Lavian's Quest

The ferry docked at Ze. The passengers were ushered off quickly. Lavian found herself walking into what looked, and smelled, like a fish market. People were trying to sell their various wares, most involving fish, despite the hour. These were the unkempt, dirty people she had heard about. Tulisians. Closer inspection revealed the fact that were actually a little more cleanly and attractive then the passengers disembarking from the ferry. To her right a rudely crafted wooden stand waited.

Wick dashed up behind her, one eye swollen shut. "There you are, Lavian. Did you see how I defended your honor back there? That was something, but I, Wick, have seen much worse than that."

"Hrm, yes. So it seems." She did not seem happy, sad, nor concerned at loosing the one companion who had any brains. But then again why waste emotions on Wick? She shrugged listlessly as she tried to get her bairing, but only for a moment. She quickly discarded the idea of finding out where she was, for she did not care in the slightest. It made no diffrence really. Now that she was alone again. She glanced back at Wick, well almost alone again anyways. She sighed as she headed off down a random street, idly wonder where it would take her.

She walked down the cobblestone path. "Excuse me, miss," said an old man, emerging from a door on her left. "I noticed you leaving that boat. It's not often that we have a visitor of such noble bearing. You're about some diplomatic mission, no doubt, but it's getting dark and we have no inn here. Being an elder, I feel it's my duty to show you the hospitality our little town has to offer. Perhaps you and yours will look kindly on us." He beckoned to her and looked at Wick. "Your... little... assistant is welcome as well, of course." Wick was apalled by the man's comment, his jaw dropping.

"Of noble bearing? Diplomatic mission? I appologize for misleading you sir, but I am nothing of the sort. Nor doing anything of note in the slightest. I am merely seeing the world, there is a lot of it to see. I am but a humble knight, in search of dragons to slay, and damsels to save." She smiled a bit at that last comment, it was such an old stereotype. "Nor do I have an ... assistant." She glanced back at Wick, he seems to have already forgotten their conversation before leaving to catch the ferry. "Wick, is more of a fellow adventurer without a path that leads anywhere. But his eyes are firmly on my butt I do not doubt. Perchance that is the reason he chooses to follow me?" She winked at the old man, teasing Wick. "I thank you for your offer kind sir, but allas I must appologize one more time and decline the offer. I still have a world to cover before I reach my destination."

Wick opened his mouth to protest, but the man spoke first. "Oh, of course, of course. You have pressing business. The hour is late, however. You might be better served resting the night here, among friends, then out in the wilderness with the beasts." He nodded. "I hope you will please reconsider. At the very least, I might be able to help you with some local lore to better prepare you for travel..."

"Hrm, call me paranoid, but I'm not quite sure how safe it would be." She sighed slightly, "But then again I cannot refuse. You are correct, just don't try anything funny. I apologize for my rudeness, but you do tend to meet the oddest of sorts in travels. It become hard to tell them apart after a while. " Lavian nodded to the old man. She would accept his offer, even thou she had strong reservations against it. She just hoped it would not be a mistake.

Lavian and Wick went into the man's house. He motioned for them to sit while he worked over a small stove. "Fish and tea," he said cheerily. "I can listen while I cook. Do tell, how are matters in Salisia? Are they so bad that you must be armed so heavily?"

Wick listened curiously. "Salisia?" He looked at Lavian quizzically.

Lavian raised an eyebrow quizzically "Salisia? If I did not know better I would ask if that was a food, good sir. But instead I would have to say that you are referring to the country we are in, am I correct? Heh, I don't really keep track of where I am any more. Does not matter too much, so as to answer your question. I do not know, I did not belive I was heavly armed at all." She smiled warmly at the old man, she just hopped her assumptions were correct. "What would be more apropriat would be for me to ask you that question. We just 'got off the boat' and was wonder what there is to do in this land. We are not quite mercinaries, but we would like to be able to do something. If you know what I meen."

The old man finished his work at the stove. He brought two plates forward and served Lavian and her small... stalker. "That is bad. So many are leaving the Empire's homeland these days. The rumors of its revival must be true." He smiled patiently while Wick suspiciously eyed the fish, then tore a piece off. The sprite juggled the hot food and having nothing better to do with it, threw it into his mouth. Then he opened his mouth wide, panting, breathing something about the heat. Hearing the question, their host continued. "Few people here in Tulisia can afford to be so armored and have such a weapon. The central kingdom has lost a great deal of its former glory and the days of rich trading are in the past. Even the thieves have left for greener pastures. But in the middle of it all, we hear that the Baron is throwing money at mercenary forces and keeping them well-equipped. It is fortunate that you aren't interested in such work, since I and many of my fellows are afraid of what he will do with his amassed forces. But Aldersgate is still the heart of this continent. I think you would find much of interest there."

Aldersgate? I wonder if that's related to Baldersgate? Lavian quickly dissmissed the idea. "Do you really think so? How could we get to this Aldersgate?" It was a funny named place, but it can't be any worse then being here. Or better really. She decided that she would go in the direction the man told her in the morning. No use traveling if you are going to stay in the same spot the entire time...

"It's a week away on foot, to the east. Caravans used to run between Aldersgate and Eckert all the time. Rumor has it that the Baron has occupied Eckert, so caravans might run between them again. That's only a day or two south. Of course, the news of the empire will change everything." Wick was waiting expectantly and the old man served him more fish, which he took eagerly. "I have pallets available for you. I thank you for the information you have shared. I need to discuss this turn of events withthe others, after I have seen to you." He waited patiently as they finished eating. "Is there anything else you need?"

Lavian shakes her head, "No, you have been a great host. I thank you. It seems like a good idea to travel with a Caravan, so in the morning we will set out to Eckert, maybe get a job as a guard for a caravan to Aldersgate." She nods as she heads off to bed. "See you in the morning."

The old man nodded and wrapped himself in a cloak. "I will be back as soon as I can confer with my fellows." He opened the door and left.

Lavian eyed Wick as he followed her to her pallet. He grinned and muttered something about "being improper", turning back and wandering into one of the other rooms. He soon wandered back and tried a different door. Lavian prepared to rest. No sooner had she closed her eyes then a blood-curdling shriek pierced her ears. She was instantly awake.

Lavian instinctivly grabbed her sword from beneath her pillow and rolled out of 'bed' and to her feet beside it. She quickly scanned the room wondering exactly what she had heard. Or even if she did hear something. She stood there quietly not moving, waiting to hear something or to see some movement.

Wick burst into the room and padded over to Lavian. "Outside, there are some strangely dressed men." The two rushed to the window and looked out. Sure enough, outside were two cloaked men on horses, howling for all they were worth.

Wick suddenly looked around the room. "Hey, have you seen Cap anywhere?"

Lavian shook her head, "No, I have not. I thought he was with you." She looked back out the window at the pair howling. "Interesting, I wonder what they are doing out there? Hey Wick, go look for the guy who owns this house and Cap really quickly. We need to know what is going on. I'll get dressed and keep an eye on them. If anything happens I'll be out the window before you can say help." She nodded once to Wick and quickly grabbed her armor and started to slip into it. "Let's hope this does not come to battle..."

Wick nodded and jumped out the window himself. She watched him disappear into the darkness. One of the howling men turned, surprised. He dropped from his horse and approached the house. Lavian ducked away from the window.

"What is it?" called the mounted man.

"Ah, I guess just an animal or something." The man walked away from the house as Lavian peered back outside.

"How long do we have to keep this up?" whined the mounted howler.

"Just until Skale's signal. Shut yer trap."

People were beginning to come out of houses and look at the men. As they emerged, the men rode their horses at them, yelling and howling. Several people ran down the street while the rest hurriedly shut their doors and hid. Lavian made herself ready for action. She stood at the window, now looking at the backs of the men as they had already advanced up the street beyond her present location.

"Hrm, Very Interesting.. Well, Wick won't mind if I follow them." Lavian grinned slightly as she slipped out the window fully armed and dressed. She followed behind them at a distance, sticking to the shadows as best she could. She did not have to stay close to them as it was easy to know where they were. Talk about sticking out.

Following them quietly was easier said than done, although the racket the horsemen made covered Lavian's footsteps handily. The two did their best, carrying on like a pair of wild beasts and frightening off the gawking townfolk. They had not gone far when they both looked around. She ducked into a doorway, just avoiding their backwards glances. Then they doubled back, passing very near to her hiding place. One of them turned his head in her direction. "Hey, someone there?" She couldn't see his face in the dark, but she thought she might be exposed.

Lavian stayed quiet, she was not sure if they did see her or someone else. She did not care, if they were not sure she was there then she was not going to make them sure. She hung tight, waiting to see what would happen.

The man on the horse advanced on the doorway, drawing close enough that he could focus on Lavian. He studied her for a moment, then growled at her. "Better run away, um... little... woman!"

Lavian hrmphed at the man, she was not very good at taking orders from strangers. "Why should I do that? What if I like it here?" She turned and looked down the way she came from, "I like front row seats." She continued to stand there in the shadow, waiting for a reply or action from the man.

The shocked man stared at her. Even in the dark, she was sure she had angered him. He pulled a short sword, growling, "Maybe I'll just move you then!" He poked at her with the blade. It was not truly an attack, but it would still be unpleasant to be the recipient.

Lavian jumped up and down like a little girl, clutching her hands over her chest. "Oh no, don't poke me." She grinned as she winked at the man, "You going to probe me as well, huh sweety?" She started laughing as she raised her hands and started walking down the street. "Oh very well, since you asked so nicely." She paused a moment as she turned and regarded the man once more. "Oh yeah, where should I go, praytell? Any where in particular?" She flashed him a grin again before turning around. Her hands in the air like someone at gunpoint she continued in the direction she started, she was definitely in an odd mood. She was not quite sure what these two were up to, but she definitely wanted to know. Teasing him might not have been the most strategic way of doing it, but it was the only way she knew how. And she was not even good at that. Maybe she should just give it up and hope Wick had had better luck then her? He seemed more unscrupulous then she was, maybe he had 'expertise' in this kind of matter. We'll see, she thought to herself.

The man clenched his fist. With Lavian looking the other way, he motioned to his partner. "Well, girly," he said, his horse trotting up behind her, "I'll tell you where to go..." As she started to react, her hair was yanked hard. She found herself looking up at the point of his sword while he wrapped her hair around his free hand. His leer was visible beyond the gleam of the blade. "You have a big mouth," he began, then looking at her closely. She recognized the drab gear and stink of a wandering brigand... "A pretty face, though. It's a shame to cut up such a pretty face..."

Lavian did not make a sound of any kind, she merely stared back at the man, her eyes cold as ice. She did not look surprised nor frightened, because she was not really either of them. She was just annoyed, she really disliked people and this man was not helping matters either. She grinned slightly, a malicious grin, "You will not be the first, nor the last most likely." She had gotten herself in a little deep, there was only one way out now. That was wait for the man to screw up, then kill him. So she waited.

The man scowled, leaning in still closer, "Why aren't you afraid? You think I won't kill you? You--" when he suddenly toppled from the horse. His hand still caught in her hair, the fall brought her head down painfully but she grabbed his arm and pulled herself free while he lay on the ground, stunned. Arrayed around Lavian and the two men were an assortment of people.

A young man was next to the horse. "See, they're human. Not wolves at all." He walked around and kicked the bandit while the other looked nervously at the assembled townspeople. Seeing many of them carrying gardening implements and makeshift weapons, he spurred his horse and rode back the way he had come.

The man kicked the bandit again. Satisfied, he turned to Lavian. "Are you all right, Miss?"

Lavian nodded to the young man. "Yes, thank you for saving me. If you hadn't that situation might have turned ugly." She smiled as she glanced around the crowed, "You handled it very well. Heh, unlike me who screwed it up, but oh well. Ya' win some, ya' loose some." She nodded to her self this time, as if to confirm something. She then turned and took a step closer to the young man, extending her arm. "I am the Holy Knight Lavian Vermillion, well met young sir."

The young man, probably no more than sixteen years old, looked Lavian over, surprised. He blushed. "I... I-I-I'm D-Dale. A N-n-knight? Th-then I g-guess you didn't n-need our help... after all." The rest of the townspeople were gathering around Lavian and the fallen bandit. "M-maybe you were going to help us..." He looked down at the ground, sheepishly. "These bandits are running around all over... were you going to clobber them?"

Lavian laughed loudly and patted(more of a pounded) the young man on the back merrily. "Greetings Dale, don't look so surprised. It's only natural you came to my aid, and gladly accepted. I had some how gotten on the wrong side of a blade, it was not my intention. But, there is a bandit problem around here? Please tell me more." Lavian smiled warmly to him, "I have nowhere I need to be." She glanced down the way she came from, "But some 'friends', and I use that term very loosely, could still be looking for me. Do you mind if we walk while you tell me about your little bandit problem?" She waited for Dale's reply before she headed out.

Dale was tossed back and forth by Lavian's exuberant "patting". He reeled, trying to shrug off the stunning blows. "Uh... Let's go with her!" he said, loudly, to the assembled crowd. There was murmurred agreement. The townspeople affixed themselves to Lavian's back, only walking as she walked and generally being close enough to make her feel a little bit stifled. Dale, on the other hand, stayed a few armlengths away. "A-All we have here is fish... S-some were s-saying that they were w-w-wolfmen c-c-c-- uh, hungry wolfmen... I-I-I... what do you think?"

Lavian noddled, pondering for a moment. She was also idly looking for the Old Man's house and Wick. "I see, so this town is full of Fishermen, and either there are Wolfmen somewhere out there, or just people using that rumor to scare the townfolk." She looked over at Dale to see if she was correct or off her rocker. "I hope it is just the latter," she mumbled to herself. Lavian resumed the conversation, "Do you know where they are from, has anyone actually seen a Wolfman, eaten crops, left dead animals, anything to signify what we are dealing with are actually Wolfmen?"

She scanned the path she had come down... She couldn't see the house at this distance. The expression on Dale's face showed his agreement with her conclusions.

"W-well," he said, thinking, "the only real warning... was from that Juh-juh-General from Aldersgate." He seemed to speak a little more comfortably. "H-He said we needed to be prepared for werewolf raids. But no one wanted those soldiers around. Sir Ocnam said we were making a mistake..." Something struck the roof of a house nearby. The roof started to smolder as more fiery objects descended from the sky.

"Fire!" shouted one of the townspeople as they started to show signs of panic. The tightknit group began to break apart.

"Spread out, take cover!" Lavian ducked under the overhang of a roof. "Hrmph, Werewolves my [expletive deleted]. Something is fishy around here." She glanced around trying to find the source of the 'firey objects' decending upon the hapless villagers.

Her warrior's instincts alerted, Lavian quickly determined that the fiery arrows were being launched from several locations, judging by her general estimation. Those that were striking roofs were coming from a nearby location on shallow trajectories, while those clattering to the streets and endangering the townspeople were coming in more sporadically, from farther out on higher arcs. Dale was cowering in the same doorway. He tried to speak, failed, and then smiled weakly, extremely flustered for some reason.

"What I would give for some soldiers... Danm, the villagers would be useless fighting anyone with actual training.. We can't put them up against the archers just so they will die." Lavian sighed and shook her head, "We are out of options. I can't take on a group of them by myself. And you guys cannot take them on by yourselves either. It's suicide to attack them, but if we don't they will burn the city down." Lavian shook her head and muttered under her breath. "Die defending your city, or live without one." She looked at Dale, "It is up to you guys. The ball is in your court so to speak. I will aid you in what ever endever you decide to take, but I will only be a member. A member of the city must lead the defence of the city." She grinned a bit as she looked Dale in the eyes. "What'll it be?"

The townspeople were scattered in the rain of fire. Some few tried to remain behind, listening to Lavian talk, but at the mention of defense and decisions, they too broke away. Everyone seemed to move away from the docks along the same cobbled road, some ducking and running from house to house while others simply panicked and ran exposed.

Dale was shocked. His face pale, he exclaimed, "M-Me!? Why me?!" He looked around, watching the townsfolk running away. "Y-you're the knight! C-Can't you... you know, um, get them? I-I'll-- I'll cover your back! Like a squire! Except that I don't have any weapons... or even a shield. But knights fight outnumbered all the time, don't they, um, you?" An flaming arrow thocked into the door right between the two, making Dale flinch. He stared at it.

"Hahaha, it seems your army has run out on you mighty general." Lavian flashed Dale a malicious smile before turning away again, looking in the direction some of the arrows were coming from. Knights fight outnumbered all the time, Lavian thought to her self, Dale's voice ringing in her ears. She reached up and rubbed her head where a scar should have been, the old Gypsy's magic removed it. But the pain was still there some times, to remind her of what she had lost. She still could not remember much from before awaking in the Gypsy's wagon, but she knew she was in a battle. A battle she lost. Vague images of a fight between Knights and Bandits flashed through her mind, she could almost remember it. Yet it was more like a memory created by her mind, from a story or recount of what happened. She had been told what happened, yet even that did not bring back her lost memories. Lavian shook her head to rid her mind of these thoughts, still they lurked in the back of her mind. "Well, since the noble townsmen are putting up such an admirable defence of their city. I have no choice but to lend a helping hand." She scoffed, her voice bitter and condemning. Lavian sighed as she shook her head and mumbled under her breath, "I hate fighting." She took off at a full run in the direction she believed the closest Archers to be in, as she ran she drew her sword. Trying to keep close to the overhangs of the buildings she weaved through the buildings, hoping to find someone suspiciously holding a flaming arrow with a bow.

The flash of lightning lit the cobblestones and glinted off of her drawn blade as Lavian zeroed in on her targets. Dale swallowed, gathering his nerve, and followed after. Time lost its meaning as she traced the flight paths back to their source. She found herself at the town's edge, looking out into the night beyond the relative safety of torchlight. A terrified woman ran by her, abandoning the town. From the darkness there was the faintest of sounds, a distant bowstring, and an arrow sailed through Lavian's peripheral vision. She stepped out into the darkness, half-crouched, knowing that she presented a good target standing in the light. Furthermore, she would need a moment to allow her eyes to adjust, during which she was functionally blind. Just as she suspected, the clink of armor and the rush of air from a blindside attack reached her ears as she deftly avoided a clumsy attack. A muttered curse allowed her to find her foe in the dark.

Lavian hrmph'ed quickly looking around for any cover, trees, over turned wagon, really fat man, anything.

An arrow whizzed by Lavian, too close for comfort. In the dark, it was hard to find a decent hiding spot, but she didn't want to become a pincushion... Since the town was no good, the only option was further away, out in the dark. Lavian ran.

The meaty thud of an arrow in flesh and a stream of swearing told her that her assailant had been hit, right behind her. The footsteps and continued muttering of the unseen enemy followed Lavian's retreat.

"Sir... M-Miss Knight!" came a shout from behind, but Lavian dared not look back for fear of fouling her vision with the lights of the town.

With a shout of triumph, the sword in the dark found Lavian's back, tearing a deep gash.

She felt the wind sheared by another arrow aimed in her direction. A second arrow struck her hard from short range, striking home through her armor. She gasped as it buried itself deep.

Lavian staggered through some tangled bushes, tripping over something on the ground and barely keeping her footing.

The sword-wielding soldier slashed at Lavian, but her swift movement put her just out of range.

Dale ran up, staring blindly in the dark, trying to keep track of his "knight in shining armor".

Combat training taking over, Lavian expertly cut across the man's chest and arm, drawing a grunt from him.

Dale pulled up a large stone he was carrying and hurled it at the swordfighter. The stone glanced off of the man's shoulder.

Lavian swept her blade downward, striking the soldier powerfully once more.

With a snarl, the mercenary stepped in close and jabbed Lavian viciously. The blade went deep.

Starting to feel the pain of her wounds, Lavian shoved the man back and drove her sword into his chest plate. The sword did not strike with any real force.

Dale danced around the two combatants, looking for something else to throw. He grabbed his original rock and lifted it.

Lavian's foe attempted to press her momentary lapse, attempting another close attack, but she took advantage of his repeated tactic by sweeping his feet as he overbalanced. He fell to the ground, face-first.

As the prone soldier raised himself, Lavian drove her sword down into his arm.

Dale threw the stone at close range, breaking it right on the crown of the mercenary's head.

The swordsman shakily got to his feet. He shook off his stun.

Lavian's sword flashed as she struck again, slashing the swordsman viciously. He dropped to one knee, his sword clattering to the ground next to him. He slumped over.

Lavian caught her breath, standing over the prone form of her attacker. Dale ran up to her. "Ar-are you hurt? I-you did it! Y-you ran off those archers and... uh, slew their leader! You r-really are a great knight!"

Lavian mumbled under her breath as she wiped the blood off of her sword. As she sheathed her sword she looked over at Dale, "Are you all right?" She reached over and broke the the arrow sticking out of her in half, she gritted her teeth a moment from the pain. "Heh, you think this is their leader? I doubt it, but you never know. If that was the best fighter they had we have nothing to worry about from them. But it might be helpful if your town had some guards from now on. I can't belive that there would be a town that did not have a type of military presence in it." She shrugged and took one last look around the area before sitting down on the ground. She was bleeding a bit more then she liked from one of the wounds. As she sat there on the ground she started to cast a Cure 1 spell on herself. She knew it would not fully heal her, but it should slow the bleeding. Or so she hoped, she was not too good with understanding magic. It should work, maybe.

Lavian used her curative magic. The wounds did lessen, knitting themselves down to minor cuts.

"... exciting! I'm all right, th-they didn't get me," Dale was saying. "Sir Ocnam was guarding th-the town. I-I hope he's--ow-wow! Ar-are you using... magic?!" He shut his mouth with an audible snap. Lavian could see the whites of his eyes in the dark as he stared at her.

Lavian raised an eyebrow slightly at Dale's reaction, "Well, I am a Holy Knight after all. That usually meens I am an knight of God, which is very similar to a Cleric. Only I can fight. So yes, I can wield a little bit of white magic. It's part of our training." Lavian slowly rose to her feet, still babying her wounds. "We should hurry back to town to see how they are faring." Lavian headed back towards the town without waiting for a reply, she was to busy making sure noone was going to fill her full of any more holes.

"Oh-oh," said Dale. "N-no, I didn't mean it like that." He watched Lavian walk away. He looked down at the fallen soldier, feeling a little ill.

As Lavian made her way back into the town, a strong wind picked up, blowing out the torches in their sconces to either side of her. Fortunately, she was still used to being in the dark from her brief trip. Lightning flashed overhead. Thunder rumbled, warning of a sudden storm. Dale ran up, finding her in the dark.

"We should g-go... everyone's ev-evac-ev- getting out of here. They're going up into the hills..."

"Hrm, I see." She nodded to Dale, "You should evacuate with the rest of the villagers. I have other things I want to do." She turned and started back down the road again, she was intent on finding out just what was going on here. If she could, so she had to find Wick to see what he had found out while she was out getting used as a pin cushion.

Dale hesitated. "I..I-I think I-I'd be safer... w-w-with you." Overhead, the storm clouds were twisting and roiling. The wind was picking up, hindering both hearing and movement. A group of people ran by, obscured by the darkness. As the wind shrieked more spilled from inside the town. Dale took a step towards Lavian, then lost his balance in the wind and tumbled over. He pointed away from them, yelling to be heard, something about "getting... magical... hills." He waved at her, making his way in the direction he had pointed, constantly looking back.

Lavian was not sure of what to do, she really did not want to evacuate. Yet she knew it was the best idea, her pride just did not want her to though. Her sigh was drowned out by the wind as she turned around and headed after Dale. Magical and hills were all she could hear Dale say, so it piqued her interest slightly. Many thoughts filled her mind as she pushed on through the wind. One of them being, where the [expletive deleted] did the storm come from?

It seemed reasonable to go wherever the rest of the townspeople were going. Dale wove through the outskirts of the town with Lavian struggling to keep sight of him. Soon he veered off, heading out into the black wilderness. Lavian almost missed his departure. She followed. The ground began to slope and the wind had softened to a stiff breeze. Ahead, she saw fires... not the fires of burning arrows, but of campfires. Dale turned and grinned, "See, magic!" A dozen or so people huddled in the firelight. Nearby, two soldiers stood watch. Dale looked at them, then looked at Lavian and shrugged.

"Magic huh?" She did not have any innate magical abilities or any super powers, so she had no idea to what Dale was referring to. "So, now what are we going to do? Wait out the storm?" She started towards the campfires to see who was there.

Dale stayed close. "The Grand Wizard Feltan enchanted these hills. W-we're safe as long as we're here!" They found that the fire was completely surrounded by villagers. No one made any move to allow them to warm themselves by the fire. Lavian was the recipient of several icy glares.

"Dale!" called one of the villagers, recognizing him. "What are you doing with one of those... soldiers?!" He glanced at Lavian self-consciously.

"Sh-sh-she's not... I-I m-mean, I-I'm not, I, uh..." He went quiet. Lavian was noting two other campfires in the distance.

"Grand Wizard huh?" Lavian made no attempt to warm herself by any fire. She might have a big bleeding gash or two and an arrow sticking out of her, but she's not a weak scared little sheep. Her cold strong demeanor set her apart from the villagers as she looked from face to face, looking for someone. When she did not find what she wanted she turned and started towards one of the other fires. "My comanions are probably here somewhere, they are smarter then most of the people here. Even though they do not look like it." Lavian turned to look at Dale, "You can stay here if you want, there is nowhere for me to go right now. I will be safe, do not worry. Maybe you can find out some info that an, 'outsider' cannot find. I want to know what just happened." She nodded to Dale then turned and continued on her way towards one of the other fires.

Lavian made her way to the next fire, but found no one familiar there, either. Shrugging, she made her way to the next. The people near this fire were quite different then the townsfolk at the other two. Several of them appeared to be soldiers of the type that she had passed on the way up the hill. A few men were listening intently to an armored man. Among the audience, Lavian recognized her gracious host.

"I assure you," said the soldier, the firelight glinting off of his fine armor, "the Baron will respect the wishes of the citizens of Ze. I'm sure he's just as eager to get us out of here as you are..."

Lavian walked up to the group like she had known them all since she was a baby. She stopped at the side of the 'her gracious host' and nodded to him slightly. She had stopped holding her side where the bandit's sword had found it's mark as it had stopped bleeding finally. She was still covered with blood from her multiple wounds, but you would not have known it from the way she was standing. There was no weakness or even a hint of pain in her eyes. They looked out of place on such a beautiful woman, they scanned the crowd piercing through them before coming to a rest on the armored man. She just stood there, intent on listening.

The man glanced at Lavian, nodding, and turned his attention back to the armored figure. Several of the other men were conferring with each other in quiet tones.

"It is fortunate that he had the presence of mind to assign patrols after the warnings. I think that the worst of the assault is over." The soldier waited while the men continued to talk amongst themselves.

Leaning over, the old man whispered to Lavian, "Your little friend found me. He's about, somewhere. I'm sorry we could not come back for you, but we were ushered out in such a hurry. Are you all right?"

"I will live. The bandits, or what ever they were, were better at fighting then I had thought. But then again I guess I should not have turned my back on them." She shrugged not overtly concerned. "What is this man speaking of? Patrols? Assaults? I must have missed something when I was being stuck full of arrows and metal." Lavian hrmphed and looked down at her chest where the arrow was sticking out of, "Is there anyone here who could help me, I'm sure I could just pull it out. But, sanitation and all that prohibits me from doing something so stupid. I'm getting tired of it's presence already." Lavian was not quite sure about how to ask for help without making it look like she was weak. But she did want it removed and she could not do it herself.

The soldier strode over to her. He glanced at the arrow. The old man saw the arrow, reached to touch it and gasped. The soldier called for a medic and several more soldiers approached. "Come, let's see to those injuries," said the man as his medics drew near. She was led away from the group around the fire. "Excuse me, gentlemen, but I need to talk your guard here." Before any of the elders could protest, the young soldier had clamped his hand on Lavian's arm and the four were on their way. Thinking more about the arrow, Lavian couldn't really muster the faculties to say anything.

They approached a place around the bend of the hill. There were tents and torch sconces set up everywhere, and milling soldiers dashed to and fro. All wore similar blue and yellow liveries. She was led to a bench and the two medics began gingerly, but expertly, tending to her injuries.

"My name is Thomas," said the young soldier. "I wasn't aware that Ze had any sort of organized defense. Please, tell me, who are you? What is going on here?"

Lavian used all of her years of training and fortification to not scream as the medics expertly poked and prodded her. She grit her teeth as she looked up at the soldier asking her the questions. Her eyes were cold and detatched, all humanity has seeped out from them. It was the only way she knew how to deal with pain, to erase all emotion and to think logically. It was only her body telling her it was wounded, and she already knew that. "I am the Holy Knight Lavian Vermillion. I was passing through the little town when they were attacked. So I killed one and got wounded. That is all I know about this situation. Now it's your turn to tell me what you know." She was calm and detatched as she sat there, it was very out of character for her. She looked out of place.

Thomas nodded. "You know a great deal more than I do. I am a Knight of Aldersgate. I was dispatched here to warn of 'werewolf' activity in the area, and while we were still awaiting further orders... the Baron himself arrived and all of this broke out." He studied Lavian as he spoke. "Now reports keep coming of werewolves and wolfmen. The Baron and his guard rode in; we're to wait here and keep suspicious characters from leaving. Not that anyone who opposes the Baron will leave the town alive." He caught his breath, looking out into the night, "Miss Vermillion? Who are we fighting?"

Lavian shook her head, she had no idea what was going on herself, and now this knight was looking to her for answers. This was not one of her better days, all she wanted to do now was to curl up by a warm fire and fall asleep. She knew she would not be able to, there was to many things going on at the moment and of course she would not be able to show this knight any weakness. She had to be strong. "I had heard the reports about the Werewolves as well, yet I saw no evidence to support the claims. I might as well go into a little more detail then, it started a little earlier tonight. I was awoke by..." She recounted her story. "... And then I was here with Dale." She shook her head as she turned away from the knight. "That does not sound like Werewolves to me. It is very doubtful that it was a random attack though, bandits taking advantage of the 'werewolf' scare. They seemed more intent on destroying the city then stealing from it. No, they definitely wanted something else. I'm sure of it."

"No, I don't believe in werewolves myself. I've never seen any evidence that they exist, and I don't see how it could have been hidden from us." The medics had finished their work and took their leave.

Lavian's Adventure Continued