Latest revision as of 07:15, 4 November 2013

Participants

• Angus
• Dio
• Fenris
• Kurzon
• Sveta

Date

4/11/476

Log

As they hop out of the wagon, the escorts are met with a rather small but bustling farming village of sorts, and what seems to be the village elder standing out in the open and waving towards the wagon with all his wolfy splendor.

Perhaps more curious, in the background, are villagers armed with spears, bows and arrows, and other various object organizing themselves as a coat wearing lion in a small circle with two other wolves tap on a map in a strategic looking meeting.

Sveta steps out of the wagon, looking more than a little peeved. Maybe it's due to the close proximity to Angus, maybe it's due to the fact that she recognises familiar faces about. Nevertheless, she says nothing, just finding a comfortable spot to sit down sullenly and set down the weight of her gear.

Fixing his hat after the wagon ride Angus steps down and looks around, curious as to where the lion of the day was since he ordered the weapons. "Good evening." He greets the village elder with a smile and a bow, remember to take his hat off in respect before he steps out of the way and allows the others to depart the wagon.

Fenris glances around the villiage. Seems like a funny place for a weapons shipment. "Is this the place?" he asks no one in particular. It looks like his guitar would be more use here than his fists. In fact, he's tempted to unsling it from his back and get it tuned for the altitude. You never know where you might find an appreciative audience.

With the clank of a hammer settling against his shoulders, Kurzon releases the wagon's rails, dropping from his rearguard position. There was just something about riding in the open wind, fending off bandit advances and watching the country flow by.

The village is just the latest in a series of great scenery and opportunities to do great things for those needing aid.

"Oooh," the old looking wolf nearly coos, moving closer and closer to the group with elongated steps. A bit feeble perhaps, but a hidden strength could be seen in both soul and body if one were to look beneath the surface of it all. "So you're all the escorts! I can't thank you all enough for bringing there here. We couldn't risk any bandits taking up this shipment you see, but I'm glad we can always rely on the Freeswords to get the job done. Now for the payment..."

With a twist of his head and a loud whistle, the map handling lion perks up and twists his head around rapidly to detect the disturbance. "Is it lunch time already? Ah wait, I already 'ad lunch didn' I," the lion says, scratching at his head and issuing a few orders to the wolves around him, who then proceed to nod and join up with the rest of the organizing villagers. Strange, it is. Quite well organized. Twenty-five to a squad with impressive formation, ready for a battle of sorts.

The lion saunters over to the village elder and soon lays eyes upon familiar faces. "Fox-kit!" He shouts in surprise. "An' Bird o' Little Goodbyes! It's so great to see ya again! Ooh, an' some new faces as well. But yer on business, ain't ya? Let me just fish out the payment 'ere and we'll start unloadin' all this good stuff."

As Dio digs around in his pockets, the elder puts a hand to the side of his mouth and begins speaking to the group. "He can't stop talking about you folks. Always with the stories. And the eating! I've never seen su-"

"Got it! An' I don' eat that much, do I? I'm a growin' lion anyways, ya see. Anyways..." With two heavy sacks of crown in his hand, he stretches them out towards the group. "Thank ya, all. We'll put these weapons to good use."

Tilting her head at Dio, Sveta somehow manages to give the impression of a shrug without actually needing to do so. "Still the same as ever, you old oaf. So, do fill us in, since the elder fellow didn't. What's in the box, as they say, and anythin in particular that we're expecting from these so-called bandits?" Just the facts is like peanuts and meals - probably a great way to begin a conversation, maybe end one...not too good as a conversation, though.

The fox-kit smiles, tipping his hat in greeting as he trys to hold back a smile. "Well, if it isn't unbathed Lion, what have you been up to?" The Elders comments make him chuckle before he speaks again. "I'm guessing the arms you asked for aren't going to be used in defense?" He asks a little curious, considering they payment they were getting for them.

Only a supreme effort of will keeps Fenris from laughing. He can't help but like the scatter-brained lion. "Um, I'm Fenris," he offers, seeing as no one else is likely to introduce him. "Glad we could help, I guess." The Tiger is as curious as the others about the crates they just delivered.

Kurzon stands on the edge of the group, a notebook resting on the flat of his hammer whilst he takes notes on the situation and those in it that appear to have relationships that he'll need to cross reference to other notes. When names start getting tossed around he holds up a heavy gauntlet and says "Kurzon Orufe', a pleasure meeting any friend of friends!"

"Did ya hear that," Dio says, looking directly at the village elder. "That bird just called ya an ol' oaf. Not that I could blame the las- Oof!" Without even looking back at Dio, the elder summons up a bit of his former youth to deliver a blunt hit with the side of his fist directly into the lion's stomach with the strength to stagger him a bit.

"A-anyways," Dio inhales as he walks towards the wagon, placing the payment upon the bed. "Nothin' much! Just livin' the dream, travelin' 'round the world, tryin' new things, meetin' new people. An' how 'bout yerself? Rumors an' whispers cross by 'ere every once in awhile. Some interestin' tales slip by." As the two new faces to him introduce themselves, Dio moves closer in dangerously close proximity to Kurzon and sizes up his actions for a bit in deathly silence, until... "HEY! Nice to meet ya, the name's Dio. Dio the Traveler ya see. And YOU," he shouts, spinning around on his feet and then walking his way towards him. "You... You..." And bam! A friendly slap on the back! "A tiger! Feline! Jus' like myself. Good ta meet ya lad. Don't be too shy now," he chuckles, giving Fenris a few more friendly pats on the back before climbing into the wagon.

"Yer job is done, lads and lasses. The job was to deliver this cargo saftly. Ya can go home if ya wanted. But if ya were curious, we gotta a..." "...Bandit problem..." The lion and elder say in unison, causing the lion to sneer. "Let me tell the story ol' man! Anyways," he coughs, pulling out one of the boxes. "Bandits. They're gonna be attackin' this village here ya see. Got so cocky they told us when they're gonna collect. But we're gonna strike first." With a click, the lid flies open and reveals a few muskets and ammunition. "They're only thirty five strong o' so, an' they ain't expectin' a counter-attack. Only a submissive village."

Sveta clicks her beak. "Pardon me for the slip of the tongue. Seems like living the life has done you good, then." Ever the taciturn bird. "So, my dear lion of counterattacks, what's this great plan that the lot of you have in mind, then? Because I'm not just going to run in there with...hmm...like...something that runs into dangerous situations without a care in the world."

Speaking of things that run into dangerous situations, Angus perks his ears up as he smiles up at Dio. "Oh, some foolish bandits have decided to attack the village....Well then, the Lightbringer Unit is always happy to help beings in need. Where do you want me?" He asks as he rest a hand on the guard of his raper as he gives Dio a cocky grin.

Fenris oofs as the lion thumps him on the back. "Well," he coughs, "I guess I'm willing to help." He can't leave a bunch of villiagers to fend for themselves. Even if they DO look like they know how to handle themselves. "Besides," he grins, fingering the new lantern insignia on his coat, "it sounds like my commanding officer has officially extended Lightbringer aid."

Kurzon blinks owlishly as he is scrutinized, pausing in his sketching of the lion, having added a few musical notes about nicknames like 'oaf' then finally 'Dio'. Huh, so he wasn't going to be scolded, well that was pretty good then.

"right, well pleased to meet you Sir traveler."

"Oh?" Dio smiles, turning around to the group as they all throw in their support. "Ya don' 'ave to do this, but I know ya young heros 're just full o' youthful energy an' dreams o' savin' an innocent village. I thank ya dearly from the bottom o' my liony heart."

After nodding to the elder, the wolf lets out another loud whistle, calling over a few young canines who soon begin unloading the crates and bringing them to the rest of the organizing villagers.

"We do have a plan," the elder comments. "It's not entirely complex, but it should work rather well. You see, we could probably call the army for assistance, but... What about the next set of bandits? And the ones after that? We need to make sure we can defend ourselves, as we're tired of being pushed around!" The elder nearly shouts in a burning passion, but quickly calms down and points to Dio. "Show them the map."

Hopping off the wagon, Dio unrolls the map and begins pointing towards various areas. "It's a somewhat small camp, 'bout thirty-five o' them o' so. Armed somewhat well with basic armor an' weapons, as reported by our scout. There's lake boarderin' the camp 'ere," he points. "So they'll find it a bit 'ard to retreat from there. They ain't expectin' this peaceful village to attack, ya see. So we'll give 'em the ol' shock an' awe with a triple attack."

From the south, west, and east are arrows heading straight for the bandit camp, allowing the only escape through the lake if everything goes as planned. "First, we're gonna torch 'em and cause lots o' chaos by throwin' torches at their tents an' supplies. Then we mow down the runners and finish 'em off with a melee. Simple, but it should do. I could put ya all in whatever squad ya want, west, east, 'o south if ya wanna hop in."

Sveta looks back and forth between Dio, the elder and everyone else. There is admittedly a certain desire to welling up in her feathered breast to want to wash her hands of this and go home, but...nah. "All right," she says. "I'm in. Maintaining a militia can be problematic, but that's for later. Just tell me what to do."

Angus gives Fenris an approving smile before he looks over the map, studying the landmarks upon the parchment as he ponders the situation. "You might want to be careful when opening fire, don't want to catch your own men within the crossfire." He taps the paper, his finger alighting on the southern arrow as he looks back up at Dio. "I'll join the southern group if that's okay with you."

Fenris frowns at the map. "What about their scouts?" he asks. "If they aren't complete idiots, they will know we are coming before we even get close." He squints at the map again, wondering how long Dio spent drawing it and if the tent arrangement was accurate. He shrugs and shoots off a prayer to whoever might be listening that this doesn't go terribly wrong. "I'll stick with Angus in the South," he says, hoping to see the fox pummel someone other than himself.

Kurzon frowns, unsure if he is really one for military strategy, but willing to at least try and be of aid other than by fighting and praying. "If decoys or distractions are needed, I am willing to shoulder that role. I am not particularly fast or quiet so something involving making a ruckuss or meeting a foe head on is best for me."

After everyone is done studying the map, Dio rolls it back up and stuffs it inside his coat pocket with a swift movement of his hand. By now, many of the weapons, including swords and muskets with accompanying ammunition, have been mostly distributed amongst the group, with the rest using their home-created spears and bow and arrows. "Yer right fox-kit," Dio comments. "That's why the south group will 'ave the majority of the muskets while the other ones will charge in from both sides after firin' off some arrows into the fray. Much safer that way."

"These bandits ain't nothin' but a shell o' their former selves. Too desperate and cock sure, expectin' an' easy pickin' without any resistance. They'll be comin' in the night like they announced, as the wanted us to gather what they wanted before they came, but 'ere we are. We'll strike soon, strike 'ard, and strike fast."

Angus and Fenris taking their position, Dio rubs his chin and nods, then looking at Sveta and Kurzon. "Why don't ya two take the east while I head up the west? I'm sure ya will do fine. Support yer squad an' they'll support ya. Morale an' spirits are quite high. If yer ready," he points towards the organizing villagers. "Then head to yer group. We'll be leavin' soon. Feel free to take a weapon if ya want. An' a torch!"

Sveta eyes the weapons, then in her usual calm manner, unbinds the huge tower shield off her her back. Dio's kindly offer is ignored - after all, it's unlikely that they'd be better that what she's got with her at the moment. Kurzon is given a cordial nod of acknowledgement, followed by a brief "you heard the Lion of Order-Giving, then. Come along and let's get this done. Should be worth a bit of amusement, at the very least."

Angus stretches as he walks off towards the southern group. "Fenris, will this be your first time in actual combat?" He asks, a little concerned for the private as he draws his Rapier and gives it a swing to make sure the balance was not off.

Fenris looks over the muskets and decides to leave them to the villagers. He wasn't much use with the things. As for a torch though - he lets a little fire play at his fingertips - best leave those for villiagers too. "No," the tiger replies to Angus, "but I'm more for a brawl than military maneuvers. I was trained in the army for a bit. Just never liked the taste of it." He would just have to be ready when it was time to move in on the camp. The tiger starts to go through some martial arts forms to get ready.

Kurzon nodded when Dio gave instructions and encouragement, completely ammendable to being guided in the proper course of action. Sveta is rewarded with a brilliant grin, the great bear moving as instructed, pleased to be teamed up with the hawk, knowing her level head and experience would lead them to victory.

Everyone is rallied together, weapons distributed, plans gone over and over, and finally, a speech by the elder to boost morale even further.

"... and no more will we be the village that is stripped bare, pushed around simply because we want a peaceful existence! Today, we take a new step forward, paving the way for our children to grow up without fear of their parents' crops being swept away by fools with weapons. Today, we learn to defend ourselves from our enemies and strike fear into those who dare disturb our village!"

The villagers raise their weapons and shout to the heavens, patting their shields with wonderful clanking noises as the final perpetration are made.

Before nightfall, each squad moves in as the sun begins to set towards their respective position. Peering down into the camp, the thirty five or so bandits seem to be in a mix, some sleeping in their tents while others are putting on their armor for the heist to come. Eventually, a spotter observes the groups and blows a whistle!

Soon, Dio blows his own whistle and a torrent of torches land upon the camp as the bandits scramble and panic for their weapons. "West company, FIRE!" Dio commands, and soon a small storm of arrows land in the camp, piercing one or two scrambling bandits. As for the east company, they await the orders to fire from Angus and Sveta.

A very nice speech, to be observed in a properly dour and cynical manner. However, it seems to have its intended effect, and that's good enough for Sveta. Hoisting her shield to cover anyone who might be following, the goshawk gives the command to fire and advance the line towards the camp.

Angus gives Fenris a smile as he listens to the speech. "Ah, well I must warn you. This is not one of your brawls, just try and stick close to me and I'll make sure to buy the first round when we get back to the Inn." As the arrows fall he waits to give the order to fire until he sees the bandits dart out from under their cover to get into the defensive positions before giving the command for the muskets to pepper the enemy lines. Before the runes upon his blade activate and he moves in to join in on the advance upon the camp.

Fenris responds to the command to fire with, well, fire. He calls up as much flame as he can muster at the periphery of the bandit camp and sends a guiding wind to fan the flames hot and fast toward the foe. He follows close on Angus's heels to join the fight in earnest.

Kurzon follows Sveta's call to action taking up her side he raises his rifle and takes aim. Taking shots at any bandit willing to charge the shield maiden, slinging his rifle when things get close, pulling forth a heavy maul worthy of being a war hammer had it a longer handle and smashing the first bandit to enter range in the chest a burst of corrupt mist gripping the stricken foe, dragging him to the ground in convulsions as the bear turn on the next attacker, a thresher mowing down chaff driven by the plow that is Sveta.

Chaos! Wonderful chaos! Bandits who couldn't get to their gear and tents in time are stricken by a lovely pepper of arrow and musket shots like a firing line, some falling down in a bleeding heap while others crippled and unable to fight. At least ten or so fall from the initial volley while the flames ignite and spread around the tents, made faster by Fenris' fire magic!

Bandits scramble around camp, some already in their gear from preparation, while others brave their burning tents to pull out a chest plate, sword, or whatever they can drag out to form some retaliation. While chaos did consume the camp, the men within didn't seem too faltered or afraid, but rather bloodthirsty with a hint of desperation painted upon their faces. Groups of them charge at each band of villagers as they poke and prod, each side roaring in battle as they fight to their fullest. The east side seems to be having a good time of it, the enemy's morale faltering slightly as they watch Kurzon's display, allowing room for more advancement upon the camp, but there were still some more to deal with. The south group notices a charge as well, holding them at bay with their spears.

With a roar from Dio, the west company begins poking and stabbing their way into the camp at about the same pace as the others. It would seem the plan is going rather well for the most part.

Thngs are going well, perhaps a little too well. Sveta doesn't concentrate too much on offense, but rather on defense - her spear's more used to hold the bandits from approaching the advancing line rather than attacking, perhaps intending to squash anyone who gets in the way between a rock and a hard place. The sounds of battle rage all about, but she nevertheless presses forward, not too different from a bounder inching down a mountainside.

Angus opens fire with his pistol as he moves forward, both barrels catching a bandit in the throat and taking him out as he side steps the blade of another. He lashes out with a boot, catching his attacker in the side of the knee and leaving him wirthing in agony to be picked off by the villagers as he readies his Rapier for another strike.

Fenris reaches out to the elements, drawing up the earth to reinforce his flesh with stone then calling on the air to launch himself over the line of spears, directly into the faces of the oncoming bandits. A solid, stone-reinforced kick drops one bandit as he simultaneously lashes out with the kinetic energy stored in his ring, breaking the nose of another bandit. "Corporal!" he shouts as he throws the bleeding bandit against his fellows, "This feels a lot like a brawl to me!"

Kurzon maintains the pace at Sveta's side, speeding up only when required to switch position or aid the people backing them up. Latching his maul down he draws the poisons from fallen foes and impurities in the land and air around him before grunting out "Svetlana, brace!" Then spewing forth a crowd of toxins into the advancing bandits to further create chaos in favor of the long spear wielding bulwark of a raptor. He himself swapping to a two handed lucern hammer, having blunted the spear head on it so that he may swing it low and hard taking a trio of men of their feet, trapping them in the cloud, whilst others are forced to charge forward choking or retreat to clear their lungs.

After one of the bandits let out a howling roar, the east charging bandits find a renewed strength, charging into their company with swords high as their bloodthirsty spirits. A few clangs of steel bang across Sveta's shield, much to the bandits dismay, causing an intense amount of frustration. But with this frustration comes openings, and a spear to the stomach is the punishment for a headstrong bandit, causing him to crumple against the spear and reveal his cloth-bare shoulder with an interesting tattoo inscribed by what seems to be a knife that says 'END'. Some are nailed by Kurzon' sweeping attack, while the rest begin to fall back to the camp, allowing perfect room for the east company to advance into the camp itself.

A bullet lands right into a bandit's throat from Angus' pistol, causing him to clutch at his throat and fall to the floor in a crumpled heap, while the villagers do indeed brutally stab the other downed bandit after a swift kick as they advance. The enemy peers up at the flying Fenris and growl heavily, two immediately cut short with a kick and a punch, the punched individual soon falling prey to the wall of spears. Eventually, they too fall back into the camp to make their last stand with the others, but still refusing to surrender.

The west camp has similar success, piercing through bandits and leaving them dead or crippled in their wake with Dio heading the formation as they march into the camp. With one final push, it would seem the battle would be over.

Odd. Sveta is quite sure she's seen that tattoo somewhere before, or at least, something similar to it...but she can't quite place her finger on just where or what, yet. It's certainly something to take stock of later...when there isn't much in the way of blood and violence all about her.

There's not much left to do but to press onwards, though. It seems like everyone is doing their part, and she's ready to fight them all to the last being if need be. Never worth it to leave a job half-done, after all.

Angus holsters his pistol and can't help but laugh. "Oh, well maybe I was wrong!" He shouts back as he advances upon the defending bandits. "....We should take at least one of them alive, see if we can get some information out of them..." He mutters as he looks over the last of the bandits.

Fenris looks around for any more available targets and realizes they have all withdrawn to defend the camp. "What are they holding out for?" he asks quietly, falling in step with Angus. "I thought they would have broken and run after all that." He advances warily, devoting just a little push of effort to keep the fires stoked in the bandit camp.

Kurzon frowns as the bandits fall back, not understanding the way they were risking extermination rather than surrender. "Svetlana, is this not strange? They'll all burn at this rate, who chooses such a fate? I feel like we are missing something here!" The idea of wiping the criminals out bothered him, but not as much as them doing the same to the village, but...wasn't survival a base instinct in all beings? Even shadows understood this, so what was with these guys?

What were once tents now lay a pile of ash and other various burning materials with but a few left that didn't manage to ignite. Swords drawn and sharp teeth flashing in the setting sun, the bandits still continue to hold their ground without an ounce of surrender! What will!

Each company draws closer and closer into the camp, bandits attempting to stab into the spear walls with little success, some even falling to a good spear blow into the chest or stomach and falling to the floor. Only a few remained as each company searched and advanced for more enemies to put down.

Dio sends his company to capture the camp's center while also watching for any runners that may pierce his ground. And then, he slips off into a unburnt tent amongst the chaos.

"Fuckers," one of the bandits in the center shouts for all to hear as he and his comrades stare down a wall of spears. "Think we'll ever surrender? Never! Never have we surrendered. Not in decades," he spits, but his words would mean little. It would only take the smallest of effort to run over the eight or so remaining bandits fighting for their lives.

Angus frowns a little. "I don't know Fenris, but something is just wrong about this." Sheathing his rapier he raises his voice. "That may be true, but whats the point of throwing your lives away now?" He asks in a shout as he takes a step towards the remaining bandits, his hands free of weapons as he eyes up the bandit that speaks.

Fenris raises an eyebrow. Decades? How long has this been going on? Who are these bozos? "I vote chatty there for capture," he rumbles quietly to Angus. He waits to see what the senior Lightbringer is planning, but readies himself for more fighting, should it be needed.

Kurzon swaps once more to his rifle as they close on the remaining bandits, the ranks joining up easily enough. Once the bandits were corralled considers gassing the lot of them for capture, but instead turns to see where Dio got off to, trusting Sveta to handle things

Mercy to the merciless? Quarter for those bound to never surrender? Such hesitation and hospitality backfires against Angus as one of the bandits spit on the floor and throws his sword at a villager, who then catches it in his shoulder and falls to the ground in pain. With the gas, they begin coughing and scatter backwards, still readying their swords and almost looking like they'll toss their swords as well!

Ready for another volly, the squad of riflemen crouch down and take aim and the remaining bandits, simply waiting for an order to fire to end all the madness.

And then, a gunshot rings out from within the tent Dio rushed into, sending a lion backwards onto the ground outside the tent as he clutches his bleeding stomach, along with a dagger logged firmly within his left shoulder. "Everythin's always yer fault," a familiar accent rings from within the tent, but not coming from Dio himself. "Ever since ya joined, things 'ad been goin' down to hell. I even tried to be yer father, an' what do I get?" From out of the tent, a one armed and rather tall lion steps out of the tent as Dio struggles to his feet, anger brimming and bubbling within his veins. "If I hadn't injured my arm savin' ya, if I hadn't picked ya up, if only I woulda finished off yer stupid little village like we planned, none o' this would've ever 'appened." The mysterious lion charges forward to deliver a punch, landing solidly on Dio's jaw, twisting his head. But with a loud roar, he charges the lion with a hit of his shoulder, sending them both to the ground. In their tumble, the lion nails his head upon a large rock, shattering his skull and sending him into a bloody daze. "Yer somethin' that never should've happened, Dio..." Are his last words before sinking into the world beyond and dropping an interesting notebook upon the floor.

Standing over the corpse of what once was, Dio stares and stares, taking little regard for the battle outside as if it were an entirely different world. But his wounds soon caught up to him, where he soon collapses upon the floor, bleeding profusely his stomach.

"You stupid bastard. You stupid bastard." Sveta doesn't dare to drop her shield or the advance, though, and instead moves as close to Kurzon as she dares. "Kurzon, go and help that poor bastard of a lion and do what you need to. I'm a bit...tied up here at the moment, but you're more free to move. Come on, you!"

"Okay, I think this has gone on long enough." Angus' eyes narrow as he watches Dio fall, drawing his blade as he steps forward and pierces the Bandit that had throw their blade at one of the villagers through the heart.

Hup! That's the go sign! Leaving the remaining bandits to Angus and the villagers, Fenris makes another air-assisted leap over the ragged line. He slips his little first aid kit from his coat as he soars past the desperate bandits and makes a beeline for the fallen lion, hoping that his little skill will be enough.

Kurzon had already been making his move to detach when the shot range out and the adoptive drama played out. With Sveta's words he was moving in a freught charge, his maul in hand, prepared to utterly crush anyone that even moved Dio's way that didn't come here with him. When reaching Dio, he drops his hammer at their side, carefully removes dagger from the lion's shoulder. Placing his hand over the bullet wound he growls and chants a prayer of self sacrifice, The heavy tome at his sidefluttering open at the touch of his free hand, Letters, words and sigils taking on a golden glow before lifiting off the pages and crumbling into dust that forms a single white mote that strikes the bullet wound, destroying the bullet and starting a low grade regen in the lion whilst with a snarl, matching wound open on the bear as well, the price of playing Martyr for someone he just met. This done he backs away to let Fenris bind the wounds so they may heal faster, his own wounds hidden beneath heavy armor and treated as a secretas he stiffly picks up his weapon and stands vigil.

This was enough. After one of their own fell to the sword, the other villagers pulled him back for medical attention while the riflemen primed, aimed, and fired into the remaining bandits directly after Angus' retaliation. The renaming bandits fell to the ground, catching bullets in the heart, stomach, shoulders, and legs, each crashing to the floor and no longer able to fight. Now, only the sounds of bandits that managed to survive with severe injuries filled the area. But then, a release! A sound of triumph as the villagers raise their weapons into the air with a mighty victorious yell! Cheering and celebration consumes the militia, but not everyone would be able to celebrate immediately.

Dio's wounds start to heal rather well with the assistance of Fenris, and really start picking up with Kurzon's physical sacrifice. Both his dagger and bullet wound began to seal, stopping the bleeding. However, the pool around him indicated a heavy loss of blood, but perhaps there's more to the lion's condition? Soon enough, a village doctor heads over to the lion and gives him a small medical examination, picking up the removed dagger and peering at it's blade. "Oh my," he murmurs under his breath. "Poison. I'm not sure if-"

Dio lets out a heavy cough and then, silence. The doctor put an ear to his heart where it soon begins to slow and slow... "I-I'm not sure he's going to make it. We don't have anti-venom of that sort here...." he murmurs with worry in his voice. And soon, Dio's heartbeats began growing slim, and then...

Sveta shoves aside the doctor. Sure, she often had a love-hate relationship with most of the lion's antics, but letting someone die is beyond her. After all, if he doesn't survive, how are scores going to be settled?

"Stand back, you all. You don't want to get caught up in the heat." With that said, she leans forward, elbowing Kurzon out of the way with a little more tact than before, and lays her hands upon Dio's ribs before pushing town hard, like someone manning a pair of bellows. Nothing happens for a moment, and then the ground beneath the both of them erupts in a small ring of fire, golden and red. Slowly, the embers begin to fade, and then she nudges Dio with the toe of her boot, the former at least now breathing steadier. "Please, Kurzon. Do continue."

Angus sighs as the rest of the Banits go down. "Well, at least we don't have to worry about losing an eye anymore." He comments as he sheaths his blade and turns around to walk up to the group around Dio, just in time to see the small ring of fire appear. "....Huh, thats intresting...."

Fenris watches the procedings in awe. There is just too much going on that he doesn't understand. And speaking of information, he looks around for the little book that Dio thought was worth getting knifed for. It fell around here somewhere.

Kurzon gives a wince at the elbowing, a thing that isn't sensible considering he wears heavy armor and all. But he watches the firey display with respect and awe, his pestering of Sveta for more stories and music set in stone now. Once she gives the all clear he exhales a cleansing breathe then focussing on the task at hand after hearing talk of poison, he takes in a huge gust of air, magical mimics of his head facing to the left and right of his own mimicing his efforts, dragging smoke, soot, ashe, dust and poisons from the air and taking it from the bodies nearby as well, the effect spreading outward in a broad sweep of wind, then on the exhale he unleashes a breeze of fresh crisp pure air, it was like right after a spring thunderstorm, the ionization and water having made everything smell fresh and new and likely several people nearby that smoke or drink feel better than they have in ages.

Dio's heart was on its last beats, nearly ceasing it's motions until.. Warmth! Life begins to fill Dio's entire body, causing him to take a gigantic breath and sit up right with a start, soon falling back down as he clutches at his stomach. Kurzon's Cerbrus powers stop the poison afflicted lion from falling into another relapse as his condition starts to stabilize. However, he seems to pass out once more, but his breathing looks steady and healthy.

Putting a hand to Dio's heart, the doctor nods and stands up. "He should be fine now," he comments, wiping off his hands. "He still needs to recover from the blood loss and the poison that's already affected his system, but some good rest should solve that." Finished with his diagnosis, the doctor wanders off to service the needs of other hurt individuals. As for the book, Fenris manages to find it under the other lion's body, fit for the taking if he desires.

The villagers return home with their heads held high! Very few wounded, and zero casualties! Cheers and celebration fill the village as the village elder takes the group aside after a few other wolves help transport the unconscious Dio beside them. "I can't thank you all enough," he says humbly, bowing his head. "This has changed everything. Really... After all my years, I simply don't know what more to say! How could we ever repay you?"

"And that would be that," Sveta says to Kurzon as the two of them are ushered back to the village amidst the cheering and general jubiliation. "I'll admit I'm not one for great festivities, but one shouldn't spoil the mood, should they? Good work back there working on our dear fellow, too. Very professional." She sighs. "I can only wonder if they'll want us to stay for drinks."

Angus leans on Fenris as they start heading back to the village. "Not a bad job Private, much better then my first time working a Freesword job.....Walked into a firetrap, took weeks to grow my fur back." He punches Fenris lightly on the arm before he turns towards the festivites, shaking his head a little as he chuckles. "Think nothing of it Elder, it's our job."

Fenris flips through the book, then pockets it. It will probably be worth studying, from what he has seen tonight. Right now, all the tiger wants is some rest. And maybe some time to write a song about the whole thing. He is already composing a melody as the group returns to the villiage.

Kurzon is rather sober on the trip back for his part, suffering the slowly healing wounds of his service stoicly. But when Sveta addresses him he gives her his best puppy-eyed expression possible, barely restrining the urge to gush when he proclaims. "You were a rock in a storm, unshakable and then with volcanic denial you forced the traveler back from the brink...I'm certain you have convinced me of the merits that idolitry brings, please make me your pupil from this moment forth?!?!"

"We'll be celebrating for quite awhile," The elder comments, chuckling as he looks back into the crowd. "You are all more than welcome to join! And you're also welcome here any time at at all. You're our heroes, to put it simply. We'll put in a wonderful report to the Freeswords guild, at the very least."

As Fenris looks through the book, he might notice it's much more of a diary than casual literature. Its pages are filled with dates and tales of battle, along with mentions of Dio in various places. He'll probably want that book at some point.

"Regardless, I think you should take Dio back to your town. He's always talking about you guys after all. And he could use some more 'medical examination' with all those fancy herbs they got over there, right? We gotta be sure that poison didn't hurt him too bad." The elder winks, digging around in his pocket. "And give this to him when he wakes up. Jerky, his favorite. Ah! And I almost forgot." Pulling from his other pocket, he drops a note in the bag and holds it out.