[IC] Tales of Adventure and Discovery RPG, an Epic Adventure RP

[Ryu]

Fiore looked over to Odysseus, who was too busy standing next to Leifr's horse. Fiore wanted to give chase, Fiore wanted to hunt the bandit down, but Odysseus had other matters on his hooves. Fiore simply gave off a small chuckle and sat down, staring over at the newcomer with a deep gaze. It was as if he was a drunk staring at some pretty wench in a tavern. Fiore looked up and down, trying to make of her.

Looks like a girl... Fiore thought in his head, still gazing at Allereun. He doesn't look scary... actually looks kind of welcoming! ... Although, that threat she made earlier, perhaps there's more to this person? Fiore, after finishing his mild assessment, laid down, looking up at the sky. She's not dangerous, if she was dangerous I believe she would kill us by now, and it doesn't look like she can use any type of weapon.

"My name is Fiore, Allereun," Fiore said, his voice a bit louder than usual, but this was because he wanted Allereun to hear. "If you don't mind me asking, what were you doing, wandering over here? Was there something you were trying to find? I would be happy to assist you for whatever you need."

[ERode]

Behind a rock in the entrance of a bandit camp...and an abandoned one at that. As Allereun mulled over those words, wondering where the previous bandits had gone, whether they were similarily eradicated or had moved elsewhere, the panicked man proved himself to be an escape artist. Untying the ropes that bound him with just a few quick movements, before smoothly mounting one of the horses and then galloping off, the bandit made his retreat before the apothecary could even get over how fascinatingly skilled the man was with freeing himself from the ropes.

Waving good bye to the man as he disappeared into the forest, Allereun pocketed his iL once more, before shrugging. Next time, it'd probably be better if he hung people upside down on a tree before questioning them. Or maybe cut off their thumbs, which seemed to be rather important when tying and untying knots.

Putting those grim thoughts into the back of his mind, the red-headed man took a look at the loot that had been gathered from the bodies of the remaining bandits. It would be nice if they were alive, but, judging by the reactions of the noble Leifr, the first two were both dead. Ah well. No more questions to be answered from that source.

There was, however, the questions of the most greviously injured man, Fiore, who wondered about Alleruen's objectives.

“Ah, Sir Fiore,” he said, “I hail from the town northeast from here, Calistre, a humble apothecary here to partake in the Three Moon Festival of Calgeth. I've had quite some luck with finding Lunar Blossoms here in the past, so hopefully, such luck would persist during the night of three full moons.”

“What about your own group? I find it unlikely that it's a typical task for two nobles and a prodigious Scribe to be clearing out small-town bandits.”

Of course, there were other things that he kept quiet about, but it wasn't like he could trust people just because they were nobles.

And he didn't even REALLY know what a Scribe was, other than the fact that it sounded like a smart thing.

[Pyromania99]

Lyrisa sighed. The Noble had searched the other two bodies. Why not this one as well? It didn't bother her really. Dead or alive, this guy wouldn't me much of a threat as bloodied as he was. She looked at the body first the see if he alive, in the off chance he was she'd try to patch him up. . . Maybe. He might know more, or even where exactly to go for the treasure thing the other bandit was talking about. "When we finish here, we should move along if your bodies can hold up. We have a day ahead of us yet."

[Renose]

It was hard to say whether or not the bandit with just the sword was dead or alive. He was probably dead though. He wasn't moving, and that was usually a sign that someone was indeed dead, and that was as far as Lyrisa's knowledge of the healing arts was taking her. As for a search of the body, if Lyrisa did that, just the broadsword, leather armor, and a small coin pouch containing 6 iL were the only somewhat valuable things that turned up. Nothing really special, these guys were probably small time bandits and most of their loot was apparently buried behind a rock near the supposedly abandoned bandit camp. Still, the crossbowman seemed sincere, and that was because he was scared shitless.

With three new horses in tow, Lyrisa and Allereun riding on two of them now, the party was able to move a bit more quickly without having to worry about who would ride on whose horse. It made things a bit easier. Now the party had to navigate through these hills, and hopefully not run into anymore bandits or anything else that was dangerous since currently Fiore and Leifr were still a bit wounded.

While Allereun's skills of navigating the land and Lyrisa's knowledge of navigation techniques themselves were invaluable, Leifr was the one who had a spark of genius here. Perhaps he remembered a few key pieces of navigational advice someone told him or maybe stumbled upon a map of these hills. Regardless of the case, Leifr was navigating them through the hills with ease, knowing the terrain and knowing strategic places in it to put something like a bandit camp. Soon enough, within just a few hours time of riding, the group would come upon a large fence made out of large wooden poles, a fortification meant to keep people out, a wooden gate that was ajar.

There were no bandits though during their entire ride. None during their search of the hills and not even a single one when they arrived at the camp. There were no sounds of activities going on, only the sound of the small group riding along. And just as one bandit said, about fifty paces northeast of the entrance was a somewhat large looking rock, but whether or not anything was buried there would be the knowledge of any spades the party had, which seemed to be none unfortunately. Still, if there was even treasure there, perhaps either searching the camp would turn one up or they could remember the rock and come back later.

Still, the camp laid before them, a look inside through the wooden gate would reveal not a single soul. A basic look into the camp showed there were a few tents here and there, but they were mostly collapsed, some of them even scattered about as if the elements had their way with them. A fire pit in the center, but its coals were black with no embers. Either way, the entire place looked like it was simply abandoned, as if no one had been here for months, just as the Crossbowman said. There were also a few small makeshift huts at the southeast corner, near the northeast in the center, and a larger, not so makeshift looking one in the center of the northern wall that seemed to actually be built into the hill a bit, the hill behind it a part of its structure as was the wooden spike wall behind it.

Other than that and the other scattered thing here and there, no bandits were in sight, as if this place had been simply abandoned many Cycles ago.

[Keia Vewyx]

Although disappointed, Leifr didn't want to give up the idea of a buried treasure. While it was true that, as a noble, he had a little more wealth than any other common adventurer, in this world it was never enough. Plus, though he may be considered a good person, the greed of money was an intoxicating and irresistible poison. But without any tools to efficiently dig, the bandit's treasure was on hold for now. With the fortifications around, it may not be a poor idea to rest a while.

Pulling out his map of Gallastre, he gave a good estimate as to where they were and marked it for a future use. Even if they were to find a treasure now, an abandoned fortress was always a good find. Perhaps Leifr could use his influence and try having a guard post set up hear to help the passing travelers... Though it'd unlikely be a popular move, meaning Leifr would have to fund it himself if he could. And it's not like these kind people would accompany Leifr's adventures forever.

Speaking of his company, Leifr glanced at Fiore. Something has been bugging Leifr ever since the battle but he didn't find a good time to talk alone with him. After all, this problem was a matter between the Forbannets and Fiore. Leifr was conscious of both their wounds, but if left alone the others would probably notice Leifr's suspicion.

“Why don't we search the camp a bit? It's a well-fortified area in the middle of uncivilized land and could offer a good spot for us to catch our breath,” he spoke softly but had already ordered his warhorse to approach the gate. “We fought with those bandits around midday and spent a few hours finding this place; It shouldn't be too much trouble for us to spend the night here and head back to Calgeth in the morning, assuming it is safe for us to sleep.”

“Sir Fiore, if you have a moment, why don't you and I go search in the northern part of the camp?” He said with a weak smile, gesturing with his hand for Fiore to come. “If you could, miladies, I would be very grateful if you searched the south side.”

[Ryu]

"Sure," Fiore said as he looked at Leifr.

What are his intentions? Fiore asked inside his head. Fiore stared at Leifr again, trying to assess him, trying to see if there were any hints as to what he'll be doing, but Fiore for the life of him could not figure out anything from his assessment, not even a single clue. Perhaps... perhaps he wants to kill me while I'm not looking? Or perhaps he... just really wants to search the camp with me... bonding, I think is what it's called... but is it really safe? Allereun and the girl? They're both girls, would it not be safer for them to go with Leifr and I? The questions flew by in Fiore's head as he pondered, but he eventually came to a conclusion: Yeah, this'll be some good bonding time.

"Will you two be okay?" Fiore asked as he turned around to look at Allereun. "If anything goes wrong, do not hesitate to shout, I am entrusting the child to you, Allereun!" Fiore emphasized the word "child" as he looked at Allereun, completely ignoring the fact that the girl had previously once said she was seventeen. "Allereun, promise me that you will take care of her!"

[Pyromania99]

"Hey, Captain Creep." Lyrisa said to Fiore as he was incessantly trying to get Allereun to watch over her. "I'm perfectly capable on my own, thank you. Now go talk with the Noble." She was done speaking to him. . . Then she added something, "Oh, and the next time you call me a child. . . Well, that's a painful surprise." Finally finished, Lyrisa left to look around the abandoned camp. It probably would be best to just set up for the day here. It was simple enough to keep an eye out and defensive enough if anything happened, they were safer than being out in the open. She was tempted to get her book out and read it, but searching around the camp required immediate attention.

[Ryu]

"... Remember, Allereun, take care of her, she's just a child!" Fiore said before nodding at Allereun. Fiore then turned around and walked away from Leifr and Allereun, beginning to search the camp.

If he does try to kill me... Fiore thought as he looked around the camp whilst walking around. What should I do? Should I try to disarm him? Should I fight him? I cannot fight someone under the house of the Forbannet... no... what am I saying? We're obviously going to be bonding while we search for whatever is in this camp... wait... what kind of bonding? ... Oh dear god, he's going to do that?! Fiore then stopped and looked over his shoulder.

"Leifr, are you coming?" Fiore asked, then turning his head forward to continue walking, looking around, searching for something in the camp, even though he really had no idea what he should be searching for, going back to pondering whilst doing all of this.

If he tries to do that, I'll chop it off... Fiore nodded quickly multiple times. I mean, how dare he try to get me to sign such a silly piece of paper that entitles him to that girl? She's just a child! It is disgusting to lust over a child, I should have seen this coming, I think he likes the girl! After a few more seconds, Fiore switched his mind to another - and still the same in levels of stupidity - topic.

I wonder if the girl is safe... what if she wasn't? Allereun will take care of her... right? I mean, she's perfectly fine and able to take care of a child... right? ... Did she have a weapon on her? Fiore asked as he continued to look around the camp.

[Keia Vewyx]

“Ah, I am!”

Leifr snapped the reins to catch up to Fiore, both his steed and the hauling horse trotting along. Leifr opened his mouth to speak, but seeing Fiore look around so seriously and then nodding to himself made Leifr hesitate. Was it rude to disturb someone so deep in thought? It was, wasn't it. Leifr decided to wait a few more moments and looked around with Fiore in search of any tools, supplies, or useful objects that remained in the abandoned camp. When Leifr deemed that they both were out of earshot of Lyrisa and Alleruen, Leifr inhaled and exhaled deeply as if to steel his nerves.

“Sir Fiore,” Leifr spoke with a more solemn tone than usual and his usual smile was gone, replaced with a worried, but cold expression. Although he tried to keep himself from seeming hostile, Leifr's body was tense and ready for the worse-case scenario.

“Before the bandits struck, you said something to your sword,” Leifr tried his best to smile, but even he could tell that his expression was not one of warmth. Still, he tried forcing his face to soften. “To be honest, I didn't understand because it was so sudden and the bandits attacked immediately after, but I became sure of it when I saw you use the blade.”

Running his hand through his hair nervously, Leifr digressed into a story in an attempt to explain why he was suddenly acting like this:

“I try my best to be a man that would be remembered for his kindness, milord, but I have been told this phrase by my father ever since I could remember. It's been carved into my mind so that I would never forget.”

Leifr looked up at Fiore and spoke calmly with a small smile,

“'Before you are the man Leifr, you are my son, a noble of the great House Forbannet.'” Leifr chuckled after saying that phrase, but quickly picked up from where he left off, “Sometimes I am torn between being the man Leifr and being a Forbannet noble. But even now when I am not anywhere near their influence, I am a noble still.”

Leifr's right hand released the reins on his warhorse and slowly moved towards the handle of his strange, cursed blade where it remained hovering above it. An unpleasant feeling of a large, slimy mirage wrapped around Leifr's hand and tried pulling it down to the handle. It was as if the blade felt that a battle may happen and was using an hallucinatory tongue to pull Leifr closer. Still, Leifr tried to give a wary smile to Fiore and managed to keep his hand from touching the wretched sword.

“Sir Fiore, as a Noble of the Forbannet House I must ask you: How did you come to possess Lord Radek's fabled blade, Exalia?”

Leifr didn't want to give too many information in case Fiore was a bandit who had stolen the blade, but he was positive that the blade resting on Fiore's waist was the treasured rapier of Lord Radek, a vassal of the Forbannet nobles who lost his life to a northern bandit raid three years prior. When the levies arrived, they were too late. They recovered Radek's body but could never find Exalia among the ruins and it was presumed that the bandits had taken it. Yet, for some reason Fiore has it. Though they weren't well-acquainted, Fiore was a friendly presence. Liefr did not want to believe that Fiore took it from Radek's body, but he steeled his mind against the other explanation.

That Fiore had actually...

[Ryu]

"Oh, well, I took it off of his dead body, why of course," Fiore said nonchalantly, then walking forward as if what he said wasn't wrong. Of course, this wasn't really the case, Fiore was gifted the rapier by his step-father, Radek, when he successfully defended the village from the raiders the first time. Fiore remembered his step-father as a kind man, the man who taught him how to fence, and, being a vassal of the house Forbannet, he was taught about the history of the Forbannet, and the people in the family itself, which was why Fiore was interested in Leifr after recognizing the crest.

Bonding time, is it not lovely? Fiore asked as he continued to move about, searching for anything at this point, even some boots would do fine, and then Fiore stopped in his tracks, putting his index finger to his chin. ... He was joking, right? It sounded like he was joking, it sounded like he wanted a funny answer, why else would he have chuckled after he said that one line? Fiore then put down his index finger, thinking nothing of it anymore as he continued to search for something.

[ERode]

Needless to say, Allereun didn't enjoy the ride. While they didn't spend FOREVER over the terrain, all the slopes were doing some work on his already worn-out legs. Thankfully, the noble Leifr proved himself to be a man of the wild as well, quite easily locating the abandoned bandit camp. Dismounting and securing his own horse by the wooden gate, the young apothecary tapped the ground with his foot, grimacing as he realized that they didn't even have a shovel to dig out the loot with. He made a mental note to get shovel back in Calgeth, as well as mark out the exact location of this camp for further reference.

Realizing, though, that the group was splitting up, and that Liefr and Fiore both had the impression that Alleruen was a lady, Allereun smiled lightly, impulsively snapping his fingers together. “You have my word, Sir Fiore,” he replied, “I'll make sure that the lady is fine, though I doubt that someone with so many skills and talents would require the protection of a humble apothecary such as myself.”

As he trotted after the displeased girl, however, he asked, “Which reminds me, I don't recall ever getting your name, Scribe.”

[Renose]

As the group conversed they also searched the eerily abandoned camp, which really didn't have anything in it, not entering any of the three huts yet. A basic glance without really any thought could tell that no one really had been here for quite some time. The elements looked like they tossed some things about or ruined some things, like tents with holes in them or bedrolls that were just haphazardly put about the place. It seemed what that bandit said was growing more true by the minute. Still, if this was the case, then what had been attacking traders on the road or stealing villagers from their homes just as Captain Selvus had described?

Lyrisa and Allereun seemed to have a good bit of searching. Upon searching the south side there were a few discarded weapons here and there, some old pieces of beef, no good as they were spoiled, and some other things in the manner of junk. However, their more keen eyes and sharp minds were able to spot the few odds and ends here and there. There were a few bags that had some iL and Talms. There were around eight iL and 12 Talms, the bandit camp seeming incredibly abandoned and empty. Still, it was a good place to rest, especially in the huts, which had no doors except for the bigger one at the northern end of the camp, and a glance into the open one at the southern left corner showed that it was empty with not really anything in it as a search of it would reveal nothing really, except some old boxes, but those didn't have anything in it either.

As Lyrisa searched with Allereun, she would also be pretty sure that Allereun was a guy, just from how his body look, his general expressions, ways of talking, and everything else. Allereun was definitely a guy, not a girl.

There wasn't really anything else in this camp from their search of the southern end. No spades unfortunately. It didn't really seem like things were packed up either though from the search, as if they were moving. The camp just seemed... abandoned. Not as if the bandits were eradicated, but as if the camp was just emptied out somehow without any care, which was strange for bandits, as if they were moving they would have taken everything down and hidden there tracks instead of just leaving everything here.

Leifr's and Fiore's search of the northern side really didn't bring anything either. Perhaps it was because they were having a rather important conversation that was distracting them from their search. Still, it was starting to get late after all of their searching, as it was already getting late when they had arrived. The other open hut had also been searched, so the only part that had yet to be searched was the hut on the northern wall, but trying to open that door (if any of them would) revealed that it was locked.

There really seemed to be nothing here.

[Pyromania99]

As the two searched around, Allereun said, "Which reminds me, I don't recall ever getting your name, Scribe.”

Oh? Someone interested in her name? How could she do anything but tell? "My name's Lyrisa Kortine. Just call me Lyrisa. That noble-born Leifr doesn't seem to get it through his skull. He's a good guy, sure. . . But not too bright." After a few seconds of though she continued. "And you're a guy right? The others don't seem to know this. Why do you let a certain idiot who is not to be named, call you. . Ahem" She clears her throat preparing to imitate a certain noble, " 'Milady'." It was one motion of speech as she immediately dropped back to her normal speaking voice. "Or something of the sort."

She looked around the area of the camp they were in. If nothing else it had that feel of desertion. This is probably where they would spend their night. With as little travel as this place seemed to get, they would most likely be safe sleeping there for the night. "If I was called a boy I'd probably try to beat the snot outta' him."

[Keia Vewyx]

“You–!”

Leifr leaned towards and grabbed the cursed blade's handle, but the jangling buckle that held the sword to his waist prevent Leifr from just pulling it off and swinging it around at whim. He struggled for a moment when the accursed biting sensation of the blade roused Leifr from his rage. Why was he so angry? Leifr searched intensely for that answer inside his head. Was it because Fiore took the blade? Or was it because he didn't seem to care about Lord Radek? No, Leifr refused to believe that Fiore was speaking the truth. There was no way that someone would so casually say they looted the corpse of a benevolent noble as Fiore did. Fiore was lying! He had to be. A person like that couldn't exist...!

Leifr clenched his eyes shut as his grip tightened on the cursed blade, forcing its illusionary teeth deeper into his arm. Think, he yelled at himself inside his head. Lord Radek didn't have any sons. All of his attendants were slain with their lord. Who was Fiore? How did he get hold of Exalia? Leifr exhaled harshly, then looked up at Fiore and furrowed his brows.

“Sir Fiore, that kind of taunt was uncalled for,” Leifr said with a bitter smile, though his brows were still furrowed. Leifr decided this time to be as direct as possible to tell Fiore his position as a noble of Forbannet.

“Milord, the treasured rapier Exalia was taken from Lord Radek, a vassal of House Forbannet. Though we searched for it we have never found it and assumed it was stolen by the raiders who slayed his lordship.”

Leifr swallowed hard before continuing.

“I-if you tease me by saying you stole it from Lord Radek, then I can only assume that you were a raider or scavenger during the raid. My honor as a noble of Forbannet dictates that– that I would have to retrieve Exalia from such a person, by force if necessary. I... don't want that, Sir Fiore, so please...”

There was no backing out now. Leifr unbuckled his cursed blade and retrieved his shield from his back. He was fully ready for combat, though he hoped it wouldn't come to that. Fiore took much more damage from the previous battle and they didn't have much time to rest while riding on horseback. Not to mention Leifr rode a horse bred for combat and carried his wretched blade. If it came to exchanging blows, Leifr assumed that he had a tremendous advantage over Fiore. But even if he defeated him in battle, Leifr didn't have anything to bind him with so he may reengage as soon as Leifr or one of the others healed him. Please Fiore, Leifr begged mentally, please tell me you aren't what I think you are.

“Tell me how you came to hold Exalia.”

[ERode]

“Lyrisa Kortin,” he repeated, testing out the name. It had a last name, so would she also be a noble? Or was this last name business another thing that the Scribes liked engaging in. Regardless though, he went back to searching the area. There were a few paltry sums of iL and Talms, but that was all. The bandits, if nothing else, appeared to have left in a hurry, many weeks past. Yet there was no sign about WHY they left, other than the fact that the camp had been left in an excessively disorderly manner. Very...strange. There was something odd about this place, something that was only further emphasized by the fact that, considering how long ago it's been abandoned, it must point that there was a third force that was causing the disappearances in town.

What Fiore, Leifr, and Lyrisa were looking for was not here...but the bandits...perhaps they disappeared because of the presence of this unknown third party?

Upon further questioning from Lyrisa, however, Alleruen simply shrugged, discontinuing his train of thought. “Generally, I get that...assumption from a lot of people,” he said, tucking a strand of hair behind his ears, “I'm used to it and It's been useful quite a few times as well, so I don't make much of a fuss about it.”

An easy smile then shifted onto his features, as he finished, “Anyways, what's important is the mind, not the outer appearance. I'm sure that you, Lyrisa, would agree with that.”

“Onto more serious matters though, I feel like it would be wise not to camp here for the night. It just feels like...there's a reason why the previous occupants had disappeared in such a hurry.”

[Ryu]

Fiore turned around after hearing the sound that Leifr made unbuckling his blade. ... Are we still bonding? This is a joke... correct? Fiore asked himself in his head, his mind entering a panicked state of mass chaos and confusion as he tried to figure out what was going on. He wants to hurt me... the look in his eyes... they look... sad? Does he really want to know how I got a hold of Exalia? Perhaps he's testing me? ... No... he's by the way he's holding his sword and shield... he's serious... Fiore was stunned at this involvement, he didn't know what to do, and he knew he couldn't do much. He was too hurt from the last fight, he couldn't fight, he was in absolutely no condition to fight.

Fiore grasped for Exalia, holding the handle of his rapier with his right hand. Fiore stared up at Leifr, who was situated on top of his horse. He didn't want this to happen. "We are in no condition to fight, you realize that, do you not? Or do you want to finish me off, here and now?" Fiore drew Exalia from its scabbard, the iconic sound of a sword leaving its scabbard rung through the two as they were in complete and utter silence. "If you want to know the secret of this blade and who I am," There was no going back now, Fiore couldn't stop now, he couldn't just drop everything and say he was joking, not now. "Then Leifr of the house Forbannet, I challenge you to a duel! If you win the duel, then I will tell you who I am, if you do not win, then I demand that you give me your blade!" Fiore then put Exalia back in its scabbard and walked away just a few paces before stopping.

"The duel shall be in one month time when we are better, but, to reassure you, to make sure that you do not strike me down right here and now... you must take my word, I am no raider or scavenger! If you dare strike me down right here and now, then your honor as a noble of the Forbannet means nothing!"

Past

"Fiore, do you know who the Forbannet are?" Radek said as he sat down in his chair, looking between the book he held in his lap and Fiore who sat down in the opposing chair, looking innocently - and clueless - at Radek,

"No... Radek, I'm sorry..." Fiore said. It had been a week since Radek had found Fiore huddled up in a corner, almost freezing to death, and Fiore was still not accustomed to Radek and his current living situation, which was miles better than what Fiore used to be in. Radek stared at Fiore and held his hand out, nearing it towards Fiore's face. Fiore instantly flinched, closing his eyes. Fiore didn't want to be hit, not again, but instead of being hit, Fiore felt a hand patting his head, running through his hair. Fiore opened his eyes, slowly looking towards Radek who returned a grin as he continued to pat Fiore on the head.

"I'm your father now, Fiore," Radek said, smiling, his tone light-hearted. "You are my son now, Fiore, and as my son, I will take care of you, okay?" Fiore gazed into Radek's eyes, and all he saw was a caring and warm individual who would care for Fiore from then on out. Fiore smiled, the first time in years, and nodded quickly. "That's my boy, eh? Now, the Forbannet is..."

[Pyromania99]

That was. . . Pretty Sound logic actually. Lyrisa was actually glad to have someone that thought with their head. Using his looks to his advantage was a good thing for him. . . A little deceptive perhaps. . . For now, she thought it funny to keep it a secret. Liefr and the creep would not see it coming. While her mind was busy thinking about their reactions her current companion spoke up, “Onto more serious matters though, I feel like it would be wise not to camp here for the night. It just feels like...there's a reason why the previous occupants had disappeared in such a hurry.”

He was right. It doesn't seem like it had any reason to be abandoned. . . On the surface. What happened to make it be abandoned in the first place? "I'd be inclined to agree with you." It felt. . . Off. "I think we should all make it out of here. Shall we head back to the guys?" It took her a second before she realized what she said. "Whoops." Her face flashed red for a second before quickly returning to her natural color. "A-anyhow. Let us find Liefr and the Creep."

[Keia Vewyx]

A duel? Leifr's honor as a noble? His honor as a noble would be tarnished if he let a burglar walk away with his vassal's most prized possession. This was the first time Liefr felt such a boiling feeling scorch his whole body. He was hot and it burned, but at the same time it was like it wasn't even his own body. This man who avoided answering Leifr's questions! This man who criticized the Leifr's honor! This man who challenged Leifr by using his Forbannet name! This man...!

“You must see me as a fool if you think I would strike at my opponent before a duel. I accept your challenge, Sir Fi– no, Fiore. I will see Exalia returned to Lord Radek's final resting place. Even if you are no scavenger or raider, it is better to see Exalia returned to the hands of the dead than abused in the hands of a thief!”

Leifr wondered where such words came from. None of this was intentional, none of it his normal words; it was like this scorching feeling was taking control of him. Honor. Nobility. These damnable things! It was because of them that he had to challenge Fiore like that, and it was also because of them that he could not simple act now. Leifr clenched his teeth and trembled angrily, his mind asking for forgiveness from Lord Radek and his family as even though Exalia was so close it was because of Leifr's cursed honor that he must let it escape his grasp.

Twisting the reins harshly, the warhorse silently turned around and walked the other direction from Fiore. Why wouldn't he just tell Leifr? Did Leifr say the wrong things? Did he come off hostile? Well, of course he did after he pulled his damnable blade out–

The burning sensation was pushed back through a more familiar yet much less comforting sensation crawling up his arm. His cursed blade, the one Fiore challenged for. Leifr chuckled spitefully at it.

“You are as noble as I am, wicked sword. I left my home to find your origin, and yet all you do is bite whatever you touch. Even your own wielder is not safe from your fangs. Just like honor, eh? Honor...”

Leifr pulled his shield onto his back, but took a good long look at his cursed sword. Holding it up, he decided that Honor would be this blades name, as wretched a blade as Leifr's own wretched honor, a thing that caused Leifr to create conflict when there was no need.

“Honor.”

The blade seemed to celebrate its new name by inflicting a sharp pain upon Leifr's hand, to which he quickly placed it back by his waist and buckled it in place. Sighing sharply as he released Honor's handle, the pain quickly subsided. Honor. Leifr grimaced at such a fitting name.

[Ryu]

Fiore looked around, making sure no one could see him, and after he made sure of that by doing a poor job of checking, Fiore looked forward, a single tear lurched from his ear and down his gentle cheek. Fiore knelt down, sitting on his ankles, Fiore looked up towards the sky.

"My first friend..." Fiore said as he looked up towards the sky, his tone whimpering. "I made my first friend today, father... he nearly saved my life back there... and now... now he's gone... father... I'm sorry... I'm sorry, please forgive me, please forgive me..." Fiore had his fists clenched, but he couldn't clench them anymore, they opened up towards the sky. "How could I be such a fool? How could I challenge my friend to a duel? How? Answer me... answer me... Fiore... how?" Fiore turned his head slightly to look over his shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of Leifr, but he couldn't do it, he stopped as soon as he moved, he couldn't bear to look at Leifr, who probably resented him now.

"Leifr... please... please forgive me..." Fiore said, his tone hushed. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry I had to do that... please understand... please understand... please... please, please, please, PLEASE!" Fiore yelled at the top of his lungs, a second tear lurched out from his eye, rolling down his cheek. Fiore stared at the sky, as if he the sky would do anything, as if his father would descend and do something, but it was useless, and Fiore knew it himself. Suddenly, Fiore could hear the sound of trotting behind him, and Fiore quickly turned around only to see Odysseus, who heard the last word he yelled out.

"O-... Odysseus..." Fiore wiped away the tear that rolled down his eyes, stood up, and got on Odysseus. "One more round of searching and then we can regroup... okay?" Fiore whimpered out, but Odysseus stayed silent. Fiore didn't want there to be silence anymore, he wanted a friend, he wanted someone to talk too, and Odysseus just staying silent killed Fiore even more.

Past

"Fiore," Radek said as he had Fiore situated on his lap, a book situated in front of them. "The Forbannet are a house, they believe in honor," Fiore looked up at Radek, his expression displaying that he was about to ask a question.

"What's honor?" Fiore asked with a childish tone.

"A hard question to answer, Fiore," Radek said as he flipped the page. "But, if I had to say, it's... it's when you give mercy to an opponent, or when you help you someone by lifting something for them, if I had to say, that would be honor." Fiore stayed quiet for a few more seconds. "Okay-"

"Father I don't get it," Fiore said, squirming in his father's lap. "But can we move on with the story?" Radek chuckled.

"Alright, alright, but this is no story, Fiore!" Radek said. "This is true, you know," Radek flipped the page again, skipping all the boring parts, parts that would disinterest Fiore. "Ah, here we go. I believe the Forbannet have someone around your age, maybe two years older,"

"Oh! What's his name? Father, what's his name?"

"Leifr, Leifr is his name," Radek begun to say. "I think you two would make great friends, he's quite likable, and cute, just like you, Fiore!" Fiore turned a bit red hearing that, but then looked up at Radek.

"Have you ever met him, father?" Radek put his finger to his chin, letting go of part of the book. "Have I ever met him... I think once, yes, once, maybe?" Radek was quite unsure, because the last time the Forbannets came to visit Radek was two - three years ago, and he was unsure if they brought Leifr along. "I think maybe I'll take you along on one of my trips one day to meet Leifr,"

"Really?!" Fiore was excited now, his voice was louder, he couldn't wait to meet this "Leifr," he really wanted a friend. "I can't wait to meet him!"

"Maybe one day, maybe," Radek said as he closed the book, tossing it to his bed, and then standing up, lifting Fiore up into the air. "But I'm sure you two would make great friends one day!"

[Renose]

Tensions between Leifr and Fiore were high and this place, with both Allereun's and Lyrisa's assumptions about it, was starting to become less and less appealing as a place to stay. The last search around the northern part of the place by Ryu revealed that the northern hut, the only one with the door was locked up tight. Still, Leifr, unbeknownst to the others, did pick up that key from the axe wielding bandit. Perhaps that key went to this door, or to the loot that was supposedly buried behind the rock not too far away from the camp's entrance.

Other than the locked hut on the northern face of the camp and the few coins trudged up by Allereun and Lyrisa, there was nothing else in this camp really worth anything, unless they wanted to trudge up the few weapons the bandits left behind, but they were rusty, probably from being out in the elements for many cycles, as the crossbow wielding bandit did mention that this place had been abandoned for quite some time. It was about late afternoon, getting close to evening. The 'heroes' could either choose to investigate the locked hut if the key Leifr had, not that the others knew about it, actually did work on this hut; or they could choose to just regroup and set up camp either here in the camp, which was well defended but not exactly a subtle place to be in, not to mention its mysteriously vanishing previous occupants rang a danger bell. Or they could choose to regroup and set up camp elsewhere.

Still, it was getting late, and with two of the party members wounded, perhaps investigating the hut could wait until morning since the party still needed to set up a fire, eat, and perhaps have those more versed in the healing arts take a look at the wounds to make it so that they healed faster. If there was something in the hut, dealing with it while party tensions between the two swordsman in the group were high and while they were both wounded was not such a good idea. So the party decided to leave the bandit camp for the night, setting up camp somewhere else.

With Allereun's knowledge of the wild, they were able to find a somewhat nice place to set up camp in the hills that was somewhat decently defensible and not too far away from the bandit camp, as well as get a nice fire going. After that, Allereun, with perhaps Lyrisa helping (ill leave that up to you all) managed to do some work with Fiore's, Leifr's, and even Leifr's horse's wounds to make sure that they healed better while they all slept. Throughout the night, the group turning in a little early, just around the twenty-first hour of the day, nothing really happened, except on Allereun's watch, just about an hour before sunrise, which was at about the seventh hour of the day during these times when it got closer to the Three Moon Festival and the nights got a bit longer.

As Allereun watched while the others slept, he wouldn't really see anything, despite the moons giving some light to make it easier to see. He wouldn't see anything, or notice, until already several sets of slow footsteps were approaching the camp, followed by some strange groans and whispers, nothing of the Common Tongue though, or any language Allereun has ever heard. In fact, they didn't even sound like words being whispered at all. They seemed to be getting closer and closer to the camp, already quite close in fact, but despite the moonlight providing a little bit of lighting, it was hard to make out what was coming form them from the darkness of the late night.

Still, it was clear that it didn't sound all that good and perhaps either vacating this place immediately, as the horses, except for Leifr's warhorse, were starting to get unnerved as well, which was a good thing they were tethered to some rocks; and heading for the easier to defend bandit camp or just getting out of these hills entirely seemed like a good plan.