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Storm crouches in the shadows on the left side of the alley. He keeps his long sword in his right hand with the flat side facing down toward the ground, so as not to reflect light into the eyes of those who would see him. When the Attender makes his command for those hiding to show themselves, Storm comes very, very close to doing so, not immediately realizing that he has not yet been seen.

"I want to see all six of you," the black-clad man repeats, "before I hear you out. And I hope I like what you have to say, or it may be the last thing anyone ever hears from you."

Storm takes a shuffle step toward the light, but catches himself, as he notices a small puzzled look, followed by a smirk, on Hannibal's face. What had the thief noticed? Storm rehears the Attender's words and realized he's miscounted. He also notices none of the opposing thieves have looked his way. He's still unsure if he's been spotted, but he figures he might as well stay in the shadows until someone specifically tells him to show himself.

In the meantime, Storm, having full confidence in his mercenary skills, starts making his way through the shadows along the left wall of the alley as far as he can go, getting as close to the two thieves in the alleyway, and as behind them, as he can. While doing so he takes a long glance up and across the darkened alley at the Attender and the two armed men either side, all standing atop the two stacked crates. He notes their position with his enhanced eyesight, well suited for darkness:

The crate is about six to eight feet, square. The Attender appears to be standing no more than a foot or two from the edge front, in the center. His sidekicks are just off to either side, their crossbows trained on Hannibal, below. Their position's aren't considerably concealed, but they do have the enormous advantage of height. From down below, it would take either an extremely skilled shot, or a just plain miraculous one to hit any of them!

Canter looks to Cy and Naeron, unsure of what to do. His long sword is drawn, and then, seeing little choice, he tentatively steps forward, out of the shadow. He takes only one step, so that his body comes out into the pale moonlight. But he doesn't go any further; he doesn't join Hannibal in the middle. "Best to keep us apart," Canter thinks to himself, "so as not to give those archers too big a target."

Crayne looks to Emma for a moment and then steps out from his concealment. Should trouble strike then Crayne knows that invisibility is close in his mind. "We have nothing to hide! If we did then you wouldn't have spotted us so easily! Perhaps there is somewhere more--"

"No, Crayne, let's stay here," Emma whispers as she also stands up, "The alley serves our purpose as much as it does their's. Besides, I don't think they're going to be very talkative if they get a close look at us. Rinder's Six is probably pretty well-known in Parton by now. They might recognize our faces. Better to strike now while they're a little off-balance, I think. So, let's take this Attender and interrogate him here. Follow my lead..."

Hannibal is about to speak when he notices Emma emerge from the darkness out of the corner of his eye. Feeling she must have a plan, he simply props his hands on the pommel of his sword and waits, smiling.

Confident that the ambush can work both ways since Storm has gone unnoticed, Emma moves out from behind the crate and into the alley to join Hannibal. She pulls her cloak across the lower half of her face, as she's afraid to fully show herself to these men. 'Now to get them down from the high-ground,' she thinks, knowing that the crossbowmen flanking the Attender will do their best to protect their master. But neither of them had registered to her senses as evil, so maybe they could be spared by holding them captive with Anhur's spells.

Crayne nods in agreement, seeing that Emma has things under control. He ducks back into the shadows. Should there be any sign of trouble, he thinks to himself, he will quickly opt for a Color Spray at the three standing on top of the crate. Or perhaps a Charm Person at the Attender.

"We've come to offer you a business opportunity," Emma suggests, immediately adopting the tone and language of a haughty noblewoman that seems somewhat taken aback by dealing with such ruffians, but determined nonetheless to use them to make her plans work, "I represent some 'rich friends' that would like to make you an offer. Some of our 'contacts' tell us that you might be able to put your hands on a certain valuable 'ore'. Surely you have a buyer for the stuff, but my friends are willing to double what they're paying you. Won't you at least come down and hear us out?" She blinks her eyes invitingly and shakes her coin-purse as if to suggest he'll be paid well just for listening.

While Emma speaks with the Attender, Hannibal eyes each clansman over, best judging what individual was responsible for what. The Blood Clan, although evil and composed of thugs and assassins, was still well organized and directed. Each man and woman held a specific role for each encounter. It was a role that each took great strides in not failing, lest they have a dagger at their throats on returning to the haven. Even being out of the clan for so long, Hannibal easily recognized each individual for their intended purpose: the two in front were no doubt the terror unit, the ones normally assigned the dirty work of killing and intimidating. They would be tough but beyond them the others should be easy work.

"Get ready..." Emma whispers for Hannibal's ears only, while she waves Cy, Naeron, and Canter forward to flank them. Hopefully, Storm would catch on to her plan...

It wouldn't be long now, this Hannibal knew. Patiently he waits, his muscles tensed for the action he knew would soon come. Whether it'll be an attack from Emma or Crayne he knew that the sign to attack would be clear.

The Attender looks down at Emma, focusing on her as she is the center of attention. His eyes flick between her and Hannibal, narrowing. He then gives a glance to the thug and elf on the alley floor below. Finally, he replies. "A business proposal?" He nods slowly as a cloud passes overhead, temporarily casting the entire scene into darkness. "I'll hear you out."

With that, he turns his back on the party, stepping toward the building and out of sight. One of his crossbowmen remains in position on top of the crates, but the other moves with the Attender, following him closely.

Emma had planned on casting Hold Person at the two crossbowmen, but hadn't planned on the two of them splitting up. Of course, it made tactical sense: one to stay with the Attender and guard him, and the other to keep the height advantage. Still, with the Attender temporarily gone, she has to do something.

"Anhur," she whispers, "give me strength on this dark night. Bind the feet of our foes to the ground on which they walk. Stiffen their bodies like the hard wood of your staff..." She narrows her eyes and looks up to the remaining crossbowman on top of the crates. He stands there still, his crossbow lifted in front of his chest and aimed down. But as she finishes her whispered spell, she notices that he no longer moves--his position is held in place.

It seems like hours pass before the Attender and his guard emerge from the building through a hidden door behind the crates. Stepping into the alley, the Attender and the guard stop about ten feet from Hannibal and Emma.

"I'm listening," he says flatly. The crossbowman at his side observes the priestess and the thief, also looking past them at Canter, Cy, and Naeron, who take small steps toward Emma and Hannibal.

Emma lowers her chin, staring straight at the Attender. Mentally, she prays that her comrades know and understand what is about to happen. 'There is a time for conquerors just,' Anhur had told her. Now, she hopes, is one of those times. Inhaling slowly, Emma tightens her fists, focusing on the Attender before her.

"Now!" she screams, launching herself at the Attender.

Hannibal immediately spins around to face the two "terrors", sprinting as fast as he can in their direction. He is beat to the punch, though, by Storm, who leaps out of the shadows.

Soaring toward the female elf's back, Storm positions his long sword perfectly: with a muffled crunch, the sharp tip pierces the elven thief's back. She lets out a quick scream, but it is cut short as Storm's blade emerges from her chest. The loudest sound is Storm's feet as they land on the ground, just outside hers. But by the time they do, the elf is dead, and Storm quickly slips her limp body off his blade, leaving a red streak down the length of the weapon.

Hannibal arrives to face the other terror, the large balding human. He lets his momentum aid him, a trick he learned years ago on the battlefield. The balding terror, however, sees Hannibal coming, and manages to move aside in an attempt to evade Hannibal's attack. Hannibal can feel his blade slice at the terror's arm, and he can see the terror flinch as he opens up a slight wound on his shoulder.

Meanwhile, at the same time, Crayne lets out a Color Spray in the direction of the Attender and the crossbowman at his side. The Attender jumps aside, rolling on the ground to avoid the bright rainbow fan of colors streaming at him. But the colors do strike the crossbowman, who loses his balance, his knees giving way and his eyes rolling back in his head. He falls to the street softly, unconscious.

Cy, Naeron, and Canter then arrive at Emma's side, their weapons all drawn. They are a step behind the priestess, forming an impressive line as all four move toward the Attender. The black-clad Attender jumps up to his feet from his dive, a long, narrow, and shiny silver stiletto in his right hand. He keeps his knees bent and his arms out to his side, breathing heavily and watching the four approach him.

He spins his stiletto in his hand as a beat passes. He is obviously aware of the situation, able to see the dead body of the elf a few yards away and the battle between the balding terror and Hannibal going strong as well. Grinding his teeth, he refocuses his attention on Emma, who leads the battle-line walking calmly toward him.

"You can tell you friends," he says hoarsely, slightly out of breath, "that I am not pleased with their offer..."

1. STORM is standing over the body of the dead female elf, whom he killed with his leathal backstab. HANNIBAL is fighting the balding human male thief. The crossbowman up on the crates is currently held by Emma's Hold Person spell. The crossbowman who came down to the alley floor with the Attender is unconscious by Crayne's Color Spray spell. CANTER, CY, NAERON, and EMMA are approaching the Attender, and CRAYNE is just behind them.

2. Everyone is at full HP.

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