will_scarlett | Sherwood Plot-Second Team

Doc looks better (happier, though there's that outlaw spark in his eyes again) than he did when he was last here.

"Are we planning to ambush or stand strong 'gainst them?"

Will answers this time,

"Settin' an 'mbush, will be four different ones an we're 'eadin' na far from 'ere."

"Alright," he says.

Then to Tuck: "I brought some basic things for aid, if it's needed."

"Will be glad o''em an I know Lady Sariel is a strong one with a steady 'and."

Will nods and starts moving them into the forest,

"This way to where we'll be, figure Doc an Mia an I can get this one without too many problems."

He pauses only to brace the crossbow against a fallen log, pulling the string back and locking it in place so that if they're in worse mud he won't dirty the catch. He'll load a bolt on it later.

Sherwood doesn't make things too difficult on her outlaws and there is enough fallen undergrowth to keep them from walking through too much mud, but the nearer they get to the river the worse the footing is, since the runoff flows towards it naturally.

Mia is sans jewelry, wearing a tunic and trousers, and holding her staff. This plus her short hair almost makes her look like a fresh-faced young man.

Almost.

"I have some supplies as well, not to mention the discreet trick or two. Put me where you need me and I'll do the rest."

Tuck and Will give each other a look before Tuck speaks,

"I'll leave the fightin' to ye three an Lady Sariel an I will watch the road, cart should be comin' up soon followin' the river road."

Will's thoughtful before speaking,

"Mia, do ye think ye could make us a diversion?"

The sound of rushing water comes closer as they near the river and the road which must be somewhere along here, the trees are just dense.

"She'd probably be better able to make one than I could," Doc admits. "Diversions aren't really my thing."

He tends to just go in guns blazing.

She thinks about her spells for a moment.

"We are talking about magic, right?" she asks Will. "I'm not exactly in the mood to distract with feminine wiles. You know as well as I do my husband won't appreciate that."

Another thought, and then she asks, "Perhaps you have some ideas of how I can use my spells? If you've any legends or stories that I could persuade into life, that would make a better distraction than simple flash and smoke."

Will just laughs at that,

"Oh aye, we've a few that could be o'use. Tis many old gods in Sherwood, trees that walk an get angry."

"Hell, the trees move as it is..."

Doc remembers last year and running through the forest, being chased by that guard...how scared he had been when the trees had seemed to move and close in...

"The guards tend t'be 'fraid of the trees, knowin' they got power."

Mia ponders, staff in one hand, chin in the other.

"It's not really my specialty, but I could probably manage something. And having my staff will help."

She thinks for a moment longer.

"I could use ice lances to lift the tree out of the ground and make it look like it's walking, which should be distraction enough both from the ice magic and us, I hope. Unless someone has a better idea involving fire or ice more directly."

Will grins,

"River runs right by the road, could use it to make things bit slippery for 'em."

Doc smirks, a wicked grin then taking over his features.

"Perhaps we could freeze the water that's in the mud or somethin'," he pushes a branch aside as they walk, holding it out of Mia's way until she passes. "But havin' a tree walkin' 'long would likely be awful impressive."

"I can do both easily enough. I'll walk the tree through the river to hide the ice lances moving it and freeze the water in the mud. They'll be so shocked they won't even realize they're looking up at us from the flats of their backs."

She picks out a fine specimen of oak tree. With a few whispered words finishing with, "Summon elemental power," she gently uproots the tree with a few ice lances.

"Come on, now," she tells the tree, and the ice lances obediently move the roots like feet to come with them.

Will nods and they set off towards the road which is close by as the sounds of a heavily laden cart can be heard.

The cart is going slow due to the thick mud, but at least the sounds cover the noise made by a trio of outlaws sneaking through the brush...followed by the oak.

Doc takes a bolt from the quiver at his side as he knocks his hood back from his face so he can see better, trying to listen to the sounds of feet and horses in an attempt to count how many guards.

With a few more quiet words, Mia slowly starts to freeze the water in the mud, giving them time to assess the situation.

"You might want to shield yourselves," she warns.

And with a subtle flick, the oak tree comes crashing through, taking what seems to be a running start.

A jump...

SPLASH!

If an oak tree doing a cannonball into a river doesn't distract them, nothing will.

The cart pulls to a stop, the crossbowmen by the driver and sitting on the chest firing as fast as they can at the tree.

While the two pikemen stand bewildered not sure what they should be charging and praying.

Will laughs and goes from a tree to the midst of the pikemen with his sword drawn and the fight begins.

If there's one thing Doc is, it's a good shot with a weapon he's had practice with. He could have used a bit more time with the crossbow, but, regardless.

It's close enough to his Winchester in weight and operation.

thwock

Even if the bolt lands in the chest and not the armor of the man sitting on top of the chest, it's still useful.

It is since that crossbow bolt flies wide as the crossbowmen aims at where the bolt came from.

Will is having a tough fight against the two pikesmen as the blood and mud keep moving.

The driver has finally spotted Mia behind the huge tree and the crossbowmen next to him starts aiming at her.

A little more spellwork so that it looks like the tree is frolicking in the water along with an ice shield for herself and Mia gets to work with her staff.

She might be quicker than usual. She borrowed the group's Chira tail.

Making it easier to dodge and get closer.

In dodging the bolt that comes flying back at him, Doc fires off another (this one missing by less) and growls as he slides across the mud, he's going to be covered by the time this is done.

He yanks the string back again and loads another bolt, before bringing the crossbow up again.

"HEY!"

It's a shout meant to get the attention of the both of them, draw their attention away...

The yell gives Will a chance to slice through one of the pikes as the bolts keep being fired.

Mia is doing a good job and the cart is getting closer since the driver and crossbowmen are distracted with Mia who is just too fast for them.

She quietly comments, "After all of the brain pickers in the Meryod Woods, this is a piece of cake."

It's something of a challenge, but being used to opponents both physical and magical, she's holding her own very well.

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