Bernice
A thundering bang came from Lucrum's feet. Before he knew it, an arrow was planted in the ground ahead of him. It was an attack- no, a warning perhaps. A few bushes around shook as multiple men revealed themselves from their hideouts. Three appeared, to be precise, yet how many more hid remained unanswered. Each of the bandits was covered in green robes, the color smoothly blending with the surroundings. Whether it was a sword or a bow, leather or linen, none of them seemed lacking in equipment - the group could probably conclude these were no mere goons. Each of them stared down the party, yet remained silent.

*Step, step, step.*
A boot slammed against a boulder of the ruins, a bit to the left from the thugs. If the group turned, they'd see quite the bizarre man. The winds carried his grey unkempt hair, the one protruding from his dusty wide-brim boon. He donned a cloak similar to the one the rest sported, yet his was patched up in various places. A falchion, flaunted proudly in his hand, reflected the thin rays of sunlight which broke their way through the tree crowns. An excited grin pointed out his greasy teeth and sweaty skin. The man spoke up, jerking his head left and right to exclaim his points further - his speech that of a vagrant.

"I see you're as attentive as your father, little boy! Sniffed us out 'fore we even made our debut. Let's see if you're as wise as he was, too." He reached the sword out and gestured at Lucrum's friends. "All those are your buddies, aye? How about you keep them safe and sound by handing yourself over? I assure you, I don't come unprepared for such a saucy bounty!" The leader tilted his head left and right, as if hinting that even more men hid in the trees about.
Tamiko
*Lucrum caught off guard cursed under his breath as he wondered, How long did these men follow them? They had left Kadho hours ago and discussed quite a few things. Had they been listening to what they plotted? A sense of dread washed over him, knowing what he had exclaimed prior shouldn't come to light nor escape these wretched ruins, he follows the motion of the Leader head sway. . . As he stares at the first arrow implanted by his feet. . . He is able to make out an 'approximate' location of a single ranger hidden amongst the grove. . . Be wasn't able to tell the difference between the green brush and the camouflage of the archer itself. Which wasn't enough. . . He needed time— So Lucrum played on the Hunter's patience. . . Gambling their lives on his drawn out shenanigans. . .*

"If you know of my father, Thou shall know that the robbery of his kin will not go unpunished. . .—"

*It was the appropriate time to mention; Lucrum was armed with a Calvary Sword and a Mace. With a Gambeson that had Pauldrons. Lucrum slowly decided to dismount his horse. Whilst having raised his hands as the 4 horses were important to have alive. He did not wish to have them caught in the crossfire. He keeps his hands raised, As he steps on the arrow. Embedded in the ruins dirt. He turns to Terrel and Shaori as he raises his chin up to them. He raises an eyebrow to them both, He quickly turns back to answer before he scoffs jokingly*

"Tsk..—! These people have nothing to do with me, they just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. . . __Your quarrel is not with them. It is with me. . .__"

*He presses his foot down on the arrow as he grows antsy for an opening to strike; But is unable to make one yet. As he returns his view to the Leader and three visible bandits. He wonders what Terrel and Shaori might do, yet he knows within he must make the first move.*

**"Come forth, claim your reward..."**
*Lucrum drops his head slightly, as he awaits the response of the Men.*
Cordia
*Terrel's grip tightened on his horse's reigns as the other men appeared from view. Ambush. Seeing the large group that surrounded them, part of Terrel questioned if Lucrum had the lead the two of them astray, though nothing of the two of them would require this many bandits. The Elf eyed them from beneath his mask, trying to make out just how many there were with how well they blended into the environment.

His attention was averted as one man stood apart from the rest of them, armed with a Flachion in one hand as he directed his words towards Lucrum. So that's who they were after. Terrel shifted his focus towards Lucrum as he dismounted and began walking towards the man with his hands raised. An act of surrender perhaps, but no he was simply buying them time, evident as he untruthfully stated that they had nothing to do with him.

Terrel would have to go along with it. Beneath him, his horse gazed at the men distrustfully and the Elf could only imagine the amount of fear surging through his mount. He'll have to retain calm for the moment. His hands relaxed on the reigns of his horse as he lowered his arms into his red cloak. At his waist-side, he carried a sheath housing the short sword he kept himself armed with beneath the red cloak he wore. Along with it, he kept a crossbow strapped to him though seeing that they were surrounded with bandits armed with their own bows, they wouldn't have much time to react once the first strike was given. He grabbed at the crossbow from beneath his cloak, feeling along it as he was unable to see it directly. 

Terrel would look towards the main bandit with a rather bored expression or rather whichever expression could be perceived with his half hidden face.*

"Yeah, go ahead and take him." *The Pig Man offered, going along with Lucrum's story.* "I hardly know him."

*The Elf forced himself to relax back in the saddle of his horse with a look that seemed more as if their were inconveniencing them before he would glance over to Shaori to divert his attention away from Lucrum while one of his hands grabbed at one of the bolts to load the crossbow with.*