Completed Trouble on the Road

[Theo Popcampio]

22nd of Summer, 515 AV Nightfall had come sooner than any of them had expected. That being said, the horses were also beaten, having been well fatigued when the sun was still to be seen through the dense forest. Many men had called from their wagon to make camp, but the de facto driver insisted they push, re-reminding his package that Syliras was just a "wee bit on." So it was he said, in truth the ride would have been two hours on fresh-free mounts; but at the pace the caravan was heading at, they would be lucky to arrive before sunrise. "... Oh! Oh! I live on the Road, Everywhere I go there's a place to call home! Kings and Queens all play for me! They heard my tale and pay to see! Now I have a squeeze in every city, A countless child been given by me! And this is my legend, I've told it in blood! Test it and try it, you'll do what you must! Oh! Oh! After's Always There! After's Always There! After's Always There!..." The brothers had been skitting a song for however long, passing time really. It was a song they used to sing as boys, but now they had grown to know what it meant. Walden had brought with him two Sungold horses from Lhavit, and he meant to fetch a pretty price for them in the Syliras. The horses were old, true, but they always had use for these magical pure breeds among fortress city's mages. Theo, more or less, was simply along for the ride. "I pray to Aquilaras we make it soon, by God my bladder will burst any moment," Walden said. Theo and Walden had drifted well beyond the general mass of the caravan. Their Lhavitian stallions were strong, and they only clung to the caravan for whatever cargo Walden had stowed on board. The mass of migrants and visitors were people the brothers had wanted no part of. Theo had already heard the scholars jabber, and their spitting matches grew quickly tiresome. Besides those, who had taken a whole wagon to themselves, there were an assortment of craft workers, who were fine, boring people; a pair of sellswords dressed in furs and leather graced the middle caravan as well, a nervous sort who Theo felt need to keep an eye on; and a group of magi from Lhavit's schools, some of whom Theo was familiar with. Everyone was fearful of the mages in their own right, but the mage's stigma was what truly kept them stowed with the cargo; those who consorted with wizards were nefarious individuals indeed. Walden was fat from his trip to Lhavit. Whatever deal he made in their departure had procured him a new fur coat. Walden swooped in the city and in a weeks time had eaten out every inn and had it with every woman he could find. Sometime over the course of his spree, Walden had convinced Theo to come to Syliras with him for some coin. Theo's funds had grown rather thin in the magic city, and his studies had all but come to a halt. Needless to say, any contemplation he had was simply to keep face. Theo hadn't asked what they were transporting in the wagons, but he was sure it wasn't anything Walden would like to be found. Walden was a nervous man, but he was even more anxious for coin. "I been fixin' to spout maself'. Ol Simey here could use one, carrying my ass around." Theo pet his horse. Theo hopped off and rested his horse to a tree near the road. Theo had named the horse Simon, and he was a good horse so he had no to be tied down for short times. He had a fine bronze coat, and a blonde mane and tail that made Simon beautiful even in the dark. Theo had grown too fond of the horse, perhaps. He fancied himself to ride a Sungold someday. Studying in Lhavit had bought Theo some magical interest, but he had no interest in pursuing magework for profit, yet. Theo still was just as apt as some of those who called themselves mages. Theo had done well to keep his magical knowledge to himself. "Theo, I grow tired of this trudging, do you not need rest?" Walden turned to his brother as he pet his stallion. "George should have made arrangements for us at least four days ago, we should be well prepared for. Perhaps we could even score a square meal for once." "I doubt they'll be excited to see us at this hour." Theo spit after he took a sip of the sour wine his brother had passed him. "Aye, I do think some rest would do me good. We can make it in a third of the time of these saps if we ride hard." Up ahead the caravan had come to a stop, Theo observed. "Tread behind, ill inform the driver of our intention and make sure he tends to our things, fatso." Theo mounted Simon and pressed onward towards the caravan before his brother could get a word in.

[Theo Popcampio]

As Theo trudged the road the quiet had faded into chatter. Perhaps the men are making their gripes again, Theo thought. But then Theo noticed something in the air, an aura. It was not a good feeling, in fact, it disturbed Theo. He did not like it one bit. Simon seemed to grow timid and had several times tried to walk astray, but Theo pushed the horse forward in a trot. Theo tried to sift through and feel the auras nature or a point of interest, but one quick examination revealed the aura too complex and revealed himself dumb to the nature of going about such a thing, and he choose to save his strength. I shall just tell the driver quickly and I shall be off and safe. Then, in a boom the voices of men erupted in battle-cry and steel was unsheathed. Simon reared up as the first of clashes struck and Theo held to the reigns tight to keep himself saddled. Screams of women were quick to follow, and Theo could see people running from the torchlight. When the clashes became regular the horse stood on its fours and turned quickly, its hair whipping the air. "Oh no you don't," a voice proclaimed from the shadows. Before Theo or Simon could react, a man had stabbed the horse thrice in the neck. The horse tried to scream, but only gurgled as it fell. Theo, who had been already swayed off by Simon's prior movements, fell off on his feet, stumbling while he reset himself. The man promptly charged him, knocking him into the dirt. The two struggled for power as the man emerged on top and came down with a great punch on Theo. Theo sucked the him in, and the man hooked at Theo's head. Theo moved his hands, covering his head mostly and trying to sneak in what punches he could. Finally the man gasped after a sock and pinned Theo down, elevating himself. Having already been entangled with the man at the legs and worried, hurriedly gripped at his opponent, and, with luck, emerged on top after they tumbled in the dirt. The bandit clutched at his chest, where Theo could now see his dirk. Theo clutched at the dirk with the man, and as they fumbled for it the knife slipped away. Theo socked the man rightly in the head and the man moved to guard, exposing a loose horseshoe under his shoulder. Theo grabbed Simon's shoe and when the man revealed himself from his guard he was clocked, falling into a daze. Theo delivered three more quick blows to the side of the mans head and did not bother to observe the result. Theo got up slowly, shaken and wary. He looked at Simon, the poor horse dead and bloodied now; Walden would be displeased at that. Up the road the caravan was now toppled over, what guests inside out now, screaming or dead. There is something sublime about terror, it's poetic how the forces of the world watch us suffer, perhaps they know something we do not. And without a moment to rest, a man emerged from the caravan, "Mott, what's taking you? You're missing all the action!" And before long he had seen Theo, calling back "Crow! We got one!" The man charged with his short saber in hand, he must not of seen Theo's longsword. When Theo drew the blade he didn't bother to set a stance, but instead drove straight down with all his might in desperation. As the man charged into the blow he raised his weapon in defense, but the saber was rusted and weak and broke under the force of the cold iron. Theo's longsword drove straight through the man's collar into his chest. The sword dropped from the man's limp hand, and his eyes were settling into a shock. "Good riddance, piece of shit," Theo put his foot to the man's chest, and pried his blade loose, stuttering backwards to avoid what splatter he could. Afterwards, running seemed like the only thing. 'What were you muttering Toby?' Theo heard a voice call, and Theo only ran harder after. He could see Walden just up ahead. "We gotta' run, move back, fatty." "What's happening Theo? Where's Simon... Oh my.." Walden's face shivered as he came across the conclusions, now seeing the blood on Theo's garments. "Theo you have blood on you. I saw you slice that man, I could never... clean yourself off." Walden sighed, handing Theo a cloth. He looked back to the caravan, "I feel sorry for those people, not to mention my cargo, is there anything...?" "We can't do a thing for them now, we have to flee, Walden, abandon your conscious." And with that Theo's brother moved to the rear side of the horse, and the three of them dashed off away into the woods. "Don't worry, they'll be after us," Theo laughed, while Walden shivered in the warm night.

[Theo Popcampio]

The bronze woods was not familiar this time of night, and the brothers had done best not to worry about where they were headed. The bandit lights faded slowly as the trees became more dense. "I take it even Gods rest at times, shall we pay tribute, brother?" Theo insisted on his dismount. He hiked up his right sleeve to reveal a cut. "Fucker must of knicked me on the way down. What kind of man has two daggers? He'd a had a much time easier time..." Theo realized he was delving into anxiety. "Fuck him, and his friend. Fuck the lot of em', ill kill those sons of bitches yet." "Are you okay, brother?" Walden showed genuine concern as he hopped off the horse. "Dagger wounds are nothing to joke about. We should put the heated blade to that at once." "I don't think so, brother. I know you have never had the pleasure, but id rather not have another one of these," Theo said, revealing a fleshy scar on his same shoulder. "This wound is shallow, water and a salve will keep it clean. If it festers we shall see, your blade can always be put to fire." The darkness was all around them, "No, best we save what light we have to travel." "But what light do we have? All the torches were burnt with the caravan." It was true, much of what would have been their survival supplies was probably burning with that caravan. The two of them had fled with backpacks and personals in only. "You forget your brother." Theo said as be pooled the glowing green Rez from his palm, melding it into a sphere. "I can do this," Theo said, flicking his fingers. The top of the green ball lit aflame, staying aflame at the top as Theo pooled more from his self info the ball. "We seek shelter, I can not hold this for long." The two of them wondered parallel to the road for some time, preferring to navigate the dense woods on foot. Theo had managed to keep his light afloat for a while now, but he knew his time was wearing thin. If the brothers could not find shelter soon they'd be sleeping under open moonlight, and the smell of death still loomed in the air. Several times wind whistled and caught the two off guard, only the stallion's calm kept their blades still. Walden had named his pony Morris for what short time he had him, Theo laughed at the name and Walden couldn't quite get why. Morrus was Simon's twin and had the same priceless color in all its glow, the red and green of the rez-fire gleaming off the metallic shimmer of the coat. "This is getting old, brother, these words are unfamiliar to me and my head grows wary. This fire drains the life from me, I can feel it, even now I feel it at the front of my mind." "What shall we do, Theo?" Walden had a certain calm about him, the type ready to be broken at any moment. "We have no tent to set, and id much rather not sleep in a thorn bush. As far as I see it, we have no choice but to push." Walden was right, Theo knew, the bronze wood was no place you wanted to sacrifice shelter. Still, Walden had no idea the dangers of overgiving. His comment did not warrant a response in Theo's mind, who was trotting hard now onward. Some two hundred paces further a light came into view, and the trees gave way to show a campfire. Theo hid the last of his rez in some loose parchment in his pocket, a fireball for those who tried him. Theo told his brother to hold up while he cleared the campsite. There wasn't much to it, a tent, a fire, a crate for sitting, and a lockbox. Theo couldn't see anyone initially, but a body popped up beside the fire as he crept closer. Theo could see their chest move as he got in closer, and to his surprise it was a woman. Her hair was long and dark and brown freckles dotted her bronze face. She rested in a blanket, but he could see through the tears she rested in her day clothes, leather and wool. The girl had all the looks of a survivalist. A bow was kept by her side, and a skin was being hung from her tent. A hatchet was resting on a stump next to the camp, where she must of been cutting wood for her fire. When Theo looked back on her, he felt his heart jump. She really was beautiful and would of caught Theo's full attention any other moment, but Theo was interested in her lockbox at this time.

[Theo Popcampio]

Jerky, bottled water, some knick knacks, girl must be really in it to win it out here, Theo thought. The lack of gold suggested she had few possessions, or many hidden away. Either way, her things weren't going to make her useful to the brothers. Perhaps she knew the land well, or knew the bandits somehow. Theo and Walden would certainly need to track these fellows down to find the excess cargo they had, a local would be useful. Still, what worth could this girl have? "Get your fucking hands out of my box right now." Theo was startled when he heard the girl talk in such a crude, menacing way. She meant business, and he put his hands in the air. He turned when she faced him around, redrawing the bow in his face. She looked straight at Theo. Somehow she had managed to tie her hair, get a jacket on, and get a quiver on her back without Theo hearing. Ferocity glowed in her bright green eyes, and it made her all the more beautiful. "I'll be honest, that's the first time a woman has ever told me that." Theo laughed, but she did not take so kindly, and whipped him promptly with the bow. The blood pooled in Theo's mouth, so he spit, "That wasn't nice, princess." She was raising the bow to hit him again, "Whoa, hold on. Let me explain. Walden stop." Walden had been creeping up behind, an inch closer and she would of heard him and shot him dead. The girl turned, and her and Walden became acquainted. "We just survived a raid on a caravan, we're just trying to get through the night, if you..." "Trying to get through my things more like it.. You should watch that mouth, boy." She had meant to be demeaning. The girl was not any older than Theo, it was a surprise to see her out here alone. If Theo had learned one thing about the girl, however, was not to doubt her. "Say I believe you, so what? Get that fuckin' smile off your face, first off. Second, you guys just tried to steal from me." Theo knew what she meant, what can you do so I'll let you off? "We had a ton of cargo in the caravan, lots of mages and craftsmen on board, bound to be something." Theo could see the girl lighten up a little bit. "Now, what I'm saying is, you put away that bow and share that jerky. We'll curl up for the night, get these fuckers in the morning, they'll be sleeping. By chance, love, are you a tracker?" "No, but I can track," she said, now squinting at Theo with curiosity, mounting her bow on her back. "Their tracks will be fresh in the morning, we'll hit them hard then."

[Theo Popcampio]

The ground was beginning to feel rough on his elbows. "Mind helpin' me up, pretty lady? It'd be an awfully good show." And she did. There was a moment where Theo dusted himself off, and the girl went and sat on her crate. She had a knife in her hand now, and was carving down splintered wood. "Do you have a name?" "Rielly." She didnt bother to look at Theo. Somehow the young man knew he was going to have to do the talking. "It's an absolute pleasure, Rielly. I'm Theo and this fat suit is Walden, together we make up the Popcampio brothers, or at least some of them. We hail from Lhavit at this juncture, but Zeltiva is our home. Tell me, miss, how well do you know these parts?" "Lived here all my life, I played in these woods." Theo had too, but too long ago he was sad to say. Now he had to enlist someone else's help to navigate the bronze wood at these hours. "Well, let's get to it. Might as well get what rest we can, boyssss.. I mean people." "Hold on, Theo, do you hear that?" Walden was crouched down in some shrubbery, he had pushed Morris behind a tree. Theo crept up, he couldn't see anything specifically, but the leaves told him that men were coming. And then a twig snapped, three men were heading for the fire from the south. "Shh, hide the horse, Wally. Rielly, get up here." Theo pointed in the bandits direction, "Three, right there." The men had stopped, Theo would've paid anything to know what they were thinking in that moment. Had they seen their shadows in the light? Theo thought not, but he truly did not know. The men then started running over towards the fire, and Theo crept well clear of their running path. When the men ran past, Theo crept up softly towards the fire, out of the perimeter of the lights glow. Rielly followed. The men were walking around the fire, peeking in the sleeping tent, and just making a show of Rielly's camp. One was even eating her beaf jerky. "This they's camp ya think?" "Dont look like anyone were lookin' for, doubt they'da made camp this quick." "Lets wait around. Crow'n dem can clean up a sack, we might make a friend." The bandits then took up the camp like it was theirs, and hobbled around the fire. Rielly already had her bow drawn, but Theo stayed her hand. He crept around his circle of light to see if he could find Walden, but his brother was nowhere to be found. Theo waved Rielly on. From the bushes he sat in he could see just over and he figured they might keep her safe and hidden while she fired. Theo could head in under the shrubbery that they had been walking in. Theo prepared a blob of rez in his hand. Rielly moved in and gave Theo a nod to show that she was ready, her bow half drawn. Theo looked at his ball, it was smaller than his palm, but well enough to light fire to cloth and give a man a stir if set to flame. As he crept forward into the light, Theo tried to use the objects of the camp for sight cover. He could see now that these men were better armed than those he killed. All full longswords, no shields or mail though, and Theo was thankful for that last. When Theo felt he could not get any closer, he let the Rez spark and let it fly at his nearest foe. Before any had time to react, another was struck with Rielly's arrow, staggering to the ground. The flame hit it's target and the man screamed and ran off in a bee line straight into Rielly's second arrow. The final foe took the offensive and charged Theo. Theo caught his first overhead blow and locked his opponents blade in his hilt, twisting before his foe released. Theo struck sideways and the man blocked it, forcing Theo back with a kick. The man then jabbed at Theo several times over the head trying to break his guard. Theo didnt waver, and pushed his foe back once more. This time when the bandit came up, he swiped at Theo's hilt and sent the sword flying. Theo squandered for his sword, stumbling, falling to his knees, and looking up to see the man ready to strike him dead, sword high in the air. Rielly was on a spree and not to be beat, and the man was struck in the side, and was rendered useless, kneeling on the ground in helpless agony. Theo took particular offense to this man's actions, the screams of the fallen all just an echo in his head. He kicked the man in the side, turning his foe over and grabbing him tight at the face so to look into his eyes while the bandit spent his last moments in pain. The man's sword was still right next to him, Theo lifted it up. Theo stood high, and struck the man clean through the face with his own blade. He then picked up his own sword, unblooded by this battle. Theo was panting heavy, looking straight at the dead man's profile. If he had stopped to listen, he could of heard that man struck first still cursing, having broken the arrow and pushing it to deeper into himself. He could of also saw that his burn victim was still alive but in shock, when he awoke, if he awoke, he would see that he would bear this battle for life. Rielly came running and when she turned Theo she got greeted with a similar ferocity. He clutched her tightly but released once he realized what he had been doing. Theo stopped, and pushed his hair back, looking into the still lit fire with intensity. "You okay?" Rielly put her arm back on Theo's arm. He politely rolled away, she meant good but they shared no such relation. Theo appreciated it, it was just not his place to show it. "Yeah, it was just a lot." Theo was back in form and began searching out Walden. After a few moments his horse popped up, and Theo was thankful, only to see a skinny man riding it. His heart flinched until he saw the fatness drooping behind him. Upon turning, Theo could see that Rielly was already well aware of what was happening, her bow pointed at the horse. Theo stayed her, only until the man gained knowledge of his friend's unfortunate end, and then he let her loose. She hit the horse before it could even break its turn, and poor Morris was struck dead. "By Sylir, do you hit everything?" That sentence, in its fullest, was trying to appeal to her interest. Theo felt a bit piggish. "Easy targets." They were, and Theo would of felt foolish if only Walden wasnt crying about his leg. The two of them both were pinned, but as he lifted and untied Walden, he could see that his layers saved him from some of the pressure. The unlucky fellow left under the horse had probably gotten the worst of it, and Theo confirmed that with a little pressure to Morris. The horse and the man squirmed. "Sorry pal, I thought you were out of it." Inside Morris lower left neck was a broken arrow, he would of let seriously blood had the arrow not been clotting it. In a brief spell of humanity, Theo lopped the horse off at the head, and proceeded to go back to stepping on the man's leg. The man screamed, and Theo let up. "How many are ya?" The man didn't budge and stopped his screaming, so Theo pushed in again. He screamed. "How many?" The bandit spat in Theo's face. Rielly came up with a rusty dagger in hand. "Which one?" She asked, grabbing the marauder's hand. "No, no! Pleasepleaseplease," and she asked again and he repeated his answer, and his left pointer came off. "Augh God, Ah! I dont know! Thirteen tonight, but we have more men!" "So we've got four, how in this world are we gonna kill nine more of those guys?" "Well, I already killed two. As for the other seven I think we can figure it out." Theo was being optimistic, and perhaps a little strong headed. "Yeah, I'm out. Nice knowing you guys, fuck off with your problems." And Rielly was back to the camp it seemed. Theo looked at the man, he had to die, what else did he have to do? All the bandit had left to survive was to head back to his friends, he had to die. Theo drew his blade... "Wait! Wait!... I got something that might interest you miss." Rielly turned interested and walked forward. "Just make him promise he won't kill me." Rielly turned to Theo and he nodded at her, putting his sword away. "Okay, good. Listen cause I'm only telling you guys this cause you're being nice... They'll make a camp cause we're short on men, probably not too far off from where we were, but far enough so traffic wont see. That's a big take and it's gonna take a while to bring back to where we perch up. They'll probably split the team in half and have some take the stuff back from that camp to our main while the rest guard. I take it they'll be at it all tomorrow cause they still gotta clean that caravan off the road." The man smiled, and Theo had known he was telling the truth, or at least wanted to believe him so bad he it felt like knowledge. "Where do you men make camp?" Walden burst out of nowhere, handing the man a map. Walden must of been awfully interested considering his things were almost just lost for good. The bandit looked both at Theo and Rielly, and then pointed his good hand to a spot in the south bronze woods. "I'm no good with maps, but about there I take it." "Good enough?" Theo asked Rielly. "Good enough." She declared back, nodding Theo on. Theo raised his sword and watched the man squirm and plead before he sheathed it and moved back. Relief washed over the man's head until he saw Theo nod in a direction, when he turned fully Walden had already slashed clean through his face.

[Theo Popcampio]

The three had decided to move camp and make up somewhere else for the night. Walden had attempted to gripe about Rielly killing his last bit of funds, but even he knew she had saved him from a terrible fate. "They'd a probably raped ya, heard they think your type feel like mine," Rielly joked. She had meant fat people and women, as she had picked up on the fact that it was commonplace to mock Walden's weight. Rielly didn't say much still. When they were pitching their tent she maybe chimed in on the brothers small talk a few times, but only to interject and get back to her own thing. She really didn't seem to have much on her mind other than tasks, Theo had not seen that in someone before, normally people were so ready to throw away their chores, but it was all he really knew. Theo had only seen her laugh once, and it was at something he said but she immediately sobered when he turned so as to keep her dignity. When the tent was pitched three realized that they had no sleeping cloth (Rielly's had been lost to the fire in the skirmish), and desperate thoughts swelled. "We'll have to hot bunk," Theo insisted. It was still early in the summer and an odd chill had settled in, this particular night would have been cold even for spring in Syliras. "What's that?" "It's when you put two people two a bed, fatty," Rielly replied. In truth, Theo was kind of annoyed she was calling her brother fat. "Oh, but what shall the third do, brother?" "Keep watch, my beloved blood! We must make sure these bandits do not creep on us in the night, wolves either. I'll take the first watch, Rielly second, and you third because you are surely the most tired of all of us." And with that the three were quickly to their places. Theo could hear Walden awkwardly rummage around, he just prayed she never brushed his front for fear of his embarrassment. Theo's watch was quiet as expected, they were well clear of anywhere the bandits should be. Theo spent his time looking around the camp, seeing if he could find anything useful. The bushes around were dark and had juvenile berries on them, too small to be of any satisfaction to eat. Theo knew that most of the forest was asleep now, and he thought perhaps he could catch a critter in slumber. He was about to give up his search until he stepped into a hare's hole. When Theo looked closer, he saw that they existed in a series. It was simple work after that, Theo jabbed his sword in the wholes until he felt resistance. When he pulled the blade back an adult rabbit hung from the tip. Theo went back and Rielly was already up, moving about restlessly. "Already up?" "I was already sleeping before I encountered you, if you remember." She fiddled with a stick in the dirt. "Your brother isn't the best sleeping partner." And Theo had known what she had meant. "And you've been busy, I see." "Yeah, we can cook it once it's light out and the fire won't draw so much attention. I don't trust Walden to skin it though, you'll have to show him." It was then Theo began to feel bad for infringing upon Rielly as he did. In a moment he had made her kill three men, men whom she had quarrel with. Now they were on the run and she was without a blanket. He only had interested her with the casualness of the job he thought, but now he was feeling guilty for the workload. "What are you two doing here anyway?" Rielly asked, looking up from her stick fiddling, only to look away once Theo looked her way. Theo laughed at that. "Well Wally sells things and I hitch along." "Oh come on, that can't be everything. You're clearly the leader between you two, you don't just hitch along for fun. What else do you wanna' do?" "Nothing, I'm just accompanying my brother." Theo couldn't decide if he wanted to lie or be coy. "I'm not gonna' stop asking, just answer my question." "I am interested in becoming a knight, but that's nothi..." "I knew it! The rogue turned hero, here to cast away his sins in the name of God! You have it all over you, ya know? Oh, and that fireball? They'll love that." That was the most Theo had heard her speak thus far, and there was something personal to it. He held onto that, if they survived the next day that information could be of use to Theo. "No, the knights are a good organization, I'm sure you'll make a good knight. You're a fine swordsman, I meant no offense." "None taken, I'll be off now, when we rise we shall eat and figure out where these guys stay. I look forward to fighting with you again, you brave, beautiful goddess of the bow." Theo bowed his head and ducked in the tent, and as he gathered beside Walden he felt his head come to a rush. Several times he tried to find a good way to against Walden's back, but he preferred the cold loneliness to himself. Fatigue made sleeping no issue.

[Theo Popcampio]

The sun was glowing through the tent when Theo awoke. The birds were out chirping their beautiful songs, singing a chorus of summer. The fire crackled beneath it all, and the smell of hot wood was warm to the nose so early. Lastly, Theo felt, and he felt a hand in his own, held tight to his chest. Theo scooted away and moved Rielly's hand back across himself and she rolled over. Walden had mutilated the rabbit by the time he got out, and Theo had to make the rest of the spit. Simple work, the most difficult part being looking at what Walden had done to the rabbit, it was disgraceful and not fit for any description. The rabbit cooked in a short bit, and Rielly was out soon yawning her drowsiness away. Theo let the rabbit cook till the meat was well browned on the outside, and served it in thirds, giving Walden the rear. The meat was dry but no one complained, it had probably been a fortnight since Theo or Walden even had eaten fresh meat. When the three left they didn't break camp, they left it so as to save time. They had nothing of value, and anyone willing to clean up the mopey old tent deserved it, Rielly figured. The path up to the road was familiar now, for both Theo and Rielly. When they got to the stretch they figured they were a few miles east of the jump, and hopped well south of the road to avoid any eyes spotting them from the camp. The walk was as quiet as they figured it would be. It didn't surprise Theo that Rielly didn't say anything anymore, and Walden was awkward around women. The whole thing was awkward for jubilant Theo. He would of hummed a tune, but bandits lurked around and sought his life; still, the boy was smiling. Two thugs eventually turned up. Nobodies from the looks of it, armed like the first men Theo killed. The two of them walked in from behind the group, so it was easy for Theo, Walden, and Rielly to guess their path. Theo shoved Walden away while he and Rielly waited behind two great big bronze woods. The men then stopped, "Hey, isn't it more up this way." "Yeah, you see that X in the ground, that means it directly to the longest side." And the two were off in another way. Rielly shrugged when Theo looked at her and ducked out of cover, aiming her bow. Theo crouch walked towards them, he got about twenty feet from them before they heard him in stepping on the grass behind them. When they turned they glanced over Theo and caught Rielly raising her bow. As they dashed by, Theo grabbed the one on the tail end and stabbed him clean through the stomach, covering his foe's mouth as he withdrew the blade, and then slashing his throat. An arrow whizzed past Theo's head, and the other bandit was now wrestling with Rielly over her bow. Walden was lurking from the side now with his longsword of steel, but with his experience he only could get them both killed. Theo rushed in ahead of his brother and threw the man into the ground. The nearest bronze wood was the rock opposite Theo's hard-placed knee, the unlucky bandit found his head between the duo. "You okay?" "Yeah," Rielly said, dusting off her jacket. "Let's move up, they shouldn't be that far." The x pointed south of the road, the three must of drifted further north than they had wanted. Silently the three acknowledged their hundredth stroke of luck. "You almost hit me back there, that's the first I've seen you miss actually." "They can't all be winners, take yourself, for instance." And the three laughed. Perhaps I've been too hard on her. The toughness was just a shell, and she was pealing back like an onion. Still, Rielly was too strange for Theo to trust, what would a girl have to do on her lonesome in the wilderness? The camp wasn't much farther up as Rielly supposed, and the three crept up as they had been in the fashion of doing. They tried to see if anyone was to be seen, but there were no bodies to be seen. A circle around did them no good, and not a sound was made upon a wait. Up through the dense forest they could see the wreckage of the caravan, laid all on its side some ways from the road. There wasn't anyone around that either. When Theo grew impatient he drew closer to the bandit camp. It was small enough for three men, his group had more space and they had slept in twos. No one still, and the forest finally chuckled at them. Rielly kicked a the dirt and let a sigh in anguish "Now what?" Theo made his way over to the toppled caravan. He let Walden do the searching, he had the mind for it and Theo was exhausted. He perched up against a tree and had a drink of some half empty wine bottle he found, it wasn't noon yet he figured. Rielly came over and he offered and she accepted. When Walden came back from his rummaging he looked dissatisfied with what he had, and even more so when Theo let Rielly get first dibs. The girl needed hers, and Theo needed her. She would not stay if she were not happy. "Now what shall we do brother? I'm practically penniless, I lost two fine magical stallions, my goods are hung on some wild man as we speak, and all I have to speak for is some rubbish." "Now now dear brother, why all the anguish? Is it not true we carry personal purses for ourselves? Gold for us to get by for times such as these, hmm?" Theo rubbed his scruffy chin and looked up at his brother, "And what is this of your things, last I checked I've been runnin' it down this whole time, this is our take, your investment or not. Those are not even your goods you claim now." Walden huffed around some, bellowing up some steam. "Well I must have something!" "I will get your things in time, for now we should make arrangements in the city. I take it this man lied to us about this whole bandit operation, we'll have to find these guys first." His brother knew Theo was right, but stormed off to save face. Theo looked over to Rielly, "And I hope you're happy." "As I could be." She looked back at Theo and then at the ground, then back up again with a glow, "Ya know, my dad's a knight. He could be able to help you get into the knighthood." Theo hadn't even had to say it, maybe there was something to this girl after all. "What an offer! Perhaps we can make better friends in the city, once I've settled in? I've been before, but I may need some showing around if you'd be up for it." "Sure, I've been looking for a break anyway." And the two of them walked behind Walden into Syliras, hardly saying anything as usual. But when Rielly left she told Theo how to get in contact with her, and the two agreed that they should meet under different context once Theo was all moved in.

[Sayana]

Don't forget to edit/delete your grade request. If there's anything I may have missed, please PM me and I'll be happy to look into it.

 

Theo

Skills

• Riding: Horse: 2
• Horsemanship: 1
• Singing: 1
• Socialization: 5
• Planning: 3
• Acrobatics: 1
• Endurance: 4
• Unarmed Combat: 1
• Wrestling: 1
• Observation: 5
• Brawling: 1
• Weapon: Longsword: 3
• Running: 1
• Leadership: 5
• Rhetoric: 2
• Reimancy: 2
• Land Navigation: 2
• Stealth: 2
• Negotiation: 1
• Flirting: 2
• Tactics: 1
• Interrogation: 1
• Intimidation: 1
• Cooking: 1
• Scouting: 1

Lores

• Ambush on the road
• Waldren: Fat greedy brother
• Rielly: Survivalist with a sharp tongue
• Horseback Riding: Staying mounted on a rearing horse
• Reimancy: Lighting a small flame held up with res
• Wrestling: Rolling to gain the advantage
• Interrogation: Basic threats

Medium OvergivingFor the next five days Theo will experience unexplained bleeding on his palms, bloodshot eyes and persistant headaches. Rest will help, as will refraining from magic. However, it will be all the more tempting to use magic.

Comments: It was a brilliant read but like we discussed, there were some issues of overplaying skills. Also, be careful not to rolelay items (like horses) that you don't own. Otherwise, there were an enormous number of skills that I was able to award. Let me know if I mistakenly doubled up on any and enjoy your grade. =)


Your Grader,

Sayana

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