Journey to the North (In Game)

[Kalnath]

Alec slowed his advance as Odrosa’s spell struck her opponent, but he stopped entirely at the sight of its effect. Although the knight had seen men injured (even killed) by magic before, it was never comfortable to behold. The bandit writhed in agony while lightning seared through his flesh, and Alec could only stare in a sort of shock of his own.

This was more in line with what he expected from a dark elf.

It had brought an end to the fight, at least. Sir Alec shook off his stupefaction enough to direct his horse back to the others, carefully sidestepping the fallen highwaymen. He nodded approvingly at Orestina’s handiwork in particular – as quick, efficient, and decisive as his own had been. He made no movement to dismount, however; Alec found looting distasteful. And as for the surviving bandits: they were a problem for the local lawmen to deal with.

The four of them had other responsibilities...

“I would suggest we keep moving,” he said, pulling out a rag to wipe the blood off of himself. “We have a long way to go, and any delay could imperil our mission.”

 

[Autobass]

Orestina hastily scanned their surroundings as the cries of the lat bandit petered out, instinctively primed for any remaining threats to leap out at a moments notice. "Yeah we should probably get a move on," she agreed before adding "We basically just rang a dinner bell with all that noise, even if these guys didn't have any buddies waiting."

 

[OmegaUmbra]

Odrosa sighed, glad it was over and done with. Her stomach turned at the sight of the bandit she had dispatched sitting in a lightly smoking heap. Was combat always supposed to make you feel bad after...? She wondered. Glancing over the bodies until she started to feel ill. The dark elf mage nodded along with Sir Alec and Orestina's words in agreeance. The last thing Odrosa wanted was to take from people who had nothing, even if they were bandits. Delaying here wasn't wise when they had more pressing matters to attend to. Plus Orestina made a great point. The scent of blood and wailing cries could attract far worse, they needed to move.

Giving a final look behind her, Odrosa continued walking forward with the rest of the group. More knots in her stomach than before.

 

[starelementpoke]

Z'ar will glance back and watch as Odrosa let's loose her magic; the light of her lighting putting the bows, blades, and fists into shadow. His eyes will widen as reflexively he'll begin to let out a low whistle. He had only ever heard stories of mages and the spells they could cast before and it was every bit as impressive as he had imagined it would be. Noticing Odrosa trembling however he'll catch himself, instead reaching out and resting a hand on her shoulder.

"You're alright. Deep breaths."

Listening to Sir Alec and Orestina already making to move he'll glance down at the pile of groaning bandits. Looking down on them his expression will go stony for a moment, crimson eyes narrowing for just a moment before shaking his head and clearing his thoughts.

"If we leave them in this state they're bound to become a meal for a bear or worse. We'll be passing through a town soon enough either way."

Taking out a length of rope he'll quickly drag the bandits closer to one another before tying and bundling them together, taking care to avoid the coarse fibers from digging into the worst of their injuries. After making sure they're secured together Z'ar crouches down before getting them up, slinging the rope bound bandits over his shoulder.

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

Getting moving once more, the rest of your journey is uneventful, the weather remaining warm and sunny throughout the day. The fragrant smells of the nearby forest fill your nostrils, mingling with the chittering of woodland creatures and the buzzing of insects to create a truly peaceful symphony. This is lost on the bandits, the three of them are completely dead to the world save for the occasional groan which lets you know that their still alive. Judging from their injuries, that's probably a blessing in disguise.

After a few hours of riding, sundown is swiftly approaching and just as you begin to think it might be best to stop for the night, you hear the clacking of wheels and see a small mounted figure approaching over the horizon. Its clear that its a goblin and even more so that its a female one, her tits the size of watermelons and her thighs and ass rivalling them in sheer mass. If anyone exemplifies the term shortstack, it would be this woman. Her face too is beautiful, her purple eyes contrasting with her jade skin and a beauty mark on her right cheek. You see that she's riding a donkey attached to a medium sized cart, loaded down with bottles of various sizes and filled with liquids of various colors. She is whistling a merry tune and has a casual look in her eyes, which quickly changes to a bright and mischievous one as she sees you, slowing down as she approaches the party.

''Why good evening, you folks look like you know a bargain when you see one! Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Meralda and welcome to Meralda's Magical Materials!''

Her wave encompasses her cart, as if it was some large and impressive shop and not just something pulled to and fro by a mule.

 

[starelementpoke]

Bringing his horse to a stop Z'ar will blankly stare between the donkey, cart, and goblin. He had run into goblins before and while some were certainly shifty he generally knew them as very animated folk. None of the other goblins he had ever run into however were quite as... shapely. Perhaps close, but not quite.

"Meralda? Apologies, but for someone selling magic I would've thought I'd have heard your name on the road before."

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

She reels back at that in exaggerated shock and dismay, her eyes widening theatrically at your words.

''What!? My dear fellow, the name of Meralda is known far and wide, as is my reputation! A reputation for honesty, integrity, quality goods and......

She trails off at that, finally noticing the groaning bandits tied to Z'ar's back. She then shifts her gaze to Sir Alec, taking in his proud demeanour and fancy armor. Her eyes narrow a fraction, the smooth lilt to her voice still there, but with a suspicious and wary edge to it.

''Say, you folks aren't constables are you? Not that there's anything wrong with that of course, I have nothing but respect for law enforcement. Why, where would we be without them?''

Judging by the slightly wistful look in her eyes, you get the feeling that she wouldn't mind finding out. It doesn't last long though, her expression returning to normal quick as a flash.

 

[starelementpoke]

Blinking in surprise Z'ar will follow her gaze to the bandits as he remembers they're there. Shaking his head, he'll glance to the others for a moment, judging their reactions to the merchant Infront of them, especially to Odrosa hoping she would be able to clue them in if this merchant was a hoax or not.

"Uh, no. Sorry to disappoint but we're just travelers. These are just some bandits that had the misfortune of running into us. It felt cruel to just leave them so..."

He trails off, glancing awkwardly between the goblin and the bandits.

 

[Kalnath]

Sir Alec scoffed, his own eyes narrowing in return to Meralda's inspection. He'd never heard of the woman either, but it only took a moment for his first impression to find the word:

Charlatan.

He didn't say it aloud, of course. Z'ar seemed to be doing fine as spokesman, even while carrying three men over his shoulder. Say this for the man: at least he had strength to back up his compassion.

"If I might ask, my lady: how fare the roads behind you? Is it much further to the next town?"

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

Meralda leaves out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief, her body relaxing as she takes in Z'ars words.

''Ah I see, well they got what they deserve as far as I'm concerned! Damn criminals, preying on poor unsuspecting travellers, its enough to boil the blood!''

She takes a hard tone, her eyes glaring and nostrils flaring, although its pretty obvious she's laying it on a bit thick for your benefit.

To Sir Alec, she returns to her smooth and cajoling manner, giving him a wide and congenial smile and purposefully ignoring his own dubious expression towards her.

''Not much farther at all, sir knight! A few days ride and you'll find yourself in Wulfbright. Charming little place, very quaint and welcoming to travellers! Why, I spent a few days there myself selling my wares before heading off. On my way to the capital to set up shop there for a spell, its been years since I've seen the old girl!. I take it that's where you came from? No don't say a word, I can always tell these sort of things! Us crossing paths like this can't be mere coincidence, in fact it must be destiny or the will of the gods themselves at hand! You were predestined to become four more of my satisfied customers! So don't be shy, peruse my many wonderous wares!''

Meralda definitely has confidence in spades, her voice as self assured as if she were stating an axiomatic fact. Her grin and the twinkle in her eyes seem plastered onto her face as she beckons towards her cart with insistent enthusiasm.

 

[Kalnath]

To Alec's ear, "not much farther" and "a few days' ride" seemed like contradictory statements, but he didn't feel like arguing the point; although it did make him wonder if Z'ar would insist on carrying his hostages the whole way. That might be a hassle...

His brow furrowed apprehensively as Meralda quickly steered the discussion back to her products. Despite his doubts, curiosity still got the better of him as he rode up beside the goblin's cart and glanced over the supply. The Knights of St. Owyn were forbidden from using magical or esoteric substances, so his frame of reference was somewhat limited, but to his untrained eye most of the flasks just looked like colored water.

He gently lifted one, holding it up to the setting sunlight and asked, "So what do these do, exactly?"

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

Meralda smiles broadly at Sir Alec's question, chuckling slightly.

''The better question my friend, is what don't they do? We have potions to heal injuries and cure diseases, potions to change your form, even potions to enhance the mind and spirit! Why, the one you're holding there is a hair growth tonic, not that you'd need such a thing sir knight but its saved many an individual from the horrors of hair loss!''

She laughs even harder at her own little pun, her donkey snorting in surprise at the sudden noise and then braying slightly in annoyance.