Yulya enjoys marching through the warmer spring scenery and looks forward to reaching Neverwinter. But she notices Ashley and Summer having trouble keeping the pace.

Oh dear I keep forgetting we are traveling with a child! How are you doing Summer? You have been doing great so far, we marched an enormous distance! We should rest and eat here before you collapse on the last mile!
Cat can you scout out a good location to set up our tent? Preferably out of sight from the main road!
Once Cat has found a spot Yulya searches the area for potential threats before the tent is set up.
Fine let us rest here and leave early so we can enter Neverwinter in the morning!

Summer disappears into the darkness.

Yulya helplessly watches the child move closer to the enemy. She tries to call out to Summer but doesnt manage to utter a word. Her distress increases

Just at the edge of the light the grimace of a large Golden dragon's head appears to stare down at the bandits. Though Ashley clearly sees this as an illusion with her Truesight, the bandits don't seem to have this same luxury.
Bandit #1 uses his turn to bravely investigate the illusion. Believing it to be a real dragon, he calls for retreat, all the remaining bandits run south into the darkness.

Yulya exhales in relief and speaks a prayer to Eldath and SheShe
Thank goodness that could have ended badly!

Once back at camp, Ashley puts more wood on the fire and congratulates Summer on her illusion, Summer beams with a wide smile, also proud of herself. "I could only project the head because my minor illusion cantrip is limited to a 5ft cube, but the edge light was a perfect compliment to fool them; they couldn't see that there wasn't a body attached to that head."

"Oh so now I get it, you're magic schools are perfect for negotiations with manipulation and bluffing." Ashley thinks wistfully to herself wondering if she could add a few tricks to her arsenal. "That sure would help." She mutters to herself.

Yulya sighs
That was a great show Summer!
You saved us a lot of trouble here! But please do not run off into the darknes like that!
Yulya pats her head

Well I am not dissatisfied with this outcome. We may have lost their belongings and so any clues to wo they were but I do not believe they will bother us again now that they think that we have a dragon on our side. At least I hope so. We have other matters to attend.

"I guess I'll finish my watch."

Please do Ashley!
And good work! Without your truesight we would have been blind. Good night and let us pray our sleep is not disturbed again!
Yulya retreats into the tent under Alices watchful eyes careful not to bring any dirt into the tent

Yulya staggers into the cold darkness thinking about her cabin. Not even the night rest is sacred...

I have no intention to negotiate this time it is so tiresome. I am not happy to attack humans but let us do what we must.

Yulya gets behind Ashley and Summer. She casts BLESS on Alice Ashley and Cat. Then she uses her Ring of Quick casting for EMBOLDENING BOND between Alice and Cat.

Alright take care let them approach further and then we will all attack simultaneously.

Cat didn't answer this but I will give the information since it's obvious and she also didn't ignore you.The cart heading North does look like it was first at about the same time or within hours or a day at most to the one that turned East. So Summer's timeline makes sense. Furthermore the scoops look something like depressions that could have been made if a sack of wheat was dropped from carriage height or a medium animal might have done it and there are other prints including bear and wolf about. Nothing else pops out.

Summer looks at the footprints on the road again, "oh, I remember now! My carriage was taken! We were headed to Neverwinter to hire heroes for my quest."

"We heard rumors of a snow dragon having infested the sight of an artifact and the master trusted me to handle this. I may be an apprentice, but I'm good at it."

"My driver noticed someone on the road ahead and we stopped at the crossroad. I hid here behind the rock as he continued and after way too long, my driver and cart were both gone. I waited here because I thought they'd come back but then when the other cart came I took it because the driver said four heroes cleared the road. Bandits aside we almost made it to Phandalin where they said the heroes were but there you were! Even if we go to Neverwinter, I still want you helping me rather than someone I don't know."

Yulya is relieved Summers story finally makes sense now - at least somewhat. But she shares Alices confusion.
I see!
I am glad you have your memories back. But I still do not understand. So you were traveling just with you driver? And he left you behind so you just boarded another cart? I do not want to doubt your skills but that looks a bit reckless. Do not worry my child we will never leave you behind. And we will help you. So dont run off by yourself!

Oh and as you are an apprentice, who is your master if I may ask?

Don't tell others about this meal, Summer Nya it's a secret recipe Nya!

Summer agrees, "I wouldn't say anything! I've never heard of Elbon though."
Summer happily takes the bargain of sharing food with Alice, "Oh thank you!"
She smiles thankfully as a final gesture before eating, and though standing, and not in a formal setting, she eats with style and grace. "Hm, it tastes different in stew, my chefs would have a fit to treat such rare delicacy like this, but..." she looks to Cat "you pulled it off, it's delicious!"
Ashley winces in disgust, "I'm eating in the tent."

Yulya hears nothing and knows nothing and is focusing on her meal.

Ashley steps outside in the cold and sits near the dying fire... and casts True Sight. Nearly through her watch, having cast it again, completely bored, she notes four humanoids coming with stealth in the distance, careful to stay just off the road. She thinks of waking everyone but perhaps they'll walk on by without a fuss. [Stealth Roll Failed] She notes with her true sight that they're definately aware of the tent and headed right for them. She ducks back in and sounds the alarm in a frantic whisper, "Everyone up, we have four possible bad guys headed our way."

Yulya grabs her gear and dons her shield
Oh no! And I have not rested yet! Ashley please look after Summer but keep ready in case we need a negotiator! Cat let us go!
Yulya steps outside the tent with Cat to assess the situation

Before going to sleep Yulya takes a look at the bandits brooches and cloaks. She casts GUIDANCE on herself and tries to investigate the magic signature

I wanted to update the inventory but I need the condition of the Bandits itemsAnd the weight and worth of cloaks and brooches please!
I gave them to Ashley because we are at our limit. Alice and Cat are 0.5lbs away from encumbrance. I still have some reserves if 4 cloaks are too much for Ashley.

Yulya is just relieved the situation is resolved without anybody killed and quickly follows Cat to get away from the scene

Cat grabs Johnstan by his hair and easily lifts him up with one arm, her claws digging into his scalp
DO YOU UNDERSTAND NYA??

Cat slams him to the ground and prepares to knock out the other bandits as well, cracking her knuckles

Yulya watches Cats outburst of violence with unease but is also relieved the situation is resolvedCat leave one of them conscious and untie him before we leave!
Yulya turns to the youngest banditLead your men back and repent. As we said this is your last chance. We shall confiscate your weapons.