Part 1: Goblin Arrows

Kama has experience with wagons and horses, and offers to drive the vehicle if no one else can, or to sit up front and accompany the driver.

The half-orc is typically dressed in two mis-matched pieces of chain mail. One is a simple and well-fitted chain vest over a cloth shirt, which he treats in the professional manner of one who is practiced in some form of soldiering. The other is a very worn and haphazard-looking chain skirt settled over layers of leather and furs, which despite the skirt's ragged appearance, Kama seems loathe to remove except in the most dire of circumstances. In fact, when there's not enough oil to clean his armor, Kama prefers using it on the skirt instead of the newer-looking and superior-crafted vest.

The attention and care for the chain skirt is as lovingly provided as with the brutish greataxe Kama keeps close to his side. This weapon bears the marks of constant use, and its design is akin to his orcish blood.

My bronze scales practically glow in the morning light as I do a full scan ahead of the carriage. Once I'm satisfied there is nothing ahead, I turn towards Kama who has done an admirable job of steering thus far. "This has been an uneventful trip. Not that I don't appreciate easy gold, but I didn't sign up for courier service. I expected more than this. To emphasize my point, I throw my arms outwards at the serene atmosphere. My bow is propped in front of me ready for action that it may never see.

Hollow walks beside the wagon keeping up with it well enough. Currently she seems to be in a staring contest with the younger woman, the one named Seipora. If appears to be part of the silent argument that happens between them at least twice a day. Hollow wants Seipora to ride in the wagon, Seipora refuses unless Hollow takes an equal turn, which the teifling refuses to do on the grounds that she is working as a guard for the wagon and needs to be ready. This argument started with words on the first day, but has become this silent staring contest since, so you are all spared the bickering at least. The two people walking behind the teifling and the girl, the ones with the wide, darting, sunken eyes, seem not to notice the women arguing and keep a close watch to either side of the road, as though they expect trouble at any time. The four of them make an odd group. Hollow and Seipora appear to be women of status, their dress is fine, if a little travel worn and they carry themselves as though they are used to giving orders. However they seem to compete with each other over who can be the most servile. The nervous pair act as servants to the two women, never letting either of them out of their sight for longer than it takes to use the privy. They are dressed in the manner of common folk and seem to be so. Privately they all speak Thayian (the language of Thay) . The commoners only have a few words in the common tongue, while the teifling and the young woman speak Common and Thayian fluently.

Hearing the Dragonborn speak of being bored, Hollow says, "I don't think I will ever understand the desire for bloodshed. It is common enough in this world, I should think that if one wanted to fight it would be an easy sport to find."

"My talents are wasted. Something to break the monotony at least would be nice. You got any better ideas?"

Kama hums something quietly to himself, seemingly content with the pace. At times, he clicks his tongue to signal the horse as he guides the wagon along the trail.

"Can you sing?" he asks of the dragonborn. "I can recall a few songs from my old troop... though it's probably not appropriate for certain ears." He glances at the tiefling and her sister, assessing their noble graces and relative youth.

"Sing? No. Certainly not." I return to looking out beyond the trees for any small game I can use as target practice.

"That's a shame," muses Kama. "But, I knew a number of folk that preferred listening over performing. Old Jurgen, as an example, had a permanent scowl and it never changed, except when he heard a good song. That's when he'd grimace, like he was constipated." During the few days together, Kama would often reminisce about his homeland and the people he lived with, or his service to a faraway lord. He is quite open about his past and spares little secrets, but this is likely due to the fact that he has no secrets to keep.

Within the group, Kama is polite and engages in conversation, often times filling in the silences with anecdotes or superficial memories. He is not a terrible cook and creates simple fare, typical of what one would find when traveling with a large group and meager resources, so while it's not bad-tasting, it is plain.

The half-orc starts to hum a rolling, marching tune, and at times a few quiet words can be discerned, matching the rhythm of the horse's hooves.

Cold in hand and heart and bone,
I come from land of winter stone.
No tidings borne from frozen earth,
I seek the warmth of your sweet hearth...

The song's innuendo is completely over Wish's head. Walking alongside the singing half-orc driving the cart, the genasi smiles. Even if Gundren hasn't vouched for them, he'd like these people. Their easy camaraderie, their conflicting personalities, even their disparate origins all somehow come together to make him feel at home. This sure beats being alone, fearing for my life! I wonder if we will stay in touch after we deliver the goods in Phandalin... he wonders.

"Too quiet." I stand on the carriage and listen to the deafening silence.

"Yes."
Wish nods at the dragonborn's comment, nocks an arrow and peers ahead at the fallen horses and the surrounding foliage.
"What can you see?"

Hollow spins to cover the side of the road she perceived the snap to come from, she quickly unslings her crossbow. Seipora wordlessly climbs into the back of the wagon and hunkers down. Jozin and Cyril squeeze in close to the back of the wagon taking as much cover as they can. Hollow's crossbow gently clicks and she drops a bolt into the ready position.

Kama spends this time keeping the horse and cart steady, to allow the three non-combatants onboard. He eyes the retainers, then cocks an eyebrow as he holds out the reins with one hand; a wordless gesture of "Either of you take this, please?"

With his other hand, Kama picks up one of his handaxes from his stowed pack and inserts it into his belt.

Cyril crawls forward and takes the reins, crouching on footrest to gain cover again, but ready to spring into the driver's seat when needed. He scans the area as well and nods to Kama that he is ready.

Kama grabs his greataxe and hops down from the cart. He roars a challenge to the goblin charge, and surges forward to meet them away from the others. Best to engage the enemy away from the two archers and spellcaster.

As the half-orc nears the lead goblin, Kama sweeps his greataxe in a wide arc, seeking to cleave his opponent away.

OOC Edit: Forgot to mention that this is on Goblin 1, arbitrarily chosen since they goblins are equally split on either side.

Hollow moves away from the wagon a few steps to get the best angle on the rushing goblins. She levels her crossbow and fires at Goblin 2.

I immediately notch an arrow, shooting towards the hidden archer to the left of the path.