[FR] The Seven Swords of Myth Drannor...[Updated 5/03/2003]
- Thread starter Celtavian
- Start date
On the road conclusion...
A few hours later…
“Only a little farther now” Holly said cheerily “and we’ll be in Milbourne. After we get a good nights rest, we’ll only have about another day until we reach Thurmaster. We can deliver our package and then decide where to travel next. I was thinking of maybe heading east to the Vast. I bet that would be a good place to seek our fortunes. What do you think Laethan, The Vast sound like a good place to adventure?”
Laethan did not know much about The Vast save that it was a wide open place where a man could make a name for himself if he were able to survive a life of hard adventuring. “The Vast seems as good a place as any to seek our fortune” he replied while smiling pleasantly at Holly.
Laethan was beginning to have strong feelings for Holly. The young girl was a never-ending source of joy and her ability to make long, arduous travel seem like a walk in a field of flowers only served to strengthen his feelings. At this point, he probably would have followed her into the hells if that was where she wished to go. Anyhow, luck had been with them thus far and it seemed as though this would be the easiest coin Laethan had ever made. How could he go wrong continuing to travel with Holly?
“Good, The Vast it is then. We’ll spend a few days wandering Haranshire, then off we go on a new journey into the unknown” Holly smiled. She loved to travel to new places, and the idea of traveling to The Vast excited her. She had never been to frontier lands, and The Vast was known as an untamed land filled with danger and wonder.
The two companions had been on the road for seven days now. The road they were traveling on was little more than a wide dirt trail with forest on both sides as far as the eye could see. The travel itself had been easy and food and drink along the way plentiful. They had had no trouble with bandits or orcs and had met mostly farmers bringing food to the market. They had made good time covering over 80 miles in the seven days they had been on the road, and they planned to reach Milbourne before nightfall.
Archametes and Tavitha carefully studied the two figures walking up the road. One figure was a human woman, little more than a girl really. She was small and wore a friendly smile on her beautiful dark face. The other figure was a large human man with a handsome face and a grim expression. Neither figure looked like the evil sort that one might associate with dark sorcery. Archametes begin to doubt that the human men were anything more than highway robbers seeking to steal whatever valuables the two figures carried.
“I doubt the woman is a necromancer or the man a servant” Archametes said as he took his bow from the case on his back. “These men mean to rob these travelers.”
“Agreed, brother, we must help them, but there are too many men for us to battle them all” Tavitha replied also taking her bow from the case on her back. “What do you suggest we do?”
Archametes thought for a few moments. “We will attack the two archers hidden in the bushes on our side of the road. This should alert the travelers to the ambush. Let us hope they are skilled enough to do battle with the other men while we dispatch the archers.”
The two elves quickly and quietly moved from tree to tree until they came to a position that allowed them a clear shot at the two human archers. They drew their bowstrings to fire at the archers as the archers drew their bowstrings to fire at the two oncoming figures.
Ahead, Laethan and Holly watched a group of farmers round a bend in the road. The farmers were walking in their direction at a steady pace. They did not carry any bundles or lead any beasts of burden as farmers usually did, but Holly and Laethan both failed to notice this oddity.
As the groups drew closer to each other, the lead man, a stocky, dark-haired man with a club stuck in his belt nodded in Laethan and Holly’s direction. “G’day” he said as a smile crossed his face.
Holly smiled back and nodded, “Good day sir. May Shaundakul protect you…”
Her words were cut short as she heard Laethan groan in pain. Her head snapped around to see what had happened. Laethan’s face was covered in sweat and two arrow shafts protruded from his chest.
Holly quickly surveyed the surrounding country side. She spied two men with bows amongst the trees on the left side of the road looking in their direction; the men had been well-concealed by trees and bush. On the other side of the road, two other men were shouting and firing arrows into the woods at what she could not tell.
Holly grabbed Laethan’s arm and pulled him towards the forest while running for cover herself, “To the trees, seek cover. We are being ambushed.”
The farmers gave Holly and Laethan little time to react. The lead man who had smiled at them suddenly drew his club, “C’mon lads. Let’s get to it.”
The other farmers threw down their pitchforks and farming tools, and drew weighted saps. They rushed forward just as Laethan regained his wits and followed Holly towards the cover of the trees. Laethan could barely stand and his chest burned with pain where the arrowheads were stuck in his flesh. He could feel his warm wet blood seeping from the wounds beneath his chain shirt.
Holly and Laethan made it to a small group of trees not far from where they had been ambushed on the road. Holly looked at Laethan with concern. “Get behind the trees Laethan, I’ll hold off these brigands.” She drew her greatsword from the sheathe on her back and held it ready while staring down the onrushing brigands. “Stand fast you brigands or face my blade.”
The lead man stopped a short ways from where she stood, “Surround her lads. Use only your saps. She won’t be able to get all of us and there’ll me more gold for those still standing at the end.”
At the lead man’s command, the men rushed forward. Holly swung her blade fiercely at the first man to come near her. Her blade clove his head from his shoulders splattering blood in all directions as his body fell in a heap and twitched for a few moments before laying still upon the ground, a pool of blood steadily forming where his head had once been.
The remaining men surrounded her on all sides and begin to strike at her. She ducked and bobbed trying to avoid the blows, but occasionally she felt the dull thud of a sap strike her body bruising her flesh and taking some of the fight out of her with each successful blow.
Laethan leaned against a tree. He could hardly see Holly amongst the men that surrounded her. All he could make out was her bloody greatsword rising and falling as she swung her blade in a fury trying to fend off her attackers. ‘Must help her’ Laethan thought as he snapped off one of the arrow shafts lodged in his chest.
Laethan drew his greatsword and stumbled forward. He was in a state of shock from his wounds and felt weak. Yet, even in such a state, he could not bear to leave Holly to fight alone.
The lead man, Carlanis, had been watching Laethan closely hoping he was too wounded to help in the battle. When he saw the warrior stumble from the tree he was leaning against, greatsword in hand, he moved to finish the warrior. “So, you’ve still got fight in you, eh lad. We’ll see how much fight you’ve left when I crush your stinking skull” he snarled.
Not far away amongst the trees, the wood elves were exchanging arrows with the human archers. No one had yet been seriously wounded and Archametes grew weary of the exchange.
“Tavitha, this exchange brings no victory. I am going to close the distance and engage them blade to blade” Archametes yelled as he fired an arrow and advanced from the cover of the trees.
“Be careful Archametes. I am going to make my way to where the humans are. The human man was struck by arrows. I must bring him the healing touch of Eilistraee. I shall return brother.” Tavitha fired an arrow and ran to the cover of another tree making her way to where the humans were fighting each other. Her long red hair flowed behind her like a trail of flame.
Archametes ran forward through the trees dropping his bow and drawing his longsword. The human archers launched another volley of arrows at the onrushing wood elf before he burst through the trees upon them.
“He’s on us lads. Ready your blades and watch out for the wood elf wench that was with him” the man closest to Archametes warned as he dropped his bow and drew his own longsword.
Archametes lunged forward slashing the man across his chest. “Don’t refer to my sister as a wench, you human cur. For such an insult, you shall pay with your blood” he promised.
The other archer dropped his bow and drew his sword as well. Both men joined the battle with the wood elf while shouting for help. One of the “farmers” heard their shouts and left the fight with Holly. The man arrived before Archametes could dispatch one of the archers and he was now beset by a total of three brigands.
Before Laethan took another step forward, he heard a woman’s voice behind him. He turned around and saw a stunningly beautiful elven woman with long coppery-red hair and kindly emerald green eyes. She was approaching him quickly with the palm of her hand extended towards him.
“I come to aid in the name of Eilistraee. Do not fear my touch for I am gifted by Eilistraee with the power to heal” she said as she approached him.
Laethan had not the strength to argue and made no move to bar her approach. He could only hope she spoke the truth.
She touched him with her extended palm while chanting a short prayer in elvish. Laethan suddenly felt a cold, yet invigorating sensation causing the pain of his wounds to lessen and his strength to return. She had not lied and Laethan was glad for the aid.
Laethan turned his attention to Carlanis who was fast approaching him with club in hand. He moved to meet Carlanis, “You cowardly brigand. I’ve enough fight in me to deal with the likes of you.”
Carlanis swung his club viciously at Laethan who barely managed to dodge the blow. Laethan swung his greatsword at Carlanis in return. To Laethan’s surprise, Carlanis avoided the blow even though the armor he wore was little more than padded clothing. Laethan knew then that he faced a formidable enemy. Carlanis possessed the confidence of an experienced warrior, and showed no signs of fear though Laethan was much bettered armed and armored.
“I must help my brother. He fights more brigands in the woods. I shall return” Tavitha said to Laethan as she ran back the way she had come.
The fight between Archametes and the humans did not last long. Archametes bested the three humans, his speed and strength more than a match for their numbers. He moved through the forest to the road and crossed the road to the engage the archers on the other side. The other archers had been watching the battle between the farmers and Holly, prepared to shoot either Laethan or Holly if they tried to flee.
They were quite surprised when Archametes came upon them with sword in hand. They quickly dropped their bows and drew their blades. A short fight ensued with Archametes emerging victorious. He fell the last archer just as an arrow from Tavitha struck the man in the back. Archametes was sorely wounded and if the archer had struck him again, he might have been the one who had fallen.
Holly fought her attackers viciously. She swung her greatsword with all the strength she could muster and to her great relief the last man attacking fell. She looked about and saw Laethan engaged with the lead man who had smiled at her earlier.
Laethan looked haggard and was barely standing, yet he still swung his blade with great force. The lead man was wounded but in much better shape than Laethan. He swung a vicious blow that struck Laethan in the chest causing him to fall to the ground in a heap.
Holly screamed, “What have you done?” She rushed at the man swinging her greatsword as hard as she could manage. The man withstood the first blow, but Holly followed it up with a series of strong blows that brought the man down in a heap before her.
Holly cast her blade down and fell to her knees next to Laethan. She held his hand as tears welled up in her soft, brown eyes. “Laethan, don’t die...please…don’t die” she wept as she checked Laethan for life.
His chest still rose though his breathing was shallow. Holly tore Carlanis shirt off and used it to staunch Laethan’s bleeding. She looked around and saw two elves walking towards her. She gazed at them through teary eyes, and said pleadingly “Can you help him? Please, he is hurt badly.”
Tavitha quickly moved to Laethan’s side. She called upon Eilistraee to heal his wounds. She had only enough power to bring Laethan to consciousness, but he was still too badly hurt to do more than sit up, which he did.
Even sitting was painful for Laethan, but he was too much of a man to lie still when friends might need him. He looked about him taking in the beautiful faces of Holly and Tavitha, “Well, it is not so bad to be struck with arrows and beaten with a club when one wakes to such beauty.”
Holly hugged Laethan gently, “I’m so glad you didn’t die” she said as tears of joy streamed from her eyes.
Tavitha smiled, “I see your wounds have not dampened your male nature.”
Laethan chuckled and wrapped his arms comfortingly around Holly, “It would take more than a few arrows and a beating to make me disregard such loveliness, elf-maiden. I am Laethan, well met.”
“I am Tavitha Stormblade, and that” Tavitha paused and looked over at her brother who was now walking amongst the bodies of the men “is my brother, Archametes. Well met.”
Holly turned to Tavitha, “Thank you so much. You saved our lives. We are in your debt.”
Tavitha smiled at the young girl, “It is Eilistraee you should thank. It is her power that has saved Laethan, and we are her servants. It was her will that we aid you, for I cannot believe that it was merely coincidence that our paths have crossed.” She caressed Holly’s hair; she could not help but feel sympathy for the young girl.
“I thank Eilistraee then, and Shaundakul, for he too must have had a hand in your coming” she replied, her teary eyes met Tavitha’s kind eyes.
“I know little of Shaundakul, young one. If that is your god, then I am sure that he to had a hand in our coming. The gods watch over their faithful followers and sometimes even over those who do not follow them at all.” Tavitha was surprised at Holly’s youth. She thought the girl could not have been more than fifteen or sixteen summers in age.
Archametes checked the men for life while his sister tended to the humans. He found only one alive. The other few men who had tried to escape had made it only a short distance before they bled to death. He tended the one living man hoping he would survive to tell Archametes the reason behind the attack.
Archametes eventually made his way back to the others. Tavitha looked up at him, “The human man is not fit to travel. We must build a stretcher to carry him. A human town is not far away. Even dragging him, we should be able to make it to the town in a few hours.”
Archametes nodded. “There is one brigand still alive. I wish to question him when he awakes. I will build a stretcher large enough to carry them both.”
“Good brother, I would also like to know why these men attacked these travelers. Do not forget to collect the coin off the dead for the coffers of the church. When you are done, we will burn the bodies as tribute to Eilistraee.”
“You cannot burn them” Holly said in perfect elvish surprising both the elves. “That would be wrong. We should bury them.”
“Eilistraee requires that we burn our enemies when victorious in battle” Tavitha replied tentatively in elvish. “Your elvish is excellent. Where are you from?”
“I am from Cormyr. My family has many elvish friends.” Holly paused “It is the custom of elves to burn their enemies?”
“It is the custom of followers of Eilistraee. Please do not concern yourself with these men; they do not deserve your concern. Murderers and thieves deserve not the respect of their intended victims. Let us hurry Archametes, I want to reach town before night fall” Tavitha turned away as she left Holly and Laethan to help her brother collect the coin, burn the bodies and build the stretcher.
Laethan laid his hand on Holly’s shoulder in a comforting manner. “Holly, you fought well. Your brothers and sister would be proud.”
Holly did not look at Laethan. Her eyes were again full of tears. Her body was shaking as she took in the full measure of what had just happened. She hugged her shins and placed her chin on her knees. She stared at the bodies the elves were dragging and placing in a pile just off the road. “I have never killed anyone before, Laethan. I was so afraid…I don’t understand why they attacked us.”
Laethan squeezed Holly’s shoulder, “Nor do I. Maybe answers will come, maybe they will not. You fought well and lived, you can ask for no more.”
Holly remained silent while lost in her own thoughts. She wished her sister was here to explain why men would act in such a manner. She had done no wrong to anyone and could think of no reason why these men would attack her and Laethan.
The elves built a pyre and burned the dead men upon it. They danced around the fire swinging their blades and singing an elvish hymn praising Eilistraee, whom they also referred to as the Dark Maiden, thanking her for the victory. It all seemed very odd to Holly. Laethan was not bothered; he had seen such burnings before, usually after wars or plague when there were too many bodies to bury.
After the elves were done dancing and singing praise to Eilistraee, they set to building a stretcher. The stretcher consisted of several long branches tied together with clothing taken from the dead men. One end acted as a harness for dragging while the other was made for lying on.
Tavitha came over to the humans, “Laethan, you shall lay on the bed of branches with the human brigand. We shall drag you to town.” She held out a sack to Laethan and Holly, “Here is your share of the coin. It is a paltry sum, but it should be enough to pay for lodgings.”
Holly shook her head, “I want no coin from the dead. I do not feel right taking it.”
Laethan took the sack, “I’ll take it. No use letting dead men’s gold go to waste.”
Tavitha helped Laethan to the stretcher. He lay down upon the stretcher and found it to be more comfortable than he thought it would be. The still breathing brigand lay next to him unconscious and sorely wounded.
“Let’s be off” Tavitha said as she took up a position next to her brother to help him drag the makeshift stretcher. The two elves dragged the stretcher down the road moving carefully and avoiding rocks or holes in the road.
Holly followed along quietly. She was exhausted from the battle and more than a little confused and saddened by the events of the day. Though she had heard many tales of battle, she found that battle itself was not as glorious or fulfilling as she hoped it would be. She was haunted by the hollow eyes of the dead men, and she wondered how one could ever take joy in dealing death.
The small group quietly made their way up the road. No one felt much like talking. The sun was still in the sky, though it was slowly setting as dusk approached. The smoke from the pyre rose in a black column behind them. The smell of burnt flesh became less and less strong the farther up the road they traveled. They all hoped to have a good meal and a nights rest once they reached town.
Next: Little Girl Lost
A few hours later…
“Only a little farther now” Holly said cheerily “and we’ll be in Milbourne. After we get a good nights rest, we’ll only have about another day until we reach Thurmaster. We can deliver our package and then decide where to travel next. I was thinking of maybe heading east to the Vast. I bet that would be a good place to seek our fortunes. What do you think Laethan, The Vast sound like a good place to adventure?”
Laethan did not know much about The Vast save that it was a wide open place where a man could make a name for himself if he were able to survive a life of hard adventuring. “The Vast seems as good a place as any to seek our fortune” he replied while smiling pleasantly at Holly.
Laethan was beginning to have strong feelings for Holly. The young girl was a never-ending source of joy and her ability to make long, arduous travel seem like a walk in a field of flowers only served to strengthen his feelings. At this point, he probably would have followed her into the hells if that was where she wished to go. Anyhow, luck had been with them thus far and it seemed as though this would be the easiest coin Laethan had ever made. How could he go wrong continuing to travel with Holly?
“Good, The Vast it is then. We’ll spend a few days wandering Haranshire, then off we go on a new journey into the unknown” Holly smiled. She loved to travel to new places, and the idea of traveling to The Vast excited her. She had never been to frontier lands, and The Vast was known as an untamed land filled with danger and wonder.
The two companions had been on the road for seven days now. The road they were traveling on was little more than a wide dirt trail with forest on both sides as far as the eye could see. The travel itself had been easy and food and drink along the way plentiful. They had had no trouble with bandits or orcs and had met mostly farmers bringing food to the market. They had made good time covering over 80 miles in the seven days they had been on the road, and they planned to reach Milbourne before nightfall.
Archametes and Tavitha carefully studied the two figures walking up the road. One figure was a human woman, little more than a girl really. She was small and wore a friendly smile on her beautiful dark face. The other figure was a large human man with a handsome face and a grim expression. Neither figure looked like the evil sort that one might associate with dark sorcery. Archametes begin to doubt that the human men were anything more than highway robbers seeking to steal whatever valuables the two figures carried.
“I doubt the woman is a necromancer or the man a servant” Archametes said as he took his bow from the case on his back. “These men mean to rob these travelers.”
“Agreed, brother, we must help them, but there are too many men for us to battle them all” Tavitha replied also taking her bow from the case on her back. “What do you suggest we do?”
Archametes thought for a few moments. “We will attack the two archers hidden in the bushes on our side of the road. This should alert the travelers to the ambush. Let us hope they are skilled enough to do battle with the other men while we dispatch the archers.”
The two elves quickly and quietly moved from tree to tree until they came to a position that allowed them a clear shot at the two human archers. They drew their bowstrings to fire at the archers as the archers drew their bowstrings to fire at the two oncoming figures.
Ahead, Laethan and Holly watched a group of farmers round a bend in the road. The farmers were walking in their direction at a steady pace. They did not carry any bundles or lead any beasts of burden as farmers usually did, but Holly and Laethan both failed to notice this oddity.
As the groups drew closer to each other, the lead man, a stocky, dark-haired man with a club stuck in his belt nodded in Laethan and Holly’s direction. “G’day” he said as a smile crossed his face.
Holly smiled back and nodded, “Good day sir. May Shaundakul protect you…”
Her words were cut short as she heard Laethan groan in pain. Her head snapped around to see what had happened. Laethan’s face was covered in sweat and two arrow shafts protruded from his chest.
Holly quickly surveyed the surrounding country side. She spied two men with bows amongst the trees on the left side of the road looking in their direction; the men had been well-concealed by trees and bush. On the other side of the road, two other men were shouting and firing arrows into the woods at what she could not tell.
Holly grabbed Laethan’s arm and pulled him towards the forest while running for cover herself, “To the trees, seek cover. We are being ambushed.”
The farmers gave Holly and Laethan little time to react. The lead man who had smiled at them suddenly drew his club, “C’mon lads. Let’s get to it.”
The other farmers threw down their pitchforks and farming tools, and drew weighted saps. They rushed forward just as Laethan regained his wits and followed Holly towards the cover of the trees. Laethan could barely stand and his chest burned with pain where the arrowheads were stuck in his flesh. He could feel his warm wet blood seeping from the wounds beneath his chain shirt.
Holly and Laethan made it to a small group of trees not far from where they had been ambushed on the road. Holly looked at Laethan with concern. “Get behind the trees Laethan, I’ll hold off these brigands.” She drew her greatsword from the sheathe on her back and held it ready while staring down the onrushing brigands. “Stand fast you brigands or face my blade.”
The lead man stopped a short ways from where she stood, “Surround her lads. Use only your saps. She won’t be able to get all of us and there’ll me more gold for those still standing at the end.”
At the lead man’s command, the men rushed forward. Holly swung her blade fiercely at the first man to come near her. Her blade clove his head from his shoulders splattering blood in all directions as his body fell in a heap and twitched for a few moments before laying still upon the ground, a pool of blood steadily forming where his head had once been.
The remaining men surrounded her on all sides and begin to strike at her. She ducked and bobbed trying to avoid the blows, but occasionally she felt the dull thud of a sap strike her body bruising her flesh and taking some of the fight out of her with each successful blow.
Laethan leaned against a tree. He could hardly see Holly amongst the men that surrounded her. All he could make out was her bloody greatsword rising and falling as she swung her blade in a fury trying to fend off her attackers. ‘Must help her’ Laethan thought as he snapped off one of the arrow shafts lodged in his chest.
Laethan drew his greatsword and stumbled forward. He was in a state of shock from his wounds and felt weak. Yet, even in such a state, he could not bear to leave Holly to fight alone.
The lead man, Carlanis, had been watching Laethan closely hoping he was too wounded to help in the battle. When he saw the warrior stumble from the tree he was leaning against, greatsword in hand, he moved to finish the warrior. “So, you’ve still got fight in you, eh lad. We’ll see how much fight you’ve left when I crush your stinking skull” he snarled.
Not far away amongst the trees, the wood elves were exchanging arrows with the human archers. No one had yet been seriously wounded and Archametes grew weary of the exchange.
“Tavitha, this exchange brings no victory. I am going to close the distance and engage them blade to blade” Archametes yelled as he fired an arrow and advanced from the cover of the trees.
“Be careful Archametes. I am going to make my way to where the humans are. The human man was struck by arrows. I must bring him the healing touch of Eilistraee. I shall return brother.” Tavitha fired an arrow and ran to the cover of another tree making her way to where the humans were fighting each other. Her long red hair flowed behind her like a trail of flame.
Archametes ran forward through the trees dropping his bow and drawing his longsword. The human archers launched another volley of arrows at the onrushing wood elf before he burst through the trees upon them.
“He’s on us lads. Ready your blades and watch out for the wood elf wench that was with him” the man closest to Archametes warned as he dropped his bow and drew his own longsword.
Archametes lunged forward slashing the man across his chest. “Don’t refer to my sister as a wench, you human cur. For such an insult, you shall pay with your blood” he promised.
The other archer dropped his bow and drew his sword as well. Both men joined the battle with the wood elf while shouting for help. One of the “farmers” heard their shouts and left the fight with Holly. The man arrived before Archametes could dispatch one of the archers and he was now beset by a total of three brigands.
Before Laethan took another step forward, he heard a woman’s voice behind him. He turned around and saw a stunningly beautiful elven woman with long coppery-red hair and kindly emerald green eyes. She was approaching him quickly with the palm of her hand extended towards him.
“I come to aid in the name of Eilistraee. Do not fear my touch for I am gifted by Eilistraee with the power to heal” she said as she approached him.
Laethan had not the strength to argue and made no move to bar her approach. He could only hope she spoke the truth.
She touched him with her extended palm while chanting a short prayer in elvish. Laethan suddenly felt a cold, yet invigorating sensation causing the pain of his wounds to lessen and his strength to return. She had not lied and Laethan was glad for the aid.
Laethan turned his attention to Carlanis who was fast approaching him with club in hand. He moved to meet Carlanis, “You cowardly brigand. I’ve enough fight in me to deal with the likes of you.”
Carlanis swung his club viciously at Laethan who barely managed to dodge the blow. Laethan swung his greatsword at Carlanis in return. To Laethan’s surprise, Carlanis avoided the blow even though the armor he wore was little more than padded clothing. Laethan knew then that he faced a formidable enemy. Carlanis possessed the confidence of an experienced warrior, and showed no signs of fear though Laethan was much bettered armed and armored.
“I must help my brother. He fights more brigands in the woods. I shall return” Tavitha said to Laethan as she ran back the way she had come.
The fight between Archametes and the humans did not last long. Archametes bested the three humans, his speed and strength more than a match for their numbers. He moved through the forest to the road and crossed the road to the engage the archers on the other side. The other archers had been watching the battle between the farmers and Holly, prepared to shoot either Laethan or Holly if they tried to flee.
They were quite surprised when Archametes came upon them with sword in hand. They quickly dropped their bows and drew their blades. A short fight ensued with Archametes emerging victorious. He fell the last archer just as an arrow from Tavitha struck the man in the back. Archametes was sorely wounded and if the archer had struck him again, he might have been the one who had fallen.
Holly fought her attackers viciously. She swung her greatsword with all the strength she could muster and to her great relief the last man attacking fell. She looked about and saw Laethan engaged with the lead man who had smiled at her earlier.
Laethan looked haggard and was barely standing, yet he still swung his blade with great force. The lead man was wounded but in much better shape than Laethan. He swung a vicious blow that struck Laethan in the chest causing him to fall to the ground in a heap.
Holly screamed, “What have you done?” She rushed at the man swinging her greatsword as hard as she could manage. The man withstood the first blow, but Holly followed it up with a series of strong blows that brought the man down in a heap before her.
Holly cast her blade down and fell to her knees next to Laethan. She held his hand as tears welled up in her soft, brown eyes. “Laethan, don’t die...please…don’t die” she wept as she checked Laethan for life.
His chest still rose though his breathing was shallow. Holly tore Carlanis shirt off and used it to staunch Laethan’s bleeding. She looked around and saw two elves walking towards her. She gazed at them through teary eyes, and said pleadingly “Can you help him? Please, he is hurt badly.”
Tavitha quickly moved to Laethan’s side. She called upon Eilistraee to heal his wounds. She had only enough power to bring Laethan to consciousness, but he was still too badly hurt to do more than sit up, which he did.
Even sitting was painful for Laethan, but he was too much of a man to lie still when friends might need him. He looked about him taking in the beautiful faces of Holly and Tavitha, “Well, it is not so bad to be struck with arrows and beaten with a club when one wakes to such beauty.”
Holly hugged Laethan gently, “I’m so glad you didn’t die” she said as tears of joy streamed from her eyes.
Tavitha smiled, “I see your wounds have not dampened your male nature.”
Laethan chuckled and wrapped his arms comfortingly around Holly, “It would take more than a few arrows and a beating to make me disregard such loveliness, elf-maiden. I am Laethan, well met.”
“I am Tavitha Stormblade, and that” Tavitha paused and looked over at her brother who was now walking amongst the bodies of the men “is my brother, Archametes. Well met.”
Holly turned to Tavitha, “Thank you so much. You saved our lives. We are in your debt.”
Tavitha smiled at the young girl, “It is Eilistraee you should thank. It is her power that has saved Laethan, and we are her servants. It was her will that we aid you, for I cannot believe that it was merely coincidence that our paths have crossed.” She caressed Holly’s hair; she could not help but feel sympathy for the young girl.
“I thank Eilistraee then, and Shaundakul, for he too must have had a hand in your coming” she replied, her teary eyes met Tavitha’s kind eyes.
“I know little of Shaundakul, young one. If that is your god, then I am sure that he to had a hand in our coming. The gods watch over their faithful followers and sometimes even over those who do not follow them at all.” Tavitha was surprised at Holly’s youth. She thought the girl could not have been more than fifteen or sixteen summers in age.
Archametes checked the men for life while his sister tended to the humans. He found only one alive. The other few men who had tried to escape had made it only a short distance before they bled to death. He tended the one living man hoping he would survive to tell Archametes the reason behind the attack.
Archametes eventually made his way back to the others. Tavitha looked up at him, “The human man is not fit to travel. We must build a stretcher to carry him. A human town is not far away. Even dragging him, we should be able to make it to the town in a few hours.”
Archametes nodded. “There is one brigand still alive. I wish to question him when he awakes. I will build a stretcher large enough to carry them both.”
“Good brother, I would also like to know why these men attacked these travelers. Do not forget to collect the coin off the dead for the coffers of the church. When you are done, we will burn the bodies as tribute to Eilistraee.”
“You cannot burn them” Holly said in perfect elvish surprising both the elves. “That would be wrong. We should bury them.”
“Eilistraee requires that we burn our enemies when victorious in battle” Tavitha replied tentatively in elvish. “Your elvish is excellent. Where are you from?”
“I am from Cormyr. My family has many elvish friends.” Holly paused “It is the custom of elves to burn their enemies?”
“It is the custom of followers of Eilistraee. Please do not concern yourself with these men; they do not deserve your concern. Murderers and thieves deserve not the respect of their intended victims. Let us hurry Archametes, I want to reach town before night fall” Tavitha turned away as she left Holly and Laethan to help her brother collect the coin, burn the bodies and build the stretcher.
Laethan laid his hand on Holly’s shoulder in a comforting manner. “Holly, you fought well. Your brothers and sister would be proud.”
Holly did not look at Laethan. Her eyes were again full of tears. Her body was shaking as she took in the full measure of what had just happened. She hugged her shins and placed her chin on her knees. She stared at the bodies the elves were dragging and placing in a pile just off the road. “I have never killed anyone before, Laethan. I was so afraid…I don’t understand why they attacked us.”
Laethan squeezed Holly’s shoulder, “Nor do I. Maybe answers will come, maybe they will not. You fought well and lived, you can ask for no more.”
Holly remained silent while lost in her own thoughts. She wished her sister was here to explain why men would act in such a manner. She had done no wrong to anyone and could think of no reason why these men would attack her and Laethan.
The elves built a pyre and burned the dead men upon it. They danced around the fire swinging their blades and singing an elvish hymn praising Eilistraee, whom they also referred to as the Dark Maiden, thanking her for the victory. It all seemed very odd to Holly. Laethan was not bothered; he had seen such burnings before, usually after wars or plague when there were too many bodies to bury.
After the elves were done dancing and singing praise to Eilistraee, they set to building a stretcher. The stretcher consisted of several long branches tied together with clothing taken from the dead men. One end acted as a harness for dragging while the other was made for lying on.
Tavitha came over to the humans, “Laethan, you shall lay on the bed of branches with the human brigand. We shall drag you to town.” She held out a sack to Laethan and Holly, “Here is your share of the coin. It is a paltry sum, but it should be enough to pay for lodgings.”
Holly shook her head, “I want no coin from the dead. I do not feel right taking it.”
Laethan took the sack, “I’ll take it. No use letting dead men’s gold go to waste.”
Tavitha helped Laethan to the stretcher. He lay down upon the stretcher and found it to be more comfortable than he thought it would be. The still breathing brigand lay next to him unconscious and sorely wounded.
“Let’s be off” Tavitha said as she took up a position next to her brother to help him drag the makeshift stretcher. The two elves dragged the stretcher down the road moving carefully and avoiding rocks or holes in the road.
Holly followed along quietly. She was exhausted from the battle and more than a little confused and saddened by the events of the day. Though she had heard many tales of battle, she found that battle itself was not as glorious or fulfilling as she hoped it would be. She was haunted by the hollow eyes of the dead men, and she wondered how one could ever take joy in dealing death.
The small group quietly made their way up the road. No one felt much like talking. The sun was still in the sky, though it was slowly setting as dusk approached. The smoke from the pyre rose in a black column behind them. The smell of burnt flesh became less and less strong the farther up the road they traveled. They all hoped to have a good meal and a nights rest once they reached town.
Next: Little Girl Lost
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Black Bard
First Post
Nice story...
I really liked your writing style, pretty clear and swift...
I really liked your writing style, pretty clear and swift...
Re
Thanks Blackbard.
I am way behind at the moment. I used to write while drinking caffeine, but I quit caffeine and sugar because I am dieting. My energy levels are kaput.
I should have more story as soon my energy levels even out.
Thanks for reading. It has taken a while to set the stage, but slowly but surely the characters are being introduced.
Thanks Blackbard.
I am way behind at the moment. I used to write while drinking caffeine, but I quit caffeine and sugar because I am dieting. My energy levels are kaput.
I should have more story as soon my energy levels even out.
Thanks for reading. It has taken a while to set the stage, but slowly but surely the characters are being introduced.
Black Bard
First Post
Maybe you could use a "Potion of Endurance" or somethinglike...
I hope you'll come up successful in your Holy " diet" Quest...
I hope you'll come up successful in your Holy " diet" Quest...
Re
I've lost 14 lbs. so far and still managed to bring my bench up to 345 lbs, so I am doing fairly well. Been a long time since I have updated, but we haven't been playing as much as usual either. I have finally sat down and started to write more of the story. I have started bringing CD's with me. I hope that music can be a suitable replacement for caffeine.
Anyhow, here is the beginning of the next installment. I am still in the laying the foundation for the story, so it will be a bit before I get to sink my teeth into some meat (battle).
I've lost 14 lbs. so far and still managed to bring my bench up to 345 lbs, so I am doing fairly well. Been a long time since I have updated, but we haven't been playing as much as usual either. I have finally sat down and started to write more of the story. I have started bringing CD's with me. I hope that music can be a suitable replacement for caffeine.
Anyhow, here is the beginning of the next installment. I am still in the laying the foundation for the story, so it will be a bit before I get to sink my teeth into some meat (battle).
Little Girl Lost...
Session 2: Little Girl Lost
Eleasis 11, 1371…
“Town is not far” Archametes assured his sister in elvish as they dragged the makeshift stretcher along the dirt road.
Tavitha walked next to him putting forth all the effort she could muster to help drag the makeshift stretcher carrying the two humans. She nodded to Archametes; an expression of grim determination upon her beautiful face. Her body was sore and sweat-soaked.
The two wood elves had dragged the stretcher for nearly two hours with few rest breaks. They were both tired, yet determined to reach town before sundown. The injured humans needed care and the townsfolk would be more likely to help strangers before sundown.
Holly had been no help dragging the stretcher. Her body was bruised and tired. She could barely stay on her feet much less help the elves. Both the elves felt pity for the young girl and did not press her for aid.
Laethan was quiet upon the makeshift stretcher. He lay next to the wounded and unconcious brigand. Nearly the entire trip he kept his eyes were upon Holly, concerned that she might fall too far behind.
The road had changed from a relatively unused winding dirt road surrounded by forest to a well-traveled reasonably straight dirt road surrounded by farmland. A few farmers were on the road ahead. Archametes halted and approached the farmers cautiously. The farmers, not often having met elves, eyed the rugged well-armed wood elf suspiciously. A short conversation ensued. The farmers told Archametes to speak to Garyld when he reached the town of Milbourne. “Garyld is town constable and an able carpenter” the farmers informed him. Archametes thanked them and set out again down the road lighter of heart knowing the journey would soon be over.
Holly trudged along quite a ways back. Her mind lost in the events of the day. So many questions filled her mind: ‘Why were they attacked? Who were the men that attacked them? Is Laethan going to live?’ She looked ahead at her friend who lay still on the makeshift stretcher; his armor stained with his own blood from arrow wounds inflicted on him by the ambushers they had met earlier in the day.
She sighed and looked to the sky hoping to see some sign from Shaundakul that might explain the events of the day. The sky was clear and blue and no signs could be seen whether real or imagined. Disappointed, she said a quiet prayer to the Windrider to watch over her and her friends and to guide them all to a safe haven where they may heal and rest, and then continued on her way.
‘How can men be so cruel?’ she thought. ‘People are not so cruel in Cormyr. My sister told me that leaving Cormyr on my own would be a mistake. She always seems to be right. I wish she were here. I really miss her.’ Holly’s eyes welled up with tears as thoughts of her family made her homesick and sad. She wished she had her sister to talk to, or even her father, but she was alone and her only friend lay grievously injured not far ahead. She wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. “I’ll not be driven home by brigands” she told herself defiantly.
The sun was just beginning to set as they entered the town of Milbourne, a small quiet town of well-built wooden buildings with a well-traveled dirt road leading further into the heart of the town. Very few people could be seen, but the few townsfolk who were out and about eyed the strangers warily.
Archametes managed to find a boy willing to show them to Garyld’s home. The boy took them to a large one-story house built of sturdy wood. Archametes approached the door and knocked. The loud barking of dogs could be heard from inside and after a short time the door was answered by a tall, lean middle-aged man with a thick mop of black hair and careful eyes. He looked at Archametes curiously, “Well, if this isn’t a surprise, an elf, grim and well-armed, what brings you to my door?”
Archametes bowed respectfully, “I am Archametes Stormblade. I hail from the Cormanthyr. I do not often walk amongst your people without need. I bring wounded humans seeking care. One is a criminal who sought to murder the others. I am told that you are an elder of the humans who handles such matters.”
“Well, you don’t mix words do you? Let’s see if I can help. We may need the assistance of Semheis, the local priest. Then again, he may not be willing to help folk of other faiths” Garyld replied.
Garyld limped quickly towards the small group favoring his left leg over his lame right leg. Archametes followed. He looked over the two men lying on the stretcher. “I think I know this one” he pointed to the brigand. “Not sure of his name, but looks like a local I’ve seen about town; usually working for passing riverboat captains and spending most of his days at the The Silver Crown, a local tavern frequented by the riff raff of Milbourne. Bit off more than he could chew from the look of it. Never seen the other one, so which ones the criminal?”
Archametes pointed to the unconscious brigand as he recounted the events of the day telling Garyld of the attack upon Laethan and Holly and subsequent battle that cost most of the brigands their lives. Garyld listened intently occasionally glancing at Holly and nodding his head slightly.
Holly was too tired and sad to add much. When questioned by Garyld, she nodded weakly and told him she didn’t know why they were attacked. “Maybe they were trying to kidnap me for some evil purpose or to steal this chest we are delivering” she offered as possible reasons.
Garyld didn’t press the young girl for answers. It was obvious to him that she wasn’t hiding anything and didn’t know why she was attacked. He figured such a young girl wouldn’t be up to no good unless she was tricked. Holly didn’t look much different from many of the local men’s young daughters save that they weren’t as brave and didn’t carry Greatswords on their backs, and none of the local girls plotted much worse than a way to marry a suitable husband.
Garyld looked over the small chest Holly carried on her back. It didn’t seem like anything special. Holly told him it was spell components they were paid to deliver to a wizard named Tauster. Tauster was well-known to Garyld and he was sure Tauster wouldn’t be paying folks to bring him anything dangerous or evil.
Garyld turned his attention back to the brigand. He studied the man and thought to himself for a few moments before speaking again. “Well, I’ll definitely look into this matter. Let me take this here brigand off your hands. I have a secure room inside I can keep him in until he’s well enough to appear before Darius Carman. He’ll probably end up doing work in the mines, which is better than he deserves.”
Garyld had Archametes carry the brigand into his home. After the brigand was secure, Garyld and Archametes walked joined the others.
“Will you be staying around Milbourne for a bit?” Garyld inquired. “The young man and woman will most likely need some rest. If you’re looking for lodging, The Baron of Mutton is a fine Inn. You should be able to rest up there with no trouble from brigands and such, should be a safer place to sleep than the road given the circumstances.”
“I must speak with my sister first. I am fairly sure we will spend some time in Milbourne. My sister will wish to care for the humans until they are healthy. Our faith demands that we care for those in need and my sister is a priestess” Archametes replied.
“Good, good. The young lass looks a bit like a lost child. I’ll feel better knowing she is being looked after. The man is sorely wounded. He’ll definitely need healing which I’m sure your sister will attend to. And if you don’t mind, I’d be much obliged if you’d keep an eye on the local roads for a bit. Make sure no further brigands are ambushing travelers bringing goods to Milbourne. I’ll do some searching myself, but I can’t get around like I used to as you can probably see” Garyld said while patting his lame right leg.
“I will speak with my sister. She will pray for guidance. I am sure that our goddess will wish us to aid your people. That is the only assurance I can give you” Archametes said as he helped Laethan stand. His sister Tavitha comforted Holly who seemed overcome with fatigue.
“Good enough. The Baron of Mutton is not far. I’ll walk you over there.”
Little Girl Lost continues...
Session 2: Little Girl Lost
Eleasis 11, 1371…
“Town is not far” Archametes assured his sister in elvish as they dragged the makeshift stretcher along the dirt road.
Tavitha walked next to him putting forth all the effort she could muster to help drag the makeshift stretcher carrying the two humans. She nodded to Archametes; an expression of grim determination upon her beautiful face. Her body was sore and sweat-soaked.
The two wood elves had dragged the stretcher for nearly two hours with few rest breaks. They were both tired, yet determined to reach town before sundown. The injured humans needed care and the townsfolk would be more likely to help strangers before sundown.
Holly had been no help dragging the stretcher. Her body was bruised and tired. She could barely stay on her feet much less help the elves. Both the elves felt pity for the young girl and did not press her for aid.
Laethan was quiet upon the makeshift stretcher. He lay next to the wounded and unconcious brigand. Nearly the entire trip he kept his eyes were upon Holly, concerned that she might fall too far behind.
The road had changed from a relatively unused winding dirt road surrounded by forest to a well-traveled reasonably straight dirt road surrounded by farmland. A few farmers were on the road ahead. Archametes halted and approached the farmers cautiously. The farmers, not often having met elves, eyed the rugged well-armed wood elf suspiciously. A short conversation ensued. The farmers told Archametes to speak to Garyld when he reached the town of Milbourne. “Garyld is town constable and an able carpenter” the farmers informed him. Archametes thanked them and set out again down the road lighter of heart knowing the journey would soon be over.
Holly trudged along quite a ways back. Her mind lost in the events of the day. So many questions filled her mind: ‘Why were they attacked? Who were the men that attacked them? Is Laethan going to live?’ She looked ahead at her friend who lay still on the makeshift stretcher; his armor stained with his own blood from arrow wounds inflicted on him by the ambushers they had met earlier in the day.
She sighed and looked to the sky hoping to see some sign from Shaundakul that might explain the events of the day. The sky was clear and blue and no signs could be seen whether real or imagined. Disappointed, she said a quiet prayer to the Windrider to watch over her and her friends and to guide them all to a safe haven where they may heal and rest, and then continued on her way.
‘How can men be so cruel?’ she thought. ‘People are not so cruel in Cormyr. My sister told me that leaving Cormyr on my own would be a mistake. She always seems to be right. I wish she were here. I really miss her.’ Holly’s eyes welled up with tears as thoughts of her family made her homesick and sad. She wished she had her sister to talk to, or even her father, but she was alone and her only friend lay grievously injured not far ahead. She wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. “I’ll not be driven home by brigands” she told herself defiantly.
The sun was just beginning to set as they entered the town of Milbourne, a small quiet town of well-built wooden buildings with a well-traveled dirt road leading further into the heart of the town. Very few people could be seen, but the few townsfolk who were out and about eyed the strangers warily.
Archametes managed to find a boy willing to show them to Garyld’s home. The boy took them to a large one-story house built of sturdy wood. Archametes approached the door and knocked. The loud barking of dogs could be heard from inside and after a short time the door was answered by a tall, lean middle-aged man with a thick mop of black hair and careful eyes. He looked at Archametes curiously, “Well, if this isn’t a surprise, an elf, grim and well-armed, what brings you to my door?”
Archametes bowed respectfully, “I am Archametes Stormblade. I hail from the Cormanthyr. I do not often walk amongst your people without need. I bring wounded humans seeking care. One is a criminal who sought to murder the others. I am told that you are an elder of the humans who handles such matters.”
“Well, you don’t mix words do you? Let’s see if I can help. We may need the assistance of Semheis, the local priest. Then again, he may not be willing to help folk of other faiths” Garyld replied.
Garyld limped quickly towards the small group favoring his left leg over his lame right leg. Archametes followed. He looked over the two men lying on the stretcher. “I think I know this one” he pointed to the brigand. “Not sure of his name, but looks like a local I’ve seen about town; usually working for passing riverboat captains and spending most of his days at the The Silver Crown, a local tavern frequented by the riff raff of Milbourne. Bit off more than he could chew from the look of it. Never seen the other one, so which ones the criminal?”
Archametes pointed to the unconscious brigand as he recounted the events of the day telling Garyld of the attack upon Laethan and Holly and subsequent battle that cost most of the brigands their lives. Garyld listened intently occasionally glancing at Holly and nodding his head slightly.
Holly was too tired and sad to add much. When questioned by Garyld, she nodded weakly and told him she didn’t know why they were attacked. “Maybe they were trying to kidnap me for some evil purpose or to steal this chest we are delivering” she offered as possible reasons.
Garyld didn’t press the young girl for answers. It was obvious to him that she wasn’t hiding anything and didn’t know why she was attacked. He figured such a young girl wouldn’t be up to no good unless she was tricked. Holly didn’t look much different from many of the local men’s young daughters save that they weren’t as brave and didn’t carry Greatswords on their backs, and none of the local girls plotted much worse than a way to marry a suitable husband.
Garyld looked over the small chest Holly carried on her back. It didn’t seem like anything special. Holly told him it was spell components they were paid to deliver to a wizard named Tauster. Tauster was well-known to Garyld and he was sure Tauster wouldn’t be paying folks to bring him anything dangerous or evil.
Garyld turned his attention back to the brigand. He studied the man and thought to himself for a few moments before speaking again. “Well, I’ll definitely look into this matter. Let me take this here brigand off your hands. I have a secure room inside I can keep him in until he’s well enough to appear before Darius Carman. He’ll probably end up doing work in the mines, which is better than he deserves.”
Garyld had Archametes carry the brigand into his home. After the brigand was secure, Garyld and Archametes walked joined the others.
“Will you be staying around Milbourne for a bit?” Garyld inquired. “The young man and woman will most likely need some rest. If you’re looking for lodging, The Baron of Mutton is a fine Inn. You should be able to rest up there with no trouble from brigands and such, should be a safer place to sleep than the road given the circumstances.”
“I must speak with my sister first. I am fairly sure we will spend some time in Milbourne. My sister will wish to care for the humans until they are healthy. Our faith demands that we care for those in need and my sister is a priestess” Archametes replied.
“Good, good. The young lass looks a bit like a lost child. I’ll feel better knowing she is being looked after. The man is sorely wounded. He’ll definitely need healing which I’m sure your sister will attend to. And if you don’t mind, I’d be much obliged if you’d keep an eye on the local roads for a bit. Make sure no further brigands are ambushing travelers bringing goods to Milbourne. I’ll do some searching myself, but I can’t get around like I used to as you can probably see” Garyld said while patting his lame right leg.
“I will speak with my sister. She will pray for guidance. I am sure that our goddess will wish us to aid your people. That is the only assurance I can give you” Archametes said as he helped Laethan stand. His sister Tavitha comforted Holly who seemed overcome with fatigue.
“Good enough. The Baron of Mutton is not far. I’ll walk you over there.”
Little Girl Lost continues...
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