Vanestria stepped into the side alley, starting to cast just as the men started to move. And they were fast - so fast! She barely managed to get her sleep spell off - thanks to the gods being with her she caught two of them in her spell before they encircled her, but the one in the alley withstood her magic - but when the beggar slumped down two were still there, flanking her, and growling while they drew saps and struck at her. She dodged the blow from the front, but the one behind her - the trustworthy man! - struck her head, almost knocking her out (8 dmg, subdual). Then it was her turn - flanked by two men who knew how to strike at weak spots, in a dark alley. An auspicious begin for her journey indeed.