What Goes 'Pitter-Patter' In The Night

Plot Summary
The group are riding south-west. After several minutes they enter a shallow canyon. Faelnon spots a small mammal on its ridge. He gallops up to it, but it flees. He is filled with foreboding danger. He calls the others to gallop along the ridge. Soon, a dust cloud forms behind the group, from it, Shandor and Lestat appear.

The group ride on in fear and reach a village by sun-down. After securing rooms at an inn the group chat for a while before moving up to their rooms for the night. As the night passes sounds of creaks and groans echo through the inn. The sky is darker than one could think possible, not a star in the sky. At around mid-night the group's horses let out a cry and neigh loudly before a foreboding silence fills the village. The final candles in the nearby houses extinguish. Downstairs the barkeep is the only one still awake. He is making a small sandwich. He takes a large knife and slices the bread in two. As he goes to take a bite the front-door blows open with a fierce wind, blowing out his candle. Plunged into darkness the barkeep hears the wind whisper to him. The staircase of the inn creaks and groans. Soon a door squeaks open. Within seconds Faelnon is stabbed with a knife. Havoc fills the hall-way as Shandor, Foilae, Isondil, Mihwen and Dytalorien emerge from their rooms to tackle the attacker, who turns out to be the barkeep, and heal Faelnon.

The group, and a freshly healed Faelnon, make their way downstairs and begin barricading doors and windows with tables chairs, floor boards and anything they can find. In a few seconds archers begin pelting the inn with arrows. One fire-arrow breaks through and hits into Mihwen's shoulder. Shandor goes upstairs and begins sealing off the upper windows. Isondil leaps to the roof to see if there is any holes that they could get in. After everything is secure Shandor boards up the stairwell with doors taken from the group's rooms. Isondil finds a hatch to a small basement, but there are only a few kegs of ale and wine down there, no escape. Meanwhile, the barkeeper has been tied up and is struggling vainly against his bonds. There is a *pitter-patter* sound coming from outside, suddenly it is on the walls and on the roof. Something has gotten inside.

The *pitter-patter* is now on the upper floor, the sound of the upper-barricades being torn off fills the group's ears as the candles downstairs are blown out by an unseen wind. Shandor creates a small light spell and moves to the stairwell, along with Faelnon. *Pitter-patter*. A *pitter-patter* directly above the stairwell block. Faelnon rams his sword upwards and gets a rewarding shriek. *Pitter-patter*, *pitter-patter*. The doors are torn away. Something tackles Shandor to the ground. The light goes out. The only thing it lit up was amber eyes and green scaly skin. *Pitter-patter* The group try not to breathe and to rely on their other senses. Faelnon uses a joke-version of elven to get the group to the bar. From there he orders the group into the basement, saying whatever things are here, they have them surrounded. They manage to get down there and stay silence. The trapdoor begins rattling. Shandor appears at it and tries to force it open, Faelnon opens it and lets him in before locking it. Shandor produces another light spell and then there is the now infamous *pitter-patter* sound. Shandor is tackled again and the light goes out. The rattling begins at the trapdoor accompanied by shaking. Finally, two blades smash through the trapdoor. A scaly hand wraps round Faelnon's mouth. Faelnon fights it off and an unusual sound hits Faelnon's ears. He dismisses it as the trapdoor stops shaking. They manage to build a small fire.

Hours pass by and the fire fades out, plunging the group into darkness again. A few hours later Faelnon prods open the trapdoor, it is empty. The tables and chairs have been destroyed, drinks spilled everyone, beds tipped over and ripped apart. Sections of the roof have been torn away. On the ground Shandor lies in the dirt, pale and covered in light cuts. Echanton approaches. Faelnon intercepts, along with Isondil, both pointing a bow or crossbow at the other elf. They order him to step away as they grab Shandor and get him inside. Faelnon claims that Echanton has been possessed by the evil. They perform a test, and Echanton appears normal. Isondil and Faelnon discuss watching Echanton quietly. Echanton disappears, despite what Faelnon and Isondil order. He returns slowly. The two, now angered, grab Echanton and tie him up. They sit him next to the barkeep and deem him as the enemy.

Full Log

[Narrator] The group are travelling south-west and have entered a seemingly ending-less plain of nondescript ground. The time is mid-morning and the sun shines through, failing to shield a bitter cold the group seem to have brought with them.

[Narrator] Foilae and Faelnon have done their best to decipher the runes Faelnon collected. Shandor rode towards A'lure as fast as his horse could take him a few days ago. His mission Rendezvous in A'lure with the Wise Elves of A'lure and obtain a orb left by a nanjarii. This orb has the ability of gazing into the forgotten past or the soon-to-be future.

Faelnon rubs his hands together and curses the cold.

Isondil pulls his cloak around himself and looks around

Dytalorien curses the weather and huddles within his cloak to keep warm.

Faelnon shivers slightly as a wisp of wind hits him around the side of the head.

Mihwen takes a big breath of the cold morning air

Faelnon turns to the group, 'How are we faring against the chill?'

Echnaton watches the fog-clouds formed by the breathes and seems deeply in thoughts

Faelnon looks at Isondil remembering he dislikes this type of weather.

Isondil shiver's slightly

Dytalorien shivers, "How do you think?"

Mihwen says ‘be happy it doesn’t rain.’

Faelnon smiles weakly.

Isondil looks a Faelnon and say's 'The sooner were somewhere warm the better!'

Dytalorien nods in amused agreement.

Faelnon says, 'It shouldn't be too far.'

Faelnon looks into the distance wondering just how far 'shouldn't be too far' could be.

[Narrator] The group follow a rarely-trod-on path along its slow sweeping pass into a small canyon. The canyon floor, and indeed its surroundings, were covered in an inexplicable dust layer.

Dytalorien looks about, his curiosity aroused, "Hm."

Faelnon looks around the landscape, 'Almost makes me wish for the snowy lands of your castle, Foilae, at least that was something interesting to look at.'

Isondil looks at the ground and muses to himself

Faelnon looks around and notices a small mammal watching the group.

Mihwen says 'looks like the wind haven’t been here for ages'

Faelnon instructs the group to continue on their path before galloping towards this mammal.

Isondil nods in agreement

Echnaton agrees "neither rain or any other weather"

[Narrator] Spotted, the mammal scarpers away.

Faelnon reaches the ridge of the canyon, but the mammal, quite fox-like is nowhere to be seen. A foreboding sense of danger fills him.

Mihwen 'he's enjoying himself..'

Isondil takes out his bow and fit's an arrow onto it in the blink of an eye

Faelnon thinks for a moment.

Dytalorien blinks and fingers his mount's harness, more firmly.

Faelnon begins trotting along the ridge playing memories in his mind.

Faelnon turns back to the group and hollers, 'Quickly! To this ridge, the canyon floor is not safe. Ride fast!'

Isondil replaces his arrow and bow and rides on quietly

Echnaton makes his horse gallop

Dytalorien furrows his brows and focuses on galloping as swiftly as possible.

Faelnon urges his horse from its gentle canter into a gallop, but fails to stir more than a quick-trot.

Mihwen pushes her horse as fast as possible

Isondil whisper's something in elven to his horse and it gallops towards Faelnon

[Narrator] A small dust cloud appears behind the group on the edge of a canyon.

Mihwen looks at Faelnon 'what’s wrong with it?'

Faelnon hears a low rumble. He stops his horse and turns around. He draws his crossbow and loads a bolt. He instructs, 'Don't fire, or charge, until I give the word.'

Faelnon says, 'I do believe we are about to find out.'

Dytalorien blinks and reins in his horse, halting it's progress.

Echnaton nods, jumps down from the horse and covers behind a rock

Isondil takes out his bow and fit's an arrow

[Narrator] Out of the pseudo-dust cloud emerges two shapes, one a white stallion, the other a wolf-like creature. The horse is being ridden by none other than Shandor.

Echnaton horse trots a bit off and starts to chew on some dry bushes

Mihwen stops and moves backwards

Shandor thunders on his horse towards the group yelling and pointing, unheard and nearly unseen amongst the sounds of hoof-beats and dust.

Dytalorien blinks in surprise.

Faelnon looks at Shandor oddly and shouts, 'What are you trying to say?'

Isondil lowers his bow slightly trying to hear what Shandor is saying

Shandor rides up to Faelnon yelling, 'Run faster than the gale-winds of Brail'theith'

Faelnon cocks an eyebrow, but motions for the group to ride.

Mihwen starts to mumble

Isondil replaces his arrow and bow for the second time and grumbles to himself

Mihwen turns her horse around and start to gallop

Dytalorien frowns and kicks his mount, once again, into a swift pace.

Echnaton rushes from behind his rock towards his horse and jump back on his' back

Faelnon turns to the group, 'Stop mumbling, if you are lucky you will get to be pursued and killed, then will you feel better?'

Shandor picks up the gallop again while yelling to Faelnon, 'The orb! Warned me of danger, we don't have much time.'

Isondil turns his horse around and gallops of behind Mihwen

Faelnon states, 'I see you maintain your flare for telling us all the needed details.'

Mihwen yells 'now what?'

Dytalorien shouts, "Nothing good, I suppose."

Isondil begins to catch Mihwen's horse

Faelnon rolls his eyes, 'And how did you work that one out Dytalorien?'

Mihwen smiles 'no kidding?'

Isondil smiles

[Narrator] The group ride for hours with no sign of trouble. Eventually they ride into a small village.

Faelnon rides his horse up to an inn and hops of. He enters the inn and looks around the small area.

Faelnon looks at the barkeep and motions for a drink and rooms.

[Narrator] The barkeep peers at the group, but nods.

Echnaton whispers to Shandor "is this village our destination?"

Mihwen looks at Shandor 'and what was that all about?'

Isondil dismounts and follows Faelnon into the inn

Shandor looks at Mihwen, 'I will explain.'

Dytalorien scratches his head and gazes about.

Mihwen jumps down for her horse and enters the inn

Shandor enters the inn slowly, not before gazing around the town. He hears a wolf howl as he enters.

Isondil sits down in the corner of the bar and leans back rubbing his hands together

Faelnon thanks the barkeep as he receives an ale.

Echnaton takes care for his horse

Dytalorien leans against a nearby wall, withdraws his silver flute and absently twirls it about in his left hand.

Faelnon says, 'The barkeep has given us rooms and food, so feast.'

Faelnon grabs Shandor by the arm and leads him to the corner.

Faelnon begins talking about the warning Shandor received.

Dytalorien seats himself upon a stool and grabs various scraps of food before starting to eat.

Shandor looks over to the fire and mutters something, it springs to life.

Isondil looks over to the newly lit fire and moves over to warm his hands

Mihwen looks at Shandor 'got something to share with us?'

Faelnon looks the fire and smiles. He crosses over to it.

Dytalorien grins, "Can we save the bad news 'til after dinner?"

Shandor nods, 'Indeed, dine first.'

Echnaton eats fast, but without haste and throws an eye over to Shandor from time to time

Dytalorien leans back as he finishes his meal.

Faelnon takes a few fruits and munches on them.

Shandor leans against his chair and looks around the room thoughtfully.

Faelnon moves over to Shandor and inquires about the warning he received from the orb.

Shandor answers, 'I don't want to ruin all the fun speculation, but the orb merely told me that the group was in danger. Hardly uncommon and not wholly useful.'

Isondil takes an apple and begins munching it quietly

Dytalorien grins, "Thanks for the warning."

Isondil looks over and grins at Dytalorien's comment

Mihwen walks up to the fireplace

Faelnon yawns slightly, 'It is quite tiring fleeing from something that may or may not be coming and may or may not want to hurt us..... Shandor, why exactly did we gallop away, again?'

Shandor smirks, 'You needed some exercise?'

Echnaton suddenly appears besides Shandor and asks "do you have any closer idea what kind of danger we were in?"

Shandor nearly jumps from his seat at the sudden appearance of Echnaton, he blurts out, 'No, nothing more.'

Dytalorien looks over himself and grins, "Nope, I'm and fine and fit."

Echnaton smirks "maybe now we are just in place for whatever it is"

Mihwen smiles at Dytalorien 'sure about that?'

Isondil looks at Echnaton before walking outside with his apple core

Dytalorien smirks at Mihwen.

Faelnon says to Echnaton, 'If that is so we are now trapped, and possibly surrounded by thousands of enemies, if I were you, I'd run behind the bar and hide.'

Echnaton talks to the barkeeper, asking for certain shops

Echnaton ducks a bit and pretends a jump.

Isondil feeds his apple core to his horse and returns to the inn

Mihwen asks the barkeep what time it is

Shandor yawns loudly and turns to Mihwen, 'It is time enough to sleep, so I retire for the night. Goodnight and the morning swiftly greet us.'

Shandor disappears up to his room.

Echnaton says "I’ll be right back' and vanishes through the door

Mihwen looks at the rest of the group and says goodnight

Faelnon yawns a second time, 'I advise you all get some rest as well.'

Echnaton walks over to the market place

Dytalorien stretches and stands up, "I guess we should all retire." He moves to his room.

Faelnon goes up to his room and settles into his quite comfortable, and spacious, bed.

Isondil looks around before wishing goodnight upon the rest of the group and walking up stairs

Echnaton manages to buy some arrows, even if the merchant was about closing

Echnaton rushes back to the inn and goes to his room

[Narrator] As the night passes sounds of creaks and groans echo through the inn. The sky is darker than one could think possible, not a star in the sky.

[Narrator] At around mid-night the group's horses let out a cry and neigh loudly before a foreboding silence fills the village. The final candles in houses extinguish.

[Narrator] Downstairs the barkeep is the only one still awake. He is making a small sandwich. He takes a large knife and slices the bread in two. As he goes to take a bite the front-door blows open with a fierce wind, blowing out his candle. Plunged into darkness the barkeep hears the wind whisper to him.

Faelnon tosses and turns in his bed, but remains fast asleep.

[Narrator] The staircase of the inn creaks and groans. Soon a door squeaks open.

Faelnon twists once more before an odd sensation overcomes him. He snaps awake suddenly groaning in pain. A large blade is protruding from his chest. He gasps for air as he sees a figure in the darkness.

Shandor snaps awake and immediately sits up, a cold sweat on his brow. The Nanjarii-orb glows softly in his hand. He leaps out of bed and smashes through a door.

[Narrator] A figure tries sprinting down the hallway.

Shandor dives and tackles the figure to the ground, knocking him down the short flight of stairs.

Faelnon continues gasping for air, unable to form any sound.

[Narrator] The barkeep lies at the bottom of the stair-case. He groans, a trail of blood coming from his forehead, 'What's… what's going on?'

Shandor whips out a golden dagger and flings it at the barkeep, it hits into his shoulder and pins him to the wall.

Dytalorien sits up groggily at the loud sounds within the inn and exits his room, saber in hand.

[Narrator] Foilae stumbles out of the room and watches as Shandor throws a golden dagger, 'When did you get those back?'

Shandor turns back, 'First thing I did when I got back to A'lure… well, second thing after everyone harassed me for not being dead, apparently I disappointed a lot of people.'

Faelnon manages to articulate a whimper.

Shandor hears a sound from Faelnon's room, as does Foilae.

Isondil here's something clatter and walks out of his room carrying a small dagger

Shandor dashes into Faelnon's room and sees his wounded friend, 'Get Mihwen!' He yells.

Faelnon looks frantically around the room.

Dytalorien races to Mihwen's room and shouts, "We need you, quick!"

Mihwen wakes up and rushes out

Dytalorien leads Mihwen to Faelnon's room.

Isondil begins walking down the stairs with a curious expression on his face

Mihwen runs up to Faelnon

Faelnon writhes in pain

Dytalorien stands back and watches as Mihwen works frantically.

Mihwen tried to stop the bleeding with the quilt

Isondil mutter's to himself shaking his head and turns round and walks back upstairs towards Faelnon's room

Shandor goes downstairs to secure the inn.

Shandor peers outside

[Narrator] Outside most of the horses lie on the ground, slain. A few of the reigns have snapped and the horses long since fled. Lestat the Jayle has taken off into the distance.

Mihwen says 'I need some bandage and the little leather pouch in my room'

Dytalorien runs to grab the requested items.

Shandor slams the entrance door shut, not willing to take the chance of anything else coming in.

Dytalorien hands the items over to Mihwen as he re-enters the room.

Shandor props a table against the door, accompanied by several chairs.

Isondil turn's around and goes downstairs to see if he can help Shandor

Mihwen applies an ointment on Faelnon's wound before he put on the bandage

Isondil looks at Shandor and say's 'need any help?'

Shandor tears some floorboards from the floor and sets them against a window.

Shandor says, 'Yes, lots, check the back for more doors and block them.'

Dytalorien paces about the room, still grasping his saber tightly within his left hand.

Shandor gets several nails and uses another plank as a hammer.

Mihwen smiles at Faelnon 'guess you'll survive'

Isondil nod's and turns jumping over the bar and into the back room

Faelnon smiles weakly, 'Oh goodie.'

Mihwen says 'sleep now' as Faelnon falls to sleep

Echnaton meanwhile sits in a minor road besides his horse which is laming due to several deep scars in the chest...

Dytalorien grins, "I assume he'll be fine?"

Shandor calls up to Dytalorien , 'He's Faelnon, he'll never be fine.'

Dytalorien chuckles, "Is that so, must run in the village."

Isondil looks at the back door and locks it before dragging over a large table and securing it against the door

Mihwen looks at Dytalorien 'he will, the stab missed all vital organs'

Dytalorien nods to Mihwen, "Good to hear."

Shandor blocks up two windows.

Echnaton sneaks towards the inn and checks whether the way back is save or if those *whatever* is still around

Shandor calls up, 'If you two aren't busy doing nothing, secure the windows up there and make sure no-one can get through the roof.

Isondil looks around and sees a small window and breaks off the legs of a chair and places the flat part against window

Isondil yell's to Shandor 'Can you hand me a hammer and some nails please!'

Faelnon yells to Isondil, 'Wish I had some! Take the nails from the floor boards and use a piece of wood as the hammer.... that or use Mihwen's cooking.'

Dytalorien leans back and waves to Mihwen, grinning, "Get to it, Mihwen."

Mihwen smiles as she walks up to Faelnon

Mihwen says 'let me see that wound'

Echnaton , hidden well in the darkness, hears sounds of hammering from inside the inn, outside there is no motion to be sensed

Isondil grin's and rip's off some floor boards and begins beating them over the window

Dytalorien cringes, but feels no pity for Faelnon.

Mihwen looks at shandor 'you dont happen to know anything of this?'

Faelnon , who has managed to make his way downstairs mumbles, 'What the Tarkna is going on?'

Faelnon looks around the main bar area.

Shandor turns to Mihwen as he picks up the barkeep and slams him on the bar, 'What?'

Mihwen says 'you seem to know much more than you say'

Shandor says, 'I just received a Warning that Faelnon was in major trouble. I wake up and behold, he is stabbed.'

Isondil returns after checking everything is secure

Echnaton sneaks back to his horse which stands motionless.

Faelnon , deciding to take command, issues orders, 'Shandor tie that barkeep up, preferably with something that hurts. Isondil, see if there is a way out, perhaps and tunnel, if there is, don't block it, but guard it.'

Isondil nods slowly and say's 'Your ok?'

Faelnon cringes in pain, 'Oh yes, I'm fine.'

Faelnon looks at Isondil, 'Get to it!'

Isondil nods and jumps over the bar and begins looking for a trapdoor

Mihwen shakes her head

Shandor ties the barkeep up with whatever he can find.

Echnaton cares for the injuries, despite the darkness. he feels them...

Faelnon looks around and takes a headcount, 'Where is Echnaton?'

Mihwen says 'no idea'

Isondil runs his hand over the dusty floor and feels a handle and pulls it up revealing a set of stairs leading downwards

Faelnon looks up towards the roof, 'I hope Dytalorien is as incompetent as he is sarcastic.'

Faelnon turns to Shandor, 'Go up to the roof, and see if you can find Echnaton.'

Shandor nods and runs upstairs.

Shandor gets outside onto the roof.

Shandor slides carefully down the roof.

Isondil walks back into the bar and takes a lit candle and begins walking down the stairs

Shandor lands on the dirt-floor beneath.

Shandor looks with sorrow at the horses.

Echnaton carefully scouts the place again while moving towards the inn

Shandor looks around the empty area.

Shandor spots something in the shadows.

Shandor gets a bow and equips an arrow.

Echnaton 's horse follows, laming

Shandor aims at the shadow.

Isondil reaches the bottom of the stairs and hold's the candle above his head and looks around the dimly lit room

Shandor shouts, 'Reveal yourself or find yourself in a world of pain!

Echnaton looks around the last corner, behind which lies the inn

Mihwen takes a bite of an apple

Echnaton hears Shandor’s yelling

Shandor watches as the shadow disappears, he sighs, 'Trick of the light, or lack thereof.'

Isondil looks sadly around the room as it reveals only a few barrels

Echnaton yells back "it me" and immediately changes his position

Shandor is about to turn away when he hears a faint moan from a horse.

Echnaton senses for any movement but everything stays calm

Shandor dives to the ground, bow ready, and aims at the new sound, 'Step out into the light, slowly, you could be possessed.'

Isondil turn's and begins walking up the flight of stairs again

Echnaton looks over where he knows his horse and immediately and sound stops

Mihwen looks at Faelnon 'and what will happen now?'

Echnaton asks aimed to the inn into the darkness "Shandor..?

Faelnon says, 'We wait until morning, then we get out of here no matter what.'

Isondil reaches the top and blows out his candle and pulls the trapdoor closed with a bang

Shandor shouts back to Echnaton, 'I am he, but you could be anyone.'

Shandor leaps back as the sound of an arrow whizzes by his shoulder.

Echnaton shouts "every time you appear we are in trouble till over the neck. it's me, Echnaton!

Shandor yelps in surprise and releases the arrow toward Echnaton.

Shandor leaps from the ground to the roof in one swift jump and enters the inn the way he left.

Echnaton hears an arrow flying and moments later a seconds one hits the wall right above him

Isondil walks back into the bar and say's to Faelnon 'there is no way out downstairs in the cellar'

Shandor calls down to the bar, 'Something is outside, I think it is Echnaton possessed by this evil!'

Faelnon nods to Isondil.

Faelnon hears Shandor's shouting.

Echnaton thinks to himself... good that they always assume one is *standing*... and rolls to the side

Faelnon turns to Shandor, 'This is grim news.'

Isondil takes out his bow and rushes upstairs to were Shandor's voice came from

Mihwen shouts 'are you sure?'

Shandor nods, 'I suggest a see-shoot policy.'

Faelnon nods slowly, 'If we see Echnaton, shoot him, try not to kill him though.'

Isondil scrambles up onto the roof and begins peering into the darkness his ears strained

Echnaton yells "I did not shoot yet. Give me a target." and immediately changes position

[Narrator] The sounds of arrows hitting wood surrounds the group.

Faelnon hears the sound, 'Everyone, make sure all the entry-ways are blocked.

Isondil ducks as arrows begin to rain down on the roof

Echnaton tries to locate the origin of the arrows. Meanwhile his horse retreats in the side road

Echnaton notices some schemes were the arrows seem to come from

[Narrator] A flaming arrow manages to break through the blocks and hits into Mihwen's shoulder.

Faelnon looks over to Mihwen, 'Hang on!'

Isondil scrambles down off the roof into the upstairs window and peer's out and sees some of the arrows coming from a house opposite the inn

Echnaton finally got a target the light of the flame-arrows

Faelnon yells, 'Everyone get inside.'

Mihwen screams as she pulls out the arrow

Faelnon grabs Mihwen, 'Sit down! I'll try and heal you, but be calm.'

Isondil takes aim at the house and sends an arrow through the upstairs window in the house

Mihwen looks at Faelnon 'no need'

Mihwen says 'you're half-dead, you should rest'

Faelnon says, 'Too much is going on to rest.'

Echnaton manages to shoot at an archer who was about firing another flame-arrow

Isondil dives underneath the window as arrows fly into the room

Shandor grabs Isondil and shouts, 'Get downstairs, it isn't safe up here.'

Shandor grabs a piece of wood, which stops an arrow from hitting into his head.

Mihwen stands up and press her wound to stop the bleeding

Echnaton sees the figure go down in pain

[Narrator] Several archers take aim at Echnaton, they fire.

Isondil nods to Shandor and crawls along the floor and through the door

Echnaton manages to score a second hit, then he rushes aside

Shandor blocks up all of the upstairs windows.

Shandor shouts to Isondil, 'On second thoughts, get to the roof and block it up, make sure nothing can get in.

Faelnon checks all the downstairs windows and doors.

Echnaton tries to climb up on a low roof nearby, but the noise attracts more arrows

[Narrator] An arrow hits Echnaton in the leg.

Echnaton manages to cover behind a wall, but an arrows hits in the leg, which wasn’t safe yet

Isondil stops halfway down the stairs and run's back up and out a window at the top of the stairs and pulls himself onto the roof

Faelnon finishes checking the downstairs.

Shandor calls to Isondil, 'This is the only window open, hurry up! Or I’ll trap you outside.'

Shandor takes the chance to grab a bow and a fresh quiver of arrows an begins to unload them on several archers.

Echnaton tries to come to the other side of the wall

Echnaton while being save, at least for a moment, he breaks the arrows in his legs apart and removes the parts

Mihwen looks at Faelnon 'as long as the shoot thier arrows we're safe'

Echnaton makes a painful sound.

Isondil examines the roof and thinks everything looks safe and begins to move back down towards the window

Shandor shoots an archer trying to aim at Isondil.

Echnaton gets an piece of cloth from his pockets and binds it around the legs-wound

Mihwen says 'got any idea who these men are?'

Isondil reaches the end of the roof and lowers himself down and jumps into the window

Echnaton sneaks on the other side of the wall, slowly, but with bow ready

Faelnon says, 'Same guys as we met last time, I guess, poor souls possessed by the evil force.'

Shandor instantly slams the window shut with a piece of wood.

Echnaton sees some men rushing to the place he just was.

Isondil looks at Shandor and say's 'any gaps which we could fire arrows at them?'

Shandor turns to Isondil, 'Okay, now, gather up all our belongings and get downstairs.'

Shandor shakes his head, 'This place is fully blocked up, and good thing too.'

Isondil nods and picks up Shandor's bow and quiver

Faelnon listens to Shandor for a second, 'Yes... yes, I think I see where you are going with this, board up the staircase?'

Shandor nods.

Echnaton hits the first of them with an arrow the belly-blow was not deadly, but it disables the man instantly

Faelnon climbs upstairs and gathers some of the equipment up and takes it downstairs.

Isondil walks into his room and picks up his belongings

Echnaton lames back to his horse

Mihwen runs up and get he belongings

Isondil head's out closing the door behind him and locking it and walk's down the staircase

Echnaton mumbles "sorry friend", somehow get up on him and moves away from that place

Faelnon tears all the doors of the rooms and moves them towards the staircase.

Shandor sees Faelnon ripping the doors off and joins in.

Echnaton stops after some hundred feet

Isondil set's down his belongings and walks back upstairs and see's if he can help

Faelnon calls around upstairs, 'Is everyone downstairs?'

Echnaton slides down from the horseback and the horse slowly moves away a bit

Mihwen says 'guess so'

Faelnon nods and begins helping Shandor block up the staircase.

Isondil reaches the top of the staircase and say's 'going now'

Echnaton stumbles in a direction right-angled to his previous escape-way

Faelnon finishes blocking up the stairwell.

Isondil leans up against the bar and say's 'How exactly are we going to escape?'

Faelnon says, 'That is something we shall find out.'

Shandor suddenly shouts, 'Be silent! Do you hear that? Silence. No more arrows.'

Shandor says, 'What are they up to?'

Mihwen looks around

Isondil shakes his head and say's 'Maybe their going to burn us out?'

[Narrator] There is a *pitter-patter* of quick feet near the entryway. The two candles in the inn blow out emerging the inn in total darkness.

[Narrator] The *pitter-patter* sounds on the walls and on the roof.

Echnaton sees a movement in the inn-entrance, in range for a shot, but he has no idea, whether its friend or foe

Faelnon draws his sword.

Shandor illuminates the room with a spell.

Mihwen stands with her back against the wall

Isondil fit's an arrow onto his bow and looks around and feels uneasy

Mihwen listens

Faelnon whispers to Isondil, 'Get that trapdoor open.

Isondil nods and jumps over the bar and opens the trapdoor

Isondil gazes out through the small gap between the wood and window

Mihwen looks around

Mihwen whispers 'now what?'

Faelnon says, 'Last defence.'

Isondil sees something move outside and jumps back from the window

[Narrator] A new wave of men reach the wall of the inn, suddenly, like a blink, they are atop the roof.

Mihwen pulls two daggers

Faelnon hears something on the roof.

[Narrator] The sounds of tiles being torn from the roof fills the group's ears.

Isondil say's a small prayer in Elven and runs back out into the bar after he's finished

Faelnon crouches on the stairs and aims his sword upwards.

Shandor crouches next to Faelnon and aims the light-spell closer to the staircase block.

Isondil aim's his bow at the blocked staircase

[Narrator] The sound of *pitter-patter* is now inside the inn.

[Narrator] The sound is directly over head the group, they hear the window-blocks being broken away.

[Narrator] *pitter-patter* moves towards the staircase.

Faelnon comments, 'These do not sound like mortal men.'

Isondil pulls back his bowstring and takes aim

[Narrator] The sound is directly on the staircase-block.

Faelnon rams the sword upwards. An inhuman scream sounds and the *pitter-patter* retreats.

Mihwen says 'be ready'

[Narrator] Several *pitter-patter*'s sound in unison. A door blocking the staircase disappears. Shandor's light-spell lights up a scaly face and amber eyes before Shandor is knocked backwards, the light-spell disappears.

Isondil let's his arrow fly at the gap

Faelnon yelps as the room is plunged into darkness.

Isondil retreats a little and fire's an arrow seemingly at nothing

Echnaton retreats back to the very first place. This takes a while due to the hurt leg

[Narrator] The room is pitch-black *pitter-patter* sounds through the bar. No-one can see anything.

Mihwen stands still listening

Isondil takes out his axe and listens intently for sounds

Faelnon hears a sound behind him. He whips his sword up and hears it connect with something.

[Narrator] Silence fills the room.

Faelnon stands perfectly still, trying to hear every heartbeat.

Shandor lets out a sudden cry which is quickly silenced.

Faelnon hears Shandor and flings a sword near him.

Mihwen standing still listening

Faelnon is unwilling to make any sound, lest it attract attention.

Isondil stands still his heartbeat sounding ten times louder

Faelnon hears something behind him. He leaps out of the way of some kind of creature, a good two-feet smaller than him.

Faelnon hits into something, a small, primitive wood-chopping axe.

Faelnon grabs its handle and gets to his feet.

Echnaton reaches his original 'sightseeing'-place and takes a look at the scene

Faelnon hears the basement door slam.

Faelnon breaks his silence, 'They are trying to fully trap us, don't go upstairs! It is not safe.'

Isondil looks around slowly towards the door and takes out bow and fit's an arrow onto it

Faelnon shouts loudly, hoping everyone knows the joke-version of elven, 'Ogay otay hetay arbay.'

Faelnon shuffles over to the bar.

Isondil rushes to the bar

Mihwen moves towards the bar

Shandor makes no sound or movement.

Faelnon whispers to the two at the bar, 'Get ready to go to the trapdoor, I'll cover you.'

Faelnon hears another *pitter-patter*.

Mihwen whispers 'do we need light?'

Isondil nods and whispers ' but there is no way out of the cellar'

Faelnon says, 'Get into the basement, when I come in and lock the door, light the place up.'

Faelnon nods, 'I know, but right now it is the safest place.'

Faelnon creeps towards the trapdoor.

Faelnon flips it open and waves frantically at the hole.

Mihwen follows

Isondil walks over towards the trapdoor

Isondil treads carefully down the stairs

Faelnon shoves the two in and dives in after, slamming the door shut.

Faelnon spins round and bolts it shut.

Faelnon shouts, 'Now Mihwen!'

Faelnon dashes downstairs.

Echnaton watches the persons enter the inn trough the roof

Isondil looks around and say's 'where's Shandor?'

Mihwen sets fire on a barrel

Faelnon says, 'I have no idea.'

Faelnon shouts, 'What the hell are you doing Mihwen?' He shouts something and the barrel's flame goes out.'

Faelnon scolds, 'Did you want to blow us up?'

Mihwen says 'you wanted light

Shandor sees a blade near his head. He kicks up and throws two creatures off him.

Shandor dives towards the trapdoor and desperately tries to open it.

Faelnon hears the trapdoor rattle and shake, 'Don't go near it!'

Faelnon warns, 'It could be them trying to get in.'

Isondil begins searching the cellar vainly hoping to find a way out

Shandor yells through the cellar, 'You idiot! They'd rip it open, now open up and let me in!'

Faelnon nods and flings open the door as Shandor dives through. He slams the trapdoor after him.

Faelnon bolts the 'door shut again.

Faelnon turns to Shandor, 'Now that you are here, would you mind giving us a little bit of light?' He adds quickly, 'In a non-explosive way.'

Shandor nods and lights the room up.

Isondil begins tapping the walls and hears the dull thud of wood on the last wall

Faelnon swears he see something in the cellar dash away.

Faelnon shouts towards Isondil, 'There is something coming! Get out of there!'

Isondil dives away from the wall

Faelnon shouts, 'Does anyone see anything?'

Isondil scrambles over towards Faelnon and Shandor

Shandor looks around.

Faelnon shouts, 'Mihwen, get over here. Everyone stick together.'

Mihwen walks over

Faelnon says, 'There is something around here.'

[Narrator] The trapdoor suddenly rattles, drawing the attention away from the cellar floor.

[Narrator] The magic-light suddenly disappears accompanied by a *pitter-patter* sound.

[Narrator] Something moves in the room and then everything goes silent.

Faelnon shouts, 'Shandor?! Shandor, where are you?'

Isondil shivers slightly

Mihwen holds her breath

Faelnon stumbles over a keg of ale and slams to the ground.

Faelnon feels the warm liquid of blood flow over his face.

Faelnon shouts concerned, 'Shandor?'

Faelnon realises the blood is his own from a head wound.

Echnaton is still damned to watch without a chance for a promising attack

Faelnon manages to gather spare bits of wood together and sets it alight. Shandor is nowhere to be seen.

Faelnon looks up at the trapdoor, the rattling has stopped.

Isondil looks around and say's 'Should we not try to flee from this place?'

Faelnon says, 'I don't know! Shandor might have been taken up there.'

[Narrator] A blade emerges through the trapdoor.

Faelnon gulps as a second blade goes through it.

Echnaton uses the 'pause' to care for his injury. He removes the emergency-wrap and bandages it properly,

Faelnon begins breathing rapidly.

Faelnon 's face pales.

Isondil looks up at the trapdoor and takes out his bow and fit's an arrow onto it and aim's at the trapdoor

Mihwen says 'get ready'

[Narrator] The trapdoor beings shaking and groaning again.

Echnaton hears faint, strange sounds from inside the inn

Faelnon thinks he hears something different than the trapdoor, but dismisses it.

Isondil Shiver's uncontrollably and looks around

Faelnon suddenly feels something scaly around his mouth and nose. He can no longer breathe.

Faelnon falls to the floor and squirms.

Isondil drops his bow and rushes towards Faelnon

[Narrator] A creature leaps from Faelnon and disappears before someone can see it.

Isondil looks at Faelnon and say's 'what's wrong?'

Mihwen runs up to Faelnon and Isondil

Isondil pulls Faelnon up

Faelnon begins panting and looks around, he sighs, 'I'm sure something happened.'

Faelnon says, 'Something attacked me, cold and scaly.'

Isondil nods and say's 'I felt something as well; extremely cold'

Mihwen says 'stay close'

[Narrator] The hours tick by, the flames diminish and the cellar is once again emerged in darkness.

[Narrator] Within a few hours the trapdoor stops rattling.

[Narrator] The sun peaks over the horizon.

Isondil looks around and whisper's 'should we try and break out to see if we can find Shandor?'

Echnaton has to retreat, as due to the rising light the hiding place gets insecure...

Faelnon says, 'We should, I need a lend of a weapon.'

Mihwen says 'will this dagger do?'

Isondil takes out a short sword and hands it to Faelnon and say's 'I rarely use it'

Faelnon nods and takes the dagger, 'Thanks.'

Faelnon takes the short sword too and dual-wields them.

Faelnon creeps up the stairs.

Echnaton makes it up a roof and is again able to watch the scene.

Faelnon uses the blade of the short sword to unlock the door.

Faelnon hits the 'door open.

Faelnon leaps and rolls under the bar.

Isondil takes out his axe and follows Faelnon closely

Faelnon leaps up to reveal the empty bar.

Faelnon says, 'Nothing is here...'

Isondil jumps out and turns round

Faelnon looks around, 'Mihwen, stay here, Isondil, go check back, I'll go upstairs.

Mihwen looks around as she follows

Faelnon creeps up the stairwell to the top floor. The place is empty.

Isondil nods and say's 'maybe the sunlight has something to do with it?'

Faelnon enters a room, the bed has been tossed and torn apart.

Faelnon nods, 'Yes, they may fear the light, Shandor was their first target and he was the one with the light.'

Isondil walks into the back room and sees' the door and table have been destroyed

Faelnon looks out of the window, outside the town is empty.

Faelnon says, 'I don't think whoever those creatures were, were merely possessed people.'

Isondil nod's and say's 'I think some of them weren't even humanoid'

Mihwen stands there looking around

Faelnon looks around the upstairs again.

Faelnon goes downstairs, 'Get some food in you, I'll take a look for Shandor.

Echnaton sees a man lying in the corner next to a house

Faelnon crosses over to the blocked-front door.

Faelnon drags the tables and chairs away.

Mihwen moves into the kitchen

Faelnon unlocks the door.

Echnaton closes in, still aware of ... whatever

Mihwen puts some food in her bags

Faelnon opens the door slightly nothing.

Faelnon leaves the bar and looks at the damage to the outside.

Echnaton recognizes Shandor lying there in the dirt, pale and motionless

Faelnon turns around and stares directly into the sunlight.

Faelnon blinks and shields his eyes.

Faelnon looks down and sees Shandor.

Faelnon dashes over to him.

Echnaton makes the last few feet

Shandor is pale and covered in light cuts and bruises.

Faelnon whips a sword near Echnaton, 'Stay away!'

Isondil moves into the kitchen and begins eating some apples

Faelnon grabs Shandor with one hand and begins to drag him towards the inn.

Echnaton rises as he sees Faelnon coming " they seem to be gone"

Faelnon says, 'And left you here to spy on us? I think not! You will not safely come near us until you prove you are you.'

Faelnon lets Shandor down and puts a blade at Echnaton's throat. 'You are the one that flees after I am stabbed. The one that wasn't seen as we were attacked. The one who shot an arrow at Shandor. The one who did not come to our aid. The one that finds Shandor in the morning.

Mihwen looks at Echnaton 'it's just for caution'

Isondil walk's outside and sees Faelnon and Shandor with Echnaton and rushes towards them with his bow fitted with an arrow and ready

Faelnon gets Shandor to the inn and drags him inside.

Faelnon turns to Mihwen, 'Check him and make sure he is okay.'

Echnaton uses his bow to knock away the sword and retreats one step, out of range.

Faelnon goes back outside and nears Echnaton.

Faelnon whips out his recently-recovered crossbow and aims at Echnaton. 'No sudden movements.'

Isondil watches Echnaton and yell's 'Don't move or I’ll fire!'

Echnaton freezes

Faelnon consults with Isondil, 'How can we prove who he is, or isn't?'

Isondil shakes his head and say's 'I don't know when the enemy have possessed him he may act normally and when his master calls him change'

Echnaton smirks "and..? what now?

Faelnon nods, 'Perhaps we could use a spell...'

Faelnon instructs Isondil, 'Keep the arrow trained on him, if he doesn't follow my orders, disable him.'

Isondil say's perhaps I don't really know'

Faelnon turns to Echnaton, 'Sit down on the ground Echnaton.'

Isondil nods

Echnaton sits down

Faelnon nears him slowly.

Isondil turns to Echnaton and say's ' one move and your dead'

Faelnon sets his crossbow down and begins chanting.

[Narrator] A blue cloud of energy forms above Echnaton, light strikes into Echnaton's eyes.

Faelnon says, 'By the Goddess Arioath, only the truth will go from your lips.'

Faelnon says to Echnaton, 'What is your name?'

Echnaton answers Echnaton

Isondil stares at this but keep's his arrow trained on his head

Faelnon says, 'Why are you here?'

Mihwen looks at Echnaton

Echnaton says "I stayed close to this inn

Echnaton "and killed as many of those guys as i could

Echnaton but hen they bacame too many

Faelnon warns, 'Answer only what you are asked.'

Echnaton continues "from then on i could only watch

Faelnon grits his teeth, 'Answer *only* what you are asked, whelp.'

Faelnon asks, 'Do you work for evil powers?'

Echnaton says " I do not work for evil powers

Faelnon says, 'Who were those that attacked us last night?'

Echnaton says ‘I don’t know.’

Faelnon continues asking questions for several minutes.

Faelnon finishes and turns to Mihwen and Isondil, 'He does appear to be Echnaton.'

Echnaton answers short, but truthfully.

Isondil lowers his bow slightly

Faelnon yawns, 'I think we should get some sleep, last night's was disturbed.'

Echnaton slowly rises, despite some suspect looks

Faelnon whispers to Mihwen and Isondil, 'Someone should stay up and make sure my spell was correct.'

Isondil nod's and say's 'I will'

Faelnon nods, 'Okay.'

Faelnon goes inside to treat Shandor.

Mihwen whispers in Isondil's ear 'we should observer him a few days'

Echnaton sees some more suspicious look towards him

Faelnon finishes healing Shandor and says, 'Our beds are destroyed, so we may as well stay down here.'

Isondil nods his head slightly and whisper's 'I was going to anyway'

Faelnon lies down on a couch.

Echnaton walks to get his horse back again

Faelnon jumps up, 'Where is he going?'

Faelnon grabs his crossbow and trains it on Echnaton.

Mihwen finds a couch and lays down

Isondil turns to Echnaton and say's 'Hey, come here! Where do you think your going?'

Echnaton looks back over his shoulder and says "patience!

Faelnon says, 'Patience smatience, Isondil, chase after him.'

Isondil aim's his bow at him and say's 'Come here now or I’ll shoot'

Echnaton comes back with his horse and asks "any healer that can care for us?"

Faelnon says, 'I can heal your animal, but you must step away from it.'

Mihwen falls asleep on the couch

Echnaton steps away from his horse, stepping on Isondil’s foot like accidentally

Faelnon releases the bolt, it whizzes through his hair.

Faelnon loads the 'bow again, 'What did I tell you?!'

Faelnon shouts, 'Step away from the horse.'

Isondil curses Echnaton and pushes him

Faelnon says, 'Isondil, tie him up.'

Isondil grabs Echnaton and holds his arms behind his back

Faelnon dashes out and ties Echnaton's arms and legs together.

Faelnon says, 'Put him next to the barkeep.'

Isondil nods and lifts Echnaton inside dropping him beside the barkeep

Faelnon says, 'It seems we both stay up then.'

Faelnon crosses to Echnaton's horse and looks him over.

Faelnon puts his hand gently on the horses mane, 'Be calm, sweet beast, do not fear the end, for you will be with the Spirits.'

Faelnon enters the inn, 'I am afraid your horse will not survive.'

Echnaton sadly looks up to Faelnon "it seems I wasted my time for the wrong friends.’

Isondil kicks Echnaton and takes out a small dagger and moves towards the bar a grabs a stool and sits down looking at Echnaton

Faelnon says, 'Isondil, fortunately, it appears Sandilor was not among those killed.'

Faelnon sits down on a couch and looks towards Echnaton. He sighs before checking the crossbow is working properly.

Echnaton looks back, but his eyes seem to not to see Isondil

Isondil nods and say's 'That at least we have to be thankful for'

Faelnon nods, 'Yes, my horse, and Shandor's, were slain. Who would slay innocent creatures?'

Isondil shakes his head and say's 'I don't know these are dark times'

Faelnon nods, 'Yes, too dark for such gentle creatures.'

Faelnon ponders on the darkness falling on the world.