TheKurdrunMission part 10

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We are discouraged and poor. An hour in the market buys Zali a shortsword and Afalar a dagger.

Sjer picks up a sling and stones and a spear.

We get down to the water outside of the city and hunker down to wait for the ferry. While there, waiting and watching, Afalar catches a glimpse of Ornivar, the man who questioned him. The man is just getting into a private boat. We quickly hire another boat and try to catch the rogue. Just as we near the other side, we realise the man will be grabbing a horse and that we are in no shape to attack him.

Sjer suggests we take the boat downstream to get ahead of the man. Afalar and Sjer sleep. When we awaken, Sjer heals up the group to some degree. Two days later we approach the city of KaliFareilm?. We believe we are at least one day ahead of Ornivar.

We are relatively rested and hungry. We decide to walk to the next village toward where Ornivar is coming from.

We order food and pass the afternoon. It is midafternoon of the 2nd of Fall.

We find ourselves a good spot for the ambush.

As we sleep, Volorn and Zali'haro hear horse hooves.

We awaken and prepare. Sjer tries out some new spells to prepare everyone.

Just as Volorn gets into position the man slaps both horses and gallops past the group and the chase is on.

The rogue known as Ornivar streaks past us, holding low to the saddle.

Neither Afalar's knife, nor Zali's sword manage to take down a horse as they race past.

Sjer's trip attempt is likewise met without success. As we turn and begin to give chase to the now fleeing horses, Volorn silently streaks past both us and the horses to get ahead of them. Sjer magically enhances his own speed before starting out. Then Sjer passes his two compatriaots, but still cannot catch up to Ornivar.

As the horses pull away from us, Volorn races forward to hamstring the one he believes the man is riding. The horse goes down for good as Volorn's teeth rip into its leg. The snap is barely heard above the thunder of hooves as the other horse continues on its way.

Afalar, Zali'haro, and Sjer come running up hard. Volorn tries to quickly smell the target, but it appears he was not on the horse that went down. Sjer receives that information and continues running past the downed horse. Afalar and Zali follow suit. Volorn then races past us all in pursuit, his paws churning the earth as he begins quickly closing the distance. Sjer's feet seem a blur as he keeps pace with the fleeing horse, always within view, but never coming closer. Afalar and Zali'haro pound their feet into the ground in an effort to stay close, but even the sounds of the horse, dog, and man ahead are fading.

Then Volorn makes his leap, expertly hamstringing the second horse and bringing the mare to earth in a sliding terror-filled sprawl. The shrill horse death scream floating back toward the pursuers. Sjer arrives within seconds to find Volorn's teeth embedded in the horse's throat.

Sjer, hoping this horse could still be salvaged, exhorted Volorn to return and find the missing man. Then, Sjer grabbed the unfortunate beast's reins and called the healing down.