Caractacus cocked his head. A name? That seemed a bit presumptuous. They were no band numbering in the hundreds, raising war. They were a pair of knights and a captive necromancer lost in the woods. At least the warrior knew they didn't stand a chance against any major force of the dark lord. They also likely wouldn't have much luck throwing themselves in with the Kingdom of Ven. Well, they would, Caractacus would likely be strung up by an angry mob long before they even reached the capitol. Caractacus shook the image of nooses and gallows from his thoughts. He would definitely not be doing that. In fact, Caractacus didn't think much of the axeman's ideas of factions and noble titles. No, he was just trying to make it day to day without dying, and all these future plans seemed far too optimistic. He shook his head. "I h-have no head for such things. I am sure you can c-come up with plans for armies, and I shall follow, yes?"

Caractacus near jumped out of his skin when a third stranger emerged from the brush, as of yet unseen. He threw up an arm, about to order his servant to attack, but quickly dropped it when the stranger seemed non-hostile. Still, Caractacus re-positioned himself once more, stepping such that the zombie was now between him and the newcomer. It put him closer to the warriors, but they at least could be sure of his compliance, such that Caractacus could be sure of their protection. The newcomer, introducing himself as Ysran, professed not only being lost, but suffering from amnesia as well. Caractacus doubted it greatly, seeing it as a ploy to seem non-threatening. He stayed behind the zombie, and decided to let the axeman take the lead. He would back the warriors up if it came to combat.

Go with the Light, friend.

Alberich nodded both to Ysran and Caractacus, sparring little time within his decisions. "Let us be on our way, then. We're burning daylight when there is battles to be fought and wars to be won. Still, seeing as you two don't have any horses, I hope you don't mind walking." The lumberjack explained to the two new companions that had wished to join them, whether it was through intimidation or their own will. Regardless, once little they had was gathered and situated for travel, the party set out as one, seeking the next destination far off in the distance, miles from where they stood. Huffing his pipe, Alberich sung along in his hearty voice as they walked, each footstep in rhythm to the tune.



Twirling a branch he had picked up earlier, Alberich continued to sing various songs and verses--often filled with tales of heroism and duty--when the sight of chimney smoke appeared on the horizon, signifying a still lively village that had yet been beset by the Dark Lord and his forces. "'ere we go, lads. Our first village encounter. Caractacus, you heard the lady before about your corpse minion. And you, Ysran, keep stickin' around or disappear if you want." Alberich explained to the party that trailed in his footsteps down the once heavily traveled paths in the regions, the dried and dead grass being the only sign of past movement.

However, contrary to what Alberich had expected, a gloomy atmosphere had overtaken the village. Every building was still intact, yet something had clearly caused the villagers to feel melancholy. In the center, there was a large gathering of every character, from the blacksmith to the innkeeper to even the stable boy of a now defunct stable. There, they laid gifts--flowers, baked pies and other various presents--as offerings, although it had been unknown why they were doing so to those in the party. Eventually after a moment of sobbing and crying, the gathering dispersed from the center of the village, leaving only an old man and a youthful lad of hardly twenty winters, his matted hair covered by a large cooking pot worn as a helmet.




"Oh, how I long for them to return. To see youth be stolen away in these dire times... It brings sorrow to my aging heart." The village elder, Beldon, stated as he gazed upon the numerous gifts that the villagers left nearby a ancient garden that had inhabited the center of the village. It had been days since the two girls had disappeared during the night, and what search parties that went out were only found dead or their search had resulted in nothing at all. In order to spare those from another disastrous fate, Beldon was forced to call off the search parties, but with a heavy heart as he stood steadfast with his belief that they still had to be alive, somewhere in the world.

"Just let me go look for them, Beldon! I'm certain that they were taken to the castle ruins, I just need your approval!" Elvan exclaimed, once again trying to convince the village elder to allow him to lead a search party, but to no avail. No--I won't allow it. I know there is a chance that they might still be alive, but I will not allow anymore to die in vain. Our searches have led to nothing so far." Beldon replied to Elvan's demands, meeting him with the same refusal that had been echoed to the youth many times in the past few days.

Sighing, Elvan scratched his chin as he thought how to convince the village elder when his eyes had gazed over the new arrivals to the village. "What about them? I'm sure they'll do the job for us." Elvan announced, pointing towards the party as Beldon turned his head to face them, acknowledging their presence.

---

Well, that was easy. Getting into the group was easy enough, though his other two problems might need more time. Though now was a time to follow the trail once more. The Axe Man, Alberich, began singing in the most guttural, strange tone he'd ever heard. Best to ignore it. The road was long, but not lonely, and eventually, a small village came into view.

This was... not what he was expecting. A feel of immense dread hung over the village. Several Graves were erected around, and several parting gifts laid on them. Two men of significantly different ages stood at the center of the town, as a large gathering dispersed. One an old man, likely the leader, and a young boy with a cooking pot on his head. Oh boy.

From what he could hear, it sounded like there were search parties sent out to find someone, or multiple someones. Or perhaps an ancient artifact? He'd definitely be into that. The boy with the pot pointed at the group. "What about them? I'm sure they'll do the job for is!"

Ysran walked towards the two. "Well, that depends on who or what you're looking for. Don't worry, I heard you from back there. These ears are for more than just show. I'd be willing to help you, but I don't know about the rest of my party."

The last few hours were a bit strange. They were forced to further away from the fronts then usual, they met a necromancer who didn't work for The Dark Lord, and then they had met a man who from what Kathryn could tell really needed a break. Then again, a lot of people nowadays needed one. But there was no real resting, no. Just waiting until the next job. Alberich suggested that the newly formed group have a name, Kathryn still had mixed feelings about all of this. The way she saw it half of them would be dead before anything could be accomplished. She didn't like thinking like that, but she had issues not doing it like that. That was something that was drilled into her from a young age. Think Realistically. Though who knows, maybe they would all live to see a new and thriving world.

Eventually the new group moved on, taking what supplies they had available on their travels, which Kathryn was worried that with the new members of their crew it wouldn't last long. The food they had was minimal and clean water near the front lines was a pain to get. Either it was all used by locals and soldiers to get cleaned, or it was filled with blood and deification. Clean water was a total pain. "When we get to town we're going to need to grab more supplies. Water, food, replacement gear for what is damaged and broken. And if we're getting more people it wouldn't hurt for a wagon maybe. I would suggest more horses but if we get more people or need to carry more supplies a wagon would do better." And if someone was injured it would be a lot easier to carry them to a town in a wagon rather then on a horse. For most of the ride though Alberich was singing again. It was something that made her feel better at least, even if a few of his notes were off. It reminded her of better times. At least for her.

They did eventually arrive in town, the place was a bit nerve racking for her. One thing she noticed, something she noticed in a lot of towns like this, there were not a lot of military aged men. Most everyone was old, very young, injured, or fit into that nice little Other category. Many were off at war.

In the center of town she noticed a gathering of people. Everyone in town it seemed. Looked like the kid with the bucket over his head was taking charge. He reminded Kathryn of herself as a young soldier. Back when the Dark lord's armies were still far enough away from her home to not worry about the same way. He had referenced Herself and the party she was with for a mission. Part of her almost went back into hold habits and ask the village what they had to offer in return. She didn't like that part, she remembers towns being ransacked by raiders due to her people refusing to do anything. Sometimes it was them. "What do you need help with? I am sure we can figure something out." She would include that they would need to restock later.

Caractacus trailed behind the party, head lowered, and a shambling corpse between him and the others. He of course didn't mind walking, he had been doing so for days. He did mind marching on an empty stomach, but he doubted such concerns needed voicing. The knightess had already mentioned food was scarce, and it was not as though he would receive priority. Caractacus clenched his eyes shut a moment and berated his own weakness. He couldn't focus on his tired feet, his various aches and pains, nor the growing pit of hunger in his gut. No, his focus had to be making it to his next destination.

The day passed on slowly. It seemed his captors were in far greater spirits than he. Caractacus did his best to shut out the axeman's singing, and hadn't noticed they'd reached a town until he near walked into the person in front of him. Stumbling to a stop, Caractacus looked toward the village. Despite it looking completely undamaged by the war, it still held the gloomy atmosphere of a town occupied. The axeman reminded Caractacus of his promise to the knightess, and he nodded. "Yes, yes, right, I shall l-leave it..." Caractacus detested doing so even more than destroying the guardsman. Still, he had given his, what little that mattered coming from a necromancer, and he wanted to avoid trouble with the townsfolk and the warriors.

Caractacus ordered his zombie to wait further outside town, near a small copse of trees. When he turned back, Caractacus saw that his small band had already wandered into town. He cursed his luck, were he not so low on supplies he could simply turn tail and disappear. With a sigh, Caractacus made his way into town, trying to find somewhere he could get something to eat to start. Inevitably he ambled to the center of town, naturally interested in the crowd. The townspeople gave him a berth, and despite his efforts to blend in, the cloaked figure of Caractacus' stood out sorely. Just as Caractacus caught sight of the party, a youth in the center of the mob pointed them out, beseeching their aid. Ysran and the knightess immediately agreed to help.

Caractacus sighed, resigned to be dragged along on whatever whim these villagers imposed upon the party.

"Men, women and children... None were spared the master's wrath. Your death will be no different."

Upon hearing such eager desire to help from the small band that had wandered into the village, Beldon watched them with curiosity. "The gods do exist... The village elder muttered under his thick bushy beard, surprised that such an experienced band of warriors had been immediately willing to help their poor village. "We do not have much to give in return in these tiring times, but if you do intend to help us, I will see that your party is reimbursed in full." Beldon spoke, alluding to Kathryn's comment about restocking their supplies. Tilting his gaze to the youngster, Beldon nodded to Elvan, allowing him to explain their issue on hand.

"A few days ago--a week, almost--our village was attacked in the midst of night. None of us are certain who had assaulted our homes, but after a headcount, we know they had kidnapped two of the girls--Milen and Vithe--who reside in this village." Elvan explained, who then turned to a far corner of the village, where a hints of a path once existed, yet now only overgrowth remained. "Our search parties have found nothing, but I believe that they are being held within the old castle ruins. If you are still willing to help, meet me over there in roughly an hour, and I will escort your group to the ruins." As the party was thanked for their welcomed help by Beldon, it was clear that Elvan was excited, the young boy shivering in his boots in excitement for his first adventure.



Capable of foraging and scavenging due to his experienced survival skills, Alberich had only made sure that his weapons were sharpened and his armor had still been strong enough to take a blow. Kathryn had repeatedly insisted earlier that they needed to restock and replenish their supplies, but the warrior inside Alberich believed there was a fight to come, and carrying extra supplies into a skirmish would only tire them down for their foes to spear or gut him or anyone else in the party. Replenishing supplies would have to wait, unless they were forced to scavenge off the land. It was something Alberich hadn't expected to happen, however, as he was sure their forlay to the castle would be quick and easy. At best, it is probably bandits. I don't see the Dark Lord's men taking two women and leaving the rest of the village alone, Alberich thought, pondering away as he awaited the others to arrive.

Soon, Elvan had arrived, now wearing a rather awkward and makeshift set of armor consisting of leather, chain mail, and even bits of wood. Alberich glanced inquisitively at the youngster as he idly gripped a spear, but shrugged his curiosity away as they waited for the rest of the party to arrive. Odd kid, Alberich thought as they waited, and wondered if the boy had any experience in combat. The thought of Elvan's possible inexperience had reminded Alberich of the short-lived militia when his village had been assaulted by the Dark Lord's forces. Remembrance of villagers cut down after trying to defend their homes with rusty pitchforks and farming tools soon led to Alberich praying to the gods that Elvan had at least drilled basic maneuvers before their incursion. The thought of an inexperienced youngster's blood on their hands was enough to make the giant of a man shudder.

---

The figure turned one final time to address the bartender, once again placing coins on the table. "I will take a room for the night. There is extra if you bring food tonight." The bartender nodded, taking the coin. A hand reached out from the cloak, and picked up the mug in front of it, holding the drink close to the concealing robe. The bartender produced a key, which was taken in another hand, and stored within the cloak. The figure stalked off toward its room, and upon entering, locked the door behind it.

---

The night was spent simply as Yikk, Yakk and Yukk relaxed. Only needing to reform to take the meal from the innkeeper, the trio spent the night eating and drinking their fill, the human sized portions more than enough for three small creatures to split. The next morning, the trio reformed, and cloaked themselves to leave. The innkeeper, and what few patrons stayed the night, watched as Dru'marish dropped a key on the counter, and walked out the door.

On the road away from the building, the trio remained stacked as they marched. They would split apart once they were safe and away from civilization. As they were about to split up, Yakk noticed a figure up along the robe. It was a human, armed and armored, with bows, knives, swords, and likely more hidden. The cloaked figure came to a stop. "Hail, friend!" Yakk called out to the stranger as he subtly shifted position under the cloak. All three kobolds were preparing to throw aside the cloak and spring into action, just in case.

Looks like the party agreed. Except for the Necromancer. He just seemed to get dragged along. Hm. Poor guy. Guess there really wasn't much else to do. Ysran spent the next 20 minutes or so reading his texts. That's odd. He hadn't forgotten his spells. How strange. He thought those would be the first to go. How strange. He quickly skimmed over each text, just to see if he'd forgotten anything. And... it appeared not. Everything was still burned into his mind.

He turned to the village. Most seemed to be doing their everyday thing. Smithing, farming, et cetera. The boy who said he'd be going with was... somewhere out of eyesight. He didn't quite feel like looking for him. Whatever. He went back to his tomes. Hopefully this hour would go by quick.