Lucius is a tall, slender man. There is always the sly grin on his face, and his hair looks like he has been in a tornado.

Right now, looking at J'Arel and you, his grin nearly splits his face, causing J'Arel to scowl back.

"Well, look who's here. Not suffocated yet, I hope", Lucius grins. J'Arel only snorts with disdain, throwing you a meaningful look as if the journey would have been quite pleasant without your companionship inside the coach.

Before you can think of how to answer that challenge, Lucius continues as if not noticing the tension between the two of you: "Looks like we got ourselves some trouble coming. The captain of the scouts just raced his horse nearly to death coming here, then barely pauses to take a breath before arguing with old Farhan. Seems like they want us to make camp here, instead of driving on, but Farhan doesn't sound too happy about that."

Lucius gives the countryside an appraising glance.

"Can't say I blame them. It's a good position here, with the hills in front and the plains at the back. At least if anyone's sneaking up on us, they're doing so from only one direction."

J'Arel interrupts: "Phah, let them come, so we can finally have some use. I don't see why..."

Lucius holds up a hand to silence J'Arel, cocking his head to one side and closing his eyes, as if listening intently.

As you strain to hear anything untowards yourself, you notice it... the silence is unnatural. Where the journey was accompanied by the rustling of leaves and grass, the chirping and buzzing of insects and the caws of birds, there is now silence... even the horses of the guards seem to hold their breath.

Then suddenly the first volley of arrows hit the group. Lucius curses and hurls himself into the relative but crowded safety of the coach, but a few of the guards do not have as much luck.
The air is filled with the rearing of horses and the screams of the wounded. The captain of the scouts turns to face the enemy, but gives only a gurgle, as you can see the black arrow protruding from his neck.

Blood runs out of his mouth, and for a horrifying second, he seems to stare at you with the paincrazed eyes of the already dead, before falling from his horse only to be gored by the panicking beast.

When you catch yourself again, you see that J'Arel and Lucius are already preparing spells, even if they cannot yet see who is attacking you.

You will stay in the coach, preparing defensive spells before joining the fray.

Lucius and J'Arel both leap out of the coach, the Air magus to the left, and J'Arel to the right.

You prepare to cast a minor enchantment to ward blows and strayed arrows on yourself, feeling that you do not have the time for more.

J'Arel is already hurling fiery balls of flame into the general direction the surviving soldiers are charging, and when sudden gusts of wind rock the coach, you know that Lucius is busy trying to prevent the arrows finding their targets.

As you close your eyes to murmur the final incantation, something incredible bright strikes close to you with loud thunder and a pierced scream, and when you open your eyes again, you see that where J'Arel stood, the ground is charred.

Not waiting any longer, you leap out of the coach.