Amynta Zografos's Story

Sariya shook her head, not realizing the dancer had completely spaced after entering the town. She remembered sang as the sun rose and not feeling at all tired. She didn't even look tired since she had a long nap before setting out to the town she had spoken about to the others. Though from that point she had no real recollection as to what had happened before she spoke to Revik, with a kind and sweet tone, "If you don't mind, I'm going to gather up some more resources for our travels." soon she turned and hummed a sing as she lightly walked about in the area, absolutely confused what she needed, since she seemingly had enough food and gold in her small bag to keep them going for a while, and topping it off, swhat does everyone like in both food, weapons and all that? Brushing it aside, knowing she didn't think her plan through, since she had no idea of the other's tastes, yet, Sariya had an idea, which she decided to throw into movements.

As she passed Drei she paused, handing her bag over to her since they were close to the main square, "Drei, could you hold this for me please? I'm going to try something to get some more money for the party." she said before walking to the square, as she stood aside from the multiple crowds, she sighed slightly, having never danced without musical accompaniment nor through her own choice, usually she was asked. As the nerves built up as Sariya stood there patiently, her breathing became more calm, and with one step after another, a dance was formed. Though she couldn't see the size of the crowd watching her, she had an idea that there was a small crowd at least watching. She had not cared what Drei or Revik was doing, since the focus was shifted to dancing, and she loved it.

---

Now for something completely different.

---

It was morning, something Amynta was patiently waiting for as she lay restless in her bed in an upstairs room of the tavern. As she lay she watched the sun peek it's head through the window, before fully coming through the window and into her face, what a way to start the morning in her eyes. Brushing aside the fact that she was basically blinded by the sunlight at the moment, she rose from the bed she was resting in, making it and everything before going to her things, which were on the table close to the bed, she grabbed her cloak, which she put over her shoulder since she was still inside, and there was no need for the heavy thing just yet, and soon had her boots on. Sighing a little, Amynta gripped her staff as she went downstairs and talked to the proprietress, paying for last night before turning around to a rather merry bunch of travelers, though she passed them by, putting on her cloak as she exited the tavern into the streets.

Though soon enough she found another group, from what she could tell, there was one in a red cloak, though looked smaller than she was, or about the same height at least, then there was the scarlet woman whom looked much taller than Amynta and the red cloaked one, then there was the pink elf whom had walked away, she guessed to get resources that they could use, and finally, the really big man, she stood there analyzing and thinking of the party as she approached as if passing by in the still streets, not many were in this part at the time, most likely they were either at the square for some reason, or something else. Though few of the shoppes were open, she sighed as she stopped gazing around for some sort of shop for food, though she turned to the party and spoke sweetly,

"Excuse me, but I'd like to ask where an open shoppe is for me to get a little bit of food?"

Merrowvale Brainde
Server Down for 3 Days

Before Altara could even get the first syllable of her name out, she noticed that pink-haired dancer walking off towards another part of the square. She dropped her belongings off into what seemed to be an alleyway...no, wait, there was someone there.

It was the drow who had been that group Altara was now travelling with; it looked like she was resting. While Altara wondered why she was getting some shut-eye in such an uncomfortable place, as well as why she didn't notice the drow elf until just now, the red-haired knight figured there was no point in bothering her, and went back to watching the dancer.

It seemed she was dancing, and a small crowd had formed around her...Putting on a street performance, now of all times? This kind of feels like...really bad timing... Nonetheless, she did seem quite good at it--not that Altara was very interested in dancing, so she wasn't the best judge.

Right then, the man with the gauntlets suggested they start introductions, and began by giving his own name. "Revik. Got it," she replied, standing up and getting her back off the wall. "My name is Altara. I'm pleased to be traveling with you." Right in time with the last sentence, she gave a short bow, with her left arm bent in front of her, as though it were pre-rehearsed...that was odd.

Just as she was straightening up from the bow, some other woman with blonde hair walked up to them, asking if there were any shops open where she could get food. The question surprised Altara, especially because she had no idea why they, of all people, were asked, but she still answered immediately. "There are plenty of shops like that open by now...do you have anything specific in mind?"

Drei opened one eye, annoyed, but before she could say "How in the world did you find me?", the bag dropped to her lap and Sariya went off and started... dancing. Drei could do nothing but stare blankly after her.

"She trusted her bag with a thief," Drei murmured, watching the dancer's graceful movements from her seat, "She trusted her bag, with a freaking thief." Ten seconds of disbelief later, Drei stood up, grabbing both her bags and Sariya's, with her flower tucked into her corset as she had no place to put it just yet, or no-one to pass it on to. She had been planning on sneaking it into Sariya's hair, as orange was in no way her own colour, and she just wanted to see how it would look against the light pink. Her own hair felt free and light, and Drei realised that she had left her helmet on the ground by her seat. She glared at it before tucking it underneath her arm. It was much too stuffy and heavy to wear, and she had suffered greatly by keeping it on for so long. How does Revik do it?

At last she walked over to where her group was waiting. "I bring fruit," Drei announced, holding up one of her bags, "Also, an enchanted bottle, but if you think you're going to be drinking from mine then... another one?" Drei's strong voice faltered, taking in the sight of the beautiful and fragile-looking newcomer. She turned her head from Revik to the stranger, to the other two girls and back to Sariya, to the stranger again, then finally back at Revik, drawing a rash conclusion from what she was seeing.

"Well, Revik." Drei said offhandedly, rolling her eyes. She really couldn't care less about the man's motives, though after just picking up in it she couldn't help but have something to say. "Looks like you're quite the charmer."

Scarlet didn't seem to have much of an interest in anyone in the group other than the young knight, and didn't quite feel comfortable with putting herself out to any of them either. She thought, only for a short moment on a nickname, and settled upon Red It would work for the time being, for she didn't plan to stay with the group very long. "It's a pleasure Mr. Revik, I'm sure, but we shouldn't waste anymore time here. If we attempt to pass through Caleah after their curfew, we'll be forced to stay there over night, and that's time we can't quite afford. So introductions on the way?" She didn't quite know why they couldn't waste any time, but she knew they must at least pass through Caleah before nightfall. Something seemed to happen in the small town at night, and she didn't care to remember what it was.

Revik

While he waited for Sariya to return from the supply trip he listened as Altara introduced herself. He nodded in turn after she had bowed. "A pleasure to have you along Altara." He welcomed her just before looking over to the red hooded girl. Instead of giving her name she instead urged haste if they were to make it to Caleah before nightfall. Now that was puzzling indeed.
"You mean New Caleah right? We wouldn't make it to Caleah before nightfall even if we left town right this instant."
He mentioned, straightening out what she just said. There were two cities by the same name, Caleah located in Albia and New Caleah in Merrowvale. Both cities were named Caleah but people all generally call the one in Merrowvale New Caleah since it was built after the one in Albia.

"Assuming you mean New Caleah we wouldn't be passing through there anyways if you wanted to make it to Crystalden in a timely manner. New Caleah is east of here and we'll want to go south." He pulled out his map and traced out what he knew as the fastest route with the least amount of obstacles between them and where they wanted to go with his finger tip.
"We'll want to go around Cabaea, Continue south along the mountain path along the cliffs until we hit Pwllhyre Harbor and sail straight through to Crystalden. All goes well and it should be around about a month and a half's travel." After illustrating his plan he rolled the map up and stuck it back in it's container. "I'm not sure which way you were planning on going but given the distance unless you're planning on using magic to teleport there or something the fastest way to get there is my route."


And speaking of magic, a most serendipitous encounter had occurred just as he was just finished talking. A young woman who was quite small in both height and frame had come up and asked them about where to find a place to get some food. Looking at her a number of details stood out. Firstly, she held a fairly interesting looking staff. He could tell that it was a magical foci as certain attributes were present in it's design which made it ideal for channeling certain schools of magic. How he knew that, even he didn't know. He didn't even know where he could of even picked up that information since he's never read any books on magic as far as he can recollect.

Secondly, She knew a bit of something about hand to hand fighting. There were ways a good fighter could tell another fighter apart from the rest, certain behaviors developed from training that could be picked up on by a watchful eye. He'd keep a close eye on her as long as she was around, not that difficult given how she was quite attractive.


"Say... You wouldn't happen to know magic now would 'ya?" He asked after Altara was finished answering her query. He didn't peg anyone in his current crew as being a spell slinger with the exception of Sariya to a limited extent. If this girl could cast spells she'd be a useful addition to their cast.

Drei finally came around and remarked about how he was most definitely charming, or at least that's how he heard it. It didn't strike him as strange at all, most beautiful women found him irresistible and he came to expect as much generally. The only thing that came as even remotely surprising about her observation was that it took her that long to realize it.
"Of course I am. It comes naturally." He stated it as though it were an undeniable truth like the sun always rising in the morning while still keeping that charming swashbuckler flare in his tone. For him, life was all about being either out in the battlefield laying waste to his foes with a flurry of blows or in the bedroom with women clad in jewels that he took from his enemies not hours ago.


Well, perhaps all about wouldn't be putting it right. Very little of his life was quite so easy or simple despite him. He took his pleasures where he could, be it flesh or flattery.

After the next morning came, Zeebarl knew he was going to have to just give up on getting the neko girl her trousers and change. It was certainly more trouble than Zeebarl thought was worth as he simply plonked the pair of items on a nearby table in the dining area with a small note attached simply saying; "For neko girl", his grumpy mood he wasn't sure if it was created by his frustration of getting these items to her, or that he simply woke up extremely early, seeming that even the colossal clerk he had seen yesterday was asleep at the counter, leaving him the gold coins he owed the inn. He didn't bother to wake him up, he had business to attend to, or more accurately, a space in the market to nab before any of the goods spots were taken.

After leaving the inn, but not without going through the painstaking process of getting his cart through the door again, he began wandering down the streets of Brainde, eyeing up the early bird locals around him, as well as any competition, as he wolfed down some bread, cheese and a pint of milk from his cart, that were going to be past their selling point soon. He stared in puzzlement for a few moments after he finished his meal as realized he didn't know how he knew they were beyond sale. After-all, the man was no chef. He batted his mild puzzlement aside however as he saw that he arrived in the market square, with only a few other local stands beginning to set up. Zeebarl quickly decided to follow suit as wandered a little further down the street, positioned his cart with a bit of space away from the other merchants, and setting up a battered old sign that simply said; "Weasel Eye's Wares", then proceeded to wait for opportunity, trying his best to entice any passerby to browse his wares.

As day wore on, Zeebarl managed to sell a few basic wares, some spare clothes to a rather overworked mother, a few pieces of food to a kind seeming old man, a barrel of ale to a shifty eyed elf, and a new hammer for the local blacksmith. All in all, despite it being a bit of a slow day, a tidy profit so far, even if he did have to slap the hand of some street urchin that wanted to nick a gem, who Zeebarl managed to convince to keep away from the stall. Thieves were everywhere these days, and were getting younger by the second. Kind of depressing, really, Zeebarl thought to himself, with a look of distaste upon his face, pondering if he should hire a guard, though wasn't sure if he was willing to pay such a steep price as he had heard before of other merchants hiring them. There was always the risk that they too were a thief, which didn't help Zeebarl with a decision. He decided to shelf the idea to mull over later, as decided to root around his collection of goods, before pulling out a dull kukri, before giving it a polish, keeping his eye out for any more customers.

Instead of customers however, he saw a small crowd gathering nearby around some pink haired, scantily clad dancer, performing her trade in the middle of the street no less, to which even the rather business minded Zeebarl admitted was rather mesmerizing and impressive with her graceful and energetic movements, the crowd certainly thinking so too. He watched her for a few moments, placing the kukri in the pile, clapping along with whatever beat she danced to in her mind, seeming to enjoy the free show until he realized this crowd would be probably dishing out cash. The greedy merchant than grabbed his cart before dragging it along with him, feigning to still watch the dancer with interest as he moved, eventually settling not too far off from her, next to a girl clad in a red cloak with a large scythe, a man wearing a sturdy helmet and steel cestuses, a drow woman in a rather slim fit outfit, a beautiful blonde woman in ornate robes, and finally a red haired knight carrying a spear. Zeebarl froze in place for a moment when he saw the last one. It was the same knight that went in to The Minstrel's Mug. They had not actually met, but still, the merchant never forgot a face. Well, until the recent amnesia induced incident that had begun happening however. That was not the point in his mind however, as the point was, if she had heard bad tales from those from inn earlier, after that damn swordsman's protests against him. He decided it be best not to approach her yet, and continue watching the dancer, cheering along with the crowd at the performance, deciding to take the moment to finish polishing the kukri from earlier.

---

As Sariya danced she noticed the crowd began throwing some coinage to her as the song kept going in her mind. Though soon the sing began reaching it's finale, this had to be good or she'd most likely hurt herself as her dance had began to amp up in the danger. Soon enough she had began her final routine, which she knew had hurt her during some practice runs. Though this time, it went off without a hitch and soon she landed on her two shaking feet with steady grace, and a gentle smile and bow. As the small audience applauded and dispersed a bit, Sariya began collecting the coins, noting that a few merchants had set up their carts to sell goods to the people gathering around the little dancer.

Though soon she walked back to Revik and company noting the new face along with Drei having joined them with both bags in hand, of course, she had blindly trusted her companion as she counted the coins with a small amount of grace, "35... 36... 37... 38... 39.... 40..." She mumbled before stopping, seeing the other two coins in her hand, it wasn't a big amount of money that she had gotten, but for the spontaneity and the time, she was content with the forty-two coins. She looked at Drei with a kind smile and spoke to her, "Thank you for holding my bag. I thought it might help to get a few more gold coins before setting off." she said before bowing to the others slightly, shifting her attention to those whom didn't know her,

"My name's Sariya Yotamaru, I'm not sure of my knowledge of dancing, but I am a dancer, and the wielder of a Snake-sword."

---

---

---

Amynta looked at the man, whom still had his helmet on as he talked to the women in his small group before the Drow came back talking about how the man was a charmer, Well. He seems to have little in the way of manners. One should remove his helmet when addressing a lady... she thought before brushing the thought aside before replying to the man first, whom inquired about her magic, which she knew plenty of spells of varying strength that tend to counter the dark arts and even darkness. Though what made her different, was how she had learned how to heal wounds without any process, having the skills in her first magic allowing her spell incubation be near instant as her staff offers some assistance to cast spells, it was what she focused the main armament of spells into, though she did finally reply to Revik, "Why, yes, I can cast white magic and healing spells. Though I'm no physical person, since I'm well.... Yeah..." she said looking down at herself since she was so small, and she knew it.

Though she noticed a small cart set up nearby as the pink half-elf had come back from what she could tell was a dance routine. Counting coins none the less, which she figured she had received from the crowd whom watched her dance with such grace. Though Amynta brushed the thought aside as she looked to the red-haired knight, "Nothing in particular. Just edible food that will sustain me for some time."

Merrowvale Brainde
Server Down for 3 Days

While the others were talking, Altara bent down and sifted through her pack one more time, just to make sure she had everything she needed. From the looks of what the others got, we're all set in the way of food, but...why do I feel like we're missing something?

Hearing Revik detail the route they were taking, she straightened up to look at the map. "Have you ever been on that route before?" she asked. "Just curious." Really though, she hoped there didn't just happen to be some huge obstacle right on that exact route...

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see someone pulling up a cart...at a second glance, she could see it was the merchant who had set up shop in front of the Minstrel's Mug last night. Honestly, he looked more like a thug...but, well, that wasn't the sort of thing you could get just from looking at a person's face. But he seemed to be watching that pink-haired dancer, so Altara didn't really pay much notice, and just went back to looking through her pack.

Speaking of the pink-haired dancer, she came back with quite a few gold coins and took her bag back from the drow. She also introduced herself as Sariya Yotamaru. Snake sword...? Thinking hard about it, Altara couldn't remember any weapon like that. Nonetheless, though she was still bent over her pack, she gave a respectful nod, and replied, "It's an honor. Though, I'm not sure why you're questioning your dancing skill so much; those people seemed to like it."

The blonde woman who had only just joined them, upon Revik's inquiry, revealed herself to be some sort of magician--one focused more on healing. "Well, then you don't really need to look hard for a shop selling food," the red-haired knight spoke up. "There should even be people selling food in this market square itse-"

Right then, Altara realized she had no tools whatsoever, bar her weapon. Oh, dear...what can I do? I suppose I'd need a hatchet and a knife at least... Closing the pack, she looked around at the others. "Sorry, I just thought of something else I might need. Can you guys hold tight just a bit longer?" Turning to the blonde magician, she added, "You might as well come with me; perhaps we'll find a good place to eat along the way."

Just when she turned around to leave, however, she found herself facing that merchant's cart again--and in fact, her eyes focused on the object in his hands. It was a long knife, around 40 cm in length and bent at an angle between the blade and the hilt. At present, the merchant was running another tool along it to sharpen and to polish the gray blade.

Somehow, Altara could recognize the tool--it was a kukri. It might look like a weapon to most people (and it certainly could serve as one, too), but she somehow remembered it could serve as a multipurpose tool. "Actually, hold that thought...I think I might have found something that'll do just the trick," she muttered, heading over to the cart. "Excuse me, sir...how much will you charge for that kukri you have in your hands?"

Drei frowned deeply at Revik's reply to her, but she didn't feel angry. "You know what I mean," she said defensively, wondering if he took it as a compliment. He knows what I mean, right?

When Sariya arrived and thanked Drei for holding her bag, Drei seized her chance. As she handed the bag out to her, her eyes flashed, and suddenly, everything moved slowly, except for Drei. Her heartbeat sped up and she could hear her blood pounding in her ears - all other sounds had ceased. With a flick of her hand, her flower was out of her corset and tucked tucked into Sariya's ponytail. Two seconds later, everything had fallen back to its usual speed, as though nothing had even happened.

Drei's inner self cheered when Sariya didn't react, which she knew she wouldn't, as she was good at this sort of thing. The flower looked not as good as she imagined it to against the pink, either the pink too light or the orange too reddish. Shrugging to herself, she turned her attention back to the mage girl.

"Edible food is the only kind," she stated not-so-helpfully, then pointed over to the marketplace she was at 15 minutes ago, "There's a market over there. If you get there in time, you can snag a live chicken - for free. Some sort of deal they have going on at the moment." She said with a little pleasant laugh that she didn't know she possessed.

Revik

"I know what you mean." He answered Drei in a playful tone, still not entirely cluing in to what she was actually meaning. He looked over to Altara when she questioned his knowledge of the route they were to embark upon. "I've been all over the lands! Wherever adventure lies I'm never far!" He proudly proclaimed both loud and proud.

He looked back over to the newcomer who just confirmed that she was a healer, the most valuable of magi. Well, it would be a real shame to let a talent like that slip through his fingers. He resolved to bring her along, a benefit which would make their trip so much easier than he'd of estimated. She did seem to have doubt in her physique, seemingly a little self conscious about her size.

Just as he was about to speak Altara spoke with the white mage on the matter of food. Now that she mentioned it he couldn't remember eating anything since he left the docks about a day ago. "Now that you mention it, I think getting a bite to eat before we head out would hit the spot." He spoke to Altara as she turned to leave. He dwelt on the matter a moment longer before coming to a solid conclusion. "Alright my bold and brave crew! We get some food so we're not walking hungry and then we set forth to Crystalden!" He announced his new brilliant plan before striding ahead of both Altara and the white mage. He walked a few feet only to stop as he realized nobody else was with him. Looking back he saw the two stopped at the first merchant's cart looking at knives. Well, this is certainly an auspicious start to this cash run He rolled his eyes even though they were concealed behind the dark mask which hid his face quite excellently.


Of course that is when he saw it coming from beyond the street corner on the other side of the street. People running in panic in their direction, numerous voices shouting and yelling in panic as civilians rushed their direction.

"Look out! Get out of the way!"

"They're coming!"

"Run! Run while you still can!"

A number of people from the market district cried out while running through the streets. The panicked citizens attempted to push right through him and his group, not caring about how rough they are acting in their hysteria. As a man attempted to tackle him out of the way he just stuck a foot forward and leaned out of the way. When the man's front foot met with his own the guy tripped, bouncing harmlessly off Revik's shoulder and falling roughly to the ground.

"Hey, what's going on?" He demanded an answer from the fellow who just attempted to bowl him over.

"T-they are coming..." The man shivered as he spoke, fear clear in his eyes.

"Who?"


"THE CHICKENS!" The man screamed in horror as from beyond the corner of the wall came a flood of rampaging chickens. There were at least fifty chickens and they had all managed to escape. The chicken that ran at the very front of the herd was the very same chicken that Drei had released earlier though that was unknown to Revik. It was complete chaos.

Chickens all ran in one large swarm, scrabbling over merchant carts and wagons, sending hundreds of articles of various items and produce scattering to the ground in their wake. The man who Revik had tripped was already back on his feet, clutching the tomatoes concealed in his coat close to his chest even though a number of them had already been squished by his fall.

As the parade of panicked poultry rushed them in their bid for freedom Revik could only stand dumbfounded by the spectacle of it all. His mind raced to wonder what chain of events could have started this bizarre avian assault.

"What the hells?"

As Zeebarl took out a small blunt knife from his pile, and began sharpening the now slightly shinier kukri, he noted that one of the adventurers, a young and beautiful woman who Zeebarl thought he heard mention of them being a magic user, was interested in some edible food, something which Zeebarl knew for a fact was the best feature of the food he sold, though joking aside he could make a very easy sale with such a vague requirement, a thought that stuck in his mind even if he felt puzzled at the drow's comment about chickens. He began pondering to himself, lost in the rhythm of the sharpening he was doing, on how he would lure the possible adventurers to him. Perhaps offer some fine weaponry and armor? There was always the risk one or two prideful types would be offended at any insinuation of needing replacements. Maybe food as the young mage wanted to find? Certainly an easy way to aim for, but of only the one customer possibly. Perhaps simple enchanted trinkets and potions? They tended to sell well to these brands of customers, simply functional and easy to carry.

Before Zeebarl could decided on his sales pitch however, he was startled at the sudden request of the kukri he was sharpening by the red haired knight. As quickly as the surprise came, the vendor regained his composure, turning to the red haired knight with a wide smile he always used with customers.
"Well madam, i'm glad you asked, for you are very lucky to come to old Zeebarl 'Weasel Eyes' today! For you see sir knight, this grand kukri blade, a valiant weapon and reliable tool in equal measures, does not come alone. Oh no, with it's purchase, I shall thrown it's smaller cousin, the karda for half-price, and this tool skillfully crafted for maintaining these multipurpose blades, the chakmak, for completely free!", the half-dwarf babbled excitedly, acting as if this was a once in a blue moon offer, when in truth it came up any time someone asked for weapons he tended to have counterparts of maintenance tools for.
"You are probably thinking to yourself, how on earth can I afford this tremendous offer? But worry not my friend, for this immensely advantageous combination is yours for the low and lovely price of 25 gold coins!", he exclaimed enthusiastically, hoping the quick fire words would of convinced her leaning towards purchase, though due to her being a woman of adventure no doubt, it was very unlikely.

Just in case it didn't work however, he turned to the blonde magic user openly announcing; "I heard there was also some mention of food? Don't be shy, feel free to request whatever quells your appetite! We have your fruits, we have your veg, we have your breads, we have your meats, we have your cheese, we have all kinds of drink, including those of the alcoholic variety if that takes your fancy, and we even have some rare dwarven and ogre delicacies! Take your pick now, anything at all!", he then threw his arms open as if he was greeting an old friend, which quickly lowered down as he saw the stampede of people barging past them.

Zeebarl almost immediately began protecting the cart, hoping atop his hoard and defending against any panicked idiots who though it was a good idea to mess with his wares along the way, often being met with a strike to the hand with Zeebarl's blackjack, which he continued to aggressively chant at them. "No purchase, no touching!". That was when it appeared. The chicken flock, swarming down the streets like a typhoon of clucking feathers. And beaks. And other chickens parts. The lack on analogy did not matter to Zeebarl at that moment as one simple and immensely unexpected sentence burst from his mouth.
"Oh by the god's not this again!"

Merrowvale Brainde
Server Down for 3 Days

That's definitely gotta be a scam. Gazing at the kukri with eyes narrowed in suspicion, Altara just couldn't make herself believe it costed 25 gold. Sure, it looked quite a bit shinier now that the merchant had sharpened it, and he was including both of its companions, but...it just didn't look high-end enough for 25 gold. At most, it looked to be worth 18...

Even worse, she only had 4 gold left in her pockets right now, after buying all that food and the enchanted pack, as well as getting her armor and Acubens repaired. Geez, how was she supposed to handle this...should she just decline?

Right at that point, chaos erupted from the far side of the market square. Her head snapping to point in that direction, Altara couldn't help but stare in disbelief. "Chickens...?!"

Yes, the flightless birds were stampeding through the square, knocking down stalls and carts and scattering goods of all sorts everywhere. People ran away from the feathery carnage, screaming and shielding their belongings. It was so bizarre, Altara almost immediately raised her spear...

Just as she was getting ready to take the leather wrappings off the blade, however, a new image entered her mind--for once, it didn't have that blue magician girl in it. Instead, she could see herself attacking some random chicken, the look on her face suggesting it was just for some childish form of amusement...but almost immediately, she got attacked by 20 more in retaliation.

Uh...forget it. Sidestepping a fleeing man, Altara glanced over to the merchant, who looked horrified by the chickens coming in. With him paying so much attention to the chickens and the people retreating towards him, could she...just take the kukri from his hands right now?

No, it probably was best to just get out of here. The blacksmith's shop wasn't too far from here anyway...moving her head to the right and letting a chicken fly past, she looked to the others. "It's kind of pathetic that I'm suggesting this, but we probably should get out of here quickly. Come on!"

Scarlet followed behind Altara in agreement, not sure if she should laugh at the merchants fleeing with as many of their goods as they could carry, or if she should assist them in some way. Just as the thought to help passed through her mind, the chickens seemed to turn towards her group and she drew her scythe in a wide arch, the blade running sideways as she spun causing the air to distort into a small torrent of visible wind that blew the chickens back in a small storm. She replaced her now folded X-Scythe at her hip and began to run towards the rest of her companions.

The first thing that hit Drei was how damn funny the whole situation was. The second thing that hit her was that she couldn't teleport as she had used the talent previously and that getting trampled by an enormous flock of non-threatening birds was an incredibly stupid way for someone like her to go, especially as she was the one to cause the disaster. She grit her teeth, keeping in the laughter and forcing herself to take the problem seriously. She could laugh about it later, if she got out of the stampede alive.

I swear that there weren't that many, Drei thought to herself, an edge of humour to her inner voice. She tossed her head back to her companions, "I agree with the knight," she said, "The heroes of legend may claim that adventurers who run from their enemies are craven, but..." Drei glanced at the girl with the red cloak as she rushed past her and tossed the front lines of the chicken army up into the air with a swoop of her scythe, "I doubt those heroes ever had to deal with this, and I don't feel in the mood to slaughter a mass of helpless birds today." She finished, the weariness in her voice breaking through. And it hurts my dignity even witnessing this, so let's get out of here as soon as possible. Drei grimaced. She could blame the needle all she'd like, but ultimately, this was all her fault.

Revik

He snapped out of his moment of befuddlement to look around and observe the situation more clearly. From the sounds of it the general consensus was to run from the chickens rather than fight the poultry and endure numerous small foes. He himself was none too keen to tackle this predicament himself. Chickens were kind of like rats, easy enough on their own but in numbers could be quite inconvenient. The sheer number of scratches would be a painful and unnecessary ordeal to put up with.

"Well if chickening out is what's on the menu I guess I'm all out of cluck." He spoke in jest at the situation they were in. Waiting a moment for the almost inevitable groans he shrugged. "I promise that'll be the last chicken pun from me for now."

Turning tail and dashing away Revik ran well ahead of the group. He was quite used to rapid sprints like this, both when charging and running away from something he likely caused. It was little surprise when he ended up back in the front of the group even though he was one of the last to flee the feathered scene. After a turn here and there the chicken swarm eventually dispersed. As it turned out the chickens just really wanted to get out of there, little direction or order to their actions besides that. He was certainly fine enough with that so long as it's not him that's caught in the rush.

Taking a moment he began stretching himself out like one usually should after a brisk warmup like that. He was quite a potent physical figure but flexibility was not one of his strong suites. His back made a series of relatively audible popping noises as he turned his upper torso as far around as he could while keeping his lower torso centered. As he finished that up he looked up to see which shop he was standing in front of now. Finally leaned back enough to see past the rim of his helmet he noticed that he was in front of a blacksmith's shop. He turned around to see who else amongst his newest crew of new bloods had managed to keep up.

---

Sariya had taken her bag, and was placing the small coins in the pouch in her bag before looking at the others, the mage was talking with the knight about food, Drei was giving Revik some hell for how the party was, and then she noticed the harem that she was in, Revik seemed to arguably be the leader of the party as the rest were women of varying colours, classes, and personality. Sariya looked to Revik with a face that screamed 'I see what you're doing, and I may or may not like it...' Before speaking with elegance, "So Revik, what's the plan-" she asked before a yell cut the dancer off,

"Lookout! Get out of the way!"

"They're coming! Run while you still can!"

This confused Sariya, and as Revik had inquired about what they were and that's when she heard it, chickens. Of all things that could insight fear into the hearts of man, chickens were what got this town going from civilized folk, to a shower of savages in an instant. With a sigh of sheer annoyance, she mumbled to herself to make her own comment on the situation,

"All this panic over some chickens?"

As she prepared she thought of the small incantation, Muse, guide my song to the hearts of the weary, calming them. Spellsong: Soothing Heart. before giving a few notes and turning it into the song that was meant to quell any panicked crowd with relative ease as the crowd calmed, though she had no idea if the chickens were calmed, but she knew that if the humans were calm enough to rationally think, the chickens wouldn't stand a chance, though she was hoping, since she couldn't really move, that nobody would unintentionally hit her.

---

---

---

Amynta was about to respond to the red knight about the food, at least, until a crowd had run into her sending her to the ground and to the mercy of the panicked feet, which she took a couple of kicks before she quickly moved herself behind the cart, where she'd be safer. As she recovered a little, she heard a song that calmed her at the least. Soon she healed her minor injuries before rising looking at the man, whom in actuality wasn't much taller than she was, but then again she was in heels, and she could tel that the man was a dwarf, whom are known for being short, though soon she moved herself out from behind the cart and bowed,

"My apologies, sir.... I was just trying to get out of the way of the runners." she said as she looked at the res of the crowd as she regrouped to Revik rather quickly and sighed seeing the feathered mess, she didn't hear what had caused the panic, but she saw it now, and quite to her dismay, she knew the feathers were that of a chicken... Though she looked at Revik with calm eyes, and spoke with a motherly and calmed tone, Sariya's song could be heard in the distance,

"Are there any injuries that you can see?" she asked before laughing a little after thought of people fleeing from chickens, that had always amused her, that people would flee from a seemingly harmless creature known as a chicken. Yet, she continued scanning her eyes about for anyone badly injured, not like she'll find someone harmed by the chickens.

Merrowvale Brainde
Server Down for 3 Days

Unable to help cracking a smile at the pun, Altara shook her head. "No, it's fine. Make all the puns you want. Now let's go!"

She hadn't moved far, when she noticed a man with red hair--wait a minute, it's that man with the dual knives who apologized to me last night, in the Minstrel's Mug!--kneeling on the ground, hands over his mouth and body shaking. Surprised and a little frightened, Altara was about to stop and ask what was wrong, when she noticed a vendor carrying far too much crude-looking pottery to be safe...stumbling right towards this man.

Without thinking hard about it, Altara reached out and picked up speed again, grabbing the left wrist of the red-haired man. "MOVE!" she ordered, just as the pottery vendor tripped, sending all his clay goods scattering and shattering behind them.

A little bit further down her path, Sariya was singing something. Her voice sounded nice, and for a moment, Altara felt her heart's beating slow a little, the urgency and hurrying in her movements lessening...before she remembered what she was doing. Tapping the dancer on the shoulder, the red-knight urged, "This isn't time for another street performance! Let's go!"

Her eyes scanned the crowd quickly to see where Revik had gone, completely failing to notice that the panic in the square had lessened a little bit through Sariya's song. Eventually, she finally noticed he was heading in the direction of the blacksmith's shop, and ran after him, still dragging the red-haired man behind her without really paying him any mind.

It didn't take her long to catch up to the man with the gauntlets, who was stretching in front of the blacksmith's shop. Loud cracks erupted from his back as he flexed, prompting Altara to wince slightly even as she caught her breath from running. A moment later, the blonde magician who had been asking for food arrived, and Altara finally looked back at the red-haired man she had unceremoniously dragged behind her. "Well...this man doesn't seem to be feeling too great. Can you do something about him?"

As Zeebarl saw the group of adventurers began to turn tail and run from the chickens, and rightly so, the merchant almost immediately followed in suit, almost having a miniature heart-attack as the red cloaked girl swung her scythe at the stampede of chickens, though secretly sighed to himself when he saw that they were unharmed.
"Whatever you do, do not harm those chickens! I have seen this before, and it did not bode well for those that attacked them!They will only be angered all the more!", He cried out as he fled, dragging his cart of wares behind him, taking glances back, not to see the chickens progress, but if his cart was in danger at any point, though luckily his pace was faster than the flood of feathered frenzy. He was puzzled at the appearance of the attractive magic user on his cart though, but decided now was not the time to ask her to hop off. He almost froze up at how terrible the large lightly armored man's puns were however, deciding against at shouting at the possible future customer.

Luckily, after a while of running and dragging a cart around, the chicken swarm began dispersing, leaving Zeebarl to screech to halt, almost being run over by his own cart, and left wheezing and panting from the recent escape from bird based catastrophe. The vendor wondered who on earth was stupid enough to anger a group of chickens? Sure they weren't most terrifying beasts, but if you managed to rile up a whole group of them it certainly would turn dangerous very quickly. He was furious at this, as well as his moment of dealership was interrupted and that he had no way of knowing if the magic user that was at the back of his cart had taken anything.

He was about to turn and shout at her over it, but mostly due to letting his judgement clouded by feelings, until a sudden wash of calm soothed him, draining any ill will from that moment, staring blank faced at the magic user as she talked, replying to her; "No problem at all friend, we all had a moment of panic when the villagers had theirs. Also I do not think there was any grave injuries inflicted luckily.", and began staring into space for a few moments before asking aloud; "I don't suppose anyone would like to buy some grain to feed these chickens?"

Esclava

When Esk felt someone grab his wrist and pull him up, he didn't really care. He was miserable and he couldn't think through all the fear and other emotions wrapped up in a ball inside him and he couldn't stop shaking even though it was warm and even though he wasn't going to hurl he couldn't stop gagging; he couldn't move couldn't breath -

Then someone grabbed his wrist and yelled, "MOVE!" Breaking through the haze of terror and nausea and misery clouding his brain.

An order. Follow it.

Esk moved on autopilot, following whoever was in front of him, dodging any obstacles. Dimly, as though he were in a thick fog, he registered multiple crashes behind him, followed by a deep voice swearing. He shoved the ball in his stomach and the nausea away as best as he could, doing his best to follow the order even though he couldn't stop shaking and every step felt as though he was going to fall. His mind was still in turmoil, but his body was moving and he no longer felt like throwing up. He was following orders, he was a good boy even though he couldn't - couldn't -

Then music wafted through Esk's ears and he felt the nausea and fog recede, and the turmoil in his head lessened. He only heard a bit, but it was enough to lessen the hold his emotions had over him. They were still there, but... Less, and he could hear better and see better too, enough to see that the one leading him by the wrist was Lady Knight from the inn and the loud (though not as loud as before) noise which the people and chickens were making. Thats right, he thought desperately, trying to pull himself together, Get it together, Esclava, there's no time to panic, people don't like it when you freak out, anyway...

By the time they (when had there been so many people surrounding them?) had reached the shop (blacksmith, his mind registered dully), Esk had managed to get a sufficient grip on his emotions. He no longer felt like throwing up and he had managed to push the fog away, though wisps of it still clung to his mind and he was still pale and shaking like he had been left out in the snow for too long. Esk's mind still felt a bit fragile, but he forced himself to think about his current reality. Sure, he couldn't remember Master's name or face, but he could remember his voice and clothes and he didn't have many memories in the first place. But more memories were coming back everyday, so it just meant that Esk had to wait and try until he could get it back. As soon as he realized that, Esk felt a bit better.

At the knight's words, he shook his head quickly, but made no move to remove her hand from his wrist. "I-I'm ok," he muttered, wincing at how shaky and frantic it came out. He took in a deep breath and tried again, sounding a little more stable this time, repeating "I'm ok.", unaware that his leg was bleeding from multiple gashes made by hungry chickens.

"Y...es...Very odd...Should we go see what is happening and make sure Esk is not dead?" Though probably not worded in the best manner Card was concerned about the shy man. Her ears perked higher on her head still as she tried to listen to the chaotic sounds and make some sense of them...Was that clucking...of...CHICKENS?! She nearly squealed with delight at the realization that there were chickens nearby. Any doubt or concern seemed to melt instantly into excitement as she clapped her hands wildly at the thought of playing with a chicken. She just loved the dirty barnyard fowl with their sharp talons and weird danglily bits along their heads. So precious!! So cuddly!!

"Chickens!!!" And with that declaration Card ran off down the street with arms flailing wildly at her sides. Laughing like a crazed woman she disappeared through the maze of street ways. She stopped dead in her tracks as she looked over to disaster area that was once the market. Her jaw hung open as she took in this wondrous scene before her. Stall were knocked askew littering the grounds with their wares as merchants ran with what they could gather up in to their meager carts as they shuttled out of the of the chicken stampeding about with dirt flying up in the air and feathers dancing wildly about. Was this heaven? Did she die from the sudden headache and gone to the other side? There were so many things laying about that screamed "Pick me up~save me from the dirt, Cardista...They abandoned me..." Who could argue with such convincing voices echoing sweet nothings in their head like that. She was a blur of red and yellow as she waded her way around the river of chickens to rumage through an overturned stall. She picked up a pretty ring and held up towards the daylight to appraise it more closely. Soon she threw it grumbling under her breathe finding the darn this was colored glass. She froze for a moment in wonder...how was she able to tell that?