PBEM - Episode 260. Rehashing Old Ground.

TWO HUNDRED SIXTY

(I/C)

Brendon turned around fast, motioning for the rest of the group to go, everyone double timing it back to the former Spymaster’s room. Abraxas was there, motioning everyone in, whispering, "Vamonos amigos, andale, andale, rapido,” as each party member retreated. Glancing back at the top of the stairs they could see a growing light source coming closer. Knowing it was going to be close (Combative speed: Party Steel 3 vs Enemy Red/Black 2 – Party wins), but at the Scout slid into the chamber, Abraxas spun in right behind him, the elf already shutting the door in place.

Just inside the room, Lannis pointed to Kovid’s lantern, the dwarf turning swiftly to shield the light, turning the flame down and capping the top to smother it.As the room dropped into darkness, Wyn eased the door closed, letting it shut fully before letting the latch ease into place with a barely audible click. The group had fanned out around the door 2 ranks deep weapons and spells hot as they watched the barely discernible portal amidst the gloom.

The voices spoke near the top of the stairs, clearer as they echoed down the stairs. “Orc,” Kovid muttered. “They’re speaking orc.”

“Fuck doze tusky bastards,” Wyn mouthed.

“Shh,” Lannis hissed. “I’ll sleep them if they come through the door Otherwise. Shh.”

They could hear the voices chatting and Kovid and Wyn did their best to translate what they could hear.

“What you see?”

“Nothing.”

“What you hear?”

“Something on steps.”

“Hmm. Globrock, take torch, move back to room.”

A brief pause. (Find, <Black 3 – yes!)

“Ah! See, steps.”

“Fading.”

“Heading north.”

“Could be Hobgoblin or goblin patrol.”

“Too early but one third of a glass. Also, they’d have given signal and not double back.”

“Leave! No more move. Let’s hunt.”

“About time. Let’s go.”

“Eat them. Rend them. Kill them.”

Movement coming closer, heavy treads, moving quickly and with purpose, many of them. (Hear Noise/Find, >Teal 13 – no!)

Going past and hitting stairs.

“Track them. Track them. Faster. 500 silver reward to whoever finds where they are hiding.”

Sounds moving away and fading to the north.

The group waited another minute until Brendon was sure that they had moved far enough out of possible hearing range. “Ok, we lighting up and moving on? Or do we stay here? Either way, it’s very dark.”

Time now is Day 7, 2:55 PM

(OOC)

50% chance to spot the footprints in Infravision, and then 30% chance to note the door closed/heard breathing behind it. All good! Right now you have a small window to leave Travis’ Room and continue South – if you want.