Legends of Belariath

A Bard`s Memory of Empire

The 27th Year of The Ilfirian Empire

October 18
Battle for the Elder's Village

A group of travelers approached a small village where most villagers kept on doing their daily duties, except the guards that noticed the group approaching and quickly came forward asking why they were there. They had been guarding the chief of the village who listened intently. He immediately started plotting to ask a favor from the group, not wanting to deplete his village of able bodied men and women.

An elder of the village stepped forward and explained to the party at the crossroads there was a group of bandits, and the village needed help. He asked them to follow, and they obliged wondering more about the village on their way.

A few wistful looks back they seen the chief watching, but for the time being followed the elder to see what trouble he needed handling. The elder explained the problem,

“If you help me I will make sure there is a reward for all.” What better incentive could they ask for, and they followed.

The brush and foliage got thicker as they moved on, and the longer they walked in the woods the trees grew larger, and the brush underfoot was thick. Hills peeked over the tall trees and the cooling sound of water running drew their attention to blue appearing through the trees. A river was nearby. They were in a valley with high mountains on each side and the green foliage had one path cut where it became the only entrance between the two mountains.

It was a scene out of a storybook; the ideal place everyone in the party might picture in their minds, except the group camping where they found bandits claiming the property for their own.

One of the bandits Geraci used to live in the village where they met the elder and courted his granddaughter Sarah Rose. The elder turned Geraci's proposal down to Sarah Rose which infuriated him and he left the village starting a group of bandits. Once he grew in strength he came back for Sarah only to find her in love with another.

Three other women along with Sarah Rose were kidnapped from the village. They previously tried to free Sarah from the bandits only to find most of their men beaten or killed, so asking the adventurers to help with the promise of paying them was their last resort to free the women and Sarah. The elder knew they had to be careful since there was one entrance and exit in the valley and the bandits were growing stronger every day.

The women were tied to poles half naked, but Sarah was tucked away in Geraci's tent. They approached the camp with the fire burning, soft billows of smoke dissipated in the sky and one of the bandits turned around seeing them. He had a vicious smirk on his face eyeing the men, devouring the beautiful women accompanying them.

“Well, well, well, seems the village is just bringing the women to us now!"

The group couldn't tell if the bandits were drunk with power or drunk from alcohol, as they made fun of the wings on one of the women.

"Look at the wings on that one" and he pointed to Kraezhar. "Bet she can go all night long."

The first bandit Ivor laughed loudly and turned back to one of the villagers with them.

“You don't want us whooping your asses all over again do you? We like that little redhead with you. I hear she likes to suck dick." He made a lewd gesture and grabbed himself.

Tyjir; one of the adventurers seen some of the bandits trample off into the distance and started tracking them. He came to the conclusion quickly they were strong fighters with low intellects.

Isla raised an eyebrow at the bandit with a smirk, and pulled her staff out twirling it in the air. Soon after a shadow bolt went flying at the bandit and she readied herself for him to retaliate.

With a flicker of his ears the wolven Keegan narrowed his eyes, and took the bow from his back setting an arrow ready to fire. He aimed at the one grabbing his crotch, calling out to the others.

“We should take one back alive.”

While mayhem ensued Kraezhar palmed a small trinket hanging from her sleeve, caressing the small skull shape crafted from pewter. She murmured a few words of a favored incantation. The tiny figure grew warm in her palm... reassuring. With a start, she leaped to one side to keep the bumpkin villager out of line of sight and with a grunt pitched the tiny figure after the arrow.

Krarktel sighed; the dense brush in the forest was to Ivor the bandit's advantage, and he landed behind the group along with a few others. Gold wings expanded and he landed softly tracing a few sigils into the air, as he charged gathering magical energies around him. He helped Keegan with the torture of the lewd bandit Ivor, sending a streak of lightning to his crotch as well.

Marot had come along with them, and for the time being decided to watch them. “I'll just sit and wait, you guys can take them, you don't need me in this fight, prove your worth to them, beat their stupid asses, teach them not to fuck with us. Nice shot girl, keep it up drak.”

The elder offered the rest of the group the same amount of money, and with them joined Neko Nightstalker, Targos, Isla, Taurn, Alyssa`Shadowfall, Sorgram, and Seth.

Neko readied his bow and shot towards Ivor's balls, and Targos drew his blade as the bandits taunted them more. Targos didn't appreciate the man talking about Isla in such a manner and he looked forward to doing more damage to him rather than just maim him between the legs. He walked slowly and leaped into the air seeing the taunting man was being attacked by the others, he wanted to take him out quickly.

Taurn drew an arrow the moment the birds took flight, when the bandit appeared he drew the shaft back, fletching touching his cheek, taking aim at the bandit to the left shooting the shaft towards him, and watching it fly towards his target.

More bandits joined to fight alongside of Ivor and the slash of blades and arrows flew everywhere. Magic flew this way and that and energy cracked in the air. There were sounds of metal against metal, and one bandit got cleaved in the shoulder. That pleased Isla who they were taunting, and she turned out two of her illusionary selves to run after Ivor after making sure her fiancé was alright. With careful aim she made sure Targos wasn't in the way, and struck him down.

Keegan` and Tyjir were on a chase giving a silent message to each other with a nod of their head. They gained speed and got close enough to lay a hand on the bandit casting a spell of sleep on him.

Karezhar  jumped back taking one leg to kick Ivor by surprise and stumbled backwards casting a spell on the bandit. His shoulder singed and smoked, the smell of burnt flesh was intense as Ivor stumbled forward.

Marot remained more of the observer, even went as far as applauding seeing his fellow travelers doing such a good job. He pointed to Targos and smiled.

“You're a good hit but get into position to defend the caster and archer. Look she got hit, work as a team. Drak don't you dare falter! End him! Use your blood as motivation, Keegan act as infantry! They have too many archers up.”

Even through all the fighting Marot's directions were heard near and far.

Neko Nightstalker shot again at Ivor and reloaded ready to shoot again. While he reloaded his crossbow Targos moved to the side and the distraction was perfect. Again his blade moved quickly cutting through the air, a horizontal slash aimed at the man's waist, seeking to cleave him in two, and just missing his mark.

Marot yelled out more orders and praise being the catalyst of them succeeding from his previous experiences fighting.

With a heft of a spear Tyjir chased after Grabber the bandit, wanting to finish him off before he called for help from another group of bandits. The chase was fast and fierce through the forest, and he sent the spear at him to finish him off quickly.

Seth` swung again at the first bandit hoping to have better luck this time around. His teeth were clenched as the blade sliced through the air towards its mark. This time it hit home, slicing at the bandit's flesh.

The experienced bandit dodged every shot and laughed in their faces finding a place to hide above them on a large rock. The other bandit at the camp wasn't as lucky taking hits left and right. Isla; the woman he taunted got her sweet revenge sending a shadow bolt to his ass.

Kraezhar was flustered and in panic stumbling backwards and clutching the cut on her face. She made her way back towards the group, not hesitating to cower behind superior numbers. With a another quick flick of her arm, a bolt of cloudy green energy reached the bandit like a wicked claw, but she missed entirely only to hit a squirrel hanging from a tree that dropped down to the her feet dead.

The bandit on the rock wasn't so closeted away from sight while Krarktel approached stealth like and cursed under his breath. His gold wing raised and extended out to chant behind while he gathered energy in his palm. This time the bolt went right for him knocking him off the rock stunned.

 Marot barked out orders, “Keegan` don't miss next time, yeah. Drak girl you're letting the cut get to you mentally, pull it together. There are only two of them, split them and swarm, don't let them move or get a strategy going.

It made good sense at that time, to be out of sight for a better aim and Neko Nightstalker backed out of range of the bandit who was distracted at the time, and climbed up into a tree readying another arrow aimed at the bandit's chest.

That gave Targos the opportune time to get the man's attention and he brought the sharp cold steel to the back of the bandit and then parried to the front trying to slash the man across his chest. The bandit was becoming injured and confused.

The bandit Grabber wasn't doing too well either finding himself stabbed once in the arm from Seth, and ice shards shooting at his chest from Tyjir.

Seth grinned madly looking down at his blade stained red from the man's blood and shifted his weight to his right foot lunging at the bandit, trying to impale him with his sword. Shifting his weight to his right foot, he lunged at Ivor.

It was too much at once, and Ivor looked up hissing an insult to Neko.

“Pussy!”

Neko was above him in the tree but Ivor the bandit was too slow and an arrow came from Neko's bow finding its way into his arm. He growled and pulled the arrow out while Seth came from behind stabbing, only to have Ivor raise his sword blocking the attack.

One of Ivor's men rushed up to Isla readying an attack to her arm, only to find the spitfire Isla growling with anger as the dagger plunged into her flesh. Her staff dropped to the ground, and her eyes filled with tears as she stared at her wound.

Kraezhar` glared at Marot prancing about with that pretty unmarked face of his. “That smug bastard, Shut up!" she screamed, and her eyes darted about the battlefield looking to see where Marot was.

Marot rubbed his chin watching Targos, not much finesse, but damn he was doing damage, which made Marot smile, nothing like someone kicking ass. He winked at Isla as she hit the man again. "Hey don't fall apart over there injury is going to happen, hold the line!" He moved to Isla trying to push her back toward the bandit.

"See drak girl listened!"

Marot pushed her back, and her eyes locked on him for a moment, then turned to see Targos down the man that had injured her. She grinned, giving a small cheer and then let out an eek as she felt him tearing her dress. "Son of a bitch." she growled and kicked his head and chucked her staff at him watching it hit him.

Targos would not stand for the man to stab at Isla. He tried to disarm the man, in every sense of the word, slashing at the extended arm of the bandit that held that bloodied dagger in an attempt to remove it. He moved with enough momentum to carry him around to stand between the bandit and Isla, He grinned as he watched the man fall back, giving into his wounds and the loss of his arm. "Bastard…one down."

Neko Nightstalker was quite useful up in the trees letting one bolt shoot towards the bandit Stuart, then another. Seeing the arrow graze him on the shoulder he smiled and took better aim, this time to kill.

 Tyjir kept busy making sure that the dead 'Grabber' was nothing more than worm food, and pulled out a rope to tie a sleeping bandit up.

Seth` regained his footing and brought his sword over his head to savagely slice downwards at the bandit. He knew he faced a tough opponent, but his anger powered his arms forward. Heart racing, he waited for his deadly blade to make contact.

Keegan stabbed Stuart the bandit and reached out to cast sleep on him, wanting to get a good hold on the bandit to tie him up.

Kraezhar cringed at the taste of blood, and leapt up towards Isla, her expression concerned, worried for her own safety long forgotten as she darted past the woman. She scoured the grass for her thrown trinket and found it, palming it with a grin. This would be her lucky day and she watched a few more bandits filter in. Singling one less healthy of the two she flung the wooden skeleton watching it erupt into green smoke.

Marot yelled out over all the commotion, “See that, the boy knows how to do it fast without mercy.”

Targos turned quickly to survey the battle, having become fixated on his opponent as the bandits had took to separate themselves. It made them easy targets. He barely registered that Isla was hurt and her dress was torn, or even Marot for that matter as he lusted for the battle to bring on blood-shed.

Ice shards and arrows flew in every direction, and it became so dangerous they had to duck from their own weapons flying towards the bandits that were spread out in the forest. Taurn missed twice, and even though one bandit was down and one captured he directed his aim to hit once more.

Tyjir growled as his outstretched arm was slashed. He readied to fire a stun bolt when the bandit was finally bound. "Well, that's useful." He turned to find the other bandit and he shot ice shards at him.

One bandit was dead, one tied up, but the first one remained persistent and pissed off about the injuries done to the others.

"That guy was my best friend you two bit whore!"

He aimed the stick at Isla throwing it at her head and grazing her. He had a second dagger which he pulled from his sheath and threw it at Kraezhar, but missed. He backed up quickly seeing a lasso looping around his buddy and called out.

“Kill them all…Now!”

Keegan grinned as Stuart the bandit got captured by lightning bind, and swung his sword one more time taking aim to direct it at his throat. In the distance Kraezhar chanted an incantation and threw the smaller stone with the carved face on it. The stone whizzed by and hit the bandit's face. She had to duck quickly as a dagger came at her hood.

Marot watched Isla getting fired up, applauding her, then bowed to Keegan."Perfect time to pick your spot Keegan… nicely done."  He didn't move to help, and was lucky one of his group of adventurers didn't turn on him in anger.

Something wicked this way comes, while Neko was repeatedly called a pussy he fell from the tree with his katana in hand to strike at the bandit who's attention was on dodging arrows. The katana sliced through bone and flesh, and the bandit fell to the ground sliced in half… and dead.

Targos couldn't help himself, but he was trying. He knew Isla was hurt and kept looking back at her distracted, he gave her a reassuring look that he would be by her side to help her. Not before he downed a bandit that dropped dead at his feet. He viciously pulled the sword from his body and went to Isla's aid.

Seth was weary from the battle. He'd taken more than one hit. The man slumped against a nearby tree to catch his breath. He gasped before kneeling down to the ground to clean his blade on the dirt. A loud metallic ringing in the distance almost soothed him knowing the men and women with him were still alive.

"They haven't killed me yet my love," he said ever so quietly and his hand grasped a silver charm on a necklace about his throat.

Both sides tended to their injured and gathered again in separate groups to regain their strength. The bandits were outnumbered since they had lost four men killed brutally by the opposing party. They needed more time, more supplies, and were losing their cocky attitudes.

Kraezhar` stumbled around trying to pull the dagger from her hood that was tangled in the material. The wind blew her hair and she charged at the last retreating bandit. He hurried off to gather with the other men as the dagger chased behind him just missing his head.

Targos examined Isla; his hand tracing over her flesh for any wounds he may have missed, he ripped part of his shirt into strips and bound her wound while she kept telling him she was fine. Isla smiled warmly at Targos, "I'm alright." She looked at her ripped dress and sighed wondering when she'd learn to wear leggings instead of skirts. Her hand reached for the cloth and cast clean on it and her arm as well while she watched Targos bandage her lovingly.

While they were all busy regaining their strength Neko went around gathering the arrows he shot, and put them back into his quiver.

 The bandits were off in the distance, and the wind picked up their words, they were arguing amongst themselves.

Marot could make out most of their conversation and yelled back to them letting the wind carry his voice.

“Fuck your friends! You were trying to kill us! They should have been a tailor and a baker and not bandits! I'll console their widows all...night…long.' He did a lewd thrust of his hips on the last three words.

Neko`Nightstalker moved to a tree and settled down against it. He rested there waiting for everyone to finish up and looked over at Krarktel as he smiled slightly. "Finally, there is a familiar face in the crowd. How are you doing, Krarktel?"

The tied bandit mumbled, “Ugh fuck you guys.” Seth pushed him and said, “More walkie and less talkie.” He was shoved towards some men to take him to the village as a prisoner. He gave him a punch to follow one of the village guards back who probably would have no mercy on him.

They took a few minutes to recoup and nap in the dark forest. The trees overhead sheltered them, and the cool night air chilled their aching bones. Up above them a large log rigged to trap them came crashing down, a bandit was left as a lookout, left in one of the trees above them. It was perfectly timed as the group of bandits slithered back into the woods surrounding them, waiting for them to be off guard, and attacked again, hoping this time they would kill all the paid adventurers.

The quiet night became disrupted by the arrow being fired at Targos, missing him by inches, but announcing to prepare to fight again.

"What do we have here....boys, trying to play hero with a couple of whores" the one bandit with a bow called out with a laugh, his voice deep and rough. The two others did nothing but laugh with him. "Let's kill them quick and get back to dinner.....but keep the whores at least we can get a pretty penny for them...especially the cute one with the nice tits." He signaled his men and they attacked.

 Kraezhar` scowled at Tyjir and he whispered soothingly to her... With a grunt she stopped resisting, and slowly removed her trembling hand from her bloodied cheek, the deep crimson lending definition to the contours of her face not normally seen due to her night black skin.

"I know... why we're here." she hissed through clenched teeth as he worked his skill. "And I-" The sound of rustling in the woods, and crashing left her shouting. "Fuck! Damn it all!" She screamed, losing a small clay jar the size of her thumb which moved over the crowd, sharp jaws descending upon the archer.

Krarktel smiled lightly as he watched his friend coming up to him. "So far so good Mr. Neko, at least this one is keeping cool with everything going on." He stated, the gold wing hoping that he would not black out anytime soon. Glancing up towards the elf he raised a brow and shook his head.

Conversations were halted and Marot was crunched by the tree into the underbrush, coming up wiping blood from his nose, eyes blazing in fury, moving to the archer, running at him, leaping and throwing a dagger down at his face, yelling. "Now I'm going to kill you all!"

Targos followed along with Isla, staying close just in case, more protective. The sound of the arrow piercing through the air so close made him stop, it startled him really, distracting him as that log trap was sprung and slammed into Isla. He immediately kneeled at her side, checking to see that she was alright. But there was no time for it, more voices were heard, more threats made. He growled, moving to stand between the bandits and Isla and drew his sword.

“You fools really aren't very bright, attacking in such small numbers. But you sure are fun to kill."

He charged forward again, towards the man with the bow, moving to assist Marot and thrust his blade at the stomach of the archer, only to miss his strike.

Taurn's  head snapped at the sound of the log crashing and swiftly pulled an arrow and drew it back , one bandit farther to the left was his target and he released the arrow watching it speed away toward him.

Tyjir sighed as the group trampled off to go into another battle. He quickly started to treat his own wounds before he joined the fray again.

Seth` had one hand on the bandits arm when he lunged for the side of the path. He was pulled off of his feet and knocked to the ground, the trap missing him by inches. Seeing the battle erupt around him he took to his feet once more and drew his sword to charge. "Want some? You want some of this? Well I've got plenty!"

Keegan snuck through the bushes and either the wind was heard or there was a deep growl from the wolven. He eyed one bandit with the sword and reached out to cast sleep on him.

Isla pushed and pulled herself out from under the log. She groaned a little watching the men totally pissed, and threw a shadow bolt at the bandit coming toward them. She was out shivering and checking on Targo's location.

The bandit Stuart jerked with the hit to his face from Marot followed by a hit from Neko. Pissed he pulled out his sword only to be struck by Seth. "You fucking village idiots we will kill you all" he screamed and struck at Marot with his sword.

A new face amongst the bandits was hit by a phantom bite and aimed at Kraezhar. "You fucking whore how dare you, I will tear that pussy up then sell you for a fucking copper to every man I see." he screamed as he took aim and fired catching her in the shoulder with his arrow.

Kraezhar` returned the bandit's enraged scream with one of her own, a little less comprehensible. She darted off to the side, dancing with him, taking a knick to the shoulder which looked much worse than it was... tearing the fabric heartily but leaving but a scratch against her skin. She drew her dagger for a quick swing at his face!

Spells hit, and spells missed, leaving Marot to land by the injured bandit only to yank the bloody dagger free from his flesh and stab him again in the eyes. Marot took a hit to his chin which became bloody.

“Remind me to fuck your wife in the ass for that.” Banter went on between the two men and Marot shut the bandit up by telling him in no short words. "Sounds like you know firsthand of your wife fucking asses!"

That was enough to distract a couple of bandits nearby as Neko snuck up on one and yanked at his pants to slash the bandit's cock with his sword. The other bandit was stabbed in the back by Targos who no longer cared to fight fair. His blade thrust forward to impale the man in the lower back.

One of the other bandits yelled out,

"Fucking pussy, hitting a man in the back is that was those village cocks teach you?"

Kraezhar` allowed herself a quick sigh of relief, she'd have to thank the wolven later for taking that rather nasty looking hit for her. In the meantime, her fingers clasped a small copper coin on a hook, mangled beyond all recognition, removing it from her robe as she chanted. She wiped a bit of blood from her forearm closing the distance towards him. She dropped the coin to the ground, and it kicked up a foul smelling dust from the forest floor, unseen voices screamed for him to join them as smoky hands clawed at his legs.

Krarktel blasted a rock with a bolt of energy sending shards everywhere around them. Tiny needle like stones billowed from the sky attempting to use the bandits as human pin cushions.

Seth` saw that the others were getting just as beat up as he was. “Well I'll be damned, looks like they can take a hit or two without crying home to mama.” He lashed out again with his blade trying to catch the bandit in the gut. "Save your breath cur, you'll need it to beg for your life," he growled at his opponent.

The bandit that Marot and Targos were attacking bled all over the place, but couldn't shut his mouth. "Bet you wish that was my cock motherfucker, but I will save that for your nice little piece of ass over there" he bellowed at Targos and pointed to Isla.

Stuart the bandit came back for seconds, but not before being surrounded by phantom spirits from Krarzhar which he batted at wildly. “You fucking witch, get your demons off me!”

Kraezhar` laughed to herself, manic and confident, gripping the dagger firmly between her fingers, she lunged at the bandit as the faces disappeared into smoke. She brought the dagger down to stab him, but missed and stumbled past.

Tyjir was mocked by another, “Come here pussy!” He took a metal star and spun it hitting Tyjir in the groin.

Krarktel growled a little as he felt the slash on his arm and held his hand over the wound, his eyes glanced over towards the bandit and he pulled out his father's katana slashing it towards the man's neck, hoping to slice his head clean off.

It was a very long battle wearing out the group of adventurers and the bandits, each receiving detrimental wounds and becoming weaker. Suddenly Kraezhar got a brilliant idea seeing one bandit awake and bound, remembering she could use her spell to get the truth out of him.

“With him awake we can carve some useful information out of him.”

Weary from battle they moved forward into the woods and seen the sun shining on the grove with tall lush grasses with flowers, and in the center a fountain bubbling over the ground. Little Fae were flying around with musical giggles calling out to the injured in song.

"Waters of life… water of healing… be good of heart… and your wound will be sealing… but take what is not yours… and disappear… it will for the waters… a precious to those… of the woods"

The water had a soft golden glow and gave life and healed all that was near it.

Kraezhar` scowled as the group meandered on, completely blinded. “He is just going to spring another trap on us.”

Marot was about to have a fit after he wasted his prayer on healing and then found the fountain with the Fae by it.

Tyjir couldn't help but to snicker as he overheard Marot's outburst only to turn around to apology to the fae, and knelt down to sip the water to restore his strength,

Neko was gentler than the others appreciating the Fae and asking them what good of the heart meant, extending his hand to one.

Targos knew staying behind would do them little good. Late as it was they needed Seth's knowledge of the area. And the longer they sat around waiting the more time the bandit's had to plot another ambush while their wounds ate away at them. Yet moving ahead was dangerous as well. He spotted the fountain and approached cautiously, never trusting. Hearing Neko ask the obvious question, he waited for an answer.

The little fae flew around Neko's head "Drink kitty, drink" the fae fluttered to Targos and pulled on his hair "Drink Barbarian Drink" Sweet musical tones rang out but she never really gave an answer to his question.

Seth` splashed some of the water on his face before cupping the clear liquid in his hands to drinking. It was refreshing. All of his aches and pains went away as his wounds closed. It truly was a magical place. Green eyes laughed at the fairies flying about. This was the first time that anyone in the party would see Seth smile. It bespoke of a different man, a kinder one not filled with vengeance.

Marot knelt by the fountain, drinking the water while eyeing Seth` "I'm not enjoying your company."

Seth` smirked at Marot.

"Then leave, not like you were much help in that first fight anyways."

Seth had known men that would hang around the crowd and take credit for their work by association. He wasn't impressed with the Chirot. Having drunk his fill the man stood up and wiped his hands off on his long leather overcoat.

"Good, it looks like everyone else is here."

Marot looked at Seth.

“Listen you ungrateful ass, you need us because you are too weak, you need us. Do you think I am a thug, here or money? Well shove the coins up your ass, I'm here because I care and not for your reward, I'm a fucking hero!"

Seth… well… I had a good feeling," he said with a smirk.

"A hero? Really now?" he turned to Marot. Seth looked the man closely in the eye. "Well, you did come when called. You have my thanks for getting this far, but the job ain't done yet. This is as personal as it gets for me."

Marot shrugged, maybe now he'd shut up, and nodded to Seth. “Good, then don't hate us, hate them, use it to fuel your fighting, and do what you must...but ‘with' us, not against us.”

The spring suddenly vanished and the Fae took off in flight. Members gathered around it blinking seeing both disappear in front of their eyes.

Voices beyond them sounded angry and the bandits themselves were fighting, about ready to rip each other's throat out for failing, and still having the chore of wiping out the party that moved on ahead of them.

Just as they became healed and rested another battle ensued but this one was a battle of chase, since the bandits had a couple of villagers and were beating them senseless. They did it purposely dragging the villagers with them to lure them to the river.

The tide was high and the current swift. The party tried crossing over a log, carefully and not losing their footing. One of the bandits Carl followed them and fell into the river, "I curse you all with my last breath! May you all die by the hands of my comrades! OH! Tell Geraci that I left his money in my….. and he drowned.

From the distance on the other side Alyssa`Shadowfall came running to help them, growling at the bandits that pursued them running over the log to get to safety. Sorgram was with her and they joined in the battle trying to eliminate the last of the bandits.

One bandit trying to escape led them to a narrow passage leading to the cliff faces and through the narrow path he ran towards the village. The pass opened up towards the belly of the cliff and tents were set up erected in a circle at the camp.

Women were tied to the poles and one scourge barbarian took a whip to their backs. They watched only for a few seconds before charging the scourges beating the helpless women. The battle began this time with both the remaining bandits and the scourge. The women's screams of pain stopped as they watched in dismay to see if these people could free them.

Between the scourge, the bandits, and the party, the battle went on for days, each taking on as much strength as they could to rid the area of the bandits and the scourge. The battle was intense, and some of the party was left severely injured and some succeeded to get free with just minor injuries. They were hired to save the four women and made their way slowly to do just that along with the Elder that hired them.

The Elder was kind enough to bring them to a healer to be healed before they attempted to free the women. After a short rest and meal, they felt much better.

The women were released and the party thanked the Elder for their payment, but felt quite pleased they rid the area of the bandits and freed the women. The long and hard battle was certainly worth it just seeing the smiles of appreciation from the Elder, and the captured women.

Happily Ever After

Sarah Rose settled in with the man she really loved and that's the end of the story.

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