A casualty

Janno laid down the body of Silos the monk and then closed his eyes. On the other side of deceased was Rosella the bard crying over the loss of her companion.

The fighter couldn't help but shake his head. Thieves, he thought. They were cowardly, constantly sneaking around attacking you behind your back. He should have known that. But, while he was disposing of the cronies, Miko had snuck around and backstabbed the monk, killing him. Then the elusive rogue quickly ran off as Janno finished off his men, at least the ones he and Silos were originally facing.

He couldn't charge after Miko because his other companions needed help. Rosella ran over to Silos' body when he fell. Caroline had gotten rid of two of the thieves, Gloria had gotton a third, but there were three left. One engaged in combat with the fighter Caroline and another went after the cleric Gloria. The last darted past and tried to get at Elektra, who was ill-equipped to fight him. So, hearing her cry of help, Janno knew he had go to her aid rather than go chase down Miko. After all, he had seen Silos fall already and didn't want to lose another member of his new band. The rogue had a headstart anyway and probably knew this area better.

So Janno came to Elektra's aid and slew the man with one stroke before charging after the final two standing. The one on Caroline gave the female fighter a slash to the legs, dropping her. Then, he realized that Janno was charging and realized his group was losing, so he fled. The other tried to flee, but Janno chased him down and finished him and sword thrust through his back....much like what Miko did to Silos.

He gazed over the battlefield. Gloria was tending to the leg slash on Caroline as best she could despite the constant, "I'm all right," retorts from the fighter.

Elektra was trying to comfort Rosella as she wept for her slain friend. Janno detected a slight look of fright on the sorceress' face. She was little too naive about this work and seeing a companion in her new party die so quickly had to be shocking to her.

"I'm sorry, Rosella," Janno said. "I should have supported him better. Don't worry. Miko will pay for what he has done."

Elektra looked had him nervously, but Rosella started to settle down and now was sniffling instead of sobbing. Janno got up and walked around the scene of battle. The thieves had some gold and silver coins on them, but their weapons and armor were hardly in decent condition. Janno also noticed footprints of the captive, it looked like boots, so it was probably a humanoid. The captive apparently had fled into the woods, but Janno could tell that he had some wounds given the sight of blood seeped in with the dirt where he/she was.

Caroline limped over with Gloria in tow. "What now? We've beaten off their attack, but we've lost one of our own." The fighter wasn't perturbed about this. In fact, she said it as it was a common occurance. A hard woman, she was. Gloria stared at her. Like her sister, she was probably stunned about a casualty so soon after forming the group.

"We need to find this thief and repay him for the hurt and damage he has wrought," Caroline said fiercely. Janno was getting the feeling that the female didn't like getting injured and perhaps took that as more of an insult than Silos' ****. "We need to track him down to his lair so we can avenge the monk and get the bard's harp back."

Janno agreed, nodding his head. But, as for tracking the thief down, how could they do that? Miko probably would conceal his tracks and rest up in his lair for awhile, making sure the danger was passed before venturing out.

"I believe I can help," came a voice off to the side of the path. It came from behind the bushes and trees.

Caroline instantly pulled out her sword. Gloria stepped back. Janno realized that Rosella and Elektra had both gone silent and were now staring at where the voice came from.

Taking the lead - and not wanting Caroline to charge in heedless - Janno said, "Who are you? Show yourself?"

A rustle came from the foliage and out onto path stepped...