Marian
"That sounds like trouble... Though the logistics of that decision are beyond me.*
*She hummed, sitting a half-yard beside him and tapping her chin in cursory thought. She supposed it was a question she may have to grapple with one day, if she was to ever reclaim her own demesne...*
"Couldn't have had them apprehended? I imagine the crown would be interested in prosecuting them in *Some* Form."
Mike
"Well, eventually we would deal with the bandits more readily. After dealing with their camp, they fled to an old, decrepit fort my grandfather commissioned when he ruled."
*It felt... Good? To talk about his adventures so far, and it seemed Elias would be able to help his dilemma, if not physically with fighting, just being that shoulder he can rely on.*

"After dealing with the camp, I had to deal with some goblin raiders holed up in a cave. It was, well... Full of those little fucking pests."
*Being a farmer before becoming an Adventurer, Alde had had his fair share of goblin antics on the farm growing up, and he hated them.*
Marian
"You killed them all, right? Every last one?"
*Her speech turned grave, the mention of goblins sending chills down her spine. Those cavern-dwelling vermin had been the target of bounties more times than she could count on fingers - losing at least one rookie each time. She let her pained expression fade, shaking away those horrors for now.*
"...So the bandits yet live? Who owns these lands, beyond your claim to them? I imagine His Majesty wouldn't leave them ungoverned."
Mike
"All of them. Including..."
*He sighed a little, and nodded a bit.*

"The women and the children. Though I wish I didn't have to put them all down. Children, even of mindless pests, are still children and innocent."
*He shook his head at the mention back to the bandits.*

"Eventually... We attacked the fort, and they surrendered. We sent them running and... Well, the land is owned more or less by Baron Drur Umoduad, a Silnarian man who administrated back in the day, apparently. Don't think he likes me admittedly."
*He added with a slightly nervous laugh*
Marian
"When someone claims to be de jure lord of your fiefdom, I imagine there would be some love lost~"
*She cooed, giggling softly at his aloofness. The ordeal sounded stressful, and knowing what a mess exterminations and assaults can be didn't make it any easier to stomach. She held his shoulder, squeezing it gently as she offered a knowing smile.*
"The Silnarians are a noble people. This I've learnt, even if it isn't wholly applicable. To whom do you swear oath to? I imagine they would lend an ear, even in passing."
Mike
"Well, I mean, I just came home to help against problems, not my fault he spent his forces out adventuring in dungeons and such instead of protecting the land."
*He laughed a little, as he felt a smile as she held his shoulder and squeezed it. In truth he had never thought of who he owed his fealty to, he was... Well an independent in this. Well...*

"Well... I suppose... The good Emperor Haslain, as all Salvainians do. But aside of that...? New Sunlight I suppose, being a member of them. I've never really... Thought of like where I belong to."
Marian
"Hm... Have you petitioned his estate? They'd have at least some advice about the affair, I'd imagine..."
*It was clear she was grasping at straws. In truth, Elias knew little of the workings of the various empires that she traipsed through - she was not raised to rule, after all.*
Mike
"I... Don't think I have quite enough fame to even be worth reading, but... Maybe?"
*He said, rubbing his chin. The idea was something least.*

"Well... I'll think about it. Anyways..."
*He would take in a breath, relaxing as he returned to the tale.*

"Obviously, I survived the uh, assassination attempt and all. And we recently dealt with a pack of ghouls harassing a local cemetery. We dealt with that well enough, and then there was an old man involved, but uh... He seemed in league with the monsters, and he didn't make it for better or worse."