The group had been traveling for about an hour and a half when they spotted a building up ahead. You and Emandra were waling side by side while Sarthen snoozed in the small spot in the back of the cart.

The weather was beautiful. The thick fluffy clouds covered the sun often enough that the heat wasn't bearing down on them whist a cool zephyr blew over Hyrule Field. Wasco sighed, "What a lovely day for this... Farore smiles on me."

Ironically as he said that, the door to the house opened to reveal four figures exiting the house. They were each wearing wrapping over the bottom half of their faces- a sign of bandits. Two of them were carrying potato sacks filled with something- something moving... Probably not potatoes. One of them was armed with a bow, the other three with swords at their hips.

A woman came bursting out of the door screaming after them. The one nearest to her turned around and front kicked her back into the house. She landed hard halfway through the doorway before the bandit drew back his bowstring on her. She shouted something before the arrow was let loose. There was a scream before her legs went limp.

"Oh my God!" Emandra screamed. "We've got to help that woman!"

"No!" Wasco's hoarse voice cut in. "Let the bandits clear out before you tend to her wounds. No need in jumping into a fight we've no place in, right Leth?" He turns to you expectantly.

"No!" Emandra shouted as she turns to you, her eyes full with worry. "Whatever they have was more important to her than her life! We've got to get back whatever they stole!" She grabs your hands, "Please!"

OOC: Your choice
Each has its own rewards and ramifications.

After spending so much time walking, the tension Leth had felt about this journey had all pretty much faded away. Wasco was right, it WAS a gorgeous day today... a day made even better by the company he got to share it with. With Sarthen taking up the free space in the wagon, Leth and Emandra had plenty of time to chat as they walked.

But all of the tranquility was brought to a screeching halt once the masked men made their entrance upon the scene.

There wasn't even a second of hesitation in Leth's mind as his ranger training kicked into gear: protecting the innocent was his primary goal. Even if Leth had second thoughts about risking their mission, they disappeared as soon as he saw the wriggling bag. They were taking something alive. Perhaps even another person. His mind barely even registered Emandra grabbing his hands, or the short argument that had caused it. He shouted at the wagon, "Sarthen! Wake up, we've got trouble!" and turned back to Emandra. "As soon as it's clear, go help that woman." And then immediately drew his bow, set an arrow, and released it at the masked bowman.

OoC: I'm really enjoying this.

"Consarn it!" Wasco yelled as Leth let the arrow fly. "I hope ya know what you're doing!" He added as he hopped off of the wagon and ran around the side to hide from the commotion.

Masked Men x4
HP- 25
SPL- 8
STR- 4
DEF- 13
AGI- 5
INT- 1
SPI- 3
Weapons:
Sword base damage: 10
Bow base damage: 10
Abilities:
-None-

OOC: How's about some battle music?

IC:


Leth's Arrow sails through the air as karma personified, nailing the unaware bowman directly in the ribs, a shout of pain echoing as he stumbles backwards.

[(AGI=7)+(D20=13)+(Bow Lv4=3)=23] VS [(AGI=5)+(DEF=13)=18] = HIT! -15HP from Masked Man #1

The masked man gripped the arrow with both hands and pulled it out of himself as his comrades readied for battle. The two carrying sacks hurriedly set them down and unsheathed their weapons, the one with empty arms already charging at Leth, sword in the air.

[(AGI=5)+(D20=11)=16] VS [(AGI=7)+(DEF=13)=20] MISS!

Leth deftly dodges the blade, leaping backward, his experience in combat manifesting before the enemy.

"What you..." The man said as he locked eyes with Leth. "Wait a minute... This one! THIS ONE HERE! KILL HIM!" He shouted as the two other masked men charged past him, their blades brandished.

"This'll teach ya!" One of them shouted as they both swung their blades at the ranger.

[(AGI=5)+(D20=1)=6] VS [(AGI=7)+(DEF=13)=20] MISS!
[(AGI=5)+(D20=19)=24] VS [(AGI=7)+(DEF=13)=20] HIT!-14HP from Leth!

The first man tripped on his own shoes and ate the dirt, displaying his lack of training for all to see. This perhaps was so funny, that it distracted Leth as the other masked man ripped his blade through his enemy's armor, dealing a solid amount of damage to the man.

The sound of a bowstring being released was the next thing Leth would hear, as the bowman he'd struck from earlier was back for revenge. The arrow soared through the air with Leth in its path.

[(AGI=5)+(D20=13)=18] VS [(AGI=7)+(DEF=13)=20] MISS!

Leth quickly sidestepped the arrow, avoiding further harm. Suddenly, a raspy old voice rang out throughout the battlefield from behind him-

"ELEMENTAL EXPLOSION!"

Turning around, Leth would see Sarthen raising both arms high in the air, his staff erupting in an amalgam of colors as an element was randomly chosen. The air around him was shimmering with magic as the spell manifested itself in the nature of lightning.

The spell crackled across the battlefield, a mighty thunder booming from the mighty arcane magic, the ground shaking with the sheer force of the spell. [-14SPL from Sarthen]

[(Level=10)+(Base=3)+(INT=6)]=19 Damage

[(D20=5)+(SPI=3)=8] NO RESIST -19HP from Masked Man #1
[(D20=5)+(SPI=3)=8] NO RESIST -19HP from Masked Man #2
[(D20=12)+(SPI=3)=15] NO RESIST -19HP from Masked Man #3
[(D20=19)+(SPI=3)=22] 1/2 DAMAGE -10HP from Masked Man #4

The man with the bow stood there for just a moment after the initial shock before wobbling a bit. The wound from Leth's arrow had been cauterized by the heat of the lightning, which was nice for him- however he was now completely fried by the spell. He fell forward, dead before he hit the ground.

The other three men stood there in shock, their hair sticking out from the static that still lingered in the air. They weren't quite done for, but they were certainly close. There was a dead silence for a moment before the group remembered they were still in combat. Emandra spun her staff and pointed it at the man that'd struck Leth.

"Elemental Burst!" She called out, magic assembling at the tip of her staff. After a brief vibrant glowing, a highly pressurized stream of water shot forth from the staff

[(D20=3)+(SPI=3)=6] NO RESIST -15HP from Masked Man #3

The stream of water, the pressure double that of a fire hose, caught the man square on the chin, snapping his neck as he was hurled some twenty yards away by the force of the blast.

Masked Man #1~Dead~
Masked Man #2 6/25HP IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Masked Man #3~Dead~
Masked Man #4 15/25HP IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Leth
47/61 HP IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
19/19 SPL IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
9/9 WILL IIIIIIIII

Sarthen
55/55 HP IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
43/57 SPL IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
9/9 WILL IIIIIIIII

Emandra
35/35 HP IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
51/57 SPL IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
9/9 WILL IIIIIIIII

Wasco
10/10 HPIIIIIIIIII
Cart Armor: 50/50HP IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Sarthen leaned on his staff. "What did yeh go and get us into now? Is it really this difficult to avoid trouble these days?"

"THAAANK YOOOUU!" Wasco's irritated muffled voice cut in from within the cart.

Sarthen stroked his beard as he looked around at the carnage. "Well, least I still got it! Ho ho ho!" He laughed his dry raspy laugh.

"Don't drop your guard, old man!" Emandra called as she took a few steps back, standing at Leth's side. "There's still two more of em'. Leth- let's go!"

Leth nodded in satisfaction as his arrow found its target, but he didn't have long to celebrate. One of the bandits - for that's what Leth assumed they were until proven otherwise - was already bearing down on him. The way he was swinging his sword practically shouted "amateur" to Leth, however, and he was easily able to dodge the descent of the blade by simply jumping back as he swung. He was about to counter-attack, but was again forced into a dodge as the other two men both charged after him at once. Leth sidestepped the first blade, only to find out it wasn't necessary - he had face planted into the ground. Unfortunately, his movement also put him directly into the path of the second incoming blade.

Leth let out a small cry of pain as the edge of the sword slashed across his side, cutting through his leather armor and leaving a nice gash in its wake. He instinctively put his hand over the wound. I hope I haven't bit off more than I can chew, here... He thought bitterly. Where the heck is-

"ELEMENTAL EXPLOSION!"

...Sarthen.
The sudden blast of electrical energy interrupted Leth's thoughts as easily as it interrupted the onslaught of attacks. There was a brief few seconds where everyone had to regain their bearings in the wake of the boisterous attack - which apparently was all Emandra needed to take her swing at them. Leth took a moment to size up the situation following both attacks - two of them were sprawled out on the ground - presumably dead - leaving two more. One of which looked like he was on the ropes. If he went for the most healthy-looking enemy, perhaps Sarthen or Emandra could dispatch the weaker one without needing magic.

"What did yeh go and get us into now? Is it really this difficult to avoid trouble these days?"

"Inaction in the face of evil is consent to evil. I wasn't about to let these men get away - mission or no mission."

Leth quickly aimed another arrow at masked man #4, and let the projectile loose, hoping to end this conflict quickly.

Leth wrote:"Inaction in the face of evil is consent to evil. I wasn't about to let these men get away - mission or no mission."

Sarthen snorted and folded his arms. "Ya git yourself killed with an attitude like that." He watched as Leth let loose another arrow and studied him closely, a faint smile appearing on his old cracked lips.

Hope for the future after all, Lumea... Leth huh?...

Emandra's eyes found Leth upon hearing the encouraging words. "That's the spirit. You're like a hero from the stories!" She turned and faced the more injured man. "Let's finish it here." She took off from her position and tightened her grip on her staff before leaping high into the air and bringing the staff down hard on the head of the bandit.

[(AGI=7)+(D20=15)+(Bow Lv4=3)=25] VS [(AGI=5)+(DEF=13)=18] = HIT! -15HP from Masked Man #4

[(AGI=1)+(D20=17)=18] VS [(AGI=5)+(DEF=13)=18] = HIT! -10HP from Masked Man #2

Leth's arrow found its mark right through the man's throat, leaving him to writhe around for a moment before he eventually rolled over and died for a number of reasons. Emandra had straight knocked the other man into next year; he hit the ground hard and began bleeding profusely from the head.

It was over.

Masked Man #1~Dead~
Masked Man #2 ~Dead~
Masked Man #3~Dead~
Masked Man #4~Dead~
Leth
47/61 HP IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
19/19 SPL IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
9/9 WILL IIIIIIIII

Sarthen
55/55 HP IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
43/57 SPL IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
9/9 WILL IIIIIIIII

Emandra
35/35 HP IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
51/57 SPL IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
9/9 WILL IIIIIIIII

Wasco
10/10 HPIIIIIIIIII
Cart Armor: 50/50HP IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII


A heavy sigh of relief from the crew washed over the battlefield. It was a quick battle with no casualties and little injury.

"Is it over?" Wasco called from inside his card. "Can I come out?"

"Yep," Sarthen called back as he strolled over to Leth and Emandra. "It appears to be clear."

Emandra hurried over to Leth and inspected his wound. "Leth, that looks nastly. Let me mend that for you."

"Actually..." Sarthen cut in.

"I can think of someone who might need your services more than Leth at the moment." He pointed his cane to the lady who'd been shot by the bandit.

She turned and gasped, "Oh! You're probably right! Let's go!" She turned back to Leth with worry in her eyes. "You think she's still alive? I didn't see where on her body he shot her... Let's hurry!" She turned and sprinted over to the house, sliding into the doorway, her staff in hand. The rest of the crew followed- even Wasco, who had since mounted his cart.

As you hurry to the house, you come to a stop at the doorway to see Emandra with her head on the woman's chest.

"She was shot through the chest..." She lifted her head and looked down at the woman. "That... That man... He was trying to kill her. And for what?" Suddenly she lifted her head upright. "The sacks!!" She turned around to see Sarthen pulling a baby out of one of the sacks. He cradled the infant his arms as he looked over at Emandra and Leth.

"Kidknappers..." He growled. "These men were scum." He added angrily. "The other sack had rupees. The baby appears to be unharmed for the most part. You two worry about her." He turned around, rocking the baby in his arms as he looked outward reflectively.

Emandra returned her attention to the woman and stared downward at her. "She's been dead for several minutes. But I can still work with that..." She stood up and gripped her staff with both hands.

"Stand back," She commented before a bright vibrant glow began to surround her and her staff. "Don't look directly at it- you're about to bear witness to divine intervention."

The light grew so intensely bright that one could not help but turn away. After several seconds and a soothing lull of a sound, the woman's eyes opened.

Crimson eyes.

She sat up and looked around for a moment. "Ugghhh... I... Where... My baby..."
Emandra looked up at Leth, "She was dead. Coming back to life isn't easy. This is going to be a rough transition- try not to say anything shocking." She knelt down and placed a hand behind the woman's back.

"Now, now... Easy. Your baby is safe. The bandits are gone. Tell me your name."

She looked over to Leth, then to Emandra before squeaking out, "Amelia... My name is Amelia..."

Emandra smiled warmly, "Good... Can you count to ten for me, Amelia?"

Wasco had parked the cart alongside the house and had moved over to Leth's side. "How is she?" He asked. "Is she going to be alright?" He had just then noticed the man's wound. "Holy! Oh, goodness me... I have some bandages in the cart, give me just a sec m'boy, I'll be right back!" He hurried back tot he cart. "Oh dead, oh dear!"

Sarthen approached finally, the baby waking up. "How is she?" He asked Leth as he gently rocked the baby back and forth. "Why on earth were they after this baby?" He asked as Amelia looked up at him. Sarthen stopped rocking the baby for a moment as he saw her. He looked down at the child and then back to Leth.

"Oh my..." He said in a low tone. "You don't suppose..." He continued rocking the child.

"Hmmm...."

Meanwhile, Amelia was finishing up her resurrection exercises and was becoming more and more coherent.

"Good..." Emandra said again. "You should be ready to stand... Let's take it slow." She helped the woman to her feet and carefully let go of her. She walked straight towards Sarthen and took her baby from him. He handed the child off gently.

"Oh..." Amelia started crying. "Oh, my poor child..."

Emandra sighed and leaned against the door-frame, "That was a close call..." She murmured. Amelia turned to the group. "I... I can't thank you all enough!" She quivered, emotions permeating the air.

Wasco returned with the bandages and stopped when he saw the woman standing, good as new. "Well now." He stated. "Seems we've got quite the capable healer!" He smiled at Leth and then Emandra before taking Leth's hand. "Now sit down, I'm going to clean the wound. This is the kind of wound that can be taken care of with good ol' fashion know-how. No magic needed here. Let's get your armor off..." As he began operating on Leth, Sarthen sat down next to him and crossed his legs.

[Sarthen's Wisdom Bonus]

"Leth... I trust you noticed... These men weren't just bandits. They were assassins. They meant to kill that woman... And probably the baby." He stared at Amelia and her child for several seconds before continuing.

"Do you remember what that man said about you when he came close? The reason they all targeted you? What do you, the woman, and that baby all have in common?"

After sanitizing the gash, Wasco began bandaging the wound.

Sarthen turned to stare at Leth in the eyes.

"Your Sheikah blood." He finished.

"These men... Whoever they work for... May be trying to erase what little remains of the Sheikah race."

"Not our business!" Wasco called out as he cut the bandage off and sealed it tight. He stood up and gathered up his tools before returning to the cart.

[+8HP to Leth]

Sarthen turned his head to stare back at Amelia. "Genocide... What an ugly word..."

Amelia walked inside her house, "You're all welcome to come inside." She called out as she disappeared from view.

Sarthen got to his feet and dusted himself off before following the woman inside. Emandra motioned for Leth to follow as she fell in behind Sarthen.

* * *

Inside, the house was ransacked- there was obviously a struggle. It was inside that the group realized that there were originally five masked men, rather than four. One of them lay on the floor near the door with a butcher's knife in his back.

The livingroom other than that was rather plain. It was easy to see that the residents didn't have a whole lot of money- that or they lived humbly.

She reappeared without the baby and nodded to everyone after they'd gathered in the room. "Thank you all so much. I really can never repay the favor. I don't have much to give, but I feel that my husband would want you to have this.

<center>Leth got the Dagger of Moaning Wells

"This is a family heirloom. It's a special knife that allows one of Sheikah blood to shadowmeld and attack in the same turn. It's one of a kind, and I'm sure my husband wouldn't mind you having it- after all, you saved his wife and child." She smiled warmly. "Please, take it for saving my child. However, you also saved my life- so I'd like you take this with you."

<center>Leth got the Dinner for the Road

"I understand you're all traveling, so I won't hold you up. You can take that dinner to go. It should feed all four of you easily, restoring 10HP & SPL to your entire party." She folded her arms, "And I made that with love, so savor every bite!"

OOC:

I'm just gonna give you a chance to respond to all of this before we continue, to ask any questions/interact with characters environment, etc.

OoC: Hoo boy. That's a lot.

IC:

"Ya git yourself killed with an attitude like that."

As Leth's arrow yet again flew true, he turned back to Sarthen and said with a wink, "Well... part of it is also knowing when to pick your battles. I may not always be able to act immediately, but injustice deserves a response, even if it must be a delayed one. This time, though, I was pretty confident in the strength of our group." As he said that, the last bandit fell, done in by the Emandra's staff.
"Speaking of, you guys did good. I sure know how to pick 'em, don't I?" He said with a sly grin.

When Emandra hurried over to Leth, the thought of the cleric doting on Leth and his wounds tempted him to accept her help, but he knew there was a more urgent need at hand. Just as he was about to open his mouth and remind her of the woman, Sarthen spoke up and gave voice to his thoughts, and they all rushed to see her.

Leth's suspicions were proven correct - this WAS kidnapping - and perhaps even more than that. Your run-of-the-mill bandits don't usually kill anyone... no, there was something more sinister at work here. But Leth wasn't sure what.
He watched in awe as Emandra set about resurrecting the dead woman, exercising Holy power he had rarely seen in his many years of adventuring. The lengths she went to to care for these people she didn't even know warmed Leth's heart. He looked back at Sarthen, and saw the care with which he cradled the baby, and Leth instantly knew. These were good people, with more to them than what he had experienced at their first meeting. Leth couldn't help but smile.

The gravity of the situation they were facing soon brought Leth back down to earth, however. Sarthen pieced together the situation before Leth did - a testament to the old man's wisdom. If they were dealing with genocidal maniacs... they were perhaps in more trouble than Leth realized. His very presence among this group put them all in danger. He gave a worried glance at his fellow party members. If anything happens to them because of me, I'll never forgive myself...

"Not our business!" Wasco called out as he cut the bandage off and sealed it tight.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it may become our business as long as I'm with you guys. We don't know how many more of these crazies are out there. Speaking of which-" He turned to Amelia.
"If I were you, I'd lay low for a while. If you've got non-sheikah friends or family, go spend a few days with them. Whoever's out to get us may come back to finish the job - and you don't want to be around for that. And I'd let your family know what's going on as well; have them be extra cautious until this whole thing blows over." He told her, the concern clearly showing through his voice.

He graciously accepted the gifts Amelia offered them, repeatedly telling her "It was nothing special - anyone would have done it", and he carefully inspected the dagger as they got ready to depart. This was a true Sheikah artifact; something he had never had experience with before. He didn't know much about his Sheikah heritage, having grown up apart from his parents with distant family in Rauru town. It had never been something that he was terribly curious about - he didn't remember his parents at all. His Sheikah abilities had always just been another tool for him to utilize... but perhaps now he'd have some questions for his family once they finally got to Rauru.

Leth wrote:OoC: Hoo boy. That's a lot.

OOC: Did ya miss me?

IC:

Well... part of it is also knowing when to pick your battles. I may not always be able to act immediately, but injustice deserves a response, even if it must be a delayed one. This time, though, I was pretty confident in the strength of our group.

He's a good kid. Sarthen thought. Idealistic. Bold. A can-do attitude... Reminds me of... Someone who's long since passed...

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it may become our business as long as I'm with you guys. We don't know how many more of these crazies are out there."

"Well then," Sarthen began, "If and when they come, they will be dealt with. I'm not one to look for trouble- but violent racism is a vice I was devoted to stomping out in my younger years. Age has not changed me on that stance."

"If I were you, I'd lay low for a while. If you've got non-sheikah friends or family, go spend a few days with them. Whoever's out to get us may come back to finish the job - and you don't want to be around for that. And I'd let your family know what's going on as well; have them be extra cautious until this whole thing blows over."

Amelia nodded, "Mh. That's a good idea. I have some family in Rauru Town, but I feel like I'd be safer here rather than traveling alone all the way there. I have a baby to think about..."

Wasco sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets, "Well... I suppose I could clear some room out in the cart for you and your baby..."

Amelia tilted her head in question.

"What he means," Emandra picked up, "Is that we're actually headed to Rauru. You could travel along with us if you'd like."

Amelia shook her head, "Oh, no no no! I couldn't! You've already done so much for us. I couldn't possibly ask more."

Sarthen stared past her into the baby's room, "Are you really in a position to turn this offer down? You've not just yourself to think about."

She followed his gaze down the hallway to the baby's room, and sighed heavily. "You... You have a point. Very well. If you would have us, we'll come with you." Wasco smiled faintly, "Great. It's settled then... Let me go rearrange the cart." He left in a hurry out the door and ran around the side.

[Jackal's Awareness Bonus - Failed]

- - -

The cart, rearranged with Amelia and her baby in the back, the crew was ready to set out once more. Sarthen was sitting in the back with the mother and child, with Wasco, Leth, and Emandra leading on once again.

<a href="http://desertcolossus.com/adventures/vi ... 25">"Let's git"</a> Wasco called out, snapping the reigns.