ThicreanPhoenix

Eric jumped near a foot and (quite visibly)lost all focus as the building not far from him went up in flames in an instant. He stared, shocked and...angry. He was okay, but...Dammit, why couldn't they just fight on a proper battlefield; no civilians involved! This wasn't right! Random, innocent civilians had no place dying for the affairs of- ...The noise of combat from not far ahead snapped Eric back to reality, and he jumped again at the realization that he was supposed to be fighting. Of all the damn places to lose focus...He reassured his grip on his sword and swung at the first soldier he saw. "Hyaaaah!" Eric doesn't move anywhere and attacks Thwomp #2 with the Armorslayer.

I'm waiting on the man who was asked "Do you need something". Cough

With a deep breath taken, Eric picked one of the three blades strapped to him and drew it in the most flamboyant way possible(swinging it wildly while he did so). He could see two men in front of him, both heavily armored(he could barely see the second but still). Eric wanted to say he could take both easily, but...the last time he thought that... Holding his blade in front of him, he slowly stepped towards the soldiers in a threatening manner, but still made sure to keep his distance. And creeped closer to the wall for cover. He'd let them come to him. Going on pure offense hadn't helped him recently... Eric to (6, 9), equip Armorslayer.

Eric looked up from his...gesturing, and jumped a little when he saw people marching down towards the distant village, weapons drawn. Since Accolon and Baron Esclabor were among them, he assumed the time had come to do what he was hired to do, and followed suit. He walked to the edge of the village, occasionally kicking back his coattail for really no other reason than it looked cooler than just hanging. Finally, he stopped. Firmly grasping the hilt of his sword, he took a deep breath... Time to settle my debts... Eric deploys at (3,10) and let's just assume someone already gave him the Armorslayer and Round Shield from the Convoy for some reason

How many people do we have waiting to be introduced at this point?

Sicon continued to follow Elijah, taking the box as he was instructed. "Hrmf," he grunted as it fell into his hands. It's...heavier than expected. What's in this thing? However, the thought soon left his mind when his escortee asked him who the travelers were, a question to which his only response was "I dunno." Looking around, he saw a person who looked familiar, "Uhh...I think I recognize that woman in the light purple. The one sitting with the big burly guy." With his hands full, he could only gesture by tilting his head towards the table where a lilac-wearing woman and a giant of a man were sitting. As he spoke, he saw the man ascend from his seat. Dear Sotria, he's huge! If these guys are our traveling partners, then...he looks like he could handle a scuffle.

Sicon remained silent during the discussion at the wagon. He was planning to walk anyway. He wasn't even aware there was a cart and mule until just now! Travelers...that meant more people to throw off the scent of Jovis. But that also meant more people to protect if things got dangerous. The odds said that simple travelers wouldn't have much in the way of arms. They usually didn't, as far as Sicon knew. But still, he hoped that whoever came along could use a blade or...something, because...no matter what he was told to do, Sicon wasn't perfect. A single mage could probably swat him down as easily as a fly. And even with the archer... Ugh, why couldn't he stop worrying?!...Because something just felt...off. There was this odd sense of dread...like a fight was coming. Like something bad was going to happen; something he would be powerless to stop. And if there was one thing Sicon did not want to do, it was let anyone down.

Sicon chuckled at the dismissal of his confidence, then listened to the further details of the mission. Escorting a diplomat to Vinhon...seemed simple enough. Plus, it wasn't like he had to do all the fighting alone. This Rekia guy was here for backup. Still, being an archer, he probably couldn't do much on the front lines...Sicon touched his leg where his wound had been. Fighting two men in a forest was one thing. If they were ambushed on the road... When the discussion was done, Sicon turned to follow his escortee, offering a salute to Captain Sleidors on his way out. His worries could wait. He just had to do what was asked of him.

The mercenary seemed to be disappointed with what Sicon had to say. Given what he said, it was understandable. If he couldn't get hired, he'd have no money. Wait...if he was specifically asked to be present, then...But just as he was done talking, the door opened. I guess that's how long they'll take. Sicon followed as he and the mercenary were ushered in(Mi'iltha seemed to be barred from entry...Oh well.), and listened as the two men inside chatted amongst themselves, finally asking them to introduce themselves. Fortunately, he got a moment to think, because the bowman went first. So he's a Palmyrian named Rekia...good to know. When this Rekia fellow finished, Sicon took his turn. Taking a small step forward, he said, "My name is Sicon. I serve as part of a Jovian border patrol. I am no hero or special recruit, but tell me what to do, and I will not disappoint." He took that small step back to indicate he was finished. He took on several men by himself not hours ago, he could afford to be a little self-confident.

...Less than a month ago, Eric had been on the same side as the people down in that village. And now, here he was, marching against them...I really need to put that in the past. I can't just keep self-loathing. I've probably got plenty of loathing from these people. He hadn't actually spoken to anyone on the march. He could just sort of...sense that they didn't want him around. So he stared at his feet and kept marching forward...It was what he was used to. But now as he stood overlooking the Deiran banners... Even from his perspective, the looming fight seemed inevitable. I wonder if anyone I knew is...Eric shook his head. He wasn't going to think about it. Instead, he did something to calm himself; something he hadn't done in a long time. He turned his left side to face the breeze and brought his left hand up, slowly rising it to shoulder level, only to draw it back and point off into the distance as soon as it reached that high...Ah, it felt nice to (pseudo-)dramatically pose. Usually, it wasn't in large, obvious motions like this. It would be a relatively unnoticable hand wave or something. But he felt like he needed this. He then turned his right side forward, leaning forward with his left hand on his sheathed sword, right open and outstretched, palm facing out. Eric knew that anyone who cared enough to look would probably think him crazy, but...he really felt at ease. And that was a feeling he very much needed.

...Eric stared at the floor as he listened to the speeches all these people were giving. They all said how Deira and its people were wrong. How much suffering they had inflicted. How they needed to pay...They were right. And as he stood, hidden along the crowd, Eric felt nothing but guilt. He had been part of it. He had sported the colors of his country. Technically, he still did, if only for lack of a change of clothes(the defining article of which he had pulled his arms out of, letting it hang from his belt. It wasn't invisible, but it was relatively low-profile...right? Nobody had noticed yet). I really shouldn't feel this guilty, Eric told himself, I'm not with...them...anymore. I didn't even make the decisions to begin with. Come to think of it, he hadn't signed up for the army for the sake of 'serving his country' or any similar notion. No, he signed up to earn himself glory. To jot his name in the pages of history, selfish as it may sound...So much for that. He hadn't even begun to process everything that had happened in the last few days, up to and including why he was standing around while a bunch of nobles made speeches about how much Deira sucked...Truth be told, he didn't want to. If he didn't think about how bad he was screwing himself over... Eric didn't speak. Besides the fact that he had never been involved in any planning, thus having no idea what move anyone was making next, he was probably the least qualified person in the room to do so, and...it wasn't like anyone would listen to him anyway...Hardly anyone ever did.

Sicon waited a few seconds, but nothing happened. No response. So much for small talk...fortunately, a new, strange voice broke the awkward scene apart, asking a "Miss", presumably Mi'iltha, where anyone who could hire him was. Sicon glanced over to see who was speaking. From the sound of it, he was a mercenary...muh. "Captain's in there," Sicon tilted his head towards the castle gates and answered for his less-than-chatty company, "But now might be a bad time. Meeting or something. If you want a job fast, maybe try checking in town. With the recent bandit attack and all, I doubt anyone wants to go anywhere without a veritable escort."

I was waiting on Toyotasomi.

"Oh. That makes sense." Sicon reacted to hearing Mi'iltha's deduction, "Regardless, it's nice to meet you, Mi'iltha. I'd introduce myself too, but...you already know my name." He chuckled, almost awkwardly, before he heard the Captain's voice call out for...Lithis. That...pegasus knight. He couldn't hear the conversation clearly, but based on Sleidor's tone and the way the pegasus knight flew off afterwards, it was something serious. He turned back to the person he was actually talking to. In an attempt to not look like the guy who just goes silent and backs away awkwardly, Sicon attempted to engage in small talk. "Ehem, so you're...part of the Gastallan brigade, aye? How's Jovia? Or...Jovia's border, more accurately."

Sicon stood straight as ever, waiting for Captain Sleidors to be done. As he was waiting, however, a woman in lilac approached him, and with a wave of a staff, Sicon felt his scrapes and aches melt away. "Thank you, uh...milady." Sicon responded to the cleric, briefly pulling his attention away from the Captain. When he looked back, however, the Captain was gone. A quick look saw him walking off to...well, who knows what, but walking away nonetheless. Sicon assumed this meant he was no longer required and took his chance. He approached the pegasus knight who had mentioned him in her report. "Excuse me, miss? I was wondering...how exactly do you know my name? I don't recall ever even meeting you, let alone introducing myself."

Eric continued to follow the Baron, listening to what he had to say. Unfortunately, what he had to say was...less than complimentary. Eric could stand being called stupid or unskilled. But insignificant? That was personal. VERY personal. Forcing back an angry retort, he continued to swallow his pride and follow nicely. At last, they had passed the gates and arrived at Accolon's location. Unil was huddled above its rider, and another person had joined the man from earlier. A purple-haired woman with...a healing staff? Did that mean?...Listening to the words of the crowd around him confirmed it. This...Serge fellow, assuming he was applying the names right, had gotten help. Eric was extremely relieved, but at the same time...he had run into the street like a raving lunatic and been insulted, what, six times, for nothing. He felt...awkward. But mostly useless...On the positive side, he wouldn't have to deal with trying to compensate Baron Esclabor. "Wow..." Eric finally stammered, blushing slightly out of awkwardness, "Heh, I guess you're a lot better at handling stressful situations than me. I couldn't...Er, I can't thank you enough. You helped out a complete stranger, and...I haven't known Accolon long, but he...he's really one of the only people in the last year to really be my friend. If it weren't for him, I'd probably be dead right now. I...wouldn't have ever forgiven myself if he died. I really owe you...Both of you." He nodded to...Serge and the woman who he presumed was Nona, but feeling that wasn't expressive enough, offered a slight bow...which he quickly regretted doing and straightened himself.

Eric once again heard the question of why exactly he was here...a question he had often asked himself as of late. He still sensed a bit of hostility in Baron Esclabor's voice, and of course, he started to react to the extra comment first. "Hey, what's that supp-" Eric stopped midsentence...again. "Er, I, uh, mean...We weren't exactly too happy with the invasion of Myrcia. I mean, all I can really do is swing a sword around, so I had work, but...was there really a reason for the damn thing? All the...pointless slaughter. It just didn't sit right. And one day...we had enough of it, I guess." It once again wasn't a lie. It was the main justification for Accolon, and Eric did agree. However, what actually got Eric to leave was a bit more...personal. And he wasn't about to tell anyone that he left an entire country mainly because he couldn't stand the guy he was working for.

I'd do Phantoms as follows: HP locked at one. Str: Summoner level plus four. Mag locked at 0. Skl: Equal to Summoner level. Spd: Summoner level plus one. Lck: Randomly determined 1-6. Def and Res locked at 0.

Sicon listened to the report of the pegasus knight and the commentary of the Captain. Only one...two...things struck him as odd. First, there was an entire brigade. Why were only two soldiers sent to deal with this? The main force could surely have spared a couple soldiers to offer some backup just in case. Second...the pegasus knight knew his name. Sicon didn't remember ever encountering this person, let alone introducing himself. So how did... Sicon wasn't about to question the Captain's orders and voice his concerns. But he could find out the answer to the second one...after he was dismissed. Sicon knew better than to converse in the presence of a superior officer. He shot a quick glance at the pegasus, then refocused his attention on the Captain.

In Fog of War maps, the average character can only see what, three spaces away?

Sicon watched as the archer fired one last shot and ducked away. He started to give chase, but he was gone before too long. "Damn..." However, Sicon didn't have much time to beat himself up about it. A recognizable voice rang out ahead. It was the Captain, demanding a report. Sicon instinctively jogged up to the brigade and saluted. "Eastern Ridge clear, Captain. Three assailants. Two dead. One escaped." Sicon stood at attention, waiting for a response. He had to wonder about the other person the Captain, called, though. Was someone else supposed to be here with him?...

Sicon stood up straight, snapping his javelin back on his belt. His other lance, however, he pointed at the archer, whom he could see from his mountain perch. No doubt they could see him too. "That makes two down, arrow boy! Do you still value your life, or shall I make that three? If the former, drop your weapon. If the latter...make peace with whatever god you worship before I send you off to meet them."

Eric listened intently to the rich-looking man's response. He would start to open his mouth to speak after each sentence, but was always preempted by the next one. At the end, however...he had mixed feelings. He was talking to not only someone of higher station than himself, but someone from the country his own invaded. He was fearful...grateful...he almost would have been offended, if this...Baron Esclabor didn't have a point about Deira's actions. "H-hey, I'm not a fan of what Deira is up to, either." Eric finally spoke, trying to walk alongside his prospective assistance, "Kind of the reason me and Accolon are here in the first place. We got sick of what they were doing and...left. They, uh, didn't take too kindly to our exit. Hence the...needing a healer bit." His heart sank into his stomach thinking of compensation. How could he tell this man he didn't have anything to offer without getting him to leave? Well, he didn't have NOTHING. There was the sword on his belt and the clothes on his back...He'd deal with that when the time came. For now, the best he could do was get the assistance he needed. The mention of guards put another sinking feeling in Eric's stomach. Not only did they exist, but he had left Accolon with both a complete stranger and a wyvern whose last feeding time was unknown to him...Unil had been Accolon's responsibility. He started walking a little faster, with a little more of earlier's panic in his step. He still took care not to walk too far ahead, though.

The spear had landed. The pesky swordsman collapsed, and hopefully would not be standing back up anytime soon. The spear, as due its...qualities, reappeared in Sicon's grip. Sicon was almost proud, but out of the bushes came the one who had attacked him and started this mess. Unable to parry or escape, he found himself stinging. He made sure to return the favor, though. "Ha! Better luck next time...if you can last until then!" He taunted, evading the second strike. "And you might have to pray you do!" Sicon continued as he seamlessly drew his old, less cumbersome, weapon and brought down the axe. The metaphorical axe, at any rate. In truth, Sicon prayed himself for a split-second that his strike landed...he wouldn't last much longer if it didn't. Equip Slim Lance, attack Thief.

Eric ran down the street, calling for aid. Yet, for some reason, no one was responding. Reacting, sure. But not in the way he wanted. Everyone was turning away, with contemptual gazes and hushed voices. How could they? Eric stopped in his tracks. "Please! Anybody! There is a person over there! Dying! And you're all just gonna let it happen?! What the hell is wrong with-" Eric was cut off with the name of his birth country. Which would make the second time in under five minutes, Eric noted. He turned around to see a rich-looking man and a much scruffier-looking one. The rich-looking one continued to speak. He didn't like the disdain in the man's voice, but at least he was-Fool? Lunatic?! Why you pompous little-Eric cut off his own train of thought. Mouthing off to higher-ranking people was part of what got him here in the first place. He wasn't about to dig himself an even deeper hole. So instead, he responded as unoffensively as he could. "I myself am not in any real trouble...uh..." Eric paused briefly. He didn't know the proper way to address this man. Ugh. Just wing it. "...you...but my friend is. We landed over that way,"-At this, Eric, without looking, pointed in the direction from which he'd run-"And...it's bad. I don't know what's hurt. But if I don't get someone to help...I don't think Accolon's gonna make it. Now, please, if you don't know how to aid wounds, can you help me find someone who can?" The entire time he spoke, Eric's eyes darted from place to place. They generally came back to his feet, and not once did he actually look this man in the eye. It was an old habit. Eye contact had always been...awkward.