Snippet #1779036

The sun was bright in the horizon, and in a couple of hours would be set completely. In the flat lands, it would seem as if the only thing holding up the glowing globe would be the land itself. When she was a little girl, she would always watch the sunset with her father when he was at home. The sight always put her soul at ease, even if darkness followed the sunset. It promised a new beginning, to start fresh the next day, or to provide a rest for the actions of the day. And a rest was exactly what they needed, and in the distance was the silhouette Linton of appeared in the amber vista, beckoning them.

Asch sat upon her horse and held her injured hand up to the sun and flexed it. She gained back motor control and could grasp things with it but not for long and not continuously. She still had the sling wrapped around her neck, and around her black bird-of-prey laden cloak. Her shield shined on her back as well, and the hilt of a long sword could be seen above the shield as well. Even if the Army of Fera's promised was on the opposite side of the forest to their East, she was still prepared. Bandits and raiders tended to take the chaos of war and turn it to their advantage, raiding smaller settlement. Linton however, was large enough to be spared from the ravagers.

Among the town, various lumber and paper mills could be seen. Linton, due to it's central location and close proximity to the Great Forest was the center of the West's lumber and paper manufacturing, not to mention the other businesses that conducted trade upon the wood and various creatures and plants found within the Forest. Blacksmiths, tailors, shops, inns, taverns, all of the amenities one could find, would be found within those city walls. Asch looked upon the town from her vantage point on top of a small ridge, watching as lights from enchanted lamps and lanterns lit up in preparation for the falling dusk. Under her, the chestnut mare she road whinnied, tired from the day of riding. The gauntlet of her injured hand hanging loosely from the saddle pommel. She rubbed the mare gingerly with the hand before laying it back into the sling. "We're almost there. Just a little bit further," She whispered into the mare's ear. "Alright!" She said, calling back to her squad, "We're almost there. General Davyth had sent a runner to bring a message to an Inn to hole us up for the night. We should meet him inside the Bronze Claw," Lizardfolk ran, no doubt, "Let's move before the sun sets on us yeah?"

As ordered, they set out in the morning, when the sky was still a murky blue and dull orange. The Nagi that was with Strom, Akira was the one who woke her up this morning, with barely veiled contempt. She wondered why he had such disdain for them, but refrained from questioning a superior officer. She listened quietly and roused herself from bed and dressed herself.

She and her new squad had met at the north end of the camp when the sun was just peaking over the horizon. They had all been given mounts of their preference, hers a spirited chestnut mare named Berry. They set out without much bravado even from the commanding Strom. "You all know your orders. Make your way to the Pass and find Jensen, and assist him in whatever way you can. Good luck, and God speed. Don't make me regret this decision," He said, glowering at those in the squad and dismissing them with a wave of his hand.

---

Right at sunset, the group found their way into Linton. A quick explanation to the gate guards, some raised eyebrows to the rag-tag squad, and they were in. She had let the guards take Berry to the stables after she tied her gauntlet to her belt and then turned to her squad. "We're here. This is Linton. The city bases it's trade on the nearby great forests. That smell? That's the smell of paper making. It doesn't get too overpowering unless you get close to the paper mills... Just hope that our inn isn't," She said.

"With that, I suppose you all have leave to do what you want. Visit the shops, have the blacksmiths inspect your weapons, or whatever tickles your fancy. Just be ready to march tomorrow morning, we will reach the pass tomorrow, one way or another," She said, with a hint of command. It seems the night and day of thinking on her new position had managed to instill some sort of confidence in her. That or her constant prayers to Minerva hardened her heart. "I myself will be in the Bronze Claw. If you want to speak and get to know each other, meet us there. Apparently, the alcohol is free as well," she said, unsure. She wasn't much of a drinking person, and didn't quite feel comfortable about having her subordinates drunk... But they needed to unwind after a day of hard riding, and the potential deaths on the horizon. She wondered how much gold Davyth had to send with the runner to get that done...

She found the inn easily enough, and luckily it wasn't near the papers mills. Inside, she found a lone patron and a Lizardkin behind the counter. She was right, Lizardfolk ran. The man looked up from the bar and asked, "West Marches? This fellow here already paid, so welcome," He said before continuing his work. The patron at the table was a young harpy. He looked like a normal human, except for the fact of his wings, taloned hands and feet. His knees bent the same way has humans and he had human legs and arms to his knees and elbows, which then turned scaly. The Harpy raised a taloned hand and waved her over.

"You must be Captain Asch. The paladin. Here, I've already ordered you a glass of wine, didn't think you'd want anything stronger, seeing your position," He said, indicating the glass on the table. "I am the runner Davyth sent, Engis," He added. "Well met Engis. Are you to accompany us to Mellan Pass then?" She replied. The harpy laughed and shook his head no, "Luckily not. That place has griffins that will tear a harpy to pieces if they fly too high," Asch winced. She would have to relay this bit of information to Tikitil, Dova, and Aello. "So, where are your men?" He asked.

"Ah, I gave them leave to do what they want tonight. Some should be mak-" She was interrupted by a rather sardonic halfling, "I would have been here quicker, but Lady Captain's legs are too damn long!" Cora said as she drug a chair over to their table and sat. The table was still a bit too high for the halfling, even in chair, but she didn't seem to mind nor care, "Hey! Can I get a stout!?" She called to the lizardkin behind the counter. Soon enough, a pint was delivered to the Halfling, "Now that's a pint," She eying it greedily.

Asch chuckled as she took a sip of her wine.