Rolf settles into the saddle like he was born to it, holding the reins in an easy hand.  As the others make their way, he falls into the rear of the group, as was his want.  He silently endures the banter of the others, his mind focused on their mission.  He would put down the cats or he would die trying....

  the  group travels  down the road, not seeing much traffic...mow and again a lone Elf , or a pair of them would be seen running though the high grasses towards the Black Timber.  ONe farmers cart  with his wife and grown son were headed to the Black Timber as well with crates ofFurits grown down near the coastline.

  The smaller forested  area  was coming up on them. A squad of Ironmound regulars were camped  about  100 yards  away from the entrance to that small wood.....

In reply to donsr (msg #19):

Noticing the squad Justin looked around to see if they had a base of operations, encampment or such Turning to the Elf he  chinned towards the squad Woulst thee surmise yonder be an indication of some trouble, or simply be a regular checkpoint...

    Aye..Checkpoint. New squad every tenday, on this  siode of the small forest. The otherside is, for want of a better word, Free lands. They are not under Ironmound, or her allies control, thus...no patrols  go forth. At least, not offical patrols. Having said that....if a Company happens  upon slavers, or Reds, or halflings..whatever the foe...and kills them, they have but to bring proof to  The Ironmound guard, and they will recieve bounty pay.

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg #21):

Wouldst we pay yon squad a curtisy call or simply bypass such. he enquired wondering if there was a chance there may be spys of informers hereabouts

Durzak keeps a ear to the conservation that is going on in the group but keeps an eye to his surrounds just in case there is trouble brewing nearby.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:52, Sat 10 Dec 2011.

 Ivy smiles  with a laugh, before Kree could answer,Well, Good Justin, They may try to collect  coin from us. But  i fear that would leave them a squad short. We do not pay tolls on our own lands.And these were our lands, when Ironmound was but a few mud huts surrounded by a railed fence.

In reply to Ivyain Nightblade (msg #24):

Wouldst yon be aware of the extent of Thy lands. For it would not serve to have to come to blows over a missunderstanding. he smiled hoping the patrol weren't going to be so foolish as to issue challenge over land ownership.

  Ivy smiles  again, his jeting a bit colder as he eyes the  troopers,I am thinking, they will see our pins, and think the better of it...

 Kree's  left hand  slipped to his  left him. to unslip the peaceknot, so his right hand  will be ab;e to draw it,Do not get so cokcy. My Couysin. There are as many allies that hate us, as thier our foes that like us...take nothing on the value of sight...

The sound of hooves could be heard galloping quickly in advance from behind the group. Before there could be a bow drawn, Drasius rides past them but doesn't seem to be stopping. anyone to pay attention to the look on her face would be able to tell that she was on a mission and ready to die doing so...She also had the sent of illness still around her.

In reply to Drasius Flimtorn (msg #27):

Justin watched as the darkelf galloped past, Doth appear Drasius hath much determination to be elsewhere, or she be serverly affected by her illness.

  Ivy and Kree look at each other and shrug as they move on into the wood. about a mile or so through the  road, they can see the  Opening  on the other side.

 Kree points to the entrance, , we wil move off to the southern  side...set up a camp where we can watch the road ways...we have a day, maybe two..beofre the CAts  come.

In reply to donsr (msg #29):

Praise Eta for affording each sufficient time to familiarize ourselves with the area; anst establish some surprises for these ferals Justin scans the area checking for approaches..
This message was last edited by the player at 03:05, Thu 15 Dec 2011.

Second that praise to Eta and good fortune to us in battle when we meet the cats.

  I have little respect for the Cat folk. But i am no fool. They are dangerous foes. They have thier  own wepaons, and when those  fail, they have the weapons they were born with. Best  not to let one get you on the ground.

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg #32):

Skirmish with Thy back to a tree. How well doth such catflok jump anst climb. For twould serve to set traps to ensnare them such. Raising a hand to his forehead which he taps One should hath thought to bring along some nets which could be used to drop from the canopy

Rolf looks angered by Justin's suggestion.  "Nets are for catching fish, not cats.  Cats are for being put down like the animals they are, with sword, with arrow, with bare hands.  When the time comes, I'll meet them and I'll kill them and I won't hide behind nets or trees or what have you."

  Ivyain calls  down to Rolf  with a chuckle,we will not be hinding behind trees..but  we will use them, as  all smart Hunters will...We  not only wish to Kill these things, but, perhaps agin insight on where they are coming from, and who has allied themselves with them.... There is a good bet, you will get your hjands  , good  and bloody, when the time comes. Right now? we will be stalking...

In reply to Rolf Liefsen (msg #34):

No Thee be mistaken nets are simply used to prevent ones prey from escaping. Thy outburst is both unwarranted, anst disrespectful. Additionally Thee doth call to question ones intelligence, One be not a dullard.... Whenst Thee hath recanted One shall accept Thy apology

Rolf gives Justin a measured look.  "I'll reserve judgement until I see how well you put the feral bastards down."

In reply to Rolf Liefsen (msg #37):

Thy disregard, be disharmonious anst disruptive of requisite continuity of effort. We be hence for the same purpose. Surly such be sufficient for Thee to recant Thy slight on Ones honour...
This message was last edited by the player at 22:36, Thu 15 Dec 2011.

In reply to Justin (msg #38):

Duran watched quietly and listened to the exchange between Rolf and Justin. In prison such a slight would have not ended well. Men with nothing to loose will kill for less than that. Some men he knew would kill if they were looked at the wrong way. Duran hoped his current companions had more sense, but that remained to be seen.

"Gentlemen, wouldn't our time be better spent planning our stragety?" he said pausing for a moment, "I'm sure Rolf meant no dis-respect, Brother of Eta. He lives by the warrior code as do I, we meet our enemy face-to-face. The better man wins."

"And when I do get taken from this world, I pray it is in battle, met with honor."

Having said his piece, Rolf remains silent, ready to move ahead in the attack of the Cat Folk or to listen to plans arranging the attack of the Cat Folk.

  Kree  kicks  some of the brush and  such away from a fallen log that is  screened by some Bushes, but has a fair view  of the road to the  south and east....Just remember, My friends. We  are not in some courtly battle, or lined up like idiots on a field to charge at each other...The Cats are Hunters..Like we are Hunters...Hunters strike to Kill as swiftly as possible, with the less loss of life..then better for our side.

    If we were to meet a full uniut of the Cat folks  , face to face in the grass...I fear , many of us  would fail to come back...The Honor  you seek, you nwill have to take from the fact, that those things  we kill, will never harm another helpless person again...If i am ti achieve  anything that may be called Honor..that is what i wish it to be....and...if  that does not look honorable to those who do not  take up this  fight, that we have pledged to fight?...I lack any amount  of caring....

 Ivy chuckles  from up in the Tree,Who are you kidding , Cousin? YOu car not  what anyone thinks....save..perhaps Your Arrows...

 Kree nestles into his  spot,Aye , to that, I will not argue that...

In reply to Rolf Liefsen (msg #40):

As Rolf has chosen not recanted his insult Justin removes his gauntlet walks over to ththe outlander, and casts it on the ground infront of him. One shall redress Thy insult at the first opportune, if Thee are brave enough to take up ones challenge.