Mercakete

Raemond doubted that the archers would return for their leaders since they thought both were dead. But more than that, they didn't seem to have the same drive that their leaders had had. ("We'll repay your family in the same way they terrorized us! But we won't be covering anything up!" "I can't let this corrupt noble live. He will do just as all the dukes before him have done; it's in his blood." What act of tyranny led them to such a crazed thirst for vengence? And how did they know Beau's mother? ... I don't know what I should do. If Beau wants to tell me what he knows, then he will. But should I ask him?) He was thinking about this when he suddenly remembered something somewhat important. Setting the cup down, he mentioned to Beau, "I forgot Lantos at the edge of the clearing. I will return shortly." Beau only have a nod in reply as he continued to read, probably having not even really heard the monk. In spite of this, Raemond walked back out through the passageway and across the charred clearing towards the forest's edge. (This...) Beau skipped most of the diary to the part of the most interest to him. There he read his father's telling of a threat to the Bellmire name's reputation. Then, various ideas on how to deal with the threat: villagers who knew about and was willing to make public, the Bellmires' curruption. Then the plan his father had decided on... It was all there. The meeting of Francine Miller, his father's opinions of her (she never spoke to him, so his opinions were mostly visual observations and speculation), the forced marriage, the plan's failure, Duke Bellmire's frustrations of said failure, more plans on how to deal with this problem, the chosen plan, it's results... Beau didn't want to even skim any farther. Even within what he'd read, he'd skipped a few pages. It was frightening reading. ("Your mother was one of us, you know: a villager who knew too much about your daddy's tyranny. We weren't quiet either. To protect his reputation, do you know what he did? He forced your mommy to marry him! The scumbag... Mr. Miller only got angrier, though, just like the rest of us. That's your grandaddy, by the way, little Bellmire: the leader of a group of rebble villagers! We wouldn't keep quiet. Your family name would be exposed for what it was! So you know what your father did?! He sent his men in and attacked us! Spared no one! Not even kids! Then he burnt down our village and planted things there to cover it all up! You little swine... Your whole family has been duke after duke of tyrants!" The bandit was telling the truth... How could my father have been so vile? I...) Beau was quiet for a while. Then, carefully, he began turning the pages, searching for something absolutely significant to him. When he found it, he tennitively began reading. It was the account of his own birth. This time, he didn't skim. He read with intense focus, trying to pick up every detail of his father's thoughts. The book yielded new information. Though regarding his mother's pregancy Duke Bellmire was more concerned with his wife's near constant contempt and malice, he did note that he was glad he may finally have an heir and listed all the things he hoped and expected of the child. Beau had somewhat expected this. He also listed, however, his fears about his ability to parent: something Beau never expected. He read on. "...It doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl. Either way I will likely be unkind, just as my father was to me. I fear this. The whole family is riddled with strict, proud parenting. Is this best for the child? I do not know. It will perhaps prepare him or her for the difficulties which lie ahead, however. Whether the child be a boy and destined to take up my title and continue the family name -- as I hope -- or a girl who will have a wealthy noble's son chosen for her betrothal, so much will be expected of him or her. Therefore it may be counted as a kindness to prepare him or her for his or her future. My child will not be unprepared or without resources. I will make certain of that." That was the end of that log, so Beau turned the page and read a bit of the first paragraph. He decided to skip the pages until he reached a date written at the top as quite close to his birthday. "Duchess Bellmire is very close to giving birth. I have not been able to focus on much recently. I have found myself thinking on potential names. A respectable Bellmire must have respectable names, after all. If the child is a boy, he will become the next Duke Bellmire. Therefore, he will be quite well-educated and a capable, cuning leader. His name should reflect that. If the child is a girl, a name regarding her beauty and polite disposition -- as she will be instructed to have -- would be best. I have looked into Jerdonian names recently. They have a certain sound to them that I like." The duke went on to list many of the names he was considering for both Beau's first and middle names. The next few logs were more business with more notes about how Duchess Bellmire was handling her pregnancy, apparently constantly threatening to kill the child and the duke. Though alarming to Beau, Duke Bellmire did not seem to be bothered by these threats. He was only annoyed. Then Beau came to the page with his birthday marked at the top. His father's handwriting was a bit different -- less crisp -- and his thoughts were scattered. The duke even wrote that he was very anxious and wasn't entirely certain why. Again he listed his hopes and fears about becoming a father. Surprisingly, most of his fears were that the child would not be ready for his or her designated future by the time he was dead and unable to help him or her. He also feared that people would want to take advantage of his child. And what if the newest Bellmire did not want to follow in the path laid out for him or her? "I don't know any other way to parent. If he or she decides to be something I can't guide him or her in, I simply do not know what I will do..." There was a blank space left for the next paragraph, headed with "Evening; same day." "My son, Beau Adalgiso Bellmire, has been born. He is such a beautiful infant. I retreated soon after I saw him for fear of my emotions getting the better of me. I am Duke Charles Ruben Bellmire. What would people say if they saw me in such a state? I need their respect. I certainly hope little Beau thinks highly of me as he grows. He's so small. I'd wager he could not even wrap his hand entirely around my finger. He has this little tuft of hair atop his head the same color as his mother's. He does quite look like her. I hope he does not gain her rebellious nature. One day he will be Duke Bellmire, but that is a ways off, isn't it? This little child must be protected and provided for. I will do everything in my power to do so. I wonder if I should ever show him my emotions? I hide them away to maintain respect. I do not want to show any weaknesses. I am sure, however, that I will not always be able to hide them from him. He will undoubtedly make me a very proud father. How can I not smile, then? I have the reputation of a hard man. I admit, however, that I am quite often fearful, now moreso than most times." Beau couldn't read any more. His eyes were too blurry and his energy was rapidly leaving him. (Father, don't you understand? All those hours, days, years.... I only ever wanted to make you proud of me. I only wanted to see your smile... And now... Now those bandits have taken away any chance I had. My life's work... You're gone...) The young teenager burried his face in his arms on the desk, his eyes wetting his sleeves as sleep aliviated his deep grief. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next day when Beau woke up, he wandered outside, stretched, took a deep breath of the cold, morning air and looked around. The rubble and ashes were just as they had been the previous day, but covered in creeping, morning mist. It was beginning to dawn on him that he really was home. His home. Even if the building and people were gone, this was the same place he spent most of his life and he had an obligation to it. The events of the day before proved to still be quite painful. His body ached and the sense of loss still clung to him, but matters were still too urgent for him to rest. There was still important work to be done. (Restoration of Bellmire estate must be accomplished. However, being formally recognized as Duke Bellmire... That is the priority.) The young heir took a deep breath and slowly let it out. It was too cold to bathe outside and it simply wouldn't do to bathe in that secret room. "I will just have to go without," Beau sighed. (Father would be so displeased...) There wasn't anything to be done about that for the time being, however. So, he did his best, simply deciding to head back down, scoop some water into a basin and wash his face and hands before looking for clothes that would maybe fit him. He managed to do so and found a private corner of the room in which to change. When he had finished, he looked himself over in one of the mirrors, quite pleased with himself. He certainly looked formal, even if the attire was slightly dated. (This probably belonged to one of my predesessors when he was around my age. Most likely my father.) With that done, Beau ate some of the food stored in the room for breakfast and had some water to drink. Raemond joined him shortly. "Good morning," he greeted. "Good morning," the young heir replied. He frowned a bit at the monk's attire. He hadn't washed nor changed. "... This will not do. Brother Raemond, make yourself presentable." The templar was a little surprised at the order. "Whom, exactly, will I be presenting myself to?" the elder of the two asked. "The king and queen, if you're lucky. Their court or other nobles in general if you're not. We must be off to Ilyphina soon; I have to present myself to the Elyisimian dukes and to the king in order to assume my father's title. I found my father's will last night -- it's in my bag now, along with my father's signet." Beau explained. This was news. This was news indeed. "We're going to meet with Elyisima's powers-that-be?" Raemond asked, for some reason not having anticiapated this. "Yes, so get ready," Beau replied simply before walking over to the other two members of his party: Tiria and Jasmine. "Sergeant Marsuka, Captain Edgedraper, get up and get ready. We leave for Ilyphina as soon as everyone is ready to depart. I will be riding with Sergeant Marsuka, as per her request. Captain, you will ride with Brother Raemond. Your armor should suffice, Sergeant, but be sure to look as sharp as you may. Captain, select anything from the chests here you may desire to wear to the palace. My next objective is to present myself, my father's will and his signet to the king and the ducal to be officially recognized as Duke Bellmire. Meet me in front of the passageway when you're all ready to depart," after relaying these instructions, Beau walked through the passageway and waited outside. Throughout Beau's instructions to the women, Raemond had been looking through the clothes stored away to try to find something he liked. It was proving somewhat difficult, but he doubted finding something suitable was impossible.

The danger of the dragon was diminished. However, Tas continued ferrying the wounded to the castle entrence. It was a safer place and made a good refuge in case something else unexpected happened out in the open. However, he was slowing down somewhat, since the need for urgency was now not quite as high as the need for care. Some of these mercenaries were in bad shape, after all. Raechel likewise continued healing the wounded on the roof. Once the number of wounded on the roof decreased enough, she would head over to the palace entrence to treat yet more wounded. For now, she called for the attention of a few of the mercenary healers. "You three! Head over to the palace entrence to start treating your comrades. The rest of us will keep helping those waiting for help out here."

Norbert nodded in understanding. She doesn't seem malicious and she sounds like she's honestly a mercenary looking for work. No harm in bringing her to the boss. ... Sheesh, now I'm calling that pink-haired merchant "boss?" Well, I guess that's what she is until I get my maces back. ... Darnit. "I'm Norbert and this is Ranyin," he introduced, indicating the Kigenese mage, "I'll show you to Raquel, then. Follow me." With that, he directed Rizen to land somewhat ahead of the ground so he could catch Raquel without landing on anyone. Rizen touched down and Bert quickly sighted his debt-mongerer on one of the newer members' horse. "She's the one with the pink hair," Bert mentioned to Aneda once she was within earshot, then to Raquel, he explained, "Found a mercenary in the sky looking for work. Figured you might want to take a look. Her name's Aneda and she's apparently from Ursium."

Norbert hated to discredit his friend, but this pegasus knight looked like she might be helpful. Though Ranyin's prelude could be used to test her intentions. "If you'd like, we could show you to Raquel. You're a mercenary, right? She might still be hiring," Bert mentioned to the woman. She seemed to be a carefree sort. Her hair was a fairly good representation of her spunky personality from what the male pegasus rider could tell. Rizen stretched out her neck a little to smell the other pegasus out of curiosity. What sort of herd had this one come from?

"If what I heard is correct," Raemond replied, still looking over the rim of his cup at the young lord, "He won't come under attack so maliciously again. Of course, once he becomes duke, there may be some who stry to kill him out of greed, but I think those two axe-wielders might have been the last who were so bent on revenge. The only thing we can do to make sure he doesn't come under such fire in the future is to help him establish himself as the new Duke Bellmire and to keep a wary eye open. Beau was hoping that what he heard about his estate and family's destruction was a lie and we weren't expecting an attack. That was somewhat foolish given Beau's position and the manner in which his household was elliminated. As for how he learned to use magic..." His tone shifted somewhat, being more thoughtful and relaxed as opposed to a focussed calm, "My elder sister, Raechel, was his tutor for a time. She taught him about both offensive and healing light magic. For that, in fact, Beau's father fired her as Beau's teacher and banned her from returning. That was why he ran away from this place -- to find her again. He could not before he found out that his home had been attacked in his absense and so returned." Beau was tempted to read some of the papers and books on the desk. They, and the ones on the shelf, he knew was quite precious, hence why they were stored in this secret room. However, he did find the document he was searching for. Holding the paper gingerly, he began skimming it. Yes, this was the final piece he needed to take the next step. Carefully, he rolled the document into a scroll and slid the duke's signet over it before placing it carefully into his bag. Then, out of intreague, he began reading some of the other material. As he knew, all of this were documents, diaries, logs and family trees of the Bellmire Family. He hadn't been allowed to even touch these documents in the past, but now there was nothing and no one barring him from learning the detailed and full truth about his family history. He wanted to know the atrocities his forefathers had committed. He also, more urgently, wanted to know of his own father's deeds, especially involving his mother and her side of the family. He'd been in the dark about it for far too long. And so, the first thing he looked for and began reading was his late father's journel.

"Sergeant Maruska," Raemond mentioned, painful as it was to speak, "The one not lying on his own axe is alive. You might want to tie him up or something before he wakes up." "Stop talking," Beau told Raemond as he wiped his face with his sleeve, trying to shake his emotion over the ordeal so he could focuss properly, "Let me treat this.." Soon enough the arrow was out and the burning hole in Raemond's stomach had been sealed via heal staff. As Beau glanced over the dead bandit, he noticed something had fallen out of the man's belt pouch...something very important. Slowly, the teen walked up to the dead man and carefully picked up the item: a ring similar to Beau's signet, but with a finer, more intricate mounting and with the family crest carved into it instead of resting under the amethyst's surface. "This..." He breathed the word, unable to finish his sentense audably. (The signet of Duke Bellmire... ... He truly is dead...) With the remainder of his strength, he held his composure as best he could. "... I am very fortunate," he whispered to himself. (The signet of the duke could have very well been destroyed along with my bloodline...) Turning to the others, he spoke as clearly as he could. "This is my estate and I am not without hospitality. ... Come, I will see if there is a place for us to rest." It was still daytime, but Beau was feeling quite drained. Even so, he walked to the very center of the large, black clearing, where there was still rubble from the Bellmires' mansion. Beau knew exactly where to look and soon enough, he uncovered a rune hidden beneath the soot and rubble, which he himself dug through to reach. The teenager placed a hand on the rune and muttered a few words before the rune began to glow and revealed a passageway heading underground. Even Illiam would be able to fit inside. "It isn't much, but this is a last refuge," Beau informed as he began to descend. Raemond followed quietly after him, down into the underground passageway. As he did so, his headache began to get progressively worse, but he didn't want to think about it at the moment. At the base of the passageway was a sort of storehouse with a couple mirrors, chests of spare clothing, chests with ice runes inside to keep extra food supplies fresh and even enchanted barrels of water, keeping the important liquid cool and clean. There was also -- and most obviously -- gold stored in that room: an extra cache only the duke's family and any they told knew about. Only one corner held a shelf and a desk of parachment, ink, a few quills and books. "I appologize for not being able to provide hot baths, but I can at least supply you with something to eat, something to drink, a safe place to sleep and clean -- though not particularly fresh, I'd imagine -- clothing," he told his small company as he used some flint to light one of the lanturns and using a candle to light the sconces around the room. All the while, he'd been merely holding his father's ring, not having even attempted to put the signet on. When he was finished with lighting the room, Beau immediately walked over to the desk where he'd placed the lanturn and began looking through some of the books and documents there, handling each one with care. Raemond wasn't particularly hungry -- not after having an arrow in his belly not too long before anyway -- but he found a cup in the room and dusted it off before finding a water barrel and filled the cup with it, then began to drink. Taking a look around, he noted that three out of the four of them were a mess, covered in dirt, soot and blood with dirty, tattered clothing. (It is quite nice to have a place like this hidden under the manse. The Bellmires certainly knew what they were doing...for the mostpart.) He found his eyes wandering to Beau, who must have been more exhausted than the lot of them and yet he was working. On what, Raemond did not know, but it must have been important. (...This cannot be healthy for him. He should rest. ... No, I should leave him alone for now. He's had a hard day and it isn't even night yet.)

"I am simply quite glad that everyone is still living. I appologize for asking you to risk yourself so, Ms. Edgedraper. I was not anticiapating...all this..." Beau politely replied as he stood up then, again, looked around the blackened field. He was quiet again, just looking at the wasteland around them. Then before he could do anything more, Jasmine was there, lecturing him. "... This was my personal obligation as the next to become Duke Bellmire. This is my estate. It may be almost entirely destroyed, but to abandon it would be to abandon my heritage: something I could not do. You may have procedures in the military, but I am not under your command. If you would like to remain an ally, you will stop treating me with such disrespect on my own--" his calm voice suddenly stopped obeying and tightened to the point where Beau couldn't speak. The events and revelations were beginning to get to him. He tried to maintain his composure, but it was becoming quite difficult. Beau lenched his fists hanging at his sides, kept his mouth closed and glared with wattery, determined eyes at the ashes before him. (How emberassing. I cannot even speak...) Raemond had hobbled over, tendlerly holding the arrow in his belly. He didn't think Beau was in a good condition to do much of anything but he kinda really wanted to be healed. So he just waited patiently.

As Tiria fell, Beau wanted to cry out, but no sound came from his throat. She defended him so bravely, but she'd only just recently decided to help him. "This is what happens when you side with evil," the bandit said as he removed his axe from the woman whose blade had bit deeply and painfully into his side. She was good. Very good. But his reflexes had won that fight for him. To his archers, he instructed, "Feather any who stand between your fletching and the boy." (Is this misery my fate? That whoever defends me will die? Already Tiria and Raemond have suffered to much trying to protect me... I won't just leave them. I have to help them to protect me in any way I can.) The young lord rushed forward as quickly as he could, heal staff in hand, eyes fixed on Tiria's fallen form and unwavering from the path to his goal. (They will not all die because of me. They will live because of me!) "Beau!" Raemond called, stricken with a panic as the young healer dashed out from the shelter Jasmine and he were bodily providing. Gathering his energy quickly, trying to protect Beau from the sniper's keen eyes, Raemond unleashed a blast of light magic, despirately trying to protect the teenager. Overcast active! -2skl, +2mag ((4-2)+3)-6 = miss! The ball of light Raemond had missed his target. However, it had accomplished his goal. The sniper turned his bow just before loosing his arrow at Raemond. Deadeye active! (9+2)-4 = 7 = hit! (5+2)-1 = 6 damage! Sniper 12/12 Raemond 1/9 The arrow found a good mark on Raemond, sinking into his belly. Immediately, the monk gripped the arrow's shaft in pain as the very unnatural, rapidly-developed ulcer made its self known. He didn't dare remove the arrow just yet but it certainly hurt. (That boy is going to be the death of me one day...) The archers didn't react fast enough to take good shots at Beau as he ran to Tiria's side. He didn't even notice that he was right at the feet of the bandit leader as he fell to his knees and applied his staff to Tiria's wound. "Hmm? You're sacrificing your safety for her life? How foolish. I suppose, though," the bandit raised his axe as he calmly spoke, "You are only a little Bellmire at the moment. I'll cut you down while you're still young so you won't be a problem later." The young healer, in that moment, dropped his heal staff and pulled out his light tome, wordlessly sending a magic attack right up at the bandit. (6+3)-6 = 3 = hit! (5+4)-0 = 9 damage! Bandit Leader 0/18 Beau 12/12 The Bandit leader dropped his axe behind himself and staggered, both seared and dazed by the light magic. Then, before anyone had time to react, he fell...backwards. The edge of his axe rendered his spine and flesh as his weight came crashing down. It was over. The archers and snipers stared at their fallen leaders for a moment before haphazardly fleeing back into the forest. They escaped, melting into the foliage. Only the dead bandit and the unconcious bandit remained as far as brigandry went. The young lord's attention went to Tiria again immediately, however, putting his tome back into his bag and picking up his staff again to continue healing her wound. Raemond didn't mind...that much... He really wanted to be healed, but for now, he understood that Tiria was in greater danger. In the meantime, he had someone to talk to. "Why didn't you help us?" he asked jasmine, who was nearby. He was still holding his belly and didn't want to sit down just yet. He was perfectly content to stand if it meant that he didn't have to move.

"If Raquel wants us back down, she'll send someone up after us. We can see their movements well enough from up here and not all the wyvern riders are back yet. We'll go down when we're called, if Riz's wings start getting too tired or when there isn't a real reason for us to be in the air anymore. ... Unless there's some reason I can give Raquel that she'd understand. There some reason you have to go back down?" Bert asked, considering that Ranyin might be getting tired or something.

"Nah. I'm curious, but we're supposed to stay near the group, right? If she flys at us, I'll talk to her. If not, I'm not risking a lecture from Raquel about wandering too far from the herd," Bert informed the little Kigen mage. Though one of the scouts had already rteturned, he kept a wary eye on the other pegasus rider and remained in the sky.

That is the best proof of working on a comic ever.

*burns the magic armor; quickly tries to put it out when she realizes it's just making her lose rupies faster* That's it. I'm suing Malo Mart. *has obviously been playing too much LoZ:TP recently (and yeah, I finished my first playthrough of it; great game, just a bit frusterating towards the end I'll stop rambling now)* Onward! To IRC! ... Sometime tomorrow (unless something comes up)! Edit: Oh my gosh Lev said "this."

Such a strong reaction to his question was not anticiapated, somewhat stunning the pegasus rider. "Well... I guess that rider could be from Ursium. That person is riding a pegasus, after all, and I don't know if pegasi live in Kigen or not... I know wyverns come from the east -- Neviskotia -- for the mostpart. I don't know if they have pegasi or not, though... Like I said, I've never been outside of Ursium before. I guess where she comes from doesn't matter since I'm guessing she's a mercenary. Well, I think it's a she anyway. It's hard to tell from here, but if you see a pegasus rider, it's pretty safe to bet it's a woman," Bert rambled somewhat, still trying to think on what this rider was doing so close to the border by herself...and what in Sardius happened to her loudly-colored hair.

"Hm?" As they were flying above the group, Norbert saw something out of the corner of his eye. As he turned his head to get a better look, he was surprised to see a pegasus flying toward them. If it had been riderless, that would have made it quite unusual, but someone was riding it and that made it...still unusual, but not as much as it would have been had it been alone. They were at the Kigen-Ursian border, after all, and the rider was aproching from the Ursian side of the river. Most likely, whoever this was was a mercenary looking for a new area to look for jobs in. The thing that really caught his attention, though, was the bright, numerous colors atop the head of the rider. ... What? "Uh... Ranyin, there's someone flying toward us. I think you're the only Kigenese person I've met, so I can't tell, especially from this distance, but... Do you think that rider is Kigenese? Ursians tend to have...one haircolor..." He was quite perplexed. Maybe she has a bird on her head or something... But who in their right mind would go around with a bird on their head?

Due to my lazy, these last two coments beat me to the punch. XD Yes, Toon Kiryn, go go!

"I'm glad you like it. What's Kigen like, anyway? I don't think we'll be here very long, but it doesn't look bad from up here. This is my first time outside Ursium, too, so this is pretty new to me," Norbert replied with his question. It was nice being alone with Riz in Ursium's wilderness, but he was beginning to get used to more company since being around the group. Sure he mostly ketp to himself, but Valter and Ranyin weren't bad company.

"Alright, then," was all Bert said as he shifted his weight, telling Rizen without even a word what to do. In that same moment, they took off. The pegasus' wings pumped the air and her legs gallopped through the wind (even though they really weren't doing anything cause no ground). Then, they began circling above the group again, the rush of ascention quickly calming and leaving only the natural breeses in the airspace around and the placid scenery below and beyond. "So, I'm guessing you've never seen Kigen from this prospective," Bert mentioned as his eyes scanned view of the landscape.

Norbert nearly laughed at Ranyin's sudden mood-shift and the reaction of delight he was beginning to expect the mage to display at the mention of flying. "Sure. Do you need me to help pull you into the saddle?" he asked, preemptively offering a hand. Ranyin obviously wasn't the talest in the group, after all.

"Ah, I get it. Alright, so, I guess I'll be staying with the main group since those other two are already scouting it out. I'll stay in the air, though, so they can find us more easily. If you want to tell me anything, you'll have to have someone fly up to get me, though," Norbert replied, now understanding the situation and what he should be doing. Before taking off again, though, he mentioned to Raquel, "This should be easy if we don't let ourselves get worked up about it. It's aleays easier to think clearly when you're relaxed. Worry just causes headaches and silly mistakes." It was offhanded and said more as though he was talking to himself, but he didn't move Rizen until he'd finished speaking. In the next moment, he was riding away after his next target: Ranyin. "Hey, Ranyin! Do you want to go for a flight?"

It looked like people on the ground -- or rather, the ship with a few waiting on land -- were getting ready to head out while a couple of the wyvern riders had already flown off. "Hmm. I wonder if we're supposed to be looking for those mercenaries from the sky," Norbert murmurred to himself. Then he remembered the last time he tried to go off with a few of the party members and Raquel had caught him. She made a big deal out of sticking together. She did also mention that they were on a tight schedual, though, and threatened to leave him behind if he decided to go pick on bandits. Like heck I'd leave my maces behind... he mentally grumbled, deciding to descend back onto the ship and directly to Raquel to get a clearer idea of what was going on. "Hey, Pin-- ... Raquel. I noticed a couple wyverns heading out. Figured I'd ask what I'm supposed to be doing," he asked as he pulled Rizen up beside the merchant. It was strange, since it was like Bert was both trying to be rude and trying to be polite at the same time. He just couldn't decide how he was supposed to be treating the merchant who was holding his maces hostage. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gytha was getting worried. Just wandering around was getting her nowhere. No one looked like Maw would trust them enough to hold still for the treatment. She was a smart cat who knew what was best for her, but she did have severe trust issues and would likely only allow the treatment from someone...Gytha didn't know who the cat would trust in such a dire situation but her gut did give Raquel the ok. Maybe the merchant would be unable to help the cat, though... It was looking more and more like Gytha would have to miss the mission. Unless I can find'er. This'll be a challenge... And so the mariner whent bellow deck to look for the silver tabby again.

"Oh, so ye are comin' along? Alright, then. I'll just have t' find someone else. Just thought ye had it in ye t' gain Maw's trust just enough for her t' let ye tend'er socket," Gytha replied with a shrug before beginning to wander again. Someone had to tend to the feline while Gytha was absent, after all.

"Hmm? Yer stayin' aboard th' ship?" Gytha asked as she walked over to Raquel, "Well, if ye are, could ye do me a favor? I can't find Maw anywhere and I think she thinks we'll be stayin' aboard fer longer than we are. She'll show up sometime today. When she does -- and ev'ry day I'm not around -- could ye try t' get'er t' let ye treat 'er eye socket? I keep'er as healthy as I can, but she won't be comin' with us, so... I think ye could do it in me place while I'm away, if ye would." The mariner was holding the ointment and roll of bandages she used to take care of the cat every morning, and was clearly somewhat worried at not being able to find the one-eyed silver tabby. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Norbert was already in the sky on Rizen's back, taking a look over the land beyond the border. "It's almost more...vibrant than Ursium... So, this is where Ranyin's from..." he murmurred to himself, "As the day goes on, I'll be able to see things more clearly... This place isn't bad, though." Ranyin's explanation as to what Fallen were from the previous night had mostly been forgotten, but he'd managed to retain that they were evil, powerful bird-people. Flight would not likely be an easy escape this time. It didn't concern him too much, though. For now, he didn't want to worry about pointless worrying, as redundant as that was.

Tas didn't even speak, he just nodded and began his part in helping the wounded. Figuring these people were probably used to not really needing an explanation in situations involving a nearby, writhing, enemy dragon, the only words he spoke to his first passenger were "Let's go" as he began helping the mercenary up and onto Namid's back. Then, a sqift flight to the entrence followed, a quick and gentle unloading before he flew back to find his next passenger to reapeat the process. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Don't worry about the wounded, Stephanie. I'll take care of them," Raechel told her fellow healer. She'd heard enough to know that the other couldn't stick around. That was all the time she spared it, though, as she continued hurrying around to treat the harsher wounds. She'd let herself be picked up by the courier eventually, but not until the wounded were taken to the safe place where she could treat them. They were Tas' priority, after all. Edit: fixed some typoes.

The archers had their arrows nocked by the time the sniper's arrow passed over Jasmine's head and seconds later, one was flying at Raemond and the other at Tiria. Raemond did his best to deflect the arrow speeding towards him with magic since he didn't trust himself to move out of the way quickly enough not to be hit by it. He managed to cause the shaft to explode just before the arrowhead and thusly, the arrow didn't travel far enough to reach the monk. OoC: Scorri, go on and write how Tiria handled her arrow. I'll put this in now since it's happening at the same time. IC: There was only now enough time for the bow-users' leader to react due to the speed at which the arrows were shot. "No, don't you understand?! If the boy dies, we'll be done here! Just focus on killing him! If they try to fly him away, climb the trees and shoot down their pegasus! I've waited too long to let him get away!" he ordered. It was hard for Beau to concentrate. There was too much going on. Jasmine was closer than the bandit, though, so her voice absorbed easier than the bandit's whom she was talking over. He only heard the last part of what he said and only the last sentense registered. But everything was happening at once: arrows flying, bandits yelling, a soldier ordering him around... That last part could not stand, but right now it was too much. Beau was still shaken from his fight with the first bandit that had accosted them and all that he'd said. The teenager was trying to put the information to the side for now but it was difficult to know what to concentrate on. There was just too much happening in rapid succession; one thing after the other after the other... "Stop! This is all happening too quickly!" Beau shrunk back from Jasmine, holding his head with one hand while the other still held his tome. There was something that he couldn't ignore, though. "I'm not running away! This is my home, even if it is in ashes! I have to defend it! I won't accept just leaving people behind to do it for me! I won't ignore my responsability! I couldn't live with myself if I left now! I'm going to be the next Duke Bellmire! I need to defend that now!" He was only half making sense to himself and he wasn't sure who he was talking to, but Beau's thoughts were fabricated into words. "This is a step I must take!" "Let's start by safeguarding what you have left, then!" Raemond determined before attacking one of the archers that had been firing at him. (4+6)-5 = 5 = hit! (3+1)-2 = 2 damage! The first bow against the enemy had been accurate, as Raemond had hoped, but he thought he might have done better to focus on bolstering the power of his magic rather than concentrating so much on his aim. It hadn't done much. And so the archer fired back. Someone was attacking him. Why would he fire at some kid who wasn't looking to be a threat at all at the moment? At this point, he didn't care what his boss said. Killing the kid was their boss' objective. He just wanted to stay alive and get some gold. (5+4)-4 = 5 = hit! (4+1)-1 = 4 CRITICAL! 8 damage! The archer's arrow proved to be more effective than Raemond's magic this time mainly because the archer's aim was so good. Though it didn't hit anything vital, the arrow did manage to lodge its self painfully into Raemond's shoulder, just under his collarbone. Archer A 7/9 Raemond 1/9 Beau now had something he had grown used to focussing on: treating the injurred. He put his tomw back into his bag and took out his heal staff, unceramoniously removing the arrow from Raemond before healing the wound that had been left behind. So long has he could just focus on this task, he felt he would be fine. 3(5/4)+3 (rounded down) = 6 points of healing! Beau 12/12 Raemond 7/9 Though he wasn't healed completely, the sharp pain had greatly subsided. "Thank you, Beau. Now, keep behind everyone where you'll be safe," Raemond told the young lord, somewhat ushering him further back. Especially if he was going to be healing instead of fighting, Beau should not be in plain sight.

"You're protecting him too, are you?" the bandit asked, trying very hard to keep a level head. Their goal was so close. Here was the last of the despised Bellmire familly. To elliminate them, all he would have to do is kill this one boy. Then their revenge would be complete and the threat of the Bellmires rising to power again would be gone forever. So close... "I can't let this corrupt noble live. He will do just as all the dukes before him have done; it's in his blood. If the only way you'll be removed is to die, then we will just have to cut you down, too," he told the three defending the thirteen-year-old. As the archers nocked more arrows, the sniper shot the one he already had on the string at the one he percieved to be the greatest threat: Jasmine, the one who had been trained in the military. OoC: Before I post anymore of these enemys' actions, I'll let Jazzy dodge or get hit or whatever Phoenix wants to do with this.