<font color=lightgreen> Remaining in the grass staring at the sky above, he laughed softly. "Living the way you do only leads to bitter ends. I may be younger then you, but I've shared my own hardships and regrets." Silence engulfed them for several minutes before he continued. "I lived on a farm with my parents when I was younger. My father died in a fire at our farm while I was away at town selling our crops. Not a day went by that I didn't constantly blame myself. Why didn't I stay behind while he went to sell, or why didn't I offer to sell our goods another day? Maybe then the two of us together could have overcome the fire. I realized something though. Living in the past, beating yourself up for it, or regretting it gets you nowhere. I don't know what it is you did... but you should keep your eyes forward to the path ahead."

He set up then and shook stray twigs out of his hair. "I think it's your turn to get some sleep now." A warm smile took over his features as he watched her.</font>

[ 06-15-2006, 11:55 PM: Message edited by: Leafblade ]

<font color=lightblue>”Yes, I think I will.” Her tone was subdued as she bowed her acknowledgment and wrapped the blanket around her shoulders more closely. As her eyes closed, she felt her mind debating over his last words and winced with the effort of sweeping these provoking thoughts away.

The last words she murmured before she drifted to slumber were these:

“My eyes are focused on the future… the future that Death brings.”</font>

ooc: I'm off to bed now. [img]smile.gif[/img]

<font color=lightgreen>He wasn't sure if his words had any affect on her as he watched her sleep. Then again, who am I to try and be open with her? We've only known each other for a few days and she probably finds me annoying... Sighing, he reached inside his shirt again and grasped the pendant. It was comforting to have as a reminder of his father, and also the things that had passed. No matter how often he held it, or it rested against his chest, the metal always remind cold to the touch. Letting it fall back against him, he settled in for the rest of the watch.

A warm breeze came in the following morning. Stretching, he glanced over at his companion and noticed sleep still had its hold on her. Deciding now would be as good a time as any; he made his way back down to the stream. He quickly pulled off his shirt and tossed it aside. Clamping down his teeth, he splashed the cold water against his face and the rest of his upper body in an attempt to clean up. The breeze against his wet skin caused him to shiver a little as he rolled up his shirt into a pillow. Lying back down in the grass once more, he idly watched the clouds float by as he waited for her to awake.
</font>

[ 06-16-2006, 02:29 AM: Message edited by: Leafblade ]

OOC: Goodnight, Brian [img]smile.gif[/img] Larry – Feel free to jump in if you’re game to join us ;)

<font color=lightblue>At the sound of spritely feet squashing some of the dried leaves scattered across the damp earth, the first ripples of consciousness stirred her from her dreamless rest. Still, she clamped her eyes shut until she could sense the fledgling’s presence no more.

Slowly, she roused herself upright, craning her neck sideways to rid herself of the crick. Swinging her arms freely, she surveyed the surroundings. The daylight seemed to expel the previous night’s morose settings, and the air smelt clean and refreshing.

I’ll bet Rehan is raring to go. She smiled despite herself. Such an earnest, likeable lad. If he doesn’t have to swat off his admiring rabble in a couple of years, I’m not Acacia. She began to stroll down the path towards the stream.

The leaves of the trees rustled softly in the gentle wind as she moved ahead, viewing the horizon with untarnished pleasure. What a lovely secluded spot it was! Infinitely superior to civilization and the evils it bred. Do I really have to do this, Grandma? Do I really have to leave the peace and quiet? Once again, there was no answer. She had all the power in the world to decide what was expected for herself; why did she choose the difficult path? I hope this is what you want, Grandma. Already, the heaviness was returning to her heart as she caught sight of the topless fledgling sprawled upon the grass.

The sight brought some amusement to her troubled face.

“Oi there!” She cleared her throat so that he would not be too startled. “Be thankful I’m no blushing young lass, you flasher!” Impulsively, she stooped down and, grabbing a handful of earth and grass, flung it at his direction. “Time to get dressed, boyo, and head for your moment of glory!”</font>

ooc: Going to be leaving in an hour and a half or so. Feel free to drag my character along if you want. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

<font color=lightgreen> He grinned at her roguishly as he stood up and pulled his shirt back on. "You seem to be in a better mood this morning." Rehan commented offhandedly as they moved their horses back to the trail.

It was an uneventful trip the rest of the day. Night soon took over the sky, as they grew closer to their destination. The village seemed to have a surreal glow as the moonlight bathed it. "I guess we just go on in." Not waiting for her reply, he gripped the reigns and nudged his horse to continue forward.</font>

OOC: Not a chance, boyo. This ain't a solo campaign [img]tongue.gif[/img]

<font color=lightblue>Keeping an eye on Rehan's enthusiastic intrusion into the community, she took a deep breath and her nose wrinkled. Clearly, there were some marshes nearby which lent the air its tinge of mild stench. As she bade her horse on its way, she caught sight of a humble-looking signpost at the entrance to the village.

<font color=white>The Village of Lomton.</font>

The lamp-posts stood stoutly in the face of the horrors that surrounded this settlement, and at this time of the day, such valour was doubly commendable. As she glanced around further, she was struck by a phenomenon.

The streets were deserted, and doors seemed to be tightly shut.

I don't blame them.

Hurrying towards Rehan, she motioned for him to follow her and they made their way to the nearest tavern. To her relief, there seemed to be some activity going on inside and she half-dragged Rehan to the bartender.

"Excuse me. Can you tell me more about the disappearances that have been taking place here?"

<font color=springgreen>"Eh?"</font> A disapproving, suspicious look greeted her.

"I know I'm probably raving like a lunatic here, and you all don't know me, but it's really important. I need to know what's going on here..." Take a deep breath, girl; you're still not making sense. She counted to five before speaking again... quite a feat, by her standards.

"I've been sent by Captain Tarnik Orman to help uncover the mysterious disappearances of some of the villagers." She heaved a sigh of relief as the bartender's frown diminished somewhat with her improved coherence. "Do you know who I can speak to, for more information?"

<font color=springgreen>"Well, now... there's plenty of people you can ask for details. But the most recent case was Jared's poor old mother. That was a particularly sad tale... they were really close, and she left him a whiff of smoke, just like that."</font> He snapped his fingers to illustrate his point.

"Is he... is Jared here?"

Absently, she took the pint of beer placed before her and began to sip it slowly.</font>

[ 06-16-2006, 01:06 PM: Message edited by: mistral4543 ]

<font color=springgreen>The bartender looked her over, as though he were trying to judge whether or not this was a joke. Here she stood, seemingly clueless, and the lad that was with her was certainly a wet-behind-the-ears recruit. Why did the city not send real professionals to investigate this matter? He knew why...because the city gained nothing from helping a bunch of outcasts who seldom came to town for anything, so their lives were expendable. Forget the fact that they lived on government property and were expected to pay the taxes required of them...but now his mind was wandering off again on tangents...

"Look ere, if ye go out the door and turn ye left, ye'll pass by four buildings on yer right. Pass the fourth one and turn right and walk out that way for about a mile...ye'll see a road...and the only farm house ye'll come to is Jared's place. He's a head taller than me with 30 years on him, and dark hair. This time of day, ye'll see him out in the field tending to his corn."

He still could not believe that the city cared so little as to send such as these...and they were not the first! Everybody that came here seemed to be nothing but the bottom of the barrel picks...as though they lost some contest and the losers had to come smell the marshes. To hell with them all. And he turned to answer a call for another round of corn whiskey. </font>

OOC: Got your PM, Larry [img]smile.gif[/img] It's the the first flush of a renewed love affair with RP-ing that's rocketed us to speed-writing (lol), but we'll slow down for you ;)

<font color=lightblue>As the bartender shifted his attention to another patron, she finished the rest of her drink in one gulp and slammed down the glass. Even they know.

Should they proceed to hunt down this Jared character right away, or look out for him the next day? After all, they had spent the entire day travelling and by the looks of her companion, he looked as if he could do with more rest. Yet they might not get to catch him tomorrow, not unless she approached the bartender again... another glance at his stony profile decided her against this.

"Let's split up for now, Rehan." She turned to him. "I'll go and interview this Jared character, while you can mingle around with this crowd here and pump as much information out of the villagers as possible. We'll meet here again in say, 3 hours."

As she got up from her seat, she patted the young man's shoulders reassuringly. He'll be safer here... I hope. Without giving him a chance to protest, she avoided eye contact with him and made her way out of the tavern, her left fist clenching the hilt of her longsword tensely...

Moments later, she stood amidst a field, her eyes squinting in the dim light.

"Hello? Jared?"

The echoes of her voice sounded eerie in the nothingness that seemingly surrounded her.</font>

<font color=indianred>The day was drawing to a close and it was time to end his labors for the day. Worrying about his mom kept him more busy these days, trying to keep himself from thinking about it too much and losing hope that she actually might still be alive and the fact that others had vanished months ago and never were found did not mean that she would not turn up.

Just then, he heard a woman's voice.

He looked back as he was trudging through the corn and squinted against the setting sun, seeing somebody on the road calling out to him. Still too far and not enough good light kept him from seeing her well. Who was that?

He waved his hands where he stood to show where he was and came stepping out of the field, brushing off the dirt from his hands where he'd been weeding and walked closer to the figure that stood on the road in front of him.

His steps took him to a woman who appeared a bit younger than he was with long black hair that was wind-swept and out of place, and had tints of burgandy whispering here and there. She was pale, but not in the sickly manner...rather like what you'd find in the aristocratic company who tend to protect themselves from the sun to not appear like the commoners. Her eyes were black and alive with promises of stories she'd probably never tell. Her lips were pink but pale to match her complexion. Most of all, she looked both tired from her journey and somewhat cautious as to approach him.
Oh...and she was most likely a member of the royal guard since she was wearing the attire. He understood why she had come and his welcomed smile turned serious.

"Yes, I am Jared. You are here because they sent you to come find my mom...the most recent person to go missing after we all thought that this nightmare was over. I've seen your fellows come around here trying to find clues about the others too...and they've never found anything and this plague just keeps growing. But I am not going to give up hope, nor will I allow you to work without me. When you find her dead or alive, I am going to be there. That's no problem is it?"</font>

<font color=lightblue>The soft breeze ruffled the tanned farmer's dark brown hair so that they drew out the slightly bushy eyebrows framing his gleaming hazel brown eyes. The intensity of those eyes, coupled with his assertive voice, overcame what seemed to be a handicap - a lanky figure, instead of a muscular one. Still, the dirt-wiped hands seemed to be powerful ones and as she stepped back a little, the picture before her looked reliable enough.

Besides, what more can you ask for, at a time and place like this? It was not everyday that someone offered a hand in such a futile task. Just the thought that this fellow wanted in was enough to halt her resilience from ebbing away.

"I suppose there's no harm in you joining us." She pronounced the words in as non-commital a manner as possible. "But I need more than a pair of hands here. You'll have to tell me more so that we have a clearer idea of where to start."

Start what, Acacia? Start uncovering those corpses? For what hope really was there that they were still alive, if these people had gone missing for so long? It was mildly disturbing that she was letting these thoughts creep into her mind, without any aversion. Have you really gone beyond death, Acacia?

Suddenly, another thought struck her as she looked almost pitifully at Jared.

These two men... they're filled with such optimism. It'd be too cruel to shatter their hopes and dreams. And she felt a twinge in her bowels.</font>

<font color=indianred>"Us"?

She had said that there were more than just her on this mission. Where then were her fellows?

"I thought you had come alone! I was not surprised, but I am glad to hear that the city is taking us a bit more seriously now."

Of course, she figured he'd just be in the way, for only somebody wearing the rainment of a royal guard has enough brain power to find a clue...

"Yes, I intend on supplying you everything you need to solve this mystery. Remember, I have more at stake here than you. Shall we talk now, or do you want to wait until we're in the company of your team?"

Finally...the royal guard had sent some worthy assistance and taken this matter seriously. They probably had begun to fear, lest this strange plague spread to their own doors.
It figures. </font>

[ 06-17-2006, 11:19 AM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

<font color=lightblue>Team. A smirk was dangerously close to her lips when she heard his words, but she quelled it with a forced cough.

"My original plan had been to meet my colleague back at the tavern about 2 hours from now, after I'd spoken to you." She paused slightly, before resuming. "Your participation in the search, however, changes the dynamics of the situation." Poor fool... I hope you've harvested enough, to compensate for your losses in the coming months. "Let's head back to the tavern right now, and you can fill me in on the details along the way. I will relay to my partner what you inform me, at the appropriate moment. That way, we can save some time." Sighing, she beckoned him to follow her.

Oh, captain, you are a cunning one. She grit her teeth as they set off on their return journey. Curse you for leading a gullible youth on. A pebble groaned and rolled away as her frustrated foot connected with itself in the rear.

And curse you, for toying with the feelings of those whose lives are worth more than your puny one...</font>

[ 06-17-2006, 01:40 AM: Message edited by: mistral4543 ]

<font color=indianred>Jared accompanied this soldier back to town while he told her of the previous disappearances in the order in which they happened through the time in which his own mother had gone missing. He made sure to note that none of the disappearances seemed to have any relation to one another except that none had taken place inside the actual village, between the buildings. It appeared that whatever was happening, it was happening to those that had to walk home through forests or fields, and there were never any witnesses to any of the events. People seemed to be alone when they went missing. It did not matter if it was day or night.

He also stressed that animals sometimes got restless for no apparent reason but trappers had never been able to find any clues as to what was going on, though two trappers had also been lost to the strangeness.

Sometimes farm animals also went missing, but no carcasses were ever found. For those that knew, it even appeared that there were less birds these days. Those that hunt were having a poor season so meat was a luxery these days.

On the way into town, Jared excused himself to speak to a youth half his age. He told the boy to tend his fields for him along with his brothers, and he'd let them keep a fourth of what they harvested while he was away. The boy was excited and ran home to tell his Pa about the job he'd just acquired.

Turning back to the woman soldier, he indicated the tavern a couple buildings to the right.

"There's the tavern. Before we go in, I just wanted to ask you...you're the one in charge, right? I mean...well...what am I supposed to be calling you? I don't know much about rank and all."</font>

ooc: I'm back. [img]smile.gif[/img]

<font color=lightgreen> Scowling at his drink, Rehan wasn't surprised all the previous mercenaries had come back empty handed. The only clues and bits of information he could gather were that people and animals went missing. No one ever saw what it was that did it, and once someone was taken you never saw him or her again. Something was bothering him though.

A man in the far corner of the tavern sat back against the wall amongst the shadows. Food and drink were placed before him, but he had barely touched it since Rehan had asked him about the disappearances. He had an odd air about him, and continually stared at Rehan, apparently not caring if the young man noticed.

Becoming irritated with it, Rehan quickly made his way across the room and placed his hands against the odd man's table as he leaned in. "Do you happen to have a problem, sir? You seem to have lost your appetite ever since I asked you questions." The shadowed man remained silent.

"Boy! Stop bothering my customers." Rehan's head turned to the bartender and let his annoyance show. "I'm sorry sir, I was just questioning this man on the..." glancing back over to the corner, he stared dumbstruck at the sudden absence of the man. "...disappearances." Several choice words could he heard as he bolted out of the tavern in search of him.

He was breathing heavily by the time he stopped, and realized he was a good distance from the village. I shouldn't have let him get away... He was the only lead we had... He stiffened suddenly as a twig snapped nearby and he became aware of the strong stench that came from the marshes. Pulling out his sword, he turned and saw only the village lights in the distance. I'm being a fool. Rehan was about to return to the village when a twig snapped again right behind him. He never had the chance to turn around as darkness overtook him.</font>

[ 06-17-2006, 06:46 PM: Message edited by: Leafblade ]

<font color=lightblue>Pushing through the doors of the tavern, she craned her neck searching for Rehan. Stay calm... he's probably having fun interrogating someone. Yet his continued absence wherever she looked was beginning to unsettle her somewhat.

At length, she charged up to the man she most hated to see and blurted out unceremoniously.

"Have you seen my partner? You know, the young man with blond hair who spoke little during my earlier transaction with you?"

<font color=springgreen>"Oh, THAT one."</font> He growled as the skin between his eyebrows wrinkled. <font color=springgreen>"I wouldn't say he doesn't speak much... he's been harassing my customers ever since you left, and particularly pissed one of them off."</font> Turning away momentarily, he shouted across the room. <font color=springgreen>"Coming right up, Henry!</font> His final words before he waved her off were:

<font color=springgreen>"Anyway, he just bolted out of the tavern not too long ago. I've no idea where he went."</font>

Great... just great. She could feel the invisible ants gnawing the nape of her neck and her insides as she spun around to face Jared, who had returned.

"You can just call me 'Acacia'." Measured were her tones, though her heart was on fire. "It seems that my partner has caught on to some clues on his own, and headed out." Let's hope he's not dead by now. "We need to find him, immediately." She glanced away and headed for the door, so that he might not see the wavering flickers of light in her dark eyes.

"You know this village best. Where is the most dangerous spot? Lead us there right now."

This time, she did not internally reprimand herself for this latest act of discourtesy. If Rehan was in danger... Her left hand had subconsciously returned to the hilt of her longsword as she looked expectantly at the male beside her.</font>

[ 06-17-2006, 08:11 PM: Message edited by: mistral4543 ]

OOC: I'm gonna take up the perks of being gamemaster here, folks [img]tongue.gif[/img] Larry, I'm taking it as a challenge to get this thing moving (remember, Deiter and I are on a posting rush ;) ) again. So I hope you won't mind if I leash you up and drag you along... if we find a way out of the current situation [img]smile.gif[/img]

PS. Isn't this ironic? You used to help drag my character back in OEW too [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

<font color=indianred>Jared was sadly realizing that there was just one person here waiting for her...Acacia...and that this guy had wandered off to look for trouble himself.

"The most dangerous spot? Well...of course through yonder woods and into the swamp would be the place that nobody should just go wandering into. Its about a 2 mile hike through those woods before the ground starts getting soggy. I know my way through it, but I know better than to go in with naught but this here pocket knife. Hold on a moment.

He turns to the barkeep.

"Hey Jack...you got that blade back there"

<font color=springgreen>"Sure do. Hold on."

The barkeep 'Jack' reaches down under the bar and comes back up with a short sword.

"Mind you tend to it, boy. You know its special to me."

He hands him the naked blade.</font>

"I'll guard it with my life as long as it returns the favor, Jack. Good day."

Jared turns back to Acacia.

"Okay then. We're set."

Jared turns and heads out the door, walking towards the forest and the stench of the marsh that grows stronger with each step. </font>

=================================================

<font color=white>For Rehan

"WAKE UP, YOU!!!"

The voice was followed by a swift kick in the back.

"Nap time's over, sleeping beauty! Git up!"

The voice was now followed by a rough pull to the hair and arm. An arm that was tied behind his back.

The smell of the swamps was strong here, moreso than just before the blackout...the blackout! A sudden realization of the pain in the back of the head came to Rehan. He had been attacked by somebody...this guy that was yelling and pulling on him now.

The air was full of the sounds of flying bugs and the sound of other wildlife in the distance. The immediate surroundings told Rehan that he was in an open-front tent and the sounds of more than one person was nearby. </font>

<font color=lightgreen>Rehan shook his head groggily as he tried to get his bearings. He attempted to move his arms and realized they were tied up. His gray eyes locked onto the man in front of him causing him to glare. "Who are you? I didn't know it was a custom in these parts to beat people over the head and hold them captive." As the words left his mouth he realized he might have said too much. He was in no position to provoke this man. </font>

[ 06-19-2006, 08:18 PM: Message edited by: Leafblade ]

<font color=white>For Rehan

Rehan's question was answered with a swift punch in the mouth by his captor.

"Yer my captive because yer one of them! A stinking guard, trying to go about doing good and what ye end up doing is ruining lives! I lost too much to ya stupid people...and now its time I got paid back fer it. I can kill ya easy as cake...and then blame it on the crazy curse this village's got. Its a new idea I just thought up not too long ago. Every so often, yer captain sends a couple witless twits down here who pretend to look into things. What's everybody gonna think when ya'll start going missing? Hah! That ye've been eaten by something! Hah hah! Brilliant plan, wouldn't ya say? I'll have my revenge and nobody's the wiser."

Behind this man, chuckles from at least two more men could be heard. </font>

<font color=lightgreen> Rehan spit blood out of his mouth and looked down at the ground. These people are crazy... I don't have a chance against them tied up like this. His thoughts briefly went to Acacia, and he hoped she wouldn't come after him. Too many of them, and if that monster is real who knows what could happen to her... Looking back up at the man, Rehan tried to reason with him. "What would killing me do for you? I only came here to try and help the village, not ruin anything."</font>

<font color=lightblue>As they made their way into the forest, she glanced around occasionally, trying to pick up tell-tale signs of a struggle or some hidden beast.

Wait for me, Rehan. Just a matter of days, and somehow he had grown on her, crept under her skin. A wry smile broke her hitherto pressed lips as she wondered about the consequences of another few weeks' of companionship with him.

But really, how could her thoughts stray at a moment like this? What self-respecting friend would commit such an act of frivolous irresponsibility at this point in time?

Angrily, she drew her longsword and followed Jared closely now, her breathing shallow to aid concealment.

"Whatever happens, remember to fend for yourself." The words came out tersely. I won't have another person on my conscience. "And if victory seems impossible, surrender or play dead for the moment." Her words were getting softer as they approached what seemed to be an even more secluded spot. "It is better to be alive and have hope, than to die with foolish bravado."</font>

[ 06-20-2006, 09:29 AM: Message edited by: mistral4543 ]

<font color=white>The bandit camp

"What does it do fer me? Are ya that numb in tha head after I whopped ya? Listen up, Boy'O, yer filthy kind made a mistake years ago and that was leaving me fer dead to see what ye'd done to my family. Forced me to live on the street for years, all this time a scheming as to how I'd get ya back. This village curse is an answer to my prayers!

Now stop a whining so I can start hurting ya. Which body part should I cut off first?"

The crazed man reached around on a table and grabbed a knife. </font>

=================================================

<font color=indianred>Jared

"I brought myself into this, lady soldier...and if I die, my blood will not call forth from the ground against you. I am here to help my village. We've lost too many good people."

Jared led Acacia through what he felt was the safer path in this nasty forest, trying to stay in the dryer area until it was innevitable. When they reached the main body of the marshes, he stopped for a moment and listened. Nothing but normal wild life; mostly mosquitos. But there was a different smell in the air, mixed with the marshy stench.

He whispered.

"Do you smell that? I think I smell...wood smoke. Nothing could burn out here on its own..."</font>

[ 06-20-2006, 09:57 AM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

<font color=lightgreen> "Now uh... I don't think there's any reason to be cutting me up... If more troops keep disappearing that'll just bring more mercenaries then you can handle down here."

Rehan eyed the knife warily, realizing his life was in the hands of this crazy bandit. He was on his own again, just like before. The young man shivered suddenly and looked down at his chest. The pendant under his shirt was becoming unusually cold. Snapping his eyes back to the man, he vaguely wondered what it meant.</font>

<font color=white>For Rehan

The bandit did not appear to be listening to the bound soldier. He had been waiting too long for this day, the day he could spill the blood of those responsible for so much pain in his own life, and he would see his plan carried out starting now!

The four men that were gathered with him had similar stories, even if they were not innocent victims like he claimed to be. A couple had been captured and sent to prison, only to come out after their time had been served to find that they no longer had a family waiting for them. Another man's son had been a thief in the city and had been killed on-sight by the guard. The other man was a crook himself and just looked forward to fighting and killing, and to kill a soldier sounded good to him as any.

The man with the knife approached Rehan and glared at him...

"You have any prayers you wanna be saying before I start?"</font>

OOC>>>Mistral! We gotta hurry!

[ 06-20-2006, 01:25 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

OOC: Ok, ok... but how??!! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

<font color=lightblue>"Towards the wood-smoke then." She inhaled deeply, and began to pick up the trail of the odour, her feet skimming the earth as fast as she could without disturbing the surroundings.

Rehan...

Her heart was thumping with the same awful anticipation she had experienced on THAT fateful day.

I can't face another death right now... I won't...

Without looking back, she continued to infiltrate the woods deeper until at length, a open-front tent bounced into view. Instinct told her that the fledging was now seconds from death.

Holding her sword firmly, she charged forward, slashing at anything that moved in front of her.</font>

<font color=indianred>Jared watched the woman soldier take on a renewed drive to save her companion and she sped away through the swamps, sloshing and breaking twigs of dead trees all around. There was no sneaking in now, but there was also no time for dally. This might be the very reason why so many people were disappearing! Murderers hiding out in the swamps!

He ran to catch up to Acacia, hoping he'd know how to use this sword when the time came.

<font color=white>The sounds of shouting, splashing and all kinds of hooplah startled the men inside the camp, and the leader of this band of hooligans stopped in his advance with the knife. He looked back at the others, and they were already on their feet and out the tent door to face whatever was coming. The leader too left, leaving Rehan inside and bound.

</font>
Jared saw five men appear from the tent, all armed with swords themselves, and looking surprised to have been found. Jared did not know what to do. These guys knew how to fight with swords probably a lot better than he. He decided to slow down and cut behind a tree, not being seen since Acacia was so far ahead of him and screaming at the bandits in her thirst for their blood...

He realized that this would be a great chance if he stayed out of sight to work his way around behind the trees and brush and creep into the tent...while Acacia was busy keeping the bad guys busy. If luck was with them, her friend would be inside and would be able to help Acacia fight. </font>

<font color=lightgreen> Startled, the young man watched the bandit who almost claimed his life dash out of the tent. Thoughts rushed through his head on what could be happening outside the tent. Seconds later the sound of battle reached his ears, and he hoped it wasn't Acacia. If anything happens to her... Rehan struggled to remove the ropes that bound his arms, but failed miserably.

A woman's voice could be heard amongst the commotion of battle. Acacia... damnit Rehan, you have to get out of this... you can't lose her too because of your mistakes.</font>

[ 06-20-2006, 08:45 PM: Message edited by: Leafblade ]

ooc: Mistral emailed me this to post for her during work. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

<font color=lightblue>Her eyes widened at the sight of five men emerging from the tent, each brandishing a sword and smirking at her. There was nothing for it, then, but to lure them away from the tent. And hopefully, the farmer would have enough brains to figure out for himself that his key task would be to save Rehan.

From that moment, there was no time for detailed planning as she retraced her steps quickly without turning, hoping that she would not trip over any roots or fallen branches. In this respect, the gods were kind, for miraculously she managed to retreat, all the while watching how the men moved.

When she had reached a distance reasonably away from the tent that would not rouse their suspicions of a decoy, she whipped out her side dagger and began to whirl around with both blades. No point doubting, Acacia. Just do it.

Ducking as the men retaliated with a few swings of their own, she heard the air hiss around her, thrusting out whenever she could find an opening. Amid the dodges and indignant cries, she felt a burning sensation but there was no time to wonder how serious her own injuries were. On she lashed out, sometimes tumbling away, and at other times delivering a swift kick at the closest attacker. Every second makes a difference. Was she imagining it, but the cries were getting fainter? The blurry images before her had ceased to disorientate her; as long as she was still standing. as long as the terror played havoc upon her nerves, as long as the dryness of her mouth irritated her, she was alive. And alive meant a chance of further survival.

Whatever it is, Rehan, run for your life! As her war-dance gyrated into a rhythm of its own, she could feel the beads of cold perspiration rolling down her temples and then soaking her armour. The remaining men – for it seemed that she had managed to incapacitate at least a couple of them – renewed their onslaught, and each moment brought back distant memories… memories of glorious, hope-filled days.

Then, she was Ariane again. Sparring with Justin and screaming when a group of bandits barged into their friendly duel. Heart bursting with ambition to show that she was worthy of him, she stabbed at the nearest assassin with such viciousness that Justin stood gaping momentarily. Sidestepping as a sword flung itself at her upper torso, she spun around and tore away at the approaching shadow with her longsword, turning away so that she would not have to acknowledge the grisly sight in front of her. The scene would eat away at him, she knew; he was the gentler of both of them, and he feared often that she would be tainted by violence. But what could one do, at sixteen and full of life? Half in denial, half in resentment, she continued to revenge upon the intruders. Would that they learn their lesson once and for all that she was not one to be bullied…

By now, her blades were dripping with fresh blood and she winced as she stumbled slightly facing the sole survivor of this latest encounter.

The real battle with the supposed leader of the gang had only just begun….</font>

<font color=indianred>Jared had not taken time to watch the amazing display of the art of sword play, and busied himself at his attempt at stealthfully sneaking into the tent, hoping that no bad guy had been left in there. All he saw was a bound guard. He was young, from the looks of it.

"I'm Jared. We're here to rescue you."

Jared used his short sword to cut the bindings of the guard and asked, "Do you have a blade?" and held his out for the man to take should he need it. "Hurry! Acacia can use some help out there!"</font>

<font color=lightgreen> "Thanks for saving my neck, and no, I don't have a blade." Taking the sword the farmer offered him, he wondered who this man was, but had no time to think on it, Acacia was in danger. "Rehan." He called behind him to the man as he rushed out of the tent.

Rehan stared wide-eyed at the fallen bodies before Acacia. The woman had managed to kill four of them on her own, leaving just one man left. Breeching the distance between himself and the bandit, Rehan shoved his blade through the man's back while he was occupied with Acacia, not caring if it was 'fair' or cowardly.

A horrible noise escaped the bandit's mouth as he crumpled to the ground, adding his own blood to the mixture of earth and fluids his comrades had left. The blade was forgotten in the bandit's back as Rehan rushed over to Acacia. She was wounded and appeared to be in a daze. Placing his hand on her shoulder, he said her name softly, letting concern cover his face. "Are you ok? You took out four men on your own and you're bleeding. We need to get you back to town."</font>

[ 06-20-2006, 11:15 PM: Message edited by: Leafblade ]

<font color=indianred>Jared came walking out, seeing that five dead men lay here in the marsh and none of them were the guards. He walked up to the guy that had his borrowed short sword in his back and plucked it out, cleaning it in a marshy puddle. He did not have a scabbard, so he just held on to it.

It looked like Acacia and Rehan were very glad to see one another. Jared diverted his gaze back towards the tent, wondering if there were clues there about the other missing people.

"So...I guess the disappearances will cease. Thanks to you two, the village can now rest. Why do you think they were kidnapping people?"</font>

OOC: Brian can just post for me since I don't think I can do better than the one I came up with earlier ;) You can just let Rehan respond to Jared's question, so that my post can remain unchanged [img]smile.gif[/img]

ooc: Sorry, I went to bed before I got your other email. [img]tongue.gif[/img] It's storming over here and my power went out in the middle of my post. http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...ons/icon28.gif

Mistral

<font color=lightblue>It was over, then.

Her disbelieving eyes blinked at the lifeless figure ahead, its last cries of agony ringing in her ears. Rehan's safe. For his hand, which had just slain the villain who would have bested her in her vulnerability, was steadying her swaying body. Thank goodness... Her breathing was coming out more normally, as she heard the approaching footsteps of Jared.

It was then that the stings on her thighs, arms and calves began biting her. Wearily, she drooped her head and nodded feebly. We're all safe. Gritting her teeth, she shook her head.

"We need to look around for more clues. Maybe there's something else out here that will lead us to the missing people and animals."

Closing her eyes, she strained her mind, chasing after words trapped in the past. As they returned to her, she whispered the incantations in secret delight ... moments later, she managed a heartier smile as the lips of her more serious wounds sealed and traces of bleeding disappeared.

"I'm ready to continue."</font>

Rehan

<font color=lightgreen> A small grin played across his face as he removed his hand. "You're more then you appear to be." He said more to himself then the other two.

Wiping a small dribble of blood from the corner of his mouth, he turned to face Jared. He offered the man his thanks for rescuing him and the blade. "As for the bandits... one man mentioned the troops sent out here had ruined their lives, and that killing them was for the revenge he wanted. I personally don't know what he was talking about, we've only come down here in peace to help aid in any issues here... or so I've been told..." His eyes shifted uneasily from Jared to the fallen bodies around him. He had killed before, but why did this bother him so? Were these men only trying to get closure to whatever they lost? Was there truth behind anything the man said?

He didn't know the answers, and knew only one man had them. Rehan would question the Captain when they returned, but for now, he started to rummage around the camp for a spare blade. </font>

[ 06-21-2006, 02:04 PM: Message edited by: Leafblade ]

<font color=indianred>Jared's eyes of bewilderment would have embarrassed him if anyone had seen his dumb stare. Not only could this lady Acacia best four armed men with the sword, she had the powers to heal! You just don't see stuff like that everyday on the farm. Usually, they are told to kids in stories as you tuck them in at night. Jared could only continue to embarrass himself by staring with a crooked grin on his face before he registered what Rehan and Acacia had been saying.

"But why would these guys harm innocent lives, children and even animals...just to get the attention of a couple guards? You're the first guard that has come into town since the disappearances who was threatened by these guys. Why would they not have attacked those prior to you?"

Jared looked back at the tent, remembering that he remembered nothing of the interior.

"As you said Acacia, there have got to be more clues out here. Should I run back to town and ask for volunteers to help scour the area, and bring shovels and lanterns?"</font>

ooc: Feel free to respond to her post Larry. I'm busy at the moment and will try to post later on.

<font color=lightblue>As she turned her head, she caught a glimpse of the gaping farmer who clamped his lips abashedly at her detection. Smiling through her severe look, she shook her head and motioned for the two of them to help her tie up and gag the ruffian securely. A quick glance showed that his injury had not been fatal; it had been just sufficient to incapacitate him from dealing out further harm.

If only the two of them could search for the clues, while she stayed to keep watch over this prized prisoner... she could also conduct the interrogation, out of sight of her companions. The way Adele would have. A terrible thrill ran down her spine then; she trembled and swallowed a gulp. But it was useless making these mindless observations; the two males did not look ready to receive any sudden attacks, and she had no confidence that they had bonded enough to stick by each other should danger strike at them.

"Come then, can one of you keep watch over him while we look around?" Without waiting for an answer, she strode forward and began to peer around the surroundings.</font>

<font color=indianred>"I can stay with him. You two are the professionals, so get out there and find my mother."

Jared knelt down beside the now-tied prisoner and wondered why he had never seen him around town before. In fact, he did not recognize anyone in the group that had been in the tent. It was not like he should know everybody that came to the village, but still...one would think that in such a small town, one would bump into everybody sooner or later.

He wondered how long the guy would live like this. Would the guards let him die of his wounds? Would they lock him up after this? Jared realized that there was so much life outside of the farm, and for 30 years all he'd ever learned to do was till the ground and make things grow. Acacia, on the other hand, she has been places and seen things...she's more than a simple guard, he felt.

He sat there dazed, thinking of the way she'd smiled at him when she caught him staring...</font>

<font color=lightgreen> He managed to find a spare sword among the scattered supplies the bandits had stashed. His eyes scanned the area for any clues, but came up empty handed. There has to be more... These men were just simple bandits... Rehan made his way over to Acacia, staying alert for any signs of movement around them. "Do you think there really is a monster here? I doubt these men could have done all of this, and many of the people who disappeared have no connection to that bandit's story."

Paranoia slowly crept up the young man's spine. His eyes shifted around him nervously, suddenly aware of every little sound. "Something is wrong here..." His pendant was growing cold again, and he clasped a hand around it, wondering if it was trying to tell him something.</font>

<font color=lightblue><font color=indianred>"...get out there and find my mother."</font>

The farmer's words irritated her a little, much as she strove to overlook what was likely his ignorance of common courtesy. Just because he offered to help doesn't entitle him to boss us around... Now she was being childish, surely. Time to rise above petty matters, and focus on the critical and important.

"What is it that you sense?" Noticing Rehan's restlessness, she whispered to him, almost magnetised by the pendant. Was there a sign that they had failed to notice? Something else was unnerving her, but it had nothing to do with the previous battle and the pendant...

Sighing, she turned sideways so that she was not facing Rehan directly.

"Before I forget... I didn't heal you earlier at the barracks." Her cheeks were slightly flushed, even in the moderate darkness of the tent. "I... I'd wanted you to be a bit more independent, get used to the harsh ways of the world." Why was her heartbeat quickening?

"I was wrong; forgive me." Without waiting for his response, she hurried her footsteps and walked back towards Jared and the prisoner.</font>

<font color=lightgreen> Confused, Rehan watched her leave. Did I say something wrong? Shrugging, he continued his search of the tent and the small bandit camp.

There has to be something we're missing... nothing here but random supplies... Rehan made his way back over to where the other two were. "No wonder the previous mercenaries never found anything."

Lowering himself to the ground, he faced the prisoner. It was odd to watch this man, to see the agony he was in, and knowing it was because of what he had done to him. "Something is out of place out here. You've never had any of your own men go missing?"</font>

<font color=white>The bandit could not believe his ill turn of fate. He had almost completed what he'd been waiting so long to do...spill the blood of a fool guard member or two...and now here he lay with a stab wound to his back and four men dead around him.

He winced in pain as he tried to look his enemy in the eye, but could not turn in that way to do so, and so resigned to talk to the marsh.

He sqeaked out his response: "Aye...Timoteo went out to take a piss a month ago, and ne'er came back. We tracted him, but his prints just stopped out in the middle o' nowhere.

Wha...what are you gonna do with me?"</font>

<font color=indianred>Jared looked up with a confused scowl, wondering if his sudden worry had been shared by the guards. Was it really possible that this man was not behind all the disappearances? If not...then...what?

He said nothing, however. He was not a trained guard and felt out of place as he stood there, watching the interogation of a criminal. What lives these guards live!</font>