[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/MR5RyzW.png[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/7iJKKu5.png[/img]
[h3][color=FORESTGREEN][b]ATISHA ELUVIAN[/b][/color] | [color=FIREBRICK][b]MALAKAUS FIREBELLY[/b][/color][/h3][/center]

Malakaus and Atisha looked at the first of the arrival, the mercenary that Malakaus only vaguely remembered, and Atisha had forgotten. He said something about dying already, but both the orc and the elf just thought this to be melodrama. Even after Atisha's own struggle with accepting the idea that she may have died yesterday, she didn't think anyone else went through the same thing. That and her initial (or rather her first since she had forgotten him already) impression of the human was already a negative one. Malakaus simply didn't care.

[color=forestgreen]"Obviously. Keep your mad thoughts to yourself."[/color]

[color=firebrick]"Keep your wits about you or you'll die again."[/color]

Then came Vesta. Atisha didn't know who she was and Vesta was human, so she ignored the girl. However Malakaus was glad to see that she would be coming along. [color=firebrick]"Master Celestia! So glad to see you come along. With you on our side I'm almost certain that this quest will be easy."[/color] Who followed afterwards made Malakaus sign. He vaguely recognized the young man, but glancing back at Vesta made the half-orc realize that they had that trouble-making wanna-be hero in their midst now. The same one who Vesta had fought a few days ago due to some sort of misunderstanding. Malakaus was hesitant on accepting the help of such a trouble-making youth, however he seemed dour right now. Or was he perhaps just focused? For now Malakaus kept quiet about Aleph. If he proves to be troublesome then Malakaus would handle him. But if he made himself useful, then perhaps the knight errant could look over his misguided accident from before.

And finally there was Duncan. Atisha glared daggers at him through her mask but Malakaus simply sighed. He supposed it wasn't really his place to judge the quality of a man, but Malakaus remembered the strict code of conduct he had to follow as a squire. There was a reason one shouldn't simply take strongmen from a tavern and elevate them to the status of minor nobility: giving a belligerent authority is just asking for trouble. But again it was not really Malakaus's place to judge Duncan's character. Sure he may have no place in high society, but then again neither did Malakaus. And frankly the only reason Malakaus even cared about Duncan's character was because he was in the city representing Felix. Once they leave the city, the only thing that truly matters is his skill in battle. So hopefully the bald man could be just as furious to demons as he can be with Atisha.

As the group slowly formed they approached the edge of the city. Malakaus was able to convince the stable master to loan him and his party a basic wagon and two strong horses. It could comfortably sit about six people plus a carriage driver, so any more than that and they'll have to take turns walking. The wagon would be faster and more comfortable than walking, though once they reach the village they'll need to take extra care not to let any harm come to the horses. Malakaus would have to pay a hefty amount for their safe return. Or wasn't sure if anyone else was going to come now, so Malakaus wasted no time waiting. Taking the reins the orc left the city of Luganica and officially began his quest.

[hr]

[h3][center]A WEEK LATER[/center][/h3]

The group's travel had been uneventful. They traveled throughout the entire day, a little bit into the night, and rested for only eight hours before moving again, often before the sun had risen. They camped and spent very little time off the road though they did stay at an inn on the fourth night. Finally, the [url=http://i.imgur.com/haxNbCz.png]village[/url] was within view. The most distinguishing feature of this village it's crude wooden fortifications that surrounded the outer village. Sharp wooden logs impaled into the ground that circled the village, with a few towers in between with archers manning them. The grass off the road was tall; tall enough to hide in. As soon as the group approached at least seven young-looking men rose from the tall grass, each armed with a shortbow. They did not aim at anyone, but they did have arrows in hand.

Malakaus stopped the horses and raised his signet high into the air for them to see. [color=firebrick]"I am Malakaus Firebelly, Knight Errant of the Kingdom of Luganica. I have come to the village of Laab with allies to assist your village!"[/color] One of the more elderly archers approached to look at Malakaus's signet, then motioned for the others to lower their weapons. They went back to their posts and led the others inside towards the village. Along the way, the older man explained the current situation.

[b]"Thank you for coming, sir knight. As you've been told the crystal that protects our village from monsters has gone dormant. It used to be that only the strongest of demons would come near our village, but now even the smallest whelps torment our homes and property. They've driven off game and slaughtered our livestocks as well as damage our crops. A few of our hunters have tried to go and stop them but few come back. The few who did have suffered horrible wounds, and those conscious enough to speak tell us of horrible things in the forest. That there are more demons lying in wait as if they were amassing their forces. And if that wasn't bad enough, recently they have started to raid our outlying farms in larger groups. Before a party of hunters could take on maybe eight or ten of their little ones, but they come with bigger numbers and bigger creatures. We tried to set up this fence as quickly as we coul, but we know if may not even slow down a more rabid mob. Please sir, if there's anything you and your allies can do for us we beg you, help us! We are not rich, but we have had good harvest and saved up wealth. It may not be enough for a knight like yourself, but whatever you need, we will give. But please, save our village, save us!"[/b]

Just as the old man started begging and about half-way towards the village, there was shouting in the distance. A large plume of smoke rose into the air and the old man's face looked pale. [b]"That signal... They're here. We're under attack!"[/b] At one of the towers two archers desperately fired their arrows into an on coming horde of demon beasts. But their efforts would be for naught, because they faced a terrifying foe: a horde of [url=http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/rezero/images/1/1d/Oousagi_3.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20170309203221]Oousagi[/url]. These creatures seemed deceptively harmless, cute even, but they weren't so adorable when the defenders tried to shoot them down, failing to do so due to their small size and swiftness. They climbed up the tower and together they quickly started to bite and eat the defenders alive. It happened so fast they couldn't even scream.

Atisha took a moment to look at them and gave a rough estimate of their numbers. [color=forestgreen]"There's at least thirty of them. The tall grass covers them, let's move! Old man take the horses and wagon and go!"[/color] Atisha wasted no time leaping out of the wagon and charging towards battle, chanting a spell as she approached. Malakaus didn't say anything as he took out his axe and joined her. It looked like the demon beasts were heading towards them anyways so for their best interest the party needed to keep these adorably abominations away from everyone else.

[@ADamnFiddle][@PhoenixRising][@Letter Bee][@Sir Lurksalot][@FamishedPants][@ZekariVoblis][@Seirei No Hai][@Soragoku][@Kitsune]
[@Zelosse]