"Then I'm asking is wrong." Autumn admits with a nod. "I say bandits, because that is what I've been fighting. The first ones we met at Oleg's, those who sent them from here, and those who tried to hunt down and kill my friend." Autumn said as she pointed to Torek. "Every time they were the same, and every time we learned who they worked for. Thus learning you're working for the same man put you as a bandit. Yet you continue to say soldier. What I want to know is what about how he runs things makes you think you're a soldier? What put this above banditry in your mind? That is what I want to understand."
Torek asks Sasha curiously, "That is interesting, our encounters to date with those aligned with your boss were not friendly and we had done nothing to harm them. They attacked us, needless to say we didn't like that and gained a very bad impression."
He follows with,"So, explain to me how did you meet with your bosses' men, what did they say to get you to take up arms for him, to risk your life for him."
"Redash, from were I sit there is three reasons to become a bandit. The first being the worst, your just like killing, fighting, and being a terrible person. The second I can think of is that, fighting was all you were ever good at. Maybe you wanted to be a real soldier but we're turned away but in the end they still have mouths to feed and people to take care of, so they do what they must. Then the last and third reason is the saddest and most forgiveable, there was just nothing left... family gone, prosperity gone, reason for being... Gone. These are the lost, those found by the worst kind. Often they just need to find the path again. I don't think you belong in the first one, you chose to use a sap instead of a bladed weapon. That tells me a bit, you didn't want to kill me. Why?" Autumn asked, "You've been very reasonable till now. Why? If you believe we're just going to kill you why tell us anything? Why give us information that could help us?"
He cools off as he listens to Autumn's reasonable words. Stuff I told you, won't help you." He says. "Anyway, it's the same old song and dance. I'm not a bandit, and I ain't gonna kiss your tail to save my life. String your rope or whatever. Just know that it's murder, not justice."
Torek follows up with "You were wandering a wilderness at random? That's very risky without experience. And what kind of 'soldiering' was demanded of you? And is it the kind you would want to do?"
Autumn gave a half chuckle at Redash's words about kissing tail. "Redash I don't want you to serve us, I've asked why you thought you were a soldier because I don't understand how one could come to think that. I'm asking for clarity, to understand. You also realize that even if we went with you being a soldier it would make you an enemy soldier thus still putting your life at risk. A bandit can be turned around, a soldier can not, few would take that time honestly." Autumn said, though she was at an ending point, it seemed like she could get nothing more from this man. "However it seems I will never get to know, as you're so unwilling to speak of it. Thus there is nothing more I can do for you. Because if we let you go, you'll return to the Stag Lord, and put my friends in danger. Since you have no intention of turning your back on him or starting over... I'm sorry Redash, but we are at an impass, I wish you chose a different path... Is there a god you follow? Would you like to take prayer? One of our could even help you pray."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Autumn's body language changed when Redach insulted her friend. Her demeanor became more like it had been when dealing with Sasha. "No they keep the ones they can ransom back if I'm right, it is only logical. Though I could be wrong, all I have to go on are stories after all." Autumn said bluntly. "You aren't one of those are you? The Stag Lord won't be paying anything to get you back. To him, you're a copper a dozen. But I leave it to you to speak about things with a proper soldier," Autumn said as she looked from Titian back to Redach "more of a soldier than you'll ever be." She finished before walking away, she was done with him. If he wanted to hang so badly, so be it.
Autumn made her way over to Torek and Herger. "That one is some how worse than this one." She told them as she pointed from Redash to Sasha. "He wants to claim that he is a soldier but won't say why or how. I've tried being nice and he softened a bit, but now he is just insulting our friends." She explained giving out a sigh. "Seems to really not like Titian because he sees him as a, stuffed shirt types, who, just knows how to strut about on a parade ground. So I'm done talking to him. Herger if you want to try go ahead." Autumn said, remembering it was him who tried the most with the bandits that had tried to run down Torek. "He might respond better to you. I don't think he respects me, and he obviously doesn't like Titian. So if we're going to get him to turn away from this life I think you would be our best bet."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
He paused and nodded to the younger woman with a slight smile.
"Their mistake not taking you serious miss Autumn, the more I've watched and dealt with them the more i think our words will have little to do to sway them. I believe we have been painted as something we are not, only our actions, maybe, could change their minds."
He paused nodding to the final body he needed to grab to do last rites for and lay to rest.
"No sense in getting worked up Autumn. They claim to be soldiers, for now they will be treated as such. Meals and forced labor til this sitution with their "lord" is dealt with."
Herger could only smile at the man's disdain for Sir Titian. He remembered his youth far far up north for a short while as a guardsman militia. Titian had the bearing and look of an officer,many rank and file resented just in general.
"Let me finish here and I'll speak with the man a bit, I know we planned on well getting a lay of the land some more still, but I would feel a bit better if Kesten took these soldiers off our hands while we work."
He finished up preparing his prayers for the fallen.When he was done, he brought both of the 'soldiers' over.
"I dont know these men, sounds like you didnt know them all that well, but if you have words for them, now is the time."
He asked giving both Redach and Sascha A chance to honor their fallen.
Jhod had been watching the discourse, an arrow knocked and ready. Now he speaks up.
”You will set a dangerous precedent by treating these two as soldiers. If they are soldiers, then the Stag Lord is a legitimate ruler. Which he is not. He’s a bandit chief, and these two are bandits. They should be treated as such.”
Autumn nodded slowly in agreement with Jhod. "That is a very good point. We can't give legitimatcy to this bandit chief. He is nothing more than a bully, a thief, and a miscreant. We should not allow him anything more. After all that he has done? After all of his terror and death upon these lands? We've even met a restless spirit murder because of him! The sooner we remove him from these lands the safer this place will become." Autumn said. "I say after we finish Jhod's mission we take the fight to this Stag Lord and rid this lands of him for good. We keep putting it off, but after finding this place up and running again I say we make it our main focus."
Torek says to Sasha, "We do not want to kill you, gives us some hope that you can be redeemed we will take it. But if not, we have to protect he innocent of this land, and will do what we must. As Autumn says Brother Herger, will talk with you, perhaps that will lead to a better way."
Torek agrees with Autumn, "No, even by the standard of the disorder petty kingdoms south of us, he is brutal, all his other thugs we encountered brought only attacks, forced submission, and robbery most vicious. That will not bring this land to a place for families to grow."
"Yes, that must be our most important goal but how to be about it. These men seem well persuaded to an odd loyalty. In any event we need to return them to Oleg's. We can't be dragging them through hostile wilderness."
”I have no use for the mumblings of priests such as these.” Redach proclaims. Sasha merely gazes away into the trees.
Autumn looked at Sasha with a curious eye.
She was curious if he was reflecting upon what had passed and where he was going. When she was unsure she reached for Herger and pointed out Sasha's demeanor silently as a possible chance for Herger to work his wisdom.
Then she moved to stand beside Titian, who would likely need help if he was playing the role of executioner.
Autumn can’t seem to get a sense of Sasha’s thoughts.
Out of earshot of the two bandits, Torek quietly gives his assessment to Autumn and Herger. "I haven't talked much to Redach, he just seems really loyal to that bandit chieftain, can't see why. Sashas though... he has a lot of bluster but he does seem to know that what his master wants of him is wrong. I think it bothers him more than he wants to admit. A nasty as his talk is, I think he may be the more likely to be redeemed. Still we can't drag them around with us. That would put us all in danger."
Torek looks frustrated then sighs, "We are too few, we need to be in three places at once all the time. How do we decide what in do, in what order, and what do we sacrifice for that?"
"Thats the issue isnt it. I would feel better if we could manage to get them back to Keston. He might even have some experiance in dealing with criminals or 'soldiers' that have been captured. I feel responsible for them in a way since they surrendered and we accepted it. Its a dogs dinner at best. It almost makes me miss living under the witchs's thumbs up north less thinking."
He sighed and ran his hands through his hair and then through his beard for a moment.
"I'll give them one last chance I suppose."
He muttered looking up to the sky for a second before making his way over.
"I really don't want to be the judge and jury of men who have been misled it seems, but you cant make a stuborn mule leave a burning barn either it seems, not if its decided that everything about it is just fine. You boys are in that burning barn. The stag lord you claim to serve is a bandit preying on the weak for his own gain. Redach you stand accused of unrepentant banditry the punishment we have according to our charter is death. Do you remain unrepentant?"
He asked his voice calm and cool, a man discussing the weather and crops with a neighbor.
Sasha looks at the ground and says nothing.
Redach stares defiantly at Herger, and proclaims. ”Who gave you the right to decide who’s a lord and who’s a bandit? Only difference is; some been stealing from folks for generations. Others maybe been doing it a little while. Does that make them less a lord? Redach shakes his head in negation. ”Stag Lord is just doing what he needs to,to make a place for us to live free. Just ‘cause the old blood lords don’t want no one to be free, they name him bandit. But they are the real crooks. With their squeezing taxes, and conscriptions.”
Torek thinks for a moment then confronts Redach's remarks. "Our right, Redach? Because of the depredations of bandits on the frontier, the Swordlords of Restov, under the authority of the Regent of Brevoy, choose to try to deal with it by giving trustworthy people charter to uphold the law in these lands. They have made claim on these lands." Torek hold up his hand to stop Redach's retort. "They have centuries of tradition and widespread acceptance on their side, the so-called Stag Lord has neither."
Torek gives a severe look at Redach, "You can say that often those lords of Brevoy failed in their duty, that is true, but what better choice is there? This would be King? Perhaps we would be more receptive to your view, but the first thing my friends encountered here was nothing more than robbery of helpless good people. A tax? So you say? But they were so heavy, that it drove them to penury, they called for aid from Brevoy because it's burdens were more endurable. It was slow but it came. And a man has to stand helpless while his wife was threatened with dishonor. Vile banditry indeed! And me, I rode alone in this land, minding my own business when accosted by others with this tainted allegiance. I fled, and when brought to bay, they promised a torturous death for my unwillingness to be a victim."
Torek continues with an edge. "So who should I choose? If both the lords of Brevoy and the one you call lord are vile bandits, why should I not choose the ones that are already established, have courts and some restraint of law, and do stand for some order, even if less than perfect?"
Torek shakes his head at Redach, "We are devout followers of Erastil, devoted to put community and family first. We were chosen to try and bring some order, some decency to this land. I do not think this lord of your would have chosen us. To rob and pillage and threaten dishonor goes against everything we believe in. That is clearly not the way of this bandit chief and his followers. So yes, make the best choice, even if not ideal to you, that is before you. You want a just land? A good life? We want that opportunity for you and others as well, and are willing to devote our lives to that task. Will you join us in that?"
"The innocent harmed give us that right." Autumn states boldly, arms crossed over her chest. "You say you were hurting no one here, and while it is true you haven't your intentions were clear. The voices of the dead spoke very boldly what they wanted to do. Those who attack Oleg's before were very bold too." She added as she reached out to pet Frostbite.
"It is true that nobility can bleed one dry through taxes." Autumn said, this was something she did understand with how Brevoy was at the moment. "Nobility must be kept in check just like anything else. There is a balance that must be maintained. A balance so fine that few could ever find it. Brevoy has failed and the scales are tipped, but this place is still being balanced. Good can still come, and you can help shape it. Without harming innocent people. You say taxes and concriptions make one crooks but I disagree. It depend upon the amount taken. You want to change it? Then do something within the system. Don't abandon it. Evil thrives when good people do nothing. If you leave the system will never get better. But Torek is right. We want to start a new here. If you truly believe you know what is right, why not be apart of that? Why not build a place were people can thrive? A place were no parent must bury their child due to things we can control. A place were those who are the life blood are acknowledged for who they are and what they do. No taxes that leave a farmer with only seed money. No conscription rips a family apart. Yes it will be hard. It is possible you will never see the day it comes true. But for those who come after, our children and their children and so on deserve the best start towards that future. The hardest work often gives the greatest harvest. But nothing can grow in a land watered by blood and tilled by combat... Nothing... Save twisted twigs and death. But like the plow that breaks apart the soil to accept the next harvest's seeds, or the arrow that claims the life of the wild game, or even the crook the shepard boy uses to drive off the wolves, we must prepare the way and defend it... It is possible that great things can come from the worse situations... If we are willing to keep moving forward, and reach out to those who need help the most. The system failed you. So help us make a better one."
”What choice is offered?” Redach asks. ”So far you’ve only offered the chance to confess to banditry. And die. Or, die because I won’t confess to banditry.”
He smiles a crooked smile. ”Long and pretty speeches aside, that’s what it boils down to, isn’t it?”
"Then you didn't understand." Autumn said. "We don't need you to admit to being a bandit. We just want to know if you're repentant. If so we can take you back to Oleg's. We can then talk about your future, what job you want and such. Kesten would watch over you for a bit to ensure you didn't lie, but you could start again. You could choose to be a guard under Kesten, a hunter, a farmer, maybe even find someone to teach you another trade! You have options. Though you seem to want to ignore that..."
”Repentant of what then? We were doing honest work. You attacked us. Maybe you should be the one to repent.” Redach stares defiantly at Autumn.
”I’d repent if it means you’ll not hang me.’ Sasha mumbles. Redach gives him a glare.
"Actually thats almost exactly what it meant. You Redach sound precisely like the sort of man who gets caught with his hand in another man's pocket and screams he's innocent the entire time. Besides... you fired first. Not the act of the innocent."
He retorted his ire starting to rise. It was like the man was trying to goad them into doing so just so he could what feel like he was right as he stood in line waiting for Pharasma's justice. A true fool then.
"That's true." Autumn said, agreeing with Herger. "My first action actually was to ask you to stand down. You declined by swinging a sap at my head. I think that counts as firing first. Because if you were doing nothing wrong talking would have been a better idea" She reminded Redach with a raised eyebrow.
Though her attitude changed when Sasha spoke. Moving from Titian's side she stepped up to Sasha. It likely reminded the poor guy of the time she choked him, however this time she moved her arms from their crossed position to and calmer down and loose form, with the left hand holding her right. "It means more than that." Autumn began as Sasha wasn't being arrogant she felt she could actually speak with him, "It means you get a chance to start a life that actually has a future. We're not asking you to get down on your knees and beg, or even pray to our god. We just want you to leave this place and life behind. To take up a true trade that doesn't hurt innocent people. That is all. This is a choice that you need to make yourself, no one makes it for you. Not Redash, not us, only you."
”You say we fired first. I say: So what. You didn’t hello the camp, like honest folk would. Nope. You came stomping in, like raiders do. So don’t act surprised that we defended ourselves.” Redach shakes his head, in negation. ”Best we could, anyway...”He turns a glare at Autumn. ”A man don’t have to give up his right to self defense on your say so. Even if you are a meganoiac.”
Sasha just looks on nervously, his eyes glancing here and there.
"I never took it away nor did say you couldn't have it. I would have talked if you had talked. You chose to swing Redash. that is upon you! Stop blaming others for your mistakes! Be a man and own up to them! Though I doubt you will." Autumn said with a slight roll of her eyes. "Also I think you mean megalomaniac." She added before she looked to Sasha and sighed
Autumn gently put one hand on the young man's shoulder. "Look here." She began as she made him meet her eyes. "Don't listen to us, or him." She pointed to Redash with her free hand before pointing to Sasha head. "Listen to here," then she pointed at his heart. "and here. What do they tell you to do?"
Torek is about to speak when Autumn attempts to reach Sasha's heart. He pauses to await his answer.
Sasha looks confused. ”Uh, I don’t know.
Autumn sighed before trying to explain. "Sasha, have you ever wanted to do something with your life? A goal or a dream?" She asked, though it was obviously more of an opening statement. "I'm a huntress by trade, but my dream is to find a home. A place with a warm bed, and where the sound of little feet upon the floor is what wakens me every morning, along with the giggles and laughter of my, hopefully, children." Autumn told him with a shrug of her shoulders. "That is what my heart desires and thus tells me to work for, my head guiding my actions so that I don't lose myself to my dream too quickly. It's okay if you haven't found yours yet Sasha. Sometimes they come to us in a flash and others slowly grow. But a life built like this," Autumn motioned to the bandit camp around them. "will never bring you a goal or a dream. Because it cannot give you any form of stability. But we can take you to a place where you can find stability and a new life that will give you time to find a goal or have a dream. If that is what you want." Autumn said with a small smile. "You don't need to proclaim you are or were a bandit, just say that you're ready for a better path."
”Yeah, okay. I’m ready for a better path.” Sasha answers. Redach makes a snorting noise.
Autumn gives Sasha's shoulder a reassuring squeeze as she smiles at him. The aasimar obviously proud of the young man. She herself moves him over to their side, having him stand beside them. "You obviously care not for his choice." Autumn stated to Redash. "You will not heed any form of wise advice nor think to the future?" She asked. "Is this to be the winter of your life?"
”He’d say anything to save his stinkin’ hide, I guess.” Redach straightens, standing taller. ”I’ll give you no such satisfaction. You can kill me if you must, but know that it is you who has behaved as bandits do today.”
His face grows dark. ”Better to die with pride, than to live in shame as you must. Doomed as you are, to lie, even to yourself. Just admit that you are the villain here. You’ll be much happier.”
"You would have a leg to stand on, if those we attacked here were innocent. However they were not." Autumn stated with a shake of her head, she held up her hand to silence him if he tried to speak before she was finished. "You openly declared yourself for a recognized bandit chief, you held the company of those who openly stated their wish to attack Oleg's trading post, and you have shown no care or remorse for such a thing Redash. Sasha might have been arrogant at the start but he has seen the change that is happening. You were given several chances. I offer you no more. If you wish to take your delusions to the boneyard, so be it. Call yourself whatever you wish if it eases your exacution today, but this day you Redash have been found guilty of banditry by the evidence around you and the words from your lips. You are unrepentive and will hear nothing but your own words. So we are left with only two options." Autumn declared as she crossed her arms and looked to Titian. "Titian, offer him the rope or the sword. Allow him this last decision. I wash my hands of this fool. We cannot save them all, so I shall focus upon the one we could save. I leave the rest to you."
Torek nods and says to Redach, "There is little I can add to that. I will say that your arguments about legalisms are not going to help. When we took this charter we agreed to uphold Brevoy's claims, many subjects of Brevoy have suffered by raiders from these lands. The charter also states that we are to strive against 'banditry and other unlawful behavior' so do we execute you for banditry or would you prefer to be charged with rebellion and treason? Neither we, nor does Brevoy, recognize this man you call lord as legitimate. You think that wrong, be that as it may. We are not the villains you make us out to be, too often we and those we love have been the victims of villains. It does not matter if you, personally, committed banditry, just giving service to this bandit chief makes you guilty of their crimes as well. I truly wish it different but we must protect the innocent people here and any others that may come. Is the any god you wish to make your final prayers to?" Torek is ready to assist Sir Titian.
"No boneyard for me!" Redach snarls. Spinning around quickly, he takes off, bound hands and all.
On cue, Sasha rabbits as well, and with greater chance of success. The shovel tied to his hands proves to be of little encumbrance.
"You're both fools" Autumn stated as she drew her weapon."Frostbite, impetus
Frostbite jumped into action, attacking Redash.
The wolf’s teeth sink into Redach’s leg, drawing blood, and dumping him to the ground.
The sudden if seemingly futile attempts at escape by both catches Torek by surprise. [i]What is going on here?[i] He then breaks out of his shock and whistles for Hope, his horse to come to him.
Come DC 15 Light Horse (Combat Trained)
Torek mounts Hope and rides after Sasha figuring everyone else can take care of Redach.
When he gets the chance he'll cut-off Sasha and intimidate him to surrender.
"Sasha this is foolish, we weren't going to hang you! You cannot escape so surrender now or die now!"
Surrender.
He sighed and shook his head.He should have been ready for this, yet he wasnt.
"Fools the whole lot of them."
He muttered drawing out his bow and an arrow.
"Stop now!"
He called out