Big Game and Small Hearts

[Zane]

Zane nods and looks back towards the guard he had healed

"Remember to keep him from overexerting himself! That leg still need a bit of time to heal before he'll be at full strength again!"

He then turns back around and walks over the wagon. He hops in, and resumes lying down in the same spot as before. He then looks down at his blood-spattered shirt and his sleeves completely drenched in the guard's blood.

"Well, that was certainly interesting, ehh, mates?"

[jericho]

Jericho stood in the middle of the pile of corpses, slouching. He threw his arms out wide and his head back and roared his catch phrase:

I AM THE GOD OF FIRE!!!!!!


He then sheathed his sword and climbed back into the wagon.

[Serenity]

And so the party departed on the road once more, leaving the checkpoint guards at their station.

"How you holding up there George?"
"Right dandy, Fred, I only pulled a muscle or two."
"You couldn't carry a bucket o water ya wimpy git!"
"Quiet you, I pulled out more fire than you did."

The two continued to argue, even after the town came into full view. A larger wood and iron gate was present, surrounded by just a large wall. The wagon stopped at the gate and when they were checked, the doors opened.

"How were the men down the road?"

"One of em's got a bad leg, though this fancy lookin one back here fixed 'im good he did." George said while motioning to Zane.

"There were less I think though, three less if I recall."
"Two or three, yea" Fred agreed.

The gate guard simply nodded, and let the drivers on their way, barely paying attention to the cargo they were carrying.

Once inside, the group could see a long straight road that lead down to a mansion at the far end of it. Along were identical looking wooden buildings with signs to indicate that they were various shops.

It so far appeared to be less shabby than Wistvale, but that wasn't saying much.

Most of the buildings from a first glance looked to have noticeable damage, with hanging window doors, webs covering entrances at some, garbage just laying about outside, and some trashy crafted goods on display with ridiculous prices.

They passed another road that crossed over theirs and along it looked to be housing. Passing a smaller gate that their wagon barely fit through, they came upon the home of their soon to be benefactor.

The road looped around to the front entrance of the two story, white wood home, where they passed various floral decoration and a statue of what appeared to be a dwarf.

"Where here you are lads, the house of Lord Swiftaxe," said George.

Once the group got down, the drivers immediately took off without saying another word, leaving them stranded at the entrance.

A well dressed man, most likely a servant, walked out and greeted the party, taking notice of Skul and his...condition. He concluded that the party was suspicious looking to begin with and just rolled with it.

"If you're here about the wanted poster, my lord is inside."

The group followed the man into the home and found themselves in a well decorated lobby. The room was furnished with hard wood floors, skin rugs, and fine crafted chairs and couches that were placed around a center piece.

Above them were various hunting trophies, some of which didn't look familiar and one or two that looked like the things of nightmares.

From atop a winding staircase hollered a rough, booming voice.

"HO, you must be the..."

He noticed Skull, "Will, what by my ancestor's flaming rug made you bring a skeleton into my home?!"

[Zane]

Zane felt a small sense of pride at George's words, but kept silent, only allowing a brief smile to show through. He watched the town with interest, being surprised when Fred and George left, but quickly forgetting as the servant led them into the house.

Seeing Lord Swiftaxe, he was about to speak, but was cut off when the man started yelling about Skully.

"Well, that's quite rude of him...", he mused to himself

[Skulldon]

Skulduggery gave a short bow, and spoke as dryly as possible.

My apologies that I couldn't come sooner, sir. I saw your wanted poster simply ages ago and was rather fatally tied up. I suppose the saying is 'better late than never,' yes?

He brushed some dust off his jacket.

I assure you sir, my state as Vitally-Challenged will not prevent me from doing my best to help you in your sportsmanlike quest.

[Serenity]

The dwarf stroked his red beard and raised an eyebrow at the interesting character. In his experience, animated skeletons were the work of dark magic, he assumed one of these other men was pulling the strings.

Walking down the steps and then across the floor, he moved up to Skul to examine him carefully.

The nobleman wore a red robe and had beady eyes that looked up and down Skul. He was only a little over half Skul's size.

He then examined the other adventurers, taking note in Jericho who looked like he could handle himself quite well, but wasn't so sure of the other two, he wondered if they were at his home for something else.

"You there, blonde man, what experience do you have in fighting?"

[Zane]

Zane looks at the man and bows, then rises again, looking him in the face.

"Well, you lordship, I am but a simple doctor. I know the arts of healing, both mundane and magical. I also have a few other magical talents, but my main skills lie in healing, as I said. I signed up since I am capable enough to keep myself alive, and figured that I may be able to keep others in this group from dying needlessly."

[Skulldon]

Skul kept still and looked straight ahead when the dwarf looked him over, clearing his throat softly when he looked away.

[Serenity]

Swiftaxe didn't seem convinced of Zane's prowess in healing, stating, "The poster may exaggerated a bit to scare off any fools, but this monster isn't anything like you seen before, your healing probably won't be able to do a damn thing against its claws."

He stroked his beard and cleared his throat, "You're here anyway, so you may as well make yourself useful and improve our chances despite the monster."

Taking special interest in Jericho, he gave a small nod of approval, "Its not often I see dragon born on this side of the mountain range, much less in these forests. I admire the strength of you dragon folk, you could probably stick a blade in the monster we're hunting."

Finally walking over to Daenien, he wasn't sure what to make of him as he looked worse off than the doctor.

"What are you here for human, you're not wearing a sword, can you do magic?"

[Jerevan Languorem]

Daenien grinned slightly, attempting go emphasis the slight insane glint he knew was in his eyes.

"I don't wear a sword, no. I weave things. I could make a net, though I suppose it wouldn't be gladiatorial quality. If I may ask, where did you exaggerate on our, ah, quarry's abilities?" His grin widened ever so slightly. He didn't like this one, though it was more because his scrutinizing eyes were keeping him from nicking anything than any real grounded evidence.

[jericho]

Jericho nodded. He wasnt the strong silent type, but he wasnt about to say anything that would keep the focus on him.

Thank you, Sir.

[Serenity]

"On the implication that it never received a scratch from an armed man, and its odor, specifically. The suggestion that it could tear a man's soul was added at the last second and I didn't learn afterwards." said William the human servant.

Swiftaxe agitatedly looked at Daenien, "I don't need bloody nets, if nets could hold this demon he'd be on my wall already."

He went to go sit on a chair, "Unless you want to be a meat shield, or bait, I ain't paying you to build me traps I hadn't already tried."

William supported that claim, "While our resources are limited and not of top quality, most of the traps Lord Swiftaxe used were easily dismantled by the creature."

He paused for a bit, "As for the claim about ripping souls..."

Better they knew now then later, and to show the doctor what he would be dealing with, Lord Swiftaxe removed part of his robe to reveal bandages on his shoulder. Another nearby servant came over and removed them carefully to reveal something....very unnerving.

Under the bandages were large lacerations, three in a straight line going across his shoulder down to his chest, clearly made by a wild creature of sorts.

The flesh was black as if seared through, but most strange of all was that it glowed ever so slightly with a light blue color.

"Well doctor, what do you make of that?"

[Skulldon]

Looks infected.

Skul folders his arms behind his back.

But I'm no expert.

[Zane]

Zane walks closer to Swiftaxe and inspected the wound

"I'll be honest sir, I have never seen a wound quite like this. Best I'd be able to say is that there is some combination of infection, bad blood, and foul magic. I'd be able to deal with the first two most likely, but the third is trickier. Curses like this would require a very powerful mage specifically trained to remove it. However, there is a chance that killing the beast that did it would release you from it."

Zane moves back to where he stood before and bows slightly in respect

[Jerevan Languorem]

Daenien grinned slightly, deciding to try revealing some of his real skills. "What about poisons? How many of them have you tried?"

He gaped very slightly at the cuts. His mind immediately attempted to 'rationalize' the glow. A kind of natural weapon designed to make targets easier to see in the dark? But no, something that size would have no need to land a second strike on normal prey; it was a miracle Swiftaxe was still standing. He couldn't help feeling a grudging admiration for the Dwarf.