Ser Katharine Anholde absently rolled a well rounded, silver piece between her fingers, her lucky coin that she had always carried with her, as she stood over the ale sodden table within the -Farmers Plough- common room Tavern. Many would have claimed her beautiful at first glance but a second look made it clear of her severity of discipline, being a Knight certainly did not give her any breathing space to be admired for her good looks. Today there was something more, as she rolled that coin more rapidly upon nimble fingers.<br/><br/>The dim candlelight barely illuminated the ale sodden walls, the greatest source of light rising from the large fireplace, the placement of the table being the nearest to it, no chairs were present, providing Katharine and her two other companions the freedom to move about the table as they pleased. Upon the wooden surface lied a crumpled and a supposedly well used map, a map that gave Katharine an overheads view of Greenvale and her surrounding lands. It was well known to Katharine that the closest land that mattered was mostly open acres, for it was a town well known for their crops and quality of meat, but they still had forests, forests the villagers would not touch nor dare venture into. Rumours and Folklore did its part quite nicely, that only frustrated Katharine even more.<br/><br/>Within the center of Greenvale ran a single main road, and it was easy to see that was how Greenvale came to be as the town began to expand on either side of that dirtroad. It had quickly become a tradepost that coincidently began the town it has evolved into today, the road now looking more like a dirt river that had two seperate towns on each end, and in the center sat a glorious, pedestral memorial.<br/><br/>Katharine looked towards the two men at her table, a light of concern in her dark eyes as she looked towards who would at first seem to be a seasoned armour man. "Have the scouts returned, Brother Jaeron?" The man cranked his neck, he certainly looked seasoned with his hardened, yet wrinkled skin. Black and Grey mixed together to adorn his chin and upper lip in the form of a neatly shaven goatee. It did not surprise Katharine that Brother Jaeron had appeared in his armour, a whitesteel breastplate which bore the insignia of the sword of mercy against his chest, a black sword pointed upright with black blots flickering outwards as if to show the light eminating from it. Of course, it came with the complete package. The Templars red, yellow and orange blemishing skirt that showed through the exposed opening of his whitesteel plated armour, giving the man the look of a warrior monk. It always made Katharine ponder how they were able to move so fast when chasing down Apostates or their female priests, which the templars possibly being the reason for their fleeing in the first place. Men were men, despite their devoted faith. It wouldn't stop them from chasing girls if a blind eye was ever turned. So Katharine thought anyway.<br/><br/>Brother Jaeron grunted in turn, shaking his head as if wishing he could provide better news, although the concern he showed didn't seem to be for question alone "Four out of the five returned safetly, mi'lady. Aras, -May the Maker guide him-, returned to us by one of the bandits emissaries... a decapitated head found within a farmer's sack, thrown at one of the nearby villagers mi'lady." His tone was cold and his voice sounded like a rockslide of rumbling boulders within a large valley.<br/>The news was harsh for her, she knew almost every villager in Greenvale. The woman spat to one side and began muttering in a harsh tone that could have almost matched Jaeron "Wretched scum... The villagers are frightened enough. The Maker spit on them..." Katharine paused, allowing time to pass as she looked over the map once more. Jaeron had waited before he continued on with his report "They have set up blockades at the main road that acts as our artery for trade and travel. It is a surprise they have been able to deter local security in this region, which means that they will most likely strike soon. We cannot wait for any response from the neighbouring villages anytime in the future. Treenra is a days travel by horse, we are on our own. Tomorrow may very well be our judgement day." To Katharine, the man spoke as if it was merely another day.<br/><br/>There was the quiet sigh from the man beside her that quickly caught her attention. A man that certainly was not built for war but he did the best he could to pull it off.<br/>"The villagers will defend this village with their lives. Their ancestors brought this town up from the ground and we won't abide to seeing it burnt down by some incessant vermin like those.. those.. men!" He gave what seemed to have been a deep pan that nestled firmly on his head, kept in place by a thick string that dug into his second chin, a good bang on the head, knuckles grinding into the metal surface. He must have thought that would help reassure her.<br/>"It seems they will have too..." Katharine said submittingly, although looking back to the Templar who seemed to have not already have his say. "What's the matter, Brother Jaeron?" It felt stupid to ask, Jaeron had been insistant in his plight and it was the now narrowed stare that made her feel like she had quickly become his prey.<br/>"You know very well what is bothering me, ... milady" He had struggled to pronounce her properly this time.. just like the last time he mentioned it. "... The Apostate. There is one in the village, and you have no right to meddle in the affairs of the chantry. If she brings any harm to the villagers, you know very well know the consequences." As hard as the man may have tried to hide his anger, he didn't succeed.<br/>"Well, I am sorry, Brother Jaeron. As long as she is unaware of you chasing her, she'll put more fear into the hearts of those bandits than a thousand pitchforks and scythes. While Bann Cantei is gone, I have command. I will speak to the Revered Mother personally once I get the chance. But rest assured, the matter will be dealt with."<br/><br/>"Hrmph-- Very well..." It should not have come as a surprise to her, but with a heaved and lingering sigh, she pushed herself away from the table and looked towards the tavern doors. It was getting late and if the bandits were soon to make their move, it would do very little to tire herself out arguing and plotting. She needed her swordhand ready and able.<br/><br/>"Get some rest, you'll need it. May Andraste watch over u--..." Her voice had already softened but the immediate interruption from the plump man almost hardened it to stone "W-w-wait! But what about the new arrivals? The -barbarian- and hrmp-- the -Elf-? Visitors are too strange for a time like this." The man almost sounded as if he was concerned for his people, he always was the speaker for the people and whatever he voiced, was certainly a matter that the people of the village had trusted in him to relay onto both her and the Bann. It was a response that even she was surprised she gave, a simple and dismissive shrug of her shoulders as she turned back towards the door.<br/><br/>"If they kill anyone, kill them. Don't even give them a reasonable execution. We'll slaughter them like animals if they act like one. Understand?"<br/><br/>--------------------------------------------------------------<br/><br/>Dawn casted its lazy gaze over the town of Greenvale, citizens were already pulling wagons that had piled possessions and family upon the crooked constructs, speakers and criers voicing orders and warnings throughout the cobbled streets. It was complete unrest as panic took its place in Greenvale. Katharine stood within the centre of town, a gathering space made for her and her militia alone that expanded around the memorial, it was enough to fit a small legion of men and if it was in her power, she'd fill the platform twice over if she could spare them. Panic and fear was what Katharine expected from the commonfolk, but she had ordered for the evacution of the sick and eldarly as soon as she could, mothers were also a good pick. Children needed a parent. That thought alone always acted as a burden for her, knowing that today would be a day that children could lose a father, or a father losing a son. Their destination was the Chantry, for it was the only place they could escape too, and she prayed that their faith would protect them but if the gates fell, but she knew that no amount of prayer would stop that blade from piercing their heart. Thank the Maker for the Templars.<br/><br/>Katharine looked over her battle garments, a solid silver breastplate that kept her chest pressed tightly against herself in an almost flat plate, small curved cups only giving little to grant her ample breasts a tight fit, always thanking the maker that she was not granted even larger breasts to carry into battle. A chain mesh in turn decorated her upper torso, along with a single metal spaulder that sat on her left shoulder, the arm that would grant her all the protection she would need, which she clung to a large steel shield in the tight grip of her plated gauntlets. The heraldry bore of a Green Horse sprinting over three blue wavey fine lines, representing an ocean. It was the symbol of her noble heritage, of the Anholdes. Further downwards she wore allout full plate, which certainly didn't give her the maneuvability she could have ever wanted, but it gave her protection, and it was that protection that would be a matter of life or death.<br/><br/>She looked towards the man to her left, giving him a brief pat on the shoulder as he continued to cry out, the same echoing message that ran through the entire village.<br/><br/>"Men and Women of Greenvale! Our Ancestors plead for you to defend your homes!<br/>If you can fight, do not run! For the Maker is on our side!<br/>Do not flee in the sight of evil, raise your weapon and slay it!<br/>Remember that we are men and women of Ferelden! We are born warriors and we remain warriors at heart!<br/>Raise your weapons! Let out the battlecry! Protect your loved ones! Show we are not easy prey!<br/>Under Ser Katharine Anholde and Knight Templar Jaeron will you survive! Serve them! For Andraste's Blessing!<br/>We call upon any who is willing to lend us their aid! May the Maker guide you to them!<br/>Ser Katharine Anholde will hear all demands, your life is also at risk! Fight with us!<br/>Gather at the center memorial of our ancestors! It is there where our strength grows!<br/>For Ferelden! For Bann Cantei!"<br/><br/><br/>DALISH ----------------------------------------------------------DALISH<br/><br/>Argin scoured over the remains of what was left of the Dalish Wagon, it seemed that his ambush had brought him success, although he should have known better than to try and jump those nervous knife-ears. Someone was always going to die if humans were ever to raise a weapon against the Dalish, but was it truely worth it? Argin's eyebrows twitched soon in frustration, driving the flat of his fist against the hardened Dalish wood of the wreckage. It was a complete waste, a waste! In a sense he should have known better that the Dalish would want to share little of their Elven treasures with the human settlements, yet his curiousity had gotten the better of him. Elfroot and Mushrooms? Pelts? They needed weapons! At least he managed to quell the numbers of the resistance of Greenvale. That was at least a plus in Argin's eyes.<br/><br/>He shook his head as he attempted to dismiss the appalling haul, instead with a generous caress of his curved, two handed hilt, he carefully withdrew the large Claymore from its leathery adorned scabbard that hugged so tightly to his back. The blade itself was perfectly balanced, light yet able to beat simple metals into submission, a blade he once stole from a Chasind Barbarian. He was quite proud of its craftsmenship yet he doubted it belonged to the man to begin with anyway. It certainly had the markings that it was once made in the Tevinter Imperium, A larger version of what may have been commonly known as the "Saw Sword". The curved head that snaked to a thinner neck gave it a bigger comparison to a weirdly shaped axe than it did a sword, but Argin admired it enough to consider it a brother. It certainly went well with his well muscled and tone physique, covered mostly in tattered linens and a leathery coat. Still, he was well above six feet, he stared down at most of his men. They feared him, and with good reason too.<br/>Sudden screams and yelling, men grumbling yet laughing mixed with the harsh elven words being spat soon caught the attention of Argin, hasted stomps marched over the battle they had claimed, kicking dead Elf and men alike out of his way as he approached his spoils.<br/><br/>Two elven women, and one male. They were clearly Dalish as the Sun was bright, tattooes that were delicately drawn over their faces, -blood writing- they called it. Argin was unsure of its meaning, but sometimes he wondered if such Elves marked would strike more fear into a soul than a screaming bearded barbarian... he prefered the latter but he certainly didn't think the markings were to make the man worry. Knife-ears always were always weak.<br/><br/>It was the two elven women that had caught his eye and obviously the rest of his men, most licking their lips as the exotic remained bound and gagged. Lustful stares and jokes spreading around his men and he couldn't help but laugh along with them on a small part, some men even paused if actually unsure if they should, and it is those men who had met the ever hateful stare of those women. Argin figured that if he had given them a knife, they would probably kill themselves on the spot right there.<br/><br/>Eventually he had to turn his attention upon the Male, however much he wanted to keep looking over his Elven treasures. An Elven man that had beaten three of his men with weirdly shaped weapons in combat before the others decided to pin him down and bind him like the rest. He was lucky, the three other Elves had died to his mens blades and they had managed to kill less each and that was with bow and arrow. He sure has talent...<br/><br/>He looked towards two men who had stood silently over the elven women, waving a dismissive hand towards them "Take my -prizes- to my wagon, I'll have my fun with them later then perhaps they'll catch a fine price..." He bellowed a cruel laugh, one that was interrupted by the mumbled growls that soon became a mixture of whimpers and screams that soon followed, pleading eyes seemed to have been directed solely at the Elven man, as if he could do anything about their situation now.<br/><br/>As soon as the screaming finally went out of earshot, by either distance or being clobbered by the men, Argin carefully approached the man, driving the exotically shaped blade into the ground before pulling the gag free from his mouth, as he crouched beside him to meet him gaze for gaze. When Argin spoke, he spoke in a dark and malicious tone. "So, tell me Knife-ears. Give me one good reason why I should let you live? I'm sorry to say that my men have no taste for what you could.. -provide-.. So what do you bring to the table?"<br/><br/><span style="font-size: 18px"><b>sirnoobsalot</b></span><br/>2011-01-13 08:37:46 	It was a different world. Rolling hills and forests spread as far as the eye could see beneath a blue sky written upon by trails of white. This was the land of armies and steel, vast and without border. Cruran had no choice but to be in silent awe of it all. Here where the wind was cool and smelled sweetly of the green world it swept across. It was nothing like the harshness of the Wilds, or of the mountain passes of the Avvar. It was calm.<br/><br/>Cruran had spent weeks walking this land, across it's slopes and through it's woods. In the day he would walk, run, and hunt. He would spend his hours feeling the grass beneath his feet and the wind through his hair. And at night he would lay in the open and stare at the unending stars. He had not seen the stars for many months since his time among the mountain peoples. He had missed them in the Wilds.<br/><br/>Each morning he would gather his things, sling his sword on his back and continue onward, free of any particular course or road, he simply traveled forward to whatever the world would bring him. In these lands where life was easy and unhindered, Cruran was free and without any master. It was a feeling that he felt he could become lost in and be no worse a man for it.<br/><br/>But Cruran was a man of the Wilds, and understood the natural world. Nothing was given, only taken. The strong live, and the weak die. These were the rules of the world, and as sweet as the air smelled, and as free as the plains were, they adhered the natural order. An order that the men of Steel failed to understand.<br/><br/>There was a man, wider in girth than one should be. With him was a horse and cart. The horse was harnessed and the cart was filled with oddities and useless trinkets. He traveled with a smaller girl with features that were foreign to Cruran. Still, she like the man looked sorely out of place upon the barren road of dead earth that the horse stamped against. Cruran had no trouble at all detecting the them as they approached, and even less trouble springing from the foliage along side the road undetected. The man was dead in the blink of an eye. The fabrics that concealed his poorly kept body were little more than air to Cruran's blade. The girl with him was down with a single blow of the Chasind man's fist. They were both weak. Neither deserved the life that bellowed within them.<br/><br/>Still... the girl had survived his strike, which he did not expect of her, frail and small as she was. The horse pawed and stamped at the ground nervously as Cruran stood over her still body and thought of what to do with her. He heard her stir minutes later after he had removed her feeble weapons and stripped her of all but the most essential clothing. She awoke as Cruran was cutting the harness from the horses back, shortly after he patted it's back and gave it a solid smack on it's rear sending it galloping off to whatever place it so chose. It was proper for such beasts to be free. No one deserved to die a slave.<br/><br/>The girl's armor was surprisingly strong, but unnecessarily frail. He had little confidence that such cured hide would have prevented his strike, had he chosen to. Her weapons were even more pathetic. Still, they were hers and he decided to not cast them aside as he did most of the valueless garbage he found in the cart. There was some food which Cruran wrinkled his nose at. No such things could sustain the spirit as it needed. There were fabrics as well, but nothing strong enough to even keep a chill away. Cruran laughed at such things.<br/><br/>With nothing of value from the cart, Cruran took the girl. She protested of course, pleaded even. You know nothing of this land. It is in the way you walk, the way you look around. Should I let you go, or have left you behind with your dead master? Hah! You would not have lived a day. I have spared your life, and for that I will take from you what you owe me. He told her.<br/><br/>He took her off the only land her feet had known, dead land of dirt and stone and onto the proper land, the land that was meant to be. He was still unsure of what he was going to do with her, but what he had spoken was true. He spared her and she was indebted to him, whether she felt that way or not. It mattered not to Cruran.<br/><br/>The first night with her he built a small fire. The night was warm to him, though the girl's shivers told him that she was unaccustomed to being out beneath the stars with so little. He sat across the fire from her and watched her with his wild eyes. She was not unwelcoming to the eye. Though smaller than those he had known, there was an elegance about her features, oddest of which were her pointed ears. He felt a quiet nag in his chest as he sat so comfortable in the cool breeze while she shivered. With a slight grunt of annoyance he pulled his sheath from his back and untied a fur from it. He approached her and grabbed her, pulling the fur around her. She was small enough that it almost completely covered her. He sat back down on the other side of the fire and let out a deep sigh.<br/><br/>I have decided what to do with you. He began with his deep booming voice. I will release you at the next of your villages that we come across. What you do from there, I care not. But until then, you are under my protection. I will feed you, keep you warm, and away from the dangerous eyes of beasts and men. He lowered his head slightly and turned his square chin. But as you have nothing to give me for such a service, I will expect your warmth when I desire it. Strike me, or try and kill me, and I will leave you for the wolves to feast on... not that they'd get much worth eating from a scrawny thing like you. Cruran frowned, looking at her figure beneath the fur.<br/><br/>Cruran intended on making well on what he said, though he had no idea when it would be that they would come across a village. It could be days, it could be months. Only the skies knew. Cruran brought her along, though she wasn't resistant to following him. Cruran had to keep his pace slower than before, walking more than running, and though he felt his spirit wishing to run freely and wild, he had to a burden to tend to.<br/><br/>He walked with her across the fields and hills. On the third day he took her amongst the trees, a place that seemed oddly fitting for someone so frail. He walked with her and followed the tracks of a deer. He showed her the markings on the earth and how to see them even amongst dead leaves that would make such tracks difficult to see. He spoke to her about tracking wild things, though he fell silent and made it clear that she was to be as well when the tracks began to freshen. He crept along the forest floor until they came into view of a small family of deer, a doe and several strong fawns.<br/><br/>Soon they will leave their mother, but not yet. He whispered to her. Do not hunt a mother with young. He told the girl.<br/><br/>He tracked for a while longer along the game trails until a stag came into view with small horns, he was young, but strong enough to live and die on his own. He placed a hand on the girl to force her down, and out of sight then moved ahead. He returned with the animal upon his shoulders. That night he built a fire to cook enough of the animal to feed them. As it cooked he took the girl as was owed to him. Cruran saw her anger and disgust with him as he ate afterwords. To her he said only, The weak die and the strong survive. This is the way of the world. Be upset and wish to cut my throat... but do it when you are cold and hungry. Not when you are warm and full. Now eat and rest.<br/><br/>They followed a stream in the woods for several days. It ended at it's source, a great clear pool stretching out before a waterfall. Cruran washed, then told the girl to as he stood by the water and watched the forest. The trees were not all he watched, of course. The girl still struck him with her beauty. Not strong, but lithe, elegant. Even with a mind of survival, he was captivated by her. He gathered a few plants that grew near the waters edge and when the girl emerged he told her to sit upon the soft moss.<br/><br/>This is Maiden's Tongue. He told her and showed her the leave she had picked. To the common tongue, it was Elf Root, but Cruran was not educated in such terms. It is called Maiden's Tongue because like the tongue of a maiden, it can cure all of a man's ailments. Cruran chuckled inwardly. He ground the oils from the leaves and rubbed them into the girl's sore and cut feet. She did not have the soles of a traveled foot yet, which he told her. The more time you spend living as we are supposed to, the stronger your feet and hands will get. Remember this plant. It will help.<br/><br/>For days they walked through the trees, and Cruran showed her the tools that nature provided and how to use them. He doubted she would remember much, but it helped them along, gave them something to speak about, when the girl spoke, that is. He too was fascinated by the beauty of the place and it's bountiful earth. Very few places in the Wilds were so kind.<br/><br/>In time they passed beyond the trees and back into the rolling hills. Cruran showed the girl that even here, where it would seem that not much was, that if you knew where to look, you could find what you needed. He followed the trail of a brace of wild Hairs and showed her how to snare one. When he took her again, he was not inclined to be rough or crude with her, but to just take his due.<br/><br/>And that was how it was for many days. They passed from hills and valley to wooded passes and across rivers. He talked to her of things that he had rarely spoken of. It found that he enjoyed her company and eventually rebound her wrists to give her more mobility. She frustrated him when he tried to show her how to hunt, and even more frustrated when he tried to show her how to stalk. Still, it was somewhat pleasant to travel with someone, even though it meant he had to restrain himself. At least she was adequate at satisfying him.<br/><br/>On one warm day they approached a tree line like the others they had seen. It seemed peaceful enough, but Cruran stopped dead in his tracks, as if frozen by some unknown force. When the girl asked why he shushed her and kept his wide eyes fixed on the trees. He could sense it, something unseen within the woods. It wasn't a smell or a sound, or perhaps it was both, but Cruran could feel something dangerous within. We do not go here. He told her.<br/><br/>They traveled around the forest, keeping to it's borders, but never daring enter. It seemed a peaceful place, but the Chasind man refused to step foot in the forest, or to let the girl enter either. Some places we do not enter. There are spirits in the wilds, beasts and witches most devious as well. They come in the night and take your children from your beds, or cast dark curses upon you. Do not tempt the dark spirits, and do not ever trust a witch. They will pour poison in your ear when you sleep, poison that will drive you mad. Cruran was inwardly afraid, though he made all effort to hide it. He knew such places in the wilds, and had once encountered a witch. He learned to feel without his senses for dangers lurking undetected, and within that forest he felt something that unsettled him. He felt something luring him.<br/><br/>They kept to the plains once they had made it around the forest, though it cost them several more days to do it. Cruran grew more at ease the further they were from the woods, but on another unsuspecting day the barbarian stopped again. He sniffed the air. Blood, was all that he said.<br/><br/>It was a full day before they drew near a road beneath a darkly clouded sky. Something sat upon it, and Cruran ordered the girl down, and to stay quite. He drew his blade and approached, keeping behind hillocks and foliage. When he was near the road he waved the girl closer. There was what looked to have been a band of warriors of some form, with carts like the one the man she traveled with had. They men were stripped bare, their cleaved flesh clear to see. The horses were dead as well, left to rot in the sun. The carts too were bare, though the arrows that protruded from them told a grim tale.<br/><br/>See this, Girl? Cruran asked, pointed at the carnage. This is what I could have done to you, but didn't. We are in a dangerous place. From now on you stay close by me and do nothing unless I say. He ordered her directly and with a tone that could not be negotiated.<br/><br/>They kept low by day and traveled the most during the night. Sometimes small glimmers could be seen in the distance among the hills. They are fires of bandits. Cruran told her. The great darkness that swept this land left it for the taking of such men. It is why I am here as well.<br/><br/>One night, as the girl slept Cruran awoke and slowly reached for his blade which he kept nearby. Sure enough, murderous men had found them, though by their balking and cursing, it was entirely by accident. Cruran awoke the girl and held his hand over her mouth. If I should fall, run. He whispered to her sharply. Cruran balked at his own words. Fall? Hah! I am Cruran!<br/><br/>As the men drew near in the dark Cruran stood and let loose the howling roar of a warrior. So stricken were the bandits that several attempted to flee. Cruran brought his blade down on them all, spraying the earth with blood and gore. Cruran returned to the girl. We leave this place now. It is not safe for you any longer.<br/><br/>They moved quickly, Cruran tugging at her bindings when she slowed and picking her up when she fell in the dark. The winds brought the smell of burning wood, cooked meat, and stagnant land. He followed it to the village of Greenvale. As the sun began to rise, Cruran crested a small hill and the village lay a distance ahead. Without a word Cruran brought out a small knife from his belt that he used for skinning and struck the girl's bonds free. He untied her things and tossed them in front of her.<br/><br/>Go. He ordered her and pointed at the village. As the sun rose, the blood splattered across his face and body glistened where still wet. It was the final warning.<br/><br/>Cruran turned around and began walking the other way. Once he was sure that the girl was on her way he stopped and quickly recovered his ground. He stayed low on the hill and watched the place. Without the girl to burden him, he was a long last free to do whatever he wished. It didn't take much looking to see that the place was not well off. He chuckled slightly and wondered if it wasn't wiser that the girl stay with him. But what ever. Cruran was free once again and this place offered more than just the trinkets of a cart. Still, he kept hidden and at a distance. He wanted to see before he acted. He wanted to know.<br/><br/><span style="font-size: 18px"><b>castitalus</b></span><br/>2011-01-15 22:02:13 	Trischal sat crosslegged on the ground, his arms bound behind his back and his mouth gagged. Only he and two women had survived the ambush by the shems. He had managed to kill three of the attackers as they closed the distance to the wagon, but the bandits superior numbers overwhelmed him. So now he sat watching the assumed leader of the shems stroll around and look at the spoils, which weren't many. The bandit leader then turned his attention to the women who in turn looked at Trischal with pleading eyes. Trischal shook his head slightly, informing them that there was nothing he could do at the moment. He watched the two get hauled off as the lead shem walked over and planted his rather large sword in the ground before pulling the gag off.<br/><br/>"So, tell me Knife-ears. Give me one good reason why I should let you live? I'm sorry to say that my men have no taste for what you could.. -provide-.. So what do you bring to the table?"<br/><br/>Trischal scoffed at the man with hate in his eyes before addressing him in a condescending tone. "How about I give you three shemlen? First is skill. I killed three of your men and it took another three to forcefully subdue me. Second, I don't think you found anything really valuable in our wagon, did you? It'd be foolish to put all of our best goods in one wagon in case something like this happened to it. Third is the fact that I know these woods because I've scouted them. And I know of some ruins that may hold artifacts that would bring in more coin than anything the Dalish could provide." He shifted on the hard ground before speaking again. "So, what's it going to be? Are you willing to lose the information I hold?"<br/><br/>He knew it was a deadly game he was playing with the bandit, but Trischal needed to stay alive long enough to figure out how to free the women. And for that, he needed to barter away secrets the clan Keeper had forbidden him from telling anyone.<br/><br/><span style="font-size: 18px"><b>sonic1802</b></span><br/>2011-01-16 21:06:57 	Argin raised a crooked brow as Trischal made his claim, it was a surprise to the large man and he even gave the Elf the satisfaction of considering his offer. A single finger wrapped around his broad chin, scratching at his wild stubble with an idle thumb as he considered the possibilities. It almost felt as if the man was brought to him by the Maker himself! Would it be too good to be true if these ruins did indeed hold such treasures?<br/><br/>He weighed out his options, for Argin was familiar to these lands as a human could be. It would do his -career- very little did he not to know the geography of The Bannorn at least. Still, rumours lurked about those forests, although didn't rumours sprout about almost every deep forest in Ferelden?<br/><br/>With a casual roll of his head, he looked over his gathered band of criminals before looking back at Trischal, restless eyes from the men irritated Argin, although a loud snarl turned their gaze away just as quick. If the snarl was meant for them, it was uncertain.<br/><br/>"I doubt half of these soddin' men could tell any soddin' difference between a bloody hilt and a bloody blade half the soddin' time. You sure they didn't soddin' fall on their own blades?" The surrounding men muttered to themselves, yet low enough in thinking that Argin did not hear. "Anyway, we have no soddin' time to go bloody treasure hunting. You see...."<br/><br/>A single step taken, placing the bulking man behind Trischal. A large hand carelessly planted its palm forcibly against the mans scalp to earn himself a handful of ruffled hair with the lunging fingers, turning his head towards the road up north. The mans grip was merciless. Argin came even closer to minimise the gap, invading what personal space he desired in making the point that Trischal was still his captive, as if the handful of hair was not enough for Argin. He spoke in an convicting tone, each word solid as if stone. " ... We already have our... bloody prize!" A small town can barely be seen in the distance as he keeps Trischal gaze on the road, barely allowing any free movement from the elfs head at all "You see, Elf. Me and my bloody men enjoy the simple pleasures, ale and soddin' women. Greenvale will be our home away from soddin' home, I doubt such a prosperous village will soddin' deny us a little bloody coin on the side eh? Why soddin' trade when we can just take the entire soddin' stash for free?" He bolstered a loud laugh and his men soon followed, cheering with fist raised. It almost seemed as if they thought that they had already claimed Greenvale for themselves with the prideful look on their faces, and Argin didn't feel like reminding them that it wasn't.<br/><br/>It was in that moment that Argin drew a short blade from a small sheath on his belt. The dagger was of simple make, a narrowedly pointed tip that stretched a decent nine inches, the blade double edged and surprisingly thin for a man of his stature. With it, he gestured to the two men standing near the wreckaged Dalish wagon. The tone of his voice becoming one of a dark and amused nature "I changed my mind boys! Get the soddin' Elven women out here. I want to bloody well see if this soddin' man has what it takes." The stone faced man only cracked a malicious grin.<br/><br/>Little time passed before the muffled moaning and cries came within earshot once more, two bulky men who were almost the size of Argin himself appeared to plant the woman in front of himself and Trischal. Nothing much had changed other than the tear-stained cheeks that gave them the look of mournful widows. Colour had completely drained from their face, fear flickered in their eyes within a shrouded haze. It took them a few seconds to notice Trischal and their gagged cries fell silent.<br/><br/>Each woman looked youthful in their years, only recently making it to the status of Hunter. Each were known to Trischal to whom had lived within the Dalish clan all their lives. The girl on the left was a simple red headed woman who wore her hair in a simple braid that hung down to her waist. Her name is -Nyasi'la-, with the most beautiful emerald eyes... not that you could tell now. Eyes clearly sore-red from the tears that had poured from them. The other was a brown haired woman who had a few years on Nyasi'la. Her name Lissa. It didn't matter so much, with each staring at him pleadingly as they did.<br/><br/>Argin heaved a deep sigh as he soon brought the blade down on the mans bindings, the rope fell but in turn the crossbows of a few waiting men raised to meet the elf in standing. A few certainly looked nervous pointing such a bulky weapon at a thinner and smaller target, not by much but the Dalish tales told to men still look like it haunted the few they held their weapons pointed at Trischal. Argin glared at the men once more, a simple stare that Argin hoped would steel their nerves for even a brief moment while he spoke, and it worked.<br/><br/>"So, here is the soddin' deal. Before you are whats left of your -companions-.---" He paused as he threw the dagger at Trischal's feet, a casual walk bringing him to his own styled claymore, but only planting the sole of his palm against the hilt's tip. His cold gaze still remains on Trischal "---If you soddin' choose to give us your -blade- for when we soddin' besiege Greenvale---" The man paused again, grinning more darkly than before, a grin that looked out of place on his stone face "--Then you may take -one- of your bloody women and go back to your soddin' -camp-. If you wish to soddin' stay on with us, to pry the ruins dry of these so called bloody -artifacts-, I shall give you -both- of your soddin' Dalish women back. You will be bloody free in the makers eyes." It didn't look like much effort for Argin as he tore the blade from the sundered ground to approach the women, their eyes widen to his approach but the look of defiance glowered even more, hate soon took over before soon pleading more in desperation towards Trischal once more.<br/><br/>"The other soddin' deal... You leave, now... and we keep your soddin' women. Me and my men will have our fun with them before we soddin' fall upon you in Greenvale, it is the only bloody place to go. Oh, and don't fool yourself, your soddin' women will be long gone before we bloody well storm the town." A strong hand wraps itself around one of the nimble and finely lined chins of one of the women, Nyasi'la, forcefully planting a heavy and aggressive kiss on the Dalish womans lips, through the gag. The eyes of the woman widened but the tears had already been spent and narrowed daggers of hate stared back at him, the only weapon she only had as she made every attempt to bite him through the thick, twisted cloth but it seemed to bother Argin little. The men cheered in approval and whistles.<br/><br/>"So, what will it be? Make your soddin' choice."<br/><br/>----------------------------<br/><br/>In the meanwhile....<br/><br/>Greg and Joel, both men in their late thirties and born of Ferelden blood, couldn't help but fidget uncomfortably as they were faced with the looming, yet beautiful forest, casting its large shadow over the guarding men of their bandit leaders camp. Argin and his band of men were a good five minutes run from where they were, and it was up to Greg and Joel to give in the reports that the further scouts would surely have missed. However this scenario was different. Greg knew that both him and Joel pulled the shorter straw as this perimeter was the furthest they'd go in comparison. The other men would stretch out three times more the distance than the gap they had with the camp, and it was all because of cursed folklore and rumours. Greg gave a cold and chilly shudder, as he stared absentmindedly into the forest. It felt hypnotic at times, as if it spoke to him. Maker's breath, the thought made Greg feel as if the blight had touched him! It was truely hard for either of them to joke or laugh when each one felt haunted by the sight of it. It made them feel weak.<br/><br/>His roughly stitched leather armour whined as Greg carelessly gave Joel a curious but harsh elbow, striking his side. The man yelped with sudden agony before cracking Greg around the back of the head with a forceful slap. Joel's armour was barely in any better condition as Gregs and the single blow went to show how little protection it gave. "Soddin' git! What was that for?!" Joel scowled inaudible curses as he rubbed frantically at his strucken ribs. Joel would stare into the forest too, sometimes he would barely notice Joel's attempt to tear his gaze away.<br/><br/>"You are.. still you then? You looked as if you had found the Maker...." Greg's voice was soaked in concern, and it was not until Joel gave the man another slap against the back of his head when Greg raised his hand once more, Greg reacting as if he had meant to strike again and emitted a violent scowl in turn. "Course I'm still me! By Andrastre's teets."<br/><br/>It wasn't until Joel's small pause did he begin to show his true concerns, Joel's asserted strength soon dwindled as both he and Greg stared back into the forest "Why in the name of the Maker are we still here? I already feel as if the Siren was already going to eat me.. They say she devours men by the doz--- "<br/><br/>Greg acted fast to put a hand over the mans mouth, the few words he had intended to speak being muffled by the tight grip of his hand "SHHH! Do not mention that name! Do you want to summon the soddin' demon down upon us?!" Joel, with sudden anger flickering in his eyes died to Greg's words. Falling silent, Greg loosened his mand and the other man in an instant pushed his temporary captive to one side in any attempt to earn himself back his own space. The last thing either of them wanted was for their brothers to see them wrapped around each other in a tight embrace, fearful of the woods and babbling like scared infants.<br/><br/>Hrmp-- wait.. did you hear that?<br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px"><br/>
Firewing76</span></b><br/>2011-01-17 09:21:29 	There was nothing but clear land below and deep foreboding clouds above. The weather suggested it was going to rain and perhaps even lightning would stir in the clouds, it wasn't difficult to tell with the distant rumbling above her. Ariana gave a mental sigh as she beat her wings against the windless air, circling over a village briefly where people scurried about their business. Though something felt peculiar about it, the Apostate brushed the idea off as she lowered her altitude out of concern of being hit by the bolts whilst in flight. The air smelled thick though her beaked nostrils or rather intense, like a coiled spring awaiting release. Ariana did not understand what made storms but she knew she enjoyed them when she was on the ground. The rain felt wonderful on her ivory flesh or her long raven hair.<br/><br/>Gliding lower she passed over the woodlands and in doing so she came to see the wrecked wagon and the corpses littering the ground around it. This struck her curiosity and she lowered her altitude even further amongst the trees, beating her wings occasionally to keep herself aloft, changing her balance from side to side to avoid striking a tree or branch. Eventually she came to perch on a branch not far from the ground to inspect the site of the raided wagon. Closing her emerald eyes and willing herself to change, in a cloud of black smoke she felt her dimensions changing, feeling herself much larger and with arms and legs. Her hands gripping her staff and her legs crouched atop the branch, she dropped down to the bracken and fallen leaves to the area of the fight. The bodies of a number of elves, killed by arrows, bolts and others by blades. However there were three bodies that was not in their company, three human men. Looking to the corpses of the elves, some men and some women, she scowled.<br/><br/>Though her hatred for others had dimmed, the fury against her fellow humanoids still bubbled and boiled at her core. Walking a few circles around the destroyed wagon, her hand occasionally reaching out to brush along something at thigh, hip or chest level. Her gaze was not necessarily apathetic, she cared not why the wagon had been attacked. However she had long since taken claim to these woodlands and whomever was raiding wagons was a hostile group that she could not stand for them to be in her home area. Unlike the Dalish, for which she had watched some nights, others she sang for them from the trees. Though she never joined them, for she knew she would be tempted to be remain and it would not bode well for her murderous habits.<br/><br/>This group was intruding on her home and she would show them no mercy, no more than a bear would show mercy to one who was intruding on its cave. Once again shutting her lids and willing her body to change, when she opened them she was upon all fours in the shaggy form of the wolf. Her raven pelt was rough but soft at the same time, her emerald eyes still remaining only in the canine form. Pressing her nose to the ground, Ariana's chest expanded and deflated as she took in the scents the earth had to offer. Despite the thick scents of somewhat old blood and the beginning decay of the dead, she found a trail left by what smelled like more of the three whom did not belong in the company of the elves and... three others. Their scent was somewhat vague, covered up but still there were others. Not that Ariana cared, it was just peculiar. She supposed the group had taken prisoners for what purpose, she was indifferent to.<br/><br/>For a little while this continued until her ears picked up the sound of chatter. It sounded like two men going back and forth and far off behind them was the sounds of bustling, the noises people made when they camped and it was a sound Ariana was all too familiar with. Having killed wandering travelers and parties of brave men seeking to end her, though this one sounded like there were quite a few. More than Ariana had encountered normally. However, destroying a camp like this would take some effort it wouldn't be too difficult. Picking them off one by one usually did the trick.<br/><br/>The men chattered on a bit and she got closer so she could hear, though was still out of sight.<br/><br/>"Why in the name of the Maker are we still here? I already feel as if the Siren was already going to eat me.. They say she devours men by the doz---" One began but was quickly cut off by the other who clamped a hand over his mouth and inwardly she chuckled a bit. Hearing stories of her, especially ones that were blown incredibly out of proportion were quite entertaining. It was amusing to see her effect on the simple minds of men simply by killing those who entered her domain.<br/><br/>It would start with these two but it would not end there. Ariana willed herself to change once more, her humanoid form and as she placed her foot down on the soil, leaning against a tree some to peek around the thick wooden girth at the two a branch snapped and it obviously drew the attention of one of them.<br/><br/>"Hrmp-- wait.. did you hear that?"<br/><br/>It was time to begin, Ariana's favorite part of her game but certainly not the last. Taking a moment to warm up her voice by whispering musical notes, she began her crescendo of soothing music. Singing quietly at first so it was barely audible and then waving her arms, out of sight of the two, using her innate magical ability to not only amplify the notes she sang but to expand where the sound traveled. To the camp far behind the two the music would be audible but only just barely and it would be coming from an indistinguishable direction. However, to these two it would seem like it was coming from all around them. The weather only served to enhance the dramatic flare of her singing, the rumbling of thunder ahead with the threat of downpour any moment.<br/><br/>The song itself was soothing and gentle, caressing the ears and mind with the thoughts of warm relaxation and almost making the listener wanting to completely let their guard down. However this comfort was offset by the disturbing fact that it seemed to come from everywhere and all around, making it impossible for the two to pinpoint any direction of where she was until she decided to show herself. Watching them from far off, out of sight but not out of hearing for the two, she watched for their reactions with amused anticipation.<br/><br/>To anyone outside of the camp or far away, the song would give a general direction of where one would travel to get to it though the closer they got the harder it would be to follow the sound of the vocal music. In the end, if anyone from the outside tried to follow the voice they would find themselves getting turned around by the misleading tune quite frequently.<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">Brackus</span></b><br/>2011-01-17 16:52:20 	The fire crackled in the small room of the inn with seemingly a lazy haze. The entire room seemed to share the sentiment. For over a week now, few objects in the room had moved so much as an inch. The fault was no ones however. The room had remained undisturbed simply because its occupant was indisposed. The only item in the room that had seen much use was the bed, and that had simply been for sleeping in. Her red hair was stark contrast to the entirety of the room, which was full of dull grey's and whites. Even the pillow upon which the maidens hair was splayed across was a seemingly devoid of colour.<br/><br/>The silent, stillness of the room was shattered by the stirrings of the girl, who seemed to be pulling away from the Fade, drawing back to the world of the Maker. At first her stirs were as if she was blissfully waking from a pleasant dream, but quickly she seemed to change, instead jolting awake as if freeing herself from a frightful nightmare. Her eyes flickered open quickly, clearly still heavy from her time asleep. She moved to sit up but her body was stiff. "How long have I been asleep?" She uttered aloud. Her voice was comparable to a croak as she struggled to wrest herself from the fade. Due to the amount of time she spent alone wandering Fereldan it as little wonder she often spoke to herself.<br/><br/>Eventually, she managed to pull herself into up, sitting with her legs weary over the side of the bed. Some time passed before she was able to pull herself up completely. She found herself alone, entirely naked in this small room. Her first assumption was that she had been poisoned and taken as a slave or something more lurid. She gave herself a quick once over and found no real signs of a struggle or any serious injury. Nor did she appear to have been 'violated' during her sleep. Peering around the room she soon spotted her armour placed somewhat unprofessionally on a chair and the floor beneath the chair. She couldn't be sure of what was going on so quickly decided to armour up, making sure to keep an eye on the door of the room. But as she placed on the last of her armour, the door remained still. She gave the room another once over before spotting a note, on the floor.<br/><br/>With a hint of suspicion she drew closer to the note. It seemed safe, just a blank sheet of paper, but she could see that had been scratched through the other side of the paper...it was upside down! As she shook her head, feeling quite a fool, her apprehension clearly getting the better of her, the warrioress took the note into her hands and attempted to read it. Fate had other plans it seemed, the note had clearly been written in a hurry. The handwriting quite poor, the text quite vague. From what she could gather, someone had brought her to a village, she couldn't quite make out the name, after she'd been caught in some trap regarding a mage. Who ever had written the note clearly didn't want to hang around.<br/><br/>Halfway through the note her memory had already began to return of its own accord. She'd heard word of an apostate wrecking havoc across part of the Bannorn. She quickly made off to slay the fiend but found his ability to assault her mind was too great and she was quickly overcome without having received so much as a scratch, perhaps to be taken as some sort of trophy. From what she gathered of the note however, she appeared to have been rescued by someone and brought back to this currently nameless village.<br/><br/>Gathering her things quickly, she made her way out of the room towards the inns main hall, eager to learn of the place she had found herself in. A cold reception awaited her however, stepping into the hall she found herself greeted only with suspicious eyes. The patrons didn't seem to care much for her arrival, that or they were simply caught off guard.<br/><br/>"Hail noble countrymen. I am Alex Warweld, traveling Knight and servant of the Just. I beg pardon for my ignorance but I am unclear as to my location or to whom I owe my life this day. I ask humbly that one here might inform me as to where I am and for whom do I owe my thanks."<br/><br/>Alex never knew why she spoke in such a manner when meeting people for the first time. She know that was how knights spoke in her fathers stories when they made introductions, but she couldn't help feel a bit of an arse, especially as she noticed many of the patrons began to turn their attention elsewhere even as she spoke. She found herself peering around the bar for some friendly face amongst the sea of strangers.<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">NightArcher</span></b><br/>2011-01-17 19:34:19 	Her life wasn't the greatest, that was for sure. Serving a Merchant, no matter how kind, still a shemlen who didn't really care about an elf truthfully. During the trips between the villages she had been the only one to sleep outside all night with just blankets, and her only company the caravan guard who was on watch at that time of night. It wasn't fun at all, and completely an annoyance when they happened to wake her with a little too much noise. But it was all worth it, as long as she was out here with the fat Merchant, her mother was getting the money and medicine. A good trade off, her lack of comfort, for her family receiving comfort.<br/><br/>The wagon of good though lost most of it's protection at a crossroad when the Merchant himself decided to take a faster path to the next village. There hadn't been enough people purchasing the wares in the previous village, and he hadn't been able to pay the Merc body guards enough to continue on. He had just been paying them all from the sales, or planning to past that town, but he had gotten no sales. That left Aure as his only guard for the supposedly shorter and safe road to the next village. She had no idea how wrong that was, and it would be the event that changed her life so drastically.<br/><br/>The ambush she had never expected or even seen coming as she traveled down the path with the Merchant. When the Brute of a barbarian jumped from the bushes, she never even had a chance to react before his huge blade was drawn and used to send her employer to the Maker. His next target was her, and her blades were only half way out of their sheaths when the huge fist was coming towards her. At the last instant she flicked herself back from it, cushioning the blow slightly till it wasn't deadly. But it still sent her hard to the ground unconscious, and the black welcomed her.<br/><br/>When her eyes finally opened, and she began to stir again she noticed the pain from the strike first. The next thing that she noticed was the cold of the air against her mostly bare skin, and pressure against her wrists. She had been stripped of her armor, and her hands were bound. The only normal piece of clothing that was left was the black collar around her neck. The barbarian seemed to notice her struggling when he finished his search of the wagon. His little speech confused her a bit after her protesting to his dragging her away from the wreckage. Nothing of value? But what of the silks and other trinkets? The could be worth something! But no, he took her instead as a slave, and she protested and cried, but didn't fight too much because inwardly, she knew that he was right, she wouldn't survive out here alone, and she was used to obeying...<br/><br/>She had feared what he meant when Cruran had said he would take from her what she owed, though she felt she owed him nothing, he was taking her as a slave. That night, without her armor, was colder than any on this trip. All she could manage through her shivering at the air was a glare at the barbarian who sat on the other side, only slightly more dressed than her, and perfectly comfortable. It didn't help that her hands were bound either too much. With his sudden movements removing the Fur from his blade and then coming toward her made her move herself back, but it was no use, and she stopped fighting when she realized he was just covering her from the cold. That confused her a bit about why he was protecting her until he spoke of how she would 'repay' him for everything, that news made her pale greatly. She didn't want that, not at all.<br/><br/>Past that though she didn't try resisting following him at all, no real choice on the matter after they left the road behind. She was silent past those first complaints and the statement at the campfire, she couldn't figure the brute out. The first word she said after a few hours in the woods, and forgot her company while looking at all the plant life was, “Beautiful.” She actually stopped to pick a naturally growing flower before she remembered, and dropped it because of the look from the barbarian. She dropped it and fell silent when the hunt started, and that was at least something she could do, moving silently with her feet. She stayed quiet even when she saw the beautiful animals, the Doe and it's Fawns. They looked more graceful than anything she had seen or really knew. Her ears were barely listening to him as he talked.<br/><br/>That Night though, she was forced to cower when he took her for his own desires while the food cooked. Afterwords she retreated to the far side of the fire and just glared hatred at him through her tear streaked eyes while she ate a small amount. To his words she only replied shortly, “The weak only die because the strong don’t have the courage to protect them.” After that she just curled herself into the furs and slept for the night, muttering to herself a last attachment to her statement that was barely audible, “And when I kill you for this, you won't be expecting it.”<br/><br/>As they followed the stream Aure stayed silent unless directly spoken to as they followed the river, cursing the barbarian in her mind, and hoping the Maker would strike him down immediately upon her being safe in a village. She was musing on that thought and admiring the forest around them when they came to the source of the river, the clear clean pool. She waited, not watching him as he bathed, she had already seen more of his body than she wanted. When she was ordered to wash as well, working with the bindings she took the leftovers of her cloths off and bathed as well, keeping her back to Cruran, especially when she felt the chill of his eyes on her. Him focusing on gathering herbs was a blessing that helped her relax some and finish washing, at least until she was finished and was climbing out. The order to sit on the moss was the first thing she heard and she was still slightly in the water.<br/><br/>Covering her chest as best as possible while her hands were bound, though it was useless seeing as he had already taken her, while she sat and listened to what he had to tell her about the plant he had been recovering. “We call it Elf Root here. Used for healing potions...” she said, only knowing that because sometimes her old master had sold that herb sometimes when he had purchased some or needed to trade some when it could turn a profit. Though at his explanation for his peoples names, and the chuckle just elicited a glare from her. “Pig...” She apparently found the joke un-amusing, though when the oils were rubbed on her sore, and obviously damaged from the days of unprotected travel she closed her eyes and let a slow breath out. It felt good on her feet. The Barbarian was still confusing her with being so protective, and yet so cruel like he had been earlier every time he took her. “I have no intention of walking around in the forests with no clothing or armor. We aren't meant to live like this.”<br/><br/>For the next few weeks to come, she only really talked when she was asked something directly as she followed. The transition from the woods to the plains was truthfully a bit of a disappointment, but it also meant that they may actually come close to a village, and she wouldn't have to suffer through nights of Cruran 'seeking warmth'. When the attempts at teaching her occurred, she listened sometimes, but other times, she just acted like she was. It seemed like Cruran was the one to talk more than Aure, and she did see some point in the hunting, and stuff, but saw very little in his way of life. It didn't work around civilization, and she knew it. She tried to tell him how useless his way of life would be if he found himself in a city, but she doubted he listened at all over the days of travel.<br/><br/>When they came to the next set of forests, she felt drawn to the woods, for more reasons than one. The forest itself looked beautiful from the outside, she wanted to see the inside, the trees and flowers that grew there. Though a feeling on top of that, seemed to strike a cord in her, like a drawing like that she had heard about before. The cause of the familiarity would not come to her though. And it wouldn't come to her for a couple days till they were away from the forest. “hmph. Why not, you're not afraid of the last forest. Yet this one you want to avoid?” she mocked a bit, though at the mention of witches and dark spirits she shut up and looked into the trees again, and felt a shiver as she could seem to feel something herself. “ok, not going into this forest...” she said, not hiding her sudden fear at the thought of it being a witch she was feeling the tempting powers of.<br/><br/>It was one of the nights that she was cursing him after the forest that his mentioning of witches finally brought up the memory of a song she had heard. She had been hoping that the Forest Siren would take Cruran as she was said to do in the ballad she had heard sung once in a tavern. That is when she remembered how she lured her victims into the forests. She realized what the shiver was for as it hit her again. It was a good thing that they hadn't entered the forest. The Siren would have taken Cruran yes, but then Aure may not have been able to survive.<br/><br/>It was only a few days later when they came across the shattered and destroyed caravan, and the slaughtered and rotting bodies of the bodyguards and merchant. She let out a stuttering breath and covered her mouth at the sight. The smell and sight was absolutely disgusting to look at for her. “This is horrible...” was all she said to the sight before nodding and doing exactly what she was told, fleeing. Though if she remembered right, he had tried to kill her all those weeks back.<br/><br/>That night she saw the fires dotting the land side and thought it best to just stay silent through the rest of the travel. She didn't wish to draw any of the bandits closer, especially when she was still bound and without her armor. Though she couldn't help but mutter at his words, “Yeah, you would fit right in amongst them.”<br/><br/>Of course she didn't need to draw them to where they camped when the brigands just stumbled upon where Aure and Cruran rested. The girl was started awake by Cruran covering her mouth so she couldn't cry out her surprise. She only struggled a but before she heard the bandits approaching, and she knew what was going on. It only took a moment for the elf to gather herself and be ready to do just as he said, though she shivered in a bit of fear when she heard his warcry. She was reminded that he was far more terrifying than all the bandits in existence. Especially when he returned with some of the men's blood on him.<br/><br/>When they ran, she followed, especially since she didn't have a choice with him pulling on her bindings. He was running them faster than she could move her feet, which were sore again since she hadn't found anymore elf root to take care of them with. Aure tripped and fell as they ran over a rock as they ran, forcing Cruran to carry her. Though he still confused her why he cared about her safety.<br/><br/>When they crested the hill while the sun was rising, Aure's heart skipped a beat when she saw what was below the hill. A Decently sized Village! Finally! She couldn't say anything, just stare at the sight that meant her freedom from the Barbarian. Once she was safe from him, she promised herself she would never let herself fall into a similar situation ever again. She would have to get stronger so she didn't have to serve anyone ever. That led to this. Cruran dropped her to the ground, cut her bindings and tossed her her blades and armor that he had been carrying the whole time.<br/><br/>When the order came though to go, she actually hesitated to follow this one as even with the blood across his face making a gristly image. Why was she hesitating a moment? Didn't she want to be free and get away from the barbarian? Though that only lasted a moment before she flashed to each time he took her against her will. All it took was an instant of that reminder for Aure to quickly scramble to her feet, pick up her stuff into her arms, and dash as fast as she could down the hill, barely dressed, bruised and dirty from travel and flee into the town.<br/><br/>Getting into the town wasn't exactly easy, she was met by people were acting as Guards that morning. She asked then to let her in before 'he' came back, telling them how she was captured and kept as a slave to a barbarian. How he raped her every night until he was satisfied. Telling them she escaped just a few hours ago when she had seen the village, escaping by knocking him out with his own weapon. Ok, mixing one fact in with a bunch of lies, and the way she looked helped passing the lies off as truth to get her into the village.<br/><br/>There she fled into an alley to get dressed after so long with only being in the barest minimum of clothing, putting on her practically undamaged leather armors and finally replacing her light blades to where they belonged on her hips, and her dagger went into her boot. Thus back to how she belonged, though without any money whatsoever, she collapsed there against a wall and passed out for a few hours until the sun fully woke her, along with the rumbling in her gut from hunger. A woman dressed in silver armor giving a speech also helped at bringing the elf awake. After listening for a few minutes, she realized that the bandits she and Cruran had been seeing the past couple nights had been coming to this town. That would explain the guards.<br/><br/>Looking around the corner, she noticed that most of the people were gathering to listen to the armored woman speak. Aure quickly made her way towards the inn, and a window in the back alley. Opening the portal from the outside, Aure slipped into the back of the building, away from the people in a hallway. Avoiding meeting people she looked to find the storeroom, she was happy to see the few patrons here that were avoiding the crowd around the lead knight outside were distracted by the Knight that had decided to walk down and make an awkward entrance. Making no noise as she moved over the wood in a crouch, her armor not creaking at all, which surprised her, Aure made her way into the storeroom where the food was kept. There she grabbed what she could find edible and started eating. A light moan escaped her when she bit into some of the bread, something she hadn't had in weeks. It tasted so good after having only meat cooked over a fire.<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">sirnoobsalot</span></b><br/>2011-01-19 08:03:15 	Cruran watched and gathered as his eyes probed the village in the darkness. Torchlight revealed sentries, guards. It wasn't hard for Cruran to imagine why they were there. He was already certain that bandits had taken up residence in the surrounding countryside. A large number of bandits. Once when Cruran was coming of age, similar men entered the Wilds in search of barbarian treasure, or ruins, or something of such nonsense. Cruran's clan made an example of them. Now, it would seem, it was time to do so again.<br/><br/>Cruran ran across the plains toward one of the nearer fires that he had spotted. As he ran in the darkness he pulled the sheathe from his back and held it. The countryside was by no means smooth and easy, but it may as well have been flat oak compared to the mires, sinkholes, and protruding roots of the Wilds. Cruran kept his feet swift, then slower as he approached the fire. Around it were three men. They weren't heavily armed and could be smelled from some distance away. Two more men stood at opposite edges of the camp, just beyond the firelight. They both held torches. Sentries, Cruran rapidly deduced. Given the size and inadequacy of the group, the Barbarian ad to assume that they were a scouting party that made camp for the night. The fire was likely to mark their location for whatever larger force may be nearby.<br/><br/>The Chasind stayed low as he approached, his run slow until he was practically at a crawl. The area was very lightly wooded, outskirts of a larger forest in the distance. The group was barely awake. Two of the three at the fire were asleep and the sentry nearest Cruran was clearly not expecting anything. Hell, he wasn't even watching the distance. He would occasionally speak loudly to the one at the fire, who would retort with a laugh. Something about the town Cruran had sent the girl to. Lude comments about what they were going to do with the women, and the rapidly approaching assault. At least it confirmed Cruran's observations.<br/><br/>He drew near the sentry, keeping from the flickering light of the torch and trying to keep foliage between him and his prey. The sentry turned his head back toward the camp again and began speaking. As he did so, he brought he torch around. Cruran put himself on the other side of the fire. If the sentry was to turn he wouldn't be able to see past his own flame, the fool.<br/><br/>Te sound of loud laughter erupted from the sentry and the man at the camp and Cruran rushed forward. The man at the camp looked away to the other sentry and shouted something as Cruran came within arms length of the sentry who, at least hearing him turned and gasped, but too late. The torch fell to the ground and Cruran stamped it out as his powerful arm crushed the sentry's wind pipe and his hand over the man's mouth yank his head to the side violently. The Barbarian pulled the man back as he did, away from the camp and the unknowing laughs.<br/><br/>Cruran set the body down quickly and drew his blade, with a foot on the corpse's chest and a hand on his hair, Cruran pulled the jagged steel across his throat and yanked his head off with a grisly squish. It was by no means a clean cut and looked more like the work of an animal than a man. appropriate, Cruran thought and tossed the head away.<br/><br/>He dropped down and began moving away from the body. The man at the fire stopped his laughing with the other sentry and looked back, shouting again. His sentence stopped abruptly when he saw no sentry, and no torch to mark him. Now, Cruran just had to wait and see what they would do. He kept back, for he didn't need to be close.<br/><br/>The man at the fire spoke a name, no doubt the sentries. He got up and started walking toward where the man had gone down. He didn't even say anything to the other sentry. When he reached the edge of the fire light he stopped and squinted into the dark. Calling the man's name again. Cruran had made it to the other side of the camp and was nearing the second sentry. The man by the fire shouted at the sentry that one of their men was missing. The sentry turned and began toward the other side of the camp only to be suddenly jerked backwards and have his neck broken while his life was squeezed from him. This time, Cruran left the torch lit. Like the other sentry, he dragged the body back and removed it's head. The man had a short blade at his belt which Cruran also took.<br/><br/>He once again moved away from the body. The mind was dangerous, and Cruran knew only too well these tactics. In the wilds, small groups could overcome larger, stronger groups by the use of deception and fear. When men die in grisly ways and no killer is seen, the mind begins to play tricks.<br/><br/>The man at the edge of the fire looked back when the sentry didn't come and saw the torch laying on the ground without a holder. He walked back toward the fire, not quite understanding what was going on. He kicked at the two sleeping men, yelling at them to get up and drew his sword. He wasn't afraid, not yet. He was just confused. He was looking for an answer... it would be rude of Cruran not to provide one. He tossed the sentries head.<br/><br/>It spiraled through the air and landed in the fire, knocking the standing wood down. The man standing leapt back while the others on the ground, still rousing from their sleep started. They all stared in confusion at the object that had dulled their fire. All at once they recognized the head and one of the men by the fire screamed. Cruran grinned and withdrew. Dead men don't tell tales, after all.<br/><br/><br/>***<br/><br/><br/>Cruran had spent the rest of the night watching from a distance. It was clear that the bandits were keeping the village secure. Why, Cruran surmised, was to prepare to strike at it. The bands of murderers and thieves weren't entirely incompetent in their efforts either. There weren't many access points into the village, though, if tales were to be believed, even if there was a way in, no reinforcements would be coming. Ferelden was ripe for that taking. Unfortunately for these bandits, Cruran saw more value in attacking them than attacking the village.<br/><br/>For some time Cruran thought about why he saw the bandits as the more valuable target. Armaments, perhaps. He would be lieing if he had said that his mind hadn't ended up back on the girl he had been escorting. As the sun rose he had sat on a hill and watched the village, absently rolling the brilliant and untarnished silver jewel that hung around his neck. Why he had spared the girl remained beyond him, and why now he acted in favor of the weak village was even further. Perhaps the goddess of the frozen wastes had changed him more than he thought. But, if for nothing else, he owed this one small thing to her.<br/><br/>Cruran kept near the roads looking for an ideal place to strike, a small group perhaps in a place easily compromised.<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">castitalus</span></b><br/>2011-01-19 14:38:42 	Rubbing the back of his head as he got up, now cut free of the rope used to hold him captive. A small thud announced the dagger thrown at his feet as the bandit leader spoke about a deal with the two women held captive that stood before him once again. Trischal reached down and picked up the plain looking dagger and casually tossed it back and forth in his hands, using his peripheral vision to take note of the crossbows now aimed in his direction.<br/><br/>Trischal stayed silent as he considered his options, looking at Nyasi'la and Lissa as they quietly pleaded with him with tear-stained eyes. Walk away now, lose both and be killed on the way out. Help them take Greenvale, "save" one. Show them the ruins and find an early grave in them. Hmmm. He decided to keep up the act and wait for a chance to free both.<br/><br/>He gave a mischievous looking smirk. To the bandits, it would look like Trischal was thinking of something dirty. The newly appointed Hunters would recognize it as it was the same smirk Trischal would have on his face when he was plotting a prank. He hoped that it would be enough to reassure them that he was doing all he could to keep them all alive and free. "Alright, I'll help you take that village and show you those ruins. However, if I'm going to act like a bandit and give up clan secrets, I might as well go all the way." Trischal stepped forward and softly ran his finger along the jawline of Nyasi'la. "I'd like to be the first to take these women. I've always wondered what they would be like in bed." He hoped that Nyasi'la and Lissa both would figure out what he was doing and act accordingly.<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">Spellweaver</span></b><br/>2011-01-21 03:10:49 	Always good to taste my own handiwork once in a while, Lyle thought with satisfaction as, upon swallowing the latest bite of venison, he washed it down with a sip of ale.<br/><br/>The venison, of course, had come from the hunter's latest catch; a big, healthy deer that had plenty of good meat on its bones. Lyle was actually quite surprised at his latest kill as it had been a while since he had taken down a deer that was as big as the one he got. Well, bigger they are the easier they are to hit and Lyle had planted an arrow right through its heart, bringing it down quickly. A quick, clean kill which happened to be Lyle's favorite kind as he had little desire to make any kind of creature suffer.<br/><br/>Lugging the thing back to the town had been a bit tiring he would admit but the coin that he managed to obtain upon selling it to the innkeeper had been worth it. As well as getting a piece of that well-cooked deer of course.<br/><br/>Enjoy it while it lasts, Lyle reminded himself while cutting off another piece to eat. This is a nice place and all but I think its starting to get a little too hot.<br/><br/>As if on cue, there came a commotion from outside that briefly drew the archer's attention to the door of the inn. Upon making out a few words - specifically words that requested a call to arms -, Lyle shook his head and drew his attention back to his meal. That wasn't his concern. The only reason that he had decided to stop at Greenvale was because it looked like a nice, peaceful place that he could relax in while going out for a couple hunts. But defending it from some big, scary bandits? That's not exactly the kind of vacation that he was looking for.<br/><br/>Bottom line was that Greenvale wasn't his home and that gave him no inclination whatsoever to help defend it. Did he feel bad about that? Yeah maybe a little, especially if these people did fall to the bandits. But hey, more of a reason for him to not stick around if that's what to come isn't that right? Besides, the apparent influx of bandits was starting to make the local game a bit scarce - whether from fear or the bandits themselves hunting as well - so that pretty much gave Lyle no reason whatsoever to stick around.<br/><br/>"Will just check out my traps later," he murmured to himself aloud this time after chewing and swallowing another piece of venison. "See if I managed to snag a rabbit for the trip and then get out. If not, ah well."<br/><br/>"Hail noble countrymen. I am Alex Warweld, traveling Knight and servant of the Just. I beg pardon for my ignorance but I am unclear as to my location or to whom I owe my life this day. I ask humbly that one here might inform me as to where I am and for whom do I owe my thanks."<br/><br/>Disturbed from his meal for a second time, Lyle had expected the owner of the overly formal-sounding voice to be one of the so-called defenders of Greenvale that now sought to look for recruits directly at the inn. But it wasn't a question of who would join to fight but rather a question of where she was. That got Lyle's attention and the archer looked a bit longer then he would've at the speaker, his sharp, hazel eyes examining the person - a woman it appeared. Dressed in armor which made him suspect that she was part of the guard but other then that she just seemed like a small, cute redhead that seemed very out of place at this moment.<br/><br/>Lyle briefly glanced around and his sharp eyes noticed the cold looks that she was already being given by the patrons. Obviously this was a decent amount of clues that told him that the lady certainly wasn't from around here. The fact that Lyle was similarly a stranger - and also that he couldn't resist helping a woman in need, even if it was just an answer for a question -, that caused him to speak up.<br/><br/>"Greenvale as the locals call it," Lyle spoke loud enough for her to hear as he leaned back in his seat. Jerking his head to the inn door where the man kept speaking for defenders, Lyle continued with, "Surprised you didn't know what with the ruckus out there."<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">sonic1802</span></b><br/>2011-01-21 03:44:59 	Raising a hand in the air, the slightest bit of bickering that began to spread through the men fell silent as the Dalish man made his claims. For most of them it was one of confusion, for others it was amusement. Some even raised their voices as if their opinions mattered to Argin "You aren't honestly going to let that thing---" If the commanding hand was not enough, it would be Argin's growl that did it for the rest of the murderous men and for those who had a mouth to big for their own good. The men aiming the crossbows showed no real attempt to bicker, their efforts sorely focused on Trischal.<br/><br/>Argin decided that his thoughts were best kept to himself, but the light gritting of his teeth showed small levels of frustration. His jaw racked from side to side as he pondered the situation over once more. This Elf showed no real desire to abandon these women, that much he has now proven. Why would he save them? Was this the so called good nature that he was baring witness to now? Why would a man risk his own life to save these now damned women. Argin surely wasn't going to let these women go easily, the gold they could fetch would set him for the next few years!<br/><br/>The large figure continued to think silently to himself after that, the silence lingering for a little longer than he had hoped. All that could be read from Argin's face would be the typical sheet of stone. The men began to fidget around him, fondling the hilts of their rusted blades and even a slightest bit more bickering sooner revived itself to fill the silence.<br/><br/>Abruptly, Argin gruelly spat to one side as if the man had made up his mind, and the talking or the fidgeting came to a sudden halt then. Fear was such a useful tool to discipline men like these, Argin made sure it was a tool well polish. A snarl slowly poured from his lips, casting a single, predatory glance to the women. He eyed them as if they were nothing but pets than people. The look in Argin's eyes was one clearly of mistrust, one that could also be mistaken for plotting. The women merely looked away down to the ground, their protests dwindled by fatigue and shere exhaustion.<br/><br/>A dark smile soon crept onto Argins lips the longer he looked at them, his tone certainly added hard meaning but it also spoke of a second and even sinister meaning as well "Soddin' take her then, Elf. But if I don't hear any soddin' screamin' or bloody yellin' while your have your soddin' fun, I'm gonna soddin' come in personally to bloody break ye' in two. Try ta' look at it this way, lad. There are bloody... -benefits- to being soddin' one of us. I be a bloody man of my word, I swear on Andraste's soddin' knickers." The smile that cruelly formed on his lips after seemed to say otherwise.<br/><br/>He turned to look at the crossbowmen "Bloody Maker! Lower ye soddin' weapons!"<br/><br/>Just as Argin turned towards the camp, a laboured breath followed by the sounds of hard grounded feet thundering through the small band, assisted by the harsh shoves and cruel kicking that followed. Inaudible swearing soaked the air before what looked like an exhausted male collapsing at Argins feet, hands reaching out to clasp at the leathery hard chestpiece that tightly hugged Argin. The man was covered in blood, mud matted the mans hair to a face that looked twisted and racked by what Argin considered to be -despair- and the lack of any sleep whatsoever. His eyes certainly looked heavy but shere fright kept them wide open, as if the man would die if he blinked again. The look of the man certainly made the other bandits feel nervous as soon as the moment settled in front of them.<br/><br/>"Bloody Maker! Wh---" Argin found himself interrupted by the overexerted gasps which strained to form words.<br/><br/>"Maker....two.. dead.. Sentry post.. by the village... near camp. Dead... Gavin's face sti--- haunts-- it was---" The mans eyes widened abruptly before he even managed to whisper another word, letting out a final gasp before his breathing no longer seemed labored at all. His eyes seemed to bulge out of their sockets before the troubled bandit finally found the rest he deserved. As the body fell back lifelessly onto the now blood soaked grass, Argin raised his thin knife, dripping with the mans blood and flicks it idlely to one side. Pulling a tattered cloth from another pouch, he began to clean the blade without giving the body a second glance. It was as quick as that. "If fear bloody succumbs any of you like him, you are soddin' useless to me. Take a good soddin' look at him." He paused, before taking a look at the closest man to him "Get the bloody men ready at camp, and send a soddin' horsemen to speak to the other soddin' camp. Once dusk sets, Greenvale will be bloody ours!.. oh, an' watch out for whatever bloody well gave that man the soddin' frights. We need those soddin' men... in fact..." Argin stared at the four other closest men after his current victim, pointing at them directly with his typical disciplarian charm "Escort this sodden scum to the camp then mount your own bloody horses with the messager to the other bloody camp! I'll make you soddin' kings if you do!"<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">sonic1802</span></b><br/>2011-01-22 03:36:29 	It was a sad day to be the innkeeper of the Farmers Plough, a sore sight to see men waiting to steady their nerves before the inevitable battle ahead as he attended the bar, nervously cleaning the already used flagons for the fight to come. The part that tore at Mayor Wedstone the most was that this was the most he could provide for his people now. He had left everything else in the hands of Ser Katherine Anholde and her fellow second in command, Knight Templar Jaeron, to organise the defenses of his town. It had been a while since as Mayor of Greenvale that he had felt this lack of purpose.<br/><br/>As dawn rose on the horizon, the man had done what he could to rouse the people from their beds with strong will sustained. He was the man that issued the criers out and told them what to say, it was he that always bolstered the will of the people of Greenvale in times of despair. Normally the most dire situations normally were just clumsy bad harvests, but may the Maker forever forsake the Wedstones if he let them down now. With Bann Cantei gone, these people still looked up to their Mayor for answers. Jerry Wedstone in his younger days had found himself as chosen Mayor years beyond counting, it was a title to hold proud and his stubborn modesty always got beaten out of him by the swing of his wifes rolling pin. She was his pillar of strength in his life, and she still was.<br/><br/>Jerry slowly lost himself in the reminsencing as he continued to absentmindedly scrub at his current flagon, she still had the same rolling pin that she used to first clobber him about when they were but in their teens. He only wished she could find a more -friendlier- treasure to carry around, sometimes wondering if she sometimes hit him with it to revive the old days when he was younger. He may be bigger now, but it would only be a matter of time before his now brittling bones gave way to that merciless piece of beating wood.<br/><br/>The greying of what remained of his hairs barely clung to a balding scalp, although a large, rusted, deep cooking pot sat firmly on his head to hide it, a few extra strings laced through steel loops that allowed tightly woven string to run under his few chins, keeping it stable with its handle facing back to the folded flesh of his neck. Still, he had a plump, friendly face, always casting his look upon the villagers of Greenvale and any outsiders that ever stepped into his Tavern and home. It was usually a welcome feeling when Jerry set his eyes upon most people and despite the cruel touch of time, his cheeks still glowered a minor red as if the man himself shon with brightness. To the other patrons, the obese man looked like a walking kitchen as the rest of his body were covered in twisted trays, cutting boards and alike strapped together through homemade stitching of linen and woven wiring. The towns blacksmith had offered to make him a large piece of steel armour to wear into battle, but in his typical fashion had turned it down. To Jerry, who would have to leave his wife behind in the chantry would relish in the thought of him bringing the kitchen into the fight with him, afterall, after being the victim to her rolling pin for many years, how could Jerry -not-?<br/><br/>It wasn't until the clattering of metal and footsteps did Jerry soon snap out of his train of thought, a brow risen in confusion as the patrons stared oddly at the obsured stranger. It wasn't until he heaved half his weight over the counter in an attempt to lean over and see did he notice the armoured, red haired woman. His eyes widened, rubbing them over repetitively with two curled fists. I must be seeing things! Able dressed warrioress-- my wife would kill me if...<br/><br/>Jerry did not wait, and all attention soon fell upon him as the large fellow darted out from behind the wooden counter in an attempt to greet this woman, the accidental clattering of flagons and glasses summoned the wrath of his wife who peered around the corner, a second open room that could only have been considered the kitchen, staring daggers at the man. "You slow down, fool of a man!" She said, waving her trademark rolling pin in the air. "We be havin' guests!"<br/><br/>If words traveled fast in flight, it did not for Mayor Wedstone. Completely cutting her out as he approached her with hands raised out and across, the bloated figure showing as much affection as a gentle fellow could, if not over the top with this enormous gut.<br/><br/>"Welcome! Welcome!" As friendly as the words that came out, the sullen drag that came with had its toll. These were certainly dark times. Jerry tried his hardest not to let that emotion through again, baring a wide smile and bowing his head deeply. "Welcome to the Farmers Plough! You must be hungry, warrior women need to eat after a long days rest, yes yes? WIFE!" Jerry yelled abruptly, suddenly. He turned towards the kitchen, bellowing what could have been considered a loud growling command "Get the finest breakfast for this fine lady!" He turned to look back to her hastily, his large arms spreading widely once more in an attempt to usher her towards the nearest vacant table "Sit sit! You must have come from the fade itself, Maker be praised. I have never seen you in my town but I welcome you still! Ignore the men, they are... concerned"<br/><br/>His gaze soon quickly fixated on the man who had raised his voice to answer her question from before, the man was tall and lean, and he always looked like he was ready for war. Very secluded, however. He always kept to himself yet this -simple- man did not look so -simple-. Jerry narrowed his stare and grumbled "YOU sir! should -Heed- that ruckus! These lives are worth protecting!"<br/><br/>----<br/><br/>Heida, a young female waitress of the Farmers Plough mumbled in a lazy fashion as she fumbled her way into the larder. Mistress Wedstone had given her strict orders to find the so called -special- ingredients to make up the meal for their new arrival, be it in jealousy or for good impressions Heida did not know. She did not care, but to be in the chantry at this point. She wanted to be safe.<br/><br/>All train of thought suddenly escaped her, her body froze as a soft moan soon filled the air as she quietly scanned over the larder. There was little light still, piercing the shoddy glass window that sat ignorantly near the top of the light forsaken ceiling. It was the sound that had caught Heida by surprise, and a slight squeal escaped her lips because of it. Fear gripped her.<br/><br/>"H-h-hello?"<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">Brackus</span></b><br/>2011-01-22 21:37:08 	Alex was quick to follow the Innkeepers words, taking a seat at a table near where he gestured. She was also caught off guard by the hospitality. She eyed the man who replied with an inquisitive stare, unsure what to make of him.<br/><br/>"Really good innkeeper, there is no need to make a fuss over me... though I am quite hungry." As he told her of the village she resumed her words.<br/><br/>"Greenvale you say? A fine village of course, I've heard words of its hardy and honourable people." Of course she hadn't really, but she felt that flattery was more appropriate than ignorance. "What concerns the men? Poor trading season? Bad harvest?"<br/><br/>She turned to eye the men in the bar properly for the first time. It was then she noticed the grimness of their faces. They didn't seem to be concerned, but defeated. Resigning themselves to a fate they were not eager to embrace. Something Alex had rarely seen, coming from a well off background.<br/><br/><span style="font-size: 18px"><b>Spellweaver</b></span><br/>2011-01-23 03:18:08 	Lyle tipped a brow if only slightly at the response he got from the innkeeper but wisely kept himself from making any kind of comment 'less he ended up making things a bit...inhospitable for himself. Though not bandits, starting trouble with the locals wasn't something that Lyle really wanted to do. Any trouble, really, was something he liked to avoid in any kind of situation.<br/><br/>So when the redhead inquired about what was troubling Greenvale after making a comment about the honor and hardiness that the people supposedly possessed which kind of stumped Lyle there, the archer didn't reply immediately. Instead, after grabbing his plate and cup, he stood up from the table where he was sitting and walked a short distance to the table that she had chosen before taking a seat at it. His bow still and having always been resting on his shoulder next to the quiver of arrows at his back, Lyle didn't have to worry about that or the knife at his thigh and the small crossbow pistol holstered at his side. It usually took a moment to get a comfortable seating position though and the archer took a few extra seconds to get a proper arrangement on the chair before replying.<br/><br/>"I'm sure they would rather deal with a bad harvest then what really concerns them." Though spoken openly, Lyle kept the volume of his voice down so that his words wouldn't carry throughout the inn and possibly anger the innkeeper further or some other citizen of Greenvale. "They're having a bit of a bandit problem. Not sure of the specifics myself but what I can gather is that something happened to the bann that rules over here - missing, kidnapped, killed, I dunno - and it seems that has given the local bandit population a pair."<br/><br/>Lyle nodded his head to the door of the inn where he had motioned to last time where the criers continued. "Supposedly the bandits may be planning to attack Greenvale itself, hence the call to arms. Not exactly sure how bad this can get but I'm not planning to find out." That, if the woman needed any other clue, would tell her exactly what Lyle's position was concerning any kind of participation on his part.<br/><br/>Lyle was quick to change subjects though as he, remembering the woman's - Alex her name was - words when she first entered the main hall. "So you're a traveling Knight you say? What brought you here? I remember you mentioning something about owing your life to someone today?"<br/><br/>Despite the innkeeper's somewhat vocal insistence about giving Alex a breakfast, Lyle glanced down at his plate where a third of his venison remained. With his fork, he speared a piece of it and held it up to Alex while giving her a questioning look, asking if she wanted it. No matter what people may decide to call him such as a gutless coward - which could be exactly how Alex may be seeing him as now - let it at least be said that Lyle had some manners, especially when it came to the ladies.<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">sirnoobsalot</span></b><br/>2011-01-23 03:43:35 	Cruran heard the horses before he saw them. They were moving fast, but not wildly. He dropped to the ground and placed his ear against the dirt. They couldn't be more than half a mile away and were approaching fast. From where he didn't know. Still, if the countryside was any indication, the horses belonged to the same bandits. Cruran lifted his head from the ground, his mind running quickly formulating a plan. He looked around and surveyed the landscape. Several dozen or so yards away was a steep incline beside the road. It led into a lightly wooded area that followed the road as far as Cruran could see.<br/><br/>The barbarian jumped to his feet and sprinted as fast and hard as he could for the incline. He could hear the rapid approach of the hooves as he went. There were several, four, perhaps. He rushed up the incline and passed before a tree just as the group came into sight. The Chasind's eyes counted four men on horseback. For the most part well armed.<br/><br/>The closer they came the faster Cruran's heart beat. He could feel the adrenaline building in his veins with each second. The first horse passed bay and Cruran began to sprint along he edge of the incline, just far enough away from it's peak to be difficult to spot through the brush. The second horse passed as he ran, leaping over roots and dips. The third horse then. Cruran looked over his should and broke left suddenly, to the top of the incline. He leapt off toward the road as the forth horse approached, faster than he could run. The barbarian aimed to unseat the rider in one leap and take over.<br/><br/>The Horse caught the barbarian in the corner of his eye as he lept and pulled just far enough left. Cruran missed landing square and instead came up a few inches short. He grabbed out at whatever he could, which ended up being a strap on the rider's chest and the back of the saddle, leaving Cruran's legs dangling dangerously close to the ground as it rushed by below. The rider shouted in surprise and Cruran yanked on the strap, pulling the man's far foot from his stirrup. The man's ankle twisted as he was yanked off the saddle. He flung his arms and caught the saddle as he fell, one leg precariously out of position in the other stirrup. He was face level with Cruran now. The horse kept running whether out of fear or simply not knowing what to do about the sudden exchange.<br/><br/>Cruran let go of the strap on the man's chest and pulled his fist back. He drove his knuckles into the side of the man's head, trying to knock him down in a single blow. The strike connected and the bandit jerked, his hand letting loose of the saddle. He fell upside down, his foot still caught in the stirrup, and his head and arm mashed and bounced along the ground. Cruran put his foot on the man's ankle to leverage himself up onto the saddle before finally reaching down to yank the man's foot free, sending the limp body rolling behind the horse. Cruran grabbed the reins and shouted, urging the horse forward. With one hand he reached back and drew his sword as he approached the first of the other three riders.<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">NightArcher</span></b><br/>2011-01-23 06:50:32 	It wasn't the best food she knew, but it was something different than meat constantly every morning and night, and it was a dream come true. The bread though was just so good, and she loved it as she sat there in the larder of the inn, bulling foods that didn't need cooked off the shelves and stuffed her mouth. She had never used to think that simple bread or other foods would taste so good, but after the last couple weeks, even this made it finally hit her, she was back in civilization. Though over that, what Aure was doing now she knew was stealing from these people... but she had no money, no friends, no family, or anything around that would be willing to help her. This was done for her survival right now, something she would have never done before Cruran had taken her, and she knew if she was caught she would be in deep trouble.<br/><br/>Almost as if the Maker was cursing her Aure heard the squeal and then the words almost immediately after her moan at the taste of proper food. The elf girl froze where she was a moment hearing the other girl behind her. Just great, the first time she was enjoying herself after getting out of Cruran's clutches and it is all ruined by a working girl of this tavern. Not giving her a chance to run, Aure jumped to her feet and easily spun around gracefully while slipping the dark dagger from her boot. It took her an instant to close the short distance before pulling the girl all the way into the Larder and resting the blade of her dagger on her neck. After a moment she pushed her against the wall beside the door and covered the girl's mouth with her right hand while the left held the dagger. She didn't want it learned that she was stealing and her get taken to some dungeon or basement or even worse... or some stocks. Thus she put her face close to the girl's till her nose touched her hand and she could only really see Aure's eyes and feel the blade at her neck.<br/><br/>“Listen girl. I have no intention of hurting you.” She said at a whisper, as quiet as she could so noone outside would hear talking, and this was complete truth. Aure didn't think she could hurt this girl, who was probably a couple years younger than the elf. “But I will slit your throat if you so much as yell out for help. So there is no need for that. Stay quiet and you wil walk away without a scratch.” After that she pulled her right hand away from the girl's mouth. Even if this girl yelled out though, Aure probably couldn't go through with the threat, at least she thought so anyway before she spoke up again. “You understand? Good. Now I am just here for food, nothing else. Got it? Now I am going to let you go, and you can go about your business. Tell noone you saw me, alert noone that I was here and everything will be just peachy.” After whispering that, the elf pulled the knife away from the girl's neck and backing into the dark of the Larder. “Though, if I hear boots or anything coming this way before I am gone, I will find you and slit your throat.” Lies.<br/><br/>Aure waited till the girl was gone before finding the nearest sack and dumping it's contents and then refilling it with some bread and cheese and some fruit she found. She would have to run as soon as possible. She highly doubted the threats would last past finding the nearest person, and the dark was the only thing that would have made the athletic elf in beaten leather armor look at all threatening. Frightening anyone else would be impossible, and now she would have to flee thr town after being discovered stealing. All the bandits be damned, she didn't want to be hung, or have her hands cut off...<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">sonic1802</span></b><br/>2011-01-24 22:41:13 	Heida's muffled screams fell up on deaf ears as the invader drove her against the nearest wall, the shoddy shelfs shuddered violently but for a moment, yet to Heida's dismay, nothing fell to draw the ever wrathful sight of Mistress Wedstone. Something that Heida never thought she'd end up praying for.<br/><br/>Trapped, her entire body had quickly became deathly numb, her eyes bulged wide to the sight of the sharp blade that began to caress and tease the thin layer of exposed flesh at her neck, she wanted to see it still as it disappeared from sight to threaten her life but had to be contempt with the shadowy figure who had leaned in beside her. Shaken legs followed up shortly after, unwittingly buckling which had allowed her captor to tower over her as the human mass crumpled to the floor, Heida was certainly tall for a human but that wouldn't stop even the smallest person from overwhelming her in this posiition, not now. It was a defensive mechanism, so Heida thought, making the predator look like it had power and perhaps it'll leave her alone. As the situation finally dawned on her, desperate screams of mercy became more forceful, words only pouring into the Elvish slender hand without relent, she just had to scream! It wasn't until Aure's began to state her demands did she find herself completely incapable of making a sound, the need to scream was still there though. Knowing that she could no longer gain the attention of Mistress Wedstone, a few tears rolled from her strained eyes, her entire body continue to shudder regardless as her body was embraced in a cold, fear stained sweat.<br/><br/>Silently, Heida listened. At this moment in time, the waitress would have handed a kingdom to this mysterious figure if she asked for it. Fear had just taken the woman, and there was no reason to hide it. The trapped woman tried to listen, and the voice certainly sounded feminine, although why would she care at this point? Her mind felt as if it was stuffed with wool and trying to think only brought up sudden blanks and even more panic. She no longer felt no control over her body, the only power that could be mustered was to keep from getting too scared and slitting her own throat.<br/><br/>“....... Though, if I hear boots or anything coming this way before I am gone, I will find you and slit your throat.” And just like that, Heida was free.<br/><br/>Her lips began to quiver even more so than before, a stubborn refusal to move at first. Instinct demanded she should not move, thinking so that it was all just a ploy just tease her predator, but it took only a few moments more before she found herself making slow and careful steps towards the kitchen. The figure -ordered- her to act normal, she would at least try.<br/><br/>Cowardly, Heida's head hung low. A sigh of shallow relief came about as she felt the embrace of what could have been considered -limited freedom-, freedom that was short lived as a large and surprisingly plump woman turned to face Heida. The woman certainly had a little fat on her but for the terror this woman was known for bringing down upon the kitchen staff, she certainly didn't look the type. Her greying hair remained tied up in a bun, a large bun at that, all that went with a flourishing set of beautiful oceanic blue eyes, a beauty untouched by the ragged and age touched skin that twisted the once pretty womans face. The beauty never really lasted as beauty turned demonic as her eyes narrowed furiously at the poor woman. Around her side remained a belt loop, a circular sheath that had the wooden handle of her most feared weapon, a weapon that no longer sat in its sheath but in the elder womans right hand, slamming it cruelly against the thick wooden table. Ingredients jumped as if in surprise themselves; herbs, meats, vegetables alike.<br/><br/>"What be it THIS time, Heid--Wait, where be my--- So ye be coming back with NONE of what I be askin' for? By the Maker, what be wrong wit' you fool wo--- WHERE ARE YOU GO---" Mistress Wedstones stopped, anger distorting her gnarled look as the waitress found her feet moving. It was a surprise to even her, her head still down and hugging her hands tightly to her chest. Her feet were moving faster and faster and there was no way of slowing down. By the maker, I don't care if I alert anyone now. I can't go back in there, Mistress Wedstone will make me, she will! I'm dead anyway... Maker take me already<br/><br/>All that Heidi could hear was the loud scowling of Mistress Wedstone, looking out from the kitchen and waving her rolling pin threateningly in the air, as if weaving the air around it to bring her back. "GET BACK HERE!"<br/><br/>----<br/><br/>Jerry's attention fell swiftly from the armoured woman and was quick to inspect the new arrival that had made his claim on this table too, the same man that had risen his voice to Lady Alex to answer her confusing question. The man certainly looked like a fighter, but he also had a shadowy looked to him. It gave Jerry the chills in thinking what this man was capable of, yet all the more reason to try and persuade him otherwise.<br/><br/>The man found himself blushing to the ladies words, it was not due to compliments over his village but more to her questioning of the men around him. Jerry merely sighed in a submissive manner, one that showed a burden too heavy as if the man had given up. The words from the male stranger did force a slight twitch from the corner of his lips but he continued on regardless "Alas, he is right. The men here are either drowning their sorrows or gathering the courage to fight off the bandits that plan to raid our peaceful village, I can barely tell which by looking at them. We are all tired, Lady Alex, all so very tired. They've already ravaged our fields and burnt down many homes outside Greenvale. Most of the men you see here have lost wives, children, homes and crops. Those men are already defeated. I'm afraid to give them blades in fear they will use it upon themselves.". With a vigorous shake of his head, he did what he could to shake the sudden dismay that may have stained his voice.<br/><br/>"You know... it won't be as bad as it looks if certain -people- would lend their aid." He paused to look at Lyle before continuing. "These men may not look like the fighting kind, that all changes once you leave my Tavern. Ser Katharine Anholde is a blessing to this village as would the Makers hand had given her to us... just like you!" He pointed a stubby finger at Lady Alex, baring a wide grin. "Both of you, just came out of nowhere! Perhaps you will save us too? Bandits aren't soldiers... With you, Katharine Anholde and the Templars, the villagers will see faith! As if you were guided by the Maker himself!" The man does not even give either of them a chance to speak as he turns towards the kitchen once more "Give her DOUBLE portions! Make it the grandest meal that would even have Andraste blush at the sight of it!".<br/><br/>His smile soon buckled as the retaliating shout came in turn, a look more familiar to confusion than clear frustration. "GET BACK HERE!"<br/><br/>The sight of Heidi was one that drew more uncertainty out of Jerry more than anything, especially from the sight of the other patrons who attempted to grab her in an attempt to refill their flagons. The woman would stare wide eyed at any man doing so and shrug them off violently before pacing more rapidly towards the exit, her head always down and clutching her arms to her chest, and just like that, she was gone.<br/><br/>"WIFE?! What did you do now?!" Jerry blared out in annoyance, but it was the quick response from Mistress Wedstone that caught him swiftly offguard "DONT you be raisin' your tone wit' me Jerry! She be leggin' it as if the Darkspawn themselves be in tha' bleedin' larder! Bah! I'm goin' in! If there be a bandit be sneakin' into MY larder, I be givin' it a good clobberin'! Thats wha' I be doin'!"<br/><br/>"N-n-no! WIFE! Stay where you are! I'll handle it!" Jerry growled with in a mixture of both panic and frustration, he would not think Heidi would run off at the sight of a mouse. The last thing he needed was his wife trying to clobber a grown man with a rolling pin, if that! With the threat of bandits, he just didn't want to risk it... although...<br/><br/>His sights quickly fell upon the two on the table, the table he had stood vigilantly over with both Lady Alex and the lone stranger, now clamping his fat hands together into a big ball and bowing his head in an almost grateful gesture. "P-Please, I have a.. a.. request. I know it is out of my place, and I apologise forthhand! But can you.. erm.. just.. check the larder?" Jerry watched them both eagerly with clasped hands.<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>The ride to the north camp was always going to be a dull journey, each man wanted the journey to end as much as the other. To them, however, there was a perk. The further they rode, they knew they were creating such a long distance from Argin, and THAT was always a blessing, so keeping a decent pace did stretch out the time that would only involve them eventually meeting up with Argin again. The sun was still rising, they had plenty of time to get to the North Camp.<br/><br/>Juelian was the one who was elected to lead this band of miscreants before the journey, the man that always had a good sense of direction and oddly enough, he was the first to be picked out by Argin. As if the man really cared who went and who stayed. Still, none of the others had a good sense like him, or so he thought. Their company was welcome though. The sight of the other man struck a dagger into Juelians heart What in the maker could do that to such a man?<br/><br/>Idlely, he cast a single glance over his men. Dervis, Matt and Obby.<br/><br/>There were nothing special about them, nor were there anything special about him. He was just the lucky bugger that had to drag their sorry asses out to the other side of Greenvale. What luck. All he knew was that Matt was Orlesian, Dervis was the bastard son of a whore and a man-whore, giggalo, whatever they liked to call themselves, and Obby was just a simpleton from Redcliff.<br/><br/>They all rode together, attempting to keep idle banter in what Juelian claimed would keep their sanity through the trip, sexual slander and regrettable grumbles that they never even got the chance to even touch the female Dalish Elves.<br/><br/>The crevice ahead soon forced the men to go into single file, Juelian first, then Dervis, Matt thirdly with Obby sitting happily by himself in the rear. The horses slowed down but not by much, the pace still quick enough to be a gallop but Juelian had demanded they'd better not run their horses into the ground too soon. Some men were so hasty with their horses that they did not realise wearing down a horses stamina and forcing them on after that could potentially kill the beasts, and he wasn't keen on running to the camp.<br/><br/>Wind whistled neatly by them as the pace of the horses quickened, Juelian leaning in towards his horse as he attempted to gain more speed and the other men quickly followed through with the action. There was no reason to really pay any more attention to his surroundings other than the road in front, or so he thought.<br/><br/>There was no unfamiliar sounds until, it happened.<br/><br/>The half-startled growl of Obby ended as soon as it finished, and what was left of the man tumbling onto the hoof beaten road, leaving only a couple of loud repetitve thuds of what was left of Redcliffs -finest- simpleton. It was as if the Maker himself was dragging him across the dirt for that mans incompetance. Why else did everyone opt for him to go in the back afterall?<br/><br/>"By Andraste's thigh's! Who in the hell is that?!" Dervis replied in his thickly Orlesian accent, although the man behind, Matt certainly had other thoughts on his mind "Holy Maker, he is catching up!"<br/><br/>Juelian was no leader, panic had gripped him as much as the other men "There are three of us! We can kill a single man!"<br/><br/>Matt was quick to reply, his reins cracking the horse mercilessly in an attempt to create distance from the nearing man. He would be his next victim for sure. "That man looks like a demon possessed! He looks like he EATS men, bloody--- HELP!" The look of the mans face was one of true fear, but he drew his rusted blade nevertheless. They all knew it was only a matter of time before he was also caught. Looking back, Matt growled "C'mon then, you bleedin' Elf-licker! I'll feed you your own heart!"<br/><br/>It was with that, Matt fell back. The Orlesian could only be seen muttering under his breath but they both carried on nevertheless, cracking their horses reins without any other thought than to go faster.<br/><br/>"Sod him! Let's go!"<br/><br/>Matt's fate was now left in the hands of the maker.<br/><br/>As the frenzied Matt fell back, he rose his blade high above his head as he gradually fell back towards the oncoming barbarian. The warcry he gave sounded like that of a whimpering puppy, a desperate man forced into a desperate scenario. The moment he had his chance, he would attempt to hit whatever was possible. His aim? the man didn't even think about it!<br/><br/>"I am not afraid of you!" His tightened voice said otherwise.<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">Brackus</span></b><br/>2011-01-25 04:06:25 	Alex listened to the mans words as if they were the words of the maker himself. She liked to give people the attention they deserved. She looked over to the men joining her curiously, giving them a once over. She found the company of men a most curious thing. Many would try to flatter her with a swavy grin and promises of 'Screaming so loud the maker will here you.'. Others would offer her a false sense of equality, pretending to care for her qualms, share her views and later try to get under her tunic. But she had to remain true to her character. They were strangers and had yet to earn her respect or ire.<br/><br/>"Bandits you say? Sounds like the start of any good adventure good innsman." She smiled at him as she adjusted a gauntlet. She loved her armour. It gave off the illusion of being heavy plate armour when infact, it was somewhat lighter. It was almost impossible to tell however, so many assumed that she was some muscular behemoth underneath and not infact, a fragile woman. It was light armour yes, giving her flexability in combat that her foes wouldn't see coming, thinking her weighed down by such a mass. It gave her confidence, it provided her protection, it reminded her of father.<br/><br/>As the man spoke of her as a miracle she couldn't help but chuckle.<br/><br/>"I am no miracle good sir! I am just a knight that swings a sword at thine foes and prayeth the Makers is with me. It is hard working men and champions like this Ser Katharine that are born of miracles. But aye! I shall stand with the men and women of Greenvale as the hordes of darkness come raining down upon us! And so will my companions!" She gestured toward the men that sat with her, giving them little say in the matter.<br/><br/>She was just about to turn down the offer of double portions when she heard the kuffufle from elsewhere. As the inn keeper turned to her and her new found companions, she stood up with haste!<br/><br/>"You needn't ask master Jerry! What ever evil doth besiege your establishment will soon taste thine retribution! Conduct me at once to the larder and I shall smite the evil doer!" She knew by now she was over doing it with the 'olde' speak. Even the Knights in her fathers stories would have turned to a more... cultured tone. However she was having fun and she did need to make a good impression on the villagers.<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">Spellweaver</span></b><br/>2011-01-25 07:31:26 	There came another comment from the innkeeper about how Lyle should join the fight and the archer only stared in reply, not saying a word.<br/><br/>Okay, so maybe he could, kind of, probably, maybe, use his skills with the bow to help shoot some bandits if he really wanted to. But bandits - and people in general - hadn't been the targets that he planned on shooting when he started practicing in the use of the bow and arrow. Lyle was a hunter not a soldier and there was a very clear difference between the two occupations. Sure, Lyle may be dressed as one but the leather armor that he wore had been for the sake of protection if he did end up coming across any bandits during his hunt; he didn't purchase the armor with the intent of actually looking for bandits to find. And the crossbow pistol at his side was just some cool, exotic weapon that he had wanted in his possession just because.<br/><br/>"Bandits you say? Sounds like the start of any good adventure good innsman."<br/><br/>But Alex seemed to have the opposite kind of thoughts when it came to the situation and Lyle actually stared at her. Shaking his head, Lyle chomped on the piece of venison that he had offered to Alex since it appeared as if the innkeeper was going to make sure that she was well fed today. There was continued conversation between the two - including some silly, noble-like talk from Alex that made the archer want to bang his head against the table - but Lyle didn't add anything to the conversation and, indeed, was starting to regret coming to this table if this was all that he was going to get.<br/><br/>A sudden cry, fortunately, was able to distract Lyle and the hunter turned around in his seat to see what the commotion was all about. What had to be one of the serving girls was walking through the inn, seemingly ignoring everyone that tried to get her attention. Her arms held close to her chest, her eyes wide and afraid, and her speedy pace were very clear clues that something had frightened her pretty good. There came a squabble between the innkeeper and his wife which Lyle was able to glean that something had frightened the woman from within the larder.<br/><br/>Lyle's initial assumption was something harmless like a mouse. But as Jerry and Wedstone soon mentioned, it could also be a bandit or some other criminal sneaking around. Hence why it was that the innkeeper turned to Lyle and Alex with the request.<br/><br/>"You needn't ask master Jerry! What ever evil doth besiege your establishment will soon taste thine retribution! Conduct me at once to the larder and I shall smite the evil doer!"<br/><br/>Lyle again turned to look at Alex and her somewhat convoluted speech pattern. Shaking his head in exasperation, the hunter looked to Jerry before replying, "...Sure."<br/><br/>It was just probably a mouse, he told himself. He was sure that there wouldn't be anything too dangerous back there and he would at least assume that people would notice if there was an entire gang of bandits hanging out in the larder. So maybe a couple hungry culprits or small animals, nothing to worry about. And it wasn't like Lyle was going back there alone.<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">sirnoobsalot</span></b><br/>2011-01-25 08:00:51 	Cruran's eyes were cold as ice, and his face stern as iron. He hunted men now, and his prey was running. They were panicked, and rightly so. The Barbarian had no thought in his mind to let any of them live, save the one that rode the fastest. Cruran knew what they felt. The two leaders rode hard. The nearest did not. Commendably, and foolishly, he drew his weapon.<br/><br/>Cruran's stoic stare turned to a wild grin and he growled in anticipation. The man shouted something then tried to stifle his fear with a cry of battle. It was weak, like the man's resolve. Cruran had no time to pity the man. With the wild look in his eyes and the mad grin on his face he grabbed his blade with both hands, holding tight to the horse with his legs before drawing in a deep breathe and loosing his own thundering warcry. As he drew out the single, terrifying note of bloodlust and wild abandon he brought the sword back and swung as he drew near, his goal was just below the man's neck, thus, should he attempt to duck it, there was a greater chance of it connecting anyway. Cruran's blade had the advantage so the mark was not a difficult one. Nor was it a difficult depth to cut. He was moving fast enough to sever the man's head with a weak but sturdy swing, little alone a swipe of the force he used now.<br/><br/>Cruran finished the sweep and urged the horse faster. He was far from done. With a mighty "Hya!" and jab of his heels, Cruran pushed the horse in for the kill. He held his blade aloft in his right hand and made to flank onto the next rider's right flank. These two were riding hard so a swift kill would be difficult. None of it would matter if Cruran couldn't catch them first.<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">NightArcher</span></b><br/>2011-01-27 05:47:59 	Aure quickly worked at stuffing what foods she could into the cloth sack, she may be able to fit about a weeks worth of food in here if she chose not to ration it all. With that in mind she took some rolls of bread, wrapped wedges of cheese, and she even found some meat, probably pork, salted and wrapped to preserve it. The last one she would have to cook before eating, but she could do that herself later, she had learned how to make a fire before, and learned how to make it from scratch when watching Cruran. She would be fine as long as she didn't get caught stealing and then beheaded or her hands cut off. The thought just made her shiver a bit as she put the last of her collection into the sack and started for the door. Especially since even here she heard the loud yell of the plump woman who helped run the tavern.<br/><br/>She paused though before leaving, looking at one of the rolls of bread on the shelf. With a Flash, Aura grabbed one more roll and put it between her teeth and enjoyed the taste as she left the Larder. Outside the hall was empty, though. Such good luck so far, though the only way she knew to leave the building as quiet as possible was the way the girl she had scared went. Hopefully her slight delay wouldn't hurt her too much before she was able to get past the hall leading to the kitchen and the main tavern room. As soon as the elf was beyond those, anyone looking for her would not head the other way. And yes, she knew someone was going to be coming soon, she doubted that girl would have stayed quiet long. It would have been completely stupid to think that the slim elf would have been scary enough to keep someone silent.<br/><br/>Keeping her footsteps as silent and fast as possible, Aure moved down the hall from the Larder towards the same way she had gone to get here. The noise of the footsteps of someone coming didn't reach her in time as she neared the corner and came out of it. There wasn't time for her to stop at the sight of the armored warrior and bow wielding man coming around the corner to her. A hesitation to grab the roll that was in her mouth before leaving had halted her long enough to not be able to escape easily. No, instead she ran strait into the armored woman's chestplate before bouncing off and walling back onto her ass and losing the roll in her mouth. It took her a moment looking up at the two, actually admiring the woman a bit before she regained her head, thinking she would be pretty if it wasn't for the size her armor was covering that wasn't pretty. After that moment, Aure started scrambling as fast as she could the city elf grabbed the food sack and pushed herself off the ground and began to try running to see if she could find another way out.<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">Brackus</span></b><br/>2011-01-29 02:45:26 	Alex made her way past the innkeeper into the back area. She took a second to ponder that this was the first time in her life she'd been into the back area of an inn. She wondered in her spare time how vast the world truely was. And even if she did visit every country, every hilltop or hidden glade, she'd never see all of it. Even little rooms like this would never be fully explored!<br/><br/>Regardless, she pressed on to the enterance of the larder. She made sure to make her presence known, making no attempts to mask her footsteps on the inns floor. If it was simply a rodent or even some larger animal, chances are it would simply hide or attempt to flee which was preferable to killing it. If it was a bandit or some thief, then she'd like them to feel the preas-<br/><br/>Before she could go any further a girl shot up from seemingly nowhere. And before she could say anything, threat or negotiation, she was charged by the girl, in what seemed like some bizare ramming attack. It didn't take much to deflect the girl. Her weight and that of her armour provide more than enough to grant Alex the strength to hold her ground. She had to be careful though. The girl was armed with a bread roll. Well it had rolled off, as rolls do. She took another moment to ponder rolls. Why are they called rolls? They didn't appear to be capable of rolling. Perhaps it had to do with the way in which they were cooked.<br/><br/>Moving on form her baker related quandries... she eyed the girl on the floor. She seemed like such a small and fragile thing against a fortress such as herself. Well not exactly a fortress, if it had been a dwarf charging her likely she'd have been knocked flat over. But still! Fortress-like. She hoped she had not hurt the girl. She was about to speak again, questions of who and why, but the elf made a second attempt to run. There was no real way by her, the corridor clearly not built with the idea of having armoured knights in the way. As the elf attempted to scramble away again, Alex simply changed her footing to take up more of the tight passing. She did not want to harm the girl, but she needed to stop her.<br/><br/>"Easy maiden, I mean no harm! I wish only to talk!"<br/><br/>She tried to make her voice seem calm, controlling and at the same time genuine. The voices her father would always give knights served as a base for this. He always made them seem like people you could confide in but at the same time strong people. Honest and caring but the kind of man or woman that could defend you till their dieing breath if need be. Of course she meant the elfess no harm, but she didn't know that. Elves and humans quite often didn't get on. She couldn't tell but judging by the look of her the elf may have been from the city. The way the ear was shaped, but alas, she didn't know enough to stake a wager.<br/><br/>"Settle yourself good lady that we may speak!"<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">Spellweaver</span></b><br/>2011-01-29 05:02:07 	One hell of a mouse.<br/><br/>That's what Lyle's thought was when they encountered what he assumed was the cause for the innkeeper's distress. Letting Alex take the lead - as she was the one with the heavier armor -, Lyle had followed a couple feet behind her. Despite his mental assurances that it could only be something like a small, insignificant rodent, the archer couldn't help but slide the crossbow pistol out of it's holster so that it was now held tight in his right hand. Just in case. He also had his knife but Lyle kept that in it's sheath, confident that his small crossbow would be enough.<br/><br/>The archer was able to barely make out the blur that turned around the corner to be a woman before she collided into Alex. That wasn't exactly the rodent that Lyle had been expecting and his hand twitched at it's side, instinct demanding him to immediately bring it up and point it at the woman that had now fallen to the floor. However, the archer managed to keep himself in check, especially after he managed to notice a few things about their apparent troublemaker.<br/><br/>First was the fact that she was a woman. Having been ready to - in the worst case scenario of course - take down a big, scary, ugly bandit, Lyle couldn't bring himself to shoot a woman. The fact that she was an elf which he confirmed upon seeing her ears didn't deter him in the least from his refusal to do so as he wasn't like other, more prejudice, humans that despised them. It was something Lyle never understood as, other then the ears, elves tended to appear just as human as him. And this dark-haired elf was a pretty one which made it nearly impossible for him to even think about planting a bolt in her.<br/><br/>His sharp eyesight took note of the roll that had been in her mouth but now tumbled along the floor and a quick look behind her allowed Lyle to see the sack that was in her possession. A quick guess was that all she was doing in this inn was looking for food. Looking and then apparently taking of course. It was this sack that the elf picked up and then immediately took off with, Alex already in pursuit and calling for her to stop.<br/><br/>"Careful, she's armed!" Lyle warned as he took off after the two women, having noticed the blades that the elf also carried. He still had his small crossbow in hand and he kept it so. Though he didn't want to kill the apparent thief, he wanted something to at least defend himself with or perhaps threaten her to halt.<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">sonic1802</span></b><br/>2011-01-29 23:25:16 	Matts eyes widened as overwhelming terror consumed him as the barbarian prepared himself for his final assault, desperation and adrenaline now only fueling his foolish bravery. No-one, even the Maker himself in Matts eyes could have prepared him for what was to come in the end. It was in that moment he had questioned----<br/><br/>The man's high pitched scowling went even higher to the verge of screeching as the barbarians blade made contact, Matt barely even given the chance to bring his rusted blade down upon his supposed -prey-. His body suddenly jolted, becoming a vessal of repetitive, vicious spasms as the now lifeless body crumpled to one side and off his steed. As the severed head soon hit the dusted roads, Only the dead mans eyes showed his last emotion, permanently transfixed with the glare of horror and despair. The final topping of the mans last expression on the world being the loose jaw, forever to give that man the look of cowardly desperation.<br/><br/>The final scream from Matt and the even quickening pace of Cruran did very little to put both Juelian and Dervis at ease, Juelian gripped tightly at his reins, gritting his teeth irritably as self doubt burdened him with the entire weight of Thedas on top of him. This can't be happening....<br/><br/>"He is a man possessed! Why us?!" Dervis' voice was growing more like Matts previous state in the past, all because he knew that he'd be next if they kept this pace up. The fact that the barbarian was catching up with them was astonishing and unbelievable, something that neither Dervis and Juelian wished was true. Either they continued as they are and get killed one by one, or---<br/><br/>"Bah! I've had enough of running! We're dead if we keep running!" Juelian said in a scowling tone, almost commanding if it wasn't for the dread that loomed over him also. "I ain't fight---" Juelian interrupted Dervis "We move back... together" His tone was one of grim determination, they both knew they were dead but this was possibly the best way to survive... in their head it was anyway.<br/><br/>"...o.. okay" It came as reluctant sigh, the man may as well be dead already, yet it took no hestation for both men to draw their blades. "Keep him in the middle, we'll take his head to Argin for killing Matt and .. bah, just Matt!" As much as Juelian tried to smile, he looked back at the barbarian with a heavy and cold sweat. "... KILL HIM!"<br/><br/>They had to deliver the message...<br/><br/>----<br/><br/>Jerry stood erect within the kitchen with his wife, wiping at one of the crinkled folds on his forehead as sweat began to glisten the man. The mayor couldn't help himself but he kept a fixed gaze upon the entryway to the corridor leading into the larder, but it was his wife who seemed to be the cause of his sweating as the constant flurry of words piled into him. He was used to taking this sort of treatment from her, and she wonders why he never listens to her most the time. Jerry really wanted to blame the heat from the stove.<br/><br/>Idlely, he found himself looking and fondling the leathery sheath of a short sword that he had found in his attic. The blade had only recently been restored thanks to the craftsmenship of the local Blacksmith, it wasn't the finest weapon but it would do, as a thick steel blade could be. His ears soon twitched to the yell that Lyle gave off, even from this distance he could hear the mans cry for caution "Careful, she's armed!"<br/><br/>With a sudden jump, Jerry straightened up and drew the blade from its sheath. "Stay here, Wife!" Jerry demanded, but it certainly didn't sound too strong. He knew he was no fighter, he didn't have the tone to command soldiers, his wife probably did though. Bandits, I knew it!<br/><br/>With a heavy stumble, Jerry made his way through the entryway in an attempt to look for his so called assistance, blade readied but trying to keep the blade from cutting him was becoming more of a task than he had once thought.<br/><br/>"Whats all the ruckus?! Are you two alright?! Milady? Sir?"<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">NightArcher</span></b><br/>2011-01-30 03:20:14 	Aure was startled at the appearance of the two, and the fact that she ran into a steel what that happened to be a woman, this night was not her best. And to her knowledge, if she turned to run the other way, she would just be trapped, was there a way out at the other end of the hall. The knight woman who was speaking very strangely was blocking her way each time she tried to go around her. Instead the elf started backing up every step that the pair made towards her, she made one back. Not good at all, she didn't want to be hanged, or any other punishment she had seen for thieves, especially elven ones.<br/><br/>Even though the armored woman was trying to sound calming with her words, Aure didn't trust them. Yes, she may have had a good life, but she wasn't stupid either. She knew how humans thought of elves, especially city elves like her. At the words she drew her thin longsword with her right hand, keeping her pilfered food in her left while backing up. “And I should believe you? I know what Shemlen do to thieves... especially elven ones. If I just calmed down, you will overpower me then throw me in some dungeon or locked basement until you decide what to do with me.”<br/><br/>At least that is what she was sure they would do. No, in no way would she let that happen. “I just got away from being a Barbarian's slave. In no way will I be locked up or tethered anywhere again. I won't let it happen...” She accented this with a slight swing of her blade in the open air, not really aimed or close enough to even come close to hurt anyone. Her mind was working quickly trying to think of a way out of this situation, but nothing was coming. “... I just stole some food for myself when I have no money for it. Nothing valuable. Just let me go, and we won't have to meet again.” Well, it was worth a try.<br/><br/>Aure growled a bit to herself though when the chubby tavern owner came around the corner too, well that chance was ruined. Why would they just let her go if the tavern owner, the one she stole from was here. Humans were not forgiving of even the slightest crimes. He would want her imprisoned no matter the reason she had stolen.<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">castitalus</span></b><br/>2011-01-30 05:32:27 	"Soddin' take her then, Elf. But if I don't hear any soddin' screamin' or bloody yellin' while your have your soddin' fun, I'm gonna soddin' come in personally to bloody break ye' in two. Try ta' look at it this way, lad. There are bloody... -benefits- to being soddin' one of us. I be a bloody man of my word, I swear on Andraste's soddin' knickers."<br/><br/>Trischal smiled. I'm sure there are benefits, but none that I would be interested in. If there were, I'd have been one long ago. He wandered over to one of the bandit corpses and rolled it over to reveal his elven dagger still buried in the chest. Pulling it free, Trischal also retrieved his sword from where he had dropped it when tackled. He wiped off each and sheathed them in their respective places. He idly played with the human made knife the leader had given him before carefully sheathing it in his boot. His attention was brought back to the group around him when a shem came running out from the forest and collapsed.<br/><br/>"Maker....two.. dead.. Sentry post.. by the village... near camp. Dead... Gavin's face sti--- haunts-- it was---"<br/><br/>Trischal watched the reaction from the men. Good for whoever killed them. Less for me to deal with in the end. Just need to come up with a plan now that I have time. He didn't bother listening to the rest of the conversation that ensued since he figured that it didn't involve him.<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">sirnoobsalot</span></b><br/>2011-01-30 22:38:03 	The two ahead were getting smarter. They formed up on either side of the road and began slowing, aiming, no doubt, to flank Cruran. The ground to either side of the path was surrounded by the light groupings of trees and bushes. They would have to remain on the road or have to slow their mounts greatly to reduce the danger of riding in rough terrain. Cruran grinned.<br/><br/>Acting as quickly as he could, the barbarian lifted his blade and returned it to his back. For this next engagement, the weapon would simply too unwieldy. He drew instead the short sword that he had taken from the sentry from his belt. He urged his horse on as the two drew closer. He only needed to kill one, and as his right hand gripped the shorter blade, he already knew which one. He pulled his left foot loose of the stirrup as the flanks of their horses passed closed in. As he was just behind the two riders, he yanked his horse left and kicked off of it, releasing the reigns. With the horse's last command being to suddenly veer left, it hit the other horse, pushing it and it's rider away, and, Cruran hoped, off the road.<br/><br/>Cruran's leap threw him to the horse on his right. With more purchase than his previous effort at leaping onto a horse, Cruran was able to deftly grab onto a strap on the bandit's armor, much as he had with the previous. Cruran kept his short blade at work, parrying and blows or swipes that the man may try to aim his way, though at the distance that they were, the shorter sword Cruran wielded had an advantage, not being fumbled trying to compensate for it's length. As one swipe was made, Cruran released the strap on the bandit and grabbed for his wrist that wielded the sword. Even if he failed to grab the man, he pulled his arm back and drove the mostly sharp tip of the word into the bandit's back with as much strength as he could muster with that he released the sword and the man and fell to the ground.<br/><br/>The Barbarian caught the rapidly moving earth and felt it be flung from under him. He fell hard on his arm and rolled several feet over the rough dirt with it's thatching of small twigs and leaves. Cruran growled in pain and held a hand to his arm. The impact had scrapped his bicep fairly severely and now his own blood trickled from the scratched flesh. With any luck, the bandit he had tried to drive from the road would ride on to their camp, and be joined by the slumped corpse of his friend. Assuming the horse continued on as well.<br/><br/>With an rough grunt Cruran inspected his wounds. It could have gone worse, he thought to himself. The Chasind man quickly got off the road, sticking to the lightly wooded area beside as he backtracked toward his previous victims, poking around in the landscape for Maiden's Tongue to easy his injuries. A clear running stream would have also been nice, he thought to himself. Still, he was content with what little he found and applied the oils to his arm and other places of damaged flesh.<br/><br/>He found the head of the second bandit and gathered it from the road before continuing back a short distance to find the rest of him lying on the road. A short distance away was his horse, which had found a nice patch of grace beside the road and was contently nibbling away on it. Cruran approached the beast, careful not to startle it. He took the few moment to pull the straps from the saddle and then remove the saddle from the horses back along with the reigns and bit. He threw the binding away and patted the animal on the side before leaving.<br/><br/>The barbarian was once again alone. No doubt scouts would find the bodies and loot them, leaving the rest for the wolves and crows. At this moment, it didn't matter. He wandered through the lightly wooded region for a time wondering what to do next. He found a small stream snaking it's way through a ravine that would flood when the rains came and washed the blood from the past day off as best as he could. He was careful to clean the small rocks and dirt from his arm as well. Infections were lethal in the wilds and Cruran had learned to make all effort in avoiding them.<br/><br/>The sun that filtered down through the leaves was warm and inviting, and Cruran for a moment, forgot the world around him. It wasn't long though before the trees parted and the field came back into view dotted with the smoke trails of camps and fires. Cruran had to take a moment to reorient himself before he determined where exactly the village he had seen was. He set of then, back into the green fields and over the hills toward it.<br/><Resized until next page><br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">Brackus</span></b><br/>2011-02-03 22:30:01 	Alex had hoped to keep the situation under control. She knew all to well of the sufferings of Elves. She personally found the idea of a lower class a little barbaric. Of course she'd come from a background of wealth and generally had anything she wanted. She was in no place to claim she understood the plight of elves. She had heard of things like poverty and starvation, but she rarely visited elven forests or alienages for fear of offending their way of life.<br/><br/>Hoping to calm the situation down with words got her no were however. As the inn-keeper came around the corner she knew there would be trouble. Instead of attempting to attack the elf or create a distraction, or even try to sweet talk the Jerry into letting the elf go she stood tall and chuckled.<br/><br/>"Apologies good tavern master. This elfess is with me. She is hails from one of the Dalish tribes of the forests and in their communities food and water are shared not purchased. Alas, the silly lass has forgotten she is amongst humans and our way of life is different. Here, take this purse of coins, it should cover any damages and I can only offer you my deepest apologies for such a misunderstanding. I shall have words with her."<br/><br/>As she spokes she reaches into a compartment on her belt, another wonder of her fathers. Belts with pockets! What wonders! She took out a purse of coins, slightly hefty in its weight and likely to cover the damage the elf had caused and then some. She had more money with her but this purse was a reasonable amount of her savings. She did not like to part with money in such volumes, but what was coin when compared to a life?<br/><br/>As she attempted to hand the purse over she gave the elf a stern look. Hopefully she would see this act of kindness and it would occur to her that her life was being saved.<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">Spellweaver</span></b><br/>2011-02-04 23:05:51 	Admittedly, Lyle did rethink about the whole not-put-bolt-in-pretty-elf idea upon rounding a corner and seeing that she had drawn her blade. Reflexively, Lyle had his crossbow pistol up and pointed at her in response. He did not fire, however, as he had managed to keep his trigger finger in check. In an attempt to make sure that the elf wasn't going to attack in response, he even pointed the crossbow away from her and up towards the tavern's ceiling while the elf spoke about her plight.<br/><br/>When she mentioned some barbarian keeping her as a slave, the archer assumed that the elf perhaps meant a bandit that she had been unlucky enough to come across. At her vocal - and visible sword-swinging - assurance that it wouldn't happen again, Lyle took a step back from her to give her space...<br/><br/>...And nearly bumped into the innkeeper that had apparently followed them.<br/><br/>Great, Lyle thought upon realizing that Jerry was here. No doubt the innkeeper would suddenly go crazy upon seeing the culprit and all hell will probably break loose-<br/><br/>"Apologies good tavern master. This elfess is with me."<br/><br/>Lyle tried not to look so surprised but when Alex actually stood up for the elf with that lie, the archer couldn't help but look at her with brows raised in surprise. He brought them back down immediately though and quickly sought to add to the story.<br/><br/>"Didn't know the elf was with her," Lyle added while holstering his crossbow pistol. "I kind of frightened her and chased her around before Alex stopped me." That should at least explain why the elf had a drawn weapon.<br/><br/>Digging into his own pouch, Lyle pulled out a pair of coins. "I'll pay for a couple of rolls for her."<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">NightArcher</span></b><br/>2011-02-05 14:00:53 	Aure was ready to defend herself, tough the male of the pair had pulled a crossbow, and had pointed it at her, making her freeze after her sword swing. Could she deflect the bolt this close.... if at all. That feat she had seen done by one of the merchant's mercenaries a couple months ago, so she knew it was possible. But he pointed it to the ceiling instead of at her, making her relax a bit before hearing the woman speaking up. That was at least something though, not having the crossbow pointed at her. Though the woman's words stunned her into complete silence.<br/><br/>"Apologies good tavern master. This elfess is with me.“ Almost immediately after hearing those words come out of the female knight's mouth brought a look of surprise onto her face that was impossible to hide, especially with her mouth that fell open. She was speechless. “She is hails from one of the Dalish tribes of the forests and in their communities food and water are shared not purchased.” It took her most of the whole little speech to wipe the look from her face, and now only showing in her eyes, especially after the look she got from the human woman. It was just a big hope that the Tavern owner would not recognize an armored city elf from a Dailish elf. Especially that he won't notice the black leather collar with gold chainlinks that was her sure mark of a city elf.<br/><br/>Why would these Two Shemlen's try helping her at all? The didn't know her, and humans almost never like elves. There must be some ulterior motive to them being kind and saving her from this bad situation. If they were going to try taking her as a slave for themselves, she would kill them, but right now, they were handing out money to pay for what she had stolen, and keeping her from being arrested or something worse. At the man's explanation for the drawn weapon, and holstering of his own, Aure slid her blade back into it's sheath. After a couple moment's thought she had no choice but to go along with them. Fighting would prove the lies incorrect, and earn her the stocks, going along with it.<br/><br/>“I... Haven't been with her long, just met her a little ways outside the village... with the bandits around we decided to travel into the village together... for better protection...” he lied completely, hoping the Tavern owner hadn't heard her previous words. It would blow the whole lie out of the water. She didn't trust these two, but she really didn't want to be arrested because she was starving.<br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">sonic1802</span></b><br/>2011-02-06 20:58:39 	Jerrry's eyes widened in disbelief as he witnessed the event unfold before him, all this time he had kept his mouth shut as his -aid- now defended the Elven intruder. Jerry was unsure on how to make of it, for the Elven woman certainly did not look Dalish to him. The lack of Blood Writing, the tattoos that decorated their faces gave Jerry the subtle hint that her origin came from elsewhere, but the man attempted to hold his composture as he becomes a rambling display of thoughtful scratches of his person and ponderous thought. It was impossible to tell if the man was surely considering dragging the Elf despite the plea from Alex and having her flogged from stealing or dismissing the entire scenario altogether.<br/><br/>With a heavy sigh, the man soon looked like he had made his mind before transfixing his gaze upon the coin purse. A brow is soon risen but he carefully claimed the purse from the armoured woman, juggling the pouch in one hand before opening it and only plucking a few silvers from it before returning it to Alex. The silvers claimed get shoved carelessly into one pocket that grinds against the other silvers that probably resided in there, yet he leaves a single piece out to wave it at the three of them. He seemed as if he was talking to all three of them at once "Bah! As if I deserve to put up with thieves still! I don't care if she is is unfamiliar with the human lands, she could be the damn royalty for all I care! She still STOLE from me. If you are to share, do you at least -ask- a certain individual so that they are aware of whats left?" The man emitted a loud and annoyed grunt as he looked over the three of them, he was unsure on how to act on the matter and his words certainly sounded hollow. A threat spoken but it sounded more as if he was talking to himself than at the three of them. He tried to convince himself that it was because he was in a dark hall with three rather armed people, but he knew the reason why.<br/><br/>Reluctantly, Jerry shook his head. Compassion soon tinged his voice "Bloody Maker, you are lucky your friend here as a heavy coin purse. You owe her, Elf. Thievery is a heavy crime wherever you go, even moreso for an Elf. I only however took the amount for the food. Which you should be grateful for! Still... it all doesn't matter if those bandits raid my precious town." The mans shoulders sloped, the burden of the bandits seem to be showing its toll on the man.<br/><br/>"Look, I know this might sound bizarre.. but this town means everything to me, as does this tavern. Thievery means little when you are on the verge of knowing if I will be dead or alive with my tavern burnt to the ground. So I ask this of you, all three of you..." It was time for Jerry to ask what he had been meaning to ask the two before, the Elf however looked like a capable fighter as well and he wasn't going to put her to one side either. Perhaps this was the Makers hand that brought these three to him all this time?<br/><br/>"Fight for Greenvale... I beg of you... Save my wife, my friends. Aid Ser Katharine Anholde in protecting my home. I will pay you, you can eat whatever you like and I will dismiss this ordeal altogether! Please.. we are desperate..." Jerry finally asked. With the Bann's soldiers never coming, these three, in Jerrys eyes felt like his only hope and he was going to do all that he could to enlist them.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>