Subj : Peace] Move 6-- another ambush
To   : All
From : mbottorff@sprintmail.com
Date : Sun Apr 30 2000 04:58 pm

From: mbottorff@sprintmail.com (Michelle & Boyd Bottorff)
Subject: Peace] Move 6-- another ambush


It's pleasant to know you're still on the trail.  Unfortunately, you
don't seem to be getting much closer to the person you're following.  As
you leave the inn, you guess that you're about 150 miles to the Goval
border, possibly a bit closer.  With steady riding, you'll reach the
border in five to six days if the trail continues straight there.

The weather turns fair the next day.  The trail begins to dry out.  A
generally more cheerful mood settles over the company.  Even the Earl of
Sniegrass is more cheerful-- although it takes a few threatening words
from Colonel Ger (possibly illegal, consididering they're being spoken
to an Earl) to keep him from pulling out his battered trumpet and
playing it.

The next day also continues fair, even extremely warm.  And the good
mood of the company continues, as well... right up to the point where a
net is dropped over you.

There's not much of a fight.  This ambush was *much* more professionally
done than the last one; the only person who can move is Brother John,
but he quickly realizes it would be foolish to struggle; there are at
least a dozen ambushers, and your company is hampered due to being
mounted at the point of ambush.

The ambushers begin by taking Brother John out from under the net.  One
of the thugs does the searching, while the remainder hold back and cover
the group with bows.  The thug takes Brother John's staff and purse, and
starts searching inside his clothing.  Then suddenly he stops, his eyes
widening slightly, as he sees the royal seal.  He quickly stops, spins,
looks at Colonel Mik, and calls out to somewhere in the forest beyond
you:  "Your majesty!  Your majesty!  Come quickly and see what we have
here!"

Another man steps out of the forest, dressed in unusual finery steps out
of the trees.  A couple of the ambushers begin to make short bows toward
him, but he quickly forestalls them, holding up one hand and saying in a
rather reedy voice, "Remember, no bows when out collecting, gentlemen.
No point in making yourselves vulnerable.  Now, then, Lyfun, what did
you find?"

The soldier quickly straightens Brother John's clothing, and turns to
point at Colonel Mik.  "This man, your majesty!  I recognize him!  He's
the Earl of Pladsworth.  And over there"-- he points to the Earl of
Sniegrass-- "that's his son.  We can hold them for ransom."

The finely-dressed man comes closer to Colonel Ger, and looks intently
at him.  "Indeed," he says, and pauses slightly.  "My name is King
Liance IV.  I am the true ruler of this kingdom.  I'm afraid, my lord,
that I will have to insist that you enjoy my hospitality, such as I am
able to provide, until such time as I determine what to do with you.
Oh, and I'm afraid I will have to ask you and your retinue to surrendur
your weapons, horses, purses, and anything else of value you have.  My
apologies, but as much as I would like to be use a more civil way of
regaining my throne, I do not see it as of yet.  Please be assured that
I will allow you to ransom any items of value."



[OOC:  Edgar has most of the money on himself.  Some of it has been
stashed on his person; some is in his personal purse.  You have the
letters of marque, scroll of communication, and homing pidgeons are on
one of the pack horses.  The letters of marque are a general "help this
person out in whatever way he needs" letter.  They don't mention your
mission specifically, but they wouldn't be carried by common people-- or
even most nobles.

[I need to know if you are planning on going along quietly or trying
some sneakery-- what you do may affect what happens next.  If you want
to try to fight your way out of it, there are sixteen men with bows, the
thug doing the searching, and the "king".  At the moment, Brother John
is the only one free.  His staff is being held by the thug doing the
searching.
  

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