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Bitterness Overcome: (Now A Completed Story!)
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<blockquote data-quote="Nonlethal Force" data-source="post: 3071572" data-attributes="member: 35788"><p>As soon as the light-gray figure had spoken his omen, a howl echoed in the distance. This echo had come from a slightly different direction than the area that the pair of froves had retreated to. Another howl rang out after the first one had ended. This second howl came from the same direction as the most recent one.</p><p></p><p>Charis looked to the ghostly figure and couldn’t help but confirm what she already knew. <span style="color: Orange">“More froves?”</span></p><p></p><p>Ischarus nodded, spinning Elistra around to the direction he wanted to travel. <span style="color: LightBlue">“Rhema, Semeion! Ride at the front and ride hard. Charis and I will follow behind you and protect your rear flank.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ischarus pulled slightly on the reigns and Elistra edged off the trail. Rhema spurred Shauvry into motion and Semeion spurred Thana behind her. As both these riders sprang forth into movement and brushed past Elistra, Ischarus motioned for Charis to go next. <span style="color: LightBlue">“I’ll go last. Hurry!”</span></p><p></p><p>The gray figure looked at Ischarus. <span style="color: Lime">“You know those howls?”</span></p><p></p><p>Ischarus smiled, and looked at the back of Charis. His foot dug hard into the stirrup and then shot back into Elistra’s side. The kick jolted his horse into movement. The gray figure matched Ischarus’ pace and followed along as Ischarus replied to his inquiry. <span style="color: LightBlue">“I don’t need to know those howls. I know enough about wolves back home to recognize the call of the pack. That’s what the two did when they retreated from our attack. They were calling the pack and my guess is that this was the pack answering.”</span></p><p></p><p>The figure nodded as it continued to slide effortlessly above the ground. <span style="color: Lime">“I fear you are correct. I have heard those howls many times, and I believe they mean exactly what you say.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ischarus ducked under a low branch as he continued the conversation. <span style="color: LightBlue">“If that is the case, those howls were not far off. The pack is not far from closing in on our position.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ischarus dug in again and urged Elistra into greater speed. As he did, he heard the yelping of exited dogs running in motion as they closed in on the foursome of horses. Over top of the excited yelps Ischarus heard a voice calling out excitedly.</p><p></p><p>Ischarus stood in his saddle and yelled to the riders ahead of him with all of his strength. <span style="color: LightBlue">“Hunting wolves closing!”</span> It was all Ischarus could get out of his mouth before he heard a crash of flesh through the forest behind him. </p><p></p><p>A snarl erupted in sound from behind him on the path. Ischarus could hear the snapping of a single jaw. Soon there was another crash of underbrush and an excited yelp. He thought he heard a similar voice as the one that had come from the frove that pinned Rhema to the ground. This voice spoke in a language Ischarus did not understand. The voice was answered by one of a much higher pitch.</p><p></p><p>This voice Ischarus recognized immediately even without turning to see it. It was a goblin riding atop what he could only expect to be a frove. By his count, there were two froves and a goblin behind. Given their speed at closing in on the charging horses he knew that the froves were faster than the horses. Running was less and less becoming an option.</p><p></p><p>His mind calculated the risks of fighting or being picked off one by one from the back. Again he rose in his saddle and yelled loudly. <span style="color: LightBlue">“Fight!”</span> Once Ischarus had yelled, he leaned hard on the reigns and turned Elistra around to face his pursuers. As he went through the motions he noticed that he was wrong. There was not just one goblin rider. Each of the froves had a rider.</p><p></p><p>The nearest frove stopped short upon seeing Ischarus turn to face him. As the frove planted its front feet, the goblin that was riding atop of was caught completely by surprise and it flew forward and planted itself headfirst into the side of Elistra. The frove lunged forward in a bite, but Ischarus immediately turned it astray with the flat of his blade. </p><p></p><p>The goblin that was still mounted upon a frove reached behind its back and brought forth and arrow. The goblin snapped the arrow into place and sent it forward toward Ischarus. From atop his horse, Ischarus ducked behind his shield and the arrow bounced off harmlessly.</p><p></p><p>While Ischarus was drawing the ire of the pursuers, Charis spun Abijou around and charged back toward Ischarus. She unfastened her pick from her belt and raised the weapon in a windmill strike. Back on Rhema’s father’s villa she had been taught a game played with a ball while being mounted in the saddle. This would be little different if she timed it right. Her goal was the goblin now lying at Elistra’s feet. Unfortunately for Charis, the pick sailed high and missed the creature on account of the goblin’s short stature.</p><p></p><p>Rhema had also heard Ischarus call. She spun Shauvry around and smirked as she watched her friends peel around launch into attacking formation. She called forth her mental powers once more, although this time her goal wasn’t to harm the goblin mind she had entered. She didn’t even desire to create an obsession like she had done with the goblins before. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Look at me!”</span> Rhema commanded the fallen goblin that Charis had just missed with her hammer. The goblin’s head snapped around on its shoulders and looked back at Rhema. The expression on its face told Rhema all she needed to know. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Charis, move on to a frove! The goblin is mine!”</span> She turned her head to regain focus on the goblin. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Come to me!”</span> The goblin hesitated, and then slowly walked towards Shauvry.</p><p></p><p>The frove that still maintained its rider snarled, and its lips parted in speech. Neither Ischarus nor Charis understood the speech, but the goblin on top replied with its own voice in the same unfamiliar language. The goblin slid off of the frove’s back and the frove leapt forward into action. The beast sprang forward in an attempt to unhorse Ischarus. The valiant fighter used his sword as a lever and deflected the frove to the ground. The frove landed awkwardly on its back and exposed its more vulnerable belly to Ischarus.</p><p></p><p>Semeion pulled back hard on the reigns and caused Thana to rise up onto her hind legs. As the horse rose up, Semeion also stood in the saddle and surveyed the battlefield. He spotted a legitimate target. He had used enough of his magic already today that he was averse to waste a spell unless it was necessary. As the horse returned to the ground, Semeion dug into his stirrups and called Thana to charge. <span style="color: Plum">“Hiya!”</span> </p><p></p><p>He had spotted a narrow opening between Charis and Ischarus and planned to charge through the gap on top of Thana. As the horse broke into its move, the frove that had first attacked Ischarus managed to slip out of the way of the charging mount. The goblin that had fired an arrow upon Ischarus couldn’t get out of the way. The horse kicked hard at the goblin as it passed by. The solid hooves struck the goblin twice. One blow came from each front foot. The goblin was bloodied and fell face first into the underbrush. It didn’t move once it came to rest.</p><p></p><p>Ischarus smiled as Semeion used his mount to charge into action. He looked down upon the frove that had tried to unhorse him as the beast struggled to right itself from its bad fall. His sword slipped through the air, but the frove was able to twist out of the way.</p><p></p><p>The other frove turned and faced Charis. She had been shifting Elistra into position for a strike. The frove lunged up and bit at Charis’ foot but missed. Instead the frove caught the bottom of Charis’ boot upon its jaw. Charis returned the strike and managed to hit the frove with her pick before it could leap out of the way.</p><p></p><p>The frove gathered itself from the attack and leapt up again. This time the green eyed beast caught Charis on her leg. Red blood stained the maw of the frove and Charis’ stirrup dripped with blood. The bite attack had been worse that what Charis had hoped would happen and as she dug her foot into Abijou’s side a bloody print of her calf and foot was left on the abdomen of the horse. </p><p></p><p>Despite the frove’s attempt to drag her from the saddle, Charis twisted her pick in her hand and stuck again in anger. Her blow drove the frove back to the ground, knocking it below Abijou’s feet. As the frove fell to the ground it dipped and twisted through Abijou’s steps as it avoided being tread upon and trampled to death. It was clear that this frove was experienced at fighting enemies from atop horses.</p><p></p><p>Semeion noticed that the fight was touch and go between Charis and the frove. He spun Thana around and charged back alongside Charis. He was careful to avoid her striking lanes as he rode by Abijou. He let out a cheer as he rode along, alerting Charis that he was coming up behind her. The frove managed to partially dodge Thana’s charge, although it was struck by one of Thana’s hooves. Thana’s nostril’s flared as Semeion spun her around for another trampling run. It seemed as though the horse was enjoying beating the froves with its mighty hooves.</p><p></p><p>The frove leapt up once more against Charis, but Charis took this attack much more seriously than the last one. When the attack was over, the frove had a bloody impression of the bottom of Charis’ stirrup plastered across his nose. Charis returned the strike and caught the frove behind its right front shoulder with the point of her pick. The frove yelped in a bit of a howl and backed up to survey the battlefield. As Semeion looked on, he couldn’t help but wonder if it was the goblins that were in charge of the froves or if the froves were the real brains behind the goblin tribe.</p><p></p><p>What the frove saw when it surveyed the battlefield was the effects of several blows traded from Ischarus and the other frove. After Iscahrus missed the frove’s exposed underbelly, the frove rose to the ground and leapt once more trying to unhorse the rider. Ischarus deftly spun Elistra around as the frove leapt and cause the frove to slam into the much more sturdy neck of Elistra. The frove tumbled back to the ground and Ischarus followed the blow from Elistra’s muscular neck with one of his own. His sword cut through the frove’s hair and a thin trail of blood appeared across the frove’s back.</p><p></p><p>The frove who was attacking Ischarus refused to give up and attacked again. This time the frove connected and caught hold of Ischarus’ forearm just above where his shield protected him. As the frove fell back to the ground, it clenched its teeth firmly in an attempt to unhorse Ischarus. Ischarus yanked back, freeing his arm from the bloody maw of the frove. The green eyed beast fell back to the ground and left a bloodied forearm behind in its wake. Ischarus turned Elistra around so that the frove was again on his sword side. Unfortunately his follow-up attack missed the frove high.</p><p></p><p>The frove leapt up again, staying on the sword side of Ischarus. The jaw of the frove found nothing except the solid metal butt end of Ischarus’ hilt of his sword. Ischarus quickly swung the sword down and caught the frove as he fell back to the ground. Another trail of blood appeared within the thick mat of fur protecting the frove. This cut was along his side.</p><p></p><p>The frove snarled at Ischarus and prepared to strike again. As it crouched in a ready stance to attack, the frove that had been attacking Charis called out to it in its foreign tongue. The frove looked to its left and saw that Semeion starting to charge again with Thana. The frove jumped backwards out of Semeion’s path and looked up into Ischarus’ eyes. As Ischarus returned the glare to the glowing green orbs of the frove, the beast spoke to him. <span style="color: Red">“We will wear you down until there is nothing left, Drakontos. I have tasted your blood; I will eventually feast on your flesh.”</span></p><p></p><p>The froves turned and leapt back into the undergrowth of the forest. Charis turned in the saddle to look at Rhema. She stood in her saddle and was watching the proceeding with a very obedient goblin standing to her left. Rhema’s face showed a smile as she looked upon her friends. She looked down at the goblin and spoke softly and gently. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“See, Rashaak? I told you that your forces would not be victorious. But I also told you that your forces would be spared in spite of the attack that you brought on us. We didn’t ask to be attacked. You attacked us. But to show you our true greatness, we will care for your wounded. Watch.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema nodded to Ischarus firmly and smiled. Ischarus picked up where Rhema had left off. <span style="color: LightBlue">“Charis, check on the goblin that Thana knocked into the forest. I’ll watch your back and make sure Abijou is safe.”</span></p><p></p><p>Charis gave Ischarus a quick glance and the look questioned if this is an appropriate time to stop and care for the goblin. She knew the enemy’s main force couldn’t be far. Ischarus gave his head a quick and hardly noticeable jerk in Rashaak’s direction. Charis nodded, dismounted, and moved quickly to where the goblin had been knocked into the woods. She dragged the goblin’s body back to among the company and checked his vital signs. She applied pressure to some of his wounds and ensuring that the bleeding has stopped. She quickly stood up and gave her report. <span style="color: Orange">“He’s unconscious, but will live. He’ll have a mighty headache when he wakes, but he’ll get better.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema smiled again, showing her extreme composure at a time when seconds meant everything. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Rashaak, look at me.”</span> The goblin looked up at Rhema upon her horse. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“As I have promised. He’ll live. Now stand here and wait for the hunting party to find you. Tell them that we intentionally did not kill any of your village. Tell them that we are merely moving through your territory and are not worth your effort.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rashaak nodded. He was enraptured by Rhema’s mind control over him. Rhema carefully backed up to avoid threatening Rashaak with Shauvry’s hooves. Once Semeion had passed by both Charis and Ischarus, Rhema spurred Shauvry into motion and continued along the trail. This time, she took the lead. Semeion followed atop of Thana and saluted Rashaak as he passed by. Charis followed behind Semeion and as she looked at the tiny, charmed, and confused goblin she couldn’t help but give a pleasant smile and a wink to the goblin. As Ischarus followed in the rear position, he stowed his sword in its scabbard and patted the hilt as he rode by Rashaak. Even the light gray figure took a part in the act as it passed by Rashaak and maintained eye contact until he passed directly through a tree.</p><p></p><p>The company surged forward through the trees, hoping to outrun the goblins and get out of their territory. Of course, nobody knew better than Charis that the owner of the next territory would likely not be any more forgiving.</p><p></p><p>[Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section]</p><p>As soon as the light-gray figure had spoken his omen, a howl echoed in the distance. This echo had come from a slightly different direction than the area that the pair of froves had retreated to. Another howl rang out after the first one had ended. This second howl came from the same direction as the most recent one.</p><p></p><p>Charis looked to the ghostly figure and couldn’t help but confirm what she already knew. “More froves?”</p><p></p><p>Ischarus nodded, spinning Elistra around to the direction he wanted to travel. “Rhema, Semeion! Ride at the front and ride hard. Charis and I will follow behind you and protect your rear flank.”</p><p></p><p>Ischarus pulled slightly on the reigns and Elistra edged off the trail. Rhema spurred Shauvry into motion and Semeion spurred Thana behind her. As both these riders sprang forth into movement and brushed past Elistra, Ischarus motioned for Charis to go next. “I’ll go last. Hurry!”</p><p></p><p>The gray figure looked at Ischarus. “You know those howls?”</p><p></p><p>Ischarus smiled, and looked at the back of Charis. His foot dug hard into the stirrup and then shot back into Elistra’s side. The kick jolted his horse into movement. The gray figure matched Ischarus’ pace and followed along as Ischarus replied to his inquiry. “I don’t need to know those howls. I know enough about wolves back home to recognize the call of the pack. That’s what the two did when they retreated from our attack. They were calling the pack and my guess is that this was the pack answering.”</p><p></p><p>The figure nodded as it continued to slide effortlessly above the ground. “I fear you are correct. I have heard those howls many times, and I believe they mean exactly what you say.”</p><p></p><p>Ischarus ducked under a low branch as he continued the conversation. “If that is the case, those howls were not far off. The pack is not far from closing in on our position.”</p><p></p><p>Ischarus dug in again and urged Elistra into greater speed. As he did, he heard the yelping of exited dogs running in motion as they closed in on the foursome of horses. Over top of the excited yelps Ischarus heard a voice calling out excitedly.</p><p></p><p>Ischarus stood in his saddle and yelled to the riders ahead of him with all of his strength. “Hunting wolves closing!” It was all Ischarus could get out of his mouth before he heard a crash of flesh through the forest behind him. </p><p></p><p>A snarl erupted in sound from behind him on the path. Ischarus could hear the snapping of a single jaw. Soon there was another crash of underbrush and an excited yelp. He thought he heard a similar voice as the one that had come from the frove that pinned Rhema to the ground. This voice spoke in a language Ischarus did not understand. The voice was answered by one of a much higher pitch.</p><p></p><p>This voice Ischarus recognized immediately even without turning to see it. It was a goblin riding atop what he could only expect to be a frove. By his count, there were two froves and a goblin behind. Given their speed at closing in on the charging horses he knew that the froves were faster than the horses. Running was less and less becoming an option.</p><p></p><p>His mind calculated the risks of fighting or being picked off one by one from the back. Again he rose in his saddle and yelled loudly. “Fight!” Once Ischarus had yelled, he leaned hard on the reigns and turned Elistra around to face his pursuers. As he went through the motions he noticed that he was wrong. There was not just one goblin rider. Each of the froves had a rider.</p><p></p><p>The nearest frove stopped short upon seeing Ischarus turn to face him. As the frove planted its front feet, the goblin that was riding atop of was caught completely by surprise and it flew forward and planted itself headfirst into the side of Elistra. The frove lunged forward in a bite, but Ischarus immediately turned it astray with the flat of his blade. </p><p></p><p>The goblin that was still mounted upon a frove reached behind its back and brought forth and arrow. The goblin snapped the arrow into place and sent it forward toward Ischarus. From atop his horse, Ischarus ducked behind his shield and the arrow bounced off harmlessly.</p><p></p><p>While Ischarus was drawing the ire of the pursuers, Charis spun Abijou around and charged back toward Ischarus. She unfastened her pick from her belt and raised the weapon in a windmill strike. Back on Rhema’s father’s villa she had been taught a game played with a ball while being mounted in the saddle. This would be little different if she timed it right. Her goal was the goblin now lying at Elistra’s feet. Unfortunately for Charis, the pick sailed high and missed the creature on account of the goblin’s short stature.</p><p></p><p>Rhema had also heard Ischarus call. She spun Shauvry around and smirked as she watched her friends peel around launch into attacking formation. She called forth her mental powers once more, although this time her goal wasn’t to harm the goblin mind she had entered. She didn’t even desire to create an obsession like she had done with the goblins before. “Look at me!” Rhema commanded the fallen goblin that Charis had just missed with her hammer. The goblin’s head snapped around on its shoulders and looked back at Rhema. The expression on its face told Rhema all she needed to know. “Charis, move on to a frove! The goblin is mine!” She turned her head to regain focus on the goblin. “Come to me!” The goblin hesitated, and then slowly walked towards Shauvry.</p><p></p><p>The frove that still maintained its rider snarled, and its lips parted in speech. Neither Ischarus nor Charis understood the speech, but the goblin on top replied with its own voice in the same unfamiliar language. The goblin slid off of the frove’s back and the frove leapt forward into action. The beast sprang forward in an attempt to unhorse Ischarus. The valiant fighter used his sword as a lever and deflected the frove to the ground. The frove landed awkwardly on its back and exposed its more vulnerable belly to Ischarus.</p><p></p><p>Semeion pulled back hard on the reigns and caused Thana to rise up onto her hind legs. As the horse rose up, Semeion also stood in the saddle and surveyed the battlefield. He spotted a legitimate target. He had used enough of his magic already today that he was averse to waste a spell unless it was necessary. As the horse returned to the ground, Semeion dug into his stirrups and called Thana to charge. “Hiya!” </p><p></p><p>He had spotted a narrow opening between Charis and Ischarus and planned to charge through the gap on top of Thana. As the horse broke into its move, the frove that had first attacked Ischarus managed to slip out of the way of the charging mount. The goblin that had fired an arrow upon Ischarus couldn’t get out of the way. The horse kicked hard at the goblin as it passed by. The solid hooves struck the goblin twice. One blow came from each front foot. The goblin was bloodied and fell face first into the underbrush. It didn’t move once it came to rest.</p><p></p><p>Ischarus smiled as Semeion used his mount to charge into action. He looked down upon the frove that had tried to unhorse him as the beast struggled to right itself from its bad fall. His sword slipped through the air, but the frove was able to twist out of the way.</p><p></p><p>The other frove turned and faced Charis. She had been shifting Elistra into position for a strike. The frove lunged up and bit at Charis’ foot but missed. Instead the frove caught the bottom of Charis’ boot upon its jaw. Charis returned the strike and managed to hit the frove with her pick before it could leap out of the way.</p><p></p><p>The frove gathered itself from the attack and leapt up again. This time the green eyed beast caught Charis on her leg. Red blood stained the maw of the frove and Charis’ stirrup dripped with blood. The bite attack had been worse that what Charis had hoped would happen and as she dug her foot into Abijou’s side a bloody print of her calf and foot was left on the abdomen of the horse. </p><p></p><p>Despite the frove’s attempt to drag her from the saddle, Charis twisted her pick in her hand and stuck again in anger. Her blow drove the frove back to the ground, knocking it below Abijou’s feet. As the frove fell to the ground it dipped and twisted through Abijou’s steps as it avoided being tread upon and trampled to death. It was clear that this frove was experienced at fighting enemies from atop horses.</p><p></p><p>Semeion noticed that the fight was touch and go between Charis and the frove. He spun Thana around and charged back alongside Charis. He was careful to avoid her striking lanes as he rode by Abijou. He let out a cheer as he rode along, alerting Charis that he was coming up behind her. The frove managed to partially dodge Thana’s charge, although it was struck by one of Thana’s hooves. Thana’s nostril’s flared as Semeion spun her around for another trampling run. It seemed as though the horse was enjoying beating the froves with its mighty hooves.</p><p></p><p>The frove leapt up once more against Charis, but Charis took this attack much more seriously than the last one. When the attack was over, the frove had a bloody impression of the bottom of Charis’ stirrup plastered across his nose. Charis returned the strike and caught the frove behind its right front shoulder with the point of her pick. The frove yelped in a bit of a howl and backed up to survey the battlefield. As Semeion looked on, he couldn’t help but wonder if it was the goblins that were in charge of the froves or if the froves were the real brains behind the goblin tribe.</p><p></p><p>What the frove saw when it surveyed the battlefield was the effects of several blows traded from Ischarus and the other frove. After Iscahrus missed the frove’s exposed underbelly, the frove rose to the ground and leapt once more trying to unhorse the rider. Ischarus deftly spun Elistra around as the frove leapt and cause the frove to slam into the much more sturdy neck of Elistra. The frove tumbled back to the ground and Ischarus followed the blow from Elistra’s muscular neck with one of his own. His sword cut through the frove’s hair and a thin trail of blood appeared across the frove’s back.</p><p></p><p>The frove who was attacking Ischarus refused to give up and attacked again. This time the frove connected and caught hold of Ischarus’ forearm just above where his shield protected him. As the frove fell back to the ground, it clenched its teeth firmly in an attempt to unhorse Ischarus. Ischarus yanked back, freeing his arm from the bloody maw of the frove. The green eyed beast fell back to the ground and left a bloodied forearm behind in its wake. Ischarus turned Elistra around so that the frove was again on his sword side. Unfortunately his follow-up attack missed the frove high.</p><p></p><p>The frove leapt up again, staying on the sword side of Ischarus. The jaw of the frove found nothing except the solid metal butt end of Ischarus’ hilt of his sword. Ischarus quickly swung the sword down and caught the frove as he fell back to the ground. Another trail of blood appeared within the thick mat of fur protecting the frove. This cut was along his side.</p><p></p><p>The frove snarled at Ischarus and prepared to strike again. As it crouched in a ready stance to attack, the frove that had been attacking Charis called out to it in its foreign tongue. The frove looked to its left and saw that Semeion starting to charge again with Thana. The frove jumped backwards out of Semeion’s path and looked up into Ischarus’ eyes. As Ischarus returned the glare to the glowing green orbs of the frove, the beast spoke to him. “We will wear you down until there is nothing left, Drakontos. I have tasted your blood; I will eventually feast on your flesh.”</p><p></p><p>The froves turned and leapt back into the undergrowth of the forest. Charis turned in the saddle to look at Rhema. She stood in her saddle and was watching the proceeding with a very obedient goblin standing to her left. Rhema’s face showed a smile as she looked upon her friends. She looked down at the goblin and spoke softly and gently. “See, Rashaak? I told you that your forces would not be victorious. But I also told you that your forces would be spared in spite of the attack that you brought on us. We didn’t ask to be attacked. You attacked us. But to show you our true greatness, we will care for your wounded. Watch.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema nodded to Ischarus firmly and smiled. Ischarus picked up where Rhema had left off. “Charis, check on the goblin that Thana knocked into the forest. I’ll watch your back and make sure Abijou is safe.”</p><p></p><p>Charis gave Ischarus a quick glance and the look questioned if this is an appropriate time to stop and care for the goblin. She knew the enemy’s main force couldn’t be far. Ischarus gave his head a quick and hardly noticeable jerk in Rashaak’s direction. Charis nodded, dismounted, and moved quickly to where the goblin had been knocked into the woods. She dragged the goblin’s body back to among the company and checked his vital signs. She applied pressure to some of his wounds and ensuring that the bleeding has stopped. She quickly stood up and gave her report. “He’s unconscious, but will live. He’ll have a mighty headache when he wakes, but he’ll get better.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema smiled again, showing her extreme composure at a time when seconds meant everything. “Rashaak, look at me.” The goblin looked up at Rhema upon her horse. “As I have promised. He’ll live. Now stand here and wait for the hunting party to find you. Tell them that we intentionally did not kill any of your village. Tell them that we are merely moving through your territory and are not worth your effort.”</p><p></p><p>Rashaak nodded. He was enraptured by Rhema’s mind control over him. Rhema carefully backed up to avoid threatening Rashaak with Shauvry’s hooves. Once Semeion had passed by both Charis and Ischarus, Rhema spurred Shauvry into motion and continued along the trail. This time, she took the lead. Semeion followed atop of Thana and saluted Rashaak as he passed by. Charis followed behind Semeion and as she looked at the tiny, charmed, and confused goblin she couldn’t help but give a pleasant smile and a wink to the goblin. As Ischarus followed in the rear position, he stowed his sword in its scabbard and patted the hilt as he rode by Rashaak. Even the light gray figure took a part in the act as it passed by Rashaak and maintained eye contact until he passed directly through a tree.</p><p></p><p>The company surged forward through the trees, hoping to outrun the goblins and get out of their territory. Of course, nobody knew better than Charis that the owner of the next territory would likely not be any more forgiving.[/Sblock]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Nonlethal Force, post: 3071572, member: 35788"] As soon as the light-gray figure had spoken his omen, a howl echoed in the distance. This echo had come from a slightly different direction than the area that the pair of froves had retreated to. Another howl rang out after the first one had ended. This second howl came from the same direction as the most recent one. Charis looked to the ghostly figure and couldn’t help but confirm what she already knew. [Color=Orange]“More froves?”[/Color] Ischarus nodded, spinning Elistra around to the direction he wanted to travel. [Color=LightBlue]“Rhema, Semeion! Ride at the front and ride hard. Charis and I will follow behind you and protect your rear flank.”[/Color] Ischarus pulled slightly on the reigns and Elistra edged off the trail. Rhema spurred Shauvry into motion and Semeion spurred Thana behind her. As both these riders sprang forth into movement and brushed past Elistra, Ischarus motioned for Charis to go next. [Color=LightBlue]“I’ll go last. Hurry!”[/Color] The gray figure looked at Ischarus. [Color=Lime]“You know those howls?”[/Color] Ischarus smiled, and looked at the back of Charis. His foot dug hard into the stirrup and then shot back into Elistra’s side. The kick jolted his horse into movement. The gray figure matched Ischarus’ pace and followed along as Ischarus replied to his inquiry. [Color=LightBlue]“I don’t need to know those howls. I know enough about wolves back home to recognize the call of the pack. That’s what the two did when they retreated from our attack. They were calling the pack and my guess is that this was the pack answering.”[/Color] The figure nodded as it continued to slide effortlessly above the ground. [Color=Lime]“I fear you are correct. I have heard those howls many times, and I believe they mean exactly what you say.”[/Color] Ischarus ducked under a low branch as he continued the conversation. [Color=LightBlue]“If that is the case, those howls were not far off. The pack is not far from closing in on our position.”[/Color] Ischarus dug in again and urged Elistra into greater speed. As he did, he heard the yelping of exited dogs running in motion as they closed in on the foursome of horses. Over top of the excited yelps Ischarus heard a voice calling out excitedly. Ischarus stood in his saddle and yelled to the riders ahead of him with all of his strength. [Color=LightBlue]“Hunting wolves closing!”[/Color] It was all Ischarus could get out of his mouth before he heard a crash of flesh through the forest behind him. A snarl erupted in sound from behind him on the path. Ischarus could hear the snapping of a single jaw. Soon there was another crash of underbrush and an excited yelp. He thought he heard a similar voice as the one that had come from the frove that pinned Rhema to the ground. This voice spoke in a language Ischarus did not understand. The voice was answered by one of a much higher pitch. This voice Ischarus recognized immediately even without turning to see it. It was a goblin riding atop what he could only expect to be a frove. By his count, there were two froves and a goblin behind. Given their speed at closing in on the charging horses he knew that the froves were faster than the horses. Running was less and less becoming an option. His mind calculated the risks of fighting or being picked off one by one from the back. Again he rose in his saddle and yelled loudly. [Color=LightBlue]“Fight!”[/Color] Once Ischarus had yelled, he leaned hard on the reigns and turned Elistra around to face his pursuers. As he went through the motions he noticed that he was wrong. There was not just one goblin rider. Each of the froves had a rider. The nearest frove stopped short upon seeing Ischarus turn to face him. As the frove planted its front feet, the goblin that was riding atop of was caught completely by surprise and it flew forward and planted itself headfirst into the side of Elistra. The frove lunged forward in a bite, but Ischarus immediately turned it astray with the flat of his blade. The goblin that was still mounted upon a frove reached behind its back and brought forth and arrow. The goblin snapped the arrow into place and sent it forward toward Ischarus. From atop his horse, Ischarus ducked behind his shield and the arrow bounced off harmlessly. While Ischarus was drawing the ire of the pursuers, Charis spun Abijou around and charged back toward Ischarus. She unfastened her pick from her belt and raised the weapon in a windmill strike. Back on Rhema’s father’s villa she had been taught a game played with a ball while being mounted in the saddle. This would be little different if she timed it right. Her goal was the goblin now lying at Elistra’s feet. Unfortunately for Charis, the pick sailed high and missed the creature on account of the goblin’s short stature. Rhema had also heard Ischarus call. She spun Shauvry around and smirked as she watched her friends peel around launch into attacking formation. She called forth her mental powers once more, although this time her goal wasn’t to harm the goblin mind she had entered. She didn’t even desire to create an obsession like she had done with the goblins before. [Color=PaleGreen]“Look at me!”[/Color] Rhema commanded the fallen goblin that Charis had just missed with her hammer. The goblin’s head snapped around on its shoulders and looked back at Rhema. The expression on its face told Rhema all she needed to know. [Color=PaleGreen]“Charis, move on to a frove! The goblin is mine!”[/Color] She turned her head to regain focus on the goblin. [Color=PaleGreen]“Come to me!”[/Color] The goblin hesitated, and then slowly walked towards Shauvry. The frove that still maintained its rider snarled, and its lips parted in speech. Neither Ischarus nor Charis understood the speech, but the goblin on top replied with its own voice in the same unfamiliar language. The goblin slid off of the frove’s back and the frove leapt forward into action. The beast sprang forward in an attempt to unhorse Ischarus. The valiant fighter used his sword as a lever and deflected the frove to the ground. The frove landed awkwardly on its back and exposed its more vulnerable belly to Ischarus. Semeion pulled back hard on the reigns and caused Thana to rise up onto her hind legs. As the horse rose up, Semeion also stood in the saddle and surveyed the battlefield. He spotted a legitimate target. He had used enough of his magic already today that he was averse to waste a spell unless it was necessary. As the horse returned to the ground, Semeion dug into his stirrups and called Thana to charge. [Color=Plum]“Hiya!”[/Color] He had spotted a narrow opening between Charis and Ischarus and planned to charge through the gap on top of Thana. As the horse broke into its move, the frove that had first attacked Ischarus managed to slip out of the way of the charging mount. The goblin that had fired an arrow upon Ischarus couldn’t get out of the way. The horse kicked hard at the goblin as it passed by. The solid hooves struck the goblin twice. One blow came from each front foot. The goblin was bloodied and fell face first into the underbrush. It didn’t move once it came to rest. Ischarus smiled as Semeion used his mount to charge into action. He looked down upon the frove that had tried to unhorse him as the beast struggled to right itself from its bad fall. His sword slipped through the air, but the frove was able to twist out of the way. The other frove turned and faced Charis. She had been shifting Elistra into position for a strike. The frove lunged up and bit at Charis’ foot but missed. Instead the frove caught the bottom of Charis’ boot upon its jaw. Charis returned the strike and managed to hit the frove with her pick before it could leap out of the way. The frove gathered itself from the attack and leapt up again. This time the green eyed beast caught Charis on her leg. Red blood stained the maw of the frove and Charis’ stirrup dripped with blood. The bite attack had been worse that what Charis had hoped would happen and as she dug her foot into Abijou’s side a bloody print of her calf and foot was left on the abdomen of the horse. Despite the frove’s attempt to drag her from the saddle, Charis twisted her pick in her hand and stuck again in anger. Her blow drove the frove back to the ground, knocking it below Abijou’s feet. As the frove fell to the ground it dipped and twisted through Abijou’s steps as it avoided being tread upon and trampled to death. It was clear that this frove was experienced at fighting enemies from atop horses. Semeion noticed that the fight was touch and go between Charis and the frove. He spun Thana around and charged back alongside Charis. He was careful to avoid her striking lanes as he rode by Abijou. He let out a cheer as he rode along, alerting Charis that he was coming up behind her. The frove managed to partially dodge Thana’s charge, although it was struck by one of Thana’s hooves. Thana’s nostril’s flared as Semeion spun her around for another trampling run. It seemed as though the horse was enjoying beating the froves with its mighty hooves. The frove leapt up once more against Charis, but Charis took this attack much more seriously than the last one. When the attack was over, the frove had a bloody impression of the bottom of Charis’ stirrup plastered across his nose. Charis returned the strike and caught the frove behind its right front shoulder with the point of her pick. The frove yelped in a bit of a howl and backed up to survey the battlefield. As Semeion looked on, he couldn’t help but wonder if it was the goblins that were in charge of the froves or if the froves were the real brains behind the goblin tribe. What the frove saw when it surveyed the battlefield was the effects of several blows traded from Ischarus and the other frove. After Iscahrus missed the frove’s exposed underbelly, the frove rose to the ground and leapt once more trying to unhorse the rider. Ischarus deftly spun Elistra around as the frove leapt and cause the frove to slam into the much more sturdy neck of Elistra. The frove tumbled back to the ground and Ischarus followed the blow from Elistra’s muscular neck with one of his own. His sword cut through the frove’s hair and a thin trail of blood appeared across the frove’s back. The frove who was attacking Ischarus refused to give up and attacked again. This time the frove connected and caught hold of Ischarus’ forearm just above where his shield protected him. As the frove fell back to the ground, it clenched its teeth firmly in an attempt to unhorse Ischarus. Ischarus yanked back, freeing his arm from the bloody maw of the frove. The green eyed beast fell back to the ground and left a bloodied forearm behind in its wake. Ischarus turned Elistra around so that the frove was again on his sword side. Unfortunately his follow-up attack missed the frove high. The frove leapt up again, staying on the sword side of Ischarus. The jaw of the frove found nothing except the solid metal butt end of Ischarus’ hilt of his sword. Ischarus quickly swung the sword down and caught the frove as he fell back to the ground. Another trail of blood appeared within the thick mat of fur protecting the frove. This cut was along his side. The frove snarled at Ischarus and prepared to strike again. As it crouched in a ready stance to attack, the frove that had been attacking Charis called out to it in its foreign tongue. The frove looked to its left and saw that Semeion starting to charge again with Thana. The frove jumped backwards out of Semeion’s path and looked up into Ischarus’ eyes. As Ischarus returned the glare to the glowing green orbs of the frove, the beast spoke to him. [Color=Red]“We will wear you down until there is nothing left, Drakontos. I have tasted your blood; I will eventually feast on your flesh.”[/Color] The froves turned and leapt back into the undergrowth of the forest. Charis turned in the saddle to look at Rhema. She stood in her saddle and was watching the proceeding with a very obedient goblin standing to her left. Rhema’s face showed a smile as she looked upon her friends. She looked down at the goblin and spoke softly and gently. [Color=PaleGreen]“See, Rashaak? I told you that your forces would not be victorious. But I also told you that your forces would be spared in spite of the attack that you brought on us. We didn’t ask to be attacked. You attacked us. But to show you our true greatness, we will care for your wounded. Watch.”[/Color] Rhema nodded to Ischarus firmly and smiled. Ischarus picked up where Rhema had left off. [Color=LightBlue]“Charis, check on the goblin that Thana knocked into the forest. I’ll watch your back and make sure Abijou is safe.”[/Color] Charis gave Ischarus a quick glance and the look questioned if this is an appropriate time to stop and care for the goblin. She knew the enemy’s main force couldn’t be far. Ischarus gave his head a quick and hardly noticeable jerk in Rashaak’s direction. Charis nodded, dismounted, and moved quickly to where the goblin had been knocked into the woods. She dragged the goblin’s body back to among the company and checked his vital signs. She applied pressure to some of his wounds and ensuring that the bleeding has stopped. She quickly stood up and gave her report. [Color=Orange]“He’s unconscious, but will live. He’ll have a mighty headache when he wakes, but he’ll get better.”[/Color] Rhema smiled again, showing her extreme composure at a time when seconds meant everything. [Color=PaleGreen]“Rashaak, look at me.”[/Color] The goblin looked up at Rhema upon her horse. [Color=PaleGreen]“As I have promised. He’ll live. Now stand here and wait for the hunting party to find you. Tell them that we intentionally did not kill any of your village. Tell them that we are merely moving through your territory and are not worth your effort.”[/Color] Rashaak nodded. He was enraptured by Rhema’s mind control over him. Rhema carefully backed up to avoid threatening Rashaak with Shauvry’s hooves. Once Semeion had passed by both Charis and Ischarus, Rhema spurred Shauvry into motion and continued along the trail. This time, she took the lead. Semeion followed atop of Thana and saluted Rashaak as he passed by. Charis followed behind Semeion and as she looked at the tiny, charmed, and confused goblin she couldn’t help but give a pleasant smile and a wink to the goblin. As Ischarus followed in the rear position, he stowed his sword in its scabbard and patted the hilt as he rode by Rashaak. Even the light gray figure took a part in the act as it passed by Rashaak and maintained eye contact until he passed directly through a tree. The company surged forward through the trees, hoping to outrun the goblins and get out of their territory. Of course, nobody knew better than Charis that the owner of the next territory would likely not be any more forgiving. [Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section] As soon as the light-gray figure had spoken his omen, a howl echoed in the distance. This echo had come from a slightly different direction than the area that the pair of froves had retreated to. Another howl rang out after the first one had ended. This second howl came from the same direction as the most recent one. Charis looked to the ghostly figure and couldn’t help but confirm what she already knew. “More froves?” Ischarus nodded, spinning Elistra around to the direction he wanted to travel. “Rhema, Semeion! Ride at the front and ride hard. Charis and I will follow behind you and protect your rear flank.” Ischarus pulled slightly on the reigns and Elistra edged off the trail. Rhema spurred Shauvry into motion and Semeion spurred Thana behind her. As both these riders sprang forth into movement and brushed past Elistra, Ischarus motioned for Charis to go next. “I’ll go last. Hurry!” The gray figure looked at Ischarus. “You know those howls?” Ischarus smiled, and looked at the back of Charis. His foot dug hard into the stirrup and then shot back into Elistra’s side. The kick jolted his horse into movement. The gray figure matched Ischarus’ pace and followed along as Ischarus replied to his inquiry. “I don’t need to know those howls. I know enough about wolves back home to recognize the call of the pack. That’s what the two did when they retreated from our attack. They were calling the pack and my guess is that this was the pack answering.” The figure nodded as it continued to slide effortlessly above the ground. “I fear you are correct. I have heard those howls many times, and I believe they mean exactly what you say.” Ischarus ducked under a low branch as he continued the conversation. “If that is the case, those howls were not far off. The pack is not far from closing in on our position.” Ischarus dug in again and urged Elistra into greater speed. As he did, he heard the yelping of exited dogs running in motion as they closed in on the foursome of horses. Over top of the excited yelps Ischarus heard a voice calling out excitedly. Ischarus stood in his saddle and yelled to the riders ahead of him with all of his strength. “Hunting wolves closing!” It was all Ischarus could get out of his mouth before he heard a crash of flesh through the forest behind him. A snarl erupted in sound from behind him on the path. Ischarus could hear the snapping of a single jaw. Soon there was another crash of underbrush and an excited yelp. He thought he heard a similar voice as the one that had come from the frove that pinned Rhema to the ground. This voice spoke in a language Ischarus did not understand. The voice was answered by one of a much higher pitch. This voice Ischarus recognized immediately even without turning to see it. It was a goblin riding atop what he could only expect to be a frove. By his count, there were two froves and a goblin behind. Given their speed at closing in on the charging horses he knew that the froves were faster than the horses. Running was less and less becoming an option. His mind calculated the risks of fighting or being picked off one by one from the back. Again he rose in his saddle and yelled loudly. “Fight!” Once Ischarus had yelled, he leaned hard on the reigns and turned Elistra around to face his pursuers. As he went through the motions he noticed that he was wrong. There was not just one goblin rider. Each of the froves had a rider. The nearest frove stopped short upon seeing Ischarus turn to face him. As the frove planted its front feet, the goblin that was riding atop of was caught completely by surprise and it flew forward and planted itself headfirst into the side of Elistra. The frove lunged forward in a bite, but Ischarus immediately turned it astray with the flat of his blade. The goblin that was still mounted upon a frove reached behind its back and brought forth and arrow. The goblin snapped the arrow into place and sent it forward toward Ischarus. From atop his horse, Ischarus ducked behind his shield and the arrow bounced off harmlessly. While Ischarus was drawing the ire of the pursuers, Charis spun Abijou around and charged back toward Ischarus. She unfastened her pick from her belt and raised the weapon in a windmill strike. Back on Rhema’s father’s villa she had been taught a game played with a ball while being mounted in the saddle. This would be little different if she timed it right. Her goal was the goblin now lying at Elistra’s feet. Unfortunately for Charis, the pick sailed high and missed the creature on account of the goblin’s short stature. Rhema had also heard Ischarus call. She spun Shauvry around and smirked as she watched her friends peel around launch into attacking formation. She called forth her mental powers once more, although this time her goal wasn’t to harm the goblin mind she had entered. She didn’t even desire to create an obsession like she had done with the goblins before. “Look at me!” Rhema commanded the fallen goblin that Charis had just missed with her hammer. The goblin’s head snapped around on its shoulders and looked back at Rhema. The expression on its face told Rhema all she needed to know. “Charis, move on to a frove! The goblin is mine!” She turned her head to regain focus on the goblin. “Come to me!” The goblin hesitated, and then slowly walked towards Shauvry. The frove that still maintained its rider snarled, and its lips parted in speech. Neither Ischarus nor Charis understood the speech, but the goblin on top replied with its own voice in the same unfamiliar language. The goblin slid off of the frove’s back and the frove leapt forward into action. The beast sprang forward in an attempt to unhorse Ischarus. The valiant fighter used his sword as a lever and deflected the frove to the ground. The frove landed awkwardly on its back and exposed its more vulnerable belly to Ischarus. Semeion pulled back hard on the reigns and caused Thana to rise up onto her hind legs. As the horse rose up, Semeion also stood in the saddle and surveyed the battlefield. He spotted a legitimate target. He had used enough of his magic already today that he was averse to waste a spell unless it was necessary. As the horse returned to the ground, Semeion dug into his stirrups and called Thana to charge. “Hiya!” He had spotted a narrow opening between Charis and Ischarus and planned to charge through the gap on top of Thana. As the horse broke into its move, the frove that had first attacked Ischarus managed to slip out of the way of the charging mount. The goblin that had fired an arrow upon Ischarus couldn’t get out of the way. The horse kicked hard at the goblin as it passed by. The solid hooves struck the goblin twice. One blow came from each front foot. The goblin was bloodied and fell face first into the underbrush. It didn’t move once it came to rest. Ischarus smiled as Semeion used his mount to charge into action. He looked down upon the frove that had tried to unhorse him as the beast struggled to right itself from its bad fall. His sword slipped through the air, but the frove was able to twist out of the way. The other frove turned and faced Charis. She had been shifting Elistra into position for a strike. The frove lunged up and bit at Charis’ foot but missed. Instead the frove caught the bottom of Charis’ boot upon its jaw. Charis returned the strike and managed to hit the frove with her pick before it could leap out of the way. The frove gathered itself from the attack and leapt up again. This time the green eyed beast caught Charis on her leg. Red blood stained the maw of the frove and Charis’ stirrup dripped with blood. The bite attack had been worse that what Charis had hoped would happen and as she dug her foot into Abijou’s side a bloody print of her calf and foot was left on the abdomen of the horse. Despite the frove’s attempt to drag her from the saddle, Charis twisted her pick in her hand and stuck again in anger. Her blow drove the frove back to the ground, knocking it below Abijou’s feet. As the frove fell to the ground it dipped and twisted through Abijou’s steps as it avoided being tread upon and trampled to death. It was clear that this frove was experienced at fighting enemies from atop horses. Semeion noticed that the fight was touch and go between Charis and the frove. He spun Thana around and charged back alongside Charis. He was careful to avoid her striking lanes as he rode by Abijou. He let out a cheer as he rode along, alerting Charis that he was coming up behind her. The frove managed to partially dodge Thana’s charge, although it was struck by one of Thana’s hooves. Thana’s nostril’s flared as Semeion spun her around for another trampling run. It seemed as though the horse was enjoying beating the froves with its mighty hooves. The frove leapt up once more against Charis, but Charis took this attack much more seriously than the last one. When the attack was over, the frove had a bloody impression of the bottom of Charis’ stirrup plastered across his nose. Charis returned the strike and caught the frove behind its right front shoulder with the point of her pick. The frove yelped in a bit of a howl and backed up to survey the battlefield. As Semeion looked on, he couldn’t help but wonder if it was the goblins that were in charge of the froves or if the froves were the real brains behind the goblin tribe. What the frove saw when it surveyed the battlefield was the effects of several blows traded from Ischarus and the other frove. After Iscahrus missed the frove’s exposed underbelly, the frove rose to the ground and leapt once more trying to unhorse the rider. Ischarus deftly spun Elistra around as the frove leapt and cause the frove to slam into the much more sturdy neck of Elistra. The frove tumbled back to the ground and Ischarus followed the blow from Elistra’s muscular neck with one of his own. His sword cut through the frove’s hair and a thin trail of blood appeared across the frove’s back. The frove who was attacking Ischarus refused to give up and attacked again. This time the frove connected and caught hold of Ischarus’ forearm just above where his shield protected him. As the frove fell back to the ground, it clenched its teeth firmly in an attempt to unhorse Ischarus. Ischarus yanked back, freeing his arm from the bloody maw of the frove. The green eyed beast fell back to the ground and left a bloodied forearm behind in its wake. Ischarus turned Elistra around so that the frove was again on his sword side. Unfortunately his follow-up attack missed the frove high. The frove leapt up again, staying on the sword side of Ischarus. The jaw of the frove found nothing except the solid metal butt end of Ischarus’ hilt of his sword. Ischarus quickly swung the sword down and caught the frove as he fell back to the ground. Another trail of blood appeared within the thick mat of fur protecting the frove. This cut was along his side. The frove snarled at Ischarus and prepared to strike again. As it crouched in a ready stance to attack, the frove that had been attacking Charis called out to it in its foreign tongue. The frove looked to its left and saw that Semeion starting to charge again with Thana. The frove jumped backwards out of Semeion’s path and looked up into Ischarus’ eyes. As Ischarus returned the glare to the glowing green orbs of the frove, the beast spoke to him. “We will wear you down until there is nothing left, Drakontos. I have tasted your blood; I will eventually feast on your flesh.” The froves turned and leapt back into the undergrowth of the forest. Charis turned in the saddle to look at Rhema. She stood in her saddle and was watching the proceeding with a very obedient goblin standing to her left. Rhema’s face showed a smile as she looked upon her friends. She looked down at the goblin and spoke softly and gently. “See, Rashaak? I told you that your forces would not be victorious. But I also told you that your forces would be spared in spite of the attack that you brought on us. We didn’t ask to be attacked. You attacked us. But to show you our true greatness, we will care for your wounded. Watch.” Rhema nodded to Ischarus firmly and smiled. Ischarus picked up where Rhema had left off. “Charis, check on the goblin that Thana knocked into the forest. I’ll watch your back and make sure Abijou is safe.” Charis gave Ischarus a quick glance and the look questioned if this is an appropriate time to stop and care for the goblin. She knew the enemy’s main force couldn’t be far. Ischarus gave his head a quick and hardly noticeable jerk in Rashaak’s direction. Charis nodded, dismounted, and moved quickly to where the goblin had been knocked into the woods. She dragged the goblin’s body back to among the company and checked his vital signs. She applied pressure to some of his wounds and ensuring that the bleeding has stopped. She quickly stood up and gave her report. “He’s unconscious, but will live. He’ll have a mighty headache when he wakes, but he’ll get better.” Rhema smiled again, showing her extreme composure at a time when seconds meant everything. “Rashaak, look at me.” The goblin looked up at Rhema upon her horse. “As I have promised. He’ll live. Now stand here and wait for the hunting party to find you. Tell them that we intentionally did not kill any of your village. Tell them that we are merely moving through your territory and are not worth your effort.” Rashaak nodded. He was enraptured by Rhema’s mind control over him. Rhema carefully backed up to avoid threatening Rashaak with Shauvry’s hooves. Once Semeion had passed by both Charis and Ischarus, Rhema spurred Shauvry into motion and continued along the trail. This time, she took the lead. Semeion followed atop of Thana and saluted Rashaak as he passed by. Charis followed behind Semeion and as she looked at the tiny, charmed, and confused goblin she couldn’t help but give a pleasant smile and a wink to the goblin. As Ischarus followed in the rear position, he stowed his sword in its scabbard and patted the hilt as he rode by Rashaak. Even the light gray figure took a part in the act as it passed by Rashaak and maintained eye contact until he passed directly through a tree. The company surged forward through the trees, hoping to outrun the goblins and get out of their territory. Of course, nobody knew better than Charis that the owner of the next territory would likely not be any more forgiving.[/Sblock] [/QUOTE]
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