Aaron ran as fast as his legs could carry him. His hand ready to pull his Sunlight Straight Sword from its scabbard. He had already strapped his Dragon Crest Shield to his left arm. He heard the Templars shout after him as he ran. He supposed they could not feel the Darkwraiths as he could, which would make a bit of sense but was still worrying. Finally, he crested a hill to the south of the village and saw them. He jerked to a stop in surprise. What he thought were Darkwraiths were not, but what he saw nevertheless had him pull his blade. A small party of seven… beasts… were chasing a woman across the field that led from the woods. They wore patchwork armor and carried jagged, rusty blades. The last one to break from the woods carried a bow. It notched an arrow and loosed it. The jagged arrow flew true and impacted in the woman's shoulder. She fell to the ground with a heart-wrenching cry while the others barreled down on her. Aaron had been running as he saw this, and he was able to throw himself in front of her, shield raised, as the first… thing slashed with its blade. The blade bounced off of the enchanted steel and he retaliated by plunging his sword into a gap in the beast's armor. The blade met little resistance and the thing gave a gurgle before falling over dead.

Meanwhile, Ser Bryant and his men had caught up. With a shout of "Darkspawn!" Ser Bryant charged, blade poised to hack off limbs. With a mighty swing, Ser Bryant relieved one Hurlock of its head and smashed another with the pommel of his blade. It doubled over and was finished off by Ser Andrew. Ser Geoffrey raised his Warhammer to smash the helmeted head of another Hurlock but was intercepted by its comrade whose own hammer smashed into his side. His armor crumbled under the force of the blow and he was knocked on his back. The first Spawn ripped his helmet off and tore into Geoffrey's throat. His screams were cut off immediately and his movements stilled. Seeing this, Andrew ran and cut deep into the hammer wielders side. It screeched and fell, spasming and the other soon followed as Bryant drove his blade between its shoulders. The last blade wielder rushed Aaron with reckless abandon and its clumsy swing was parried. With a grunt, Aaron stabbed into its abdomen then smacked it off of his blade. The last Spawn tried to loose more arrows, but they were blocked by shield and armor. Bryant was the one to finish the skirmish, hacking off the last blighters' arms and following it up with a decapitation.

Ser Andrew rushed to Ser Geoffrey's body, maybe hoping he could be saved, only to stop and shake his head. He let out a choked sob before picking up his Warhammer and smashing in the still writhing spawn's skull. He kept at it until there was naught but a blackened paste where the thing's head once was. Ser Bryant pulled him aside and appeared to be attempting to calm the younger man. Meanwhile, Aaron had turned and went to the fallen women, thankfully she was still alive but was only just holding on.

"Best to put her out of her misery now. Darkspawn poison their arrows and we have no antidote on hand. She will not make it to the village. Make it quick," Ser Bryant's voice was solemn. The tone spoke of personal experience, and the way he looked away from the woman made it clear he had been in a similar situation. Aaron just shook his head and reached into his knapsack. Bryant looked on bemused as he pulled a small talisman made of pure white hair out of the sack. Aaron then recited one of the stories of the Gods, the words spoke of great healing miracles and as he said the words he reached deep within himself and brought forth his power. Suddenly, a golden circle of light spread forth around him, invigorating all present and healing the jagged wound that had been left behind by the arrow. The poison that had coursed through her body was destroyed and color returned to her face. Aaron noted absently that her ears were tapered to a point. As the glow faded and the woman fell into sleep Aaron felt a blade press against his neck and a strange feeling came over him for a moment before disappearing.

"Apostate!" came the cry of Ser Andrew. "Do not move, Maleficar!"

"What? What in Gwyn's name are you doing man! We need to get back to the village!" Aaron's voice was confused and angry. He had just helped them and this woman, and now they were trying to kill him. It made no sense.

"Andrew, stay your blade. He is right, we need to get back to the village first and foremost," Ser Bryant was dumbfounded, he had attempted to Smite Aaron but it had just washed over him. It was a similar effect to what would happen if he tried to Smite a random farmer. Yet he had blatantly used a healing spell, though not one he had ever seen.

Ser Andrew begrudgingly sheathed his blade before making for Geoffrey's body. With a shake of his head, Aaron picked up the unconscious woman in a bridal carry before making for the village. The Templars were left behind to prepare Ser Geoffrey's body for transport to the Chantry. As he moved back along the trail to Lothering, Aaron spied a caravan moving south towards the entrance to the Imperial Highway. When the caravan neared he saw a tall man at the head of the column call it to a halt. The man and three others garbed in silver mail, with tabards barring Griffons approached.

"Hail!" the head man called. "Do you require aid?" the man, a tanned and weathered veteran by his looks, inquired. While he seemed sincere, the men felt… off. They felt very much like those beasts he had fought, and this put him in a very tricky position.

"Nay, there was an attack, Darkspawn. I was with a group of Templars, they lost one of their own and are preparing to move his body. I am sure they could use some assistance, I can handle the lady myself" Aaron was wary of these people. All but a haunted-looking young woman in the back of the caravan bore the taint he could feel. As he gazed at the woman, she was about the same size as the woman in his arms and she had similarly tapered ears, he could feel the eyes of the caravaneers harden on him.

"Very well, but I shall send my second, Raynauld, with you. As a precaution" the tanned man ordered. He was skeptical of his claims. This fact rankled Aaron, he was a Knight of Carim! He had taken vows of honor in service to his Maiden. He was not some common brigand or Sellsword, out to rape and plunder!

"I can assure you that I can handle myself" he bit out, "but I shall welcome the company nonetheless"

"Good, Raynauld, make certain they make it into town", the leader spoke once more and Raynauld snapped to attention before replying.

"As you command, Duncan" the rather lanky and dour man then came up alongside Aaron and gestured in the direction of the Village. "Lead on, Ser"