Lara was surprised by the village chief's words but was happy to hear them none the less. The question floating in her mind though was Who? Who had motives to attack travelers taking this path. The queen had assumed the werewolves because she had thought they had felt like people were trespassing. These people however were much more civilized than she had been led to believe. She felt no underlying negative feelings from the villagers, they only seemed happy to have the child returned. The chief signs the the scroll promising to adhere by the queens guidelines and returns it back to Lara who shakes his hand once more, thrilled that the mission had gone well and she hadn't needed to follow through with the queens back up plan.
"Please spend the night in our village, we would love to show you around and have you spend the night. Traveling in this forest at night is never recommended", the chief says and Lara accepts the invitation easily. She and the chief walk back to her group and she sees Ezra wringing his hands in anxiousness he had worried about the meeting ever since she told him the possible outcomes.
"Well that's got that job done. They've been so kind to offer us shelter and food for the night and I've accepted", Lara tells the group which elicits a smile from everyone but Tarrow. She knew that he had expected them to immediately leave the forest. Tarrow frowns but says nothing not wanting to see discord among the group. This was not how he expected to spend the day.
They follow the chief to one of the modest little buildings. Upon opening the door a savory smell diffuses to their noses. Torin's stomach releases a hungry growl and he pats his stomach excitedly at the smell of the food eagerly. "This is our dining hall, please eat to your hearts content. My wife works in the kitchen. here I can assure you that you will never taste anything better in your life", the chief brags smiling. The group walk into the building to see empty tables in the center bit tables on the side loaded down with food.
Torin shakes the chief's hand gratefully before grabbing a plate and loading it down with food. Plump sausages, fluffy biscuits, sweet breakfast rolls and various arrangements of eggs covered the table and Torin was prepared to try everything. Ezra helped himself to some sausage and biscuits while Lily helped herself to some warm, steamy, sticky cinnamon buns. Lara grabbed a bowl of oatmeal and a roll, and Tarrow loaded up with scrambled eggs and fluffy biscuits. Once they sat down the group dug in and each one of them could not keep from uttering an appreciative groan of approval. "This is truly delicious thank you so much", Ezra says as he watches Torin shovel his food down his throat. The chief laughs and tells them he will be right back needing to talk to his wife about something.
Lily allows herself one more sticky bun because she has never tasted something that tasted so wonderfully. She hums in delights and Ezra grins at her seeing a small crumb of the sticky bun on Lily's face. Lara noticing what her brother's grinning at takes a napkin and wipes the corner of Lily's mouth which causes her to blush. "Thank you", she says softly feeling embarrassed.
The chief walks back out with a young man next to him. "This is my younger brother Artemis he would like to join your group", Ozzy says motioning to the tall blonde man beside him. Artemis looks at the group hopeful, he has wanted to leave the village for quite sometime but Ozzy had never allowed it until now for some reason. Lara tilts her head examining Artemis silently wondering what he has to offer the group.
"He's really strong, and clever not to mention he is one of the best men with blades I know", Ozzy brags patting his brothers shoulder. Artemis cheeks color a little at his brother's praises but he looks at the group confidently.
"I am also quite formidable with a blade myself. If you can best me in a dual you can join us", Torin proposes raising an eyebrow at his opponent. Artemis nods his head in acceptance at the proposition and Torin stands walking towards the two sharp toothed brothers. "If you're up to it we will go outside and get to it right now", Torin says patting the sheath that lays on his hip.
"Sounds like a brilliant idea. Artemis go receive your blade and then head to the training ground. The village could use some entertainment its been about six months since our last tournament", Ozzy tells his brother sending him away and leading Torin and the rest of the group to the training grounds which sit at the side of the village.
Torin gives Lara a wink and she rolls her eyes giving him a reluctant smile. "Shouldn't you let your food digest first", Lara asks him remembering the large quantity of food he has consumed.
"I'll be fine", he tells her grinning. Lara shrugs her shoulders knowing that if she moved around to much on a full stomach she would end up sick. The group sits to the side on the grass waiting for Artemis to return while Torin takes his broad sword warming up a bit. Artemis returns holding twin katanas in his hands. Torin grins at his opponent taking a stance in waiting.
"Remember this is a friendly fight. No dangerous blows and just for added protection lets keep the swords sheathed. After all there are a couple little ones in the crowd. Let's say that the first with what would be three handicapping injuries loses", Ozzy says loudly before waving to his little girl. Torin and atlrtemis both shake their heads in agreement before standing in a defensive stance waitingnfor Ozzy's signal to start. Ozzy raises his arm up promptly and the two blade users begin to circle around each other looking for a opening to strike.
Torin being Torin was never very patient and lunges at Artemis first lifting his sheslathed broad sword and bringing it down towards Artemis's shoulder. However before it connects Artemis dips and rolls behind Torin where he strikes the back of Torin's leg with a sheathed blade. Torin laughs at the tap feeling slightly annoyed that the other man had got him first. "You're fast, ill give you that",Torin admits before they both take defensive stances again waiting for the other to strike.
Lara watches chewing on her nails. She hopes that this time Torin will be patience before striking but once again he brings his blade back before starting towards Artemis. Artemis spins and his long blonde hair flares out gracefully like his movements. Lily watches the man's movements in awe. They were so fluid as if his whole body just knew at a moments notice what to do. This time Artemis connects the sheathed katana to Torin's left arm. Torin no longer grinning at the second hit grits his teeth annoyed. This boy was fast and was making him look foolish in front of Lara. Instead of resetting like he had done after being hit with the first one he takes the moment of his opponents successful hit and connects his sword with Artemis's shoulder.
Artemis looks shocked at first but grins. He only has to land one more blow to be able to join this group and travel from this village. He stands defensively waiting for Torin's next attack. Seeing Torin gripping his sword tighter he knows he is fixing to lunge again and ducks the blow successfully before quickly turning to take his own blow but meets Torins sword with his instead. Knowing Torin has the obvious strength advantage hear he steps back quickly before doing a back-lit to avoid Torins blow. This time Artemis decides to switch it up knowing that Torin is used to him not attacking first. The next moment he jumps and slams his sheathed blade into Torin's shoulder knocking him back.
The crowd begins cheering for Artemis and he offers a hand to Torin to help him from the ground. Torin takes the hand and grins at Artemis and throws a large arm around the man. "Looks like we have a new member", he shouts happily.