Looking up from working at her father's forge, Zaranna wipes the sweat from her forehead and pushes her white-blonde hair behind her ear.
Seeing her friends walking confidently down the street she raised her left hand, with its unusual mark, to Fel and called
Hey, are you headed over to the wedding? Come in and eat something while I get cleaned up and I'll walk with you!
She goes in to wash up and then grabs something to eat with Fel, and they head over to the wedding together just before sundown.
When Alric squeezed her back for a moment he could feel that Elyana had more curves than the average elf as well which was likely caused by her bloodline as well. "Yes, We've been very busy. I hadn't been able to get away until just recently."
Elyana gave the inn keeper the last two coins for the price and her eyes widened when she heard that he had killed the chieftain during the Blackscale Invasion. The fact that the "ladies were waiting for him" to settle down afterwards made some of the looks from the women look different to the elven woman. She'd assumed they were jealous of him, not her, and the knowledge let her relax a little. She looked at the women glaring and said, "Don't worry, I'm not here to steal him from you." Then turned her focus back to Alric.
As the conversation shifted to Chet's wedding Elyana smiled and said, "Yes, I had, that was my excuse to get away from the village for a while. Officially I came to offer my services to the lucky couple if they need them, unofficially that was just an excuse to come back and see everyone again."
"No, I haven't yet seen Zaranna, I wanted to get a room before they were all gone. I've found that staying in a common room is...," her voice trailed off a moment before she continued, "not the safest thing for me."
With yet another change of topic Elyana reached out a placed a hand on Alric's upper arm and said, "I'm afraid I haven't Alric. The elven rangers that protect the village know to watch for her but no one has spotted her since that horrible moment."
Zaranna bowed to Vei with a smile.
[Good to see you too.]
She then responded to Fel:
Pretty much the same... working with my dad, helping my mom, keeping up with my studies.... it's going to be weird tonight. I think it will be the first time in several years that all of us (she indicates the symbol on her left hand) are going to be back together.
What have you two been up to recently?
Alric nods softly at the news that there was no news. It wasn't surprising all things considering. The thing had disappeared into shadows with her and ever since then, it had not made another noise. Perhaps it was biding its time. Maybe it died to something else.
"That is foolish. Always anticipate the predator when you are the prey." Alric chides himself, taking a breath before pushing the thought of the stolen elf away from his mind. Elyana's last words makes a scowl come to his face as he looks over the tavern floor.
"Well, if anyone does anything stupid like that, let me know. Victor and his ilk are good people though, they'll take good care of you." Usually it was his wife manning the front here while Victor focused on his real love; cooking. A newborn had taken all of that away though and the flustered man found himself working the front and the back. It would be a precarious situation if it wasn't for the fact that the regulars loved the man and watched out for him when they did come to relax.
"Please, don't let me keep you. Get your things settled and I'll show you around town. A new windmill has been made and a few more shops have opened along Main Street. Every time I come home, there is something new up and running it seems."
Elyana nodded and said, "Alright then, I don't have much with me anyway, just my pack." Elyana quickly turned causing her cloak, and skirt, to flutter around her briefly before she to her room and quickly dropped off her pack. She considered keeping her sword on her but decided that she probably shouldn't. She unslung her sword and propped it in the corner with the bag on the floor so it wouldn't slide down and then nodded firmly.
Elyana hesitated and tried to decide if she should take her cloak or not. After a few moments she decided not, these were people she'd spent several years growing up with and she wasn't going to hide herself from them. Besides, she secretly wondered just how the humans here would react to her. Elyana's hands reached up and unhooked the clasp that held her cloak closed and slid it off of her shoulders. She shook it out and then folded it gently before laying it on the foot of her bed before going to her door and stepping outside of it. She put the key in the lock and locked it up before stashing it in her belt pouch.
Elyana made her way back to where Alric waited for her wearing just her dress and boots this time. She still had her dagger at her hip and a pouch on her waist opposite it but was otherwise not hiding her appearance. When she reached the main room where Alric waited for her Elyana noticed the sudden absence of sound as everyone stared at her. She started to have second thoughts about not wearing her cloak but shook her head making her long blonde hair sway before walking over to Alric. "I'm ready for the tour if you are Alric."
The quietness that had spread through the tavern was strange only for the moment that it took Alric to look from the windows outside to the stairway where Elyana now stood. The elven beauty only seemed magnified now that the cloak was gone. She was how she felt; more curvaceous than expected and the fey ancestry that many of her kind had seemed to stand out even more so now. Alric's eyes widened for just a moment before they respectfully looked away. Others were not so considerate and after a moment, Alric would clear his throat loud enough for the tavern to remember what it was doing.
"It would be my pleasure. It has been a few months since I came back myself; a good refresher of where everything is would be good." The ranger says, leading her out of the dimly lit tavern and out into the somewhat busy streets of Swampwood. The place had seemed to pick up in business to a degree; peace was good for business after all. As he began to walk out, eager to show Elyana the new gnome that had built a tinkerer's shop near the center of town, his eyes stopped on a man's figure for more than just a few seconds. He was a stranger to town being led by Matilda, a young street urchin. She was guiding him through the streets and when their eyes met, Alric knew he had seen another friend.
"Well I'll be...follow me." Alric's gracefulness had only grown since the last time they had met, easily moving between the crowds to close the distance while never moving so quickly as to lose Elyana either. Not that that was difficult, just follow the sounds of grumbling wives and apologetic husbands. He would close the distance between himself and Cardren, shouting out to him as he drew in closer. "Cardren!? Is that you!"
Cardren hears his name being called from behind him and stops in the street, looking around. At first he doesn’t see anyone, but a man moving towards him, tailed by an female elf, makes him wave his hand in recognition.
”Please wait a moment,” he says to the girl handing the reins for the donkeys to her.
”Alric? Elyana?” the monk says, grinning and laughing. He offers his hands in greeting, grasping both forearms. ”I...I don’t know where to begin! You both look wonderful. Healthy. Swampwood is getting bigger. I hired Jarla here to lead me to my relatives’ house.”
He pauses a moment, looking from one face to another then laughs again. His clean shaven, tanned face beams with delight at this serendipitous encounter. ”And Chet! You know he’s getting married? That’s why I’m here.”
Elyana enjoyed the tour of the town. From what Alric said it seemed like they both were learning their way around again but she didn't mind. When they saw the man ahead of them being led around by the little gnome girl Elyana thought he was familiar to her but it wasn't until Alric said who it was that she recognized him.
Elyana already knew that humans aged much faster than her own people after they reached adulthood. She'd see Alric once or twice as recently as three years ago so it wasn't as obvious when it came to him. Cadren was different. Elyana hadn't seen him since she moved away several years ago and she could tell the difference in looking at him.
When he greeted her Elyana smiled brightly, the sight almost dazzling as her nymph blood shown through for a moment, and said, "It's good to see you too Cadren." Her voice was more thickly accented than it used to be, she didn't use the human tongue as often and it showed, but she was still understandable.
Once the girl was introduced Elyana knelt down to be closer to eye level to her and said, "Hi Jarla, I'm Elyana. It's nice to meet you." She offered her hand to the girl and afterwards rose as she turned her focus back to Cadren.
'I heard about Chet's wedding, it's why I was able to come. My duties keep me busy but the wedding gave me an excuse I could spin to the elders about coming to the ceremony to 'offer my services' should they be needed. Kind of like an envoy from the elves," there was no doubt that she at least had no illusions about being here for official business and it was nothing more than a polite fiction for her people to let her attend with. "Have you seen any of the others yet Cadren? So far I've only run into you and Alric."
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Well, Fel, if you move on, maybe I'll come with you. I have a feeling something is coming, and the gods want me to be here for it... but if it doesn't come soon, then maybe I should set out and meet it head on, right? So many places to see!
As Elyana speaks, Cardren’s brows knit together for a moment as he looks at her again, from head to feet and back again. He blinks twice and clears his throat as the elf greets his guide.
”The others?” he says shaking his head slightly and shifting his weight from foot to foot. ”Oh, the others!” he rubs the back of his head with a sheepish grin. He takes a deep breath and sighs. ”You’re the first I’ve met. I don’t know where anybody ended up. I spent five years in a monastery learning to confront my fears and anger. My vulnerabilities. My weaknesses. My failures. Learning to become more resilient and ready to act. I have a long path ahead of me -- we all do in our various ways.” His voice is soft, tinged with eagerness. He smiles, the faint wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepening.
”So, you’ll both be at the wedding?” he asks. ”I have many relatives if you’re looking for dance partners. I’ll discover if I still remember the dancing lessons I had one summer...back when I was nine.”
Jarla was a quiet gnomish girl, smiling at the two others who had joined the nice man from out of town. Shyly, she waved at Elyana before moving beside Alric. The young ranger would crouch down and produce a small handful of berries and nuts, offering them to her before ruffling her hair up a moment before standing up to listen to the conversation. It seemed that the worried young boy he had survived that terrible night with had grown into a wiser man. The training was obvious upon him; slightly scarred knuckles, lean muscles, and the kind of insight that belonged to men older than him. He had done well for himself.
"I believe we will. I have gifts for the newlyweds." Alric said, lifting the furs that he had slung over his shoulder. He laughed when it came to dancing, shaking his head. "This is Swampwood, friend. Enjoy your drinks and let your merriment guide your feet. You'll do just fine." He gave a nod to Jarla to start leading the way, the young girl eagerly guiding the three of them now through the streets toward Cardren's cousin's home.
Zaranna and Fel enjoyed a nice meal and then headed over to the wedding.
”Well, I normally keep to half a mug of beer, if I drink alcohol at all,” Cardren says with a laugh as Jarla starts to lead again. ”Though today may deserve a full cup of wine. If you don’t mind me asking, what did you get them? My first inclination was to give them some foundational books from the monastery. Instead I thought something that might be put to use would be better. Four porcelain tea cups.” He taps lightly on a wooden box strapped to the leading donkey then presses his finger to his lips.
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Nearly the entirety of Swampwood gathered for the ceremony. The brilliance of the pinkening sky added a magically majestic air as Chet and his bride spoke their vows. While most of the town left the ceremony, friends and extended family followed the couple to the reception set out in the town center.
The food and drink were quite tasty, conversations were had and general merriment abound. Then came the ceremonial first dance of the couple. Just as they began to take their first steps, a scream rang out from one of the other tables as one of the men at another table fell over from what looked like a strange arrow protruding from his neck.
It was then that five figures appeared by what seemed thin air. Two human men with black bows, two dwarves with black weapons of some sort, and the last one (an Elf) appearing behind the newlywed table.
Round 1:
Alric, Cardren, Elf, Fel, Zaranna, Bowmen, Warriors, Elyana
"The furs were my gift of choice. They were hounding one of the villager's sheep and his dog had taken ill, couldn't scare them off. The alpha was much more aggressive than I had hoped and when using snares and other small deterrents failed, I had to intervene. He and his mate are the gift I have for your cousin." The wolf meat, while gamey, was still better than no food for the poorer families on the outskirts of town or the urchins in Swampwood itself. The wedding was a beautiful, albeit simple, affair. It didn't have the pomp and circumstance of the nobility but for a simple marriage, it was quite swell. Alric had silently waved at Zaranna and Fel from across the way, the two aasimar standing out proudly amidst the people gathered.
In the town center, the celebration began in earnest. Drink and food was shared and Alric was quietly watching the gatherings with an amused smile. These were the best times to be in town. It was, at least, until one of the men nearby sprout an arrow from his neck and toppled over onto the ground. A scream was heard as the assailants appeared out of the air. Alric's instincts kicked into gear as he sprung from his seat and strode towards the closest dwarf.
"I have the right! Everyone, get out of here!" The ranger shouted as he moved towards the dwarf with dangerous intent in both of their eyes. As he closed the distance, the dueling sword and dagger seemed to almost appear in his hand as he struck at the man twice.
The suddenness of Alric's assault caught the dwarf by surprise allowing the Rangers sword to carve a nice slice across the shoulder. However, the unknown warrior blocked the main-gauche with his weapon. A weapon Alric now noticed seemed to be composed of pure shadow.
Round 1:
Alric, Cardren, Elf, Fel, Zaranna, Bowmen, Warriors, Elyana
W2 -3
Seeing the beings appear, Cardren yells ”Run!” to his family sitting at another table. His instinct is to charge the elf, but with Chet and his bride Peyra in the center, intercepting the dwarf before he could use the unfamiliar weapon seems more prudent. He glides from the bench, striding towards his opponent. Stretching his arms, he tests his range of motion in the long sleeve shirt and vest he is wearing.
Hearing Alric call for the right, he bellows, ”I have the left!” . Two steps away from his opponent he unleashes a call ”Raaasho!” to focus his ki and launch a series of strikes with his fists.
Cardren managed to land a solid blow on the dwarf's temple causing her eyes to cross momentarily.
The Elf moved out from behind the table then began speaking a strange language and his gestures were wreathed his shadow. Those shadows surrounded one of the goblets on the couple's table, brought it to in front of the elf, and suddenly shot out at the Monk.
Fortunately, his reflexes honed by years at the monastery allowed him to dodge quite easily.
Round 1:
Alric, Cardren, Elf, Fel, Zaranna, Bowmen, Warriors (W1 Stunned 1), Elyana
W1 -6
W2 -3
Zaranna
◆Grabs her bow from beside the table where she had it propped (draw),
◆Moves to get line of sight (Stride to AF19), and
◆Shoots (Target: B2)
But it wasn't a very good shot, since she hadn't been expecting this kind of trouble.
The angel's strike was true as she brought down her righteous wrath upon her target. Dropping the dwarf.
The archer near Vei and Cardren took several steps away, touched his bowstring, and as he pulled back an arrow made of pure shadow came into existence. Taking aim at Cardren, he loosed the arrow.
Again, the Monk dodged the shot.
Maintaining his position, the other bowman aimed at Alric and fired arrows of shadow.
Missing the shot, the archer focused his aim.
Again, the Ranger managed to shift out the way.
Taking the opportunity of Alric's split focus, the dwarf attempted to stab him.
Only one strike managed to land.
Round 1:
Alric (28/32 HP), Cardren, Elf, Fel, Zaranna, Bowmen, Warriors, Elyana
W2 -3
Elyana enjoyed the chance to catch up with everyone in the time leading up to the wedding. She drew many stares and admirers but everyone seemed to behave themselves fairly well. When the day of the wedding came she was dressed in the same outfit she had arrived in, well cleaned after her travels, and added several pieces of jewelry. She left her weapons in her room, she had no need of them on such a joyous occasion after all.
The wedding began and it all seemed to be going well, at least until the attackers appeared. She watched in horror as they attacked, attempting to harm the gathered crowd, and Elyana felt a wash of anger at what they were attempting. She rose from her seat and moved to support Alric.
◆ move
◆ ◆ cast electric arc
The axe crashes against his bracer as Alric barely gets his arm up, stopping the blow from striking at his collar. The impact was strange as a wave of force assailed him, making him pull back for a moment as he twirled the main-gauche in his off-hand.
"You're going to have to do better than that if you're going to bring me down." The ranger's posture slowly changed, anticipating the dwarf's short but powerful stature. When he came back in to strike, it was in a terrible and lightning fast flurry.
Unfortunately, Elyana's spell seemed to do little to hurt the dwarf.
Alric's main-gauche found an opening and slid into his opponent's neck, felling the bastard.
Round 2:
Alric (28/32 HP), Cardren, Elf, Fel, Zaranna, Bowmen, Elyana
Cardren’s lungs fill with air as he inhales through his nose. He strides towards the elf, telling himself not to take this attack personally, to calm and focus himself. He feels his meridians open from his center to his fists and the ki flows as he shouts, ”Yaaaaasho” while unleashing a flurry of blows.
Cardren's strikes were perfectly placed in such a way that the Elf's heart stopped, causing him to fall dead to the ground.
Round 2:
Alric (28/32 HP), Cardren, Fel, Zaranna, Bowmen, Elyana
Vei knocked the archer out with one blow.
Round 2:
Alric (28/32 HP), Cardren, Fel, Zaranna, Bowmen, Elyana
Zaranna continues to shoot at B2.
◆
◆
◆
Still not shooting well. She tries to steady her breathing and center herself.
Moving towards the table, the bowman aimed and fired at Alric.
The Ranger managed to elude both shots.
Round 2:
Alric (28/32 HP), Cardren, Fel, Zaranna, Bowmen, Elyana
With one enemy left Elyana moved up and unleashed an arc of lightning against him in hopes of bringing him down.
Arrows shower down upon Alric, the ranger's quick movements dodging them before he strikes the last one down. Elyana channels another arc of lightning that showers over his shoulder as he rushes forward with his blades in hand to engage the last foe.
Elyana's magic caused the bowman to convulse from the electric shock, leaving himself open for Alric to slash across this throat for a clean and effective kill.
Barely anyone had had time to react, much less move. Poor Chet and Peyra were frozen in fear holding one another. As each body laid there, each of their weapons dissipated into nothingness.
Moments after it was all over, the town guards arrived with Sheriff Elsa Auburn leading them. "What in the hells is going on here?"
The bowman does not move fast enough after the electricy causes his body to tense, the bow lifted too late to stop the ranger's blade from slicing across the man's throat. It was a quick and clean kill, the body dropping to the ground. For a few moments, there was just an eerie silence as combat came to its bloody conclusion.
Just like so many years ago, he found himself unsurprised to see who had acted quickly and efficiently. The chanting that had saved their lives years ago came to a halt but the angelic form of Vei did not seem to dissipate either. Zaranna waited in the back with a bow, ready for combat, while Elyana used her magical talents to great effect. Most surprising was Cardren, the man's knuckles were weapons unto themselves. He gave each of them a nod as the sounds of the approaching guards came down one of Swampwood's streets.
Sheriff Auburn was with them and as the woman demanded to know what happened, Alric would clean his blades quietly of the the red that stained them. Kneeling down beside the bowman, he would search over the man's body while speaking loud enough to be heard.
"An ambush, it would seem, Sheriff." He checked over the man's trousers first, patting them down for any hidden pockets. "They attacked with weapons made of shadow. Hurt like hell but it didn't seem to really, truly cut."
Elyana, glad the fighting was over with, saw the sheriff approaching and left the explanations to Alric. Instead she went to the elf that had attacked them and looked to see if she could identify them.
Once she was done Elyana rose and went to go speak to the bride and groom. "It has been a while Chet, I'm sorry that this happened on your wedding day," while she nominally spoke to Chet Elyana's focus was more on Peyra, "If there is anything I can do to help turn this around please let me know."
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Peyra was in Chet's arms absolutely shaking with fear and tears streaming down her face. The groom looked at the Elf, "Thanks Elyana, could you...... could you and Cardren stay with us tonight. I'd feel better if we weren't alone. The others are welcome as well."
Sheriff Auburn tilted her head at the two indicated. They were dragged away towards the jailhouse. "Radiant as always Vei. We'll get them awake and ask them."
Zaranna sat down, shaken. All this time, training and doing fine, but as soon as a crisis comes, she falls apart. She uttered a quick mental prayer, trying to get her head straight.
After she heard Chet's request, she ran home to change and get fully geared up. She would help guard the couple, and hopefully prove to herself, and the gods, that she could handle this.
Chest heaving from the exertion, Cardren continues to examine the area, prepared for more beings to manifest from plain air. He stands next to Chet and Peyra, making sure they are safe. ”It’s been a long time, but I don’t remember beings appearing in such a manner. I’d be honored to guard you tonight or any night.” Cardren smiles and puts his arm around his cousin.
”That was a wise decision, Feldrimala. I hope we learn something from them.” He looks back to the elf and dwarf he fought. ”I should attempt that next time.” He stops talking and begins to think about what he learned in the monastery in relation to the attackers’ weapons.
Nothing you've heard of would explain their conjuring of weapons.
Alric checks over the body and finds nothing of significance, not until he moves the attacker's sleeve and sees that strange, terrible symbol upon his arm. His stomach drops for a moment as he stays crouched over the dead man. Looking over at the others as they talk, his voice reaches out loudly.
"They have his mark." There was no one else that Alric could be referencing. The sun shining down on him didn't feel quite so warm as he moved to the dwarf next and to the rest of the injured or dead foes upon the ground to see who else had his mark upon their skin.
Elyana gave the couple a sympathetic smile and said, "Of course Peyra, I would be happy to." She overheard the sheriff meention reviving the captives and said, "If you will excuse me a moment I should go speak with the sheriff before he takes them away. I will be back as soon as I have finished."
Elyana went to the Sheriff and said, "If you wish I can heal the attackers enough that they can be interrogated." She remembered then about the mark and where she'd seen it before but decided to keep it quiet for now.
They all are marked.
The Sheriff looked at Elyana, eyes going wide for a moment. She then asked, "And your name Miss?"