Waking from his long slumber beside the fire, Ignis was somewhat confused as to what had happened over the last few hours. He quickly checked up on their leaders, finding Buliwyf battered, but in good condition.
Ignis woke just in time to hear the news that they would soon be leaving this horrid place, the stench had started to wear on his nerves. The sights were just as gruesome, unprepared militia strewn about the battlefield, the last thing they saw were the banners of the Burning Blade. Well atleast the dead can refer us to all their friends, maybe we'll get a cushy job from the secretaries in hell. Ignis thought while chuckling to himself.
After finding Buliwyf in good health, he searched for Jamis, who Ignis had not seen since he drifted off to sleep. Finding him snoring in the medical tent, he moved him into one of the many wagons that had been set up as a temporary camp. He didn't seem to protest, obviously in a deep sleep. Who knew what was going through his mind at the moment, the events of the battle seemed to perplex their leader as much as they did Ignis.
After finding a suitable wagon, Ignis checked over his wounds. He saw a shoddy stitch job, which would obviously need to be redone after several days travel. Ignis suddenly remembered his salve.
"Here, old remedy my mother used to give to me, pine needles mixed with pine sap and crushed blueberries, should help clean you up." he said to the sleeping Jamis, as he set a bottle of "Mamma Sinestra's Miracle Cure" beside him.
Obviously Jamis would not know what it was after waking up where he had not fallen asleep, with a bottle beside him. This in mind, Ignis tied a small note instructing him to smear it on his wounds, and put some under his nose to help the healing process, and to help clear his head.
Well theres my good deed for the day, I'll add that bottle to his tap. Thought Ignis as he sought out his horse, Buliwyf seemed eager to leave this place and Ignis had yet to find his long time companion and beloved horse, Illudere. After searching for some time, he found him tied up to a nearby wagon, and pulled himself onto his horse.
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Quote from "Sixen" »
"One in every 10 million people can potentially have a headache from this pill." God forbid she is the 0.000000001% of having a headache.
Mordwythe had made to move in to the medical tent of Jamis, but before he had parted the canvas to admit himself, he heard a wizened voice trail out in to the night.
"...we will need to get you to a proper bed soon enough. I am but an herbalist. It will take skill beyond my own to fix this. Do not worry, there are several of great skill in Tappas. I am sure they will be willing to help after your victory against the Riddians..."
Perhaps we will be going to the village after all, he thought to himself. All the better.
He then slipped aside the tent flap and quietly stepped in to the lee of the marquee, carefully rounding the edge of the tent to find a seat among the stores within the medical tent. Sliding down beside a heavy barrel, he began to nod off in to his own deep thoughts, listening to the subdued grunts of Jamis as his stitches did their work to his wounded body.
Concentrating on cleaning her weapons, Kira did not hear Buti get up and approach her. She gets made at herself for letting her guard down, this is what my parents told me to work on, being more aware of my surroundings. Buti leans down and explains where her weapon went, and Kira thinks that would be a nice trick to learn.
Buti sits down with Kira and asks, "Why did you join this group? I mean, like, what exactly did you hope to gain from these people? Surely it cannot be money?" Kira smiles at Buti's question. "You are correct, I am not here for the money, I love to travel around, meeting and seeing new people and places. I like helping people, putting criminals where they belong, either in the ground or locked away." Kira pauses for a bit then asks, "How about you? Forgive me for saying this, but you definitely appear a little out of place here."
Just then Buliwyf emerges from the medical tent and informs us we are heading to Tappas. Kira looks at Buti, "well we will have to finish this conversation later it seems." Kira gets up and helps to load up the wagon, make room for Jamis and prepare the horses to leave. She sees Jamis' horse and grabs its reins and leads it over to her own horse and starts out for town.
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Smiling is infectious.
Give, expecting nothing thereof. ------------ BoD - Come have some fun! Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
"what a fine book that is Jethera" Viktor told him exchanging books with him. Jethera quickly thumbed through a couple pages of Viktor's hymm book before giving it back to him as Buliwyf emerged from the medic tent and announced their leave for Tappas. Viktor took his hymm book back and gave back Jethera's tome. Jethera packed up the tomes that he has laid about around the fire and had been reading. He stood up and felt the last bit of the warmth from the fire before pouring his canteen of water over it and stomping the rest out with his boot. We're heading to town, I can always get more water when we arrive. Buliwyf and Ignis mount their steeds, while the rest of the weary gang climb into the wagon for the trip ahead. Jethera, with no horse, climbs into the wagon with the rest of this comrades and sits down next to Viktor, who is saying prayers for Jamis and their trip to Tappas. As Jethera is boarding the wagon, Buti jumps out for a small conversation with Kira who is sitting beside the wagon cleaning her weapons. After they talk, Kira mounts her steed and grabs Jamis' to lead beside her. Jethera notices a small bottle with a note attached to it next to Jamis and picks it up and inspects it. Possibly a healing salve. 'Smear on wounds and under nose' the note reads. I might have to discuss this recipe with whoever left this for I have never seen this before.
Jethera again opens his knapsack, fully loaded with tomes and scrolls, and removes the book he was reading prior to 'The Divine Healer' and read again. Sitting patiently for their departure Jethera mind escapes into his tome as he draws further from reality. Jethera sits now, fully engulfed in the text of his tome as the field which started with the screams and cries of battle now echos with the sounds of horse and wagon alike as the Knights of the Burning Blade depart on their next journey ahead.
"Come on everybody...hahaha...let's get this show on the road" Kifu yelled out the wagon at the rest of the mercenaries. Kifu then jumped out of the back of the wagon and took at seat in the drivers spot. "I'll even drive...hahaha" Kifu grabbed the reigns and whipped them about wildly. "All aboard"
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"Great idea guys, let the crazy old guy with the uncontrollable laugh drive the wagon. While were at it, who needs daylight, lets wait till it gets dark to go. Oh and we don't need roads either! We can just go through the graveyard!" Warick joked. "Well at least we are finally leaving. I can finally get myself a cold ale!" He continued.
He looked forward and noticed Ingis, Kira and Buliwyf all had horses. Might need to buy myself a horse once we get to Tappas as well Warick thought, as he streched out and looked up at the sky as he used to when he was a little boy with his father. How you doing Mom and Dad?
"Great idea guys, let the crazy old guy with the uncontrollable laugh drive the wagon. While were at it, who needs daylight, lets wait till it gets dark to go. Oh and we don't need roads either! We can just go through the graveyard!" said Warrick several feet away. Ignis laughed, as he had been questioning the reasoning behind letting Kifu take the reigns as well.
"Oh well, perhaps he'll be able to raise us up some zombie horses at said graveyard?" Ignis said back with a chuckle.
"Speaking of which, may I ask a favor of you, Kifu? I was wondering if you could ever raise my horse from the dead, if he ever fell in battle.. It would pain me greatly to have to continue on without him, we've been companions for many years." Ignis said to Kifu, with a slight sigh. He knew he would miss his horse greatly if he ever fell, and hoped that he could keep Illudere out of the line of battle in the future. He was a capable horse, and had saved Ignis's hide many times in the past, but he did not like to run the risk of him being killed.
With a sigh, Ignis patted his horse's head, hoping that they would not soon be parted.
Looking over at Buliwyf, Ignis said "So, are we to depart soon? Or do we have unfinished business here that needs to be tended to? "
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"One in every 10 million people can potentially have a headache from this pill." God forbid she is the 0.000000001% of having a headache.
"Oh well, perhaps he'll be able to raise us up some zombie horses at said graveyard?" Warick heard Ingis respond. "It would save me about half my earnings if he could" Warick called back with a smile. He seems like a good man. Warick thought Me and him should try and stick together.
"So. as Kifu said, Lets get this show on the road! My throat is as dry as Lut Gholein during the summer!"
"Great idea guys, let the crazy old guy with the uncontrollable laugh drive the wagon. While were at it, who needs daylight, lets wait till it gets dark to go. Oh and we don't need roads either! We can just go through the graveyard!" Kifu turned around to Warick and responded " A moonlit ride through the cemetery sounds wonderful..hehehe.. but I am going to have to let Buliwyf lead the way. I don't even know exactly where we are headed"
Kifu then turned to Ignis when he asked Kifu"Speaking of which, may I ask a favor of you, Kifu? I was wondering if you could ever raise my horse from the dead, if he ever fell in battle.."of course, I could raise your horse from the dead but....I am afraid he would turn and try to kill you..hahaha" Kifu burst out into an uncontrolable laughter "You see zombie horses tend to be pretty agressive but if that's what you want..haha.. I supposed I could teach you how to control his zombie hunger" Kifu pulled back out the human organs Warick had asked him to pick up. "You see, zombies need a constant supply of human organs. If you kept your horse fed...hehe..he might not try to eat you" Kifu looked at Ignis' horse Illudere with a strange look in his eye eager to see Illudere rise through the ground as nothing but bones and rotting flesh.
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"So, are we to depart soon? Or do we have unfinished business here that needs to be tended to? "
"We are leaving." Buliwyf said sternly. He issued the command to move out to the Knights of the Burning Blade and they made their way back to Tappas.
The road back to Tappas was nothing more than a beaten track. It wove in and out between the tall trees. The breeze through the trees was refreshing, and the smell of the pines was a welcomed change from the blood and sweat of the battlefield.
"So many great warriors have walked this road." Buliwyf thought to himself. "And now I walk this road."
Buliwyf rubbed his shoulder wound.
"Still hurts." He said to himself.
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-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
Kira thought about approaching Buliwyf while riding back to town, but he looked deep in thought or maybe just in a lot of pain still, so she decided to hang back.
She looked forward to going into town and hoped that they were going to stay long enough to wash up and get a bite to eat. Some of our group smelled as if they hadn't been clean in years, she laughed to herself, we certainly are a diverse bunch.
She saw some plump rabbits off to the side scamper away from all the noise of the wagon and horses, her stomach growled at the thought of meat.
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Smiling is infectious.
Give, expecting nothing thereof. ------------ BoD - Come have some fun! Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
"We are leaving." Ignis nodded at Buliwyf, he seemed as if he did not want the knights to take any more time in these killing feilds. He slapped the reigns, and Illudere marched forward in response, they were finally returning to Tappas.
"of course, I could raise your horse from the dead but....I am afraid he would turn and try to kill you..hahaha" The man burst into laughter after saying this, obviously he found irony quite hilarious. "You see zombie horses tend to be pretty agressive but if that's what you want..haha.. I supposed I could teach you how to control his zombie hunger. You see, zombies need a constant supply of human organs. If you kept your horse fed...hehe..he might not try to eat you" Ignis felt a sudden pang of stupidity, he had never realized that zombies required food.
"Thank you for the information, Kifu. I may take you up on this offer someday, or may even let you keep him if you ever raise him from the dead. It seems you sure know zombies, and I'm sure he would serve you well." Ignis clapped him on the back, and thanked him once more.
He remained wary of their surroundings, from his past, he knew that people would stop at nothing to gain some extra gold, and their caravan was a fairly obvious target to loot. His worry became even greater as they passed into a forest. The massive boughs overhead interlocked to block out most sunlight. Several shafts of sunlight managed to peirce through the leaves, and illuminated patches of ferns and berries. Well at least this place had a well stocked larder, thought Ignis, trying to cool his nerves. Nevertheless, the atmosphere of this forest made him feel trapped. The claustrophobic feeling was new to Ignis, maybe it was the battle that caused it, maybe he was just worrying too much, but he wasn't comfortable in this place. The Squirrels didn't help, either. They were everywhere, watching him.
"Hopefully this forest does not stretch too long... I wouldn't want to set up camp in here. Seems damn near anything could be waiting to devour us in our sleep." Ignis said as he shot a wary glance around the trees, barely able to see beyond the first row. He lit his torch, and was comforted by the glow it cast about them. With any luck, we'll be out in several hours.
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Quote from "Sixen" »
"One in every 10 million people can potentially have a headache from this pill." God forbid she is the 0.000000001% of having a headache.
"Yee haw!!!" exclaimed Kifu as he rose the reigns and violently cracked them back down. "Lets get out of here." Kifu drove the wagon wildly through the beaten path causing the passengers to bump around in the back. Kifu looked over at Ignis and saw uncertainty in his eyes. He could tell that Ignis was being very cautious as he almost attacked a squirrel. Kifu decided to help Ignis regain his focus. "Hey Ignis" Kifu shouted over to get his attention. "wanna make a bet" kifu raised his eyebrows knowing Ignis was prone to taking any bet. "I bet you we make it through this path without so much as a strong wind holding us back."
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"Hey Ignis, wanna make a bet?" Ignis immediately perked up upon hearing these words, Heh, old guy sure knows me well. He thought.
"I bet you we make it through this path without so much as a strong wind holding us back." Taking some time to consider the odds, Ignis figured that there was a decent chance of some kind of animal running out onto the path, or some brigand attacking them, maybe even a crazed patrol of fallen ones finding them. These areas had been becoming increasingly dangerous ever since the incident in the dreadlands. If it's this bad here, I wonder how the barbarians are doing... Ignis thought, a jolt of empathy suddenly flowing into him. Anyways, back to the bet... I guess the odds are decent enough, I'll have to take him up on it. "Sure Kifu, you're on. 5 gold for the winner." he said to the old Witch Doctor, wondering what he would ever spend gold on. Well, I guess there ARE black market organ dealers out there... He thought with a smile, he was very glad that the old man had managed to cheer him up.
I'll have to buy him some ale once we get back to Tappas, he certainly deserves it.
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"One in every 10 million people can potentially have a headache from this pill." God forbid she is the 0.000000001% of having a headache.
"Sure Kifu, you're on. 5 gold for the winner." "5 gold it is hahaha." Kifu focused back on the road just in time to swerve the wagon around a tree. "whew, that was close..haha" Kifu said to himself.
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"Please, Kifu, can you drive a bit more cautiously" Kifu pounded the seat he was sitting on. "Don't worry priest, Jamis will be just fine. He is a tough guy and the ladies love a man with scars ..hehe"
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An eerie calm came over the forest, not a sound was to be heard.
"It is quiet, too quiet." Buliwyf said solemnly.
As the group continued along the road colomns of thick black smoke could be seen above the tree lines.
"Smoke? Let us pray all is well"Buliwyf thought to himself.
"Quicken your pace!" Buliwyf commanded.
Upon reaching the clearing it became evident as to what was the cause of the smoke coloumns. The Knights of the Burning Blade arrived at Tappas only to find it lying in ruin, buildings had been reduced to nothing more than piles of rubble, and the streets were littered with the bodies of the townspeople. "Quickly fan out and search for any survivors!"yelled Buliwyf. "What in the Burning Hells has gone on here?"
Buliwyf, Jamis and a handful of men headed for the church at the top of the hill, the one building that appeared to have weathered what ever happened to the buildings below. On the steps of the entrance to the church was the body of one of the priests. His clothes were torn to shreds and covered in blood. Buliwyf ran to him and grabbed him by the shoulders. "What happened here, SPEAK!"he shouted. "WHAT HAPPENED HERE!"
"*cough* Riddians. *cough*" said the priest expelling blood as he talked.
"HE SPEAKS!" Buliwyf shouted to the others. "Go get some water and a blanket!"
"Tell me what happened." Buliwyf said to the priest.
"The Riddians." replied the priest. "They came down the river. While our best fighters were in the fields, the best from Riddia came down the river and took us by surprise. Most of the towns people did not get away. They hacked us down where we stood, women, children, they slaughtered them all, I saved who I could. They are safe in the chu........"
"Rest in peace, your death will not go unavenged." Buliwyf said as he closed the priest's eyelids.
Jamis returned with the water but only to see Buliwyf kneeling, head bowed with his sword in front of him. Buliwyf turned around to see the Knights of the Burning Blade standing before him.
"They played us all for fools." he said. "Riddia will pay for this!"
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-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
Jethera road along the path with the others listening subtly to their conversations, the bet, Viktor's plea to Kifu to drive better, he was drawn into his tome, but he heard it all."Quicken your pace!"Buliwyf had commanded to the wagon. Jethera popped his head out of the back of the wagon long enough to see the dark haunting smoke rise into the air.Smoke, what could this mean? Hopefully everything is alright.
They came upon the town of Tappas, deviastated. Jethera removed his knapsack and threw his tome down in the wagon and jumped out to help where needed as Buliwyf instructed them to search for any survivors. Jethera followed Buliwyf and Jamis, who had been stirring as they arrived on Tappas, up to the church, which is the only part of the town that had evaded the deviastation that the rest of the town endured. A single body of a priest laid dying on the steps of the church. Buliwyf was quick to question him about the events that had lead to the destruction of Tappas.
"The Riddians. They came down the river. While our best fighters were in the fields, the best from Riddia came down the river and took us by surprise. Most of the towns people did not get away. They hacked us down where we stood, women, children, they slaughtered them all, I saved who I could. They are safe in the chu........" It all makes sense now. It was not the tip of their forces that we fought, it was their destraction. The bastards, how could they? Do they have no shame, no honor, no soul? What fuels the fire between Riddia and Tappas so much that they would have to step this low? Jethera thought to himself as rage and vengence pulsed through his veins. The priest quietly died as Jamis returned with the water Buliwyf had requested.
"They played us all for fools. Riddia will pay for this!" Jethera nodded with agreement to Buliwyf's statment. "Vengence for Tappas," Jethera said with clenched teeth, "Vengence to all who have had to endure such terror from Riddia!"
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Ignis woke just in time to hear the news that they would soon be leaving this horrid place, the stench had started to wear on his nerves. The sights were just as gruesome, unprepared militia strewn about the battlefield, the last thing they saw were the banners of the Burning Blade. Well atleast the dead can refer us to all their friends, maybe we'll get a cushy job from the secretaries in hell. Ignis thought while chuckling to himself.
After finding Buliwyf in good health, he searched for Jamis, who Ignis had not seen since he drifted off to sleep. Finding him snoring in the medical tent, he moved him into one of the many wagons that had been set up as a temporary camp. He didn't seem to protest, obviously in a deep sleep. Who knew what was going through his mind at the moment, the events of the battle seemed to perplex their leader as much as they did Ignis.
After finding a suitable wagon, Ignis checked over his wounds. He saw a shoddy stitch job, which would obviously need to be redone after several days travel. Ignis suddenly remembered his salve.
"Here, old remedy my mother used to give to me, pine needles mixed with pine sap and crushed blueberries, should help clean you up." he said to the sleeping Jamis, as he set a bottle of "Mamma Sinestra's Miracle Cure" beside him.
Obviously Jamis would not know what it was after waking up where he had not fallen asleep, with a bottle beside him. This in mind, Ignis tied a small note instructing him to smear it on his wounds, and put some under his nose to help the healing process, and to help clear his head.
Well theres my good deed for the day, I'll add that bottle to his tap. Thought Ignis as he sought out his horse, Buliwyf seemed eager to leave this place and Ignis had yet to find his long time companion and beloved horse, Illudere. After searching for some time, he found him tied up to a nearby wagon, and pulled himself onto his horse.
Viktor hops up onto the wagon that Ignis has just loaded Jamis's stretcher on.
"I will stay close and pray for a quick recovery for our leader."
Viktor pulls out his book of verses and begins reciting some as he crosses Jamis's arms across his chest.
"Let us all pray for a safe journey to Tappas so we may help our leader get the proper care he is in desperate need of."
Viktor closes his eyes and looks up towards the Heavens. Viktor then looks back upon Jamis's face.
"Don't worry, we will be there soon enough."
"...we will need to get you to a proper bed soon enough. I am but an herbalist. It will take skill beyond my own to fix this. Do not worry, there are several of great skill in Tappas. I am sure they will be willing to help after your victory against the Riddians..."
Perhaps we will be going to the village after all, he thought to himself. All the better.
He then slipped aside the tent flap and quietly stepped in to the lee of the marquee, carefully rounding the edge of the tent to find a seat among the stores within the medical tent. Sliding down beside a heavy barrel, he began to nod off in to his own deep thoughts, listening to the subdued grunts of Jamis as his stitches did their work to his wounded body.
Buti sits down with Kira and asks, "Why did you join this group? I mean, like, what exactly did you hope to gain from these people? Surely it cannot be money?" Kira smiles at Buti's question. "You are correct, I am not here for the money, I love to travel around, meeting and seeing new people and places. I like helping people, putting criminals where they belong, either in the ground or locked away." Kira pauses for a bit then asks, "How about you? Forgive me for saying this, but you definitely appear a little out of place here."
Just then Buliwyf emerges from the medical tent and informs us we are heading to Tappas. Kira looks at Buti, "well we will have to finish this conversation later it seems." Kira gets up and helps to load up the wagon, make room for Jamis and prepare the horses to leave. She sees Jamis' horse and grabs its reins and leads it over to her own horse and starts out for town.
Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
Buliwyf and Ignis mount their steeds, while the rest of the weary gang climb into the wagon for the trip ahead. Jethera, with no horse, climbs into the wagon with the rest of this comrades and sits down next to Viktor, who is saying prayers for Jamis and their trip to Tappas. As Jethera is boarding the wagon, Buti jumps out for a small conversation with Kira who is sitting beside the wagon cleaning her weapons. After they talk, Kira mounts her steed and grabs Jamis' to lead beside her. Jethera notices a small bottle with a note attached to it next to Jamis and picks it up and inspects it. Possibly a healing salve. 'Smear on wounds and under nose' the note reads. I might have to discuss this recipe with whoever left this for I have never seen this before.
Jethera again opens his knapsack, fully loaded with tomes and scrolls, and removes the book he was reading prior to 'The Divine Healer' and read again. Sitting patiently for their departure Jethera mind escapes into his tome as he draws further from reality. Jethera sits now, fully engulfed in the text of his tome as the field which started with the screams and cries of battle now echos with the sounds of horse and wagon alike as the Knights of the Burning Blade depart on their next journey ahead.
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He looked forward and noticed Ingis, Kira and Buliwyf all had horses. Might need to buy myself a horse once we get to Tappas as well Warick thought, as he streched out and looked up at the sky as he used to when he was a little boy with his father. How you doing Mom and Dad?
"Oh well, perhaps he'll be able to raise us up some zombie horses at said graveyard?" Ignis said back with a chuckle.
"Speaking of which, may I ask a favor of you, Kifu? I was wondering if you could ever raise my horse from the dead, if he ever fell in battle.. It would pain me greatly to have to continue on without him, we've been companions for many years." Ignis said to Kifu, with a slight sigh. He knew he would miss his horse greatly if he ever fell, and hoped that he could keep Illudere out of the line of battle in the future. He was a capable horse, and had saved Ignis's hide many times in the past, but he did not like to run the risk of him being killed.
With a sigh, Ignis patted his horse's head, hoping that they would not soon be parted.
Looking over at Buliwyf, Ignis said "So, are we to depart soon? Or do we have unfinished business here that needs to be tended to? "
"So. as Kifu said, Lets get this show on the road! My throat is as dry as Lut Gholein during the summer!"
Kifu then turned to Ignis when he asked Kifu "Speaking of which, may I ask a favor of you, Kifu? I was wondering if you could ever raise my horse from the dead, if he ever fell in battle.. "of course, I could raise your horse from the dead but....I am afraid he would turn and try to kill you..hahaha" Kifu burst out into an uncontrolable laughter "You see zombie horses tend to be pretty agressive but if that's what you want..haha.. I supposed I could teach you how to control his zombie hunger" Kifu pulled back out the human organs Warick had asked him to pick up. "You see, zombies need a constant supply of human organs. If you kept your horse fed...hehe..he might not try to eat you" Kifu looked at Ignis' horse Illudere with a strange look in his eye eager to see Illudere rise through the ground as nothing but bones and rotting flesh.
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"We are leaving." Buliwyf said sternly. He issued the command to move out to the Knights of the Burning Blade and they made their way back to Tappas.
The road back to Tappas was nothing more than a beaten track. It wove in and out between the tall trees. The breeze through the trees was refreshing, and the smell of the pines was a welcomed change from the blood and sweat of the battlefield.
"So many great warriors have walked this road." Buliwyf thought to himself. "And now I walk this road."
Buliwyf rubbed his shoulder wound.
"Still hurts." He said to himself.
She looked forward to going into town and hoped that they were going to stay long enough to wash up and get a bite to eat. Some of our group smelled as if they hadn't been clean in years, she laughed to herself, we certainly are a diverse bunch.
She saw some plump rabbits off to the side scamper away from all the noise of the wagon and horses, her stomach growled at the thought of meat.
Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
Ignis nodded at Buliwyf, he seemed as if he did not want the knights to take any more time in these killing feilds. He slapped the reigns, and Illudere marched forward in response, they were finally returning to Tappas.
"of course, I could raise your horse from the dead but....I am afraid he would turn and try to kill you..hahaha" The man burst into laughter after saying this, obviously he found irony quite hilarious. "You see zombie horses tend to be pretty agressive but if that's what you want..haha.. I supposed I could teach you how to control his zombie hunger. You see, zombies need a constant supply of human organs. If you kept your horse fed...hehe..he might not try to eat you" Ignis felt a sudden pang of stupidity, he had never realized that zombies required food.
"Thank you for the information, Kifu. I may take you up on this offer someday, or may even let you keep him if you ever raise him from the dead. It seems you sure know zombies, and I'm sure he would serve you well." Ignis clapped him on the back, and thanked him once more.
He remained wary of their surroundings, from his past, he knew that people would stop at nothing to gain some extra gold, and their caravan was a fairly obvious target to loot. His worry became even greater as they passed into a forest. The massive boughs overhead interlocked to block out most sunlight. Several shafts of sunlight managed to peirce through the leaves, and illuminated patches of ferns and berries. Well at least this place had a well stocked larder, thought Ignis, trying to cool his nerves. Nevertheless, the atmosphere of this forest made him feel trapped. The claustrophobic feeling was new to Ignis, maybe it was the battle that caused it, maybe he was just worrying too much, but he wasn't comfortable in this place. The Squirrels didn't help, either. They were everywhere, watching him.
"Hopefully this forest does not stretch too long... I wouldn't want to set up camp in here. Seems damn near anything could be waiting to devour us in our sleep." Ignis said as he shot a wary glance around the trees, barely able to see beyond the first row. He lit his torch, and was comforted by the glow it cast about them. With any luck, we'll be out in several hours.
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"I bet you we make it through this path without so much as a strong wind holding us back." Taking some time to consider the odds, Ignis figured that there was a decent chance of some kind of animal running out onto the path, or some brigand attacking them, maybe even a crazed patrol of fallen ones finding them. These areas had been becoming increasingly dangerous ever since the incident in the dreadlands. If it's this bad here, I wonder how the barbarians are doing... Ignis thought, a jolt of empathy suddenly flowing into him. Anyways, back to the bet... I guess the odds are decent enough, I'll have to take him up on it.
"Sure Kifu, you're on. 5 gold for the winner." he said to the old Witch Doctor, wondering what he would ever spend gold on. Well, I guess there ARE black market organ dealers out there... He thought with a smile, he was very glad that the old man had managed to cheer him up.
I'll have to buy him some ale once we get back to Tappas, he certainly deserves it.
"5 gold it is hahaha." Kifu focused back on the road just in time to swerve the wagon around a tree. "whew, that was close..haha" Kifu said to himself.
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Viktor looked down upon Jamis and watched him clench at every bump and twist the wagon took.
"Jamis is already in enough pain. There is no need to aggravate his wound anymore than necessary."
"I am definitely getting my own horse if kifu is going to be the one doing the driving"
Viktor grabbed his book on his side as he bounced around in the back of the wagon. Trying to not fall upon Jamis.
"I just pray we make it to Tappas without any interuptions."
Kifu pounded the seat he was sitting on. "Don't worry priest, Jamis will be just fine. He is a tough guy and the ladies love a man with scars ..hehe"
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"It is quiet, too quiet." Buliwyf said solemnly.
As the group continued along the road colomns of thick black smoke could be seen above the tree lines.
"Smoke? Let us pray all is well" Buliwyf thought to himself.
"Quicken your pace!" Buliwyf commanded.
Upon reaching the clearing it became evident as to what was the cause of the smoke coloumns. The Knights of the Burning Blade arrived at Tappas only to find it lying in ruin, buildings had been reduced to nothing more than piles of rubble, and the streets were littered with the bodies of the townspeople.
"Quickly fan out and search for any survivors!" yelled Buliwyf. "What in the Burning Hells has gone on here?"
Buliwyf, Jamis and a handful of men headed for the church at the top of the hill, the one building that appeared to have weathered what ever happened to the buildings below. On the steps of the entrance to the church was the body of one of the priests. His clothes were torn to shreds and covered in blood. Buliwyf ran to him and grabbed him by the shoulders.
"What happened here, SPEAK!" he shouted. "WHAT HAPPENED HERE!"
"*cough* Riddians. *cough*" said the priest expelling blood as he talked.
"HE SPEAKS!" Buliwyf shouted to the others. "Go get some water and a blanket!"
"Tell me what happened." Buliwyf said to the priest.
"The Riddians." replied the priest. "They came down the river. While our best fighters were in the fields, the best from Riddia came down the river and took us by surprise. Most of the towns people did not get away. They hacked us down where we stood, women, children, they slaughtered them all, I saved who I could. They are safe in the chu........"
"Rest in peace, your death will not go unavenged." Buliwyf said as he closed the priest's eyelids.
Jamis returned with the water but only to see Buliwyf kneeling, head bowed with his sword in front of him. Buliwyf turned around to see the Knights of the Burning Blade standing before him.
"They played us all for fools." he said. "Riddia will pay for this!"
They came upon the town of Tappas, deviastated. Jethera removed his knapsack and threw his tome down in the wagon and jumped out to help where needed as Buliwyf instructed them to search for any survivors. Jethera followed Buliwyf and Jamis, who had been stirring as they arrived on Tappas, up to the church, which is the only part of the town that had evaded the deviastation that the rest of the town endured. A single body of a priest laid dying on the steps of the church. Buliwyf was quick to question him about the events that had lead to the destruction of Tappas.
"The Riddians. They came down the river. While our best fighters were in the fields, the best from Riddia came down the river and took us by surprise. Most of the towns people did not get away. They hacked us down where we stood, women, children, they slaughtered them all, I saved who I could. They are safe in the chu........" It all makes sense now. It was not the tip of their forces that we fought, it was their destraction. The bastards, how could they? Do they have no shame, no honor, no soul? What fuels the fire between Riddia and Tappas so much that they would have to step this low? Jethera thought to himself as rage and vengence pulsed through his veins. The priest quietly died as Jamis returned with the water Buliwyf had requested.
"They played us all for fools. Riddia will pay for this!" Jethera nodded with agreement to Buliwyf's statment. "Vengence for Tappas," Jethera said with clenched teeth, "Vengence to all who have had to endure such terror from Riddia!"