The Homecoming 61.

In The Woods...

"I could go in and take a look around" quietly says Dalinvardél Tanith the elven spy, who continues with "Though I'll stick out when the sun comes up fully" he pauses before adding "Because, you know" he pauses once more, then says "I'm an elf".
Riley Hait the mercenary ranger rolls his eyes, and doesn't say anything in response to that as he looks through the pre dawn light at the camp below. The camp of the bulk of baron Harkonin's army.
"He's down there" says Riley Hait the mercenary ranger, who after a few moments of silence, quietly adds "If he's alive".
"He is" quietly says the elven spy from the principality of Alínlae, who continues with "He got away, and made it here". The spy Tanith after a slight pause, says in a dry tone "All we have to do now is find him".
The mercenary ranger who was raised and trained in the elven principality of Envadarlen nods his head in agreement, then sourly mutters "We need a damn magic user with us". "I know" sourly says Dalinvardél or Dalin as he's often referred to by the others, then the spy Tanith quietly tells the ranger Hait "I'll go down closer and see what i can find out".
The mercenary ranger who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson, who just happens to inhabit the body of Riley Hait.
Thinks about objecting to the elven spy's suggestion. But he decides not to. And instead nods his head, giving the spy Tanith permission to go ahead.
The elf from the principality of Alínlae, gets up and moves down the wooded incline, towards the camp below, which is slowly beginning to wake up. On what already feels like it's going to be another mild day, at what is essentially the end of winter, or more precisely the start of spring.
The ranger Hait moves back amongst the trees, to join the others. He goes by Shur Kee the monk who is sitting upon a flat rock. Eyes closed, meditating as dawn approaches.
Riley aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesmen walks by the silent acolyte in the order of Bru Li. And makes his way to where Tamric Drubine, Lisell Maera and sir Percavelle Lé Dic are. Tam is helping the former earl of Lé Dic put on his armour. While Lis is packing up their left over food after they've breakfast.
The mercenary ranger who was brought up and trained by some of the elven warders from the principality of Envadarlen, rolls his eyes as he can hear Dorc da Orc snoring further back in the trees.
Riley aka Zubutai Timaginson is just glad the large ork is far enough away from the nearby army, not to be heard by any of them.
"So pray tell ranger, what are thou plans?" asks sir Percavelle Lé Dic as he puts on his sabatons, or steel boots.
"Dalin has gone down to take a closer look" says the ranger Hait, who continues with "They'll be on the move again once the sun starts rising. Heading west towards the border" he momentarily pauses before adding "And straight into your niece's army Percy".
The nobleborn knight grunts, while Tamric Drubine says "Not much in the way of open ground between here and the border" he continues with "We only saw a couple of farms on the way here, and those fields weren't that big" the nobleborn teenager from the kingdom of Sarcrin then adds "Hell of place to have two armies have a battle if they meet up in these woods".
Riley Hait nods in agreement, then he asks the knight in the order of Saint Mar-che "Many battles take place in these woods over the years Percy?".
"Not too many if my memory serves me correct" is the reply of the heavily armoured knight who continues with "I certainly didn't when i was earl. And nor did my father. Well nothing substantial, only skirmishes between squads" he briefly pauses then says "Not sure when Maxiss was earl, during the war for the throne recently wot".
The mercenary ranger who is the temporary leader of the group in the absence of lord Farque, Mira Reinholt the mage and Helbe the elven thief. Knows that Druvicians, well the nobility at least. Tend to like their battles in and around fixed points. Like towns and castles. Especially castles, as they use a lot of siege equipment and machines of war.
It's why a lot of them are knights, not just landed knights. But also knights in an order. Or like some, such as Percavelle Lé Dic, who are both.
"Well those siege towers, and catapults and the like they've got down there in camp isn't going to help them much in a battle in the middle of some woodlands" says Riley aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman who then nods his head when Lisell Maera says "That's all very well and good, but what about the engineer we're after?" the attractive young woman from the city-state of Brattonbury continues with "If he's down there amongst them, how are we going to find him?".
"Not to fear young maiden, i shall attack that army as a distraction, so the rest of you can locate this maker of destruction" says sir Percavelle Lé Dic who briefly pauses as he thinks of something else, then he adds "And the smelly green beast shall attack as well. His hideous face, and stench alone shall cause enough chaos and confusion to send them amok. So you may find this fellow who makes the weapons of war".
The mercenary ranger rolls his eyes, while Lisell Maera shakes her head, as does Tamric Drubine, who also wryly smiles at the suggestion from the former paladin.
"I don't think we'll do that" says Riley aka Zubutai Timaginson in a slightly dry tone of voice, he continues on with "That's not exactly the plan we're looking for".
"I personally think it's a fine plan" says sir Percavelle Lé Dic, the former knight of the first class as he puts on his gauntlets after he and Tam secures his vambraces, adds "True, not the best plan I've come up with. After all it does involve the filthy green monster" the former earl of the Lé Dic fief continues with "But still a fine plan nevertheless".
"I don't know about that" dryly says the mercenary ranger in the elven language, the two teens, Tamric Drubine and Lisell Maera nod in agreement with what the mercenary ranger just said.
Then in common, Riley Hait says "We can come up with something better" a frowning Percavelle Lé Dic asks "Such as what?". "Once they're on the move we'll shadow them" says the ranger Hait who continues with "If he's down there, which I've got a feeling he is. He'll be with those moving the war machines when they continue on their way westwards. Hopefully Dalin will be able to spot him".
"And then?" asks the knight in the order of Saint Mar-che "Then we snatch him" says Riley aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman "Oh?" says the former earl of Lé Dic, who then adds "Just like that?".
"Just like that" says the mercenary ranger from the elven principality of Envadarlen, who briefly pauses then adds "Though it'll be in the chaos of the two armies coming together. We'll try and get him before they're too heavily engaged".
"That'll be risky" says Tam, the former heir of a previous knight of castle Drubine in northern Sarcrin, continues with "That's if we're even able to actually locate him".
"I know" quietly says the ranger Hait, who knows that a hell of a lot can go wrong with the fairly simple plan that he and the spy Tanith have come up with to find, and take the war engineer Tovis.
The mercenary ranger from the elven principality of Envadarlen wishes they had a better way of finding, and taking the war engineer they're after. But he can't think of one. The lack of a spellcaster with them has severely hampered their plans.
If Helbe the elven thief, or even Mira Reinholt the mage was with them. They could easily locate, then take the engineer named Tovis. Especially if the elven magic user, prince Helbenthril Raendril was with them.
Riley Hait sighs as he knows it's not going to be easy for them. And when, and not if, the two armies of the fiefs Harkonin and Lé Dic come together. The war engineer could very well be in danger, even more so than he was during the battle of the border town of Falshire.
Tovis the war engineer yawns as he looks around the camp. The young engineer is standing near one of the cook fires, having a breakfast of gruel and a small loaf of bread, as the camp wakes, and the army prepares to leave, and continue on their way west towards the border.
Baron Harkonin's war engineer shakes his head, for yesterday he was fleeing from the west, coming back east. Trying to get away from the border region, where a force from the Lé Dic army, had retaken the border town of Falshire.
Now he's going to go back that way with the bulk of the baron's army. The baron, who Tovis was surprised to find, wasn't too annoyed that Falshire had fallen back into the hands of the enemy. Infact the young engineer, if he's not too mistaken. Believes baron Harkonin almost expected the border town to be lost to the Lé Dic forces from what his conversation with the baron and others early last night, when he and others who had fled Falshire, came into camp.
Tovis looks down to his left, and a sleepy looking Larm the workyard appreciate, who is yawning heavily as he sits upon a log eating his breakfast.
"Can't believe we're going back there sir" says Larm the apprentice "I know" says Tovis the war engineer, who shrugs his shoulders then continues with "That's the way things go" he then adds "At least we're heading that way with most of the army this time".
A yawning Larm nods to that, but murmurs "I'd still rather not though" followed by "Rather head back to the castle". The young engineer doesn't say anything about that, instead he continues eating his breakfast. Knowing that soon he and the rest of the baron's army who are in camp, will be getting underway, heading back towards the border, and the town of Falshire.
Tovis, Larm and a few others from the workyards outside castle Harkonin, who were able to escape from Falshire. Have joined up with others from the workyards, who have come with the army, in support of the crews operating the various war machines.
The soldiers and workers are already up and packed, and are moving their equipment and machines, starting to head west as the sun starts to rise in the east behind them. They and the war machines and siege engines move the slowest in the army. So they have to get away first behind the scouts and advanced squads.
The rest of the army, those both on foot and mounted, will depart after them. As they'll soon overtake the crews and workers moving the war machines and the like, once they're on the trade road.
Tovis, along with Larm, after finishing their breakfast. Carry their newly acquired packs, and head through camp to the road. Where catapults and siege engines can be seen moving in the dull light of dawn as they're hauled by teams of horses.
The young engineer, who isn't surprised that his workyard foreman Bassark has remained behind in the town of Maliss and castle Harkonin to oversee the completion of the latest trebuchets that Tovis has designed.
Hears the gossip from the soldiers as he walks towards the trade road with Larm at his side. Apparently a rider came into camp last night. One of the enemy bearing a flag of truce.
He came bearing terms of a ransom demand for lord Sarvaine who was captured in the recent battle for Falshire. Apparently baron Harkonin had the enemy soldier taken. And instead of negotiating the ransom of the lord of the Long Reaches. The baron had the enemy soldier tortured, to find out any information about the Lé Dic forces in Falshire and along the border.
Tovis and Larm walk onto the trade road, they look up at one of the larger war machines. One of the older trebuchets, where the body of the enemy soldier, is hanging from the top of the war machine as it moves slowly westwards along the road.
"Well" quietly says Tovis the war engineer to the youngster who is basically his own apprentice under him "It's going to be a full on war this time" quietly adds the young engineer, who continues on with "We're going to be fighting until one army is wiped out" he nods up at the dead enemy soldier hanging from the top of the trebuchet as the sun continues to rise in the east "That's just the start i imagine" says Tovis as they start walking west on the road to the border . . . . . .

The Homecoming 60.

East Through The Woods...

Lisell Maera looks ahead trying to spot someone through the trees further infront of her. She eventually finds Dalinvardél Tanith the elven spy, and she hurries forward to join him.
Once beside the elf from the principality of Alínlae, she looks down at the road about fifty feet away from them through the trees.
There she sees a couple of the stragglers heading further east into the Harkonin fief. They're pretty much the last of the baron's soldiers to flee eastwards after being defeated in the battle for the border town of Falshire yesterday morning.
"Is he there?" whispers Maera Lisell in elven, the spy Tanith shakes his head no. "Damn" murmurs the young woman from the city-state of Brattonbury.
The elven spy nods, then takes off as they realise their quarry is further east. Lis looks back in the direction she's come from, and shakes her head no. She sees Shur Kee the monk slightly wince, then nod his head. Then the orphan teenager heads off after Dalinvardél Tanith. Keeping parallel with the trade road that heads further east into the Harkonin fief. While Shur Kee the monk turns and heads back to inform the others who are following a bit further behind, that they've still yet to locate the war engineer named Tovis.
A horse can be heard coming up the road behind them. They know it's Tamric Drubine because Dorc da Orc has said it's him. The nobleborn teenager from the kingdom of Sarcrin soon catches up to them.
"You won't believe it" says Tamric Drubine as he brings his mount to a halt, then dismounts "What is it?" asks Riley Hait the mercenary ranger as they stand off to the side of the trade road that goes through a fairly substantial area of woodland here in the western part of the Harkonin fief.
"They're making a push into the fief" says the former heir of a previous knight of castle Drubine in Sarcrin. The ranger Hait looks over at sir Percavelle Lé Dic "I thought you told them to consolidate in Falshire?" followed by "Use that as a position of strength, not overextend and come into the baron's fief?".
"Yes, well i did" says sir Percavelle Lé Dic, who then shrugs his heavily armoured shoulders, before adding "But alas i have no real power anymore in my family's fief, or over my niece's army" the former earl of Lé Dic continues with "Galmot controls her army, he makes the decisions" the knight in the order of Saint Mar-che then adds "And of course, so does lord Milburn".
The mercenary ranger from the elven principality nods his head when he hears the former paladin mutter "Unfortunately". Then Riley Hait asks Tam "What's exactly happening back there?".
"Lord Milburn has arrived in Falshire with the bulk of the army from castle Lé Dic and the town of Massic, they got there early in the morning" says the nobleborn teen from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, he continues on with "Must of been him who order most of them east into the Harkonin's fief".
"Even with what that lord Sarvaine, and the other prisoners have said?" asks the ranger Hait, who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson, who just happens to inhabit the body of the mercenary ranger named Riley Hait.
"He did" says Tamric Drubine, who then adds "Orders are to engage the enemy, hoping to take them by surprise".
"Not much of a surprise when all those who fled Falshire, tell the rest of the baron's forces heading this way, that lady Linara's army is in encamped at Falshire" dryly says Riley aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman, he looks over at the former earl of Lé Dic who has been listening. Who once again shrugs as he sees the mercenary ranger looking at him.
"Ah well, nothing much we can do about it" says the ranger Hait who is the nominal leader of the group since lord Farque, Mira Reinholt the mage and Helbe the elven thief aren't here.
"They'll catch up to the scouts sometime this evening most like" says Tamric Drubine, who was further back down the road with the leading scouts of the Lé Dic forces. When a messenger approached them from Falshire, informing them that lord Milburn and the bulk of the army from castle Lé Dic who left a day or so after the force led by sir Galmot, had now arrived at the border town.
"They turn up a day or so after the battle" says the mercenary ranger with a shake of his head, sir Percavelle Lé Dic snorts, then says "Milburn has never been the most punctual of individuals" the former earl of the Lé Dic fief adds "At times i had to almost threaten him to get him and his soldiers moving when we did go to war against the Harkonin rabble".
The ranger Hait slowly nods, and glances at Tamric Drubine, who lifts an eyebrow when he hears that. Riley aka Zubutai Timaginson then looks over at Dorc da Orc, who is sitting on the ground with his back to a tree. In the shade, on what's a warm day for this time of the year in this part of the kingdom of Druvic.
The large ork isn't paying any attention to the conversation, he's too busy eyeing up Tam's mount. The ork warleader has that look on his face indicating one of two things. The ranger Hait guesses it's both. The weaponsmith wants to eat, and fuck the horse. Not necessarily in that order. Most likely at the same time too.
The mercenary ranger who was brought up and trained by some of the elven warders in the principality of Envadarlen, wryly smiles as he looks at Dorkindle. Who finally looks away from Tamric Drubine's mount, when something else momentarily grabs his attention.
"The monkey" says Dorc da Orc, who looks away to their left through the trees, before he goes back to eyeing up Tam's mount.
A little while later and Shur Kee the monk can be seen hurrying through the trees in this direction. The short, statured monk who is moving parallel to the trade road, soon reaches them.
"He is not there" says Shur Kee the monk when he joins them "Damn it" mutters Riley Hait, while Tamric Drubine mutters "Fuck". Dorkindle grunts, and sir Percavelle Lé Dic frowns at hearing what the acolyte in the order of Bru Li has just told them.
The mercenary ranger sighs then says "Come on then" followed by "Maybe he's with the next lot that Dalin and Lis find".
"Or he makes it to the baron's army who are heading in this direction first" says the nobleborn teenager from the kingdom of Sarcrin. Riley aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman scowls at Tam, who says in a defensive tone "Well he could".
"You don't have to fucking say it" says the ranger Hait in the elven language. Tamric Drubine slightly sighs, then nods.
"Let's get moving again" says the mercenary ranger from the elven principality of Envadarlen in common to the others. As the warleader of the ork race grunts, then stands up. And Shur Kee takes off at run down the road, before heading back into the trees, to try and catch up to Lisell Maera and Dalinvardél Tanith who are far out infront of the rest of them.
Tamric Drubine who gets back up into the saddle, says to the ranger Hait "They'll be sending a rider forward. Someone to negotiate with the baron's army. They're going to ransom off that lord Sarvaine".
Riley Hait nods, as he suspected such. When sir Percavelle Lé Dic mentioned that nobleborn prisoners, pretty much throughout the kingdom, especially important nobles. Are released in exchange for a hefty payment.
"Keep an eye on their progress" says the mercenary ranger to the nobleborn teen from the kingdom of Sarcrin, he then asks Tam "They care about us being so far forward of them?" the ranger Hait silently adds, not that it's their fucking business.
"They don't care" says the son of a former knight of castle Drubine, who glances in the direction of the knight in the order of Saint Mar-che, who has set off down the road, slowly followed by Dorc da Orc. "I think they're glad to get Percy out of their hair" adds Tam in the elven language, who continues in that language with "And Dorc too" he then adds "Even though the two of them are the reason they were able to retake Falshire".
Riley Hait nods in agreement, then quietly says in elven "Exactly the reason to get the two of them away from them back there". After the short, and decisive battle for the border town was won. Both the ork warleader, and the former earl of Lé Dic, especially the former paladin. Were cheered and congratulated by the soldiers from castle Lé Dic, and even those from castle Duc de Laér. Who because of their mistress there, don't necessarily have the best opinion of sir Percavelle Lé Dic. Even though he's a hero, not just of their fief. But to many of the common folk throughout eastern Druvic.
"Get going" says Riley aka Zubutai the son of Timagin to the nobleborn teenager, who nods to him, turns his horse around. And heads back west, the direction he came from. The direction a large proportion of the army of Lé Dic are coming from as they move into the Harkonin fief.
The ranger Hait jogs to catch up to Dorc da Orc and sir Percavelle Lé Dic. As he closes on the heavily armoured nobleman and the big, brutish looking ork. The mercenary ranger from the elven principality of Envadarlen, hopes to the tundra gods that they're able to find the war engineer they're searching for, before the armies of the two fiefs encounter one another.
Meanwhile, further east along the trade road that goes through the Harkonin fief. Tovis the war engineer, and a few others who fled Falshire before the battle was over. Continue on their way, further into their fief. Hoping that they'll come across their army, who they know are heading westward. For the bulk of the army from castle Harkonin was to join them in Falshire.
"You okay there Larm?" asks Tovis the war engineer "All good sir" says Larm the workyard appreciate, who after a slight pause adds "Bit hungry though". The young engineer nods, as he too is hungry, as they've had little to eat since yesterday morning. It's now late afternoon the next day. And they, along with those with them. Continue to hurry eastwards along the trade road that goes through the Harkonin fief.
"Still can't believe we've hardly seen anyone else on the road" says Larm, Tovis tells him "People have been scared off when they've seen the others who fled further ahead of us". Baron Harkonin's war engineer has read a fair bit about battles and conflict. And knows that the local populace, especially in a kingdom such as Druvic. Even more so in a totally feudal kingdom like Sarcrin. Keep well away from any army, even their own. As soldiers will more often than not, take what the locals have. Without paying for it too, requisitioning it for the good of the land, and the people in it.
Tovis has always found that sadly funny, that in a kingdom such as Druvic. That the nobility will take from their own people in times of desperation in a war, instead of using their own stockpiles and supplies.
He would a thought that's something more common with mercenary companies from city-states and other such nations. But apparently not, as they tend to pay for things. After all, they're getting paid well to do so.
The young engineer looks over at Parker, the veteran soldier who is limping. The older soldier's limp is more pronounced, considering they've only stopped the once. And that was in the middle of the night, when they were too exhausted to continue on.
"You alright there Parker?" asks Tovis, who regularly asks after the wellbeing of the others "Still moving along engineer" says Parker, who then dryly adds "Even with this perfectly healthy leg of mine".
The war engineer faintly smiles at the levity from the veteran soldier, who like the other five soldiers with them. Is wounded or injured in some way. None too seriously, the worst is that one of the other soldiers has a broken arm. Which Tovis, with his minimal medical skills. Set with a splint, and made a sling from an extra shirt one of the other soldiers had in his pack.
The young engineer walks alongside Parker for a bit, and he slightly nods as the veteran soldier quietly tells him "The baron won't be too pleased we've lost Falshire" he continues with "Wonder if he knows already?".
"You think some of the others further along the road have run into our army?" asks baron Harkonin's war engineer, the veteran soldier looks at him, and quietly says to him "That too".
It takes a few moments for Tovis to figure it out, and when he does, he winces. Then after quickly looking around to make sure none of the others are listening, the war engineer quietly tells Parker "I don't think Palvarc was coming along with the bulk of the army, apparently he was going to stay back at the castle".
"Oh?" says a slightly surprised Parker, Tovis slightly nods, then quietly says "One of the few conversations i had with Maren his apprentice while we were in Falshire. He mentioned his master was staying back at the castle. Though if that's true or not, only the gods know".
"Well if it is true, that's a relief he won't be with the army when we run into them" quietly says the veteran soldier who has fought against the army of the Lé Dic fief many times in the twenty odd years he's been in the Harkonin army.
Parker shakes his head, then quietly says "Things have never quite been the same since that dark druid turned up" he briefly pauses before continuing with "Especially with the baron".
The young engineer nods, then quietly tells the veteran soldier "You might want to keep that to yourself" Tovis continues with "I know many people think that. But the baron won't be pleased if he actually heard that from you or anyone else" he briefly pauses before quietly adding "And Palvarc will definitely not be pleased if he heard that from someone".
"He probably already knows" quietly says Parker, who continues with "I swear that dark druid knows things already before they happen. Or what people say about him in confidence to others".
Tovis slightly nods in agreement, then Parker quietly tells him "But I'll take your warning to heart engineer. I'll keep quiet about that for sure".
The young engineer, who is probably the most highly placed commoner in the court of baron Harkonin. Will do likewise. Infact he already does. As he doesn't speak about his feelings concerning the dark druid Palvarc, and how baron Harkonin has changed over the years with the dark druid as his advisor.
It's a little while later in the afternoon, nearing dusk as the temperature cools. When they hear horses ahead of them on the trade road. They're just getting off the road, to get amongst the trees, when the horses come into view. And they see it's a pair of scouts from their own army.
"There's more of them" says one scout to the other, who nods, then spots Tovis, and says "Ho engineer, you alright there?". "I'm fine" replies baron Harkonin's war engineer "Well you and these others keep moving, you'll come across the rest of the army soon" says the scout who spoke to the young engineer.
The other mounted soldier then asks "Any others behind you lot?" Tovis answers with "There might be" followed by "Think there was at least a couple behind us".
"Might as well continue" says one scout to the other, who nods, and the two of them continue on their way. While Tovis, Parker, Larm and the other five soldiers with them from the battle of Falshire, get back on the road, and continue east along the trade road.
It's later at dusk itself, that they come upon the advanced party of the army. Who tell them to keep walking east, as the army is not too far away. And is stopping for the night. It's not too long after that they enter the camp of baron Harkonin's army. Much to the relief of Tovis the war engineer and those with him.
Just two miles further west, in the woods looking down at the trade road. Dalinvardél Tanith the elven spy and Lisell Maera watch the two mounted scouts in the Harkonin army, give the two stragglers they saw earlier in the afternoon, a ride back east.
"Their army is probably close by" quietly says Dalinvardél Tanith the elven spy, Lisell Maera slightly nods as the two of them stand behind a thick tree trunk, then she quietly asks "You think he made it to them?". The spy Tanith nods, and says "If he's not dead, then he probably did" . . . . . .

The Homecoming 59.

The Castle...

In one of the many gardens in castle Lé Dic. Helbe the elven thief sits upon a bench watching lady Linara Lé Dic laughing as she runs around the flowers beds and ornamental shrubs, with two other girls around her age. One a daughter of one of the castle stewards, and the other a daughter of one of the many maids who live and work in the massive castle that's the ancestral home of the Lé Dic family.
And though one is of a noble birth, who just happens to be the lady of the fief. And the other two are commoners. All three are equal when it comes to their childhood game. Which only they know the rules of. But seems to consist of one of them chasing the other two. Until one is caught, then that child does the chasing.
The young elven noble from the principality of Laerel isn't really watching the young lady of the fief and her two companions. He's watching someone else, that only he can see. The elven masterthief is watching Narladene the ground pixie.
Who unknown to the three children, is flying around them. Circling them, and zipping between the three of them. Grinning as she plays along with the young lady of the fief and her two companions.
Prince Helbenthril Raendril slightly smiles as he watches the ground pixie who is attached to him. Narladene who isn't particularly fond of humans in general. Infact she dislikes most of them. Only really tolerating some individuals. Those she knows. And even then, she doesn't like them all that much.
But human children are different. The little winged creature has always liked human children and their playful ways. Joining in on their games and frivolity. Even though they don't know she's there.
She doesn't seem to care about that, just as long as she gets to play along with them. Enjoying their games in her own, unique way. Usually flying around them or between them. Or going through what they sometimes play with. Often a ball of some kind, or a stick.
As Narladene the ground pixie flies circles around the three children dashing through the garden, Helbe the elven thief looks at the person sitting beside him and says "Oh a number of years" in response to her asking "And how long have you known sir Percavelle?".
"Probably nine years or so" adds the elven princeling who continues with "Met him in the war up in the Sunreach Mountains". The elven master assassin doesn't mention that he and the former earl of Lé Dic were on opposite sides in that particular conflict. With the elven masterthief on the winning side of that war, while sir Percavelle Lé Dic was on the losing.
Next to the grandson of Prince Raendril of Laerel, lady Hollis Duc de Laér nods her head, then she quietly says "Just after he left us" the noblewoman then hurriedly adds "I mean the fief" she continues with "No one even thought he would return" she then quietly adds "Or if he was even alive".
Helbe the elven thief glances at the former sister inlaw of sir Percavelle Lé Dic, then he goes back to watching Narladene flying circles around the three children who at the moment, are running through some of the empty garden beds.
It's sixth day, and the lady of the fief has no lessons today. So she doesn't have to endure time with her various tutors. So she has plenty of free time today. And with it being such a fine, clear, and relatively warm day. That's definitely more spring like than it is winter.
She's playing outside with two of her companions, under the watchful eye of her governess, the lady Hollis Duc de Laér.
"He's a bit hard to kill is Percy" says prince Helbenthril Raendril, who then follows that with "You didn't, or for that matter, don't have to worry about his safety" the young elven noble then silently adds in a dry tone, just the safety for all the rest of us around him.
After the local noblewoman nods, the elven masterthief glances at her, and wonders if, and when she'll bring up what he told her a couple of days ago. When he actually showed up at castle Lé Dic.
The elven magic user hasn't cast anything on her or much on anyone else in the castle. Apart from when he secretly arrived to check things out. And to find out where the rest of the group are.
The elven masterthief who has told the noblewoman sitting beside him. What actually happened over eighteen months ago here in the Lé Dic fief. When the former earl, and brother of sir Percavelle Lé Dic, earl Maxiss Lé Dic was killed in the previous border conflict against the Harkonin fief.
Who wasn't killed by the enemy. But killed by his own squire at the time. Jared Milburn, the grandson of lord Kievar Milburn on whose orders he was following. All so lord Milburn, the maternal grandfather of Linara Lé Dic could have way more control over the fief.
The lady Hollis shakes her head and smiles, the elven master archer asks her "Something funny?" she answers with "I would think Percavelle wouldn't take too kindly to be called Percy. He was never fond of being called that when he was younger".
The elven princeling grins, then says "He's still not all that fond of being called that" the young elven noble from Laerel continues with "He's gotten used to it, and just accepts us calling him that".
As the three girls scream in delight, and start chasing butterflies that have suddenly appeared. Butterflies that Narladene the ground pixie has coaxed into appearing.
The former sister inlaw of sir Percavelle Lé Dic after a few moments silence as she quickly looks around to see if anyone else is in the garden, quietly says to the elven masterthief "What you said about" she pauses then adds "That".
The elven spellcaster just nods, hoping that will encourage the governess of the lady of the fief to continue, which she does with "Is it really true?".
"It is" is the quiet response of Helbenthril Raendril who has cast a spell so that the two of them can't be overheard in anyway. The local noblewoman nods, then she looks sharply at the elf in the white hooded cloak sitting beside her on the bench, who just quietly said "Then again, you have never really trusted lord Milburn anyway".
The lady Hollis Duc de Laér stays silent while the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel continues on with "It's why you stayed on as lady Linara's governess, even when you had the offer to return to castle Duc de Laér".
Even though the nobleborn woman remains silent, she does nod after hearing what the elven master archer just said.
Eventually she breaks her silence then quietly says "I never really wanted to return home anyway" she follows that up with "My sister Marsaé turned bitter after her marriage with Percavelle ended. And i didn't particularly want to be around her" the younger of the Duc de Laér sisters continues with "Then she remarried so i knew then that i didn't really have place there".
She falls silent again as she watches her charge and two companions running around the large garden in one of the many courtyards in castle Lé Dic. Then she speaks up again, saying "Then young Linara's father was killed in battle, and her mother descended into madness. Who else could care for her?" the local noblewoman continues with "I was already one of her tutors, so i may as well take over her care and well being" she pauses for a moment, then quietly adds "Not leave such things to lord Milburn and his family".
The young elven noble nods, then quietly asks the lady Hollis Duc de Laér "He didn't object to you becoming the girl's governess?". She shakes her head no, then quietly says "I think he was just glad that someone came forward to care for Linara" the nobleborn woman then adds "So the rest of his family could get along with their plotting and scheming" she continues with "Besides i think he wanted someone seen as a neutral by the rest of the nobility in the fief to raise Linara. Not someone directly connected to his family".
The elven princeling, who has learnt that the woman in her mid thirties. Who has never married, though nearly did when she was in her late teens. But her intended was killed in battle in one of the many conflicts against the Harkonin fief.
Infact the very last battle between the two fiefs just after sir Percavelle Lé Dic took the title of earl. Following which was a number of years of relative peace between the two most eastern fiefs in the kingdom of Druvic.
Is an intelligent woman, who has many a skill. Knowing not just what is expected of a noblewoman in a kingdom such as Druvic. A woman who doesn't just know how to read and write. But is also a fairly accomplished amateur historian. Who knows much of the history, both recent and going further back in time. Of what's happened here in the eastern region of Druvic. Things she has started to teach her young charge, the lady Linara Lé Dic.
"Now with what you've told me about what happened to earl Maxiss" says lady Hollis, who pauses for a little while as she watches the young lady of the fief, before she continues with "Will he intend the same thing to happen to Linny?".
"I'm not sure" quietly says Helbe the elven thief, who then silently adds, i hope not.
"He's not officially the steward of the fief" says the elven magic user, who continues on with "So i don't know how things will go if something was to happen to young Linara".
Lady Hollis Duc de Laér nods, then says "He has to petition the king to become steward of the fief and guardian of Linara" the local noble continues with "Only then will he be able to take complete control of the fief if something was to happen to Linny".
"Do you think he's capable of doing something" says prince Helbenthril Raendril with a nod of his head to the frolicking lady of the fief, as he adds "To his own granddaughter?".
"I'm not sure" replies the nobleborn woman, the young elven noble from the principality of Laerel slightly nods, then quietly says "Well, let's see if we can do something about it if he tries".
The grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel is quiet for a little while, then he says "The rest of the army led by him should be at the border by now. If you like I'll go there and inform Percy what I've found out". The elven masterthief won't exactly do that, he'll discuss things with the others first, and eventually he might tell sir Percavelle Lé Dic what happened to his brother Maxiss.
That's if the former earl of the fief and the rest of the group are at the border. As there first priority here in the east of Druvic, is to locate the war engineer they've been searching for.
"Percavelle will kill him if you tell him what he did to his brother" quietly says the lady Hollis, who continues with "He'll kill young Jared too, since he's the one who actually did it".
"I know" says the elven magic user, who is relieved that the local noblewoman has instinctively trusted him. Though he suspects that has something to do with sir Percavelle Lé Dic. Who told her and her charge, the lady Linara Lé Dic. That he Helbenthril Raendril, along with lord Farque and Mira Reinholt the mage will turn up at castle Lé Dic at sometime. And that they could trust them with their lives. No matter what.
The elven master assassin is silent as he waits for the local noblewoman's decision. She is quiet for quite sometime, before she finally says to him "I think it best you tell Percavelle".
The talented spellcaster from the elven principality of Laerel slightly nods, then he quietly asks the younger of the two Duc dé Laér sisters "And young Linara?".
The local noble looks at him then says "No" followed by "Her uncle should be the one to tell her" lady Hollis briefly pauses before adding "And if he's unable to, then I'll eventually tell her what happened to her father".
The elven masterthief nods to her decision, then says "That would be best" then he tells the local noblewoman "I shall leave for the border immediately". Then being a little cryptic about it, as he doesn't want to exactly explain who, and what he is, he tells the governess of the young lady of the fief "You and young Linara will be perfectly safe until i, and Percy and the rest of our acquaintances return".
The elven magic user casts long lasting protection spells upon the lady Hollis Duc de Laér and lady Linara Lé Dic. Shielding the spells, then spell locking them. So that other practitioners of magic don't know that there's spells upon the two nobles.
"Depending on how things are along the border, and in that town of Falshire, I'll try and return here as quickly as possible with Percy and the others" says Helbe the elven thief, who then stands, the local noble stands as well, and quietly tells him "Thank you for informing me, and thank you for your help".
"My pleasure" says the young elven noble, who then calls out a farewell to lady Linara Lé Dic. Who briefly stops her play with her two companions, and wishes him a farewell.
The elven princeling makes his way from the garden and out of the courtyard. While behind him, having just watched him leave. Lady Hollis Duc de Laér goes back to watching her charge, the lady of the fief. And her two play companions. Not realising that there's a naturally, magical creature flying around the three children. Who does so until they finish playing, and head off for their midday meal with lady Hollis, while she flies away to catch up to the elven masterthief she's attached to . . . . . .

The Homecoming 58.

A Small City...

"What am i supposed to do with him then?" asks the adjutant "I don't know" replies Mira Reinholt the mage, who then adds "Execute him i guess".
The adjutant blinks in surprise, then he says "Er why would i do that?". "Because he's a murderer" says the once powerful mage who continues on with "Killed a few people on the road north to the mill towns since the autumn".
The adjutant pauses as he looks at the short, and fairly young man bound by rope, that's held by a troll, whose head is just below the ceiling of the office.
"He did?" asks the adjutant "He did" replies the Vexilian mage in exile, who then nods at Tarong and adds "My friend the troll here captured him as he tried to attack us on the road".
The adjutant, who is an assistant to the constable of the Almaeré fief. Looks from the short fellow, who looks a little beaten up and dazed. To the troll, who has a great big bloody axe strapped to his back. To the fellow in the black hooded cloak who is doing all the talking. Who has a strange, double bladed sword strapped to his back. As well as a longbow over one shoulder. Not to mention a hilt of another sword sticking out from beneath his cloak.
To the silent individual standing off to one side. Who is the largest human the adjutant has ever seen. Who must be a knight, or more likely an avenger as he's in a suit of dark, full plate armour. Who has a rather plain, but utilitarian looking mace on his belt. While strapped to his back, is the largest sword the assistant to the local constable has ever seen in his life. The blade must be well in excess of six foot in length.
He looks back at the supposed murderer, then he says in a slightly dry tone "Are you telling me, this fellow tried to attack the three of you?". It's clearly obvious from the adjutant's tone, that he thinks the idea of that is fairly ridiculous. Nobody in their right mind would attack the three of them.
The mage Reinholt shrugs then says "I think he's crazy, so that's probably why he did it". The adjutant sighs, then he asks "How do you know he's a killer then?". "We slapped him around some, and he confessed" says the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster.
The assistant to the local constable looks over at the two soldiers in the office with them, both of whom shrug. Then after cleaning his throat, the adjutant says "The constable isn't here at the moment". Infact he's gone north to see if he can find out anything about the murders along the road that leads to the northern mill towns.
He didn't inform his assistant, or anyone else for that matter. That he was going north to arrest the very same troll standing in this office. To blame the roadside murders on him. Since he's been unable to catch the actual killer.
"Well if there's a magician of some kind in attendance at court, I'm sure he or she will be able to find out if this fellow is the killer" says the spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation, to be found anywhere in the Southlands.
The adjutant looks over at the two soldiers, both of whom nod. He sighs, then says "Very well" the assistant to the local constable says to one of the soldiers "Karm, inform the lord chamberlain what's going on, i guess the earl will want to know" he continues with "And send a runner to tell sorcerer Mabiss who we have here" he then adds "I'm sure he'll get to the bottom of this".
One of the soldiers nods, then hurries from the office, while the rest of them remain. The roadside killer Barbél moans, but shuts up when Tarong the troll pulls on the rope that's tied around his wrists.
They arrived in Poldaér early this morning, and at the north gates of the city. A city that doesn't really have much in the way of walls, as it's always expanding. They were stopped by the earl's soldiers on duty there. Who wanted to know why they had someone tied up they were leading around on a rope.
Once they explained, they were escorted to the castle, well it's more of a palace than a castle, in the center of Poldaér, where the earl of the Almaeré fief holds court.
Presently they're in an outer building to one side of the central keep. Seems this building is where most of the administrative work for the fief is done. Where the army commander, as well as the tax collections, and the lord constable, and most importantly the lord chamberlain all have their offices.
As the adjutant frowns as he writes something down in a book, a ledger really. The mage Reinholt glances at lord Farque. Who just shrugs his broad, heavily armoured shoulders as they both sense the court sorcerer approaching.
The highly skilled swordmaster lifts his eyebrows in a questioning manner, and lord Farque quietly tells him in the elven language "Drop that spell you've got on him".
As the exiled Vexilian mage drops the stupor spell he has on Barbél, the undead warlord murmurs in trollish "Punch him in the back, not too hard, don't kill him".
Tarong lifts an eyebrow ridge when he hears that, and after slightly shrugging, he gives a short, swift punch to the small of Barbél's back. The roadside killer groans and drops to his knees.
"What's wrong with him?" asks the adjutant looking up from what he's writing "Who knows?" says Mira Reinholt who then adds "Probably feeling guilty for all those murders he's committed".
"Rough him up a bit" murmurs the heavily armoured deathlord in the troll language, knowing that Tarong with his naturally enhanced hearing, is able to understand him.
"Whatever you do, don't let him speak" continues the murmuring lord and ruler of the lands Farque in the language of the troll race.
"Get up you filthy killer" says Tarong the troll, who hauls the murderer Barbél up, then slaps him across the back and shoulders, telling him "Quit that moaning and groaning" the mill worker continues with "You're going to pay for what you've done to those poor innocent people you've killed".
Barbél opens his mouth to say something, but he groans in pain when Tarong drives a couple of his fingers into his back, just where he hit him before. The roadside killer gasps in pain, and almost falls down again, but Tarong keeps him standing, and tells him "And keep that guilty mouth of yours shut infront of your betters. We don't want to be hearing your filthy lies you murderer".
The adjutant lifts an eyebrow, but he doesn't say anything about the treatment towards the suspected killer. For all he knows, the fellow named Barbél really is the murderer who has killed a number of people on the road north from Poldaér since the autumn. And a little rough treatment towards him is the least he can expect if he's guilty of those deaths.
Just a short while later and the soldier named Karm returns, a few moments later, a robed sorcerer enters the office.
"Darmid what's this about some killer that's been caught?" asks the sorcerer Mabiss as he enters the office "This fellow here might be the one responsible for those murders on the road north" says the adjutant who is the assistant to the local constable, he continues with "He ran into these gentlemen here, and the troll there caught him".
The sorcerer, a bald man, of average height, in his early forties raises an eyebrow as he looks around at those in the adjutant's office. Darmid the adjutant has an open pack on his desk, it's on it's side, and the sorcerer can see a number of daggers and blades of various lengths in it.
Mabiss the sorcerer who is one of the advisors to earl Almaeré, looks at the three strangers and says "Mercenaries?" he looks at the large human, in the suit of full plate armour, who has a sword strapped his back, that's far too large in the opinion of Mabiss, and adds "Sir?" not knowing if he's a nobleman, knight, or more likely an avenger. Someone who is a former knight, having left their order, either voluntarily or kicked out because they no longer believe in their oaths to their order.
"Something like that" says lord Farque in a slightly dry tone of voice, the court sorcerer nods, then looks at the individual who is bound, wrists tied with rope, the rest of which is held by the a great big hulking troll.
"What's his name?" asks Mabiss the sorcerer, the adjutant looks at the mage Reinholt, who says "Barbél". "And you think him to be the killer preying on victims along the north road?" asks the spellcaster who is one of earl Almaeré's advisors "We know so" replies the exiled Vexilian mage who isn't worried about the sorcerer trying to sense if he's a spellcaster. As the amulet he wears on a chain around his neck, shields his power and ability to cast spells from any other practitioner of magic.
"I'll be the judge of that" says the sorcerer who casts a spell upon the short fellow, who looks a bit beaten up to be honest. A moment later and the court sorcerer blinks in surprise, and his mouth opens in surprise too.
He pauses for a moment, then murmurs "Holy shit" followed by "He's the killer alright". "He is?" says an astonished looking adjutant Darmid "He is" says the sorcerer Mabiss, who continues with "And it's not just those he's killed along the north road too" the advisor to the earl of the fief then adds "He's killed a number of other people over the last few years as well".
"Well I'll be" murmurs an astonished assistant to the local constable "Think there might be a reward for you lot" says the court sorcerer to the trio who captured the roadside killer. Sorcerer Mabiss frowns then says to the adjutant "Didn't sir Laudác leave to go north recently to investigate these killings?".
"Yes he did sorcerer" says the adjutant about his superior the local constable, who he doesn't particularly like working for, because constable Laudác is lazy, and most likely corrupt too. Though Darmid the adjutant has been unable to prove that.
"Probably only bothered going north now because the weather has cleared up a bit and it isn't so cold now" says the court sorcerer in a slightly dry tone of voice, making it clear his feelings about the local constable sir Laudác. Who he thinks is lazy, and a pretty incompetent keeper of the law. And only holds that position because he's related by marriage to earl Almaeré. As he's a cousin of the earl's wife.
To the two soldiers in the room, the court sorcerer says "Take the prisoner to the dungeons, with the constable not here at the moment, it'll be up to the earl when we execute him".
Barbél starts yelling when he hears that, until Tarong slaps him across the side of the face, instantly knocking him out. "Right, you three come along then" says the sorcerer Mabiss to lord Farque, Mira Reinholt the mage and Tarong the troll.
A little while later and the three of them are in a chamber in the main keep of the place, they're there with the lord chamberlain of the fief.
A rather short fellow, who unfortunately at a little over five foot tall, has to look up at the three of them. The shortest of whom, the mage Reinholt is around six foot tall.
"It's rather short notice, and considering there wasn't an actual reward posted for it" says the lord chamberlain who continues with "The earl thought it appropriate that you shall receive a reward anyway for the apprehension of that murderer who's been plaguing the travelers along the north road".
He holds out a hand, and his secretary hurries over with a decent sized coin bag. The lord chamberlain of the fief goes to hand it to the mage Reinholt, who tells him "It's his" as he points at Tarong the troll "He caught him" adds the once powerful mage.
The lord chamberlain nods his head, then hands the coin bag the troll, who until a few days ago, lived and worked in one of the mill towns in the north of the fief.
A little while later, and the trio of lord Farque, Mira Reinholt and Tarong the troll leave the palace like castle that's the ancestral home of the Almaeré family. As they enter the streets of the city of Poldaér, going across a square, that tomorrow will host the public execution of the roadside killer Barbél. Tarong the mill worker asks the two foreigners who saved his life, and have let him keep the twenty gold coins, the reward for the capture of Barbél "What will you two do now?".
"Leave Poldaér" is the reply of Mira Reinholt, who then adds "Look for an airship heading east to the capital Leeabra".
Tarong nods his head, and as he looks around, thinking about how Poldaér is still a little too close to his former town. Where word from there will eventually reach Poldaér about how the local constable sir Laudác and a squad of the earl's soldiers were killed by the two foreigners he's been with over the last few days. And how he's mixed up in it all.
Says to the mage Reinholt "I think i might come along with you" Tarong then adds "I've always wanted to go to Leeabra".
The once powerful mage glances at lord Farque and lifts a questioning eyebrow, the undead warlord just shrugs his broad, heavily armoured shoulders in reply. The spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster then says to the troll mill worker "Sure, you might as well come along with us" . . . . . .

The Homecoming 57.

In The West...

"Riders heading this way" says lord Farque, who then adds "From the north". Mira Reinholt the mage looks back then asks "How far?". "A mile or so" says the undead warlord as the two of them speak in elvish "Probably soldiers belonging to the noble whose land that milling town is in" says the once powerful mage, who then adds in a slightly dry tone of voice "Took them long enough to send someone south to Poldaér to tell the earl what's happened". The lord and ruler of the lands Farque nods his full helmed head in agreement.
While behind the two of them, Tarong the troll wonders what they're talking about as they continue on their way south to the town of Poldaér, a small city really. That's the largest settlement not just here in the Almaeré fief, but in all northwest Druvic.
It's the second day they've been on the road, last night they stayed in a small village a couple miles off the road that leads south to Poldaér.
There the locals told them of the attacks on the road between Poldaér and the milling town, where until yesterday Tarong lived and worked.
At least half a dozen murders have taken place during the autumn and winter. The culprit or culprits haven't been caught as yet, and they, the villagers were hoping earl Almaeré's constable would apprehend the killer preying on travelers going up and down the road.
The same constable that lord Farque and Mira Reinholt killed, as he was trying to apprehend an innocent Tarong, for the murders along the road through the forest. Well essentially nothing but forest. With a few open fields every so often, near villages. Fields used for grazing herds, as well as for crops.
The land itself doesn't really open up, until one gets closer to Poldaér. For this area in the northwest of the kingdom, is predominantly forest. Where timber is the backbone of the economy here. And why the Almaeré family has had a stranglehold on power in this part of Druvic for centuries.
"If they are heading south to tell the earl down there what we did, you might want to delay them in someway" says the heavily armoured deathlord "Delay them?" says the mage Reinholt, who after a pause, adds "Indefinitely?".
"You don't have to go that fucking far" dryly says the undead being who is also known as Draugadrottin to the people of his lands, he then adds "Have them stop off at the next village or town for a few days, then have them go back home thinking they've told the earl what's happened".
The spellcaster, who is in exile from his homeland of Vexil, nods his hooded head in understanding. Then he hands his double bladed sword, as well as his longbow and quiver to the deathlord of Farque who tells him "They're almost here"
In trollish, lord Farque tells Tarong to follow him, and the two of them hurry off into the trees to the east of the road. While the mage Reinholt takes the hood of his cloak off his head, and casts a spell to disguise what he looks like.
It's only a short while later when a pair of horsemen come along the road from the north. They briefly ride alongside the disguised mage from the city-state of Vexil. And asks him if he's seen himself, along with lord Farque, and the troll Tarong.
The spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, tells them he hasn't seen a trio matching that description. And the only people he's seen on the road so far this morning, is a pair of empty wagons and their drivers, going north. Which is infact true.
The two soldiers thank him, and continue on their way. As they ride away to the south, the once powerful mage casts a spell upon the two of them. They'll soon stop at the next village, on or near the road. Where they'll spend the next three days, spending all their coin in a tavern. Before riding back north, thinking they've delivered their message to the earl of the Almaeré fief.
Once the riders are out of sight, lord Farque and Tarong the troll make their way out of the trees and rejoin the mage Reinholt. The undead warlord hands back the exiled Vexilian mage's weapons. And the three of them continue on their way southwards to Poldaér.
Later in the morning, they pass by the track that turns to the nearest village, and as it nears midday, the spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in the Southlands, is about to suggest they briefly stop soon, so that he and Tarong can have a bite for lunch.
When lord Farque quietly says to the swordmaster Reinholt and the troll mill worker "There's someone just back from the road, about a thousand yards further to the south".
As Tarong is wondering how the man named Farque can know that, the lord of the death realm continues with "I guess he's watching the road".
Mira Reinholt looks at the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, then asks him "You think it could be?" the undead warlord nods his full helmed head, then quietly says "Could very well be".
Then Draugadrottin looks back at the troll walking behind him and the once powerful mage, and asks him "Tarong, how do you feel about being a local hero?".
"Er?" says Tarong the troll, who then asks "How?". "By capturing whoever it is that's been killing people up and down this road" says the heavily armored deathlord "Ah fine, i suppose" says the troll whose life has dramatically changed since yesterday. The lord and ruler  of the lands Farque nods, then says in a slightly dry tone "That's if the person up ahead is actually the killer".
They keep walking south along the road, which is in better condition the further south they go. Tarong has informed the two foreigners, that the road is actually paved for about four or five miles north of Poldaér. Something of a rarity for roads in the northwest of the kingdom of Druvic.
Just after midday, lord Farque leaves the other two and heads off into trees. When he's gone from sight, Tarong asks the mage Reinholt "Will he be able to find this person?". "I'm certain of it" is the reply of the exiled Vexilian mage, who then shrugs his shoulders in answer to the mill worker asking him "How does he even know someone is about?".
Trust me, you wouldn't believe me if i told you, the highly skilled swordmaster thinks to himself as he and the ten foot tall troll continue along the road. The two of them do stop for a while, sitting on some large rocks to the side of the road, eating their midday meal on what's a pretty benign day. Which is more spring than winter. Definitely warmer than yesterday, when flakes of snow fell in the mill town where Tarong lived and worked before fleeing from there.
It's after they've eaten, when lord Farque makes his way out from the trees, carrying an unconscious man over one of his broad, heavily armoured shoulders. The undead warlord is holding a travelers pack in one gauntleted hand, which he tosses to the mage Reinholt.
The Vexilian swordmaster in exile slightly whistles when he opens the pack and dumps the contents of it on the ground next to the road. There's a number of daggers, and other small blades, as well as couple of ropes, one thicker and longer than the other, which fall out of the pack.
"Think we might of found our killer" says the once powerful mage, who still to this day, is the youngest ever member of the mage council of Vexil. Mira Reinholt looks at the rather, short, indistinguishable looking man that lord Farque shrugs off his shoulder "Well?" asks the lord of the death realm.
The exiled Vexilian mage reads the mind of the unconscious man, and he quietly says "It's him" the highly skilled swordmaster slightly winces then adds "You won't believe why he's been killing people over the winter". "Oh?" says Tarong, Mira Reinholt nods then explains "He's a follower of what you lot here in Druvic call the old ways. Seems he wants to be a druid, so he took it upon himself to start sacrificing people, hoping that it'll make him a druid".
"Fuckwit" mutters lord Farque as he looks down at the unconscious man on the ground, he then nods for the mage Reinholt to put the contents of the pack back into it, with the exception of one of the ropes, which he uses to tie together the wrists of the wannabe druid. The heavily armoured deathlord loops the rest of the length of the rope, and asks Tarong "You want to carry him?".
"Not particularly" says the axe carrying troll as he looks with disgust at the unconscious man on the road "Fine" says the undead being who is known as Des'tier to an older generation of elven kind who know who he is.
"You get to lead him around once he wakes up though" says the nearly four hundred and fifty year old undead warlord, the mill worker nods, through he rather not have anything to do with killer, who has preyed upon travelers on the road between Poldaér and the mill towns further north in the Almaeré fief.
Draugadrottin picks up the unconscious man, and slings him over a shoulder. And the three of them set off, continuing on their way southwards to Poldaér.
As they walk down the road that goes through the forest, Mira Reinholt says "His name is Barbél" he continues with "He thought about attacking those two wagons we saw earlier going north. But he chickened out when he saw the wagon drivers had crossbows".
"Pussy" mutters lord Farque with a sideways glance at the man named Barbél he's carrying over his right shoulder "Seems he's out near the road most days. And is too afraid to attack those he sees go by" says the exiled Vexilian mage who continues with "Those he's killed during the autumn and winter, have been lone travelers. Mostly older people, or the infirm. Those he knows he can kill without too much danger to himself".
"Definite pussy" mutters the lord of the death realm, behind him, the troll mill worker nods his head in agreement. And his disgust for the roadside killer increases. He's glad that Barbél has been caught. And hopefully will be punished.
The spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, looks back at Tarong, and says to him "You'll definitely be seen as a hero when you bring him in" that mage Reinholt continues with "Who knows, you might even get a reward from the earl if things go your way".
The mill worker, who yesterday was going to be apprehended for the killings along the road. Perks up at the mention of a reward, and he says "Really?" followed by "A reward?" he then adds "You really think so".
The once powerful mage from the city-state of Vexil, shrugs his shoulders, then says "Who knows" the practitioner of magic, who is a member of one of the largest, and most important trading families, not just in Vexil, but all of the Southlands, continues with "What i do know is the earl will be delighted that a fairly notorious killer in his fief has been caught" he then adds "If he's worth the ink his title is written on, he should at least give some kind of reward for this asshole's capture".
Tarong grins at the prospect of a reward, as he's never had any large amount of coins of his own over the years. Though he tempers his excitement at the prospect of a reward, as he knows nobles aren't particularly free with their wealth. Even if it is for a rightful cause, such as the capture of a killer upon their lands, and in their fief.
"What i want to know, is why this asshole here" says lord Farque with a shrug of his shoulders indicating the unconscious killer he's carrying "Wants to be a druid" adds the heavily armoured deathlord who continues with "Belief in the druids isn't exactly prevalent here in the west of the kingdom. Infact it's hardly practiced and adhere to outside of the very east of the kingdom".
Behind the two foreigners, the troll Tarong grunts, then says "As long as I've been here in the northwest of Druvic, I've only ever encountered one family that's followed the old ways. Most people here abouts, if they believe in anything, they believe in the gods".
"Good point" murmurs Mira Reinholt, who after briefly touching a hidden spell gem within a pocket in his cloak, draining a little bit of it's power. He looks at the unconscious Barbél that lord Farque is carrying.
The Vexilian mage in exile once again reads the mind of the roadside killer. This time delving deeper and further. Something that in the past a number of years ago, the mage Reinholt found difficult to do. More subtle spells like mindread weren't exactly his area of expertise. He's a mage after all, powerful destructive spells are want mages are primarily good at. Everything else magically is just an afterthought.
Though it helps that the subject whose mind he's reading is unconscious. As that makes it easier to read someone's mind.
The once powerful mage slightly frowns as he sifts through the mind of Barbél. Then the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster nods his head as he finds what he's looking for.
"Well that's interesting" quietly says Mira Reinholt after he drops the mindread spell "What's that?" asks lord Farque "Seems he's originally from the very east of the kingdom. He's only been out here for the past few years" says the exiled Vexilian mage who continues with "He was told to come out here and spread the word so to speak. Seems he's a follower of some dark druid back east. He's taken things a bit far, wanting to become a druid himself".
"Religious fuckwits are always fuckwits, no matter what they believe in" dryly says the lord of the death realm, the mage Reinholt who doesn't always necessarily believe or agree with what the undead warlord thinks. Definitely agrees with him about that. It helps that the spellcaster from the city-state of Vexil is an atheist. Even though he knows that the gods of Volunell exist after his time through the rift/void he accidentally cast. For though he still can't remember everything that happened then. He definitely remembers seeing evidence of the gods of the world of Volunell during his time offworld.
"Another thing" says the swordmaster Reinholt, who continues with "Those six people he's killed since the late autumn aren't the only one's he's killed since coming here to this part of the kingdom. He's killed eight others over the last few years. And tried to kill another ten or so, and failed".
"What a fucking asshole" says Tarong from behind the two foreigners as he looks at the unconscious roadside killer Barbél "You got that right troll" says lord Farque, who then looks at the mage Reinholt walking beside him, and asks "Who's this dark druid in the east he's a follower of?".
"Palvarc" is the reply of Mira Reinholt, the undead warlord slightly frowns as the name is familiar. Having heard it as they traveled through the Lé Dic fief before they accidentally came through a druid's circle which brought them here to the northwest of the kingdom of Druvic.
"Palvarc, that's the druid who's the advisor to baron Harkonin in the far east of the kingdom" says lord Farque "The very one" says the once powerful mage "Now isn't that interesting" murmurs the lord of the death realm . . . . . .

The Homecoming 56.

The Road Away...

"I don't feel well sir" says Larm the workyard appreciate "You'll be fine" says Tovis the war engineer as they scramble down an incline to the road below. "You just took a knock to the head" adds the young engineer, who found the dazed apprentice stumbling around the streets near the inn they've been staying at.
When they get down to the road, they head east, away from the border and the town of Falshire.
They're not the only one's on the trade road that goes through the border. There's others from baron Harkonin's army who were in Falshire on the road with them.
They've fled the border town as it's been overrun by a force in the army of the Lé Dic fief, their enemy. It's still fairly early in the morning, and they've already lost the battle that started around dawn.
Baron Harkonin's war engineer wonders if others from castle Harkonin and the town of Maliss were able to escape Falshire. He certainly hopes so, especially those who came with Tovis from the workyards that he's in charge of.
The young engineer looks at the apprentice, who he's got an arm around to help keep upright, and he asks him "Can you remember what happened to you Larm?".
After blinking a few times as he tries to gather his thoughts, the workyard appreciate who is not yet fourteen, says "Think someone punched me when i was cleaning the smithy" he continues with "Yeah I'm sure of it".
Tovis nods, then Larm tells him "Wait, i think it was an elf". The war engineer blinks in surprise at hearing that, and says "An elf?" as there's no elves living in the Harkonin fief, though they used to be. But he knows there's a community of them in the south of the Lé Dic fief.
"Yes definitely an elf" says the young apprentice, who is quiet for a while as they try to walk as quickly as possible, hoping that those from the Lé Dic fief who have attacked Falshire, don't continue eastwards into the Harkonin fief.
"He was asking about you sir" says Larm when he eventually breaks his silence "Eh?" says a surprised Tovis, who has no idea why an elf, any elf, would be asking after him.
"Wanted to know where you were" says the workyard appreciate, who then winces and adds "I told him you went to the headquarters, think he punched me out after that".
Baron Harkonin's war engineer nods, and he continues to wonder why an elf would what anything to do with him.
As he does, a soldier in the baron's army who has also fled the border town of Falshire, runs up behind them and says "Here engineer, let me help you with the youngster there".
Tovis nods as he hands Larm off to the soldier, who he sees is slightly limping. The war engineer quietly asks the soldier "Bad back there?".
The soldier grimaces, then quietly answers with "Bad" he continues with "They had some beast with them. Big green thing, that me and some of the other lads thought was a troll. But sergeant Maccé, said it wasn't tall enough to be a troll, but it was certainly fatter than any troll he'd seen in Leeabra".
The slightly limping soldier who has an arm around Larm to keep him steady as they trudge along the road eastwards, then tells the baron's war engineer "Damn beast killed all of your ballista crews by himself". Tovis winces when he hears that, as he personally trained the soldiers to operate the two, side by side, wagon mounted ballistas that they brought with them to Falshire. "Took out one of the catapult squads as well" adds the soldier who shakes his head.
"I know" quietly says Tovis who saw the green beast in question, who took out the catapult squad. A few of whom, he helped to get away from the heavy fighting in the north of the town of Falshire.
"Some of the others said that sir Percavelle Lé Dic himself has returned" says the soldier, the young engineer stares at him in surprise when he hears that "Is true" says the limping soldier, who then adds "Some of the others swear it was him".
Sir Percavelle Lé Dic! Tovis thinks to himself in a shocked tone. The war engineer to baron Harkonin, like everyone in the east of Druvic, has heard of the famous knight who was a previous earl of the neighbouring fief, who hasn't been seen in these parts for at least eight years.
"If so, no wonder the town fell to them so quickly" quietly says Tovis, the soldier nods in agreement, as the reputation of the knight in the order of Saint Mar-che who is the uncle of the young lady Linara Lé Dic. Is known far and wide throughout the east of Druvic.
Infact the most recent time of prolonged peace between the Harkonin and Lé Dic fiefs, was when sir Percavelle, when he was actually around, was the earl of Lé Dic, in the earlier part of his rule when he held that title.
"Never lost a battle here in the kingdom they say" says the young engineer from the town of Maliss, both the limping soldier, and the still dazed Larm nod in agreement as they continue along the trade road that heads further into their baron's fief.
"Well at least not until he disappeared at the outbreak of the civil war" says Tovis "Maybe the baron can defeat him if he makes his way east" quietly says the soldier after he looks back along the road behind them, as sees a few others who have fled the town of Falshire, who are also heading eastwards.
"Let us hope so" quietly says the war engineer, who then silently adds, let's just hope sir Percavelle doesn't come this way at all.
Tovis looks back along the road too, and spots a handful of the baron's soldiers further behind them. The war engineer sourly smiles at the way things have gone. How baron Harkonin's decision to take Falshire hasn't worked out as he had planned.
The young engineer is sour about the rites that the dark druid Palvarc preformed. And how they've brought about no result for the baron in securing the border town of Falshire.
Sacrificing those people for nothing, Tovis thinks to himself in disgust, the war engineer who isn't a believer in the old ways to begin with. Thinks of the druid's circle that was built, in hopes of success for the baron and his ambitions against the Lé Dic fief.
A druid's circle, that his equipment helped build. Something he was definitely against. But it was something he couldn't refuse because the baron wanted it so badly.
Besides, Tovis knows if he had voiced his opposition to it. He could very well ended up being one of the victims who was sacrificed to bring about the completion of the druid's circle on the hilltop above the hamlet to the southwest of the town of Maliss and castle Harkonin.
Looking forward again, the young engineer slightly frowns, as thinking about the dark druid Palvarc and his rites, has reminded him about something.
Tovis looks over at the limping soldier who is helping Larm the workyard apprentice to walk, and he asks him "You didn't happen to see Maren anywhere did you?".
"Palvarc's apprentice?" says the soldier, the war engineer nods yes, and the soldier after frowning says "Last i saw of him, was in the headquarters in the north of town there" he briefly pauses before adding "Don't know if he got away or not".
Tovis once again nods, and though he thinks about the apprentice dark druid Maren for a few more moments. He doesn't really care what's happened to him. Infact, the war engineer, who must admit that although Maren gave them brief warning about the enemy, before they were just about to attack Falshire.
He couldn't care less about where the dark druid's apprentice is, and what's happened to him. If he's survived the attack on the border town, or not.
In Falshire, Maren the dark druid's apprentice comes too, hearing voices. "Looks like he's going to live" says one voice, there's a deep, sounding grunt after that, then another voice, this one slightly younger says "Pity".
The first voice then says "Dorc tell us if he's going to cast". There's another deep sounding grunt. Then Maren, whose eyelids are shut, smells something rather disgusting that's come close. Then he feels someone shake his right shoulder.
The apprentice to the dark druid Palvarc groans, then opens his eyes. Looking straight up, he recognises the ceiling of the largest room downstairs in the three storey building that lord Sarvaine has made his headquarters here in Falshire.
Then Maren who goes to lift his head up, then jerks it back, and hits the back of his head on the floor he's lying on when he sees the face that comes into view, and looms over him.
It's big and wide, definitely green, and both feral looking, and brutish in appearance.
It's the face of the ork he struck with the power of his staff, who should of been killed by it. And though he saw it earlier moving about, trying to sit up. He still can't believe it's alive, let alone moving about, not seeming to be injured in anyway.
"Move that fat head of yours Dorc" says Riley Hait the mercenary ranger, the large ork grunts, then sits back down next to the prisoner, instead of leaning over him just like he was doing.
"Remember, if he's going to cast tell me" says the ranger Hait, who takes a step around, so that the prisoner lying on the floor, can now see him.
The mercenary ranger from the elven principality of Envadarlen looks over at Tamric Drubine, who has found himself a chair, and has sat himself down.
"Think he'll talk?" asks Tamric Drubine who speaks elven "Let's find out" says the ranger Hait in the same language, who then crouches down next to the prisoner they've brought down from upstairs.
The mercenary ranger who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson, who just happens to inhabit the body of Riley Hait, says in common to the captured spellcaster "Right, i want you to listen carefully" he continues with "If you so ever think about casting a spell, any spell" the mercenary ranger briefly pauses, before adding "My big, green friend here will start eating you".
"Me will?" says Dorc da Orc in surprise, who then grins then adds "Me will" when the ranger Hait, nods yes.
The druid's apprentice looks from the ork kneeling beside him, to the man crouching on the otherside of him, to the teenager sitting on the nearby chair, then back at the ork. He looks at the man to his left, a mercenary of some kind, and he goes to cast.
Dorc da Orc who is sniffing repeatedly, says "He's getting more magicky" Riley Hait, nods, then tells him "A hand". The large ork chuckles, and grabs the right hand of the prisoner, and bites it.
Maren screams in pain as his right hand is bitten off. It's not a clean bite at the wrist, it's a ragged bite across the palm. All of his fingers are gone, as well as most of the palm. His thumb remains, as well as a small bit of the palm above the wrist.
He looks at the bloody ruin of his right hand, then at the ork, who says "Crunchy" before he swallows most of his hand.
"I warned you" says Riley aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman, who then adds "Don't try to cast" the mercenary ranger who was brought up and trained by the elven warders of Envadarlen, then tells the captured spellcaster "If you do, more of you will end up in his stomach" as he gestures at ork warleader.
In shock, and not even contemplating trying to cast again, Maren the apprentice of the dark druid Palvarc, nods his head.
"Good" says the ranger Hait, who then adds "There's a war engineer by the name of Tovis, who i gather came with you lot from castle Harkonin" he then asks the prisoner "You wouldn't happen to know where he is would you?".
Tovis? Maren the apprentice druid thinks to himself, the apprentice to the dark druid Palvarc then silently adds, what the hell do they want with him?
"Well?" asks Riley Hait, who continues with "Speak up, if not, he" the mercenary ranger points at Dorkindle, before adding "Will take another bite out of you".
Looking at the ork who chuckles, Maren looks back at the mercenary crouching on the otherside of him and says "Ah" he continues with "I think lord Sarvaine sent him away". "Where?" asks Riley aka Zubutai Timaginson "Back to the inn he's staying at" replies the prisoner "And which one is that?" asks the ranger Hait "The large one in the south of town" says the captive spellcaster.
As Tamric Drubine gets up from where he's sitting, and hurries outside, the mercenary ranger from the elven principality of Envadarlen, looks over at the large ork, and quietly says "Dorc" and makes a slashing motion across his throat.
The ork weaponsmith grunts then punches the prisoner in the face, hard. So hard, that Dorkindle's fist hits the wooden floor beneath the head of the prisoner, cracking it.
The warleader of the ork race lifts his hand free, shaking it, flinging bits of skull and brain matter everywhere.
"That cunt's gotta new hole in his head" says the large ork with chuckle, Riley Hait sourly smiles and shakes his head, and gets up wiping bits of skull and brains off the front of his cloak.
The mercenary ranger who knows it would of been a hassle to hold a spellcaster captive, especially considering they don't have a spellcaster of their own with them.
Says to the large ork "Come on, let's see if we can find that engineer".
They along with the rest of the group, as well as some soldiers from castle Lé Dic that sir Percavelle Lé Dic gets to help them. Search the town of Falshire throughout the rest of the morning, hoping to find the war engineer Tovis.
Their search is unsuccessful, and at around midday, on the eastern outskirts of town, near the trade road that cuts through Falshire and continues onwards into the Harkonin fief.
Dalinvardél Tanith the elven spy says to Riley Hait the mercenary ranger "He probably escaped town and fled eastwards" the spy from the elven principality of Alínlae gestures to the east and continues with "Quite a few of them were seen going that way, even as the fighting was still going on. I'm guessing he went with them".
"Seems likely" says the ranger Hait as the two of them converse in the elven language, then Riley aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman mutters "Fuck, we were so close to finding him too" . . . . . .

 

The Homecoming 55.

Close Quarter Combat...

Tamric Drubine glances back and sees that Dorc da Orc though not moving for a few moments, is now trying to sit up. The plate of natural dragon armour the large ork wears over his chest, and ample stomach. Has once again saved his life, from what was obviously a magical attack of some kind.
The nobleborn teenager sprints ahead, easily outpacing Riley Hait the mercenary ranger. Then Tamric Drubine, or Tam as he's often referred to, runs in through the doorway that sir Percavelle Lé Dic has just smashed open.
The former heir of a previous knight of castle Drubine in the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, looks to his right down a hallway. And sees the former earl of Lé Dic fighting some soldiers in the army of baron Harkonin.
Then recalling what Dalinvardél Tanith the elven spy shouted out, Tamric Drubine calls out to the former paladin "Percy he's here!" followed by "In this building!".
Tam spins, and swings his longsword up, taking a surprised looking soldier from the Harkonin fief, across the face. The soldier was so surprised because he just stabbed with shortsword, which missed what he was aiming for. The middle of Tamric Drubine's back.
But the nobleborn teenager from the kingdom of Sarcrin had already activated his magical sword which protects him.
Tam moves, heading after sir Percavelle Lé Dic as Riley Hait the mercenary ranger enters the three storey building. The ranger Hait hops over the dead soldier that Tamric Drubine just killed. And he heads the other way down the hallway, hoping to locate the war engineer that he and the rest of the group, have travelled to the kingdom of Druvic to find.
Meanwhile, out in what's basically a town square. Dalinvardél Tanith the elven spy heads to the three storey building that sir Percavelle Lé Dic, Tamric Drubine and Riley Hait the mercenary ranger have just entered.
Lisell Maera follows closely behind him. The two of them spare a quick glance to where Dorc da Orc lies after being hit by a spell of some kind. And they see that the ork weaponsmith is trying to move.
The two of them head to the open doorway that the others have gone through. While Shur Kee the monk hurries over to check on the warleader of the ork race.
Dorkindle, who is lying on his back at the base of the front wall of a house opposite the three storey building that's the headquarters of the Harkonin army here in the border town of Falshire. Winces, then groans as he tries to sit up.
The large ork who has been hit by multiple spells, ballista shots, monsters and beasts of all kinds over the years. Has to admit that whatever the spell was that just hit him, has to be one of the hardest hitting things he's ever endured.
"Goods dragony armour" groans Dorc da Orc who taps the black plate of natural dragon armour he wears. The large ork then thinks of whoever it was that just hit him with a spell, and he growls in his native language "That fucken cunt is dead".
The ork weaponsmith cracks an eyelid when he hears Shur Kee the monk say "Friend Dorc are you alright?".
"No" mutters Dorc da Orc, who takes in a deep breath, winces as it hurts to do so, then he says to the short, statured monk kneeling beside him "Yeah me's okay". "Have you got a healing potion, i think you might need to take it if you do" says the acolyte in the order of Bru Li "Nah fuck that shit" mutters the ork warleader who isn't particularly fond of taking healing potions, for the simple reason they taste so disgusting to him.
The big, burly ork lifts his head, and looks across the square he was just flung across. He looks up at the second storey, then third storey of the building opposite. Dorkindle sniffs deeply, then he frowns as he spots someone peeking out of a window. It's the same window the beam of darkness came from that struck him.
The large ork growls, then hating to admit it, as he doesn't think he can move that much at the moment, he says to Shur Kee "Hey monkey". Dorc da Orc nods his chin towards the three storey building across the square, where he sees the person he's spotted, is holding what looks like to be a staff of some kind.
"Up in that big fucken window" says the son of the former matriarch of the wolf tribe of orks who can hear, and smell the fighting taking place in the three storey building that's the headquarters of baron Harkonin's forces in Falshire.
"There's a magicky cunt up there" adds the ork weaponsmith who continues on in a slightly sour tone with "You mights want to start doing some of that fucken bruleeing shit you do, me think he gonna fucken spell us".
Shur Kee stands, and spins around and looks up at the window that Dorkindle has mentioned. The physical adept spots someone in dark clothing, and in a hood, holding something.
The acolyte in the order of Bru Li drops his quarterstaff, and grabs the jade pendant he wears on a fine, silver thread chain around his neck.
He lets go of the pendant that's now glowing green, he puts his left foot forward, and bends at the knees, putting his hands down at his right hip.
Shur Kee momentarily pauses, then he when sees the person at the large window, lifts what looks like to be a staff. The short, statured monk who is the living incarnation of the Jade Warrior Bru Li, thrusts his hands forward, and up, with his fingers spread out wide.
Dorc da Orc sourly smiles, and shakes his head as he watches Shur Kee the monk, standing there, shouting "Bru Li spirit!".
A white ball of energy, about eight to nine feet across. Forms just infront of the hands of the acolyte in the order of Bru Li. It then shoots across the square and up, heading towards the window that the figure is standing at.
Maren the apprentice dark druid, who can hear fighting downstairs. In particular one voice that's often shouting "Lé Dic!" quite regularly. Then "Saint Mar-che!" every so often, as well as the name of the god "Narille!"
Who is waiting for the staff of his to regenerate it's power. It takes a while to do so, after unleashing a force of dark malevolence that manifests in a physical form. Of such force that it propelled what he believes is an ork, across the square outside.
He's stunned that the ork in question is still alive, and appears to be trying to sit up. Considering Maren was expecting the beam of darkness to of punched a massive hole through the chest of the ork.
They must really be as tough as people have said they are, Maren the apprentice druid thinks to himself, who has read a couple of historical books that have briefly mentioned orks. And how they're extremely tough and hardy, and incredible difficult to kill compared to any other race* found on the world of Volunell.
The follower of the old ways frowns as he sees the short, statured man in the funny looking hat, next to the downed ork. Spin around and look up this way.
"What's he doing?" murmurs the apprentice to baron Harkonin's advisor the dark druid Palvarc. Who then blinks in surprise at what he suddenly sees. The spellcaster senses, then murmurs "What in the old ways is that?" as he doesn't sense anything magical about the ball of white looking energy, heading across the square, and up towards the window he's looking out of.
Maren quickly glances at his staff that was given to him by his master, then looks to his right, where one of the baron's soldiers, with a crossbow, is hurrying down the hallway, heading this way, probably looking for an open window to shoot out of.
The druid's apprentice, waits a moment, then figuring it's probably best not to stand there at the open window. With a fairly large ball of energy heading straight at it, even non magical energy. He dives out of the way. Hoping that the energy isn't destructive in anyway.
Maren hits the floor, and rolls on his back and looks back. The ball of energy comes through the window, and the wall around it. He's briefly relieved that it actually isn't damaging in anyway, as it just passed completely through the wall surrounding the open window.
Then the apprentice to Palvarc the dark druid inhales a deep breath in surprise. As the soldier running this way, who is almost at the window that Maren was just standing at. Is clipped by the edge of the white ball of energy.
The soldier is picked up, and hurled backwards at speed, smashing through the hallway wall opposite the open window. He's gone from sight, and the white ball of energy that just missed the dark druid's apprentice by a couple of yards.
Heads in the direction the soldier went, going through the wall he went hurtling through. Though it does no damage to the hallway wall when it touches, then passes through it.
The fuck was that? Maren thinks to himself as he lies there on the floor, stunned at what he just witnessed. The fairly young apprentice spellcaster, who has only recently turned eighteen. Grabs his staff that he's accidentally dropped, turns and gets up into a crouch, and scrambles along the hallway. Keeping low, making sure he's under any window sill if the window is open that he passes.
Maren figures with the fighting now  within the headquarters of the baron's forces based here in Falshire. And with what's just happened with him attacking the ork unsuccessfully. And the retaliation from the short fellow wearing a strange looking hat. It's probably a good idea to get the hell out of here, and find somewhere safe to be. At least until lord Sarvaine and the baron's soldiers can drive the enemy from the Lé Dic army out of the disputed border town. That's if they can drive them out.
Downstairs, and sir Percavelle Lé Dic smashes a gauntleted fist into one enemy soldier's face, then rams his shield into another, knocking the man down. The heavily armoured knight stomps a steel boot into that particular soldier's groin.
Then he hops over him, heading for the stairs, shouting "Lé Dic!". The former earl of the fief named after his family's name, grins as he hears the answering shouts of "Lé Dic" from outside, through a nearby window.
The former paladin is glad that the soldiers in his niece's army are making a damn good showing of it, as they try to take back the town of Falshire from the enemy army from the Harkonin fief.
The knight in the order of Saint Mar-che bashes down another enemy soldier with his shield. And hurries by him. Behind the heavily armoured knight, Tamric Drubine runs that soldier through, who is trying to get up off the floor.
The nobleborn teenager from the kingdom of Sarcrin, who is almost right behind the former knight of the first class. Hurries up the stairs behind the former earl of Lé Dic.
"Out of the way you common riff raff" says sir Percavelle Lé Dic, who grabs an enemy soldier coming down the stairs. And slams his head into the wall to the right.
Tam has to jump to one side as the unconscious soldier in the army of baron Harkonin, comes tumbling down the stairs behind the heavily armoured knight who is racing up the stairs.
Tamric Drubine who is more than twenty five years younger than sir Percavelle Lé Dic, and is only wearing half plate, compared to the suit of full plate armour the former paladin is in.
Finds it difficult to keep up with the former earl of the Lé Dic fief.
The nobleborn teenager can barely keep behind the knight in the order of Saint Mar-che. And he's a few steps behind him when he eventually gets to the third floor of the large building that's being used as the headquarters of the baron Harkonin's forces here in Falshire.
Away to the right, much of the top storey, facing to the west and northwest, is open to the elements. As it's yet to be fully rebuilt after the last border conflict eighteen months ago.
After quickly looking around, sir Percavelle Lé Dic heads into a hallway to the left, Tamric Drubine follows him. Until the former paladin stops, when he sees someone in the hallway, who has just got up off the floor, after basically crawling beneath the height of one of the windows along one side of the hallway,
The son of a former knight of castle Drubine glances around the larger knight infront of him. And sees who it is that's getting up off the floor in the hallway.
"Spellcaster" is the warning Tamric Drubine gives to the former paladin, as he instantly figures out, who it is that's in the hallway with them. The fact he's in dark clothing, and carrying a gnarled looking staff, kind of gives him away. Not to mention it was from up here, that the beam of darkness that struck Dorc da Orc came from.
"Shit" mutters Tam, who drops to the ground and rolls to one side as sir Percavelle Lé Dic runs forward shouting "Narille!" the god, he and his fellow knights in the order of Saint Mar-che worship.
The former earl of Lé Dic is holding the shield of Saint Mar-che out infront of him. And Tamric Drubine winces as he can guess what's about to happen next. When he sees the spellcaster from the Harkonin fief, lift his staff and point it at the oncoming former knight of the first class.
A solid black beam shoots from the end of the staff. Not as wide as the one that struck Dorc da Orc. But it's still the same type.
It hits dead in the centre of sir Percavelle Lé Dic's heavy, footman's shield. With the inevitable results when something magical hits the shield of Saint Mar-che.
The former earl of Lé Dic is thrown backwards through the air, yelping "Damn ungodly villain!" as he does so.
While the black beam of magical energy, rebounds and goes back to where it came from. Way faster, and more powerful than it arrived.
It hits the staff that it originated from. That shatters apart, and the spellcaster holding it. Is flung backwards at speed, before coming to a stop, when he smashes into the wall at the far end of the hallway.
Tamric Drubine winces as he looks at the young spellcaster, who he guesses is a druid that serves in the army of baron Harkonin. Then he looks back behind him, at sir Percavelle Lé Dic, who went flying by, just a few feet above where he was lying on the floor.
Tam who sees the former earl of Lé Dic has rolled to a stop near the top of the stairs, asks him "You okay there Percy?".
The heavily armoured knight groans, then hisses out a painful breath, before replying with "Quite alright young Tamric". The nobleborn teenager rolls his eyes as he figures the former paladin is injured in some way.
Then sir Percavelle Lé Dic after another slight groan, asks "And that foul villain who dared to attack me?". "I think you might of got him" is the extremely dry reply from Tamric Drubine as he looks towards the far end of the hallway where the spellcaster lies motionless . . . . . .

*Authors Note - Non magical race.