As Written by John Sky Raider:

23 Borrum, 1506 TH

Several moments of fighting drove the Iguana to take flight. Deciding to flee rather than fight, it left us to mend our wounds.

During the day we were met by a caravan. Food, ale and tales were exchanged. Warnings were also shared, as the traders had seen signs of people in the woods.

At night we set up camp and continued our resting. During the watch of Kavros and Gorien, John let loose a ferocious yell, a loud smiting sound and a cry of "How many people have to die before I deliver this."

Kavros and Windy rushed to find John dueling with a dark clad woman crying for help. That cry was answered by her two companions. Gorian was rushed by one and shot by the other. While Argen and Elias attempted to subdue the rusher, Gorian released an arrow which removed a finger from the right hand of the crossbowman (sending him fleeing into the woods).

John knocked the woman out, while Elias took a vicious blow from the last thief’s mace, sending him to the ground nearly unconscious. Moments later we subdued the remaining outlaw.

During the questioning we confirmed that the hired man in fact knew nothing. The woman was less forthcoming as she tried to bite and spit.

Several minutes were spent with the treacherous woman as she tried to haggle for her freedom. The outcome of the questioning revealed that John’s nemesis awaited us in Urupa. We then sent the thief off with the nearby caravan where she would then be taken back to town to answer for her crimes.

During the next morning’s travels we encountered a flock of dark birds. Windy befriended these winged creatures gifted with the ability to speak. We shared lunch with them, who identified themselves as Chakta.

During our socializing the Chakta informed us that cruel people were three arcs away (which later brought the question of what an arc was). Finally the birds decided to fly away, leaving us to move into the trap that lies ahead.

Windy, scouting ahead, discovered our opponents as they shot at each other while trying to stop her. With the villains entrenched in the hills along the road, we set out to the left to confront them.

We quickly came under crossbow fire from the trees. Argen and Kavros were the first to be hit by the onslaught; Argen was hit by far the worst. Finally, we came upon our opponents and tried to turn the tide of battle.

"Uhhh" was the last word uttered by one crossbowman as he was speared by Kavros in one swift attack. The villains responded with a vicious injury to Kavros from a spear of ice.

Windy slept her adversary in one swing while Gorain was victorious in his shooting contest. John literally sent his opponent flying.

Kavros and Windy went ahead and found a dwarf preparing another spell. The Dwarf gave a look of astonishment as he tried to cast. He then quickly surrendered and was given the boot by John.

Hearing a sound from the other side on the hill Windy searched ahead. Gorian began to fend off the forces from the other side of the road; at least four facing us with crossbows. To her dismay she discovered troops on the other side coming up the hill and sending flankers to one side. Meanwhile the brigands continued to move forward and sent two flankers to our other side.

Kavros and Windy moved forward against the bandit flankers, hoping to create an opening through which we could all escape. Several moments later the troops on horseback came forward and engaged the bandits, using both their swords and horses. One bandit, trying to escape, had his spirit broken by John’s yell and his head severed by John’s axe. The battle quickly ended soon after.

The horsemen are traveling guards from Urupa. The bandits are now an example to others that such treachery will be punished. After agonizing over what to do with the Dwarf we finally decide to roll him down the hill to be collected by the guards.