On the Road

[Grimalkenkid]

On the Road



Where there aren’t cities, there’s wilderness. All environments exist out here, although most of it is forest and plains.
While you may run into bandits or evil creatures here, this is also where you’ll find farms, tiny villages, and maybe even ancient ruins.

 

[Inu of Everlasting Dawn]

Ｂed of ❁ＢＬＡＣＫ ＲＯＳＥＳ❁,where I dream secrets the back of my eyelids keep. In my ☁Ｒed sky нypnosis☁, it's only my beginning and I have the feeling I'll go
Where ever it is I want to go! ❁❀❁

Current Location:Forest path
Current Date:Afternoon,Spring 1


Today had been a rather productive one as far as Nadia Pastor was concerned. It was only the afternoon and she and her crew were halfway to their destination of Sairaag. And to top things off they were just finishing their latest job-cleaning out a carriage of all of its valuables. "Don't forget to check for hidden panels under the seats,boys! You know they like to hide their goods there!" Nadia said while sitting on top of the carriage while examining a chest full of jewels as a little black piglet slept by her side. Nadia was a bandit, and more to that, she was the leader of a band of bandits. They would ride around the land,shaking down carriages like this and small towns for valuables while performing other acts of banditry and theft. And on most days,they were rather good at it.

"Miss Pastor,these wheel rims are plated with gold!"
"Greedy a** nobles."
"Pry 'em off and we'll melt them into gold coins!" Nadia declared. She tossed the chest to a large man with racoon features before hopping off of the carriage with her little pig in her arms. With a swing in her hips and her pig Bo running around her feet,she walked over to the owners of the carriage-who were stripped down to their undergarments,gagged and bound to a nearby tree. She looked them over for a moment,eyes looking them up and down before letting out a sigh. Damn. Neither of them are good looking enough to make this fun... "Well gentlemen,thank you for your donation to our organization! Don't worry,someone will find you...eventually. Enjoy!" Ignoring their attempts to protest through the gags,the bandit queen returned to her horse and hopped up. "Come come Bo! Everyone,let's ride! We make the city of Sairaag our's next!"

Nadia had her eye on that city for months now. It was still weak and underdeveloped enough after the legendary battle that took place there. It was just the place to start a little exortion business on the side. It was something everyone in the band could get behind. Once the carriage was turned over,the horses unhooked and all the valuables secured,Nadia the Bandit Queen rode off with her band for the city of Sairaag with their latest plunder. This city is going to be a plum for us. Oh I can't wait! I hope they have good looking men.

ஒ❁❀⊱⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯ஆ☠ஆ⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⊰❀❁ஒ

 

[Grimalkenkid]

⋊☲ Whether one is right or wrong… ☲⋉
⋊☵ … is determined by one’s power ☵⋉


Current Location: On the road, southeast of Atlas City
Current Date: Afternoon, Spring 2

☽»⋯⋯⋰⋱⋰❇⋱⋰⋱⋯⋯※⋯⋯⋰⋱⋰❇⋱⋰⋱⋯⋯«☾

Just one more day... just one more day... Saul practically chanted those words in her head as she led the group down the road. No matter what Bastion did, something about it got on her nerves. Maybe it was the fact that he'd done nothing but flirt (unsuccessfully) with her since they met. But... there's just one more day until we get the index. Then back to the city... and I can ditch him a crowd. That's the plan. It was a struggle to keep these thoughts from rising to the surface and affecting her calm, naive facade.

Soon, they would need to leave the road and take a direct route to the ruins through a thin forest. There were several caves further into the forest, and if they kept their current pace, they could use one of those to set up camp in. It was far better than out in the open, where the wind would chill them more than she thought comfortable.

"So, how is everyone holding up?" Saul asked, looking back at her companions. It was an asinine question; they were mercenary types who could probably keep their current pace all day. Kela didn't even factor into her question. The fox had been bounding ahead of the group ever since they left the city. And it still looked like she had energy to spare.  

[Inu of Everlasting Dawn]

❧≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈❧
I am on my way,I can go the distance. I don't care how far, somehow I'll be strong! I know every mile will be worth my while.
❧≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈❧

❦≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈❦
I would go most anywhere to find where I belong.
❦≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈❦
Where I am: On the Road,southeast of Atlas City
When it is: Afternoon, Spring 2

So far,the trip to the ruins in search of the index had been going smoothly. The group had been walking for a better part of the morning with no incident,going through the forest outside of Atlas City with no sign of trouble a head. Conan had been looking forward to going back on the road once he had his energy back and now he was on an adventure again! Things are starting to look up! There was nothing that could put a damper on his spirits-and it looked to be the same for Kela and the others.

Taking a quick swig of water from his canteen,the swordsman kept walking after Saul. "I'm feeling good! May have to stop for a quick snack somewhere but I'm good for another couple of hours at least." Training in the academy helped his endurance out a lot and it showed in a lot that Conan did. He almost walked a head of Saul a few times and never realized it. "But if you need to rest,just let us know. I don't know if scholars get a lot of exercise in during the day...but you look like you're holding up pretty well!" One thing he had to remember: Always take care of the client and their needs while on the road. So if she needed to rest,they would rest.

I hope she can keep up though. I want to see these ruins as soon as possible!  

[Grimalkenkid]

╔╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦ One jump ahead of the hoofbeats

╠╬╬╬╬╬ One hop ahead of the hump ╬╬╬╬╬╣

╠╬╬╬╬╬ One trick ahead of disaster ╬╬╬╬╬╣

They’re quick, but I’m much faster ╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╝

Where I am: On the road, southeast of Atlas City
When it is: Afternoon, Spring 2

◀◊◁◊◂◊◃◊◄◊◅◊◀◊◁◊◂◊◃◊◄◊◅Wish·me·happy·landing//All·I’ve·gotta·do·is·jump▶◊▷◊▸◊▹◊►◊▻◊▶◊▷◊▸◊▹◊►◊▻

Once they were outside, Kela would not stop moving. It was wonderful outside, and the fox girl wasn't going to waste a single moment of it. Yay! I love this so much. "We're go~ing on an adven~ture. We are go~ing explor~ing," she sang out loud. If anyone was nearby, there was no way they could miss her belting out horrible songs with made-up lyrics. Not that she really cared; it never really occurred to her that being loud could mean getting caught by someone.

Kela was far ahead of the group when they began talking of the road and how everyone was doing. They would know how she was doing just by the pure fact that she was still moving. Nothing escaped her nose as the fox girl sniffed at everything, trying to identify all the plants and animals that had been there earlier. Of course, she didn't know many of the native things, but the smell of goblin was fairly familiar.

Wait... goblin?

Looking up suddenly, Kela found herself face-to-face with a goblin. It was a green-skinned thing that looked very similar to a troll but half the size. Actually, it was just a bit larger than Kela. But there were many of them. Lots of them, in fact, hiding in the bushes and trees, waiting for some hapless travelers to come by and swarm them. But the fox girl was no hapless traveler.

"MONSTER!!!" Kela yelled at the top of her lungs. Doing a 180-turn on her heel, she bolted back to the group, feeling the goblin's claws just barely rake over the fur of her tail.  

[AmazingTentacleFox Shippy]

┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉ Lay beside me, tell me what you've done
┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉ Speak the words I want to hear, make my demons run

The door is locked now, but it's open if you're true ┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉
If you can understand me ┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉

┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉ Then I can understand you ┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉

↬ through black of day
↬ dark of night
↬ never free

↱ So far, Bastion was enjoying himself on this mission. There was nothing like the feel of being outdoors on a nice day such as this. The breeze was nice, the trees kept everything shady and cool. Armor was hot no matter what the season was, but right now it was cool in the shade of the forest and trees. He could even say that he didn't mind Kela. Sure she was a little ball of energy and was bouncing around like a crazy person, but it was different when they were all outside. It was like it didn't matter. That it was something natural. The birds were chirping and love was in the air-- at least one sided love. Bastion was completely head over heels in love with Saul right now. The red haired man didn't know that this woman was only using them, and he would certainly be heartbroken when she betrayed them-- but for now, he was just in love. Like a puppy.

"I'm good. I was built for this kind of stuff and I'm used to being out walking and what not for long periods of time." he said with a smile. Although, if they stopped he wouldn't be complaining. It was nice out and it was the kind of day where he could just take a nap beneath a nice big tree. What would make it better would be if Saul would lay there and nap with him... then he could die happy and be in heaven.

Bastion would have been content to stay within his day dreams for the rest of the day, but that was not going to be the case. Kela had been running far a head of them having fun and sniffing things and just being a kid. Then she ran into some trouble and he could see her bolting back towards them at top speed. I wonder what... oh s**t! Bastian watched as the goblins came into view behind the fox girl. The red haired man wasted no time in unwrapping his spear and charging on into the fray, "Kela! Don't worry I'm gonna knock in some green heads!" Bastian pushed forwards with his powerful muscles and thrust in with his spear. He would then begin his fast paced dance with the spear. It was beautiful, in a way, his dance of death and battle. He thrust and spun and twirled the shaft of the spear around like it was an extension of himself; a part of him that he could move and kill with.

"I will not let a single one of you live!" ↵

Location: on the roadSANO Mood: hungover, but not too grumpySANO Conversing with: the group

SANOSUKESANOSUKESANOSUKE

 

[Grimalkenkid]

⋊☲ Whether one is right or wrong… ☲⋉
⋊☵ … is determined by one’s power ☵⋉


Current Location: On the road, southeast of Atlas City
Current Date: Afternoon, Spring 2

☽»⋯⋯⋰⋱⋰❇⋱⋰⋱⋯⋯※⋯⋯⋰⋱⋰❇⋱⋰⋱⋯⋯«☾

Well, everyone said they were holding up fine, so Saul was happy. If anyone needed a break, it would've been her since she was playing the scholar. In truth, she was just as capable as any fighter and able to walk just as far. Even further, actually, since she had no armor to slow her down. "That's good," she said to the men. "I was thinking that, perhaps, we would take a break for a quick lunch in a bit." A very quick lunch. At least when we're moving, I can pretend to be observing the flora and fauna.

No sooner had she said that than she heard Kela yelling as she ran back to the group. "G-goblins?" Pathetic, little thieves. They'll be no trouble. "Y-you can handle them, right?" Oh, how Saul wanted to gag on her own words. She wouldn't reveal her magical talent unless she absolutely had to. After all, scholars didn't fight often. As the green goblins closed in around the group, the sorceress slowly scooted between the two fighters along with Kela.

I chose them well, Saul thought as she observed the dance of spear and sword against the weak creatures. They might even be a match for trolls.  

[Inu of Everlasting Dawn]

❧≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈❧
I am on my way,I can go the distance. I don't care how far, somehow I'll be strong! I know every mile will be worth my while.
❧≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈❧

❦≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈❦
I would go most anywhere to find where I belong.
❦≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈❦
Where I am: On the Road,southeast of Atlas City
When it is: Afternoon, Spring 2

"Lunch sounds good to me! I'm getting hungry." There was always room for a quick lunch in Conan's book. Everything was going quite swimmingly today. Even Kela was finding plenty to do as she went a head of the group,singing her little song about going on an adventure. It made the swordsman smile. He was a little worried that this trip would bore the fox girl. She seemed like one to lose interest fast if she wasn't always doing something. It'll certainly make this trip easy for everyone! Even Bastion seemed to be in a good mood. He would have to remember to get to know him better later. Most likely later that night around the fire over a hot meal.

All thoughts of making dinner over a fire and camping out under the stars were quickly dashed from Conan's mind as soon as he heard Kela scream. "Kela!?" Monster? It was! And not just one but a whole horde of goblins! They surrounded their group and came after the fox girl. "Stay behind me!" Quick to drop his pack and draw his sword in one motion,Conan charged a head to join Bastion in the heat of battle. His sword did quick work with whatever goblin got close to him,slicing and tearing through flesh and armor. Conan didn't just fight with his blade alone. He used the hilt,his fists and his legs to fight. Use everything at your disposal,but always be honorable about it. His time in the academy-no matter how brief or incomplete-showed.

"Is everyone alright?!" They were still surrounded by goblins but their numbers were starting to dwindle. The little group had the edge.  

[Grimalkenkid]

╔╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦ One jump ahead of the hoofbeats

╠╬╬╬╬╬ One hop ahead of the hump ╬╬╬╬╬╣

╠╬╬╬╬╬ One trick ahead of disaster ╬╬╬╬╬╣

They’re quick, but I’m much faster ╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╝

Where I am: On the road, southeast of Atlas City
When it is: Afternoon, Spring 2

◀◊◁◊◂◊◃◊◄◊◅◊◀◊◁◊◂◊◃◊◄◊◅Wish·me·happy·landing//All·I’ve·gotta·do·is·jump▶◊▷◊▸◊▹◊►◊▻◊▶◊▷◊▸◊▹◊►◊▻

Kela felt herself hyperventilating, eyes wide as if to keep track of every single goblin. But not because she was afraid. Far from it. She was excited. They were fighting their first battle together, and no story she had been told could compare to the fight going on right then. The fox girl jumped up and down, yelling at the top of her lungs. "You can do it! Smash! Crush! Sword!"

Really, at that point, Kela was just saying whatever word came into her little mind right then. As Bastion and Conan took care of the goblins with ease, the fox girl even got a little cocky, dashing next to the monsters and taking swipes with her claws before jumping back to safety. "Fine!" she yipped at Conan. "We're winning. We're winning!" Kela really did sing a different tune when she had someone to hide behind, but who could blame her? The group she was with was perfect for fighting monsters.  

[AmazingTentacleFox Shippy]

┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉ Lay beside me, tell me what you've done
┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉ Speak the words I want to hear, make my demons run

The door is locked now, but it's open if you're true ┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉
If you can understand me ┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉

┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉ Then I can understand you ┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉

↬ through black of day
↬ dark of night
↬ never free

↱ Bastion wasn't sure why there were so many of these creatures out here, but he was determined not to let a single one of them live. Monsters running around like this... it was no wonder why Saul hired a few people to travel with her and to protect her on her mission. Poor Saul, if she had come out here alone and ran into these things... no, no; Bastion didn't want to think about what might have happened to his fair and beautiful lady. It was bad luck to think of something like that. He remembered his mother would always warn him against things like that, but he had never paid them much attention until now.

Could this mean... he was in love?

If only Bastion knew that Saul could more than handle these goblins on her own... it would probably break his heart. Bastion was so taken with Saul's helpless scholar image, it was safe to say that when she came out it would crush him.

For now, goblins.

Bastion twirled the spear around in his hands effortlessly, feeling the blunt force of the blade slice into flesh and bite into bone. They were surrounded, but the goblins posed no threat to Bastion and the group as they quickly tore into their numbers and knocked them down to size. In this type of situation, Kela didn't annoy him. Her cheering them on was actually contagious right now, "Damn straight we are, Shorty," he said affectionately to the fox girl before slamming his fist into a goblins face. "Even with these kinds of numbers, these small fry don't stand a chance against us," he said with a smirk towards Conan, who was holding his own against them as well. Not bad there, Kid, he thought for a moment before spearing another goblin. ↵

Location: on the roadSANO Mood: excited and energizedSANO Conversing with: the group

SANOSUKESANOSUKESANOSUKE

 

[Grimalkenkid]

⋊☲ Whether one is right or wrong… ☲⋉
⋊☵ … is determined by one’s power ☵⋉


Current Location: On the road, southeast of Atlas City
Current Date: Afternoon, Spring 2

☽»⋯⋯⋰⋱⋰❇⋱⋰⋱⋯⋯※⋯⋯⋰⋱⋰❇⋱⋰⋱⋯⋯«☾

Yes... yes, I chose them well... It was hard for Saul not to let her pleasure show on her face, to let that vicious smirk leak through her innocent facade. But inside, she was feeling practically giddy as the fighters cut through the goblins with ease, taking them down one by one. The sorceress kept edging between the two fighters, getting as far from actual combat as she could. She would wait until the last minute to reveal her powers, if she had to reveal them at all.

"I'm fine..." she said softly, with a little quiver in her voice. That's right... I'm the helpless scholar. "P-please hurry. I don't like these things." Saul cried, even as the goblins' numbers dwindled into single digits. But so focused on the fighting she was that the sorceress didn't notice one goblin sneaking up from behind until it shrieked with glee in its attack.

Saul whirled around, and, on instinct, drew her stiletto. Before the goblin could even blink, she had swiped out, catching the little monster in the ribs and slicing it in half. Oh s***. Saul pulled the blade back to her chest, clutching it as if she didn't know what it was. If they saw that... I certainly hope not. Now, why would I know how to do that? Of course... 'just in case.' I have this just in case, but I hate using it. It makes me shiver... With that thought, Saul slowly began to tremble, eyes widening, as she prepared to lie about her skills.  

[Inu of Everlasting Dawn]

❧≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈❧
I am on my way,I can go the distance. I don't care how far, somehow I'll be strong! I know every mile will be worth my while.
❧≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈❧

❦≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈❦
I would go most anywhere to find where I belong.
❦≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈❦
Where I am: On the Road,southeast of Atlas City
When it is: Afternoon, Spring 2

It would appear that the battle was going in favor of the little group of travelers. There were stories of massive goblin hordes overtaking groups of travelers on the road,but in reality they were fairly easy to take care of. Given how small their brains are, it was easy to do with a calm head and a steady hand on a weapon. That was what Conan was thinking of as he stood with his companions, fighting side by side with them against the shrinking number of goblins.

Kela's cheering was a great boost to the fighting spirit and Bastion was an able and helpful partner in combat. At this rate,we'll have them all cleared out in no time! So long as Miss Saul was safe in the end, that was all that mattered. "Don't worry,Miss Saul! We'll be done in a moment!" The swordsman couldn't help but see something...out of place though,just out of the corner of his eye. A little flicker around Saul,a little movement before a nearby goblin fell to the ground nearby, sliced in two. Was that...Miss Saul? That trembling and scared look about her said no...but he knew that he saw something.

Distracted by this for a moment,Conan was quickly knocked in the ribs by a goblin's fist and sent back a few feet. A new throbbing was in his ribs before it came at him again,this time with a large club raised above his head. Quick to react,Conan brought his sword up to catch the club,holding it above his head. A contest of strenght started then...one that he couldn't compete in forever. "Bastion! Kela! A little help!" It was embarrassing to ask but his shaking arms and trembling legs demanded that he get help soon or be smashed to pieces!  

[Grimalkenkid]

╔╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦╦ One jump ahead of the hoofbeats

╠╬╬╬╬╬ One hop ahead of the hump ╬╬╬╬╬╣

╠╬╬╬╬╬ One trick ahead of disaster ╬╬╬╬╬╣

They’re quick, but I’m much faster ╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╩╝

Where I am: On the road, southeast of Atlas City
When it is: Afternoon, Spring 2

◀◊◁◊◂◊◃◊◄◊◅◊◀◊◁◊◂◊◃◊◄◊◅Wish·me·happy·landing//All·I’ve·gotta·do·is·jump▶◊▷◊▸◊▹◊►◊▻◊▶◊▷◊▸◊▹◊►◊▻

Kela didn't care about anything out of place in the fight. It was a fight; nothing was in place to get out of place in the first place. But she did hear Conan's shout for help. On all fours, the fox girl bolted to the swordsman's side, shouting, "I'm here, Breezy! Hiya!"

With that, she jumped on the goblin's back. All of that practice climbing all over other people really paid off as she clung to the mini-monster's back. It stood up straight, trying to shake her off, but she wasn't letting go. Nooooooooo... not letting go. Only I can pick on Breezy! "You hear that? Only I can do that! Context? Who needs it? Kela didn't, especially when she was as in-the-moment as she was right then. Taking out her dagger, the fox girl stabbed the goblin in the back - she didn't care where. She was just giving Conan more time to get back on his feet.

Of course, she should've counted on the other goblins who came to knock her off their friend's back. They kept missing, though, as Kela dodged incoming attacks... attacks that hit the goblin she was holding onto.  

[AmazingTentacleFox Shippy]

┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉ Lay beside me, tell me what you've done
┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉ Speak the words I want to hear, make my demons run

The door is locked now, but it's open if you're true ┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉
If you can understand me ┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉

┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉ Then I can understand you ┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉┉

↬ through black of day
↬ dark of night
↬ never free

↱ When in the midst of combat, a good fighter paid attention to everything going on in the surrounding area. From doing this, Bastion had managed to stay alive until now. Brown eyes saw everything on the battlefield and turned his back to no one. If it seemed like a goblin was trying to sneak up behind him, he would quickly turn about and charge at them before they had the chance to think or change direction. No, he wouldn't be taken down from a fight like this. Bastion may be a play boy at times and hit the bottle a little too hard, but he was no joke when it came to the art of battle and guts. Bastion seemed his happiest right now, a smile plastered across his face and an eagerness in his body that hadn't been there. This was perhaps a sign to those around him (should they notice it) that he was running from something. That he was truly free when he was fighting like this. Even traveling as he was, he was still running from the fact that one day his family would find him and they would drag him back home.

He was trapped, but not when fighting like this. The only other time he felt truly free was when he was casting his white magic spells. The feeling of the magic rushing through him was unlike any other.

But his feelings faltered when a quick flash of light caught his eye, and his darling Saul was close to it. Bastion narrowed his honey brown eyes for a moment before sending his spear into the nearest goblin. What was that just now? That... that couldn't have been Saul... could it? This just doesn't make any sense to me... with that, Bastion decided he needed to have a quiet chat with Saul later on. There were a few things they needed to talk about... just the two of them.

Caught off for a moment, lost in his thoughts he heard the tail end of Conan's cry for help. Could he have been distracted as well? Well, in any case, Bastion needed to help him but it seemed Kela beat him to it. The small fox girl jumped onto the goblins back and began speaking something that wasn't making a whole lot of sense. In any case, Bastion trotted on over and helped to take care of the goblins who were trying to take advantage of Kela's back. "Hang in there, Shorty." ↵

Location: on the roadSANO Mood: excited and energizedSANO Conversing with: the group

SANOSUKESANOSUKESANOSUKE

 

[Grimalkenkid]

⋊☲ Whether one is right or wrong… ☲⋉
⋊☵ … is determined by one’s power ☵⋉


Current Location: On the road, southeast of Atlas City
Current Date: Afternoon, Spring 2

☽»⋯⋯⋰⋱⋰❇⋱⋰⋱⋯⋯※⋯⋯⋰⋱⋰❇⋱⋰⋱⋯⋯«☾

Saul was inwardly cursing her own stupidity. At least Bastion seemed to have noticed her taking care of that one goblin, and he was the one she least wanted to notice that. I could perhaps sell to Conan that I learned some of fighting and Kela doesn't seem to care, but Bastion... I'll have to lay on this 'damsel in distress' act even more now. Fiddlesticks! As she thought, the sorceress sheathed her stiletto, suppressing her instinct to clean it first. She would let the "real" fighters do that, if they had indeed noticed.

As the number of goblins dwindled, it looked like Conan was in trouble. It would have been easy for her to destroy the goblin with a well-placed Elmekia Lance... but she had shown too much of her capability already. Saul instead wobbled back from the fray, fixing her eyes on the fight but keeping an ear open for another ambush. Thankfully, the remaining goblins got the hint that they were no easy targets, and the majority of the living ones fled back into the woods.

Saul picked up a stone at her feet and looked at the fleeing beasts before hurling the rock at them. "Go away! Slobbering, dirty, violent... beasts!" Such words would normally cause a fleeing goblin to turn around and attack, but the stone hit a tree instead and the intended target shrieked and quickened its pace. Actually, the tree had been her original target; no sense provoking them further, but the display would surely lend credence to her current, assumed persona.