Gii slowly makes his way over to the pair of elves, Matias keeping guard over his left leg. "I'd be willing to help, as well. Having this place sacked by bandits would hamper my research significantly. I am called Doctor Gii," the aasimar states, leaning on his longspear like a makeshift walking stick. "And this is Matias," he finishes, to which the white-furred wolf barks, his tongue lolling out of his mouth. "As you can likely tell, I am not particularly suited to ambushes due to my leg. But I will aid you in any way I am able."
Yuleg patiently listens to the conversations amongst the party. He exchanges his judgment on the matter,"A search party could be an excellent choice of action. Don't expect to win against large numbers. Make sure to come back swiftly, if you see any large movement. If it comes down to that we need every able person here to stand and fight. I am not sure if they moved on, but I would recommend going south down in the border wood. Follow the west tree line and you should find the remains of my comrades."
"Yuleg, what happened to my son?" Isker moves through the crowd urgently.
The face of the dwarf remain solemn. War carries sadness and grief along with it. "Your son... He passed away... Gorum would be proud of his service."
This was instruction in of itself, horrible instruction. Isker quieted down as he is staring at the ground, his face stricken with dark melancholy.
Ionnia Teppan steps forward to intercede,"I am the mayor of this town. I have been singing songs all day on that wooden stage in celebration of 400 years of Heldren standing here.. If my voice goes hoarse... then so be it. The reason that we have celebrated this holiday today is to understand that even when this winter comes we will endure. We have endured famine in our past, we have endured grief in our past, and we will endure bandits in our future. I will join these recent visitors as part of the search party. Crazy as it sounds, it is in your great interest to take up arms in the defense of Heldren. We shall not flee, we shall fight. Be benevolent to your neighbor as our founders have taught us and by the great gods, protect your neighbor."
The people roar in approval.
"Hear! Hear!" Tiferet's yell joins Heldren folk's thundering clamor over Ionnia's inspiring words. A shiver runs down her spine as she ponders the strange turn her day has experienced: only a few hours ago, she was a mere passerby in Heldren – now, she was about to put her life on the line to defend it and its villagers. Strangely enough, the though brings a smile to her lips, just as her muscles clench in anticipation.
She turns to Arthorion and nods. "We are decided, then. I'm not usually one for stealth and ambushes, but I'll do my best. Just point me against a foe, and I'll let my ax do the talking." That said, she pulls out a whetstone from her backpack and starts honing her weapon's edge in anticipation of the upcoming battle.
Gii watches passively as the mayor whips the rest of the gathered folk into a frenzy, Matias still protectively guarding his leg. "I am with you," he says to Tiferet, his longspear resting against his shoulder. The white wolf barks once, seeming to agree as well.
"Thank you, Gii" Tiferet stops her sharpening work to express her gratitude at the raven-haired Nethyan. "With Nethys on our side, we might as well have a chance after all".
"Good, I am glad that you are coming, a small party is a good idea, more likely we are caught, but more likely someone can get back with word of what happens." Looking at the gathering, "Let me go grab my pack and I will be ready." With that, Mirri quickly retrieves her pack and then goes back to where the others are, waiting for everyone to leave on their scouting mission.
"I cannot promise he will be aiding us, but as his arm, I shall do what I can," Gii replies to Tiferet. He nods to Mirri as she heads off to gather her equipment. "We shall be waiting."
Arthorion observes as the humans gather together, all of them seemingly inspired by the words of the mayor. Then he rememebers their habit of always announcing their names after meeting each other.
"Introductions are in order, I suppose. Call me Arthorion. I'm a warrior of the Snowcaster elves, keepers of the northern elf gate at the Crown of the World. I'll be joined by my companion Zoren, he is waiting outside the town." The elf points to the Ulfen woman and then turns to face Gii. "Tieferet, I've met. And you, Doctor Gii... a worshipper of the All-seeing Eye, if I'm not mistaken, and a physician, perhaps? And then there's the mayor and my kin, whose names I'm ignorant of. Unless you need any more formalities, we should get going. She can meet us at the town gates", he finishes, referring to Mirri.
Arthorion checks if the scabbard of his sword is securely fastened to his back as he marches out of the Silver Stoat headed to the gates.
Returning to hear Arthorions comment about not knowing her name, "My apologies, for those who I haven't introduced myself too, I am Mirri. I can be a little unfocused at times, too many conflicting thoughts in my head sometimes."
"No more formalities needed. Arthorion, Gii, Mirri, none of you calls Heldren home, yet you don't balk at the prospective of facing danger and peril in its defense. It's going to be an honor to draw blades with you" Tiferet says to the small accolade of warriors gathered in the town's square. "Just give me the time to finish honing my ax... and to have a quick word with the sparring teacher. A small precaution – should the worst come to pass" she then adds, the last words being muttered as if talking to herself.
/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\ _/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\_/¯\
Her blade sharpened and her possessions gathered, on her way to join Arthorion Tiferet briefly stops by Isker, trying her best to offer a word of comfort.
"Isker? I'm Tiferet – you watched me sparring earlier. For what it's worth, I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sure he died an honorable death – and that it's also thanks to his sacrifice that we now have a chance to prevent the same fate from falling upon Heldren."
She pauses for a moment, allowing her words to sink in. When she resumes her speech, her tone is now more determined. "Alas, those same thugs who killed your son are now depriving us of the chance to even mourn him properly. You're probably one of the very few people here who knows how to wield a sword. With Ionnia coming with us, the townsfolk is going to look to you for leadership. If we're not back by tomorrow, assume the worst and prepare the defenses. Tell everyone who's too young of infirm to fight to evacuate or shut himself in in the safest place he can find – and then kill as many of those bastards as you can. For Heldren. And for your son."
Isker wipes a tear out of his eye, "Your words ring well in my ears. Would not want them to take this town. While my son is dead, my daughter still lives, I could not bear to lose the only child I have left."
He draws another breath with a warning, "I have seen the technique of bandits, they lack none for the most part. But be careful, they cut foes down with the will that they have."
Upon getting ready and gathering whatever is needed, Ionnia Teppan departs with the volunteers to the dangers down south. "Your help will not be forgotten."
-----------------------------------------
The foreboding winter slowly, but surely makes it's presence as the travel continues. What became a light sprinkle, became a sharper cold breeze. But, soon enough everyone's shoes step into deep snow near the trees of the border wood. The kind of cold that is being experienced is something that perhaps no one has experienced. It rattles the bones, it churns horror and dismay, and while the sun of summer was still strangely out, this has no influence over the cold.
Upon getting closer to the trees, Ionnia Teppan says sincerely, "Let us be careful as we draw near to the site. All we need is to follow the trees around a bit more. I never felt a chill like this."
Seeming to actually enjoy the temperature, Mirri can't help but reply, "This is nothing Ionnia,this is a cool summer's night where I am from. It almost feels like home."
"No doubt astonishing for me, you certainty have my respect, I am not sure if I would call this home myself." Ionnia Teppen shivers a bit, but continues to move the party forward on the path. Her stature carries a certain elegance as she continues to walk. She bears no weapons at hand along her equipment, she is not that kind of warrior.
"I think much the same of the miserable heat you have in this part of the world. I suppose it is all in what you know." Shrugging the issue aside, Mirri continues along with the party.
Gii limps after most of the others, Matias padding alongside. "We should keep chatter to a minimum," he suggests in a calm voice. "Though they likely do not expect us, I imagine our chances of ambushing them before they notice us are higher if we stay as quiet as possible." The sounds of footsteps through grass and over dirt seem to pound loudly in Gii's head as the group keeps moving.
Tiferet's sandaled feet plunge deep into the fresh snow as she walks, yet she shows little sign of actually being bothered by its icy bite on her skin. Her comparatively heavier armor somewhat slowing her down, she finds herself walking alongside Gii and Mathias in the rearguard, struggling to keep the pace of her nimbler and less encumbered companions.
"Agreed" she whispers to the raven-haired, blu-eyed doctor. "Would you like some assistance with... you know... your leg?" she says offering her arm, her tone polite and empathic as if afraid to sound accidentally offensive.
Gii shakes his head. "Do not worry for me. Matias will help if I need it, and you strike me as the type who will be the first into the fray."
Hearing what they are saying, Mirri slows to reach them, "You are right Gii, we shoul be quieter, I thank you for the observation." She looks at Tiferet, "I think he is right, you might wish to be towards the front in case of attack." Giving Gii a look from the corner of her eye, "I will stay near him, I need someone to protect me after all." She smiles charmingly and keeps pace with Gii.
"As you wish" Tiferet smiles back. "And let's hope the ambushers don't become the ambushed" she mumbles as she briefly quickens her pace to take place besides Arthorion and the village leader.
Arthorion accompanies the group silently, not really interested in participating in the chatter and sudden camaraderie offered by his new allies. He constantly searches the terrain for signs of a bandit scout or even tracks left behind by the lynx Zoren. He should be close; in fact, I would not be surprised if my friend were observing us from afar as we thread through these woods. He sometimes stop to observe Mirri, and is puzzled at her skillfulness in blending in with the humans. Perhaps it is them that are drawn to her, and not the other way around; I could certainly understand that. He snaps out of the thought and goes back to looking for clues or tracks.