Ophelia

Still pondering Gryffen's 'incident' the night before, Ophelia becomes gradually more aware of the general din of the caravan growing beyond its usual level, and her heads snaps up when the halfling calls to her.  She takes a second to realise what situation Gryffen is talking about, and tries to think if she has seen the standard flying ahead of them somewhere before.

History: 19

Ophelia has never seen the standard in any heraldry she has ever seen but it is clear from the reaction of several of the people around her that they recognise the sign, in some way or other.

Ophelia

The half-elf tries to deduce whether the approaching riders are a threat, by looking at the body language of people around her, and trying to pick up snippets of conversation.

Insight: 15

Perception: 12

From the riders appraoch Ophelia learns next to nothing, she cannot make out intent from that distance but overhears a name which makes the situation a lot clearer "Midnight Vipers!" One driver calls back to another who is asking what is going on up ahead. 

Ophelia

The half-elf manages to pick up the gist of what's going on and nods to Gryffen, riding alongside her in his own wagon.  "Could be a shakedown, killing whole caravans headed to the city you control wouldn't be great for business, but do keep an open mind..."

With one hand on the reins of her horses, she straps her crossbow to her backpack beside her.  "One thing's for sure though; anyone breaks rank, and it'll be like watching a pack of wolves take down a young deer separated from the herd.  I'd be tempted to keep quiet, and do as I'm told in this instance... hard for you to imagine, I'm sure", she says with a smile that vanishes as quickly as it appears, as she keeps her attention on developments up front.

Gideon 

The Paladin pulls his mount alongside that of the caravan leader, apprehensive of the approaching riders he quickly moves to hide the symbology of his order, tapping his travelling cloak it's colours change from that of deep red to a muddied and more neutral grey.

"Who's this lot then?" he asks to anyone in earshot.

History: 11

Has Gideon seen this symbol or know who/what they represent ?

OOC I'll say that none of you have ever seen the symbol but you know, through other people who travel to Ameni regularly with the caravan that it represents the Midnight Vipers. 

Kai just moves a bit closer so he can clearly here anything that the Caravan Leader says to Gideon.

"Dambargi's men, the Midnight Vipers.  They rule Ameni in all but name now but I have never seen them outside the city before today.  I don't know what to make of it, I wonder if something has happened there since I was last out east." Alson comments to Gideon, continuing "No matter what skills you have with blade and spell this is not the time to demonstrate it, they are a large force and may wish us no harm.  Let's all try and stay calm."  He seems to be trying to reassure himself as much as anyone else.

"If this, Dembargi is it?, runs the city then we are more than likely about to be searched" He eyes Alson before looking over his shoulder towards the caravan. "I sure hope you're not carrying anything you wouldn't want them to find my good man" he says just above a whisper, loud enough for Kai to hear.

"Dambargi isn't what you might call a good man, but he has eyes on his own greatness, I wonder if he has decided to promote himself to Lord of Ameni since I was last here..." Alson on trails off as the riders get closer.

At about one hundred yards out three riders on each side of the approaching unit break off and move to ride down the flanks of the caravan whilst the others continue straight ahead. As the seconds pass more and more details come into focus, the men do seem like a military unit, wearing matched armour and generally carrying the same weaponry. A chainshirt, helmet and shortbow with a melee weapon sheathed at the hip is standard for all but one of the men. The obvious leader of the group is wearing similar but more ornate armour, a shield with the sign of the Midnight Vipers covers one arm and a longsword hangs at his hip, he is at the front of the group, his standard bearer just behind him.

As they finally reach speaking distance he calls out "Hold fast, we wish you no harm but we do wish to speak with you."

Alson gives the almost redundant signal to stop, most of the caravans have already slowed to the barest of crawls, but they all immediately stop now.

"My name is Castor Samardi, Captain of the Midnight Guard, the peacekeepers of these parts, welcome to Ameni. Have no fear, we are no brigands, just humble servants of Lord Dambargi. Have your travels seen much danger, there were reports of brigands from the last caravan to come through and so we have ridden out to see if assistance is needed."

Also turns to Gideon and Kai, who are nearest to him. "Interesting, if true we are in luck but stay sharp. Come and join me for a drink Captain, if duty permits and we will tell you our tale, Kai, Gideon accompany me please." " Aldon open the canvas door of the caravan he has been sitting at and pulls out a small box, which he holds gently."A drink, Ameni firewater is all I have."

Assuming neither Kai nor Gideon strongly objects they are invited to tell the tale to the Captain of the recent attack by bandits. 

Kai describes the attack as best he can but fails to mention the role he played in fending off the attack.

"So three of you stood against the first group whilst the rest of the guards and the drivers held off the main thrust, you did well I think.  Especially to have taken so few casualties.  It sounds like you were well organised and skilled.  If you don't wish to continue guarding caravans come and find me in Ameni, I might have some real work for you.  No offense, I hope Ser" he adds to Alson, whose cheeks colour but he decides not to argue the point. "The other caravan I spoke off may have softened them up a bit which may have helped you. I will take most of my men out for a day's ride to see if they are close but I will leave Damrys and Caleo with you to steer you in, so to speak."

He smiles as he delivers the message and two men, who look exactly as two thugs turned soldiers might be expected to look, ride closer, having clearly been prepared in advance for this task, they both offer a brief bow from the saddle to Alson and make no other attempt to converse.  The Captain having accepted the glass earlier, throws down the fiery spirit and laughs.  "It makes me miss the city already, and I've only been gone a day, thank you Ser, may your fortunes be made in my city and may we cross paths again."  With that the captain, turns to his two men, establishes that they should return to the garrison once the escort has finished and wheels his horse away with a gesture to the rest of his riders, who leaving their two companions behind ride off in the direction the caravan has just come from.

"Safe journey Captain, and good luck" Gideon watches the Captain mount his horse before giving a curt nod and in stiff military fashion turning away to tell the others of the encounter.

Alson looks at the new faces and gives a small smile "So, shall we make a move, you can tell us what your Captain was too polite to mention as we ride."  He gives the signal to move out and slowly the caravan pulls away again. One of the men gives a barking laugh "You can tell this isn't your first trip out east, we'll be going through a new customs gate when we enter.  Just in case you were tempted to use the old one, which is still there, business is quiet for them though..." His companion laughs.

Alson turns to Gideon "Shakedown it is then. I hope they are all a bunch of reputable traders or this could go all sorts of different ways..."

Gryffen will take a minute or two to see what he is transporting in his wagon.

Gryffen finds a selection of carved toys and ornaments, very nicely done.  In total there are several large boxes of each and from opening a couple of boxes the halfling sees they are all made from stonebark wood, a very hard northern timber which doesn't grow here in the east and would therefore have a greater value.

Given Dejan's reluctance to share all available information regarding the heist, Ophelia quickly checks to make sure that her wagon is indeed only carrying leatherwork...

The wagon contains only leatherwork.

OOC at least one of you are carrying extremely rare and valuable magical items, just saying...