[center] [h2] [color=00aeef]Gaius Secondus[/color] [/h2] [/center]

Gaius sighed, "The old hostage ploy, no matter how many times it fails, they just keep doing it." To the bandit, he said in a matter-of-fact tone, "Why don't you save us all the trouble and surrender peacefully?" "Not that I actually expect you do so." He muttered to himself. [i] Kuur could probably shoot him,[/i] Gaius thought. [i]but we would need to draw his attention first, and the shot needs to be instantly fatal...If we did that though, the girl would be in harms way from the other bandits. Maybe the mages and I could lay down enough magic to delay the bandits until our melee fighters could close in. But all that is a big IF. It might be too risky, but the alternatives are either to comply with his demands or wait for the situation to change. But we should not act predictably, we should act intelligently. Then again, its not my decision.[/i] All this he plotted out in the space of a few seconds. And then he companions, who had to be thinking the same thing reacted. Gaius watched the drama unfold and made up his mind. At Nick's unpleasant proclamation, He moved closer and hissed, "Don't do it. Keep his attention but do not cast, let Kuur take care of the leader, when he falls, keep the men away from the girl." He turned to the rest and quickly but quietly told everyone else his plan. "I'll head straight to the girl and protect her." Lilith volunteered. Gaius then looked at Hugh, "Well Don, shall we go through with this?"