Subject: Re: what mission and rennik see

Mission makes his way back to the others in the darkness. He knows he's getting close when he hears Cadfael's breathing. Man doesn't know how to breath with his mouth shut.

He hisses low-- in case Garyth is on watch, he doesn't want to get arrowed. "It's me, Mission. I'm back."

Quickly and quietly, Mission explains the layout of the tunnel ahead, and the conversation that they witnessed between the half-orc and Master Plate-mail. "The half-orc that passed us was in some type of argument with another soldier in plate-mail when we got close enough to see them. We coudln't hear anything they said, and the half-orc took three of his soldiers up a ladder. This is the way things stand now: three soldiers, possibly armed with crossbows, have planted themselves behind a barricade. Behind the barricade, there is a table, where sits Master Plate-mail, and one of the Half-orc's crew. They all just seemed rather bored-- like they're waiting for something.

"Us, maybe." Mission shrugs. "Maybe the half-orc. There is another tunnel 200 feet or so from where Rennick and I were spying. I'd like to test that, maybe see if there's an alternate way around the barricade."

Subject: Re: what mission and rennik see

Here's a rough map of what Mission and Rennick see:

[Fwd:]

The tunnel continues on past the torches, but it is difficult to see what might be beyond them. In the torchlight it is possible to see that there is a wooden ladder going up to the ceiling of the tunnel, and out through a hole there. Near the bottom of the ladder is a makeshift guard station. There is a table with several chairs set to one side, a weapons rack, and large boxes and barrels set on both sides of the tunnel, probably to provide cover for the guards to use in the event of an attack.

Near the ladder, and engaged in some sort of heated discussion, are nine men. Five of them are the group that passed you in the tunnel, and the large half orc seems to be doing most of the talking. He is talking to a human in plate mail, backed up by three men of his own. It is not possible to hear what they are discussing, but the half orc is acting in an aggressive manner, and the man in plate mail is not backing down. After some time, they seem to reach an accord, and the half orc, along with three of his four men go up the ladder. The fourth man sits down in one of the chairs and appears to be waiting. The man in plate mail sits across the table from him, and engages him in a quiet conversation. His other three men move over to the barrel and box barricade, and stare down the tunnel with bored expressions on their faces.

One of them picks up and tests the tension on a light crossbow, then puts it back down out of sight. It is probable that the other two men at the barricade are thus armed. The man in plate mail does not have a weapon on him, but his weapon could be one of the many hanging on the weapons rack nearby.

[bottom line is, five men by the ladder. One in plate, three with crossbows, and the fifth is a member of the half orc group and appears to be waiting for something. The tunnel is partially barricaded to provide cover for the crossbowmen. Map attached. Three green X's are the crossbow guys, the blue X is the platemail guy, the red X is the waiting guy. The black line is the weapons rack.]

Subject: Re: what mission and rennik see

"Yes, checking the other tunnel is wise," Sa'id whispers. "Do you want us to wait here?"

Subject: Re: what mission and rennik see

Mission nods-- "I'll tell Rennick what my intentions are, then come back and report to everyone."

He'll set off then, quietly as possible. Again, he's searching for traps and other deviousness while walking down the other tunnel. He'll only 1200 feet or so down the tunnel, unless he sees something interesting.