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Story Hour
Bitterness Overcome: (Now A Completed Story!)
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<blockquote data-quote="Nonlethal Force" data-source="post: 2813868" data-attributes="member: 35788"><p>Three days later, three cloaked riders left the city of Reignsburg behind them and headed south for the mountains that separated the region of Tongra from the region of Quehalost. It had taken them a bit longer than Ischarus thought to find a horse that was suitable for Semeion to ride into hostile territory. The majority of the difficulty was in Semeion’s ability to pay for a horse that would be a reliable means of escape. Ischarus was very clear that Semeion needed to ride a stable yet reasonably quick horse because of the speed of the pursuit once the freedom of an enslaved person or persons had been achieved. </p><p></p><p>Semeion had begun to question his ability to help the team be successful when Ischarus told him the story of how the red haired girl had been saved from the ancient red wyrm. Ischarus had no problems confessing that while he was frozen in fear of the beast’s tremendous pursuit it was actually Elistra’s instincts that saved them. Elistra wasn’t unable to out run the beast, but she was able to run through deep cover that forced the dragon to proceed on foot and lose the trail. Semeion had more than once grow ill at the thought of putting his life in such peril.</p><p></p><p>Of course, in order to purchase the horse Semeion had to sell many of his personal belongings. He sold everything but the clothes on his back and what few arcane gifts Master Sathwright had instructed him to be necessary for the pursuit of his magical talents. As Semeion rode away from the only hometown he could remember having he bowed his head in reflection and a silent goodbye.</p><p></p><p>Rhema slowly pulled Shauvry over beside Semeion and Thana, his new mount. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Don’t worry, Semeion. Ischarus and I always stop and spend a night in Reignsburg before heading out into Quehalost. In fact, we always spend a night when we return from Quehalost as well. Archis’ potatoes have become our traditional welcome home and going away dinners. You’ll be back.”</span> Her genuine smile helped to embrace Semeion in the warmth of her words.</p><p></p><p>Semeion returned the smile in appreciation of the words. He had already grown accustomed to Rhema’s sensitivities and realized that while her compassion could be interpreted as interest in forming a relationship it really was her gift in touching people’s souls. Her compassion was not self-motivated but motivated honestly for the betterment of others.</p><p></p><p>All these thoughts passed through his mind as he replied to Rhema. <span style="color: Plum">“I’m not so much worried about coming back as I am seeing Channah, my master’s widow. She’s alone with the children now and I fear that she might not be able to support herself. I’ll regret not being around to check in on her.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ischarus replied, <span style="color: LightBlue">“Well, it is not uncommon for us to find equipment and gems as we attempt to stop evil from doing its work. Often some of the best ways to ensure that you aren’t pursued is to remove their weapons so that they can’t effectively come after you. Or, in the case of a slaver the best way to keep a slaver from coming after you is to plunder his accessible wealth. If he doesn’t have the money to pay his hired goons he can’t well send them after you. The great thing about hired goons is that they won’t work if you can’t pay them.”</span> Ischarus chuckled and smiled as he remembered several of his past trips.</p><p></p><p>Semeion added, <span style="color: Plum">“But doesn’t that make them want to hunt you down even more?”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema laughed. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Very true, it does. But that is why we take a little time off at my family’s home. First of all, in the journey home the ones that we rescue become quite dependant upon us. It wouldn’t be fair to them if we rescued them and then handed them off to complete strangers while knowing nothing of the world around them. We welcome them into our lives and treat them like family.”</span></p><p></p><p>She paused for a breath and Ischarus took up the story where Rhema left off. <span style="color: LightBlue">“But what Rhema is trying to say through focusing on the empathic side of the story is that the time we spend at Rhema’s father’s house helping the rescued to find a new life gives our trail some time to cool down. Sure, I expect that one day we’ll run across someone who is still looking for us. But for the most part if we can get a day or two head-start over our pursuers then we can be into Tongra before they even get a whiff of our trail. Once we are in Tongra their power diminishes vastly and they are much more unlikely to be able to find us. That’s why we plunder. It weakens their ability to find us in the short term in spite of increasing their long term anger. Besides, it also serves to weaken their ability to quickly find a replacement for the one we rescued. It isn’t perfect, but it’s worked so far.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion added, <span style="color: Plum">“But doesn’t that feel like stealing? Do the ends justify the means?”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema began her reply softly and delicately. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Wait to ask that question when you head back into Quehalost for your second journey. Learn with your own eyes the torture and the pain that we are freeing these people from. Once you see what we’ve already seen many times over; then ask if it is wrong to plunder from people who use their resources for the destruction of the lives of others.”</span> By the end of her statement Rhema’s words were strong and filled with vindication and authority.</p><p></p><p>Ischarus agreed, <span style="color: LightBlue">“Yes, you are correct Semeion. Technically that does make us thieves. We steal from the rich who enslave and abuse others. But part of what we steal goes to replenish our own supplies and the remainder of it is left with Rhema’s father to help the ones that we rescued to build a new life. It isn’t right to steal. Of course not. But it isn’t right to let the people exist in slavery, bondage, or even to be sacrifices either. Sometimes in life it is not a matter of choosing between right and wrong. Sometimes life is about choosing which wrong will let you sleep at night.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion was silenced by Ischarus’ corrective tone. Rhema perceived that Ischarus had come down harshly and chose to respond to Ischarus’ assertion softly enough so that only Semeion could hear. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Forgive him, Semeion. We have had this debate many times he and I. Ischarus has it every time we plunder our victim before stealing their slave, sacrifice, or whatever. He doesn’t like the thought of himself as a not-so-common thief. But he knows that if we do not hinder their abilities they will only replace the ones we take from them. Then what have we gained?”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion nodded in reply. <span style="color: Plum">“I suppose life is a difficult choice sometimes, and one cannot always only do things that are clearly right in the world. I guess that sometimes to live means to tread on doing something another thinks of as evil in order that we may see good.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema smiled and nodded. A little more loudly she added, <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Now you know what it means to live in dichotomy. One cannot be perfect. But one can strive for good.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ischarus continued in his more somber tone. <span style="color: LightBlue">“And one cannot forget that doing harm to another so good may abound is not justification of the harm. It may be a necessary evil but that does not make it right. It is never right to steal. It may be necessary, but it is never right.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema lightly prodded the side of Shauvry to get her to hustle past Elistra and Ischarus. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“No,”</span> she called to Ischarus as she rode by. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“But not having fun in life will get you nowhere either!”</span> She surged ahead of the other two and yelled, <span style="color: PaleGreen">“C’mon, Semeion. See if you can catch me! Ischarus never can!”</span></p><p></p><p>Both Semeion and Ischarus stood slightly in their saddles and encouraged their mounts to chase after Rhema and Shauvry. The horses seemed to enjoy the challenge in the change of pace and their nostrils flared to take in the necessary oxygen to maintain the greatly quickened speed of travel. Thana pulled ahead of Elistra since Thana could carry Semeion much more easily than Elistra could carry the larger Ischarus. Neither of the horses was able to catch Shauvry, however. Before long the three horses were spread out by several lengths and galloping down the dirt road that lead to Scarhaus and eventually the Tongra-Quehalost border.</p><p></p><p>As Shauvry carried Rhema further down the road suddenly Ischarus and Semeion saw Rhema fall from the saddle to the left of Shauvry. From its detailed training Shauvry slowed immediately upon feeling Rhema’s weight fall off of her back. Rhema had managed to hold onto the reigns and as she collided with the ground the reigns jerked Shauvry’s head to the left. Shauvry stopped as quickly as she could and Rhema lay still at her side, a crossbow bolt sticking out of her side.</p><p></p><p>Semeion spurred Thana closer to Rhema and just before he arrived he saw a sword wielding hobgoblin surge out of the forest beside Rhema. Semeion called upon the arcane power within him and yelled, <span style="color: Plum">“Thin-tok!”</span> His right hand let go of the reigns and Semeion rose slightly higher in the saddle as he cocked his hand behind him. As the arcane words left his lips he brought is arm forward as if to throw a ball. A silver shimmering ball leapt forward off of his fingers and flashed towards the armed hobgoblin. The energy ball struck the hobgoblin and caught him off-guard. Semeion yelled, <span style="color: Plum">“Stay away from her or you’ll feel more than that, goblinkin.”</span></p><p></p><p>The hobgoblin snorted and replied with a maniacal chuckle, <span style="color: Lime">“You’ll not hurt me because I will kill you first.”</span> Semeion pulled up on the reigns and Thana stopped just out of the hobgoblin’s reach with its sword.</p><p></p><p>Elistra thundered hard as her hooves pounded the ground in response to Ischarus’ further urging. The horse approached so quickly that it caught the sword wielding hobgoblin completely off-guard. Ischarus flashed his sword and a metallic ring shot through the forest as Ischarus lined up his aim. With a single swing the sword sliced through the air and contacted the hobgoblin creature on the side of its head directly below his jaw. Semeion closed his eyes as he saw the gruesome strike coming. The blow knocked the hobgoblin to the ground and his head bounced hard off the ground following the strike. The hobgoblin opened his eyes and saw Ischarus turning Elistra around as he held a bloodless long sword into the air. Both Semeion and the hobgoblin could tell he was yelling something.</p><p></p><p>Semeion was able to focus on Ischarus’ words. <span style="color: LightBlue">“Find the other one back where Rhema was shot! He’s got a crossbow and can merely pick us off at will if we don’t find him quickly!”</span> Ischarus yelled to Semeion and pointed toward the forest edge with the tip of his sword.</p><p></p><p>Semeion pulled the reigns hard to the right and Thana spun in a tight circle until she was facing the opposite direction. Semeion urged Thana into a slow walk forward, scanning the edges of the forest. Suddenly he heard a string twang and felt pain in his own side. Looking down at his side he saw the bolt sticking out of his body. He followed the path of the crossbow bolt back into the woods and he spied a hobgoblin hurriedly trying to crank the winch of its weapon and load another bolt. Before the hobgoblin could finish cranking the device Semeion yelled, <span style="color: Plum">“Silicut al-Whass”</span> and a single drop of magical oil formed on his the nail of his index finger. Semeion flicked the oil towards the hobgoblin and as it flew through the air the drop increased in size and struck the crossbow. Immediately the winch and the bow were coated in oil and impossible to hold and move.</p><p></p><p>Seeing that his magical attack was successful Semeion yelled to his associate. <span style="color: Plum">“Ischarus, here! I’ve made the crossbow useless, though. Come quickly!”</span> </p><p></p><p>The hobgoblin heard the yell and immediately dropped the useless crossbow. It turned and began to flee deeper into the forest. As it fled hurriedly it left both a physical and an audible trail in its wake. Neither Ischarus nor Semeion would have trouble following the loud fleeing hobgoblin.</p><p></p><p>Semeion turned to find Ischarus as the young mage dismounted to give chase. Ischarus had already dismounted and was standing over the hobgoblin’s body which was lying in the street. Ischarus had a length of rope in his hands and as Semeion called for him he turned and began running in the direction Semeion pointed. As Ischarus passed by he threw the rope at Semeion and yelled, <span style="color: LightBlue">“Here, use this on the one that’s already down! And watch out for a further ambush!”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion looked confused as he watched Ischarus disappear after the hobgoblin. <span style="color: Plum">“But … isn’t he dead?”</span> Semeion asked in vain. Turning his head to look at the hobgoblin body lying on the road he realized that the hobgoblin’s head was still quite securely attached to its body. The hobgoblin lay motionlessly on the road. Semeion ran to the body and quickly flipped the hobgoblin over onto his stomach and secured its hands behind its back.</p><p></p><p>Inside the forest, Ischarus made short work of catching up to the scrambling hobgoblin. Much of the magical oil had transferred from the crossbow and onto the hobgoblin’s hands. The oil made it impossible to grab onto anything or climb as the hobgoblin fled. As a result, Ischarus was able to catch up to the hobgoblin quickly. As he did, the hobgoblin turned and drew its rapier. Only then did Ischarus recognize that this hobgoblin was female. Her hand slipped off the end of the rapier as the magical oil prevented her fingers from solidly gripping the handle.</p><p></p><p>Ischarus chuckled as he drew his own sword and pointed it toward the hobgoblin. <span style="color: LightBlue">“We can do this the hard way or the easy way, goblinkin. You’re coming with me either way.”</span></p><p></p><p>The hobgoblin only snorted in reply and had a moment of brilliance. The female jumped towards Ischarus with the thought of grabbing the handle of the sword. Perhaps if she was lucky the magical oil would transfer to his hands as well. </p><p></p><p>Ischarus lowered his sword and beat down upon her outstretched arm with the flat of his sword, snapping at least one of the thin bones that resided within the hobgoblin’s arm. Ischarus turned his sword and slashed out against the hobgoblin. The blade sliced at the creature’s leather armor and punctured it. A small trickle of blood formed within the cut as Ischarus remove his sword.</p><p></p><p>The hobgoblin once more lashed out in an attempt to grab the sword in Ischarus’ hand, but her off-handed attempt to grab the weapon could not land a solid grip.</p><p></p><p>Ischarus spun around once more and lashed out with his sword. The blade slashed forward and caught the hobgoblin on the outside of her thigh. She stumbled to the ground and Ischarus rose to his feet and pointed the blade down upon the hobgoblin’s chest. </p><p>Ischarus spoke once more, slightly winded from the surge of action since the last time he spoke. <span style="color: LightBlue">“Again we have a choice. If you move you impale yourself on my sword. If you give yourself up and go back to the road you can live. You can do it the hard way or the easy way.”</span></p><p></p><p>The female hobgoblin closed her eyes and said, <span style="color: Lime">“You win. I give up.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ischarus released the grip on his sword with his left hand and reached down to pick up the hobgoblin’s dagger. He tucked the dagger under his own belt and then removed his long sword from the hobgoblin’s chest. <span style="color: LightBlue">“Get up slowly,”</span> Ischarus growled. <span style="color: LightBlue">“If you make any sudden moves I’ll make sure you end up on the ground again.”</span></p><p></p><p>The hobgoblin nodded and conceded control of the situation in compliance with Ischarus’ demand. She slowly raised herself up to a walking position and marched to the road. Ischarus retrieved the hobgoblin’s crossbow as they passed by, noting that the magical oil had vanished. There was no indication that the oil had ever been upon the weapon.</p><p></p><p>Arriving out at the road, Ischarus saw that the first hobgoblin was restrained and still unconscious. On the other hand, Rhema was sitting up and being tended to by Semeion. She smiled as Ischarus emerged from the forest with a hobgoblin captive. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“There’s my man!”</span> she called out. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“He always gets what he sets his mind on capturing.”</span> Semeion turned and smiled at Ischarus and his successful capture.</p><p></p><p>Ischarus caught Semeion’s eyes with his own glance and said, <span style="color: LightBlue">“In my saddle bag you’ll find more ropes for binding wrists. Pull one out and bind this one while I keep the sword on her.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion nodded while Rhema replied in a tease, <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Oh, I’m fine, thanks for asking.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ischarus turned to Rhema and smiled. <span style="color: LightBlue">“Of that I had no doubt. You’d never allow yourself to leave this world on an ambush. You’ll leave this world by taking on a challenge more than you can control and not realize it until its too late.”</span> He chuckled and Rhema smiled at the comment.</p><p></p><p>Semeion retrieved the rope and made quick work of binding the hands of the captive hobgoblin. Once they were both secure Ischarus helped Rhema up onto her feet and even into her saddle. <span style="color: LightBlue">“You’re going to get sore by the look of that. You might as well get comfortable before the pain sets in. If we need to, we’ll get it looked at in Scarhaus before moving along.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema replied, <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Oh, I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.”</span> She smiled, but her usual pleasant smile vanished in a grimace of pain.</p><p></p><p>Ischarus lightly patted Rhema on the leg as he crossed under Shauvry’s neck. <span style="color: LightBlue">“I’m sure you will be fine, Rhema.”</span> He rummaged through his saddle pack and lifted out a small pouch. He knelt down to the ground and held the pouch underneath the hobgoblin’s nose. After a few moments the eyes of the hobgoblin opened wide and he reeled his head backwards away from the smell of the pouch. Pleased that the pouch had been useful, Ischarus sealed the pouch up once more and placed it back into his saddlebag.</p><p></p><p>Ischarus greeted the hobgoblin back to the realm of the conscious with a simple command. <span style="color: LightBlue">“You’ll need to stand, hobgoblin.”</span></p><p></p><p>The hobgoblin replied, <span style="color: Lime">“I’ll do no such thing. Chimme will set me free.”</span></p><p></p><p>The hobgoblin that originally shot Rhema with her crossbow spoke from where she stood. <span style="color: Lime">“No, Grangohr. I will not.”</span></p><p></p><p>Grangohr turned his head and saw that his partner in crime had likewise been caught. He frowned slightly and begrudgingly stood to his feet and allowed Ischarus to connect his bindings to a longer rope that he tied to his own saddle horn. Once he was assured that the hobgoblins were secured he said to Semeion, <span style="color: LightBlue">“You will ride side-by-side with Rhema behind me and our prisoners to make sure they keep up their march and don’t try anything stupid.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion nodded, finding it easier to take Ischarus’ orders in a situation of combat. He watched as Ischarus removed the dagger from his belt and held it out for Semeion to grab. <span style="color: LightBlue">“As a sign of good faith to your master’s widow I designate the hobgoblin’s sword, dagger, crossbow, and their armor to be sold for the benefit of the widow. That should give her enough money to provide food for her and her children for several months. If you don’t object, I’d like to make that part of our routine. Your responsibilities will become our responsibilities as long as you travel with us.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion smiled at the gesture. <span style="color: Plum">“I am honored, Ischarus.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ischarus looked at the hobgoblins, checked out their bonds, and then back to Semeion. As he mounted Elistra and urged her forward at a walking pace comfortable for the hobgoblins he turned sideways in his saddle and replied back to Semeion. <span style="color: LightBlue">“You’ll need it. We all will. It’ll be one more good thing that will let us sleep knowing the horrors we will see in Quehalost. We now journey for the freedom of the innocents in Quehalost and for the widow Sathwright.”</span></p><p></p><p>The rest of the trip to Scarhaus passed in a more solemn tone as the horsemen kept watch for more bandits along the road. They passed along the route more slowly than normal on account of their captives. The party kept up the journey to Scarhaus well after the sun descended into the hills. Around midnight they saw the welcoming torches than lined a few of the streets.</p><p></p><p>Upon seeing the torches Ischarus scanned the scene of lights. He smiled as he found what he was looking for. <span style="color: LightBlue">“Someone is awake in the inn, Rhema.”</span> He paused to allow a smile to appear over his face. <span style="color: LightBlue">“They’ll be able to raise the jailor this evening.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion looked on with interest. He knew this was the last safe place of rest before the border of Quehalost.</p><p></p><p></p><p>[Sblock=Color Free Speech Section]</p><p>Three days later, three cloaked riders left the city of Reignsburg behind them and headed south for the mountains that separated the region of Tongra from the region of Quehalost. It had taken them a bit longer than Ischarus thought to find a horse that was suitable for Semeion to ride into hostile territory. The majority of the difficulty was in Semeion’s ability to pay for a horse that would be a reliable means of escape. Ischarus was very clear that Semeion needed to ride a stable yet reasonably quick horse because of the speed of the pursuit once the freedom of an enslaved person or persons had been achieved. </p><p></p><p>Semeion had begun to question his ability to help the team be successful when Ischarus told him the story of how the red haired girl had been saved from the ancient red wyrm. Ischarus had no problems confessing that while he was frozen in fear of the beast’s tremendous pursuit it was actually Elistra’s instincts that saved them. Elistra wasn’t unable to out run the beast, but she was able to run through deep cover that forced the dragon to proceed on foot and lose the trail. Semeion had more than once grow ill at the thought of putting his life in such peril.</p><p></p><p>Of course, in order to purchase the horse Semeion had to sell many of his personal belongings. He sold everything but the clothes on his back and what few arcane gifts Master Sathwright had instructed him to be necessary for the pursuit of his magical talents. As Semeion rode away from the only hometown he could remember having he bowed his head in reflection and a silent goodbye.</p><p></p><p>Rhema slowly pulled Shauvry over beside Semeion and Thana, his new mount. “Don’t worry, Semeion. Ischarus and I always stop and spend a night in Reignsburg before heading out into Quehalost. In fact, we always spend a night when we return from Quehalost as well. Archis’ potatoes have become our traditional welcome home and going away dinners. You’ll be back.” Her genuine smile helped to embrace Semeion in the warmth of her words.</p><p></p><p>Semeion returned the smile in appreciation of the words. He had already grown accustomed to Rhema’s sensitivities and realized that while her compassion could be interpreted as interest in forming a relationship it really was her gift in touching people’s souls. Her compassion was not self-motivated but motivated honestly for the betterment of others.</p><p></p><p>All these thoughts passed through his mind as he replied to Rhema. “I’m not so much worried about coming back as I am seeing Channah, my master’s widow. She’s alone with the children now and I fear that she might not be able to support herself. I’ll regret not being around to check in on her.”</p><p></p><p>Ischarus replied, “Well, it is not uncommon for us to find equipment and gems as we attempt to stop evil from doing its work. Often some of the best ways to ensure that you aren’t pursued is to remove their weapons so that they can’t effectively come after you. Or, in the case of a slaver the best way to keep a slaver from coming after you is to plunder his accessible wealth. If he doesn’t have the money to pay his hired goons he can’t well send them after you. The great thing about hired goons is that they won’t work if you can’t pay them.” Ischarus chuckled and smiled as he remembered several of his past trips.</p><p></p><p>Semeion added, “But doesn’t that make them want to hunt you down even more?”</p><p></p><p>Rhema laughed. “Very true, it does. But that is why we take a little time off at my family’s home. First of all, in the journey home the ones that we rescue become quite dependant upon us. It wouldn’t be fair to them if we rescued them and then handed them off to complete strangers while knowing nothing of the world around them. We welcome them into our lives and treat them like family.”</p><p></p><p>She paused for a breath and Ischarus took up the story where Rhema left off. “But what Rhema is trying to say through focusing on the empathic side of the story is that the time we spend at Rhema’s father’s house helping the rescued to find a new life gives our trail some time to cool down. Sure, I expect that one day we’ll run across someone who is still looking for us. But for the most part if we can get a day or two head-start over our pursuers then we can be into Tongra before they even get a whiff of our trail. Once we are in Tongra their power diminishes vastly and they are much more unlikely to be able to find us. That’s why we plunder. It weakens their ability to find us in the short term in spite of increasing their long term anger. Besides, it also serves to weaken their ability to quickly find a replacement for the one we rescued. It isn’t perfect, but it’s worked so far.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion added, “But doesn’t that feel like stealing? Do the ends justify the means?”</p><p></p><p>Rhema began her reply softly and delicately. “Wait to ask that question when you head back into Quehalost for your second journey. Learn with your own eyes the torture and the pain that we are freeing these people from. Once you see what we’ve already seen many times over; then ask if it is wrong to plunder from people who use their resources for the destruction of the lives of others.” By the end of her statement Rhema’s words were strong and filled with vindication and authority.</p><p></p><p>Ischarus agreed, “Yes, you are correct Semeion. Technically that does make us thieves. We steal from the rich who enslave and abuse others. But part of what we steal goes to replenish our own supplies and the remainder of it is left with Rhema’s father to help the ones that we rescued to build a new life. It isn’t right to steal. Of course not. But it isn’t right to let the people exist in slavery, bondage, or even to be sacrifices either. Sometimes in life it is not a matter of choosing between right and wrong. Sometimes life is about choosing which wrong will let you sleep at night.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion was silenced by Ischarus’ corrective tone. Rhema perceived that Ischarus had come down harshly and chose to respond to Ischarus’ assertion softly enough so that only Semeion could hear. “Forgive him, Semeion. We have had this debate many times he and I. Ischarus has it every time we plunder our victim before stealing their slave, sacrifice, or whatever. He doesn’t like the thought of himself as a not-so-common thief. But he knows that if we do not hinder their abilities they will only replace the ones we take from them. Then what have we gained?”</p><p></p><p>Semeion nodded in reply. “I suppose life is a difficult choice sometimes, and one cannot always only do things that are clearly right in the world. I guess that sometimes to live means to tread on doing something another thinks of as evil in order that we may see good.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema smiled and nodded. A little more loudly she added, “Now you know what it means to live in dichotomy. One cannot be perfect. But one can strive for good.”</p><p></p><p>Ischarus continued in his more somber tone. “And one cannot forget that doing harm to another so good may abound is not justification of the harm. It may be a necessary evil but that does not make it right. It is never right to steal. It may be necessary, but it is never right.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema lightly prodded the side of Shauvry to get her to hustle past Elistra and Ischarus. “No,” she called to Ischarus as she rode by. “But not having fun in life will get you nowhere either!” She surged ahead of the other two and yelled, “C’mon, Semeion. See if you can catch me! Ischarus never can!”</p><p></p><p>Both Semeion and Ischarus stood slightly in their saddles and encouraged their mounts to chase after Rhema and Shauvry. The horses seemed to enjoy the challenge in the change of pace and their nostrils flared to take in the necessary oxygen to maintain the greatly quickened speed of travel. Thana pulled ahead of Elistra since Thana could carry Semeion much more easily than Elistra could carry the larger Ischarus. Neither of the horses was able to catch Shauvry, however. Before long the three horses were spread out by several lengths and galloping down the dirt road that lead to Scarhaus and eventually the Tongra-Quehalost border.</p><p></p><p>As Shauvry carried Rhema further down the road suddenly Ischarus and Semeion saw Rhema fall from the saddle to the left of Shauvry. From its detailed training Shauvry slowed immediately upon feeling Rhema’s weight fall off of her back. Rhema had managed to hold onto the reigns and as she collided with the ground the reigns jerked Shauvry’s head to the left. Shauvry stopped as quickly as she could and Rhema lay still at her side, a crossbow bolt sticking out of her side.</p><p></p><p>Semeion spurred Thana closer to Rhema and just before he arrived he saw a sword wielding hobgoblin surge out of the forest beside Rhema. Semeion called upon the arcane power within him and yelled, “Thin-tok!” His right hand let go of the reigns and Semeion rose slightly higher in the saddle as he cocked his hand behind him. As the arcane words left his lips he brought is arm forward as if to throw a ball. A silver shimmering ball leapt forward off of his fingers and flashed towards the armed hobgoblin. The energy ball struck the hobgoblin and caught him off-guard. Semeion yelled, “Stay away from her or you’ll feel more than that, goblinkin.”</p><p></p><p>The hobgoblin snorted and replied with a maniacal chuckle, “You’ll not hurt me because I will kill you first.” Semeion pulled up on the reigns and Thana stopped just out of the hobgoblin’s reach with its sword.</p><p></p><p>Elistra thundered hard as her hooves pounded the ground in response to Ischarus’ further urging. The horse approached so quickly that it caught the sword wielding hobgoblin completely off-guard. Ischarus flashed his sword and a metallic ring shot through the forest as Ischarus lined up his aim. With a single swing the sword sliced through the air and contacted the hobgoblin creature on the side of its head directly below his jaw. Semeion closed his eyes as he saw the gruesome strike coming. The blow knocked the hobgoblin to the ground and his head bounced hard off the ground following the strike. The hobgoblin opened his eyes and saw Ischarus turning Elistra around as he held a bloodless long sword into the air. Both Semeion and the hobgoblin could tell he was yelling something.</p><p></p><p>Semeion was able to focus on Ischarus’ words. “Find the other one back where Rhema was shot! He’s got a crossbow and can merely pick us off at will if we don’t find him quickly!” Ischarus yelled to Semeion and pointed toward the forest edge with the tip of his sword.</p><p></p><p>Semeion pulled the reigns hard to the right and Thana spun in a tight circle until she was facing the opposite direction. Semeion urged Thana into a slow walk forward, scanning the edges of the forest. Suddenly he heard a string twang and felt pain in his own side. Looking down at his side he saw the bolt sticking out of his body. He followed the path of the crossbow bolt back into the woods and he spied a hobgoblin hurriedly trying to crank the winch of its weapon and load another bolt. Before the hobgoblin could finish cranking the device Semeion yelled, “Silicut al-Whass” and a single drop of magical oil formed on his the nail of his index finger. Semeion flicked the oil towards the hobgoblin and as it flew through the air the drop increased in size and struck the crossbow. Immediately the winch and the bow were coated in oil and impossible to hold and move.</p><p></p><p>Seeing that his magical attack was successful Semeion yelled to his associate. “Ischarus, here! I’ve made the crossbow useless, though. Come quickly!” </p><p></p><p>The hobgoblin heard the yell and immediately dropped the useless crossbow. It turned and began to flee deeper into the forest. As it fled hurriedly it left both a physical and an audible trail in its wake. Neither Ischarus nor Semeion would have trouble following the loud fleeing hobgoblin.</p><p></p><p>Semeion turned to find Ischarus as the young mage dismounted to give chase. Ischarus had already dismounted and was standing over the hobgoblin’s body which was lying in the street. Ischarus had a length of rope in his hands and as Semeion called for him he turned and began running in the direction Semeion pointed. As Ischarus passed by he threw the rope at Semeion and yelled, “Here, use this on the one that’s already down! And watch out for a further ambush!”</p><p></p><p>Semeion looked confused as he watched Ischarus disappear after the hobgoblin. “But … isn’t he dead?” Semeion asked in vain. Turning his head to look at the hobgoblin body lying on the road he realized that the hobgoblin’s head was still quite securely attached to its body. The hobgoblin lay motionlessly on the road. Semeion ran to the body and quickly flipped the hobgoblin over onto his stomach and secured its hands behind its back.</p><p></p><p>Inside the forest, Ischarus made short work of catching up to the scrambling hobgoblin. Much of the magical oil had transferred from the crossbow and onto the hobgoblin’s hands. The oil made it impossible to grab onto anything or climb as the hobgoblin fled. As a result, Ischarus was able to catch up to the hobgoblin quickly. As he did, the hobgoblin turned and drew its rapier. Only then did Ischarus recognize that this hobgoblin was female. Her hand slipped off the end of the rapier as the magical oil prevented her fingers from solidly gripping the handle.</p><p></p><p>Ischarus chuckled as he drew his own sword and pointed it toward the hobgoblin. “We can do this the hard way or the easy way, goblinkin. You’re coming with me either way.”</p><p></p><p>The hobgoblin only snorted in reply and had a moment of brilliance. The female jumped towards Ischarus with the thought of grabbing the handle of the sword. Perhaps if she was lucky the magical oil would transfer to his hands as well. </p><p></p><p>Ischarus lowered his sword and beat down upon her outstretched arm with the flat of his sword, snapping at least one of the thin bones that resided within the hobgoblin’s arm. Ischarus turned his sword and slashed out against the hobgoblin. The blade sliced at the creature’s leather armor and punctured it. A small trickle of blood formed within the cut as Ischarus remove his sword.</p><p></p><p>The hobgoblin once more lashed out in an attempt to grab the sword in Ischarus’ hand, but her off-handed attempt to grab the weapon could not land a solid grip.</p><p></p><p>Ischarus spun around once more and lashed out with his sword. The blade slashed forward and caught the hobgoblin on the outside of her thigh. She stumbled to the ground and Ischarus rose to his feet and pointed the blade down upon the hobgoblin’s chest. </p><p>Ischarus spoke once more, slightly winded from the surge of action since the last time he spoke. “Again we have a choice. If you move you impale yourself on my sword. If you give yourself up and go back to the road you can live. You can do it the hard way or the easy way.”</p><p></p><p>The female hobgoblin closed her eyes and said, “You win. I give up.”</p><p></p><p>Ischarus released the grip on his sword with his left hand and reached down to pick up the hobgoblin’s dagger. He tucked the dagger under his own belt and then removed his long sword from the hobgoblin’s chest. “Get up slowly,” Ischarus growled. “If you make any sudden moves I’ll make sure you end up on the ground again.”</p><p></p><p>The hobgoblin nodded and conceded control of the situation in compliance with Ischarus’ demand. She slowly raised herself up to a walking position and marched to the road. Ischarus retrieved the hobgoblin’s crossbow as they passed by, noting that the magical oil had vanished. There was no indication that the oil had ever been upon the weapon.</p><p></p><p>Arriving out at the road, Ischarus saw that the first hobgoblin was restrained and still unconscious. On the other hand, Rhema was sitting up and being tended to by Semeion. She smiled as Ischarus emerged from the forest with a hobgoblin captive. “There’s my man!” she called out. “He always gets what he sets his mind on capturing.” Semeion turned and smiled at Ischarus and his successful capture.</p><p></p><p>Ischarus caught Semeion’s eyes with his own glance and said, “In my saddle bag you’ll find more ropes for binding wrists. Pull one out and bind this one while I keep the sword on her.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion nodded while Rhema replied in a tease, “Oh, I’m fine, thanks for asking.”</p><p></p><p>Ischarus turned to Rhema and smiled. “Of that I had no doubt. You’d never allow yourself to leave this world on an ambush. You’ll leave this world by taking on a challenge more than you can control and not realize it until its too late.” He chuckled and Rhema smiled at the comment.</p><p></p><p>Semeion retrieved the rope and made quick work of binding the hands of the captive hobgoblin. Once they were both secure Ischarus helped Rhema up onto her feet and even into her saddle. “You’re going to get sore by the look of that. You might as well get comfortable before the pain sets in. If we need to, we’ll get it looked at in Scarhaus before moving along.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema replied, “Oh, I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.” She smiled, but her usual pleasant smile vanished in a grimace of pain.</p><p></p><p>Ischarus lightly patted Rhema on the leg as he crossed under Shauvry’s neck. “I’m sure you will be fine, Rhema.” He rummaged through his saddle pack and lifted out a small pouch. He knelt down to the ground and held the pouch underneath the hobgoblin’s nose. After a few moments the eyes of the hobgoblin opened wide and he reeled his head backwards away from the smell of the pouch. Pleased that the pouch had been useful, Ischarus sealed the pouch up once more and placed it back into his saddlebag.</p><p></p><p>Ischarus greeted the hobgoblin back to the realm of the conscious with a simple command. “You’ll need to stand, hobgoblin.”</p><p></p><p>The hobgoblin replied, “I’ll do no such thing. Chimme will set me free.”</p><p></p><p>The hobgoblin that originally shot Rhema with her crossbow spoke from where she stood. “No, Grangohr. I will not.”</p><p></p><p>Grangohr turned his head and saw that his partner in crime had likewise been caught. He frowned slightly and begrudgingly stood to his feet and allowed Ischarus to connect his bindings to a longer rope that he tied to his own saddle horn. Once he was assured that the hobgoblins were secured he said to Semeion, “You will ride side-by-side with Rhema behind me and our prisoners to make sure they keep up their march and don’t try anything stupid.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion nodded, finding it easier to take Ischarus’ orders in a situation of combat. He watched as Ischarus removed the dagger from his belt and held it out for Semeion to grab. “As a sign of good faith to your master’s widow I designate the hobgoblin’s sword, dagger, crossbow, and their armor to be sold for the benefit of the widow. That should give her enough money to provide food for her and her children for several months. If you don’t object, I’d like to make that part of our routine. Your responsibilities will become our responsibilities as long as you travel with us.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion smiled at the gesture. “I am honored, Ischarus.”</p><p></p><p>Ischarus looked at the hobgoblins, checked out their bonds, and then back to Semeion. As he mounted Elistra and urged her forward at a walking pace comfortable for the hobgoblins he turned sideways in his saddle and replied back to Semeion. “You’ll need it. We all will. It’ll be one more good thing that will let us sleep knowing the horrors we will see in Quehalost. We now journey for the freedom of the innocents in Quehalost and for the widow Sathwright.”</p><p></p><p>The rest of the trip to Scarhaus passed in a more solemn tone as the horsemen kept watch for more bandits along the road. They passed along the route more slowly than normal on account of their captives. The party kept up the journey to Scarhaus well after the sun descended into the hills. Around midnight they saw the welcoming torches than lined a few of the streets.</p><p></p><p>Upon seeing the torches Ischarus scanned the scene of lights. He smiled as he found what he was looking for. “Someone is awake in the inn, Rhema.” He paused to allow a smile to appear over his face. “They’ll be able to raise the jailor this evening.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion looked on with interest. He knew this was the last safe place of rest before the border of Quehalost.[/Sblock]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Nonlethal Force, post: 2813868, member: 35788"] Three days later, three cloaked riders left the city of Reignsburg behind them and headed south for the mountains that separated the region of Tongra from the region of Quehalost. It had taken them a bit longer than Ischarus thought to find a horse that was suitable for Semeion to ride into hostile territory. The majority of the difficulty was in Semeion’s ability to pay for a horse that would be a reliable means of escape. Ischarus was very clear that Semeion needed to ride a stable yet reasonably quick horse because of the speed of the pursuit once the freedom of an enslaved person or persons had been achieved. Semeion had begun to question his ability to help the team be successful when Ischarus told him the story of how the red haired girl had been saved from the ancient red wyrm. Ischarus had no problems confessing that while he was frozen in fear of the beast’s tremendous pursuit it was actually Elistra’s instincts that saved them. Elistra wasn’t unable to out run the beast, but she was able to run through deep cover that forced the dragon to proceed on foot and lose the trail. Semeion had more than once grow ill at the thought of putting his life in such peril. Of course, in order to purchase the horse Semeion had to sell many of his personal belongings. He sold everything but the clothes on his back and what few arcane gifts Master Sathwright had instructed him to be necessary for the pursuit of his magical talents. As Semeion rode away from the only hometown he could remember having he bowed his head in reflection and a silent goodbye. Rhema slowly pulled Shauvry over beside Semeion and Thana, his new mount. [Color=PaleGreen]“Don’t worry, Semeion. Ischarus and I always stop and spend a night in Reignsburg before heading out into Quehalost. In fact, we always spend a night when we return from Quehalost as well. Archis’ potatoes have become our traditional welcome home and going away dinners. You’ll be back.”[/Color] Her genuine smile helped to embrace Semeion in the warmth of her words. Semeion returned the smile in appreciation of the words. He had already grown accustomed to Rhema’s sensitivities and realized that while her compassion could be interpreted as interest in forming a relationship it really was her gift in touching people’s souls. Her compassion was not self-motivated but motivated honestly for the betterment of others. All these thoughts passed through his mind as he replied to Rhema. [Color=Plum]“I’m not so much worried about coming back as I am seeing Channah, my master’s widow. She’s alone with the children now and I fear that she might not be able to support herself. I’ll regret not being around to check in on her.”[/Color] Ischarus replied, [Color=LightBlue]“Well, it is not uncommon for us to find equipment and gems as we attempt to stop evil from doing its work. Often some of the best ways to ensure that you aren’t pursued is to remove their weapons so that they can’t effectively come after you. Or, in the case of a slaver the best way to keep a slaver from coming after you is to plunder his accessible wealth. If he doesn’t have the money to pay his hired goons he can’t well send them after you. The great thing about hired goons is that they won’t work if you can’t pay them.”[/Color] Ischarus chuckled and smiled as he remembered several of his past trips. Semeion added, [Color=Plum]“But doesn’t that make them want to hunt you down even more?”[/Color] Rhema laughed. [Color=PaleGreen]“Very true, it does. But that is why we take a little time off at my family’s home. First of all, in the journey home the ones that we rescue become quite dependant upon us. It wouldn’t be fair to them if we rescued them and then handed them off to complete strangers while knowing nothing of the world around them. We welcome them into our lives and treat them like family.”[/Color] She paused for a breath and Ischarus took up the story where Rhema left off. [Color=LightBlue]“But what Rhema is trying to say through focusing on the empathic side of the story is that the time we spend at Rhema’s father’s house helping the rescued to find a new life gives our trail some time to cool down. Sure, I expect that one day we’ll run across someone who is still looking for us. But for the most part if we can get a day or two head-start over our pursuers then we can be into Tongra before they even get a whiff of our trail. Once we are in Tongra their power diminishes vastly and they are much more unlikely to be able to find us. That’s why we plunder. It weakens their ability to find us in the short term in spite of increasing their long term anger. Besides, it also serves to weaken their ability to quickly find a replacement for the one we rescued. It isn’t perfect, but it’s worked so far.”[/Color] Semeion added, [Color=Plum]“But doesn’t that feel like stealing? Do the ends justify the means?”[/Color] Rhema began her reply softly and delicately. [Color=PaleGreen]“Wait to ask that question when you head back into Quehalost for your second journey. Learn with your own eyes the torture and the pain that we are freeing these people from. Once you see what we’ve already seen many times over; then ask if it is wrong to plunder from people who use their resources for the destruction of the lives of others.”[/Color] By the end of her statement Rhema’s words were strong and filled with vindication and authority. Ischarus agreed, [Color=LightBlue]“Yes, you are correct Semeion. Technically that does make us thieves. We steal from the rich who enslave and abuse others. But part of what we steal goes to replenish our own supplies and the remainder of it is left with Rhema’s father to help the ones that we rescued to build a new life. It isn’t right to steal. Of course not. But it isn’t right to let the people exist in slavery, bondage, or even to be sacrifices either. Sometimes in life it is not a matter of choosing between right and wrong. Sometimes life is about choosing which wrong will let you sleep at night.”[/Color] Semeion was silenced by Ischarus’ corrective tone. Rhema perceived that Ischarus had come down harshly and chose to respond to Ischarus’ assertion softly enough so that only Semeion could hear. [Color=PaleGreen]“Forgive him, Semeion. We have had this debate many times he and I. Ischarus has it every time we plunder our victim before stealing their slave, sacrifice, or whatever. He doesn’t like the thought of himself as a not-so-common thief. But he knows that if we do not hinder their abilities they will only replace the ones we take from them. Then what have we gained?”[/Color] Semeion nodded in reply. [Color=Plum]“I suppose life is a difficult choice sometimes, and one cannot always only do things that are clearly right in the world. I guess that sometimes to live means to tread on doing something another thinks of as evil in order that we may see good.”[/Color] Rhema smiled and nodded. A little more loudly she added, [Color=PaleGreen]“Now you know what it means to live in dichotomy. One cannot be perfect. But one can strive for good.”[/Color] Ischarus continued in his more somber tone. [Color=LightBlue]“And one cannot forget that doing harm to another so good may abound is not justification of the harm. It may be a necessary evil but that does not make it right. It is never right to steal. It may be necessary, but it is never right.”[/Color] Rhema lightly prodded the side of Shauvry to get her to hustle past Elistra and Ischarus. [Color=PaleGreen]“No,”[/Color] she called to Ischarus as she rode by. [Color=PaleGreen]“But not having fun in life will get you nowhere either!”[/Color] She surged ahead of the other two and yelled, [Color=PaleGreen]“C’mon, Semeion. See if you can catch me! Ischarus never can!”[/Color] Both Semeion and Ischarus stood slightly in their saddles and encouraged their mounts to chase after Rhema and Shauvry. The horses seemed to enjoy the challenge in the change of pace and their nostrils flared to take in the necessary oxygen to maintain the greatly quickened speed of travel. Thana pulled ahead of Elistra since Thana could carry Semeion much more easily than Elistra could carry the larger Ischarus. Neither of the horses was able to catch Shauvry, however. Before long the three horses were spread out by several lengths and galloping down the dirt road that lead to Scarhaus and eventually the Tongra-Quehalost border. As Shauvry carried Rhema further down the road suddenly Ischarus and Semeion saw Rhema fall from the saddle to the left of Shauvry. From its detailed training Shauvry slowed immediately upon feeling Rhema’s weight fall off of her back. Rhema had managed to hold onto the reigns and as she collided with the ground the reigns jerked Shauvry’s head to the left. Shauvry stopped as quickly as she could and Rhema lay still at her side, a crossbow bolt sticking out of her side. Semeion spurred Thana closer to Rhema and just before he arrived he saw a sword wielding hobgoblin surge out of the forest beside Rhema. Semeion called upon the arcane power within him and yelled, [Color=Plum]“Thin-tok!”[/Color] His right hand let go of the reigns and Semeion rose slightly higher in the saddle as he cocked his hand behind him. As the arcane words left his lips he brought is arm forward as if to throw a ball. A silver shimmering ball leapt forward off of his fingers and flashed towards the armed hobgoblin. The energy ball struck the hobgoblin and caught him off-guard. Semeion yelled, [Color=Plum]“Stay away from her or you’ll feel more than that, goblinkin.”[/Color] The hobgoblin snorted and replied with a maniacal chuckle, [Color=Lime]“You’ll not hurt me because I will kill you first.”[/Color] Semeion pulled up on the reigns and Thana stopped just out of the hobgoblin’s reach with its sword. Elistra thundered hard as her hooves pounded the ground in response to Ischarus’ further urging. The horse approached so quickly that it caught the sword wielding hobgoblin completely off-guard. Ischarus flashed his sword and a metallic ring shot through the forest as Ischarus lined up his aim. With a single swing the sword sliced through the air and contacted the hobgoblin creature on the side of its head directly below his jaw. Semeion closed his eyes as he saw the gruesome strike coming. The blow knocked the hobgoblin to the ground and his head bounced hard off the ground following the strike. The hobgoblin opened his eyes and saw Ischarus turning Elistra around as he held a bloodless long sword into the air. Both Semeion and the hobgoblin could tell he was yelling something. Semeion was able to focus on Ischarus’ words. [Color=LightBlue]“Find the other one back where Rhema was shot! He’s got a crossbow and can merely pick us off at will if we don’t find him quickly!”[/Color] Ischarus yelled to Semeion and pointed toward the forest edge with the tip of his sword. Semeion pulled the reigns hard to the right and Thana spun in a tight circle until she was facing the opposite direction. Semeion urged Thana into a slow walk forward, scanning the edges of the forest. Suddenly he heard a string twang and felt pain in his own side. Looking down at his side he saw the bolt sticking out of his body. He followed the path of the crossbow bolt back into the woods and he spied a hobgoblin hurriedly trying to crank the winch of its weapon and load another bolt. Before the hobgoblin could finish cranking the device Semeion yelled, [Color=Plum]“Silicut al-Whass”[/Color] and a single drop of magical oil formed on his the nail of his index finger. Semeion flicked the oil towards the hobgoblin and as it flew through the air the drop increased in size and struck the crossbow. Immediately the winch and the bow were coated in oil and impossible to hold and move. Seeing that his magical attack was successful Semeion yelled to his associate. [Color=Plum]“Ischarus, here! I’ve made the crossbow useless, though. Come quickly!”[/Color] The hobgoblin heard the yell and immediately dropped the useless crossbow. It turned and began to flee deeper into the forest. As it fled hurriedly it left both a physical and an audible trail in its wake. Neither Ischarus nor Semeion would have trouble following the loud fleeing hobgoblin. Semeion turned to find Ischarus as the young mage dismounted to give chase. Ischarus had already dismounted and was standing over the hobgoblin’s body which was lying in the street. Ischarus had a length of rope in his hands and as Semeion called for him he turned and began running in the direction Semeion pointed. As Ischarus passed by he threw the rope at Semeion and yelled, [Color=LightBlue]“Here, use this on the one that’s already down! And watch out for a further ambush!”[/Color] Semeion looked confused as he watched Ischarus disappear after the hobgoblin. [Color=Plum]“But … isn’t he dead?”[/Color] Semeion asked in vain. Turning his head to look at the hobgoblin body lying on the road he realized that the hobgoblin’s head was still quite securely attached to its body. The hobgoblin lay motionlessly on the road. Semeion ran to the body and quickly flipped the hobgoblin over onto his stomach and secured its hands behind its back. Inside the forest, Ischarus made short work of catching up to the scrambling hobgoblin. Much of the magical oil had transferred from the crossbow and onto the hobgoblin’s hands. The oil made it impossible to grab onto anything or climb as the hobgoblin fled. As a result, Ischarus was able to catch up to the hobgoblin quickly. As he did, the hobgoblin turned and drew its rapier. Only then did Ischarus recognize that this hobgoblin was female. Her hand slipped off the end of the rapier as the magical oil prevented her fingers from solidly gripping the handle. Ischarus chuckled as he drew his own sword and pointed it toward the hobgoblin. [Color=LightBlue]“We can do this the hard way or the easy way, goblinkin. You’re coming with me either way.”[/Color] The hobgoblin only snorted in reply and had a moment of brilliance. The female jumped towards Ischarus with the thought of grabbing the handle of the sword. Perhaps if she was lucky the magical oil would transfer to his hands as well. Ischarus lowered his sword and beat down upon her outstretched arm with the flat of his sword, snapping at least one of the thin bones that resided within the hobgoblin’s arm. Ischarus turned his sword and slashed out against the hobgoblin. The blade sliced at the creature’s leather armor and punctured it. A small trickle of blood formed within the cut as Ischarus remove his sword. The hobgoblin once more lashed out in an attempt to grab the sword in Ischarus’ hand, but her off-handed attempt to grab the weapon could not land a solid grip. Ischarus spun around once more and lashed out with his sword. The blade slashed forward and caught the hobgoblin on the outside of her thigh. She stumbled to the ground and Ischarus rose to his feet and pointed the blade down upon the hobgoblin’s chest. Ischarus spoke once more, slightly winded from the surge of action since the last time he spoke. [Color=LightBlue]“Again we have a choice. If you move you impale yourself on my sword. If you give yourself up and go back to the road you can live. You can do it the hard way or the easy way.”[/Color] The female hobgoblin closed her eyes and said, [Color=Lime]“You win. I give up.”[/Color] Ischarus released the grip on his sword with his left hand and reached down to pick up the hobgoblin’s dagger. He tucked the dagger under his own belt and then removed his long sword from the hobgoblin’s chest. [Color=LightBlue]“Get up slowly,”[/Color] Ischarus growled. [Color=LightBlue]“If you make any sudden moves I’ll make sure you end up on the ground again.”[/Color] The hobgoblin nodded and conceded control of the situation in compliance with Ischarus’ demand. She slowly raised herself up to a walking position and marched to the road. Ischarus retrieved the hobgoblin’s crossbow as they passed by, noting that the magical oil had vanished. There was no indication that the oil had ever been upon the weapon. Arriving out at the road, Ischarus saw that the first hobgoblin was restrained and still unconscious. On the other hand, Rhema was sitting up and being tended to by Semeion. She smiled as Ischarus emerged from the forest with a hobgoblin captive. [Color=PaleGreen]“There’s my man!”[/Color] she called out. [Color=PaleGreen]“He always gets what he sets his mind on capturing.”[/Color] Semeion turned and smiled at Ischarus and his successful capture. Ischarus caught Semeion’s eyes with his own glance and said, [Color=LightBlue]“In my saddle bag you’ll find more ropes for binding wrists. Pull one out and bind this one while I keep the sword on her.”[/Color] Semeion nodded while Rhema replied in a tease, [Color=PaleGreen]“Oh, I’m fine, thanks for asking.”[/Color] Ischarus turned to Rhema and smiled. [Color=LightBlue]“Of that I had no doubt. You’d never allow yourself to leave this world on an ambush. You’ll leave this world by taking on a challenge more than you can control and not realize it until its too late.”[/Color] He chuckled and Rhema smiled at the comment. Semeion retrieved the rope and made quick work of binding the hands of the captive hobgoblin. Once they were both secure Ischarus helped Rhema up onto her feet and even into her saddle. [Color=LightBlue]“You’re going to get sore by the look of that. You might as well get comfortable before the pain sets in. If we need to, we’ll get it looked at in Scarhaus before moving along.”[/Color] Rhema replied, [Color=PaleGreen]“Oh, I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.”[/Color] She smiled, but her usual pleasant smile vanished in a grimace of pain. Ischarus lightly patted Rhema on the leg as he crossed under Shauvry’s neck. [Color=LightBlue]“I’m sure you will be fine, Rhema.”[/Color] He rummaged through his saddle pack and lifted out a small pouch. He knelt down to the ground and held the pouch underneath the hobgoblin’s nose. After a few moments the eyes of the hobgoblin opened wide and he reeled his head backwards away from the smell of the pouch. Pleased that the pouch had been useful, Ischarus sealed the pouch up once more and placed it back into his saddlebag. Ischarus greeted the hobgoblin back to the realm of the conscious with a simple command. [Color=LightBlue]“You’ll need to stand, hobgoblin.”[/Color] The hobgoblin replied, [Color=Lime]“I’ll do no such thing. Chimme will set me free.”[/Color] The hobgoblin that originally shot Rhema with her crossbow spoke from where she stood. [Color=Lime]“No, Grangohr. I will not.”[/Color] Grangohr turned his head and saw that his partner in crime had likewise been caught. He frowned slightly and begrudgingly stood to his feet and allowed Ischarus to connect his bindings to a longer rope that he tied to his own saddle horn. Once he was assured that the hobgoblins were secured he said to Semeion, [Color=LightBlue]“You will ride side-by-side with Rhema behind me and our prisoners to make sure they keep up their march and don’t try anything stupid.”[/Color] Semeion nodded, finding it easier to take Ischarus’ orders in a situation of combat. He watched as Ischarus removed the dagger from his belt and held it out for Semeion to grab. [Color=LightBlue]“As a sign of good faith to your master’s widow I designate the hobgoblin’s sword, dagger, crossbow, and their armor to be sold for the benefit of the widow. That should give her enough money to provide food for her and her children for several months. If you don’t object, I’d like to make that part of our routine. Your responsibilities will become our responsibilities as long as you travel with us.”[/Color] Semeion smiled at the gesture. [Color=Plum]“I am honored, Ischarus.”[/Color] Ischarus looked at the hobgoblins, checked out their bonds, and then back to Semeion. As he mounted Elistra and urged her forward at a walking pace comfortable for the hobgoblins he turned sideways in his saddle and replied back to Semeion. [Color=LightBlue]“You’ll need it. We all will. It’ll be one more good thing that will let us sleep knowing the horrors we will see in Quehalost. We now journey for the freedom of the innocents in Quehalost and for the widow Sathwright.”[/Color] The rest of the trip to Scarhaus passed in a more solemn tone as the horsemen kept watch for more bandits along the road. They passed along the route more slowly than normal on account of their captives. The party kept up the journey to Scarhaus well after the sun descended into the hills. Around midnight they saw the welcoming torches than lined a few of the streets. Upon seeing the torches Ischarus scanned the scene of lights. He smiled as he found what he was looking for. [Color=LightBlue]“Someone is awake in the inn, Rhema.”[/Color] He paused to allow a smile to appear over his face. [Color=LightBlue]“They’ll be able to raise the jailor this evening.”[/Color] Semeion looked on with interest. He knew this was the last safe place of rest before the border of Quehalost. [Sblock=Color Free Speech Section] Three days later, three cloaked riders left the city of Reignsburg behind them and headed south for the mountains that separated the region of Tongra from the region of Quehalost. It had taken them a bit longer than Ischarus thought to find a horse that was suitable for Semeion to ride into hostile territory. The majority of the difficulty was in Semeion’s ability to pay for a horse that would be a reliable means of escape. Ischarus was very clear that Semeion needed to ride a stable yet reasonably quick horse because of the speed of the pursuit once the freedom of an enslaved person or persons had been achieved. Semeion had begun to question his ability to help the team be successful when Ischarus told him the story of how the red haired girl had been saved from the ancient red wyrm. Ischarus had no problems confessing that while he was frozen in fear of the beast’s tremendous pursuit it was actually Elistra’s instincts that saved them. Elistra wasn’t unable to out run the beast, but she was able to run through deep cover that forced the dragon to proceed on foot and lose the trail. Semeion had more than once grow ill at the thought of putting his life in such peril. Of course, in order to purchase the horse Semeion had to sell many of his personal belongings. He sold everything but the clothes on his back and what few arcane gifts Master Sathwright had instructed him to be necessary for the pursuit of his magical talents. As Semeion rode away from the only hometown he could remember having he bowed his head in reflection and a silent goodbye. Rhema slowly pulled Shauvry over beside Semeion and Thana, his new mount. “Don’t worry, Semeion. Ischarus and I always stop and spend a night in Reignsburg before heading out into Quehalost. In fact, we always spend a night when we return from Quehalost as well. Archis’ potatoes have become our traditional welcome home and going away dinners. You’ll be back.” Her genuine smile helped to embrace Semeion in the warmth of her words. Semeion returned the smile in appreciation of the words. He had already grown accustomed to Rhema’s sensitivities and realized that while her compassion could be interpreted as interest in forming a relationship it really was her gift in touching people’s souls. Her compassion was not self-motivated but motivated honestly for the betterment of others. All these thoughts passed through his mind as he replied to Rhema. “I’m not so much worried about coming back as I am seeing Channah, my master’s widow. She’s alone with the children now and I fear that she might not be able to support herself. I’ll regret not being around to check in on her.” Ischarus replied, “Well, it is not uncommon for us to find equipment and gems as we attempt to stop evil from doing its work. Often some of the best ways to ensure that you aren’t pursued is to remove their weapons so that they can’t effectively come after you. Or, in the case of a slaver the best way to keep a slaver from coming after you is to plunder his accessible wealth. If he doesn’t have the money to pay his hired goons he can’t well send them after you. The great thing about hired goons is that they won’t work if you can’t pay them.” Ischarus chuckled and smiled as he remembered several of his past trips. Semeion added, “But doesn’t that make them want to hunt you down even more?” Rhema laughed. “Very true, it does. But that is why we take a little time off at my family’s home. First of all, in the journey home the ones that we rescue become quite dependant upon us. It wouldn’t be fair to them if we rescued them and then handed them off to complete strangers while knowing nothing of the world around them. We welcome them into our lives and treat them like family.” She paused for a breath and Ischarus took up the story where Rhema left off. “But what Rhema is trying to say through focusing on the empathic side of the story is that the time we spend at Rhema’s father’s house helping the rescued to find a new life gives our trail some time to cool down. Sure, I expect that one day we’ll run across someone who is still looking for us. But for the most part if we can get a day or two head-start over our pursuers then we can be into Tongra before they even get a whiff of our trail. Once we are in Tongra their power diminishes vastly and they are much more unlikely to be able to find us. That’s why we plunder. It weakens their ability to find us in the short term in spite of increasing their long term anger. Besides, it also serves to weaken their ability to quickly find a replacement for the one we rescued. It isn’t perfect, but it’s worked so far.” Semeion added, “But doesn’t that feel like stealing? Do the ends justify the means?” Rhema began her reply softly and delicately. “Wait to ask that question when you head back into Quehalost for your second journey. Learn with your own eyes the torture and the pain that we are freeing these people from. Once you see what we’ve already seen many times over; then ask if it is wrong to plunder from people who use their resources for the destruction of the lives of others.” By the end of her statement Rhema’s words were strong and filled with vindication and authority. Ischarus agreed, “Yes, you are correct Semeion. Technically that does make us thieves. We steal from the rich who enslave and abuse others. But part of what we steal goes to replenish our own supplies and the remainder of it is left with Rhema’s father to help the ones that we rescued to build a new life. It isn’t right to steal. Of course not. But it isn’t right to let the people exist in slavery, bondage, or even to be sacrifices either. Sometimes in life it is not a matter of choosing between right and wrong. Sometimes life is about choosing which wrong will let you sleep at night.” Semeion was silenced by Ischarus’ corrective tone. Rhema perceived that Ischarus had come down harshly and chose to respond to Ischarus’ assertion softly enough so that only Semeion could hear. “Forgive him, Semeion. We have had this debate many times he and I. Ischarus has it every time we plunder our victim before stealing their slave, sacrifice, or whatever. He doesn’t like the thought of himself as a not-so-common thief. But he knows that if we do not hinder their abilities they will only replace the ones we take from them. Then what have we gained?” Semeion nodded in reply. “I suppose life is a difficult choice sometimes, and one cannot always only do things that are clearly right in the world. I guess that sometimes to live means to tread on doing something another thinks of as evil in order that we may see good.” Rhema smiled and nodded. A little more loudly she added, “Now you know what it means to live in dichotomy. One cannot be perfect. But one can strive for good.” Ischarus continued in his more somber tone. “And one cannot forget that doing harm to another so good may abound is not justification of the harm. It may be a necessary evil but that does not make it right. It is never right to steal. It may be necessary, but it is never right.” Rhema lightly prodded the side of Shauvry to get her to hustle past Elistra and Ischarus. “No,” she called to Ischarus as she rode by. “But not having fun in life will get you nowhere either!” She surged ahead of the other two and yelled, “C’mon, Semeion. See if you can catch me! Ischarus never can!” Both Semeion and Ischarus stood slightly in their saddles and encouraged their mounts to chase after Rhema and Shauvry. The horses seemed to enjoy the challenge in the change of pace and their nostrils flared to take in the necessary oxygen to maintain the greatly quickened speed of travel. Thana pulled ahead of Elistra since Thana could carry Semeion much more easily than Elistra could carry the larger Ischarus. Neither of the horses was able to catch Shauvry, however. Before long the three horses were spread out by several lengths and galloping down the dirt road that lead to Scarhaus and eventually the Tongra-Quehalost border. As Shauvry carried Rhema further down the road suddenly Ischarus and Semeion saw Rhema fall from the saddle to the left of Shauvry. From its detailed training Shauvry slowed immediately upon feeling Rhema’s weight fall off of her back. Rhema had managed to hold onto the reigns and as she collided with the ground the reigns jerked Shauvry’s head to the left. Shauvry stopped as quickly as she could and Rhema lay still at her side, a crossbow bolt sticking out of her side. Semeion spurred Thana closer to Rhema and just before he arrived he saw a sword wielding hobgoblin surge out of the forest beside Rhema. Semeion called upon the arcane power within him and yelled, “Thin-tok!” His right hand let go of the reigns and Semeion rose slightly higher in the saddle as he cocked his hand behind him. As the arcane words left his lips he brought is arm forward as if to throw a ball. A silver shimmering ball leapt forward off of his fingers and flashed towards the armed hobgoblin. The energy ball struck the hobgoblin and caught him off-guard. Semeion yelled, “Stay away from her or you’ll feel more than that, goblinkin.” The hobgoblin snorted and replied with a maniacal chuckle, “You’ll not hurt me because I will kill you first.” Semeion pulled up on the reigns and Thana stopped just out of the hobgoblin’s reach with its sword. Elistra thundered hard as her hooves pounded the ground in response to Ischarus’ further urging. The horse approached so quickly that it caught the sword wielding hobgoblin completely off-guard. Ischarus flashed his sword and a metallic ring shot through the forest as Ischarus lined up his aim. With a single swing the sword sliced through the air and contacted the hobgoblin creature on the side of its head directly below his jaw. Semeion closed his eyes as he saw the gruesome strike coming. The blow knocked the hobgoblin to the ground and his head bounced hard off the ground following the strike. The hobgoblin opened his eyes and saw Ischarus turning Elistra around as he held a bloodless long sword into the air. Both Semeion and the hobgoblin could tell he was yelling something. Semeion was able to focus on Ischarus’ words. “Find the other one back where Rhema was shot! He’s got a crossbow and can merely pick us off at will if we don’t find him quickly!” Ischarus yelled to Semeion and pointed toward the forest edge with the tip of his sword. Semeion pulled the reigns hard to the right and Thana spun in a tight circle until she was facing the opposite direction. Semeion urged Thana into a slow walk forward, scanning the edges of the forest. Suddenly he heard a string twang and felt pain in his own side. Looking down at his side he saw the bolt sticking out of his body. He followed the path of the crossbow bolt back into the woods and he spied a hobgoblin hurriedly trying to crank the winch of its weapon and load another bolt. Before the hobgoblin could finish cranking the device Semeion yelled, “Silicut al-Whass” and a single drop of magical oil formed on his the nail of his index finger. Semeion flicked the oil towards the hobgoblin and as it flew through the air the drop increased in size and struck the crossbow. Immediately the winch and the bow were coated in oil and impossible to hold and move. Seeing that his magical attack was successful Semeion yelled to his associate. “Ischarus, here! I’ve made the crossbow useless, though. Come quickly!” The hobgoblin heard the yell and immediately dropped the useless crossbow. It turned and began to flee deeper into the forest. As it fled hurriedly it left both a physical and an audible trail in its wake. Neither Ischarus nor Semeion would have trouble following the loud fleeing hobgoblin. Semeion turned to find Ischarus as the young mage dismounted to give chase. Ischarus had already dismounted and was standing over the hobgoblin’s body which was lying in the street. Ischarus had a length of rope in his hands and as Semeion called for him he turned and began running in the direction Semeion pointed. As Ischarus passed by he threw the rope at Semeion and yelled, “Here, use this on the one that’s already down! And watch out for a further ambush!” Semeion looked confused as he watched Ischarus disappear after the hobgoblin. “But … isn’t he dead?” Semeion asked in vain. Turning his head to look at the hobgoblin body lying on the road he realized that the hobgoblin’s head was still quite securely attached to its body. The hobgoblin lay motionlessly on the road. Semeion ran to the body and quickly flipped the hobgoblin over onto his stomach and secured its hands behind its back. Inside the forest, Ischarus made short work of catching up to the scrambling hobgoblin. Much of the magical oil had transferred from the crossbow and onto the hobgoblin’s hands. The oil made it impossible to grab onto anything or climb as the hobgoblin fled. As a result, Ischarus was able to catch up to the hobgoblin quickly. As he did, the hobgoblin turned and drew its rapier. Only then did Ischarus recognize that this hobgoblin was female. Her hand slipped off the end of the rapier as the magical oil prevented her fingers from solidly gripping the handle. Ischarus chuckled as he drew his own sword and pointed it toward the hobgoblin. “We can do this the hard way or the easy way, goblinkin. You’re coming with me either way.” The hobgoblin only snorted in reply and had a moment of brilliance. The female jumped towards Ischarus with the thought of grabbing the handle of the sword. Perhaps if she was lucky the magical oil would transfer to his hands as well. Ischarus lowered his sword and beat down upon her outstretched arm with the flat of his sword, snapping at least one of the thin bones that resided within the hobgoblin’s arm. Ischarus turned his sword and slashed out against the hobgoblin. The blade sliced at the creature’s leather armor and punctured it. A small trickle of blood formed within the cut as Ischarus remove his sword. The hobgoblin once more lashed out in an attempt to grab the sword in Ischarus’ hand, but her off-handed attempt to grab the weapon could not land a solid grip. Ischarus spun around once more and lashed out with his sword. The blade slashed forward and caught the hobgoblin on the outside of her thigh. She stumbled to the ground and Ischarus rose to his feet and pointed the blade down upon the hobgoblin’s chest. Ischarus spoke once more, slightly winded from the surge of action since the last time he spoke. “Again we have a choice. If you move you impale yourself on my sword. If you give yourself up and go back to the road you can live. You can do it the hard way or the easy way.” The female hobgoblin closed her eyes and said, “You win. I give up.” Ischarus released the grip on his sword with his left hand and reached down to pick up the hobgoblin’s dagger. He tucked the dagger under his own belt and then removed his long sword from the hobgoblin’s chest. “Get up slowly,” Ischarus growled. “If you make any sudden moves I’ll make sure you end up on the ground again.” The hobgoblin nodded and conceded control of the situation in compliance with Ischarus’ demand. She slowly raised herself up to a walking position and marched to the road. Ischarus retrieved the hobgoblin’s crossbow as they passed by, noting that the magical oil had vanished. There was no indication that the oil had ever been upon the weapon. Arriving out at the road, Ischarus saw that the first hobgoblin was restrained and still unconscious. On the other hand, Rhema was sitting up and being tended to by Semeion. She smiled as Ischarus emerged from the forest with a hobgoblin captive. “There’s my man!” she called out. “He always gets what he sets his mind on capturing.” Semeion turned and smiled at Ischarus and his successful capture. Ischarus caught Semeion’s eyes with his own glance and said, “In my saddle bag you’ll find more ropes for binding wrists. Pull one out and bind this one while I keep the sword on her.” Semeion nodded while Rhema replied in a tease, “Oh, I’m fine, thanks for asking.” Ischarus turned to Rhema and smiled. “Of that I had no doubt. You’d never allow yourself to leave this world on an ambush. You’ll leave this world by taking on a challenge more than you can control and not realize it until its too late.” He chuckled and Rhema smiled at the comment. Semeion retrieved the rope and made quick work of binding the hands of the captive hobgoblin. Once they were both secure Ischarus helped Rhema up onto her feet and even into her saddle. “You’re going to get sore by the look of that. You might as well get comfortable before the pain sets in. If we need to, we’ll get it looked at in Scarhaus before moving along.” Rhema replied, “Oh, I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.” She smiled, but her usual pleasant smile vanished in a grimace of pain. Ischarus lightly patted Rhema on the leg as he crossed under Shauvry’s neck. “I’m sure you will be fine, Rhema.” He rummaged through his saddle pack and lifted out a small pouch. He knelt down to the ground and held the pouch underneath the hobgoblin’s nose. After a few moments the eyes of the hobgoblin opened wide and he reeled his head backwards away from the smell of the pouch. Pleased that the pouch had been useful, Ischarus sealed the pouch up once more and placed it back into his saddlebag. Ischarus greeted the hobgoblin back to the realm of the conscious with a simple command. “You’ll need to stand, hobgoblin.” The hobgoblin replied, “I’ll do no such thing. Chimme will set me free.” The hobgoblin that originally shot Rhema with her crossbow spoke from where she stood. “No, Grangohr. I will not.” Grangohr turned his head and saw that his partner in crime had likewise been caught. He frowned slightly and begrudgingly stood to his feet and allowed Ischarus to connect his bindings to a longer rope that he tied to his own saddle horn. Once he was assured that the hobgoblins were secured he said to Semeion, “You will ride side-by-side with Rhema behind me and our prisoners to make sure they keep up their march and don’t try anything stupid.” Semeion nodded, finding it easier to take Ischarus’ orders in a situation of combat. He watched as Ischarus removed the dagger from his belt and held it out for Semeion to grab. “As a sign of good faith to your master’s widow I designate the hobgoblin’s sword, dagger, crossbow, and their armor to be sold for the benefit of the widow. That should give her enough money to provide food for her and her children for several months. If you don’t object, I’d like to make that part of our routine. Your responsibilities will become our responsibilities as long as you travel with us.” Semeion smiled at the gesture. “I am honored, Ischarus.” Ischarus looked at the hobgoblins, checked out their bonds, and then back to Semeion. As he mounted Elistra and urged her forward at a walking pace comfortable for the hobgoblins he turned sideways in his saddle and replied back to Semeion. “You’ll need it. We all will. It’ll be one more good thing that will let us sleep knowing the horrors we will see in Quehalost. We now journey for the freedom of the innocents in Quehalost and for the widow Sathwright.” The rest of the trip to Scarhaus passed in a more solemn tone as the horsemen kept watch for more bandits along the road. They passed along the route more slowly than normal on account of their captives. The party kept up the journey to Scarhaus well after the sun descended into the hills. Around midnight they saw the welcoming torches than lined a few of the streets. Upon seeing the torches Ischarus scanned the scene of lights. He smiled as he found what he was looking for. “Someone is awake in the inn, Rhema.” He paused to allow a smile to appear over his face. “They’ll be able to raise the jailor this evening.” Semeion looked on with interest. He knew this was the last safe place of rest before the border of Quehalost.[/Sblock] [/QUOTE]
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