The Bizarre Adventures of a Half-Elf

5. The Black Skulls

Charlotte felt instinct take over, and she reached for the easiest thing available, which was the dagger strapped to her belt. She raised it up in a defensive maneuver, just as the same axe that had hit the archer came down on the edge of her blade. It seemed like an ill-aimed swing, allowing her to deflect it, and her assailant moved past her without a second glance.

The rogue heard more commotion around her, and she looked back to see three men in all black hike the Quest Board out of the ground and take off running with it, laughing maniacally all the while. Then she heard a feminine cry, and saw a fourth join the others, this time carrying a small woman over his shoulder. A man with ears like fish fins yelled after them and gave chase, but they were already too far ahead to be caught.

"What in the hells was that?" Charlotte spluttered, although by the looks of the shocked people around her, none of them had any more idea.

"Bandits," someone who was still standing declared.

Charlotte recognized him as the heavily-armed warrior she had seen in the center of combat on the Bloody Field. He was even taller up close, and seemed to be almost in his thirtieth year. He still wore his armor, but his helm was gone, revealing a mop of dark brown hair and brilliant golden eyes. She would have thought that maybe he had changed them magically, until she also saw the intricate silver markings weaving across his forehead that marked him as a Nephilim- half Human and half Archon.

"Black Skull Gang, by the looks of it," he continued, "They had Wanted posters all over the Quest Board."

"Which is now gone," the red-leathered archer added. He was tall, as well, and kept his lighter brown hair tied back in a long ponytail.

"Indeed, Brother. And we will get it back. But first, the wounded need attending," the armored-man replied, gesturing to the Woad Elf and a couple of others who had gotten hit in the ambush. Thankfully, none of the injuries looked fatal.

Charlotte looked at the archer in surprise at hearing the Nephilim call him "brother". If it was rare to stumble upon one Nephilim, finding two would have been nearly impossible. But upon closer inspection, the other man had pale blue eyes and did not have the Nephilim mark on his forehead. Something to be investigated another time.

The Human archer nodded in response. "I will help them off to the clerics." He went over and grabbed Türin's hand, helping him stand, and then put his arm over a shoulder to support his weight so that they could hobble to the chapel.

Charlotte approached the armored man. She could already tell by his booming voice and straight back that he naturally commanded attention. "Shouldn't we tell the Crimson Guard?"

The Nephilim frowned somewhat as he surveyed the scene around them. "I am afraid that if the city guard was of any use, then the bandits wouldn't have been able to make it into the center of town unseen."

"What should we do about it then?"

He finally turned to regard her with a level-gaze. "I suppose we should try and find where they have taken the board and the woman. Any help would be welcome, miss....?"

"Charlotte. Just Charlotte."

He nodded, and gave a half-bow. "Charlotte. I am Elric, the Guardian."

Before Charlotte could respond, the fin-eared man jogged back, out of breath. From this angle, she saw that he had red eyes and a small cluster of purple crystals protruding from his forehead. The Half-Elf knew of only two races that grew crystals from their bodies: Geminites and Kuesiks. Considering the man had black hair and heavily-tanned skin, and not any outrageous colors, she assumed the latter.

"They... They took her," he panted, staring at them with eyes wide and pleading, "They took my Lola. Please. Someone help."

"Do not worry, good man," Elric said, going up and putting a hand on his shoulder, "We shall find her and bring her back to safety at once." He turned to the people who had regrouped behind him. "I recognize most of you as fighters from the House War. You are all capable combatants. I implore you to find the good in your hearts and come with me."