***Garv***
Garv and Magar started yet another day at Skye's stable. They were woken by Skye in the morning and decided to set about helping out with chores.
Thankfully, they would save the logs for later. Garv was in no rush to start chopping again.
Skye had seemed more relaxed in the morning, than she had done the night previous. But Garv and Magar had agreed, that should she try to delay them again, they would confront her about the issue.
If something was troubling her and she needed their help. All she had to do was ask, after all. She had extended a great courtesy by allowing them to stay and feeding them.
The least they could do was help her out.
Garv and Magar headed out of the stable, to the tool shed once again. Leaving Skye and Cassandra to their work in the stable.
Today, they were going to straighten fenceposts around the field, that had fallen into disrepair. The roof looked like it could do with a bit of maintenance too. But they would get to that at a later date.
After collecting their tools and grabbing a couple of spare fenceposts, they headed off towards the field.
"So, what do you think Boss?" Garv said as they trudged their way up the path in the mid-morning damp.
"About Skye's predicament?"
Garv nodded, shifting his shoulder uncomfortably under the posts he was carrying.
"I'm still not sure, she seems better today. But I'd bet any money she starts getting jittery again when it comes time for us to leave."
"Hmm," Garv agreed, "What should we say to her?"
"I'm not sure," Magar said, scratching his head, "but if she is in some kind of trouble, she needs to let us know. For all we know we could get dragged into it with her."
"We can handle ourselves well enough Boss." Garv said with a chuckle.
"I know that, you know that. But does she?" Magar said, pausing as he came to a wobbly post, "It doesn't seem very fair of her. Keeping us here in case whatever she's afraid of turns up."
"I suppose I hadn't thought about it like that." Garv said with a shrug.
"Well, all I'm saying is it would be nice to be warned," Magar said leaning on the fencepost, "I'm all for being the good guys that save the day. Don't get me wrong. I just, think it's a bit unfair of her to set us up to go in blind."
Magar uncomfortably scratched the back of his head, "Do you know what I mean? She could at least warn us."
"I know what you mean Boss, its ok. She's probably just embarrassed, or nervous to ask us." Garv said, setting down the posts he was carrying, "She doesn't seem like the kind of person to set us up to fail. Her husband is probably the sort who only has the courage to beat up somebody who won't hit back."
"Yeah, you could be right." Magar said wrinkling his nose.
The thought of such a deplorable fellow really rubbed Garv the wrong way.
What sort of husband instils fear in his wife?
Garv was quietly hoping, that he'd get the opportunity to bash him over the head with the flat of his axe. He could do with winning a fight.
The last one he was in, had shaken his confidence a bit.
***Roman***
Roman had just finished his morning routine and was going out to check on things. When the sound of a crowd caught his attention.
In the front garden of the town hall there was a small gathering of townsfolk. Colin, the blacksmith, waved him over.
"Roman!"
"What's all this Colin? Why are these people here?"
"Well, unfortunately these are some of the families and friends of people that were kidnapped and transported off before Boots got everyone out."
"I see, what do they want?"
"Well, they want they families and friends back!" Colin said bluntly, "Word has it, the Crusader commander is imprisoned here in the town hall. They want to ask him where they'd taken the prisoners."
"Yes, he is here. But I don't think he's going to have all the answers they want." Roman said diplomatically.
"Well, he better have something!" one of the crowd spat.
"We should string him up!"
"The animal!"
"Nobody is stringing anybody up!" Roman barked at the crowd, "I will ask the Major for information, but nothing is going to happen to him. He has held up his end of the deal and has cooperated fully. We are not going to start lynching people like savages."
Roman scanned the crowd, looking into each of their eyes firmly, "Anybody who tries to make a mockery of Lord Boots's instructions, will find themselves in a cell of their own. Do I make myself clear?"
There was a communal grumbling from the small crowd. But they eventually relented.
"Colin, try to keep them calm in the future. The last thing we need is a riot."
"I'll do my best, it's harder now though." Colin said with a shrug, "The initial shock has worn off, people are starting to go back to normal."
"It sounds like they have too much spare time on their hands. If they have time to complain, they have time to man the walls." Roman said sternly, turning to head back inside.
"Fair point." Colin said with a shrug.
Roman stormed off, back inside. He understood their frustration, but now was not the time for such petty squabbles. They were teetering on the cusp of destruction; bickering would get them no closer to their goals.
He arrived at Major Anmar's room in the town hall accommodation. There were two guards stood either side of the entrance.
Roman gave them a quick nod before rapping his knuckles against the door.
"Come in." the Majors voice rang out after a brief pause.
Roman obliged, stepping into the small room. It had apparently been the same room Anmar had used during his brief time as an invader. All of his possessions remained. Minus any weapons and intelligence, such as orders and maps, that had been removed, for obvious reasons.
It wasn't the most spacious of places. Furnishings were limited to; a chair, bed, small wardrobe and desk. The Major was currently sat on the small bed, in trousers and shirt. He looked reasonably presentable considering his circumstances. Although he did appear to be slightly anxious at Roman's arrival.
Which was reasonable, the threat of torture was very real. It was simply the times they lived in. The fact Boots had insisted on a 'no torture' policy, was considered a rarity.
"Major, I have come to ask you some questions."
"Oh, of course, have a seat," Anmar motioned to the chair beside his bed.
Roman obliged, sitting down next to the man, "I have a few questions, mainly about the whereabouts of the people that were captured and taken from the area. Is there any light you can shed on that?"
Major Anmar paused for a second, before coming to some internal decision, "I suppose there is no harm in telling you. To my knowledge, the first group was the town elders. They were sent directly to the King. I do not know why. Those were simply my orders."
Roman nodded, jotting down the Majors response in his notepad, "And the others?"
"Well," Major Anmar paused to clear his throat, "I think somewhere in the area of four hundred people were sent. They'll be heading to the internment camps in Javos. After that I'm afraid I couldn't tell you."
"I see," Roman said with a sigh, "it seems it was as we feared, there'll be no retrieving them now."
Roman felt a sadness in his chest. Those people were so far out of reach. Even if everything went well, it might be years before they are returned. If they get returned at all.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be more help." Anmar said, Roman almost believed him.
"Well," Roman started, a sudden thought occurring to him, "perhaps you can tell me something else then."
"What's that?" Anmar said with curiosity.
"Tell me; how many other towns have met the same fate as ours?"
***Boots***
The kitvarian at the top of the stairs was poised for battle, staring them down menacingly from her vantage point.
"Listen we-"
Boots was caught off guard, as the knight descended the stairs at ferocious speed!
She brought her halberd down in a swift arc towards Boots's shoulder.
'CLANG!'
He barely blocked the blow with the haft of his hammer. Leaving himself unprepared for the roundhouse kick that slammed against his jaw.
Boots was sent sliding across the floor!
That kick hurt!
Shaking off the grogginess he regained his footing.
Oswald was attempting to recite a spell, but his efforts were in vain. He was barely past the first line before the knight booted him in the chest and sent him reeling. Gasping on the floor, he was no use to anyone.
Simeon dashed forward and attempted to get within striking range of his dagger. But the knight easily danced out of his reach and spun the halberd around her head majestically.
'PAP!'
Finishing the motion by slapping Simeon around the head with the flat of the blade.
Simeon was knocked to his knees, but Maria was there to cover him, loosing an arrow straight at the knight's face!
Unbelievably, she managed to slip under the flaming arrow and sprint into Maria. Shoulder bashing her into the door frame!
Maria slumped to the ground with a yelp.
Boots charged forwards once more. Hammer held rearwards. The knight's halberd zipped towards his face, but he slipped under it and brought his hammer round at waist level towards the knight.
She didn't have time to block, so she twisted and rolled with the blow. Getting to her feet far quicker than Boots would have liked.
She was tough.
Really tough!
And now she was pissed!
He blinked and she was on him again, thrust after thrust came bolting in towards him. No part of his body was safe.
She had longer range with her weapon and she knew how to use it to her advantage. Boots couldn't get close enough to strike!
He had an idea.
He waited for his opportunity, the halberd blows came raining in, then he saw his chance!
The knight brought her weapon down in a downward chop and Boots caught the blow on his hammer and got under it. Forcing her halberd up he then brought his hammer down sideways into the floor between them.
The head of his hammer was buried into the ground, but the head of the halberd was there with it.
The knight attempted to free her weapon to no avail. Boots quickly tried to close the distance. Leaving his hammer buried in the ground.
Unfortunately, it seemed she was just as good with her hands and feet as she was with the halberd.
Boots's face was met with a flurry of feet!
He covered his head and pressed forwards, receiving painful blows to the ribs in the process!
He still couldn't get a hit in!
Boots was starting to lose his temper.
The pain was starting to get to him.
This was the worst fight he'd ever had.
"GgggryYYAAHAHH!" Boots roared charging forwards, abandoning defence entirely!
His face was met with her foot once more!
But he was past caring, seeing red, he grabbed her by the knee and waist and lifted her above his head.
She still rained blows down on him from above with her free foot, but Boots had the upper hand now.
'BAM!'
He brought her crashing down into the floor, with as much force as he could muster. Still holding onto her leg, he spun her around him and lobbed her across the room. Sending her crashing into the far wall!
"HAH!" Boots yelled indignantly after her. Surely victory was his!
A green light emanated from the dust cloud on the far wall. The knight emerged holding two green balls of energy.
Boots could swear her eyes were glowing.
But if she still wanted a fight. So be it!
"STOP!!!" a commanding voice boomed from above them.
They both turned to see the shadowy figure emerging at the top of the stairs.
"What in the name of the gods, do you think you're doing in my house?!"