The Mountains

As everyone starts approaching their positions you begin to see the full shape of the mountainside. The splendor of dusk painting itself on the rocky landscape is beginning to wane as night approaches from the east. An occasional gentle breeze of wind keeps you at focus as it brings across some chilly air.

Thick in the cover of some foliage, Deruvid, Asterion, and Cato begin their ascent on the right side of the mountain range. It is not long before two humans appear ahead of you by about 60 Feet (20 Yards). Both seem to be armed with crossbows, and you can tell from here that they also have a sword sheathed around their sides. About 180 Feet (60 Yards) away you do see perhaps another man sporting the top of the arch, hidden behind some rocks as it appears he has seen something.

On the ground below Elijah, Vortrin, and Skyro begin to trek into the mountainside. You immediately get the feeling you are being watched but as you look around all you can see is the shadowy sides of the mountains. The area you are in is a little dark, as most light stops going into this part of the opening at this time of day.

As you three begin to sneak your way closer towards the archers, one of them hears a voice. You freeze, tensing beneath the somewhat dry dirt, still moist from the rain a day and a half prior and hide behind some jagged boulders. The archer turns his head and looks your way.

"You hear anything Jarvis?"

"You must be hearing things again Davey. Maybe lay off the ale the next time youre in town aye? Oi Look! Elijahs brought us some fools again. Look at that puny little Gnome! Figure Boris could punt him from here to Fundy I betcha"

"Ha! Aint that right! I guess youre right about me eharing things. Could be the gold jingling on that Dragonborns gold pouch. I can nearly hear it singing to me!"As you three venture closer into the arch a man comes out ladden in medium armor that would befit a noble, and a sword that appears razor sharp and finely crafted with studs coming down the sheath of a sapphire color. To the right of him is a tall lurking half-orc with a mace that appears stained with dried blood on it. Its almost as if the muscles on this half-orc had muscles. The man begins to speak

"Now now. Thats as far as you have to go. Im afraid to pass there is a toll you're going to have to pay. Now before you turn around and tell me you dont want to pay you should know that theres also a price for not paying, whether you pass or not" as he slaps the half-orcs shoulder, A half smirk appears on him as he is acknowledged.

"If you had any wits about you, you wouldve known beforehand that you had walked into a trap unwary adventurers. Look around if you wish but youll find that the only way you'll make it out of this mountain alive is by kindly leaving us with all of your valuables."

The man barely even flinches as he looks the dragonborn up and down before returning his gaze on Vortrin. "Oh really? Am I supposed to believe that a slave owner lets his servants brandish a weapon? What kind of fool do you take me to be? Im giving you one last chance to fork over your belongings, including your sack of gold or Im going to have Boraicho teach you a lesson in proper manners"