Eighty Minas

[CosmicWhaleShark 2488]

The gentle crunch of pine needles is heard through the great conifer forests just beyond Salvus' grand city. As a group of four makes its way around the windy road, they come to a stop within the middle of the torchlit cobblestone. Within the view of the flickering fire, a Dwarf with a blue beard, a Dark Elf bearing on her tabard a golden cross, and two Wood Elves in common clothing can be seen. They seem to be on a search, a search is a little too gentle of a word however. They are on a hunt.

 

Soon a fifth figure comes into view. A peasantry man with a staff, specifically a quarterstaff. The Dwarf and he appear to be friends, colleagues. The Elves themselves are on edge, except one bearded Wood Elf, who seems remarkably at ease.

 

After several dull moments of idle chatter between the Dwarf and the ragged man, a group of five make their way into view on the other side of the road. Suddenly the Dark Elf and her companion grip their weapons tighter and draw arrows from their quivers. The ragged man with the quarterstaff is no where to be seen...

 

The bearded Wood Elf fades back into the treeline in turn, quietly drawing an arrow of his own out, and smoothly setting its nock onto the stringing. Out of sight and out of mind, he witnesses his fellow huntsmen suddenly drop their weapons in fear. With a squint he scans the other group, and notices a man in the front standing with strained efforts. Slowly the Elf raises his bow, pulling the stringing back against the bristles of his beard, and looses it with a buzz towards the mage.

 

Chaos breaks loose as his fellow huntsmen are freed from their torment, the bandits on the other side of the road in complete confusion as their comrade falls with an arrow lodged in his chest. The bearded Wood Elf fades back into the trees, drawing his second arrow, and circles around the field of the skirmish. The Dark Elf draws her blade, tossing a spare axe towards the Dwarf. However before they have their run at glory, the ragged man from earlier makes his appearance and attacks the Dark Elf from behind.

 

Cries of torment and rage are heard on both sides, while the bearded Wood Elf makes steady progression behind the group of bandits. The mage's comrades drag him to safety while a hooded woman darts away from them with a bow in hand, arrow loaded. As she looses her own arrow, she ducks back behind a tree for cover. Another buzz is heard from behind and suddenly the Elf's second arrow pins her against the tree, through her neck. Without even a sound she drops her weapon, face filled with surprise. Blood oozes upon the bark as she lays there in an awkward slump, lifeless within the woods. 

 

As the other three huntsmen dispatch the ragged man, the bearded Wood Elf takes a moment to observe his own handiwork. Another bandit pries the dead woman off of the tree and carries her off into the woods at a run. Meanwhile two of the other bandits lay over their mage from earlier. Among the duo is a small girl, a child, crying and shivering in terror as those she loves are slain all around her. Bandits have feelings too, it seems.

 

Slowly the Wood Elf draws his third arrow, as the Dwarf runs over to his side to see if he needs aide. In turn he does the opposite, and exposes the Wood Elf. Among the duo, besides the child, is a man. He stands slowly and looks over his shoulder, finally turning to face the bearded Wood Elf, taking note of his bow. He points to the Wood Elf and suddenly his aura crackles with electricity.

 

The Wood Elf raises his bow and takes aim, meanwhile the man prepares his spell. In unison the Elf looses his arrow towards the man's chest, while the man fires off a quick round of lightning at the Elf. With a grunt the Elf's back slams against the trunk of a pine tree, slumping to the ground unconscious, his coat smoking with several scorch marks upon it. The man in turn falls back from the arrow, lodged in the center of his chest.

 

The forest suddenly becomes much more quiet, only the wimpering of a child, and the groans of the wounded mage are heard. The Dark Elven woman regains her senses, and begins barking orders to the two conscious huntsmen. They move to interrogate the mage for information, while child watches in horror as her last remaining friend is dragged away. Eventually the bearded Wood Elf comes to, and rejoins his comrades.

 

He approaches a member of his group with a stiff demeanor, shouldering his bow once again.

 

"Eighty minas," he says, and reluctantly another huntsmen hands him a plump bag of coins. He turns around to see a Druid speaking to the child, frowning down at the two. Later he accompanies the Druid and the child southward, stiffly walking as the coat he wears finally stops smoldering.

 

Eighty minas.

 

A bandit's life is cheaper than the iron it takes to kill them.   

[tnoy23 202]

((Oh hey, my one action in the entirety of this event was mentioned, the lightning. Who knew 10 minutes on could get you a spot on a post!))

[Xem - The Gentleman 18]

((I was the girl who got shot in the neck! Am I famous?!))