Following up on a lead presented by the captive Janice Maury, you took to ship and found your way to an island out in the waters around Escuma. It's a nowhere place. A pile of rocks and a few tufts of seagrass poking up out of the sea. On your approach one of the watchmen started to call out that something had been spotted but by the time the first half of the word passed his lips he changed his mind. Despite the watchman's declaration that it was just a shadow the Captain's expression has turned stern and wary and yet it has not stopped him from approaching the island. You were delivered onto the shore, the boat returned to the ship, and now the ship has started to turn away so that the captain might watch for this shadow. From your vantage point on a shallow rocky beach the island looks as if it is practically made up of cliffs, guano and seagulls. Finding anything in this will be a challenge.

Jan laboriously stomps up from the beach to where the ground shifts a little less beneath her armored bulk. A hand lifts to shield the sun from her eyes as she surveys the landscape "Let's move inland, I don't love where we are and if there's nothing to find I'd rather make that determination with a better vantage point."

The old man slips from boat to shore and is immediately stepping in bird shit only to mutter to himself and anyone within ear shot, "Waddles would love this place. Just shit anywhere... Just like the city." The satchel covered in bones is hard to keep quiet these days however some cloth has been wound around it and upon that a few pieces which would normally be fished out of the satchel are tied to the cloth. One particular piece is the Victus Plushie. Zakhar reaches up to rub at his chin and looks up to the sky as a seagull flies over head, loosing his attention there as Jan speaks. "That or we start cutting up some of these gutter sky rats and have a meal upon them. Not as much of a meal as what the boat hand announced to have been spotted. And I would like to believe they aren't in the habit of tossing us to the shore for sky rat."

Ian shows a certain amount of concern as he watches the ship they arrived on withdraw, but he eventually turns away from the sea to survey the island. He nods to Jan's suggestion. "We'll at the very least want to move above the high tide line."

Titania steps off the boat and wtinkles her nose, her hair is still very much as it has been in brains with ribbons and sea shells in them, her blue eyes look around nodding her head to her cousins, her hand on the hilt of her sword as she moves to follow them, "Is it a good idea they are moving out like that?" she asks the small group.

It soon becomes obvious that any attempt to get inland will involve either climbing a skree and Guano coated cliff or skirting the coastline to find a better way up. Luckily it isn't a large island and skirting around the entire thing should not take more than an hour.

Ian checks perception and survival at normal. Ian is successful.

Titania checks perception and survival at normal. Titania fails.

Jan checks perception and survival at normal. Jan marginally fails.

Zakhar checks perception and survival at normal. Zakhar fails.

Ian shakes his head to Titania. "I've known the captain long enough to trust him to know his business. He knows these waters a lot better than I do."

Jan stops and stares at Zakhar "The rate at which you suggest acting like we're shipwrecked is sincerely alarming." she frowns and admits "I don't love this island but if you had something to defend this'd be an ideal spot sooo, let's have a look? This is a SHIT landing point and we're pinned. Do not wander away, stick together." She rests her hand on pommel and starts walking up along the beach "Well. Best get to walking, got to be a slope somewhere."

Zakhar is far from caring what anyone else has to say about his direction at the moment other than to be left staring just as irate back at the sky rats. "Look. People accept what they see at first glance. We act the fool and they might show up and take us to the stash. Then we can slice them up and cook them for what they are worth..." He pauses a moment as he looks back to Jan, "You know what I meant in that. I ain't so back waters to eat people..."

Titania nods her head at Ian, thought her gaze goes back out to the ship. Then back to looking around, "If these seagull don't stop...I swear Mangata." he lets a huff of air out as she moves to follow Ian and the group.

Ian touches Jan's arm when she starts to wander off. "Hold up." He's looking down, rather than up. "I was thinking those cliffs might mean we were dealing with caves. I think we are. Aethan, Porter and I used to use formations like this one to run down pirates when they'd try to hide from us in caves." He's using his cane to indicate a formation in the ground, a hole that probably admits water during high tide.

Jan stops and stares at Ian "Fuck. The only thing that'd make me hate our current location MORE would be caves. Fine. At least they probably wash out by the tide so how back can it be? Lead the way, cousin."

Not many get to see the old man show any sign of fear, though in the comment of caves and he's taking a step backwards.

Now that you know to look for a cave it doesn't take too long to find an opening. The only problem is that the tide is in and the entrance is flooded. You can either swim inside now or wait several hours for the tide to go out.

Titania watches Zakhar take a step back, her blue eyes looking to his. Her stare almost feels like its looking through you when she does, "Master Zakhar, are you alright?" she then looks to Jan and Ian, when she hears they are going to be going into a cave she ooos softly.

Ian looks over towards the cliffs, thoughtfully. "If they're storing supplies in there, at least parts of the caves must be above the waterline at high tide." He leads the way with the confidence of someone who's had plenty of experience tracking down smuggler caves. He regards the entrance thoughtfully.

"Yup." Zakhar nods slowly as he eyes the direction in which Ian has pointed. He'll follow closer, though when it is spotted that the cave is currently flooded he starts to look around the entrance. "I can start a small camp here. There's enough driftwood to have a fire and a small shelter made. Or we can take for a walk around the area? maybe another route in? Can't imagine that a cave like that would be left with only one way in or out."

Jan eyes the tunnel and frowns "For fucks sake." She looks to Ian "This is a bad idea. If we all try someone's going to die." She begins to unbuckle her armor "I'll swim in and follow it and see if there's another entrance. Maybe I can drop a rope from above."

Ian raises his eyebrows to Jan. "Drop a rope from where? To where?" Then, to Zakhar, he adds: "If you're going to start a fire, choose a place where it can't be seen from the water. Once the tide goes out, there's a good chance someone's going to come looking to get into this place, and I'd rather know about them before they know about us."

Titania looks to Ian then to Jan she looks concerned hearing Jan would go alone, she takes a deep breath, "If they have people in there, you be alone Jan." she looks to Zakhar then to Ian. "I don't know that splitting up is best."

Perhaps its the long journey upon ship that has Zakhar just grumpy... Looking to Ian, "No. I'm going to make a BIG fire. one that can be seen for miles. Then when anyone shows up gonna put on a puppet show for them, wave my arms around and see if they shoot me or settle in for some roast sky rat." He looks hurt now and sets to kicking at some of the rocks, only to look to Jan. "Swimming right now prob'y not the best direction. Less any of you are good at the medicines?" A nod to Titania within her words, "What that one said. Having a scout go ahead when we don't have to worry about someone drowning is a good idea. But right now there's too much risk to it."

Jan notes "The craves are often caused by rainwater following cracks out to sea. There may be a way higher up" She points to the top of the cliff face "Fine, then I'll have a look and come right back but we have the sea on one side and cliff on other, if trouble finds us we've few options and I don't love it." She looks to Titania "They'd be on the other side. No one's going to leap in the drink after me, cousin. It'll be fine. I'm open to suggestions beside wait for trouble to find us." She drops her cuirass in the sand, "I'll be right back. But if I'm not don't wait on me." She peers into the sea water, inspecting the submerged cave mouth. She stops and peers at him "Except for the utter lack of cover that's actually a REALLY good idea." Her eyebrows lift as she looks towards Ian to gauge his reaction to Zakhar's proposition.

Time passes and it gets colder and wetter as the day progresses towards evening. The ship you came in on skulks nearby, keeping watch over the water, and nothing more dramatic than a fumbled cup of tea happens as you pass the time about Zakhar's fire. Eventually the tiny strip of beach turns into a wider expanse as the tide slips away from the shore and the entrance to the cave is revealed. Unfortunately the entrance is still not entirely dry and you will still have to swim to get inside. Fortunately though, the water is now low enough that you wont have to dive into an unexplored cave hoping to find airpockets before you drown.

Off at sea, your guardian ship starts to move with purpose towards the other side of the island.

Jan checks stamina and athletics at normal. Jan is successful.

Ian gives Zakhar an irritated look. "Even a small fire is easy to pinpoint where there are no other lights. Look, the number of times someone insisting that they should go scout things ahead has gone wrong, in my experience, more than it's gone right. Once it's shallow enough to swim without diving, we can try it if everyone wants to get in before the tide's all the way out. I don't trust any of you not to get yourselves killed if you go off alone."

Titania hates the cold, its suppose to be warm and now wet! she rolls her eyes. "Now is not the time mother." she whispers looking to the sky after having a drink to try and warm herself. "And now we get to get even more wet." she looks to Ian as Jan looks like she is about to go in.

Jan notes to Ian "It's not your job to keep me alive it's your job to see we achieve what we're here to do. I agree splitting up is a bad idea but we DO need a plan and the longer we're on the beach to more I'm likely to contemplate stupid shit to remedy that circumstance. Follow the beach, follow the cave, or make ourselves a target albeit in almost the worst positioning possible. If you think we can get the row boat in and out before the tide comes in we can do that."

Jan notes to Ian "It's not your job to keep me alive it's your job to see we achieve what we're here to do. I agree splitting up is a bad idea but we DO need a plan and the longer we're on the beach to more I'm likely to contemplate stupid shit to remedy that circumstance. Follow the beach, follow the cave, or make ourselves a target albeit in almost the worst positioning possible."

"Fine. Don't trust anyone. But do you want tea?" Zakhar settles in with some compromise to the fire, showing Ian how a fire can be made from dung and in using a few rocks to give a depth to the pit without trying to dig allows for that fire to not shine a spot light upon where they are. There's quite a bit of showing off as if the old man is pretty sure that Ian needs extra time to understand how the fire works. If Ian is getting annoyed with him, he's oblivious to it. The teacup makes its way out and is used to boil off some of the sea water with the frying pan before shifting the water from frying pan to a small helmet to be used as kettle for the tea. He seems really proud of how the tea has come along and when Jan starts in on Ian he's left with a grin upon his lips under the snow white beard.

"Part of what we're here to do is not have my blasted cousin stubborn herself to death," Ian retorts to Jan. "Titania, the tide's gone down a bit. Are you up for the swim? We'll try it if you think you can make it." The only issue he seems to have about the fire is that it not be visible from the water; as long as Zakhar manages that, he ignores the old man.

Titania looks to Ian nodding, "Yes, I am up for it." she breaths deeply looking to Zakhar, "Tea?" she smiles, "Perhaps a quick sip before going in." she looks to Jan and Ian as they start to snip at one another, "We are all here, we all watch each others backs ya?" she looks between the three of them.

Jan tilts her head and lifts an eyebrow at Ian but lets that arid look make the commentary "I got you." she promises to Titania with an encouraging grin "Of course." She shakes her head "Kind to offer but I can't enjoy in our current position. Maybe later."

Ian checks stamina and athletics at normal. Ian is successful.

Titania checks stamina and athletics at normal. Titania fails.

Jan checks stamina and athletics at normal. Jan is successful.

Zakhar checks stamina and athletics at normal. Zakhar is successful.

When the group finally get inside the cave they soon realise that there would have been few air pockets during the high tide. It might have been possible to swim in here without pausing to take breath but it would definitely have been hard. Even now, with the tide low, there are a few moments when the sea surges in and threatens to throw you into rocks or drag you under. Eventually though the water gives way to a sandy beach upon which a rowboat has been tied. Nobody is in this chamber but it looks as if there is a passage leading further inside..

It would be Titanis's luck that everyone gets into the water just fine, but the moment she gets in to start to swim she is caught by an incoming surge and pulled under, her hands flail about the water then vanish under, she is under..Where can she be, the surge was hard that took her under.

Zakhar groans at the water as if that will help. Pulling items into the sack that sits on his side and tucking cloak into it then wrapping the whole thing up with a leather wrap to be tied tight around the sack before tossing it into the water and watching it float some. Dropping into the water he grasps the sack and uses it as a buoy as he kicks at the water and seeks to make use of the tide itself to throw him further into the cave. Landing at the beach inside upon ride of wave he bumps into the boat there and is left to spit out some of the water as he pulls himself to his feet and works further into the beach within cave.

Jan swims along, making Titania swim in front of her so she can keep a watchful eye on her more lady-like cousin. That was the plan anyway. The unpredictable swells of the waves and the stubborn drag of currant out forces her to keep more attention on not getting bashed on the rocks and it takes almost a full minute before Jan notices Titania is no longer in her line of sight. Her head whips around, wet hair slapping the sides of her face "Titania!" she sticks her face in the water and ignores the sting of salt to try to spy Titania and as soon as she's found Jan will do her best to assist pulling Titania's head above the surf.

Ian did hang back with Titania, having expressed concern about her ability to make the swim, and when she starts to flounder he looks like he's about to dive down and pull her out. But then there's Jan out of nowhere, so he finishes the swim instead.

Zakhar checks perception and investigation at normal. Zakhar marginally fails.

Jan checks perception and investigation at normal. Botch! Jan fails completely.

Ian checks perception and investigation at normal. Ian is successful.

Titania is dragged up coughing and gaging on sea water, she is weezing it almost sounds like when she was back at the Kay the day she returned, when she is dragged up onto the beach she lays there breathing heavily, she has cuts and scrapes from the sharp rocks she was pulled into, but she is also clinging to someing in her hand. Its some kind of shelled creature.

Titania checks perception and investigation at normal. Titania is successful.

Pasquale has rolled 2 4-sided dice: 3, 4

Pasquale has rolled 1 4-sided dice: 1

Titania looks up at the tunnel as she tries to control her coughing, her eyes looking to the others and whispers, "Flickering light, coming closer." she gasps and rolls to get up still holding the shelled creature to her chest.."We should find some place to hide." she is hurting but she knows they can't be spotted.

Jan pats Titania reassuringly "Yeah, this wasn't the best idea ever." she agrees to some imagined dialogue and then pushes herself upright. Her eyes are red and irritated looking and Jan is literally feeling the slimy walls with her bare hands to find her way along "It'd a dead end isn't it? Fucking dingleberries!"

The way that Ian chooses a place to stand out of sight from one specific tunnel, but within reach of its mouth, suggests that he also saw what was coming. And probably expects that he's going to have to fight whoever it is.

After a little bit Zakhar sees the approaching torchlight too and finally even Jan can see the approaching group. The torchbearer steps into the cavern, shouts a note of surprise and then dumps his torch to instead reach for a machete-like sword and as he prepares five others enter behind him. "Who the feck are you?" One of the others spits.

Zakhar runs a hand over his beard and pushes back the soaking wet snow white locks. The old man looks a drowned rat right now and in the darkness of cavern and now a torch and someone asking who they are he raises his hand while trying to undo the leather wrap to his satchel. Pulling at the first thing that he's able to get out of the pack. Now showing off his teacup. "Just a craftsman and his band of idiots that thought it was better to jump off a sinking ship than to find a raft." The teacup is held out towards the group coming down the tunnel, "See. Tis a pretty thing ya?"

Titania is quick to stick the shelled animal in her pouch and then pulls her bow out, bringing it up knocked with a Arrow ready to silence anyone she may need to if what Zakhar is doing fails.

Zakhar checks charm and manipulation at normal. Zakhar marginally fails.

Jan turns towards the sound of voices-away from the wall. Tears clearing seawater from her eyes she moves closer to Titania but NOT in front of her. One only makes the mistake of standing in front of archer once.

Ian's voice emerges from the place where he put himself out of sight before he himself does, low, with that heavy Isles accident prominent. "I think the better question, before we all start trying to kill each other, would be who you are." His features are hard, eyes sharp.

Ian checks command and intimidation at normal. Ian marginally fails.

Whilst Zakhar's words certainly cause confusion and even a grimace of regret from one of the men, these guys are not so easily dissuaded. "Bad Day for you then." says the one who previously had the torch. His feet already taking him towards Zakhar. The rest start spreading out in a way that suggests they are no stranger to combat. One for Ian, One for Titania, and two for Jan and Zakhar. The one that approaches Ian is the one who seemed unhappy about the entire situation. "Not thieves" He says with an accent just as pronounced as Ian's. "Surrender and I'll make sure you live."

Ian checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Critical Success! Ian is spectacularly successful.

Jan checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Jan is successful.

Jan checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Jan fails.

Ian checks dexterity and brawl at normal. Ian is successful.

Titania checks dexterity and archery at normal. Titania marginally fails.

Zakhar checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Zakhar fails.

Zakhar checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Zakhar fails.

Jan checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Jan is successful.

Titania checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Titania fails.

Zakhar is left to stare in return as he's told that they are about to have a bad day, the teacup is dropped as he seeks to pull a small blade from his belt only to have the belt water logged and doesn't allow him to pull the blade out. Falling to his knees to hold arms over his head seeking to get a drop on the attackers instead he's barely covering himself from a walloping.

Titania checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Titania is successful.

It wasn't Mr. Not-Thief's fault, really, what happens next, but if he was unhappy about the situation before, he's really not going to be thrilled about how things are about to go for him. Ian wasn't visibly carrying a weapon more threatening than a diving knife and a wooden stick, and he waited so passively for his opponent to close with him. No reasonable person would have been especially concerned about what kind of resistance they were going to meet. But when Ian DOES move... he cuts on the draw as his alaricite sword clears the 'sheathe' of his cane, a very neat strike that runs the length of his opponent's blade, twists, and sends it clattering to the ground with a crunching of what are probably broken fingers. Then he drops the other half of his cane, and grabs the other man, forcing him around so that he winds up with him in a hold, his sword pressed to his throat. "LET ME TRY THIS AGAIN," he snaps. It's impossible to be laid back while 1) holding someone hostage with a blade to their throat and 2) shouting over a battle in a place full of echoes, and so he does not, in fact, sound at all laid back anymore. "Drop. your. fucking. weapons. Or fuck around and find out what happens when I run out of patience."

Ian checks command and intimidation at hard. Ian is successful.

Ian has rolled 1 5-sided dice: 3

Jan draws her sword and sighs "Now that we've established we'd rather shed blood than establish why any of us are in this sloppy hole, best get to it." she focuses on the nearest to her but it becomes clear she might be in trouble-but she seems intent on trying to hold her ground rather than retreat back to the pool-even if that means risking shedding some of that blood she mentioned earlier. She watches her opponents "You'd do good to listen to him. You don't know how incredibly kind he's being just now. No one benefits from making him angry." she warns in a confident drawl with a steely undertone.

The men move as if they have trained together, covering each others weakpoints, and generally acting like soldiers instead of thugs. The two fighting Jan manage to foil every effort of hers to go on the offensive but do not manage to get through her guard whilst the pair fighting Zakhar pull a practiced feint that sees one move left and the other lunge into a gap left by Zakhar's response. Blade dripping Zakhar's blood now as the man who previously held the torch, and now a bloodied blade, pulls back out of range fast. His eyes flick around the scene and again he barks a word before he thinks it through. "Argan!" It's either that word or Ian's that cause the others to turn and stare at Ian. A moment later the three men still in combat attempt to withdraw from the fight. Only the one who spoke still is still moving towards a fight and he seems to have Ian's harm in mind.

Ian has the person who may or may not be Argan between him and and the person who's advancing on him as both hostage and a human shield. "I didn't set out to kill anyone today, but I'm not opposed to doing so. How about you tell me who you are, and maybe everyone walks away from this with most of their blood still where it's supposed to be."

Titania holds the aim on the man who is backing up from her, her eyes sparkle blue in the light of the cave a intense look is on her face its almost a daring look as she watches him like a hawk.

Zakhar checks dexterity and archery at normal. Zakhar is successful.

Jan checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Jan fails.

Zakhar checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Zakhar fails.

Jan checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Jan marginally fails.

Zakhar checks 'unconsciousness save' at easy. Zakhar is successful.

Zakhar remains capable of fighting.

Jan checks dexterity and medium wpn at normal. Critical Success! Jan is spectacularly successful.

Jan checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Jan is successful.

Titania checks dexterity and archery at normal. Titania fails.

Zakhar grits his teeth through the stabbing that he's been giving then leans down to pick up the teacup, throwing it at the one that stabbed him. "I offered you tea and you stab me instead? You better hope the Leviathan ain't hungry you twitwaffle." As the cup sails through the air Zakhar is working to get up off the ground and make to dive into the man only to be sliced at again.

Zakhar's attack sends a ripple through the three who were seriously considering quitting right up until that moment. Immediately their demeanor changes from cautious defensive retreat to outright assault. And just like that a fight that was turning to surrender turns back into something lethal and determined. The only one who isn't fighting is the torchbearer but even he starts approaching Ian as the fight begins again. Every step bringing him closer to a position from which he can, maybe, stop his friends throat from being cut. "Soldiers tasked to retrieve these supplies."

Titania checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Titania is successful.

Ian keeps his gaze locked on the man who's advancing on him, ignoring the sounds of fighting still ringing out around them both. (Well, all three of them if you count Maybe-Argan.) He's no longer trying to shout the man down, but his voice is firm and clipped, the voice of someone who's accustomed to being in command. "Call your people off, and I'll do the same. No promises about the old man, though. He's never listened to me. Do what you need to do if he won't back off."

Ian checks command and leadership at hard. Ian is marginally successful.

Jan checks command and leadership at hard. Jan fails.

Jan disarms the one she'd been fighting and her sword and kicks the sword away into the pool. Her swordpoint lifts towards the second "This doesn't end well for you. Listen to the smart man." She jerks her head towards Ian "We're not here for trouble."

Titania coughs some when the man looked like he was coming for her again she lets her arrow lose but misses. She is trying to pay attention to everything that is going on, her head hurts. Her hands are shaking slightly as she holds her bow up aiming at the man in front of her.

As the man Jan was fighting falls with a cry of pain, the man who may or may not be known as Argan says "Do it." Thats the one that Ian is holding hostage. "You've seen them fight." And with those words the man across from him, the torchbearer, grunts an unhappy "I offer my surrender."
The one still fighting Jan glances over towards Argan and then back to her. A silent question in his eyes. He makes no move to attack but he doesn't withdraw either.
The one fighting Titania continues to fight.
And the one fighting Zakhar? He is trying very hard to kill him. A silent snarl curling his lips as he moves in for another strike.

Zakhar checks dexterity and small wpn at normal. Zakhar marginally fails.

Zakhar checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Zakhar is successful.

Titania checks dexterity and archery at normal. Titania marginally fails.

Zakhar looks to be out of steam, he's showing his age in the fight as he seeks to slash and hit someone only to find himself on the ground bleeding and ready to roll over onto his back.

Titania is trying to fight is more like it, she shoots again but her hands are shaking. She is backing up slightly from the one trying to attack her, she isn't feeling the best at the moment.

Ian checks command and intimidation at normal. Ian marginally fails.

Jan checks command and leadership at normal. Jan is successful.

Titania checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Titania fails.

"This offer is going to fucking expire if further harm comes to my cousin," Ian snaps, raising his voice again. The goal is almost certainly to impress upon his opponents that he still is willing to see a peaceful conclusion to the situation but is very ready for the other thing to happen, but his patience has, by now, frayed enough that it would be easy for someone to come to the conclusion that in fact he's just about to move on to the other thing. Especially given that further harm is about to come to his cousin.

Titania fails to move out of the way of the man, there is a hiss that comes from her. Air sucked between her teeth as she tries to continue to shoot the one attacking her but its not working. She steps back away as she breaths deeply, she trying to get herself together.

Jan looks over her shoulder from the corner of her eye and sees Zakhar clearly in need of serious medical attention "EEE-NOUGH!" She barks sharply, her booming voice echoing off the walls of the cave "If we meant you harm you'd be DEAD! My cousin's got more murder in his pinky than the whole lot of you got combined and I'm not any worse! Swords DOWN!" She lowers hers in demonstration but waits until others have done the same before she sheathes hers "Nevermind the cantankerous old fart, we got him but if one of you is a medic we'd be obliged for your help and I'm even willing to share some EXCELLENT whiskey with you for your troubles." she stands tall and carries herself as if being heeded is a foregone conclusion. That thing when someone decides to command the space with no regard if it is theirs to command or not.

"Let me go" Argon says. "I won't fight." He too has an isles accent. Ian's words don't seem to sway any of the others though.
The man fighting Zakhar cuts him down and moves with the apparant intent to finish the old man off. He looks angry. Very very angry.
The man fighting Titania ducks away from the arrow and attacks in the space between shots. A snarl of determination predominant on his face.
Jan's foe takes a step back and adopts an entirely defensive posture, his eyes flicking between the two men near Ian and Jan herself. "You'll treat us as soldiers?"

Zakhar wields Bandage hiding Shadowed metal knuckkledusters.

Jan checks command and leadership at normal. Jan fails.

Titania checks charm and diplomacy at normal. Titania is successful.

Zakhar checks dexterity and legerdemain at normal. Zakhar is successful.

Zakhar checks strength and brawl at normal. Zakhar marginally fails.

Zakhar checks dexterity and dodge at easy. Zakhar is successful.

Ian checks command and leadership at normal. Ian is marginally successful.

Zakhar spits blood at the one that is ready to finish him. "Fucking do it. Stab me!" He pulls at his tunic to reveal the chainmail underneath. "Right here. Come on asshole." His hand slips to his side pulling a small bandage from pouch at his side and wrapping it to his hand. "Come on. Take me out, make this world stop spinning. Send me to the fucking bitch already. I'll just step back here with a headache anyway! DO IT!!!"

With his one criterium met, that Titania no longer be attacked, Ian makes a gesture of his own: he takes a step back and releases Argan. "Zakhar, for the love of the gods, PLEASE do not put me in the position of bringing you home in a blasted box."

Jan tilts her head "I'll treat you as a neutral party until we sort this shit out. If you're soldiers then I need to know who's in command here and under who's auspices, don't I? I'll parlay but not with anyone who's got a weapon in hand or standing with weapon in hand." She takes a few steps to place herself closer to Zakhar in case there's physical intervention. Her chin lifts and she barks "I SAID ENOUGH!" Sharply and with the air of authority "We are DONE playing grabass!" She lifts her chin "Either you are big boys who understand what a fucking parlay looks like or you're fish food. Whatever the words that leave your mouth I will interpret as your answer so I'd choose those words VERY carefully." her steely gaze glimmering in the low light. In supreme exasperation "Old man knock it off or you're going back riding the fucking bow! ALIVE!"

Zakhar just laughs as the man comes closer, then again towards Ian.

With the limits of his command on display, Ian gives Argan and the torchbearer a helpless, wry shrug.

Titania watches the man in front of her, "I don't want to fight you, back off no one has to be hurt." her voice is calm, she is pulling from her inner core now trying to use what she was touch to be and thats a diplomat.

The man approaching Zakhar moves in close enough to drive his blade down into the old man and stop him once and for all. Unfortunately (for him) Zakhar is not half as hurt as he's making out. His blade flashes and then Zakhar moves.. and at the end of it all the old man is still alive, and so is the soldier.
Jan's offer just makes the soldier across from her grimace. "I'm not surrendering if you're just going to send us to the noose." He shifts when Jan does, making it impossible for her to attack his comrade without him being able to intervene.
Titania's foe slows as she starts to talk. Theres enough doubt there to show that the first inklings of stopping this fight have worked their way into his mind. He doesn't attack Titania but he does demand "Put the bow down".
Thats about when Ian decides to release Argan and shrug that way. The man reaches up to touch the line on his throat, sighs, and then speaks up "Stand down." This is enough to bring the men fighting Jan and Titania even closer to surrender but the one fighting Zakhar is too angry to stop now.

Jan is going to place herself between Zakhar and his attacker or yoink Zakhar over her shoulder if she has to.

Zakhar checks stamina and brawl at normal. Zakhar is successful.

Zakhar checks stamina and dodge at normal. Zakhar fails.

Zakhar checks 'unconsciousness save' at normal. Zakhar is successful.

Zakhar remains capable of fighting.

Jan checks strength and brawl at hard. Critical Success! Jan is spectacularly successful.

Ian checks dexterity and brawl at hard. Ian is successful.

Jan checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Jan is successful.

Ian uses the tip of his sword to flip the other half of his cane up into his hand and sheathes the blade back into the cane. He gives Argan and the torchbearer a quick, apologetic look before converging with Jan on Zakhar and his opponent. His takedown is... not gentle. As a brawler, he has none of the finesse that he's often displayed with a blade, and the throw that he executes is harder, and clumsier, than it needs to be. But it's enough to separate the two men, at least, and without any kind of weapon in his hand that might cast doubt on his intentions.

Zakhar rolls about on the ground pulling and biting at the man that continues to get angrier in each pull, tug, and kick. Spitting blood at his attacker, the old man sets in to grapple and punch with knuckleduster wrapped within bandage. Each hit followed with crunch of body and bone as he continues to laugh through each hit given in return. A knock to his head as he lines up to smash his forehead into the man's chest just as Jan is yanks him from the fight. Letting out a near cry of anguish as he thrown over her shoulder, he proves to be heavier than he looks. The thin tall old man has weight to him that is more than what he wears. "I fucking had him. We could both end up before her, laughing..." A small gasp of air as he spits more blood in direction of where he was. "...just send me back anyway. It's all a farce. Stupid threads out of the loom..."

Jan sighs and growls "I've had JUST about enough out of you!" she darts forward, leans down and with shocking ease for a woman-even a tall and broad woman like Jan-grabs Zakhar's arms and with a coordinated surge forward, pulling of his arms and straitening of her knees then torso yanks him over her shoulder ass-up and declares "He's done." Maybe her haste made it rough but that shoulder to his gut as she came up under Zakhar seemed rougher than it had to be.

Titania continus to hold as she is, her hands shaking as she holds the bow in her hands. There is no way in Mangata's name is she putting that down at the moment, she starts to say a soft prayer to Mangata as she stands there. She looks pale, as she speaks softly. "Just back away from me." she wheezes to the man who was attacking her.

When Ian moves away the torchbearer soldier moves over to Argan and asks a soft "Your Hurt?" Meanwhile Zakhar and his own foe continue to wrestle and scuffle. Both trying to kill each other with non of the grace of a training field. They both hurt each other before Ian and Jan converge and pull them apart. The man that Zakhar was fighting was hurt before Ian gets close enough to throw him and it takes him a long time to pick himself up. As he reaches his feet the torchbearer goes over, puts a hand on the mans shoulder, and shakes his head. The man that was near Jan, following his failed attempt to stop her, moves towards the scuffle but hesitates before deciding if he should attack or not. He's still close. He's still a potential threat. But overall he seems more likely to quit than to fight, especially when Ian merely throws his friend away instead of using that cane. And last, but not least, the soldier who was fighting Titania watches her, and the unfolding scene, with equal wariness. "Put the bow away." He repeats.

"It's alright, Titania." Ian's still keeping a close eye on the maybe-soldiers as hostilities start to ramp down (aside from Zakhar). "We're going to have a conversation, alright? You can lower your weapon. He won't hurt you further."

Zakhar squirms some from his new perch, most of the fight is draining from him as Jan removes him from the altercation. Slipping a hand to pouch and pulling out a puppet of Victus as plushie he waves the doll at the others with a poor, very poor impression. "Your highlord demands to put the old man down. Else I'll set my otter on you."

Jan turns her head "I can make this more unpleasant for you. Shhhh." she jiggles him a bit on her shoulder like he were a giant fussy baby.

Titania swallows hard nodding her head she puts the bow back on her back, when she does she goes to a knee and coughs as she did not have much time to recover from her near drowing and hit to the head. "Its cold in here." she whispers.

The guard that had so recently been fighting Jan looks at Zakhar, or more likely the plushie, and then starts to snicker. He starts moving over towards where Argan, the torchbearer, and the beaten foe of Zakhar's are and, whilst he moves, he pushes his sword back into its scabbard.

The soldier fighting Titania visibly relaxes once that bow is removed from Titania's shaken hands. He nods his thanks to her and then sheaths his own weapon.
Meanwhile the torchbearer goes over to the man Jan downed and starts checking on his injuries.

Ian walks over to Titania, intent on keeping close enough to her that if the situation changes, he can put himself between her and danger. "We've been trying to track down some things that were stolen from Escuma," he says to Argan. "We were pointed to this island, and came to see if there was anything we could take back there. People there are still trying to put their lives back together."

With the puppet Zakhar has it look to Jan, "Then make it more unpleasant. I'm no good swaddled. No good alive. I either fight or I slip into the shadows where none will bother to look..."

"They are in the connecting cave." Argan tells Ian. "We were supposed to take them back with us. I did not know they were stolen." he moves his arm up to his body in a way that suggests the hand hurts. "I don't suppose we could forget this happened and go on our way?"

Jan pats Zakhar's bum "Yes, Yes, existential crisis, very sad. Shhh. The adults are talking."

Jan says, "As For the forgetting, I am fine with forgetting. " She indicates her head towards Ian "You have to ask the man who's last nerve you stomped all over.""

Ian nods once. "As long as we can get the things back to Escuma safely, I'm willing to part amicably," he agrees. He's still speaking slowly, carefully, his voice pitched soft. "Are your people going to be able to make it out of here safely? We have a ship just offshore. I know Jan gave your guy a pretty good hit."

Zakhar grumbles in response as /the adults/ are talking. "I know medicine."

Zakhar mutters, "I know more ... medicine and ... ... ... folk long before ... ... even ... ... ... your parents eyes... ... be withered to ..."

Titania swallows hard as she watches Ian move to stand next to her, she pushes herself up stumbling back a little when she does. She steadies herself a arm coming to wrap around her waist as she watches the them all talk.

Argan thinks on it for a moment before nodding. "A ship is meant to come for us" he looks to the water. "About now. It would be good if you were gone before they get here. The Captain won't listen to anything I say."

Jan sighs "No one trusts you and I'm not letting you in arms reach of anyone, grampa." She flicks a glance towards Titania, a touch worried.

Ian meets Argan's comment about not being listened to with a quick look at Zakhar, and a wry smile. "Hopefully your ship and mine haven't come to blows."

Argan's answer is simple. "Then you better go quickly."

Jan nods once and follows the way out, grabbing Titania's hand, "Let's go. Not a word, mates!" She looks over her shoulder and lays some weight into her gaze at those they leave behind before trotting on.

Ian nods towards the rowboat. "We'll have to take your boat. We swam in here, and I don't think my cousin or the old man would survive the swim back out. If time's as short as you say, I won't be able to send for the launch from my ship. If you want, you can send one of your people out with us so he can get it back to you."

Jan drops Zakhar in the boat unceremoniously and then begins to load up the boat, hauling as much as her brawny arms can carry.

"We will make do." Argan tells Ian. "I'll remember that you let us go."

Your ship is still waiting near the island when you emerge from the cave but its still far enough away that it takes several minutes worth of waving to get their attention. Once that attention has been gained the vessel comes on over and the crew help you, and the boats cargo, up onto the deck. "A traditionalist ship tried to get close." The Quartermaster tells you as he shifts boxes. "But we saw them off. Shall I tell the Captain to set for Escuma?"

Titania hand is grabbed and she gasps and winces as she is pulled along with her cousin, her eyes flash to Ian then to Zakhar. She climbs into the boat and starts to look over Zakhar's wounds.

The offer to send a man out to return the boat was accepted and the torchbearer (who was actually called Sand for reasons you never got into) came out with you to return it back to the cave.

Zakhar bats at Jan as he's dropped into the boat and swats at Titania as wounds are attempted to be looked at, muttering away. "They'll heal. I'll heal. Leave me alone!" He looks grumpier than before.

When everyone is about to row away, Ian calls back to Argan: "If you're ever in Escuma, look me up. I'll buy you a drink. If you ask for the cripple with the sword, most people will know who you're talking about."

He's visibly weary (or maybe that's just the adrenaline ebbing quickly away) by the time they're back at the ship, with Sand, Argan, and the others comfortably behind them. "Shit. I figured that's who they were. Yes, we'd better go, before they figure out who they just ran into."