Beka was crouched behind a prickly thornbush, her staff in one hand. Her sparkling blue eyes were concentrated in front of her, watching a band of a dozen thieves crouching around a campfire. She had observed that they had two slaves tied up with their bags, a ten year old girl and boy that looked like they were related. It looked like the thieves had attacked a single family, judging by the size of their loot bags.

Beka ran the math through her head. A dozen thieves, my six older kids can take one each, and then I'd need a dozen of the littler ones to take down the rest. I wish I had more Grasshoppers. Looks like Lyle and I have some assasin work to do first, then I'll send in the six big kids. The little ones can cut the slaves loose and grab the loot. She nodded thoughtfully to herself, brushed her messy red hair out of her face, and whistled three times very softly, then once like a cricket. Hurry up Lyle...

Trap heard the whistle and knew what it meant. He cursed, because that meant that he got less action, and Lyle and Beka got to do the exciting work. Well, since he was itching for battle, he slowly crept to Beka, blending into the shadows. It wasnt really a spell he used then, more like an added protection, but he slowly dissapeared, and crept up behind Beka. This invisibility wasn't going to last forever, so he dropped into the bushes, dropping the spell. He would follow them. At least one of the other older kids could take down two people, and he wanted to watch. And, if things got to dangerous for the leader, he could help her, and she wouldnt even see him. This was going to be thrilling, he knew that.

Lyle had his arrow pulled back, he waited for Bekas signal, ‘hmm’ Lyle thought ‘which one, the big one, or the leader, they both look bad, I wish I knew how to fire two arrows at once.’ then there was the signal, “I guess that’s my cue” Lyle said under his breath.

He let the arrow go as it slammed into the largest thieves head, Lyle got another arrow out as fast as he could and looked for another target, they had tried to hide, but he could see one of there men’s feet, he fired and it must have hurt, seeing a grown man cry like that, Lyle chuckled a bit, ‘this was great fun.’

Beka was itching to go tearing into the clearing and raise hell with her staff, but she was too smart for that. She would Lyle take down one, two more of the thieves and then it would be her turn...

She brushed her short, scruffy red hair behind her ears and crawled forward a few paces in the bushes. She pulled out a handful of what she called her Flamin' Flies out of a pouch on her belt; they were wads of dry grass tied around a pebble. Beka picked one up in her hand carefully set it on fire with an easy spell, and then let it fly with her slingshot.

WHACK. Beka grinned when she heard one of the bandits yell. Now for a lethal hit... She picked up a fist-sized rock and shot it off with her slingshot at the squirming bandit she had just set on fire. He didn't even know what hit him.

Beka picked out two of her favorite, beat-up throwing knives out of her belt and started to weasel her way back through the bushes again. The bandits had finally realized that they were actually being attacked; several of them had jumped to their feet, and were fumbling for weapons. Lyle will make short work of those idiots.

The mischevious leader quickly squirmed through the bushes toward a rock she could duck behind, and nearly ran over one of her fellow Grasshoppers. Trap? What are you... Beka paused. Hey, this is TRAP, when is he ever not doing something? Nevermind. Nail those two over there, in the bushes by the sacks. Beka jerked her thumb over at a small group of bandits who had gotten smart and cowered in some of the bushes. You can have the best blanket from the loot if you get more of 'em. Such was Beka's way of ordering people around; she knew her Grasshoppers well, every one of them, and she knew how much they could handle in a scrap. She also knew a bribe never hurt.

Beka scrambled on top of the rock and let out a wild whoop. No point in stealth now, the bandits were screaming enough. She chucked her first throwing knife into a bush and was rewarded with a scream from another rogue.

A particularly big and ugly thief suddenly leapt out of the grass and jumped at Beka, a rusty saber in one of his hands. His saber clanged off the rock where Beka had been a moment before. Beka sprang back - right into the face of another rogue that had snuck up behind her. AIEEEEAAA! Beka threw an elbow into Ugly number one, then threw her knife at Ugly number two. She missed. Beka was used to split-second timing, and she didn't have time to fumble for another blade in her belt. She grabbed a Flamin' Fly out of her belt and chucked it at Ugly number two. Actually, she panicked, chucking the flaming little wads everywhere...

Trap cursed himself for being caught and stood up, pulling out his large weapon. Brandishing like a club he ran forwards shouting something, but tripped over an already felled bandit. Getting up, he looked to see if Beka had seen him, hoping not. Last thing he needed was her telling people about it. When he spotted her, she was surrounded by bandits, and was setting everything on fire. He ran towards her, swinging his oddly shaped weapon, shouting at the bandits. He swung his weapon into the Back of the man she elbowed, and tried to pull it out, but it was logged to deep. Cursing, he pullled out one of his many knives, looking for the first guy. As he took a step forwards, he felt a searing pain in his leg, and looked to to see it alight with fire. Swearing like a bandit, he tried to kick it out, only to fall onto some more fire. His large baggy shirt was really alight now, along with his favourite leggings. Tearing off his shirt, he covered his leggings, but not before a bandit had spotted him, and began to throw his knives in Traps general Direction.

Rolling over, he pulled out fang, his favourite knife, and threw it. It didnt kill the bandit, but that was okay. A little kid probably would. He Quickly got up, looking again for Beka.

Beka sent another rogue reeling with a punch. She looked around, and blinked in surprise to see that she'd pretty much set the field on fire. Oops. She hurriedly muttered a spell under her breath and watched as the fires quickly died. She was feeling tired now; this little raid was going to have to end quickly or she was going to be in trouble. Where's Lyle? She heard a bowstring twang and knew Lyle was busy.

Beka scrambled onto the rock again to assess the raid. Her bigger kids had gotten their cues from Trap and Beka, and had gone tearing into the fray. The little kids were starting to work their way out of the bushes, finishing off any rogues that fell, and making off with some of the supplies.

She cupped her hands over her mouth and shouted OI! GRASSHOPPERS! Little 'uns for the barrels and boxes, big 'uns for the scrap! Move! It was a sort of kids' code Beka had developed; barrels referred to any slaves that needed to be freed, and boxes meant supplies or loot; and the scrap, well, that was fighting.

ooc: there is 4 rouges left that we didnt specifically say we killed. And the little kids probably took them out.

bic: Trap quickly started grabbing for the fallen theives weapons, his fang, and his club-like weapon. Turning over the biggest of the men, he gasped in shock. There, in its sheath, was a real sword. Not a theif rusted peice of garbage, but a real, top quality sword. Making sure nobody saw him, he took the sword, and shoved it down one of his pant legs. It was to long! Seeing a smallish theif sneaking of through the back, he grabbed a loaded cross bow from the theif he was looting from, and attempted to fire it. After two tries, he gave up, and took out a large knife, whipping it with all his might at the theif. It stopped him in his tracks, bringing him down. Taking the bow with him, he ran to the man, slitting his throat. Taking his shirt, Trap quickly hid his array of pre-looted weapons, looking for Lyle. Spotting him, he darted over there as fast has he could throwing down the crossbow, shouting "A Present!"

Of course it was then that the crossbow fired, sending the bolt straight towards Traps leg. Fortunetly for trap, it hit where the sword was being held, but it managed to tear right through the bottom of his pant leg, and the cheap leather sheath, revealing the mighty blade.

"Uh... I can explain," Trap began, talking to Lyle

OOC: Ooooh if Beka finds out Trap tried to nab something without dividing it at the Crate she's gonna have quite a bone to pick with him. ^^

BIC:
Beka strolled to the middle of the grassy clearing and scrambled on top of her rock again. The remaining bandits had been dealt with. Beka nodded to herself as she ran through a mental checklist.

She cupped her hands over her mouth and shouted further orders. Grasshoppers! Everybody grab whatever you can carry, we'll split the stuff at the Crate! Trap, Lyle, give me a hand with the slaves!

Beka walked over to the recently-freed slaves. The girl had a badly swollen ankle, and the boy was looking rather feverish, so both would need some help walking back to the Grasshopper's Campsite at an old storehouse. Beka carefully helped the girl up and beckoned for Lyle to give her a hand. Trap could help the boy, he could walk all right, but keeping his balance might be a different story if he was really sick.

Trap Quickly covered his leg, hoping Lyle wasnt paying attention. "Good thing fang was there, hey? He turned to run to Beka, waiting for orders. She would not have to see his new sword, its not like any other kid could wield it. Catching up to her, he asked a simple question. "Have you seen my Club? I lodged it in that mans back. Havent seen it since. Ah well, dont really need it..." He kept his sentences short, because he knew he was bad t outright lying to Beka. She was the leader, and even though she was younger and probably weaker, he feared her. She could use her magic, and control it, and just had the heir of authority. He just couldnt fork out a straight face as he walked with her, she had to know he was lying. Had To!

Beka gave Trap a weird glance. He's acting like he's got ants in his pants. I'll figure him out later. She pointed a few yards ahead. Your club is over there. You can pick it up as we go. Come on, let's get this girl back to camp. To the rescued girl she was helping to her feet Beka added You're safe now. Try to walk as well as you can, we're taking you to our campsite.

The girl nodded. Beka had rescued enough people to pick up on a sort of emotional timeline for her rescued slaves; at first, they usually wouldn't, or couldn't, talk, but once they had some food and a day or two of rest, then she would learn where they came from and who they were.

Beka turned around and twitched nervously. A few miles down the grassy wilderness that was the Ruins, she could see another band of rogues heading in the Grasshopper's general direction. Beka cupped one hand over her mouth and shouted OI, GRASSHOPPERS! Let's split, everybody, back to the camp! Might be some other thieves in the area, let's keep a low profile and hustle back!

Beka helped the girl limp through the grass, occasionally bending down to pick up some of her knives that she had dropped. The rogues had been stripped of anything of value; some of the bodies had been pilfered of shoes, belts, shirts, and of course any weapons they'd been carrying.

OOC: I'm gonna skip forward a touch so we can keep the plot moving.

BIC:

About an hour later, the band of Grasshoppers arrived back at the official headquarters of Beka's little clan.

The place was an old storehouse made of stone bricks. A giant hill with utterly destroyed buildings overshadowed the storehouse, making it difficult to find if you were simply scouring the area. The majority of the building was still intact; the back corner and roof had caved in, but Beka's clan had patched it up with mud bricks, and the entire roof she had reinforced with wooden timbers found among the Ruins. The building had four walls and a roof, and that was more than some of her clanmates could ever have wished for.

When you walked inside the storehouse, directly to your right were the Bunks, basically barrels cut in half piled with blankets, leaves, grass, anything comfortable that the kids used to make their beds. To the right was a long series of shelves piled with stuff that the Grasshoppers collected; they called this spot the Cupboards. In the far right corner, in the section of the building that had collapsed, the Grasshoppers kept two small ponies in a makeshift stall built out of saplings; this was profoundly named The Stalls. In the far left corner of the building was The Hooks; a flat wall covered with hooks where the kids hung up weapons and sometimes buckets. And in the very center of the storehouse stood the Big Crate. This was the center of the monarchy of the Grasshoppers; here was where Beka laid out plans, divided loot, gave out judgements, and ordered tasks to her clan.

(In a nutshell, The Bunks and The Hooks on the right side, the Cupboards and Stalls on the left side, Crate in the middle)

Beka had the two rescued slaves sit down against the Crate, and then she climbed up on top of it. Grasshoppers, assemble.

Lyle contemplated what he should do, 'hmm, should i tell Beka about the sword, or not, i wonder if Trap knows if i even saw it, i also what to know how this crossbow works.' when Beka called the assembly, Lyle came over rather quickly, still contemplating what he should do, he couldnt keep from fidgeting, even a blind man could see he had something to hide.

OOC; ill be gone tommarow but you guys seem to have this down witout me ^^ be back next saturday.

Trap Shuffled over to the Crate, dropping his newfound blades, and his club.

"Here is my loot. Someone can keep the club, its unreliable. I have daggers..." he shuffled his feet, and took a step back, waiting for Beka to talk. He kept on shooting Lyle nervous looks, and had his burnt shirt wrapped around one leg, hoping that any child would just think it was a cut or something. It was impossible to keep something hidded from the children for long, so he was hoping Beka would keep to her word about the warmest blanket, and maby try to trade it for a sword. As long as he kept his hidden one in the sheath, he was good to go. So far he hadnt pulled the sword from the hilt, since he had no time. He couldnt wait to swing it around...

OOC: I will be here all sunday, and the gone till next saturday. And we need Lyle, danno!

OOC: Yeah, I was planning on having Beka chat with Lyle as soon as the weird blade is discovered. It's a good thing you'll BOTH be gone all week...

BIC:

Beka watched while all the kids dropped what they found at the foot of the crate. Blankets, belts, shirts, weapons of varying useability, food, water bottles, even a few weird knick-knacks like a monocle, a bottle of ink, a small tattered book, and a ring made of bad-quality silver.

All right, first things first. I promised Trap the best blanket. This one has the least holes. Beka picked up the blanket in question and chucked it at Trap. Lyle gets whatever arrows he wants, since he's the best shot. Beka scooped up an armful of intact arrows and handed them to him. Meggs, since you can read, you can have the book. A nine year old girl accepted the battered book with wide eyes.

Beka looked at the pile thoughtfully. Second, we need to give our new members here First Week Supplies. Beka worked her way through the stack, and made two piles, each containing a blanket, water bottle, a week's worth of food, two rusty knives for each, and a shirt and belt for each. There. Each of you get one of these. Welcome to the Grasshopper Clan. Beka handed one pile to each of the rescued slaves.

Beka clambered on top of the Crate again. Now, third. I claim this. Beka picked up the ring and slid it on her finger. Usual pick, youngest ones first today. The clan's third process of dividing spoils was the playground-style pick; one person picked something, then another chose something else, etc. They ordered it from youngest to oldest or oldest to youngest, or sometimes Beka made everyone line up in a random order that she chose. Today she was too busy admiring her cheap ring to bother lining everyone up, so today the youngest kids got to take their picks first.

Trap took the blanket, and threw it at a girl he knew constantly had colds and whatnot. "I dont want this blanket." he snarled, feeling mad at Beka for no apparent reason. Shoving the little kids back, he stood in front of the hoard, shooting Beka a dark look. "I want a sword. Not some blanket." he stood defiantly infront of the pile, preventing anyone from taking anything from it. "Now," He said impatiently.

For some reason, something in Traps mind was urging him to strike at the girl, for he was much bigger then her. Shocked, he stopped himself from doing anything rash. He didnt really want to get in trouble...

Lyle stood up, Trap looked like he was going to try something. Lyle was fingering his new crossbow, 'why would he want s sword? cant he see we havent got one, secpt for his.'

"why wold you want a sword Trap, i doubt you could hold one." Lyle was hopeing he could get Trap to confess, Lyle dident like telling on people, 'better to ask permission then beg forgivness' Lyle thought to himself