-Chapter Three-

The troop was hunting a small group of orcs, scouting them in hopes to find their leader, Logram Eyegouger. They were completely caught off-guard as the orcs suddenly charged away from where the paladin's company hid with a whooping battle cry. Casavir jumped in pursuit before realizing the orcs were attacking a small band of unsuspecting travelers. He knew if he did not act quickly the orcs would overcome the little group. His soldiers followed in quick pursuit, cutting down the enemy rapidly. It was a large faction of orcs, but the soldier's training had taught them how to fight effectively. The skirmish was over quickly.

Casavir evaluated the scene, sweeping the area for survivors, fallen comrades or more orc attackers. He was surprised to see the small band of travelers still alive and mostly uninjured. It was the oddest assortment of people he had ever seen. There was a male dwarven monk, a fiery haired female tiefling and a male gnome that appeared to be a bard all standing behind the most amazing woman he had ever seen. The newcomer stood tall and proud, taller then most women, her posture that of a trained warrior. She moved with liquid grace, each movement efficient and purposeful. The woman had long black hair with a shot of darkest blue running in a streak through the front. Her hair had come partly undone and she reached to tame her unruly tresses. She seemed unconcerned with the fallen bodies strew at her feet, almost callous.

Reaching behind her head to retie the leather thong holding her mane, he was able to get an unchecked glimpse at her firm body. She was hard to miss for her armor left very little to the imagination. "Armor" was on overstatement. The woman wore black leathers, her top cut off on one shoulder, midriff bare. An ultra short skirt was tied to one side at the waist with high black leather boots, leaving only a peek of skin visible where skirt and boot top almost met. It seemed obvious she was a rogue by the collection of picks she wore bandolier style across one shoulder but he had couldn't recall seeing any rogues duel wield longswords and never ones like hers. Casavir couldn't recall seeing any rogues so willingly out in the open period he realized. In her right hand, she held a longsword gleaming with fire licking up and down the blade, the off hand blade crackled with angry electric blue flames. The woman also carried a large and impressive longbow which she had slung over her back. It seemed the rogue had chosen the blades for hand to hand combat in this fight. He was impressed and a little incredulous as he studied her. Women like this didn't walk around in real life. Someone like that was the stuff of fables, stories bards spun and reality mocked. He realized he was gaping like an untrained boy and she paid him no heed. She seemed oblivious to Casavir's staring.

The small group appeared to defer to her as their leader as she approached him while the rest fell in behind her. He wondered what could bring a small band of travelers out here alone, so far from the trade routes. The paladin assumed them to be foolhardy adventurers or lost. He intended to find out and see them on their way before any other attacks could occur.

Casavir held his place, as he watched the woman approach and heard Katriona's step close behind him. He did not intend to meet the newcomer part way or extend any friendly greetings. The rogue eyed him warily, a look that hinted at disgust. Her reactions were strangely enticing and he wanted to kick himself for such irrational feelings. Maybe his sanity truly was slipping.

"The Sword Mountains are a dangerous place. More now than ever with the orc tribes gathered behind Logram's banner." She looked at him as if he were an idiot, retorting that they had things under control. The rogue had an attitude.

Her reply caught him off guard, she was audacious and he found himself responding to her. The reaction surprised him but he quickly suppressed the emotion. The slightest flicker of a smile flashed across his lips. Her bravado was oddly alluring. "So I noticed. I thank you then for allowing us to take part in the battle," he smirked with a touch of amusement in his voice. It had been a long time since anything had humored him. She shrugged as if his comments were nothing more than a nuisance to her.

He had never seen anyone like her. She held herself proudly, not backing down or lowing her eyes in false modestly as so many women did. He wanted to know more, his curiosity piqued. Casavir introduced himself and went on to briefly describe what his troops were doing, hoping for an explanation. He almost snorted when she said, "So you're the ones that have been harassing the orcs" Casavir contained himself but heard Katriona's grunt of disgust behind him. He explained how they had been furthering their attacks.

She still would not reveal her purpose for being there and his curiosity got the better of him. He had to know and she was giving nothing. The paladin felt he was blathering like an idiot to this woman. The rogue continued to stare unflinchingly at him, her eyes penetrating pools of liquid steel; he could not break his gaze from them. No longer able to hold back, he asked "I'm curious. Why have you ventured into the mountains? Surely you understood the risk in coming here."

She assessed him and those troops that had gathered around them and instead of answering shot, "This is all the men that you have? Not much of a force." He was shocked at her nerve answering truthfully they were mostly farmers. The duo continued to talk of the orcs and their increasing raids. Casavir told her how they had found the scene of a recent attack and their surprise at the precision of the attack. Nodding, she told him there had been a Neverwinter emissary recently kidnapped. Both agreed this must have been his guard. Casavir was impressed with her air of authority and how she spoke to him as an equal. He was startled when he told her his band had tracked the orcs to their lair and her response had been accusatory that they had not attacked the orcs. She was accusing him of cowardice!

She asked if he knew the location of Logram's hideout and Casavir was hit with the most unusual and unexpected tightening in his chest. The realization that she intended to storm the orc's front door hit him full force and he didn't like the unanticipated emotion. This was the battle he sought, this would be suicide and she was facing it head on, bold as brass. He offered to lead her to the trail. She did not seem surprised and was unfazed as she replied his help would be appreciated. He quickly shook off the unwanted and unwarranted feelings toward this brash stranger.

Katriona guessed what his intentions were he knew as she tried to stop him. His mind was set on fighting this one final battle. He had to leave her and his fellow soldiers though. If this band was foolhardy enough to attempt this, it was not his responsibility but the soldiers were. The troops needed to return to the Greycloaks and help if he failed. Katriona pleaded with him while trying to keep control of herself. She was too strong to beg but knew by his tone that he intended this to be the last time they met. Casavir gave his final orders and turned his back to the troops, joining in the party at the woman's side.