[IC] The Order of the White Lily

[Big Dread]

"... The f'th'un maybe we call'm Zack'ry. Like that'n, I does. M'uncle was call Zack'ry. Bit of a toss, but, good name." Serigan continued, now, talking about what they might want to call Athena and his fouth child. He did not bother to stop her from going about her work, she was an organized sort, he liked that. Someone to cook the books was always needed when you were after putting together an organization. Sometimes the guards would roll around and start asking questions after all. Suits you well to have a pretty face there with the evil in her mind to cook up a grand tale of legitimate transactions and how to hide the real goods. The gang leader fell silent as two men came up to the counter. He did not slide out of their way, but, made no move to stop them. They were just after excitement and clips, just like him. A blind fella he had seen a few times. Looked dangerous though, in that kind of 'Ee'll break'er neck if'n'y touch me hound' way. He wondered if he could convince that fella to box with him some time. Wanted to see exactly how good a blind man could be in a fight. The other was your kind of standard merc lookin' fella. Tough as nails and mean as a ganger with a boot full of gravel. Another type he recognized and generally liked. He allowed them to conduct their business with Athena before he spoke again, "Wha'cha think 'bout Zack'ry? I-" he stopped when he heard a voice. It was the kind of voice he recognized. Was a bit pushy, commanding, hungry. His blue eyes turned to the side and settled on the soldier lookin' Killie that was walking up. Serigan smiled at the sight of her. She looked meaner than sin and tougher than an Ash Alley rat. Soldier type from her bearing, yet, here she was. Why? Why does anyone want to shack up with a crowd of old knives and young breakers? 'Cuz you like the life.

Sergian stepped away from the counter and have a quick salute with his weighted cane at the woman named Zhang. He didn't know her name of course, to Serigan she was just The Soldier Killie. He caught her eyes and gave her a quick wink before he spoke, "Name's Serigan, or Cuttah, if'n'y like. Y'e'er find y'self in need of a whiskey, seek ol'Cuttah out. We c'n 'ave ou'selves a fine talk 'bout t'future o'dis 'ole place, eh?" he stepped past he with a smile and a pointed rap of his cane's point on the hard floor and moved over to where the red hair Killie was swinging her ax around.

He stepped up in front of her and unhooked the buckler from his belt and slid his hand around the metal grip. He flipped his cane around so the thin and unweighted tip of it was forward, like a mock sword. " 'Alf speed, eh?" he suggested before squaring off with her. "Sorry'nout all that blathah I toss'd at'ye and that Pascal fella. I spoke'out respect, I did, not 'gon 'apped again, eh?" he gave her a quick smile before exchanging a few mock rounds of blocks and parries with her, waiting for Pascal to arrive.

@Masterkeun @Pirouette @karlettto @Heap241

[Mesonyx]

- - -

Ulfgar couldn’t help but chuckle at her reaction. ”Look, I just couldn’t find any ore on my trip, this is all I could find. Otherwise I would’ve brought it to you, you know that right. Just trust me, this is more fun than you think!” he uttered before he was smacked against the arm. She had multiple ways of tapping someone. Semi gentle or hard. I repeat semi gentle. He rubbed his shoulder to ease the discomforting thudding pain of her smacking him but soon forgot all about it as he laughed while she pointed out that she had nothing to worry about. And he agreed.

“What?” he then blinked, his smile slowly fading. “No. No! I - What no, I don’t have anyone to impress.” It was true, he had no one, but he started blushing nonetheless. His bearded cheeks glowing a hue of brighter red than they already were.

“HA! I knew you’d do it eventually.” He let out a triumphant laugh before putting his hangs on his hips. Of course, he was quickly set to work. This was going to be for Athena, it seemed, and it was more logical than Artemis keeping it, so he decided to do her best. Athena, a hard working woman to say the least, deserved only the best. 

He caught the piece of ore and then tutted his lips, trying to calculate how long it would take to make of it a more useable slag. He’d start of with warming the smelter, asking Artemis to keep an eye on it while he ran to his room to grab a simple wooden cast.
It would take him at least a day to have the slag he required before putting it back in the smelter before he could pour it over into the cast. So it was going to be a long, and very warm, day.

[Hillbilly12]

Nihus gave a nod towards Zhang. "Indeed it would be better if we had our own pack to chase down another. My name is Nihus." he reached out a hand to the former soldier. He knew little about the woman who arrived only recently. The armor and the way she carried herself was very military. Even former soldiers turned bandits were still rather disciplined in the way they fought the coin in your purse Another potential fiercesome fighter that got Nihus curious. Nihus was rarely enthralled by the call of the battle, but the people around here did give him the urge to at least spar briefly. He smiled briefly just thinking about it. Then came Serigan a man with the swagger of a old crimelord with the style to boot.

"We don't need to search for this pack if an old wolf like that is drawn to you heh!" He joked but was mentally already thinking of how this group would work best for a hunt.

[karlettto]

Pascal smiled at Hygea’s excitement for the task. He knew he now had some time to kill, and came absorbed by his thoughts stumbled again upon the Serigan fellow. A smile wrinkled his cheeks. He couldn’t help but like the tough man, he was sure that with him around, he would not be bored. As usual he was harassing the blue eyed girl, and certainly, given the opportunity, who knows what kind of rampage he would have gone on speaking to the blind one… although it didn’t look like the monk was in need of protection.
He found himself juggling his knife. He did this often: it helped him thinking. He created a mental list of rations and weapons he might need during the next trip.

“Though the Caravan will need our help soon, it won’t be of any use to rush out right now. Let’s wait till tomorrow morning, so that we can prepare more thoroughly.”

He collected the rations, prepared the pouches. They left the next day, despite the flamboyant protests of the ever energetic young man. The travel was somewhat pleasant and generally uneventful. The mighty mountains framing their view. They stopped by Frencis farm, and borrowed 3 horses. And after 2 days the horses attentive ears picked up the wind of familiar smell and sounds. Their reciprocal neigh announced their drawing near another party. And sure enough the outline of the caravan proceeding slowly towards them appeared. Pascal hopped down from the horse, fidgeting with the reins.

[Masterkeun]

Mable waited by the gate for about four hours before realizing that Pascal wasn't coming. Mable packed her bags and with the extra time spent some money on gear repairs heading to Atremtis. Mable worked hard with the smith hoping to be able to aid her in the minor touch ups. Mable hadn't yet had her gear tested much since joining the guild. Mable went around finding her gold and taking it politely from her friends holding it for her. The day still only at lunch Mable didn't yet want to head to bed to sleep off the one mission she'd completed. It was also unfair off her to try and hog the missions so instead Mable put herself to work. Mable first tried to help Artemis with repairs and crafting. When that was done she hurried to help Hygeia. The work was long and tough, but Mable enjoyed the soreness in her muscles after a long day. Mable helped the cook make soup for dinner serving her fellow guild mates with zeal. While a few raised there eyebrows Mable didn't mind. The idea as Sergian had said that they were 'To good' for some tasks would only lead to a persons death.

The next morning Mable was again happily waiting as the three head out willing to drive the group at night and sleep at day so that they would make excellent time. In the end they managed to make triple time by eating in the saddle and traveling slowly at night. The horses were exhausted, but Mable fed them extremely well to keep up there energy. When they arrived Mable was asleep in her saddle woken by the sounds of the horses gently finding a good spot to dismount letting the horses sleep as Mable located the tracks hoping they'd lead her close to the burrow. It was likely there could be more as Mable found three separate paths noting them for her companions.

"We could each attack at once or it may be easier to tackle them alone. The burrows could contain anywhere from one to eight Boars so it's anyone's guess what the odds would be. The largest of the pack went south, but from tracks it's hard to distinguish gender. The female will have the most boars"
@karlettto@Big Dread

[Heap241]

The guild hall grew quiet with the departure of the group heading to Orstwych to hunt boar. Athena held her hands together and closed her eyes as the door closed behind the group as she had often done when groups left for hunting missions. Her hands clasped tight together as though rehearsing a prayer inside. Artemis glanced towards the door then towards Athena and nodded sharply before continuing to polish the precious gem.

In Hygieas corner, she began analysing the samples given to her by the guild members to help with Farmer Francis' continuing problem with the weeds. Her constant mumbling to herself as she often did was lost in the hammering and sharpening coming from Artemis' forge. The heat filled the room until Hagor came around handing Hygiea, Artemis, Athena and Ulfgar sandwiches then opening the large windows that lined the walls in the guild marketplace. The breeze that drifted in freshened the air and cooled the room.

The guild was ready and waiting as most members were now out on jobs, each worker sending a silent prayer to the adventurers as they trudged the lands towards their destinations.

[Mesonyx]

Ulfgar was already dripping with sweat once Hagor came into the room to grant them a nice, fresh sandwich, which was welcomed with a warm smile and a slap on Hagor's shoulder, a gesture of appreciation from the friendly giant. He paused his work to lean back against the cool stone wall as he took a bite, humming in delight. The fresh breeze felt nice to his skin once the windows were opened, cooling the hall in which the marketplace was located. Again, it was a feeling he welcomed with open arms.

It was always a little tense when almost all members had left for quests. Everyone, including he himself, sent the members a little prayer. The guild cared about every single one of her members. They were family.

Once he finished eating, he approached one of the windows and leaned against the framing, taking a deep breath of fresh air. He wondered where everyone was at this moment, how far they already ventured and where their quest would bring them. And he hoped every single one of them returned unharmed and wiser than before they left on their quest. With a soft sigh he retreated to get back to work.

[Big Dread]

Pascal had the queer impression that the man who walked up to them was in a state of fright even though in a controlled fashion. His handshake was cold and sweaty. He noticed his gaze darting back in the general direction of the caravan in fright. Pascal hunched forward and put a hand on his shoulder to somewhat reassure him.
“We are here to help with the boar situation, please fill us in”

“Thank the gods the Guild sent someone to help. It’s been chaos for weeks now!” the man wrung his hands nervously, eyes darting from side to side as if expecting to be ambushed at any second. “The damned things just hit us. Crazed they are!” he man bordered on hysterics, “Normal boar don’t act like this. It’s a curse of some kind. A curse!”

Serigan took a very willing step away from horrible hoofed beast that everyone seemed to love so much. He didn’t rightly trust them. Evil they was, too smart, like giant rock footed dogs. His blue eyes trailed over to Mable, she was doing some kind of tracking and had found the trails of the boars damned fast. It was impressive. Everything out here just looked like sticks and grass to ol’Cuttah. He strode up to the hysterical man and quickly reached out and knocked him on the forehead with his extended knuckle of his right hand. The sound made a thick TONK and the man’s eyes cleared of horror for a moment as he took in the sight of the large man. “T’ain’t no curses ‘ere John.” Serigan didn’t know if the man’s name was John, but, it was a good enough guess for the fella to see what he meant, “No peek nor wif o’a’witch not ‘ere nor there. Calm y’self a notch, eh? Y’jus been walkin’ in t’eir territory, yeah?” Serigan understood that idea. He had ordered his men to rob people for walking into his part of town. The boar were likely just doing the same thing. “We’ll cut’cha up’n’is bacon in no time. Got’s ‘erselves a master tracker, we does.” he cocked his thumb at Mable and smiled at the terrified man. “ ‘ey Mabbs,” he called out to the red head, “We set some kinda trap’n fer these pigs, eh? T’ey seem a mite touchy, thinks we can draws them out?”

Mable smiles “enough noise will draw them back or the smell of fresh meat” I try to set up a barricade around to base. I drag a few sharpening branches to set up to block the boars from charging us as I start cooking meat to lure them up twelve boars. Mable also collected several scrolls for the guildmaster carefully tucking them into her bag. Mable smiled “Can the survivors please go inside I think it’s better to Lure them to us and have them hit the spears only a few won’t die from the impact.” The task took quite awhile to get the villagers safe as Mable coated the wagons in twelve spears each asking for some help. The boars were nocturnal so it would be best to gather their strength until then Mable took out some fresh meat as the sun set beginning to cook.

“I agree with my peers.” said Pascal nodding slowly. “I would like to have an idea about your resources, how many men or women able to hold weapons, and where the goods are.” He let the stressed man lead him through the carts and when at times he would get worked up about the situation, Pascal would rest an understanding hand upon his shoulder and interrupt his flow.
“We are here to help. We will get through this, but till tomorrow morning, you will have to trust us. I need you to keep your men together, and keep your composure. You will be in charge of defending the goods and the kids.” then he individuated a stretch of the road that forked around an oak with particularly massive and gnarly roots. “Empty four carts of all edible goods that might attract the boar, and move them into a cart which we will keep away from the rest of your comrades. We will then surround that oak with those carts, and around the tree we will setup a tent where the children and those unable to fight will stay for the night. See those roots? Come, come here. ” he waved a beckoning gesture and lead the man to the tree, pointing down at the roots. A few other men haltingly tagged along. “See these roots?” Pascal said glancing at the nodding man “these will discourage the boar if they ever get passed the carts. Their hooves are not made to step in this mess of roots and this will make them easy targets, and slow them down. You will place three men with bows and spear within the tent whose only job is not to let any animal access the tent.” Pascal grabbed the man by the forearm and leaned in closed with a mumble. “Put the fathers of these kids on this duty: they won’t let anything pass, I promise you.” He walked back away from the tree, careful not to trip on the roots, and waving his finger around. A note of panting manifested in his voice. “You follow what Mable, that lovely young lady over there, is doing with those spears. Let’s prepare the four carts with spears on the out side, and some well buried on the ground around the perimeter and under the carts. This should get you through the night, and might be the boar won’t even mind you. Remember, no goods are worth a life. Now me and my compatriots will stay on the outside killing whatever beast has the bollocks to show its snarly face. We must finish all the preparations before night fall, then put your men on every cart. As my friend here says, tomorrow, we will eat some wild bacon.” He clapped his hands “Alright let’s get this done! We are running out of light.”
Pascal aligned himself with Serigan and rested his hand on his shoulder, then burying his fingers deeper, as if to test the lad’s thickness. He found himself curling his brows, somewhat surprised by the man’s shoulder. “Well, young man,” he smirked “if you are as tough as you look, I might just tell the kids they can sleep tight tonight.”

Serigan looked over at Pacal with a raised brow when he squeezed his shoulder, “Lil’ old fer my tastes.” he commented with a grin and a wink at the older man, “Kids’ll sleep jus’fine wit ol’Cuttah ‘ere. T’ey make’em tough where I come from. A few pigs ain’t gonna get ol’Cuttah so easy.” Serigan tossed his swagger stick over to the nearest kid with a smile, “Keep that’n’safe for ol’Cuttah, eh? Be needin’ in t’morn.” he had no idea just how true that would end up being. He set to work with Pascal organizing the people. He was no hunter or expert on fortification either. He was, however, very good at getting people to listen to him. He bellowed out the commands Mable had for the men and took charge when Pascal’s pleasantries would not suffice. The feeling came back to Serigan in a wave. Just like the old days. Telling men what to do and being listened to. It was intoxicating a good back alley brew.

Mable had the preparations ready as she pushed hard trying to help as much as she could to get her blood pumping. The three of them and the caravan were more than ready when she drew in the boars with fresh meat. The fifteen boar emerged as a pack most of them over 500 pounds. Mable watched arrows hit the largest one as the men braced themselves against the carts. A boar roared charging the cart by Mable impaling itself but driving the cart in nearly a foot. The ont attacking her cart was less successful as Mable strained her muscles stopping the cart. The boars circled slowly now searching for weakness. In the moonlight the only thing visible was the glint of there eyes. The ones that came close glowed in the red fire light as the caravan fired arrows until every shot was spent. The few boars on Mable’s side didn’t break through. There were three left who charged shattering the cart throwing Mable into the cart bleeding gently from her back. A single boar was still standing as it charged again bleeding from it’s side. A few of the men stabbed it with spears swinging an axe up Mable braced herself as the cut in her arm deepens. Mable wrapped her arm looking around for her friends hurrying over to help her left arm in shambles her axe ready.

With the traps and fortifications set it was all ready. Serigan grinned like a crazy person when he started to hear the boar closing in. He leaped up onto one of the border carts, peering out into the darkness. He quickly turned his dussack in tight circles around his body, getting ready for the flow. “Oh! Boys, ol’Cuttah sees’em out there!” he shouted pointing with the tip of his curved sword. The little red eyes glittering in the firelight made them look like something far more dangerous than just animals. They were aggressive though, too aggressive. Maybe they were under some kind of curse like the caravan master had mentioned. The gangleader balanced on the balls of his feet as the boar neared. Some rammed directly into the spear wall but many made it through. Two of the massive beasts slammed into the cart that Serigan was standing on. His body rocked back and forth, trying to keep his balance. His smile only widened. With a forward shift he leaped from the edge of the cart and drove his blade through the shoulders of one of the boars below, his weight adding to the strike. The beast fell dead with a squeal as the second boar turned to face him. He wrenched on his weapon, not quite freeing it. A string of vile curses that would make a brothel mother blush left his lips as he started to slam the edge of his buckler into the head of the boar just off to his left. The metal rang and pinged at the edge of the small shield repeatedly bounced off the tough skull. The boar’s face was a ruin of skin and broken bone by the time it finally flew into a proper rage. He charged forward at the large man and plowed into him. His thick coat deflected the slightly off center tusks. Serigan’s breath left his body with a powerful whoosh as he was thrown to the ground from the force. Luckily, the boar had pushed him hard enough for his blade to some free. Silver steel flashed in the firelight, dussack doing what it was meant to do, cut soft flesh. Serigan stood as the boar thrashed on the ground at his feet. “Pigs’is fer men t’eat!” he shouted at the dying thing.

His blue eyes scanned the area around him and locked on another boar running right for him. The things kept their heads low, it was smart, but, left them open. Serigan stepped back and took a tall posture, eyes measuring the distance as the boar flew toward him. He lifted one of his legs high and stomped it down as the boar neared him. His hard boot heel slammed into the thick skull of the animal and forced it into the ground, prone. Serigan slid back from the sudden transfer of motion, leaning all of his weight on the boar, pinning it under his heel. He twisted his boot grinding it into the neck of the pinned animal, “Tell’y pig gods ol’Cuttah sent’ya home.” he growled before driving the point of his blade through the boars shoulders. It squealed, and fell still. Serigan took his foot off the boar and looked back at the men behind the walls, hands outstretched, a smile on his face, “See? Ol’Cuttah always-” he was cut off by a sudden surge of boar from behind him. The gang leader’s vision spun as he was thrown from his feet. A lance of terrible pain shot up his right leg. A new stream of curses were flying from his mouth. He had lost grip on both his dussack and his buckler when the thing struck him, now it was rounding to finish him off. He could barely move his right leg and could see the dark liquid starting to pool around it in the dust. The massive pig turned and snorted as it began to run back at the prone Serigan, “C’mon ya fuckah! Deaf ain’t scarin’ me!” He screamed lurching forward and grabbing the boar by its tusks. The force of the boar pushed him across the ground, his arms strained with effort, failing effort. The eys of the boar so close to his own. Soon enough his strength would fail and the pig would eat man. Serigan wanted to call out for help from his companions, but, he could not bear to unclench his teeth from the exertion.
An axe arched down as blood coated Serigan’s face. Mable stood with a broken shoulder over the boar panting softly. Mable crouched down starting basic first aid on sergian “Be more careful Sergian we don’t need to bring your corpse home with us.” Mable joked tying his wounds up gently. Mable lifted Sergian gently over her shoulder walking him to the small camp area. Mable could tell he’d need the rest as she jogged away to check on the fighters hoping the boars were handled. Mable jogged over hoping to lend Pascal a hand her shoulder still bleeding gently.

The boars fell and the gang leader sat off to the side with his leg wrapped and his cane in his hand. One of the children came out of the wagon as the fighting ended and looked over at the large man, "Does it hurt?" he asked pointing at Serigan's wrapped leg, "I think it looks like it hurts, you are smiling though."

"'Course it 'urts lil 'un." Serigan tapped his wounded leg with the head of his cane and winced from the impact, "Jus' gotta be tougher than th'bacon, yeah?" he gave the boy a wide smile, eyes bright with battle exhaustion. The boy gave him a big smile back.

"I wanna grow up and be tough like you." the boy said trying to deepen his voice slightly.

Serigan gave the child a laugh and reached out and rubbed his hair, "Well, if'n'ya do, come find ol'Cuttah an'eel set'cha up with a fine job, he will."

The trip back was a nice relaxing ride hauling the ten dead boar and the sealed message back to the guild. Serigan was forced to ride the whole time due to his leg. He really did not like that. He disliked these horrible animals with their big stomping feet and smart eyes. However, it was better than the deathly slow pace he would have to set with his wounded leg. He spent most of the trip trying to get to know the killie who had saved his life. She had been quite helpful in the fight, like he thought she would be, and had even bound his leg. He knew nothing about doctoring and it was good to have someone around who did.

Serigan handed the horses off to some servants and told them to take the boars to the kitchen and that, bacon was served. Serigan stepped in with his companions through the front door. He leaned heavily on his cane, but, still had the theatrical sense to give Athena a big smile and a sweep of his hand as though presenting the returning heroes. "We c'm back! We bring y'bacon and great stories. Even got saved by this'n 'ere. She's a powerful foe indeed." he stepped up to the counter and dropped the contract down in front of the long hair woman. "Now, I find m'self with plenty o'clips an' free time while'm leg heals. Don'suppose I could move a chair in 'ere?" he gave the admin a quick blue eyed wink and waited for her to pay him and his comrades.

[Heap241]

Location: The White Lily

The white lily remained silent for the first three out of the six days the adventurers were out on jobs. Everything moved smoothly and seamlessly as they often did in the quieter days when longer jobs were taken and more of the guild members were away. On the fourth day however Athena became anxious, as the group heading for the wolf assignment should have been back by then. With urgent demands to the guild master a small group of members who went volunteer only left to discover the whereabouts of the group who should have been back.

The guild was still and solemn during the this time, frantic looks were exchanged between older members and even Farmer Francis took the trip through the mountains to deliver their supply of food and brought no new, news of what had happened to the party. The afternoon of the sixth day rolled around when the members from the boar quest came through the front doors of the heavy hearted guild.

Athena

Athena's eyes shot up with a heart that fluttered and a glint in her eye as the doors parted presenting the group of boar hunters, blood stained, exhausted and all accounted for. The light burst through the door as her heart burst from her chest and she sprang forward to embrace each of the three members and congratulate them on their victory. ”Hagor will be so pleased with all this meat you've brought us.” Her voice shook and her eyes glistened as she spoke before she took each of their hands and placed them in hers ”I am thankful you are all safe, welcome home.”

Athenas voice was smooth and soft as ever though it still betrayed her hasted emotions. She looked closer at Mable, noticing the blood stained shirt over her shoulder where a slit could be seen revealing her broken skin. As her eyes surveyed the wound she saw the condition of Serigans leg and immediately called out to Hygiea to come over and take a look.

As he spoke and winked, Athena smiled at him, a small smile, one barely able to be seen as her lips barely curled up but, a smile all the same and nodded. She climbed the stairs towards the lounge, disappearing for a moment before reappearing carrying a chair and placing it behind Serigan, gently pushing his shoulders down so he'd be forced to sit. It was then that one of the three handed Athena a bound scroll addressed to the guild master. She glanced at it for a moment before rushing behind her counter and counting out coin.

Athena's face was flushed as she counted, nervously glancing at the scroll every few counts. At this point Hygiea was had already come into the room with a stool for Mable and was looking at her shoulder. ”Okay, ten boar means 6000 yule making it an even 2000 each.” This she mumbled to herself as she pulled out three coin purses and filled them with the amounts. The leather pouches were stuffed and sealed as she circled around her counter once again placing each pouch gently into the palm of each of the three members hands.

As the last pouch was placed the doors slammed open again as the group of members who had gone out to see what had become of the group taking on the wolf quest stormed in. Their faces were pale and tired with hurry, their hands were covered in a thick coating of dark blood and they too were carrying a scroll sealed and addressed to the guild master. ”Athena, you should come with us, we need to see the master at once.” Athena looked at them nervously. ”So the others, what..” her small voice died as the grief that bore on their face silenced her before one announced. ”Dead, all of them all but.” as they spoke, the small slow and sad patters of Alfies dog, Spat clicked on the wooden floor. The dog dropped in exhaustion, it's paw was cut and it's back was slashed. Hygiea looked over, she was now working on Serigan and nodded, rubbing the dogs stomach lightly with one hand as if to say, you're next before continuing her work.

Athena assessed the situation, nodded at the group and then picked up the letter she had just received and lead the way towards the guild masters chambers.

Hygiea

When the doors swung open and the group of three stumbled in, Hygiea's heart lifted and sank before lifting again noting that at least this group was back safe. She glanced back down and finished the remedy she had finally finished putting together before the call of her name by Athena pulled her attention back up again. Hygiea only needed that momentary glance before she understood the situation and grabbed her emergency kit and hurried her way over to the guilds entrance, grabbing a stool on her way over of Mable.

Though Pascal seemed only tired, Mable and Serigan looked rather worse for wear. Hygiea handed Pascal a small vial of strength potion to help reinvigorate him before beginning her work on Mable's shoulder. She tore the fabric on her shirt just a bit more to give her a better view of the injury. ”Sorry dear.” she said sympathetically. Hygiea pulled out a flask of liquid and a clothe from her kit. In a quick motion she flipped the lid on the flask and then tipped it over then clothe, pouring enough on it to make it damp. ”This may sting a little, I'll try to be gentle.” Her hands, although gentle rubbed the clothe over Mable's back to clean the wound. The liquid would send a searing pain through the wound as it cleaned it out. The solution was Hygiea's on concoction, a mix of alcohol and special herbs perfectly blended to quicken healing and clean out a wound. Though it would sting at first it had a warm and soothing after feeling that would last throughout the healing process, almost like an indicator to tell you when you were healed.

Hygiea put her palms on either side of Mable's shoulder, feeling where it had broken and sprained. She sighed then pulled a wrap up from her kit before ripping Mable's shirt even more to give her more room to work with placing the wrap in a correct position. She was careful not to reveal too much of Mable's bare flesh in front of everyone as she began to wrap her shoulder and upper arm, placing various herbs throughout the wrap. ”Give it a few days and it should be okay. If it begins hurting unbearably, I want you to come and see me at once.

Hygiea moved from Mable's shoulder to Serigan's leg as if almost mechanically. ”Now what do we have here?” she mumbled to herself as she examined the bandage. ”My these wrappings are very well done, if not for these your leg may not have been saved.” She glanced up at Serigan as she said this and smiled before beginning to unwrap the blood soaked wrap. Her hands were steady and her eyes were focused as she worked, gently pulling away each wrap from it's place and placing them next to the foot of the chair he was sitting in. She quickly grabbed another clothe and poured more of the liquid on the open wound and began cleaning it out. This wound being much worse in some sense then Mable's would take a little more liquid and work then the other had. ”Please parden the pain, I will try to be quick” she said, rubbing the clothe over the wound sending the pain through Serigan as he had done with Mable. This pain would last longer and run deeper as the wound was larger.

Hygiea waited for a moment for the soothing warmth to kick in before pulling out a needle and thread. She glanced up at Serigan again before pulling out what looked like some kind of clamp and wrapped it around his leg, forcing the wound closed. ”Now, it is imperative that you don't move.” She pulled out a flask of whiskey and handed it to him as it to say, you'll need this.

It was at this moment that the other group of adventurers stormed in conversing with Athena before the word,”Dead” was announced which struck Hygiea like a pile of bricks in the pit of her stomach. She glanced at the floor, tracing the ridges in the wood with her eyes for a moment taking in the situation for a moment, letting it take her for just that second before coming back to the task at hand before she had time to herself. Following the news came Spat who was also injured, no doubt trying to protect his master and friend. She rubbed him for a moment before turning back to Seriga's leg.

Now that everything was set, Hygiea began sowing shut the leg wound, stitching it back together with the help of the clamp that kept everything snug and in a straight line. She tried to work quickly but still wanted to be accurate in her stitching. The stitches looked like staples in his leg before she removed the clamp, ran the clothe over his leg again, pulling long thin sticks out of her bag and placing them around his leg to offer extra support before beginning to wrap his leg in the same fashion done with Mable's arm.

At the final wrap, Hygiea quickly stood signaling everyone to stay put before she ran back to get station picked up a few things and rushed back with her hands full of various objects. She handed Serigan something like a crutch before looking him in the eyes, ”I need you to use this for a few days, you can't move around much before the medicine sets in otherwise you could rip your stitches. Come see me in 3 days and I will look at your wound again.” She handed Mable and Serigan a vial of healing potion. ”Take it before you sleep tonight and will help.” She noddded at them all before reaching down and pulling the dog up in her arms, carrying him like a small child and disappearing behind the counter of her apothecary station.

Artemis

Artemis had just finished making Athena's necklace before the group on the boar quest strode in. She watched at listened to the commotion and on goings, sharpening a blade on her counter while her eyes flickered back and forth between her project and the group.

With the second group coming in and their announcement, Artemis picked up this sword she was sharpening at threw it against the line up of weaponry and armour. ”Fuck!” She yelled, over the clattering of metal smashing against the ground and scattering all over the floor. She picked up a helmet and threw it across the room ”Why? What could have prevented this?” Artemis's fury with the situation was evident and overwhelming. She glanced at Athena as she lead the way from the room heading towards the guild master. Artemis began passing back and forth from one end of the room to the other trying to calm down before she kicked the helmet she threw earlier across the room.

Hagor

Hagor lingered at the top of the stairs listening to the situation below and watching as it went on. She scrunched her legs closer and closer to her chest as each word was spoken, her excitement for the fresh meat quickly overtaken by the sadness of tragedy and loss. Three brave members of the guild had been lost, taken from them, all in the hopes of bringing peace to the lives of others.

When Athena came past her for the final time heading towards the guild master she rushed down the stairs stopping in front of the three guild members who were still there. ”Thank you for completing your mission, thank you for returning and thank you for the meat.” Her smile was a bit broken as she spoken in the higher tone that was her voice sounding obscure as it was usually filled with life and vigor. She looked at them all one by one before playfully putting her hands on her hips and winking. ”You get free food for at least two weeks for this treat!” She smiled again, larger and filled with more of the life she usually held behind it though her deep emotions, as the others before her grieved for the loss of their comrades. She looked over at Artimes, dropping her smile and showing a glint of moisture in her eyes before turning and ascending the stairs once again and going behind her counter where she would focus her energy on reworking the menu to include the new produce and meat they had just received.

Ares

Ares worked in his study, gathering notes for the upcoming comity meeting that was to take place the following day. His eyes shifted from page to page as the door to his study was briskly knocked on and opened before he had the opportunity to speak. The white hair and green eyes of Athena rushed into the room carrying a scroll followed by a singular adventurer from the group of volunteers that had gone in search of the missing members.

Ares stood from behind his desk, poised and steady then glanced from Athena to the member and back before stopping on the member. ”Speak.” His voice was deep and clear, nothing to misunderstand or misconstrue. The adventurer shifted in his steps, glancing at Athena who made no expression then back at Ares. He had never had a one on one conversation with Ares before and did not remember ever standing this close to him either. Ares gave him a stern look, causing him to straighten up and open his mouth to begin speaking. ”Yes, Sir.” he started, his voice shaking somewhat and drawn into an almost mumbel from his exhaustion. ”You see, Sir. The other members, Alfie Reid, Nihus Yorkek and Zhang LiangYing or Jane, they... they are dead Sir.” His voice shook at the having to say the word again, to be the one to bare the news. “When we arrived they had been slain but, you see Sir, the wolves were also all dead, all of em.” He motioned his hands as if to express a large amount. ”The members didn't seem to be slain from the wolves though Sir, they had weapon wounds and arrows from out from em. We buried them in the cemetery of Irbel before returning and discovered this scroll among their persons.” The member handed Ares the scroll which Ares took with a nod before the adventurer nodded at the master and excused himself from the room.

Ares held the scroll in his hands for a moment before opening it and running his eyes across the page, reading it quickly and carefully. His face expressed no emotion or indication of what the scroll would entail before he looked up at Athena and held out his hand to receive the other scroll. ”From the adventurers who took the boar quest.” Ares nodded quickly as he took the scroll and read it as he did the first one.

”Athena, I'd like you to put these notices on the board.” Ares quickly went to his desk and scribbled a note on a piece of paper. He pulled up the paper and handed it to Athena as he gathered his notes for the comity, grabbed the scrolls and head towards his quarter door. ”I am leaving at once. You know what to do.

Athena firmly nodded at him as he disappeared behind the door and quickly made his way through the guild, passing everyone swiftly without giving them a glance. He exited the guild, mounted his black stead and rode in a fury through the darkening valley of the mountians.

---

@Masterkeun@karlettto@Big Dread@Mesonyx

[Masterkeun]

Mable smiled tense as the potion was poured into her wound. Instead of concentrating on the burns she gently removed a mission from the wall sighing out in pain. It was a start the trip would be long enough that Mable could heal. The boars had taught her that she needed better equipment. A groan escaped her as Mable stood picking up her gold gratefully. The arm still stung, but she could get along fine without it. The first thing Mable needed was some water and meat. Mable sat gently in her chair her equipment in tatters before instead standing up.

Mable headed in to see Artemis. Mable laid a gentle hand on her shoulder knowing how upset the woman would be. Artemis didn't let on much, but Mable knew the deaths had shocked her. It had been a very long time since the guild had lost so many on a mission. Mable smiled giving Artemis the time she would need to recover her composure before asking in a very calm voice. "If it's okay and not to soon I'd like to ask for repairs to my shield and sword. I also have the money for a bow and arrows. I'd also like to buy some medium armor for my mission this after noon. It shouldn't be to dangerous, but I want to be prepared."

@Heap241

[Big Dread]

"Oh, ain't'y'just sweet." Serigan said giving the old healer a flirtatious grin as she stared to unwrap his wound. The pain was bad, ut, he was used to it."Now, Ol'Cuttah ain't 'bout t'just scream his-" he was cut off by the sudden presence of the balm that she had used to clean the wounds. She had warned him that it would hurt. He had honestly just thought nothing of it. Getting healed up always hurt some. It was like fighting, you often had to suffer a bit to get what you wanted. She really did underplay the pain though. Serigan flew into a sting of curses so profane that if there was a concord of rival priest within earshot every single one of them would have been offended in turn. The words that came from Serigan's mouth would become the new standard for exactly what children should never say in the presence of polite company. Many curses that most folk considered foul were written off as just something silly and their slots were taken by the Virtuoso-like cursing incantations uttered by the former gang leader. "...Gods wit a face-full of centaur splash! Doncha know yer supposed t'give a man a drink 'fore you give'em a pain they'll have scream yer name for?" as he finished the woman handed him a flask of whiskey and he gave her a smile with eyes shining with pain, "Thas'more like it." he drained the flask in a few quick gulps, hoping to speed up the painkilling process the fine drink would give him soon.

Serigan returned to grinning while the older healer stitched him up. "Y'got s'm'kinna skill th'r, Ol'Killie. Qui'k'cher 'ands 'yare. E'r thou'cha b'out turnin' th's'fin'ers t'evil?" he asked slurring his words even more from the strong drink. Also, finding the older woman quite the fetching lady in general. Of course, Serigan found most people rather fetching but right now she was sewing him up and has his full attention. He pet the poor injured dog by his chair as he was worked on, muttering a few condolences to the dog. They were impossible to understand by people let alone an animal. He wished the dog well as it was carried away from him, his words the kind of thing a cryptologist would have drooled over to decode.

Soon enough, Serigan found himself in the main hall of the Guild with a crutch in one hand and his cane in the other. He now at least had a chair to sit in and it was close to the pretty lady who paid him. Ah, he did like it when the people who gave you money were nice to look at. He tapped his cane on the ground in a poor imitation of a beat he had heard in a song some time ago. His buzzed mind was trying desperately to understand why exactly people were so sad. He thought it had something to do with the hurt dog and the man who was with him. He thought he remembered that man being blind. Wait, had that group died? Yes, they had. That was what the people who came in earlier had said. Then Athena had ran off to go see Ares, the the spooky looking man had come down the steps. It was the first time Serigan had seen him. He had saluted to the man with his cane and bid him his condolences but the man was gone as quickly as he arrived. Serigan leaned his head back in the chair and sighed. This was going to be very boring. He probably shouldn't be thinking about how boring things might be when there seemed to be an aura of mourning around the whole place and all the people in it, but, he couldn't help himself. He hated being being bored. Being bored was just about as bad as death really. He had plenty of people around him die, hell, just about all of them so far. He had gotten used to death long ago.

When Athena returned he gave her a salute with his cane and smile, "Sorry'bout all'thus bissus, m'love. Is'a sad day i'tiss. M'eart goes t'ya dear. Tel'oo what. Ol'Cuttah knows y'sad, an'ee thinks y'might need a'ug?" Serigan opened his arms to her for an embrace. "Y'll 'ave t'c'm t'me though. Ol'Cuttah can't walk. Doc's orders."