Grand Journey: Tales of Adventure (IC)

Introduction

The land of Verbond hasn't seen war for many years, since the last war people have had enough bloodshed over ignorant and racist ideals, the vast races have either blended together to better make peace or completely kept to their own kind. Some don't wish to see the world so wounded by the past and strive for a unified nation of mixed races, but others want to take racial isolation further by means of mass genocide, while in the shadows mysterious groups want to change the world in their own ways and images. A world at sleep eventually have to awaken, by means of war or from change, but in the coming days both seem to draw ever so near...

- - - Updated - - -

Ruavain ran through the dusty cobblestone roads of Caddale, his green cloak flapped behind him vigorously as he moved toward the edge of town. Every person that he had passed by had stopped to throw rocks at him; some had actually hit him as they shouted out names like; outcast, tainted blood, or elven mutt. He didn’t mind though because he felt that his blood gave him an advantage that they themselves didn’t have. As he reached the end of town he noticed that two men were walking to the small town in the distance. He knew that they were his father and godfather approaching from the small shack that was visible in contrast to the surrounding plains. Increasing his speed he sprints toward them with a smile wide across his face.
“Hey Caddale is really bustling today,” Ruavain calls out to them as he runs up to the two men.
“I can tell… looks like they got you with some rocks,” Aren says with a sorrowful expression as he examines Ruavain’s cheek that has a small bruise on it.
“Nothing he can’t handle Aren,” Galen says as he gives Ruavain a swift pat on the shoulder with a smile. “Isn’t that right Rua?”
Looking back towards the town Ruavain laughs a little to himself as he says, “The villagers treat me like that because they don’t know me… all they see is a half breed with more ability and potential then they could ever dream of possessing… someday everyone will respect and acknowledge me for who I truly am and not what they think I am.”
“Well said Ruavain,” Galen replies looking away slightly then to Aren, “Didn’t you have a message to pass on?”
Aren nods as he looks to Galen then over to Ruavain, “I’m going on a journey Ruavain… there’s something that I must do, but rest assured I will return home to you and your mother as soon as I can, also speaking of your mother she’s waiting for you to return home with those supplies… I think she has a little challenge prepared for you when you get to the house.” Aren lets out a chuckle and smiles to Ruavain as he and Galen continue to head off into town.
Continuing home to the small cabin that he calls home, Ruavain, notices a man sitting underneath a tree by the side of the road with a large cleaver-like blade next to him. He wearily walks passed the man eying him and thinking how suspicious it looks that this man is just outside of town under a roadside tree. Suddenly the sounds of creaking wood fills the area as roots wrap around Ruavain’s ankles and up around his legs as the man stumbles to his feet with a wild grin revealing missing teeth as well as permeating the air with the smell of alcohol. Losing his balance from being bound by roots, Ruavain falls hard onto the ground as he struggles to get freed.
“I caught a mixed blood, I caught a mixed blood,” the man cackles and sings as he raises his blade above his head and looks down at Ruavain with menacing eyes, “Now you die!!” he yells as the blade descends upon him.
The sound of an arrow cutting through the air sounds as an arrow whizz’ past him and into the man’s arm making him drop his blade and spin off balance from the force of the shot as well as weakening the magic in the roots. Freeing himself, Ruavain then grabs the disarmed blade and places it to the man’s throat and asks, “Who are you and what do you want with me?”
“I want to get paid as well as kill the foul spawn of man and mer,” the man says with a remorseless tone and gaze.
“Paid?” Ruavain says confused that he would be marked for death.
Just as he was about to ask another question a woman calls out to him, “Enough Ruavain, this elf was bribed into killing you most likely by another elf… seeing as the humans of Caddale don’t take kindly to our people,” she tells him.
“Amatria I wish I could say it was a pleasure to see you but it isn’t,” the man says unamused by her arrival.
“Sorry to disappoint you Ladaere, who sent you here and why,” Amatria says as she nocks another arrow into the quiver and aims at him.
“Just an old friend by the name of Nimrielye, sound familiar,” he starts to cackle and spit as he runs himself through his blade startling Ruavain who lets it go as the man impales himself.
“Let’s head home… this has been enough action for one day,” she tells him as they leave the slumped over body on the road as they head home.
“Who’s…” he starts but is cut off by Amatria as she raises her hand to him, “Someone you needn’t worry about… now let’s go get supper started,” she says to him then adds, "Did you get the food I sent you to get?"
"Yeah I was afraid that they may not sell it to me at first but whatever it took to get me out of town," Ruavain said as they walked toward their home.

Two cloaked figures were standing in the middle of the forest, if you could come close enough to see their faces, you'd see that they were about the same age as one another. The smaller figure had a bow and arrows within reach and their dark-green cloaks seemed to make them one with the surrounding forest. The tall one made an attempt to stand up from his kneeling position behind a pile of brushwood. "It seems like we've got to go head back. It'll take us the rest of the day just to get back." The smaller figure looked up from their prey. A young female deer which they had been hunting all day stood near a small lake surrounded by trees. The deer looked up as well, her sensitive ears twitching slightly in search for potential danger. They stood downwind, so the hind wouldn't smell them, and after an amount of time that seemed eternal, she continued to drink. "Ssh, be quiet Arno! We might scare it away." The silver-haired girl whispered.

Arno shrugged as he kneeled back down again. Deciding that it would be best not to annoy his sister any more than she already was, he stopped talking. But as his sister resumed staring at their prey, he softly called out to her. "Caila..." After a moment, he pointed at the three rabbits they had shot earlier this morning which lay a few feet away. A question mark seemed to form on his face. Wouldn't that be enough? Cailainn shook her head. Three rabbits would barely be enough to let the whole family eat for a few days. If they managed to catch the deer, they'd have enough for at least a week, two if they saved it a bit. Besides that, they'd need all of the meat they could get since winter was coming. Arno sighed softly, Cailainn was rather stubborn some times and it seemed like this was one of them.

With a few of her gestures, they had split up to attack the young deer from different sides. They had observed the animal for most of the day, and it looked like it was barely two years old and at that separated from his herd. Cailainn looked at her brother taking shelter behind an especially broad oak and nod back at her as he took out his throwing knives. As the hind finished her drinking, she started grazing from the small patch of grass visible through the leaves covering the ground. Cailainn and Arno had made sure to stay downwind and be as soundless as possible to make sure the hind would only notice them when it was too late.

But apparently, the gods seemed to give the animal a chance. She seemed to realize what was coming and tilted her ears to hear if it was a false alarm like earlier or if real danger was approaching this time. Cailainn held her breath as she took out an arrow and lay it down on the tendon. It was now or never, if the deer would smell them before she managed to hit it, she'd be gone in no time. One breath in and the arrow lay on her bow. One out and she pulled back before the deer could run. One in and the feathers tickled her cheek as she aimed for the legs or stomach. One out and she had decided that she'd try and hit his stomach. One in and the deer actually noticed them. It might have been her gesture or even her or Arno's shallow breathing but it started to move. One out and she looked deep into the deer's eyes. A creature that lost its family... she somehow saw something in those eyes impossible close to human fear. One in and the dear quickly started running, followed by a mumbled curse of Arno and Cailainn quickly letting go of the arrow. With a loud thug the arrow hit the tree trunk of the fallen tree that the deer had just jumped over. "What were you doing? Telling me that we had to catch this one and then get distracted and waste the opportunity?" Arno said, his voice a mixture of mock and anger. He got up from behind his shelter and dusted the mud and fallen leaves off his pants. Cailainn bit her lip feeling rather responsible for the food that her siblings and father had to miss out on and sighed. "We could try again in a few days. I'll get that meat, just you wait." Arno shrugged and started to walk back towards their encampment. Caddale was about half a day traveling, usually more since they went on foot. So if they decided to gain extra food by going on a hunt, the two of them would usually leave the evening before the day of the hunt. "Maybe it's a good idea to retrieve that arrow sis." he yelled back at her as he disappeared behind some trees. Cailainn quickly ran back to retrieve the arrow and followed her brother, mumbling something about shooting something on their way home.

Down a deep dark alleyway in Caddale, gurgling sounds were being made. But heard by no one walking by. Reaper smirks watching his blade slit the old man's throat like a hot knife through butter. As he takes his sword away as it was still dripping blood. The old man held his throat and reached out his hand. In his hand was a bag of coins. Reaper's smirked died and went back to his solemn look that everyone seems to see on him. It was only in blood shed when he smiled. Reaper grabbed the bag of coins without first breaking the mans hand just to add more pain to the old man. The old man winced at his hand being broke before his eyes got that glaxed over look when you die. He fell face first onto the ground with his hand outstretched. Reaper bent down and looked at the lifeless body. "You shouldn't of cheated at that poker game old man." he said with out any hint of emotion in his voice. Reaper stood back up and cleaned his blade on the old man's shirt and sheathed it to his side. He proceeded to walk out of the alleyway as if nothing happened.

As Reaper was walking he stopped in front of an Inn. Once going through the doors of the Inn everyone stopped and looked at him. Reaper was used to this, It seemed like everyone was on edge in this point of time lately. He shrugged and sat down at the bar counter. The bartender looked at the man sitting at the bar counter and wandered over to him. "Wadya have stranger?" Reaper looked at the bartender with his steel cold blue eyes. The bartender stepped back abit. "Ale" was all Reaper said to the man. The bartender walked off quickly relieved to be away from Reaper to fetch his ale.

Alistair arrived at the border of Caddale and he smiled widely. He had grown up in a similar land such as Caddale and it brought pleasant memories. He was wearing his dark armor but his helmet was strapped to his bag with about 6 foot tall oblong object wrapped in crimson cloth. At his his was sheathed his bastard blade, a worn thing that wouldn't mind reforging....or replacing all together. Other weaponry he had on him, a crossbow, ax and a dagger in a sheath in his boot. He was an experienced mercenary and adventurer but he was short on coin lately. He walked but his feet ached and he wished for his old horse, Skinfaxe who he had to sell and never could track down again.

He was going by an old deer trail and saw a girl in the distance. He waved to her and called "HELLO" he said, increasing his pace a little.

(Girl is Caila)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~

A bolee then entered the tavern in Caddale, about 20 seconds after Reaper had voiced his order. Dwarf-sized creature with a staff about as big as he was and a large hammer on his back. He walked cheerily into the tavern, looking at everyone interestingly from under his hood, leaving his face concealed and pitch black, only his orange eyes visible. He hopped onto a stool, right next to Reaper. "Yes. I want mead, pork, chicken, salmon, cod and spiced potatoes, please" He said to the barkeep as he was getting Reaper's ale. His voice was a little high pitched, almost like that of a child but a hint of a maturity...a hint. After telling his order he looked around the tavern and then at Reaper. "Hello. I'm Sanya" He said and held out his hand to shake, his palm about half times bigger than Reaper's. The tall Bolee (since average is 3'2" For Bolees). "Do you know of anything interesting going on in this place? I would very much like to see something spectacular" His voice was filled with mirth and wonder, kinda out of place in a place like the tavern.

As Reaper waited for his ale he heard another person walk in through the door. Then as the creature sat by him he heard the things voice and was immediately loathsome towards the creature. Then the little thing started speaking to him. He balled up his fist his knuckles turning white. He was hoping that he would be left alone. He looked at the thing with disgust. When Sanya put his hand out for a shake, Reaper didn't acknowledge the hand.

"If you want something interesting, go to the dark alleyway outside next to the place. You'll find something very worthwhile." After he spoke he looked away as his ale was placed down in front of him. He wasn't going to pay yet. He was going to drink more. He unclenched his fist and picked up his Ale. He then held it and poured some on the ground for the old man he killed. Then he brought it to his lips and took a sip.

((F.I.Y. I dislike you witch!! lol. You did that on purpose just because i like raistlin. >.<))

Amatria had been cooking in the small kitchen big enough for one, she hummed a gentle tune as she moved about the kitchen, and the aroma of the meal filled the entire cabin. Ruavain was sitting on his bed thinking of what had transpired, he just didn’t understand the world or why anyone cared what anybody else was. With a sigh he laid back and wondered where his father and Galen had gone, they didn’t tell him anything. He quickly sat up and headed down the cabin’s narrow staircase and to the kitchen.
“Do you know where father went?” he asked Amatria as he leaned against the wall.
Her humming stopped as she turned to him and said, “All I know is that they’re going through the mountains and heading up to the kingdom of Hro… that’s all I know about it, Galen said it was something important and your father trusts him so he left… I don’t think even he knows why they’re going.” She then turned around again and resumed her humming as she finished making them a meal of succulent stew with the ingredients Ruavain had collected earlier.
The two ate their dinner in silence; they both seemed lost within their own minds trying to figure out everything that had happened of late. Caddale was growing and changing along with the rest of the world. Ruavain finished his meal and when Amatria had finished hers he took both bowls and washed them.
“Goodnight Rua, I’m going to call it a night early tonight,” Amatria said as she made her way to her room.
Ruavain replied, “Alright we’ll train in the morning,” with that he finished washing the dishes and headed to sleep as well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WitchChild

Alistair arrived at the border of Caddale and he smiled widely. He had grown up in a similar land such as Caddale and it brought pleasant memories. He was wearing his dark armor but his helmet was strapped to his bag with about 6 foot tall oblong object wrapped in crimson cloth. At his his was sheathed his bastard blade, a worn thing that wouldn't mind reforging....or replacing all together. Other weaponry he had on him, a crossbow, ax and a dagger in a sheath in his boot. He was an experienced mercenary and adventurer but he was short on coin lately. He walked but his feet ached and he wished for his old horse, Skinfaxe who he had to sell and never could track down again.

He was going by an old deer trail and saw a girl in the distance. He waved to her and called "HELLO" he said, increasing his pace a little.

---

Cailainn and Arno had just broken up their encampment and were starting to make their way out of the forest when Caila saw a small group of gooses sitting on an open spot in the forest. These birds were on their way to the Haresh to spend the winter months in the hotter climate and most of them were rather fat to survive the harsh flight over the Hro mountains. This was the chance Cailainn had been waiting for, to make sure their family would survive the winter. She motioned Arno to stay behind and stay silent. He just shrugged, he had been hunting enough for today.

As motionless as she could, Caila crept closer to the flock, leaving her part of the luggage behind with Arno. Her breathing became slightly heavier as she came closer and took out her bow and lay an arrow down on the tendon. Most animals were simply settling down after what had probably been a very tiring flight and a few were pottering around, looking for the small amount of grass still visible. Cailainn aimed for an especially large one and pulled back the tendon-

A loud voice echoed through the small clearing. "HELLO" Cailainn cringed and the arrow flew somewhere out of sight. As she looked back at the clearing, she saw that -as expected- all the birds had flown away. Looking for a new place to rest in peace. Extremely irritated and expecting to find Arno having followed her for some silly reason, Cailainn turned around and yelled back into the sound's direction. "JUST BE QUIET FOR A BLESSED MOMENT, DIDN'T I TELL YOU NOT TO..."

At that moment she realized she wasn't standing in front of her brother. Obviously, he was a warrior judging from his looks. But what was a warrior doing in these parts instead of the capitol of Avondyr? Struck by surprise, she mumbled something inaudible, followed by a soft apology. "Who..who are you?" she asked, slightly overwhelmed by the large person standing in front of her.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by xXCrazyJXx

As Reaper waited for his ale he heard another person walk in through the door. Then as the creature sat by him he heard the things voice and was immediately loathsome towards the creature. Then the little thing started speaking to him. He balled up his fist his knuckles turning white. He was hoping that he would be left alone. He looked at the thing with disgust. When Sanya put his hand out for a shake, Reaper didn't acknowledge the hand.

"If you want something interesting, go to the dark alleyway outside next to the place. You'll find something very worthwhile." After he spoke he looked away as his ale was placed down in front of him. He wasn't going to pay yet. He was going to drink more. He unclenched his fist and picked up his Ale. He then held it and poured some on the ground for the old man he killed. Then he brought it to his lips and took a sip.

((F.I.Y. I dislike you witch!! lol. You did that on purpose just because i like raistlin. >.<))

---

CheeChee looked over at Reaper and tilted his head a little, thinking of going there until his food came over. The barkeep balanced 4 large plates of pork, salmon, chicken and cod, spiced potatoes on them all. He also brought a large mug of mead that was foaming over. The tall bolee grabbed the first plate, the salmon and looked at it. There was the sound of lips getting licked and he lifted up the plate. A mouth opened from the blackness of the face and he dropped the contents of the plate into it. He chewed, fishbones crunching, and swallowed audibly. He did the same with the other plates and he washed it all down with the entire mug of ale in one gulp. He let out a releaved sigh when done and then a loud burp that sounded around the entire bar. "Delicious" He said and got off the stool.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Musicfan4ever

Cailainn and Arno had just broken up their encampment and were starting to make their way out of the forest when Caila saw a small group of gooses sitting on an open spot in the forest. These birds were on their way to the Haresh to spend the winter months in the hotter climate and most of them were rather fat to survive the harsh flight over the Hro mountains. This was the chance Cailainn had been waiting for, to make sure their family would survive the winter. She motioned Arno to stay behind and stay silent. He just shrugged, he had been hunting enough for today.

As motionless as she could, Caila crept closer to the flock, leaving her part of the luggage behind with Arno. Her breathing became slightly heavier as she came closer and took out her bow and lay an arrow down on the tendon. Most animals were simply settling down after what had probably been a very tiring flight and a few were pottering around, looking for the small amount of grass still visible. Cailainn aimed for an especially large one and pulled back the tendon-

A loud voice echoed through the small clearing. "HELLO" Cailainn cringed and the arrow flew somewhere out of sight. As she looked back at the clearing, she saw that -as expected- all the birds had flown away. Looking for a new place to rest in peace. Extremely irritated and expecting to find Arno having followed her for some silly reason, Cailainn turned around and yelled back into the sound's direction. "JUST BE QUIET FOR A BLESSED MOMENT, DIDN'T I TELL YOU NOT TO..."

At that moment she realized she wasn't standing in front of her brother. Obviously, he was a warrior judging from his looks. But what was a warrior doing in these parts instead of the capitol of Avondyr? Struck by surprise, she mumbled something inaudible, followed by a soft apology. "Who..who are you?" she asked, slightly overwhelmed by the large person standing in front of her.

---

"Oh. You were hunting. My apologies" Alistair said to Caila and bowed respectfully. "I'm a traveler and I am looking for the city but I seem to have been turned around. I have a map but it is old and frayed. Could you perhaps take me to the next town? I'll compensate you for it and for disturbing your hunt, fair lady." He said to her. His tone was polite and respectful, making him appear almost knightly despite the wear-and-tare of his armor and the bandaged right arm. "Oh, where are my manners. I'm Alistair Grey. Sellsword and adventurer. I guess you could add treasure hunter there aswell"

Ruavain awoke to the sound of hoof beats outside of the small home, it sounded as if there were at least fifty horses in a kind of frenzy outside. He quickly got up and put on his leather breeches, leather vest, and his green hooded cloak then headed over to the door to check out what the commotion was. In the blink of an eye a hand shot out of the darkness and covered his mouth as his mother, Amatria, emerged from the darkness with a finger over her lips. Ruavain noticed that she had her blade drawn as it glowed and hummed softly due to the enchantments placed within it, she lead him to the back door of the house without a single word.
“What’s going on moth…” he asked but was quickly cut off by Amatria as she spoke swiftly, “There are bandits outside who are going to try and kill us… if they’re human thugs then I shall slaughter them all before they get to you…” she paused after being cut off by Ruavain who asked, “And if they’re not human, what if they’re worse, maybe it’s just a caravan passing through… a big one.”
“No it isn’t, this is the work of Nimrielye… she’s here for me and won’t hesitate to kill you if she sees you, now run to Caddale as fast as you can and tell the town of the impending raid, you need to warn the others while I buy you some time… I love you,” she told him with tearful eyes and a quick embrace before going back to the front. Once at the front she looked back and nodded to him as she opened the door outside to confront the large group of bandits, Ruavain didn’t like the plan but he knew of his mother’s past and that made him sure of her success as well as his own. The second that he opened the back door he was face to face with three bandit thugs with wide grins and rusty blades glaring him down, slamming the door shut before they had time to lunge he ran through the cramped house to the front as the door behind him was kicked in by the three raiders.
“Lookie here a trapped little mutt,” one of the grunts said, “What’s wrong, mommy not here to protect you,” another cackled and howled at him, “Were ya both abandoned by your bastard father is that what happened,” the last taunted. As Ruavain heard this he stopped short of the front door and turned around feeling angry at the three and their taunting jives as his hands suddenly began to glow with a blue aura, he pointed at the three and shouted out aggressively as two large bolts of blue lightning charged out and combined before striking the middle of the three before jumping out at the other two scattering them as they flew back from the attack. Never before had Ruavain made a lightning bolt that powerful, what they had said had triggered some hidden power within him, he shook his hands out as they began to feel hot and headed out the broken back door. He sprinted toward Caddale as fast as he could, determined to tell of the bandits and get everyone to safety as well as make a small group of people to help defend the town.

Amatria exited the small shack they called home and came face to face with at least thirty-five armed thugs on horseback, she scanned through the lot of them looking for the one responsible for their sudden appearance at her farm.
“No one ever tries looking up and behind them… such a pity that I have to say something for you to find me,” a woman says to Amatria from the roof.
Spinning quickly Amatria sees Nimrielye lying back against the small huts hay and wood roof holding a torch in her hand with a shield on her arm and a long sword in the other with a smug smile. “I see you’re still alive and well,” Amatria says to her then adds, “Did our people not welcome you back after your betrayal or do you like being with men that smell like pig and dirt?”
“You’re the one who betrayed everyone for a human not I!! I merely sought to correct the path you chose and was branded a traitor for it, no thanks to you… my friend,” Nimrielye replied snidely as she stood to her feet and pointed down at Amatria, “Kill h…” she was quickly cut off by the sound of lightning striking and branching off striking again followed by the rumble of thunder that follows making her drop the torch onto the roof.
“No!!!” Amatria yells and runs back toward the door but is blocked by Nimrielye as she drops down with a satisfied smile and says, “Seems you weren’t alone, looks like you’ve raised a family seeing as that human man of yours isn’t here.”
“How did you know that he left… unless…” Amatria said fearing for the worst.
“That’s right I had a hand in him leaving and not being here to protect you again now your children will die along with you, new plan men… find and kill the brat if he isn’t already dead,” ordered Nimrielye to the bandit war band who then started cheering as they began searching the area before heading toward the town that waited to be pillaged by their forces already waiting nearby.
Amatria quickly spun and back slashed at Nimrielye who easily brought her own blade up to block and deflect the attack as the roof began to burn away and cave in. After blocking Nimrielye swung at Amatria with her shield missing as Amatria jumps back and out of the way, she begins to sing a soft beat to the rhythm of her humming blade and slowly moves as if dancing with her blade directly toward Nimrielye as she spins the blade around her and at her enemy.
“Ah the famous blade – singer finally back in action, well it’s finally time that we proved who was the better fighter of the two High Elven military generals,” Nimrielye says as she blocks and slashes back but is easily deflected by a flick of Amatria’s wrist and slashes again as if by the blades will and beat. Suddenly she changes her tune quickly and sporadically as her blade zigzags straight for Nimrielye’s gut then changes and flies upward for her chin when she places her shield in front of her making the blade slide up the shield causing it to screech and barely miss being driven up through her jaw due to her pushing at the blade with her shield.
“Die by my blade, blade – singer,” Nimrielye shouts out as she slashes downward then spins and hits Amatria with her shield knocking her off balance for a second as the tune sang by the blade and swordsman continues not even wavering for a second.

Ruavain hurriedly sprinted for town it seemed as if he wasn’t being followed just yet but he knew he would be after that powerful lightning strike; it was only a matter of time so he had to hurry. When he got to the tree which he used to signal the halfway point to town he looked back towards home to see the roof had caught ablaze and caved in, “No what have I done…” he mutters to himself as he watches with regretful eyes feeling ashamed that he had burnt down their home. The flames rose high enough to reveal the band of bandits search the perimeter of the small burning house before they started to gallop toward the town, no doubt searching for him. Looking in the direction of Caddale he noticed that a few torches were being lit up by the edge of town, they probably could see the burning cottage from where they were he had to warn them of the coming threat. Resuming his sprint to town he realized that the town was now starting to stir with a bit of excitement as more torches lit up around the area.
Arriving into town Ruavain noticed that a mob had already formed at the towns’ entrance and were following a local farmer by the name of Gregorn, who seemed to be rallying them for the bandits. Running up to him, Ruavain tries to speak but is quickly cut off by Gregorn who starts yelling, “We’ve had enough of you and your Elven family coming into town, we’ve seen what you’ve done to your home and we won’t let you do the same to ours,” the townsfolk behind him began to cheer in agreement as they motioned their pitchforks and weapons in the air. Another stepped forward and yelled, “We know you killed old Olav in the alley way there while you were in town!! We won’t let you cause any more harm to our people or this town!!”
“No you’ve got it all wrong, bandits have attacked and are on their way to Caddale to destroy your homes and shops, we have to stop them,” Ruavain explains trying to rally the people against the true threat. The people all began to whisper amongst themselves at this revelation some turned tail and fled the mob heading home to pack up and leave town while others stepped forward as if to make a human wall at the towns’ entrance.
Roddrick then emerged from the crowd of people with his sword drawn and looked Ruavain in the eyes, nodded to him then moved to the front of the people and spoke, “I’ve already slain a bandit that had been scouting our town!! I don’t think that he was alone… now I may not have been here that long but damn it I’m going to defend my home, those of you who have families I wouldn’t blame you if you left to keep them safe, but if you stay we can try to ensure that no one else’s families will have to deal with the same problem… now who will stay with me and fight off these bastards,” he shouted into the crowd and was met with a roar of excitement and agreement of the situation at hand. He smiled then turned to Ruavain and Gregorn and told them, “Now how many bandits were there Ruavain, and Gregorn go and get all the pitch you can find, take some of the others to help, we have only five minutes at the most to set this up.” Gregorn quickly gathered a few of the townsfolk and went off while Ruavain told Roddrick, “I don’t know how many I’d say 45 at the least… but I didn’t get a good look at them… my mother is still down there though and I must go back and help her,” he sounded slightly panicked about having left his mother to tell the town. “I understand… but you’ll be slaughtered if you head back in that direction right now… wait until the bandits get here and are distracted by battle then go…” Roddrick told him with a smile and pat on the shoulder before adding, “Oh and Ruavain… you may have just gave us a fighting chance instead of the slaughter that would surely have occurred… thank you.”

"Go now and tell Caddale of coming, Mira'neth. Take another rider with you. Ask what provisions they are willing to spare, too. Our stocks have thinned out since we set out from Ninaya." A soft, young elf nodded sincerely as her captain finished. "Yes my lord!". Without another word the two whipped the reins of their horses and commanded it onward. They rode for Caddale as a simple envoy for the 2nd Roving Guard that slowly approached the supposedly quiet and stable town. The envoy, or the rest of the 2nd Guard for that matter, were not within visible range of Caddale and completely oblivious to the growing concern of the town.

---

Mira eased the reins back as she scaled down the hill towards the edge of the town, Caddale. The main road that dissected the town in half gave a clear line of sight to the other end of town. She noticed noticed that the citizens were in a frenzy. People were either clearing the streets or following an elderly man to a small shed adjacent to the blacksmith. They were arming themselves! She approached the group gathered around the shed and inquired about the status of the town. "You there!" The older man stopped and met the eyes of the elven rider with a face full of shock and relief. "What growing concern do you people have to arm yourselves?" The elderly man quickly spat out the situation and hoped for good news.

After a brief moment Mira responded, "Arm yourselves if you must but protect those unable to stomach combat somewhere safe. I come as a front runner for the 2nd Roving Guard of the Royal Army. My company bears about fifty men and we will be able to ride to the aid of the town. Take me to your militia captain and I'll instruct him further.". Quickly, she turned and faced the other soldier that was riding with her. "Ride back to Berethor. Tell him what is happening here and hasten his progress here. I'll assist the town until his arrival." The rider then turned and sped off in the direction he came from, hoping that the city could hold out for the twenty or so minutes until an actual fighting force arrived. Leaving Mira with the old man, "Now quickly, take me to your militia captain!"

---

"My lord! My lord!" The lone rider cried as rapidly approached the column of cavalry. The lead horseman brought his hand up and the column of riders stopped behind him. The lone rider hastily pulled his horse still he neared the captain of the riders. "My lord, Berethor! The town of Caddale claims bandits plan to lay waste to it. They were arming a militia in response but they claim their numbers parallel our own!" Berethor brought his hand up to his chin as he pondered something. "Get the men into position." he muttered to the rider