Beginning the Chase 2.

Norda bent down and traced a hand across the horse shoeprint in the soft earth.

"We're getting close," she informed the others behind her and looked up the trail ahead. She'd been a little more worried when a second horse had joined up with the trail they were following earlier, and soon it seemed they would be facing these opponents. Mostly she was concerned that they were being set up in some way; either being lead on as a distraction as the real thief escaped, or lead into a trap.

So far, Norda believed, Ridley had been rather over-aggravated regarding their situation, considering where the majority of his own income came from.

They continued on through the woods, but they only had to go a short distance when, through the trees, they spotted two horses walking leisurely alongside each other. The one on the right was brown, carrying a small woman with wild dark brown hair the pick-pocket herself. The second horse, on the left, was black and carried a slim man of average height and dark hair. From behind, Norda would not have recognised him except that a stringed musical instrument was tied to the side of his horse, which identified him as the bard she had just barely noticed from the same tavern.

Elwood was already taking out his battleaxe in delight and Norda lifted a finger to her mouth to quiet them. It would do no good if they gave away their position before they were too close, else the two riders would simply outride the four walkers and they'd never retrieve their stolen item.

The elf urged them towards her gently to discuss a plan now that their target was in sight.