Pendar - Session 2

40 Merrysest, Windsday -
The night passes without further incident, Sana's prying going unnoticed. In the morning, Zanden asks to speak with the party about the two captured bandits.

Zanden: "There you are. From what this fellow says, they were after your new friend specifically."
Fox yawns sleepily, opting to remain silent in the company of others as he follows Sana around.
Maximilian: "I suspected as much."
Bandit: "Yah, that. Boss just says we got hired to grab some girl. So we goes to wait for the girl."
"That's it, right? You said it'd just be exile for me if I talked, so I can get on with it now, right?"
Maximilian: "Aha! So that explains a lot."
Zanden: "You were planning to escort her home, weren't you?"
"I'd be careful. Sounds like there's still more men looking for her."
Maximilian: "Yes, yes indeed."
Maximilian swells with pride.
Maximilian: "I knew I was right to take up this duty!"
Zanden: "That's the spirit. Few youngsters with a real sense of duty anymore."
Bandit: "I dunno what they did with that other girl. Cor gave her to the boss."
Fox tilts his head, looking at Sana to explain it better.
Other Bandit: "Don't even know which of the two it was."
Maximilian: "...other girl?"
Sana: "...another girl was kidnapped?"
Zanden: "One of the townsfolk went missing. I'm worried they mean her."
Maximilian: "Oh, come to think of it..."
"That rude man from earlier. He was worried..."
Sana: "Him...."
Zanden: "Yes. His sister hasn't been seen for... four days, I think. He's been trying to keep it quiet."
Sana: "...we must go and help her."
Maximilian: "Tch, and she's been kidnapped by scheming dastards!"
Sana: "Mr Rider, will you help me help her?"
Maximilian: "There's no time to waste, Sana!"
"(...though, well, we should probably find out where they operate first...)"
Sana: "That was my thought, Mr. Rider."
Bandit: "Boss ain't hurting her, not if he thinks she's the right girl. 'Least I know we weren't to hurt her."
Sana: "Where is she."
Bandit: "Haven't seen the boss since we nabbed her. So haven't seen her."
Sana: "...where is your 'boss'?"
Zanden: "They really don't sound very organized..."
Maximilian: "It's possible their boss trusts them so little with any actually important information."
Bandit: "Told you I ain't seen the boss. How should I know where he is?"
Maximilian: "Unfortunately, I think they're right."
"What did he look like, then? Your boss."
Bandit: "Big fellow. Blond. Enough armor to be a fancy knight."
Other Bandit: "Ugly sort, all scarred on the nose."
Maximilian nods.
Maximilian: "Well, that sounds like the most likely type to have a grudge against our friend."
"But this other girl, interesting. Maybe we can find a connection."
Zanden: "How do you think of that, lad?"
Other Bandit: "Nobody tells us jack. All we got is look for a girl about that age and stick near the road, boss came and took her and told us keep staying on the road."
Maximilian: "Yes, that would also explain why they have no idea where he is."
"Sounds like some unscrupulous noble wanted his hands in the pie, and hired some random urchins to do the dirty work for him."
Fox: "(...pie?)"
Bandit: "'ey, I'm the right toughest urchin in the Kingdoms of Man! Who you callin random?"
Maximilian: "I... um... I never said you weren't, sir.
"I am merely saying he picked people he didn't know."
Other Bandit: "It's an insult, thickskull."
Fox: "(...)"
"(Miss, when's breakfast?)"
Sana: "(He meant something about reward or loot, and breakfast will be after this, then we will hurt bad people.)"
Zanden: "He said before you got here that more were camped out further on the south roads."
Fox: "(...does being excited to hurt bad people make me a bad people?)"
Maximilian: "Very well, so we should be prepared for ambush."
Sana: "(No, it doesn't)"
Maximilian: "At the very least, we can ask lady Valdya if she knows anyone that matches that description."
Sana: "(You are a good people if you hurt the bad people and help the good people. And you help the good people by hurting the bad people.)"
Zanden: "That girl's been asleep all morning, and the innkeeper can't wake her. I know she's been through a lot, but..."
Maximilian: "Oh... dear."
"Zanden, did she get hit by anything?"
"...when she was attacked, that is."
"You! Rogues! You tried to poison her, didn't you?!"
Other Bandit: "Poison? I didn't use no poison, sirs, honest!"
Maximilian narrows his eyes in scrutiny.
Bandit: "Poison's for weaklings who can't use a real weapon!"
Maximilian: "Now, that, I can agree on!"
Sana: "...there is truth in his words."
Zanden: "She wouldn't be sleeping that peacefully if it was poison, I think."
Maximilian: "Is there a healer in town? Someone who can see if she's sick?"
Sana: "...I am that healer."
Zanden: "Was talking in her sleep about dancing with Maxmatthew. I think she's just spoiled."
Maximilian flusters.
Bandit: "What's anyone even want with that idiot? She walked straight up to me and said g'day!"
Maximilian: "W-well..."
Maximilian tries to remember Valdya's talents.
Sana: "So... where should we go, to find the kidnapped girl, Mister Max?"
Valdya: "Elf girl? Are you here?"
Maximilian: "Well, for one, I swore to escort Valdy-ayaya...."
Fox looks around the corner curiously at the incoming noise.
Maximilian: "(I suppose I was going to talk to her first, anyway.)"
Valdya: "Foxie!"
Sana: "A-ah, yes, I am here."
Valdya: "You were talking about food yesterday. Inn girl chased me away from the kitchen."
Fox gets hungry again...
Sana: "(Fox, I will feed you soon.)"
Fox wanders off to behind Maximillian, seeing what he can do about snacks from Max's pouches. [Sleight of Hand: 10]
Valdya: "She said breakfast should wait until I go talk to sir... knight. I'm bad at talking on an empty stomach."
Maximilian: "Food? Oh, you passed out. Let me see if I have..."
"Fox? Out of there, please! I need those!" [Perception: 10]
Sana: "...I have quite a large deal of food, miss."
"Foox~ This way, please."
Maximilian slings the bag over his shoulder, and walks into the more open space.
Fox: "(But I need those too.)" The fox says to itself quietly, being careful to pass it off as ordinary fox sounds to inattentive listeners.
Fox follows Sana, in the general hope of treats and her generally treating him better.
Maximilian: "I can get you some pastries, Valdya. The baker here seems quite happy with us."
Sana: "The food is in here, Fox."
Valdya: "Pastries? Thank you, Maxi- ...Max?"
Sana: "I have something you might well like."
"This is called a "sausage roll", it's pig meat in pastry."
Sana puts a "sausage roll" in front of the fox while donning her armour.
Zanden: "About time you were awake, girl. Looks like you've attracted a lot of enemies."
Fox: "Sounds delicious. Can I have it?"
Maximilian: "M-Max will do."
Fox nibbles at the food placed in front of him happily.
Valdya: "Mmm... enemies? Thought that was why I was in Karaminia. Why do I have to come back here?"
Maximilian: "Ah, yes, Zanden. I'd almost lost my train of thought."
Sana leaves the room with a bag full of food, with her armour on and her sword on her back
Fox follows Sana after finishing the breakfast.
Bandit: "Hey, ain't ya ever gonna let us have nothing to eat?!"
Fox: "(Miss, it's a little hard to talk to you when there are people nearby.)"
Sana: "Shall we go back into the room... are there things you with to talk to me about, fox?"
Fox: "(No, I just mean always.)"
"(I have opinions too. ...which I'm not used to.)"
Maximilian: "That's a good question."
Fox: "(But for some reason I feel like saying them, but when near people I shouldn't.)"
Maximilian: "Do you know of any knightly sorts with a strange nose, blonde hair, and rough looks?"
Sana: "(Opinions like, fox?)"
Fox: "(...I forgot.)"
"(I'll figure it out.)"
"(This thinking thing is hard though.)"
Fox wanders off ahead of Sana.
Zanden: "If you've no further dispute with those two brigands, they'll be carted to the northlands for exile in a few days."
Sana: "..I heard you two complaining about... food."
Sana pulls out a "sausage roll", breaks it in half, and gives it to each of the two.
Sana: "Then have this for now."
Zanden: "Don't be soft with them, they won't starve in the meantime."
Maximilian: "Well, it was nice to have some honest scoundrels for a change."
Both bandits grab the rolls and wolf them down.
Bandit: "Thank ye kindly, miss. And wait. You going with prissy?"
Sana: "Yes, I think..."
Fox looks at Sana, clearly confused but trying not to vocalize his thoughts while others are around.
Other Bandit: "Your best chance of seeing the boss is if you find the others. He just drops by when he's not needed by the noble who bought 'im."
Sana: "Do you know where the others are, Mr. Scoundrel?"
Bandit: "South road. On the way to Seskesa, where we was told the girl'd go."
Sana: "Thank you, Mister Scoundrel."
"(Mister Fox, what is it?)"
Other Bandit: "They'd be hiding. Set up ambushes, we did."
Zanden: "...Honest scoundrels. A little food seems to go a long way."
Maximilian: "The best way to any man's heart is through his stomach!"
Sana: "Extending a hand to those who need it is a valuable skill, Sir."
Fox looks up at Sana still, making head nudges towards the direction of the bandits.
Valdya: "Not through his chest?"
Maximilian: "W-wwelll... I was speaking metaphorically... you see..."
Zanden: "I'd go with you if I could, but my place is in Auna."
Sana: "I will be safe, Mister Rider will keep me safe, won't you, Mister Rider?"
Sana looks at Max expectantly.
Maximilian: "Ah? Yes! Of course, young miss!"
"Though I feel you are not in much need of protection...."
"We are a team from henceforth, yes?"
Sana: "You and I and Mister Fox? Yes."
"One moment."
Maximilian lowers a hand to the fox.
Maximilian: "As long as he asks before taking my delicious treats, yes."
Fox puts a paw in Max's hand.
Maximilian's eyes widen.
Maximilian: "What a wonderful fox..."
Sana: "The fox is smart, mister rider."
"He is my friend, would you like me to speak to him for you?"
Maximilian: "Clearly he is. Truly inspiring!"
Zanden: "Odd little beastie."
Maximilian: "I don't know, I quite enjoy his stoic genius."
Sana: [Speak With Animals] "(This way won't arouse much suspicion, what did you wish to say?)"
Maximilian: "I should write about him as we travel..."
Valdya crouches on the floor, watching the fox curiously.
Fox: "{Why did you help the bad guys? You said we are supposed to beat up bad guys and that makes us good guys.}"
Maximilian: "(It's interesting watching them, isn't it, Valdya?)"
Sana: "{We're meant to beat them up when they are trying to hurt other people. They are going to be sent far far far away from us, and helping them meant we got helped. Not all bad guys are totally bad, just normal people put in bad situations.}"
Fox: "{I'm confused.}"
Valdya: "(I want a fox friend, Max. Where do I find a fox?)"
Fox looks at Valdya.
Maximilian: "We found him in the woods..."
"Though, I don't think you should go to the woods alone. Plus, if we're with you, fox is with you too."
Sana: "{I shall explain more later, when we are more alone and I can speak human.}"

Leaving Auna with Zanden's regards, the party sets out to find the aforementioned bandit group.
Maximilian: "Come out, cowards! I know you're waiting for us!"
Sana: "...please don't do that."
A few birds fly out of the nearby tree, but nothing else moves at Max's command.
Sana: "...Please stop doing that, we lose the element of surprise to their surprise."
".....so how could we surprise their surprise with our surprise, so they would be surprised..."
Fox looks around, paying more attention to the field than to the comments around him.
Valdya: "Elf girl? That hurts my head."
Sana: "...I have a name..."
Maximilian: "I don't think we're going to surprise them by charging down the main road."
"But if we go off road, then we might miss them."
"So we have to spring their trap, you see?"
Fox wanders ahead of the group, doing his best to stay hidden in the grasses and foliage. [Stealth: 28]
There seem to be more bandits in hiding than just the ones who are doing so horribly badly, judging by the amount of rustling grass. In particular, on the island.
Fox returns to the party stealthily, remembering his findings.
Sana focuses on a spell, a shimmering but strong veil of blue energy appearing around her. [Shield of Faith]
Sana: "This should keep me to be safer."
Fox thinks a bit, before moving to the dirt road and seeing if he can draw in it with his paw.
Maximilian watches the fox.
Fox begins to draw small inscriptions in the dirt.
Fox draws an arrow towards the distant tree, putting one pawprint next to it.
Sana: "Ah...they are over there?"
Fox draws another arrow towards the distant rock, putting three paw prints near it.
Maximilian: "(Cunning as a...)"
Fox draws a final arrow at the distant island, putting two paw prints near it.
Sana: "Maximilian....you should attack over at the rock, and I shall attack the tree.."
"...is this a plan we can go with?"
Maximilian ponders for a moment, and trots down the road.
Maximilian: "Mhm."
Valdya waits behind, watching carefully.
Fox watches as Maximilian and Marigold just trample over his drawing.
Maximilian quietly grips his weapon, imbuing it with magic. [Blessing of Law]
Fox looks kind of irritated.
Sana: "He just..."
Fox wanders ahead, keeping a low cover.
Sana: "Now... we should attack."
Fox heads on ahead, seeing if he can actively sneak up to the bandit near the tree. [Stealth: 28]
Maximilian: "Don't stray too far, Sana!" [Readying a mounted charge against the first bandit that leaves cover, casting Divine Favor]
Sana: "Your concern is noted, Mister rider."

Fox takes a lunge at the 'hiding' bandit, taking a bite at vulnerable areas!
[Fox Bite
Attack: 7, Damage: 2
Sneak Attack: 3]

Sana runs towards the bandit, striking at him with her sword.
Sana: "T-take that, Mister Scoundrel!"
[Sana: Greatsword
Attack: 4, Damage: 8]
Both attacks miss the bandits, as they begin to cry alerts in response to the party's presence.

[Bandit: Initiative: 19
Bandit: Initiative: 15
Bandit: Initiative: 13
Bandit: Initiative: 12
Maximilian: Initiative: 10.01
Bandit: Initiative: 9
Bandit: Initiative: 8
Fox: Initiative: 7.02
Sana: Initiative: 6.01
Bandit: Initiative: 1]

One of the bandits leaves the shadow of the tree to attack the fox.
[Bandit: Battleaxe, Attack: 16, Damage: 9]
He manages to hit, despite being taken by surprise.

Fox yelps in pain, taking a heavy hit.
An arrow flies toward Max from the island.
[Bandit: Longbow, Attack: 19, Damage: 5]
The arrow strikes true, and another bandit advances on Sana, venturing into the open.

Maximilian: "Guh!"
"I'll get you all for this!"
[Lance Charge, Attack: 24, Damage: 18
Marigold: Bite, Attack: 1, Damage: 2]
Maximilian deals heavy damage to the bandit, instantly killing him.
Maximilian: "None can stand before me!"

The more heavily armored bandit rushes to attack Sana.
[Bandit: Greatsword, Attack: 21, Damage 4]
Sana: "Ow..."
The attack strikes, but seems to be ineffective.
Another bandit appears, swinging at the fox.
[Bandit: Battleaxe, Attack: 18, Damage: 4]
Fox is struck by the hit, gasping to staying upright.
The last bandit behind the tree backs away, slashing at Sana.
[Bandit: Battleaxe, Attack: 10, Damage: 4]
His attack misses wildly, though.
Another bandit carefully steps through the rocky ground.

Fox hesitates for a moment, not sure what to do.
Sana: "Mister fox, you should get away..."
Sana focuses magic within her body, and releases it in the form of positive energy. [Channel Energy: 6]
Maximilian: "Ah, blessed strength!"

Fox feels a little more revitalized by the positive energy, and attempts to move carefully to avoid further injuries. [Acrobatics Check: 17, 11]
[Bandit: Greatsword Attack of Opportunity, Attack: 5, Damage 7]
Fox nimbly gets out of the way, taking a counterattack at the bandit he flanks with Sana!
[Fox Bite
Attack: 10, Damage: 0
Sneak Attack: 4]
Even with the bandit distracted by Sana, the bite proves ineffective against his armor.

A second archer steps out of the brush on the island, firing at Marigold.
[Bandit: Longbow, Attack: 23, Damage: 6
Crit Confirm: 12, Crit Damage: 8]
Maximilian: "Not so fast, worm!"
Max's careful maneuvering causes the arrow to miss, though. [Ride: 26]
Marigold snorts in relief.

Maximilian charges towards the small island, beckoning his horse to leap. [Acrobatics: 20]
Maximilian: "Haaa!"
Maximilian thrusts at the far archer with the weight of the landing behind him.
[Lance Charge, Attack: 28, Damage: 18
Marigold's Bite (PA), Attack: 14, Damage: 6]
Both attacks hit their mark, the archer falling into the water in a spray of blood.

Bandit 8 attacks Sana again.
[Bandit: Battleaxe, Attack: 7, Damage: 6]
His frantic swing misses her, though.
The remaining archer tries to back away, shooting Max.
[Bandit: Longbow, Attack: 13, Damage: 3]
Her panic distracts her, though.
The armored bandit steps away from the fox, swinging at Sana.
[Bandit: Greatsword, Attack: 18, Damage 11]
He barely manages to land a powerful strike despite her armor.
The other bandits join him in attacking Sana.
[Bandit: Battleaxe, Attack: 12, Damage: 8
Bandit: Battleaxe, Attack: 21, Damage: 7]
Only the second hit lands, but it nearly knocks Sana off her feet.
The remaining bandit tries to deal with the fox instead.
[Bandit: Battleaxe, Attack: 16, Damage: 3]
Fox takes a bad cut, struggling to endure.

Sana attacks one of the bandits.
[Sana: Greatsword, Attack: 12, Damage: 14]
Sana manages to score a solid hit on the bandit even while restoring her strength.
He doesn't fall, but seems substantially weakened.

Fox maneuvers around, trying his best to land a finishing strike on the bandit as a follow-up.
[Fox Bite, Attack: 27, Damage: 1
Sneak Attack: 4]
The bandit falls, bitten in one of the gaps in his armor by the fox.

Maximilian brings his lance round to the other archer, and thrusts.
[Maximilian's Lance, Favor, Attack: 24, Damage: 14]
The archer tries to spit a curse at Max, but falls unconscious as she does so.
Maximilian: "(Let's head back, girl, I think I made a mistake here...)"
Marigold hesitantly tries to hop over the water, unhappy with her predicament. [Acrobatics: 14]
Maximilian: "Hold on just a little longer, frieeeends!"
Sana: "I'm not sure how much longer we can hold on..."

One bandit glances around briefly, as if considering fleeing, but after a look back at Sana he attacks instead.
[Bandit: Battleaxe, Attack: 20, Damage: 9]
The attack strikes, knocking her out.
Bandit: "You idiots, you weren't supposed to let the boss fall! Find the girl, she should be with them!"
Another of the bandits runs off toward the direction the party came from, no longer concerned with Sana.
Fox growls at the bandits threateningly, trying to call their attention to him and away from Sana.
The other swings at the fox, reminded of its presence.
[Bandit: Battleaxe, Attack: 8, Damage: 2]
His axe passes right over its head, as one more bandit moves to attack as well.
[Bandit: Battleaxe, Attack: 14, Damage: 8]
Fox: "(Miss... help... afraid... I'm afraid...)"

[Sana: CON Check: 9]

Fox: "(I... I...)"
Fox lays down whimpering, attempting to persuade the bandits of harmlessness.
[Bluff Check: 14+8 (Hero Point expended)]
It's hard to say for sure, but the bandits look to be a bit less hostile toward the fox.
Fox: "(Goodbye, miss Sana. Goodbye, Maximatthias. Goodbye, meat pastries...)"
"(Why did that druid ever pick me...)"
"(I can't... think... vision growing dark...)"

Maximilian: "Friends, or duty... friends, or..."
Marigold starts charging towards the main group to solve the question for the poor fool.
Maximilian: "None shall pass!"
Maximilian charges right up to the tree, putting the force of his trusty lance into the far bandit.
[Lance Charge
Attack: 26, Damage: 20
Marigold's Bite (PA)
Attack: 13, Damage: 9]
The bandit is knocked flying, clearly dead.
The force of the attack forces Maximillian forward, but he uses this momentum to reach out towards Sana and imbue her with positive energy. [Expending Hero Point, Divine Favor, Cure Light Wounds: 8]
Sana manages to stand with the aid of his magic, if still shakily.

The bandit who went after Valdya turns when he hears Max, and charges back toward him.
Maximilian: "You fool!"
Maximilian's Lance, Favor Attack of Opportunity
Attack: 25, Damage: 10]
He raises his axe to attack, but runs onto Maximilian's lance, falling to the ground.

Valdya backs further away, finally realizing the danger.

Another bandit advances on Maximilian, attacking him.
[Bandit: Battleaxe, Attack: 12, Damage: 2]
He misses, and his comrade steps up to help him, aiming for Marigold instead.
[Bandit: Battleaxe, Attack: 11, Damage: 7]
He also swings wildly, apparently too shaken by the fate of the others.
Marigold whinnies as the blade comes perilously close.

Sana: "Mister Fox...I'll keep you safe..."
Sana channels her energy once more, releasing it positively. [Cure Light Wounds: 4]
Fox: "(I'm sorry... I'll never steal another meat pastry again...)"
Sana: "(After this... I'll give you... all the meat pastries... you can eat...)"

Fox limps to behind the rock, curling up and whimpering to himself, continuing to appear as not a threat.
Fox: "(I'm so very sorry...)"
"(I didn't know it was wrong to eat those vegetables...)"
"(I didn't know it was wrong to hunt that chicken...)"
"(I didn't know... I'm sorry...)"

Marigold bucks and snaps at the thug that raised a weapon against her.
[Marigold's Bite (PA):, Attack: 5, Damage: 9
Marigold's Hooves: Attack: 6, Damage: 8
Marigold's Hooves: Attack: 5, Damage: 5]
The bandit easily avoids the horse's attacks.
Maximilian steadies his grip on his mount, as he waves a lance thrust into the horse's flurry.
[Maximilian's Lance, Favor, Attack: 28, Damage: 9]
The bandit is hit, but doesn't fall.
Maximilian: "Aha, a worthy foe?"

Valdya swims across the river to try to get farther to safety.

One of the bandits attacks Max again.
[Bandit: Battleaxe, Attack: 14, Damage: 8]
He barely strikes with the help of his ally, who also takes a hit at Max.
[Bandit: Battleaxe, Attack: 15, Damage: 7]
Maximilian wheezes, slumping slightly in the reins at the force of the blows.

Sana strikes out at the third bandit, attempting to take him out.
[Sana: Greatsword, Attack: 12, Damage: 6]
Sana's sword barely connects with the bandit, even with the advantage of flanking.
Sana: "I-I'm not done yet..."

Fox: "(Please... I'll be a good fox from now on... don't kill me, don't skin me...)"
Fox continues to quiver in fear.

Maximilian rests a hand on his chest, restoring some of his wounds. [Fervor: 2]
Maximilian: "Do you yield?"
Bandit: "You killed me mates! I'm not letting you leave alive!"
Maximilian: "So be it."
Sana: "Then you die."
[Maximilian's Lance, Favor, Attack: 15, Damage: 10]
Maximilian strikes the bandit, not quite knocking him out though.

Valdya follows along the other side of the stream to watch.

The bandit, despite his bravado a moment ago, turns heedlessly to run.
Maximilian: "Tch, at least stick to your resolve."
[Maximilian's Lance, Favor Attack of Opportunity, Attack: 13, Damage: 15]
The last bandit falls, dead.

Sana quickly moves over to Fox and holds him, channeling her energy into him. [Cure Light Wounds: 4]
Fox: "(I won't ask for much... you don't even need to feed me that much... I'll be a good fox... please...)"
Fox gains a tiny amount of his vitality as wounds seal, but he is still huddled up in fear, covered in blood-matted fur.
Maximilian pants as the rush of combat recedes, and only lingering adrenaline remains.
Maximilian: "What did I get us in to..?"
Maximilian eyes Sana and the fox.
Maximilian: "Good idea, I'll gather Valdya."
Valdya hurries back, shouting from the other side of the stream.
Sana: "Fox... fox..."
Valdya: "Are they all dead yet?!"
Maximilian: "C...close enough."
Maximilian gulps.
Sana pulls out a meat pasty and holds it near him.
Sana: "It's over, the bad people are gone..."
Maximilian: "Those that aren't are out cold."
Fox: "(Don'twannadiedon'twannadiedon'twannadie...)"
Valdya swims back over, looking concerned.
Valdya: "That was, was, I don't know! You were amazing!"
Sana: "Y-you're not going to die, Fox, not if I can help it, never never never..."
[Sana: Heal: 11]
Maximilian: "But I abandoned those two."
Valdya: "It's a good thing you aren't kidnappers, or I'd be dead too."
"Abandoned...? No, no, I was fine."
Fox peeks his head up from the huddled position.
Fox: "Miss Sana!"
"You're alive!"
Sana puts the fox in her lap, holding him
Maximilian: "Sana and the fox. After charging the island, they were left against five strong men!"
Sana: "I'm alive, Fox, I'm alive."
Maximilian: "I need to keep my head in battle, lest I fail again."
Valdya: "Ooooh. Is she your fiance, so you have to protect her?"
Maximilian: "Um, no..."
Fox: "I... I can barely see... it's all so cloudy..."
"Miss Sana... did I die? Are we both dead...?"
Valdya: "It's okay, Max, you can do it next time! There'll be other uncouth brutes to prove yourself against for real!"
Maximilian: "Y... yes, that's right."
Sana: "We are not dead... The horse person saved us... all the bad people are gone."
Maximilian: "I have another chance! We should make the best of the situation we have right now."
Sana: "...you've been hurt, but you'll get better."
Maximilian trots over to the pair, and dismounts to asses their wounds.
Fox curls up, his delicate form covered in blood stains and barely moving from staggered breathing.
Valdya: "...please don't put yourself in danger for me. I'm not worth that. I'm not even really allowed home."
Sana: "Mister Rider... can you heal him...?"
Maximilian: "I can."
"And please, my lady. There is a reason we are all here together, I'm certain."
Maximilian lays a hand on the fox, channelling vigour from his fingertips. [Fervor: 5]
Fox looks up at Maximilian, his eyes blurry and tear-drenched.
Maximilian: "You fought valiantly, small friend. Thank you for warning us of their ambush."
Valdya: "A reason to be with Maximatthias and the cute foxie... "
Sana: "...thank you for healing him..."
Sana continues to hold the Fox.
Maximilian: "What of yourself? You took many a blow in my absence."
Valdya: "Thank you, little foxie. You're a hero now too. ...Oh, and you, elf girl!... You're Sana, right?"
Sana: "...I am..."
Valdya: "Is the foxie okay?"
Sana: "H-he'll be okay...he needs rest, and time to recover... foxes aren't made for this combat."
Maximilian: "He's not the only one..."
Valdya: "Right! Foxes should sit inside on fluffy pillows and be cute!"
"Foxie could stay with me in the manor..."
Fox looks at Valdya.
Sana: "Fox said he wanted to fight the bad guys..."
Valdya: "...but the foxie needs his own servant, so Sana is better."
Maximilian ponders for a moment, and scans the brigands for any sign of potions.
Maximilian finds one Cure Light Wounds potion in the possession of the leader... and also notices while looking for it that under his helmet, he matches the description of the bandit boss.
Fox curls back up, too afraid to imagine a world outside Sana's lap at the moment.
Sana: "(I'm here, fox, I'm here...)"
Maximilian: "Hmm, I suppose if times must."
"Say, Valdya, do you recognise this fellow?"
Sana holds Fox tightly in her lap, half curling up herself from exhaustion of battle.
Maximilian removes the helmet from the leader.
Valdya looks at him carefully, deep in thought.
Valdya: "Um, he looks scary. Maybe I saw him in a nightmare? Who is he?"
Maximilian: "The guy that hired people to attack you."
Valdya: "So he is scary? I don't know him."
Maximilian: "Well, that dashes that idea."
Valdya: "We're going further? Seskesa isn't far. My father can send a guard back for the scary people and Foxie can have a pillow to rest on!"
Maximilian: "I think that's a good idea!"
Maximilian trudges over to Marigold and leans against her to grab some rest. [Fervor: 2]
Sana: "(Fox... you're safe now... I'll keep you safe...)"
Marigold rests her head against Max.
Sana: "(You are the best fox, the most good fox... you can have all the meat and pastries you want...)"
Fox: "(I don't want to leave...)"
"(I'll be a good fox...)"
"(I don't want to die...)"
Sana: "(I won't let you die, Fox...)"
"(I'll make sure of it, I promise...)"
"(When I can, I'll get you things to protect you..I'll make sure you're safe...Fox..)"