The consortes consider leaving Sir John in the clutches of Minos, a Black-blade captain of Utterbol, but in the end they decide that the other hostages may be more important than any petty differences with the bastard. Sir Hamral, Friar Sidrach, Vandoren, Mendelor, and Valerius interview the two survivors from Lownell, Adwin and Terrick.The men relate that the group from Lownell included Sir John, Sir Richard, and Sir Burchard, along with several men-at-arms like themselves. The embassy from Canglen included several members of the clergy. Adwin and Terrick relate that the rucks had sprung from hiding spots in the woods, completely surprising the delegation and overwhelming the defenders from Lownell. They did not see what happened to Sir John.

Owen, Marcus, and Sir Garnfellow agree to stay behind and protect Upchurch while the rest of the consortes make immediately for the site of the ambush. Sir Hamral secures mounts for everyone, and the group tears off.

Mendelor, scouting ahead, finds the ambush site and recovers six bodies, including two Black-blades. Mendelor estimates that about twenty rucks had participated in the ambush, and the woodsman soon picks up the trail. The rucks are bearing the captives with great speed toward Utterbol. The consortes begin casting spells, saying prayers, and reciting inspirational songs in preparation of coming conflict, and then begin following the tracks.

After a little while on the trail, a rock is thrown from a spot in the underbrush ahead, nearly striking Vandoren. Mendelor speeds his horse forward, and a rock hits the woodsman, who spies a lone figure fleeing into the woods. Friar Sidrach calls out a prayer to the Five, and the fugitive is held fast. Mendelor soon identifies the figure as none other than Sir John the Bastard, himself!

Sir John appears badly beaten and even frightened. He explains how he was able to cut his bindings and flee into the woods; he attacked only because he thought the consortes were ruck-men. John also reveals that Vandoren's father, Dunstan, had led the delegation from Canglen and was one of the clerics taken captive.

The group debates what to do with John, and decides to bring him along. They are not long on the trail before Noxumbra spies a search party of sixteen rucks approaching, probably in search of the escaped John. The group tries to avoid the rucks by using invisibility, but with the horses it is too difficult and the rucks soon spot our heroes. Mendelor shoots a couple of arrows into one of the leading rucks, Vandoren casts a charm of silence upon Sir John and then sings up a wall of wind. Valerius conjures up a mighty wall of iron that falls upon and crushes four ruck-men. Friar Sidrach prays to the Five and seven ruck-men are blasted into ashes by holy power. Hamral charges and tears up the remains of the rucks' ranks.

The consortes press on, assuming that the rest of the ambush party must be near at hand, and soon they come upon eleven more rucks, guarding their captives. The group takes the Black-blades by surprise, and Vandoren fires his crossbow into a lead ruck, Valerius begins conjuring horrible shark-creatures made out of wind, and Hamral and Mendelor plunge into the fray, slaying rucks right and left. The Black-blades soon find their numbers rapidly dwindling when one ruck grabs Dunstan as a hostage, holding a knife to his throat and calling for single combat between two champions to resolve the battle.

Sir Hamral eagerly steps up to the challenge, and the ruck with the knife reveals himself to be none other than Minos, brother to Sarpedon, whom he calls the Lord of Utterbol. Minos wields a shortspear with great skill, and Hamral draws Legrand, which shines brightly, indicating that Minos is employing poison. The two warriors then fight back and forth, dealing great blows to each other. Hamral, though, is struck early on and badly weakened by the foul ruckish venom. Minos presses his advantage, and although Hamral fights valiantly, is cut down. Immediately thereafter, Friar Sidrach materializes in front of Minos, and with a flash of his quarterstaff, knocks the spear out of Minos's hand. The Friar demands the ruck-man surrender, but Minos lunges for his spear instead. The Friar lashes out with his staff, cracking open Minos's skull and slaying the captain of Utterbol. At this, the rest of the rucks turn and flee, only to be blasted by Vandoren's magicks and then snuffed out by a poisonous cloud conjured up by Valerius.

Vandoren is joyfully reunited with his father. Mendelor cuts off the head of Minos and mounts it on the captain's own spear, leaving it in the clearing for others from Utterbol to find.

All values are given as 3E experience points. The Roleplaying Award (RP) includes PBM responses as well as participation in the live session.