MicahTheRogue

Fire in the West (Freeroam)

As the group went over to speak to the caravan owner, Adrian watched as Soah took off. Adrian paused for a moment, and waited. He began to think about what they were doing to the man. Kicking him out of the group, when he was naked, in the middle of the mountains. Adrian had no idea if the man's lung was still hurt or not, and he could be walking off to just die. Adrian righted himself and chased after Soah, leaving the group behind. As Adrian approached Soah from behind, he stopped. "Hey, you should keep coming with us. It'd be easier on you." Adrian spoke, softly, trying to be as diplomatic as possible. Adrian was told stories all the time as a kid about werewolves, and all the horror that went with them. Adrian couldn't blame Soah for what he had done. He hadn't chosen this life, and Adrian felt partially responsible for what had occurred between Soah and Crom. Even if Soah didn't want to stay with the group, he could at least come with them til they reached the next town.

Fire in the West (Freeroam)

Adrian laid, still in the snow, up against a tree. He couldn't believe his eyes to what he just witnessesed. It was amazing, terrible, fear inspiring, and a experience he would never forgot. He was surprised that Crom still stood after what Soah had become. Adrian paled when he realized he had attempted to fight this creature in hand to hand combat. He easily could of died. Adrian looked at Soah, and slowly stood up. After a moment, Adrian spat at Soah's fight. "You're staying here. You're out of the group." Adrian said, still pale, but he spoke with a air of confidence. It was amazing that Adrian, even after witnessing something like what had just transpired, that he could still keep up his own bravado. Adrian turned his back to Soah, and rushed over to Crom. Crom seemed to be handling himself just fine, so Adrian didn't bother him, but he honestly worried if the his friend would survive.

Fire in the West (Freeroam)

Adrian managed a half smirk as Soah ducked under, stepped in, and went for the uppercut. That wasn't a move he'd try against someone that knew what they were doing, and that's why Adrian was now confident he'd win this fight. With his free hand that was down, while still being carried forward by the momentum of his punch. He reached for his side and unsheathed his dagger, in a blur of a movement. As Soah ducked in and uppercutted, Adrian managed to stab his dagger forward as hard as he could at the exposed side chest of Soah. The both of them would connect at about the same time, the only difference is that Adrian's blow would hurt a lot more than a simple punch. Adrian was jarred as he was slammed in the chin with the uppercut. His dagger was no longer in his hand, and he was once again on his back. He felt a warm, thick liquid in his mouth. He was still conscious, but just barely. As he laid amongst the snow, once again, he wondered if the dagger had found it's mark.

Fire in the West (Freeroam)

The last thing Adrian heard was a sharp crack, then it was all black. After a moment, a sharp pain covered Adrian's face. He could feel the chill of the snow on his back, and he could also feel a warm liquid going down both sides of his face. Stars danced in his vision, only in the parts that weren't covered in splotches of black that also danced around. It was a circus in Adrian's vision. He felt sick, and he gingerly reach up to his nose, and dabbed the side of his face. He pulled his fingers back and a red substance covered Adrian's fingers. While the pain was substantial, Adrian did not feel the full effect. He was currently dangling on the bridge of consciousness. As he let his arm drop to his side, he let out a loud sigh. Adrian could see Soah standing above him, having no idea why he was there. Then, it suddenly hit Adrian. Almost as suddenly as he had been dropped to the ground, he was now back up on his feet, glaring at Soah. Without saying a word, Adrian reared back, and threw a weakened punch at Soah's nose. Adrian was in no shape to really keep fighting at this point, but Adrian drove on. He was completely ready to take a serious punishment, if he could simply land one hit.

Fire in the West (Freeroam)

Adrian nodded as Crom spoke his wisdom. A quick flash of the hand, and Adrian wiped a tear from his eye, trying to make it look as if he was simply brushing dirt from his face. Adrian immediately stiffened at the sound of a scoff from the back of the group. Adrian silently listened to Soah's rant, rage building inside of him each passing moment. Finally, Adrian swung around, and stopped dead in his tracks as he heard Soah's words. Without a word, he charged at Soah's legs, attempting to tackle the man into the ground. Adrenaline rushed through Adrian's body. He didn't care that Soah was bigger, and even stronger. The man had just badmouthed his brother, and Adrian's new friend Crom. Adrian knew that it was likely the man was armed, but that didn't matter. Adrian wanted to hurt the man, he wanted to make the man hurt as bad as he could. In truth, Adrian had no idea how to fight, and was prepared for a straight up thumping, but he'd make sure to get a few punches in to make sure Soah knew what he had done.

Fire in the West (Freeroam)

Adrian listened as the group all joined in on the conversation. As Adrian kept leading the march, he turned back and looked back at John. "I had a older brother." Adrian started, as he turned his head back around and kept on with his march. "He was a warrior. My father wanted him to become the greatest knight our family ever raised. Day and night he'd train with sword, axe, shield, and lance. Hardly ever slept or ate, all in the pursuit of learning how to kill another man." Adrian went on, adjusting his cloak to cover the front of his body, eyes still locked ahead, "I once saw him cleave an entire charging bull in half, protecting a girl that had entered the pens. He was the strongest person I had ever seen. He was gentle, too, though. He never used his strength to get what he wanted. His manners were as impressive as his skill." Adrian stared down at his feet for a moment, before going on with his story, "One day, a couple of thugs attempted to rob a store my brother was visiting. They were armed with just daggers, nothing more. You see, secretly, my brother had detested killing. He never wanted to be a gallant knight, who rescued fair maidens from heathens. He wanted to be a actor, a travelling one, who crossed the lands and put on plays. Well, he confronted the thugs, and attempted to reason with them, instead of drawing his sword and putting their banditry to a stop." Adrian paused for a moment, as his marching pace slowed for a second. "The thugs took advantage of my brother's resilience to killing." Adrian stopped dead in his tracks for a moment, before righting himself, and hurrying to take his place back at the front of the group. "When my father arrived, he was already dead. Stabbed in the sides and neck. Stripped naked, and left to die on the store's floor." Adrian finished, with a somber voice. "I was 7 at the time. From that moment onward, my father would always tell me 'Remember, Adrian, those who heistate to take another's life, will always be slaves to the one's who don't.'" Adrian remained silent for a moment, as the group pressed on through the snowy path. "They never did find the two thugs that did it."

Fire in the West (Freeroam)

Not slowing down for idle conversation, Adrian kept his pace as they advance into the mountain pass. Paying no attention to the obviously tiring John, Adrian trudged forward. "I ask myself that, a lot." Adrian replied to Crom, not bothering to face him. The group was looking for some form of entertainment, but Adrian didn't have any to tell. Was he to tell them the heroic story of him taking care of the family stables? Or maybe spin them the tale of how he once bravely squired for a knight in a tournament. He didn't have anything worth the group's time. Adrian turned his head, slightly, to look at Crom, "Have you ever......" Adrian trailed off. "Killed someone?" Adrian finally asked, as he turned his head back around, keeping his pace. Adrian had see a dead body once. He was beheaded for striking a woman, and attempted rape. Adrian was far to young to believe he was mortal, but also far too smart to put himself in a clear cut life-or-death situation. He had heard tales of battles, and stories of champions. They never told stories about the men who laid in the mud, unable to move as their armor only served to kill the wounded knights, nor did they tell stories about the men whom defecated themselves as they watched their friends torn to bits. Adrian could tell that Crom had seen many of a battle. He looked far more grizzled than his family household guard, whom he knew had fought plenty of battles.

Fire in the West (Freeroam)

Adrian continued his march up the mountain, and watched as the tree thick mountainside dissipated in favor of a steeper incline, and large drifts of snow. Up ahead, Adrian could see several mountain passes the group could take. As the incline steepened, Adrian took a step and slipped, falling to his side. Before a member of the group got outreach a hand to help the kid up, Adrian was already back on his feet, brushing the snow from his side as he kept his position on point. Adrian wouldn't let himself appear frail or weak in front of the group, despite how raggedy and childish he looked. The thing fueling the fire in Adrian's stomach was the sense of adventure. He wanted to travel, see sights, fight bandits, kill the legends of old, and now that he was with a group, it was like he was in a storybook. Adrian was smart enough to know that the group was likely just humoring him by allowing the child to take point, but they couldn't see the thing propelling Adrian. It wasn't money, glory, women, or something material. It was something pure. Something that few people even cared for anymore. The fire for adventure. To adventure for the sake of adventure. Adrian wouldn't let broken bones, being drunk, or sickness stop this journey. Adrian kept his steady march, even increasing his speed a little, as he approached one of the paths. Adrian seemed unaffected by the group's climb, so far, he wasn't even breathing heavy, yet.

Fire in the West (Freeroam)

Adrian watched as the adults took care of business, and further introductions. After everyone had settled in, Adrian righted his posture, and puffed out his chest. "Right! I think we spent enough time here playing games. It's time to march up the mountain!" Adrian said, with a air of bravado on his voice, as he heel-face turned and started the march up the mountain. Adrian didn't much care for the new man. He was plenty suspicious, but why would Adrian care if all the group was currently doing was trekking across a mountain? Whatever the man did, wasn't their business, and he obviously wasn't going to try anything harmful to the group when he is outnumbered 1 to 4.

Fire in the West (Freeroam)

As the man approached the group, Adrian visibly shook. The savage looking man, had a fairly intimidating voice, and as he got closer, Adrian could see some spots of blood on the man. Adrian had never seen the man before in his life, and was surprised when the man recognized the group. Once the man was close, Adrian could see what he thought was the outline of a short sword, under the man's cloak. After a moment, Adrian righted himself. "I'd like to know the identity of the man we are going to assistance, before giving up precious resources!" Adrian said, with a fleck of authority in his voice. Adrian was attempting to lead negotiations with the man by taking on the persona of the group leader. Adrian stepped out from the tree, and placed a hand in between John and Soah, indicating to John to hang out a moment, before acting. "I am Adrian Brady, leader of this intrepid group of adventurers. This is John Wenigsten," Adrian started, guiding his hand to introduce the group. "And our other partner, Crom!" Adrian finished, guiding his hand once more. Adrian then placed his hand at his side, and awaited introductions from the newcomer.