GC7, Restricted: Battle of Durrough, Making Allies

Battle of Durrough: Making Allies

 

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A story of rebellion to tyranny, from Lands Of Roawia. Sorry for the long story, it was necessary for character development.

 

 

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“They should be somewhere right around here.” Wallace said, keeping his voice low.

“Are you sure?” Mirranda asked quietly.

“Positive.” He whispered back.

Haymar glanced around. “There’s no sign of them. We should continue along a little farther.”

Following Haymar’s meeting with Sir Caelan Munro and Duke Cartney , he returned to Locvale, to tell everyone of the plan of action. Upon his return, Wallace, who had been scouting the surrounding area, for several days, informed Haymar that he had discovered the presence of someone else, in the area. Fearing that they were Queen’s Soldiers, he had investigated further, and finally located them.

“Well?” Haymar had asked. “Were they Queen’s Soldiers or not?”

“They were Outlaws, but they weren’t Galainir’s.” The other had replied, grinning. “Of all the Outlaw bands in Roawia, we had the good luck to be in the same area as this one.”

“Don’t keep me in suspense,” Haymar said, “Which band was it?”

“Only the band Travdon Dax is traveling with!” Wallace said, barely able to keep the excitement out of his voice.

“Who’s Travdon Dax?” Haymar asked, at a loss as to what was so important about him.

“Only the greatest Weapons Master to ever live!” Ivan, who, until this point, had been standing there silently, said. “He came from Garheim, but he was outlawed long ago, on suspicion that he was using magic. It was a lie, of course. The officials who outlawed him were just scared of his incredible skills. Since then, he’s traveled Roawia, sometimes by himself, sometimes with others, helping people. He’s become a legend. There’s a lot of tales told about him, mostly false, but one thing everyone can agree on; his fighting skills are unmatched.”

“If he’s in the area, we should try and find him, and convince him to help us. His help would be a big advantage.” Wallace put in.

Haymar thought for a moment. “Very well,” He said. “Wallace, Mirranda, and I will go find this ‘Weapons Master’, the rest of you, prepare the army to move out.”

 

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Now, three hours later, Haymar, Mirranda, and Wallace were in the woods near the Aines River, scouring it for signs of the Outlaw band.

The three of them moved farther along, keeping quiet, and looking for tracks, Wallace in the lead, Mirranda following, and Haymar bringing up the rear.

“What are we going to do when we find them?” Mirranda asked quietly.

“Talk with them,” Haymar whispered back. “Try and convince them to fight for us.”

“They’re not going to do it for free. Outlaws always want something in return.” The other replied.

“Travdon Dax won’t.” Wallace said softly.

“Maybe not,” Mirranda said, “But the others will.”

“I’ll think of something.” Haymar said.

They lapsed into silence, continuing the hunt. Haymar stared at Mirranda, wondering how he could approach her, and tell her how he felt about her. She caught him staring.

“What?” She asked.

“Nothing.” Haymar said hastily. Focus. He chided himself. Mirranda gave him a funny look, but didn’t push the matter.

Hours passed. They found only occasional tracks, and they were indistinct, and led nowhere.

Midday came, and went. They stopped for a quick lunch, and then continued searching. They were half-way into yet another hour, when Wallace suddenly stopped, and motioned for silence. He crept forward, staying low. Haymar and Mirranda looked at each other. Had they finally found the Outlaws? Haymar certainly hoped so. They had spent almost a whole day out here, and couldn’t afford to spend another. The two of them stood in absolute silence, waiting for Wallace to come back, in a small grove of trees. He finally did, after about twenty minutes.

“Well?” Haymar mouthed at him. Wallace nodded. They had found them at last.

Mirranda grinned. “Finally.” She said, in a barely audible tone.

Wallace motioned for them to follow him, and they did, glad to have reached their quarry. They emerged from the grove, on the bank of a river. On the other side, was a small camp, with three people sitting around a fire. There were two tents set up, against a small rock wall.

As soon as they came out of the trees, one of the three sitting around the fire shot to their feet. The figure wore a black cloak and overcoat, with a brightly colored outfit beneath. With a shock, Haymar realized the figure was a young woman, with long, dark red hair. She had a longsword at her waist. Of the other two, one was clothed all in blue, and had shoulder-length, black hair. There were several weapons on and around him. The final one, also male, was bare-chested, with long, below shoulder-length blond hair. The upper half of his face was painted red, and he had a longsword over his back, a large knife across his chest, and a plain brown shield, and throwing hatchet, lying next to him.

They watched warily as Haymar, Mirranda, and Wallace approached. When they reached the edge of the bank, the woman called out to them. “Come no further. Who are you, and what do you want?” They stopped.

“Let me handle this.” Haymar said quietly, and moved forward. “I am Sir Haymar Glen, and I, and my two,” He stressed the word, “companions would like to speak with you.” He said.

She thought a moment. “Very well, but do not attempt to attack us,” She smiled. “It would be a fatal mistake.”

They crossed the river, and entered the camp. The red-haired woman remained standing, while the other two still sat around the fire, but Haymar could tell they hadn’t relaxed their guard.

“I am Aria Valewood.” She said. “What do you want to talk to me about?”

“I was told,” Haymar said, “By Wallace here,” He said, motioning to him, “That Travdon Dax was traveling with you. Is that true?”

The blue-clothed man spoke. “Yes.”

“Where is he?” Mirranda said.

“I am Travdon Dax!” Came the reply. “Why were you looking for me?” He asked.

“Before I answer that, how do I know I can trust you?” Haymar asked warily. The Outlaws exchanged glances.

“What could we, Outlaws, say that would assure you that you could trust us?” Aria asked.

“She’s right.” Mirranda muttered. Aria glared at her.

“What kind of Outlaws are you? are you more likely to rob travelers, or help them, if they’re in trouble?” Haymar asked.

“With a few exceptions, help them.” Travdon said. The three Lenfels looked at each other.

“Who’s the exceptions?” Mirranda asked, worried they were the exceptions.

“Would you help the people who had outlawed you?” A voice said, from the side. She spun in surprise. A man was walking towards them, wearing a helmet, and carrying a bronze-headed battle-axe. Mirranda gasped, and, lunging forward, hugged the man. “Carndan!” She cried, “I thought I’d never see you again!”

Haymar stared, in surprise. “Who’s Carndan?” He asked, hoping he wasn’t a former love.

She turned to him, tears of joy glittering in her eyes.

“Carndan is my older brother!” The shocking reply came.

“You have a brother?” Haymar said. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Because,” Carndan said, “ I was outlawed when Mirranda was very young.”

“I thought him dead, so I never brought it up.” She said. Turning to her brother, she said, “But you’re not!”

“Only because of a lot of luck.” The other said. He motioned to the fire. “Come, let’s have a seat, and talk.”

They moved to the fire, and sat around it. “I would like to hear what you’re here for, Sir Haymar.” Carndan said, “And for what it’s worth, though I was wrongly outlawed, I’ll still fight for the factions, if only out of love for my sister.”

“What about the rest of you?” Haymar asked, looking around the fire.

“If it’s a noble cause, which I suspect it is, then I’ll fight.” Travdon said.

“It is a very noble cause,” Haymar said, “And I’ll say, it’s against Galainir.” There was silence for a moment. Then, the bare-chested man, whose name was Vard, spoke.

“In that case, I’ll fight.” That left Aria. She stared silently into the flames for several moments, before speaking.

“I, too, was wrongly outlawed.” She said. “I used to live in a small village, on the Lenfald-Loreos border. The son of the village head, he had his eye on me, for a long time. When I was of marrying age, he attempted to to get me to marry him, twice. I rejected him both times. The second time, he told me there wouldn’t be a third time. This puzzled me, as it seemed he desperately wanted my hand in marriage.” She looked up. “The next day, I found out why. He publicly accused me of practicing magic, and though I protested, everyone believed him, and not me. Thus, I was outlawed. So you see, I have no love for the factions.” She paused, and took a deep breath. “But two days ago I learned, that my village was burned to the ground by the Queen’s troops, and my old enemy had joined her army.” She looked straight at Haymar. “If you intend to hurt the Queen in some way, then I will join you.”

“I intend to do just that.” Haymar said, and preceded to tell them what they had planned, and why they needed them. When he was finished, there was silence for several minutes. Then, one by one, the outlaws all said yes. “My father has a large fief near here.” Haymar said. “In return for your help, I will make sure all of you are always welcome there.”

Mirranda and Wallace stared at him in shock. Aria’s head whipped around, to stare at him, in surprise.

“You could do that?” She asked quietly, as if afraid of saying it loud would cause the offer to disappear.

“Yes, I can,” The other said, “And I promise I will.”

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Done