OoO( 6 )OoO
Lyle awoke in the guild again. He sat up and realized that he had been stripped and bandaged. Slowly, he stepped out of his bed and put his new equipment on, then walked out into the hallway and down the stairs.
"Lyle! Are you alright?" shouted someone from behind him. He turned and saw Elizabeth run up to him.
Smiling, he said smugly, "Never felt better."
Glaring at him, she said, "This is no laughing matter. You almost got yourself killed! What were you thinking fighting an enemy as powerful as that?" she asked.
"It was my fault." Elizabeth turned to see Van standing in the door opposite of her. "I took the mission and put me and Alex in danger." he said.
Elizabeth looked at him. "You should be ashamed of yourself!"
"I am, now shut up!" he yelled. Elizabeth went quiet. "I should have listened to you Lyle. But I was so eager to impress Alex...that I didn't think about the consequences. And Alex paid the price for it." he said.
"Its not your fault, you had no way of knowing the troll would be that strong." said Lyle.
Van smiled and snorted. "It is my fault, thats why I'm leaving the guild."
"What?"shouted Lyle. "You can't! You made one mistake, everyone does. That's no reason to leave."
"I have no right to call myself a hero." said Van.
Lyle glared at him and walked closer. Staring into his friends eyes, he drew his fist back and punched Van, sending him to the ground. This astonished both Van and Elizabeth. "You are not the friend I made two years ago. The real Van would quit moping and be out there looking for her." he said.
Van held the side of his face where Lyle had punched him. Looking into his friends eyes, he stood up and said, "Your right...I'm going to go out there and find her." he said.
Lyle nodded and smiled. "Thats better. I'll go with you." he said grabbing his guild seal. But, it wouldn't work. "Whats wrong with this thing?" he asked.
"I don't know, but it isn't working with mine either." said Van.
"They shut the Hook Coast Cullis Gate down so that the town can be repaired." said Elizabeth. Lyle looked at her with rage.
"What? Why? Why did they shut it down?" he asked.
"As I said, to complete the repairs on the city, they can't risk anymore mosters coming through the gate. The Snow Trolls only live in the arctic north, but we found out that the hero that went up there for a misson died from a Snow Troll. It must have grabbed the seal and been teleported to Hook Coast, that is the theory that has everyones attention." she said.
Lyle stayed silent and listened. "Normally, the guards can handle the monsters that come through the gate. But the troll killed all the guards, so they have no protection from the outside monsters that come in. That is why they closed the gate." she said.
Lyle, furious, threw his guild seal against the wall. "Dammit! How are we going to find Alex if they have closed the gate?" he yelled.
Elizabeth started crying. "I-I don't know..." she said.
Lyle closed his eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell." he said. "I will be back later. I am going for a walk." he said, then walked out the guild door.
He walked trying to get the event out of his mind, but that became more difficult with every step he took. People all around him began clapping and cheering. He ignored it and kept walking, when a familiar voice reached him.
"Look at you you stupid beggar, you really think people are going to give you gold?" he asked. Lyle's eyes widened and he turned to see the two. One was a teenager dressed in blue with a stocking cap on his head, the other was an old man wearing torn and tattered clothes.
Lyle stared at the kid closely before saying, "Ren?"
At hearing his name, the teenager turned and looked around. Then spotted Lyle. "Yeah, my name is Ren, what's it to you?" he asked defiantley. Lyle walked closer and smiled. Raising his fist, he punched his old friend. Ren bent slightly back as Lyle hit him, then stood strait at Lyle holding his jaw. "Lyle?" he asked after a minute of examining.
Lyle nodded. "In the flesh."
Ren smiled brightly. "Lyle! What are you doing here? I thought you died in that attack on the town." he shouted grasping his friends hand tightly. "Where have you been?"
"I was brought to the Phoenix Guild after the attack. Been living there ever since." he said. "How did you escape?"
"My dad took me to Bowerstone South for a fist fighters match after our meeting. We went through the Cullis Gate, but when we tried to go back, it wouldn't let us. Then, later we heard about the attack and feared the worst." he said.
"Ah, that explains it. I see you haven't changed much." he said staring at the beggar. "Still picking on those weaker than you?"
"Huh? Oh, this guy had the nerve to ask me for gold. Look at him, he's disgusting."
The beggar glared at Ren, then turned to Lyle. "You, young one, you're a hero right? Used to be one myself I did."
"What happened?" asked Lyle.
"Not important. But, I was wondering if you could help me get rid of this brat." he said.
"Call me a brat will you!" shouted Ren and he punched the beggar.
Lyle punched Ren and said, "Calm down..." Ren glared and punched him back. The beggar punched Ren, then by accident and reaction, Lyle punched the beggar. "Oh, sorry..."
The beggar growled and punched Lyle. "Hey, don't hit my friend!" shouted Ren and he punched the beggar again.
"Dammit Ren, stoppit!" yelled Lyle and he punched Ren. Ren punched Lyle again and was punched by the beggar. Lyle punched the beggar, then was punched back. Ren punched the beggar and was punched by Lyle.
The beggar accidently punched Lyle. "Oh...sorry..." he said and was punched back by Lyle. The beggar, angered punched Ren. Ren drew back both fists and punched them both. Lyle and the beggar looked at each other, then both punched Ren at the same time. Ren was blown backwards by the force and rolled, landing on his back.
The beggar and Lyle started laughing. "Thats the most fun I've had in a long time." said the beggar happily. "My name is Alvo. My hero name way back when was Gladiator. What's your name lad?" asked the beggar.
"They call me Lyle the Sabre." he said. When Alvo's eyes widened, Lyle held up his hand. "Yes, I did defeat the troll, please don't remind me." he said.
Alvo nodded and said, "Well Lyle, if you need any help with anything...just ask." Lyle nodded and Alvo walked away towards Bowerstone. Lyle walked over to Ren and helped him to his feet.
"You got some punch there Lyle..." said the dazed Ren. Lyle just smiled and Ren shook out of his daze. "Well, my dad will be looking for me now, so I guess I'll see you later." said Ren.
Lyle shook his friends hand and said, "Sure, you know where to find me." Ren nodded, then headed for Bowerstone.
OoOoO
Sitting in the Bowerstone inn, Lyle drank his fill of alcohol. As he sat at the bar drinking his brew, a dark skinned girl walked into the tavern and sat down at a table. "I would like some apple cider." said the girl.
Lyle smiled and turned around. "Done shopping already?" he asked.
Whisper looked at him and smiled. "Lyle, good to see you're okay. Are you sure you shouldn't be resting?" she asked.
"I'm fine. What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Preparing for a mission. I'm about to go to Orchard Farm to help guard something or another. You can join if you want." she said.
"Maybe, I have been out of it for a few days..." he said. Suddenly, they were interrupted by massive applause. They both turned to see a woman in the corner of the inn surrounded by clapping men. Standing up, Lyle walked over to the crowd and pushed himself to the front to see what all the commotion was about. The woman wore a tight red body suit with black light armor covering her shins, chest and shoulders. Around her head, she wore a red headband and sported round clouded glasses, and a giant black cleaver sword over her back.
"Look at this...it seems someone isn't getting enough attention." said the woman. Lyle looked at her and saw her staring at him. "Whats wrong? Feeling lonely in the corner over there?" she asked. Lyle looked at her, but said nothing. "I can't get a moments peace around here can I? Just listen to all these idiots, and now I have you distracted..." she said.
"Don't flatter yourself, I don't even know who you are." said Lyle.
She glared at him. "And who do you think you are talking to Briar Rose like you are some Arena Champion. I swear, you kids graduate from the guild and think the whole world is going to bow at your feet. Well guess what, you can't just gain respect by being a hero, you have to earn it." she said.
Suddenly, someone whispered in the crowd. "T-Thats Sabre, the troll destroyer..."
"But how, I heard he just got out of the guild?"
"My sister was at the tavern when the troll attacked...she said that he blew it up!"
"Blew the troll up? What kind of magic was it?"
"Not sure, they say his fists were on fire..."
"I heard it was his entire body..."
The gossip continued to spread and increase in volume. Briar Rose looked around curiously. "What in bloody hell are you all whispering about?" she asked.
"M-Madam...that boy there is Lyle the Sabre..." said one of the men.
She cocked her head to one side. "Lyle who? Is he important or something?" she asked. The crowd started to snigger and she glared at him. "What is so great about Lyle the Sabre?" she asked.
"He destroyed the snow troll in Hook Coast and saved the entire town. Everybody is talking about it." said another man.
Rose glared at Lyle. "So, already made a name for yourself huh?" she asked. "Well, I don't care if you've beaten a snow troll or even Skorm himself. You are still no match for me." she said placing a hand on her cleaver handle.
Lyle smirked. "I didn't come here for a fight. But if you insist..."
"Lyle, don't worry about her..." said Whisper. "She does this to everyone."
Lyle just smiled at Briar Rose, then turned around. "I know...I have better things to do anyway." he said and walked away. Briar Rose sighed in relief as he walked away. She knew what fighting a snow troll was like, and her ego almost cost her her life when she was younger.
Lyle walked out of the tavern and into the fresh air. "Maybe you should get another weapon before you go on this mission." said Whisper. "Unless you want to fist fight a bandit horde." she said sarcastically.
Lyle smiled at her and said, "Why not, sounds like fun."
Her face went blank. "I was kidding farmboy. Now get a weapon and meet me at Orchard Farm." she said, then teleported away.
Lyle walked to the weapon smithy and looked around. "Something you're looking for?"
Lyle looked at the old man bent over with age and wielding a large hammer. Looking back at the wall of weapons, he responded. "How much for a custom weapon?" he asked.
"I don't usually do custom, but I suppose I could do one for you Sabre." said the man with a smile.
Lyle rubbed his forehead. "How much?" he asked irritatedly.
"Five hundred."
"Make it seven." said Lyle.
"For you, two hundred."
"One thousand."
"One hundred."
Lyle sighed. "Alright, five hundred." he said, then handed him the design. The old man smiled. "Until its finished, I would like one of those katana's." The old man handed him a katana.
"Your weapon will be done in two days." he said. Lyle paid for the sword and the katana then, walked away towards the Bowerstone gate.
OoOoO
Lyle went to the guild and picked his bow up, then headed for Greatwood Forest. He walked down the alley to the gate, when a man ran up behind him and grabbed his shoulder. Lyle spun around and grabbed the mans hand, then put his katana across his throat.
The mans eyes widened and he yelled. "Nonono! Please, I am just a trader!" he shouted. Lyle let go of him and put his sword back. "Please, I am desperate for your help...I have a package I need to get to Orchard Farm and I need to get there now. I have asked all the guards and heros around, but they all ignore me. And that one woman I swear, wore a red suit she did and boy was she rude, somethin must have gotten under her skin." he said.
Lyle smiled at this comment and said, "You want me to escort you to Orchard Farm?" he asked. The trader nodded and Lyle continued. "Luckily for you, I am headed there myself. I guess it wouldn't hurt to take you along. But keep up, I don't like stragglers." he said, then turned to the gate and walked through.
"Oh thank you sir, you are so kind! You don't know how happy this makes me! Why, I was about to give up..." said the trader, but was silenced as Lyle put a hand over his mouth. Turning to the trader, Lyle put a finger on his own lips, signalling him to be quiet. The trader nodded, and Lyle continued.
They had walked for ten minutes in the forest, Lyle holding his bow strung with an arrow, and the trader clutching the package he was delivering. A few minutes went by and they travelled slowly southbound, when Lyle stopped. Looking at the trader, he pointed to a man standing roughly 50 yards away. The trader nodded and Lyle pulled the bowstring and took aim. Lyle stared down the arrow, when he heard something. His eyes widened and he spun around to the trader.
Pulling the bowstring back and aiming, the trader cowered in fear. "No don't kill me, please, I thought you were going to help..." but he said no more as the arrow flew. The trader closed his eyes as the arrow flew over his right shoulder and pierced the skull of a bandit sneaking up on them. The bandit fell backwards, a look of shock on his face. The trader looked at the bandit, then at Lyle and smiled slightly. "Sorry...my mistake." he said, then stood shakily.
"Your mistake was screaming like that, now every bandit in the woods is going to know we are here." he said and notched another arrow. Turning around, he pulled his string back and fired at a bandit that was running for them. It hit him in the throat and he fell lifeless to the ground. Lyle waved for the trader to follow and they began jogging through the woods with Lyle picking off bandits with his arrows.
They had made good progress when they came to a small clearing. The trader ran to the center and collapsed. "Finally, a good resting place." he said.
"Look out!" shouted Lyle. He dropped his bow and ran with his sword to several bandits that had sprung from the woods. Lyle counted five total and attacked visciously. He clashed blades with the first, and used its keen edge to slide his sword along it and cut clean through another from shoulder to waist. He blocked another bandits swing and kicked him backwards, then spun around and blocked again. Pulling the bandit over his shoulder, he flipped him onto his back, then ran the bandit through with his own sword. Pulling the blade free, he turned to the other three.
They all stared at him and moved in a circle to try and flank him. He watched carefully and listened for sudden movement. All the bandits attacked at the same time, swinging their blades in a vertical arc to try and cleave him, but he crossed both his blades over his shoudlers and lowered his head, blocking all three attacks. He pushed up with all his might and threw the bandits back. Then, he attacked like a whirlwind, spinning and slashing with both swords until all the bandits had dropped their weapons and fallen to the ground, bloody and lifeless.
Lyle stood there for a second savoring the taste of battle. So long ago had the Oakvale incident happened, but in his mind, it might as well have happened yesterday. He was never a violent person, and didn't like to hurt people, but when it came to bandits, something came over him...a rage so powerful that he wouldn't spare them even if they begged it.
Lyle was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't even notice the bandit climb painfully to his knees, his blood watering the ground like rain and his life fading. Picking his blade up, he made one last battle cry and attempted to run Lyle through. Lyle spun around and wasn't quick enough to stop the blade should he attack.
The bandit was about to thrust, when a loud thud was heard. The bandit fell to the ground with an arrow sticking out of his back. Lyle looked at the bandit, then at the trader who was now holding a bow. "Y-You missed one..." said the trader. Lyle let out an amused snort.
"Thanks...lets get going." said Lyle and took his bow back from the trader. They began walking through the woods again and made it in relative peace to Orchard Farm. But as they approached the farm, Lyle held the trader back. "Wait..." he said. After scanning the entrance to the farm, Lyle said, "Wait here." and continued forward.
The trader looked at Lyle curiously. "But Orchard Farm is right there..." he said. But he shut up as soon as two bandits jumped out of the bushes and attacked Lyle. He disposed of them quickly and waved for the trader to hurry.
Stopping at the gate, Lyle yelled, "Friends coming in!"
"Hurry it up farmboy!" shouted Whisper from a tree.
Lyle and the trader ran into the farm and Lyle shouted, "You go to the house, I'll stay here and defend this area!"
"Right!" shouted the trader and he took off for the house sitting just north of the small army of defenders. Lyle spun around and held his bow up as he took aim for a bandit trying to sneak his way down the path.