Let's go shall we?


With a satisfied sigh, Naestra sat up from the bed and stretched her arms back above her head.

Humming with satisfaction, she got up and walked across the room to look out the window. The sun was all but gone, and from the numerous cave-like structures and building, candlelight could be seen and so could the occasional Human or Dwarf moving through the streets with Naestra's experience sight. A small bird flew into her window, landing next to her. Naestra idlily scratched the bird's back as she watched the sun fade away.

The bird quickly grew bored of her attention and flew away with a polite chirp. Naestra smiled and went to turn away when something moved in the shadows in the corner of her eye. She stopped and waited to see if something would move again. However time passed and nothing moved again. Naestra frowned slightly but as she closed the curtains, a small mammal creature wandered out of the shadows and looked at her curiously. She smiled and shook her head, rubbing her eyes tiredly.

Double checking her sword was secured to her belt, Naestra opened the door and walked over to the stairs. A bearded Bretonnian man suddenly opened a door next to her and almost stumbled into her. She sidestepped the human and a hand strayed to her sword, but the man mumbled a drunken apology and stumbled back into his room, his face red with embarrassment and rage. Naestra gave him a sympathetic look before continuing on her way downstairs.

As she walked down the stairs, she noticed a few curious piece of wood as she walked down. Turning into the main room, she was greeted by a most perplexing sight.

First in foremost was the Bretonnians that had been drinking at the bar laying battered and groaning all over the room, shattered chairs and tables around them. She offhanded noticed the Barman leaning against the bar with his face in his hands. She then looked at the one responsible.

She really should have expected that Arahan would somehow start a fight in the short time she was alone. Arahan was seated at a table with the other two men that had been in the inn. The younger one had a bruise across his face while the older one had crossed his arms and was looking at her curiously. Then she noticed Arahan's hood was off her head, ears clearly in view.

"What have you done now Arahan?" she asked with a confused sighed. Arahan shrugged then turned back to the pair of Bretonnians.

"So, I presume this is the sister you mentioned?" the younger man asked curiously.

Arahan nodded, "Yes, that is her. You are meant to be the diplomatic one aren't you? Come over and introduce yourself." Arahan said jokingly to Naestra. Naestra raised an eyebrow, but walked over to the trio, pulling her hood from her head.

"You didn't answer my question sister, how is it I leave you for a few minutes and find that you have destroyed the main room and beaten several Bretonnians?" Naestra questioned. Arahan shrugged as the same man spoke up again.

"One of these fools bothered Lady Arahan when she was bringing in your belongs, I intervened in an attempt to have the imbecile leave her be so that he would stop causing a scene, but he somehow thought I was doing so to 'impress' her. I got angry, he got angry, he attacked me," the young man pointed at the bruise on his face, "And thus this is how we find ourselves."

Naestra sighed but nodded.

"You have my thanks for aiding my sister, even if it was not necessary for both yourself or her." Naestra said to the man with appreciative look.

The man place a hand on his chest and bowed his head.

"Anyway, this is Naestra, Brandan. Naestra, this is Brandan and Marc." Arahan introduced.

"A pleasure to meet you Lady Naestra." Brandan said while Marc nodded his head in response. "We were just discussing about a group of Norscans that, as I have now learned, were defeated by you two." Arahan gave him a smug smile while Naestra nodded in confirmation.

"Yes, that is correct. If I may, might I know why you two were searching for them?" Naestra asked.

"They said they are, uh what was it again...ah yeah, Questing Knights. Looking to do good and kill evil. That sort of thing." Arahan explained. Brandan gave her an amused looked but nodded his head.

"Oh, you two are Questing Knights? I have spoken with one like you two on the outskirts of Athel Loran. He was asking around for some Empire rebels that had become bandits in Bretonnia and we spoke at length for some time. How well does your search for the Lady's Grail go?" Naestra asked with happy curiousity.

The two knights' eyes widened in pleasant surprise.

"I took my vow around half a year ago, I've only travelled around Bretonnia myself for now. As for Marc, I am not sure how long his vow has gone, but I'm sure he has travelled far and wide." Brandan explained with a pleasant smile. Naestra nodded in understanding.

"Then I hope you good fortune and honour to your Lady." she said. The knights bowed their heads in thanks.

Arahan sighed before leaning back on her chair's rear legs. She pulled her knife from her belt and slowly spun it in her hand

"So, introductions are out of the way. What now?" she asked boredly.

Naestra gave her a disappointed look. "Come now Sister, I'm sure we have plenty to discuss."

Arahan sighed as Brandan spoke up.

"Lady Naestra? Lady Arahan was understandably apprehensive of speaking about why the two of you find yourselves outside your forests." Brandan said while Arahan gave him look. "But I would like to ask why again."

Naestra looked at Arahan with a surprised look.

"What? I didn't know why he was interested and frankly I still don't." Arahan said honestly. Naestra sighed and looked at the knights.

"We are travelling to Bordeleaux, we learned someone was there giving people detailed instructions on how to enter Athel Loran and we have been instructed to eliminate them. We suspect they might be traitors." Naestra explained how a party of Bordeleaux Knights had been caught and the note they had been carrying. Brandan frowned as Marc put his hand to his bearded chin.

"You are certain?" He asked. Naestra nodded. "If there is someone in Bordeleaux effectively sending good men to their deaths, then Lord Alberic should be informed..." He looked away with a concerned frown.

Naestra looked at him curiously. "You act like you have an attachment to the place. What do you know of the city?" she asked politely.

Brandan looked up and said, "It is my home, I was born and raised in Bordeleux. I have many friends in the city and I know more than a few who would fall for such deception."

Arahan suddenly caught her knife

"'If there is any way I could repay you for your troubles, then please, allow me to do so.' That's what you said right?" Arahan said questioningly to Brandan. Naestra gave her a confused look but the knight nodded.

"Yes, that is correct Lady Arahan." He said.

"Well, we are going to Bordeleaux, you want to tell that Alberic guy about our target and you said you wanted to pay me back. Therefore, you can accompany us on our travels and we all win." Arahan declared.

Brandan looked at her with a thoughtful expression but nodded his head. "True, and a knight's promise must never be forsaken. If it is your wish, then I hereby vow to accompany you until I am released from my promise or until my death or my vow takes me from you."

She smiled with satisfaction and looked over at Naestra with a smug look.

Naestra in the meanwhile was giving her sister a shocked look.

"W-What? Stop looking at me like that..."Arahan said bashfully. Marc smiled in amusement as Naestra grabbed her shoulders.

"You...you...you..." Naestra muttered confused. Arahan pulled Naestra's hands off of her.

"Yes, me. Why are you acting like that? Stop it." she said, red slowly spreading across her face.

"You...just made a deal. Arahan actually used diplomacy. Arahan just used diplomacy instead of violence and I didn't have to intervene to do so...have the End Times come?" Naestra dumbly questioned. Arahan looked around the table, face bright red.

"What?! I-I-I-I can do more than just fight Naestra!"

The two knights laughed as Arahan embarrassedly defended herself as Naestra stared blankly at her.


The morning sun rose over the Grey Mountains, shining brightly on Parravon.

Already, the citizens of Parravon found themselves wandering the streets as sleepy guards were relieved. The Knight's Rest had a trio outside, preparing their horses, while another stood against the wall waiting.

Brandan had donned his armour, a dark blue and green tabard over chainmail, with leather gauntlets and his boots. His warhorse was a grey stallion draped in leather of the same colour as his tabard with a metal plate over it's head. A number of bags were place behind it's saddle.

The young knight tightened his saddle on last time and turn to face Marc.

"Are you certain you do not wish to join us my friend?" He asked one last time.

The older knight smiled but shook his head.

"Well then, I suppose this is farewell. May the Lady watch over you and may you bring honour to Her and yourself." Brandan said. The two knights embraced and Brandan mounted his warhorse. Naestra and Arahan quickly followed suit and Naestra waved goodbye to Marc and Arahan nodded in acknowledgement. The older knight nodded in farewell and turned around to enter the inn. Some of the other horses had already disappeared, but the trio were certainly not the last to leave.

They reached the gate to the first level, a guard noticed Brandan and quickly had him let through without trouble. Naestra noticed a pair of guards off to the side talking and looking at them. Their hoods were up, but Naestra found their strange reaction very intriguing.

Travelling towards the main gate, Brandan looked over at the sisters.

"I am curious, what exactly is our route?" he asked. Arahan pull out her map and passed it to the knight.

"We plan to travel north to Montfort. From there we cross the River Grismerie and continue west to Castle Bastonne, and from there to Bordeleaux." Arahan explained.

He nodded and looked over the map.

"If we are travelling to Montfort, it is very likely we will be attacked by Greenskins from Massif Orcal along the way. I trust you know how to fight, but there is always the chance we will encounter a raiding party which would be highly dangerous." Brandan warned.

Naestra smiled while Arahan smirked viciously.

"You look after yourself Brandan, we are more than capable of dealing with a mere 'raiding party'." Arahan said. Brandan gave her a curious look, but said nothing more.

The trio quickly found themselves at the main gate. The same guard from yesterday was stationed there and the second he saw them, the same curious look he had appeared once more. He quickly straightened up once he noticed the knight amongst them.

"Good Mornin' milord, miladies. I trust yer just leaving then yes?" the guard asked politely. Naestra nodded.

"Yes, thank you." she said. The guard paused, then waved them along.

They exited Parravon as Brandan gave the guard a curious look.

"Tell me, why are you so perplexed by these women?" he asked quietly.

"Well milord, I don't believe yer from 'ere, but a few of the older guards tell stories about the elves to the south. And those two be eerily similar to the stories I've 'eard milord." the guard explained.

Brandan nodded and waved the guard off, who bowed with respect. He quickly caught up with Naestra and Arahan.

"What were you asking that man about?" Naestra asked curiously.

He shrugged. "I was curious about their reaction to you ladies. Turns out, they have older members of the guard that have told stories about the elves of the woods and how similar he found you to those stories."

The twins shared a look before Arahan spoke up.

"No matter, they wouldn't dare fight us. Many in Parravon fear our kind. The peasant was probably scared about agitating us." she said confidently. Brandan sighed but nodded.

"Yes, I would suspect as such judging by his reaction." he agreed. "So, my ladies, shall we make our way?"

The sisters nodded and the trio rode down the road to Montfort.


It was about midday when they caught up to them.

Naestra was idlily watching the countryside pass around them when a small bird flew down to her, chirping repeatedly. Arahan raised an eyebrow at her while Brandan looked at the bird with confusion. Naestra sighed before pulling her bow from her saddle, as did Arahan. Brandan looked at them hopeless confused but pulled a large sword from his saddle.

A few minutes passed, and the sound of hoofbeats started to come into hearing. The twins pulled a pair of arrows from their quivers and place them onto their bowstrings, but not drawn back. Brandan turned his horse around and gave his sword an experimental twirl with his wrist. Soon, seven men on horses came riding into view. They were armoured and armed with melee weapons and lances, clearly knights of Bretonnia.

Brandan went to lower his sword, but Naestra shook her head at him.

"They are not here for peaceful reasons, Questing Knight." she explained.

The knights came to a stop some distant away. The one in front started to shout out in that Bretonnia noble language, "Toi! Vous souillez mon honneur puis vous vous enfuyez comme un lache? Vous et ces femmes immondes! J'exige l'epreuve par le combat a mort!"

Arahan looked at Brandan for an explanation.

"It's the moron from last night. He insists I've sullied his honour and demands trial by combat to the death." he explained. The elve scoffed in annoyance.

"Naestra, can we please just shoot him?" Arahan asked.

Brandan shook his head. "There is no need. A nuance of taking the Questing Vow is that by forsaking my titles and position, I am not honourbound to accept his challange."

It seemed that one of the leader's men also noticed this, because Naestra noticed that one of the men talking to him and pointing at Brandan's sword. The leader said something in retaliation before turning back to them.

"Mon ami dit que vous devez être un chevalier en quête par votre manque de lance. Apparemment, vous n'êtes pas obligé d'accepter mon défi. Si vous êtes trop lâche pour accepter, remettez-nous ces deux précurseurs." the leader said with an disappointed tone.

Brandan translated for the twins, Arahan looked at them with a scowl.

"Why does he seek to take us?" Naestra questioned.

"Clearly, he thinks he's something special and want us for his own pleasure..." Arahan muttered with a scowl.

Naestra shook her head.

"No, that sort of thing is not permitted amongst Bretonnian knights. If that was the case, they would likely be executed or something along that line." she explain, Brandan nodding in confirmation.

"The occasional knight errant commits such vile acts, all are dishonoured and beheaded for their evilness." he said.

"Brandan, ask him why please?" Naestra asked.

He turned to the party of knights and asked, "Pourquoi voulez-vous ces dames?"

The leader rolled his head. "Pourquoi vous souciez-vous de ce lâche? Quoi qu'il en soit, quelqu'un a accepté de payer pour que tous les elfes en dehors de la forêt soient capturés et tués et les gardes de Parravon pensent qu'ils sont en fait des elfes. Une fois que nous savons s'ils le sont, eh bien, vous n'avez pas besoin de savoir." he said with a dark chuckle.

Arahan sighed. "Oh wow, that was certainly not ominous now was it? Naestra? Brandan? Gods damn this."

Brandan's eyes narrowed and he raised his sword.

"He claims they are payed to kill any elves leaving the forest and believes you are elves. And if these knight are so willing to do mercenary work, then Lady Arahan may not wrong... So, how shall we slaughter these monsters?" he asked with a scowl.

The sisters shared a look before Arahan spoke up.

"Kill them all, spare the leader."

The two of them raised their bows and fired. Naestra's arrow impacted the man to the leaders right, searing through his armour and impacting against the man behind him, killing both of them while holes through their chests. Arahan's arrows split into thorns and shredded into one of the men on the left, slashing him into bloody ribbons. Brandan immediately charged with the Lady's name name on his lips. The leader panicked as the men next to him were brutally killed and dropped his lance. He desperately pulled his sword and barely managed to parry Brandan's sword aside. He smoothly twisted the sword with his wrist and smote the man across the back, knocking him from his horse. The horse panicked and ran. One of the men rode over to Brandan, jabbing his lance at his face. Brandan parried it out of the way and slammed his hilt into the man's arm, causing him to drop the lance.

Naestra also charged forward, firing another arrow into a man who managed to deflect it downwards, unfortunately into the neck of his horse. He jumped clear as horse went wild as arrow burned a hole through it's neck. The man got up as the horse almost fell on top of him. The knight drew a mace from his belt and waited for Naestra to charge him. However, she stopped short of him, drew her sword and flipped off her horse over him. He tried to swing his mace at her, but she deftly bent out of the way and landed on the ground. She swung her bow at him like a second sword, whacking him in the side of the head and disorienting him. He managed to block her follow up strike with his shield, but Naestra slid her sword under his shield and thrusted it into his chest. He groaned in pain and swung his mace at her, however she backstepped out of the way. The two began circling as Naestra swung her bow over her back.

Meanwhile Arahan fired again at the last man on the left. He managed to catch most the thorns on his shield, which was shredded along with parts of his arm. Arahan pulled her spear and impaled it through the warhorse. The animal died instantly and fell to side, trapping the last man. Arahan circled back around and rode passed the trapped man, swinging the speartip across the man's vulnerable throat. Turning her horse around, she watched as Brandan parried a sword and grabbed the man's shield, pulling himself and the man from their horses. They rolled on the ground but Brandan recovered quicker, swinging his sword to decapitate the unprepared man with a two handed grip. The leader charged him from behind, sword raised above his head. Brandan rolled out of the way and prepared to duel the man when an arrow came from Arahan and shredded the man's leg. The leader collapsed in pain. He gave Arahan a displeased look as he turned to check on Naestra.

The last man alive tried to bash her with his shield, but Naestra ducked under it and deftly stepped behind the man and impaled him on her sword. Sliding the corpse off her sword, she wiped her blade off with a piece of cloth. She sheathed her sword and walked over to the two of them. Arahan leaned on her spear while Brandan dropped his sword and grabbed the leader.

"Now enfoiré, why don't you tell us who offers rewards for killing elves eh?" he said, slamming his fist into the man's face. The leader moaned in pain as he fell back to the ground. Arahan walked up to them and pulled her hood off.

"So, filthy human, you want to kill my kind then?" she asked sadistically before pulling her knife out and stabbing it into his shoulder. The man tried to punch her, but she quickly pulled her back, causing his fist to fly harmless past her. She twisted the knife painfully, causing him to grab at the knife in pain.

Naestra walked up and pulled her off him. Arahan gave her a glare as Naestra pulled the knife out and handed back to her. She then looked down at leader, who was beginning to pale from blood loss.

"Listen. You will die, and it will be painful. Her thorns are poisonous and prolong the death. Tell us who is paying you, and I will make it quick." She declared. The man groaned and looked around him. Arahan took sadistic glee in slowly dragging his sword out of reach with her boot. The man slammed his head into the ground before looking Naestra with a defeated glare.

"Fine...it was..a man from...Bordeleaux." he began with a pained sigh. "Imperial...merchant from...Reikland. Called Conrad. Owed him favours, agreed to...pay for doing this...as well..."

With that, he gave a sigh and closed his eyes, lying there. Naestra took a deep breath and pulled her knife out but Brandan raised his hand.

"Let me, Lady Naestra." he asked. Naestra nodded and stepped away, sheathing her knife. Brandan picked up his sword, grabbed the man by the collar and ran him through. He whispered something in Bretonnian to the leader, before letting the now dead man fall to the ground. He then turned to face Arahan.

"Lady Arahan, I would like to ask that you don't interrupt single combat I may be engaged in unless absolutely necessary." Brandan asked her. Arahan tilted her head in confusion.

"Uh...why exactly?" she asked curiously.

"As a Questing Knight, I am meant to destroy evil where ever I find it, fight with honor and valor and aid those in need. While this filth is by no means the most terrible of monsters, I must insist that should this happen again, I can not have you intervene like that. I have vowed to travel with you, but I am still bound by my Questing Vow and I must ask you respect my stance on this." Brandan requested politely but firmly.

Arahan looked at him and blinked. "Oh, is that why? Alright then. So long as you fight well, I can live with that."

Brandan nodded and began wiping his sword off. Arahan looked over at Naestra and casually started to slowly twirl her spear around.

"So Sister, what does an Imperial want with killing elves? How do you suppose this relates to what we know?" she asked. Naestra idlily tapped her sword hilt in thought.

"Arahan, nothing changes, if anything this just gives us a target. Maybe a traitor is supplying this Conrad with the information, or maybe it's simply the Imperial has somehow found our routes. Regardless, nothing changes. We continue to Bordeleaux." Naestra said calmly.

Brandan gave a piercing whistle and his warhorse came trotting over to him. The Sisters' horses also came at their underheard command. The trio of them started gathering the corpses and Naestra collected the stray remaining horses.

"What do you want to do with them?" she asked Brandan. The knight spat on the ground.

"Take the horses with us, they are fair beasts and aught to make for a decent trade at Montfort or at a castle along the way. Leave these disgraces here to rot. I'll leave a message to inform whoever finds them of what happened." Brandan explained.

Naestra nodded and walked away.

The young Questing Knight looked down at the pile of what used to be his countrymen.

"Huh. I vow to follow a pair of Wood Elves of Athel Loran, and immediately I am forced to kill mercenary filth that were once Bretonnian Knights. Well, this will certainly be the begins of a fine adventure..."