The storm abates to a light rain and eventually only the dripping of rain droplets from the eave of the thatched roof can be heard, along with the crazy cacophonous noise of frogs and crickets.  Several times over the previous hours, the women hear shuffling sounds outside the coup.  What ever it was, it did not come to the door. Probably a prowling nocturnal animal of some sort searching for food. The captives continue to wrestle with the bindings, hoping against hope they will somehow loosen.

Some time later, many footfalls can be heard sloshing through the mud outside.  Soon torchlight filters through the cracks in the wooden wall of the coup. They stop outside the door, the torch sputters in the darkness.  The door chains to the coup begin rattling, the bar is lifted, and the door is pulled open.  The ogre-kin then roughly tosses a small child into the coup.  The boy hits the back side of the coup hard, the sturdy walls of the coup shutter form the impact.  The boy lies still, but breathing.  Another small child is thrown in; this time a girl of younger age than the boy. She crumples to the ground in front the boy.  The ogre-kin looks at Xune, then approaches.  He grabs her binds and inspects them and sees the raw abrasion around her wrists.

"Heh heh heeehhhhhh", he laughs.  "You try."  He does the same for the other woman and, satisfied all was okay, leaves the coup.

The little girl scrambles over to the boy and begins hushed murmurs between big sobs, trying to wake him up.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:35, Tue 13 Dec 2022.

[Private to GM: Secret Roll: Xune Vvedryx rolled 22 using 1d20+5.  Escape check +5. (It seems these knots are SUPER well done)]

Xune continues to struggle with her binds with renewed vigor, sloshing her hands wet with the slick water in an attempt to loosen the bindings, her eyes occasionally glancing over at the woman across from her. She is very pretty, for a human, but the elf can tell her wounds need attention, or she will be of little use to the dark elf in fighting their way out of wherever they've been taken. A coup, Xune thinks, perhaps they are in some kind of farm. Hopefully they haven't been taken too far from Falcon's Hollow.

Xune glowers at the ogrekin as he returns with the two children, pulling away from him as he grasps her wrists and inspects her abrasions from her attempts at undoing the binds, her violet eyes staring daggers into his grotesque visage. How she'd love to split it open. Yes, I'll try, and I'll succeed. You can't keep me here forever, she thinks, ears flicking in rage.

Xune's attempts are brought to a standstill as she observes the children, before she raps her foot against the floor to get the girl's attention, turning to show her the bindings covering her wrists. Through her muffled gag, still seeping water into her parched mouth, Xune mumbles a request. "Hmph mm. Hntnh mm, hhld." She gestures first at herself, then toward Myshra, using her head and eyes to communicate the request.

At the sounds coming from Xune, the little girl gasps; her eyes wide and glaring around in the darkness.  It is clear through Xune's elven dark-vision that she is scared.  She does not leave the boy's side.

As the night turns into pre-dawn hours, the sky lightens.  The boy rouses from an unconsciousness and sits up, hugging the little girl to him.  He feels the side of his head while taking in the scene around him.  It takes several minutes, but finally the boy crawls over to the human woman.  In no time he has released the leather cinch holding in the gag.  Once the gag is removed, words are spoken between the two and the boy shakes his head, looking over at Xune.  At the woman's urging, the boy finally approaches Xune, but warily at first.  Moments later, the leather cinch holding her gag in place falls from her face.  The boy skitters backward a few feet, unsure of the elf.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 13:35, Tue 13 Dec 2022.

"It is your eyes", Myshra states from across the room.  "He doesn't look very strong, but maybe with his help we can loosen these ties.  Will you help us boy?  Will you help us get free?  We will take you both with us and get away from here to safety."

After hours of struggling, fighting, and failing, Xune finally can breathe freely. As the cinch is removed from her mouth, she moans in relief, before gritting her teeth and sighing.

"Duwiau! You've done well, child," she states to the boy, before craning her head in his direction and nodding. She turns her attention back to Myshra and nods again, gesturing her bound hands toward the children. "As the human says, if you help undo our bindings, we'll see to it that you're escorted to safety. Cymwynas am gymwynas. A favor for a favor." Upon observing the children's hesitation, Xune leans in close, and finds a smile forming at her mouth. "Elves do not break promises easily."

"You won't let him eat us!?", the little boy asks.  "I'll help you.  I'm Wil and that's my sister Mina. She's four."

The boy pulls and tugs on the binds of the ropes.  "Gosh these are tight ma'am."
[private to Xune Vvedryx: Please make a DEX check at +2.  You both must be successful, him in STR and you in DEX.]

While the child is pulling and tugging, conversation an be heard, and it's getting louder.  Someone approaches!

"Brutto eat.", the ogre-kin says, some ways off it sounds like.  Perhaps around the corner of that building.  It's shadowy edge can be seen through the small cracks in the wooded wall.

"NO, not yet Brutto.", the reedy man's voice says.  "I know it has been a long night, and you will be well rewarded for helping him escape; for your bravery.  Right now, my friend, you must help with the pyre.  He is ready.  No more interruptions. Fasten her in the manner I told you.  Your hunger is but a small sacrifice. Think of what she will be sacrificing."
This message was last updated by the GM at 13:35, Tue 13 Dec 2022.

[Private to GM: Secret Roll: Xune Vvedryx rolled 10 using 1d20+2.  Dex check.]

Xune nods solemnly, knowing full well she couldn't be sure of keeping that particular promise. But if the children held hope, they would be of use. For now, it was up to the gods to determine their fate. As Wil pulls and tugs, Xune cranes her hands and tents her fingers, feeling something budge as she works with the child against the ropes. "Cachu! They draw closer, we will have little time to act.." Xune looks across the Myrsha, chuckling under her breath. "I suppose it is folly to think you have a blade hidden, or knowledge of spellcraft?

Myshra watches intently as the boy helps the elven woman.  "Iomedae, bless these children.  Give them strength and courage.  Aid them in their time of need.", she mutters.  She gives the elven woman an anguished look.  "I am Myshra, a priestess of Iomedae, goddess of valor and justice.  There is only one spell in which my holy symbol is not required. They took everything from me.  It will buy us only moments, and then after the duration of the spell the one affected will know it has been thus affected."

She turns quickly and looks at the door.  Voices!

"Ssshhhh.  Keep quiet.", she utters, listening.  A horrible realization overcomes her and fear grips her inside.  It takes her breath away.  Again she looks at the boy.  "You can do it son.  You can.  Give it all you have. You --"

Her plaintive plea is muted by the sound of approaching booted feet sloshing through the mud.  Myshra closes her eyes and recalls to her mind the practiced syllables for bringing about the commandment.  She begins whispering those words, opening her eyes and eying the doorway.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:46, Sun 11 Dec 2022.

The dark elf listens to the human's words and takes an acknowledging glance in her direction, before returning to her work. "Call me Xune, in as much as it matters." Xune continues to work her fingers as deftly as she can, urging the young boy on as she does her part. "Yes, like that, boy. Hurry now. Byddwch chwim eich llaw." The dark elf's ears prick up as the sound of the ogrekin...Brutto, as it would seem--an apt name for the brute--drew near with the wiry-haired man. Surely, both she and the cleric would find themselves set upon a pyre if they didn't manage a way out soon. Xune's attention was also drawn toward the door as Myshra began her chant as the sloshing of muddy boots beyond grew closer.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:11, Sun 11 Dec 2022.

Even with the help of the lad, the bindings holding Xune captive were not moving. The booted footfalls stop outside the door. Chains rattle and the bar lifted away. As soon as the door opens and Brutto enters, Myshra makes a movement, drawing the brute's attention. He looks over at her.

"Flee!", Myshra utters quietly. The ogre-kin's eyes go wide. He turns and begins running back the way he come.

"Come help me sis.", the little boy says. Minara timidly moves to his brother's side. At his direction she begins helping to untie those knots.

[Private to xune Vvedryx: Make another DEX check, now at -2.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:35, Tue 13 Dec 2022.

Xune's eyes go wide as Brutto enters the coup, her brow furrowing in rage as she grit her teeth. Bastard. Not now. The dark elf continues her struggle, working her hands and wrists to free herself from the bindings with the boy's aid. What she wouldn't give to have her knives back within her palms. As Myshra utters her word of command, Xune crooks an eyebrow and turns her attention briefly to the human woman. "Impressive. Hopefully, that's bought us enough time." Xune grunts with each passing attempt at unbinding her from the ropes, eyes darting on occasion to the doorway, struggling between freeing her hands and feet.

[Private to Xune Vvedryx: It actually makes it a 2 ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:58, Tue 13 Dec 2022.

The bonds slip just a bit. Xune is elated and begins working the bonds with renewed vigor.  They slip again and within moments Xune is able to free her wrists from the knots.  With the freedom to use her hands,  the knots around her ankles are easily loosened.

"We got them free!", the little boy exclaims. "Now can we go. He might come back to eat us!"

The ogre-kin has either stopped running, or it is too far to hear him.  Oddly, a cacophony of voices erupt from within the building nearby.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:39, Wed 14 Dec 2022.

"Praise Iomedae.", Myshra exclaims at seeing the elf freed from her bindings.  "Take the children and get to safety.  Think not of me.  Leave quickly, you have no time!"  Her eyes keep glancing toward the doorway, expecting the return of the ogre-kin within moments.

"Duwiau!" Xune rubs her sore wrists thoughtfully for just a moment before she undoes the bindings to her legs. As she does, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to assist the human woman. Why? She means nothing to me. But were our roles reversed, would she not do the same? Then again, she is a nun to the Lady of Valor...it is in her nature... Xune pauses for a moment, before looking back to the children. Elves are not often traitorous in their oaths, though as a dark elf, Xune has hardly been known to behave as the typical elf. She faces a conundrum and thinks logically for a spell. There are greater odds in my survival were this woman to stay behind. There are equal odds of my death in these children following me without her, should they alert the ogre to my position. Xune looks to the two human babes and scoffs beneath her breath, her violet eyes narrowing to snakelike slits. "Think me not a hero, this is for buying time," she states, tugging at undoing the ropes binding Myshra's legs. "If you can run, run. Dyled a ad-dalwyd." [Private to GM: Should I roll anything to attempt this action before progressing onward? Xune would only attempt it once, but would give it the 'college try' as way of thanks, I'd wager]

[private to Xune Vvedryx: You have no trouble untying Myshra's bound legs.]

Looking back to the human children, Xune urges them onward. "Stay close or die, I will not tarry. Tâl!! she orders in hushed tones, making her way through the doorway.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:15, Wed 14 Dec 2022.

It is morning beyond the doorway. There is a well used, muddy track winding between a wood post fenced pen and the corner of a large wooden building. That is the path the ogre-kin took. The voices can no longer be heard within the building. There are no doors and no windows on this side of the wood building.

Behind the coup and to the left are row after row of beans. The edge of woods can be seen in the far distance.

Beyond the pen and corner of building can be seen a road and the edge of a cornfield.

To the right, beyond the pen are more rows of beans and a farmstead in the far distance. Inside the pen are some vultures, cawing and clawing at something dead.

As soon as she is able, Myshra stands, still bound at the wrists and follows Xune.

"Children, stay close.", she says breathlessly. She looks in all directions. "Which way should we go?"
This message was last updated by the GM at 02:42, Wed 14 Dec 2022.

Xune darts off from the shed into the light of day, her eyes stinging at the sudden change of light. Cachu...how long were we kept captive? she wonders, before her vision adjusts to the light of morning. The dark elf sprints aimlessly for a moment, before craning her head in every direction, observing their path as Myshra pleads. She eyes the field of beans and woods, then the cornfield. Unarmed and outnumbered, they should strike from cover, especially with the burden of two children at their heels. "To the cornfield, we use the cover to make our flight!" she barks, darting beyond the wooden pen, where the carrion-birds peck and claw at their prey. Should they need to, they might be able to retreat to the farmstead in the distance. Hopefully there would be tools there Xune could use to arm herself.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:56, Wed 14 Dec 2022.

Xune leads Myshra and the two children along the muddy track between the pen and the building and into the road. Immediately to her left a skirmish is beginning.  20 yds away is a man and woman weilding a bow. Furter along, figures are advancing to a group of riders.  To the right the road continues to a distant farmstead.

Xune enters the cornfield after her quick glance left and right. At that moment  a booming "Aaaughhh!", reverberates from somewhere ahead of her in the cornfield followed by a raucus of noise as dried corn stalks are torn through.

Wil begins trembling. "He's coming to eat us!", he says in a wavering little voice.

Xune observes the skirmish beginning to their left for a moment, slightly perplexed. What a strange and unusual evening. She should really try to drink less, she thinks, before deciding on asking for a stronger mead next time. The ash-skinned elf leads the quartet, at least she hopes, toward the cover of tall corn, before the sudden roar and tearing of corn. Wil's trembling voice confirms the elf's suspicions of both the children still following at her heels, and the possibility that they were not quite rid of Brutto. Clicking her tongue, Xune reaches for the boy, shoving him to the right, guiding him out of the direction she heard the bellowing and tearing of corn. "Tâl, this way, and be swift! He may not be able to see you, but he may he able to smell you!" the dark elf orders, signaling her group further into the fields, hoping to swing around and catch the ogrekin from the rear.

Crossing the lane, Myshra glances to the activity on the left only briefly before she was moving headlong into dried corn stalks.  She did note open double doors on the large barn-like building, but what good was that right now?  Still bound, she nods at Xune and ushers the children along, moving them at a diagonal across the rows in the direction of the distant farmstead but away from the ogre-kin.  Her breathing becomes labored and she begins wheezing, but she continues on.

Xune flicks her ears as she moves, attempting to remain stealthy as she leads the group through the cornfield, listening for any sound of rustling not made by their egress, to potentially determine where their ogrish 'friend' was roaming.

Moments pass and Xune is confident the ogre-kin is not following them when she stops to listen. Myshra pleads for help with her bound hands.  The faint sounds of a skirmish can be heard.

Hearing silence but for the battle beyond the cornfield, Xune breathes a sigh of relief as she crouches, turning to see Myshra's still-bound hands. Gesturing to the human, Xune pulls at the bindings and unties the knot carefully, before keeping the length of rope as she deduces that in a pinch, it may be used as a garrote. "There. I will hold onto this, for the future. It seems Brutto has fled the other way...the battle concerns me; those kidnappers took my gear, and I need it back. You should take the children to safety now."

"Thank you.", the cleric utters as the ropes are pulled from her wrists. Myshra looks at the childeren, then back at Xune. "Be careful Xune!  Are you sure you won't come with us?  Even two of you are no match for that beast - whatever it is."

"We'll move northward along the rows until we get to that farmstead I saw in the distance.", she says, looking down through the row of corn.  "I will get help there and return, unless you meet us there first.  God's speed Xune."

Myshra then shuffles forward, ushering the children forward with her. Briefly, she looked back at Xune before disappearing beyond view within the corn leaves.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:08, Thu 15 Dec 2022.

OOC - This thread is now closed.  Continue posting in the main thread, "The Fugitive"