Reconnoitring the Ruins

I pull down my improvised dress, which I had had to hitch up almost to crotch level in order to ride. (Don had suggested that I try riding side-saddle instead, but that seemed far too dangerous to me, especially without a saddle designed for it.)

"How do you propose to take on a whole group of mercenaries with just the two of us?" I ask, once the shirt is adjusted to my satisfaction.

Don smiles. "I don't," he says. "A bit of stealthy scouting is called for. I'm hoping that by this late in the evening most of them will have passed out in a drunken stupor, leaving only one or two look-outs to deal with. Even they are unlikely to be too alert by this late. I want you to wait here while I scout around. If I'm not back when you estimate that an hour has passed, then take my horse and supplies and get the hell out of here. Head back the way we came till you reach the river, then follow it downstream and within a couple of days you should reach the nearest village."

"But..."

"No buts. If all goes well, I'll be back soon." With that he heads towards the ruins, making use of what little cover is available.

1. He returns about twenty minutes later. "There's no sign of anyone having been here recently," he says.
2. He returns about twenty minutes later. "They're here," he says.
3. After what I estimate to be an hour, he still hasn't returned.
4. I give him a bit of a start, and then follow as stealthily as I can. The shirt is grey enough that I shouldn't be seen too easily.

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