Tender is apprehensive of horse-riding; she's never had very good experiences with it. Back home, it wasn't something they practiced regularly; the nearest villages were all in walking distance, and frankly there was no reason for horses when your own two feet worked just as well. The horse clearly senses her nervous demeanor, tossing its head and dancing skittishly as she attempts to climb onto its back. She's careful of both her claws and tail spikes, not wanting to hurt the beast, but in this she appears to have lost her usual grace. "Oh c'mon," she encourages the horse once she finds herself in the saddle, taking up the reins but struggling to control her horse. She grimaces, unable to find a good, comfortable position, constantly shifting in the saddle, which was clearly were not made with tails in mind, and the ride is an awkward affair. She's almost laughably relieved when the caravan appears ahead of them, entirely ready for this to be over with. 

Fletcher laughs at the excellent display of horsemanship, then stops as he realizes her tail. "hmm. riding side-saddle might be easier?"

"Side-saddle?" Tender asks Fletcher curiously, unfamiliar with the idea. "Is it easier? Because if it is, then I am absolutely trying that on the way back." 

Fletcher laughs and demonstrates. "pretty sure it will help. most of the ladies in cities ride this way, 'cause of their big stupid dresses. not sure you would be under the same classification"

Kallista makes a beeline for the calmest looking horse, and spends some time showing Evi how to mount and control it. Unfortunately, this means that she herself gets the last choice, and is left with a steed that's tossing its head wildly and glaring daggers at her. The saddle is uncomfortable - it's made for a human - but she doesn't complain, and takes off alongside the others. The combination of her unruly horse, awkward seating position, and the fact that she's trying to instruct Evi mid-ride causes her to nearly fall off a few times. By the time they're approaching the caravan, she's insulted the horse's appearance, mother, and career choice, to name a few.

Tender is too unsure of herself on the horse's back to try to change positions while riding, but she joins Fletcher in laughing, shaking her head with a self-deprecating smile. "I'm afraid I still haven't gotten used to horses; for all my bravado, this is only the third time I've ridden." She much prefers riding in carts and carriages, like the merchants they were closing in on.

"it isn't bravado, its confidence. I have lived around horses my whole life. horse shoes are quite profitable...." his eyes widen as he realized that he has given away more than he wanted to. he looks bashful. "I really am not very good at this, am I?"

Tender chuckles, though not unkindly. "No, not really, but it's alright," she says, taming her grin down to a smile. "I won't pry, if you'd rather not talk about it." And well, most of her concentration was going towards clinging to her horse, so prying his story out of him was going to have to wait for better timing, despite her curiosity. 

"You're doing great, Evi!" Kallista says when the caravan comes into view. "Now, once we get there, to make the horse stop, you'll want to-" The last part of her statement is cut off as the horse unexpectedly bucks underneath her. She digs her feet into the stirrups and clutches the reins tighter, another string of curses escaping her mouth.

Ormidal rides silently, concentrating hard on controlling the beast. He continues to try and catch the merchants, getting up beside them before calling out for them to stop.

As Ormidal pulls alongside them, he realizes something is very, very wrong. From the previous distance, the caravan appeared to be still moving, but now that he's close enough, he can tell it is stopped. Not only that, but it has also been abandoned.

Orimdal stops and hops off his horse, quickly looking around the caravan to find signs of where the merchants have headed (Investigation: 15). As the others get to the caravan, he calls out to them, "Seems the merchants have disappeared. Not sure where, an' I'm no tracker, but hopefully we can figure out where they've disappeared to. Failin' that, we could check the wagons fer supplies an' take 'em back."

Tender finally manages to stop her horse, jumping from the saddle, relieved despite the situation. Leaving Orimdal to look around for the merchants, she climbs up onto the caravan to peer inside and look for the supplies, or any signs that they were attacked. (Investigation: 4 ) 

Fletcher looks around, have they left their supplies, or taken them. also are there any tracks discerning where they might have gone?

Looking around, the supplies cannot be found. Only sacks filled with dirt, clay, and sand to make them appear full. There is no evidence that the caravan was attacked, in fact it is in the same condition as it was when you saw it last. Ormidal can spot some strange tracks leading off into the forest to the right of the caravan. They do not appear to have been made by humanoid feet or shoes, however.

As you are all investigating, a sudden cry bursts out from the forest, followed by faint laughter. "They fell for it, those oafs!" A high-pitched voice says. Another responds, "They've played right into master's hands!". A deeper, stronger voice follows. "Shut up and get moving, you two. We have to return and tell master that the plan is in motion."

Fletcher nearly laughs at their incompetence. Nearly. He crouches down and moves towards the area where the voices came from. He beckons for the others to follow.

Stealth: 19

Perception: 16

Evi needed a long moment to regain strength in her legs and compose herself after finally getting off the horse.  Maybe I'll walk on the way back she thought as she finally started to move over to the abandoned cart with the others.  Suddenly hearing voices, she instinctively pulled out a hidden dagger from her robe and took a crouching position behind the cart waiting for something to occur.  Eventually seeing the others enter the forest, she at first resisted joining the others and stayed put.  Feeling a deep rumbling in her mind, a sign that her patron was unpleased with her choice, she sighed inwardly wondering what she was about to get herself into before trailing behind the others, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious.

Rolls if needed - 

Perception: 7

Stealth: 5

(Clearly she's still traumatized by that horse ride lol)

As you all progress further into the forest (need at least a Stealth check from everyone), you can see figures up ahead, though they are obscured by the dense foliage. Soon enough, you come to the edge of a small clearing, in which stand three figures: two rather small, squat and the other a huge, hulking beast. The smaller creatures appear to be covered in chitinous plates, like a bug, and they have two ridged antennae protruding from the backs of their heads.

The larger one is covered in small scales that glisten in the sunlight, and its head resembles that of an viperfish. Its fingers and toes are exceptionally long, but its nails/claws are rather short. It has two wings folded on its back that resemble the fins of a fish, almost. Strapped to a belt is a crude, jagged longsword and a whip.

"Come on move it! We've got to get moving before master gets worried." The large one says.

Tender's head jerks up at the sound of strange voices and she clambers down from the carriage, glancing around the area before she notices Fletcher beckoning them to follow him into the forest. She ducks low and follows as carefully as she can, making sure her tail doesn't sway too much or make noise dragging on the ground behind her. The strange creatures pique her interest, and she's curious about this 'master' they keep referring to, wondering what it has to do with the merchants. In the back of her mind, her mentor's voice reminds her to be mindful of her surroundings, and she shakes herself from her thoughts, glancing around for the rest of her companions. 

Stealth: 20

(Oof. Tender is obviously still feeling the horse ride, too lol)

Orimdal Stealth: 3

(Dm Question - how far ahead are these creatures that we’re following?)