[color=a187be][i][b][center]Annabeth Gulch[/center][/b][/i][/color]

Annabeth wanted to help Colette, truly she did. But she couldn't hold her hand forever. Right now they all needed to do their part, and now was Annabeth's. As soon as Eural had freed Samson Annabeth took off out of the forest and towards the roc. Normally she would strafe such a beast and try to keep her distance, but that might give the roc reason enough to ignore her if she was doing to be such a difficult target. No, Annabeth knew she had to draw the roc's attention by looking like easy, foolish prey. Which was why she was riding directly towards the giant bird of prey. With two arrows on the string Annabeth fired both of them in the general direction of the Roc. She knew that the arrows may miss their mark, and even if they did may not do much harm. The point was that she was going to get the roc's attention, and she was certain she did when both the arrows stuck into the breast of the beast. A bit of blood came out from the minor wounds, only to be absorbed by the feathers.

But that wasn't the end of Annabeth's insanity. Now within close range of the Roc Annabeth released a weak flash of light from her hands to the roc's now bleeding eyes. She made sure to direct it to the roc only, saving Colette's bat from the flash. [color=a187be]"Come on, look at me! Come and get me you oversize fowl!"[/color] Pulling sharply on Samson's reigns she had the stallion juke to the roc's left. She was going to take it out into the open fields for a short while until either she gets a signal from the Extraction Crew or until she see's the wagon in place for an ambush. When Samson was going in a strait line Annabeth would draw her bow and fire arrows at the roc. While she wasn't particularly aiming anywhere on the creature, her arrows did land close enough to possibly hit the monster, maybe even do some damage if she was lucky.

[i][b][center]Caravan Mission[/center][/b][/i]

The vampire never knew what hit him. He didn't even get to turn around before he felt the cold steel of Ssarak's body slam into him. Where he a normal man the vampire would have been able to at least continue running, but being hit by a dragonoid twice the size of an average human was too much for the vampire. He was dazed, going in and out of conscience. His thoughts ran wild, a mixture of fear, panic, and planning. He knew he had to escape. The pain was much too great. He had to destroy the evidence. He needed to kill the others. These thoughts ran through his mind but his body failed to do anything. Eventually everything went black.

On the body Ssarak would the vampire's journal, some of it written in the common language however most of it seems to be in some sort of cypher. Ssarak would also find a long sword, one just large enough for him to wield with one hand. Unlike the axe it had no particular magic emanating from it, however where were some runes inscribed on the blade's edge. There was a small coin pouch containing 20 silver pieces and 3 gold. There was also a mix of herb, roots, and mushrooms. A mixture of these could be made into a lethal poison, or possibly a restorative potion. There was little else of worthwhile note on the vampire, however if anyone bothered to strip him of his clothing they would find an tattoo over his heart. It appeared to be either a blood droplet or possibly a reversed fang. Likely intentionally designed like that.

After a few minutes the ghouls would be reduced to dust from their exposure to the sun. The only thing left behind would be their clothing; even their skeleton would decay into nothingness. Within the cave, if anyone would explore it, is a cramp space containing various barrels, boxes, sacks, and other containers. Inside consisted of various food items from apples to salt and even lobsters. There was also some trade goods to be found such as exotic spices and textiles. There were also cages on the immediate right side of the room, where the ghouls were held. The torn remains of an unknown victim was within each of the cages. Likely the meals for the ghouls. To the left was a wooden wall with a wooden door. Though locked, a swift kick would be all that is needed to knock the door down. Inside was a single bed, desk, and chest. Inside were some other equipment such as daggers and wilderness supplies. Various pieces of unused parchment were scattered about, as were feathered pens and ink bottles. There were a few bottles of wine as well as blood in a crate underneath the bed, no doubt belonging to the vampire. 

The camp was clear of any hostiles; the bandits who fled showed no signs of returning. Further investigation of the camp would inform the college students of a hidden path which they could bring the wagon through in order to pick up the supplies from the ravine entrance. A few low-quality swords, axes, clubs, and crossbows with bolts were also available for the party to use or sell at their discretion. There was still light out and the sun, when it could be seen over the clouds, were still high in the air. It would be at least six more hours before sundown, and there was still a full day's worth of travel before they would arrive to Hysteria.