We start to flee, on horseback, the two groups of cavalry. They give chase, evidently relayed orders somehow, for surely they could not yet see us. One of the groups is about 7 minutes behind us.
Lani, whoÕs in the air observing the closest group, summons an air elemental to slow them down. The group consists of 24 light cavalry, and one heavy cavalry, armoured in full plate.
The air elemental, who creates a whirlwind, causes much confusion. They are very ineffective in dealing with it. Lani then charms the horse of their leader, and tries to steal it. Managing to fly onto the horse, Lani starts to gallop away. Group one has definitely been delayed.
Some of the cavalry give chase to Lani. After a while, she stops, and after putting one of the pursuers to sleep, Lani engages three others in melee. After a short yet futile combat, both groups catch up and to and move to engage Lani. Lani flies up to escape bow range. The leader of one of the groups moves towards Lani, having consumed a potion of flying earlier. Another one of the soldiers consumes a potion Ð someone in a cloak. Lani is approached by the two flying individuals, and they have a limited parley. They want LaniÕs surrender, but Lani doesnÕt want to surrender.
Meanwhile, Zim remains in MaximusÕ tent. Zim hears Maximus talk. It seems Maximus might be aware of ZimÕs presence.
Lani gets shot at by arrows, and flees. Erring on the side of caution, Lani teleports away.
Meanwhile, Maximus grabs Zim. Maximus smelt Zim a long time ago. Maximus starts to interrogate Zim.
They dispel the spells on Zim. They then cast detect magic, and strip Zim of his items.
Questioning Zim, Zim reveals that "we" are aware of the impending attack, and that we are aware of this impending attack because of a prophet. Zim reveals that it is Sind that they will be attacking. Maximus isnÕt doing the questioning.
Zim reveals that heÕs with Kvana the Grey. They donÕt seem to recognise the name. The male interviewing Zim reveals that heÕs from Sind. However, the interviewer makes a slip, and reveals that he knows that Grey is a Rajah.
The platemail clad guy turns up to report. Zim gets carried out by Maximus, tucked under his arm.
Lani listens in over the communicator to the report. After that report, another person (the scout that spied us) gives a report.
Zim is brought back in, and questioned further.
The Sindhi asking the questions makes it clear that heÕs under the employ of Maximus.
The enemy organises packs of dogs to track us by scent.
Before Zim is carried away, he tells them that Sind is preparing their armies, and may make a pre-emptive attack. Zim also warns them that the people on the plateau are aware of them.
Zim is taken away and gagged.
Later, Grey mounts a rescue attempt. Grey teleports in with two summoned Osyluths. Grey grabs Zims stuff from next to the mage, but when he tries to teleport out, the spell fails. There is protection from teleporting out.
Grey directs the Osyluths to cause a distraction, and flies away. Some anti-air ballista bolts miss Grey, but only due to his many protections. The encampment is very well organised.
Grey manages to get away, but Zim is still captured. On running back to the party, Grey notices an invisible Avoral Guardinal following at a distance. Possibly Chico, as Lani overheard someone mentioning the name.
The party leaves the area, covering their tracks. A ways away, we set up camp. During the night, we hear a group of horsemen go past, very close. They donÕt notice us, by some freak chance. Turia sneaks up to them, and observes five of them.
We decide to try and take them prisoner. With some ease, this is accomplished, although one of them managed to crack a sunrod. We decide to move camp.
Lani charms one.
Turia notices a bright glow in the sky, from the direction of the enemy encampment. The enemy saw the flare of light, and are approaching.
Lani teleports back to GreyÕs palace with the two charmed prisoners. The rest of us flee. The light in the sky pursues us, and then blinks out.
Unfortunately, another patrol catches up to us, a group of four. Unfortunately, they look like a group of adventurers. Combat ensues. Joining them is some sort of fiery bird as well. Maybe thatÕs Chico. WeÕre in trouble. One of their spellcasters throws around seventh level spells.
They also have a phoenix with them. The phoenix does things like throw delayed blast fireball.
We manage to kill all of the humans, but Roland is downed by a delayed blast fireball in the meantime.
The phoenix blows up. Grey is almost dead. The phoenix returns, reforming from its ashes.
We get blasted more. Roland, who was just restored from death by Safranna, gets killed again.
We teleport away. Roland is once again restored. To life, not unlife.
WeÕre now in GreyÕs palace.
Note that PhoenixÕs are usually associated with good causes, and portend either times of renewal and rebirth, or times of death and destruction. But either way, they are usually only associated with good causes. A sending to the phoenix is sufficient to indicate that the phoenix believes we are inherently evil.