The Northern Forest Path [POST HERE FIRST]

Little does she know that there are about 20 Aaedanin archers pointing arrows at her. They have been for sometime. A lone Ranger steps out of the forest onto the path. He says nothing for a time, the typical glowing eyes of an Aaedanian native glowing from beneath his hood. He spoke, "We have been here the whole time. You seems to have no ill will so we were letting you pass. Do you require something traveler?" With the last word the soldier bowed slightly.

From behind Roxanne could feel the earth thump every two seconds ago, as though something heavy was walking towards her. If she were to look behind she would see a giant white mountain slowly moving towards her. It seemed to reflect light off of it as it shimmers in the sun. From the top was a cloak with two demonic red eyes peering out of the hood, the rest too dark to see. Near it was a man of average height, spikey blonde hair. While the mountainous cloaked figure walked slowly and sternly, the man seemed to have a skip in his step as he casually chatted with the giant.

"....which is why I said 'hey, you should check the chickens out, they also spoke French!' and the guy was like 'but you don't understand- they should be speaking Italian!" He was saying to it, a smile on his face. On his back was a lute that matched his red tunic. His eyes were covered by darkened shades.

"That story makes no sense." The cloaked figure said. Its voice was low and tough, but clearly female.

"Aw, c'mon, it's a huge hit! You just have no sense of humor, is all." The man responded, walking backwards so he could careen his neck to look at the cloaked figure in the eyes.

"I have no need for humor."

"Nah, you don't need it. You're great the way you are, what with the giant sword, the shield, the lack of empathy for all life-"

"I have empathy."

"Right, for me-"

"No."

"Oh, you do, you do, you just don't know it yet."

"Quiet."

"You love listening to my voice, you know it! It's like a sweet song serenading you to sleep. The tone radiates throughout your body and reinvigorates your strength, making you that much sexier!"

"We approach the walls, I want you to be quiet."


The man headed forward towards Roxanne and the guards in the tower, waving the issue off to the figure behind him.

"Nah, babe, I'm a bard! I do this by trade. Let me talk to 'im, they'll let us through."

"The last time you attempted this we were ambushed by goblins."

"unrelated! I owed them money. You killed them, so it ain't a problem no more!"


The cloaked figure remained still twenty feet away from the tower as the man approached, his hands behind his back. He casually waved to them and bowed to Roxanne.

"Howdy, folks! Ma'am. Bolton Ampere, here, with guest." He said with a sly smile, gesturing to the giant behind him. "We were wondering, howsabout letting us in, yeah? We're passing through, looking for a place to stay. Specifically a tall building."

"A duel? Babe, I didn't know you were looking for a good time." Bolton said, putting his hands on his hips and turn to face her. The figure continued to walk past him.

"Not a duel.  A duel suggests an equal fight." She said as she passed through the walls. "I want a place to sleep."

"Yeah, I need a bath, that walk has me smelling like a pig. Oh hey, you should join me!"

"No."

"It saves water! C'mon, be a conservationist."

"No."

"I can do your back, you can do mine! Not even a challenge for you."

"Stop talking."

"Love you too, babe!"

The sound of a galloping horse erupts from beyond the forest. Then, visible along the path, is a single knight, wearing heavy armor and a white surcoat with a black cross emblazoned upon it. He turns around without doing much else and trots off.

Minutes later, he appears once more. This time, however, he has brought his friends: a contingent of thirty similarly-equipped knights riding their white steeds. They ride in a near-perfect column, with 5 rows of 6 knights each. Behind them, is a wagon train; four of these wagons carry what seems to be refugees of sorts, while the other wagon is covered.

As they approach the first guard tower, one of them raises his first, signaling the others to stop. "Blessings upon you," he announces in a thick accent, slowly moving his horse to the guard tower. "I am Heinrich von Schaufen, and these are my knight-brothers. We are Brothers of the Sword, and we've come to speak to your leader." At that moment, Heinrich motioned with his hand and the covered wagon was brought forth. He tugged a single rope and the cover fell off, revealing the heads of at least three dozen men. "I present to you the heads of the barbaric pagans who plague your northern forests. Are we welcome in your lands?"

"Kill you," remarked Heinrich, curious but also surprised. "My knight-brothers do not kill for no reason, ranger. We are faithful men, devoted to protecting not only our own, but the all good people of this land. If you're referring to out actions against the Wickans... it was they who forced our hand. Those pagans persecuted Angelists far and wide; they had to be stropped. But no worries, ranger. This if you land, and we shall abide by your laws. Now, we shall go."

Henirich and his knights, along with his caravan, entered the White City.

<Exit to The North Gate>