I always love the attack on the Bandit Camp. So much fun.
Chapter 18 – The Raid - Day 32
The sun was just starting to show over the horizon as the group slowly crept forward. The grass was wet with morning dew and muffled their steps as they moved forward guided by Jeral.
"Ok, the camp is a couple hundred yards ahead of us. We are going to enter on the eastern edge of the camp. I watched a large contingent of about 50 bandits depart, presumably to raid more caravans and establish ambushes on the main road. Based on the number of huts and buildings in the camp I think that there are probably no more than two or three dozen bandits left. Most of the bandits are human but there are a group of hobgoblins known as the Chill and a tribe of gnolls penned up in a cave on the North side of the camp."
Minsc visibly tensed at the mention of the Gnolls. Dynaheir patted the man on his forearm and the large man quickly calmed down from her touch. "Remain calm my protector, I suspect you will have opportunity enough very soon to meet your enemy."
Jeral smiled and bowed towards the ranger's witch.
"Dynaheir, your invisibility spell worked perfectly. I was able to get up nice and close and no one was any the wiser as I strolled through that camp. So long as I moved slowly and quietly I was able to walk the entire length of the camp."
The mage nodded and smiled tightly. "Of course it worked perfectly, I cast the spell."
"That is all interesting news archer but we are only six, so two or three dozen is still a number that should cause some concern. The mage lacks spells to conceal us all and we will need surprise to have any hope in overcoming the threat ahead."
"Jeral, I hate to say it but the drow is correct, we must have a plan. Minsc and I cannot just lead a charge into the camp, for that would be a slaughter."
"I agree with both of you. The best plan is often the easiest. I think we will need to start at one edge of the camp and slowly move through and do our best to kill everyone we see before they can raise the alarm. If we do it right we can deal with the bandits in small manageable groups before they can overwhelm us with sheer numbers. Failing that we can set fire to some of the buildings and escape in the confusion. It has not rained in a few days so the huts should burn readily."
"Jeral, that is not acceptable, our enemies must be afforded the opportunity to surrender, to do any less would be unchivalrous."
Jeral could only shake his head in frustration. Fortunately for all Viconia had the common sense to remain silent although she did make eye contact with Jeral and raise a thin white eyebrow in disdain.
"Ajantis, I understand your concern for your code of chivalry, your Order is renowned for it. However, you must consider the situation. We are far from any assistance and we are few against many. If we fight fair then we die, and the bandits will continue their raids unchecked. We will do what we can to respect your code but if there comes a time we have to break it we will. Now be quiet and follow me. Imoen and I will lead the way and we will take as many out as we can quietly with our bows."
Imoen and Jeral readied their bows and led the party into the camp. They paused at the tree line and peered out into the camp. Smoke drifted up from a number of different huts and open cook fires. A lone bandit walked the perimeter of the camp with a short bow slung over his back, he whistled merrily as he strolled along.
Imoen snorted, "Well that guy is hardly alert. Seems almost a shame to kill him"
"Shame of not there is no other way, besides he would not hesitate of the roles were reversed. You ready? I do not see any other sentries on this side of the camp so let's do this. On three. One, two, three."
Two bow strings thrummed in near harmony as Imoen and Jeral fired at the bandit sentry. Jeral's arrow struck low in his stomach while Imoen's arrow tore into his throat and ripped out the back to bury itself in a tree. With a moan he collapsed to the ground and lay still.
"Nice shot sis." Imoen merely winked in reply and kept searching for more targets. A second sentry rounded into view walking casually between a pair of tents. The siblings tracked their target and allowed him to continue getting closer. The sentry tensed up as he spotted his colleague crumpled on the ground. The blood and arrow shafts showed that the man was killed by a threat to the bandit camp. The man turned on his heel and started running.
"Imoen, NOW!"
Jeral and Imoen shot at the same time again. This time with a moving target Imoen's arrow flew wide of its target while Jeral's struck the man in the middle of his back. Howling in pain he stumbled to the ground and struggled to rise, shouting in panic as he did so.
"To me boys! We are under attack!" The last words were cut short as two more arrows struck into his back. With a moan the second sentry fell to the ground.
"Well so much for surprise. We had best make ready."
"I may have something to assist Jeral." Dynaheir started chanting and uttered a few arcane words of power. As she completed the spell everyone in the party felt a tingling sensation throughout their body."
So that is a haste spell, mused Jeral. I need to have her teach me that one.
A large plate clad man rounded into view. Jeral sucked in his breath when he took a look at the mountain of a man. He was of a size with Minsc if not larger. He was clad is a suit of well made full plate mail. He wore a closed faced helm atop his head and carried a shield strapped to his right arm. In his left hand he carried a silver war hammer. Unlike a traditional two headed war hammer this man's weapon had a hammer on the front face and a large spike on the back of the hammer. With nary a glance he stepped over the dead sentry and pointed at the party.
We may be in real trouble here, Jeral shook the negative voice from his head and started firing arrows at the leather clad bandits.
"There be our guests boys. Tazok said we might have company. Looks like they have some fine looking ladies with them as well. Kill the men. We can have some fun with the ladies when this little scrap is done. All the glory will belong to the Black Talon, those dogs in the Chill clan will just have to miss out on this fun." The plate clad warrior strode confidently forward and was overtaken by a dozen leather clad bandits while four more bandits wielding long bows stood behind him preparing to fire.
Ajantis and Minsc sprinted towards the enemy. With their magically enhanced speed they reached the bandits far faster than they could have normally. Two of the bandits fell to their blades before the enemy could overcome their surprise. The two fighters were quickly encircled but they just stood back to back and fought valiantly against their attackers. The two men were cutting a bloody swath against their lightly armored opposition.
Imoen and Jeral were firing as fast as they could draw, aim, and loose. Dynaheir prepared to cast another spell as Viconia stood in front of her protectively. As she completed the spell a faint mist floated from her hands and settled over the four enemy archers. As one they collapsed to the ground in a deep slumber. With the archers temporarily out of the fight Jeral laid his bow on the ground, drew his short sword and moved forward to assist Minsc and Ajantis. To his surprise Viconia raced ahead of him twirling her war hammer in an intricate pattern as she approached the melee and aimed for the plate clad man. Jeral headed towards the leather clad bandits to assist Minsc in his battle. Viconia nimbly ducked under the swing from one bandit's blade and struck out with a sweeping upward swing. Her hammer connected with the man's chin and he dropped to the ground to the sound of shattering bone.
Grinning evilly Viconia stepped past another of the lightly armed bandits and attacked the plate clad warrior. He was dueling with Ajantis and was slow to notice her approach. Her first blow landed on his side with a resounding clang as the hammer slammed into his plate armor. Grunting in pain the big man punched out with his shield and knocked Viconia back on her heels. He turned to face the dark elf. "I love a woman with fire. Makes it all the more fun when Tenhammer takes you and breaks you."
"You will fall surfacer. And you would not survive our coupling. So be silent dog. There is nothing one like you can say. Be quiet and die you foul blowhard!" Viconia twirled her war hammer and waited for an opening. While he was focused on Viconia Ajantis stood behind the large man. Unwilling to attack a man when his back was turned Ajantis was determined to get him to turn around.
"Prepare to meet thy doom heathen. I am Ajantis, paladin of the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart and I challenge you to a duel."
With a deep rumbling laugh the plate clad bandit turned and stared at the paladin.
"A duel? What do you think this is boy, a tourney field?"
"One must fight with honor else the victory is meaningless."
"Fool! One must fight to win else they die!"
Tenhammer swung at Ajantis and the paladin blocked the blow with his shield. The force of the blow still staggered him back. Tenhammer quickly struck again and slammed his hammer into the Helmite's shield. A third blow in rapid succession struck Ajantis on his sword arm and his enchanted blade fell to the ground.
"How do you like your duel so far boy? Shall I wait while you recover and reclaim your blade? That would be the honorable thing to do. I think not." He stepped forward and swung out with his hammer, catching Ajantis full in the chest. The paladin was knocked off his feet and lay helpless on the ground as he struggled to breathe and recover from the vicious strike. The large bandit tossed his shield aside and gripped his war hammer in a two handed grip as he raised it overhead in preparation for a killing blow.
"Time to die honorable one."
"Not quite surfacer." Viconia sent a looping underhand swing of her hammer into the big man's right knee. Her hammer slammed into the knee joint and an electric jolt ran through his armor. Howling in pain Tenhammer quickly spun around swinging his hammer in front of him. Quicker than Jeral thought possible Viconia dropped to her knees and the hammer strike swung helplessly over her head. Standing quickly she jabbed her hammer into the bandit's closed faced helm. The face of his helm folded in and blood started pouring out of the breathing slits on his helm.
Shaking his head to clear his vision the bandit struck again at Viconia. She leaned back and the hammer swing missed her by a hair's breath. Leaping in the air she struck against his helm once and then again. The second strike caused an audible crack and his head leaned to the side in an unnatural position. Viconia landed and crouched in a defensive position awaiting the next strike. Instead, she watched as the large man fall face forward onto the ground and lay still.
Viconia stepped forward and pried the spiked war hammer from the dead man's hand. While Viconia claimed her prize Minsc and Jeral, aided by Dynaheir and Imoen, finished off the last of the lightly armored bandits.
Viconia turned the weapon over in her hands and caressed it lovingly. "This is a weapon worthy of a drow. It is enchanted, deadly, and won in battle."
"Archer, thank you for the loan of this weapon but I no longer have need of it." She tossed the enchanted hammer taken from Bassilus back to Jeral and twirled the new weapon to get a feel for the balance. Glancing over at the paladin Viconia walked over to where they four bandit archers lay sleeping. Putting the spiked end of her new weapon to good use she ensured that none of the four would ever wake up.
Jeral walked over to Ajantis and reached out his hand to the downed paladin. Grudgingly he grasped Jeral's arm and laboriously pulled himself up. Once on his feet he uncorked and drank one healing potion and then a second. "Eh, I shall live. I will be hard pressed to fight for some time. My ribs and chest feel like they were crushed by a giant."
"Want Viconia to take a look at your injuries?"
"I would rather die that have that foul creature touch me."
"Trust me male, touching an unwashed surfacer such as you is not high on my list either."
"Ok that is enough out of both of you, we must move forward. Ajantis remain here and guard our escape route. If we get into a larger fight than we can manage we will need to run for it."
The paladin nodded and leaned wearily against a tree. The rest of the group dropped their packs and field gear next to him and moved deeper into the bandit camp. With Ajantis out of action Jeral and Minsc led the way with Dynaheir and Viconia in the second rank and Imoen bringing up the rear. Minsc drank a healing potion as they walked and the minor wounds he had recently received closed up quickly.
The five cautiously walked deeper into the bandit camp. A couple dozen large huts were visible in the clearing. They were poorly constructed and looked like they would topple in a stiff wind. As the party continued forward they stopped in front of the largest structure in the center of the camp. The building stood out from all the others, for it was well constructed and sat on a raised wooden platform. It was clearly the bandit camp headquarters.
Jeral looked at his companions. "I am sure this building is occupied so we should make ready. Any more spells that can help us Dynaheir?"
"Unfortunately not. I only have a few combat spells remaining and one personal defensive spell. Nothing else."
"Oy! Why are you lot not out on patrol? Only Black Talon are left to guard the camp and you lot are not part of Tenhammer's crew."
A thin man wearing worn leathers approached the group trailed by three others in similar attire.
Jeral sneered and tilted his head in the direction of the large building.
"Me gang was told to report for a special mission."
"Special mission hunh? What kind of mission?"
"How should I know? We have yet to report to the boss."
"Well do not let me stop ye." The man stopped to spit at Jeral's feet and scratch himself.
"We will wait here and see how it goes."
Unwilling to leave a threat at their rear before they entered the headquarters Jeral realized that the four had to be eliminated quietly. Jeral quickly drew an arrow and fired at the lead man. At point blank range he could not miss and his arrow buried deep into the man's chest. Looking confused he fell to the ground. The other three quickly drew their swords but they were no match for Minsc and Viconia. By the time Jeral could ready a second arrow all three of the other bandit guards were dead on the ground.
"Ok, we have no chance at surprise now; a deaf man could have heard the sounds of that fight. Make ready as best you can for speed is now our best ally."
Jeral dropped his bow on the ground and drew his sword. Dynaheir chanted a few words of power and 4 witches appeared where only one stood before. Viconia quickly muttered a few words to Shar and then shivered as the favor of her Goddess washed over her.
"Everyone ready? Right. Follow me."
Jeral grasped the door handle and pulled. The door did not move. Jeral sheathed his sword, drasped the door handle with two hands and pulled with all his might. The door did not move at all. Red faced, Jeral just stared dumbly at the door as his face turned beet red with embarrassment.
"Please move Jeral. Opening doors is what Minsc does very well."
Nodding glumly Jeral drew his sword and stood to the side. Minsc took two steps backwards, and then rumbled forward. His armored shoulder struck the door and it gave way immediately with a loud crack as wood splinters flew everywhere. Minsc tore through the shattered door and roared a battle cry as he entered the room beyond.
Jeral heard the sounds of combat as he raced in after the ranger. He entered into a large room with tapestries on the walls, clearly the headquarters of the bandit camp. There were four facing off against Minsc and Jeral. A quick glace at their clothes, equipment and bearing showed that these opponents were no mere bandits. A large gnoll was wielding a halberd and was already dueling with Minsc as the ranger roared and frothed in rage. For an instand Jeral wondered if Minsc was more of a beast than the gnoll he dueled against. Jeral saw a splint clad bandit draw a wicked looking bastard sword and move towards him. Smiling grimly Jeral spied a glint of gold in the man's mouth. Off to his left Jeral saw a mage preparing a spell. The fourth opponent was on the far side of the room bathed in shadows.
"Dynaheir, Imoen, the mage!"
He could not see what happened to the mage as he refocused on his immediate threat. Jeral leaned to his right and the bastard sword sliced through the air mere inches from his head. Jeral jabbed out with his sword and watched in frustration as it was pushed aside as the man quickly snapped his large blade back to parry the thrust.
Jeral was forced back as his gold toothed opponest slashed and hacked at Jeral with his bastard sword. Jeral found himself twisting time and time again to avoid the man's attacks as he waited for an opening.
ZING.
Jeral saw something flying towards his head and flung himself to the ground. An arrow fired from the fourth bandit, a hobgoblin wielding an ornate long bow, sliced Jeral's cheek open down to the bone. Jeral had no time to recover as the bastard sword sliced down again. Jeral crab walked backwards on the floor as the man's attack splintered the floor inches in front of the retreating bard. Jeral struggled to his feet and stood unsteadlily. His vision started to cloud as his body was wracked with pain. His short sword slipped from his rapidly weakening grip as he struggled to remain on his feet.
Jeral dropped to a knee and watched his attacker advance on him. Helpless to defend himself Jeral could only watch as the man swung his blade in a killing stroke.
A spray of blood drenched Jeral's face and he collapsed screaming in fear and pain. His back arched as spasms of pain roared through his body. His opponent forgotten, Jeral realized he was dying, likely poisoned by the arrow that had sliced into his face. Strong hands pinned him down to the floor. He struggled weakly against them as water was poured over his face. He looked up to see Imoen cradling his head. Jeral struggled to speak; "poison" was all he could force out through his chattering teeth.
Imoen looked around wildly. "Does anyone have any poison antidotes? I just purchased healing potions at the temple."
"Well give him that, for it is better than nothing." Imoen nodded at Dynaheir, unstopped a vial, and poured the blue liquid into Jeral's mouth. Coughing he swallowed most of it down and the pain was forced back somewhat but did not disappear. Fumbling at his pouch he found one of his own healing potions and drank that down as well. Jeral could still feel the pain waiting to return and knew he was merely postponing the inevitable.
"Does this male hold some value to you, Imoen?"
"Of course he does Viconia. He is my brother."
Signing heavily, the drow nodded and knealt down next to Jeral. She commanded Minsc to hold him still. She started chanting and placed her hands directly in the wound. She shuddered once and Jeral felt the pain disappear from his body. The poison was no longer there! Viconia grabbed his head and forced it to one side and then the other.
"For a surface you are not unattractive. I should likely mend your face; else you will be too unattractive to bear."
Viconia grabbed both sides of Jeral's torn cheek and forced them painfully together. Chanting a different invocation she quickly fused the torn skin together. Wiping her bloody hands on Jeral's tunic she smoothly got to her feet and reclaimed her war hammer.
Jeral slowly sat up and quickly scanned the room. The enemy mage lay dead on the ground, 3 arrows sticking from his body and scortch marks on his chest indicating his causes of death.
His own opponent lay headless on the ground, clearly decapitated from a blow from Minsc. The gnoll also lay on the ground in a spreading pool of blood. Jeral determined from the position of the bodies that Minsc had left his opponent to save Jeral and then returned to defeat the gnoll. In looking over at Minsc Jeral could see that he had paid for his heroic action. Minsc leaned against the wall bleeding from a number of wounds. Jeral watched as he downed the last of his healing potions. Confident that Minsc would live Jeral smiled and slowly pushed himself back upright.
He watched quietly as the drow walked over to where the hobgoblin archer was standing immobile, clearly held from magic from either the arcane or divine schools. Viconia calmly drew out one of the arrows and sniffed the tip.
"Spider venom, very dangerous and quite deadly. I thought that smelled familiar. Now that reminds me of home."
She slowly traced the arrow across the creature's face leaving a thin line of blood behind.
Speaking to no one in particular Viconia continued.
"The drow are known for their use of poison, and I always considered myself an expert at its use. It offends me when lesser creatures use tools better left to their betters."
She took a second arrow out, sniffed it and drew it across the hobgoblin's exposed throat. This time the cut was deeper and the line of blood it left behind thicker. She stepped back and watched as the poison started to trace blue lines away from the wounds and it entered his blood stream. Held immobile as he was, the only indication of his struggle was the changing color of his skin and the rapid dilation of his pupils. After less than a minute the creature was dead and only the enchantments around him kept him on his feet. Viconia snapped her fingers, the spell was broken, and the creature collapsed to the floor.
"Remind me to never anger a drow, even one as fetching as you my dear."
Though she would deny it to her dying day Viconia actually jumped in surprise and looked startled as a voice carried from a darkened corner of the tent. Scowling Viconia hefted her war hammer and advanced towards the sound.
"Please, stay thy hand. I am no threat. I am a prisoner here. I believe that I can be of use to you for I know much of my captors and would be pleased to relate all I need in exchange for my freedom."
Jeral pulled a torch off the wall and walked towards the sound of the man's voice. He found a thin man clad only in tattered rags chained to the wall. Shackles encircled his ankles, wrist, throat and waist, pinning him upright on the wall. Throwing knives were embedded in the wall around his body. His lithe body showed signs of beatings and abuse. His face was covered in a scraggly beard and his hair was long and unkempt. Clearly he was not newly imprisoned.
"Target practice, how delightful" Viconia pulled one of the blades from the wall and tossed it to get a feel for its balance. Jeral stepped in front of Viconia and addressed the prisoner directly.
"Who are you and why are you here?"
"Well that is a bit of a story. Please free me and provide me a bit of water and I will share all I know."
"Very well. Imoen, would you mind?" Imoen trotted over and rummaged around in her small belt pouch. She located her tools and unrolled them on the ground as she started working on the locks.
"My dear, I suggest you use the number five with the chisel tip. Depress the spring inside the lock and then twist to the right and it should unlock, simple as can be."
Imoen frowned and started working on the first lock.
"Uh, if I may make a suggestion my dear, please free my hands first and then I may assist on the other locks."
Jeral chuckled to himself as he watched Imoen's ears redden. She hated it when someone talked down to her. The prisoner clearly sensed something was amiss for he sat still and silent until she had freed him from his chains.
"Ahhhhh, that is so much better. I am in your debt milady." He took a step away from the wall and squatted down and then jumped up and down, working the kinks out of his body. Jeral handed him a water skin and he took a long pull. He drank heavily and sighed contentedly.
"Right then, a bit of explanation is in order. First allow me to introduce myself. I am Endar Sai, a member in good standing of the theives guild in Baldur's Gate. You must be Jeral of Candlekeep."
"How do you know my name? And how does a thief in Baldur's Gate end up trapped by bandits in the Larswood well to the south of the city."
"Ahhhhh yes, well that does beg the question does it not. Larswood, I never would have guessed, very interesting. Well suffice it to say that I was tasked with some shall we say misdeeds involving the Iron Throne merchant consortium."
"You mean you were stealing from them." Dynaheir spoke scornfully.
"My dear lady, I prefer to think of it as merely a redistribution of wealth but that is not central to my tale. I was successful in my endeavors; however there was apparently a witness."
"Apparently?"
"Well I was taken unawares on the street the very next day. I was captured, drugged and brought here. I have not angered any others of note in some time. Therefore, one with the skill to capture me and the resources to spirit me to Larwwood must have significant resources. It has to be the Iron Throne. At some point during my transport I learned that they decided to send me to Tazok so he could make use of me. Killing me was apparently too easy."
"Why would a bandit leader have need of you?"
"Well modesty permits me from saying more, but suffice it to say that I am a rogue of more than some small skill. They have encouraged me to join in their cause here."
"Well judging from the knives in the wall you have refused."
"Yes and they were getting bored with me."
"So they were planning to kill you."
"Worse. They planned to send me to the mines to live out my days as a slave mining for ore."
"There were no slaves in the Nashkel mines."
"No you misunderstand me. There is a secret mine hidden deep in the Cloakwood Forest."
"You know this how male? It seems very convenient that your captors kept you here where you could learn so much."
Chuckling Endar eyed the drow warily. "It was not convenience my dear, it was arrogance. They believed that no one could stop them. The only concern they have surrounds your friend here."
He nodded at Jeral. "The bounty on Gorion's ward continues to rise and Tazok promised 700 gold to the man who brought him Jeral's head."
"Why are they concerned with me and how do you know of Gorion?"
"I do not know, the most recent scroll to Tazok indicated that he and Daevorn should be on the alert for you and your friends. The scroll referred to you as the ward of Gorion of Candlekeep and nothing else."
"And Tazon and Daevorn are?"
"Tazok is a massive half ogre, and the bandit leader. You just killed his lieutenants. Daevorn is master of the Cloakwood mines and a peer of Tazok. I am unclear if one works for the other for the two clearly share no affection for one another. Tazok left a few days ago but I do not know where he went."
"Master thief, do you have any evidence of any of this? Not that I doubt your word my good man."
Endar chuckled and wiggled his fingers. He picked up one of Imoen's lock picks and turned on his heel. He leaned over a heavy iron bound chest and started working on the lock.
This is my present to you. Tazok holds the only key and the chest is heavily trapped.
He continued to fiddle with the lock for another minute.
"There we go. And now it is free of traps, unlocked, and open." With a florish he tossed the chest open and bowed deeply. Imoen and Dynaheir searched through the chest while Jeral and Viconia searched the rest of the room.
Endar contented himself to stroll about the chamber and eat hungrily from the plates laid out on a side board and dress himself in some of the clothes stored in the wardrobes along the wall. Once his appetite was sated he strapped a short sword to his belt and collected a dozen of the throwing knives.
"The man speaks true Jeral; the documents here mirror what he said. There are also spell scrolls, a wand and potions here as well. Also a bag heavy with many thousands of gold."
"Great Imoen, take it all. We need to move quickly. I am surprised no one has come to investigate the sounds of combat from this tent."
"Fear not Jeral. This tent is warded to prevent sounds from going in or out. My captors encouraged me to scream and told me it would not be heard by others."
Jeral nodded and continued to search the room. The drow handed Jeral the longbow and quiver from the downed hobgoblin archer.
"This is a bow of some power archer. Also there are enchanted arrows here. Some of fire and some of ice. I will not permit you to use the poisoned ones for you are not drow and unworthy of spider venom."
"Fair enough, I have no taste for poisons." Jeral grabbed the long bow and tested the pull of the string. The power of the bow made his fingers tingle. Smiling he strapped the second quiver on his back and took the newly proffered bow.
"Ok everyone ready to move? Endar, you are welcome to join us for we head to the Friendly Arm Inn and then Beregost before we will enter the Cloakwood."
"You are too trusting to share your plans with a stranger. But I thank you and will gladly accompany you as far as the inn. Once there I will make my way back to Baldur's Gate" Endar made a final quick circuit of the room grabbing up a few items of clothing, food, a water skin and bandoleir for his knives before throwing it all into a pack to go over his shoulders.
The six warily exited the tent and saw that the camp was still. With not a living bandit in sight the group quickly retraced their steps and hurried to the woods on the eastern edge of the camp. There they saw Ajantis standing upright.
"Who is your new companion Jeral?"
"Don't worry about him right now; we need to get out of here. We have what we came to get."
"Are all the bandits dead?"
"No. We made it to the center of the camp, killed the leader's lieutenants and found the information we needed. We are leaving."
"We cannot leave. There is still evil here. We must end the threat to the countryside."
Dynaheir stepped forward and placed a hand on the paladin's armored forearm.
"Good squire. Your words ring true but consider this. With their leaders dead, their wealth taken, and the location of their camp known they are no longer a significant threat. We can inform the Flaming Fist of this location and they can come back in forces to ensure no one remains."
"Your words ring true my lady; I just do not like walking away from evil."
"You have little choice. You are injured and we are still few in numbers, even with our new companion." Turning she pointed at her companion. "Minsc, that man Tenhammer had excellent mail that can be made to fit you. Please take that as well as his shield for we can sell that for some coin."
Minsc nodded and started to strip the mail from the corpse and place it in a large burlap sack.
"Speaking of flaming, let's liven this place up a bit."
Jeral pulled out an enchanted fire arrow and drew back the newly acquired long bow. He aimed carefully and loosed a fire arrow. The red streak trailed across the sky and landed on the roof of the bandit headquarters. Smiling Jeral loosed another half dozen arrows at other huts across the tent. The dry buildings burst into flame and the flames soon spread to the remainder of the buildings. Dense black smoke billowed into the sky.
"That should keep everyone busy and discourage any pursuit."
"Very subtle archer. This secret base is secret no longer with that smoke cloud marking this location for all who would care to visit."
Viconia smirked and trudged off into the woods back towards the Friendly Arm Inn.
The group fell in behind her and slowly made their way South.