YOUR STORY." Yeah, he shouts it like that.

OOC: Attack Rolls Please.

Quintin checks dexterity and archery at normal. Quintin fails.

Thea checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Thea is marginally successful.

Harlex checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Harlex is marginally successful.

Emily checks dexterity and archery at normal. Emily is marginally successful.

Lou has called for a check of dexterity and medium wpn at normal.
Drake is marginally successful.

"Well, it would end this story, sure, but who knows what the future holds, friend." Quintin flashes a quick smile before loosing another arrow at the Eurusi man. It flies wide right and buries itself in the ground. "Well, shit." He continues to move though, not willing to give his opponent a stationary target.

Blades clash, and Drake, still in a bout with the Eurusi fighter, strikes again and once again wounds the other man. He's taken a bit of a blow, and knows he cannot waste any time. His concern is for Sienna... the woman squealing as she's carried away, and then, he looks to Thea as well, making sure she hasn't taken too bit of a hit in the battle. But the man right in front of him... that's his biggest, most important obstacle, and he can't get too distracted. He slashes, cutting into him in a way that stings, but isn't immediately decisive, going blow for blow.

On Thea's part, she's still a bit pissed she got snuck upon in the first place. And possibly takes it out on the next Eurusi that gets in her way. "It didn't need to go this way,"the Malvici huffs, lashing out with her blade. "Where's Sienna,"Thea calls out.


Emily does not speak, exchanging words wastes breath and focus. Now that she has been fully seen she dances out to the right, the strain of her bow sounding as she draws again. The deep deep red of the wood seeming to sing with life as the woman sights down her arrow. The man rushing for her is aimed upon and she smiles a bit before it flees completely along with the flight of her arrow.

It speeds through the air and embeds itself heavily into her target as the the second now waters the ground with his blood.


Another slash opens Ahmed and splatters his blood across the ground. Harlex picks him apart, wound by wound, with a brief side eye toward the woman in distress. He can't help a minor annoyance, visible on his face, as if he cannot fathom the sense of this outcome. But he is resigned to it, pacing Ahmed as if he were a wounded animal. As if he were already dead and the Sword of Lenosia merely waits for the inevitability.

The Eurusi fighting Quintin grits his teeth. "We're not friends, Cowlick." He deftly dodges Quintin's attack, making quick work of his feet.

"Argh!" The Eurusi fighting Drake lets out a large yell when he gets hit. Is he going to cry? Not likely. It just makes him angrier. "You. Will. Die," he taunts Drake as he moves in to counter.

Thea is able to score another hit. It's going to be a locked battle of the many tiny cuts between the two of them from the looks of it.

One of the Eurusi that was attempting to handle Sienna is killed. Shot dead by Emily. He pulls out his own bow and attempts to return fire. Two can play the arrow game.

Slash. Parry. Return. That is the method Ahmed attempts to use when fighting Harlex. "We will take your Archduchess, and we will sell her," he tells Harlex confidently. "She will make a good slave."

OOC: Dodge rolls please.

The Eurusi fighting Quintin grits his teeth. "We're not friends, Cowlick." He deftly dodges Quintin's attack, making quick work of his feet.

"Argh!" The Eurusi fighting Drake lets out a large yell when he gets hit. Is he going to cry? Not likely. It just makes him angrier. "You. Will. Die," he taunts Drake as he moves in to counter.

Thea is able to score another hit. It's going to be a locked battle of the many tiny cuts between the two of them from the looks of it.

One of the Eurusi that was attempting to handle Sienna is killed. Shot dead by Emily. He pulls out his own bow and attempts to return fire. Two can play the arrow game.

Slash. Parry. Return. That is the method Ahmed attempts to use when fighting Harlex. "We will take your Archduchess, and we will sell her," he tells Harlex confidently. "She will make a good slave."

OOC: Dodge rolls please.

Harlex checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Botch! Harlex catastrophically fails.

Quintin checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Botch! Quintin is simply outclassed. This is monumentally beyond them and the result is ruinous.

Drake checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Drake marginally fails.

Emily checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Emily is marginally successful.

Quintin checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Quintin is marginally successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Quintin does not take a permanent wound.

Quintin checks 'unconsciousness save' at easy. Critical Success! Quintin is inhumanly successful in a way that defies expectations.

Quintin remains capable of fighting.

Drake strikes at the man, clashes blades again, and pushes forward into the open. For this, he takes another strike, the Eurusi blade slashing past his defenses and getting a bite into the leather at his shoulder. He has a bit of a slower thrust thereafter, but he must endure, returning the strike on the other man blow for blow. Drake tries to keep situational awareness, but as a Champion, the allure of the duel is compelling. With another thrust, he drives forward into the jungle clearing.

Drake checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Drake is successful.

"Doubtful," Harlex replies between the exchanges, the ringing of steel. He keeps it short. "Never worked a day in her life." He certainly isn't one to be goaded by jabs to his fealty. In the insuing melee, however, he does have to step onto a corpse with an arrow through it and this trips him up enough he has to skip back and to the side, taking a slash from Ahmed's weapon. Though it does little to deter him. "Someone get that damn silk," he barks with a nod toward the Lady-Not-Archduchess in the midst of being taken.


Emily has a moment to breathe after the last Eurusi she targeted went down. She catches sight of Quintin struggling and turns herself about, quickly and deftly pulling an arrow free so she may draw the next arrow. It gives her time to count, to focus, to hold her breath and she waits like that, hoping for a clear shot so that she does not end up hitting her comrade. "Quintin! DUCK!" Its called ahead of time.


Harlex checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Harlex is successful.

Emily checks dexterity and archery at normal. Emily marginally fails.

Seeing another Eurusi fall, Quintin offers up another quick prayer to the Queen. Probably shouldn't have done that though, since it opened him up to an attack from his opponent. He feels the blade go into him deep and it takes his breath away and he stumbles and falls against a tree, the tree keeping him upright while his vision swims a moment. He doesn't quite hear what Emily says, just registered that Emily said something. He staggers back, feels something blow past him, and he shakes his head, raises his bow and tries to get off one more shot. "Queen of Endings, guide my hand to help the soul opposite of me return to you."

Quintin checks dexterity and archery at normal. Botch! Quintin is simply outclassed. This is monumentally beyond them and the result is ruinous.

Quintin checks 'unconsciousness save' at easy. Quintin is marginally successful.

Quintin remains capable of fighting.

One. Two. FOUR! FOUR Eurusi dead. No. Three doesn't exist, they skipped three. Two killed by Emily on her lonesome, one at a time. Ping Ping. Those were done earlier. Now Harlex and Drake get their own kills in.

"I will personally make sure your Archduch-" Ahmed starts taunting Harlex, but he doesn't get to finish as the other man's blade hits him.

"Cowlick can take a beating I see, but don't worry, it won't last." The one Quitnin battles taunts and retorts, "But can he truly hit me?" he asks. "I think not."

Emily manages to wound another, but this time the arrow doesn't pierce all the way through.

OOC: Dodge rolls please.

Drake checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Drake is marginally successful.

Drake checks dexterity and athletics at normal. Drake is marginally successful.

Emily checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Emily is successful.

Quintin checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Quintin is marginally successful.

Harlex checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Harlex is successful.

Drake finally runs through the man he was battling... and there's a twitch, a gurgle, as the thrust with the bloodwood blade hits vital organs and the Eurus man collapses into it. Drake has a moment to feel the weight of this... but, just a moment - there is truly no time to continue to contemplate the frailties of the living.

Not when there is a VIP to protect. Drake tries his best to dodge the oncoming blades of the enemy, but his focus is now on Sienna, going for her to grab her from the men who might hold her captive. He gets close enough to cover her, holding his blade out to challenge any others that might come his way. "Stay behind me- get ready to run!"


The pesky arrow does not get far enough into Quintin's attacker and she makes a face. Its not the last however and she has to keep herself moving lest she become an easy target for those with heavier weapons than she. She speaks softly to the bow. "Four more targets, bless the arrow that flies next." She is pulling one free even as she manages to get a better sight on the one she merely pinpricked.


Quintin's haste to get off the shot causes the string to slap against part of his wrist. Not as bad as it -could- have been, but it still smarted. "Damn." He coughs up a bit of blood and spits it to one side. "I hit you earlier, didn't I?" He asks the Eurusi with a grin that shows some blood-stained teeth. "Can always try another option." He drops his bow on the ground and takes hold of his sword.

Harlex slices clean through Ahmed's arm at the elbow and it flops, wet, onto the jungle floor. His screams muffled by the claw-tips of his gauntlet as they slash across his face and knock him into the dirt. With one, heavy stomp, he crushes the man's head in like a melon under a 10-ton weight. The sword is flicked, the brutality moved on from with a vicious ease. He sees Drake headed for Sienna, moving to blockade any Eurusi that try to stop the rescue.

Quintin wields arming sword.

Everyone dodges cleanly away from their attackers.

One of the Eurusi, maybe a brother, "Ahmed! Nooo!" calls out and engages with Harlex.

Drake goes bustling over to where Sienna is being manhandled, and some how the spunky Lycene has managed to get the Eurusi to stop moving forward for the moment. His face is read from all of the slapping and maybe his ear is bleeding a bit, but he still has a firm grip on her.

OOC: Drake - @check strength + brawling at normal & Dodge Roll - Everyone else: Attack rolls and Dodge Rolls.

Harlex checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Harlex is marginally successful.

Harlex checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Harlex is marginally successful.

Quintin checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Quintin is successful.

Quintin checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Quintin marginally fails.

Drake checks strength and brawl at normal. Critical Success! Drake is spectacularly successful.

Drake checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Drake is successful.

Emily checks dexterity and archery at normal. Emily is successful.

Emily checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Critical Success! Emily is spectacularly successful.

Drake is at his best when a lady needs his protection, and, Sienna is such a lady. Drake dives into the fray, getting her out of the way and out of danger. A newly renewed strength seems to overtake him, as he gets Sienna pulled back... and another man moves for him, perhaps desperate to attack him and get the noblewoman back into his grasp. Drake reacts without thinking, striking the man who dives for him with a sudden precision.

He uses the hilt of the blade... but wasn't even considering that to anyone but him, even the hilt of this weapon is deadly. Drake cracks it across the Eurusi man's chin, and there's a snap of the jaw, blood drawn as thorns and the powerful bloodwood collide, cutting into the man's face. The attacker falls down, in a slump... and Drake doesn't stop moving for him. Drake raises his arm, with his leather cloak, and acts for a shield for the noblewoman as the battle still rages to the death around them. "Quickly. Run! We have a ship! You'll be safe!"


Adrenaline blossoms through her body, causing time to nearly slow only in Emily's perception. She swings around rushes towards Quintin, her hand reaching out to snag at his arm. Using her momentum she digs her foot in and swings the Ashford out of the way but gives him the room to take his shot once he gets his backfood down. "Shoot!" She declares watching the Ashford as her hand draws the arrow that had been knocked, back arching to get the angle on the man engaged with Harlex. The Eurusi does not go down under his own blow so her arrow is employed.

She breathes in deeply, holds her breath and the speckled fletching of her arrow brushes across her cheek as the Dryad of Deepwood releases the string. It throws the projectile forward and slams heavily into the back as the man goes down. A nod is given to Harlex before she turns her head. All apparent foes are down but the call to run catches her attention. "Best to go before we run out of luck," she offers her hand to Quintin to aid him in leaving. "Come my friend."


Emily's quick arm grab moves him out of the way of his Eurusi opponent's strike, and it also helps give him an opening. Which is great! He was getting pretty tired after all. Putting everything he had into an attack, he lunges forward and feels his arming sword meet flesh and then go deep. He lets go of the grip as the Eurusi jerks and falls to the ground, dead.

He nods his thanks to Emily, and then drops down on his knees beside the man, reaching up and closing his eyes with a soft gesture while murmuring a quick prayer to the Queen of Endings. Then he grabs his sword and yanks it free of the corpse while also picking up his bow. With a grunt, he gets to his feet and then starts limping towards the rest of the group, hand pressed against his side as he winces in pain.

"Thanks." He murmurs to Emily, accepting her help as they make their way to the others. "My only regret is that I had to get all fucked up out here in the jungle and not outside the Ashford manse just so I could bleed all over some carpets and really give Harlan a bit of grief."

Blind fury can be a benefit to some in such a scrape. If they happen to be fighting someone rattled by a little thing like fury. Harlex watches the man come at him, seeking revenge, and parries his swipe so cleanly that it pushes his arm wide and opens him up. He stabs the Eurusi soldier right through the middle and pulls it out, catching blood on himself then knocks his jaw with a pommel strike, sending him reeling to the side. But he isn't quite dead yet not until the arrow gets him. He returns the nod to Emily, cleaning his sword before its sheathed.

When told to run, Sienna doesn't need to be told twice. She knows the way like the back of her hand, having traveled that bloody path nearly every day! She runs, and boy does she! Hefting her skirts up and making sure her foot hits each mark.

The battle rages for a little while longer, and eventually the people of the Compact kill all of the Eurusi. They search the area where they had kept Sienna held hostage and don't find much of note.

However, when they search the ship they do find correspondence, small letters that likely traveled by bird.

The Eurusi here were forward scouts, traveling around the Saffron Chain. They learn that they thought they had captured Archduchess Jaenelle Velenosa, and had asked for reinforcements; parts of this come from Sienna, who speaks of how she had to lie her way through everything just to stay alive. A reply had been sent that reinforcements would be sent in a month to collect her and to keep her safe until then. She was a HIGH VALUE target.

Meanwhile, a search of the Sassy Delight finds that the crew and those Sienna hired dead. The Eurusi had killed them to a man and she had only survived because of her stories, which she used to keep them enthralled and entertained, making her a truly, truly impressive Lycene Liar.

She thanks the members of the Compact for their aid and their bravery, flattering them wherever she can, and assures them that she will take their heroics to her barony and see those up the fealty chain understand just how grateful they are.