Captured! Revelations of the Mysterious Tomb..

[Corwin]

Umi estimates the amount of the Matsu forces, taking under account their positions as well.

OOC: As in, how many appear to be guarding the bridge, and how many are just there, and aren't as alert, etc.

[Halbarad]

After Fuu and Umi leave, Hikaru studies the terrain for the best places to try to conceal the warriors left under her command. Taking into account that the burnt forest isn't going to offer the best of cover, she looks around for any terrain features that might serve as good hiding places for a fairly large number of people.

[Carthrat]

Around Hikaru's position are a few small hills, which could provide cover for several elves each. Also, the ground is soft, which could facilitate the digging of ditches or pit traps for the unsuspecting. The trees are burnt through and unsafe to climb; however, they can provide cover, if used wisely.

<->

Umi counts about 20 Matsu guards gathered near the bridge itself, without another 20 positioned along the river. There are more troops on the bridge itself, but they can't be easily counted without getting closer.

[Corwin]

Umi checks for cover around her position, where she would move after firing her first arrow. Afterwards, she notches an arrow and takes careful aim at the closest Matsu soldier located along the river, ignoring those gathered on the actual bridge or near it.

[Ebiris]

Readying her own bow and targeting a random Matsu soldier, Fuu waits for the signal to attack.

[Carthrat]

A slight rustle can be heard as the other 20 elves raises their bows and take aim..

[Corwin]

Umi lets her arrow fly, signaling the beginning of their assault, moving for a new spot and notching another arrow immedately afterwards.

[Ebiris]

Fuu releases her own arrow at her chosen target, replacing it in a fluid motion from the quiver at her hip and targetting another random Matsu.

[Halbarad]

Working swiftly, Hikaru divides her group into a number of smaller bands which conceal themselves among the hills and in a few strategically dug ditches around the area designated for the ambush. With a signal for the attack arranged (a cricket chirp repeated in a specific pattern) the pink-haired elf settles down to wait for her friends' return.

[Carthrat]

A flock of arrows washes out from the darkness towards the Matsu, clustered mostly towards the bridge itself. Some die, some are only wounded, and many are not hit at all.

Before the second volley lashes out, the Matsu erupt into pandemonium. Amongst shouted orders, varying from 'Retreat!' to 'Charge!', the soldiers seem to follow a fairly organized pattern. Those not gathered on the bridge start to rush towards the forest, gathering in small groups, lead by one or two soldiers with torches. The soldiers on the bridge itself alternate between falling back to the other side and joining the onrushing troops.

A second volley rocks out, but the sudden, too-well-organized charge of the Matsu has thrown some archers off course, so fewer casualties hit the Matsu than before.

The Matsu are getting close. Some pockets of them are rushing to areas with no elves at all; others are right on target. There are about four or five groups that Umi and Fuu can count straight off.

[Ebiris]

Deliberately targeting a group of charging Matsu that are nowhere near the Elves, Fuu notches an arrow and lets it fly at the torchbearer.

After firing her third shot, she then make all haste to return to the ambush point. But does so in a stealthy-like manner.

[Corwin]

Umi sends an arrow flying at a Matsu with a torch, picking a group where there are no other torchbearers. Afterwards, she retreats back halfway towards their ambush point, and briefly checks the situation.

[Carthrat]

Umi's shot flies wide of her target, totally missing.

Fuu's shot hits her target square, however, and the torchbearer collapses, causing a little confusion amongst his fellows, who blindly rush an unoccupied area.

The rest of the elves pissbolt, but the Matsu are able to catch and bring a few down, judging by the screams and such.

Upon reaching halfway to the ambush point, Umi realises that the numbers of Matsu following them don't match up with the numbers that were fighting them; there's a sizable discrepency, judging by the noise they're making.

[Corwin]

Umi tries to estimate the amount of Matsu following them, as well as their distance from her.

[Carthrat]

Umi can't guess, exactly. She can hear several pairs of boots and a few shouted voices; maybe ten? Give or take?

They're about twenty metres away.

<->

Hikaru can hear noises and human shouts coming from up ahead.. along with Fuu, rushing back to the ambush point.