Fer let out a boisterous laugh as Cole exclaimed how much Auriel and he were raining on the proverbial parade.  He tried to stop and compose himself but the sense of companionship and respect he had for the young sword had him gasping for air and a tear or two down his cheek.  He coughed a couple times and let out some fading chuckles as he padded Cole on the shoulder after his companion had finished his aggrieved rant.  He cleared his throat again and winked at the young hero.  “Cole, driving you crazy is what friends are for.”  Then he added on a more serious tone “I am with you regarding the fact  that sometimes you need to get your hands dirty. But please don’t hold it against Auriel for wanting to keep our souls taint free.” He gave her a slight nod.  He followed Cole out and allowed the young man some space to cool off.   He would of course have casual conversation from either the beast man or their holy protector but otherwise he would be lost in his own thoughts as to the probabilities that the team faced on capturing this bandit.

His musings and talking made the trip that much faster and before he knew it they were at the farm stead. Ever the leader even if he did not recognize it, Cole made first contact. The wooden door opened and an obviously weathered man opened it.  The farmer’s eyes grew wide at Cole’s official introduction and there was a slight confused and apprehensive tone in the man’s voice as he tried to be polite and respectful towards the Legendary Heroes.  

Fer felt a bit awkward as he quickly introduced himself and presented his own weapon as proof of his claim.  The man looked at him a second longer than Cole as if trying to make up his mind about something.  He had not been the first.  Some had given the shield a quizzical look some had all but spit on him.  Who knows what the previous wearers of the shield had done but apparently it was a hit and miss situation.  Fer followed the team inside, he tried to keep to the back letting Cole handle the face to face interactions.

The young shield looked around the humble home. It reminded him so much of his own house.  His father had been a trapper.  He had made money by hunting game and selling anything he could be it meat, horns, or skins.  They did not have much but it was enough.  When Fer was old enough, he learned the trade and accompanied his father on the sometimes week long hunting trips.  His younger brother would have learned too had the war no come to their part of the mountain. 

Fer shook his head as if to shake off the bad memories of a world and time long gone. He cleared his throat and instead focused on Cole and the farmer. The young shield hero almost choked Cole made the blunt declaration.  He could only imagine the things going through the farmer’s head.  Being a hardy folk, the farmer only betrayed a slight widening of the eyes but did not despair. 

Perhaps it was better to get the cards out in the open.  Fer only wondered if somebody had come to his own humble hut and told them that deserters would kill his father and rape kill his mother while also kidnapping his sister and brother if things would be different.  He grit his teeth. He would personally ensure that such a fate did not befall this farmer and family.  

There was no need to ask questions.  The bandits no doubt saw the farm as a fat and easy target.  The farmer, though hardy and able to defend himself, would be no match for a surprise attack by bandits who cared little for fair play.  Instead, Fer concentrate on taking into consideration the farm and how best to defend it.  There seemed to be only a front door and back door.  Few windows, so the heroes and their companions could limit the points of entry.  However, if the bandits wanted to burn down the farm, the old building would go up in flames easily enough. 

He wondered aloud for any body to hear and answer, [color=0054a6]“Do we know enough of these bandits to know how they operate? How many usually participate in a raid? Do they take prisoners or kill any one on sight?” [/color] He knew it was too many questions but something in his blood had stirred and he wished more than ever to be able to wield his bow and dagger.  He would make them bleed. As fate would have it, he was only good enough to distract and protect with a shield.

He gritted his teeth again and then took a breath.  He was liking more and more Cole’s idea of a double ambush.  It would certainly help the small group get a drop on the bandits who perhaps would be better armed and more ruthless. Despite what Cole may have said, Fer wondered if the lad would be able to stab his sword through living breathing people.  He still felt the warm blood in his hands and the gurgles of blood caught in throats.  He saw their faces every now and then in his dreams but he felt no regrets as he had done what he had to do to save his family. Now perhaps, he would save another family.