Roland marched out of the old tavern to overlook the twenty or so strangers that had no gathered all grasping bows and crossbows. The odd one or two had sword on their hips in a scabbard. They were directly in front of the tavern. Then to the right gathering along the street was an army of young men and old men alike. Obviously their town was very dear to them and they weren't willing to let it fall under the good mans clutches.
Imp stood amongst the armed group, which Roland new was the group of rangers. He could tell as he recognised the young man Edward with his bumbler close by his heels.
Roland stood on the decking of the tavern a cigarette in his mouth and the smoke slowly drifted up to the sky circling above his head. Amelia had washed his shirt. His jeans were relatively clean as well, they'd been washed too but the washing couldn't completely remove the dust stains and the odd bloodstain that clutched to the material as though if they disappeared the memory of those who's blood it was would vanish forever. It was a curse Roland carried with him, a reminder of those who'd fallen by his guns and his fists.
He took the cigarette out of his mouth and blew a puff of smoke up to the sky. He then flicked what was left of the cigarette to the side and stubbed it out with the heel of his heavy boot with a large clump. That brought everyone who was gathered to attention.
There were a few gasps, obviously a few of the citizens had heard rumours of a gunslinger but none had really believed them. Now Roland stood with the mid day sun bearing down on him, and his guns twinkled as thought acting as a warning to those to be quiet. Roland took a moment to scan the line of rangers and workers.
He then took in a deep breath and began to speak.
"You men of Road's meeting, I say thankai for you being here. However I know it was the love of your hometown that brought you out here not I. That was the reason I wished you to come. Your town is under a threat, one that my home city did not stand against. I need all of you to follow me, if we've any hope of stopping this "Good Man" and his conquest."
He paused and the crowd was deathly silent, some of the members gawped at Roland as though he'd just shot one of their number. A few namely Imp, were looking around at their surrounding members to judge their reactions. Roland then rested his hands on his guns, a pose so natural to him now.
"What have you to say? Will you fight, will you struggle and would you die for the freedom of your hometown?" Roland than added.
It took a moment but then suddenly on the dirt track for a road the men erupted into a huge roar. The echoed around the forest and nearby some birds in a tree were startled and they bolted and flew out of the tree.
Roland nodded towards Imp, who was looking at him smiling amongst the crowd. He then looked up and leaning on either side of an alley way entrance stood Evan and Abel who looked less then impressed by the display of the courage of the men of Road's Meeting.
Evan had his arms crossed and leaned against the wall as one might lean against a bar, Abel leaned casually with one shoulder on the wall his hood up, he held the cat skull or whatever it was that dangled from his belt in his hand and seemed to spin it with his fingers, although as Roland looked deeper at it. The skull was actually suspened above Abel's hand floating and spinning, his vile fingers framing the monstrous display of magic.
Roland moved his gaze away from the disgusting site to a figure in the crowd who was pushing his way forward through the dirt road.
It was the Mayor and Luthor was close behind seeming as though he was making sure to nudge everyone in his way possible.
"An excellent speech Roland." The Mayor said as he stood up to the tavern's decking.
Roland raised an eyebrow that put across his feelings about the Mayor's words. He had no pleasure in what he'd just done. This was not the town's fight, he would gladly fight the Good Man's troops if it were possible but their numbers were to many. He was unsure of the town's actual chance.
The Mayor clambered onto the decking and overlooked the cheering crowd, and he waved his hands to try to calm them.
"I'm glad this town means so much to you, after all it is ours, we're not going to hand it over to the Good Man without a fight eh?" this prompted another raise of shouts from the crowd.
The Mayor grinned and looked back at Roland.
Roland could only frown and shake his head in response, how many more people were going to lose their lives fighting this supposed Good Man. He thought back to what Imp had said, when he'd been face to face with the Good Man and how Roland wished Imp had thrown one of his deadly knives into his chest.
Roland stepped forward placing a hand on the mayor's shoulders and pushing aside slightly.
"I'm not going to lie to you men" Roland boomed, "This fight will be hard, many will die, perhaps all of you if we lose. However I have tasks for you all."
A voice from the crowd shouted then "Till the end!". It raised a huge cheer from the crowd.
Imp looked around it obviously wasn't him who'd shouted it but he took a smile from the comment. A twinkle in his eye showing this is what he'd wanted another chance against the Good Man.
"The Rangers, I wish you to gather inside the Tavern where I can assign tasks to you sepratly, however the rest of you, I need you to start constructing defences around the town, there are plenty of trees with which to do so. Imp…I need you to led this task."
Imp raised his hand from the crowd.
"Ready and willing 'slinger" he said.
The large group all glanced at Imp.
With that Roland entered the Tavern with the Rangers following close behind. The mayor was shocked that he'd been moved aside by the gunslinger but did nothing to speak his mind.