<div class="floatleft">(http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j480/Erion2451/Human%20Rogue_zpsltf3uqdl.jpg)</div><br/>The days leading to the river crossing had been pleasant enough, even with Gwyndolin clinging to her side.  Rose liked her companions, and was looking forward to getting to know them better - in a more intimate way, she hoped.  Both Serena and River piqued her interest, and while she didn’t really go for the green-skins, Ushie wasn’t exactly the typical orc.<br/><br/>Of course, things hadn’t all been shiny, and far from exciting.  Waking with ribbons in her hair, had been slightly irritating, but at least River’s little joke had broken the monotony of the trip.  She’d been toying with the idea of snagging the little pixie out of the air and stuffing her down her leather vest, in an act of “revenge” as they approached the bridge.<br/><br/>In retrospect, they’d been rather foolhardy for not having a scout in front.  The road wasn’t nearly as safe as it had been in years passed.  Likely the reason they hadn’t heard from those elves for some time.  If elves couldn’t pass through their own forest unmolested, than it was likely her little party would need to deal with more than just this little encounter.<br/><br/>A slow scan of her surroundings confirmed what she had already known.  They were surrounded - one was even in the water.  A well laid ambush.  Though, one they likely could’ve spotted had they been paying attention.  Mistakes like these weren’t good.  It was a quick way for a thief to have a very short career.<br/><br/>A the first revelation of the merfolk, Rose had raised her hands, palms outward, and even with her shoulders.  They weren’t in a position to fight, something she hoped Ushie would recognize.  She glanced at Serena and the little pixie from the corner of her eyes.<br/><br/><strong>”Either of you want to handle this?  I don’t think fighting is going to do us any good,”</strong>she added the last bit for the orc’s benefit.<br/><br/>As Gwyndolyn formed her shadow and vanished, Rose ground her jaw together tightly in irritation and envy.  It was a rather clever trick, one she wished she knew.  She only hoped the merfolk didn’t it as a threat, and hoped those armed with ranged weapons weren’t quick to fire.  If they were, she hoped the shadow was solid enough to act as a shield.