Den of Thieves

Down river the large stone bridge is well manned. Most of the riders have gathered there. Six men stand atop the bridge boasting of their archery skill.

A younger Goblin points out Carr’s swiftly approaching branch, as a good moving target.

The other males glance at each other with nods of approval, before dashing off the bridge to retrieve their bows and arrows.

Leading the riders is a short dark Elf. He walks alongside the guild henchman Crete; both curiously watch the men grabbing up their bows.

The dark Elf inquires. “What is it?”

An Orc replies pointing upriver, “we’re proving who’s the best with a bow.”

Shaking a head disapprovingly at the childish game while there’s a man to hunt the dark Elf does allow them to continue. He and Crete move to the bridge’s edge to watch the waste of arrows.

The males set up along the top of the bridge wall, as the branch gets closer.

One by one the males let their arrows fly. Five hit the branch. A Halfling’s attempt hits water, nowhere near the target.

Feeling the arrows hit the branch Carr thinks he’s been spotted. Looking forward can only make out the males on the bridge. Seeing them drawing their bows Carr holds tight wincing and waiting for the next volley.

Making it more challenging one of the males points out a bare patch in the bark to hit. They nod and release their arrows.

Two hit the bare patch a third makes the patch larger. One arrow hits several spans away from the mark. Two arrows skip off the branch, one of those harmlessly connects with Carr’s leg armor, causing his eyes to widen.

The dark Elf notes, “that’s hardly a worthy target. It’s getting closer.”

The men look at each other shrugging and raising a few brows. Pointing to the other side they cross over to wait until the branch passes under them.

Uncertain of what’s really going on Carr waits for the next volley. Peeking from under the branch sees the empty bridge.

Passing under the stone bridge Carr scans from side to side, thinking they may be about to pull the large branch to shore. Breath nearly gone he tries to remain calm.

Crete, the dark Elf and a few of the other riders study the branch as it passes. None make out Carr dangling from the limb’s underside.

Clipping the bridge’s center support the large branch gently turns, entering the open and deepening water. Near panicked Carr thinks they are trying to bring him to the bank.

Slowly spinning realizes he’s still moving downriver. Looking up at the bridge sees the men with drawn bows at the ready.

The branch straightens out continuing down river, the males point out the same bare patch and aim.

The worst of the shooters, the Halfling prematurely releases his arrow. It narrowly misses the branch entering the water and skipping off Carr’s side. The men on the bridge laugh at the attempt.

Uninjured by the hit and in need of air Carr closes eyes praying to get out of range quicker.

Carefully each male lets his arrow sail. Every arrow strikes the bare patch.

Glaring at the waste of arrows and time the dark Elf glides up the bridge to the poor skilled Halfling. The others ready for another try.

Taking the bow from the Halfling the dark Elf examines it motioning for an arrow, “not much of a challenge here.” He places a coin pouch on the bridge’s wall edge, “a simple bet, whatever you can afford to. If any man can land an arrow father than me, I will pay them ten times that.”

Four of the men slap coins on the wall edge and nod accepting the wager. Curious, Crete takes a spot on the bridge to watch.

Five males draw their arrows back keeping a trained eye on the log.

Thinking he’s in the clear Carr exhales and takes in a needed breath.

The first man knowing his limit fires allowing his arrow to at least hit the branch. The thud on the branch startles Carr telling him it’s not safe yet.

Seconds later another lets his arrow go just barely catching the end of the drifting branch. The remaining two wait for the dark Elf.

In no hurry the dark Elf slowly increases the height of his shot following the target.

One of the males releases his arrow. The arrow strikes the crotch of the branch.

Straining to keep his bow drawn the remaining Human glances at the dark Elf hoping he’ll fire first. All stay quiet waiting to see who’ll shoot first.

A fair distance from the bridge Carr wants to get out of the river soon.

Knowing he can’t hold the string much longer the Human raises his angle and releases. They all watch the arrow sail high and straight. It comes down striking the bare spot in the branch.

Startled again Carr feels the log get hit. Looking back can’t even see the bridge anymore.

Content with his shot the Human grins turning to the dark Elf. Curious to see if the Elf can even hit the now distant branch.

After taking in a breath the dark Elf exhales letting his arrow go.

Everyone watches the arrow sail high into the air. Only the dark Elf can see it in the distance. Landing with a barely audible thud the arrow strikes the bare patch just in front of the Human’s last arrow.

Hearing the arrow land Crete remarks, “great shot.”

Grinning the dark Elf hands back the bow to its’ owner, “child’s play.”

Astonished the Halfling examines his bow and back out to the branch.

With mixed feelings they congratulate the dark Elf’s skill. He quietly picks up the coins from the wall adding them to his own pouch.

Certain the men are only practicing Carr waits another minute underwater.

Beginning a slow turn in the river he cautiously brings his face to the water’s surface. Looking back to the bridge can see several distant figures still atop.

Checking the branch notices the arrows and the bare spot used as a target. Thinking of where he was holding on to and the bare patch sighs a breath of relief. Thankful the limb was between the arrows and his chest.

Around the bend and out of sight Carr hangs onto the limb’s topside allowing his legs to dangle behind. Quietly flowing with the river downstream. The cold fall air sends many deep shivers across his body. Finding the water warmer he keeps most of the body submerged.

Becoming numb allover, he nears the ruins. Kicking his legs steers the branch towards the riverbank.

Close enough to touch bottom he releases the branch, letting the large limb continue on.

Wading to shore shivering he wants to get warm. Feeling safe doesn’t even consider covering his footprints on the sandy bank. Instead gathers wood to burn in the church.

Entering the clearing Carr looks about for any signs of life. Seeing only small creatures going about their own business.

Not wanting anyone to see the glow or flicker of a fire Carr sets up in one of the small southern rooms at the back of the church.

Not fully thinking Carr manages to get a small smoky fire going. The smoke escapes from the rooms’ holey roof. The wind outside begins to change direction blowing northwest, carrying the smoke with it.

Within an hour the dark Elf at the bridge catches the very faint smell of smoke. He points southeast asking Crete. “Do you smell that?”

The surrounding males, now twice as many as before, try to smell the air.

Crete sniffs in deeply, “just the river and the woods.”

The Elf takes another good whiff, “there’s a fire out there.” Turning to the thugs he’s in charge of, “I need two groups. One take the road south. The other, follow the river bank.”

Several men take to the road, while several others start down the riverbank. Crete keeps back a dozen thugs just in case the Elf is mistaken.

As they leave the Elf instructs, “send word back if you find something.”

Beginning to warm up Carr leans back against the room’s inner wall. Worn out from the past few days, gets lost in watching the tiny flickering flames.

Passing time Carr ponders. Been here sometime now. I hope Jasmine hasn’t given up. Trying to count the days gone by he surmises No I’m just early. Being underground has messed me up.

Faint sounds of horses out at the riverbank, catches Carr’s ear. Needing to investigate he retrieves the magical spectacles, bow and arrows.

Outside the temple ruins the two groups of thugs sent out have met up at the river’s edge. Tying their horses to nearby trees.

The large rough Human, Goro is silently taking charge. Directing two groups to begin quietly searching the grounds. Two smaller males remain behind to watch the horses.

One group of five is sent into the clearing to case out the two derelict buildings. Keeping a look out Goro and four others hide in the shadows.

With nothing to be seen in the derelict structures the five make the way to the back of the church.

Once the thugs reach the back of the church, Goro moves to the front of the church. His four men quietly spread out.

Standing in the shadows of the church hall Carr peers out into the clearing. The spectacles reveal yellow figures approaching him.

Bow at the ready Carr is fascinated by the advantage he has. Making out Goro from the bar fight as he directs two males forward, a Halfling guard armed with a long thin bladed sword and the Dwarf bartender wielding a war hammer. Followed up by a young human guard with a spiked club, buddy of the guard killed by Marten’s trapped doorway.

Backing up into a dark corner at the front end of the hall, provides a view down the narrow hallway. To the right Carr can keep an eye on the main entranceway.

At the back of the church a pair of crossbow toting Halflings enter the old kitchen. A portly Human male directs two younger Humans with crossbows, down each outer side of the building to peer into the windows. Then the portly Human follows the Halflings in.

At the front of the church the Dwarf and Halfling vigilantly inspect the tower entrance way.

From the rear the Halflings are checking rooms. Carr quickly draws the bow back cutting down on noise made.

Knowing it’s him or them, Carr aims the arrow for the lead Halfling’s face. Exhaling he releases the arrow. The portly Human is the only one to hear the snap of the bowstring, looking forward he also sees the Halfling get hit.

A perfect strike, the arrow enters the side of the Halflings bulbous nose. The arrow breaks up as it hits skull bone, sending the tip tearing into the small man’s brain for a swift death.

Unaware the second Halfling stumbles over the falling comrade causing him to go down too.

Sure, and correct a second arrow is being drawn, the portly Human wants out of the narrow passage, hindered by the toppled Halflings.

Outside the others hear someone hitting the stone floor, hastening their progress in. The sword wielding Halfling enters the entranceway, quickly placing his back to the wall under the old staircase.

The Dwarf hops forward and rolls in, stopping across from the Halfling and just a few paces from Carr.

Unaware two are now in the entrance Carr draws back the second arrow targeting the round male trying to get over the fallen Halflings.

Just as Carr releases the arrow the portly Human falters falling forward.