Gisk

Free Sorcery: An Alagaësian Roleplay

Alphonse converged on Demund on the main road, as both of them walked toward the smoke. They looked at each other, but didn't say anything. Alph noted that the both of them were armed now. He knew that Dem was interested in learning to make swords, and thought that this was perhaps a secret project of his. It certainly looked new.

The two slowed to a stop some five yards away from the source of the smoke. Alph for one didn't feel the need to get any closer to the still smoldering ruins of what had been three of the townspeople. He pulled his undertunic out from under the leather jerkin he wore and covered his mouth and nose with it. Looking past the bodies, he saw that their house had been ransacked as well, someone had been looking for something, and apparently weren't happy that they had failed to find it. The eggs? Alphonse couldn't think of anything else worth having, or worth killing for, in Mashal. It seemed a staggering coincidence, but at the same time, it wasn't particularly likely that all four of them had eggs hatch for them.

"Dem," Alph said, looking at the younger boy. "We need to get back, and fast." He put a foot in the stirrup and mounted his horse, then held a hand down for Demund. "Get up and hold on tight." The horse was old and well traveled, but they didn't have far to go, and neither of them were particularly heavy either.

Free Sorcery: An Alagaësian Roleplay

Trouble is they require special metal, and we only know of one source in the whole world, and Eragon uses it.

But there are other kinds of magic weapons, and other materials.

EDIT: And prepare for a bite from Ashwing, I imagine.

Free Sorcery: An Alagaësian Roleplay

I would hope so.

I think we(me and Awesomo) oughta let you guys catch up, chronologically speaking.

Free Sorcery: An Alagaësian Roleplay

@Awesomoman64 I figure Demund meets Alph on his way to investigate the smoke, after seeing to his own family and provisions.

Free Sorcery: An Alagaësian Roleplay

They were at the bridge when they were finally able to see the smoke through the trees. A single black column, obviously not from any chimney, not even the forge.

"Dem," he said no more, but pointed to the smoke. The two set off at a run to get home. As they got closer they could smell the smoke. It almost smelled like cooking meat, but Alph recognized the wreak of burning clothes and hair as well, and knew better. There was nobody outside as they made their way between the buildings, but Alph could see eyes peeking from behind shutters.

"Get your things," Alph told Dem quietly, "And ask your father what's going on."

Alph for one, went to his grandfather's brewery and walked in the door, calling out to him as he opened it. The old man walked out from around a corner, holding Alph's sword in a defensive manner.

"What happened?" Alph asked.

The old man hesitated, but picked up the scabbard from the table nearby and sheathed the old chipped blade. "I'm not sure," he answered, licking his dry lips. "I didn't see. Just heard the shouts, saw people running for their homes."

"Yeah," Alph took the sheathed sword out of his hands gently but firmly. "I saw that everyone was holed up, but I didn't see why. Listen," he looked sideways at his grandfather as he started packing his saddle bag, just some food and spare clothes, and what was left of his coinpurse. "I don't want to leave you here after whatever this was, but I have to go, I really do."

His grandfather nodded in understanding. They embraced quickly, and Alph walked back out the door, to move around to the stables and get his horse. Once she was saddled, he walked in the direction of the smoke, meaning to see it for himself.

Free Sorcery: An Alagaësian Roleplay

Yeah, what did she actually do? And what do the villagers think/how would the describe what she did? And are the villagers burning the bodies, or did she light them on fire? I think probably the latter, good ole brisingr, I imagine.

Free Sorcery: An Alagaësian Roleplay

I'm sure. Should we just continue on our way and write things out with the knowledge we have? I think we need to know a little bit more about what's happened in the village.

Should you make a post detailing what they find, or maybe just tell us so we can include it? Dunno how you want to go about this.

Free Sorcery: An Alagaësian Roleplay

I'll post tomorrow, if Gisk hasn't answered yet I'll just go with the assumption that Alph and De hit the road before Zy showed up. It makes things faster that way. :)

@Ceta de Cloyes

Then let's make things faster. And yeah, I was working under the assumption that they were going back the same way the came, so they'll miss the villain.

Free Sorcery: An Alagaësian Roleplay

"Yeah," Alph said, reaching up and gently disentangling Ashwing from him. He hesitated a moment, but sensed she wouldn't like to be handed to someone and put her on the ground instead. "That sounds like a plan. I have a sword and a horse at home at the very least."

As he followed Demund up the stairs, he sent an experimental thought back toward the dragon.

Guard the other eggs.

He put a hand to his chest, but there was nothing to do about the bite and the blood. It was a small enough wound that he could explain it away pretty easily.

"C'mon, Dem, I'll let you repair my sword on the road!" The two of them went up the stairs and out of the hovel, to make their way down the hill and back toward the bridge to town.

Free Sorcery: An Alagaësian Roleplay

Yeah, but it's not night time. And our characters don't know it yet, but they don't have the luxury of waiting.

As to why we discuss this here: Just getting ahead of the game, literally.