Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Solos =&gt; Topic started by: BlackStone on 10-09-2014, 04:10:47</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>10-09-2014, 04:10:47</strong>
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				The Kingdom of Adreath, the Gatekeeper it is called by others for it alone holds the near impassable border to the North that protects the rest of the nations of Cantriff from the Shadow Empire of Nyderei and slavery to their infernal lords and mistresses.&nbsp; &nbsp;It had been so since the formation of the Compact, when former vassal nations rebelled against the tyranny of their overlords.&nbsp; &nbsp;The Century War, or the War of Light and Dark it was also know as, when the shackles of Nyderei's oppression were tossed off and their influence pressed beyond the Rymrift Mountains, a natural barrier that ran for near two hundred miles and a places near five miles of sheer slate stone.&nbsp; &nbsp; The war lasted over a hundred years, and the survivors formed the Compact, the alliance that never again would they bow to Nyderei's rule.&nbsp; &nbsp; The Compact had stood firm for five hundred years, and only now was it starting to show the strains of time.<br><br>Five years ago, a merchant prince from the Republic of Eonella was assassinated along with the King and Queen of Adreath by Nyderei, aided by corrupted members of the Knight Vigilant, or so the rumor said.&nbsp; &nbsp;Thus started the fractionating relations between Eonella and Adreath and after five years the two nations were near at war.&nbsp; The rest of Cantriff is desperate to repair relations and prevent a conflict that could engulf the rest of the Compact, paving the way for the return of the Shadows.<br><br>This is the story of the Kingdom of Adreath and the heroes of the realm that defend it against the evil which corrupts it from within.<br><br>Dundamore was a small city on the southern border of Adreath, near the Knight Vigilant outpost of Caer Wolocott.&nbsp; Before the Day of Blood, it was a fairly insignificant area of the Kingdom on the border with Eonella.&nbsp; Since that day, it has become more and more like one of the northern forts like Caer Lyons to the north.&nbsp; &nbsp;However, Caer's Wolocott's focus had shifted from protecting the populace from highway men and the occasional rogue monster as all of their effort is to prevent incursions from Eonella.&nbsp; As such there is much opportunity for the young and bold looking for adventure.&nbsp; &nbsp; <br><br>It was this opportunity that Delius Kefan found herself returning to her home after graduating from the Royal Academy of Magic.&nbsp; To young for any battle mage posting, yet far too skilled for the Magi at the Academy to teach anymore.&nbsp; &nbsp;Rumors of late had a band of highwaymen slowly strangling trade in and out of Dundamore, and their cries for assistance were going unanswered.&nbsp; As good a place as any to earn experience, even if it is home.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sub Superheroine</strong> on <strong>12-09-2014, 18:50:45</strong>
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				In the dining area of Caer Wolcott, the windows were open and a gentle breeze offered some comfort on this day. At one of the tables, a lovely young woman with striking red hair sat by herself with a steaming cup of coffee-her third of the day, the poor girl was addicted to caffeine and would be plagued by headaches if she did not imbibe the drink-and a plate of potatoes which she occasionally touched but mostly ignored.<br><br>Her interest remained on the book she was reading and it was obvious that she was lost in it. More than a few of soldiers winced as a clumsy private stumbled, sending a number of glasses shattering to the ground. The young woman did not even look up. Her green eyes were locked onto the pages that she was reading.<br><br>From across the room, a young man, entering his first year in the service, was taking her in with a slight smile. "That's a sight for sore eyes in this fort," he said to a fellow member of his company.<br>&nbsp;<br>"That's Delius Kefan, a mage who just finished her studies," the corporal replied. “Note the last name. She's the daughter of Colonel Kefan and off limits to say the least."<br><br>"Not quite noble but well off," the younger one said as he continued to take her in. "Of course the colonel is a bit of a hard ass. Is she talented? A good mage?"<br>&nbsp;<br>"She was one Joltar's students before coming here," the corporal answered with a nod of respect.<br><br>"Oh yeah....I've heard of him," the young man admitted and glanced to her with a new look of respect. "She must be good to study with him."<br><br>"She is."<br><br>All of a sudden, Delius finished picking at her food and looked up with a frown. The younger man winced, thinking perhaps the girl<br>had overheard the conversation. Instead she mumbled something or another and the steam started rising from her cup. Ah, she was using magic to warm up her coffee.<br><br>In fact, Delius had heard them but having grown up in a garrison, men talking about her, undressing her with their eyes and so on did not bother her in the slightest. If anything besides her coffee, the only thing that was bothering her was a wasted night.<br><br>Last night had proven worthless. She had headed up to her quarters in one of the towers and spent the night studying; copying her spells, memorizing them, practicing her gestures. As usual when lost in the books, Delius lost track of time and was stunned when she heard the watchman cry out that it was the hour of the fires, an hour before midnight. With a sigh of regret, she had closed the spell book and lovingly caressed its spine before placing it on her desk.<br><br>And now she had forgotten what she had read last night and was trying to catch up with her studies over food and coffee. <br><br>Well her father would expect no less. She did want to prove her worth while at the Caer.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>13-09-2014, 00:41:09</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTzNIzH2xcbJbwUvhCdZbYq1yt11HvbydyBHCIy-Owov0h8w39i)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Caer Wolcott was small stronghold that over the last five years never really grew and expanded for the increased responsibility.&nbsp; This meant that many of the knights assigned to the Caer did not even have barracks inside the walls and some were still in tents, the extra barracks outside still under construction.&nbsp; &nbsp;This lead to some frayed tempers as who wants to be stationed at what was once an obscure posting and living in tents the entire time they are here?<br><br>So it was not uncommon to hear raised voices at times inside the Caer as short tempers got the best of normally unshakable knights.&nbsp; &nbsp;This day the shouting seemed to be of a particular audible tone and cadence before a door to the courtyard opened as out strode Sir Arron Frost, Knight Bannerman of the Knights Vigilant, a newcomer to Caer Wolcott, and very outspoken about his assignment.&nbsp; &nbsp;He would rather be north along the Rymrift border.&nbsp; &nbsp;As such he had earned no little share of hazing and ire directed his way, and by the look of storm and fury on his face, this day is no exception.<br><br>Despite this abrasive demeanor, Arron was a handsome and striking man with a lithe and muscular mane with the light dusting and start of a beard on his features.&nbsp; &nbsp;His face looked to be permanently locked in that serious and angry cast to it as he sat down near Delius ans spoke to her with no greeting, no preamble, only a gruff voice as one used to being obeyed and none to happy with any disagreement to his authority.&nbsp; <strong> "Gather your field gear, Mage, and hurry.&nbsp; &nbsp;We are to travel to Dundamore to secure supplies.&nbsp; &nbsp;It is a long ride so be ready in the hour."</strong>&nbsp; &nbsp;</div>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sub Superheroine</strong> on <strong>13-09-2014, 01:31:09</strong>
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				Delius drummed her fingers on the table, sipping her coffee with the other hand, as Sir Arron spoke. Raising her eyebrows, Delius locked her green eyes on him as she replied. <br><br>“If memory serves, Sir Arron, I have a first name,” she replied dryly. “I am sure you can address me by it." With her father so high up the ranks, she did not need to remind him of her last name. <br><br>“You will have to forgive me,” she continued, leaving the impression she was lecturing a student. “I am not a member of the Knights Vigilant so feel free to fill me in. Who is demanding we get the supplies? What supplies are we securing and who does the pronoun ‘we’ entail? Does that refer to the two of us or to a larger force?”<br><br>Before going back to her coffee, Delius asked one last question. “And why do you need a mage for this?”<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>13-09-2014, 05:42:39</strong>
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				Arron bit back a retort that was on his lips, grabbing a hold of his anger inside his mind and doing his best to choke the life out of it.&nbsp; &nbsp;Delius was not the reason for the anger, and she was right, he did know her name, especially the last name and it would not be wise to anger Lord Kefan.&nbsp; Arron could only hope that Lord Kefan had not heard of Arron and his antics.&nbsp; &nbsp;That he was a solid knight and better than most with a blade is likely why he had not been transferred to the foot soldiers.&nbsp; &nbsp;Arron closed his eyes, breathed out a controlled breath, and did his best to mollify his tone.<br><br><strong>"Mage Deilus, and you are correct and right to correct me.&nbsp; &nbsp;As to why you were...requested...is that there were some items in the supply list that the battle mages requested, and it was felt a mage would be able to determined if those items were indeed present or not.&nbsp; The last two supply runs had forgeries in them.&nbsp; &nbsp;If this is the case as well, a mage of your talents and skills might be able to determined who switched out the supplies and were the real artifacts are.&nbsp; It shall be only you and I.&nbsp; As to the orders, they were signed by Lord Commander Kefan."</strong>&nbsp; &nbsp;Despite Arron trying to be polite to this woman, he can't help but flash a toothy smile. <strong> "I am certain you know who he is, yes?"</strong><br><br>He stood once more and made a gesture to where the stables are at.&nbsp; <strong>"What I said earlier still holds, if we want to make Dundamore by nightfall, we will need to leave and be on the road inside the hour."</strong>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sub Superheroine</strong> on <strong>13-09-2014, 14:41:03</strong>
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				Delius was shrewd enough not to smile as Arron backed down a bit. She probably liked him more than most--if anything the young mage knew what it was like to feel bored and trapped inside the Caer since that had been the way she had felt during most of her childhood--but he had come off as a bit harsh, bordering on rude. Now that she was done with her studies, Delius prized her independence a bit too much to be treated like a common soldier.<br><br>“I’ll be more than happy to help out,” she said since he offered his explanation. “And I am more than aware who Lord Kefan is,” she added, responding with a grin of her own. “Alright, give me a few moments and I will meet you by the stables.”<br><br>Grabbing her coffee and books, Delius offered Arron a quick nod and left the mess hall. Her father would not have asked for her help if he did not think it was important, she reminded herself as she headed up to the rooms her parents had claimed for more than two decades now. Of course, neither of them would actually be there since her father was on duty while her mother was teaching classes.<br><br>It was comforting to know that her old room was still set up in her parents’ living quarters, a small room tucked away off the common area. As usual, her desk was covered in papers and books eclipsed most of the stone walls. At least her bed was made. That should be enough to appease her father in the unlikely event he decided to enter her room. After 17 years, Lord Kefan was probably used to his daughter’s study habits and how they often cluttered up her room. <br><br>Pulling her frock dress over her head before neatly folding it, Delius, now clad in basic and simple white undergarments, rummaged through her closet for a moment. She quickly decided on a white shirt and leather breeches which she tucked into her traveling boots once they were on. Finally, she slipped on a studded leather vest and a faded green cloak that had once belonged to her father. <br><br>Pulling her red hair back in a pony tail, Delius grabbed her backpack, filling it with a tinderbox, a torch, her traveling spellbook and some rope. Bending down to go under her bed, Delius found her dagger and a short sword, both of which were sheathed and she tucked them in her belt. In the kitchen, she found three empty bottles which she slipped into the pack. She would fill them with water on her way to the stable and grab a few apples and some bread as she passed the mess hall. <br><br>Fourty minutes after she left Arron, Delius was in front of the stables, looking for the knight. <br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>14-09-2014, 02:43:27</strong>
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				Outside the stables Delius found Arron with two horses readied and saddled.&nbsp; Each horse also was outfitted with a set of saddlebags.&nbsp; &nbsp; Arron turned his head when he saw movement out of the corner of his eye ans stopped in his tracks, his jaw open as if he was about to say something and all manner of speech had fled his mind.&nbsp; &nbsp; The light of day was such that it outlined Delius just so, and Arron could see the outline of her form.&nbsp; &nbsp;That paired with the tight breeches hugging every curve, leaving little to his imagination.&nbsp; &nbsp; It was an uncomfortable reminder that it had been a long time, several moons, had passed since he had been with a woman, and that he was about to be an extended trip with one and no others about them.<br><br>Arron closed his jaw with an audible "crack" and gave his head a shake.&nbsp; "Right, come on, daylight is a wasting."&nbsp; &nbsp;With a deft skill that unusual for one of his size and bulk, he mounts his horse with ease and waits for Delius to move before kneeing his horse beside her.&nbsp; &nbsp;Deciding that the six plus hour journey to Dundamore would be even longer in total silence, he decided to be the first to breech the gulf and attempt conversation.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br><strong>"I will admit, Mage Delius, I was surprised to find you still at the Caer.&nbsp; &nbsp;I thought with your father's connections that he would have secured you a post at Court.&nbsp; &nbsp;I mean despite relations of late, Caer Wolcott is not the most desirable posting in the land.&nbsp; &nbsp;You are not even listed among the ranks of the battle mages.&nbsp; &nbsp;I was wondering if you would enlighten me to such?&nbsp; We have a long journey to the town and we might as well talk to pass the time, to get to know one another better if we are to be with each other for the next few days."</strong>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sub Superheroine</strong> on <strong>14-09-2014, 03:11:48</strong>
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				Ignoring the look on Arron’s face--she was used to it since she grew up at the Caer where there not many young women--Delius slipped her pack on the horse before sliding up on the saddle. She actually was a decent rider though she spent far much time on her feet than on horseback.<br><br>Keeping pace with the knight, Delius allowed herself a final look back at the Caer, frowning as she tried to make out if she could see either of her parents. Not surprisingly, she could not make out the outlines of her father or mother. Shrugging, she continued on her way. <br><br>To her surprise Arron engaged her in conversation. Delius decided to engage him instead of ignoring his assumptions. <br><br>“Why would I want to be at Court?” Delius asked before stretching her arm out, trying to point out the familiar sight of the Caer behind her. “This is home, after all. This is where I grew up. I know the coast here like the back of my hand and my family is here. Whatever I am, I’m not a courtier.”<br><br>“As for the battle mages....” Delius paused a moment, collecting her thoughts, before continuing. “I don’t have much desire to join the Knights...I’m....well my mother is a teacher. Perhaps I’ll be one as well. I enjoy my studies and researching the past far more than taking or giving orders. We’ll see where my path takes me.”
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				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>14-09-2014, 05:36:36</strong>
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				Arron handled his horse with an considerable skill.&nbsp; &nbsp;He did not even use the reins, but directed the horse with his legs and thighs, and powerful and strong thighs they were, straining and causing the leather of his breeches to creek at times when the horse started to frisk and object at their slow pace.&nbsp; &nbsp;His horse was a beautiful and powerful sight as well, a true war stallion in every sense of the word, with a shiny coat the color of rich loam with slash of white at the head.&nbsp; &nbsp; Arron leaned down and gave the horse a comfortable pat on the side of its muscular neck and whispered into its ear.&nbsp; &nbsp;The horse snorted and raked the ground with its hoof a few times before continuing on at their pace.&nbsp; &nbsp; With the somewhat fractious horse appeased for the moment, Arron straightened in his saddle and turned his head back to Delius.<br><br><strong>"I made an assumption, I had heard that Queen Kaliskia's Court to be a popular one, and she goes out of her her way to see the ladies of her court are afforded every opportunity that court can provide.&nbsp; &nbsp;While I will admit I do not understand your take on the Knights, I can respect it.&nbsp; &nbsp;It seemed their has been nothing by flaring tempers and tensions since the Queen took the throne."</strong><br><br>Arron guided his horse closer in, a look of puzzlement on his face.&nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>"I will admit I am puzzled by you, Mage Delius.&nbsp; I mean I know the Caer is your home, but I do not see it playing a part in your future.&nbsp; &nbsp;There are no teaching positions present at the Caer, and you said you had no desire for the capital, so the Caer to me is puzzling.&nbsp; Unless your desire to to make a match with a Knight.&nbsp; &nbsp;I will not fault you if that is desire.&nbsp; &nbsp;Many a noblewomen carry out that desire every day in the realm."</strong><br><br>Arron paused to allow Delius a chance to respond and he frowned as he focused on an odd sight up ahead of the road.&nbsp; &nbsp; Heartbeats pass and that frown turns into a wordless snarl as he reaches out and draws his blade, a long blade designed for those who primarily engage the enemy from horse back.&nbsp; &nbsp;It is not a Knight issued blade, as the pommel holds a crest upon it instead of the coat of arms for the Knight's Vigilant.&nbsp; &nbsp;The sheen to the blade and the make of the metal is more a pure silver in color than the rich dark gray of Adreath steel, among the finest and strongest steel in Candriff.&nbsp; <br><br>Arron points his blade off to the right and forward of the road.&nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>"There, black smoke that should not be there.&nbsp; &nbsp;Come on!"</strong>&nbsp; &nbsp;With that the horse underneath Arron explodes into motion, and displayed hos power and speed as he attains a full gallop within a handful of steps and is surging like an arrow loosened from a bow. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sub Superheroine</strong> on <strong>14-09-2014, 15:06:31</strong>
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				While not an expert rider herself, Delius knew enough to recognize Arron’s ability in guiding his steed. For her part, the young mage had some experience but was not skilled by any means. She guided her horse with confidence of course but certainly not with the care or the expertise that Arron showed. <br><br>Delius nodded her head absently as Arron continued. While as the daughter of a high ranking officer, she was loyal to the crown, Delius simply did not get much involved with politics. Her father of course was a staunch monarchist: better to be ruled by one man or woman raised to the throne by the gods than by the masses. But Delius did not wade into politics or court gossip that often and only had abstract notions on either. <br><br>“The Caer is home,” Delius repeated. “What more is there to say than that? I certainly have my ambitions of course but my family is here and that is what is more important to me at the moment. That and....well, I can’t teach until I have more experience and a few more years under my belt. As for marrying a Knight, I can’t say that--or marrying anyone else--has ever seriously crossed my mind.”<br><br>Delius drew silent before continuing on that thread of conversation. Of course Lord Kefan was so intimidating that few of the Knights or the men at the Caer would even think of courting Delius. Back at school, despite a few crushes on her end, Delius focused more on her studies than on her fellow students.<br><br>I turn eighteen in a few months, Delius thought to herself, and with the exception of a few quick kisses, I don’t have much in the way of romantic experience. Since returning to the Caer, Delius was stunned to see some of her old childhood friends, girls her age, were already married and two of them even were mothers. Pursing her lips together, Delius felt a rush of melancholy surge through her. Perhaps she had sacrificed too much of her life, wasted too much of her youth in the books while her friends were experiencing the joys and sorrows of life, finding lovers, husbands, having children....<br><br>Delius shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts away. But seeing Arron reach for his blade, Delius quickly snapped out of it. <br><br>Seeing Arron bolt off, Delius followed him, doing her best to keep pace. The adrenaline was moving through her know and she could feel the comfortable warmth of the magic tingling though her fingers. While she did not have a blade drawn, she had her own weapon and, as she felt it pulse through her, it reminded her the sacrifices she had made in her studies were worth it all. <br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>15-09-2014, 04:09:56</strong>
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				As Delius catches up to Arron that can see the scene laid before her.&nbsp; &nbsp;A two travel wagons on fire, and people tending to wounded men on the ground, both with crossbow bolts in their shoulders.&nbsp; &nbsp; Arron was before a man, still on his horse hut at least with his sword back in its sheath, and looked to be in a conversation.&nbsp; &nbsp;As Delius arrived, Arron turned his horse to face her.&nbsp; &nbsp; <br><br><strong>"This is Feldric, the headman of this compania.&nbsp; They were traveling south when they were attacked by highway men.&nbsp; &nbsp;Highway men with a rouge mage in their ranks.&nbsp; &nbsp;The took the compania's gold, as well as their women, and took off to the northwest.&nbsp; &nbsp; Is their anything that you can do for the people here before we take off and track them?"</strong><br><br>While waiting for Delius's answer, Arron turned once more to Feldric.&nbsp; <strong>"Once you have your people able to move you need to make all speed for Caer Wolcott.&nbsp; In fact I ask you saddle a man that can ride and have his make all haste to the Caer and to warn the knights.&nbsp; Tell them that Bannerman Frost and Mage Kefan are in pursuit to track them and will leave the standard trail markers for the company that follows us.&nbsp; &nbsp;We will wait for them, but they need to hurry if we are to save your women from whatever foul designs they have for them."</strong>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sub Superheroine</strong> on <strong>16-09-2014, 13:58:57</strong>
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				Delius grimly took in the scene, looking at the wounded men with a frown. “A pleasure Feldric though I wish we met under better circumstances,” she said, taking in all the bad news. “How many women did they take? What are their names and what do they look like? How many bandits were in their company?” <br><br>The mage wasn’t much of a healer but she saw the men with the wounds were being attended to at least. With her limited--at best--knowledge of healing, Delius would have only gotten in the way. “It looks like they have things in hand,” Delius said simply. “What type of magic did this mage use? What did he look like?” Mages were few and far between and something of a close knit community. It was possible, but certainly unlikely, that Delius knew of him at least by reputation. <br><br>Delius nodded her head as Arron spelled forth his plan of action. “We will do what we can,” Delius said. “As Sir Arron said, time if of the essence here.” She did not want to think about what those poor woman were facing--what she could end up facing if she ended up in their clutches. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>17-09-2014, 06:16:28</strong>
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				Feldric still had a shocked look upon his face and it required Delius to speak her questions again before he could answer.&nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>"Women?&nbsp; Oh...yes the women.&nbsp; &nbsp;My wife Teressa, my daughter Claire, and two other girls Essme and Vivian."</strong>&nbsp; &nbsp;Feldric then continued in shocked, halting tone what the women looked like, their hair color, and their ages.&nbsp; &nbsp;The oldest was of course the wife at thirty-six, and then the girls, all from eighteen to sixteen.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>After talking about the women, he began to talk about the bandits.&nbsp; <strong>"There were five in total with the mage.&nbsp; They were dressed in dirty yet functional armor with the colors of sable and crimson.&nbsp; &nbsp;The mage had a robe of emerald green with black onyx runes about the sleeves.&nbsp; &nbsp;He used fire magic and did not see anything else, from balls of fire to lines of fire from his hand or a spray of fire from his fingers.&nbsp; The bandits made sure he was well protected. "</strong> <br><br>Arron snarled at bit as he recognized something from the headman's description.&nbsp; <strong>"Ellona and Eldon.&nbsp; Allies and neighbors, but this is the first time I have heard of an Eldonic mage working in the field with an Ellonaian sapper unit, for that is the only thing that make sense.&nbsp; &nbsp;If they were deserters, their armor would be more patchwork.&nbsp; &nbsp;That and I doubt they would have the money to hire an Eldonic mage."</strong>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sub Superheroine</strong> on <strong>17-09-2014, 15:03:38</strong>
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				Delius nodded her head as Feldric offered information on the girls taken. Hearing about how young they were--one was younger than her--Delius could feel the rage building up and the fire burning within her. She took a deep breath, trying to squelch the warmth pulsing through her body. Trying to relax and cool down before she started sweating, Delius went though the breathing exercises she had learned at the academy. <br><br>Five opponents did not seem so bad, Delius told herself. The description of the mage meant nothing to her though it sounded like a fellow master of fire.That could prove an interesting challenger. <br><br>Delius accepted Arron’s assessment. “They certainly know what they’re doing if they’re keeping the mage protected,” she said. “Some ruffians keep their mage front and center. It does seem a little odd though.”<br><br>Sitting straight up in the saddle, Delius looked over to Arron. “I’m ready,” she said, her breathing having helped control her anger and hold back the fire for the moment. <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>19-09-2014, 03:56:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Arron watched Delius with a critical eye and he gave a grunt of respect her way, even going so far as to put a fist to heart to salute her.&nbsp; &nbsp;Once she was ready to ride, he put his heels to his horse and the took off in the direction that the bandits retreated.&nbsp; &nbsp; Arron was not on his horse for long after they rode out a bit.&nbsp; &nbsp;He quickly dismounted in that casual, easy grace of his that seemed to be as much a part of him as breathing.&nbsp; &nbsp;He hands the reins of his horse to Delius and spoke in that semi-gruff tone of his that also seemed to be a part of him as breathing.&nbsp; <strong>"Lead Dai'shar for me please.&nbsp; &nbsp;This will be slow going, unless you know some magic that will enable us to track them?"</strong><br><br>As he waited on her answer, Arron got to his knees on the ground and touched at the mud trails he found there.&nbsp; &nbsp;He spent some considerable time there, only moving about slightly on his knees here and there.&nbsp; &nbsp; His eyes focused on some heather before the shrubs and he moved towards it, extending a careful hand to it and fingering some broken sprouts.&nbsp; He nodded to himself, and then took out a piece of chalk and marked on the nearest tree a symbol.&nbsp; &nbsp; That done, he took back the reins of his horse and started to walk off in a direction that was heading northeast.<br><br>Arron had his head on the ground as he walked, only occasionally looking up now and then before moving on.&nbsp; He is silent for several long minutes so it could be a bit of a shock that Delius heard his voice again out of the blue.&nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>"This mage they have, the description did not sound like any mage order in Adreath.&nbsp; &nbsp;Do you think you could match him.&nbsp; Could you do what he did to those Travelers?"</strong>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sub Superheroine</strong> on <strong>19-09-2014, 04:06:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Delius had no problem taking the reins of the horse as she watched Arron try to track the bandits. “I’m afraid not,” she said. “I’m not much of a tracker and I certainly don’t know any spells that can help.”&nbsp; <br><br>She remained silent as he tried to find their path, raising her eyebrows in surprise and nodding her head in respect to him as he found something. Delius hung back, letting him do what he could, even though she knew time was of the essence for the captured women. Despite that, she stayed quiet. Much like a mage, she realized, a good tracker needed his focus. <br><br>Lost in her own thoughts, Delius was a little taken off guard when he finally spoke again. “In terms of the spells, I think so,” she said. “Like him, my chief ability is conjuring fire and using it against my foes. I don’t think I have the natural aggression that he seems to have--but I also don’t have much of a choice to use my fire against the raiders if we’re going to get those women back.”<br><br>Delius went quiet, going through her breathing regimen as she felt the anger rising within her at the thought of what those poor girls were going through. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>21-09-2014, 03:12:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Arron frowned at her admission to the limitations of her magic.&nbsp; &nbsp;He pressed on however, still keeping his eyes to the ground.&nbsp; &nbsp;Every now and then he would make corrections and then he frowned a bit and stopped, scratching his head.&nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>"We are going to quickly find ourselves in a situation.&nbsp; &nbsp;I can handle perhaps three, maybe four men mounted, especially if they are rabble and do not come at me all at once.&nbsp; &nbsp;However, from what the head men describe, these are not rabble.&nbsp; They sound like Ellona sappers, which means professional soldiers.&nbsp; &nbsp;Not as good as the Knights."</strong>&nbsp; &nbsp;Of course a young Knight cocky and sure of his abilities would say such.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>Arron made another correction. and was not heading more north than northeast.&nbsp; &nbsp;He stopped long to lay another trail marker and as he was doing so continued on with his earlier line of comments.&nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>"Professionals will know how to best deal with me, and if there are more than three of them, along with a mage."&nbsp; &nbsp;He gave a shake of his head.&nbsp; &nbsp;"Even if you are able to counter him, we would be hard pressed.&nbsp; &nbsp;It might even be suicide to engage them."</strong>&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>Arron stopped in his tracks and fixed Delius a hard stare now.&nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>"I saw your reactions when the headman told you able the women.&nbsp; &nbsp;How could I not.&nbsp; &nbsp;It had always been a story told to generations of women here in Adreath, about why we are the Gatekeepers, so as to prevent our women from being slaves and used for the foul and deviant pleasures of the followers of the Gods of Evil.&nbsp; &nbsp;To have those ghost stories become much more than that.&nbsp; &nbsp;Trust me I know all too well about it.&nbsp; &nbsp;We might even be witness to it.&nbsp; &nbsp;Witness it, and do nothing to stop it.&nbsp; &nbsp;Not if we want to save their lives.&nbsp; &nbsp;We gain them nothing but more pain and torture if we attack and fail.&nbsp; &nbsp;Do you understand, Mage Delius?"</strong>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sub Superheroine</strong> on <strong>21-09-2014, 16:30:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Delius followed Arron slowly, remaining silent as he studied the ground and tried to find the correct route to track them. Hearing his points, the young mage nodded. “I agree,” she said. “Hopefully since I am not dressed like a mage, we can surprise them a little bit. I plan to take out the mage first and then help you out with the other men."<br><br>She was a little surprised by his pessimism though she had to agree it was a realistic assessment. “So do you think we should refrain from engaging them until we have reinforcements?” <br><br>Staring back at him, Delius nodded. “Of course I understand Sir Arron--and let us be very clear here. If we attack and fail, I will, more than likely, end up as a sex slave alongside those women. I know what we are wagering here. The question is what are other options? If you want to hold for reinforcements, we certainly can though the longer we wait, the more the those women will be subjected to. You’re the tracker. How far away do you think they are right now?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>22-09-2014, 01:02:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				At Delius words, a look of pained uncertainty crossed his face as he looked between her and the trail and back to the trail.&nbsp; it was clear that while he might have masked his feelings and emotions better, such was not the case here and now as he thought hard about not only her words, but his own as well.&nbsp; &nbsp;When he finally did answer, there was a bit of hesitancy to his voice as he continued forward of path made before them by the bandit's mounts.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>"Sexual slavery..." Arron said with obvious distaste in his mouth as if the words were tainted offal they needed to be spit out right then least it forever tarnish and befoul his mouth.&nbsp; <strong>"I never would have thought that corrupt practice from the Shadow Empire would ever find a place in any nation of the Compact.&nbsp; &nbsp;Now...now it seems like young women that go misses here in Adreath we could find locked away in the dungeons or pleasure chambers of southern nobles."</strong><br><br>Arrom made a gesture with his free hand still towards the north, north east and the small trail visible even to Delius now in the woods.&nbsp; <strong>"If they are continuing along this path, then are very few options open to them to make camp.&nbsp; &nbsp;That being said, we are likely&nbsp; near hour or two behind them.&nbsp; &nbsp;As for waiting for reinforcements."</strong>&nbsp; Arron gave a small shrug.&nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>"We will need to make that decision when we come to that bridge.&nbsp; &nbsp;Death will not do much good, but neither would cowardliness if we could prevent even one of them from being killed.&nbsp; &nbsp;Such is part of the oath I sore to become a Knight.&nbsp; If there is a small risk then we might take it.&nbsp; &nbsp;It would certainly be better than to have an innocent die from our inaction." </strong>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sub Superheroine</strong> on <strong>22-09-2014, 01:09:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Arron replied, Delius held the horses in place and nodded her head.&nbsp; “Well, clearly that’s what’s happening,” she answered. “What else would they do since they are only capturing the women?”<br><br>Delius raised her eyebrows, a little impressed with Arron’s assessment. “Only an hour or two behind them? That is good....” She had thought the rogues would have been able to put more distance between them. <br><br>Listening to his assessment, Delius nodded in agreement. “Points all well taken,” she conceded. <br>“We will hold off on that decision for the moment.”<br><br>Closing her eyes, Delius mentally prepared herself for the coming battle--with or without the help of reinforcements. Keeping her focus together, she tried to visualize using her elemental power to make the bandits suffer. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>23-09-2014, 03:10:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Time starts to pass and with the exception of a few corrections by Arron, they continue on their north northeast.&nbsp; &nbsp;The terrain started to become fairly more thick with undergrowth and the trees grew more dense.&nbsp; This provided the two a measure of cover when they came up to a clearing int the woods.&nbsp; &nbsp;The sound hit them both first, of horses, of men in armor and then the final sound that confirmed they had finally caught up with their quarry.<br><br>The sound of women crying.<br><br>Arron made a motion for silence to Delius and he moved with care and stealth to the edge of the treeline.&nbsp; &nbsp; From the edge of the tree line they both had a good view of the clearing.&nbsp; &nbsp; Three of the women where bound with their hands behind their backs, and ropes about their necks tied to stakes in the ground.&nbsp; &nbsp;The fourth woman was hanging by her wrists from a large tree limb, and she was nude from the waist up.&nbsp; There were tears in her eyes and she was pleading with the five men about her.&nbsp; &nbsp;One was standing in front of her with a instrument used to urge horses on faster.&nbsp; &nbsp; He stepped forward and dragged the instrument down the older woman's breasts.&nbsp; The man was speaking loud enough to be heard.<br><br><strong>"Save your breath.&nbsp; &nbsp;You and the others have delayed us enough today.&nbsp; &nbsp;Now I do not to loose money as I get paid little for damaged flesh, so you shall serve as the example to the others.&nbsp; Every time one of them resists, you will be whipped.&nbsp; If they continue to resist, you will be raped, every night.&nbsp; &nbsp;We have a long journey to the Rymrift and if you want to survive that journey, you had best tell the others to stop resisting us." </strong> With that he stepped back and he brought down the instrument time and time again on the woman's breasts.<br><br>Arron's hand moved to the sword across his back and there was a creek of leather from his armor and the slight hiss of metal as the first few inches of steel was bared.&nbsp; &nbsp;Before he did anything else he looked over to Delius, then he scowled and his sword slid black into its sheath and he waited.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sub Superheroine</strong> on <strong>23-09-2014, 14:17:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Delius had a harder time guiding the horses through the rougher undergrowth and she tried to keep branches away from flicking into the horses. It took a little effort to keep up with Arron but Delius was able to do so, remaining silent as he continued tracking the bandits. <br><br>As they heard the bandits, Delius stiffened as she heard the women crying. It took her aback and she had to go through her breathing exercises to keep quiet and not spring out of the woods to save them. <br><br>Peering through the trees, Delius’ eyes locked on the woman hanging from the large branch. Once the horror of what the woman was going through sunk in, Delius felt the fire burning up inside her, ebbing and flowing through her body and she had to resume her breathing meditation to squelch it. But the fire started rising up again as the man whipped her breasts. <br><br>Seeing Arron go for his sword, Delius looked over to him. “What shall we do?” she whispered over to him. <br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>24-09-2014, 02:54:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The woman, the head man's wife by her age, endured lash after lash to her breasts, thighs, back, and ass.&nbsp; &nbsp;All in all she must of had a hundred lashes before the man with the instrument was done.&nbsp; &nbsp; By the end, her head was lolling back on her shoulders, her eyes blinking rapidly as she hung limply from her bonds, not even screaming anymore as the lash fell.&nbsp; &nbsp; The man turned and looked at the other women that watched in horror, their own cries and tears ignored as the beating was administered.&nbsp; <strong>"Behave, and this is the last time this will happen.&nbsp; &nbsp;Do not, and not only will I make her wish she wasn't blessed with such tits, she will be raped in her ass by my men."</strong><br><br>There were some grumbling by men and one of them, a match in size and rough looks to the man that just spoke.&nbsp; <strong>"Why should we wait?&nbsp; I say we tie them all down now and have fun.&nbsp; We aren't getting paid that much for their flesh, and we can always have a priest heal them before we turn them over to the Shadow Witches."</strong>&nbsp; &nbsp;The men started to mutter their agreements, and licked their lips with hungry looks in their eyes.&nbsp; &nbsp;The women started to cry more and were yanked on their bonds, frantic not to escape.<br><br>Arron swore and he turned to face Delius, as there was one thing that had bothered him since arriving on the scene before them.&nbsp; &nbsp; He made sure to exaggerate his lips so while he did not speak, he hoped Delius would understand as he gestured his arm back and forth.&nbsp; &nbsp;"Where is the Mage!"&nbsp; &nbsp;Arron was right, the mage was nowhere in sight.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sub Superheroine</strong> on <strong>24-09-2014, 16:54:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Delius took a deep breath as the woman was being lashed. It took all her discipline and self control not to burst out of the woods to save the woman. For a moment, the young mage found herself blinking back tears.<br><br>As the men mentioned the Shadow Witches, Delius raised her eyebrows and felt a shudder ripple through her body. She had heard much about them over the years, mostly in whispers or in horror stories. The young mage bit her lip, realizing things were growing more complex by the moment, even as the ruffians threatened to rape the girls. <br><br>Delius nodded her head. Based on the description they had been given, she did not see the mage either. “I don’t know,” she mouthed back with a shrug of her own. <br><br>Taking another deep breath, Delius tried to focus her mind and call upon the elements, hoping she could detect elements of the mage’s own magic though a simple cantrip. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>26-09-2014, 03:07:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The man that had whipped the headman's wife objected and he stepped forward and drew out the first foot of steel from his broadsword.&nbsp; &nbsp;His growl was loud enough for both Arron and Delius to hear.&nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>"So you want ta challenge my leadership, Quin, is that it?&nbsp; If so draw your steel now and let us have at it.&nbsp; &nbsp;We have our orders and the Wythes need three women untouched.&nbsp; &nbsp;I am not going to go against the Wyches.&nbsp; That is a good way to have yer balls in their jars.&nbsp; So are ya ready to put yer life on the line for a young piece of arse ye can get at any tavern when the job be done?</strong><br><br>As the drama was going on, Arron had slowly drew his blade from his sheath and he head it in one hand and in the shadows so the light from their camp would not reflect the Adreath steel.&nbsp; &nbsp;Delius fell deep into her trance, concentrating on the warps and twists of the magical weave that surrounds all things on Terrath.&nbsp; It was difficult in the forest with so much life and every life, from the tiniest insect to the tall thick trees, all of it left their own impression upon the magical weave.&nbsp; &nbsp; Then in the, the faint spark of fire magic.&nbsp; It was used to create the bonfires.<br><br>It danced in the air like a willow of the wisps about the camp and left.&nbsp; &nbsp; There it ended and the spark was beyond the range of Delius talent and abilities.&nbsp; &nbsp;Based on her studies from her training, that meant the mage was at least two hundred strides or more away from the camp.&nbsp; &nbsp;He certainly was not in the immediate range.&nbsp; &nbsp;Still, it did not answer the question if the mage had the same limitations as Delius, or of two hundred strides was within his talents to strike.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sub Superheroine</strong> on <strong>30-09-2014, 15:53:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Even as the man barked out to the other bandit, even throwing down the gauntlet to welcome a challenge to his leadership, the young mage tried to keep her focus. Crinkling her nose as she tried to ponder what she knew, Delius released a small sigh, knowing that somethings were beyond her grasp. <br><br>A little energized from having cast the spell, Delius opened her eyes and glanced over to Arron. “Well, I tried to detect the mage or at least his magic," she said. “There are still plenty of questions of course he is at least 200 strides from here.”<br><br>She had to admit she was impressed with the way Arron was handling things. Delius was enough of her father’s daughter to understand what he was doing with the blade and offered a silent nod of respect his way in appreciation. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Fire and Fury: A Kingdom of Adreath Tale (SubSuperheronie and Blackstoone)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>BlackStone</strong> on <strong>02-10-2014, 00:43:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Arron nodded his head and kept his voice low as looked about, looking for his first target.&nbsp; &nbsp;He needed to be fast and strike true.&nbsp; &nbsp;The leader seemed to be the more sensible one so the man that challenged him and wanted to rape and hurt the women came first.&nbsp; &nbsp;He needed to die as did the men following and routing for him.&nbsp; &nbsp;Careful not to let his arm be seen, he pointed at those men that had cleared back but were clearly in the side of the challenger, this Quin.&nbsp; <strong><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="bbc_size">"Those two men behind the one the leader called Quin.&nbsp; &nbsp;Kill them with a fireball.&nbsp; &nbsp;If you damage the structure in doing so, no matter.&nbsp; &nbsp;IN fact if you can cause it to be on fire, that will aid me as well, but those two man need to die or be wounded first.&nbsp; &nbsp;Then I will engage the rest of them while riding Dai'Shar.&nbsp; &nbsp;You will get to the women and get them free and out of here.&nbsp; &nbsp;If you have magic to aid in that, use it."</span></strong>&nbsp; <br><br>Arron raised his head and once more did the calculations in his head, he then surveyed the path and the woods before him, picking out the route he would use, and when would be the opportune time o heel Dai'Shar into a full sprint to give Arron the edge in speed and momentum he would need to finish off three armed and skilled fighters.&nbsp; &nbsp; It took him less than two minutes to do so.&nbsp; &nbsp;There was a reason why he had earned his rank.&nbsp; &nbsp;If it were not for his blunt and direct personality and the way he always was bold honest in his assessment of people, he would likely have been a Knight Lieutenant now and leading his own company.&nbsp; &nbsp;Arron gave his head a bit of a shake to clear it of such thoughts, they had no place here.&nbsp; &nbsp;He needed a clear mind to focus for the engagement.&nbsp; &nbsp; <br><br><strong><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="bbc_size">"Give me a twenty count, then cast your spell.</span></strong>&nbsp; With a quick and silent grace he mounted his horse, and with his blade free and low towards the ground so as not to give himself away yet, he guided Dai'Shar with knees and thighs and moved through the forest before the clearing like a dark specter.&nbsp; &nbsp;In the time it took him to come up with his plan of action and mount, Quin had his own blade out and was slowly circling the leader of the band.&nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>"Yes, I am tired of the way that you think because you are strong you have the right to lead and harass and order us as you do.&nbsp; &nbsp;It ends tonight!"</strong>
			</dd>
		</dl>
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