(OOC thread here!)
Aftbide was a village nestled between forested hills and a great, snowcapped mountain which marked a line separating its plentiful farmland from harsh, snowy climes. It was overlooked by a lord who lived further up the mountain, and its denizens provided a generous supply of flax, berries, root vegetables and furs to traveling merchants; especially when summer came. Unfortunately at the time of these events the town had just finished stocking for winter; a chill wind began to blow down from the mountain, leaving the morning dew frosted and the soil too hard to cultivate or till. The people were prepared for the cold, stowing away food and necessary supplies for the coming months. They were not prepared, however, for those that came from the wood; outlaws gathered into a newly formed bandit clan.
The bandit chief organized the attack in the dark of night, using the misty gloom to butcher the local guard and drag the villagers from their homes. Most of the village's denizens were rounded up and imprisoned, but some were kept untied to serve the outlaws while they ate and drank of their captive's stores. Meanwhile, members of the clan were sent to the streets to watch for the lord's men or interlopers while dressed as guards, so as to give the impression that nothing was wrong.
Almost a fortnight had passed with no word to the lord or outside world of what happened. It was unsurprising; the bandits were efficient in their work and nobody of importance would usually travel there, especially in the winter when trade was almost nonexistent.
It was exactly why Tara, who'd just climbed down from the mountain had no idea what she was getting into.
_
Kerik stood bored and stiff with cold , facing the dirt road that wound up into the mountain to the northwest of the village. It had been three hours of watching nothing and it would be three more before he could return to the barracks and pester a comrade to take his place. There was little light to watch with anyway, the nearest to him being a lantern hanging outside of his post; a poorly insulated booth situated at the side of the road.
He was aware of two others that may come down that road but they would never leave the villages confines; two guards, one of which occasionally even spoke with him. He was glad for their absence however, for he hated their guts and had smuggled something out with him to ease the drudgery of waiting.
Ale! The bandit drank slowly, not because he couldn't handle how strong it was but because it helped stave off the night's chill, if only for a brief time. It occurred to him that he may have been getting drunk but Kerik remained unconcerned. Nobody was going to use that road at night anyway.
Or so he'd thought. From nowhere an armored figure stepped near the entrance of his post, causing the bandit to start and ramble.
"Oi! Stop sneakin' around like that, you're supposed to be a guard!-- Uh, don't mind this, its water. Really." Kerik shoved the skin he drank from to his belt, away from who he presumed was that other guard. "I thought you'd be off showing your affections to that bar wench by now!--"
"What're you talkin' about?" Tara inquired.
"OH! You're not-- u-uh. Hello citizen-traveler! You seem, uh, lost."
The figure tilted their head at the 'guard'. Kerik continued, "If you need help, I would be glad to help ya. And, uhm, if you jus' need a drink and place t' rest I suggest staying at the Sail Spinner Tavern. Its up th' way, second right, first building on your left. Can't miss it."
"Thanks."
"...So. Are you alone?"
The traveler straightened. "Yes."
The bandit stood up, smiling at her. "Why don't I show you, then? It'd be my pleasure. I know a shortcut." Before she could reply he pushed his way out of the booth and walked onto the path, looking back at her. Another voice joined theres, belonging to the man Kerik thought Faolan was. The patrolling outlaw approached and asked, "Kerik, who is this?"
"A lone, weary traveler come t' rest here in Aftbide, of course." supplied Kerik.
"Oh?" The second bandit approached Tara and, upon realizing he was closing in, so did the first. "There's two of us, one of you. And I'm very bored."
"Don't." The traveler warned.
"What're you going to do about it? You're mince meat, newcomer. Give up and you might live to see tomorrow."
The warrior was undaunted. She drew her longsword, glancing between the two stoically. The second 'guard' chuckled and drew his own blade, so Kerik followed. "Oh. I love it when they say no."
And so steel clashed, echoing through the village and catching the attention of the rest of the patrolmen. By the time they reached the scene, however, Faolan was gone, Kerik was on his knees and the other bandit lay dead in the road. A clansman yelled, then a number of voices bickered and resolved to split up to warn their comrades and search the town for their unwelcome guest.
Dangling from Kerik's shoulder was a war horn; one that a fellow outlaw snatched from him and blew. It was joined by more which belonged to others; all the village knew of the traveler's intrusion then.
_
After the skirmish Tara dashed off into an alley, ducking behind a couple of crates when she heard the group of guards congregate around her former opponents. She listened closely, unable to help but also hear her racing heart thunder in her ears. She had met guards that were corrupt before but the duo's unorthodox behavior caused a strong suspicion of what happened to the village.
She looked up, noticing a window positioned above her on the house she'd hidden behind. It was unimportant itself but it brought the warrior an idea. Crouching low, the traveler crept to the back door of the house and tested the door. It was unlocked, so she opened it silently and stepped inside, closing it behind her. One of the outlaws passed by outside, causing her to pause and wait until it seemed he'd left earshot. Then Tara walked; the usually simple process was made painstaking for the creaking of floorboards beneath.
A few steps later she crouched again, withdrawing a lantern, candle and fire striker to light the way and explore the house. If the home was empty or showed any unusual signs she might just have her answer. She worked on lighting the candle outside of its lantern and when it worked, Faolan placed it inside, replaced the rest and stood with the light to investigate the house. It would draw attention but the warrior needed her answers, quickly.
Aftbide was a village nestled between forested hills and a great, snowcapped mountain which marked a line separating its plentiful farmland from harsh, snowy climes. It was overlooked by a lord who lived further up the mountain, and its denizens provided a generous supply of flax, berries, root vegetables and furs to traveling merchants; especially when summer came. Unfortunately at the time of these events the town had just finished stocking for winter; a chill wind began to blow down from the mountain, leaving the morning dew frosted and the soil too hard to cultivate or till. The people were prepared for the cold, stowing away food and necessary supplies for the coming months. They were not prepared, however, for those that came from the wood; outlaws gathered into a newly formed bandit clan.
The bandit chief organized the attack in the dark of night, using the misty gloom to butcher the local guard and drag the villagers from their homes. Most of the village's denizens were rounded up and imprisoned, but some were kept untied to serve the outlaws while they ate and drank of their captive's stores. Meanwhile, members of the clan were sent to the streets to watch for the lord's men or interlopers while dressed as guards, so as to give the impression that nothing was wrong.
Almost a fortnight had passed with no word to the lord or outside world of what happened. It was unsurprising; the bandits were efficient in their work and nobody of importance would usually travel there, especially in the winter when trade was almost nonexistent.
It was exactly why Tara, who'd just climbed down from the mountain had no idea what she was getting into.
_
Kerik stood bored and stiff with cold , facing the dirt road that wound up into the mountain to the northwest of the village. It had been three hours of watching nothing and it would be three more before he could return to the barracks and pester a comrade to take his place. There was little light to watch with anyway, the nearest to him being a lantern hanging outside of his post; a poorly insulated booth situated at the side of the road.
He was aware of two others that may come down that road but they would never leave the villages confines; two guards, one of which occasionally even spoke with him. He was glad for their absence however, for he hated their guts and had smuggled something out with him to ease the drudgery of waiting.
Ale! The bandit drank slowly, not because he couldn't handle how strong it was but because it helped stave off the night's chill, if only for a brief time. It occurred to him that he may have been getting drunk but Kerik remained unconcerned. Nobody was going to use that road at night anyway.
Or so he'd thought. From nowhere an armored figure stepped near the entrance of his post, causing the bandit to start and ramble.
"Oi! Stop sneakin' around like that, you're supposed to be a guard!-- Uh, don't mind this, its water. Really." Kerik shoved the skin he drank from to his belt, away from who he presumed was that other guard. "I thought you'd be off showing your affections to that bar wench by now!--"
"What're you talkin' about?" Tara inquired.
"OH! You're not-- u-uh. Hello citizen-traveler! You seem, uh, lost."
The figure tilted their head at the 'guard'. Kerik continued, "If you need help, I would be glad to help ya. And, uhm, if you jus' need a drink and place t' rest I suggest staying at the Sail Spinner Tavern. Its up th' way, second right, first building on your left. Can't miss it."
"Thanks."
"...So. Are you alone?"
The traveler straightened. "Yes."
The bandit stood up, smiling at her. "Why don't I show you, then? It'd be my pleasure. I know a shortcut." Before she could reply he pushed his way out of the booth and walked onto the path, looking back at her. Another voice joined theres, belonging to the man Kerik thought Faolan was. The patrolling outlaw approached and asked, "Kerik, who is this?"
"A lone, weary traveler come t' rest here in Aftbide, of course." supplied Kerik.
"Oh?" The second bandit approached Tara and, upon realizing he was closing in, so did the first. "There's two of us, one of you. And I'm very bored."
"Don't." The traveler warned.
"What're you going to do about it? You're mince meat, newcomer. Give up and you might live to see tomorrow."
The warrior was undaunted. She drew her longsword, glancing between the two stoically. The second 'guard' chuckled and drew his own blade, so Kerik followed. "Oh. I love it when they say no."
And so steel clashed, echoing through the village and catching the attention of the rest of the patrolmen. By the time they reached the scene, however, Faolan was gone, Kerik was on his knees and the other bandit lay dead in the road. A clansman yelled, then a number of voices bickered and resolved to split up to warn their comrades and search the town for their unwelcome guest.
Dangling from Kerik's shoulder was a war horn; one that a fellow outlaw snatched from him and blew. It was joined by more which belonged to others; all the village knew of the traveler's intrusion then.
_
After the skirmish Tara dashed off into an alley, ducking behind a couple of crates when she heard the group of guards congregate around her former opponents. She listened closely, unable to help but also hear her racing heart thunder in her ears. She had met guards that were corrupt before but the duo's unorthodox behavior caused a strong suspicion of what happened to the village.
She looked up, noticing a window positioned above her on the house she'd hidden behind. It was unimportant itself but it brought the warrior an idea. Crouching low, the traveler crept to the back door of the house and tested the door. It was unlocked, so she opened it silently and stepped inside, closing it behind her. One of the outlaws passed by outside, causing her to pause and wait until it seemed he'd left earshot. Then Tara walked; the usually simple process was made painstaking for the creaking of floorboards beneath.
A few steps later she crouched again, withdrawing a lantern, candle and fire striker to light the way and explore the house. If the home was empty or showed any unusual signs she might just have her answer. She worked on lighting the candle outside of its lantern and when it worked, Faolan placed it inside, replaced the rest and stood with the light to investigate the house. It would draw attention but the warrior needed her answers, quickly.
((Awe man I have so many good characters I could use for this, Katja seems like the most interesting to use right now tho))
The house was eerily silent, until she lit that lantern. Suddenly she was seized by her arms, a gruff male voice behind her, "Got her, Captain."
A woman stepped into the circle of light, and for a moment she could have been mistaken for a bandit as well, the way she was dressed. But the rich blue color of the cloak around her shoulders, the very carefully embroidered gold detail, and the fact it seemed to have some weight to it, meant it was more expensive for a theif to afford.
"Alright, you're going to answer my questions cur, or you'll be dying, understood?" The woman had thick, blonde hair, her blue eyes fierce and defiant. And judging on the fact others in the shadows had matching uniforms, this was some kind of clan or guild. And she seemed to be the leader.
The house was eerily silent, until she lit that lantern. Suddenly she was seized by her arms, a gruff male voice behind her, "Got her, Captain."
A woman stepped into the circle of light, and for a moment she could have been mistaken for a bandit as well, the way she was dressed. But the rich blue color of the cloak around her shoulders, the very carefully embroidered gold detail, and the fact it seemed to have some weight to it, meant it was more expensive for a theif to afford.
"Alright, you're going to answer my questions cur, or you'll be dying, understood?" The woman had thick, blonde hair, her blue eyes fierce and defiant. And judging on the fact others in the shadows had matching uniforms, this was some kind of clan or guild. And she seemed to be the leader.
When Tara felt the wind shift while Katja's men moved to secure her she dropped the lantern (which luckily brought no damage to it, as it was still close to the ground) and thrashed to try and pull away. To no avail; she growled when the woman stepped into view, heart racing once again with frustration and stress. The expensive gear did little to comfort the warrior; she was still not entirely sure what she'd just gotten into.
Hearing Sauer's voice snapped her back to reality; Faolan grimaced and glowered. "Release me. I'm no' the cur you're lookin' for."
Hearing Sauer's voice snapped her back to reality; Faolan grimaced and glowered. "Release me. I'm no' the cur you're lookin' for."
"Lies." She snapped, "This village is overrun with scoundrels like you, you can't deny it. Was Iskra the one who lead this?" When she leaned down to her face, the dark circles under her eyes were visible, as was the dirt smudged on her cheeks; they mustve been there for quite some time, and based on the way she spoke of the bandits, they may have been a mercenary group or a militia.
She had taken out her sword now, a gleaming broadsword in the dim light from the lantern, "Answer me well and we may just let you live to see a trial...though you will be judged by my court and no one else's."
She had taken out her sword now, a gleaming broadsword in the dim light from the lantern, "Answer me well and we may just let you live to see a trial...though you will be judged by my court and no one else's."
Beneath her helmet Tara slightly furrowed her brow. "Overrun? That explains... everythin', actually. I don't know who Iskra is but your scoundrels are outside, lookin' for me. I've committed no crime here." There was a faint temptation to mention the dead bandit outside but the warrior wanted to survive the encounter, not confuse them.
"Your court would find nothing to accuse me of, let alone sentence me with. Release me. Or, if you're so certain I'm to die, let me do it on even terms."
"Your court would find nothing to accuse me of, let alone sentence me with. Release me. Or, if you're so certain I'm to die, let me do it on even terms."
Katja stared hard at her for a moment, before she sighed and waved her hand, "Release the woman."
The man behind her did as said, taking a few steps back in case Katja went to strike; but she didn't, and even sheathed her sword, "So you have no idea whats going on? Or who Iskra is?" She looked more irritated now than anything, like this was a bother. And it was, this woman could offer no help to her if she wasnt one of those bandits. Which would mean the situation was going to be much more difficult.
The man behind her did as said, taking a few steps back in case Katja went to strike; but she didn't, and even sheathed her sword, "So you have no idea whats going on? Or who Iskra is?" She looked more irritated now than anything, like this was a bother. And it was, this woman could offer no help to her if she wasnt one of those bandits. Which would mean the situation was going to be much more difficult.
"Bandits are runnin' this town, it seems. No, I don't know who Iskra is."
When released, Tara adopted a calmer temperament. She rested her hand on the hilt of her longsword slowly, to show she didn't intend to attack either. The traveler shook her head slowly, adjusting her helmet and glancing back at one of the men who grabbed her. Then she looked down to the lantern contemplatively. "M' name's Tara Faolan. Mind if I snuff the light?"
The warrior realized, though it was hardly relevant then that there was one charge they could hold against her; breaking in. Though she was hardly concerned about that then, and figured her reasoning was understood by the individuals around her.
Muffled by the walls of the house were voices exchanging , one seeming relatively close by.
When released, Tara adopted a calmer temperament. She rested her hand on the hilt of her longsword slowly, to show she didn't intend to attack either. The traveler shook her head slowly, adjusting her helmet and glancing back at one of the men who grabbed her. Then she looked down to the lantern contemplatively. "M' name's Tara Faolan. Mind if I snuff the light?"
The warrior realized, though it was hardly relevant then that there was one charge they could hold against her; breaking in. Though she was hardly concerned about that then, and figured her reasoning was understood by the individuals around her.
Muffled by the walls of the house were voices exchanging , one seeming relatively close by.
"Yes, bandits are indeed infesting this place." She wrinkled her nose, "I am Katja Sauer, I was hired to come to this town by the Lord... Iskra is a ruthless bandit from the northern mountains, she does things like this just to piss me off, I swear...stupid woman..." She paused hearing the voices, and nodded softly, "Go ahead. Put it out..." It was easily understood, and judging on what she said, safe to assume she too didn't belong in this building.
She had stepped away from the door, but gestured towards it, looking to one of the men near Tara. He seemed to understand, moving quietly to the door; his steps were slow and cautious, and carefully placed; they seemed to know where the soft spots in the floorboards were, as he made his way too the door in an attempt to listen to the conversation.
She had stepped away from the door, but gestured towards it, looking to one of the men near Tara. He seemed to understand, moving quietly to the door; his steps were slow and cautious, and carefully placed; they seemed to know where the soft spots in the floorboards were, as he made his way too the door in an attempt to listen to the conversation.
Faolan knelt before the light and reached into its container to snuff it out between her gloved finger and thumb. Once again the group was bathed in shadow; Tara did not move from her original position, waiting and maintaining silence to assist the man listening. She listened as well.
At first there was very little to be gleaned from the yelling clansmen outside other than that they were still searching for the intruder. Then there came a commotion from a house near the one they hid in; the door was pushed open suddenly and harshly, multiple footsteps giving away the outlaw's attempt to search the place. It seemed to the warrior that those men would do the same for each house in that district if they did not immediately find something.
They didn't have much time; a new sort of dread filled the traveler, greater in that it was not for herself. The bandits were close; if they did the same to the home she and the others hid in, they might not be able to fight them back. Would it be smarter to fight as a unit, or for her to independently arrange a distraction to buy them more time? And would it even help Katja and her companions for her to try?
At first there was very little to be gleaned from the yelling clansmen outside other than that they were still searching for the intruder. Then there came a commotion from a house near the one they hid in; the door was pushed open suddenly and harshly, multiple footsteps giving away the outlaw's attempt to search the place. It seemed to the warrior that those men would do the same for each house in that district if they did not immediately find something.
They didn't have much time; a new sort of dread filled the traveler, greater in that it was not for herself. The bandits were close; if they did the same to the home she and the others hid in, they might not be able to fight them back. Would it be smarter to fight as a unit, or for her to independently arrange a distraction to buy them more time? And would it even help Katja and her companions for her to try?
The man listening in turned back, to speak to Katja, but she knew what was happening already, "Brace yourselves. Prepare for anything." he said gruffly, moving away from the door to remove his own weapon.
Quietly, the group around her pulled out weapons, everyone's eyes focused on the thin lines of light that glowed from the edge of the doorway. Katja, on the other hand, had made her way to the opened window. Her footfalls, though hushed thanks to her careful steps, sounded uneven; either she had a natural limp, which wouldn't be unreasonable had Tara known her work as a Knight, or she was injured, which wasn't unreasonable either consider she may have gotten into a fight previously to have been hiding like this. Either way, she seemed to be thinking of something, "Tara, maybe you should escape from here," Her voice was barely a whisper, "While I can see you're at least knowledgeable on fighting, this situation may get a little dangerous. We're not professionals but we've had much experience in battle, I can assure you of that."
Quietly, the group around her pulled out weapons, everyone's eyes focused on the thin lines of light that glowed from the edge of the doorway. Katja, on the other hand, had made her way to the opened window. Her footfalls, though hushed thanks to her careful steps, sounded uneven; either she had a natural limp, which wouldn't be unreasonable had Tara known her work as a Knight, or she was injured, which wasn't unreasonable either consider she may have gotten into a fight previously to have been hiding like this. Either way, she seemed to be thinking of something, "Tara, maybe you should escape from here," Her voice was barely a whisper, "While I can see you're at least knowledgeable on fighting, this situation may get a little dangerous. We're not professionals but we've had much experience in battle, I can assure you of that."
Tara listened to Katja, packing her light away and then standing to approach the knight. Respectfully she remained outside of reach; she might not be a bandit but the two didn't know each other and were still armed. "I would escape, if only to bring others to assist... but if you do not think its needed I'd prefer t' help." Much like Saur the traveler kept her voice down; she waited for the knight's response, willing to go either way. Usually she would not defer so quickly but these people seemed to have their own plans that she didn't want to impede upon.
Another door knocked open, a bit further away that time, though the voices did not cease in the slightest. One of the outlaws laughed and made verbal jabs at the others. A glance out of the window might reveal the man's position nearby; he was not aware of the Knights' presence just yet but was close, hoisting up Kerik by his collar. He snapped quietly at the other bandit and pushed him away, inadvertently closer to Katja and against one of the houses.
The named bandit hissed in pain but righted himself against a wall. He blinked and drew his hand away from his torso, inspecting it before tucking it back around him in a self-hug. Of the two that survived the squabble he was doing the poorest, yet.
Another door knocked open, a bit further away that time, though the voices did not cease in the slightest. One of the outlaws laughed and made verbal jabs at the others. A glance out of the window might reveal the man's position nearby; he was not aware of the Knights' presence just yet but was close, hoisting up Kerik by his collar. He snapped quietly at the other bandit and pushed him away, inadvertently closer to Katja and against one of the houses.
The named bandit hissed in pain but righted himself against a wall. He blinked and drew his hand away from his torso, inspecting it before tucking it back around him in a self-hug. Of the two that survived the squabble he was doing the poorest, yet.
Katja was glancing out the window, but moved into the darkness once Kerik was pushed near the house. She felt bad for him, as he seemes to be injured; she would feel much less pity had she known how he was injured, but didn't feel the need to mention him. Besides, an injured opponent could hinder the abilities of the entire group. She retreated from the window fully, unsheathing her sword and glancing to the door, listening to the voices nearing them, "Well then, Lady Tara, it is a pleasure to fight with you."
In her eyes, reinforcments were of no use; these bandits would be here any second, they would need as many people as they could get, but they needed them now. So this woman would have to do, "Lady Tara, I ask that you do avoid keeping the fray from reaching the back room. There's a young man back there, he appears to be one of the villagers. Blind, but he's albino, and their limbs and organs can go for quite a bit of coin to the more sinister clans in the region, as charms to ward off evil as well as for making potions of health. I hope to help him escape from here, as soon as possible, as he seems to be...gifted." she didnt seem to want to elaborate, focused on the door.
In her eyes, reinforcments were of no use; these bandits would be here any second, they would need as many people as they could get, but they needed them now. So this woman would have to do, "Lady Tara, I ask that you do avoid keeping the fray from reaching the back room. There's a young man back there, he appears to be one of the villagers. Blind, but he's albino, and their limbs and organs can go for quite a bit of coin to the more sinister clans in the region, as charms to ward off evil as well as for making potions of health. I hope to help him escape from here, as soon as possible, as he seems to be...gifted." she didnt seem to want to elaborate, focused on the door.
Tara felt simultaneously grateful and proud when her assistance was accepted; after all, it was the least she could do for basically bringing this situation upon the militiamen in the first place. It also gave her a bit of a tickle to be called lady, knowing herself. The warrior glanced between the window and door, understanding that either could be used as an entry but knew that the bandits would probably use the latter. (unintentional pun?)
She cocked her head to one side listening to the exposition of the albino in the house; such legends were not unheard of to the traveler, so she understood the knight's insistence regarding the back room. Aware that the metal glint of her armor might give away her position out in the open she crouched down again, taking off her backpack and cloak. They'd only hinder the warrior in such close quarters. Then, ever so quietly Faolan drew her blade and waited.
It didn't all happen immediately; the ruckus followed through a number of houses nearby before the footfalls approached their's. Though there were clearly many more nearby the warrior suspected that perhaps five men were outside the door when they tried to open it. The group muttered amongst each other; one of them concerned that another would so casually open the door when there may be an ambush. Unsurprisingly the second man just chuckled and said, "An ambush of one? How'd you even manage to join us if you're such a coward?"
She cocked her head to one side listening to the exposition of the albino in the house; such legends were not unheard of to the traveler, so she understood the knight's insistence regarding the back room. Aware that the metal glint of her armor might give away her position out in the open she crouched down again, taking off her backpack and cloak. They'd only hinder the warrior in such close quarters. Then, ever so quietly Faolan drew her blade and waited.
It didn't all happen immediately; the ruckus followed through a number of houses nearby before the footfalls approached their's. Though there were clearly many more nearby the warrior suspected that perhaps five men were outside the door when they tried to open it. The group muttered amongst each other; one of them concerned that another would so casually open the door when there may be an ambush. Unsurprisingly the second man just chuckled and said, "An ambush of one? How'd you even manage to join us if you're such a coward?"
Katja kept her chuckle in at the comment, making sure they would have the upper hand. If they only expected one, they wouldn't be ready for her entire group.
She would've liked to keep the edge too, but there was a sudden comotion in the back of the house, and the albino young man fell from the back room, hitting the floor and letting out a yell.
Their cover had been efficiently blown.
She would've liked to keep the edge too, but there was a sudden comotion in the back of the house, and the albino young man fell from the back room, hitting the floor and letting out a yell.
Their cover had been efficiently blown.
Tara glanced back when the man appeared, squeezing the grip of her sword with quiet surprise. The bandit who jested outside uttered a startled, "What?!" while the man he targeted snarled and tried to kick the door open instead, yelling, "I knew it! I knew there were others!"
Faolan trusted that between the albino boy and the militiamen the former was in more need of immediate assistance so she turned and ran in his direction, trying to figure out what had pushed him out in the first place. "Behind me," she said to him, hoping he wouldn't just panic at the sight of her. Meanwhile the bandits made to cross the threshold inside (though undoubtedly this would be contested.)
Faolan trusted that between the albino boy and the militiamen the former was in more need of immediate assistance so she turned and ran in his direction, trying to figure out what had pushed him out in the first place. "Behind me," she said to him, hoping he wouldn't just panic at the sight of her. Meanwhile the bandits made to cross the threshold inside (though undoubtedly this would be contested.)
Considering that the young man was indeed blind, he couldnt really panic at the sight of what he couldn't see. He only shook his head, trying to back into the room again, "I'm sorry, Im sorry, I didn't mean t--" when the door came down he sunk against the wall, trying to hide himself amongst his dark cloak.
Contested it would be; the first man who entered the room was ripped right from the doorway, probably by the brutish man near the door who had seized Tara. In the dark there was a loud crack, that definitely sounded like nothing pleasant, before a body could be heard hitting the floor.
Katja had shifted, giving out an order, "Protect the boy." Her tone was hushed, trying to keep that objective under wraps. He was an easy target, after all, and a valuable one.
Contested it would be; the first man who entered the room was ripped right from the doorway, probably by the brutish man near the door who had seized Tara. In the dark there was a loud crack, that definitely sounded like nothing pleasant, before a body could be heard hitting the floor.
Katja had shifted, giving out an order, "Protect the boy." Her tone was hushed, trying to keep that objective under wraps. He was an easy target, after all, and a valuable one.
(Sometimes I make little mistakes about characters like that. Sometimes I overblow them. xD Anywho)
The warrior knelt briefly and put a patted his shoulder; a sign she hoped would comfort him before she got up and peeked into the back room. There was someone with a light approaching from around the house; evident in that that light trickled in through the windows, passing just as quickly. Seeing as the fight had already started Tara took no precaution to keep her footfalls quiet, going to her pack, grabbing her cloak and bringing it back to cover her charge. It wouldn't be of much actual protection but if the bandits don't immediately realize he's there it still helps.
When he was tugged in the first man growled and thrashed; the effort proved useless as he ended up felled on the ground. His companions collectively gasped and growled, one thrusting inside toward where he saw the gruff man return. "You--!" It wasn't the smartest move but he did seem rather angry.
Kerik was outside when the person holding the light passed by; it was one of the patrolmen, alerted by the sound and approaching to help. It was easier for him to hear the calling of his fellow outlaws outside but he didn't move to oblige personally, already being injured. His drunken state made him underestimate his wound and made him more inquisitive however, so he walked quietly over to peek inside once the light holder had turned the corner.
The warrior knelt briefly and put a patted his shoulder; a sign she hoped would comfort him before she got up and peeked into the back room. There was someone with a light approaching from around the house; evident in that that light trickled in through the windows, passing just as quickly. Seeing as the fight had already started Tara took no precaution to keep her footfalls quiet, going to her pack, grabbing her cloak and bringing it back to cover her charge. It wouldn't be of much actual protection but if the bandits don't immediately realize he's there it still helps.
When he was tugged in the first man growled and thrashed; the effort proved useless as he ended up felled on the ground. His companions collectively gasped and growled, one thrusting inside toward where he saw the gruff man return. "You--!" It wasn't the smartest move but he did seem rather angry.
Kerik was outside when the person holding the light passed by; it was one of the patrolmen, alerted by the sound and approaching to help. It was easier for him to hear the calling of his fellow outlaws outside but he didn't move to oblige personally, already being injured. His drunken state made him underestimate his wound and made him more inquisitive however, so he walked quietly over to peek inside once the light holder had turned the corner.
((It fine, gives me time to crack blind jokes with the poor kid haha))
He seemed to frown a bit. but the young man had no intentions of making his presence own, and he stayed still beneath her cloak.
The man grinned, and he seemed like the kind of guy who did this work purely to beat people up. And his weapon of choice, unlike most everyone else's, seemed to be a hammer. A damn big one too; he swung it at the man, "Come now, give me a better fight than that one did!"
"We can't fight in the doorway, we need to push them out! This space is too closed up!" Katja yelled, moving in on the group; now that the light was nearing she knew they would need more space, this house wouldn't be enough and they could strike one of their own unknowingly.
He seemed to frown a bit. but the young man had no intentions of making his presence own, and he stayed still beneath her cloak.
The man grinned, and he seemed like the kind of guy who did this work purely to beat people up. And his weapon of choice, unlike most everyone else's, seemed to be a hammer. A damn big one too; he swung it at the man, "Come now, give me a better fight than that one did!"
"We can't fight in the doorway, we need to push them out! This space is too closed up!" Katja yelled, moving in on the group; now that the light was nearing she knew they would need more space, this house wouldn't be enough and they could strike one of their own unknowingly.
Seeing no immediate threat in the back room, the warrior took steps toward the door, stopping halfway. Being that the door was a bottleneck it wouldn't be the best opportunity to strike on her own. Instead, Faolan waited for a mishap or flanking attack, which wouldn't take long to happen at that rate. She could see that while the majority of men near the door stayed there some were jogging around, looking for another opening.
The bandit fighting the brutish man jerked back but only barely missed the hammer's swing, thanks to the proximity of his companions. He snarled and ducked low, lunging forward to get closer to him than he could swing. He lead his effort with a lunge at his opponent's belly, hoping it'd still be exposed by the time he got there. The man with the light was in the crowd outside the door, evident in that much of that light spilled into the room.
Kerik stared inside with wide eyes. There was the intruder, as well as several others he could barely see in the room. Given a moment the only person the fellow didn't notice was Marcello, the reasons for that being clear. One of the other outlaws walked next to him, perhaps not even noticing him in the dark and tried to smash open the glass of the window and climb in. And the brute that grabbed Kerik earlier joined them, first grabbing his collar again and pulling him with the intention of involving him in the fight.
(I'd post more of Tara doing things here but I figured I'd wait a turn cause Katja's closest to the window in my head right now)
The bandit fighting the brutish man jerked back but only barely missed the hammer's swing, thanks to the proximity of his companions. He snarled and ducked low, lunging forward to get closer to him than he could swing. He lead his effort with a lunge at his opponent's belly, hoping it'd still be exposed by the time he got there. The man with the light was in the crowd outside the door, evident in that much of that light spilled into the room.
Kerik stared inside with wide eyes. There was the intruder, as well as several others he could barely see in the room. Given a moment the only person the fellow didn't notice was Marcello, the reasons for that being clear. One of the other outlaws walked next to him, perhaps not even noticing him in the dark and tried to smash open the glass of the window and climb in. And the brute that grabbed Kerik earlier joined them, first grabbing his collar again and pulling him with the intention of involving him in the fight.
(I'd post more of Tara doing things here but I figured I'd wait a turn cause Katja's closest to the window in my head right now)
It had been, but just as quick as he had made the opening he was moving to close it, bringing his large hands down onto his opponents back just moments after the man had made contact.
Katja growled; once the first man was through the window she ran him through with her sword, twisting the blade before ripping it out. She grabbed the limp man by his shirt and hefted him up, and with a yell she quite literally threw the man into the crowd by the door. She had some muscle beneath those clothes it seemed. She turned back to the window again, and she wasn't going to risk going up to it; her opponent here had an upper hand against her, since her range of vision through the window was quite small. She reached into a pouch on her belt, pulling out a glass vial, sealed tight with a cork. Inside was a clear, but almost silvery liquid, and judging on the wary glance she gave it, it wasn't an item she often used. Either way, she threw the vial out the window, and it shattered on the grass; whatever it was burst into a powerful explosion, and left quite a hole in the wall, "Ah shit!!"
Marcello jumped beneath the cloaks, clapping his hands over his mouth to prevent himself from crying out. Hopefully they took the movement of his cloak as just the burst of air from the explosion.
((You're fine lol))
Katja growled; once the first man was through the window she ran him through with her sword, twisting the blade before ripping it out. She grabbed the limp man by his shirt and hefted him up, and with a yell she quite literally threw the man into the crowd by the door. She had some muscle beneath those clothes it seemed. She turned back to the window again, and she wasn't going to risk going up to it; her opponent here had an upper hand against her, since her range of vision through the window was quite small. She reached into a pouch on her belt, pulling out a glass vial, sealed tight with a cork. Inside was a clear, but almost silvery liquid, and judging on the wary glance she gave it, it wasn't an item she often used. Either way, she threw the vial out the window, and it shattered on the grass; whatever it was burst into a powerful explosion, and left quite a hole in the wall, "Ah shit!!"
Marcello jumped beneath the cloaks, clapping his hands over his mouth to prevent himself from crying out. Hopefully they took the movement of his cloak as just the burst of air from the explosion.
((You're fine lol))
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