There was a great deal of ruckus coming from the merchant section of the small town of Wistvale. Smoke was rising over the buildings, this needed immediate investigation.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Leaning against his house, Alec notices the smoke wafting over the town. "Oh. Oh, this could be bad." He runs towards the merchant quarter, hoping it was just a large cooking fire, or bonfire.
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Upon reaching merchant's alley, Alec could see he was not quite so lucky. A large wagon had plowed through the town gate and smashed into a merchant's stall and adjoining house. Both the wagon and cart were on fire, the both burning quickly.
There was a dead corpse in the seat of the wagon, on fire and quite clearly beyond help.
Someone was nursing a woman, laying on the ground and smothered in blood. Others were panicking, some were looking to put the fire out, but one thing was very apparent - this didn't look like a simple accident. Carts weren't prone to turn into runaway fireballs.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
"Fantastic," Alec mumbles, running to the person holding the woman. He grabs a shoulder gently, and turns them towards him. "Is she conscious?" he asks, then continues, "If not, do you know what happened?"
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Rue, who was walking through town, saw the smoke rising up in the sky. She ran to where the burning cart was and saw Alec standing next to a pair of figures. Her mouth fell open at the site.
"What happened here?"
She saw the injured people and tried to use her healing magic to help them. She knelt down and put her hands to the woman's chest, transferring her magic into the woman's body.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Alec mumbles a short prayer, gripping his ouroboros pendant. Opening his eyes, he glances around. "She's dead," he says coolly. Looking to the townspeople milling about, he shouts "Concentrate on getting that fire out! Can't let it spread," he mumbles.
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
The woman was indeed dead and any further efforts to heal her would be futile. The townsfolk were already working on the fire and those that were in shock were snapped into action by Alec's orders.
The townsfolk were working furiously, this fire would be handled soon enough. The trail beyond the gate wound up a hill and then was swallowed by the woods that covered the hills beyond.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
"You look capable enough," Alec says without looking at Rue. "The woman said that someone - or thing - in the forest was going to stop the council." He finally looks at her, smiling a shark's smile. "Care to help me kill them all?"
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Rue withdrew her hands from the woman's chest and looked at her for a moment. She stood slowly and examined the scene around them, then turned to face Alec, regarding him coldly.
"Something is in the woods, and we have the chance to kill it?" She repiled without hesitation, "I'm in."
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
"That's great." He starts for the burning gate, and kicks it open. Extending an arm, he bows deeply. "Ladies first, madame."
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
He shrugs, taking point. "Bandits, perhaps? I've been here all of five days, I don't know the town - let alone the surrounding woods." Turning to her slightly, not breaking stride, he grins. "One thing I do know, however, is that they made quite the mistake attacking my new home."
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
They were barely half way to the woods when an arrow whistled past Alec's head. Spinning around, the archer was standing some 75 feet away in the field and had 3 more archers with him. The same on the other side. More men rose from the grass and scrub, armed for hand to hand combat.
16 opponents in all - 8 on either side. This was about to get messy.
(Free combat rounds. Spend 3 turns each defeating your foes - go!)