My name is Nylin Trina. It is currently Morne of 1560, 7 years ago my village was destroyed in front of me by a dragon, ill never forget that day.
I've spent the past 5 years alone training to be a rogue like my father used to be. I wear my fathers mask so my enemies can stare into my violet eyes of death when I end them. Having the blonde hair of my father I wear his hood to hide myself. Collecting bounties for villages I happen to pass by on my voyage.
I only started off with the dagger my father left me before he past away. The more I practiced with it the better I got and the more people asked me for help. You see at the time I was 13 and decided living in the woods eating berries and rats aren't going to keep me going for long so I decided it was time for me to get a job. But sadly no one would let a 13 year old half elf work for them in the shops, they all said "You'll only make me look bad." Eventually I got tired of trying to search for job in the shops so when I turned 14 I started collecting small jobs that people needed done, like finding lost items; lost pets; killing wild animals that come into owned properties, these kind of jobs didn't pay enough eventually, finding an item for someone only got me 1 sp (silver piece) each; finding a lost pet maybe got me maybe 3 sp; killing wild animals barely got me 1 gp (gold piece) , all of this was barely enough to buy me a meal for 1 day! So I started saving my money, only buying 1 meal for 2 days and taking 6 jobs per day. Eventually when I turned 18, I came up with 3,660 gp and I instantly went shopping for anything I thought I might need on adventure: a backpack, master-work thieves tools, water skin, common lamp, 5 pints of oil for the lamp, 6 meals, climbers kit, healer's kit, explorer's outfit, cold weather outfit, belt pouch, winter blanket, and soap. After getting all the important stuff I went ahead and went to the armory and bought myself: a studded leather shirt, a short sword, a composite longbow, and 100 arrows. After placing the rest of my gold in my belt pouch, which I had a lot left over I figured I could save it for meals, and went ahead looking for a bounty to claim. I walked up to the village bounty board and I spotted a bounty asking for someone to hunt down and capture a slave and bring him home for 200 gp. I quickly snatched up the parchment paper and started walking to the location of the slave's master which was listed on the parchment on the back.
After walking for what seems like 6 hours I approach a large house with what seems like a jungle themed yard. I approach the door and knock 3 times as loud as I can. Shortly after a large man the race of an orc opens the door and stands before me in a red silk robe looking down at the top of my hood.
"Hmm? Who are you?" the man growls and I remove my hood and look up at him with my violet eyes my mask still on.
"I'm here to accept your bounty sir, on your slave?" I hold up the parchment paper with his bounty on it. He begins to laugh loudly forcing me to cover my ears. Once he finishes laughing he glares down at me.
"There's no way you can bring my wife's stepson home on your own. you're fairly pretty but he's not stupid enough to listen to you."
I look confused for a second. "Sir are you saying your wife's stepson is your slave?" He nods opening the door so I can come in. I follow him inside leaving my mask on while looking around.
"His parents past away so she gained custody of him. Sadly my wife has past, so he is now my problem. He is a half blood like you... well half-orc." I nod listening as he takes me to what seems to be a dining room and we both sit down.
"You are too weak you wont be able to handle him. You also seem a little young to be taking bounties." I sigh and glare at him my eyes as sharp as daggers from hearing his words and I can tell my look made him nervous.
"Sir please don't waste my time. Do you want me to get him back or not?"
"Stop looking at me like that kid you remind me of my wife and she was a scary women." He chuckles.
"Alright look your small so I recommend you buy one of my combat trained horses, I trained them all myself." He states proud of himself.
"How much?" I ask as he looks at me and smiles
"let me come with and ill determine that when we get back don't expect me to fight too much I'm too old for that now."
I sigh and stand up "Sir I don't mean to be rude but that means I have not only the boy to protect till I return him, but adding you would add more people to protect, I'm afraid id have to charge more than what you offer." I cross my arms glaring at him and he stands with a sigh.
"If you take me with ill pay you double that's 400 gp, 40 platinum pieces. If you don't take it ill find someone else who is willing to do the job for that much." I sigh and nod holding out my hand knowing I just started out, so I probably shouldn't complain. He happily shakes my hand nearly ripping off my arm. Once he lets go I rub my arm as he motions for me to follow him.
"You can pick out your horse now." I follow him to his back yard where there are all kinds of horses from big military horses to small halfling sized ponies.
"Pick which ever you like they are all combat trained." I nod and look around. My mother used to always tell me if creatures don't chose you they'll never befriend you correctly.
I walk by each horse the Orc watching me impatient. I sit on the floor putting my hood back on and the Orc shouts
"Hey! We ain't got all damn day!" Ignoring him I wait for one of the horses to get curious or upset. Finally, a few minutes pass and one of the horses walk past me and huffs. I then proceed to hold out my hand and the Orc steps forward.
"Umm that's Man of Steel... He doesn't like anyone be careful." I look up to see a giant military horse towering over me with an angry look and I slowly stand only to discover he's almost as tall as I am. He steps back huffing.
"Man of Steel its a strong name... suits a strong horse like you don't you think?" I hold out my hand to Man of Steel and he huffs again bouncing lightly threatening to kick me with his front hooves.
"If you hate me so much then hurt me." I close my eyes when suddenly he calms down his tail snapping back and forth he suddenly bows his head and lays down so I climb on. He quickly stands letting me sit on his back.
"May the Gods be upon you... he knocks me on my ass." I remove my hood and mask gently using my fingers to brush Man of Steel's mane.
"You always let the animal choose you.." I state as he nods.
Man of Steel huffs shaking his head growing impatient. The orc mounts his own horse while I put my hood and mask back on then we leave. We head north in the last known direction the orcs stepson went. I start asking questions bored of the silence that I've already lived with for the last 7 years,
"So what's your name sir? And your stepson?" I yell over the loud galloping of our steads. He looks at me and chuckles a bit.
"My name is Death Speed in human tongue! My slaves name is Frederick a shameful name for an orc! It doesn't strike fear in the heart like an orcs name should! Like mine!" He yells angry.
"and your name half point?" He asks and I glance at him knowing my home was only a few cities away.
"My name is Nylin its not scary like yours." I try to joke hoping he wont know my father who did a lot of bounties for this town. Death speed starts to slow down coming to a stop, so I pull around to face him, stopping a little ways away.
"Nylin... that name it sounds familiar..." remembering my father had a habit of stealing I wasn't sure if id be safe if he learned who I was.
"What is your last name Nylin?" He asks thinking as he stares at my eyes.
"I don't have a last name sir it's just Nylin."
He glares "Of course you do everyone is born with a last name. come on kid you can trust me! what's your father's last name?"
I sighed "Why do you insist on knowing my name?" He sighs upset looking down "I once had a close friend with blonde hair. He was human and a very talented rouge at that. He only ever told me his last name. He was from...ummm where was it again... i can't remember but he said he had a beautiful daughter with her mother's radiant eyes and his blonde straight hair." I glance at him then look away.
"I remember now he was from the village of peace you know the one that got attacked by a dragon... there was no survivors so I doubt she lived... never mind." I shake my head
"James Trina..." I dismount man of steel facing Death speed. "husband of Adethel Trina." I remove my mask. "Father of Nylin Trina..." I remove my hood and kneel bowing my head in sorrow. "I'm the only survivor from the dragon attack that happened in the village of peace... all thanks to my father... if it weren't for my parents I wouldn't be alive...you were a friend of my father's and I'm sorry I couldn't do anything to save him" Death speed dismounts his horse and towers over me.
"Stand child. No good will come out of you kneeling in sorrow." I stand and he grabs me tight pulling me into a hug. "Continue making your father proud. He was a great rouge. If you need anything you stop by any time you like alright?" I nod gently pushing away from him as I put my mask and hood back on.
"Death speed... my village suffered a great loss but I'm sorry to say my father and many other rogues in my village stole from many so if you please id like to keep myself hidden no one is to know I'm alive or I could be killed." He nods as we both remount our horses. He looks over at me confused.
"What happened to the dragon? No one saw it leave the village?"
I glance at him. "It never left there's a mountain behind my village where the army kept everything for the village... it lives there. The dragon spared me I don't know why. It knew I was in the forest yet it left me alone." I gently nudge man of steel with the heels of my boots trotting off Death Speed follows me in shock.
"I must return home when the time comes." I can feel Death Speed's eyes burning into the back of my head.
"You will not return home child!" I look back and glare at him.
"I will avenge my parents and my village!"
He sighs and glares back. "Ill join you then when the time comes." I close my eyes ignoring his words.
Hours pass before I begin to tell that we are catching up to Frederick. I dismount as we enter a small village.
"We are close." Death Speed looks at me confused.
"How can you tell?" I point at the sand beneath my feet. "This is a village of halflings and gnomes... there are large prints in the sand that are too big to be either of those but not big enough to be an orcs." He looks down nodding.
"Did you learn that from your father?"
I glare at him. "Sir I wish for you to please stop talking about my father for now please." He nods as I walk in the village guiding man of steel, Death speed following right behind me.
"Get out! Your kind don't belong here!" A small voice yells and I look down to see a gnome wagging his finger at Death Speed.
"I'm sorry sir we will leave soon we are just looking for his stepson Frederick? I have evidence he's come through here?" I say stepping in front of Death speed.
The gnome crosses his arms. "I see...the moron is this way follow me." He waves his hand motioning for us to follow as he walks off towards the center of the village where a group of gnomes and halflings surround a half-orc I assume to be Frederick. Frederick spots Death Speed and pushes past the gnomes and halflings running and I quickly mount man of steel chasing after him, soon cutting him off I draw my composite bow aiming between his eyes. My arrow so close it grazes past his matted hair that hangs over his eyes.
"Move and i'll shoot. I rarely miss!" I bluff obviously making his knees shake. Death Speed walks up behind Frederick and pulls out some rope he had in his bag and begins tying him up.
"I feel like this was too easy sir..." I say while putting my arrow and bow away. Death Speed picks the now squirming Frederick up and puts him on his horse.
"Nothing is easy Nylin...we both have a bounty on our heads. The humans are after us." I glare at him as we ride out.
"what in Diana's name did you do?!"
His laugh howls over the galloping horses. "I did a bounty on them to kill a few people."
I look confused. "How many?" He laughs looking back at me.
"A few hundred people! your father helped! we were hired personally!" I look shocked.
"That's not only a few sir! What convin-" I yelled only to get cut off by a shinning light in the distance.
"Death speed stop!" He looks back confused turning his head a bullet grazing across his cheek so fast just the air alone seemed to have cut his cheek. A sigh of relief escapes my mouth as I dismount sprinting off towards the light.
"Stay back!" I call over my shoulder as I spot a rather large figure fall out of a near by tree, I immediately draw my sword readying myself for what comes.
A human starts running at me full charge an obvious fighter. knowing I have the disadvantage all I have to do is beat him in speed which should be no problem for me. I side step taking the hilt of my sword and driving it up toward his stomach using his weight to my advantage. His body slams into my hilt knocking my sword out of my hands and making him fall back. I quickly pick it up but its too late he swings his sword at my leg slashing a large gash into my calf making me fall to the floor. He goes to drive the sword into my chest but I turn to my side as he hits the sand next to me. I reach down on my thigh and pull out my dagger stabbing him in his leg piercing through his armor making him fall. I quickly pick up my sword and drive it through his chest panting. As my heart rate fell and I began to calm down I realized how much my leg was bleeding, so I quickly patched it up and cleaned off my dagger and sword putting them away and walking back over to Death Speed who stood there clapping.
"Thanks for the help..." I sigh limping over to Man of steel and climbing onto him.
"I told you I wasn't going to fight. lets get home and ill patch you up."
Once we get close to town I start to relax happy I don't have to be on guard no more but my leg still was in a large amount of pain. I slightly lower myself on Man of Steel trusting him to walk home from here. I look around seeing that there's no one around.
"H-hey Death Speed... is it always this quiet." I start to sit up and he shakes his head
"No somethings wrong..." I glare looking around at every detail in town.
"Sir I want you to quickly get inside your house for your own safety." He looks at me offended.
"Excu-" I cut him off.
"Now! Your paying me to protect you so go now before you get hurt." I glare at him and he nods hurrying off I rush into the middle of town on Man of Steels back.
Getting into the middle of town Man of Steel comes to a sudden stop in front of four men, all human warriors from the looks of it.
"Pfft... should've known..." I mumble under my breath as I dismount standing beside Man of Steels large leg gently petting his leg as he huffs getting uncomfortable with the silence in the air. The men all look at me not liking how I've approached them. They glare as I look them up and down removing my hood I leave my mask on.
"What is your purpose here?" I unbuckle my hooded cape that bared my initial on the pendant and I stuff it inside my bag that's attached to Man of Steel's saddle. The tallest man with black hair looks me up and down noticing my leg has been hurt, I shall call him Captain, short for Captain Obvious.
"This must be a joke this chick thinks she can take the four of us on with a hurt leg!" Captain laughs pointing at my leg.
"What's it matter to you little girl?" The next man growls his sweaty brown hair sticking to his face, Grumpy that should be his name. I look at the bag that one of the other men is carrying.
"Im sure the people of this lovely town would like their stuff back." I say bluntly looking at Grumpy.
"Well if they want it... they'll have to fight us for it." Grumpy smirks and I nod looking at the blonde holding the bag.
"Do I just have to fight him or all of you?" Grumpy chuckles and looks at the blonde who looks back at him unsure of the situation.
"Why would I want to fight someone that's already injured." He argues, Hog for groundhog an animal scared of its own shadow.
"So you don't think you can take me on all by yourself even though I'm already injured?" Hog growls as Captain and Grumpy scuff.
"Ill fight her don't interfere..." the forth man says with a deep voice his dirty blonde hair not matching his look as he steps forward dropping his weapons on the ground, Lion for king.
"So be it... however I didn't wish to fight any of you." I stand straight pushing off Man of Steel's leg. Lion charges at me and I stand my ground knowing that I can't move as fast with my leg like this. He suddenly stops within a few feet of me and quickly goes to throw a right hook, however I manage to duck just in time feeling his fist running through my hair. I look up at his chest that's above me now and quickly drive my shoulder into his stomach hearing the oxygen escape his body. Lion falls to the ground laying on his side as I attempt to stand straight before he catches his breath, I'm too slow, Lion pushes himself up just enough so he can sweep his leg under me causing me to fall on my face. Lion proceeds to step on my injured leg digging his heel into my wound. I gasp as I hear the men all laugh. I try my hardest to squirm free however his foot on my leg keeps me pinned to the floor. Just as I thought my life was about to be ended Man of Steel starts threatening to kick distracting Lion making everyone nervous. I take this opportunity to yank my leg out from under Lion forcing him to fall opening my wound more. I quickly roll away forcing myself to stand up I quickly kick Lion in the jaw knocking him out. I pant as I lean on Man of Steel holding onto his head gently petting his mane.
"Thank you." I say under my breath to Man of Steel. The last three men glare at me angry and I draw my short sword leaning on Man of Steel.
"Your tougher than you look kid but your not getting away with this so easy!" Captain says while drawing his axe and charging at me. I push off Man of Steel forcing all my weight on my good leg bending down to the side and slicing his stomach open as he charges past me barely missing. I watch him fall as I pant.
"Anyone else?" I glare looking up at Grumpy and Hog.
"Its just one girl and her stupid horse!" Grumpy growls drawing his battle axe. Hog drops the bag of stuff drawing his sword. Man of Steel huffs getting angry bouncing on his front legs.
"I wouldn't call him stupid." I look at Man of Steel as Grumpy charges at me, I go to move out of the way but I'm not fast enough and Hog manages to cut into my arm knocking me back, I begin to fall pulling Hog down with me. However, Man of Steel stands on his back legs using his front legs to kick Grumpy in the chest sending him flying back into a building coughing hard from broken ribs more than likely. Man of Steel neighs then huffs walking back over to me using his big head to nudge me, I wrap my arms around his neck as he pulls me up and I pull myself up onto his saddle. Leaving Hog on the ground in shock.
"Do I have to fight you too or do you wish to run before the town gets the courage to take your friends in?" I look at hog who's shaking while he stares at me unsure of what to do.
"Run your too weak and scared to fight me." I say looking away holding my bleeding arm. He chooses to run leaving the bag of stuff.
"Alright grab the bag lets get back to Death Speed." I gently pet Man of Steels Mane and with his mouth he picks up the bag handing it to me, I take it holding it in my lap and Man of Steel walks us back to Death Speeds house.
Death Speed meets me at his front door hurrying to my side helping me off Man of Steel.
"What happened?" He asks and I shake my head
"I don't know who they stole from but get these back to who they belong to." I hand him the bag and he nods picking me up.
"I will. However, your staying with me kid till your all healed the horse is free." I soon blackout from blood loss....