The hunt for the Malardin imposters in the Laurent territory of the Oathlands has some results. While the scene around the outpost is stale by the time the Keatons return to the area, the hounds are able to track the scent for several miles in the direction of another hamlet. This one appears to have been unmolested by the enemy, however the sketches composed of the attacks yield some results. They remember at least one of the previous band and can confirm she was in the hamlet on multiple visits. There have been Knights of Solace deployed into the region as well, not an overwhelming number but just some to bolster the roads. They too encounter and confirm this information.

She'd been going to see a man that was staying in the local inn, but after news of the outlaw Malardin's defeat in the north, he hastily left without paying his tab. Further tracking by the Keaton hounds leads to several abandoned camp sites along the way and additional confirmation from villagers and merchants on the road who've seen this person. It all leads up to an abandoned shale mine in the hills where are heros currently find themselves. And go! (@check percepton + investigation or survival at 20)

Alis checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 5 higher.

Kael checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 7 lower.

Daemon checked perception + investigation at difficulty 20, rolling 1 lower.

Mal, a devious raccoon, Magnolia, a precocious pygmy goat, Daegmund, an Oakhaven Shepherd puppy, Rainbow, a completely spastic pygmy goat arrive, following Shae.

Kael clearly has something on his mind -- maybe it's his pregnant wife, or maybe it's the shiny new armor he has from his pregnant wife. Whatever the case, his focus is most certainly on the way that the plate glistens just so in whatever light it catches. SHINY! Oh yeah, and he is glancing toward Alis, unofficial fearless leader, every so often. Echo is being fairly well behaved as well, brought to heel despite numerous scents.

Shae checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 27 higher.

Fiachra checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 29 higher.

Alas, Alis is a tiny ball of anger by the time they make it to the shale mine. This is her family reputation here! And the degredation of knightly ideals! It also doesn't help that when they approach the area, her eyes dart around and focus on... "That is more then one set of footprints." She looks towards the others, to see if anyone noticed the same thing. Or, she's being overly paranoid.

Grey and red, lightly dented. It was becoming a habit of Daemon's to arrive to something and come away with an extra bit of damage as well. Perhaps this day would be a tad different. The man's armor looking like it'd seen the test of time already and was still standing after the fact. His eyes are upon Alis, the woman they all seemed content to follow as a hand rested upon the pommel of his blade. "Then I would hazard a guess that we're on the right path."

Once the arrived, Shae slid off her War Elk, Caras, from a bit of a distance from the cave. Wanting to take a better look at the area around them and the ground specifically. After taking a long look around the are, her keen eyes squinted as she did so. She moved a little closer squatting to look over the ground in the area. Leaning over seem as she peers at it for a while. Eventually she slowly stands, "Looks like around five to six people have come through this area recently. From the indentations of their footprints they are likely wearingly heavy armor or not slender, willowy folks, could be both. From what I can see there is only one way in and out of the mine, and it appears to be empty at the moment." She says as she turns to look back toward Alis and then a glance to Fiachra to see what he thinks.

While Fiachra has been keeping half an eye on his obviously angry wife, he's also a trained scout. So, he's doing that appropriate scouting thing, of course, his green eyes sweeping here and there as he mutters to Alis, "So, I'd like to not have a repeat of what I hear went on the last time." Of course he's talking about her making herself into bait; she'd pick that up just from the dryness in his voice. He nods to the observations made about the tracks. "Yeah, Shae's right, that's what I'm seeing, as well. Don't suppose any of you know if this mine has another entrance?" His fingers twitch. "Or we could toss a rock in there and see what scatters." His voice is grim.

The cave hangs out, looking cave-like an unobtrusive. Minus the potential for danger inside.

Of course Alis first idea is probably something that does exactly what Fiachra is advocating against. So she opens her mouth to start saying it, and then abruptly closes it. Dammit. "Alright." She'll pout later. "If we go in this entrance, we have an idea of what path they took..." she ventures. "If we find another entrance, I assume one of our intrepid scouts will be able to lead us back this way? It seems the safer route, at least." See? She's being GOOD. Likely because she hasn't seen a Malardin yet.

Kael casts a stray glance down toward Echo, looking at the adolescent dog and considering a moment. He reaches out and ruffles her wrinkles somewhat, peering at the potentially ominous cave up ahead. No actual commentary from him though; no, Kael is staying quite silent at the moment. After the entry inspection he is glancing back to the wild around them.

Like a good soldier Daemon falls in line behind the others. Not a word out of place for him, his gaze is set and his posture is straight as could be. At attention and awaiting orders. "If we did end up facing any in there it would be awfully close quarters. It may seem empty from the outside, but..." He nibbles on his bottom lip a moment. "I have a bad feeling."

Shae moves back to Caras, petting the Elk, as she glances around the wilderness around them. "We should find somewhere nearby to hide the horses and elks. Best to leave them out here, and not out in the open." Once she spots a suitable place she will gather up the mounts and lead them over to it. As long as the others don't mind her doing so. Upon returning she looks toward her cousin Kael, watching him a little, gaze slipping to Daemon. "Well, at least I know how to crow like a cock, so we're safe!" She says cheerfully, with a smile. "From Basilisks at least." Still smiling. Was that a joke?

Waiting directly outside the entrance to a cave that's potentially full (or not?!) of enemies has its risks too, mind you. While they discuss the better options of what to do next, time passes and an ominous feeling begins to cast its weight over the group. It's like eyes are watching them, from all around. But the exact location of the watching is hard to pinpoint. But it's enough to make the hair stand up on anyone's neck.

When Alis opens her mouth, Fiachra gives her a side-eye in return before she closes it again. The wonders of wordless communication. Though he sheakes his head, running a hand over his mouth and jaw slowly, a moment later. "We don't know if there's another entrance, and we stand a chance of wasting precious time or losing them entirely if we go looking for one. Best to take what we've been given." He shoots a grin over his shoulder at Daemon as he draws his bow. "You get used to those bad feelings after a while. I - for spirits' sake, Shae. I am still traumatized by that encounter." But he gives his best friend a smirk, regardless. "What do you say, Alis? Head in and take our chances?" He does let Shae take care of Cerno.

"Thank you, Shae." Alis is grateful that the other woman leads the mounts ot safety, though she does duck her head to hide a very amused smile too. Maybe for the side-eye she gets from her husband. Or maybe for Shae's joke. But, soon her own shoulder is twitching slightly and she shrugs and rolls her neck to get rid of some of that tension that suddenly appeareed. "Yes, let's do that. If you can throw your voice and make other animal sounds - please do not let Sophie ever hear me saying that - it might provide distraction too, as they try looking for the animals as well as us." I mean, it's an idea, right? Drawing out her weapon, she glances at the others and waits for them to signal their readiness before leading towards the cave entrance.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Alis before departing.

Kael inhales a slow, deep breath, squaring up his shoulder and glancing skyward momentarily -- could be a prayer, could be otherwise. Whatever the case, he is not delaying for any great length of time. Instead he draws forth his blade, tipping his head just so toward Alis to indicate that he is indeed ready.

What does the inside of an abandoned mine look like? Dark. Hopefully one of the intrepid adventurers brought a torch. There's also the faint squeaking of animals (likely mice or rats) down the tunnels. The ground is unsteady and aside from the obvious tracks of other people, the place hasn't seen real use in turns. Someone should talk to Cristoph about all this abandoned crap. Abandoned mines, abandoned outposts. Tsk, tsk. (@check dexterity + stealth at 15)

Alis checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Kael checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 16 higher.

Shae checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Fiachra checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

"I..." Daemon seems at a brief loss for words at the concoction of inside humor that Shae had just thrown together, almost enough to make the poor boy red in the face. "Well! I do enjoy reading about such creatures in my spare time. Have never seen one in person though. Sometimes I think I may not desire to either, if one must be like a cock to draw them away..." He twists his lips as those words just... come out. "Ah... Right you are, Fiachra. Right you are. My understanding of the world does however make bad feelings all the worse."

Daemon checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Alis checked willpower at difficulty 15, rolling 16 higher.

An arrow is drawn, and fitted to Fiachra's bow as he falls into place. He's close enough to Alis to watch her back while also giving her enough room to swing her flail. He takes another quick look over his shoulder ans he feels the small hairs on the back of his neck standing up, checking on the other members of the party. He hides a grin against his shoulder at Daemon's reaction to Shae's words. "I can guarantee you would not like to meet one in person. Not unless you had a nice, big bonfire to make it go to sleep." His eyes are glittering, but he seems to be fairly serious. At least, about basilisks.

Imminent battle obviously has Alis focusing with laserlike precision. Which is admirable since Arx doesn't have lasers. But it also means that instead of cracking a joke that would indoubtedly make poor Daemon's face even more red then it already is, her lips merely twitch before her face settles into a poker ready mien. One foot in front of the other, surprisingly soundless for someone used to tromping noisily around an announcing her presence.

Shae's nose scrunches in a rather adorable way, just before she smirks back at her bestie, Fia. And then a soft sigh, as she frowns a little. "Still wish there had been a way to talk to it." She murmurs quietly, pulling her bow off her back, and checking her quiver of arrows. Giving a nod to Alis' comment about throwing her voice and making animal sounds to confuse the Malardins. "Probably should check for traps as we move forward." Looking to Alis and Fia to see what their orders were. "You know, we were actually extremely lucky that tunnel was not trapped." Shae murmurs softly as an after thought. A glance toward Daemon, there is a faint grin there, "Unless you like being hard all the time," Shae adds onto Fiachra's comment about the Basilisk.

The group moves near silently through the tunnel for a good portion of it. However, it seems as if Shae kicks a rock or something on accident and the sound of it echoes loudly, even if it's not really /that/ loud. However, it's enough to startle someone or /something/ down one of the warrens. There's a stirring noise, followed by deafening silence and then, "Who's there? Jenkins? You're late!" After, there's the sound of flint being cracked together and eventually something catches light. The way down that tunnel is illuminated by whoever is down there.

"You do need to be very precise to talk to the First Children after all..." Daemon muses back to Fiachra. "And they may or may not have reasons to want to maim us horribly as well. More eccentric things we don't fully understand and all of that." It seems something has ticked with him the moment they started speaking of old beasts, the scholar in his soul welling up a bit. "I'm quite hard right now as well, Lady Shae! My armored was refitted just before I got here, I'd put money on a guess that I'm harder than whatever drapes those Malardin will be wear-" His words end abruptly as the unfamiliar voice echoes back up at the tunnel. In an instant his sword is in hand, ruby-red blade at the ready.

Silent Kael is evidently silent still. He most certainly is concentrating on moving without noise, and is probably doing the equivalent of doing tip-toeing through the cavern. However, when the sound of the rock sounds of being kick he is swiftly looking down and scanning the ground as if verifying (whew!) that he did not in fact just do that. He looks up, eyes honing in on Shae and, swiftly, he is maneuvering in to stand protectively near his cousin. Still at the ready, mind you.

Alis has so much willpower. SO MUCH of it. It's overflowing right now. "I've heard that when steel gets hard enough it has a natural curve. Must be why it's used for armor." she quips. .. or maybe not. Because also snorts a little and tries to hold back a cough for some reason. The sudden sound of a pebble and a voice bring her to a complete stop though, holding up her hand in case anyone were of a mind to keep walking. "Someone keep watch behind us for Jenkins." she whispers, before creeping forward further.

"Don't get me started on how people weren't looking for traps after I fucking told them there were defences." Fiachra mutters, and he is definitely checking for them as he goes. He pauses to murmur something to Alis, and listens to her response, his brows arching a little. Though he does seem to make note of Daemon's scholarly interests, and is about to say something to the other man - right when that pebble goes skittering and the voice calls out. Probably better that he didn't get to make a comment about the knight's hardness. For everyone. He raises his bow, though, prepared to shoot the minute he sees something worth making a target of.

Shae pauses as the rock goes skittering, accidentally! Darn limps, messing up one's gait. Freezing for a moment she listens to the sounds that follow. Nose wrinkling up, as lips press together. Likely silently cursing herself. Eyes turning and lifting to look up at Kael as he moves to her side. Head turning away to glance back behind them at Alis comment of watching their backs. Looking to Kael then and nods her head toward the back, as if trying to silently ask him if he wanted to guard the rear with her. Fine, there is probably a joke in that too.

Answering with an inclination of his head by way of consent, Kael is moving to drop back with Shae. He glances across the others of the group, just taking note of their positions, and then is indeed taking up the rear. Echo's obediently slowing her gait at his side though she peers at him rather curiously as though he's gone a bit daft. The bloodhound wants to lead, of course.

"Leeroy? Why are you always late? You're always doing this." The as of yet unknown person states. The light flickers and it's obvious that they're going to begin heading towards them. As if on cue, at the entrance to the cave is the distinct sound of people coming in, more than one. The group is sort of in an elbow spot, able to hide their presence at least for the moment. "THOM! WE'RE BAAACK! Some morons tried to get in our way but we pummled them something good. I let one go, he was blubbering how he was going to tell everyone how the Valardin knights treat traveling merchants." (If you're moving into position for some sort of sneaky attack: @check dexterity + sneak at 15, if you're trying to an idea of how many guys are with Jenkins, @check perception + survival or investigation at 15)

Alis checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Sir Rhys, a Valardin Knight have been dismissed.

Kael checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Alis checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Shae checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 47 higher.

Daemon checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Fiachra checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 35 higher.

Alis checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

The precise measurements of Daemon's hardness aside, he's flipped from his blathering immediately into a more martial stance. Despite the armor he actually makes a good attempt at shying away from the group and sticking toward the darker corners of the cave. Time was of the essence as soon enough, light would no doubt be pouring in from all directions. With sword in hand he meanders his way deeper toward the entrance, poised to strike at one of their arriving fellows at a moment's notice.

There's angryAlis again, the growing expression of fury just looking totally out of place on the young cast of her face. She nods once at Fiachra before he does his thing. And then the others, gesturing to the others where she intends to lay in wait for the returning fakers. A white knuckled grip is given the hilt of her flail and she slides back against the mine wall, waiting.

Fiachra starts to move again as more voices are heard from behind them. Since he's already looking for the target to their front, the archer slips towards the source of the light and the sound of the first voice that had called out. His steps are silent, not even the creak of the leather of his armour to give him away as he goes.

With those sneaking forth to take their place, Kael is dropping back and gathering with the other group. He takes his place by Princess Alis, though there comes forth another one of those looks cast toward his cousin so that he can make certain of her presence at all times. Good thing she didn't sneak off on him, right?

Shae slips back behind the melee people, not wishing to be caught between them and the Fakers. Dirty, dirty fakers. Which she does motion then with a hand back towards the mine entrance, holding up three fingers to try and silently share with those that may not be aware, that there is a total of three heading their way. Sneaking and Shae just don't mix well, and she gives a glance to her cousin to assure him she was staying put. Even drawing an arrow from her quiver and notching it, so that she was ready.

Daemon checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 21 higher.

Fiachra has rolled a critical success!
Fiachra checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 25, rolling 57 higher.

Thom is oblivious to the group sandwiched between him and his allies. Especially since his allies are shouting to him down the way. He comes ambling out of his little section of the mine, with a torch held high over his head to light the way. He's essentially blind to Fiachra's approach and stumbles backwards when arrows emerge in the front of his chest. He gurgles something that sounds like 'what?' before dropping to the ground. The sound of his body hitting the floor and the arrows zinging through the air alerts the group entering that Something Is Up. However the first guy that rounds the corner meets the business end of Daemon's cold hard steel. He gravely wounds the man who finds himself pinned up against the wall. The other two left will rush to their comrades defense.

Kael has rolled a critical success!
Kael checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 47 higher.

Daemon checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 36 higher.

Fiachra checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 25, rolling 22 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + medium wpn(3) at difficulty 40, rolling 5 lower.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + medium wpn(3) at difficulty 30, rolling 8 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + medium wpn(3) at difficulty 30, rolling 11 higher.

Shae checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 25, rolling 19 higher.

Alis checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 14 higher.

With a tactical sense that usually leaves her the second a Malardin is in sight, Alis tries to coordinate her attack with Daemon's to further catch the entering group off guard. And deliberately, of course, she puts herself between the Malardin and whichever Keaton is the closest. It's a protective instinct she just can't shake; she is a dragon, they are part of her hoarde. Sorry. Just like she seems to perk up when the thwack of an arrow is heard in the distance.

There may be just a small, grim little smile on Fiachra's face as Thom suddenly sprouts arrows and thuds to the ground. He may not be a knight, but he -is- a Valardin, and it's his name these rats are sullying as much as his wife's. He's moving back around, not bothering with stealth now that the element of surprise has been lost, drawing and knocking another arrow as he takes aim around his comrades for the next target that presents itself to him.

There wasn't a sound from Daemon beyond the clang of metal and the ripping of flesh as he plunged his blade deep into the poor soul. Perhaps it was Jenkins, a soul he only knew by name. But he wasn't here to be friends and as such, he whirled back around on the attack. Yanking his blade from his fallen foe and swinging it in an arc, straight for the next unfortunate man in line.

Shae was perfectly fine not getting too close, bows versus melee weapons were just bad news. But she does use that brief moment following Daemon slicing into one of the Malardins as a chance to pull the string of her bow back, and letting it loose. Having had to take a little step to the side to find a good angle to fire her arrow from. As hitting your friends would really suck. Choosing to shoot one of the charging men.

Though Kael is rather sparkly, this particular Keaton evidently is not going to be content to be a mere shiny peace. Nay, there is a benefit to his height for it comes with a long reach and, given Alis' own height, he has the benefit of being able to go high with his own strikes. In the previous encounter he decapitated someone; this time he's just aiming high. Why break what works, though?

Cristoph has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

"What in Malardin's name is going on in here?!" Comes the strong, strident voice of a woman that charges into all of the chaos, wielding a heavy mace. She doesn't look friendly and her target seems to be Kael except that /Alis/ is in the way while they press back one of the enemies who seems more spy than some of his comrades. Daemon's opponent does make an attempt to fight back but is soundly beaten and thuds to the ground like a sack of potatoes, poor Jenkins never stood a chance. Another man looks baffled as /multiple/ arrows from two different directions land into him and cause him to begin bleeding out all over the floor. He's in bad shape, but the wounds aren't as immediately fatal as Thom's and he begins to charge down the two archers and gets within whacking range of Fiachra, who he slashes at.

Cristoph has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Kael takes minor damage.

Fiachra takes moderate damage.

Alis has rolled a critical success!
Alis checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 71 higher.

Kael checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 30 higher.

Daemon checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 25 higher.

Shae checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 25, rolling 15 higher.

Fiachra checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 25, rolling 18 higher.

"I'm really fucking tired of you Malardin! There's no such thing as 'In Malardin's name' you bunch of blaspheming, traitorous, worthless pieces of..." Wait, Daemon is here... ".. garbage!" Alis spits, obviously not even trying to contain her instinctive response to Malar worshippers. "And you just -hurt my husband!-" Technically it was someone else, but they're all part of the same group, so she doesn't differentiate. And one quick survey of the damage being done to the rest of the enemy seems to assure her that she can make the satisfying decision to launch herself at the incoming woman and pound her mercilessly with her flail. Not to kill; they need a Malardin to interrogate, don't they? But definitely to incapacitate.

There's a hiss of pain from Fiachra as the Malardin's sword parts the leather covering his ribs as he twists to prevent his bow arm from being hacked at. Not that he's paying any attention really to the blood that bubbles up, dark against the black and grey of the leather. His response, of course, is to immediately draw another arrow and nock it, preferring to deliver a shot at the point-blank range to backing away. Of course, he and Alis -are- alike in that whole 'taking risks' thing. "Hurry up and die, already, you -" And he trails off into a rather uncomplementary description in Oathlands shav. Surely Daemon doesn't understand that, right?

Sure she heard the evil Malardin lady, but Shae's immediate concern was the guy charging at her and Fia. Eyes narrowing on him, even as she was well aware of what all was going on around her. The smaller Keaton, is quickly notching another arrow to her bow, as it is lifted up and aimed swiftly at the man charging them. Apparently she was not much for talking now, all serious business. The string of her bow pulled back and the arrow was released.

Kael, wordless still. When Alis deftly maneuvers to her next target, Kael is actually remaining on their -- now his -- current foe. While he takes his strike, and there is a slight 'oof' to go along with it, it does nothing other than cause him to strike forth with renewed vigor. At least for the now. It is going to smart later.

It's a lucky thing that Daemon is too immersed in the task at hand to truly appreciate the apparent verbal maiming that was spilling from his companion's lips. Very lucky indeed, for his lecture would be swift and merciless. Nonetheless he moves alongside the rest, his blade biting into the next foe that he dispatches just as well. So far so good, nothing has unfortunately swung his way for sometime yet, perhaps a new personal record for the man.

Alis and the axe wielding woman cross weapons, axe against flail and the sound is /loud/. During that brief moment, the enemy leans in and harshly mutters something to the Valardin princess before drawing back and then falling victim to a particularly vicious blow. It has her down but not completely out and she rushes to make another attack, aiming low. On the other side of the tunnel, Shae and Fiachra turn the man who dares approach them into a human pincushion. He falls to his knees and then collapses over, /probably/ from blood loss. He's not dead yet but he's also probably not going to live long enough to be administered help. Though he's been left alone by Alis, he doesn't stay that way for long and soon Daemon is beside him. They swiftly dispatch that foe with a fantastic example of teamwork, though there's some clapbacks from the enemy in the meanwhile.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + medium wpn(4) at difficulty 35, rolling 10 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + medium wpn(3) at difficulty 30, rolling 0 higher.

Alis takes minor damage.

Daemon has rolled a critical success!
Daemon checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 105 higher.

Seeing as the melee had the woman well taken care of, and Fia was seeing to their friend that was not going to last much longer. Shae hobbled her way towards Thom and their area that they had been using as their little home away from home. How lovely. Shae started to search Thom and then their bunking area for anything that stood out or could be possible information or clues.

Kael finishes off that singular foe that Alis and he started work on together, turning as though to lend aid to the pair of melee that are working upon the woman. They, however, have it very well in order. So Kael is left to scan the area in brief, making certain that the area is clear of foes. He nods once, a huff, and there is a great deal of gratitude found within his gaze once he looks across those gathered. No grave injuries to the friendlies, after all.

As the next foe falls, Daemon turns his attention to the one attacking their dear leader. He moves surprisingly fast for a man all bogged down by heavy suit of armor, hardened to the core. In a flash of crimson steel and ferocity, he strikes forth with a single clean strike. The clang of steel reverberates up and down the cave's walls as he does, the knight holding his marital stance for several seconds after he'd struck true.

After squinting in the direction of the remaining enemy and deciding that the melee fighters have things more than well enough in hand, Fiachra slings his bow back onto his back and crouches down near the one that he and Shae tried to turn into a bad imitation of a porcupine. He draws the hunting knife on his belt and finishes the kill with less care than he would were it an animal he was hunting for food. "Better than you deserve." he mutters, before checking to see if he had anything on him that might be of interest to the group.

"You couldn't finish us at Sanctum, you couldn't finish us at the Vowkeeper Hills. You're a bunch of worthless failures." Alis hisses back, uncaring that the others hear them. "And when we comes, we'll give Malar what he deserves. An ignonimous death at the hands of the Valardin. The ultimate humiliation for him." And just because, she hauls back and just punches the woman right in the face. "That's for the insult." It's apparently the perfect setup for Daemon's flawless final strike. There's a definite crack that splits the sudden silence, before the last foe hits the cave floor. "Well struck, Sir Daemon. Could one of you check her for signs of life. And secure her for transport if she is alive? I don't trust myself to do it." she admits harshly, looking up and around to take stock of everyone else and their injuries.

All of the enemies are dead, dying or dubiously unconscious (dead?!) on the floor. A search of the tunnel and the fallen Malardin will lead to where they were squatting. Most of what's there is worthless garbage. However there's correspondence between this group and the group that was terrorizing the village up north about their various escapades. It confirms what everyone thought and knew was happening. Malardin wearing armor and impersonating knights to besmirch the noble house's name. However it seems like these were the only two solid groups of them in the vicinity or at least on Laurent lands. So for now, it looks like things are neatly tied up. Minus that woman that they've perhaps manage to capture without killing.