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.