PM to join Red Wind Caravan [Yuri Lehrer]

[Saraphina Skyglow]

Saraphina Skyglow 89th Day of Fall 514 AV S araphina unsaddled Abaccus and pulled out a stiff bristle brush as she waited for her employer of the Martial Association to finish with his business and come to speak to her. Cooper Zelt had sent her a letter yesterday which had read simply, Your presence is requested tomorrow at the Martial Association. Regards,Cooper Zelt Messages from Cooper weren’t uncommon since her acceptance as a mercenary for hire. The head of the faction had kept the red haired Kelvic busy, that was for sure. She’d had no lack of jobs to pick from, even though most were rather boring. Humming softly to herself as she waited, Saraphina flicked the brush along her Bloodbanes coat. Following the direction of the hair, she ran her hand along the sleek stallions coat afterwards to dislodge the dead hair and dust the bristles brought to the surface. Abaccus stood surprisingly still, seeming to enjoy the attention. Making sure she stayed close to the horse, she ran the brush down Abaccus’s long legs, taking care to try and untangle any knots that had formed in the long hair around the stallions hoofs. She had to shuffle a bit closer to her mount when she did that, as he shifted away a bit uncomfortably, but the two had come to know each other quite well over the season, so she didn't worry that Abaccus might kick her. Standing back up and keeping her hand on the sorrel’s rump, she walked around his hind end so she could brush the opposite side. The Kelvic had almost finished grooming her horse when the dark haired Facilitator of the Association came out the front door. Familiar with the young man’s face after dealing with him for most of the season, Saraphina waved to Cooper and received one in return. F inishing the last stroke on her now gleaming horses coat, Saraphina gave her mount a pat on the flank. Ducking under the Bloodbanes neck, she walked towards Cooper with a brief smile. Dusting off her hands on her pant leg, she extended her arm, “Mr. Zelt…..always pleasure to see you. I received your letter, what is it you wanted to talk to me about? Another job offer?” A job was the most likely reason Cooper had called on her, really the two had no real other connection. Cooper smirked back at the Kelvic and shook her hand firmly. He nodded as he lead the way back inside. Saraphina walked alongside him, curious about what new assignment might have popped up. The two headed into Coopers office, a simple space with a worn wood desk and several weapons displayed on the wall. The ginger sat on one of the chairs placed in front of the desk and waited for the man to speak. Cooper gathered a leather bound book and sat behind his desk before speaking, “Thank you for coming down Saraphina, I appreciate you taking time to see me. You are correct, a request has come into the Association for a few guards to be added to an outgoing caravan. Most of the supplies are personal possessions of people leaving Zeltiva for new locations before the winter season hits us, but there is some timber and other things going out as well. The caravan will be traveling for about 2 days before the guard switches over and you can come back. Interested?” S araphina thought for a few moments. A guard route was simple work but her food and shelter was usually provided by the group requesting her presence. And she had no other pressing obligations right now. Nodding to Cooper, the two exchanged a few more words before Cooper rose and waved to her to follow him. Tilting her head in curiosity, she obeyed. Walking back out into the training center of the Martial Association, Cooper unlocked a chest placed against the far wall and dug around inside. After a moment he grabbed something, closed the lid and turned to face the Kelvic. He was holding what looked to be a short sword, but the blade was wider and the pommel was much larger. Saraphina looked confused as the Facilitator handed her the sheathed weapon, “Here Saraphina. This is a Gladius, a light and easy to wield blade. I know you prefer to fight unarmed, but even just having a weapon hanging on your belt can help dissuade trouble from coming around. I think you’ll like this sword. You can try out using this on your round, bit it’s a loan Saraphina. Bring it back to me once this jobs complete. Alright.” The red haired rolled her eyes a bit and nodded. The two warriors shared an understanding smirk between the two before she took the sword. Cooper was right, it was surprisingly light. Securing the belt around her hip so the sword dangled on her left side, she started to walk outside before Cooper spoke again, “Oh! Before I forget. I’ve hired on another mercenary to accompany you and the others on this job. He should be waiting outside, I think you know him. Yuri Lehrer. I’ll see you back in a few days Saraphina.” She nodded and waved to her employer before heading back outside. T he scabbard of the Gladius slapped against her leg as she walked. To prevent that, Saraphina rested her hand on the pommel. It was kind of Cooper to let her borrow a weapon from the Association for the job. Clearly, he’d come to trust her enough to let her walk around freely with his wares without fear that she’d wander off with it. She wasn’t sure if the lightweight blade would be the right fit for her, but she liked the feel of it initially, so maybe it would be alright. She was also looking forward to seeing Yuri again. The two hadn’t spoken in a while, both too caught up in their own affairs. She felt a bit guilty about that. But if the swordsman was going to be coming along on the escort job, then she’d have plenty of time to catch up and chat. Exiting the building, she headed back over to Abaccus. Chance were good that she’d be riding her mount while traveling with the caravan. Hopefully she’d be able to keep the dominate stallion in check. For now, Saraphina started to re-saddle her horse while she waited to Yuri to arrive so the two could head to the rendezvous point at the city gates.

[Yuri Lehrer]

Yuri Lehrer was packing up his campsite, why? Because a couple of days prior he’d been to the Martial Association to ask a man named Cooper Zelt about any jobs that may have required his services, Cooper had shaken his head before seemingly remembering something “Well, there is a job coming up, but not for another couple of days, it’s a standard caravan escort job, you would be required to keep an eye on the caravan for a couple of days until the guard changes over then return back here for payment.” Yuri nodded at what had been said before asking a question “Might I know what I will be helping to guard?” Cooper’s facial expression was uncertain, because though he knew Yuri he hadn’t really worked with him, but after a couple of moments he decided it was likely harmless “Some personal possessions and other supplies, if you are interested report back here in two days time, I’ll give you more relevant information then.” With that the meeting concluded and Yuri made his way to his campsite.

Back in the present, Yuri was making sure that his tent’s lay line pegs were all removed from the ground, when that was done, he removed the lay lines and rolled them up, placing them in the saddle bag on the ground near him with the pegs. Turning his attention to the canvas of the tent, Yuri set about folding it and rolling it up until it was small enough to fit across the back of Theophanes and the saddle packs, when he had completed that task, he got a couple of short lengths of rope and used them to tie the canvas into shape. After sorting out the tent and his sleeping gear, Yuri moved about the clearing he had been calling home, removing as many traces of his existence from it as possible, starting with the camp fire, and moving onto the other things he’d used during his time occupying this space. When he was completely done, Yuri sighed to himself then saddled Theophanes, and put the saddle bags in place before placing his tent and sleeping gear on top of the lot, tying them down with another length of rope. When he looked back at what was formerly his campsite, Yuri smiled and thought to himself I’ll be back soon so until then... I guess this is goodbye? Turning away from the campsite, Yuri mounted Theophanes patting his mount’s neck and speaking softly to him “OK boy, you know where we’re going so let’s go.” Theophanes responded to his owner’s voice by setting out at a canter towards Zeltiva and the Martial Association.

When Yuri arrived at the Martial Association he found himself early, and decided to seek out Cooper Zelt for the extra information he’d been told he would receive, it only took him a couple of minutes for him to find the dark haired man he had been seeking, bowing his head in deference to his employer, Yuri greeted Mr. Zelt formally then asked his question “Good morning Mr. Zelt... I don’t suppose I could get any relevant information off of you while we’re both here?” Cooper looked at Yuri and said “The job will likely take two or three days, you’ll be guarding some personal effects and other supplies from the city until the guard is changed over, it would help if you were already...” Cooper trailed off as he noticed Yuri’s broadsword hanging at his side “Armed, which I suppose you already are... The escort group will likely consist of approximately four to six people, and if you don’t have some already, get some supplies, likely enough for two people, and a tent to fit multiple persons just in case, also the rendezvous will be the city gates in approximately 2 bells.” Yuri nodded at the words; there was always the chance that someone would be unprepared, when he was sure that Me. Zelt was finished Yuri spoke quietly “By your leave, I’ll return here when I’ve gotten my extra supplies.” When he finished speaking, Yuri made his way out of the building and grabbed Theophanes by the reigns, and led him into the city.

While he walked around leading Theophanes, Yuri bought the extra suppliesTBD by Grader, please put in grade he needed before getting ready to head back up to the Martial Association, putting the supplies into the saddlebag that didn’t contain his camping equipment. He then turned himself towards the place he had to go, Yuri continued to lead Theophanes, deciding that riding him wouldn’t be a terribly wise choice, and that he just didn’t want to. As he made his way towards the Martial Association, Yuri wondered who he might be working with on this assignment, and whether it may be anyone he knew, when he re-arrived at the building Yuri walked over to the place he’d put Theophanes when he’d visited earlier and decided to double check he had everything he would need when he caught some movement in his peripheral vision, turning his head towards the source of the distraction he was rather surprised to see Saraphina, the Tiger Kelvic he had met one day in his camp and sparred with on the beach last season walking over to another horse in the yard, thinking quickly to himself Yuri wondered somewhat hopefully whether she would be joining him It would be nice for someone I know to join me, we would be able to catch up and chat. With that thought out of the way Yuri decided to make himself known by walking out from behind Theophanes, who wasn’t too nervous of the predator, and called out to her “Why hello there, long time no see Saraphina! What brings you to the Martial Association?” As he made his way towards Saraphina, Theophanes followed him cheekily, before trotting out from behind him and nudging Saraphina playfully, Yuri just smiled and sighed before saying “He likes you. But this is the first time he has... nuzzled someone without me telling him to.”

[Saraphina Skyglow]

Saraphina Skyglow T ightening the saddle cinch around Abaccus’s middle, Saraphina unhooked the stirrup from the horn. Her mount snorted a bit unhappily at having the restricting binding behind his front legs again, but did nothing else. Her train of thought was interrupted when her Bloodbane’s ears suddenly flattened against his head and the stallion snorted aggressively. She didn’t have to wait long to figure out what had rubbed him the wrong way. A familiar male voice spoke from behind her and the Kelvic turned to greet the familiar face of Yuri. The light haired human was leading Theophanes and Saraphina moved forward to greet the pair. It was also to avoid allowing the pale horse to get much closer to Abaccus, for though the stallion was securely tied to the hitching post, she didn’t quite trust him not to try and kick out. Yuri’s question made her smile and she shrugged lightly, “Mr. Zelts asked me to come by yesterday. I’ve been working for him for most of the season, taking up mercenary work. It’s mostly boring, but I get to choose my assignments, which I enjoy. Cooper told me you were asked to travel with the caravan as well. It will be nice to have someone along that I know, most times I’m helping out the Wave Guard.” Saraphina didn’t bother to hide the shock on her face when Yuri’s pale horse nudged her. She blinked stupidly, opening her mouth to speak before closing it. The swordsmen’s cheeky comment broke the surprise and she twisted her lips in a smirk, “Apparently working with Abaccus has made me appear a bit more inviting to other horses. I remember when your mount was trying everything possible to get away from me. Funny how things change. That’s my horse, Abaccus,” She nodded over her shoulder to the dark sorrel stallion, who had his face and ears turned towards the group. Saraphina was surprised that the dominate horse wasn’t pawing at the ground and struggling to fight with Theophanes, “He’s a Ravokian Bloodbane, one of the only horses I’ve come across that doesn’t balk and shy away. Your horse being the only other one now. Abaccus is…..very aggressive, so if he nips a bit I apologise in advance. I’ll try to keep him in check. Now that you’re here Yuri, should we get going?” I t was good to see Yuri again. He looked fit and healthy, living up in the Mirthil Pass certainly hadn’t done him any harm. Giving the pale horse currently sniffing at her new hip decoration a pat on the forehead, she nodded to Yuri before stepping back to her own mount. Before untying the Bloodbane, she gripped the halter in both hands and spoke in a low, firm voice, “You will be around other horses on this trip. I don’t expect you to be perfect or constantly well behaved. But you will show respect were its earned and you will do your best to not cause trouble. Alright?” Abaccus pinned his ears back again and the two strong willed animals stared at each other for a bit before the stallion finally lowered his head slightly. Smiling and giving her horse a firm scratch behind the ears, which caused him to tilt his head and lean into her a bit more, she grabbed her bridle from the post. A few chimes later, she gently forced open the Bloodbane's mouth to slip the bit in and secured the chin strap before stepping into the stirrup and swinging up into the saddle. Saraphina waited for Yuri to mount up as well and turned Abaccus towards the city gate where the caravan was waiting. Her spirited stallion was amazingly well behaved as Saraphina rode beside Yuri. Sure, Abaccus snorted loudly, tossed his head and occasionally pawed at the ground, but he only made one attempt to bite the swordsman’s pale horse. And she managed to rein his head in before teeth could touch flesh, so all in all, she considered her horse to be doing very well. The ride to the edge of the city was quick and the two mercenaries soon found themselves looking upon a small convoy lined up outside the gates. Five canvas covered wagons each pulled by a pair of sturdy looking horses waited patiently for the last arrivals. A group of people adding up to about thirty, not including the horse mounted guards nearby, mingled about. Mostly families or elder couples, a few children could be seen darting under the wagons. Saraphina recognised a few faces among the hired protectors, but no one she was as familiar with as Yuri. A s they approached the waiting caravan, gruff, bearded man stepped out of the head wagon. Spotting the two riders, he approached with a surprisingly swift stride and a stern look complete with a sharp looking battleaxe sheathed in his belt, “Glad you two lollygaggers could make it. My name be Wulfric, I head this mad house we call the Red Wind Caravan. Ever’things packed and ready, what say you two keep up and there be no trouble ‘tween us.” Wulfric chewed on the stub of a lit cigar in his mouth that had a foul order to it. Saraphina’s noses wrinkled and she had to resist the urge to start sneezing. A large key dangled from a wide ring hooked into the mans belt and Saraphina got a strong scent of kelp ale on his breath. Wulfric rubbed the Kelvic the wrong way almost immediately, but she bit the inside of her cheek and managed to only glare menacingly at the man’s retreating back. She watched him clamber onto the head wagon and wave his hand. A creak, groan and whistle later, the caravan was moving down the road and into the Mirthil Pass. Saraphina clicked her tongue at Abaccus and fell in line by the third wagon. Fortunately, most of the guards spread out as the wagon train started to move. It was a common maneuver which let them all cover the area easier. An unspoken formation among the hired hands. She turned to Yuri as they rode away from the city, nodding towards the lead wagon with a smirk, “So….we get to travel with the happiest man in the whole world for two days. Just what I was wishing for when I woke up this morning. What have you been up to Yuri? Anything new and exciting happen lately?”

[Yuri Lehrer]

Saraphina’s answer to Yuri’s question was “Mr. Zelts asked me to come by yesterday. I’ve been working for him for most of the season, taking up mercenary work. It’s mostly boring, but I get to choose my assignments, which I enjoy. Cooper told me you were asked to travel with the caravan as well. It will be nice to have someone along that I know, most times I’m helping out the Wave Guard.” He understood well enough that mercenary work could sometimes be boring, but the freedom of being able to elect which jobs one took part in had an appeal which made sense to him, it was one of the reasons he’d joined the mercenary business in the first place. The look of shock which made itself known on Saraphina’s face when Theophanes nudged her brought a smile to Yuri’s face, her reaction to his comment was a smirk and a comment of her own “Apparently working with Abaccus has made me appear a bit more inviting to other horses. I remember when your mount was trying everything possible to get away from me. Funny how things change. That’s my horse, Abaccus,” As she spoke, Saraphina moved towards a solid looking dark-haired horse, when she reached it she spoke again “He’s a Ravokian Bloodbane, one of the only horses I’ve come across that doesn’t balk and shy away. Your horse being the only other one now. Abaccus is…..very aggressive, so if he nips a bit I apologise in advance. I’ll try to keep him in check. Now that you’re here Yuri, should we get going?”

Yuri nodded when she mentioned getting a move on as it was likely near the time they were supposed to meet the supply caravan, and thought about what Saraphina had just said Her horse has a tendency to bite... or ‘nip’ as she put it, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem I think but I may be wrong, as for Theophanes not being scared of her... I’m surprised he’s the only other horse not afraid of her... Yuri mounted Theophanes, sitting in the saddle while watching Saraphina prepare to saddle and mount Abaccus, Theophanes had lowered his head as though to sniff for some food from Saraphina, but when he followed the nose of his horse, Yuri was a little surprised to see a sword hanging from her belt, it’s make was unusual in that it had a shorter but wider blade and a larger pommel than his own broadsword, he was sure he had seen a weapon like that somewhere before but he couldn’t be too sure, before he made a comment about it though Saraphina spoke to her own horse “You will be around other horses on this trip. I don’t expect you to be perfect or constantly well behaved. But you will show respect were its earned and you will do your best to not cause trouble. Alright?” After saying this she seemed to have a staring contest with the Ravokian Bloodbane, before the horse backed down.

Yuri smiled inwardly at this, but made no show of it on his face, when Saraphina mounted Abaccus and pointed him towards the city gate, which is where the caravan would be waiting for them. When Saraphina started her horse off in the direction they were to head, Yuri set out behind her at the same pace which had been set, after drawing level with her, they rode in an amiable silence for most of the way to the gate, this silence was disturbed once when Abaccus lent his head towards Theophanes and tried to nibble on him, before he could however, Saraphina stopped him, Yuri was grateful he wouldn’t have to calm Theophanes in the middle of the street. As the pair drew closer to the city gates Yuri noticed five cloth covered wagons that were being pulled by sturdy looking horses, and a couple of groups of people, totalling approximately thirty, and a smaller group of mercenaries, all on horseback and the other, larger group of people that were likely to be guarded until the guard change in a couple of days.

A couple of the hired hands looked familiar to Yuri as he’d likely worked with them at some point over the last season or so, but he hadn’t really gotten to know them so he kept his distance, when he and Saraphina were a short enough distance away a bearded and rather gruff looking man with a stern look on his face, cigar in his mouth and a battleaxe in his belt walked over to them swiftly speaking when he was a short distance away “Glad you two lollygaggers could make it. My name be Wulfric, I head this mad house we call the Red Wind Caravan. Ever’things packed and ready, what say you two keep up and there be no trouble ‘tween us.” Though Wulfric had been insulting, he was likely being blunt for simplicity’s sake, a trait Yuri attributed to his being the leader of the Red Wind Caravan and being used to having his orders followed. Yuri bowed his head to Wulfric and spoke in an even, friendly tone “I do apologise, my associate and I were doing some last minute supply shopping to make sure we would be ready, and we appear to have lost track of the time.” Though not strictly true, it would most likely prevent Wulfric from being too angry with them, if that’s what he was. Smoke from Wulfric’s cigar wafted up to Yuri and Saraphina at this point, when it reached Yuri he kept his breathing calm and his face in the semblance of a smile. Along with the smell of the cigar there was something else, something which Yuri was certain was the smell of alcohol, but he ignored it, as it was likely that Wulfric had a drink every now and again with his friends.

When Wulfric made his was to one of the wagons, he gave the order to get moving, and when the caravan began its slow heading, the mercenaries began spreading out, evenly placing themselves at intervals along the convoy, it was something which Yuri had become adept at understanding, a tactic to make sure that the convoy was evenly defended on all sides. After a short while, when the group was away from the city Saraphina spoke, nodding towards the lead wagon which Wulfric was riding “So….we get to travel with the happiest man in the whole world for two days. Just what I was wishing for when I woke up this morning. What have you been up to Yuri? Anything new and exciting happen lately?” Yuri couldn’t help but smile when she said that Wulfric was the ‘happiest’ man in the world, his reaction to her question was a happy one, when he spoke it was with a light-hearted tone “Yes, he certainly is a happy person, isn’t he? As for what has been happening with me, I’ve not really been up to much, working for various employers honing my skill with my blade, which I've given a name to now, and occasionally with my fists, but I doubt I’m up to your level quite yet… But enough about me, how about yourself, you said you were working with the Wave Guard and if I’m not mistaken, you are now carrying a sword around, perhaps we could spar with them once this is over, or we have the time?” Yuri ended what he said with the question hanging in the air, like an invitation, while he waited for Saraphina’s reply.

[Saraphina Skyglow]

Saraphina Skyglow T he steady creaking of the wooden wheels and the crunch of dirt under hooves lent a relaxed atmosphere to the caravan travellers. Crisp, orange and brown leaves fluttered in the wind, some giving into the changing season, falling listlessly to the ground. Saraphina kept an ear and eye wandering around into the wilderness around the train. The trees weren’t thick in the area, mostly birch and willow, but trouble could always find a way to intrude on a peaceful party. Yuri’s lighthearted tone made the Kelvic smile a bit. Really, the young mercenary was quite a pleasure to be around. “You’ve….named your sword? Is that a normal thing…to give a weapon a name? What’s the point behind it? It can’t talk back, so why does it need a name?” Saraphina glanced down at the sheathed Gladius a her hip. It was a blade, a tool you used to cause harm to another. Why in the world would it need a name? Hopefully Yuri could give her an explanation. She tilted her head in her normal fashion and answered the rest of his question with a smile, “I’m not working for the Wave Guard….more that I reinforce some of their patrols or pick up stray guard posts when they have too many to cover with their own people. The sword isn’t acutally mine, Cooper Zelts let me borrow it for this job. Said it would help keep trouble from coming around. Personally I won’t mind a bit of trouble, it’s been a while since I had a good fight. This blade is called a Gladius. Not sure what it is or really how to use it, so a sparring match would be more than welcome.” The Kelvic smirked a bit at the mercenary. One thing Yuri should always know about her…..she rarely backed down from a fight, even a friendly one. A fter the wagon train had been travelling for about half the day and the sun was starting to climb into a lower position in the sky, Wulfric poked his head around the front of the head wagon and waved to Saraphina and Yuri. The red head pursed her lips and considered ignoring the bearded man, but nudged Abaccus forward so she was level with the front seat of the wagon. The leader of the Red Wind still chomped obnoxiously at the soggy cigar and looked over the golden eyed Kelvic with a lewd expression before speaking, “Dusks gonna be coming soon, we be needing a safe place to bed down ‘fore travelling to the next point at daybreak. The boys I got here are doing fine, you two scout ahead and find a place to set up camp.” Saraphina said nothing, merely nodded to show she’d heard, before touching her toes to Abaccus’s ribs to urge her Bloodbane into an effortless canter. Pulling ahead of the caravan, the inexperienced rider held onto the horn of the saddle as her hose rocked back and forth. Though the stallion ran smooth as glass, the constant shifting made her calf muscles tremble and she had to remember to move her weight with the trotting horse. It wasn’t hard, but it took some concentration and effort to maintain her balance. She hoped Yuri was behind her because she wasn’t going to risk trying to turn her head to see if he was keeping up. T he wooded area cleared a bit and a fairly open field was visible up ahead of her. Gently pulling back on Abaccus’s reins, she slowed the sorrel to a walk as she waited for Yuri to catch up. Moving her mount into the clearing, she looked around. The grass looked well trampled and worn, a burned circle with some broken wood was near the center. Looking back, the field was just off the main traveling road. It was likely used by other caravans that had passed by. Circling Abaccus around the field, she could see tracks of old human footprints and wagon wheel track. Saraphina exhaled through her nose, grinding her teeth a bit before looking up at her companion, “Do you get the feeling that ‘Bushy Brows’ knew this site was here and just wanted us gone for a while? Still….this looks like a good spot, maybe he honestly didn’t know it was here, though I find that unlikely. Are you still staying in the Mithral Pass Yuri? Or have you considered moving on for when winter comes? I’m thinking of heading to Syliras for the cold season. What about you?” Saraphina shook her head in both amusement and annoyance. If Wulfric wanted them gone, he should have just said so. Still it had gotten her away from the noisy train for a bit so that was alright. And she got to chat with Yuri a bit more and not have to worry about prying ears being nearby. She nodded back the way that they had come and started to ride towards the caravan again, though this time she kept Abaccus at an easy walking pace.

[Yuri Lehrer]

The gentle creaking of the caravan’s wheels and the sound of the mercenaries’ horses made the atmosphere quite relaxed, something which Yuri was grateful for, though he was still keeping an eye out for any trouble which may or may not have come from the side of the caravan he and Saraphina were on. When he had spoken, Saraphina had smiled before speaking herself “You’ve….named your sword? Is that a normal thing…to give a weapon a name? What’s the point behind it? It can’t talk back, so why does it need a name?” Yuri pondered this for a moment Is it normal to give a weapon a name? I am not actually sure, I did so because… Coming out of his momentary reverie to see Saraphina look down at the sword at her hip, before trying to offer an explanation to the Tiger Kelvic “I’m not sure that it is a normal thing to name a weapon, but I have done so anyway, in the hope of strengthening myself… if that makes any sense?”

His explanation offered, vague as it was, Yuri listened to what Saraphina said next “I’m not working for the Wave Guard….more that I reinforce some of their patrols or pick up stray guard posts when they have too many to cover with their own people. The sword isn’t actually mine, Cooper Zelts let me borrow it for this job. Said it would help keep trouble from coming around. Personally I won’t mind a bit of trouble, it’s been a while since I had a good fight. This blade is called a Gladius. Not sure what it is or really how to use it, so a sparring match would be more than welcome.” Yuri nodded at the last sentence, Saraphina never really backed down from a sparring match, as the memory of the fight on the beach reminded him, he absentmindedly rubbed his side, before speaking once more “It’s been nice to catch up Saraphina, I’ll talk to you again when I get the chance, but for now we should get back into formation.” Yuri slowed Theophanes so he dropped back down the caravan ranks, to cover a spot which seemed like it had a larger gap than the rest.

After about what he perceived to be a half a day had passed, given that the sun was now setting, Yuri decided that he would ride up to Saraphina to hopefully initiate another conversation, just before he did however, Wulfric put his head around the side of the lead cart and gestured to him and Saraphina. Getting Theophanes to pick up his pace with a gentle application of pressure to the horses midriff, Yuri found himself next to Saraphina and level with the lead cart, the seemingly omnipresent cigar in Wulfric’s mouth as he gave a look to Saraphina, a look that Yuri found crude, but chose to ignore for now as the leader of the Red Wind Caravan spoke “Dusks gonna be coming soon, we be needing a safe place to bed down ‘fore travelling to the next point at daybreak. The boys I got here are doing fine; you two scout ahead and find a place to set up camp.” Yuri elected to not speak, instead nodding to show he understood, seeing that Saraphina had done the same, before following her away from the camp, easing Theophanes into a canter, he kept himself moving in time with the horse’s movement to prevent him from overbalancing to either side, looking up he saw that Saraphina seemed to be struggling, he considered calling out to her, but decided against it considering that it might cause her to fall from her horse.

After a few minutes of riding, the two mercenaries came upon an open field; Yuri looked around before slowing Theophanes to a walking pace, noting the well-worn grass and burned circle with a small pile of wood nearby, it seemed like it was also near to the main road. Yuri wondered briefly whether Wulfric knew this campsite had been here all along, decided that he did and wondered why he sought to get rid of Saraphina and himself, for however brief a time, before dismounting from Theophanes and walking around to get the stiffness out of his legs from the riding. Yuri watched Saraphina ride around the encampment for a few ticks, before she looked up at him and spoke “Do you get the feeling that ‘Bushy Brows’ knew this site was here and just wanted us gone for a while? Still….this looks like a good spot, maybe he honestly didn’t know it was here, though I find that unlikely. Are you still staying in the Mithral Pass Yuri? Or have you considered moving on for when winter comes? I’m thinking of heading to Syliras for the cold season. What about you?”

He pondered what had been said for a moment for replying in a friendly tone, with a smile on his face “I have to agree, Wulfric did seem to want us to leave for a while, for reasons I can only hope to guess. I have to agree, this site does seem to be a good place for the caravan to camp overnight, and I am still living out in the Mirahil Pass, though I packed up this morning so I would be ready for the trip. As for moving out next season, I have considered this… but I am not sure where I would go, perhaps I could join you on your journey to Syliras?” When he had finished speaking, Yuri absentmindedly drew his broadsword and began checking it for any signs of rust, while waiting for something to happen and considered whether Saraphina would take him up on his earlier offer of a sparring match.

OOCI'll leave what happens next to you, but I would like to see a little bit of action, perhaps a couple of bandits / animals could attack?

[Saraphina Skyglow]

Saraphina Skyglow T urning Abaccus around so Saraphina could better talk to the dismounted mercenary, the Kelvic smirked back at Yuri, "Company on my wanderings would be welcome Yuri. I'll have to see what comes about. I have a steady source of income now....but I do feel the itch to move crawling in. What are yo...." Saraphina's question was cut off very suddenly as her mount unexpectedly reared up in fear. Unprepared for the move, the red head was thrown from the sorrel's back. Landing hard on the ground, the wind was knocked out of her and she laid prone and stunned in the trampled grass. T he cause of the stallions panic become obvious as the air was suddenly filled with high pitched shrills. From the darkening woods around the clearing came stumbling human figures. But as the four landspawns began to run towards the group, it was clear these being were not human in any sense. The male figures were about a foot shorter than the average man with ruddy, earthen colored skin which was cracked and caked with mud and fragments of rocks. The creatures bore no weapons and didn't speak in any tongue recognized by the pair, rather the Yukmen shrieked in loud, primitive screams and barreled towards Saraphina and Yuri. S araphina had managed to roll up onto her knees, shaking her head to clear it. The horrid shirking made her snap her eyes towards the incoming monsters and she scrambled to her feet with a curse. The creatures reeked to her sensitive nose, smelling of wet earth, blood and dead flesh. Backpedaling from the charging pair of Yukmen heading towards her, the Kelvic felt the Gladius slap against her leg. Grapping the hilt and ripping the blade free, she managed to sidestep the closest Yukman that had reached her. Gripping the blade in both hands, Saraphina clumsily slice the sword sideways into the humanoid. Apparently luck was with her as the Gladius cut into the monsters gut and as she pulled the blade away, the flesh was torn and innards tumbled out. She wasn't quite so lucky with the second monster and the Yukman tackled the Kelvic to the ground. T he other two Yukman headed straight for Yuri, irregular teeth snapping at the air and black eyes devoide of all emotion. The one that reached him first swung his fists in a brawler like manner, aiming to hit the swordsman in the chest. The second simply leapt at him, arms open to wrap Yuri in a full blown tackle.

[Yuri Lehrer]

When Yuri finished inspecting his blade he decided to keep it unsheathed instead of putting it away, he didn’t know why but something was causing him to be ill at ease, he relaxed a little when Saraphina turned her horse to face him so that she would be able to speak, she smirked before she did so "Company on my wanderings would be welcome Yuri. I'll have to see what comes about. I have a steady source of income now....but I do feel the itch to move crawling in. What are yo...." Whatever she had been about to say was cut off as Abaccus reared up in fear at something presently unseen, Theophanes did the same, making Yuri stumble a little, when he looked up after he regained his balance he saw that Saraphina had been thrown from her horse and was prone on the ground. As Yuri began to run over to Saraphina to make sure that she was OK, the air was filled with high pitched shrieks and shrills, he stopped and looked to the source of the noises which were almost ear-splitting.

The source of the noise was four humanoid figures which ran, or more accurately stumbled, from the woods which were getting darker by the minute, but it was very clear that the humanoids were just that, humanoid and not true humans, they were shorter than most humans were, and they had earthen coloured skin which was cracked in many places, they also carried no weapons like brigands might have. These creatures had a name, Yukman, to Yuri they were everything he had heard about them, and as they barrelled towards him and Saraphina, they broke into two groups, two heading for him, and two heading for Saraphina. Yuri simply stood where he was and adopted his ready stance, to at least fight off the Yukmen and get over to Saraphina to make sure she was OK, but before that would be possible he would have to take on two opponents, strangely the thought calmed Yuri, as though he had done this many times before, he attributed it to his constant practicing and Kata against multiple opponents.

The Yukmen were charging at Yuri, teeth gnashing at the air, and eyes empty of all emotion, the first one to reach him threw a punch at his chest, the other humanoid leapt at him, so Yuri opted to do something which would likely result in either a great advantage, or disadvantage, he rolled to the side, a tactic which he had been using more often, favouring evasion over having to take on multiple opponents, but this time Yuri included an additional manoeuvre to his evasive strategy, slicing out at the Yukman’s legs, aiming to at least disable his opponent so he could face the other one without as much hesitancy and thought than he would use regarding both of his opponents at once. Surprisingly enough Yuri’s thoughts weren’t on his own safety, they were on Saraphina’s, and whatever he could do to try to save her, though he knew she was more than capable enough to handle her opponents on her own.

[Saraphina Skyglow]

Saraphina Skyglow H er breath whooshed out of her lungs as the heavy monster barreled into Saraphina, making her feel lightheaded and dizzy. The weight on top of her chest didn't help that in the slightest bit. A meaty fist slammed against her cheek causing stars to dance behind her eyelids, but Saraphina managed through some miracle to jam her foot against the ground and buck upwards, tossing the Yukeman off her, if only briefly. Still stunned and winded, the Kelvic tried to blindly roll the opposite direction of where she'd thrown off the humanoid, but was stopped by the feel of damp, powerful fingers closing around her upper arm. Tightening her grip on the Gladius, she lifted the sword into the air and arched in over her body. She felt the flat of the blade strike something soft and a yowl from the side made her feel a bit better. More importantly, the grip on her arm loosened and she was able to pull free. Rolling across the grass, Saraphina pushed herself to her knees and looked over at her opponent. A pparently, her wild flailing with the short sword had worked. It appeared that she'd managed to hit the Yukeman alongside the head and it was stunned for a moment or two. Looking over at Yuri, Saraphina felt a cold chill grip her heart. Yuri was outnumbered and had just rolled to the side of his opponents. His Broadsword connected successfully with one of the Yukeman, slicing through its leg and making the monster human drop to one knee with a high pitched scream of pain. But the other was rapidly descending on the mercenary. Fear and adrenaline ripped through her system so fast Saraphina swore she saw a myriad of colors for a moment. Then her feet were moving almost without her thinking about it, sprinting across the field to Yuri's side. It was almost instinct that made her move to her partner's side, almost something....uncontrollable. Like she couldn't stop herself, or bear the thought of Yuri being hurt. There was little time to think over the sudden wave of protectiveness that welled up, or the reasons for her fear of seeing Yuri hurt. They were in a fight and she needed to stand with Yuri. That was enough for now. R acing across the field, the Kelvic made it to the human's side in record time. The bruised jaw and aching ribs meant little right now, she needed to help Yuri. Another shrill scream had her whipping around. The Yukeman she'd stuned was now standing and once more barreling towards the duo. The second monster Yuri hadn't hit was coming from behind her, aiming for the swordsman, though she was grateful to see the Yukeman with the leg injury was still struggling to stand. Gripping the sword hilt in both hands, Saraphina swung the blade in a circle above Yuri as he rolled into a crouch, making the charging Yukeman pause in their run. Both started to circle the two weapon wheeling people and Saraphina put her back against Yuri's as he stood up. Now standing back to back with the mercenary and facing off against the monsters, Saraphina felt an odd sense of... comfort? ....simply by being close to Yuri. Risking a glance over her shoulder, she grimaced at the mercenary before intensely focusing back on the circling Yukeman, "Think we'll get paid any extra for this?" OOC: Feel free to augment your own battle scene Yuri, I'm down for it

[Yuri Lehrer]

Yuri felt his blade strike the Yukman’s leg, severing the tendons it required to stand, it released a high pitched shriek from the pain which had been inflicted upon it, as it collapsed Yuri began coming up from his roll, as he did so he failed to notice the other Yukman he’d dodged had changed course and was barrelling towards him once more. When he realised the immediate danger he was in, he tried to raise his sword to defend himself, then he could have sworn he saw a brief flash of colour, wondered what it meant for a tick, but found he didn’t need to raise his sword at all, as from seemingly nowhere Saraphina was over him, swinging her sword, causing the Yukman to falter in its charge.

As his roll’s momentum got him up to his feet, Yuri felt a strange sense of calm… and comfort? At having Saraphina guarding his back, he looked over his shoulder at Saraphina, and found that she had done the same, she had a grimace on her face before she turned her own attention back towards the three Yukmen which were still alive, two were circling the pair, while the third was still trying to raise itself and failing, she asked a question which raised Yuri’s spirit a little "Think we'll get paid any extra for this?" Yuri managed to laugh a little at this before he replied, a new energy in his voice “Knowing what we do of Wulfric? Probably not, though it would be a welcome bonus.” Turning his attention back to the Yukmen, Yuri began thinking about how the two of them would fight the others off.

After a few short ticks the Yukman on Yuri’s side stopped circling and began charging towards him, Yuri realised a moment too late that his guard had been lowered while he had talked to Saraphina, and the Yukman knocked his sword from his hands, coincidentally, it was hit with enough force for the blade to find its way into the chest of the third Yukman, putting it down for good, before he was tackled to the ground, now weapon-less, in a brawl against the Yukman who had a slight edge with strength. However, Yuri fell back on the basics he remembered from his fight with Saraphina on the beach more than a season ago, relaxing his body and pulling his legs under the Yukman, before rapidly straightening them to get the Yukman off of him, also sending it flying, ending up with it sprawled on its back. Getting up and running over to the deceased Yukman, twisting his blade and pulling it free from the dead humanoid’s chest, before running back over to guard Saraphina’s back, guard definitely raised this time, watching the Yukmen which were still living, circle around, evidently more wary now.