Five
drop in for tea & twelve come round for drinks
23/14/10,121 - Thailot foothills
One of the riders circles lower & lands some hundred & fifty yards ahead on the trail, Molin, astride his bear, moves towards him. The rider wastes no time & demands that that which belongs to his mistress is returned or the lives are forfeit, he gives the companions three minutes to decide.
Returning to the others the matter is discussed & a plan quickly hatched. Within a empty pouched is placed a similar size flask filled with honey, guessing that the rider will not no exactly what he is here to retrieve, Molin returns to the waiting rider & hands over the pouch, the rider compliments Molin on their choice, bids them farewell & takes to the air.
The party immediately move on, within minutes however there is a crash beside the wagon as the bogus flask spatters in the dirt beside the wagon, unfortunately whilst their ruse worked briefly the riders were not fooled for long.
Glancing up the eagles are circling high above, but critically out of range from below, but not out of range of a volley of the riders short javelins which are hurled ferociously towards the wagon. Flinging themselves beneath the wagon no body is seriously injured, although one of the bulls & Kilite suffer minor cuts.
As the riders barrage from above fails to pay dividends the eagles drop silently to the ground ahead on the trail. Charging on foot the four troopers expect an easy conquest, they are soon in disaray as two of their number quickly fall fatally wounded. To late the sky city officer curses, expecting nothing more than lightly armed couriers, he realises that these four are not to be cowed & will not be taken lightly, whilst his men are excellent fighters their light armour, designed for flying, is no match for heavy swordplay.
The three remaining troops suddenly break for their mounts, catching the four off guard the sky city riders are air borne in seconds, two of the flyers turn about and disappear towards Thrishnor, whilst the remaining bird circles high above.
Searching the bodies of the fallen riders several items are recovered; an elaberate gold hilted dagger, a gold ring set with an aquamarine, two small silver eagle broaches, a plain silver ring & a small amount of mixed coinage, quickly Tharla runs her hand over the dagger & confirms to the others that it is enchanted.
Whilst the bodies are looted Illyra eyes the two eagles from the fallen riders who have remained on the ground, one spreads its wings & climbs screaming in sorrow whilst the second, loyal to its dead companion, remains waiting for its rider to return. Illyra, over confident, approaches the mighty beast stretching forth her hand to ruffle its feathers. To late she realises the error of her actions, the bird lunges forward, throwing her self backwards Illyra almost avoids the huge razor sharp beak, but alas it clamps around her up thrown arm & shears flesh & bone just below the Illyra's left elbow. Realising its rider is gone for ever the eagle takes to the air lamenting its loss but screaming its defiance as the bloody remains of Illyra's left hand & wrist are crushed to a pulp.
Severely wounded, her friends administer what aid they can, combining basic first aid with what little healing magic they have at their disposal they staunch the flow of blood, however they are well aware that the injury is beyond there meagre talents.