The Adventurers' Arrangement (Traveler & obieblu)

Ridaan chuckled at the stick children reference. Yes, the Blights were an easy challenge, but enough of them could be overwhelming. And had they had weapons they might have been as deadly ‘accidently’ as a trained warrior could be purposely. A defeat was a defeat.

He cheerfully walked alongside the barbarian, noting their height differences and the similarities between how the muscles on the solid horse rippled, and the barbarian’s did. They followed the side path, taking Shalana’s instructions on turns and how far to go, and as they did Ridaan wondered what exactly an elven village looked like. In all his travels he had never been invited to one, and they were not kind to those who arrived unannounced.

“A ‘huge’ reward, huh?” he smirked as he continued walking. For now, it was enough to know that perhaps a meal awaited them, and maybe a pretty face or two to flirt with. And then they would continue to their appointment with the Marquis, and then? Who knew what kinds of adventures awaited? Tafari and Ridaan had started to build a reputation as bounty hunters of renown. If they continued on this path the mighty barbarian would soon find himself invited home to lead a tribe.
 
If Tafari noticed Ridaan's gaze, he didn't indicate it. His pace was steady, and his strong pectoral muscles bounced slightly with each step. He cursed his fortune in losing his partner's bet so immediately, but he clung to the notion tha the'd killed two of the more dangerous enemies than Ridaan's single. His mild curiosity at what the hunter had hinted at paled compared to his hope for a second chance to best the man before anyone had a chance to collect.

The corner of his lip did twitch at Shalana's bossy tone. He considered elves frail from what little he'd seen, but this girl had the attitude that would suit a Tau Mweusi wife. Tafari wondered how great a reward a small forest town could offer, but he hadn't charged in to rescue the children to be rewarded. He continued to keep an eye out for danger, letting Ridaan do the talking, as usual.

"Yes. We're children. Of course they'll be grateful," Shalana declared very matter-of-factly. She raised her small hand to point a pale finger up the path, "There's our village." The girl sat up straighter, like she was riding into court while Onver's shoulders sagged, seeming to be less excited about returning home.

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While the sky had just started to darken, there were already torches lit leading up to the village because of the forest's gloom. The houses were wooden with thatched roofs and stood both on the forest floor as well as were built into thick trees. Elves were out, doing whatever they did in the early evening. A few turned to look at the approaching figures, alert, but not yet alarmed.

Shalana waved to them, and the observers recognized the children. Two went running back into the village while a few others came out to meet them.
 
Ridaan strolled into the village like he was a hero. Which, in his mind, he was. He smiled at the villagers as they entered the tree-themed home, noting the way the elves had built their environment into the forest, and not forced the forest to bend to their will. Although, as he looked more closely, he couldn’t imagine the trees appreciating little feet climbing up and down their insides to access other rooms of their home.

He followed along, his hands upon the horse’s reins, until Shalana instructed them to stop. A fine crowd of elves had gathered, and though most seemed friendly, the hunter could not dismiss the fact that a few carried bows in hand, instead of upon their backs.

He looked to the children to announce them and declare their great deeds to their neighbors. Perhaps everyone’s quiet was due to the barbarian’s and his great physique, though he could not believe that they had never seen such fine examples of human beauty before…had they?

“Hello,” he called out. “Nice to meet you all.”
 
The local elves seemed to be impressed with the two humans, though their immediate concern were the children on horses. They didn't get too close, but formed a loose circle around the small party. One elf woman turned and ran, calling out "Abigail! Onver returned with strangers!" A few others nodded in response to Ridaan's greeting and mumbled something that sounded reciprocal. While not exactly diminutive, the assembled adult elves were shorter and not nearly at the muscular proportions of the two mercenaries. A few of the women couldn't seem to decide which exposed, muscular chest they wanted to look at more.

Shalana gasped a small feminine gasp, and Onver's eyes went wide with fear. "Don't tell our parents where you found us!" she hissed, but not loudly enough for the other adults to hear.

Tafari looked up to her questioningly, "Then what are we to say about why you're on our horses?" It seemed implausible that two elf children would just befriend two hardened mercenaries who would escort them a short ways home for no reason. He looked sideways at Ridaan to see what the other man's reaction was. He had the sort of mind that came up with stories in a pinch.

The woman who'd ran off returned with another, who yelled out "Onver!" and ran right up to the horse without hesitation. She did go around the side that Tafari wasn't on and pulled her son off. "Where have you been?"

"I'm alright, mother. I'm alright," he didn't seem to like the doting in public, which wasn't really that bad, but boys tended to be like that with their mothers.

"Onver hurt his ankle while we were collecting mushrooms. These two nice men offered to let us ride their horses. They're so big!" Shalana meant the horses, but the compliment could be for either them or the humans. Shalana's tone seemed affected, like she was speaking more simply, like a child, rather than her bossy matter-of-factly tone from before. Onver suddenly let his left leg go limp, and his mother picked him up protectively, then stepped out in front of them all.

"Is this true?" Abigail looked between the children, then between the two adult men seeking confirmation. Tafari also looked at Ridaan, as well as the children, and the hunter would find himself with almost everyone assembled looking to him to confirm or deny Shalana's account of what brought them here.
 
Shalana’s command did not sit well with Ridaan. Firstly, she wasn’t his boss. He frowned at her as she hissed. Secondly, if the children were where they should not have been, their parents should know. Perhaps the reason they were not to go there was exactly why they were in such a predicament in the first place. The next time, they might be emboldened by their escape from discipline, and find themselves in a worse situation that cost them their lives. Or worse; cost the lives of innocents following the more charismatic girl around. As much as Ridaan enjoyed the occasional ruse or trickery, the girl’s bold deceit made him disdain her slightly.

He did feel a bit of understanding for poor Onver. Though he did not know exactly how close to full adulthood the lad was, he understood that sometimes, just sometimes, a mother’s doting could be embarrassing. There was no doubt how worried Abigail was at the absence of her son and loved him dearly.

Shalana’s declaration drew his attention. "Onver hurt his ankle while we were collecting mushrooms. These two nice men offered to let us ride their horses. They're so big!" He noted the overly-sweet tones and childlike way she spoke, and then saw Onver suddenly drop his leg. Whatever hold this little tyrant had on the lad, it had not been a recent one.

“You little liar,” Ridaan quietly said to the girl, his expression one of both disbelief and perhaps, admiration. Onvar’s mother asked for confirmation. The hunter narrowed his eyes at the girl; this had to have been her idea, not the boy’s. And it might have cost her her life. Yet, she was willing to cast the burden of the day on poor Onvar, who would now have to act the part of a boy with a hurt ankle, when in fact, she should be hailing his bravery for finding someone to rescue her.

“I don’t know what they were doing before we found them,” he said, turning to Abigail, “only that our help was needed.” Not knowing the elven custom for the discipline of errant offspring, he opted for a more private setting. “Perhaps we can talk more of this once we get the child,” he nodded to Onver, “resting, and all the parents gathered together, hmm?”
 
The rescued elves were clearly children. While their lifespan would put them possibly at the age of the two human men, they were far from adult for their own species, looking about the equivalent of 8-10, each. Onver's timidity was probably typical because of his young age, and Shalana's self-assuredness was probably because of being coddled and spoiled for her entire short life. There was a look of expectation behind her sweet features as she waited for either mercenary to confirm her story.

Ridaan didn't, and Tafari let out of a small snort and looked away, amused at how pointed he contradicted the small girl. Shalana's rosy mouth dropped open, apparently unaccustomed to being contradicted. "I.. well, we were looking for mushrooms. Then some monsters came." She phrased it as if she hadn't been lying, just had criminally buried the headline. Though still, Onver wasn't hurt at all.

"Monsters?" Abigail had been processing Ridaan's contradiction, then hugged her son closer at his friend's mention of monsters. Some of the other adult elves began to murmer to each other, as well. She looked down to Onver, "Did you see Blights? Those tree demons we specifically told you not to go into the forest because of?"

Onver started to sputter, but Shalana interrupted. "We've had picnics there before. It was safe! Just.. not today," she seemed to half-realize that her attempt at defending her actions only revealed that they weren't even trying to be helpful.

With that, the murmuring increased in volume, and Onver's mother's expression changed to one with more fear and seriousness. "Well," she said, taking another moment to think. "Yes, let's find the girl's father," she nodded in agreement with Ridaan, and her tone indicated great displeasure with Shanala. This was likely not the first time her son had been dragged into something by the girl. "Find my husband and Balin. We'll meet them at the Keep." Then she turned to the two mercenaries and offered her hand. "Thank you for rescuing my child," she shook Ridaan's, then more reluctantly shook Tafari's. "Please come. Let's sort this out with our leader." She gestured for them to follow her.

Not having yet been to an elf village, Tafari hadn't received quite the intense response of intimidation that these people were giving him. He was an imposing figure, for sure, but he wasn't that striking in larger cities.

As they walked, Shalana expressed her displeasure from her perch on Ridaan's horse. "Now you did it..." as if he were in trouble, instead of her. Critical thinking didn't seem to factor into her words, at the moment.

Tafari finally spoke up, "No, you did it, from what we hear," his voice rumbled enough to put the girl in her place. "I hope you have enough gold to pay for our rescue services.." he let that vague threat hang in the air, but he gave Ridaan a small wink to the side. It was enough to shut the girl up.

Abigail lead them through the village to a larger, two-story structure that included some stone unlike most of the other buildings. In front, there were elf men and a few women training with staffs. A middle-aged elf with gray at his temples was commanding them. Abigail slowed so she could speak to the two mercenaries before they arrived. "That is Aelrindell, our leader." By now, Onver had dropped his fake limp and just looked very sheepish.
 
Ah, the little imp was an accomplished liar. Give her a lute, and she’d be a great bard. Ridaan rolled his eyes at her protest that they’d gone there before (hence, often) and it had been fine. It was like saying that she had walked by the sleeping tiger numerous times before and never was attacked, hence it was unlikely to wake in the future.

He inclined his head at Abigail’s suggestion they bring Shalana’s father into the picture. “Good idea,” he agreed. He gave Onver a sympathetic look. Hopefully this would be enough to finally get the boy to stop allowing himself to live under that tiny oppressive thumb. When Abigail reached out to shake his hand he was surprised, but he took it and nodded. “Our pleasure,” he said, then followed behind, his horse in tow. He glanced back at Tafari, or rather, back and up at him, and grinned. They were going into a new place, had rescued the children, and were now undoubtedly meeting two of the leading menfolk. Their day had only improved.

“Now you did it…” Shalana grumbled.

Tafari’s response brought a wider smile to Ridaan’s lips. “You know,” he said, stopping his horse and pulling the girl off the saddle, “you can walk. Go on, now. Run ahead, little troublemaker.” He made a shooing motion with his hand, sending her off before them. He caught the small wink from his companion and shook his head and smirked as if to say ‘those little scamps…’

The structure before them was sturdy but lacked none of the grace imbued in the other buildings of the village. As they approached, the staff training displayed many of the skills that the forest kin were known for having. If they had a chance, Ridaan would have loved to watch them practicing with their bows, but as it was, they had an appointment with the Marquis, and could not dally too long. When Abigail slowed to tell them of Aelrindell, the hunter raised a brow.

“Is…Aelrindell, your leader, also Shalana’s father?” If so, it explained much. Oftentimes the children of those in charge would act out or exert their parents’ authority as if it were their own. Hence Onver’s compliance, perhaps. He studied the man as he was alerted to the visitors’ presence and tried not to seem too intimidating. Though, with Tafari at his side, the contrast made him the more approachable of the group, if only by the sheer difference in size.
 
The barbarian watched out of the corner of his eye as Ridaan plucked the elf girl off his horse and made her walk. He found her petulance more cute than anything, but he wasn't a fan of how she was talking to Ridaan, who rescued her. Shalana huffed when she was put down. Riding a horse was a rare treat, as they weren't incredibly useful or numerous in a dense forest community. Onver did look over to her. He wasn't faking a limp anymore, but he seemed a bit satisfied that she wasn't getting to ride a horse much longer than he had. They were both, after all, children and such things were important to them. Shalana scurried to walk alongside Onver, and it didn't seem that either had resentment towards the other.

"No, my daddy is a hunter," Shalana announced in a proud voice.

"We don't have a chief, but Aelrindell is wise and advises us well," Abigail clarified, just before they came within earshot of the older elf. "Aelrindell, these two humans saved Shalana and Onver from blights," her tone seemed to hold an implication.

The elves engaged in training continued, while Aelrindell came to a stop before the small group that just arrived. "You're welcome in Lamaltee. Thank you for returning our children," he looked down between Onver and Shalana, not seeming surprised that they'd gotten into trouble. "You encountered blights?"

Shalana piped up, "I was fighting them and sent Onver to get help." Technically, she had been kicking them, so it wasn't entirely a lie. Tafari snorted, giving the girl a little credit for not just screaming and giving up, but it wasn't worth interrupting the more important conversation.

Two more adult elves came jogging up, a man with a bow and a woman in a more mundane looking simple dress. They embraced Shalana, but neither interrupted their leader. Aelrindell acknowledged the newcomers with a slight nod, then continued talking to the mercenaries. "We've found ourselves needing to defend on three fronts, and our able-bodies are spread very thin." He glanced over his shoulder at the trainees, "We're conscripting other trades as warriors, but that's unsustainable. The blights have just recently appeared in the North... and now we find ourselves surrounded."

"I told you it should have been safe," Shalana muttered, indicating that the children's excursion hadn't been knowingly foolhardy. Her parents shook her shoulders to shush her.
 
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When Ridaan asked Abigail whether Aelrindell was also Shalana’s father, the child piped up and interrupted the woman from answering. The hunter turned his gaze to regard the child, his gaze stern. “I wasn’t talking to you, little girl. Adults are talking.” He turned back to Abigail, who clarified the bowman’s position and then introduced them to the honored elf. At the man’s question about encountering a blight, he nodded, looking at his companion. They had encountered blights, and though Shalana was again quick to paint herself the heroine, she wasn’t lying completely. She had been struggling against her captives and had kicked a them a few times. Technically ‘fighting’.

Then the man laid out the situation for them, mentioning their trainees and the fact that they were surrounded. Ridaan looked at the people training with staffs. They were hitting and blocking in a series that they repeated, learning movements so that their muscles would remember what to do even if their minds were panicked. He rubbed at the scruff on his chin, considering their situation.

“Begging your pardon, Aelrindell, but I don’t know how effective staves will be against the blights. We were only able to defeat them because we had edged weapons. My companion, Tafari, and his axe,” he nodded in the barbarian’s direction, “was a worthy weapon against the blights. My sword as well.” He shook his head. “Fire might work, but you’d be risking your forest. Staves… I don’t know.”

He drew in a breath and let it out slowly. “Do you happen to know why they’ve begun to populate your forests?”
 
Shalana didn't respond to Ridaan's additional chide, as her parents had already silenced her. Though, she did give the hunter a deep frown of displeasure. If anyone could possibly make such an expression cute, it was the small elf girl. Tafari again sort of smirked at her, thinking the tiny ball of confidence and attitude was cute Like a tiny dog barking at a lion. Of course here, the girl was perfectly safe. He caught Ridaan's look to the side and just shrugged, assuming the hunter was displeased with Tafari's amusement at the girl.

"No pardon necessary," Aelrindell held up his hand. "Likely not. Nor would arrows. We considered and dismissed flaming attacks, but that would endanger the forest too much, like killing the patient to cure the disease." He let out a deep sigh. "We don't have many bladed weapons beyond hunting knives," he looked at Ridaan's swords. "Our lumberjacks are to the West fighting giant spiders. Our hunters are to the South and East with goblins and kobolds." He gestured behind himself to the trainees. "Frankly, we're out of large weapons other than the bows of the few hunters we've kept here, just for food," he nodded in appreciation to Shalana's father, who gave the middle-aged elf a small bow. "We're training young unmarried tradesmen to reinforce the others and defend the village," his face of greeting started to melt into an expression of weariness and worry. "We've sent others to Emberez to try and buy metal, as our one smith has exhausted our supply, already," Emberez being the island state in the inland see where Ridaan and Tafari were headed. Ibrido was its capital, but they weren't expected for a couple more days.

"These blights to the North are new. We've barely had a chance to prepare a response. I'm aware that sticks against trees would be a losing battle. We've been lucky so far that they haven't crossed the road" he trailed off, then took in a long deep breath. "I did note your and your companion's far superior melee weapons," he appraised both men again, approvingly. "I'd like to speak to our guests privately," he looked between the two elf families. All three parents nodded, murmuring thanks again to the mercenaries before they lead their children away. "Abigail, might our guests stay with you, tonight?" it seemed assumptive that the heroes would spend the night in Lamaltee, but Onver's mother quickly nodded.

"Of course, of course," she made a awkward half-bow, half-curtsy to the two men, but Onver's face lightened, thinking he might get some good stories before bed.

After the others had departed, Aelrindell's demeanor turned even more serious than before. He stepped in closer to the to men and spoke in a lower tone. "We do know why the blights are here. And it may be the same reason we find ourselves with enemies on all sides. I must ask if you'll help us. We don't have much, but we'll pay you what we can." He paused to read the two men's expressions. "My next step is to call an evacuation, but our supplies are so drained, we won't do well traveling as a band of slow refugees at this point. I fear Lamaltee is lost, without outside help."
 
The elven village was in a very bad spot, it seemed. No additional metal, their numbers spread thin, and not just blights, but goblins and kobolds to contend with. They were between the proverbial rock and a hard place, and though he knew that their skills with the bow were the best in the realm, arrows were not going to cut it with the woody demons.

And then suddenly, they were invited to stay. To stay a night or two in an elven village was… well, Ridaan had never thought he would be invited to do such a thing. Perhaps if they knew who they were inviting, the leader might have changed his mind. Or perhaps he did, and Ridaan’s condition was considered less of a threat than the blights. ‘Surely, Tafari will find a warm bed tonight,’ he thought, smiling at the man. Even if they could not play their game, there would be reward for both in terms of company and payment. Not necessarily in that order.

Once the young ones had departed, Aelrindell’s voice lowered and he shared with them his concerns, though it seemed he wasn’t quite ready to share the reasons completely. Ridaan drew a breath at the offer of a job. They did have a few days before they were expected…he turned to his companion.

“What do you say, my friend?” his smile was almost a smirk. If they took on the job, then Tafari had a chance to win between now and the Marquis’ party. If not…well, the village was no worse off for their refusal. They had already saved the children and killed off five of the demon trees. How bad could it really be?
 
The local elves had no reason to feel threatened by the two mercenaries. They were large and violent-looking, but they'd saved two children and seemed decent and even mildly cheerful. Plus, as Aelrindell explained, they couldn't afford to turn down any help that stumbled along randomly. Their shamelessly exposed muscular torsos seemed to be enough of a testimony to their physical power.

Tafari looked to his partner, "Of course," then to the older elf. "Yes, We'll help. It's why we're here." It was true in a round-about way. They hadn't come to this forest specifically to help anyone, but their travels in general were to do so. "So, now that we're allied to your cause, you can tell us what you know about why these attacks are happening?"

"Yes, of course," Aelrindell nodded thankfully to both men. "It's actually one of our own. Well.. used to be one of our own," he said in a regretful tone. "Our elder druid, Avandith, seems to be the one bringing this upon us. When the blights appeared days ago, I sent scouts to the North. Only one returned, but he said Avandith had established a camp of some sort and was surrounded by blights, apparently serving him. He'd disappeared many months ago, long enough before the other attacks that we didn't suspect him. We also presumed he was dead, missing with no trace." He let the adventurers digest that for a moment before continuing. "I hope that whatever he's doing is what is drawing every evil thing to our forest. The blights are just the most recent. We can give you directions and any equipment we can offer in the morning. You'll have no chance navigating here in the dark. Are we agreed?" Aelrindell reached out his hand to shake on their deal. Tafari took it quickly and shook it perhaps too gently, fearing hurting the other main who appeared so frail in comparison. The elf smirked slightly, seeming to understand what Tafari was thinking.

"I'll show you to Abigail's. She has enough room for you two," he followed up after shaking each man's hand.
 
“Of course!” Ridaan echoed, smiling broadly. “We’re heroes, that’s what we do.” He smacked Tafari on his broad back. Mostly he just wanted an excuse to touch him, but he played it off as a friendly act of comradery for the elves. As Aelrindell told them of their troubles, it seemed to be a matter of a druid gone bad. Which was, from their description, a very bad thing. The idea that one of their own might be drawing in the evil blights or creating them and sending them out to wreak havoc, was horrendous.

“We’ll do what we can,” he agreed. The idea of leaving in the morning was good, too. Some food, some sleep, and then some adventuring and saving the village. It had almost the sounds of an almost perfect day to it. Almost perfect.

“Hope she has a quiet room,” Ridaan said as they walked. “Snoring, you know. It gets loud…wouldn’t want to keep the family awake.” He was chuckling inside, though he knew that it was unlikely they’d have enough privacy in an elven home to do anything but sleep, he liked making the barbarian wonder if today would begin their contest, or if it would have to wait another night.

The village was a peaceful one, if a bit primitive. It didn’t match the tales of cities of alabaster and gold that the famed elven cities boasted, but it was a fine village, and much better than many he had called his home. As they walked through the paths many peeked out at the strangers, but for the most part they left the leader and his guests to the journey to Abigail’s home.
 
The two adventurers sure presented a strong, united front in their competence and agreement to help the elves. Ridaan's arm made a loud smack against the solid wall of muscle of Tafari's broad back. These small gestures of camaraderie weren't uncommon, but for the first time, Tafari gave his partner a small smirk to the side, wondering if there was something else to it. Aelrindell again seemed to not be accustomed to speaking to a solid wall of bulging pecs and defined abs, but he nodded thankfully after the two humans both agreed. "We're all so grateful, thank you." He gestured for them to follow him. "Abigail will take good care of you, tonight. Let me know if you need any supplies for tomorrow, and I'll do what I can. Or tell her later if you think of something."

The two men were a spectacle walking through the elf village, but most of the residents' expressions turned hopeful after their initial perplexed stares. There couldn't be any other reason than some sort of military aid for such a sight in their midst. "Oh, yes. Abigail has room since.. well, it's just her and Onver, now." Though, the elf tried to hide a grimace at the thought of thanking the widow for the 'generosity' he volunteered her for by keeping her up with the humans' snoring.

As they walked, Tafari silently evaluated the village. It was peaceful for sure, but it seemed under-populated weak. He attributed it to most able-bodied citizens being away defending on three fronts. If it came to it, he'd be willing to help with those other enemies if dealing with the rogue druid didn't bring peace to the elves. Then his mind drifted to losing the first day to Ridaan's new competition. His expression turned more dour than when he'd been imagining crushing all the foes Aelrindell listed under his hammers.

"Here we are," the elven leader announced, mostly unnecessarily as they walked up to a cottage built into the roots of a large tree. Onver threw open the door from the inside, wide-eyed and excited. It seemed he was over his earlier trauma. "You're here!" His mother quickly stepped up behind him, pulling him inside and making way.

"Please, please, come in," she was wearing an apron, and the smell of simple meat and carbs met the men as they entered. It was a very simple home. The kitchen and living area were combined with a stone fireplace opposite the tree trunk that served as one wall. There were stairs leading up to a loft that was about half as big as the bottom floor. "It's not much, but I've got supper started, and someone is fetching you some bedding. By the fire will be plenty warm," she noted both men's lack of upper body coverings and figured they'd need blankets.
 
Yeah, not gonna get roped into GMing ever again.
 
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