Roan awoke the next morning to the cool desert air. He washed up, then began saddling up his horse for the trip ahead. "And where do you think you're going?" A voice said. Roan spun around to see Luther standing there, his equipment all packed and ready to go.
"I'm going after Grado, What are you doing up so early?" Roan asked him, going back to his work.
"What do you think I'm doing? I'm going with you. I haven't had the chance to travel with you in a very long time. Plus I want to help you. I know you're going to need it" Luther said grinning. Roan smiled, he couldn't help it. He knew it would be nice to have some company on his trip.
"You can't forget about me!" Kira said, dressed in Blood red sage robes. She had a thunder tome in one hand, a staff in the other. She smiled as she walked up to Roan, Luther following. Roan sighed as his friends stood by as he finished up.
"This isn't going to be a picnic you know. We're chasing the largest army in the land. Are you absolutely sure you want to go?" Roan asked seriously. Luther grinned, shaking his head.
"You should know the answer to that. Come on, let's go before the sun comes up. I don't want to crisp before we get out of this desert."He said. Kira nodded her agreement, and the small group of mercenaries left the camp. Roan's heart felt lighter than it had in weeks, due mostly to the fact he was with his friends again.
Roan , Luther, and Kira had been traveling for a few days when they came to a large village on the edge of the desert. After a quick discussion, it was decided that they needed supplies and they would stop in for a day or two to rest. The hot desert had taken its toll on Kira and Luther, who weren't as used to it as Roan was.
Roan and his group entered the village only to see very few people out and about. The few that were out scurried about as if war was going to sweep into the village and destroy it. The group wandered, looking for an open store when a man came hurrying up to them.
"Hello? You aren't slavers, are you? Please tell me you're not slavers…." The man said, practically begging.
"No, we're not slavers. Why, what's wrong? There's no one here…at least, no one outside. " Luther said, making the man sigh with relief.
"Well, are you mercenaries? You look like it. Well, I have a request for you." The man asked. He obviously had to be the mayor of this village, to address Roan like this.
"Well, we are mercenaries. What are you willing to pay us, and what is the job?" Roan asked.
"I need you to drive off some slavers that have been terrorizing this village. Please, you must help us!"The man said desperately. Roan turned away to discuss what they should do.
"We can't afford to stop if we're trying to catch up with Myrrh. I say we keep going." Roan said quietly
"But we need money to buy food too. I say we take whatever job this guy offers us." Luther said. Making the mayor sigh with relief.
"Ok! We can discuss your payment afterwards, should we still be alive…."He trailed off. Roan glared at him, until the mayor spoke up again. "Ok. What we need you to do is to protect us form some slavers that have been harassing us for some time now. Please, help us! We will do whatever you require of us!" The mayor pleaded, causing Roan to suddenly pull out his sword.
"Well, it can't be too hard. When do these slavers usually show up?" Roan asked.
"At night, when they have the advantage. They keep trying to kidnap the girl from the village, stating the have the right to take whatever they want! If you defeat them, they most likely will be to afraid to come back." The mayor said, sounding hopeful.
"Ok. We'll take the job. However, you need to supply us with whatever we need. Deal?" Roan stated, holding out his hand. The mayor shook it, then hurried off to inform the rest of the village of what had transpired. Roan turned to his two companions who were waiting to hear what they had to do.
"Ok! Luther, you go and round up whatever few warriors this village has. Kira, go and begin getting a few of the village girls together. This may be a bit risky, but it will work perfectly if all goes well. Lets get to it!" Roan said, and his two friends disappeared to fulfill their tasks. Roan himself cracked his knuckles as he gathered materials for traps. He was in an exceptionally good mood, for he was back to doing what he did best: Preparing to fight against a numerically greater enemy and win.
Hours later, night had fallen, and everything was in place. Several girls from the village were standing in the village square, including the mayor's daughter. Luther and another archer were posted on lookout towers, lying down so they weren't seen. Roan and Kira were lying on the flat rooftops be the center of the square, waiting for the mayor to give the signal. Several of the village warriors were hidden in nearby houses, also waiting for the signal.
By the information Roan had gathered, he estimated that there were roughly 25 slavers…while they had the advantage of numbers, Roan had the advantage of skilled fighters. It all came down to whether they stayed and fought, or fled like cowards. If the men fled…then this fight could quickly get ugly.
Roan watched as Luther signaled him, meaning that the slavers were coming. Everyone was tense as a bunch of rough looking men leading a cart entered the village, quickly making their way towards the square. It was extremely crucial that the mayor play off a lie that he was handing over the girls, and nothing else. It he turned tail and ran….well, then Roan would leave, no question. He refused to work for an employer who was too scared to stand up for himself or others.
"Well, it looks like your finally ready to give in." one slaver, presumably the leader, hissed.
"Yes, they're all here. Please, just leave. I beg of you!" the mayor begged, while the slaver laughed.
"Naw, these pretties are just too good to pass up. Take 'em lads! Throw 'em in the cart!" The man shouted, while the mayor nearly shouted.
"PLEASE, I BEG OF YOU! DON'T TAKE THEM!"
The slaver gave the mayor a funny look. "What are ya, deaf?
That was the signal."No Your just stupid!" Roan roared, vaulting off the roof. He quickly cut down two men, while Kira killed a man with a bolt of thunder. Arrows flew from the towers where Luther and the other archer were posted, wounding more. The village rushed forward with a war cry, causing the slavers to scatter.
"What the hell is this! The damn man laid a trap! Grrr, fight them! Show them no mercy!" The lead slaver roared, but it was pointless. The slavers, caught completely off guard, had no chance to mount a resistance as the mercenaries and warriors cut them down. The lead slaver looked towards the girls, to see Roan ushering them into a house. He charged forward, yelling with fury.
Roan looked up at the yell, to see the master slaver running towards him. The man was crazy! Roan shoved the last girl into the house and blocked the slavers axe, grinning. "You know, attacking someone with an axe isn't the smartest idea."He said, attacking the slaver.
Luther was firing off arrows when he saw Roan locked in battle with the lead slaver. He took aim as suddenly Roan fell to the ground. "Roan! No!" He shouted, taking aim at the slave who now stood over his friend.
The slaver stood over Roan triumphantly. Everyone stopped fighting, watching. Roan, on the other hand, was not dead. He had a close miss, but had decided to turn it to his advantage. He faked dead, while the slaver gloated. The slaver turned toward the two remaining slavers, as well as the warriors defending the village.
Roan took his chance. He jumped to his feet, plunging his sword into the man's back. The man stopped, stunned. Roan yanked the sword out and spun, the sword whistling as it flew through the air. Roan sliced the back of the mans neck, ensuring a complete kill. The man toppled forward, leaving Roan glaring towards the remaining slavers.
"Oi, he killed the boss! He's a demon! Run fer yer lives!" One slaver asked. The slaver fled, amid cheers from the emerging villagers. Roan flipped his sword into the air, caught it and sheathed it. Another contract completed!
An hour later, the dead slavers had been moved outside the village, while the mayor congratulated Roan.
"Nice work! You had me scared for a minute!" Luther said, beaming. Lira was smiling too.
"I must say, I'm impressed. Your plans never worked before." Kira said, as Roan made the mayor pay up.
"You forget, I've been away for a while. I have had plenty of time to hone my skills while I was gone. You have nothing to worry about."Roan smiled. He pocketed the money, then made his way towards an inn.
"We leave at noon. I suggest you get some sleep." Roan said, before disappearing inside the was happy that the village was saved, but now it was time to resume the hunt for Myrrh! He went to a bedroom, thinking about where she could be. nothing. got chapter 3 up on my story, and chapter 6 is about done for the fire emblem . got chapter 3 up on my story, and chapter 6 is about done for the fire emblem . got chapter 3 up on my story, and chapter 6 is about done for the fire emblem story.