Location: [hr] Location: Redwater Point Mid-Morning [hr] It was, by all means, an average day. The sun was doing its slow climb into the sky, warming the cold land from its chilly night and the monsters that haunted it. People moving about. As the group split to their respective tasks, they may have noticed a particularly large humanoid, dressed in a thick white coat made of some form of leather with similarly colored boots upon their feet…yet oddly, the flesh on their hands seemed to be of a thick, red color. Even more so, the entire upper body of their face was covered by a hood, with thick bandages seemingly covering most of the rest. “Oh, good morning my lord.” A shopkeep would greet this gargantuan man. “Rare to see you out so early!” “Ah, well, sometimes one just wishes to take a walk among the sun.” His raspy, deep voice would rumble in response. “That and, well, I heard my grandson became a squire! Thought I might get him a present for when I see him again!” “Oh, you have a grandson? You don’t seem old enough too, aha!” “I assure you, age is something I’m very familiar with even if my body is quite stout.” He’d laugh, turning his head towards a young woman passing by. The scent of the old fey met his nose. Intoxicating. Pure. Was it her? His escaped subject!? How was…how did - no it didn’t matter. It didn’t…matter at all. “Hmm…but if you’ll excuse me, I just remembered something I have to do…” “No trouble at all! I’ll stay open later just for you if I have too!” “Ah, well thank you.” He would be gone before any of the knights could question him. [hr] [@Cu Chulainn][@Guy0fV4lor][@Crimson Paladin] [hr] Reinhardt approached the Mayor’s house, stopped by two of the guards that were patrolling. They bore no crest, aside from the city emblem of Redwater - a red fish emblazoned upon a shield of water. Local, then, and not affiliated with any higher lord. Only the Mayor here, likely. Upon hearing his question though, the two men narrowed their eyes at him. “Oh yeah? And what’s that matter to us?” The older looking one among them asked. “An awful long way from your mothers house.” The younger one said with a grunt. “Go run back home to your so-called queen's bosom. She’ll be better suited to that sorta thing I bet.” Clearly, these men had both no intention of letting him pass, let alone no love - or respect - for that matter for Sorcha. It was, perhaps no surprise really. Sorcha wasn’t likely the only one to have proclaimed themselves as some sort of queen or ruler…not that it would excuse their behavior. Ethelred would have a bit of an easier time of it. The he was obviously startled by Ethelred’s appearance, after a bit of talking and realizing he wasn’t some fomorian monster about to murder him, he was much more jovial and friendly. He’d be stopped by a patrol of guards on the way out, but the situation would be quickly diffused after a bit of talking and explanation. The merchants were a bit more friendly - they’d gasp and talk about his appearance but if he was there to spend it didn’t seem like many had much of a fuss beyond an initial gasp. And, they would have some very interesting things to say about their current lord and happenings. The current lord was Bernard Alistain, cooped up in his castle near Harzelslack. Apparently he was in talks to officially swear fealty to lord Harzelslack, though they hadn’t completely gone through yet. The villagers were also pretty scared of the so Fomorian attacks. They had come very close, and even if Redwater was a fairly well defended place…it likely wouldn’t be good if it did come here. There was also the matter of the smaller fomorians like they had run into on the way here - the increase in attacks lately had them all on edge. Lastly, and perhaps most interestingly…Lord Alistan had in fact, sent someone to help protect the town. A tall, burly man who simply went by the name of ’Beimnech’. Apparently someone who was an expert on Fomorians. He was staying with the Mayor. The moment Ethelred would turn to leave… A scream. Blood. A goblin sized fomorian with black skin, pointed ears and wearing rudimentary armor burst furth from an alleyway. It was soon accompanied by several others. More of those grotesque dog things that they had saw the other day. Dozens of mouths gnashing open and close, curse-ridden saliva oozing from their mouths as dozens of eyes frantically looked around. Ensued by chaos, the civilians began screaming and running. Whenever Reinhardt would make his reply to the guards, supposing he had one - faster than he could react, there was a shout, a black object whizzed by, slamming into his torso. A gurgled cry for help as a vaguely human sized creature began ripping and tearing every inch of flesh and bone from the mans face, laughing maniacally before using its powerful muscles to sling the man to the side, before leaping towards the other man. Reinhardt would find fivel more gunning for him! Not only that, a number of small goblins and cursed mutts like they had seen earlier were making havoc in the streets! [hr] [@Pyromania99][@VitaVitaAR][@FrogRFlowR] Location: Southern Giants Rest Late afternoon [hr] [color=fff79a]“I see, I see.”[/color] Sorcha would respond to Luna. It was hard to tell what she was thinking, but from the small frown on her lips it was either something she was thinking hard about herself, or perhaps some manner of displeased by.[color=fff79a] “I’m curious as to why an Elder Beast would choose to help humans without gain on its own. Granted they all can be rather fickle and one beast never thinks the same as others…”[/color] She’d sigh, dropping the subject as Fio would pose her own question. Hm. [color=fff79a]“Oh? Curious about me, are we Fio? I’m surprised, aside from Vyrell none have asked me.”[/color] She’d smile…though it’d quickly fade into a thoughtful hum. No doubt she was briefly pondering messing with Fio and quickly decided against it. [color=fff79a]“I don’t have some artifact, or some lineage like others might. In fact I have nothing I can give anyone for proof.”[/color] She’d soon reply. [color=fff79a]“Except…memories. I remember them. All of them. Well, sort of. Its a little difficult to explain, but…I have his memories. Well, my memories I guess.”[/color] The queen would glance away from the two, off towards the setting sun, the horse she was riding slowly coming to a halt. Her hands tightened on the reigns. Briefly it seemed like she was going to continue speaking, but there was a sound of clashing steel. Shouts of men. They were near the fort and Lightsword territory. [color=fff79a]“...Luna! Fio! I think they’ve got a welcome party for us!”[/color] The queen laughed, spurring the steed onwards, towards the sounds of battle. [color=fff79a]“I’ll have to thank your brothers for the warm welcome!”[/color] [hr] The fort was but a simple thing. Several stories high, the base primarily made of tough stone with the upper floors being made of wood. Honestly, it was barely big enough to really be called a fort. It was more of an outpost than anything, used by soldiers and the family when traveling through the area, and sometimes a staging ground for larger operations. Still, it was important in keeping peace in the land. Currently, it was under assault. “On your left, Gabriel!” [url=https://i.imgur.com/v0LlFfm.png]A knight, dressed in the finest of silver and gold armor, a flowing blue cloak behind and wielding a sword passed down through the lightsword family.[/url] “Worry about yourself, Leo!” [i]clang[/i] The bandits sword was deflected by a much more mundanely dressed human of similar build. [url=https://i.imgur.com/JedqNkb.jpg]Dressed in warm leather and fur, a head full of messy blond hair and a simple steel sword.[/url] They, were the two oldest sons of the Lightsword family - Luna’s older brothers. “Where did these guys even come from! We don’t patrol for one day and suddenly they’re everywhere!” Leo drove his sword into the chest of a nearby bandit, expertly dispatching him with a practiced hand. A handful of other soldiers were out with him. They hadn’t planning on encountering a bandit force as big as this! In fact, this was the largest concentration of bandits they had seen in a long while! “Humph! No idea, lets just hope this Queen of Luna’s gets here soon!” Gabriel, grinning from ear to ear replied as he’d grab another bandit by the neck…and then promptly behead him. The body would roll down the sloped ground, into a small tree. And this would be the sight Fio, Luna, Sorcha, and a certain Owl Knight would find when they arrived. A small group of Lightsword family soldiers, fending off what seemed to be a small army of bandits.