Marie
Two of the burly ruffians were positioned behind rocks, lying in wait for the bard, and once she entered the narrow pass, their third companion slipped in behind her, sealing off her escape route.

None of them had seen a second person picking their way down the path, much less the third, a young man with a shock of pale hair and a lean build, though he made virtually no effort whatsoever to hide his presence.

As Eden emerged from the pass, the two men in front of her leapt out from either side, attempting to grab her wrists, leering, wicked grins on their faces. "Well what do we have here?" One of them asked with a gruff laugh.

Their final companion slowly began to creep up from behind, unaware of the additional travelers picking their way through the path.
Kathleen
*Eden took a single step forward before coming to a brief halt, digging her foot into the ground and exhaling softly. Her ears has picked up on the shuffling of feet behind her, her dull brown eyes casting a short glance to her side. She knew the presence of others could only mean trouble, but despite this she continued forward. Maybe she would be able to outpace them?*

*Despite fully expecting there to be more of them, she wasn't able to avoid the two as they jumped from their hiding places. Instinctually, Eden would try to avoid the man on the right, which led her right into the other man's hands. As her wrist was grabbed she would throw a badly timed elbow aimed at his face, leaving her other wrist open to grab.*

*Now somewhat restrained, she would hiss harshly at the man's comment- tugging against their grip violently. Eden retained her silence, trying to read the situation to the best of her ability. Maybe she would be able to turn this around with some sweet words?*
Joseph
From his perch, and peering through an enchanters keen elven eyes. Keladan had seen somewhat of a scuffle a few hundred paces or so down the woodland path. Looking more closely, through boughs and encanted vines. It appeared there was a maiden of some sort being *Quite literally* Assaulted. During the last moments of the day before the sun blinks it's way off down to rest. How horrid of these humans to ruin what was such a serene and lovely time filled of everleaf smoke. It was outright disgusting of them when he put even more thought into it..
 Alas and nevertheless, The enchanter was no hero. Nor was he brave, and he felt sickened at what he glimpsed in the distance yet he could not bring himself to move.. He was a cowardly and slippery thing. However, his mind was turning. This could possibly be an opportunity to test a more reckless and wicked bit of enchanting on another sentient being. Possibly a 3 minute *Newt-alizing?*
 His legs were frozen in place with cowardice as he balanced in this branch.. But his hands shakily reached for his travelers pack to prepare a transmutation spell.
Marie
The final traveler making his way down the narrow path caught sight of the third scoundrel as he brought up the rear behind Eden, brandishing a stout cudgel of wood in one hand. The young tiefling named Carver Dal frowned decidedly at such brazen activity, knowing it surely couldn't be wholesome in nature, though the young man couldn't see Eden and the two who had already taken hold of her just beyond the boulders. He stooped into a crouch, his hand going for the second-hand shortsword he'd purchased in a village shop in a random village some time back. It was hardly a quality weapon, but in the right hands, it would get the job done. If only he had the right hands!

What he lacked in skill, however, he made up for in spades with bravery and determination to do the right thing. With the short sword in hand, he crept forward behind that third ruffian even as the larger man was creeping up through the boulders. Both of them unaware of the pink-haired elf in the trees above. 

The two brutes already with Eden laid their hands on her, getting a grip on either wrist and using that purchase to pull her off to the side of the trail, pushing her up against one of the large boulders. They had greedy, selfish grins on their faces and they pulled her arms up and out to pin them against the rock, but at last one of them paused as he looked up into her face. "Oi, what's wrong with yer eyes, lady?"

This question brought the attention of his assaulting partner, who also now frowned in confusion. "Damn, looks like the fires of hell in her eyes, it does. You a demon, girl?"

"Don't matter none, Grul," The first decided. "Let's just take that fine instrument of hers and her purse, and bonk her on the head..."

It was here that their boss emerged from between the two rocks, his club raised, looking confused but angry. "Didn't we go over this now? You two were supposed to cuff her on the head right from the start so that I could come up behind and do the bonking."

Gurl glanced back from the woman pinned against the rocks. "Well it's just a girl, boss."

"Don't wanna cuff a pretty girl, 'specially with her eyes all glowy," His partner agreed with a nod.
Kathleen
*Eden balled her hands up into fists as she was pressed against the boulder, pursing her lips as she listened to them drone on and on. Her head only perked up when she heard her eyes were mentioned. Maybe this was the break she needed?*

*Before she got the chance to speak the two had already rid the idea from their heads- causing her to groan internally. It was clear to her that this wouldn't be so easy to squeeze out of, especially when the third arrived. The chances of someone stumbling across them were low, and she didn't want to have hauled the instrument all this way for nothing.*

*Her fiery eyes settled on the 'boss' as he approached, scowling harshly as her gaze would swap between him and his club. She had an idea to buy herself time, though she wasn't quite sure how it would play out.*

"It took three of you to plan this?" *She asked smugly, hoping to spark a bad reaction from one of the three.*