Cefric can't stand the heat

Cefric took the first caravan out of his home town and set out working as a part time guard, part time cook, and part time wagon driver. The half dozen carts pulled by stout ponies plodded along as a sedate looking pace that somehow still move the caravan along at over 20 miles a day. After the first couple of days of this Cefric had yes to calm down to the mundaness of the "new life". But then as the caravan was traveling through the last pass in the lowland hills at the base of the mountain range that is the home of the dwarven nation a rock slide cut off the path behind the carts. Shouts an whoops from the sides of the narrow canyon and a thunk ahead, followed by a shout of pain, was all the warning Cefric had. Bandits! came the shouted warning and all the drivers flicked their reigns to speed to carts but after less than a minute of driving under fire a shout from the lead let you know A Blockade! We trapped! Quick eye and save the ponies. The wagons moves to a long oval or eye shaped formation. The driver quickly hopped off to unharness the ponies and put them in the middle as all the rest took up bows or shields as taunting laughter and geer's of derision echoed down from the steep cliff walls. Other than the occasional taunting cry or arrow from hiding the caravan is free of the bandits unless anyone moves to work on the felled trees blocking the road. The bandits seem content to let any walk about and even leave but as soon as rope or ax is brought to bear on the blockade a barrage of arrows is quick to stop any organized work. The caravan master and drivers argue with the guards about whether to abandon the goods or try and fight your way free, but no consensus is achieved and the shadows begin to darken as the sun continues to drop behind the surrounding mountains and hills.

Cefric knows he can see well in the dark, and brims with excitement for taking initiative. He suggests:

Mord, I agree with the others that we should act as soon as the sun goes down. Perhaps a few others are good at working in the dark, and would go with me. I'll loudly get in a fight with the rest, and leave to go back the way we came, and then attempt to circle around and catch them unawares while they attack the caravan. Perhaps if we make it hurt a bit the rest will give up and flee.

While splitting up seems a bad idea this does seem to be the option that the most people agree might work while keeping those who do not wish to risk themselves safer. In the end Mord will remain with the wagons while you and 5 others dwarfs attempt to circle around and flank the enemy. The six of you are split into 2 teams of 3 with each team assigned a side of the road. The plan is to get past the blockade as safely as possible then find a way up the hillside to get above and locate the bandits. Mord will wait 1 hour then send out a flare to signal the beginning of the attack. You will try and subdue as many bandits as possible by surprise but once the fight begins in earnest you are to light torches and toss them at the enemy to light them up so Mord and the others can fire on any bandits they see.

As the sun finally sets the bandits call out further warning and taunts and the two teams prepare to execute the plan. The wagons are about 50 feet from the felled trees. Only a single moon sheds it's light on the scene but you have long studied the path you will need to take to get past the barricade. At a signal once everyone is ready you rush from the cover of the wagons, each with a shield strapped to your pack or in hand ad you choose.

As you make a break for it a brief rain of arrows, lead by a couple flaming ones that cast small pools of flickering light, falls on your little group but they all miss and soon stop as you make your way past the barricade. Dashing deeper into the gloom the two teams pause to catch your breath before splitting to either side and searching for any paths to climb up and join the bandits on the steep slopes you you can give them a 'gift' for the overwhelming hospitality.

With Cefric taking the lead your group ascends the steep slope. Unfortunately the dim light from the moon casts enough shadows to confuse even your dwarven eyes and you are forced to back track several times in your search for the bandits. After scrambling up and over you eventually come to a point near the barricade and one of the other spots what looks to be a pair of figures resting behind some rocks and watching the caravan further up the canyon and a bit lower down the slope.

After some examination of the area you spot what you assume to be the bandits trail leading to and from their hideout. You assume you missed it in your ascent to your current position and note that travel on the rough trail would be much easier. A brief discussion about how to close on the bandits goes over the options. Only one of the 3 of you has a crossbow and he wants to hang back and fire on the 2 targets while the other 2 of you move in to finish off the bandits. You and the other guard discuss either descending to the trail now and use it to close the distance once the attack starts or maneuvering to be up slope of the bandits and charge down the steep slope quickly to finish them off. It is doubtful you will be able to finish the fight without making noise and this will doubtlessly alert the remaining bandits starting the real fight.

The slight glow to one horizon indicates the 2nd moon is about to rise which should be the time the caravan send up the signal to the start of the attack.

The three of you get into position, with the archer remaining in place while you descend and the other creeps along the slope to be overhead when the signal starts the attack. You reach the trail without too much noise and the bandits appear unaware of you and your comrades. Then you wait.

Finally as you are flexing to keep from getting too cool or cramping up the signal flare is lit. You shift and rise to run down the trail as the sound of the bow goes off above you and you hear a cry from ahead. The archer hit his mark. Racing along the trail you hear what you assume to be your other companion moving down the hillside and then you are in the thick of it.

The two bandits are looking around, one with an arrow in his back cursing and searching for cover as the other scrambles for a melee weapon as you and the other dwarf fall on them. Your first swing misses as does the other dwarf and the two bandits yell out in warning and terror, the wounded still moving for cover but he does pull out his weapon and take a weakens swing at you but still managed to slam his spiked club into your thigh (1 damage) while the other bandit lunges at your companion and lands his second blow after his first is evaded.

Cefric realizes that this could be a tougher battle than he thought. But its too late now to think things through. He swings with the mallet again twice!

The other guard and bowman press the fight but the bandits know how to keep their footing on the steep slope and maneuver just that much more easily than those on your side and manage to give as well as they get 1 more damage to Cefric. Fortunately they are also not nearly as well armored or robust as you and your dwarven comrade and the wounds you inflict begin to cause them to shift and back up towards the trail head leading further up the canyon