Lance Valley. (Closed)

[KINKYCanada]

http://gobmush.wdfiles.com/local--resized-images/cregan/Cregan-Garb.jpg/medium.jpg

Krow Darkborne, was sitting in his large chamber, He was packing for his next mission, one that would take him to the edge of the realm. Lance Valley was a large land, stretching for weeks in all directions from the black keep. A massive opulent structure that was home to ten thousand Lancers. A proud people, fair skinned, tall and protective of their own.

King Thon would often send out scouts to check the borders, though it was peacetime, The other nations of Kent, and Purcell were not friends. The risk of war was always on everyone's minds. The king's most trusted scouts by far were Krow and Willow Shadowbender a beautiful archer with the best eyes in all the lands. Rumer was she could down 50 raiders before they got within fifty yards of her. They were the most capable and the most skilled. Krow with his night vision and his ability to move within the shadows. Williw with her almost super human hearig and her cat like vision and reflexes. and she never missed with her bow. They made a good team with his night abilities, her day ability.

He pulled on his boots and his fur lined coat all of impenetrable black, leather. Unlike many he lived in the keep. Seeing he was alone and needed little space. He walked to the courtyard and saw the two, horses. Still no sign of Willow. He wasn't worried about her she never failed him nor did he fail her. But she was caring for a loved one and this mission came not only a bad time but with next to no notice, but she would get there soon enough. This would be their one hundredth mission. A milestone not achieved by too many.Then there was a third horse standing with theirs. Saddled and ready for travel. “Strange” Krow thought but gave it no further thought. “Brody is Midnight ready to travel?” He asked the strong stable hand.

“Yes sir, she’ll fly if you need her too!” Brody answered putting the last of the bags on his black mare.

“Whose horse is this?” Krow asked.

“A stranger's sir! He’ll be joining you on your scout. I think I heard he’s called Bishop!” Brody said. Krow didn’t give it much thought, they had tagalongs before and they always did their job just fine.

King Thon walked out into the courtyard. His guard always with him stood to the side as he talked to the young scout. King Thon was a tall imposing man, he had a sharp temper and was easily set off. He loved being feared and loved war, this often made Krow think these missions were in hopes to finding something to declare war over.

“Krow!” Thon said in a booming voice. “I trust you and Willow are ready for the next adventure in our fairytale.” He asked. Krow was a little shocked to see Thon, the king though approachable by his more elite warriors, never came to see them off!

“Yes my king. We are to set off within the hour!” Krow said keeping it short and to the point. He was going to ask about the stranger but thought better of it. He would just ride with it.

The Valley was a beautiful and hostile place all in one. Millions of people lived throughout the lands. Many lived in small villages, many more in the bigger strongholds. The Lancers were a militant people by nature they sought war. Krow was a little different though he was trained for it, he didn’t fear it but he sought peace. This was one of the reasons he loved the scouting missions. Though he killed during many of them, he was also free to choose. Many times he chose life and was happy for it.

The Black Keep
https://artfiles.alphacoders.com/456/45691.jpg

KC

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Willow Shadowbinder  let out a heavy sigh as she shut the door behind her. She turned, resting her head against the thick, rough timber and sending up a silent prayer to whatever Gods would hear it.

"Get well Mother," she whispered before tearing herself away from her childhood home, shaking her long black braid from her shoulder and hoisting her pack higher on her back.

Willow was already running late. As she made her way through the market square towards the Black Keep, the bells of the Town Hall peeled their dawn song through crisp morning air. She was running late, but she would make no apologies for it. The King, battle craving King Thon, had sent her orders last night for the scouting mission that she and her fellow scout Krow Darkborne had been assigned to. It was well known throughout the upper echelons of the Black Keep militia that her mother's health was failing. She had purposely requested compassionate leave from her commander, but the orders of King Thon superseded that.

~*~

Willow heard the conversation between Thon and Darkborne from around the corner, through the early morning bustle of the courtyard. When she turned the corner she gave them a cavalier wave and a smile, switching from personal to professional mode with that smooth motion. If she thought about her mother now, about what she may or may not return to when they completed this mission, she would not be able to leave. So she tucked it away in the corner of her mind, ignoring the grumbles of the King's guards at her tardiness. They, like many others in this town, often forgot about her gifts. The gifts that made her one of the top two scouts in the Kingdom. With her unparalleled hearing and clarity of vision she was able to accurately glean important information from safe distances, and was adept at spotting danger and avoiding it. Her abilities had saved her life and those of her comrades many a time and it was no doubt why she was chosen for this mission. Combined with Krow's night vision and shadow walking abilities they made a quick,efficient and deadly team.

"So, are we set to leave Sire? Any last minute orders we are to be aware of?" Willow asked with a respectful bow as she approached her King and her colleague, her brown eyes twinkling with the anticipation of their adventure.

 

[KINKYCanada]

When he saw Willow his heart ached for her. She was so strong and had given so much to the king and asked little in return. She should have been given time to care for her mother. But Thon was many things and understanding was not one of them.

Willow walked up and asked the king if there were any further orders. Thon looked down at her as he stood a good six inches taller. "Willow my golden arrow. Good to see you. There is only one thing. I was about to tell Krow but better I tell you both. Bishop is from Colonial Keep, our as you know furthest keep and strong hold, he is here to see how my two best scouts do it as many of the keeps scouts are not returning! This as you also know bodes badly for us. Kent is up to something. One scout dying from an animal attack! Sure. Two? Possibly but ten? Unheard of. No there is something to it. You will ride with him back to Colonial and observe the scouts there. Shouldn't take you more then a few months!" Krow could sense Willow's anger at hearing this time line. One month was usually the limit to their missions.

"Yes My King!" Krow said for the both of them.

Bishop was an ugly man with yellow teeth and next to no hair. Large and imposing looking though. Not a man to cross for the average person. He didn't smile and he didn't even say hello to the scouts. He talked to Thon in private. Krow could hear nothing but knew his counterpart would hear it all.

"Sire these are not enough scouts. Lord of the Keep asked for no less then twenty! this is two. And They don't even look like they are any good!" He said eyeing the pair as they readied their gear for the journey.

"Nonsense! These are the best in the land they are better then fifty averave scouts. This is a favor I am doing for Lord Grantson. Do not forget it!" Thon said threateningly and quietly.

Bishop returned. "We leave now!" He said in a huff.

"We leave when Willow and I say we do. You are a guest and not the boss. While on the trail we are in charge at all times!" Krow said calmly, he wanted Bishop to understand the hierarchy as soon as possible.

"And who of you two is in charge?" Bishop said coldly.

"Neither of us! We are partners, scouts do not fall into rank. We are specialists we each do our job and that is that!"

They mounted up and were soon leaving the courtyard for the main gates then through the surrounding city and out into the wilds by the afternoon.

"Two bloody scouts and one a woman! The lord will not like this at all!" Bishop said.

Krow knew willow could and would kill him for all his talking but seemed distracted a little more and was it seemed ignoring the big oaf.

"Kind sir never insult Willow or myself again, or you should find your journey and in fact your life cut short!" Krow said Bishop snorted but did shut up. "How is she doing Willow!" Krow asked quietly. He was concerned for Willow as she was to important to him to have her distracted or hurting.

KC

Thon
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/7a/42/ca/7a42caa9a565944421b83b377a3497de.jpg

Bishop
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/f8/58/c1/f858c1b6f39663c61a69e4f98f6aea05.jpg

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Willow nodded as she listened to the King's words. It was all what she was expecting to hear, right up until the part where he told her the time estimate. A few months? That was far longer than most of their missions had been, usually they were given fair warning. Her jaw set in anger; not only had she been torn off her leave, but she would be gone for months. In the time she was gone her mother could-

No, Willow took a deep breath and pushed any of those heartbreaking thoughts from her mind. Disobeying the King's order could lead to a court martial, and potentially imprisonment or execution. That was the last thing her mother would want.

The fellow who was to accompany them, Bishop, was surly looking bastard. He didn't even bother to say hello to Krow and Willow. Instead he stepped aside with King Thon and spent several moments nattering on about how unhappy he was with the amount and calibre of the two scouts. Willow felt a stab of pride when the King stood up for she and Krow, but her pleasure was short-lived as they were going on this mission with Bishop and not the King. Willow caught Krow's gaze and rolled her eyes. This was going to be a long couple of months.

Krow made a valiant attempt to put Bishop in his place, but the large man had merely glared, ignored, and mounted his horse. Unfortunately Bishop's incessant babbling didn't stop there. No, he even insisted on sullying their ride with his self-important nonsense. He had spent most of the ride that day up ahead of them, not even bothering to look over his shoulder to see if they were there. For most people that would be a blessing, but with Willow's extended hearing range it was infuriating. Like the constant buzzing of a mosquito that would not quit, his voice just hanging around at the edge of her consciousness.

But a few words from the buzz were loud enough to creep through, and even Krow heard them.

Willow glared at Bishop as Krow warned the man not to insult them any more. She was just about to tear a few shreds of that over-inflated pride off him when Krow asked about her mother. It was good timing, and Krow knew her well enough to know that what she said may just get them both in trouble. Apart from her aim, hearing and sight, Willow was well known for giving sass and tongue lashings.

"She has been better the last few days," Willow sighed, reining her mount in beside Krow's. Normally she would avoid talking about her mother on a mission, but she was close with Krow, and needed someone to talk to. "But even her good days now are worse than her bad days a few months ago..."

 

[KINKYCanada]

Soon they rode into forest so thick it looked like the sun would be gone forever. Willow told Krow of her mothers ill's and he truly felt for her.


"Krow we are loosing time trudging through this thick forest I demand we go where there are paths!" Bishop said annoyed at their pace. Krow who was now riding in the back while Willow and her superior skill set was up front.

"We go where Willow leads us Bishop!" Krow said, he was liking this man less and less, and if it continued they would surly kill him out here.

"You know we knights don't like to hide in the shadows!" Bishop said all importantly. Krow rolled his eyes.

"Is that right, maybe that's why Willow and I find killing them so easy! Try sticking to the shadows good knight! You will live longer. haha" Krow let out a booming laugh. He has always hated the lore and myth of Knights. They were cumbersome oafs and they were easier to kill then a baby struck queer. He let it go though he had a lot more to say on the matter.

"You are a silly man Krow! A true knight would run you through before..." Bishop started to say. before Willow snorted and Krow laughed again.

"Before what? Willow puts an arrow in to every vital organ or I cut him from his ear to his other ear!" Krow said laughing. Bishop gave up the conversation for a bad dream. Soon the party was silent and Krow was liking it that way!

KC

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Not only did Bishop seem to disapprove of their presence and methods, he also disagreed with their chosen path. Or really, lack there of. The man's armour was clamouring almost as much as he was. It was almost enough to tempt Willow to lead him through even more overgrown parts of the forest. She thought it would have been wonderfully satisfying to see the brute of a man trying to find his way over the more uneven surfaces, but even the small delay of that joke would have been too much for her to bear. So she settled back and enjoyed listening to Krow goad the knight on.

Though it wasn't long before Willow heard something through the dense forest. She stopped, raising her hand for a halt and casting her senses out to the forest beyond.

"We need to keep moving!" Bishop boomed, clearly disgruntled by the pause.

"Does that mouth of yours ever stay shut for more than a minute?!" Willow snapped as she turned to glare at him.

And there it was again.

That rustling, the sound of laughter through the trees. The sound of the horses' hooves padding over the undergrowth was marred by the jangling of well-filled packs and coin purses.

Either a group of merchants or bandits.

But judging by the fact that they were travelling through the forest and not on the roads they were most likely bandits. Willow took a moment to try and gauge their position, and then she led her horse back so she was close to Krow and Bishop.

"A group of travellers to the east, four, maybe five. I am guessing merchants or bandits. I think we should divert to the North east a bit so we don't cross paths with them," Willow announced, keeping her voice hushed.

Bishop looked horrified.

"You mean to tell me that you will not engage these ruffians?" He boomed, aghast.

"Keep your voice down man!" Willow snapped, fixing Bishop with her most corrosive glare. She looked over to Krow.

"Engage or divert?" She asked her partner.

 

[KINKYCanada]

Krow was liking this banter more now that Bishop revealed that he was a Knight. Krow more then most hated Knights. The wars were won with men and troops yes but they were lost by poor intel, Intel that the scouts and spies gathered for their kings. Often and much greater risk to their lives then any knight or field archer or pike man. Willow and Krow could on their own kill a hundred knights and never be seen doing it.

When Willow stopped them and Bishop complained Krow had started pulling his dagger, if their position was given away from his mouth he would bury him then and there.

Willow shut him up and then came to him. "Engage or divert?" she asked. Bryant thought for a moment, With out Bishop he would engage, bandits didn't worry him but they might come upon an inocent merchant or some Lancer family. This they wouldn't allow. But with Bishop with them and their duty to protect the oaf this put them at more of a disadvantage then he liked.

"You go high in the tree gain vantage on them. I will take Bishop to the rear of their party. You engage them they will most likely retreat to form a counter attack. This might be the only type of fight Bishop will be of use to us in. If they flee, Willow and I will hunt them and you will stay here!" Krow said. Willow knew this was in no way orders and should she disagree he would listen to what she had to say on the matter. Bishop didn't like this plan at all.

"We don't know how many there are?" He whined.

"Five or six man! Didn't you hear her!"

"I'm to trust her, a woma..." The word didn't leave his lips before Krow's dagger was at Bishops throat!

"I warned you knight! Consider this your very last warning. If Willow says it's five or six then take that as gospel! Willow thoughts?"

KC

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Willow's left eyebrow kicked up at the suddenness of Krow's dagger at Bishop's throat. It was really the only reaction she allowed to play on her features, but it was a bit of a surprise that both she and Krow had taken such an instant dislike to this man, one who had apparently met the King's approval in some measure.

"I think your plan is sound," Willow said with a not to Krow before she turned her attention to Bishop. "And when this woman saves your arse I think an apology will be in order."

Willow jumped off her horse gracefully, ties the reins to a low branch nearby and scrambled up into the trees with deceptive ease. She moved through the canopy until she was in a good spot. Willow's keen eyes scanned over the six males as they chatted about their latest conquests and hefted their stolen money pouches arrogantly. She took her bow off her back and nocked and arrow. She took a deep breath as she considered her targets, and then she exhaled and let fly.

The first arrow hit true and took down the knave in the back. The others didn't realise what was happening until the second of their number fell, arrow protruding from his chest, blood gurgling out of his mouth. The leader's warcry sounded through the otherwise quiet forest Willow let another two arrows go. One of them lodged in her target's shoulder, missing just the slightest and allowing him to continue, but the other hit home in a man's handstring, sending him tumbling to the ground.

 

[KINKYCanada]

Her timing was perfect! If it had been just the two of them. Muscle memory and the fact that they knew each other so well made it so she shot right when she should have. But Bishop was slow and clumsy. It was as if he was trying to slow Krow down, that couldn't be though. Krow heard the warcry. "Fuck! Knight you are as useless as you are slow." Krow spat and with blinding speed he took off to where they were to be minutes ago! Only three remained, and one was wounded. "Losing you touch Willow." Krow mused. The first man to come upon him took his bastard sword to the throat, only a small bit of tendon kept his head on the body. The wounded man soon had another arrow going through his skull the last bandit, the leader had taken good cover and was retreating away from Willows field of fire.

"You should really watch where you are going!" Krow whispered to the bandit before knocking him out with a hard blow to the head. He dragged him back to their horses and tied his up and covered his face!

"Why do that?" Bishop asked as Willow came back down.

Krow ignored him at first. "Nice shooting partner. Though I see it took two arrows for one of them!" Krow said with a smile and put his hand on her shoulder. "Now we cover their eyes because we are like ghosts, we are never seen by the enemy and aim to keep it that way. This bandit is not from Kent or Purcell!"

"How can you tell that?" Bishop asked stunned.

"Not out first time out here. I know they are not from Kent because they have tattoo's, In Kent sullying ones skin is considered a sin and is punishable by death. All six men have the same tattoo on their neck. An eagle carrying a skull. They are not from Purcell because they were specking our language. Not that people from Purcell couldn't learn it but why speak it when you are alone. Also they were thieves Purcelons are many things but and proud is one of them. They would never steal for the sake of petty gain. No I would wager these are Lancers who've lost their way! What do you think partner?" He explained then turned to Willow.

KC

 

[SinisterSpiders]

"Gotta leave some sport for you," Willow chuckled at Krow's comment about her shooting. She then watched, flabbergasted, as Bishop continued to scoff and criticise their methods.

"What do I think?" Willow repeated as Krow turned to her. "I think you're right Krow. And you?" She cast her glare at Bishop. "I think you need to learn to stop talking and listen. To listen and watch. Instead of blustering about thinking you know the world you need to open yourself to it. Perhaps if you did you wouldn't be stuck travelling with us right now."

For a moment, Bishop looked like a fish out of water. His mouth blabbed open and shut unappealingly as he searched for words.

"Y-you disrespectful young whelp! If you were one of my-"

"One of your what?!" Willow snapped, squaring her shoulders and not letting Bishop stand over her. "I am not one of your soldiers and I will never be. Krow and myself are scouts in the King Thon's own regiment. We do not answer to you and we never will."

Bishop looked as though he was going to hyperventilate. His barrel chest was heaving with every shuddering breath and his face and bald head were turning red with rage.

"Now, can we get back to our mission and spend the rest of this trip without having pissing contests every five minutes or will we have to report how utterly uncooperative you've been?"

 

[KINKYCanada]

As Willow tore a strip off of Bishop, one he sorely deserved, Krow stood by, The knight put to much stock in being a knight and a male. Krow figured the only contact Bishop had with women were in the brothels and whore houses. Never been around a warrior the likes of Willow. Krow knew that should Bishop go to far the pair would be leaving his dead corpse for the wolves.

After the two calmed down Krow went to search the horses the bandits were riding. Willow keeping an open ear while she searched too. There were many trinkets in many of the satchels and some gold. Then there was a few daggers and swords. "They've had run of this area for awhile. Been awhile since we've been this way, or any scouts or patrols, The king will want to know that bandits are getting brazen." Krow said leaving the booty on the horses. "Willow I will take the horses to the main path and up to Mad Cats Inn, it's but a half days ride. Then I will catch up to you two at the bridge over the Grand. Krow suggested.

KC

 

[SinisterSpiders]

The King certainly would want to know about the bandits. Krow quickly set a plan so that he could go and warn the militia at the nearest town. Unfortunately it meant that Willow and Bishop would be left alone for the rest of the afternoon and until about mid day the following day. Bishop seemed to notice this at the same time as Willow and his eyes widened and his jaw set.

"I don't think that is a good option. Perhaps I should go with you instead Krow," He suggested, looking between the two scouts with a calculated gaze.

"And let a poor defenceless woman wander the deep dark forest alone?" Willow teased, batting her eyelashes at the Knight. "Oh brave Knight, whatever will I do to protect myself?"

"You've shown yourself to be deadly enough," Knight snapped, not realising he had fallen right into her trap.

"I have indeed. Now, are you going to do as Krow recommends or are you going to give him another issue to write to the King about?" Willow asked smugly. The knight glared at her.

~*~

A few hours later it was time for the group to part ways. Willow gave her best wishes to Krow and confirmed their meeting place for the following morning. From there she and Bishop followed the road in terse silence until they reached the Mad Cats Inn. Once they had booked their separate rooms (and assured the inn-keeper that they were most certainly not a couple). As soon as the keys were handed out Bishop dashed to the bar and Willow made her way to her room to change and bathe. Once she was done she made her way back down and took a table she ordered herself something warm and hearty to eat, and fended off the advances of a few local drunkards.

That night provided far too much alone time to think about her mother. She tried to distract herself by cleaning and sharpening her blades. It didn't work, so instead she decided to go to bed early and get a good night sleep. It was something she hadn't had in a long while, often kept awake by her mother's sore sounding, hacking cough.

 

[KINKYCanada]

Krow hated leaving his partner with Bishop but one of them had to get to the king and warn him, and they would move like the wind alone. He chose to do it as she would see and hear trouble coming if there was any and hopfully keep that ass alive. If she didn't kill him first.
When he got to the the Castle one of the Kings guard came right to him. "Krow thank god you are alright!" He asked out of breath. "I saw you from the rampart and ran to meet you! There has been a terrible discovery, the knight Bishop Longcross has been found murdered along with three other knights!" The guard said in a flurry.

"That's impossible I left him with Willow he was very much al..." The truth hit him like a ton of bricks. "That murdering scum. No wonder he knew so little of Willow and I. No wonder he was so enept in the armor. He's no knight he's a bloody assassin. Where is our King now?" Krow said anger growing in his mind. He wasn't too worried about Willow he was no match for her. She would see him coming a mile away. But was he alone did he just send her into trap. King Thon came up to him several minutes later.

"Where is Willow and that imposter?" Thon asked. This annoyed Krow as the King cleared him.

"Still out there I came to tell you that Bandits are raiding again and need to be dealt with. No wonder he wanted so many scouts! Kill them all in one swipe. I must get back my lord!" And with that Krow ran for his steed and moved like a flash of light.





It was a few hours before the fake Bishop, now out of his armor and could move like a shadow crept silently to Willows door. He had procured a key from a now dead bar maid and with practiced hands unlocked the door. He slid it open enough to creep in. Any other target would not have noticed a thing but Willow was not normal!

KC

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Willow was sleeping peacefully when something slowly pulled her from her dreams. It wasn't anything in particular beyond a feeling, and for a moment she lay in the dark, metering her breath and wondering if she should focus on getting back to sleep. Then, she heard it. Footsteps. So quiet that they were suspicious. And they were coming towards her room. They stopped outside her door for a moment. There was a slight grinding sound, a swish, and then a snick as the lock was knocked out of place. Willow's heart skipped a beat, but she slid her fingers subtly beneath her pillow as the footsteps came ever closer. She was lying on her stomach and her face was towards the wall. She didn't want to run the risk of the person breaking in discovering she was awake, so the most she could do was grab the dagger she kept beneath her pillow every time she slept away from home.

She waited. She feigned sleep, waiting, listening. She waited right up until the intruder's blade let out a near silent ring as it slipped from its scabbard. She waited until the person's breath was sucked in, in one big prepatory gasp. Then just as they were about to bring their blade down upon her, she struck.

Willow rolled over on her mattress, hand flinging out from under her pillow and driving the dagger deep into leather-clad thigh muscle before pulling it back out and springing from her bed. The sheets fell off and het long white sheep shirt whipped through the air. Her for let out a muffled bring and whirled towards her.

"Bishop?! What the fuck?" Willow sneered as her eyes settled on the brute. All day he had been noisily ambling along, and now all of a sudden he was death on whispered winds.

 

[KINKYCanada]

Krow was riding harder then he ever had before. How could he have been so stupid. It all made sense now. The whole thing was plain as day.


Bishop let out a howl of pain as Willow's blade punctured his right leg. Falling to the ground he knew her expert aim cut through tendons, tendons he needed to be able to walk, she also kept out of his reach.


"Bishop?! What the fuck?" He looked up at her hatred seething in his blood.

"You and all the Lancers are going to die. Through the plains of Kent we are coming, Over the mountains of Purcell we ride and through the forests of Lance Valley we will destroy you all! I am Grayhall. Assassin for the Black hand. And you will all die!" With his last words said the fake Bishop turned his blade on his own throat and slit it. There must have been poison on the blade as he died almost instantly, well before he would have bled out.

Willow's hearing told her that no one in the Inn was alive anymore.

KC

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Willow's blood boiled and her skin crawled as Bishop spoke. She was just about to leap on him, to find a way to restrain him so they could interrogate him, but he plunged his blade into his own throat. She cried out, barely stopping herself from snatching his blade away, and in moments he died.

"Fuck," She said, stepping back from the man. She grabbed another dagger from beside the bed and burst out from her room. She then ran down the hall at breakneck speed, wanting to go downstairs and to call on any off duty militia in the tavern.

But they were dead.

All of them.

It was a complete and utter massacre. Bodies and blood lay across the floor of the main room, making it look like a sea of dead. She didn't even need to go to the upstairs room to know it would have been the same there. Willow's heart thundered against her rib cage painfully, and she wondered how she had slept through it all. The inn wasn't packed, but surely they would have made enough noise to rouse her.

Willow was torn; she needed to let Krow and King Thon know immediately, but she also needed to make sure that the inn remained untouched for the King's own men to come and investigate. She swore to herself, a long, vicious stream of words that should never see the light of day, then she ran back up to her room, stepping over the body of Bishop. Grayhall. Whoever he was, got dressed, and grabbed her pack.

Then Willow ran downstairs, it was still pitch black and the nearest town was too far away for her to reach and return from by dawn. So she waded through the carnage and located the Inn Keepers' keys. She then fled from the Inn, walking around the outside and locking all of the doors that she could find, thankful that the windows had already been shuttered against the cool night air.

When Willow was done she tucked the keys into a pocket and cast her senses out, paying attention to every shifting shadow and every rustle until she made it to the nearest farmhouse. She knocked on the door loudly, reaching into the purse at her belt and retrieving the sigil of her service.

The door was opened by a very sleep-rumpled looking farmer. As soon as he saw her he went to slam the door, but she held a hand out.

"My name is Willow Shadowbinder and I am a scout in service to King Thon," She said, offering out her sigil for inspection. The man took it, squinting his eyes as he turned it about in his hand. He handed it back but remained wary.

"And why have you knocked down my door at this ungodly hour?" The man said, voice gravelly and rough.

"There has been a great slaughter at the Mad Cats Inn. I need to draw it to the King's attention but I need to return there to protect the integrity of the dead. I need you to travel to the Bridge over the Grand and let a fellow scout of mine know that I require his assistance at the Inn."

"Look," the man said, his face setting in annoyance, "I believe you are who you say you are, but I can't go getting involved in-"

Willow reached into the purse at her side and pulled out six gold coins. More than this farmer would earn in two years. His eyes widened just as a woman stepped behind him, her eyes heavy but alert. Her belly was swollen with child, and he stepped to cover her protectively. When she saw the gold she gasped.

"I have already dealt with the assassin, and assess the threat to be minimal, but I need to return to the inn as soon as possible. I will give you two coins now and the other four when you return to me with my brother in arms."

The man took a few moments to think before reaching out and accepting the coins. Willow gave him all of the information he would need to recognise Krow, and she offered to escort his wife to a nearby farm for her own protection. By the time she returned to the Mad Cats Inn it was in that ethereal time, the darkness before the dawn, and she did a search of the perimeter before climbing to the roof and perching herself on the thatching to await Krow's arrival.

 

[KINKYCanada]

Krow went to the bridge first, he still wasn't worried about Willow she could handle a hundred killers, but his mind still plagued with the why's. Why impersonate a Knight? Why attack the Lancers at all? Thon was a mad man and loved war, His army was among the strongest and the best trained! Why go after the scouts? The killer was with in striking distance to Thon himself, he had spent enough time to clear him so why not kill Thon then and there? They had to know that they were on a suicide mission to begin with. Nothing was adding up to him.

He waited nearly an hour before he saw a man approach, getting off his horse Krow stepped into a shadow being cast by a large tree and vanished from view. This power had served him well and only the most highly, visually attuned people could make out his figure. Then he could move freely in the darkness his special leather armor almost absorbing the blackness and casting him from view. Then a man on a horse came riding up he didn't see anyone at first.

"Hello! I am looking for a man they call Krow!" The farmer called out.

"I am Krow!" A short man in dark brown leathers said. The farmer looked him over The young scout had described her partner to him and this man was not what she described.

With much fear in his voice the farmer stood his ground, Willow had been strong and sure of her self, he was going to do good by her. "No... No you are not. I do not know why you are trying to deceive me but it won't work." He reached for a small hand ax he had in his belt. The stranger laughed.

"You think you can get that there ax out and swing it before I gut you like a swine?" He pulled out a hand cross bow. "The bolt is coated with Terren 4, the deadliest toxin in the lands. You'll be dead before you blink an eye! Where is the slut?" He asked pointing the weapon at the farmer.

"You... you'll have to... to kill me! Bandit!" The farmer said shaking in his saddle, he was thinking of his wife and hoped that the woman would still give her the coin. It would ease her financial suffering with him gone.

"Suit you... wha?' the assasin cried as the long shadow beside him became alive. He turned to shoot but a sword slashing like lightning sliced the bandits hand off. Then he fell to the ground and like a spirit Krow stepped from the shadow into the open a hundred yards from where he entered the shadows. The bandit cried out and taking another bolt he jammed the tip into his leg and fell over dead.

"Are you alright?" Krow asked the farmer, who was visibly shaking.

"That man... he was going to kill me! But why?"

"That is the question! I do not know. I take it my partner Willow sent you to get me! Which means things are very bad indeed. Sorry my manners. I am Krow Darkbourne, Scout for King Thon! Here is my Sigil of mark." He handed the man the same token Willow had only a couple hours earlier. "Take me to her please we haven't got time to wait. War might be upon us!" Krow whistled and Midnight came galloping. He jumped on and followed the farmer to the Inn. "you've done well, any further assistance can wait. Good day to you!" And Krow hopped off his horse, he knew Willow was using a vantage point to scan the area, she would have seen him approach and as long as no danger was near would join him soon enough. He walked up to the door of the inn. He could smell the blood, he knew he was bad inside.

KC

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Willow waited for Krow. The entire time she kept watch on the roof top she could only hope that she had not sent that poor farmer to his death. She had no idea who or what would try to attack the Inn now that it reeked of blood and still held all of its patrons personal effects. The thought of those bandits' ran through her mind and she gritted her teeth. She had made her call and it was the best she could to at that time. She decided to give Krow and the farmer another hour to appear before she set out to hunt them herself.

Krow appeared not long after she made her resolution. He stood on the ground before the Inn and Willow could see that he already had an idea of what had happened in the tavern. She shimmied back down the building and then jumped the last distance between then, her feet landing in the dirt with a very soft thud.

"Krow," Willow said, ever so relieved to see her companion again. "Bishop was an Assassin."

 

[KINKYCanada]

Krow didn't bat an eyelash when Willow jumped down, he knew she would show sooner or later.


"Krow, Bishop was an Assassin." She said calm but a little unnerved.

"Yes when I got to the keep guard told me that the real Bishop had been found dead! Poisoned I guess, the farmer you sent! Brave man by the way. He was attacked by another assassin and when disarmed he did himself in! And the Assassin Bishop?" Krow asked but was pretty sure if the assassin he met at the bridge killed himself then it stood to reason that they all would when beaten in a fight. It still didn't make any sense though.

He looked around. "The king should have a band coming to the Inn, I take it from the smell that you are the sole survivor?" He asked. "We have been led right into a trap Willow, I don't know who or why! But our trusty King fell ass over tea kettle into it and brought us along for the ride!"

KC

 

[SinisterSpiders]

As Willow listened to Krow's news the frown on her face deepened. At the very least the farmer was safe. At times like these you had to take comfort in the small wins.

"It makes no sense to me either. Why come after you or I at all? Bishop... Grayhall, he said his name was, spent at least a couple of days with the King. Why wouldn't he just strike then? Why attack scouts out in the countryside when he had the King in his castle?"

Willow rested her hands on the daggers at her hips as she looked around, peering into the forest and finding it still.

"An another question I have, is how on earth no one at the castle picked up that it wasn't the real Bishop. I hate saying this, but I think we have a few traitors in our midst back at the Black Keep."

 

[KINKYCanada]

"An another question I have, is how on earth no one at the castle picked up that it wasn't the real Bishop. I hate saying this, but I think we have a few traitors in our midst back at the Black Keep." Krow looked at her. He too thought that all this pointed to a traitor. He hated to think that but she wasn't wrong.

Willow he knew heard them first, Krow soon saw in the lightning sky four riders approach.

"Willow, Krow. Tell me what you know before we go in there and examine it!" A tall man named Gabrielle said. He was a councilmen for the King, when things in the land went bad they were the ones who came to make the reports and to decide what actions were needed. They were only used in peace time like now. Krow didn't like them but always kept his opinion of them to himself.

Willow unlocked the door and the six walked into the horrors inside. There were two women and two men who came from the castle. Gabrielle then there was Nikki, Carson and Paige. Nikki was short ugly and in Krow's opinion very stupid and he had no idea how she gain the position she had. Carson was an old man who was the smartest of the bunch but had lost much of his pull with the King when he pushed for peace many years earlier, Paige was pretty young and as the entire castle knew, was a toy for the King. She had potential and knew her stuff but it was all tainted because she was in everyone's eyes nothing more then a whore. Willow had gone over every thing again for them and then they all entered.

"Had to be at least half a dozen men. To do this! At least half a dozen!" Nikki said looking at the bodies in the main hall of the Inn. All were killed with what Krow thought was the same blade.

"Willow you were lucky, They obviously wanted you alive, otherwise you'd be dead I'm sure of it!" Gabrielle offered up, Paige and Carson seemed to be saving their opinions for later.

"Willow is never lucky! She is skilled beyond measure Gabrielle!" Krow said not liking the assumption that she needed luck!

KC

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Willow wasn't in the mood to banter with the investigators. She had spent the better part of the evening watching over the bodies of dozens of people. The roof top was cold and windy, and it left her with the shadows and regrets of her actions.

"There was one assassin," Willow said finally, with a grateful nod to Krow for his compliment. "I don't know how he managed it all so quietly, but he did. I heard him as he approached my room and he slit his own throat when I destroyed the tendons in his legs. They were obviously taught to not get captured."


Willow and Krow followed the men around as they looked at the bodies. She waited until they had moved to the upstairs corridor to talk to Krow.They both remained down in the kitchen, standing on the other side of the room to the chef's body.

"Did the King or his men give you any more information before you left? Like where Grayhall was from? He mentioned the Assassin's of the Black Hand. We haven't heard of them before; I think they're from Purcell."

 

[KINKYCanada]

"Did the King or his men give you any more information before you left? Like where Grayhall was from? He mentioned the Assassin's of the Black Hand. We haven't heard of them before; I think they're from Purcell." Krow listened to Willow, he had no idea if she was correct about Purcell but he also couldn't argue with the thought.

"I wish I did when I realized it was a trap I left, Thon and the rest said nothing to me! As for their origins Purcell is as good a place as any, but these men are a little better trained then the usual tripe they've sent in the past. We will return to the castle when these four are done. I want to have a plan for our next move! This acting blind shit isn't working for me Willow! And if there is a spy I would like us two to root him out quietly, perhaps get the assistance of Roc and Sparrow! They can be trusted beyond reason and they are good at reading peoples emotions." Krow said quietly, he now trusted litterally nobody but Willow and a few of the other Scouts.

When the four were done it was Carson that spoke now.

"We have come to the agreement that you are right Willow! There is signs that he is not working alone but he was alone in the Inn! He has detailed knowledge of the kingdoms scouts and their powers, I believe this one was a little to cock for his own good! we also agree that they are trained to never be taken in. We must knock one out and disarm them before they can kill themselves. Good work Willow, we do not hold you accountable for any of the deaths here!" Carson finished and walked out of the Inn.

"We're going to torch the Inn and all inside!" Nikki said with a bit of a smile. Krow really hated these people but he knew arguing was pointless. He would now work with Willow to catch the spy!

KC

ROC
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/0b/87/42/0b8742a744ba85e4e45cecd9b0f1be45.jpg

SPARROW
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/82/f8/bb/82f8bb564f6e63e8c83d82db390b1eb4.jpg

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Willow was about to continue theorizing with Krow when the other four came back down. As they spoke she couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"Yes, I know, I did tell you as much," Willow sighed, crossing her arms over her chest, once more annoyed by the frequent discounting of her words on account of her being female. "And I know I am not accountable, so that isn't a surprise either."

She then turned, frowning, when Nikki said they would be torching the inn.

"You can't do that!" Willow argued, face setting in disgust. "These people deserve a proper burial, and their family have a right to be able to provide them with that."

Carson and Nikki rolled their eyes and shared 'a look'.

"That will take too long to sort out, and most of these people are travellers," Carson said dismissively.

"Yes, and their families will all travel to find them when they don't show up where they were supposed to, then you will have dozens of people converging on the blacked out ruin of an inn to find their love ones turned to ashes! What do you think they will do then? They'll petition the king for compensation and waste more of his time. Think about it. "

Willow pushed past the two fools and made her way up the stairs to her own room. She didn't know why their words had annoyed her so much, but her teeth were gritted and her head was starting to ache from it. She started throwing the few things she had unpacked into her bag so she could get ready to leave whenever Krow was.

 

[KINKYCanada]

As Krow watched his partner lay into the Councellors he was very proud of her. She had been right they wrong. The innocent deserved better then a mass pyre. When she left he turned to Nikki, Carson and the others.

"There will be no burning! Willow is right the families deserve the right and the chance to deal with the dead in a manner they see fit!"

"You speak out of turn Krow! This is not a debate nor is it even up for a discussion!" Nikki snarled. She had been badly hurt by a traveler and had since then had it out for all outsiders, to the point where it was pure hatred that burned in her blood for anyone not a Lancer.

"Nikki is right Krow. You have no say here. Both you and Willow are benieth us socially, politically. You will listen lest you want to be in irons before the King!" Gabrielle said his own anger rising. Gabrielle was a Knight and had seen his fair share of battle, neither Krow nor Willow would deny him that, but with it came the same arrogance that the scouts all hated.

"Everyone calm down! I hear you Krow and I sympathize but duty supersedes honor, and it is from the king himself that the order to burn comes!" Paige said talking to them for the first time.

Krow stared daggers at the four. Then disgusted beyond thought he walked out not wanting to see their faces any longer.

"They both should be put in irons for this!" Nikki said in a whisper so Krow could hear her. "I only wish that scum assassin had done in Willow! I hate those scout freaks, what they can do, it's not natural!"

The others all nodded. "The scouts are on their way out Nikki! The time of armored soldiers is coming I promise you that! Thon hates them as much as we do but they have a purpose to him and for now we will obey!" Paige said shaking off her diplomatic air as easy as pulling off a cloak! Her dark eyes watching Krow leave the Inn.

KC