The Chronicles of Dosei: Chapter 1
Act I
-Reisui-
The sounds of a hammer hitting against a anvil echoed about the main road that cut through from the north end to the south end of the village. The hammer belonged to Gorgamesh The Orc, he was working on what would seem like a curved blade. The weapon was infact a custom order made by a customer. It was smoldering hot as he hammered away. The heat from the forge was so hot that he had to remove a lot of his own clothing except for his shorts and apron. They were of the blacksmith sort though with black shorts and boots with a dark red apron and a iron mask with slits just big enough for him to see what he was doing. After five hits with his hammer he lifted the blade up with his tongs and looked at it. He turned it over and placed it back on the anvil and hammered away again. The shop itself was closed and if a customer wanted to take a look at his wares would have to either wait until he was done or interrupt him. The blade itself would not be completed for a long while though. He hadn't even begun on crafting a hilt for it yet.

He suddenly stopped for just a second and set his hammer down and moved to a table where he placed the tongs down. He lifted up the iron mask with his left hand and with his right he lifted up a bottle of mead and bit down on the cork until it popped out and spat it down. He then took a long drink from it and placed it down. With his brown leather gloves he wiped his mouth brought down the iron visage and grabbed the tongs and went back to work. He stuck the blade within the forge again and pulled down on a pulley until smoke rose up from the chimney as the flames were breathed back into life again. He did this for awhile and then brought the blade back out and began hammering away again.

A guard walked by and stopped climbing up the steps and watched leaning against the post. "Fancy blade your making there, whose it for?" He asked and Gorgamesh looked over to him and back at the blade as he recalled. "Some stranger from one of the big cities,... Don't know which one though. His servant is staying at the inn at the moment. Pretty little thing she is, shame she has to service a man that can't even manage to leave his home just to place a order." He said and the guard laughed.
"Almost as if he doesn't want to be burdened with us commoners eh?" The guard answered and Gorgamesh smirked. He then gestured to the bottle offering the guard a drink.
"Nah, I am on duty, the Jarl would be mighty angry with me if I got drunk during my watch. Maybe when we are both on break I can treat you to that fine wine that the two Bloodmoon sisters make at the inn." He said boasting about the wine. Gorgamesh liked the wine himself, but he knew that the guard went there for other reasons then the wine. The sisters attracted many customers and it surely wasn't just for their wine. Their dance and their voices were almost inviting to anyone and not just men but by women too. Gorgamesh nodded and then looked to the blade at the guards side.
"Hows' that been work'n for ya?" He asked and the guard looked to the sword and tapped the side of the scabbard and then looked back up at the orc.
"Oh I haven't had much time to put it to good use yet, thankfully. I hear the others have had put their swords to work though against a raid on some bandit camp to the east. The blades worked numbers against their foes. Starting to wish I had been their to test out my own." He answered and the orc smiled.
"Well, ye never know when a bit of fighting will sprout up so ye will get your chance to use it don't worry." He reassurede and the guard nodded. The man rose back up and bowed his head and left the orc to his work.

The guard took a left from the blacksmith's shop and head over to the lumber mill. When he got there he saw several of the residents at work and he just observed. Unlike at the forge it was much cooler over here with it being close to the river. He had blow warm air into his gloves as he saw the people go about their duties. One was at a chopping block, she was a fair looking woman with blonde hair and dark eyes. Just like most she wore warm clothing as she swung the axe down. Strength was pretty common this far north even when it came to women. Which annoyed him when he gets told about some man sending a girl to do his errands for him. That was the life of city folk though. Anyone of their women here could easily best the city's strongest man. He then glanced over towards the large saw which cut the much bigger logs in two. There were two people working it. One to pull the log into place, while the other pulled the lever. The two were brothers from what he could remember. Well they claimed to be brothers ,but they looked nothing alike. Perhaps one was a bastard son or something. Either way the two worked rather hard at the mill providing the village with good wood for their fires and spare supplies if ever the walls or buildings needed repaired. With the way the weather is getting he was surprised they hadn't needed to fix a cave in already.

The guard was suddenly surprised by something brushing past him. When he looked down he saw a chicken running past him and a young boy chasing after it. He smiled and shook his head. "Your pop's is going to keep on getting mad at you if you keeping letting that chicken get loose on you again and again." He called out. The boy stopped and looked behind him and scratched the back of his head and then went back to chasing the chicken.

The village was rather lively as there was always something to do. There was even a few crops being harvested. Mostly potatoes though seeing as the season for the other vegetables had already past and been harvested. There were even yak's being milked and fed as well as chickens and goats. There were only but a few dogs though. They didn't last long here for they often sometimes wondered out of the village and they would fall prey to several predators or die from the cold.

-The Jarl's Longhouse-
The Jarl of Reisui sat at the end of the dinning table his wife sitting to his right and his housecarl sitting to his left. His steward was also present and stuffing his face. Jarl sat back as chewed the beef from the well cooked diner and looked to his wife before swallowing. Once he felt he was ready to speak he did so. " Has there been anymore sittings? From those wild orcs or even from any goblinkin?" He asked. She sighed and shook her head.
"From our scouts and even from the local's it seems like we have either driven most of them out or their are hiding more cleverly." She said. The Jarl looked forward and seemed to stare into the large hearth before them.

"It took much shorter time to rid the orcs from this land then it did the goblins,... I don't like it. They are up to something and can feel it in my gut. It's getting deeper into winter though so we can't keep sending our scouts out to keep investigating. We might end up having to wait until spring." He said. He then looked back to her and placed a hand on hers.
"What you think Arielle?" He asked and she shrugged.

"Perhaps next week once the two sisters return from their monthly trip we can ask them if they noticed anything out of the norm,... other then that dear, I do not know what to think. I don't like the quietness either ,but then again it is winter time. Perhaps they just don't want to risk the frostbite and moved south to warmer climates." She said rather optimistically. The problem they have been having though were a few bandits causing trouble. They had just cleaned out one make shift camp ,but it seemed no matter how many times they did another would pop up some where else. If it wasn't one thing it was another. She leaned forward to the housecarl and whistled to get his attention.

"Your a fighter, what do you think?" She asked and the housecarl was silent for awhile as if lost in thought. She let him gather his thoughts on the matter expecting him to come to some conclusion.
"I would like to say we wiped them all out just like the goblins, but that would be rather optimistic. Orcs are very adaptable, more so then most of the races that populate our country. I doubt the cold would chase them off so quickly, they are also more stubborn then goblins so I doubt they would cower from us. They would die to the last orc if they had to, I think our smith can vouch for that. I am with the Jarl, something is wrong and I wish I knew. Perhaps one of the sisters can be sent out alone for reconnaissance or both. I think our scouting parties are much too big and noisy. They could move more quietly and might find something our men couldn't" He said. The Jarl nodded and decided that was what they would do.

"It is settled, after they come back from their little journey up the mountain they can do a bit of scouting for us, it's not like they haven't done so in the pass." He said. They soon went back to eating after the conclusion as to what they were going to do was said.

-The Karasu-
Vivian Bloodmoon was using a wet cloth to wipe down the bar counters awaiting for a customer to request something. She took note of a young girl sitting at one of the booths. The young girl was a bit bored it seemed. She had ordered a room for the next couple nights waiting on some sword from the smith. She sighed and leaned against the counter staring at the poor woman. She was half tempted to go over there and tell the young lady she should quit her current way of living and work here at the inn. Side from the constant squawking from their feathery friends it wasn't that bad of a job and they could always use another person. What made it real tempting was the fact that they were about to go out on their monthly trip up the mountain to the north east. They could use someone to watch the tavern for them while they were gone. She sighed and went back to her work every so often looking up at the young woman.

Cassandra who was sweeping kept noticing her older sister glancing up at their inn's new resident. She took a look over and sighed. Poor thing, it must be very troubling to work for such a greedy man and spoiled to the point he sends a servant girl to go can get a sword. What was the man going to do with it after it was forged anyways? Someone who is not strong enough or brave enough to come down here himself was not fit for a sword. She decided to indulge her sister and set the broom aside and gestured to Vivian. the tavern was clean enough. She moved to sit at the booth and leaned forward causing the young woman to lean back in surprise.

"Name's Cassandra, or Cass for short, look I know you were sent here for some stupid sword. What if I offered you a better job?" She asked. The young woman relaxed a little and shrugged. "You see, me and my sister Viv here, will be needing someone to watch the place for us while we are gone. How would you like it if we offered you a job here? You would get a free room and food? " She offered and the young lass started looking about the room and even began to fidget.

Vivian pushed herself onto the table resting sitting atop it. She placed a hand on the young lady's shoulder. "Hey, it's your decision. We won't force you, we just heard your little story and figured that your current master likely sends you to do these kind of things a lot." She said. "We figured you could always work for us and at least live happier. You would get paid out of the cut that gets brought in and you would get your own room and of course the food. " She said. The young woman looked to Vivian and then to Cassandra and leaned in a little.

"You mean I would get paid in gold? Silver?" She asked and Vivian smiled looking to Cassandra and then back to her.
"You name it kid, we often split the profits fifty fifty, but we could split it three ways if you were to work here for us." She answered, confirming what it would mean to the girl. The lady sat back and looked about the tavern and shrugged.
"What if my master comes looking for me when I don't bring back his sword?" She asked. Vivian looked to her sister, not thinking of that situation and then stared up at the ceiling. "Okay we will let the Jarl know and you can stay at the longhouse until we get back. We are good friends with Erich and Arielle they will protect you against him." She answered and then the young lass leaned back into the table and offered her hand to them. They smiled and took up her hand shaking it.

"Go ahead and pick yourself out a room, unless you like the one you were given with the small amount of coin he gave you. " Cassandra said. Both of the sisters were happy to be there for the young lady and once the woman had ran off to do what she said she leaned back. She felt good that they might have made a young woman's life much better then it had been. She then looked to her sister. "Is everything ready for our trip up the mountain?" She asked. Vivian looked to her and turned to face her sister and closed in and gave her a little kiss. "You bet, everything is ready... it might be a little different then the last time with it being colder and all ,but everything should be normal." She said. Cassandra touched her fingers to her lips and then let them fall to hit the table.
"That's good,... we will leave in the morning tomorrow. I want to make sure this ones stay is made permanent before we leave." Vivian nodded and stepped away from her sister and began to dance as she did.

-The Wizards Shop-
The old man sat in a stool in the corner of his shop. He was in the process of taking a nap with his trusty familiar watching the shop for him. The large owl moved its head from left to right as it scanned the shop for anything that needed to take noticing. The shop wasn't all that cluttered. There were jars full of all kinds of alchemical ingredients like Deathbell or Nightshade. There was also several other ingredients as well for medicines. On the shelves however, were books. Some were even spell books that the sorcerer no longer needed. Sorcerer's were not like Wizard's who needed to carry a tome everywhere they went. Sorcerer's could cast any spell they learned without the need of the tome. Therefore, once the spell is learned the book itself became useless and in this case, rather then throw it away. He was going to sell it. There were scrolls as well, for quick spell use. The scrolls could even be used by someone who is not capable of using magic by normal means. Nizhar, shifted his position and once more drifted into slumber.

There wasn't much to his shop unless you were a alchemist or a learner of the arts of magic. Other then that you would not be really that interested in the shop. He did not even get that much business ,although some claim that that was because of the location. If he had picked a city he would have more business but he didn't like the city. It was too noisy.

-Veoznaz's Goods and Trinkets-

The Satyr moved about his shop with a broom. His hooved feet hitting against the wooden floor. He had a fur coat on to cover his chest and arms as he swept. He stopped for a second to look around his shop at the many things he had gathered from his little adventures. He gave a quick nod and continued to sweep the floor. He hoped that when spring came he would have more customers. Everything was slow here in the village during the winter time. Not many people traveled during this season sense it got really cold out here. Not like in the cities where it was so warm from all the people that you could still make a living. "I need to move my shop into the city,... seems like a waste to be here" He said mostly to himself. He began to think maybe when spring came around he would check out the cities for any shops that went out. He then thought of the lake and sighed.

He came here because of the lake in general, he was always fond of it and he couldn't just leave it. Besides it's not like he has to pay rent or anything. It's his shop and it will stay as his shop.

Reisui:

Eirika and Haldir approached the village from the east. They stopped and studied the little settlement. Eirika leaned in and then leaned back whistling. "The village looks like one of those paintings you would see of the winter,... I suppose we can stop here for the night, right?" She asked as she turned to her brother. His stare fixated on the tiny village. He tore his gaze away and looked to his younger sister. He made a slight smile and nodded.
"That's the plan,... I think we will stay here for awhile and get the lay of the land so to speak" He answered. She nodded and looked back to the winter village and with her brother proceeded to enter the village. Their insignia being spotted right away by the guards.

They gulped and looked to each other and then back forward. When the order comes to pay you a visit, it can't be good. They both hoped nothing bad will come of their home. The two elves moved their way past the other houses and eventually past the longhouse and to the tavern. They entered that tavern to come across what they did not expect. Not so much the Centaur, but two drow. He narrowed his eyes and then looked to his sister who just shrugged. He looked back towards them and tried to read them. They were not evil, but still it was uncommon for drow to be on the surface. He decided to give them the benefit of the doubt and led his sister to a table and pulled out a chair for her. Once she sat down he pushed her in and then joined her. The Centaur was obviously being served first, so they would have to wait.

Haldir scanned the tavern for any more occupants and he took note of the unusually pale elf sitting alone in a booth. He kept his eyes on her for awhile and nodded in her direction. He then turned to face his younger sister and pulled back his hood, revealing his long blond hair and the fire from the hearth reflecting ever more on his blue eyes. Eirika's hair was a red color, very much like the Jarl's wife. She had to remove the sheaths of the swords at her sides and her hand crossbows and place them beside her. They were making her seating rather uncomfortable.

The biting cold nipped under her cloak as Alastrina made her to the inn. It was her lunch break, she had a few coin, the inn's stew was delicious, she could always ask one of the sisters if they wanted anymore meat after the mill closed in the evening and of what type, and her mom was expecting a new little one so it would be better if she gave the new couple some space to savor the news. The golden-haired girl smiled ruefully at the thought, "Why did it take another man, a new family, to finally make Mom happy?" She thought to herself. "It was tough for both of us after Dad died, but couldn't she at least be happy that I was still around?" Then she slowly breathed in and out, "Calm down girl. Take it easy. Mom was never meant to not be a wife and mother, she has always loved the idea of children running around and a husband to encourage, worry about, tease, and love. She would never been happy again if she hadn't moved on and been given another chance at that dream. You did the right thing by getting them together, but they need to be able to have their family now. Hmm, maybe I should try bounty-hunting like Feiia does. You're not that well trained.

At that point, she passed by Veoznaz's store, and heard the delivery man tell the man about a bandit attack. A smile crossed her lips as she continued on, "A bandit attack? Sweet, another volunteer opportunity coming up then and this time I'll be among them, whether officially or unofficially." Then Alice arrived at the tavern, opened the door, and was astonished by all the people inside. Vivian, Cassandra, Bernard, and Feiia were all there, but the rest were strangers and interesting ones at that. There was a sheep centaur knitting its own wool into sweaters with a squirrel-like thing on her horns, a male drow elf that she barely saw with the corner of her eye that was obviously yet non-obviously trying to be unnoticed, an elf warrior maiden that resembled Arielle, with the same red hair and similar figure though with real wings while Arielle's were fake, perhaps they were related. Then lastly there was the elf maiden's companion, also an elf but with Alice's shade of golden hair, he was a warrior through and through and his elvish carved weapons were extremely beautiful, not that she would ever trade her father's sword for any other kind though she might trade her bow.

Then the young girl noticed that she had been awkwardly standing by the door while she had looked around. Feeling embarrassed, she went to the bar and sat down close to the two new elf companions' position, but away from where the drow elf male sat , he seemed to want to be left alone for the most part. While there, she waited for Cassandra to be free or Bernard to come for her order, wondering if she should leave since it was getting to be a full house today.

Eirika looked about the tavern as she sat there waiting for the stew. She then saw someone else enter the tavern. A young woman had arrived, she wondered if the tavern was that popular to be so full today. A lot of the people seemed like travelers, perhaps this woman was a traveler too. She must be a native to this country though sense she did not wear as much winter clothing like those who are alien to the country. Eirika was very tempted to join her. Perhaps this person might know anything about the area. The seers told them to come here for a reason, perhaps the prediction has not happened yet or perhaps it might be close to happening.

Besides she could always use a new friend, I mean it might be smart to make friends with her seeing as it would give them better standings in the area. Then suddenly she heard footsteps and Vivian one of the sisters came over to their table placing down bowls of the stew. She seemed to notice she had a extra bowl and sighed. She looked over and saw Alice and smiled. Vivian bowed to the two elves and then walked over to Alice's table.

"Nice to see you Alice, having any luck with hunting still? People just can't get enough of the boar you brought to us. To the point we are almost out of it." She said placing the bowl down. "Don't worry about paying dear, you do enough for us by hunting for us. If you can pick us up another boar that will be nice." She said.

~outside~

Veo looked to the old man, shaking his head slightly with annoyance. "Sack up stairs, I am going to go to the tavern and gather me a little posse. No bandit will steal from Veo and get away with it. They will pay with their blood." He said and he moved around the counter and grabbed his crossbow and then set it on the counter. He then moved to the far back of his shop and began to fit himself with his personal armor. The armor was a simple hardened leather set minus the helmet or the leggings and boots. The armor also had a little bit of the north designed into it. Fur about the collar. The padding underneath was also very warm. He took up his crossbow and swung over the quiver that held the ammunition to the weapon. He gave a nod to the old man and headed out of his shop. He gave a glance around. The town was going about its daily life like normal. That was good, he did not want to start a panic. He then turned to face the tavern, he snorted and then stepped forwards.

Once he went up the small steps and entered through the door way he took a look around and instantly his eyes found them resting on the lass Alice. She was a hunter, meaning she was a good tracker and knew what to look for. She would be his first choice. He then saw the two elves and smirked. It looks as if luck was on his side this time. Veo moved over and sat at Alice's table on the opposite side.

"Hello miss Alice...." He said propping his crossbow on the table. He then turned his head to the two elves. "... Out of the people in here I think you three will be the best choices. I have a job proposition for the three of you. I have a personal matter to deal with that involve some unruly bandits. They hit a caravan carrying something precious to me. I want it back, I can't kill a whole bandit gang myself or else I would do this solo. I need a tracker....." He looked to Alice. "You being the towns hunter, you will be the best choice. I can pay you, all three of you."

Eirika was half way done with her stew when a new voice was heard. The voice of a satyr or Fawn. He was giving them a job to do. Apparently some bandits were causing some trouble. She looked to Elduin and smiled. "Lets help him out shall we? I mean it won't hurt much and besides we will get to at least help out the town." She said and Elduin sighed and turned his head to the side.
"We are in,..."

Veo nodded and smiled. Those bandits will most certainly regret crossing me. Especially if Alice joined them.

The dark-eyed girl's mind became lost in thought as she waited for one of the sisters to be available, causing her to absentmindedly wave to the winged elf maiden when their eyes met. Her thoughts went back to when her father was still alive. The games, the teases, the tall tales, all went by in what seemed like only a moment, but what had really been six years. But she kept remembering, wondering if it would help her recall more or at least keep those memories completely secure where they were, but she always knew it would lead back to what happened afterwards, the message that had come from among the guards. But Alice's head was then brought back into reality by Vivan's question about hunting and the clattering of a soup bowl upon the table. "Hunting's going swell, Vivian. Thanks, I'll make sure to get boar for you the next time I go hunting." Then she smiled at the sister, knowing that on such matters as the soup, Vivian got her way, and started eating the excellent stew.

Alice was still savoring the soup, keeping it firmly in mind to get the Bloodmoon sisters another boar, when Veo came in. The sight was indeed amazing, a satyr clad in armor, a wicked crossbow in his hands, fury in his eyes. "Must be for the bandit attack on his wagon," the blond thought to herself as she watched the shop owner and ate her stew. "But why did he look at me like that? All the men of this town always complain of my constant volunteering for bandit hunts. I would volunteer for it anyway, but why did he look like he wanted me like he wanted the two new elves?"

She pondered this as Veo sat at the opposite end of her table, propped up his crossbow, and greeted her with a "Hello miss Alice."

To which she replied with a smile and a courteous "Hello Mr. Veo." Then she heard in amazement as he personally offered her a place on the squad, as a tracker. She didn't know what to say. "You want me to join? Why I'd love to." then she calmed herself down to act more like the professionals. "I mean, I'm in. I would just need to retrieve my gear from the house."

Veo nodded in response to her replies. He wasn't in too much of a hurry. "Take your time, we got plenty of it to go bandit hunting." Veo said. The fact that she accepted his invitation was good enough for him. Besides it would be smart if she was ready when they went. With the elves also going with them it made the hunt a lot more easier and safer for the both of them. He looked about the tavern at all the other faces. None of which really excited him. The satyr was pleased with how this all worked out. Soon he would have what was his. It took him almost forever to find that jewel and a lot of time spent saving up the coin to purchase it. Then some stupid bandits had to ruin it. He knew there were a lot more dangers in those woods then just bandits though. That was why Alice was the best choice to take part in this little adventure. Perhaps it would not be so bad after all. "You enjoy that stew, I will head back to my shop and prepare my mule with the supplies we will need." He said. He then rose up from his seat and lifted up his crossbow. It's muzzle resting on his shoulder. "Meet me at the northern gate,..." He said and then looked to the two elves and gave them a quick nod. With that he exited the warmth of the tavern and headed back towards his shop. This time he took the back way where his mule was tethered.

Once he reached the mule he unlocked the back door and entered his shop. He proceeded to grab four bedrolls, a few pots, a tinder box, and a good sized tent as well as a few supplies from his food storage. Nothing as great as what the bloodmoon sisters can cook up ,but it was enough for them to survive on. He just wished they would not be looking for the bandits for too long. For now this will just have to do. Once he was done with gathering all he thought they needed he began to pull on the mule. Leading him out and towards the north gate. It was a long time sense his last venture, either way this would be good for his health.

Eirika decided to rise up from her seat, flexing her wings as she did so, she then looked to Elduin and gestured. "Let's go, no sense in standing here. Let's get to the northern gate and wait there for him." She said. The blonde elf rose up soon after and nodded. He then looked over at Alice and nodded. "I am Elduin, this is Eirika. We are of the Order of Corellan Larethian. It will be a pleasure working beside you." He said. He bowed his head slightly and then proceeded to exit the tavern. Eirika following right behind him. "These bandits shouldn't be too hard to find. They are never really all that bright if you ask me. They will mess up some where down the line and thats when we will have them." She figured. Of course these bandits could be different or not. They could never know. She tried to think if bandits were ever a piece of the seer's predictions. Something was going to go down here, something evil. Perhaps the bandits are the beginning of it, then again the prediction could probably occur several years after. Predicting the future was never all that clear.

Elduin opened the tavern door for Eirika as she exited. Together they made it to the northern entrance. "A few bandits should be easy for us, this will give us something to do and some good exercise. We can't get too comfortable here in this town." He figured.

"It will be a pleasure working with you too, sir, mam'm," Alice replied to the elf's introduction as she got up and bowed. Then she finished her stew as she waited for them to get out the door. But afterwards, she was out like a flash.

Her hood fell behind her as she flew past buildings and people, allowing the chill wind to strike her face and her hair to rise behind her like the cloak, but she kept running. The golden-haired child only stopped when she was at the entryway of a modest home, there she took a moment to steel herself before opening it to the smell of her mom baking bread in the kitchen area and humming a traditional jaunty tune. "She hasn't been like this since before Dad died." The girl thought sadly as she snuck past to the place she kept her weapons. As Alice reached the place and opened the chest, the blonde girl thought of the few memories she had left of her father. As she slipped on her leather breastplate, she thought of when he had caught her trying to get into his armor. As she clipped the quiver onto the right side of her belt and filled it with arrows, she thought of when she kept begging him to play while he was fletching some until he finally caved in. As she placed her bow on her back, she thought of when he took her to the training yard and let her try the bows there though they seemed immovable at the time. As she buckled her sword and sheath to the left side of her belt, she thought of her dad's promise before he went to give her a sword lesson like she been asking for to see if she really wanted to learn it. Then as she strapped the shield onto her back, over the bow, she thought of that day, when Dad was expected to be home and instead was delivered his possessions and the news of his death. She shook her head before she brought back the hurt and pain, today was finally the day she could enact justice upon the bandits and see that no others experienced what she experienced, though revenge was also a powerful motivator.

With this she left the room and sought to sneak out again. But this time, her mother caught her. "Hello Alice, where are you going?"

"Out hunting again," Alice replied. It was the truth, but she knew her mom would throw a fit if she found out it was Bandit hunting. "I shouldn't be gone long."

"Well, just take care then sweetie," her mother said. Then she gave her daughter a hug, "Try to come back soon. I couldn't stand to lose you too."

"Don't worry about me, Mom," Alice replied as she disengaged the hug. "Just take care of yourself and your new little one. It probably isn't healthy for it if you're scared to death." Then Alice smiled and waved her farewells as she walked out the door. Her pace though was slower as she headed to the northern gate. The brown-eyed teen pondered the while if her mother would be in a similar state she was in after Father's death or would she soon recover with the new child. But as she reached the gate itself and saw the elves waiting, she pushed all such thoughts out of her head. This had been the day she had waited for, she was not going to waste it. With that, she quickened her pace, prepared to go with the company into the woods.

Veo, the satyr, was leading the mule right around the bin as Alice moved up the street to join the elves. Veo placed his crossbow in its holster upon the side of the mule so it would be quick to grab and pulled out when the time had come for him to use it. Hopefully not so soon when they finally left. He would lead the way to the destroyed wagon, from there Alice would take over the hunt. Her abilities to track were indeed impressive, even among the guards. The guards probably just thought of that out of respect for her dead father ,but then again maybe not. He would know if there is any truth to it today. If she does prove to be very useful and helps me find that gem, perhaps I will take her to the lake and she will find out why the gem was so valuable. He patted the head of the mule and then quickened the pace.

"You're all here, that's good." He said nodding to each one of them. "The old man said the attack occurred five miles up the road,... damn bandits were pretty gutsy for that. I wonder....." He said pausing and then shaking his head. He pulled the mule along taking lead. A guard watched them as they left. Veo just simply nodded to the guard out of respect and courtesy. With that they were outside the village of Reisui and out into the dangerous frozen tundra of Dosei. He wondered if the attack on his wagon was intentional.... and so close to the village. It was as if they knew what package it was carrying. Then again, it could just be bandits being stupid like always. He took a glance towards Alice, he then began to wonder if this specific group was anywhere responsible for the death of her father. If so then it looks like she would also have a bone to pick with them. He looked away and to the front. His eyes were on the road and they would not leave it until they reached the wagon.

Eirika felt a odd difference in temperature as they left the village. Perhaps the village was a little warmer due to the chimneys and the warmth coming off the people compared to out here. Out here where the light would fade and disappear once the sun goes down. She simply reached up and grabbed her wings to pull them around her for some sort of warmth. The feathers were so soft and comfortable. Hopefully they would keep her warm. As she did this a feather came loose and began to float down towards the ground. She did not even notice it had come loose. She wondered how far they would have to travel to find these bandits and take back what belonged to the village. Well what belonged to Veo anyways. She figured there was something personal about the wagon. Then perhaps Veo just didn't like being robbed. She turned her head to look to Alice and smiled. "Your a hunter here right? So, side from wild boar what else will we be expecting in these woods?" She asked.

Elduin's eyes shifted as his ears perked up a little so he could listen to Alice's response. He wanted to know as much as he could from the woods outside of Reisui as he could possible. To know about any problems or troubles before they occurred.

The village girl though noticed the feather drop. She picked it up and felt how soft and real it felt as she paced with the group. Alice cocked her head and stared at the wings in puzzlement, " How does she have real wings? Are high elves suppose to have wings? Is that why Mrs. Arielle always wears those fake ones? But the lord doesn't have any either. Alice, stop staring. It's impolite to stare and would be even ruder to ask about them. But how come she has wings?" She snapped out of her musings when Erika asked about animals in the woods.

The blonde replied as she sat came up beside her, "Orcs have been a bother, but they've been infrequent this year, doesn't mean we couldn't still run into them. Other than them, the main ones are wolves and wargs. Mostly, they're in packs, making them easier to avoid but overwhelming if you're caught off-guard. Loners though are sneakier, so they may land a bite before you even know it's there. But after the initial surprise, they're manageable. Other than that, there is nothing dangerous in the woods. There are rumors of mysterious beasts living in the mountain, but the Bloodmoon sisters, the ones who own the inn, are the only ones who go up there and they don't say anything about such things." Then the human offered the feather back to its owner. "Here. You dropped this."

Eirika looked to the feather and smiled. "Keep it, I have plenty of feathers." She answered. She turned her head forward to look ahead. She then began to wonder if the girl was curious about her wings. Who wouldn't be? She was an elf with wings, yet not many elves are known to have wings. "I ,unlike the majority of my people, was born with these wings. The elders say it is a rare occurrence that doesn't often happen. They told me that it was simply a sign of my destiny. That I was to be a divine soul, a daughter of Corellan Larethian sent down to earth." She snorted a bit. " How silly, to think I could be a descendant of a god, I do believe I was given them for a reason though. That I will play a part in this worlds future." She said. She then looked around at the woods trying to see if her elf eyes could see anything out of place.

It wasn't long before the five miles closed to a halt and they could spot the downed wagon. The stead pulling it was dead on the ground with a few arrows in the side of it's body. Veo spat at the ground at scene. It was worse then he had thought. The left wheel in the front was also damaged beyond repair. He sighed and decided to look within the back of the wagon. Perhaps there was some chance that the gem would still be in it's box and sitting somewhere. When he reached the back all he saw was the supplies the bloodmoon sister's had ordered. He could even locate a few blacksmith tools. His box was gone. This told him that his fears were true. Those bandits attacked this wagon for the precious gem that it carried. "They took it,... they took my gem. It was to be a gift for a friend. That thing was worth ten thousand gold pieces." He spoke. He began to look around outside for foot falls. "Alice, this is where your job comes in. Locate which way those bandits went." He added. He was a bit angry at the whole thing. Someone in the city north of them must have told the bandits about his gem. If he ever found out who ,they would wish they had never crossed him.

Elduin began to look as well. His elven eyes were sharp and could spot anything. He just hoped the foot prints did not disappear. His eyes however, were not as perfect as he thought. The prints he was looking for were heading north east deeper into the woods. It did not stop him from looking though. While he did so Eirika kept her eyes upwards and into the trees. Just in case there might be someone with a bow up there.

The village girl placed the feather in her belt, keeping it secure and hopefully not breaking it. Then Alice just listened, fascinated, to Erika as she explained her wings. "Are the elders right? I guess I'll see for myself if she stays around." were her silent thoughts as the blond said, "Thank you for the feather, and the story. It is indeed a marvelous gift you were given." Then the huntress checked around for any of the wood's dangers, having her hands ready if something did come.

But the five miles to the cart were traversed in peace. But the cart itself was the remains of a war zone, with the poor horse slaughtered and the cart destroyed. "It's a wonder that the cart driver survived." Thought Alice. Then the dark-eyed girl started examining the ground for the bandit's footprints, even before Veo said to. She had gotten use to tracking tracks in the snow, but it was never easy. Even the minute stooped over examination like Alice was doing might miss the tracks and accidently mess in her footprints. Finally though, along the edge between the road and the forest, she spotted them, "I found the prints," she called out to her companions. "They're headed north east from here, deep into the woods." Then grabbing her bow and keeping her other hand by the quiver, Alice said, "The tracks might disappear if we don't hurry." Before plunging into the dark woods herself.

Veo moved right behind Alice following after her into the woods. Footprints can vanish pretty easy in the winter due to the snow. However, it looked as if luck would be on their side this time. As the four companions traversed the woods pushing past bushes and trees. Veo began to wonder how far these bandits went, perhaps they headed for their camp. If so there might be more of them then they could handle. He bit down on his bottom lip praying that they would catch the bandits before they made it to their camp. Then again the old man never gave a head count to how many of the bandits there was. He kept his eyes on Alice, every so often looking to his left or his right for any thing.

Eventually Eirika put her wings to use spreading them out and taking flight. She felt the group could use a birds eye few for help in spotting any enemy. It was a little tougher then she thought due to the trees sometimes blocking her view. What she decided to do instead was look for any source of a fire or some kind of sign that they where nearing the enemy camp. She did spot something thought, however it was white smoke. Usually a sign that the bandits may have left their camp. White smoke was only seen if the fire had already gone out and was just steam. She back down and continued to run beside Elduin.
"I spotted some sort of smoke, I think it is just steam though which is a bad sign. The bandit's may have come and gone already." She said.

The news of this finding did not sit well with the satyr. He grimaced and cursed. I suppose it would be no surprise seeing as they got what they wanted from the wagon. No sense in sticking around now, he felt a little discouraged as if the gem was lost to him forever. He would not give up though until they saw the camp. Who knows they might have just put out the fire in order to try to hide their camp from any pursuers.
As they followed the tracks he started to get a bad feeling though. The feeling was joined by a awful smell that he could not figure out. It smelled like blood and wondered if he was the only one who smelled it. They hadn't even started to get that close to the camp yet and he could already smell it. He wondered if the smell was giving anyone else a horrible feeling as well.

He then began to think good thoughts, perhaps the Jarl's men had already hit the bandit camp ahead of time. Perhaps, the Jarl might have his gem now and is holding it for him. That would be some good news indeed if it were true. Then he saw something, a blood trail leading away from the direction of the camp and arcing around to a tree. He moved to investigate and saw a dead man dressed in leather armor. The armor was torn from what would like a sword. However, what killed the man were the tooth marks in his neck, he must have been attacked with a sword and tried to flee and some sort of animal bit him on the neck to silence him. He was starting to feel it in his stomach now. As if his gut told him that it wasn't the Jarl who killed these bandits. Something else did..... but what?

He decided to rejoin the others. "Lets continue to that camp. Hopefully we will get more clues as to what is going on here..... whatever it is I don't like it." He said. His pace slowing to a walk, the blood was his new trail. It had to lead to the camp and sure enough it did. What the group came upon was torn tents and more fallen bandits. Their bodies laying everywhere and no clue as to what had killed them. Except for one thing, some of them had slashes across their armor like that of the bandit they found. Three bodies had been beheaded by what looked like from a giant cleaver. The rest of the bodies had flesh torn from their arms from some sort of animal that had bit them. These bandits were slaughtered and once more no clue as to what they were attacked by. At least that was until he entered the main tent and saw a large animal tearing pieces off of the bandits leader. The animal was a warg,... the warg wore something that gave him the only clue he needed to know about who attacked these bandits. It had a iron collar around its neck. It was spiked and blackened to give the warg a more terrifying presence. Veo rose his crossbow up and fired a bolt at it to get it's attention.

The bolt nailed it in it's side and it yelped and then growled as it turned around to charge at him. Veo moved to get another bolt out and place it on the crossbow ,however the warg was charging in at him faster then he could load it.....

..... Eirika and Elduin were checking around the camp for anything that would be of interest. Veo mentioned some kind of jewel and so they began to look for it. Hopefully it might still be here.

Alice had been examining the bandit's bodies when she heard Veo's crossbow. She then rushed to where she heard his shot, replacing her bow for her shield and drawing her sword. The village girl had at first followed the footprints when first trying to find the camp, but when the blood trail presented itself... The blond was sure she recognized the tooth marks, but hadn't been able to place it. When they came to the camp, she had examined the other bodies to see if it would jog that memory.

But as Alice finally came upon the satyr's location, she recalled why they were so familiar. Those tooth marks had implented themselves on a tree she was climbing up during one of her early hunts where the village girl had been surprised by the ambush of a lone warg. It had jumped just like this one, and Veo was focusing on reloading his weapon. With a final burst of speed, she shield bashed the creature mid-flight, inches away from the shop owner's neck. The warg was knocked away and Alice had enough time to get back her balance, placing herself between it and Veo and hunkering down in a fighting position. As she waited for the monster's move, her eyes alighted on the strange spiked collar.

Veo would voice who this warg belonged to after it was dead. He proceeded to reload his crossbow and once the bolt was in place he eyed the beast. The warg was shaking it's head from the trauma given to it by the shield maiden. Well Alice wasn't really a shield maiden ,or perhaps she was now after her fathers death. Just like the shield maiden Arielle. Anyhow once it was loaded he side stepped to get a good view of the warg. "Go on lass finish it off,... I got you covered." He said to her waiting for her to use what skills she had learned from her father to end the creatures life. To think those orcs robbed him of vengeance by attack these bandits. Knowing Alice's history with the bandits as well, she was likely just as robbed of vengeance as he was. The lass saved him too in the nick of time. If she hadn't come when she did there would be a dead shop keeper in this tent. Those wargs are mean, especially ones trained and owned by orcs. The orcs don't feed them a lot for attacks like these. He wondered where those elves where, likely hunting for his jewel which was okay but knowing orcs they probably took it with them.

Outside the two elves heard what was going on in the tent and proceeded to the location as well. Sadly though the tent was not big enough for everyone. For now Elduin and Eirika had nothing to do but watch the shield maiden fight it. Elduin did draw his bow though, waiting for any opening he could get. Once he did he fired the arrow but it bounced off the spiked collar giving the iron collar one more notch.

Alice nodded back at the satyr then focused back on her opponent. "Alright, time to show them what I can do," was her last conscious thought before she corrected her posture, left side with the kite shield toward the warg and right side with the iron sword in a position to strike. The beast had gotten up in the meantime and locked eyes with its new opponent. It started pacing from side to side looking for an openning. But the warrior maiden kept her eyes fixed and offered no easy opening for the beast, waiting for the right moment to strike. Alice could tell it wouldn't be too long, the warg was hungry and wanted to be alone to enjoy its feast.

But it was the elvish knight's arrow that was the warg's last straw. Eludin may have missed his target and hit the collar, but it was the spark that fully brought on the beast's fury. It charged and lept for the village girl's throat. But her shield and stance was ready for it. Alice caught the warg on her shield, shifted sideways, then undercut into the chest. The warrior maiden then withdrew her blade and the beast fell to the ground, dead. The village girl went to examine the fallen foe to make sure it was indeed dead, in a bit of shock that she had actually killed a warg. In an attempt to appear nonchalant, she asked, "The collar. Who owned this beast?"

Veo hoisted his crossbow up until its muzzle rested on his shoulder. He looked about at the dead bandits and then to the warg. He gestured to one dead body outside the tent. "Those slashes across that ones leather armor, as well as a few other, were not from the wargs. Your looking at a successful orc raid. They took everything, including their enemies weapons." He then looked to the body of the bandit leader and moved over to him and kicked him over to see if the bandit had his gem. He sighed at the discovery that it wasn't there. "They like to take anything shiny as well, they must have found my box and took it. However, this is where our little hunt gets more difficult, orcs have gotten rare of late. So we have been told anyways. They must have some hiding place some where. Finding it will be the hard part." He then looked to the dead warg and began to think.

Eirika also looking to the dead warg suddenly looked up. "Well they can't be far if this warg is still here. Perhaps we can find their trail and catch up with the rest." She then looked to Elduin for his own opinion.
"Problem with that is it must have taken more then a few orcs to completely slaughter these bandits. We are only four people. We would have to be careful, play this smart. Perhaps not engage the orcs right away if we do catch up with them. Follow them perhaps until they make camp or find their hole. Then wait until night time and hope we can get what is Veo's and leave without too many of them noticing." He said. He then looked to Alice and smiled. "Isn't the Jarl offering a reward for the heads of dead orcs? perhaps you can go home with a few heads. If your still with us that is." He said.

Eirika looked to Alice and then back to Elduin. "Of course she is still with us,... she is a fighter after all. You can only hunt deer and boar for so long before you want to face some action. Fighting a bunch of orcs wont be that tough. Besides me and her got you and Veo to cover our backs with your bow and crossbow. We will be fine, besides I am a divine soul. If we take some hits I will just have to use some of my magic to heal us." She said. She looked to Alice. "Divine souls are like paladins but with a few more better perks and abilities. Of course the wings are a plus too." She smiled. She liked Alice, perhaps after they were done here and were to go off adventuring again perhaps she would invite Alice to join them. It would help mostly because Alice was a native to these lands.

The village girl grinned, "Was there any indication that I might leave? Of course I'm continueing on with this." Alice then wiped her blade on a clean place in the grass, saying, "Orcs are even more murderous than bandits. Dad's legacy would still be honored." The blond then sheathed her sword and replaced her shield, "Well, if there is a trail still around, I should be able to find it."

Then she left the tent and investigated, pondering where the trail might end up. "Woods been pretty well covered, not too many places orcs could hide for long. But it's possible. On the other hand, no one knows what's up in the mountains. Well, if the trail leads there, then at least we'd know what's up there. Then at the edge of the encampment, the huntress spotted the leaving prints of wargs and foot-like prints that she guessed were probably their masters. "I think I found the trail," she called out to her companions.

Veo heard her call as stared into the empty eyes of one of the bandits and smirked. "A shame,... but it looks like their karma was paid to them by the hands of those orcs. Oh well, lets get going..." He said as he went to her and saw the trail. It was a good sized group for a orc raid judging from the tracks. He looked up and past the leaf less trees. What he saw was in fact the mountains. "Hmm... those mountains do have a lot of caves built on its side. Old mine shafts long abandoned from what I know. Big enough to old a orc horde if they wanted to hide. No one would know to check old mine shafts,... clever,.... too clever for orcs." He said. Perhaps the orcs were finally smarting up and using their brains. Or something else was pulling their strings. To be honest he didn't care, he just wanted his gem back. It was to be a gift for a very close friend of his. Right now it was all that mattered. He sighed and then placed the crossbow in its leather holster upon his back. He then pulled out his smoking pipe and looked to his mule that followed them slowly like he wanted it to. He then lit the smoking pipe and took a few puffs. He was curious as to what was driving the orcs though, he thought the Jarl had driven them all off these lands. Now something encouraged them to come back.... perhaps they should take their time this once. He wanted to see what was leading them and then tell the jarl when they got back. "I wonder,... about these orcs. Acting a lot more stranger then usual. Not many attacks from them lately, this attack is the first one I have seen in months. Perhaps they hit the bandits thinking that anyone else wouldn't pursue them further because who would care about a bunch of dead bandits.... " He thought out loud. He then lifted his left foot and tapped his pipe underneath the hard surface of the hoof and then put the pipe away. He then proceeded to follow the trail.

Elduin just shrugged at the whole thing. Orcs were not known for their intelligence. He did have to admit to himself though that it was odd for them to act in this way. Perhaps something was controlling them, it would have to be just a bigger orc then normal and smart too. He could not see orcs following something that aint a orc unless... unless it proved to be strong and offered the orcs something in exchange. Power. Vengeance. Strength. Any one of those things would be worth it enough to a orc. He sighed and followed in behind the satyr and the huntress. Eirika not too far behind him. Following them was the mule. Taking up the back where it would be safe.

"Huh, orcs sure leave a clear trail, thought the village girl as the group went along the orc's path. "I'm not having to look carefully or anything. It's too easy. Even the bandits hide their trail better than this." Then Alice looked towards the mountains ahead and shivered, "Strange things have been said of that mountain. The sisters do something there during those trips. Is it really for a dragon? I was waiting 'til I had more experience before even going close there." Then she looked back at her companions and smiled, "But skilled companions are as good if not better than the most experience. I can only hope to not be too far behind them."

Then Miss Zukion thought of something. "Mr. Veo," she asked. "What were mines doing in the mountains? I thought noone had been up there and that's why nobody knows why the Bloodmoons go there regularly or what's up there." Then as Alice waited for the reply, she kept her eyes peeled around and on the trail, just in case her suspicions were correct.

Veo looked to the young woman and then back towards the mountains. "They go all the way to the top of the mountain, the mines are more closer to the base of the mountain. They were iron mines that lived for about two or three years until we bleed the mountain dry of the iron within it. They were then abandoned. Well not anymore though it would seem." He answered. He looked to the tracks and thought the orcs were rather sloppy with their tracks. Orcs were gratefully not known for their intelligence. Perhaps they did not think or expect anyone to follow their trail and decided to not cover them, or perhaps they were just to stupid to think for that matter. "It is curious as to whats at the top of the mountain, as you know Alice the rumor on the grape vine is that there is a dragon up there that the Bloodmoon sisters pay homage to with supplies from their inn as well as a bit of gold. I am guessing its to keep the dragon from attacking or for it's protection, I honestly don't know." He said shrugging. He then sighed and looked to the sky and then back forward. "Our job is just for my gem though, that's all I want. If we can get it back and ditch these orcs then fine. We will report this find to the Jarl when we get back. We may be experienced ,but it will take more then just us to kill a bunch of orcs...... then again maybe we do. We do not know how large the orc group is."

"Hopefully their dogs don't smell us before we get to them...." He thought and looked around making sure they were not walking into a trap or anything. He was starting to wish he had recruited the orc blacksmith now. That one was crazy and hated his kin.

Eirika listened to the conversation and wondered if such a thing was true. A dragon being bribed or paid to protect or stay away. I suppose if the gold was steady and big each payment a dragon could be convinced to do whatever. Dragons did love treasure so any deal to increase the size of their trove would have a chance. Drow were manipulative too so there is that. Elduin looked around and began to notice something very strange,.....

"Do you hear that?......." As he commented on the silence of the forest. It was quiet too quiet. Then they started to see smoke again, this time it was black from a burning fire. The orcs must be stopping to rest, that explains the silence. "Be careful everyone,... as we close in they may have scouts...."

Alice nodded and armed herself with her shield and sword, just in case a scout did spot them. Then huntress quietly walked on, moving towards the edge of the orc's path so she wouldn't be totally exposed in the open area the orcs left behind. Her eyes scanned around, trying to catch any trace of a scout before he caught theirs."Who is this person that Veo is so insistent about getting this stone for? Alice wondered. "Here we are. About to try sneaking into an orc camp without getting caught all for some jewel? Hmm, don't recall any rumors about him and any of the girls having any sort of relation. OK, there might be a few, but all of them were perfectly groundless in the end. Heck, some people were trying to match him up with Mom for a while.

With that, the village girl's thoughts rested on her mother,"I hope she isn't too worried when she finds out I went bandit hunting with Veo and two strangers. That wouldn't be good for the baby. She really has been happier though since her marriage. I really should look into leaving the village soon. Mom has a new family now and I just remind her of Dad. I would eventually fade out of the village memory and maybe a fleeting remembrance would remain for her. But the baby and anymore to come would occupy the remainder along with Jonathan and she would finally be completely at peace. It would be better though Alice if the cause of your leaving was not a careless death by orcs who surprised you, so get back to the present and focus." Which the huntress did, making all her thoughts be occupied with the trees, the silence, the distant campfire, and the possibility of orc scouts around.