Twhirtley

[Ebonfort] Days of Grass and Dust

The more she swung, the more she found it making her feel better. Her legs, her back, everything was sore, from being thrown around by Jasper, from the longest ride of her life, taking her from her home. But she didn't care. She fought through the pain. Gripping one end of the stick, she swung it heavily, wishing it were into Jasper's dark, grinning face. Every time she did, the weight of it, and her poor stance, pulled her forward and off balance.

Swing after swing, careless step after step, and she was huffing and puffing, hunched over, resting on the stick, laid across her thighs. She half heard Asher's words, but needed one last thing. She let out a feral, loud yell, just to vent her raw frustration and pain. When it was over, she closed her eyes, took three deep breaths. Then she opened them and looked over at her new master, feeling a bit better. She considered his words, wiping the sweat from her brow.

He was a Swordmaster after all, he probably knew what he was talking about. Part of her, a defiant part, wanted to spit in his face and say horrid things to him, for ripping her from her life, for killing those she loved, for destroying her home. She just wanted to hit him with the damn stick, and it was probably obvious as her eyes hardened toward him, her grip tightening on her stick.

But she didn't.

She may not have had much interaction with him, but she could tell he was trying to do right. He could've left her to the horrors Jasper and that other man had planned for her. He could've joined in. Or just left her in the ruin of her burnt home. But he took her in, and even though she's a slave, he'd treated her well so far.

She relaxed her aggressive posture, at first just nodding at his request, holding her staff defensively. "Yes, please."

The Calm Before the Storm (Ebonfort)

He smiled lightly at her, "I do hope you're right, they would make a nice farewell to this peaceful leg of our journey." He shifted around behind him, picked up his sword, and held the heavy weapon out in front of them, easily with one hand, so that the flat of the blade was at eye level. "I may not be able to feel magic as well as you, but this lets me see it." The sights through the Null Shard were distorted as expected, but Rilana and Svarak would be able to see the shield. It was many hued, much like the northern lights, but with enough observation, they could see that the differing colors were weaker spots in the shield, where the magic was fading.

He put the sword away after a while, "It's nearly time, we're what, two days out? If only that dance could've lasted longer." He carved them off some chunks from the haunch of meat, "You've really come into your own with this position. You've done admirably well. I do hope you'll maintain it after this venture is done. It would be so nice for you to be around more."

He began eating quietly, looking out over the large camp. This journey had been so very relaxing and cathartic for him. He never expected that he'd nearly die that early on. Perhaps he'd grown arrogant and lazy in his age. He wondered how many other challenges there were out there for him, things he could overcome, to become stronger. It was nice having people rely on him for more than paperwork, to trust him, for him to trust. There were no politics on this journey. There was simply survival and moving forward.

There was just one last obstacle.

"How did it feel finding out you were in this... Cage, but not knowing you were in it for so long?" He wondered which was worse, having freedom taken away, or never having known it.

[Ebonfort] Out of the Pan

The water that Drache attacked sizzled and steamed and the surging stopped for the time being. Laurel, now with her companions, under the direction of Drache, composed herself. She knew she was stronger than Drache, but her own mindset was still waiving. "I need your help with this!"

She began pouring fire out of her hands at the ground, and began swirling it in a wide circle around the group. She would allow her magic to be assisted by Drache, and really hoped she did because this would take a lot out of her. Her plan was simple. Evaporate all the water immediately around them, to get to the pit. The fire spun around them, rising and rising, the sweat and strain on her face evident as the heat in the center became quite high. The firespinners were immune to it, but Kraven knew he couldn't stay. He pushed into a light skin over his body, shimmering like a rainbow, before diving through the fire, leaving behind a small pile of powder of red and orange. The vortex of fire grew taller and wider and from his vantage point, Kraven could see the water elementals shrinking back. Water may beat fire normally, but put enough strength into anything and it will win.

"Get ready!" Laurel readied the fiery vortex to surge then explode outward. Kraven wrapped himself in his magic, already feeling the strain from the repetitive use, as the vortex reached its critical mass.

But just before it was set to unleash, a wave of water surged up and at the flames. They collided hard, as if two giants had met in a grappling match. The vortex held, but shook violently. The disruption was enough to break Laurel's concentration, and the vortex shook and lost its form, the flames shot backward, toward the pit, spilling over the edges, scorching the ground, turning the water that way to steam. Laurel dropped to a knee from the overexertion, as the group looked to see what caused the wave.

It slid out of the water slowly, revealing just how large it was. It was clearly a water elemental of sorts, the deep blue core in its head evidence enough. Slithering and sliding and floating, it wrapped around the group, clearly recognizing them as a threat. Any fire launched at it would be futile as it struck its head toward the two women. Kraven was too slow, heading for them.

Then the head snapped sharply down into the stone, sending huge cracks through the floor. Those with quick eyes managed to see Sirik leaping away from where he'd landed a devastating stomp. His body was brimming with power, and seemed to be encased in it. But just as quickly as he'd come, he'd disappeared into the shadows. The creature chased after him, its tail thrashing wildly at the group as it left them.

The remaining elementals knew they were to not mess with their master's prey, and started toward the pit. The voices there were much stronger, still fearful. One was reminiscent of a young boy, the other a girl. As the first elemental reached the edge, a thin line of fire shot up through its core, and it fell into a puddle. The amount of control behind that shot was formidable, because making fire bigger was easy, but making it tiny, concentrated, but still powerful was not. But there were so many elementals heading for the pit.

A Heart Frozen (Ebonfort)

The journey from Leandra's Tower toward Frigmount was quite pleasant and expedited. The newly ascended god's blessing mad everything easier. The weather stayed clear, the air crisp, not unbearable for even the unblessed, predators brought them food. On the 59th, the massive city of ice and stone came into view, and while most of the group thought they were safe, a select few knew what really lie in wait.

On that day, the mages would feel the dying shield that had wrapped around the city and her surrounding lands, that kept her separate, isolated, from the rest of the world, all thanks to the former Handmaiden Juloya. It was sobering, knowing that their journey would have to end with her death, thus saving the world from an unknown, incredibly powerful enemy.

Svarak grew quiet in those last couple days, after a long evening spent in discussion and planning with Rilana, knowing it was his job to kill the woman he'd loved those three centuries before. He knew he could, he just wished it didn't have to come to this.

On the 61st, they came to the first manned outpost outside of the city, bustling with chillborn and moon fey guards. At least one of them was recognizable to Rilana, a man named Fahlzer who'd grown up near her. He approached the group, "Welcome home Lana. Though I wish it were under better circumstances."

He removed his helmet and she could see the uncharacteristic marks of stress and worry upon his face. "The city is closed. There's something, some sort of plague ravishing through it. People are going mad, filled with rage, mages have lost all control of their powers. We don't know what is causing it, we don't know how to stop it, but we know it is spreading. We cannot let you in, for your own safety. Your family managed to get out, they are on the northside with several of our finest mages and a few council members, and the royal family. If anyone can figure it out, it is them."

He then stepped forward pulling her into a tight hug, slipping a note into her pocket. He stepped away, "So please, do not attempt to enter the city by force, or that is what you will be met with."

He returned to the stone and wood structure, looking over his shoulder sadly at her. The note bore Lady Myra's seal on it, and it read,

"Rilana, I am passing this on through one of the only few I can trust. What he has said is true, but there are many that have been corrupted yet appear perfectly fine. Since you're reading this, you know of your mission now, of the Knights' mission. Go to where I taught you of ice bats, follow the clues, finish the mission. May your resolve be a glacier.

Myra

Rilana would only know of one such cave, a few hours away. The cave was home to the only known ice bat population, creatures that appeared like any other bat, with the exception that the males were glistening blue and females were white, but all were transparent. They did not feed upon insects though, but rather the seeds and sap of the many coniferous trees in the region.

The only problem with such a cave was that the entrance was right in the middle of an Ice Giant village. The Ice Giants had always behaved as much as was required of them because they couldn't compare to the armies of the moon fey and chillborn. But if the capital was on lockdown, and the armies were unavailable, the giants would be wholly unpredictable.

Their destination was the village of Jhrogramir. The population was several hundred giants, mostly herders and hunters. It was surrounded by wooden walls, always manned by sentries, to protect them from the dangers of the Frostfell. At the front gate, there were always four giants with massive clubs and swords and spears. Custom always dictated that only the leader of any group speak to the guards, and anyone else would result in an offense that usually ended with many pulverized bodies.

The guards would ask those who approached, "Who you? What you want?"

Ebonfort

The above post is your character's seasonal pay. Add the total (most people make a link to this payday post) into your character's ledger and adjust accordingly :D

Ebonfort

Jadeyan 301 DM Payday!

Verissa Beatrix Greenlakes aka Verissa

GP per day = 0 GP (0 GP for being a slave)
0 GP x 59 Days (Jadeyan) = +0 GP
Poor Living Expenses = 2SP/day = -11 GP, 8 SP (To be Paid by Master, Asher)
Dog Feed (5 CP/dog/day) x 2 dogs = -5 GP, 9 SP (To be Paid by Master, Asher)
Total = 0

Alya Eloen

GP per day = 10 GP (5 GP for Temporary Quest Mercenary Profession x2 for Journeyman Rank)
10 GP x 59 Days (Jadeyan) = +590 GP
Poor Living Expenses = 2 SP/day = -11 GP, 8 SP (Paid for by Knights during Quest)
Dog Feed (5 CP/dog/day) x 2 dogs = -5 GP, 9 SP (Paid for by Knights during Quest)
Total = +590 GP
@Rekaigan

Lyriia “Lii” Elenye

GP per day = 8 GP (Apprentice to Artisan Doctor, 1/5th of 40GP/day)
8 GP x 59 Days (Jadeyan) = +472 GP
Common Living Expenses = 2 GP/day = -118 GP (Paid for by Master)
Total = +472 GP
@RomanAria

Megumi Tsukiyama

GP per day = 5 GP (5 GP for Temporary Quest Mercenary Profession, Novice Rank)
5 GP x 59 Days (Jadeyan) = +295 GP
Poor Living Expenses = 2 SP/day = -11 GP, 8 SP (Paid for by Knights during Quest)
Total = +295 GP

Rilana Aurorime'

GP per day = 8 GP (8 GP for Envoy, Novice Rank)
8 GP x 59 Day (Jadeyan) = +472 GP
Poor Living Expenses = 2 SP/day = -11 GP, 8 SP (Paid for by Knights during Quest)
Baby Balauradon Feed = 5 CP/day = -2 GP, 9 SP, 5 CP (Paid for by Knights during Quest)
White Crow Feed = 5 CP/day = -2 GP, 9 SP, 5 CP (Paid for by Knights during Quest)
Total = +472 GP
*Not being charged for Griffin Feed as he can hunt and feed himself, being a creature of higher intelligence and independence.
@Drache

Chartose Treeshedder

GP per day = 5 GP/day (5 GP for Mercenary, Novice Rank)
5 GP x 59 Days (Jadeyan) = +295 GP
Poor Living Expenses = 2 SP/day = -11 GP, 8 SP (Paid for by Knights during Quest)
Raptor Feed = 5 CP/day = -2 GP, 9 SP, 5 CP (Paid for by Knights during Quest)
Total = +295 GP
@Foster

Ember

EXEMPT FOR NO ACTIVITY THIS SEASON
@Carantathraiel

Zenovia

GP per day = 9 GP/day (9 GP for Screamer Warlord, Novice Rank)
9 GP x 59 Days (Jadeyan) = +531 GP
Common Living Expenses = 2 gp/day = -118 GP
Horse Feed = 5 CP/day = -2 GP, 9 SP, 5 CP
Raven Feed = 5 CP/day = -2 GP, 9 SP, 5 CP
Total = 407 GP, 1 SP, 0 CP

Raffey Silafin

GP per day = 5 GP (Temporary Quest Mercenary Profession, Novice Rank)
5 GP x 59 days (Jadeyan) = +295 GP
Poor Living Expenses = WAIVED FOR TRAVEL KIT
Auric Beetle Feed = 5 CP/day = -2 GP, 9 SP, 5 CP = (Paid for by Knights during Quest)
Total = +295

Asher

GP per day = 14 GP (7 GP for Screamer Swordsmaster, x2 Journeyman Rank)
14 GP x 59 days (Jadeyan) = +826 GP
Poor Living Expenses = 2 SP/day = -11 GP, 8 SP
Horse Feed = 5 CP/day = -2 GP, 9 SP, 5 CP
Poor Living Expenses (Verissa) = 2SP/day = -11 GP, 8 SP
Dog Feed (Verissa) (5 CP/dog/day) x 2 dogs = -5 GP, 9 SP
Total = +793 GP, 5 SP, 5 CP

Drachiathoryx 'Drache Sgarsiath'

GP per day = 10 GP (5 GP for Temporary Quest Mercenary Profession, Journeyman Rank)
10 GP x 59 days (Jadeyan) = +590 GP
Poor Living Expenses = 2 SP/day = -11 GP, 8 SP (Paid for by Pyresia for Quest)
Total = +590 GP

Cecielle of Alanix

GP per day = 12 GP, 5 SP (5 GP for Merchant Profession, Journeyman Rank x1.25 for own business)
12 GP, 5 SP x 59 days (Jadeyan) = +737 GP, 5 SP
Common Living Expenses = 2 GP/day = -118 GP
Total = +619 GP, 5 SP
@TheTruthWhale

Graakt

GP per day = 12 GP, 5 SP (10 GP for Merchant Profession, Novice Rank x1.25 for own business)
12 GP, 5 SP x 59 days (Jadeyan) = +737 GP, 5 SP
Common Living Expenses = 2 GP/day = -118 GP
Loan Payment = -369 GP
Total = +250 GP, 5 SP
Remaining Loan = 2756

Cole

GP per day = 4 (4 GP for Apprentice Fletcher to Journeyman Master, 1/5th Master's pay)
4 GP x 59 days (Jadeyan) = +236 GP
Common Living Expenses = 2 GP/day = -118 GP (Paid for by Master)
Total = +236 GP
@terrorbubble

Crann Aonair

EXEMPT FOR NO ACTIVITY THIS SEASON
@Yennefer

Ahmal

GP per day = 14 GP (7 GP for Unranked Knight Profession x2 for Journeyman Rank)
14 GP x 59 Days (Jadeyan) = +826 GP
Common Living Expenses = 2 GP/day = -118 GP
Total = +708 GP
@Rekaigan

[Ebonfort] Days of Grass and Dust

Verissa listened to the bustling Kvaren language around her, still not used to it. She occasionally heard familiar words, but couldn't quite put them to meaning. She'd heard Shenzi speaking in Kvaren, then switching back to Common. She picked out several words that her mind specifically made a note of. The words for suture, clean, needle, wound, heal. She kept at this until the woman came over to her, accompanied by a crowd of wide eyed youth. Verissa listened close, finding it increasingly worrying that this man had yet to be treated.

She found it terribly interesting that she was teaching how to identify a weapon by the wounds they caused. It wasn't something Verissa had ever focused on before. It seemed to make sense that a sword had caused the wounds, though she didn't find it as obbious as Shenzi. Perhaps because she wasn't as accustomed to combat. When they said rapier, she tried to picture what one looked like, cursing her lack of knowledge in this area. She guessed from the wounds that it was thin and sharp pointed, but aside from that she had no clue.

Verissa saw the girl sneering at her, and for a brief moment, her mind told her to look down and away submissively. But she wasn't this woman's slave, she was Asher's slave. And Shenzi made it clear that she needed to make Asher look good through her own efforts. As all eyes were on her, she felt the anxiety of one being judged and facing intense scrutiny. She knew the answer easily, but also remembered what SHenzi had taught her just the day before. Looking straight at the sneering girl, "Feverfew and plaintain leaves, marigold petals made into a poultice with honey to be applied to the wound. I've found that honey, coneflower, feverfew, made into a tea also fights infection. It also helps give strength back into those that have lost a good deal of blood as this man has. Treating the wound with boiled brine also helps prevent infection by ensuring it to be cleaned."

It was stated very matter of factly, and Verissa immediately began feeling sheepish, as Shenzi translated. That's when she knew what the old woman was doing. This woman was using this man and his injuries to teach further, since his life wasn't in immediate danger. This made her smile, this woman was very intelligent indeed.

Shenzi put her to work making poultices and tea, while showing some of the youth watched on. The watched her hands move deftly as she cut the leaves, ground them with mortar and pestle, as she boiled them down just right. She wasn't used to working with plantain and a few other plants, such as orange root, but the methods still rang true. The sneering girl and others were charged with treating the man. She was scrubbing the man's wounds, but seemed to be doing so gingerly. Verissa walked over, grabbing a fresh rag, moving the woman's hands aside. She spoke in Common, unsure if the woman would understand, "You're doing him no favors being ginger with your cleansing. You need to remove any dead flesh and outside materials, otherwise infection is inevitable and will lead to blood poisoning." She coupled this statement with vigorous, deep scrubbing, showing how the raw flesh was now pristine, before heading back to her own work, receiving a proper scowl from the girl.

After many long stretches of work, Shenzi came up to Verissa, "You've done well today, take some time to yourself, before having to return to Asher." For her sake, the woman said it in Kvaren first, then Common. Verissa thanked her in Kvaren, remembering how Asher had said it the night before.

Her pups had been resting outside the healer's tent, were immediately active as she stepped out. She pet them, and decided to simply go wandering around camp. She watched as everyone prepared for departure, tearing down tents, packing things into saddlebags, carts, and crates. She found someone had left a wooden pole near a camp that was already packed. She picked it up, smiling. It reminded her of the strange events that happened on her way to Azure Strand, of the woman she called Strawberry. She'd tried to use a stick then as a weapon and had failed miraculously. But she knew of people who could use them, and something about it appealed to her.

She moved to open space, hands clutching far too low, at one end, as her pups looked on curiously. She tried a downward swing, finding it immediately threw her off balance, and forced her to recover awkwardly. Stubbornly, she kept just swinging and swinging, now more of a cathartic exercise to vent her frustration than any true weapons training.

Blood and Gold (Ebonfort)

Graakt looked at the harpy, his face showing his tired nature at this situation in their town. "The knights are trying to find anyone connected to a public assassination. This entire season has been a back and forth between the knights who think they have power, and the groups here that actually have power. The knights, they are desperate. They are rounding up everyone, interrogating them, hurting them. Most people come back, some don't. The city is reaching a boiling point."

He leaned back against the wall behind him sighing. He'd been lucky so far, having avoided interrogation. He didn't know anything, hell, it seemed no one did. When the strange looking man spoke, it definitely warranted a new bout of attention. "You came all this way for a knick knack, one you don't even know about?" He chuckled slightly at the ridiculousness of it. "Did you upset your master and she sent you on a fool's errand to get you out of her hair for a while?"

Then he heard the door to the shop open, hearing several thumps of boots on wood. He held a thick, green finger to his lips, and listened in. "Well hello again, Tret. It is nice to see you've healed up nicely, though I personally think your face was prettier all black and blue. Have you seen a group of people? An orc, a bird, and some blasted, winged bastard child? We have a few... questions for them, and they were seen heading this way."

The man's voice was stubborn, "No one comes by here cept those wanting hooks and spearheads. And idiots asking stupid questions."

There was thud, the sound of a fist colliding into Tret's stomach, and a gasp of air, "You best mind your manners next time, or I may just find you needing questioned, again." With that, the boots turned and left.

After giving plenty of time, Tret entered the back, "You're good to go, but they went toward your shop. May want to go somewhere else for a while." Graakt nodded, clasping the man on the shoulder, "Shall we head to the auction a bit early? I do always enjoy speaking with merchants."

Graakt moved out of the shop, leading the way through the streets. "You all picked a great time to visit." Looking over his shoulder at the harpy, "So what wares did you bring to town?" He'd listen for a while, leading them down back alleys and side roads, until they were outside the warehouse. Surprisingly there were no knights anywhere in sight, though he suspected that the hosts had made sure knights were turned away, distracted, or beaten down before ever coming close.

Graakt walked up, presenting a silver coin to the small, human woman at the door, she nodded and smiled, speaking to all of them, "I am to search you and peace tie any weapons. If your weapons are seen untied during this auction, you will be executed on sight. If you make a bid, but fail to pay at the end of the auction, you will be enslaved. Happy bidding." Any weapons would be tied to belts, sheathes, whatever was available by leather straps, deep purple in hue.

Gesturing inside, they would see a large wooden stage set in the center of the warehouse, many people bustling about. Around the edges of the warehouse, seemed to be individuals selling goods, some even selling food and drink. There was a lot of money changing hands here. Graakt spoke to his new companions, "Looking for anything in particular?"

All Roads Lead to Death (Ebonfort)

Captain Theren smiled knowingly at the women. His aurism powered sight and hearing had told him everything. He could see the magic glowing in his knight's arm, yet it was still injured. That meant the blonde woman was a mage of some sort, but not a healer. She'd have to be watched closely. He could hear the heartbeat of a liar coming from her. But mostly the two women reeked of fear. He scrutinized the redhead a bit closer. She didn't seem to have anything magical about her, but there was something... off in her energy. Her flows were all off, wrong, but didn't have the deliberateness of a mage.

They both piqued his interest.

But clearly they knew of the rumors of what happened to mages in the empire. Or they thought they knew. It was a policy made by the paper hugging knights above his paygrade. If mages were fearful of their government, they would be less likely to cause trouble. Which made his job more difficult, since his company was designated with locating, investigating, and recruiting people of magic. No one disappeared, well, aside from those that turned violent. Most just joined his little ragtag group.

Appearing to be satisfied with the information they'd given him, [color=f7976a]"My company will clean this up, I'll escort you both to Azure Strand. I'm sure you both could use the relaxation of an inn."[/b] [/color]He gestured to one of his knights, who brought over a large, brown and white horse. "We only have the one to spare, so you'll have to share."

Trix moved closer, timidly to the man, who now had a hand up to help her on. She took his hand and stepped warily into the stirrup and struggled, pulling herself up and onto the horse. Her pups were standing at the horse's feet, "Oh pardon me, forgot about the little ones, one moment." He emptied out some of the large saddle bag, and gingerly picked the pups up, putting one in each saddle bag. They seemed content, as Trix reached down and rubbed their heads to comfort them. Captain Theren turned to Ember, gesturing at the space in front of Trix on the horse, "I insist."

If she agreed, the captain would help her up, then tie the horse to his own's saddle, with plenty of slack. As he mounted, he began leading the eastward toward Azure Strand along the road, as his men began stripping the bodies, attempting to identify those that they could, then piling them up just out of sight of the road, to be burned.

Theren sat in silence for a good long while, letting the two women speak if they felt like it.

If Ember had refused, the man would shrug, "As you wish." He'd let her go her own way, but one of his knights would follow her, not bothering to be stealthy about it. He would not engage, would not approach, simply follow and observe for as long as humanly possible.

They Have Returned (Ebonfort)

Once the pair were underway, Raffey let himself slip into conversation with the dragoness. He shrugged at her suggestion to flee, "Nah nee' tah ru'. Ah'm a traveluh, da win's ta' meh here. Ah dun haff chain on meh, ah'm alreadeh free. Migh' as well 'elp da Kuhvarrin, dey migh' 'elp meh one day." Raffey also felt eyes upon him, but his instincts told him it was just a wary animal. But he'd been wrong before.

When she asked on the ruins, "Oh, ya, 'e saidt dat dey are... uh... Ol' Veerk Cass Store Rear Yuh, ees weir' name, nah?" Eventually the pair would find a few loose carved stones making a raggedy path that curved through the trees. The stones were clearly created and not natural with their sharp corners and perfect surfaces. They eventually led to the stony remains of an out building of some sort. There were many collapsed stone walls and ceilings stretched for many spear throws. Drache could spend weeks here studying these ruins. In the center of them though, was a wide staircase that led deep into the earth, so deep that light, by fire and sun, couldn't see the bottom. There was an enticing vibe emanating from within, feeling like a glow, but without the light.

Raffey led the way, a torch in hand, revealing many glyphs and art work on the walls as they went deeper in the earth. There were many fey letters making unknown words littering the path. There were pictures of a glowing man with a string leading away from him, further and further into the temple. The man came through a circle, from what looked to be a dead world, to this one. There the man ruled in a city above, but the line that led from him disappeared below.

The line followed the stairs until they finally bottomed out. A sickening smell permeated the warm, moist air. A rotten smell. On the map appeared to be a crude map, and ahead of them appeared to be a four way intersection. According to the map, the central path followed the line, the left hand path led to an up stairs, and the right hand path led to another circle.

Raffey walked right past, not noticing it, holding his nose closed, his accent now accompanied with nasal speaking, "Dis smell ees like da sheet. So ba'."

Meanwhile, back in the tavern, Sammeh looked up and down 'Rahn', settling on her eyes. "Just make sure you stay here, not entering the citylands and if you get bored, I'm the third door on the left." The tone was flirtatious and playful, and she turned to leave. Walking down the way, she waited until Rahn turned around to continue to where she assumed was her own room, so she could get a look at that athletic bum she assumed her to have. But she saw something else, something lumpy in the back of Rahn's trousers. The woman was hiding something. Quick as a charging bull, rapier drawn. Justicars weren't known for their evidence, kill first, find the truth later. She slashed at Megumi, looking to slash down her back. One who was pure needn't hide anything.

Laurel grew bored, being the last one in the campsite. She sat petting a large round orb she'd found days earlier, wishing it would come back to life. But it needed to rest after its ordeal. She looked up as something very strange approached. It appeared to be a dog ontop of a very, very large beetle. She waved at it, "Hello stranger! Come, join me, you hungry?"

The aaenshi hopped down and came over, "Hello. I am Fleabit, this is Dibney. We thought we saw an old friend of ours in your group. Is a man named Raffey with you?" Laurel nodded, smiling, though a bit nervous now, and Dibney chortled loudly, happily, rushing over to Laurel and nudging her with her horn. Laurel laughed and pet the beetle, before there was some distant shouting. They looked past the tavern and saw what looked like a boulder was launched from a man sent skyward. Laurel watched its trajectory, amazed at the speed, and saw it was sent right for a flying figure. It struck it in the bottom of its chest and the critter began to fall.

As it got closer and closer, Laurel could see it was a dragon, emerald in color. It seemed to recover enough to pull into a wobbly glide before skidding to a crash near Laurel. It shook the ground and looked very injured as it came to a stop. Atop it was red haired and bearded dwarf man, who leapt off, maces in hand. "Venarfalax, you okay, mate?" The dwarf shouted, facing toward his attackers. The dragon managed to raise his head a bit, then lift himself up to his legs, spreading his wings. Several of the justicars were rushing toward them, with the very large man that shot the boulder walking slowly. He conjured another boulder and shot it toward them. Laurel, without thinking, got up and unleashed a massive column of fire that shot up and knocked the boulder off course.

She immediately began wishing Sirik and Kraven were here, Drache too. Really anyone she knew. But the die was cast, and she was in it for these strangers. Fireballs conjured in her hands, her black hair replaced by flames. Fleabit whistled and his wolf came bounding out, and he hopped on him, rushing toward the men, axes raised. Dibney stayed near Laurel, protectively. Soon there was the sound of metal on metal and screams of pain, Laurel hurling fire everywhere, as the camp fought for their lives.