Court of Hearts Pt.1

Roselyn's Briefing

Year 396

"Well after Edward snuck past our forces and the troll forces, he incapacitated Gralkar. Also the gladiator Vindaes. I lead a handful of elders away from the assasin and armed them before that..."

"Without that..." Tiro spoke grimly.

"Yes... Without that we would've all been put to the sword or chains."

"Wel.. Go on." Tiro listened intently narrowing his eyes.

"With my squad we aprehended Edward, before he could finish off Vindaes."

"He just gave up, like that?"

"He had almost beaten Vindaes to death with his bate hands. He was tired and his blade far from him. Something happened in that battle that made the knight loose the fight in him..."

"Then we talk about the real issue..."

Roselyn nodded.

"Jensa and his ten trolls destroyed the troops in open cbattle, then raised the housing district to the ground. Killing ever lion defender. He then took nearly all of our food rations and supplies... Rushing off before sunrise."

"Varanthar... And the controlled Mafaras?" Questioned Tiro.

"They raided our armory, and burned the stables with all of our horses."

"Now here we are, heading to get reinforcements and supplies to track them down." Tiro said.

"All we know is they headed to the sea, no doubt."

"That's all we need to know..." Tiro shook his head and looked at his daughter sincerely.

"I need you and Vindaes to get us a ship ready and anchor it at Varanthar's print."

"If they are waiting on us?"

Tiro's expression tightened as he rubbed his chin. Looking back at the caravan and all of the hungry mouths to feed.

"Improvise... That's all I can do."

Roselyn slowly nodded hesitantly, an obvious consternation throughout the caravan as she walked past her father. Roselyn heard the bewail of the injured and traumatized remnants of their population.

Elderly orcs that aided her and children with frail orc women, the soldiers still only stood twenty strong with a hangover added to exhaustion from the full night's march.

The caravan had pushed through Troll's Den and snuck past the human scouts to a dirt trail. That lead to the entrance of Salsgar's swamp.

The village they seeked for safe haven dwelled secretly within the deadly swamps.

Finally Roselyn eyed the large man, several stitches and bandages covered his face from the beating he had suffered.

His left hand completely wrapped and balled into a fist. Vindaes seemed to be phased out thinking of the transgression that had occurred several hours ago.

"Vindaes, Tiro needs a small two person team to acquire a ship for the caravan."

"Does he plan to board all of these...?" Vindaes looked around at the number of civilians.

"That is not his choice, i'm assuming he plans for Gralkar to awake by the time of our departure."

"Yet he chooses to command us..." Vindaes was obviously in a fould mood.

"He chooses to send the only two able bodies he can spare and seeing as you haven't stuck your tail in between your legs and retreat behind the elves. That means you care for something."

Vindaes grinded his jaw muscle and trotted off to a wagon his pack laid on. His two shattered blades laid in the wagon.

Staring at them before throwing the pack over his shoulder and returning to Roselyn what had been waiting at the back where they conversed.

"No serpent blades?" Inquired Roselyn.

"Viper, and Cobra can wait for a good elven smithy in Lashmir."

"How do you know we are going there?" Roselyn raised an eyebrow.

Vindaes nods his head over to the caged Edward. "Only place willing to take him... Where no allies lie in wait."

Vindaes smirked a bit, pointing at an old burn scar of the mark given to slaves from elves on his left cheek. An 'X' mark.

"That's where knights go to die, and become reborn into gladiators."

Roselyn just shook her head and turned back to the task at hand. "We venture to Saltire, retrieve a ship, then anchor at Varanthar's print."

She was trembling; she was nervous.

"Your ratons?" Asked Roselyn.

"Three days, you?" Replied Vindaes.

"Just enough to fill my belly before we enter sleep." Grimly spoke Roselyn Dracon.

With that the two made their departure.