Perception: 8

Kina jostles him a bit. "Don't relax that much!" she says.

Looking at his face, you notice that one side almost seems to be melting, and a dark red tear rolling down his cheek.  But you also notice a muffled scream from behind you.  Turning, you see his two friends closing from just over 100' away.  The scream must have been from the one you kicked as his left arm dangles uselessly at his side as he moves.

Kina's eyes widen, and she shakes her head slowly.

"No... oh no..." she whimpers and hugs the man tightly, realizing she's lost him.

"I'm so sorry.... I couldn't save you." she mutters. 

She puts the body down but takes the moon mask, before the other two close in. Should she fight them? If they're doomed to die if whatever has bewitched them loses control, would it be kinder to simply end their torment? Her brows furrow. She hesitates. She's too badly hurt, and not confident that she could take both of them out, so she runs, but not towards the Shire. This is her problem, she won't make it their problem. Additionally, they knew exactly where to find her. They know where she lives. She just needs to get far enough away to treat her wound, 

As before a dc 13 Wis save or take 11 necrotic damage.

Bartholomew just relaxes and tries to pay attention to these guys in wait for an opportunity if there is one.

The other two try to move to intercept, but they are no match for your speed, and you quickly open the distance between you.  But which direction to go?  Follow the road to Carlisle, or take off cross country?  South leads back to Lariket and your herd, but there have been rumors that it is getting dangerous there.  North to Undercity, or Moorsedge, or circle around the Shire to the west and head for Westerville?  You were supposed to be picking up a package for your mentor in Carlisle before all this ruckus started ...

Conversation continues from the front of the wagon, and you hear soft snores behind you.  You have no indication your movements have been noticed.  Lifting the edge of your hood for a better view, you squint against the sudden increase in light to your eyes.  Even though they start to water heavily, you can make out that you are in the back of what amounts to a small buckboard wagon.  Flat bed, low sides (only about 1-1.5' high), and a bundle of what seems to be the rest of your gear at the rear.  Your head is near the front, almost tucked up under the seat.  Based on your speed, although the odor of the beast up front helps, you assume the cart is ox drawn.

With his legs propped up on your shoulders, the fellow behind you seems to be very comfortable and you hear soft snores after but a moment.  The two in the front speak only rarely and the most noise you soon hear is the creaking of the wagon as it plods along.  The road does seem to be getting rougher, however, drawing a conclusion that this is not one of the main roads between towns.

He clutches at his chest and falls forward, landing beside you in the wagon.  The world goes eerily quiet for a moment, until the ox snorts in its impatience to be moving again.

Your knee connects quite solidly with the side of his head, bouncing it off the back of the driver's seat of the wagon.  He tries to stand, (remember, kids, ALWAYS remain seated in a moving vehicle) just in time for a sudden jolt to toss him over the side.  You hear exclamations coming from the front ... I think they know something is up.

As you remove the hood, sunlight burns into your eyes causing you to squint reflexively, but you have no trouble grabbing the dagger and freeing your legs as the wagon comes to a stop.  A hunters' calm comes over you and every sound becomes clear.  The ox snorts, impatient on being stopped, as the wagon creaks and the brakes screech, the driver swearing about not being able to stop faster, as footfalls land in the front of the bed and steel sings as a scimitar is drawn.  From several yards behind the wagon, muffled groans, indicating he likely didn't land well, so hopefully will be slow to be back.

Kina doesn't run for any town just yet. She attempts to find higher ground, first, determined to at least try and save the other two from their thrall. One of them is injured, and if he's still of single-minded purpose, he'll keep following her. It's not like her hoof prints are hard to miss, after all. She tries to find a ridge or a slope, something that will force the masked ones to come at her one at a time. She'll try and incapacitate the injured one, maybe bind him with the rope that she assumes the three all have on them... and if she can't save them, she'll do her best to bring them peace.

Once she finds a defensible position, she'll try and tend to her wound using a healer's kit.

You find a small wooded hillock that seems to suit your needs, the clearest approach is a bit of a climb, and would be very difficult for two men to ascend side-by-side.  As you reach for your healer's kit, the mask slips in your other hand, as if there are separate pieces you are gripping.

Making sure the one with his feet on me is asleep I hum a gentle lullaby and try and make the others fall into slumber as well (cast Sleep). My roll for that is 5d8 HP and here it is :24

Kina stops for a moment to investigate the mask, trying to take it apart, see if there's anything inside that might give her a clue as to what, exactly, is going on. She'll tend to her wounds in a moment.

Investigation roll: 18