[i][/i][i][/i][i][/i][h2][center][b][color=ed1c24]Novak[/color][/b][/center][/h2]
Novak noted the woman leading the Krysa procession.  Judging by her escort, she must be important, and if she was important, those papers might have some rather enlightening information written on them.  Unfortunately, he'd be no match for them all by himself.  Krysa weren't known for being great close-range fighters, and males in particular were quite devoid of stature, but they were still well-equipped and greatly outnumbered him.

Perhaps, however, Ayumi could retrieve some of those papers.

[color=ed1c24][i]If only I had some of the others with me, we'd be able to capture her and give Mie a bargaining position,[/i][/color] Novak noted.  He had only a few moments to react: if he attempted to hide, it'd appear suspicious.  More worryingly was the fact that because of the snow on the ground, they'd probably see his tracks.  He'd probably cast a less dubious impression of he approached them directly or otherwise made no attempts to hide, but he couldn't be sure that they would be friendly to him.  Without knowing why they were attacking Mie's party to begin with, he couldn't be sure how they'd react to a stranger.

Perhaps, however, he could keep out of sight without actually [i]looking[/i] like he's trying to keep out of sight.  Novak figured that's what Mie would do if she was in this situation.  Using what little time he had, he shuffled towards a tree, sat down on the side faced away from the procession, then as if attempting to further emulate Lady Mie, opened his flask of sake and took a swig.  If they didn't notice him, he might hear something relevant to what was going on.  If they [i]did[/i] notice him, he'd hopefully just cast the impression of being nothing more than a traveling sellsword, resting in the copse and enjoying breakfast and definitely not trying to stay out of sight.

Novak wasn't alone in this, though.  He had Ayumi at his side, and the fox's penchant for thievery and mischief might provide him some interesting opportunities here.

[color=ed1c24]"I wonder what's in that basket of hers,"[/color] he whispered to Ayumi, not entirely sure how well she'd understood what he was saying.  [color=ed1c24]"Judging by those guards, she doesn't look like she's out here for a picnic."[/color]

[@Rune_Alchemist]