Parum didn't get much sleep, not only because of the overwhelming feeling of dread, but she wasn't comfortable laying on stone. It was less comfortable when she heard the milita begin to scramble at early dawn. Having not really rest well Parum got to her feet and tried to figure out what was going on. She got enough from the panicking voices to tell that the bandit army was outside the fortress walls, and their leader was present. Not only that, but they had a family of hostages. And he'd only guarantee their safety if they send someone to fight him in one-on-one combat. Parum froze as she tried to process all this information.

[color=7ea7d8][i]"More prisoners? But I thought we had cleared the village of everyone? Unless... Unless these cultist had captured some prisoners before we arrived. But why would they just stand there and demand a duel instead of taking over the keep? Wait. The prisoner yesterday, she mentioned this... Greenest was only the beginning. After they'd raid what they could they'd just leave. But now they want to mock us, have us fight their champion when we're too tired to fight at our full strength. And we can't rely on trickery or else those hostages would die... Dammit, if only we had an equal force, we could face them head on!"[/i][/color]

Parum bit her thumb and tried to think of something. Her first thought was how to save that family. No doubt that the cultist have them somewhere open that could easily be seen; stealth wasn't going to be easy. Perhaps they could create a diversion? but Parum didn't know if that plan would work. For starters, what exactly could they do to create a diversion? Even with her illusion magic, that'd only work within sixty feet or so. She was certain that the rear of the army extended much further than that. Not only that but if the enemy suspects foul play, they may simply execute the prisoners immediately.

Then Parum thought who would be the champion. Already she knew that it'll either be Orchid or Brannor. No doubt Orchid would already be throwing himself into battle, though Brannor would have the honor of fighting as well. But as much as she believed in them, she knew that neither of them would be fighting at their full strength. They had barely any time to rest, and after their last battle they're most certainly out of resources. Even Parum had no more spells to use aside from cantrips, for all the help they'll provide. Parum wished she just had more time to make a plan, but alas she had no other choice. She needed to find the others and figure something out on the go.

Running to the walls Parum found most of the others looking at the enemy. Parum nearly fainted in fright; she knew that the soldiers said that the enemy had at least three times as many as themselves, but seeing all of them made Parum feel like an insect facing a dragon. Or a halfling facing a dragon, considering that's an experience she truly had yesterday. Parum supposed she should thank the gods that these cultist were more interested in collecting treasure for their horde instead of senseless slaughter, because the sheer amount of soldiers present would ensure they'd have no trouble with it. Still Parum steeled herself as she approached the others, overhearing their plans.

[color=7ea7d8]"I'm coming too."[/color] Parum said loudly as she approached. The other soldiers cleared a path for her, making her feel just a bit more confident. [color=7ea7d8]"I cannot help you in a fight, but I will ensure that the hostages are saved, and to negotiate the terms of this duel. I... I'm sorry Brannor. I wish there was some way we could do this without risking your life but..."[/color] Parum frozen up before taking a deep breath and wiping a tear from her eye. [color=7ea7d8]"I will do everything I can, if you'll believe in me."[/color]