Bordell's Tales, Chapter 1 : Two faces.

[Velmont]

"They must have talked about the old empire of Medina. The empire have split apart a century ago and since that time, the city-states have waged war against each other. The desert of El Jem is poor in ressources. To survive, you must trade or conquer. The old empire was a great trading power, now the broken empire is just a large battlefield. Gailian mercenary are almost sure to find job over there. Many commoner try there chance over there. One year or two of work, and you will have gained enough money to pay you what you need to start a nice living... that if you don't drink or play your wage, or you survive that time.

And do you think there is a relation between Leopol and the two meeting we had?"

 

[Jdvn1]

Xavier shakes his head. "Probably not a direct relation, at least. Leopol does have renown, though, so if he were with us, we would be more likely to be recognized. No one would try to bother Sir Leopol Stone."

After a brief thought, he continues, "It is not for sure, though. Leopol is famous, but I do not know how far his reputation spreads."

 

[Velmont]

"For now, I don't see anything strange. Sylvain decide to take us alone because he knew me, but Bellmon and Leopol was spied by his man. And we were on the territory of his baron. Those mercenary were a bit too hungry. They might have spotted us some time before and they decide to let Leopol pass unarmed so they can have the big shot. They just understimated us. Cost them much.

Leopol is well known, but even if his name will tell something to many, the people who could recognize him a few outside the rock."

You continue your travel without any otehr venets. When you finally arrive at the village, Leopol come to meet you.

"I've finally found the friend of mine. We will have the chance to sleep in his house. His family have left for the wedding fo a cousin, leaving him alone to take care of the animals."

You pass a good night around the chimney, eating a simple but filling meal offered by your host. You leaves the day after, but not befroe giving a few gold piece to the farmer, who finally accept them after having refuse it at least five times. Seems Leopol is more stubborn than your host.

On the road Leopol says to the group. "We will pass teh border before noon. I don't think we will fall on barbarian today, but stay alert, hunting group sometimes come as far the borders. They will generally leave us alone, but if there hunt is bad, they might decide to come back with your equipment instead..."

OOC: I will make things advance a bit more only next week, but feel free to roleplay at any moment describe here, he kinght will surely be happy to answer Xavier interrogations.

 

[Velmont]

You leaves behind you the cultivated fields and the road to travel over the prairies. Miles after miles, the number of tree grow until you enter a light forest. The only life you meet are birds and squirrels that flew at your sight. During the evening, you start to to grow tired by the hard ride and the sun that hit you with all his might. The trees are still too scarces to protect you properly from the sun rays. Leopol told you you will stop in one hour to make the camp. At a moment, you feel your eyes close. You open it quickly, knowing that you must fight the fatigue. It is at that moment you percieve a movement on your right. You look but it seems your imagination play you tricks. A few minutes after, you see again some movements. That time, you are quite sure it is no trick of your imagination, but you can't tell what it is...

 

[Jdvn1]

Xavier is clearly grateful to be spending a night inside a moderately warm building. He is used to larger, more fortified structures, but anything is better than being exposed to the weather. "Your hospitality is much appreciated. How do you know Sir Stone?" Xavier takes care to thank Leopol's friend and also makes sure to eat well and sleep comfortably. The next meal may be in a long time.

The next morning, Xavier thanks the friend again and readies the horses. "Do we have anything to fear from hunting parties? Certainly they are not trained in combat like we are."

After riding for a while, Xavier grows more and more tired. The heat and the travel is getting to him--the memory of the last meal is still fresh in his mind. Sir Bordell sees something, though. He's sure he saw something. In one motion, he draws his sword, "Gentlemen, there is something or someone in our vicinity."

ooc: Using Detect Evil and looking around

 

[Velmont]

You mind had wandered on the night before. You remember the story of the farmer who has been saved by Stone during a raid of the barbarian. Stone have been alone figthing three warriors to protect the man and his family. His daugther has been hit by a barbarian, but the wound that wouldn't had been mortal in normal condition have almost kill the girl who had been weaken by a sickness in the summer. Both his warrior and healer skill have saved the girl. The movement your eye catched wake you from this daydreaming.

"They might not be trained in warefare, but don't understimate them. Two against one will be a good match for you, Xavier. They are use to teamwork and they are stronger than a peasant who have work in his fields for years."

Those words come back to you, so you quickly draw your sword and stay on your guard. You scan the surrounding asking Cryan to point you any enemies near you, but you detect nothing, but your eyes catch a glimpse of brown furs, but you havn't been able to identify what creature it was.

Kriegspire, who is walking front, draw his sword two and slow down, so he he come to your height. Leopol, who was closing the march advance at the level of Bellmon and behind you. You square formation will allow you not to be taken in braket.

At one moment, you see some stone flying at you. They are tied with ropes. You have the reflex to put your sword in the way, but you see two late that you have done what your opponent wanted you to do. The weight of the stones unbalance you sword. You lose your grip on your weaponand you almost injure your wrist. You here a horse falling on the ground. You see that Bellmon is now rolling on the ground, his horse forleg having been tied by one of the bola. Leopol horse sidestep and recieve the bola on his side, without any apparent effect. One thrown at Kriespire have miss him as he duck.

One barbarian get out of the bush and charge you with a club in his hand. Two others charge Leopol, two Kriegspire and one charge on Bellmon who is jumping back on his feat, his shield in front, a dagger in his hand, as his sword have fallen two meters from him in his fall.

 

[Jdvn1]

ooc: My sword is on the ground, right? If I retrieve it, I can just slip off the bolas, right?

 

[Velmont]

OOC: The sword is now on the ground, at less than 5 feet from you. The bolas isn't attached anymore to your sword, it has already slipped, but you're still on your horse.

 

[Jdvn1]

Xavier drops to the ground, picks up his sword, and runs to help Bellmon, charging his opponent. "Bellmon, try to get your sword!"

 

[Velmont]

You jump down your horse. As you arrive next to your sword, the hunter who is charging you grab you and try to pin you to the ground. You try to dodge, but your opponent barely get a hold on you. He quickly try to secure his hold, but you defend yourself well. With a little trick of his arm, he lock his position and keep his hold.

You hear the sound of wood against metal, but your cannot see what is happening, lock into close-combat with your opponent.

OOC: I don't include the rolls and technicality to have a smoother story line. If you prefer, I could include them...