Eldrog, Mercival and Willow - The Beginning

Mercival
You notice one of the bandits flits an eye to his right, your left, before saying (albeit a little hesitantly). "Got no cause t' be killin' a man o' faith, your lordship. Jus' had over th' coin an' any jewels ya be carryin' and we'll be on our way. Now the rest o' you kindly step down outta them wagons so we's can get a closer look, eh?"

Eldrog
Gaines complies, slowly climbing off to the left of his wagon, as does Mellon in the rear wagon. (Though Mellon appears to be trying to conceal a weapon behind him.) Turning to you, Bastion whispers "Well, my trusty sell sword, what are the odds that these two are alone in their efforts? Dare we risk their ire? or do you feel it better we acquiesce?"

The bandit speaker snarls as Mercival calls for him to bow, and says "P'raps his holiness ain't heard me right." with a flick of his right hand, the second bandit looses his bolt.

The bolt whizzes right past Mercival's ear, nearly removing his earlobe before burying itself into the wagon.

"Now then. Liek I's told ya already. lest ya wanna lose yer lives as well, I said move away and let us at the wagon's and toss yer coins into a neat little pile over there." he adds, pointing to the fallen tree by the road.

Eldrog
You scan the surroundings quickly, judging the distance to the hidden bandits. From your perspective, all 6 of the men are in range of your crossbow.

Mercival is using the side of the wagon as cover.

Mercival
Moving quickly, shielded by the distance, Gaines and the wagon wheel, you are able to stash most of your coin in a spot under the bags and crates. You hope that it is good enough to avoid being found, but you are fairly sure that, based on the laughter of the bandits after your nicking, that you did so unseen.

The red-haired Mellon steps from his position at the rear wagon, and slowly moves to the back of Bastion's wagon. He surveys what is before them, then the treeline to the left and right. As Mercival moves back to the wagon, he yells out a challenge to the speaker, moving up further to the back of Gaines' wagon. He has a short sword in his hand, though held behind his back as he walks past.

"Come! Look and see! I'll even show ya where the good stuff is!" he taunts. Not amused, the bandit looses another bolt. The bolt strikes the wagon wheel, and Mellon barely flinches. He reaches to grab it, and snaps the shaft, tossing it to the ground.

"Let's get this done, then." he says with a grin, bringing his sword to bear. The bandits look at one another for a second, and the speaker draws his blade and begins moving toward Gaines.

No big deal. I know how it is.

Seeing the bandit in view moving toward Gaies, Eldrog curses under his breath and stands. Taking aim, he lets loose a crossbow bolt toward the sword-wielder. The bandit ducks, the bolt sailing over his head.

Jumping from the wagon, the dwarf moves to take cover behind the large rock to his right. Others in the woods, both sides. Six in all, as far as I can tell, he calls to the rest of the company.

Mercival
The bandit grabs at his skull, screaming in pain as the horrific visions flood his mind.