"I say we hide for now, wait til' the others are out of earshot. We need them fellows unawares if are to follow and learn what they are up to" says Kagan-Zur in a hoarse whisper. "Once they are gone we can deal with these quickly and quietly."

Heathcliffe, unnerved at the encroaching proximity of the bandits, quickly remarks, "I say dispatch this lot now and then scout out for the bandit hideout while there is respectable distance between our companies, but do what you will. I was just simply hoping for a quick retreat or a hasty ambush so not to give the knaves immediate intelligence of our presence and/or arrival."

Sander quietly pulled his mace from his side and readied it.
"Whatever we do," he began in a hushed, yet unmistakenly urgent tone, "we must decide now, and stick with it. I say we fight, it's unlikely we'll be able to hide a group this big, mounts and all, successfully in a matter of minutes."

Semina nods at Sander, and brings her horse quietly around for mounting.  "The cleric is right, we can't hide everything so quickly," she whispers impatiently.  "Every moment we waste, we lose our element of surprise."

Thraim motions for everyone to move their horse off the trail.  He then grabs the reins of his horse and moves it back up the trail about ten feet, and then moves off the trail a bit.  He ties off his horse, and returns to the trail.  Thraim readies his crossbow, takes a knee, and aims in the general direction of where he thinks Jerrik will appear.

"Very well, let's not tarry long with the rabble then." Heathcliffe says as he hops off of Sander's horse. He then pulls out his sling with grim disposition and looks nervously at the wood, waiting for a clear shot at whatever hapless brigand decides to leave the protective bush first.

Deciding there isn't time to mount the horse, and that it would cause more trouble then its worth, Semina grabs Icerick's reigns and high tails up to the same place Thraim ties his horse up.  She pulls Icerick as close as possible to the tree line, "Don't come any closer" she states quietly to the horse. "I will whistle when it is safe for you to return."  

Semina readies her hand axe, and looks towards Thraim, to signal him for a moment.  She nods her head towards the trees and advance into the thicker portions. She disappears into the forest and will try to come about to surprise any others that may appear when hopefully the first two fall.

(OOC: I will Move Silently, Hide in Shadow and get behind them.  Dice roll 1d100 → [50] = (50)http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1818913/ 2nd Dice roll 1d100 → [16] = (16) http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1818932/ )

(Whoops, missed the second page. Seems I'm asleep while everyone else is awake. I thought we were already in the trees?)

In any case, Naren will stay back, but close enough to hurl burning oil.

As Semina glides silently into the trees, you hear the approaching sounds of Jerrik, walking carefully, but not particularly quietly.  A few seconds later, you hear a muffled snap.  From ahead, in the trees, you hear Jerrik call out, "Oy! Oy!" and two sharp cracks.  In a lower voice, you can just make out ".... possum!  Scoot, ... a fine stew! Oy!"  and another sharp crack.

Judging by the noise, he should be about seven or eight yards into the trees.  You can just make out a figure, but he isn't moving, staring off to the left in Semina's general direction.

Thraim waits patiently for a clearer shot at the figure.  He steadies his breathing and slides his index finger over the trigger of his crossbow.

Jerrik waits a minute or so, then slowly starts moving to your left.

"Here, little possum, you sit still while old Jerrik comes over to get you"  His direction is taking him slightly away from the road, but there are a few clearer spots where you might be able to get a shot off.  Your best guess is that he is somewhere in the area around where Semina was going.

Quote from: Narf the Mouse;267423After that, he goes over his spells in his mind, examining, but not touching the stored energy and making sure that it is ready, should he need it.

(Which spell are you readying to cast, if any?)

(Not readying to cast a spell; just doing a quick inventory)

Semina stands quietly still, with her axe firmly gripped in her right hand.  There is a descent sized oak she blends in with, and listens as the oaf walks loudly through the woods, calling for his dinner.  

She estimates Jerrik to be about 10 ft. or so off to her left.  Semina peeks around the oak she is hiding behind and notices his back is to her.  Bringing the hand axe up, she attacks this poor creature from behind.

'Breathe slowly,' she calms herself. 'Steady the hand, focus for sound and watch for movement,' she processes once more.

(OOC:
for surprise (1d6=6)
1d20=16
For Damage, +3 hand axe, +2 monk levels. (1d6+5=11))

A few shadows between the trees indicate Jerrik is moving, but slowly, as though looking for something.  Quite suddenly, you see a flash of steel, a muffled groan, then silence.