Shadowed Tower - 05 "Trouble in Wheat Hill"

Having survived the brigands ambush, and the Stormcrow's assassination attempt, the group waits for Rowen, who scouts the area in wolf form. Though she finds the Stormcrow's "nest", there doesn't appear to be a trail leading from it. The possibility that their assassin might also be a shapechanger crosses everyone's minds, but Rowen finds no sign of that either. With nothing further to go on, they mount up and ride to the nearby tower, just to check things out. They find signs that the brigands used the area to prepare, but nothing post ambush. Having already wasted enough of their day, they decide it is best to make hast to Wheat Hill.

Making all haste, but sparing the horses any permanent damage, they make their way north up the trade road. Though everyone stays vigilant, they are still taken by surprise when a bolt drops Jimmy as they ride through a dense section of forest. As Khabsha and Cinder see to their fallen escort, Rowen and Graham seek the assassin in the trees. Jimmy's wound proves fatal and at first Rowen-wolf finds no scent of the Stormcrow. As they are about to give up, Rowen catches the faint scent of an unknown horse. Gathering their things, and stashing Jimmy's body, they move off in pursuit.

The assassin's trail shows a hasty progress through the wildlands between the road and the coast. As darkness draws near, they come upon a slain horse, obviously ridden to collapse. With something less than shock, Rowen finds no scent or track leading from the scene. To the east lies harsh terrain and the rocky coast. Graham knows it to be a favorite locale for outlaws on the run. to the Northwest lies Wheat Hill and the trade road. Deciding that following an assassin who apparently has Deception magics would prove extremely difficult, they head back toward the road, making camp in a cave Graham knows of.

Thankfully, no one wakes up dead in the morning. Rising early, they make their way along woodsmen's paths back to the trade road. As they near Wheat Hill, they see a farmer's cottage and a family working in the garden. When the family spies them, they all hurry indoors, shuttering windows. Rowen gets a sinking feeling.

Next they see a pall of smoke hanging in the skies above Wheat Hill. Deciding it might be good to learn more before heading forward, they send Graham ahead. Asking some peasants, he finds that Wheat Hill has been recently attacked by a band of Syvani and their brigand allies.

While the rest of the party waits in the forest, the one most suitable to blending, scouts out the village road. When Graham comes upon a group of soldiers guarding the road he plays it cool, even going so far as to ask what the commotion is about. When the soldiers eye is weaponry and ask his name, he gives it. Upon hearing his name, they demand that he get off his horse and submit to being arrested. When the two closest soldiers attempt to arrest him, he pulls his halberd and proceeds to beat all four in some seriously adept combat, even going so far as to use the blunt end to try and spare their lives. Riding back to the others, he passes on the bad news.

Soon the horns sound from the roadway, and the team must make a quick decision which way to flee. They decide to cut back across the road and head toward the coast, where they might be able to hire a boat that can take them North straight to Neued. Graham works at covering their trail and they give the soldiers the slip, at least for the moment. Heading back to the coast.

As night falls we find the group weary, on the edge of the rocky coastlands. Graham has noted a likely brigands lookout post ahead. As a precaution, they are preparing to send Spider-Cinder up the cliffs to check out the spot before proceeding.