[littlemanpoet]

Tharonwe has been busy. He has decided that he will not simply hide to evade capture, although he realizes that may be the end result of all events, outnumbered as he is proving to be. He has decided to take advantage of the weaknesses he has seen in the group. Tharonwe is as quiet and elusive as any elf, has excellent coordination and eyesight, and is deadly with bow and arrow. He is not above using poisoned arrows. He has learned the art of the blow reed as well, and is quite adept at concocting potions that induce sleep, fever, dream, or death. He has hiding places here and there in the swamp. Since there are few trees, he has created his own hiding places, having studied the wildlife that inhabit the swamps. So Gwyllion has been the victim of a blow reed, and has been cast into a sleep and does dream - so good instincts there, Immy! She was bound and gagged and brought to a place to which no ranger, dog, horse, nor other human could track her. The same fate has befallen Mellonin. By the time dawn arrives, she also will have been bound and hidden. Tharonwe's thinking should be obvious to you by now. Having captured those who were most defenseless in the party, and certainly cared for by those who remain, he has an advantage he didn't have before. When he reveals himself to those who remain free, whoever they may be by the time he's finished with his current tricks, he will make clear that he cannot be killed, or the two may not be found - in time to save them from starvation or the poison with which he has infected them (which may or may not be a lie). If those who remain free refuse to cooperate with him, he will threaten to throw one or both to the swamp beast, which he has - well - not tamed, per se, but over which he has a certain measure of control. Let's figure that if Tharonwe has not been back to the two ladies after 12 hours, they will have woken up and discovered their condition and helplessness. Have fun!