       "I. Am. Garlean." Tobias enunciates every syllable pointedly as to make sure he was heard. Suddenly the Midlander strikes in a swift left hook--into Clavier's gut. However, during the brief struggle that ensued, the next step to Tobias' plan was already set in motion. This was merely a stepping stone, a rising action towards the climax. He had to make a mental note to apologize to Clavier after all this if they both survived. To which Tobias was confident that would come to pass.
       "Play along Clavier." Tobias had spoken with swift words while he had quickly bent down with Clavier after the strike, though the true purpose would have been known to Amadi and Tarquin too late.
Thirty yalms. Long and agile strides are made as it treks swiftly across Thanalan's wet and muddy terrain.
       "So quickly how the tides can shift it's favor...." Tobias states casually as he seems to disregard Tarquin's threat entirely, "despite your best efforts, you have in your possession now, what you had exactly when you began this little charade of yours--nothing." Tobias was still too far from striking distance and Clavier was now the closest to the two assailants. However the darkness shrouds much of what was still happening, who was looking at who, and other things--until the crackle of lightning sets a tree where the Chocobo's were leashed to ablaze.
Twenty yalms. The pace stays constant as it comes from the East.
       Draevyn did not want to leave exactly, or more accurately he did not want to leave the passengers defenseless, but after seeing and hearing Tobias, the driver managed to slip out of sight from the bandits without notice. An overwhelming mixture of emotions come over him as Kieaira grabs hold of his wrist. The blonde Hyur remains quiet for awhile before blue eyes turn to meet her gaze, thankful for the rain at this exact moment. "Alright. For you lass..." words masked before he grabs the sharpened 'tooth pick' from the wet ground before he heads back towards the scene of the conflict.
Ten yalms. When Amadi and Tarquin first appeared, Tobias held his back to the men after they make themselves known. There was a flash of lightning that revealed Tobias' back to the strangers. If not due to the darkening sky and sudden hail of rain, someone might have noticed the shift in his forearm that raised his hand upwards to his lips once he took something out of his pouch--a kind of whistle. Before his hand dropped casually to the side, he put the small object to his lips and gently blew--a frequency was emitted that not even a Miqo'te could hear.
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    Lorielle was able to escape much sooner than Tobias anticipates thanks to the sudden distraction that Kieaira provides. Also, partly due to Clavier allowing himself to be struck gave that extra bit of distraction at the beginning that was needed to catch the bandits totally off-guard. Despite his desire to place himself in front of Lorielle or even glance back at her to see if she is well, he refrains. The Elezen undoubtedly saw what Tobias had done to Clavier, so he dares not to do something that would cause his head to be cracked open like an egg from her staff.
       The fire that struck the tree grew intensely despite the rain that pours on it, perhaps a sign that Azeyma now takes interest to the events unfolding. The illumination from the flames bright enough to cast a faint glow over to where the travelers and bandits are. It also reveals the frightened Chocobo running very quickly straight towards the group. The panicked 'KWEH' from the creature causes Tobias to turn his head briefly before he looks back over at Clavier. The moment the two made eye contact, the raven-haired Hyur would release his hold of the black blade and toss it back to the archer. It was unlikely, but perhaps that one more distraction from the terrified Chocobo from the West would give pause to the bandits long enough for Clavier to grab his blade and cut one down before either men could react. Hopefully the archer would engage on the one with the great-axe.
       This was all going better than planned, which both relieves Tobias but also makes him push the advantage. Another streak of lightning floods the area with light and that is when he sees 'it' come from the East. From behind both Amadi and Tarquin. The Midlander had succeeded in his subterfuge, better than he had hoped for. He puts the whistle back to his lips and blows quickly and noiselessly before he rushes towards the man known as Tarquin, whom had taken an aggressive stance. Tobias was finished with words.
Mere fulms. Not very far from behind either Amadi and Tarquin another loud 'KWEH' was heard, but this screech did not belong to the frightened Chocobo that passed mere moments ago. Instead, the screech of alerted aggression belonged to that of a brightly colored, charging Chocobo that was hefty in size; Tobias' Chocobo--aiming straight for Amadi and Tarquin. Stalling. Deceit. Lies or half-truths. All parts of the game of subterfuge. Now it was time for his plan to pay the dividends.
       At the beginning of their journey, a Hyur produced a quick, sharp whistle after he heard the driver call out to the others to make ready. Soon a brightly colored Chocobo strode up to the side of the caravan, unsaddled and unarmored. An excited 'Kweh' comes from the hefty creature as Tobias placed a hand over the top of it's head. He soothingly trailed the touch down over to the curve of it's beak. His forehead gingerly pressed against the front of the beak. Both man and beast close their eyes as whispered words are spoken, the language entirely foreign to any that hear. The most distinct sound that came from the Hyur was the delicate rolling of his 'R'. The Chocobo ruffled it's feathers with another bright 'Kweh' before it took off down the path. Never did it stray too far from the caravan. As trained, it kept it's distance around fifty to sixty yalms. Always prepared to come into action when called upon at a moments notice. All it needed was the whistle....
