Hamish nods to Nauvi. "Let's get this done. But be ready... If this looks too risky when we get there, we need to back out. Risk is risk."
You brought carts, didn't you? They will limit you severely in the woods. You can still find a secluded spot and pull the carts far enough into the woods to hide from the road and any cottages, but if you meet anyone, the carts would be doubly conspicuous. And it is still only mid-morning when you get a couple of miles from the church, and still have a couple left before the next village.
"Given the difficulty of hiding the carts, let's get to the first village and then spend the afternoon talking to locals and making a show of examining the carts' wheels and complaining about how tough the tracks are. We get an early night and then sneak back to get the girl. Hopefully leaving our carts here and being seen will make people think we were here all night if anyone comes asking."
"We should leave someone with the carts, just to make sure they don't sort of wander off on their own," suggest Leofric.
"True enough," says Hamish as they trundle along toward the first village. "Finn? You up to that or do you want the first hand experience of this little adventure so you can write a tale of our heroic deeds to sing to Master Janus when we return?"
“I can watch the cart if that is required” replies Finn
"If you'd rather go, I can stay," Leofric grins, "Roxie can be a handful with people she doesn't know."
“That is fine by me. I would rather save the girl than guard a cart to be honest” replies Finn
"Then you do, Finn, and I'll stay here and watch the carts," nods Leofric.
«You think this is bad? You should have seen last Winter. It was awful,» says the peasant who has a reputation as a competent wheelwright.
Even at the best of times, wheels break, and it is not a bad time to invest in a spare, which the wheelwright-peasant can understand, and is only too happy to make a profit on.
The village has also been visited by Wulfric, but it has not suffered as badly as the previous one. They inquire about what has happened in the other villages, without admitting to taking sides.
If I understand you correctly, you stay in or near the village, and go back to the church when everybody has gone to rest. You can find lodging in a hayloft if you want to.
Who returns to the church, Nauvi, Hamish, and Finn? The prison cart is still there. It is overcast, and you cannot see if the guards are there, without coming up close. Approaching from the road, there would be little cover, but going around the hamlet, you could approach with cover from the buildings.
How do you proceed?
On his way in to the village, Nauvi will have gathered a few sling stones, and cast The Wizard's Sidestep and Aura of childlike innocence upon himself. He will approach around the hamlet, trying to keep close to the buildings, and see if he can spot the guards.
From the corner of the church, he can see the carriage maybe fifteen paces away. Overcast, with a drizzle in the air, he can see but shadows, but the shadow in on the seat of the carriage, seen through the grilles of the cage, can hardly be anything but one of the guards. It takes an awareness+perception 12+ to see any more details; 15+ for everything relevant.
Finn’s Awareness roll = 7, so no further detail.
Hamish moves behind the other two as carefully as he can, trying to spot anything unusual or out of place. He is trying to stay close enough to be able to react or take action.
[Awareness + Perception Roll: 7, +1 if alertness applies]
It is quite quiet. Nobody interrupts your lurking behind corners.
Nauvi sees the guards. Realising he has made it close enough that he doesn't need to shout, he casts Call to Slumber on the guard with a gentle word.
[OOC: Per + awareness was 7, 8 if magic applies.
He has deft mentem so no gestures needed, but as it's voice range he will speak just loud enough for his voice to carry. Rolled total 34 so penetration 26 - aura penalty]
The slumbering guard keels over and rolls off the seat. You hear a yelp, and the entire cart and cage rattle a little. Awareness 9+ to notice more.
Finn’s Awareness roll = 12 so he sees more detail
It was the lass in the cage who yelped, getting to her feet, and now crouching in a corner (seen at 9+).
Under the cart, somebody or -thing? is stirring (seen at 12+).
Finn will quietly point out his observations