It was pitch black when Lovell saw the end of the swamp, the return of the leaning trees, and the glow of his party’s campfire. Lovell was fit, but even he was tired after walking all day through soft marshy ground.
He wearily walked up the hill towards the light. Hugh and Rhunal were standing by the fire. She was wearing a leather vest and some kind of leather segmented skirt. She seemed taller without the robe. Unlike Hugh, Lovell had never seen an orc female up close before. Rhunal was muscular, but much less bulky than he had expected.
Hugh spotted him trudging up the hill. “Welcome back Lovell!” He waved enthusiastically.
Lovell was too tired for pleasantries, “I found them, and other strange things out there as well.”
“What other strange things?” Hugh asked.
“I ran into a Will O’ Wisp in the marsh.”
Hugh whistled. “Was it friendly?”
“Not especially.”
“I mean did it attack you?”
“No, but it had a pretty bad attitude. By the way how could they attack? They aren’t corporeal.”
Hugh lifted a finger like he was about to explain, then he paused, “You know, I'm not sure. Hopefully we never have to find out. Anyway, what of the thieves gang?”
“I counted a total of four men. I spent half the day watching the campsite and only ever saw those four. They came and went from that crypt a few times, but I was never able to get inside of it. So I really can’t guarantee that is all of them.”
“Do we risk it?” Hugh asked.
“We will have an opportunity to ambush them tomorrow morning at dawn. The boss will be sparring with two of the men and the other will be outside the crypt guarding their supply tent.”
“All right. We won’t get a better opening than that.”
Brondulf marched up the hill with a massive bundle of logs, “I guess we won’t need this then.”
For once, he was not wearing his chainmail hauberk or gloves. Somehow he seemed even bigger out of armor. Lovell had figured that he, like most large fighters, was at least somewhat overweight. He was wearing a simple cotton shirt and his midsection showed nothing but muscle.
“Get as much sleep as you can. We will set out before daybreak.” Hugh announced. “Be ready for a fight tomorrow. We have a chance to ambush them, maybe before they can even fight back. But nothing is guaranteed. Lovell knows what he is doing. Rhunal and Brondulf, no matter what happens out there, you must follow my orders. Most of the time I run a pretty relaxed party, but going into a battle, I am in command.”
Rhunal nodded, “Alright.”
Hugh pointed at her, “Rhunal, I know you want Taino’s head, and you will get it, but we’ll do it my way.”
Rhunal nodded again. “I promised didn't I?”
The answer satisfied him. “And you Brondulf. Don't think of crushing them all on your own. A group must always work together in a fight like this. Individual power and skill matters less than you might think.”
“No problem. I will follow your lead,” he agreed.
Before the night was out, the party assembled for an early morning trip across the marsh. Rhunal lit the way with her flare spell, which made the journey much easier. Lovell was on a sharp lookout for the Will O’ Wisp, but they never did encounter it.
Perhaps the light Rhunal was casting drove it off, or it could just have been too close to morning. They reached the crypt just as the first bits of sunrise touched the horizon. The day was coming and the red light of sunrise promised battle.
The party assembled a bit below the peak of the hill. Hugh came back down from his vantage point, a couple boulders with a view of the crypt.
“All right I’ve got our plan of attack. Dawn is coming soon so you’ll have to pick it up quickly,” Hugh whispered.
“I’m ready,” Lovell said.
“You’ve got the furthest to go. I need you on the roof and over the door to the crypt. The sentry by tent won’t have a good angle to see you getting on the roof from the left. You are going to wait until this Taino shows up. Then put an arrow in his neck.”
Rhunal leaned towards Hugh, “I want to kill him.” she hissed.
He shook his head, “Do you want to take him on all by yourself? No? Well then, we’ll have to deal with him as a group as you promised."
He looked back to Lovell. “Do not take a shot at anyone else but Taino first. Once that first shot is loosed, then use your own judgment. All right go now, get on that roof.”
Lovell scrambled around the hillside to the left of the cliff.
“Rhunal. Take the high ground to the left of the cliff. Once Lovell takes his first shot at Taino, you will engage as well. Blast Taino again then attack whoever is closer. Once all immediate threats are dealt with, come right to me.”
“Bron. Get on the hill above the sentry by the tent. Wait until my crossbow bolt lands then rush in and crush him. Go now!”
Both Bron and Rhunal moved around the hill to their respective positions. The sky glowed redder than usual with the rising sun.
'It is an apt omen.' Hugh thought. He scanned his party. Everyone was in position and seemed to understand their role in the ambush.
Too many rookies on this mission. If they follow the plan we will come out all right. But rookies always means surprises. Still, at least Bron probably could almost solo everyone himself. Usually the rookie hothead wasn’t a tenth as good as they thought they were. Taino is a bit of a wild card though. Lovell seemed to think he was very capable. And Rhunal said he used to be some kind of champion.
He spent so much time mulling over everything that the loud creak of the ancient wooden crypt doors surprised him. The sun was half up over the horizon, it bathed everything in red light.
The first two through the doors were the pair who had sparred with Taino the day before, the redhead in the green vest and his bald friend.
“God I’m sore!” the redhead complained loudly, loudly enough for Hugh to hear.
“Lets get this stupid sparring practice over with,” the bald guy said.
“We just need to land one hit. How hard can it be?”
“If you follow my lead this time, it will go easier.” the bald man instructed.
Both walked towards Hugh's perch overlooking the gravel circle that served as their arena. The door opened once again and both turned. Taino’s more imposing figure stepped through the door.
“Who is ready for me!” he bellowed as he cleared the overhang.
On the roof above, Lovell stood with his bow at full draw.
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