Having made it to the cover of the trees, the party paused to regroup and regather itself.  While everyone was catching their breath, Lune quickly took stock of the situation.  Fortunately, they had managed to withdraw without too much incident, an absolute miracle in her mind.  Normally, an ambush of that nature would have left at least one of them dead - with more to follow.  Perhaps there was something to the gods that both Elora and Deon worshipped - not that Lune was planning on converting anytime soon.  Sliding her eyes sideways, the half-elf scout gave Deon a newfound look of respect; the cleric had just saved them all.  Not that she didn't already kinda like him, but now Lune felt like she could<em>trust</em>him.  At least he seemed a good deal smarter than both Elora and Misty combined - another glare was given at the sodden pair.<strong>"One, two...that's at least a dozen of those scaly, ugly landwhales coming after us.  Not counting all the ones hiding in the swamp earlier shooting at us - and only the gods know how many more of them out there."</strong>With a grimace, she jerked out a dart which had buried itself in her shoulder, balefully looked at it before tossing on the forested floor.<strong>"By Bane's..."</strong>The words were halfway out of Lune's mouth before she gave another look at Deon and changed what she was about to say.  No need to disrespect the deity that the cleric worshiped.<strong>"Cyric's Sweaty Cock!  Can we leave <em>already</em>?"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Not until we save whoever the lizardfolk have captured,"</strong>Elora remarked, her mailed hand emitting a soft glow as Beatrice stirred and stand up straight again.  Worriedly, the witch examined her form and seemed relieved that she didn't find any scars as an unreadable look was shared between the elf and the tiefling before Elora continued on.  The elven paladin was a sight to behold, her formerly spotless full plate now sullied with mud from the swamp with strands of marsh weed hanging from her.  With every step she took, rivulets of water leaked out of the joints of her armor, giving it a creaking sound.  The surcoat of the Order of the Golden Lion was sodden, barely visible from the mud splattered across it.  No doubt it would take a tremendous effort of scrubbing and oiling, a full evening's worth of work, to restore everything to its former glory.<br/><br/>To facilitate the drying, the front panel to her helm was propped open, revealing her dampened features.  But though Elora's face was flushed, bearing hints of shame from the foolishness of her earlier decision, she seemed to have moved past it for now.<strong>"I <em>refuse</em> to callously abandon them to their fate.  Torm has brought us here for a reason."</strong>There was iron in her voice and a reminder of who the elven paladin had once been - before the madness of the love potion.<br/><br/>Misty's response was much simpler.  Having yanked out the darts, heedless of whether or not they left any scars or not, the barbarian looked positively<em>murderous</em>.  Her breathing was already labored and it seemed as if she was planning on running out to meet the lizardman in the middle.<strong>"Run if you want.  I owe those <em>cowards </em>a taste of my axe!"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Misty, <em>hold</em>."</strong>Elora's voice had a tone of command in it as the barbarian reluctantly obeyed.<strong>"You are wounded from the earlier ambush.  We will fight together when they come to us."</strong>Then, her strong tone wavered as the elven paladin turned her attention to Deon.<strong>"I'm sorry, Sir.  Do you mind healing Misty a little?  I can also provide some aid."</strong>A stricken look was then given by Elora at Deon's own wounds even as she also quickly put her hands on him.<strong>"Please also take care of yourself..."</strong><br/><br/><strong>"This is madness!"</strong>Lune protested loudly.<strong>"The whole thing was no doubt a trap to lure us in from the beginning!  I'll bet the fresh blood was something they scattered to draw our attention.  Anyone who was alive is already dead!"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"I lead in battle."</strong>Elora's tone was firm once again, brooking no argument, as she turned a steely look upon the half-elf scout.<strong>"This is what we <em>agreed </em>upon, correct?"</strong><br/><br/>And at that, Lune looked poleaxed.  She opened her mouth, and then closed it.  For some reason, the half-elf seemed rather embarrassed even as she gave a quiet sigh after a moment, her shoulders slumping.<strong>"Fine.  We did agree, yes.  What's your idea then?"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"You, Deon, and I will loose arrows at them until they close the gap.  Then, Misty and I will charge them together and fight side by side to prevent them from easily flanking us.  You will continue to provide firing support for us both - pick off any who seemed to be wounded.  Meanwhile, Deon will intercept any who come towards your way.  The two of you together will guard the witch and the horses; we cannot afford to lose another horse if we are to make it to Daggerford."</strong>Quickly, Elora outlined her plan even as she laid her hand on Misty, a few of the bleeding wounds on the barbarian slowing as the wild woman gave a grunt of thanks even as she hefted her greataxe.<br/><br/><strong>"Well, I like this better than your other plan..."</strong>Lune muttered even as she took up her position, pausing only to grab an extra quiver of arrows to throw at her feet.  No doubt, it would be necessary in this fight.<br/><br/>Elora stood at the front, her composite longbow in hand.  '<em>Mehgen</em>' and her shield were on the ground nearby - to be grabbed when the lizardmen closed the distance and came within charging range.  Misty was a little behind, breathing in and out heavily, narrowing her focus on the pack of lizardmen as she felt the anger in her blood<em>burn</em>.  When Elora gave the command, the barbarian would charge with the elven paladin to engage the foe.  To their right, Lune and Deon were situated - along with Beatrice and the horses.  The cleric and the half-elf scout stood side by side so as not to get in each other's way when firing.<br/><br/>And notching an arrow in her bowstring, Elora drew it back even as she sighted one of the lizardmen.<strong>"Mighty Torm, the Loyal Fury..."</strong>she intoned her battle prayer, feeling her heart leap in her breast.<strong> "Today, Your Hand guide my blade and my bow.  You know of the evil and wickedness these lawless ones have caused; may You recompense them for their deeds.  May You also shield me and my companions for You know that our cause is a righteous and just one.  In particular, grant me Your strength that I may not falter.  May justice be done on this field of battle today in glory and glory to Your name."</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Now, <span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 11pt;"><em>Loose</em></span>!"</strong>Elora cried as the first salvo of arrows were fired at the lizardmen.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">OOC: Party Intent and Action</div><div class="spoiler_body">Elora used her Lay on Hands on Beatrice (2 hp, HP: 1), Misty (6 hp, HP:29), and Deon (6 hp, HP: 18).  She has saved 1 hp for her Lay on Hands which she will only use to help stabilize anyone who is dying.  She also has activated both her Law and her Protection Devotion - granting herself a +3 sacred bonus to attack roll, along with a +3 sacred bonus to AC for everyone in the party as well as the horses.  Plus she has used 1 of her turn undead attempts to grant herself +10 move speed and +10 temporary hit points (Move: 30 ft, HP: 49)<br/><br/>As planned, the party with ranged weaponry - consisting of Elora, Lune, and Deon will fire at the approaching lizardmen.  They will do this until the lizardmen reach charging range.  Lune will use her Rapid Shot once again.  The totals for Elora and Lune are - Elora: +10, 1d8+2.  As before, Lune's are either +3/+3, 1d6 if not within 30 ft or +4/+4, 1d6+1 if within 30 ft.<br/><br/>Once the lizardmen reach charging range, Elora and Misty will charge the remaining lizardmen.  They will fight side by side to prevent any easy flanking bonuses and also make it so the lizardmen only can bypass them if they provoke an attack of opportunity.  Elora will drop her longbow and pick up her longsword and shield (+13, 1d8+3, AC: 23 for charge, then +11, 1d8+3, AC: 25) and Misty will rage before charging and use Power Attack for a -2 for +4 damage while charging and then stop using it for the remaining rounds of combat: (+9, 1d12+13, 9 temp HP, AC: 10 for charge, then +9, 1d12+9, AC: 12).  She will also use Intimidate as a free action from her Intimidating Rage on the foe closest to her to demoralize them (1d20+11 vs. 1d20+hit die+Wis modifier).  If successful, that opponent suffers a -2 to attack roll, ability checks, and saving throws.<br/><br/>Lune will then begin to skirmish any wounded lizardfolk (+5, 2d6, if within 30 ft. +6, 2d6+1, AC: 20) or target any that begin to approach where her and Beatrice are.</div></div>