Ambush the Beathans.

"Corinne, you get up in the trees, when I give the order, attack however as you see fit." you whisper to the Morlandian at your side, who nods silently. She makes to leave, scaling handholds on the nearest tree trunk that you can't even see, every bit as agile as her namesake.

“What about me, boss?” Roland asks eagerly.

“See if you can circle around, take them from behind, by surprise ideally.”

“I think we're gonna get on famously, cousin.” The Shark laughs, clapping you on the shoulder before skulking off. You give him a few moments to get into position, before standing and making towards the Beathan White Torches.

High above in the canopy, you can just about make out Corinne. The Morlandian noble is out on a limb, crouched, her bow drawn, just as she had when you and your mother had first encountered her.

As you limp towards them, the demon-hunters finally spot you. One calls out in alarm, another drops his bowl of stew. The one Roland had pegged as their leader is quickest to react, getting out ahead of the rest of her cohorts, levelling her short-sword at you.

“Hold there, villain!” She calls out, in a typical Beathan brogue. “Stop moving, put your hands up.”

You oblige, at least with your good hand, however, something tells you to move closer. Your heart is pounding in your chest as you do so.

“That's close enough.” the blonde warrior glowers. “You've got tae the count of three to take off your mask and tell me who you are, who you serve!”

“One.” she begins. The healers have moved to the back, protected from the apparent threat by the bulk of their warriors. Little do they know you're all but a distraction.

“Two.” Roland is in position behind the Beathans. The veritable hulk of a beastman is hard to miss, but unfortunately for the White Torches, their attention is elsewhere.

“Now!” you call out, pre-empting the warrior's final count. All hell breaks loose, as Roland roars and charges the White Torches from behind.

Corinne looses an arrow, it sailing down and piercing the Beathan leader's sword hand. She cries out, dropping her blade as she clutches the wound. Just as quick as she had first attacked, The Spider is ready with another arrow, sending it into the eye of the next nearest threat, a bulky bald-headed man. The Morlandian continues her ****, flipping down into the fray, drawing her blade mid-descent.

The Shark attacks with just as much ferocity, the devastating arc of his sword eviscerating the rearmost warrior scant seconds after he turns to address the other attacker. Roland moves onto the next nearest enemy, flowing into a second heft of his sword, bringing it down on the far smaller Beathan's wooden shield, splintering it in one strike.

Landing gracefully, Corinne lashes out at the nearest White Torch with a rapid flurry of thrusts, needling him thrice in the chest and stomach, before following it up with a killing stroke to the neck. The Spider's fighting style is elegant, fleet-footed and precise, in contrast to her cousin's brawling.

Corinne moves onto the man Roland currently has engaged, aiming a vicious kick at the back of his knee. The Beathan cries out, collapsing from the unexpected attack, even as he attempted to guard against The Shark.

Her attention on the only White Torch combatant still in the fight, Corinne doesn't notice the leader, grasping for her dropped sword, despite her disabling injury.

Thinking fast, you decide to get involved more directly. You rush forward, closing the gap between you and the blonde as swiftly as you're able, and fling yourself at her.

You just about manage to tackle her to the ground, interrupting her before she can lift her sword. From there, you had intended to keep her wrestled to the floor, until one of your cousins could assist you. Unfortunately, the White Torch leader, writhing, gnashing and struggling against you, makes that rather difficult.

She bucks you, descending on you just as quickly. Snarling, the warrior woman rains down a blow onto your mask with her good hand. She's strong, could give Kara a run for her money, in fact. Your head rings like a bell.

The Beathan punches you again, her gauntleted hand this time dislodging your mask.

Just as she's about to bring her fist down yet again, this time with your head entirely unprotected, Roland intercedes. Having just finished off the unfortunate shieldsman, he drops his sword, seizing the Beathan's leg and yanking her off you.

“Whoa there! Lotta fight in this one!” the beastfolk crows, hoisting her high, upside down, a bizarre inversion of a fisherman marvelling over his catch of the day.

The Beathan howls, her battle-fury no doubt augmented by the view of her dead comrades. Corinne for her part, has captured both healers, hogtieing them.

“I'll kill you all!” their leader shrieks. “Unholy fucking-”

“No, you won't.” Roland says simply, stunning the blonde warrior with a vicious knee to the side of her head.

“Not bad, E- I mean, Lion.” Roland remarks, helping you up. You turn your back on the still conscious healers and straighten up your mask, not wanting to take any unnecessary risks with regards to your identity. You nod your thanks to him.

“Three taken alive!” The Shark calls out with delight. “Gramps is gonna be so proud!”

“We should get them to the Throne.” Corinne begins, in a breathy tone. “Neutralise them quickly, yes?”

“You don't want to drag this fellow back to your web first, Spider?” Roland asks, depositing the **** leader next to her two surviving followers.