Ancient History (Spring 1242)

[Trogdor]

"You look at me as if I'm supposed to care," the man at the door says. "I don't. Let him come and kill you, for all I care. Just don't have him do it on my doorstap." Then his eyes narrow. "Wait a minute," he says, suspicion dripping from his voice. "What are you up to?"

He looks over his shoulder and quickly calls out to the men remaining in the room. "Go up and check on Forratus and the girl. I'll deal with her."

Then he looks back at Vibria with daggers in his eyes. "Get out of here now or I'll make you wish you had, witnesses be damned."

Meanwhile, upstairs, Lucas uses Forratus' moment of curiosity to cast a hex of sleep, moving close to catch the man as he falls and rest him on the desk where he was working. The spell goes off quickly and quietly, without a hitch.

As Forratus snores away, Lucas gathers up the scrolls into a leather case he spots on a shelf, most likely the very case that the magi originally brought the scrolls here in. For good measure, he rolls up Forratus' notes and puts them in the case as well. It was possible that Forratus had more notes somewhere, but that couldn't be helped. For now, their first priority was to get the scrolls out of here.

As he finishes stowing the scrolls, there's a knock on the door. "Any trouble in there?" a voice calls out in French.

Lucas thinks quickly, then coughs and calls back, "nothing." It was short enough and vague enough that it might give the man some pause. God pray that Forratus doesn't have a distinctive voice.

Then, whether it's the voice that gave him away or something else, the soldier on the other side of the door figures out that something is not right and starts pounding on the door. "Mr. Forratus," he calls out. Are you okay?" Then he really starts to bang on the door with every intent of breaking it down.

Downstairs, Vibria has been ordered to go, but she can hear a commotion upstairs already. Does she leave or risk some retaliation by the man at the door?

[hr][/hr]
BG's Int + Folk Ken check. (He could botch)
Int+Guile check: 1D10+5 = [1]+5 = 6
Multiplier: 1D10 = [8] = 8 = 16 + 5 = 21

Hex of Slumber at Forratus: stress die +19 (ReMe) + 2 (Sta) -12 (Aura) = +9 (vs target of 15)
Hex of Slumber casting: 1D10+9 = [1]+9 = 10
Multiplier: 1D10 = [9] = 9 = 18+9 = 27; success

Lucas' Com + Guile check for Lucas (to trick the guard): stress die + 2 (Com) + 2 (Guile: fast talk) = +4
Com + Guile check: 1D10+4 = [10]+4 = 14 = 4
Botch check: 1D10 = [9] = 9; no botch

Guard's Int + Folk Ken check to detect the lie: stress die - 1 (Int) + 1 = 0
Int + Folk Ken check: 1D10 = [1] = 1
Multiplier: 1D10 = [7] = 7 = 14

Wow, they had some good rolls. And the PCs had two near botches on their Guile checks. Not good times for our heroes.

[Peregrine_Bjornaer]

Let's see. Vibria was at Winded (-0 penalty), with a 2 minute recovery time. Did enough time elapse before her Razzy Award-winning performance to recover to Fresh?

@Trogdor

"You look at me as if I'm supposed to care," the man at the door says. "I don't. Let him come and kill you, for all I care. Just don't have him do it on my doorstap." Then his eyes narrow. "Wait a minute," he says, suspicion dripping from his voice. "What are you up to?"

He looks over his shoulder and quickly calls out to the men remaining in the room. "Go up and check on Forratus and the girl. I'll deal with her."

Then he looks back at Vibria with daggers in his eyes. "Get out of here now or I'll make you wish you had, witnesses be damned."

[hr][/hr]
Downstairs, Vibria has been ordered to go, but she can hear a commotion upstairs already. Does she leave or risk some retaliation by the man at the door?

Vibria starts to turn as if to go, then spins back with a (hopefully) devastating right hook.

She's unencumbed, so her Initiative is Qik 1 + Fists initiative modifer 0 + ( die roll of 1, followed by a die roll of10) 20 = 21. Yeah, I think she's going first.

Her Attack roll is Dex 0 + Brawl (Punches) 6 + Weapon Attack Modifier 0 = 6 + die roll of 7 = 13.

Defence roll for the round is Qik 1 + Brawl (Punches) 6 + Weapon Defence Modifier 0 = 7 + die roll of 2 = 9.

[Trogdor]

@Peregrine_Bjornaer

Let's see. Vibria was at Winded (-0 penalty), with a 2 minute recovery time. Did enough time elapse before her Razzy Award-winning performance to recover to Fresh?

She had a hundred count waiting for Lucas to get in place. That's close enough to two minutes that I'll say she's Fresh.

Vibria knows that she can't afford to leave just yet. So while she makes to leave, instead she uses her supposed departure as a springboard for a roundhouse punch that knocks the man in the door back a few steps, drawing blood.

"You little whore," he says, wiping the blood from his lip. "You dare strike me?" He moves his hands up in what Vibria recognizes as a predecessor to a mystical gesture. "God damn Cassius and his blasted secrecy. We're done with this place as it is. So who cares about witnesses?" With that, he casts a spell that brings forth three bolts of fire that strike Vibria squarerly in the shoulder, chest, and side. It's a barrage that would have left most people dead or at least badly burned. But the enemy magus hadn't counted on facing someone with draconic blood and the immunity to fire that comes with that.

As the smoke clears, Vibria stands there, her dress in bad shape, patting out fires on the fabric, but otherwise unscathed.

A scream comes out from one of the women who was watching, and people on the street start running for cover.

Upstairs, the soldier is banging on the door to the office with every intention of breaking it down. But even though it's a relatively flimsy lock, he can't quite manage to get the force needed to break his way in.

Inside the office, Lucas grabs the scroll case tight, looks out the window, and focuses on a point somewhere on the roof of the building. A moment later, he's out of the office, case in hand, floating over Forratus' house.

Quickly thereafter, the second soldier joins the first outside Forratus' office and together the two put their effort to busting down the door. A third soldier passes by, heading upstairs to the garret.

[hr][/hr]
BG Initiative: 1D10+1 = [6]+1 = 7; yea, Vibria goes first

BG's Defense roll:
BG Defense Roll: 1D10+5 = [1]+5 = 6
Multiplier: 1D10 = [2] = 2 = 4+5 = 9; Vibria hits!
I'll say that with a surprise shot like that you hit him in the head and bypass his armor. So he has a Soak of +3 versus punches. Roll for damage.

That BG magus has Wrathful as a major Flaw. Striking him was too much for him. He's gonna respond in force and damn the consequences. (He's okay with HtH, but he's better with fire ... and he's pissed). He has a major focus in flames, so he can cast in this Aura. And since he's giving things away by throwing fire in front of witnesses, he doesn't care about being quiet about it. BTW, I had no idea that he was going to be casting on Vibria. I sense a very disappointed magus coming up.

Multicast Pilum of Fire:
CT = +45 (CrIg with focus) + 2 (Sta) -12 (Aura) = +35
Pilum of Fire: 1D10+35 = [7]+35 = 42 - 20 (spell) = 22
Pilum of Fire: 1D10+35 = [1]+35 = 36
Multiplier: 1D10 = [3] = 3 = 6+35= 41 - 20 (spell) = 21
Pilum of Fire: 1D10+35 = [7]+35 = 42 - 20 (spell) = 22
All three hit (Even if he has a penalty from being punched); all three penetrate Vibria's Parma; and all three do no damage (except to her dress) because she's immune to fire. But against anyone else, that would have been a devastating shot!

Soldier tries to bash down the door:
Str check: 1D10+1 = [2]+1 = 3; failure
Finally, a bad roll for the bad guys!

Wizard's Leap to the roof: stress die +22 (ReCo(An)) + 2 (Sta) -12 (Aura) = +12 (vs target of 15)
Wizards Leap casting check: 1D10+12 = [9]+12 = 21; success

[ironboundtome]

Diego is charging the BG in conflict with Vibria at the door as that's just not on! Fire has been ruled out but a sword has not.
Perhaps BG allows Diego an attack bonus (lords of Men p 130 suggests a +9 bonus) due to an Invis and unknown attacker (?). Charging might also add his weapon skill twice to the attack roll (?) from Lords of Men p123?

Edit: BTW all those mods make being a charging Invis attacker quite nasty for the poor defender, so if they all count Diego is striking to subdue not kill.

Init: roll 8 +4 = 12.

Attack: roll 9 +15 = 24. Perhaps an additional +7 if the charge counts, total 31. Or +40 if all the mods from Lords of Men count.

Damage: roll 6 +8 = 14 plus advantage damage (hopefully).

He's not expecting to kill him, but is hoping to scare him off.

[Trogdor]

I'm at a bit of a loss for how Diego's attack is going to work. My real problem is the placement of Vibria and the BG. Vibria was at the door, and the BG was inside the house at the door. Vibria was close enough that she could punch the BG, and the BG was pushed back a few steps. That should leave things sort of like this:

I'm just not sure how Diego gets into range without having to stop and push Vibria aside. What are your thoughts IBT?

[Marko_Markoko]

To add my own thoughts...
You do not roll dmage in combat. The Ttack 13 minus Defense 9 equals n Ttack Advantage of 4. Plus Vibria's Strentgh and Minus BG's Soak, that equals Damage.
and...
A charge seems unfeasible. But a flank attack with a long pointy stick, or a sword, that might work.
...at the safehouse
[color=red]Cidito! Give me a status update. How far away do you estimate? How long until you get here?

[Trogdor]

@Marko Markoko

You do not roll dmage in combat. The Ttack 13 minus Defense 9 equals n Ttack Advantage of 4. Plus Vibria's Strentgh and Minus BG's Soak, that equals Damage.

d'oh! You're right. She does 4 + 1 - 4 = 1 damage, a Light Wound.

@Marko Markoko

A charge seems unfeasible. But a flank attack with a long pointy stick, or a sword, that might work.

That seems reasonable. IBT, if you want to do that, I'll let Diego move up next to Vibria and stab the BG (or slam him) with his sword. But no charge bonus.

@Marko Markoko

...at the safehouse
[color=red]Cidito! Give me a status update. How far away do you estimate? How long until you get here?

[color=orange]We's only a couple a diameters away from the house, and we gots half a Paris ta get through. So maybe ten diameters? But da bad guys is behind us. So if they come after, we got a lead.

[Peregrine_Bjornaer]

@Trogdor

@Marko Markoko

You do not roll dmage in combat. The Ttack 13 minus Defense 9 equals n Ttack Advantage of 4. Plus Vibria's Strentgh and Minus BG's Soak, that equals Damage.

d'oh! You're right. She does 4 + 1 - 4 = 1 damage, a Light Wound.

Punching would be Scuffle damage, so that would be a Fatigue level.

@Trogdor

Vibria knows that she can't afford to leave just yet. So while she makes to leave, instead she uses her supposed departure as a springboard for a roundhouse punch that knocks the man in the door back a few steps, drawing blood.

"You little whore," he says, wiping the blood from his lip. "You dare strike me?" He moves his hands up in what Vibria recognizes as a predecessor to a mystical gesture. "God damn Cassius and his blasted secrecy. We're done with this place as it is. So who cares about witnesses?" With that, he casts a spell that brings forth three bolts of fire that strike Vibria squarerly in the shoulder, chest, and side. It's a barrage that would have left most people dead or at least badly burned. But the enemy magus hadn't counted on facing someone with draconic blood and the immunity to fire that comes with that.

As the smoke clears, Vibria stands there, her dress in bad shape, patting out fires on the fabric, but otherwise unscathed.

A scream comes out from one of the women who was watching, and people on the street start running for cover.

Vibria smiles as she pats out the last of the smoldering flames. [color=red]"I almost felt that," she says in Latin. [color=red]"I'm impressed

"So, Reinhard, it seems that, magically, we're at an impasse. So, I offer you a choice. I can either whip your *** hand-to-hand, or I can whip your *** with Certamen. Pick your poison."

(She's not 100% sure she can take him in Certamen, and honestly she would love to give him a thrashing for ruining her robes, because those cost money that she'd rather not spend. Plus, she's more stalling for time to allow Lucas to do his stuff and get out than anything else.)

[Peregrine_Bjornaer]

(Deleted double post.)

[Trogdor]

Diego moves in and stabs past Vibria at the enemy magus, drawing blood and giving him a wound on his shoulder, causing him to jump back even farther. Behind him, two soldiers can be seen rushing down the stairs to his aid, evening the odds significantly.

Then Vibria suggests certamen. The magus looks at her for a moment, his hand up at his shoulder. He's clearly gauging the odds, and he ultimately decides her suggestion has some merit.

"Very well." He nods. "I'll agree to certamen under the following terms. Win or lose, both sides walk away from this fight, giving the other side one day before they pursue. The loser, along with his or her compatriots, leaves Paris immediately and pledges not to directly oppose the victor for the next month. The winner can do as he or she pleases."

"So, will you accept those terms?"

[hr][/hr]

@Peregrine_Bjornaer

Punching would be Scuffle damage, so that would be a Fatigue level.

I thought you got to choose. Or is punching always scuffling damage? (Or did you choose scuffling damage?)

Diego hits. I'm going to say that the advantages of being invisible is offset by the difficulties of attacking past Vibria
Diego's damage is: 15 (Attack Advantage) + 2 (Str) + 6 (Long Sword) = 23
Damage dealt is: 23 - 2 (Sta) - 6 (Chain hauberk) - 3 (DoIS) - 2 (Te) = 10 damage; Medium wound

I love the idea of settling this by certamen.

[Peregrine_Bjornaer]

@Trogdor

Diego moves in and stabs past Vibria at the enemy magus, drawing blood and giving him a wound on his shoulder, causing him to jump back even farther. Behind him, two soldiers can be seen rushing down the stairs to his aid, evening the odds significantly.

Then Vibria suggests certamen. The magus looks at her for a moment, his hand up at his shoulder. He's clearly gauging the odds, and he ultimately decides her suggestion has some merit.

"Very well." He nods. "I'll agree to certamen under the following terms. Win or lose, both sides walk away from this fight, giving the other side one day before they pursue. The loser, along with his or her compatriots, leaves Paris immediately and pledges not to directly oppose the victor for the next month. The winner can do as he or she pleases."

"So, will you accept those terms?"

[color=red]"Yes. And let's step inside, away from ignorant eyes. For the Technique,I choose Creo?"

@Trogdor

@Peregrine_Bjornaer

Punching would be Scuffle damage, so that would be a Fatigue level.

I thought you got to choose. Or is punching always scuffling damage? (Or did you choose scuffling damage?)

It doesn't look like punching is by definition "scuffling", but that's what I had pictured when I threw the punch. Not trying to kill or really wound him, just trying to rough him up a little.

[Trogdor]

"Indeed," the magus says, ushering Vibria inside. "Do come in." But he stands in the door blocking the way after she gets through. "I don't want any invisible magi in the house while we duel. If you're willing to show yourself, you can come in. Otherwise, you stay out." If Diego becomes visible, the magus ushers him in as well. Otherwise, he waits a moment and closes the door.

He gives Vibria a mock bow once she's inside. "Reinhard ex Flambeau, at your service. And who do I have the pleasure of duelling?"

Once that's answered, he looks back to the two soldiers in the room. "Do not interfere," he commands. "What you see will be strange. But do not take any action. She is under my protection while she is here. You will answer to me for any harm that befalls her." Apparently his reputation is sufficient that the men pale a bit as they nod agreement.

"Now, as you said, Creo for the Technique. And my I suggest Ignem for the Form? I believe it's one we're both comfortable with."

After the Technique and Form are settled, Reinhard stands at one side of the front hall and gestures for Vibria to stand opposite him. "Shall we begin?"

Meanwhile, upstairs, the two soldiers at Forratus' study door finally break down the door to see a sleeping Forratus and no scrolls. At the same time, the one soldier in the garret unlocks the door and discovers that Flavia is missing. Both rush downstairs to inform Reinhard. But by the time they get there, the certamen duel is started. At a gesture from their compatriots, they remain silent until it's over.

[hr][/hr]
Diego has three options:

1. He can try and sneak in past the magus
2. He can drop the invisibility and come in (It's harnessed and tethered, so he can drop it anytime he wants).
3. He can stay outside.

Vibria can either agree to Ignem or choose another Form that Reinhard must accept.

Reinhard's initiative:
Certamen Initiative: 1D10+3 = [4]+3 = 7

If Vibria wins initiative, feel free to post your attack and defense.

[Peregrine_Bjornaer]

@Trogdor

"Indeed," the magus says, ushering Vibria inside. "Do come in." But he stands in the door blocking the way after she gets through. "I don't want any invisible magi in the house while we duel. If you're willing to show yourself, you can come in. Otherwise, you stay out." If Diego becomes visible, the magus ushers him in as well. Otherwise, he waits a moment and closes the door.

He gives Vibria a mock bow once she's inside. "Reinhard ex Flambeau, at your service. And who do I have the pleasure of duelling?"

[color=red]"Vibria ex Flambeau," she replies with a gleeful grin and a bow.

@Trogdor

Once that's answered, he looks back to the two soldiers in the room. "Do not interfere," he commands. "What you see will be strange. But do not take any action. She is under my protection while she is here. You will answer to me for any harm that befalls her." Apparently his reputation is sufficient that the men pale a bit as they nod agreement.

"Now, as you said, Creo for the Technique. And my I suggest Ignem for the Form? I believe it's one we're both comfortable with."

[color=red]"I wouldn't have it any other way."

@Trogdor

After the Technique and Form are settled, Reinhard stands at one side of the front hall and gestures for Vibria to stand opposite him. "Shall we begin?"

[color=red]"Let's."

@Trogdor

Meanwhile, upstairs, the two soldiers at Forratus' study door finally break down the door to see a sleeping Forratus and no scrolls. At the same time, the one soldier in the garret unlocks the door and discovers that Flavia is missing. Both rush downstairs to inform Reinhard. But by the time they get there, the certamen duel is started. At a gesture from their compatriots, they remain silent until it's over.

Reinhard's initiative:
Certamen Initiative: 1D10+3 = [4]+3 = 7

If Vibria wins initiative, feel free to post your attack and defense.

Vibria's totals are:

• Initiative: Quickness 1 + Finesse (Ignem) 3 + die roll of 7 = 11.
• Attack: Presence 1 + Cr 10 = +11 for Creo; Presence 1 + Ig 17 = +18 for Ignem.
• Defence: Perception 0 + Cr 10 = +10 for Creo; Perception 0 + Ig 17 = +17 for Ignem.
• Weakening Total is Intelligence 1 + Penetration (Ignem) 2 = +3.
• Resistance Total is Stamina 2 + Parma Magica 2 = +4.

Vibria closes her eyes and starts to breathe deeply and slowly as she enters her trance. Tendrils of flame seep from her mouth and nose, swirling around her body, growing brighter and stronger as they flow together. After a moment, the flames erupt toward the ceiling to take the form of a fiery dragon that beats its wings as it rears up.

(That's her phantasm.)

Vibria uses Creo for her Attack and Ignem for her Defence, feeling her opponent out. Her Attack Roll is 11 + die roll of 7 = 18. Her Defence Roll is 17 + die roll of 5 =22.

[ironboundtome]

Diego certainly enters and drops the invis. Not leaving Vibria alone in there. He will cast Wizards Sidestep upon himself once the Cert begins. And cleaning the blade and keeping the blood.

[Trogdor]

Reinhard focuses his will and the form of a man made entirely of flame appears before him. It flexes its arms and takes a battle stance, preparing for attack.

But VIbria is just a little bit quicker. The fire dragon leaps forward to bite at the flaming man, but he's ready for it. The man bats away the dragon's head and the fiery teeth close only on air.

The flaming man then leaps for the dragon to try and grab it in a choke hold. But slippery as a snake, it slides out from the man's grip. The first pass is over and no one has the advantage.

[hr][/hr]
REINHARD
Attack Total (Creo) = 0 (Pre) + 14 (Creo) = +14
Attack Total (Ignem) = 0 (Pre) + 17 (Ignem) = +17

Defense Total (Creo) 1 (Per) + 14 (Creo) = +15
Defense Total (Ignem) 1 (Per) + 17 (Ignem) = +18

Weakening Total: 2 (Int) + 3 (Penetration) = +5

Resistance Total: 2 (Sta) + 3 (Parma Magica) = 5

He has the edge, but you've dropped him one Fatigue level and given him a Medium wound. So I think the advantage shifts to Vibria (though it's close).

First Pass
Vibria's Attack: 18
Reinhard's Defense (Creo): stress die + 14 (Creo Defense) -3 (injury) = SD + 11
Attack Roll: 1D10+11 = [7]+11 = 18 (oops, typed Attack instead of Defense; ignore that.)
Attack Advantage: 18-18=0 = no damage

Reinhard's Attack (Ignem): stress die + 17 (Ignem Attack) -3 (injury) = SD + 14
Attack Roll: 1D10+14 = [7]+14 = 21
Attack Advantage: 21-22=-1 = no damage

Vibria makes the next attack.
(This is likely to go on until someone botches or explodes.)

[Peregrine_Bjornaer]

[color=red]We seem to be evenly matched, Vibria thinks, as her dragon circles and snaps at the fire-man.

Round 2, she will try Ignem on the Attack, and Creo on the Defense.

Attack is 18 + (die roll of 1, followed by a die roll of 6) 12 = 30.

Defence is 10 + die roll of 2 = 12.

[Marko_Markoko]

[color=red]Cidito! Give me a status update. How far away do you estimate? How long until you get here?

[color=orange]We's only a couple a diameters away from the house, and we gots half a Paris ta get through. So maybe ten diameters? But da bad guys is behind us. So if they come after, we got a lead.

[color=red]Diameter of what? what the hell are you talking about? Donmt talk spell duration time to me. Give me minutes and miles. About ten minutes? Twenty? Five miles?
Just give me your best guess. Which, I suppose, you just did. I complain too much.
Listen. I am pretty well patched up here on the temp. If there is the slightest hint of danger, let me know and I will come find you. As soon as we can get Flavia to Arachne, the spider can cast a spell that will send her to safety. As soon as we have done that, and Lucas gives us feedback on his snatch attempt, I want to be ready for all of us to bug out on the quick.
Speaking of which...
Is Horus with you? Can you get an update from Lucas?
You have been doing great work today buddy. When we get home, I am giving you a bottle of my best red. Sorry if I sound pushy, but there is a lot at stake here. Having said that, if you do get into conflict, do not hesitate. Transform into combat size if you need to. And call me!

[Marko_Markoko]

((OOC - On a side note, it used to be a reoccuring theme for Vibria to get all of her clothes burned off. It hasn't happened for awhile, but it used to be all the time. Vibria has long outgrown the jokes and stereotypes, and Judged Unfairly should be exchanged or bought off by now (if not, that is my intended award for Bride of the Vavel Dragon). Yet with all the growth and maturity, some things never change.
Glad to see that the tradition continues!))

[Trogdor]

Vibria is on the attack again more quickly. Her dragon swoops down and bites down hard between the neck and shoulder of the fiery man. It screams worlessly, flames coming out of where it's mouth should be and diminishes in size significantly.

The man retaliates with a swing of its hand that hits the dragon in the side, sending flames fly from the wound. But it's only a glancing blow and the dragon is still apparently as strong as ever.

Reinhard wavers on his feet at this exchange, but maintains his position. He's not going to give up.

[hr][/hr]
Second Pass
Vibria's Attack: 30
Reinhard's Defense (Creo): stress die + 14 (Creo Defense) -3 (injury) = SD + 11
Defense: 1D10+11 = [6]+11 = 17
Attack Advantage: 30 - 17 = 13
Weakening Total: 3 + 13 = 16
Effect = 16 - 5 = 11; 3 Fatigue levels lost.
Down to Dazed

Reinhard's Attack (Ignem): stress die + 17 (Ignem Attack) -3 (injury) - 5 (Fatigue) = SD + 9
Attack: 1D10+9 = [1]+9 = 10
Multiplier: 1D10 = [3] = 3 = 6+9=15
Attack Advantage: 15 - 12 = 3
Weakening Total: 5 + 3 = 8
Effect = 8 - 4 = 4; 1 Fatigue level lost.
Down to Winded

Good round for Vibria. On to the next one.

[Trogdor]

@Marko Markoko

[color=red]Diameter of what? what the hell are you talking about? Donmt talk spell duration time to me. Give me minutes and miles. About ten minutes? Twenty? Five miles?

OOC: I never like to use minutes in ArM, since that's a meaningless time unit in the medieval period. No one could measure in minutes, so no one used them. The best I could imagine is hours and fractions thereof, and even that's pushing it. Distance is probably the best answer to Roberto's question.

[hr][/hr]
[color=orange]We's about two miles away give or take. Less than an hour, probably. Best guess is half that. Horus says that Lucas is away with the scrolls, but Vibria and Diego are still at the house. He's gonna have ta trust that Vibria knows what she's doing since he can't risk the scrolls. Wait. More coming in. Apparently Alonzo says that Vibria challenged the guy to certamen. That's going on right now. Vibria's buying time for Lucas to get away. He's gonna turn visible and walk away with the scroll, heading back to the safe house. No one's seen what he looks like, so he should be safe walking back like that. He's maybe a half mile behind us.