Forgotten Guardians

Close to three weeks had passed since Josan, Miranda, and Wolf made their way from Miranda’s home. They met up with a caravan heading to Sorvors, the northern city of the Orlean kingdom. They made arrangements with a man named Roland to travel with the caravan as scouts. Bandits and highway men were thick this time of year, as merchants tried to beat the first snows, and make the last profit before the winter. The caravan was well armed with a score of armed soldiers and archers and each driving carried at least one weapon. Roland the leader of the caravan and also was a jewel merchant who dealt in rare jewels and items. He treated Josan and Miranda with respect and had a smile and jolly laugh for them. . Everyone paid little attention to the three unusual companions. Josan and Miranda always made their own camp fire away from the others and tended to their own needs. Every evening Miranda would practice her swordplay with Josan as her sparring partner. She was now accustomed tejier sword and her father’s dagger. Josan no longer said anything during the practices, this was the time for Miranda to teach herself and find her own style. Many of the soldiers would stand off a ways and watch the two spin around in a deadly dance. The soldier’s respect for the two grew with each day, as Josan, Miranda, and Wolf cleared the way of small goblin tribes and other beasis which roamed the area.

After a week of traveling, the caravan reached the harsh plains below the Darna Mountains. The land was rugged, with scarce vegetation and large rock outcroppings dotting the landscape. Josan’s nerves where on edge as they passed through the rocky terrain. This was the perfect place for an ambush. Josan and Miranda scouted ahead for a half a mile and Wolf even farther up. It was windy and the heavy overcast impaired their vision. Josan and Miranda made their way up a hill to where Wolf was sitting and staring at a large collection of boulders which intersected the road. Josan crouched low and focused on the scene before him. For several moments he didn’t see anything, but movement caught his attention. Soon he was able to pick out many figures hiding among the rocks almost invisible against their background.They were wearing some type of clothes which made them blend into the terrain.

“What do you see?” Miranda asked.

“About dozen, maybe more?” Josan replied.

“Where?” Miranda asked in a soft voice.Josan pointed at the men in hiding. After a moment Miranda nodded that she saw them, too.

“What should we do?”

“You go to the left; don’t worry about me and Wolf,” Josan answered without looking from the scene.

Without a sound, he crept off towards the right and disappeared into the scattered boulders. Looking back to the boulders she felt a shiver run up her spine. She took up deep breath to calm herself and started towards her left. Her nerves were on edge and her stomach twisted into knots. Fear threatened to overwhelm her, she wanted to run back to the caravan, but no, this is what she was trained for, this was her life now, this was the adventure she had wanted so badly. Steeling her gaze upon the boulders she pushed herself forward. As she reached the outer rocks, she silently unsheathed her sword and pulled her father’s dagger out. She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer to her father and grandmother, then slowly she crept around the boulder trying to be as quiet as possible and keep her breathing under control. She knew she would have to strike fast or she would be overwhelmed quickly. Miranda scanned the scene looking for some sign of Josan or Wolf, but nothing gave away their locations, but she also knew she would not see either of them until they wanted to be seen. Crouching low, she saw one of the highway men step out in front of her ten feet away with his back turned. Swallowing hard she steadied herself and slowly approached the man’s back. She was barely two feet from him when he suddenly turned around. He looked as surprised as she was. His shock wore off quickly and he lunged toward her. Before she had any time to think she swung her arm and plunged her dagger into his chest. The man staggered back grasping as he clutched dagger protruding from his chest. No sound came from him as he slumped against the rocks and slipped into death. Miranda stood gasping for air and looking at the man she had just killed, a commotion brought her out ofher daze. She slipped in between two boulders and scanned the scene for danger.

Josan silently made his way from boulder to boulder without even raising a look from the bandits. He crept

along the rock when three men came into view, one was crouched on top of one of the larger boulders, the other two were standing at the bottom. Josan moved directly behind the three and studied the best way to dispatch them without sounding an alarm. He reached inside his long coat and produced three throwing knifes. In mere moments all three men lay dead with knifes protruding from their necks. He quickly moved out of the shadows and retrieved his knives, then slipped back into the darkness and crept along the outer boulders until he came upon two more men standing at the edge of one of the outcrpopings, both looking towards the road. Josan stepped softly, removing his dagger as he approached the tow unnoticed. He moved right behind them, with one fluid movement he slit their throats. By the time the two men fell to the ground, Josan had already ducked back into the shade of the boulders.

Miranda started to crawl out ofher hiding place, when she heard a voice above her. “What do we have here?” Miranda looked up to see two figures standing on the boulder above her looking down at her. She quickly rolled away and

came up into a defensive crouch. The figures jumped down from Iheir perches, one was a tall slender man and the other a pudgy halfling.

“Looks like a little rat,” the halfling said.

“What are you doing here, little rat?” the slender man asked with a smirk.

Miranda did not respond. She did not even blink, tensing her muscles she waited for them to make meir move. She made a quick glance at the dead man that she had killed, but this proved to be a mistake: the halfling caught her eye and looked back to see his dead comrade.

“That is going to cost you little rat,” as the halfling spat.. He pulled a little mace from his belt and rushed toward her. Miranda continued to stay in her defensive posture waiting for the right moment to strike. The halfling swung his mace down at her head, she blocked it with her sword but kept the momentum, she rolled onto her back, keeping the mace locked with her sword, planted her foot in halfling’s chest. The halfling was launched into air and landed a few feet behind her on the rocky ground. The slender man had already pulled his sword and was rushing in. She barely had time to block as he came down with an overhead swing. The sheer force of the blow almost drove her kness. The slender man grunted and kept the pressure on, trying to use brute strenght to overpower her. Miranda slid to the side and struck with her dagger. The man released the sword and fell over clutching the hilt of the dagger inbedded in his forearm. Intinct was taking control now, she turned and saw the halfling up and charging her with his little mace flying wildly. At me last moment, Miranda side stepped, just as the halfling’s mace came down, missing its mark. The halfling with surprising speed heaved his mace to the side, but his counter swing was blocked by Miranda’s sword and with her free hand, she punched him in the face. The halfling staggered back, stunned by power of the blow. He shook off the shock and raised his mace and brought it back down again. Miranda lunged forward grabbing the mace’s handle as it started its descent and plunged her sword through his gut. Not even watching as the halfling died she turned just in time to see the slender man swing. She ducked as the sword whistled over her head, she rolled back, coming back up on her knees and swing her sword for the man’slegs. Slicing through flesh and muscle the man’s legs gave out and he toppled over.Miranda got to her feet and ran the man threw before he could scream. . He let out a bloody gurgle then fell silent. She quickly retrieved her dagger and looked back to the boulders. A figure standing on the highest boulder saw her and raised his bow. Panic froze her in place; she knew that she could not dodge it in time. She heard a howl and blur of silver fur launch itself onto the figures back. The figure’s deathly screams filled the air as Wolfs canine teeth found fatal openings in his leather armor. She did not wait for the outcome; she knew Wolf could handle himself. As she ran to the next boulder and she smiled to herself; what would she do without her furry guardian?

Josan slid off a boulder into a small crevice and saw four figures to his right. Two ogres and two men were standing behind the boulder closest to the road. He looked up and noticed an archer crouched higher up on the rocks. Josan sat thinking of a way to get them all without having to fight them all at once. The ogres were the biggest problem; it would take some time to dispatch such large opponents. The archer was a problem too: Josan couldn’t get a clear shot with a throwing knife, and he didn’t want to have to deal with dodging arrows as he fought. He was brought out of his planning when he heard a growl and a scream coming from the other side. The four men pulled their weapons out and stood ready for an attack. Damn his luck, now the men were looking for an attack. The archer looked down at his comrades and yelled, “Just a wolfandbigone at that, looks like it got Duncan.”

“If he can’t handle a little wolf then forget him, more money for us. Go check it out and be quick aout it,” the ogre bellowed.

The men didn’t argue and went back to their relaxed positions. Josan spotted a movement across the way between two small boulders, it was Miranda looking haggard but in alright. Josan signaled to her to stay put and pointed to the archer. Miranda understood and crawled back a step. They sat there for awhile as Josan tried to think of some way to get all the badits. Then Josan spotted Wolf to his left and a plan came to him. Josan looked at Wolf and pointed to the archer and Wolf immediately understood and silently started his way up towards the man. Josan looked at Miranda and signaled the plan with primitive hand jestures, Miranda nodded her understanding. Josan took out his swords and waited for the signal. A few moments later he heard the screams of the archer and Josan rushed out. The four men where distracted by the archers scream and were looking up at the boulder. The first man saw Josan and spun around to pull his sword free, but it was too late; two quick swipes and the man lay dead. Both ogres carried large weapons: one had a large broadsword, the other had a war hammer. Josan went for the one with the broadsword, but both ogres turned around together and saw Josan was headed for them. Evil grins spread across their faces they pulled their weapons free and waited for their attacker. Josan could hear metal ringing out behind him and knew that Miranda was engaged with the other human. He didn’t look back to see how Miranda was fairing, but kept his focus on the two ogres in front of him. As he neared the two they launched a unison attack from each direction. Josan dove into a roll past their attack and scored a hit on each opponents’ legs. They barely noticed the deep gashes on their shins as they turned and released series of attacks. Josan could tell these two had fought together, their attacks were perfectly coordinated. He was scoring a few hits, but nothing that would truly matter to these large opponents. He didn’t know how long he could keep this up until one of them got a lucky shot. He no longer heard the battle in the distance from Miranda’s fight and hoped she was alright. Again, one would swing at him; Josan would block the attack, just as the other would come in from another direction, The ogre armed with the war hammer knelt down and grunted in pain, warm blood sliding down the back of his calf. Miranda crouched behind him waiting for an attack. The ogre stood up and limped around to face her laughing at her attempt. A blur silver from above landed on the orges shouder sinking canines into his shoulders. Wolf jumped down barely missing a swat from the orge. Josan turned back to the other ogre with the broadsword. The ogre swung the broadsword wide, not even coming close to hitting his target. In an instant, Josan was in close, weaving his swords hitting mark after mark, leaving deep gashes all along the ogre’s body. The ogre stepped back to trying to give itsef more room, but Josan did not allow it the chance. In a final attempt, the ogre swung his broadsword, but Josan easily blocked the swing and drove his free sword between the ogre’s collar bones. The ogre gaped silently at Josan. A moment later his broadsword dropped from his hand, his body following a moment later.

Miranda and Wolf were working together to keep the other ogre off balance and stay clear of his deadly war hammer. They circled the ogre, launching attacks when an opening appeared. The ogre, already wounded in the leg, was slowing his attacks with each swing. The ogre swung his evil studded war hammer hard, putting all his weight behind it, in one last attempt to defeat his foes. The maneuver did not have the affect that he wished; instead, Miranda rolled under the swing and came to her feet in a crouch. She spun on her heels, severing me ogres other calf. The giant went down with a hard thud and rolled over. Wolf was already in the air before the ogre could gain his bearings. Wold’s teeth found the orges throat and tore it free, leaving the dying creature gasping for air.

Josan walked over to Miranda as she leaned against an outcropping. She was breathing heavily and her legs were struggling to hold up her weight. Wolf sat on his rump and started to lick at a. few small wounds.

“Are you alright?” Josan asked placeing his hand on her shoulder.

“Ye...yeah,” She answered through rugged breaths.

“Why don’t you sit down and rest for a minute,” Josan said as he walked over to the dead bodies and started to search through the clothes.

“What are you doing? Don’t you have any respect for the dead?”

Josan calmly turned his head to her, “Not for men such as these, and if we don’t go through their things, someone else will. It cost money to travel.”

Miranda sat there leaning on a boulder dumbfounded, not knowing what to think. All of a sudden this man whom she thought was noble and honest was robbing dead bodies.

As if reading her mind, Josan rose from one of the bodies and walked over to her. He stopped straight in front of her and stood straight. “What?” he said with firmness.

“I...just don’t think its right,” she said as she turned away ftom his gaze, she couldn’t see his eyes but she could feel them on her

“But it is right for them to do it to other people?” Josan said sarcastically.

“No, of course not, that is not what I meant,” she said.

“Then what is it that you mean?” he said as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“If we rob them, then we are no better than them,” she hissed back, not backing down an inch.

“These men chose their path, now they have paid for their actions. We could just leave them here for the next group of robbers or for some rich merchant to find, or we can take what we can and use it to continue our cause. Good men cannot live on chivalry alone.” Josan explained. He took a deep breath to calm himself, “I know how you feel and I respect it, and if these were honorable people then I would make certain their items made it to their reletives, but these men were evil and this money was not theirs to begin with.”

Miranda stood very silent for a second digesting everything Josan said. Some of it made sense, but still there

was a pain of guilt. It did cost money to travel and keep themselves well supplied. Josan was right about someone else searches the bodies if they did not. She still didn’t feel right about it but agreed.

They cleaned out the robbers of money and weapons. These robbers had had a good season of robbing merchants, they coin purses were overflowing. Josan said they could sell the weapons or give them away to people who needed them. Most of the weapons were of poor quality, except for a silver lined crossbow, which they retrieved from one of the archers. They started walking back to the caravan to report the robbers and that they had been dispatched when they stumbled upon the body of the halfling and the slender man Miranda had killed. Josan walked to the body of the slender man as Miranda walked over to the halfling. She bent down and untied the pouch strapped to his belt. She opened it and poured out its contents. Among the scattered coins lay a clear stone. It was smooth and rounded, like it had been polished. When Miranda picked it up, he stone immediately turned to a pinkish color. Miranda dropped the stone and skirted backward, calling to Josan.

“The rock turned colors when I picked it up,” Miranda said as Josan approached. Josan walked over and bent over the strange rock studying it without touching it.

“What is it?” Miranda said leaning over his shoulder.

“I think it is a fairy stone, myths say they turn different colors when someone touches it.” Josan said calmly.

“Are they dangerous?” she asked, still hovering over his shoulder.

“Hmm... they are suppose to instill magical powers to the owner and each owner’s power differs depending on the color. Other than that, I really don’t know much about them. They are a rare item, I do know that. Here.” Josan said as he tossed it up to her.

As she caught it in her nimble fingers the pinkish hue returned. She stared at it a minute, then placed it in her pouch. She felt foolish for being scared of a rock, but she knew nothing of magic. Her land forbids the use of magic or anything resembling magic.

Josan watched her for a second and then started to look over the dead halfling. The little mace caught his eye. He picked it up and exiamed it. It was defiantly made for a smaller person and its craftsmanship pointed to a dwarf blacksmith. Also there was something different about this mace; Josan could feel magical energies flowing through it. There was some type of enchantment on it. Josan placed it in his belt for safe keeping and nodded to Miranda to start heading back. They found Wolf halfway to the caravan sitting on hunches waiting for them.