Abrahem Ferrus's Story

Slayers of Soltrida
Act I: The First Campaign
Day 1




A calm wave, a gentle shine. This solemn beach, a sanctuary for all. The setting sun lingered in the dimming blue skies. Several abodes, crafted from straw and wood, stood humbly on top of the smooth, sandy shores. The palm trees swayed back and forth in the distance, blown by the western wind. A rickety wooden ship with ragged, storm-torn sails bobbed, tied to an old pier. It seemed like a normal day. Simply dressed, sweaty, and dirt-ridden fishermen sat atop that pier, looking towards the horizon, playing cards, waiting for the setting of the sun to sail onwards. Their children laughed and trampled around the sand nearby, bonding together in their own way.

"Oscar, give me the ball!"

"Haha! Not like you can catch it!"

"Oh yeah?!"

A humble, simple day.

It has been five years since the skies turned black above the Capital. Since demons spawned from the ground and overwhelmed the Kingdom of Soltrida's best. Five years passed, fifty seven thousand dead. Were it not for the efforts of two unsung knights and a seer, even more blood would have been shed. But now.....

Beneath a roofed pavillion, a one-eyed, dark haired girl stood vigilantly, having stared out into the seas for what seemed like the entire day. Her sky blue armor clung onto her deep blue tunic, her hands clasping her hips. Her gaze was like a hawk, unrelenting, unblinking.....

Not too far from her is her brother-in-arms, a man in full ornate, dull-green plate armor, his chestplate, helmet, and pauldrons covered in prominent flutes. He sat on a wooden beach chair, one with a prominent, cracked hole on its top rail. His reversed-v-shaped visor and full face mask concealing all expression.

The dark haired girl sighed. "I hope help does come. Soltrida needs it," audibly frustrated, yet hopeful.

The man in green leaned against his chair and folded his arms. "Do you really think this is a good idea, Rena?," weary doubt in his voice.

She glanced to him briefly. Very briefly, before turning back to the seas. With gallant confidence, she raised her voice. Still calm, but headstrong."If we lose hope, then we will lose all. And I won't let that happen"

A strong gust of wind. Rena's hair seemed to dance under the radiant sunlight. She looked to the sky, closed her eye, and took a deep breath.

Brown, fur-lined boots dug into the warm sands. A petite, white haired girl clasped her hands over her chest. Her red eyes foggy, her smile quiet. She could hear every spray of the water, every gust of the wind. And though she could not see, she could feel it in her mind's eye. Ahead, on board wooden ships, help had finally came to the fallen kingdom. Some travel from distant lands. Others were returning to their ruined homes. Some seek glory. Fame. Gold. Honor. Trophies. Women.

Whoever they were, whatever they seek, the white haired girl was grateful. And she silently welcomed them...

...To Soltrida, the Fallen Kingdom.

There was a soft grinding of sand as the ship made landfall next to one of the piers. Duffrane vaulted over the gunwales of the ship and came down on to the pier, his thick boots making a solid thud as they landed. Strutting down the pier, his sack of possessions swinging loosely on his shoulder, he stretched his back and shoulder muscles. Despite his years working at sea this was one of the first times he had been on board a ship as a passenger in what must have been twenty years now. It was a relaxing trip to be sure, but maybe that had been the problem, he felt restless having been inactive for the length of the voyage.

Looking out towards the beach Duffrane noticed a shaded pavilion setup there. Seeing the movement of people he smiled and waved towards them. I started whistling to himself as he crossed the beach towards them, then called out once he was in shouting distance "Ahoy! I'm here about some arse that needs kicking, or so I've been told!"

Running as fast as they could down from the only path leading from the town to the shoreline, a human boy was being quickly pursued by an elven woman dressed in full armor with a collection of weapons on her back.

“Get back here,” she called out, only seeming the slightest bit out of breath but very obviously not frustrated at the teenager she was chasing.

He appeared to be amusing her because she couldn't stop laughing.

She caught up to him hastily and leapt forward, catching him at his legs and tackling him to the ground. After fumbling around in the dirt for a few minutes, she clumsily caught ahold of the leather coin purse that was in the process of being stolen from her. She put the full weight of her body onto him and held her forearm over the thief's neck, not nearly enough to choke him, but just enough to make it hard for him to breathe and keep him from squirming out from under her. Using her free hand, she carelessly pushed the loose locks of brown hair from out of her face to behind her ears.

“Better luck next time,” she smiled, “I’m dead broke, kid. I’d suggest robbing someone who actually has enough coin to buy anything around here,” she said before swinging her clenched fist down and slugging him right in the face. That was definitely going to bruise, "Tell you what, I'll let you go but you have to promise to go after a dumber target next time. And don't be so obvious about it. That's how you get caught," her voice was light and fruity, her lilting accent mocking the boy.

The teenager spat in her face and began shouting profanities at her. She bounced up from him, gave the collar of his tunic a good yank, and shoved him up and away. It was only now did Serrina Deryn notice the alarmed gaze of nearby onlookers. The docks weren't as deserted as she had previously thought.

At the opening of bay in which the settlement lay appeared a ship, massive in proportion compared to the fishing vessels which prowled the waters of the sheltered cove. The speed at which it traversed the waters seemed improbable, unnatural, yet it continued to close on land rapidly. Music filled the air, booming across the town, a tune which would sound familiar to many yet escape just before it could be identified. No movement crowded the deck; the entirety of the ship appeared empty. Yet it was not. Standing at the top of the mast on the yards was a figure, clothed roguishly with a face of mischief, joy, and wonder, but refined in its shape. He stood with one leg on the railing of the crow's nest, watching the shore as the galleon continued its course unabated.

The few fishing ships cleared a path, staring at the new arrival. People crawled from the town, coming to examine the source of the music, enraptured by the ship. Foot by foot, the ship began to sink into the water, disappearing beneath the tremulous surface rapidly. Closer and closer did the ship approach shore, lower and lower did it get to the water. A crack resounded through the air, splitting through even the music. Gracefully, ponderously, majestically, the mast on which the man stood began to fall forwards, the ship still moving, still sinking.

The man on the mast walked forward as the mast fell, maintaining his balance even as the piece of wood accelerated rapidly. Wood exploded in a gout of splinters behind him, the form of the ship smashing into the bottom of the cove. It seemed as though the mast would smash into the beach along with the man. Mere moments before impact, the man stepped onto the beach calmly. Rising behind him, the remainder of the mast cartwheeled forward, before falling to rest on the sand. On the mast was inscribed a name. Abrahem Ferrus. A dashing smile filled his face. "Ladies and gentlemen, you will always remember this as the day you found Abrahem Ferrus." Sweeping a bow, he knelt and kissed the hand of the nearest woman, beaming all the while.

As more people arrived, Rena's spirits rise. The first; an old sailor with a young spirit. She raised her voice after he did the same, "You were told correct!" The young woman in blue stood up, and walked out to the sands where the swashbuckler Duffrane was. From her position, she could see others coming, and nodded. She then glanced between Duffrane and Garland, and beckoned them to follow.

Garland stood up from his ruined chair, which took a bit of effort thanks to the heavy suit of steel he was wearing. His boots dug into the sand, and his eyes caught sight of an athletic-looking man in a red coat of plates and a stoic iron helmet. A sniper, by the looks of his light crossbow and agile frame.

Europa listened to the winds, and headed to the wooden pier. Many have chosen to come through the waters of the west, and though she couldn't see them, she could feel their presence. An unusual insect girl from Soltrida's own deserts, and her reserved eastern companion. A spirited pink haired girl with an exotic weapon on her back. And then nearby on the docks, looked upon by amused fishermen, an elven woman with a strong grip and bold voice, fresh from....telling off....a teenage miscreant.

And finally, making a grand entrance, an improbably dashing man arrived on a stunning galleon. Europa turned away and let out a restrained giggle, covering her mouth with one gloved hand, as the man caused a fisherman's wife to faint from sheer charisma, with the husband shooking his fist amidst the crowd. The young Europa then clapped her hands, and took a deep breath. Channeling her inner magic, she amplified the volume of her voice, audible to all in the docks. "Brave souls, who fear no demons! The gallant Starlight Rena awaits you nearby!" Europa pointed to the pavillion, and Rena in front of it, flanked by Garland and Duffrane.

Europa clasped her hands together in front of her chest, then bowed her head, smiling. "Please, come and gather." Finished with her message, she mentally shut off the spell.

Rena smiled and nodded in approval to Europa. Such a hard working girl. She gazed to all the brave souls who had come so far, and/or braved so much, to answer her call. An overwhelming gratefulness swelled inside her.


----

The Pavilion. A mundane structure of straw and wood, slightly ragged by age, but still standing in one piece. Night had fallen as Rena awaited for people to gather inside. She had arranged many wooden chairs in a half-circle, just about enough of them for the people she saw on the beach...and any potential late comers. In the middle of this half circle was a square, termite-eaten wooden table, with a map of Soltrida on top. Rena stood behind this table, her palms resting on the tabletop. She inspected the half-circle, at all the brave souls who had gathered here for Soltrida. Next to a wooden foundation, Garland lit a torch scone, providing warm, orange light to illuminate the dark blue night, before leaning against that foundation with his arms folded.

A brief silence.

Rena cleared her throat, and took a deep breath.

"I am grateful for your presence," she spoke earnestly, briefly taking a look at Serrina's purple eyes, and then Syra's black carapace-covered figure, as she analyzed the room. "For all of you."

"I wish we could all stay and share drinks and be merry till sunrise, but....I have to get to the point."

Rena glanced to the map briefly, before looking back at her new guild members. "We have a long journey ahead of us. Our destination....." The dark haired girl spun and walked slowly to the edge of the pavilion. She pointed ahead and upwards. "...is over there. Over the Grim Highlands, you can see it. The Great Rampart."

The Great Rampart. A truly massive, impenetrable wall surrounding the Capital. To the eyes of mortal men, the top of the Great Rampart was almost inseparable from the skies. "Once, our source of pride and joy. Behind those walls, the people of Soltrida were safe and peaceful."

Rena's jaws clenched.

".....But now, the demons control those walls. And the Capital behind them. Everyone, everything," her voice resonated with cold fury.

Rena turned, facing her congregation again, "The Capital. The source of this fell infestation, of Soltrida's bane. We will head there, and end whatever wretched thing caused this mess." Rena glanced over to Garland, who stepped away from the foundation he was leaning, and approached the square table, carefully slipping between Weilu and Jay's chairs. "Excuse me. Sorry, sorry."

Standing himself next to Rena, Garland told them of more details, "Now. I suppose it is quite obvious, but we can not just march towards the Rampart and scale it. No, we have to do this the hard way."

Garland pointed northwards, "You will travel, through the Forest of Shadows, the Grim Highlands, the Merciless Plains, and the Endless Dunes, to reach the Reaper's Pit." Garland lowered his hand, and folded his arms. "An ancient tunnel underneath the Shineless Mines which will lead you inside the City."

Garland wandered, his armor clanking as he walked, "Cut a bloody swathe through the demons, goblins, bandits, and anything else on your journey as you will. Just try not to die." He did not sound like a man with much confidence in this mission, or hope, for that matter. But he was a knight, and a knight knew his duty.

Rena put her left hand on her hip, which she cocked slightly. "This journey will take a long time, and I expect high standards from each and every one of you. Aside from fighting, we will all have different tasks. Some of us will carry the camping equipment. Some of us will be responsible for the meals. Some of us will have to be brave and scout ahead. And some of us..."

A short pause.

A slight smirk.

"....Will have to do the laundry."

A longer pause, so that everybody could take this in.

"So. Any questions?"

Danger? Excitement? Adventure? Magic? The strangers had captured her full and undivided attention before they had even open their mouths. She followed them along, trailing in the back of the company, certain in her mind that a short discussion couldn’t hurt too much. It wasn’t as if she had anything to do.

Serrina listened closely to Rena's story, nodding along in affirmation. Occasionally, her eyes would wander around the large pavilion, staring at each and every person in her company, carefully sizing them up in case they would be trouble. They appeared formidable and untrustworthy to say the least, specifically the pair leading the meeting and especially the one with the eyepatch. Even in the dim light of night she could see them all clear as day.

Serrina glanced down at the table and inspected the map placed on it. It reminded her of the ones her troupe would use to navigate the vast plains of the Grim Highlands. Only, her friend’s maps were more worn down, dirtier and much bloodier. When Serrina had left her home, she hadn’t cared to bring a map with her. She had planned to wander the countryside aimlessly and simply let whatever excitement occurred in her travels carry her away to her next destination.

She was pulled abruptly from her thoughts when Rena had stopped talking and let the group voice their questions. Serrina rolled her eyes in amusement as two members of the party, remembering their names as Syra and Weilu, spoke of a title for their company. Of course the team name was going to be awesome! Serrina wouldn't have expected anything less from this odd bunch of strangers. But she ignored this for a moment and focused on the more pressing issue.

"Helmet-head here raises a good point," she said, gesturing toward the one she knew as Jay with a grin and a nudge of her thumb, "What are we getting out of this?" Serrina asked, "And please don't say how much you’re going to pay me. I can get coin just about anywhere in the land. I’ll need a better reason than the empty promise of gold and jewels to travel back to the Highlands,” she teased, raising her leg and placing her ankle just over her knee.

Eccentric individuals, those not wearing simple garments befitting that of a small fishing village, attracted Abrahem's attention as he stood from kissing one of the fishwives on the hand. A long stride brought him to the side of the man whose wife he had kissed. Leaning down, Abrahem pressed his lips close to the man's ear, dropping his voice to a tantalizing whisper. "Sorry about that, chap. Can't keep the ladies disappointed, you know? Anyhow, if you want to surprise her, bring her this." The poor man's eyes widened greatly as Abrahem outlined the item and event, the magician slapping the dumb-founded fisherman on the back as he finished.

Following the other individuals, he languidly strolled, eyes flicking between the group. A plethora of women in a plethora of styles. 'Twas beautiful in more ways than one. One especially tantalized him, a young-looking woman with silver hair and paler skin. Her form was thin in a lithe manner, yet an unexplained premonition was the primary reason for his interest. It could mean nothing or everything. Only in the presence of other magic users did such a feeling come unto him. Though her face certainly was alluring.

Seating himself inside the shabby pavilion, Abrahem smiled ravishingly at Rena as her eyes scanned him, an open display of flirtation or simple play. Keeping his face trained on Rena and Garland as they spoke, his eyes remained looking sideways, examining the companions whom with which he would share an adventure. An adventure sounded appealing. He supposed they were downright dirty things, full of ruffians and robbery, and rapacious wit from time to time. He could not complain as to the current 'accommodations.'

A slight smirk played across Abrahem's features. Laundry, most certainly. His mind wandered for a moment back to the galleon he had managed to commandeer. Face becoming more perplexed and alarmed as time went by, a relief settled upon his features as he remembered that he had stored his belongings on the forecastle. That was above water. At least, he thought it was. He had not bothered to actually check the condition of the ship.

Weilu and Syra amused him with their questions. A slot turned within his head, marking down a possibility. Another possibility faded slightly at Serrina's comment. He generally tried to avoid dealing with the more combative types like the elf woman. At least she stated outright to not care for gold. Similar enough to his not-desires. Eyes twinkling, he concentrated briefly before sending a brief illusion of tactile feeling along Europa's back, a non-existant finger running the length of her spine yet for all sensory purposes, to the object of his attention, very much real.

Duffrane sat enjoying the pleasant evening. He took a few moments to recall the earlier arrivals as he briefly examined the other members sat around him. One that stood out the most was the younger man who he now knew as Abrahem and the spectacle of an entrance he had made. In all his years he wasn't sure he had seen anything quite so flashy, and he smiled at the memory.

Duffrane focused once Rena began addressing the group. As she spoke she reminded him of his old captain in a few ways. She seemed to have a good grasp on leadership, knew when it was time to get to business, and she knew what she wanted.

When Garland steeped up and explained the route they would be taking to get into the capital Duffrane found himself fairly impressed by the sound plan. He didn't like the sound of this "Reapers Pit", especially with his dislike of caves, but that would be a bridge to cross when it was reached.

After the question of chores was brought up, Duffrane mulled over what he could possibly contribute. On board his old ship he had helped the quartermaster with gear maintenance, but he sensed that the gathered were all capable (and likely inclined) to keep track of their own equipment. He shrugged mentally, they could probably find him something to do.

He returned to the conversation as a few others began to raise questions. After the others had spoken he raised a question of his own. "So what kind of demons are we looking to fight here exactly?"

Japheth had only recently entered the fishing village upon nightfall and had gathered from heard conversations of nearby homeowners that a meeting was to take place at the village's pavilion. The location wasn't necessarily difficult to find given its rather central location, abundance of lights, and the sound of a very assertive woman giving some sort of grand speech on the woes that had befallen their land, righteous anger in her tones, and glories of reaching the Capital to retake what had been Soltrida's and eliminate the Demonic infection. It all sounded well and good, and to an impressionable and patriotic young man of Japheth's age, he would have been recruited right then on the spot. However Japheth was a little wiser than his years betrayed, having basically grown up living on his lonesome surrounded by the evils of both man and Demon. Things were not so simple and this sniper had become increasing cynical through his experiences. But alas, this his likely the best decision for him. Living on his own, a self-made pariah of sorts, just would not do anymore. Leaning against one of the support beams of the pavilion's entrance, Japheth listened intently to the succinct brief made and the questions that had arisen, curious as to what the answers might be.

As Rena waited for everyone to post their questions, she glanced over and saw a tall, young man with a green coat appear and lean on one of the support beams. A latecomer, just in time.

She and Garland looked over to Weilu as she posted her question. Rena blinked her eyes twice, surprised at the girl's bubbly attitude. Garland chuckled, finding her hand gestures rather cute. Not that he would admit that out loud. Before she could answer, she saw the insectoid girl pipe in. She had to do a double take upon the sight. An insectoid, outside of the endless dunes? and a friendly one at that? A sight to see, for sure.

Garland went to the back of the pavillion, as Rena answered their questions, "Syra's right." She stepped aside, and Garland came forward, before planting a large, kite-shaped tower shield, with a jet black base, blood red paint splotched over it, and a prominent, gray head of a stag painted neatly atop those blood-like splatters. For a brief moment, those with sharp eyes could see the face of the shield flicker with blue-green runes, like star light.....

Rena gestured to the tower shield, "We call ourselves the 'Stag Brigade'.....after this shield." A brief pause. A frown.

"...And it's late owner". Rena and Garland bowed their heads briefly, and both knights looked like they were eager to move on.

Next, the arbalist Garland saw earlier, Jay, giving his short question, and supported by the elf Serrina, who taught a delinquent a lesson. Rena's expression was stoic, but...visibly impressed, by Serrina's high standards.

"I expected this question," Rena spoke boldly. She took a few steps forward, and circled the room as she continued, "We don't have much on hand right now, but Garland is willing to spare his family's coffers to pay each of you 10.000 gold per week." Rena glanced to Garland, who was leaning against a support beam and nodded.

"Excuse me, excuse me," a soft voice, like a bell. The girl from the beach, Europa, appeared, holding a silver tray in hand, with soup and tea for everybody. Her steps were delicate and precise, despite her unfocused gaze. She felt as her body brushed against the wooden chairs, and turned accordingly, providing everyone with their meal. They could smell the chicken soup as it was placed in front of them, the contents colorful, with orange and green vegetables amidst yellow broth. As Europa passed Abrahem's table and was about to place his soup, she was suddenly startled by a strange...and strangely real....vision of the handsome man touching her back in a sensual manner, causing her hand to jerk and for the hot soup to splash all over the man's expensive-smelling apparel. Rena paused briefly, and gave Europa a look. One she could not notice, for obvious reasons.

"Oh heavens! Heavens above! I-I am terribly sorry!", Europa squeaked in panic. She bent over with a napkin and tried to rub Abrahem's clothes in futility. Her face was red as a beet, and her hands shook nervously.....but was it because of the soup, or the illusory finger?

"That w-was careless of me! Ohhh dear! By the flying underpants of the endless Plains....", Europa continued to panic, mumbling and bumblingg, while everybody else waited for their soup. Any day now.

Rena sighed and her shoulders sagged briefly, before continuing her walk. She then placed her left hand on her hip, and stared into the night skies outside the pavilion, the dark skies accentuated with those sparkling stars. "...In addition, for those with....greater requirements....." Rena paused, glancing to Serrina. "I promise you all Knighthood of the Kingdom of Soltrida.....with all the privilege it entails. Your own piece of the land, the respect of the people, and your names written on the pages of lore....forever to be remembered."

Garland looked up at Rena suddenly, startled. What was she saying?! They were both high ranking knights, but he doubted they have such authority. Not them.

....Still. He knew that they needed the help, and thus remained silent, despite his displeasure at the potential deception.

The next question came from the old swashbuckler. Garland turned to face him, still leaning on the pillar. "...The demons Rena and I have been facing came to this world in the form of a dark, shapeless mist."

Garland glanced to the flickering torch scone on one of the support poles. "They take hold of the dead, the weak-willed, the broken-spirited......and deform them into twisted versions of themselves. A possessed host's body would rot, and horns would burst from their skulls. The older the possession, the greater the number and size of the horns."

Garland's right gauntlet fiddled with his left. "Humans, dwarves, goblins, orcs......even the trees are not immune to the touch of the demons' mist."

Garland paused, before looking back over the group,".....And sometimes......when a demon grows great and powerful, it would turn into something....more."

".....A reflection of the demon's true form, back in whatever hell it came from, perhaps?", Garland wondered himself.

Satisfied with all their questions, Rena decided it was time to move on, and slowly walked back to the table with the map of Soltrida on it. She stood there, and took a deep breath.

"We depart at dawn, tomorrow. Garland will stay in this beach, and watch over the people. Everyone else will come with me and Europa, towards the Forest of Shadows. Get plenty of rests in the inn. It's a small place, but it may be the last bit of home-like comfort for a long time. I have paid for all the rooms there....use them well."

The fire flickers at the torch scones on the outer areas of the pavilion's support columns. They could hear the burning wood crackle, in the otherwise silent night.

"The Stag Brigade.. Hmm.. Stag Brigade.." Weilu tried to think of a grand way to announce the group name, how to move her body when she shouted it at curious enemies and how to kill someone while whispering it menacingly. Her golden eyes clouded with thought until Rena snapped her back. Satisfied for now, she sat back in her chair and was fine with listening to the rest of the meeting without further distractions. But this was not to be as a silver hair and pale skinned girl came walking out, her movements quiet and graceful. Weilu's eyes watched her feet easily move about. She had tea and soup! Although wishing for a more flavorful drink, she politely accepted and began dining on her meal, as quietly as she could. This was the best thing she'd had in who knows how long! Flavors Flavors! She bounced a little in her seat. But her attention was snatched back as she watched the girl she had deducted as graceful, spill piping hot soup on the handsome guy who had carelessly destroyed a ship earlier. She watched in surprised confusion and a bit of a smile at her 'curse' words before adjusting her attention in the right place for the last time.

If Serrina had been drinking just then, she would have choked. A payment of 10,000 gold per week was not something to be taken lightly. She very nearly felt bad for this Garland for having to pay them all so much. Well, at least he would have to pay 10,000 gold less than what he would have if Serrina had actually wanted the money.

Suddenly, a young human woman Serrina recognized from before appeared in the pavilion and promptly spilled the contents she had been carrying into the lap of one of the many guests in their semi-circle. Well, it was a good thing Serrina didn’t want the soup anyway.

As the stranger began to apologize profusely for her clumsy mistake, Serrina burst out a sharp, hearty laugh and smiled wickedly at the roguish one named Abrahem. Sure the accident was mostly likely just that, but she liked to think that it was much more intentional than it appeared. Good on her, Serrina thought, He probably deserves it. She didn’t like his look.

“It’s alright. No harm done,” Serrina leaned forward in her chair, “If anything, the stains will be an improvement,” she said, sending Abrahem a playful smirk. Insult to injury, her favorite combination.

Her attention was pulled away from the spilled soup and back to Rena when the rogue started speaking again. Ah, here it was. The details that would concern her. She leaned back and listened intently, crossing her arms over her chest and letting her eyes fall shut so that she could focus entirely on the words being said to her.

Knighthood? Really? The concept of being knighted held no interest to a mercenary such as herself. Criminal and knight never went hand in hand afterall. However, to be remembered in history even long after her death? With a promise like that, how could she possibly refuse? The piece of land didn’t hurt also. And the more the Knight spoke of what horrible creatures they would be facing while along their journey, the more eager she became to agree to their quest.

“And can I assume Elves are included in that list of Susceptible to Demon Mist as well?” Serrina kidded in a honeyed tone, the faintest trace of a smile on her lips to show that she wasn’t serious in the slightest. Perhaps the joke was off-color. Ah well, she didn’t care.

Wow! Serrina was definitely not going to waste a free night at an inn. No matter how squalid it was, it was infinitely better than her previous nights at Bed and Breakfast in the Forest of Shadows.

She realized this only now that she had just accepted a new job.

So when she hopped up from her chair and slung her weapons back over her shoulders, she stared at all the faces surrounding her. Serrina wondered how many of them were going to accompany her and just how many of those she'd have to keep an eye on during their travels together. She would have to watch her back with these people around.

“I guess I will see you all at dawn then,” she said with a grin.

Syra felt a little glow of pride upon being told that she was right, and relief that she had truly found the Stag Brigade she had been looking for. The male knight brought forth a beautiful kite shield, emblazoned with the crest that the group had named itself after. To the insectoid, the shield seemed to shine as if it had been greatly cared for, but Juniper's keener eye had taken note of the runes on the shield's surface. Seemed to be the work of enchantments of some description. Both bowed their heads when Rena and Garland did so, out of respect for the dead.

Next came the question of a reward. Naturally some of these people were fighting for reasons other than just "because it was the right thing to do", and payments would be made accordingly. However, Syra's kind had little value for coinage, and Juniper wasn't too sure how much good foreign currency would be back home. Any further questions for the time being were interrupted as the albino girl they had seen earlier on the beach came round with hot soup and tea for all, just the thing to keep out the night's chill. Not long after the duo had got their share, the poor girl had had... something done to her by a certain guilty-looking rogue right next to her. Juniper sensed a faint bit of magic there. At least karma was quick to return the favour when the sorcery succeeded in getting soup all over his clean clothes.

As the two of them enjoyed their meal, Rena went on to outline the details of what she would bestow upon those who would rather not take the money. A knighthood, a parcel of land, and a chance to be immortalised in legend! A giddy smile was plastered across Syra's face, and even Juniper was visibly intrigued. Acknowledgement as a true hero, along with her own territory to go with it was a reward the insectoid could certainly relate to.

The briefing concluded with Garland giving the group a rundown on the demons they would be facing. Apparently nobody would be truly safe from corruption. Therefore, keeping morale up was going to be more of a priority than usual. With the plan being to head out at dawn, Syra and Juniper decided to check in at the inn after finishing their soup, the insect woman thanking the knights for the meal. You'd be mad not to take advantage of free lodgings like that.

It took a considerable amount of effort for Duffrane to not go into hysterics at the mention of 10,000 gold a week, but he managed. His eyes glowed with greed as he thought about the hills of gleaming coin. His dreaming was interrupted however when a cup of tea and bowl of soup was placed in front of him. He thanked the white haired girl who had served him. Once he was relatively sure that no one was looking he snuck a flask out from under his coat and poured some of the contents in to his tea, then for good measure poured slightly less into his soup and hid it back in his coat.

Just before he started eating the young girl from earlier seemed to have tripped and gotten the hot meal all over Abrahem. Duffrane gave a good hearted guffaw which redoubled with Serrina's catcalls. "Typically the soup goes in you, not on ya lad!" he called and then began another bout of good natured laughter.

As Garland answered his question however he grew serious. These demons seemed to only get stronger over time, and their had been a lot of time for them to do just that. His grip tightened around his sword hilt as he imagined a tree with massive horns and a twisted face carved in the bark.

His features reset to their usual demeanor at the mention of lodgings and for the first time that evening Duffrane had realized just how tired he was. Maybe he was getting old, he thought to himself with a tired smile. He got up and followed the others who were already leaving. "Last chance for a warm bed, best get it while you can." He called over his shoulder to those who still hadn't left.

When the meeting concluded, by people quickly exiting to nab a room, Weilu hopped up, snatching her weapon out of the ground. Giving a twirl, she smoothly locks it onto her back while the topics of the evening lined up to be examined in her head. Knight-ship. She had already been one of those and had taken quite a liking to the free and unexpected life. 10,000 gold pieces?! That was.. Too much payment! Too much payment for justice. Blinking, she found herself standing by her chair, her eyes focused on the ground in front of her. Bouncing on her toes, she got her feet moving towards the inn by following the thin line of people heading in the same direction. To her band members she gave a bright smile as she passed. This was her way of giving quiet acknowledgement. She felt that a nod or a wiggle of the fingers, not a wave, was much too dull.

Managing to skip and dance her way through the people already at the inn, she caught herself a room at the very corner of the building. The room was small and the bed was made for strictly one person. But she had slept in worse. Stretching, she removes her weapon and stores it close to where she would be sleeping before starting on her nightly, before-bed routine. All while continuing to think.

Soup spilled all over Abrahem's leather overcoat, sweeping through the seams and edges to stain the undershirt as well. Hot but not terribly so, his skin warmed greatly though the circumstances probably weren't clean. Europa reached down with a napkin to remove the offending soup yet Abrahem knew it was a rather wasted effort. Unbidden, a grin came to his face as the young woman's face reddened greatly. He truly was evil in some situations. Gently taking a hold of her ahnd, chuckling silently at her interesting exclamations, he gazed into her face.

"Don't worry about the soup, my dear. It isn't what I'm particularly hungry for at the moment." Serrina's jibe reached his ear, and this time he belted out a full laugh, glancing down at his sou-darkened clothing. She would need to do a bit better than that. "Nothing wrong with a small stain. I like a bit of darkness from time to time, anyways," he spoke, closing that remark with a wink towards the elven woman and a mischievous smile.

Good naturedly adding his laugh to Duffrane's, Abrahem responded, "I know, sir. But I wished to so thoroughly enjoy it I couldn't help myself." Oh what joy this was! No one had offered him a good bout of banter in months, likely due to those pesky demons wandering around the country. Not to mention his 'acquiring' of a galleon and manning it single-handedly. Those Elementary Telekinetic Manipulation lessons had not been so useless after all.

Finally turning his attention to the two knights briefing the meeting, his eyebrows rose slightly at the mention of ten-thousand gold pieces, even higher at the knighthood. Such a sum of money was not to be laughed at anywhere, and throwing in induction to the aristocracy on the side seemed too good to be true. Abrahem may not have cared much for politics, or care now for that matter, but he was fairly sure that normally only high-ranking nobles could offer such a distinction. Not that any situations had been normal with demons in the mix.

Much of the explanation as to demon's Abrahem could safely ignore considering that such a subject had been part of his magical studies when deciding which school to specialize in or if he wished to be a multi-talented individual. The summoning arts had never particularly called to him, and he doubted that one would want to summon more demons at a time such as this. Binding magic may not work as it normally did. The greater or ascended daemonhosts he had not particularly studied, nor was it particularly viable given that such beings had not been seen for an immeasurable time.

With the meeting at an end, he realised the nagging sense directed his gaze towards the kitsune. So another magic user. Storing that information in his thoughts for a later period. He had other concerns at the moment. Serrina dismissed herself, Abrahem casting a devilish, wolf-like smile when she looked at him. She was going to be interesting to work through. Once she had left, that prompted others to leave, although Abrahem himself stayed seated, slightly more aware of his shirt's somewhat damaged nature. Perhaps he could find someone to clean it for him. There must be fresh-water somewhere.

For the moment, Abrahem removed the leather vest and cloth shirt, leaving his torso and arms bare, revealing a tanned and well-formed figure which held no shame. Thinking briefly of retrieving his other belongings, he decided against it and stayed to observe the others in the tent, particularly Europa.

Japheth's demeanor did not change despite his gratitude for the food that was offered or the small accident that the silver-haired woman had. What he'd give to smell like delicious soup only a week ago. The quiet rogue listened intently to the banter. One could pick up on a few character traits of individuals by the sort of humor they took to. This might be an interesting journey after all, especially with the promise of such rich rewards. More gold than he knew what to do with and supposed knighthood... It was all too good to be true. Obviously the mission would be dangerous, the trek there alone would be difficult enough, perhaps these two ring leaders were not expecting many of these recruits to survive the ordeal. Hm.

Once they were dismissed Japheth promptly left. Likely many of his fellow adventurers hadn't even noticed him. No matter. Relationships would only make dealing with loss more difficult as they worked to complete this quest. For now, he would not worry. It was time for rest. In an inn. With a bed. And blanket. No rocks, no grass, and no constant threat of death by wild beast or murderous demon. Ohhhh, he was going to enjoy this.

Europa glanced to Madam Serrina's general direction, and then Officer Duffrane's, her face still red as a beet, and her entire body froze up instantly. She felt relieved at their making light of the situation, which were further supported by Sir Abrahem's smooth, nonchalant remark. She proceeded to give...an odd smile. The smile by itself was not that strange, but while her lips moved, the rest of her face didn't. There was something unreal about it, almost fake. Her unfocused eyes certainly did not help matters.... a doll's smile, with a doll's eyes.

Garland turned to Serrina at her joke. He let out a tiny chuckle. Restrained, but approving. "I'm not sure myself. There are conflicting reports. But with your lively sense of humor, I doubt it would be so easy...for the demon".

Back to Europa, the girl bowed courteously towards Abrahem, her palms on her thighs as she did the prim and proper gesture. "I thank you for your gracefulness," she spoke softly, and calmly, a complete 180 from her nervous chitter barely two minutes ago. Looking to where she believed Sir Abrahem was, she gave a sweet smile, oblivious to the handsome man stripping and showing off his physique. With complete sincerity, she stated, "I am sure we would be the best of friends".

Rena and Garland watched as the entire group head off for the night, Rena's palms on the table, and Garland's body against one of the supporting columns. The two knights nodded towards Syra as she thanked them for the meal, with Rena calmly heeding her, "Good night, Syra". A calm, confident smile on her face. Garland did a quick, simple wave at Serrina as she said her farewells as well. The two knights gazed over as Duffrane called for the others. Rena gave an amused smile, "He looks like a good leader, hm?". Garland chuckled, his shoulders bobbing up and down with his arms folded. "Afraid you'll get replaced?"

Rena smirked and closed her eyes.

"Nah. He may have age and experience, but I have youth and tenacity."

"Isn't that right...."

The two knights watched as the others followed. Jay, the Iron-helmeted Arbalist. Weilu, the perky pink-haired girl with the exotic weapon. At first, they thought that everyone had left, until Garland noticed a subtle silhouette strolling away. Japheth, the quiet one. "That one would be handy for scouting, I think," Garland pointed discreetly to him. "Hm?" At first, Rena couldn't even see him, until she squinted well. "Ah." Rena smiled as she mused, "We certainly have all types of personality here, huh?"

Garland nodded. A quiet moment passed between the two knights, while Europa cleaned up behind them, still oblivious to Abrahem's shirtlessness. "Are you going to be okay, Garland? Here, guarding the beach by yourself?"

Garland glanced down, his arms still folded, his armor weighed upon his tired frame. "It's fine. Nothing I can't handle, this far south. You just worry about yourself and the team."

Rena smiled, "Thanks. We'll keep in touch."

Garland glanced to her, and gave her a thumbs up. He had worries and doubts about the group, but he had a good impression of them today. Hope they all survive to the end...


----

DAY 2

The night passed. The beds of the inn were simple, but comfortable. Nothing like soft, clean mattresses on your back....

Morning came. For breakfast, simple fish sandwiches, complimentary, from the fishermen. Europa then called for the Stag Brigade to gather at the outskirts of the Solemn Beach, just outside the Forest of Shadows.

The group gathered in a circle, with Rena placing three bags in front of her; a very large leather backpack, containing supplies, along with several stacks of rations on top, as well as a cooking pot, utensils, and firewood, tied together haphazardly with several belts. Several bottles of rum stuck out from within the pack, sealed nice and tight. Europa stood next to the blue knight, looking positively tiny next to her, with a sweet smile and hands clasped in front of her waist.

Then, there were two other smaller, but still large knapsacks; one dark, warm brown and the other a lighter, cooler brown, both containing folded bedrolls for everyone, repair kits, and water canteens.

Rena herself had one of the large knapsacks on her back, along with the tower kite shield bearing their group's emblem. With one hand on her hip, she greeted them with her bold voice, as she pointed to the large backpack and two knapsacks, "Good morning, Stag Brigade. I will need three brave souls to volunteer and carry these with them".

Rena clenched her left fist, and pumped it in front of her. "Together, we march for the Forest of Shadows. Tread carefully. I don't want to sound too....elvish.....but we should do our best to respect this place."

The blue knight turned as she stepped between the trees, the grass rustling against her feet. "...Many who did not do so....met unpleasant ends," she whispered. Europa lost her smile. The pale girl held one hand to the air, feeling the wind blow, and carefully trudged alongside the group.

----


Away from the sand, and into the foliage. The glow from the newly rising sun passed gently between the soft, yellow-green leaves. The lively green vegetation barely moved as the winds gently push them. They could hear the birds singing in the air, as if greeting the Stag Brigade as they enter. Such a wonderful vista, would this place truly deserve its seedy moniker?

Time passed as the company marched through the forest. In this place nearly untouched by men, the path ahead was never straight. Holding an enchanted compass in one hand and the rolled up map of Soltrida in another, Rena lead the way, no hesitation in her steps. She seemed fairly experienced in this place already, with her legs if not her mind. Europa, on the other hand, kept bumping onto things. The tree trunks. The bushes. Officer Duffrane.

"Oops!"

"....Oof.."

"Sorry!"

Rena couldn't help but squint at her with annoyance as she kept doing so. She was blind, but her carelessness could cost them their lives...many things live in this forest, benevolent or otherwise. They must not lose focus.

After receiving a face full of leaves, Europa decided to change her strategy. Remembering yesterday, the girl shyly approached Sir Abrahem. Drawn to his magical aura, she poked his back once. Twice. And then she asked hesitantly, "Umm...Sir Abrahem? W-would you mind if I...hold your arm? This place.....is not very friendly to me...." Europa kept her head down, hoping to hide the burning red embarassment in her face.

Rena glanced back and smirked at the two. She didn't need to say anything. Just a teasing, amused smirk.

.....Suddenly, they were struck with a heavy feeling.

Like something was watching them.

Like something was following them.

Rena herself slowed down. Her eye darted left. Then right. She raised a hand towards the rest of the group, slowly, subtly.

The birds have stopped singing. All they could hear right now was the rustling of leaves, as the ocean of foliage brushed against their bodies.

Rena lowered her hand. Her fingers curled around the grip of her broadsword.

Then, a wild shriek!

leaves rustled violently around them, for a split second, as short green silhouettes seemingly leaped from between the trees, surrounding them!

Rena turned, and drew her sword, shouting, "GOBLINS!!"

"HEEEHEEEHEHEHEHEHEHHEHEHEHEHEHE!", high pitched, screeching laughter filled the air.

A hordes of goblins descended upon them; six at first, then followed by another six barely two seconds later. four to five feet tall, with slim limbs, large heads, bloated bellies, and enormous toothy grins taking up half their faces. Some were almost naked aside from loincloth over their privates, others were dressed in simple tattered leather armor over their torsos, a rare few were dressed with purple hoods and ragged suits of chain. They carry crude, jagged scimitars, spiked clubs, and cleavers, all of which had a greenish hue to their otherwise iron-grey forms.

Europa let go of Abrahem, her red eyes glowing faintly as she clasped her hands in prayer. In her mind's eye, she could see the goblins move as green, sinister blurs. "They've been stalking us! An invisibility potion clouded us from their forms!"

Rena wasted no time going to town on them. The first goblin she saw, she immediately bisected with a quick slash of her broadsword, sending him twirling and flying before literally spilling his guts against the tree. A second goblin tried to jump her from behind, but she stepped to the side, and fed the goblin the pointy end of her blade with a quick and simple, but efficient, thrust, without a blink of an eye or the turn of her head. His body hung limp, and his blood dripped from his carved up mouth. Another goblin leaped from a tree branch above, hoping to do plunge his cleaver onto her skull, but she simply spun and glared at him, before tossing a throwing knife right towards his throat.The goblin choked on his own blood, then broke his neck as he crashed onto another tree branch on the way down.

Weilu was a deep sleeper so it was hard to wake up that morning, even harder to go through her daily routine. A free soul like her was used to waking up when she was well and rested, her day's plans revolving around when that was. Her eye-lids drooped, her hair portrayed her manner of sleeping and her movements were that of a person who had taken sleeping remedies.

This act was quickly cleaned up at the mention of breakfast. The smell and thought of it snapped her back into reality and had her spry and bouncing again, nodding, smiling and singing a "Goodmorning~!" To all she passed.
Fish Sandwhiches. Gone in minutes. And when it was, she sat there with her hands in her lap and quietly waiting for everyone to finish. Whoever did not finish fell victim to her poking and prying for their leftovers. There was no dignity when food was involved. It took a lot of energy to wield the weapon she did!

The Forest was cool, tranquil and alive with birdsong. Weilu liked it. Liked the soft moss on her toes and how the sun filtering through the foliage turned the woods into a disco party. It made her want to skip, dance and talk to anyone close enough to hear. But until she familiarized herself with these people some more, she would contain her excitement and simply follow suit.
When everyone stood in a circle, listening to Rena, she was the one quietly rocking back and forth from heel to toe, her hands clasped behind her back and her balance never wavering. Biting her cheek she listened to the instructions while her golden irises darted about to gauge the expressions of everyone else in the circle. At the option to take on a pack, she had to step back. Her weapon already had a place on her back so carrying anything there would slow her down exponentially if anything required her to quickly take out her polearm.

As the group walked through the wood, Weilu quietly hopped and lightly danced along with them, moving to a song in her head. She strayed from those she felt she would annoy and did her thing beside those she felt she wouldn't. People such as Duffrane or Serrina, or Abrahem. Maybe even the loner in the back since he was like a colored shadow. His silence made her curious about him..
At the command to stop, she was midstep, all of her senses suddenly readying. And at the sudden hysterical giggling, squealing and shrieking, she reached back and smoothly brought forth her Ruby. When the Goblins showed themselves, she bounced on her feet, no longer needing to stay quiet since their cover was obviously blown "Oh finally~!" She grinned. When Rena sprang forth, cutting and slashing, she was whistling over a few targets of her own, keeping them away from the pack she associated with food. Her and the Goblins had a grand time. They giggled together and danced together, although, as her Glaive whirred and slashed through the air, they did the dipping and falling and never getting up..ing. The blood burned her skin as it spurt from their warm bodies or dripped from her weapon. But she was taking them down with minimal strike counts, her eyes focused and her pink tresses never getting in the way.

In all her life, Syra had never slept in a bed as soft as those the surface-dwellers were used to. It was easily the most comfortable night's rest she'd ever had, to the point that Juniper had to wake her up. Getting out of bed almost reluctantly, the insectoid promised herself that she would acquire such soft furnishings once she had her own home.

Breakfast proved to be a rather busy affair, with so many adventurers staying at the inn. Juniper and Syra had to keep an on the alert as a certain pink-haired girl prowled the area, looking for scraps. Syra took to holding her food close to her and chewing faster every time Weilu passed by.

When the group finally departed the village and entered the forest, Syra was eagerly marching with the others, not too far at the front as per Juniper's suggestion. Periodically she would pick any plants within reach that she recognised as being useful potion ingredients, depositing them in the leather satchel she carried. Both of them had decided against volunteering to carry the packs, at least for the time being. She watched Europa blindly stumble about in pity, and was about to offer to help the poor girl when she went and asked Abrahem for help instead. With a slightly relieved smile, Syra continued marching, only stopping when the group began to slow down, nearly walking right into Juniper who had been marching in front of her. The reason for the halt became known to all not long after. A goblin ambush!

There were a dozen in all, armed with crude weapons, and surprisingly bold considering they were attacking a foe with equal numbers and superior armaments. Juniper was quick to act, neatly slicing a goblin in two as it rushed towards the duo, her blade glowing with a faint blue light as it was swung. Syra rushed over to Europa's location, firing her spine launchers in short controlled bursts at two other goblins. In addition to the initial wounds inflicted by the spines themselves, the acid they were coated in began to eat away at flesh and steel alike. Juniper was quick to follow, remaining alert for any more reinforcements.