<br/><br/><div class="floatright">(https://www.withanaccent.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Ben-Barnes-joins-The-Punisher.jpg)</div><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Collin Whoreson</strong></span><br/>Human Paladin 1<br/><hr/>Collin was walking steadily beside the wagon, his crossbow cradled in the crook of one arm.  He changed its position frequently, because the damned thing was heavy.  He was used to a little bit or marching but the long slogging was something new to him.  He hesitated to join the conversation because he didn't want to reveal the fact that he would be panting in order to speak.  He happily accepted an apple; fresh fruit wasn't exactly rare in the guard barracks but as one of the lowest rungs on the latter, he didn't get to eat it very often.<br/><br/>Lynnara the wood elf (Or was it woods elf? He wasn't certain) was the one fetching apples without any problem from trees well away from the road.  It wouldn't surprise him to discover that she actually had a sack of apples and was pulling them out when she was out from under prying eyes. She seemed far more at home in the woods than when he had first met her.  The city didn't agree with her overly much.<br/><br/>He knew some of the others vaguely; Tinalia he recognized.  She was a legit hero, throwing herself between some children and a hungry lion.  She'd managed to put it to sleep using magic.  That put her in the same boat as Twin.  He had no idea who the woman with the bizarre helmet was; all he knew was that she had amazing tits and he would do well to avoid staring at them.<br/><br/>Then there was Amara Nars a real, honest to fucking God Cleric of Lathander.  Taller than he was by a full hand's breadth and dressed in the Morning Lord's splendor, he couldn't help but being intimidated by her.<br/><br/>She wasn't the only one that did that.  Burdock was a mountain of green skin that covered some of the most impressive muscles he'd ever seen.  Likely the half breed would be capable of twisting his head off and shitting down his throat if he pissed it off.  He'd need to watch what he said around him.  After all, he didn't have the backing of the city guard any more and he'd heard stories about the pit fighter's exploits.<br/><br/>He half listened as Clara and Kathra talked.  The dwarf had tucked his other weapons into the wagon, promising to take care of them for him.  For some reason, that had made him blush.  For what it was worth, these people would be with him for the next Helm knew how long.  It was his job to protect them as well as the contents of the wagons that were taking him, with every turn of their wheels, farther away from Neverwinter than he had ever been.<br/><br/>He turned the remains of the apple core over to the piebald rat that rode on his shoulder, then wrapped one hand around the tiny steel gauntlet that hung on a leather thing around his neck; there was an eye etched into it.<em>Helm, grant your Rat the strength to do what I need.  I'm a long way from home and getting farther and I don't know if I can do what you want me to do.  Help me keep them safe and don't let me screw up too badly.</em>