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<blockquote data-quote="Halford" data-source="post: 4549567" data-attributes="member: 64844"><p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">Chapter 2: Continued</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: left"></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Erf and Ter-raen's ranging had placed them a few hundred feet behind their companions, the Half-Orc wearing a pained expression as Erf described a recent encounter with a wood pecker in agonizing detail.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Up ahead Gildrim and Cyian caught sight of a man in bright yellow and purple motley as he stepped out of the undergrowth a good fifty feet in front of them. "Pardon, friends!" he called, with a bow and a flourish of his jingling cap. "Please, stop a moment on your tiresome journey and listen to my sorry tale! It all began on a day much like this, fair as a maiden's kiss, as I walked along this very road, a song in my heart and a smile on my lips. I was thinking, you see, of fair Esmerelda, the daughter of the Johannes Stronginthearm, and the most beautiful girl I had ever seen in my young life, when suddenly I heard..."</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">"Ah ken when somebody's tryin' tae fest talk me," Gildrim interrupted unimpressed, having spotted more men attempting to approach under cover of the trees, he shook his head. "Yer bein' awfu' quiet thaur, lads, but Ah kin see ye well enaw tae ken ye're makin' a big mistake," he warned conversationally as he drew his sword and took up a defensive stance.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Cyian stood dumbfounded, more by the clothes than the mans voice, and listened to the story unfold utterly fascinated. Gildrim's nod directed him to the hidden men and their threatening advance was enough to snap him out of his revelry. Hands shaking slightly he reached for his sling and girded himself for battle attempting to duplicate the dwarf's defensive stance.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Spying Gildrim's hand going to his sword Erf and Ter-raen exchanged glances and surged forward to their companion's aide. Erf, silent for once, leaned in close to Fenenn's back as the great Wolfhound let out a baying howl and galloped forward. Ter-raen raced forward, determined not to let the party come to harm!</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">"You're nearly as clumsy as my minions. I had meant to capture you without violence, but it seems that you wish to do things the hard way. Very well. Feel the wrath of Carlos Cloudsong!" With that, he raised his hands and gestured theatrically, throwing a shower of rose petals into the air and beginning to chant in a strange arcane tongue.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Cyian reached for a bullet in the pouch at his hip. Why was the man throwing flowers? He wondered as he stifled a yawn. Beside him Gildrim to was yawning, and the packed dirt beneath their feet suddenly appeared mighty inviting.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">The thugs motivated by Ter-raen's charge emerged from the treeline and fired their short bows at the barbarian. The first arrow struck home sprouting from Ter-raen's thigh, but he managed to twist out of the path of the second arrow. The third arrow flew harmlessly into the woods. The Half-Orc merely snarled and wrenched the bloody shaft free.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Fighting off the soporific effects of Carlos' spell Cyian took aim with his sling and let rip, the bullet rocketed forward with pin-point accuracy and struck Cloudsong in the throat cutting off his chant and abruptly freeing Cyian and Gildrim from their lethargy as the bandit spluttered for breath..</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Gildrim charged the nearest archer, but as his arm seized up as he looked the man in the eye and his two handed sword sweep went wide. His opponent sneered and stabbed him in the shoulder sending dwarven blood spilling out onto the ground.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Glad that he had their attention, Ter-raen clenched his teeth against the pain, and closed with the nearest ambusher. He barely connected with the thug, but still whetted his blade with blood. The man, whose eyes bulged with fear, dropped his bow and pulled a sword, he tried to strike at the Half-Orc, but Ter-raen's shield knocked his blade aside giving the barbarian the opening he needed to </span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Frustrated at the loss of his spell Cloudsong snarled and moved up to Cyian drawing his rapier and narrowing his eyes. Cyian swallowed as he stepped back and launched another sling bullet which flew almost straight upward in his panic, Cloudsong grinned nastily at this and the boy turned to Gildrim mouthing, “Help?”</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Meanwhile Erf and Fenenn barreled into the thug engaged with Ter-raen dodging an arrow as they come. The beleaguered villain stabbed unsuccessfully at the Wolfhound which was savaging his leg, while a tiny green man gamely jabbed at him with a ludicrously small dagger, and a massive Half-Orc loomed over him. The thug's subconscious mind was also trying to decipher Erf's insults, what on earth was a blaggard? He managed to land one last blow on the Half-Orc before Ter-raen swept past his defenses and decapitated him.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Gildrim growled into his beard as he jabbed ineffectually at the legs of his attacker. Groaning he swung his shield off his shoulder and into position. "Ah'm ready noo, laddie," he said. Carlos closed the distance to Cyian with a charge ending in a powerful lunge, which glanced off the young man's helm sending the bandit staggering as his momentum carried him forward. Catching a blow from the thug on his shield Gildrim willed Cyian to stand.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Cyian could not believe his luck, but he did not count on it lasting! He stared for a second before scrambling out of the mad man's way. Drawing his sword he waved it optimistically at Carlos, in the hope of driving his aggressor back, but was shocked as the blade bite first through armor and into soft flesh. Holding the blade unsteadily, he pointed directly at Cloudsong,"You'll get mor..more of the same if you don't surrender." He managed to squeak gulping at his own audacity.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">The remaining thug charged Fenenn, but snagged his sword as he attempted to pull it free and was soon being savaged by the big dog. Ter-raen roared and struck the fellow's exposed arm, severing it just below the shoulder. The man screamed and collapsed in a shower of blood his screams ripping through the quiet forest around them. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">"Fenenn, lets teach these bullies a lesson they won't soon forget! Wow Ter-raen that was amazing! Lets finish off these blaggards! Nip over here so I can give you a bit of healing when you get a chance, you don't look so good!" Erf enthused, a gnome for whom villains were villains – heroes were supposed to kill them.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">"Keep your chins up mates we've got'em by the naggers! Be with you in a second!" The little green gnome called urging Fenenn into a gallop towards his beleaguered friends. The great Wolf hound followed Erf's direction unerringly and raced forward sinking his fangs into the thug's thigh drawing blood and dragging him from his feet. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left"></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Carlos sneers, but looks faintly worried. He took a step back, and pulled a scroll from a belt pouch, which he proceeded to read. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">"Th' popinjay's castin' anither spell!" called Gildrim. Distracted, he swings <u><a href="http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1617787/" target="_blank">wildly</a></u> at his opponent and sidles backwards again. The last remaining thug, white-faced and covered in blood, stepped backward and poked his blade at at Erf, but in his caution he doesn't reach quite far enough, and the attack is deflected by the gnome's leather armor. Emboldened Erf risks running behind his opponent, seeking to cut off his retreat. The fellow swings, but Erf is simply too small a target, and the distractions enables the wolfhound to sink his teeth into the man's arm.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Encouraged by his success, Ter-raen joined the fray swinging his bloody scimitar in a downward slash at the surviving ambusher's knees and with another massive blow, severing both of the man's legs. The thug tumbled to the floor dead before he hit, and blood gouted forward onto the hard packed dirt of the road.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Carlos dropped the spent scroll, now just an empty piece of paper, and drew himself up to his full height of five feet and ten inches - in his cap. "You haven't seen the last of Carlos Cloudsong!" he announced with as much gravitas as he could muster. Then he turned tail and fled, somehow moving with superhuman speed! Clearly the result of the scroll.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Erf growled and spurred Fenenn after the brigand at top speed. Cyian watched the man back up, attempted to strike him, but missed Carlos with a clumsy lunge.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Watching Erf hair after the bandit Cyian retrieved his shield and slipped it over his arm looking over at Gildrim. "What now?" he asked the dwarf – realizing that he and the dwarf had no chance in the high speed pursuit. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Ter-raen felt quite satisfied that skills had been demonstrated having taken care of two ambushers. However, upon seeing the gnome and his pet rush forward towards the further fleeing ambusher, he to joined the pursuit, thinking that he better follow in case there were anymore men lurking in the woods and also wondering at the gnomes apparent bloodlust. "Following the gnome!" He bellowed to Cyian and Gildrim as he hurtled past them, his long legs eating up the road.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">"Mah legs ur too short tae be chasin' efter awbody, an' dwarves ur nae at their best amang th' trees." Gildrim complained picking up a discarded short sword "Spoils ay war, laddie," he says, presenting it to Cyian. "Keep an eye oot fur th' ane that got awa', but let's search th' twa dead anes, ur whit's left ay them."</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Cyian took the sword from Gildrim." War?... did you say ones? Oh," Cyian put a hand to his stomach." No you go ahead, I'll stay here and catch my breath and wait for Erf and Ter-raen." The color drained from the youngster's face as he caught sight of the red tinge on the tip of his sword. He raised a hand to Gildrim turned and vomited sinking to his knees, and wretching again until he had emptied the contents of his stomach. Gildrim studiously ignored Cyian as he set to searching the bodies, a grim, but necessary task.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Gildrim blew a puff of air from between his cheeks relieved the gruesome task was over and done with. He had cleaned the items as best he could and strapped one sword to his hip, and stowed another in his pack.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">"Ye kin ne'er hae tay many blades, an' we kin fin' a use fur the bows, Ah daur say. Th' hauf-orc micht wan' this. Wa nae tak' th' other, Cyian? Better than yer sling, althoogh it saw us through weel! Verra cliver, lad.... Ah dinnae wan' tae think whit would hae happent if he'd feenished that spell. Do ye ken whit he wis castin', wi' th' flouers?" Gildrim said shaking his head.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">"We hae nae use fur th' armoor, an' it's unchancie tae tak' a deid man's armoor just tae sell it, eh, lad? Ah dinnae fancy strippin' it off them, aither. Th' gauld belangs tae th' ither twa, by richts," he announced firmly. "Mad dafties, runnin' off! Ah dinnae wan' tae stay put, waitin'... Let's head on doon th' road an' they kin meet up wi' us again."</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">Erf and Ter-raen persue Cloudsong, the gnome even firing off a few slingshots that go comically wide of their target, but eventually Carlos' magically enhanced speed tells and they loose him in the trees. Erf, however, refuses to give up and sets Fenenn on the trail the big dog snuffling along the forest floor. Fenenn bounded confidently through the woods, hot on the trail of what Erf sincerely hoped was Carlos, and not a squirrel or butterfly. After nearly an hour of clambering through vines, brambles, and the occasional stretch of open ground, the ground fell away to reveal a small stream flowing lazily eastward, breaking the trail. The ground was very soft, and Erf and Ter-raen ranged up and down the banks hopefully, but a scant hundred feet downriver, the stream dissolved into a swampy area: their first sight of the Grellgo fens. Despite their best efforts Carlos was gone – much to Erf's chagrin, bad guys were not supposed to get away!</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"></p> <p style="text-align: left"><span style="color: white">They made their way back to the site of the battle, to find only the bodies of the slain bandits, still wearing their bloodstained studded leather. Fenenn's nose quickly revealed that the others had continued southwards on the road, and with their greater speed, Erf and Ter-raen caught up to them sometime in the late afternoon.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left"></p> <p style="text-align: left">OOC: Further editing needed I know. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Halford, post: 4549567, member: 64844"] [CENTER] Chapter 2: Continued [/CENTER] [LEFT] [COLOR=white]Erf and Ter-raen's ranging had placed them a few hundred feet behind their companions, the Half-Orc wearing a pained expression as Erf described a recent encounter with a wood pecker in agonizing detail.[/COLOR] [COLOR=white] [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Up ahead Gildrim and Cyian caught sight of a man in bright yellow and purple motley as he stepped out of the undergrowth a good fifty feet in front of them. "Pardon, friends!" he called, with a bow and a flourish of his jingling cap. "Please, stop a moment on your tiresome journey and listen to my sorry tale! It all began on a day much like this, fair as a maiden's kiss, as I walked along this very road, a song in my heart and a smile on my lips. I was thinking, you see, of fair Esmerelda, the daughter of the Johannes Stronginthearm, and the most beautiful girl I had ever seen in my young life, when suddenly I heard..."[/COLOR] [COLOR=white] [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]"Ah ken when somebody's tryin' tae fest talk me," Gildrim interrupted unimpressed, having spotted more men attempting to approach under cover of the trees, he shook his head. "Yer bein' awfu' quiet thaur, lads, but Ah kin see ye well enaw tae ken ye're makin' a big mistake," he warned conversationally as he drew his sword and took up a defensive stance.[/COLOR] [COLOR=white] [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Cyian stood dumbfounded, more by the clothes than the mans voice, and listened to the story unfold utterly fascinated. Gildrim's nod directed him to the hidden men and their threatening advance was enough to snap him out of his revelry. Hands shaking slightly he reached for his sling and girded himself for battle attempting to duplicate the dwarf's defensive stance.[/COLOR] [COLOR=white] [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Spying Gildrim's hand going to his sword Erf and Ter-raen exchanged glances and surged forward to their companion's aide. Erf, silent for once, leaned in close to Fenenn's back as the great Wolfhound let out a baying howl and galloped forward. Ter-raen raced forward, determined not to let the party come to harm![/COLOR] [COLOR=white]"You're nearly as clumsy as my minions. I had meant to capture you without violence, but it seems that you wish to do things the hard way. Very well. Feel the wrath of Carlos Cloudsong!" With that, he raised his hands and gestured theatrically, throwing a shower of rose petals into the air and beginning to chant in a strange arcane tongue.[/COLOR] [COLOR=white] [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Cyian reached for a bullet in the pouch at his hip. Why was the man throwing flowers? He wondered as he stifled a yawn. Beside him Gildrim to was yawning, and the packed dirt beneath their feet suddenly appeared mighty inviting. The thugs motivated by Ter-raen's charge emerged from the treeline and fired their short bows at the barbarian. The first arrow struck home sprouting from Ter-raen's thigh, but he managed to twist out of the path of the second arrow. The third arrow flew harmlessly into the woods. The Half-Orc merely snarled and wrenched the bloody shaft free. Fighting off the soporific effects of Carlos' spell Cyian took aim with his sling and let rip, the bullet rocketed forward with pin-point accuracy and struck Cloudsong in the throat cutting off his chant and abruptly freeing Cyian and Gildrim from their lethargy as the bandit spluttered for breath..[/COLOR] [COLOR=white] [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Gildrim charged the nearest archer, but as his arm seized up as he looked the man in the eye and his two handed sword sweep went wide. His opponent sneered and stabbed him in the shoulder sending dwarven blood spilling out onto the ground.[/COLOR] [COLOR=white] [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Glad that he had their attention, Ter-raen clenched his teeth against the pain, and closed with the nearest ambusher. He barely connected with the thug, but still whetted his blade with blood. The man, whose eyes bulged with fear, dropped his bow and pulled a sword, he tried to strike at the Half-Orc, but Ter-raen's shield knocked his blade aside giving the barbarian the opening he needed to [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Frustrated at the loss of his spell Cloudsong snarled and moved up to Cyian drawing his rapier and narrowing his eyes. Cyian swallowed as he stepped back and launched another sling bullet which flew almost straight upward in his panic, Cloudsong grinned nastily at this and the boy turned to Gildrim mouthing, “Help?”[/COLOR] [COLOR=white] [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Meanwhile Erf and Fenenn barreled into the thug engaged with Ter-raen dodging an arrow as they come. The beleaguered villain stabbed unsuccessfully at the Wolfhound which was savaging his leg, while a tiny green man gamely jabbed at him with a ludicrously small dagger, and a massive Half-Orc loomed over him. The thug's subconscious mind was also trying to decipher Erf's insults, what on earth was a blaggard? He managed to land one last blow on the Half-Orc before Ter-raen swept past his defenses and decapitated him.[/COLOR] [COLOR=white] [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Gildrim growled into his beard as he jabbed ineffectually at the legs of his attacker. Groaning he swung his shield off his shoulder and into position. "Ah'm ready noo, laddie," he said. Carlos closed the distance to Cyian with a charge ending in a powerful lunge, which glanced off the young man's helm sending the bandit staggering as his momentum carried him forward. Catching a blow from the thug on his shield Gildrim willed Cyian to stand.[/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Cyian could not believe his luck, but he did not count on it lasting! He stared for a second before scrambling out of the mad man's way. Drawing his sword he waved it optimistically at Carlos, in the hope of driving his aggressor back, but was shocked as the blade bite first through armor and into soft flesh. Holding the blade unsteadily, he pointed directly at Cloudsong,"You'll get mor..more of the same if you don't surrender." He managed to squeak gulping at his own audacity.[/COLOR] [COLOR=white]The remaining thug charged Fenenn, but snagged his sword as he attempted to pull it free and was soon being savaged by the big dog. Ter-raen roared and struck the fellow's exposed arm, severing it just below the shoulder. The man screamed and collapsed in a shower of blood his screams ripping through the quiet forest around them. [/COLOR] [COLOR=white] [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]"Fenenn, lets teach these bullies a lesson they won't soon forget! Wow Ter-raen that was amazing! Lets finish off these blaggards! Nip over here so I can give you a bit of healing when you get a chance, you don't look so good!" Erf enthused, a gnome for whom villains were villains – heroes were supposed to kill them.[/COLOR] [COLOR=white] [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]"Keep your chins up mates we've got'em by the naggers! Be with you in a second!" The little green gnome called urging Fenenn into a gallop towards his beleaguered friends. The great Wolf hound followed Erf's direction unerringly and raced forward sinking his fangs into the thug's thigh drawing blood and dragging him from his feet. [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Carlos sneers, but looks faintly worried. He took a step back, and pulled a scroll from a belt pouch, which he proceeded to read. [/COLOR] [COLOR=white] [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]"Th' popinjay's castin' anither spell!" called Gildrim. Distracted, he swings [U][URL="http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1617787/"]wildly[/URL][/U] at his opponent and sidles backwards again. The last remaining thug, white-faced and covered in blood, stepped backward and poked his blade at at Erf, but in his caution he doesn't reach quite far enough, and the attack is deflected by the gnome's leather armor. Emboldened Erf risks running behind his opponent, seeking to cut off his retreat. The fellow swings, but Erf is simply too small a target, and the distractions enables the wolfhound to sink his teeth into the man's arm.[/COLOR] [COLOR=white] [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Encouraged by his success, Ter-raen joined the fray swinging his bloody scimitar in a downward slash at the surviving ambusher's knees and with another massive blow, severing both of the man's legs. The thug tumbled to the floor dead before he hit, and blood gouted forward onto the hard packed dirt of the road. Carlos dropped the spent scroll, now just an empty piece of paper, and drew himself up to his full height of five feet and ten inches - in his cap. "You haven't seen the last of Carlos Cloudsong!" he announced with as much gravitas as he could muster. Then he turned tail and fled, somehow moving with superhuman speed! Clearly the result of the scroll.[/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Erf growled and spurred Fenenn after the brigand at top speed. Cyian watched the man back up, attempted to strike him, but missed Carlos with a clumsy lunge.[/COLOR] [COLOR=white] [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Watching Erf hair after the bandit Cyian retrieved his shield and slipped it over his arm looking over at Gildrim. "What now?" he asked the dwarf – realizing that he and the dwarf had no chance in the high speed pursuit. [/COLOR] [COLOR=white] [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Ter-raen felt quite satisfied that skills had been demonstrated having taken care of two ambushers. However, upon seeing the gnome and his pet rush forward towards the further fleeing ambusher, he to joined the pursuit, thinking that he better follow in case there were anymore men lurking in the woods and also wondering at the gnomes apparent bloodlust. "Following the gnome!" He bellowed to Cyian and Gildrim as he hurtled past them, his long legs eating up the road.[/COLOR] [COLOR=white] [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]"Mah legs ur too short tae be chasin' efter awbody, an' dwarves ur nae at their best amang th' trees." Gildrim complained picking up a discarded short sword "Spoils ay war, laddie," he says, presenting it to Cyian. "Keep an eye oot fur th' ane that got awa', but let's search th' twa dead anes, ur whit's left ay them."[/COLOR] [COLOR=white] [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Cyian took the sword from Gildrim." War?... did you say ones? Oh," Cyian put a hand to his stomach." No you go ahead, I'll stay here and catch my breath and wait for Erf and Ter-raen." The color drained from the youngster's face as he caught sight of the red tinge on the tip of his sword. He raised a hand to Gildrim turned and vomited sinking to his knees, and wretching again until he had emptied the contents of his stomach. Gildrim studiously ignored Cyian as he set to searching the bodies, a grim, but necessary task.[/COLOR] [COLOR=white] [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Gildrim blew a puff of air from between his cheeks relieved the gruesome task was over and done with. He had cleaned the items as best he could and strapped one sword to his hip, and stowed another in his pack. "Ye kin ne'er hae tay many blades, an' we kin fin' a use fur the bows, Ah daur say. Th' hauf-orc micht wan' this. Wa nae tak' th' other, Cyian? Better than yer sling, althoogh it saw us through weel! Verra cliver, lad.... Ah dinnae wan' tae think whit would hae happent if he'd feenished that spell. Do ye ken whit he wis castin', wi' th' flouers?" Gildrim said shaking his head. "We hae nae use fur th' armoor, an' it's unchancie tae tak' a deid man's armoor just tae sell it, eh, lad? Ah dinnae fancy strippin' it off them, aither. Th' gauld belangs tae th' ither twa, by richts," he announced firmly. "Mad dafties, runnin' off! Ah dinnae wan' tae stay put, waitin'... Let's head on doon th' road an' they kin meet up wi' us again."[/COLOR] [COLOR=white] [/COLOR] [COLOR=white]Erf and Ter-raen persue Cloudsong, the gnome even firing off a few slingshots that go comically wide of their target, but eventually Carlos' magically enhanced speed tells and they loose him in the trees. Erf, however, refuses to give up and sets Fenenn on the trail the big dog snuffling along the forest floor. Fenenn bounded confidently through the woods, hot on the trail of what Erf sincerely hoped was Carlos, and not a squirrel or butterfly. After nearly an hour of clambering through vines, brambles, and the occasional stretch of open ground, the ground fell away to reveal a small stream flowing lazily eastward, breaking the trail. The ground was very soft, and Erf and Ter-raen ranged up and down the banks hopefully, but a scant hundred feet downriver, the stream dissolved into a swampy area: their first sight of the Grellgo fens. Despite their best efforts Carlos was gone – much to Erf's chagrin, bad guys were not supposed to get away![/COLOR] [COLOR=white]They made their way back to the site of the battle, to find only the bodies of the slain bandits, still wearing their bloodstained studded leather. Fenenn's nose quickly revealed that the others had continued southwards on the road, and with their greater speed, Erf and Ter-raen caught up to them sometime in the late afternoon.[/COLOR] OOC: Further editing needed I know. :D[/LEFT] [/QUOTE]
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