3. The Chieftain

The Chieftain

  • ?

    ((First off, big kudos to Riverthorn who spent a lot of time and hard work putting this amazing quest together! We all had a blast, and thank you for all your work. ^_^))

    _**Two-faced (I)

    Rick had just left Jiyyd, on his way to patrol the area around Sam's Hill. This was becoming a daily routine for the Chieftain and heir to the Hill when Sam would retire. Rick hoped Sam would not take his leave soon; although he knew he was able to take charge of the Hill, he would miss fighting alongside the great half-orc who had become his good friend over the years.

    As he walked along the road, he spotted a figure in black garments with a hood and an arm exposed. He recognized the man as Shadowstrider, and watched him fight off the Marauder Faithfuls that were hounding him and shouting at him. Rick charged forth and joined in the fight, never one to miss an opportunity to crack the skulls of bandits. The clerics were dispatched with ease, and Rick watched Strider. The man had a smirk on his face and a barbed sword in his hand, much different than Shadowstrider's usual weaponry of a bronze sword and shield. Today, however, Strider used a different sword, and no shield. He smirked at Rick and bent over and removed the left ear of each bandit he had killed. Rick frowned at Shadowstrider, and watched him mutter the arcane words that turned him invisible from sight.

    A week later, the same scene happened again in the Nars Pass. Shadowstrider fended off bandits with his barbed sword, and removed their ears, placing them in a pouch on his belt. Rick scowled at Shadowstrider and again he disappeared in a magical display. Rick had known Shadowstrider was a Mask follower, and he knew little of their clergy, save for the fact that most were corrupt, or had been hired out as assassins or the like. Perhaps this was part of their duty, he thought.

    A week later, again the scene occurred, this time near the Peltarch Tower in the Nars Pass. Rick's good friend Talgrath was with him this time, and the two watched Shadowstrider fend off the bandits and remove the ears. Rick growled and shouted at Shadowstrider, "Alright, what the fark ye doin'?" Strider replied with a smirk, "Collecting." Again, he turned invisible, and was gone. Suddenly, Rick spotted a green sash that was left on the ground. It had fallen off Shadowstrider during the struggle with the bandits, and he moved to pick it up. His expression turned grim as he saw the emblem of Torm on the sash, and thoughts began to race through his mind. Had Strider murdered a Tormite? Who was his next target? Rick shuddered as a terrible scene unfolded of Shadowstrider sacrificing his beloved Aaimie as part of his duty to his evil god.

    He began to talk things over with Sam, who had seen Shadowstrider act the same way while he sat watch on the Hill. Sam told Rick as well that while he was having a private discussion with a friend inside the Phoenix Hall, he spotted Shadowstrider inside, eavesdropping, and tried to catch him before he bounded out the door and disappeared. What was Strider up to? Why was he acting so strange? Was there an imposter? Rumors circulated that Shadowstrider had fallen out of favor with Mask, and perhaps he was trying to regain his status with his god and this was his way of doing it. Rick feared that he would take advantage of Aaimie's trust in him, and would target her. It terrified him that her closest friend was also a Mask follower. However, he had promised her that he would not harm him because of her friendship with Strider, and he planned to keep his word.

    A few days later, they found Shadowstrider sitting calmly by the south gate of Norwick. Rick rushed up to Sam, who was already there, with Aaimie following closely behind, and watched Chiero tackle Shadowstrider to the ground, shouting accusations of him slaughtering two deer in front of his eyes. As was to be expected, Shadow simply denied all the accusations of ever being in the Phoenix Hall, or having an ear collection, or slaughtering deer in the woods. The commotion must have been heard inside the town, as suddenly Norwick’s “finest” surrounded Rick and Sam. Rick realized he was face-to-face with all those who despised him the most: Rando, Uthger, Maythor Troff, and Krig Skullboil. The militia demanded to know why Sam and Rick were questioning and accusing a member of the militia, and they tried to explain their story. The intensity of the scene began to increase as tensions rose between those present, age-long rivalries being heated up again as quickly as a black shirt left out in the summer mid-day sun. With the militia captains vigorously defending their fellow guardsman, Shadowstrider finally agreed to allow himself to be placed under a spell that Krig would cast on him, forcing him to tell the truth. Again, Sam and Rick went through their questions, and again, Strider denied each accusation. Perplexed and distraught and now the laughing stock of the crowd, Sam and Rick slinked away and headed back to the Hill.

    Rick didn't understand. He knew what he had seen! Sam knew what he had seen! Rick stared out over the pass, his regal red cloak whipping at his feet in the wind as Sam began to pray quietly to Helm for guidance. Rick's mind refused to give up, however, and the gears continued to turn vigorously. He removed the green sash from its pouch on his belt, and he stared at it. His old friend Elinah Nailow, a knight of Torm happened to pass by the Hill at that time, and she stopped when she saw the distraught looks on Rick and Sam's faces. The Chieftain explained the situation to her, and bluntly stated he thought Krig was lying. Both Sam and Elinah were skeptical of the idea that such a devout priest of Tempus as Krig would simply lie to defend his fellow militiaman, but Rick didn't put it below the militia of Norwick to do such a thing, especially if he was involved. Elinah began to ask Rick about the green sash in his hands, and an idea came to Rick.

    "Who 'ere knows how scryin' works?" He asked. He looked around, and received no answer. "I'm takin' this ta Daisy an' I'm goin' to get it scryed. It's worked in the past, maybe we can get somethin' now." He stated, and soon he, Elinah, and Sam were on their way to Peltarch.

    Sadly, the results of the scrying were just as inconclusive as the feeble interrogation at Norwick. All Daisy was able to reveal to them was a picture of an old gravestone behind some tall grasses. Daisy suspected that perhaps the gravestone was five years or older. Sam and Rick groaned and trudged heavily out of the Temple. Sam thought it best to seek another Paladin's opinion on the entire matter, and Elinah had business to attend to in the city. Defeated, Rick slowly walked south to his beloved Aaimie who lay waiting for him in their room in Jiyyd that night.**_

  • ?

    **Fall

    "You are my sunshine
    My only sunshine
    You make me happy
    When skies are grey
    You'll never know dear
    How much I love you
    So please don't take my sunshine away"

    Rick couldn't sleep.

    Again, and again the vicious nightmare of a scene played in his head. Every time the arrow reached her before he could. Every time his fingers fumbled and struggled to rip open the medical kit and apply the herbs and bandages to slow the flow of blood rushing out of her wounds. Every time he stumbled over the eviscerated goblin at his feet, slipping on the blood on the ground, unable to reach the goblin that had dug his sword through her armor into her flesh, ripping tendons and shattering bones in her body. Every time he watched her crawl on the ground, weakly shouting for help before the arrow sliced through her neck, the shouts cutting off almost instantly. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw his failure again and again and again.

    It had started out as a simple walk. They were tired of "the usual" that they did whenever they had some free time. "The usual" consisted of searching around for some copper to squeeze from long exhausted veins in the cave in Jiyyd, and the goblin infested Rawlinswood. After that they would head to Peltarch and smelt any ore they had found, which was followed by a visit to Sam's Hill. They wanted to do something different tonight though, and decided to head south to crack the heads of the goblins that resided in the southern woods of the Rawlinswood instead. Rick watched her as they walked. It may have been a simple stroll through the Nars Pass, but this woman amazed him. She had come from Silverymoon with absolutely nothing, and turned herself into something without any regret of leaving behind everything she knew. She walked with such confidence, strung her bow with skill, and wore her jet-black armor with pride and a bright smile on her face that could make anyone gloomy around her suddenly happy. Rick realized then that not only was he walking with such a woman, he was marrying her too. He knew he was blessed.

    On the way there, Rick smiled and sang, very quietly in her ear, an old children's song but one with a simple message. He gazed into her eyes as he sang to her, "Ye'll ne'er know dear…how much I love you, so please don't take my sunshine away." As he finished the song, they stopped walking and shared a tender, loving kiss that explained and showed their love for each other that a song could only dream of.

    They headed south, hand-in-hand, ready for something different tonight. It started out going fairly well. Aaimie shot down what goblins Rick's sword had yet to split in half, and they were enjoying the sport together and each other's company. A goblin here and there was able to get in a lucky shot, but nothing serious.

    Until it happened.

    They spotted a group of goblins - a mace-bearing soldier and three archers. Rick surveyed the scene and charged towards the goblin he thought he saw eyeing Aaimie and setting up a shot, bringing his sword down upon the creature with no mercy. The soldier quickly charged forth to aid his friend, and both were cut down. Suddenly, Rick heard Aaimie yelp in pain as the assassin leaped out and drove his blades deep into her back, ripping and gnawing at her body. The other two archers snickered and joined their brother and launched a volley of arrows at Rick's beloved, a few making contact with her shoulder, another sinking deep into her knee. Rick began to charge for the assassin who was again trying to wrench his swords into her back, and slipped on the bloody grass, filled with the remains of the goblins he had already taken down. Aaimie ran towards him with pain in her eyes as he jumped up. Rick's blade swung at the assassin, but the goblins had already picked their prey for the night. One of the archers lined up his shot and made contact, sending Aaimie spinning to the ground, yelling and screaming in agony. Rick whirled around and fished out his medical kit, ignoring the goblin assassin who was now trying to dig his blades into Rick's reinforced metal plate with little success. His hands, shaking from the sound of his soul mate in agony, and slippery with the blood of his foes, he fumbled and finally ripped open the bandage pack. He looked up, still running for Aaimie as she crawled on the ground, her blood running far too freely. Her eyes met his and she cried for him, her hand outstretched towards him. He was too slow. The second archer had lined up his shot, and his arrow zoomed by Rick at Aaimie. The arrow slashed through Aaimie's neck, sending a spray of blood over the area as her cries were suddenly cut short, and silence filled the area, save for the goblins snickering and readying their bows to see if they could take out the stunned Chieftain.

    He couldn't recall the rest of the fight, or how he even made it to Jiyyd. He didn't know a few of the goblins had actually gotten a few lucky hits on him, but he didn't care. He had failed. Again. He had failed this wonderful woman more times than he wished to think about or acknowledge. And now she had died in front of his eyes to mere goblins. Goblins! He couldn't even protect someone from goblins! He had missed the trap! He hadn't seen the setup! And now he paid for it, his fiancée lifeless in his arms as he carried her through the Nars in the dead of night back to Jiyyd, sobbing quietly behind his bloodstained helmet. He reached Jiyyd and stumbled through the gates. The town was quiet, and he made his way to Vroka, who looked at him, shocked to see him in such a state. She saw who was on his shoulders and her eyes went wide. Rick dug in his pockets and thrust some amount of gold at her. Apparently it was enough, though Rick hadn't bothered to count. She began the chants and prayers, and Aaimie began to stir.

    They embraced as she regained her senses and saw him sitting there next to her. Some time later he carried her to the inn and up to their room so she could rest and let the rest of the healing process take place. Throughout the night, Rick sat by her, changing her bandages often and comforting her when she awoke in pain. The night passed slowly, and his treatment helped. By morning she was walking, smiling brightly, and singing for him. She took out her lyre as the sun rose over Jiyyd, and frowned as she tried to play a song, but realized she could remember only very little of it. Although she waved away Rick's apologies and kissed him and told him she was fine, he felt guilty, and knew he was at fault for what had happened. He knew why she couldn't remember those songs, and knew he was responsible.

    But she shrugged it off and sang for him a reassuring tune, that even though she had been knocked down and tossed around she got back up. She was alive, and that was what mattered. She smiled at him, gave him another tender kiss, leaning into his grasp and they decided to take a simple walk to Peltarch.

    As he crawled into bed next to her that night, she was resting peacefully, and a smile was on her face as it always had been. He closed his eyes; his arms around her, her head resting against his chest, and again the nightmare began to play in his head.**

  • ?

    OOC: This story has nothing to do with Rick, rather this is the story behind the Swift's emblem: A Wolf's head behind two crossed blades.
    –-------

    After a long, hard day's work of chores, all the children always grew excited as they gathered around the bonfire at night just after dinner to hear one of Grandma's exciting tales. Every night, the children ventured into a great dragon's lair, or the horrifying crypts of a vampire; sometimes they charged forth with the greatest heroes of Swift on the battlefield. Eagerly, they took their seats in a semi-circle around the old, smiling woman and looked up at her with respect, waiting for her tale.

    "What are you gonna tell us tonight grandma?" Asked one child.

    "Children, I have a special tale for you this evening. I am going to share with you one of our greatest and oldest legends, the story of Koth the Great Wolf and Companion of the first Chieftain, Rogan," the old woman began. Excited faces and wide eyes looked up at her as she told the story.

    **Koth the Great

    _Centuries ago, the land was a much different place. The great Yuir was filled with mysteries and much was unknown. Our great Chieftain, Rogan, would often hunt in the Yuirwood with his pet wolf, Koth. Koth and Rogan traveled and fought together everywhere, and on every battlefield. The bond they shared was no less than that of a Druid's connection to his own companion. Koth was an enormous wolf with razor-sharp teeth, claws that could kill a man with a single swipe, and legs powerful enough to carry him across the plains, racing the winds and taunting them. His fur coat was a shade of deep grey except for his two front paws; his left paw was a deep black, his right paw a bright white.

    On one of their frequent hunts into the Great Forest, Rogan and Koth encountered a terrible, vicious beast that towered over them. The horror stood as tall as the trees and lashed out at them with limbs like branches and talons that could have pierced through the strongest steel plates of armor. It glared down at them with the fiery eyes of a demon, and threatened to crush them like bugs. Koth snarled and charged the monstrosity as Rogan, in an instant, tossed his bow aside, unstrapped his axe and leaped forward, welcoming the challenge from the demon. They battled for hours; sparks flew as talons rushed and met the beautiful axe Rogan so skillfully swung with his powerful arms. Time and again, Koth lunged forward and clawed deep into the beast's legs. The ground began to grow slippery with blood, and although he knew his vision was dim, he fought on. Claws flashed before Rogan's eyes, and suddenly there was a terrible burning sensation in his knees. He barely had time to recover before the claws again flashed in his vision, and he fell to the ground; his breath became shallow, as his chest was ripped open. The creature had delivered a terrible blow.

    As the demon moved to drive his talons through Rogan's chest, Koth leaped into the air to stop it from killing his friend and master. The talons did not reach Rogan, and as they pierced through the wolf's heart, he let out a great howl. Not of pain, but of joy and pride and faith in his master. Koth knew that this battle would be won, and sacrificed himself for his master. His pride in Rogan was carried out through his howl, stunning and crushing the great beast.

    When Rogan awoke, there was no pain. His axe lay nearby, and everything was covered in a quiet coat of crimson blood. The creature lay dead a few feet in front of him, and Koth's body was nowhere to be seen, save two of his greatest claws from each of his forelegs. The claws were the same hue as Koth's paws: One obsidian, the other pearly white. Koth, however, was nowhere to be found.

    It is said that Koth returns whenever the Chieftain or the Clan itself is in great peril, and aids the warriors as much he can on the battlefield, and then disappears again. The legend says, children, that the two swords, Kamanatuq and Ma'heono, or Honor and Spirit, are Koth's claws._

    All the children, sitting up straight and wide-eyed, staring at the old woman began to ask their usual slew of questions, exciting and craving more.

    "What happened to Rogan?"
    "Did Koth come back?"
    "Where are the swords now?"

    She merely smiled kindly at them and chuckled quietly to herself, happy to see such energetic children in her old age.

    "Those questions, my children, will be answered another night."**


  • @c5f9899ada=Vengeance:

    Well…Rick isn't trying to bone Isaac and Ilthoran...why would he care about them 😛

    I'm going with this.

  • ?

    @b4a57845ff:

    Hey Rick…where's the part about Ilth bravely volunteering to head right into the middle of the city? ))

    ((You mean Ilthoran scampering away like a scaredy-cat and avoiding the real battle after those orcs attacked? Even the old bald coward mage stayed (albeit hiding behind a rock) 😛

    I know Isaac and Ilth did not get mentioned too much. Both played a tremendous role in the quest. But, I wrote the story from a different point of view which did not include much of their activity in the quest. Also, if I had included every single tiny detail of the quest, it would be a boring, annoying story to read. :P))

  • S

    Bravo!

    I miss all the fun adventures 😞

    Nice setup to go back for the axe again :).

  • ?

    ((@1f0ee0cda9:

    Isaac and Ilthoran don't get any mention, though?

    Well…Rick isn't trying to bone Isaac and Ilthoran...why would he care about them 😛

    Hey Rick...where's the part about Ilth bravely volunteering to head right into the middle of the city? 😉 ))

  • ?

    ((Well, I also forgot Demi's greatest line: "Erm… mister Minotaur?" 😛 I went into the major parts that effected Rick; the story is already 1500+ words, so..

    And, as for Isaac hiding under a rock, I figured we should steer clear that Rick brought along a cowardly, old, bald mage to help him 😛

    Thanks to all who participated in this quest, I hope you all had as much fun as I did. Special thanks to Shane and Emerwyn for all their hard work in DMing the entre event. ^_^))


  • (( Yeah Rick you forgot Isaac's greatest emote of the entire event! " tries to look like he's guarding their rear, but is actually hiding behind a rock " >_< ))


  • @e4dfcc511f=RicktheSwift:

    dazzling spectacles of magic blasted enemies

    ((I don't deserve this quote, I was just hiding behind rocks the whole time. 😉

    This was a genuinely fun trip and a well written story, Rick. I'm sure everyone would pick this one over Isaac's summary of the events.))


  • (( The pink hair has a name too, you know… You also forgot to mention her brave approach towards Mister Minotaur (axe sold seperately) -- But I guess Demi's not the tale's protagonist, so I can live with it ^^ Isaac and Ilthoran don't get any mention, though? o_o ))

  • ?

    **_The Return

    Friends had been contacted, glory was promised, and an old group of friends would work together once again. Rick thought back on his trip back to Narfell, and once again seeing all his old buddies, reflecting on good times long passed, discussing problems of late, and meeting the new folks who had made their way to this land. He had only planned on staying for perhaps a month before heading back, but time dragged on and he could not leave Narfell to return to the front. He found himself defending his beloved Jiyyd from Thay, from Orcs; he found himself dealing with the Temple of Helm, all while a flash of pinkish hair danced and twirled around in his mind. The Thayans had attacked, and he saved that pinkish hair from death. The Orcs attacked, and he fired arrows into their lines alongside the strawberry-haired girl. He found the Temple door locked with strange runes, and his thoughts turned to worrying for the safety of those beautiful eyes with three black streaks running down the left cheek below the eye.

    The time came, and they left for the Tribe lands. The pink hair was again by his side, as it had been for so many years. How many adventures had they fought together? He didn't know; the number was too large to count these days. They traveled through the lands and reached Aglarond, and grew close to the Tribe lands, only to be assaulted by local brigands. Rick and his friends were battered and beaten, but the assault was pushed back, and what marauders remained retreated, bloody and broken, licking their wounds. They trudged on, and took refuge with a local group of wandering merchants, bartering for a few items and purchasing a few others. Suddenly, Orcs charged forth from nearby bushes, and again Rick found himself fighting alongside the pink hair.

    They reached the Tribe lands. A dark cloud hovered over the area Rick used to know as home, and as they entered the familiar gates, he froze. He could not will his legs to move; his strength had been sapped out of him by what he saw. He recognized the perverted faces, mutilated by whatever killed them in their final battle. He recognized their armor clinging to their pale, dried bodies shattered by distant swords and maces in a now-ended battle. He saw his former brother- and sister-warriors, now mere shells of the proud men and women they once were, wandering aimlessly as zombies. A warrior spotted the Chieftain, alerted the others with a groan, and the horde began shuffling towards Rick, Isaac, and the pink hair that now stood out like a shining beacon in the darkness and corruption of the land around them.
    "Kill them," were the only solemn words uttered in a monotone voice that left his lips for hours as he cut down his family and let their spirits finally begin their eternal rest. The bodies began to pile up around the Chieftain, and as the battle waned and silence overcame the area again, his sword clattered to the ground and he collapsed to his knees and looked around him.

    Gone.

    Everything was gone. His family was gone. His clan was gone. His son had been murdered. All of it was gone.

    Silently, he cleaved through the zombie warriors, trying not to get a glimpse of their shattered faces, praying he wouldn't recognize any of them. He knew each warrior that fell to his blade. They came upon his old house and entered and were met with more zombies. Rick cut them down without a word, and they trudged upstairs. He had to know; he had to give his brother-warriors their earned rest and freedom from undeath. The door to his old room flew open and a mummified figure stumbled out and staggered towards Rick. The pink hair charged forth with a sword and swung in a high, wide arc. The wrappings around the mummy's face fell away, and Rick saw who it was. He couldn't raise his blade against him. He couldn't fight his own brother like this. He stood frozen in shock, unable to strike the mummy. Another sword hacked away at the figure until it collapsed into a pile of wrappings on the floor, silent.

    "I can't do this anymore. Let's go."

    They trudged on, the pink hair walking by his side. They battled through the southern woods and stumbled upon a tower, hot on the trail of tracks that led from the desecrated Tribe lands. Rick, Isaac, and the Bard fought off wave after wave of the attacking soldiers; arrows flew between the trees towering above them from both sides. Soldiers were cut down as quickly as they were replaced, and the three dove inside the tower's entrance, only to be met by guards, Orcs, and traps. Nimble, delicate fingers disarmed dangerous traps, dazzling spectacles of magic blasted enemies; beautiful blades swung in quick and calculated arcs that sent blood splattering across the walls. The three tore through the ranks of their enemies like wildfire through a parched and dry forest, only to be stopped for but a moment by the enormous Machine guarding the room that held the answers to their questions. A few quick words, a small chase, and a bit of digging around for a password, they passed by the great guard unscathed. Inside, they found the man who held the answers they sought: Tibaut, the leader of Ingbal's Arm.

    Tibaut.

    The man responsible for everything. Rick stared into the man's dark eyes with intense, burning hatred. Tibaut looked back at Rick with almost an air of arrogance about him, mocking the clanless Chieftain. He sat casually in his throne, a glass of wine held loosely in one hand, his other hand stroking his beautiful, tamed lion Jargolithax who purred contently at the attention. Jargolithax noticed Rick and the others and emitted a low growl.

    _"Why? Why all of this?"
    "Land, of course."

    "I own all your land now! Look around you!"
    "Owned, Rick. You owned all my land, now look around."

    "This is all over a false accusation of farking raiding caravans ye bastard!"
    "So you thought. Consider it revenge, Chieftain. Your father killed mine years ago, now I have repaid the favor!"_

    Fuming, Rick threatened the man who took everything from him. He screamed, he shouted, he swore. The guard resting casually near Tibaut suddenly walked forward, and Rick noticed a familiar axe resting quietly on the man's shoulder. A familiar glow about the gorgeous blades, a beautiful rune carved into an ornate gem on the handle, Rick recognized the axe as his own. The Chieftain Axe. Rick emitted a quiet growl at the sight, feral rage quickly spreading through him as he saw the legacy of his clan be mocked by this abomination.

    "Oh that? Your brother was a bit stubborn in giving it up. Here's an idea! Why don't you duel for it? Yes, duel for your own axe."

    Rick could recall little of the duel, the pain, both physically and emotionally overwhelmed him as the axe that had served so many of his family cut deep into his flesh, breaking through his plated armor like wet paper. He could not recall if the duel ended before or after the lion's teeth sunk into his flesh; he could not remember how long he sat in emptiness.

    The Chieftain had failed. The Clan was not avenged. Swift had fallen. What remained was dead, or enslaved and bound after death. Honor was not upheld. Tibaut had won. Rick had failed.

    Rick awoke to find himself in Jiyyd once more with pink hair, familiar eyes, and a charming smile standing over him. Again the pink hair was there, just as it always had been. Weakly and unsure of himself, he struggled into the clothes handed to him, and collapsed on the floor. Slowly, the battle came back to him, and it played over and over in his mind.

    "I have failed. I have no honor."

    Rick couldn't see the pink hair, but her words reached him in that sweet, uplifting voice of hers:

    "Oh please. You have no honor? You went out there, fought Orcs, fought bandits, fought undead. You fought enemy soldiers, you dueled for your clan's axe, you fought a lion and out-smarted a war machine. Yet even after this you were asked to forge on, injured and tired, to keep fighting against a foe who was fully rested and relaxed. And you tell me you have no honor."

    Slowly, Rick tilted his head and looked at her. Tired, worn, and hurt, she sat slumped against the wall with torn clothing and ripped bandages. Her hair was a mess, her skin was dirtied with dried blood and dirt, and her pack was tossed aside. Yet, through all that, Rick was amazed at how beautiful she was. The pink hair, albeit dirty, messy, and bloody, was still there. An odd aura surrounded her; Rick couldn't quite understand what he thought he saw, but there was something about her. He smiled, scooted across the floor, sat up, and wrapped his arms around her in a hug.

    The Clan was gone, but would be avenged. The Chieftain remained, broken, but willing. Swift lived on in one man. Swift would be avenged. Tibaut would fall. Life continued on, the world continued to change.

    But the pink hair was still there, just as it always had been._**

  • ?

    Weeks had passed since the first raid. The Swift Clan tore through the ranks of Ingbal’s finest soldiers. Rick’s brother- and sister-warriors never fell or faltered. Ingbal’s Arm had wanted war, and that is what they received. Their camp now sat on the outskirts of the city of Ingbal’s Arm itself, resting half a league to the north. Rick knew he was close to the end. Rick knew he was triumphant. His scouts had reported no activity around the city. His infiltrators had not yet returned, but based on what information he had, he knew they were lying in wait behind their protective stone walls. They were going to make their last stand.

    Night fell, and he slipped inside the walls of the Swift Clan’s grounds while the guards were changing shifts. No one noticed the faint movement in the shadows, slowly creeping towards the Chieftain’s Tent. Inside the tent slept Rick’s infant child with his favorite doll tucked under his arm. His caretaker slept in the room next to him. The man slipped inside the tent undetected and began his search.

    They had not expected the child, but when Alexis gave birth to Rick’s first son, a surge of pride like none other he felt before rushed through Rick. He was a father. He loved his son from the first time he saw him, and knew that he would grow up to become a Chieftain, just like his father. Rick thought about traveling back to his old home of Narfell, with his son in his arms or tagging along behind him if he was old enough. Rick pictured his son leading the tribe to great prosperity. He wondered what his friends “back home” would think when they saw a Little Rick behind the great Chieftain. His smile grew wider and he kissed Alexis on that proud day.

    The man began looking through the tent trying to find the great Chieftain resting peacefully. He had been sent to get revenge for the attack on Rowandale. Silently he glided from room to room through the enormous tent and came upon Rick’s son resting peacefully in his tiny bed. He smirked behind his dark mask and hood and unsheathed the dagger on his belt.

    Alexis had made the small doll herself and grinned as her son’s eyes lit up at the small toy and reached for it. She handed it to him and he began to giggle and play with the doll. It soon became his favorite, and all his other toys (except for his wooden miniature battleaxe of course) fell into disuse. He carried the doll everywhere he went, tucked lovingly under his arm. The ragged doll traveled everywhere, Alexis had to wash it as much as she did her son. She patched it up numerous times; somehow, the same arm was torn off repeatedly. She smiled each time he brought it back to her, tears running down his cheeks. When she handed it back to him, as good as new, his eyes lit up and he hugged his mother and ran off to play with the doll and the other children in the clan.

    The man’s blade shined in the light of the torch from the hallway of the enormous tent as he lifted it above the sleeping child’s neck and brought it down in one swift, single motion that separated head from body; the child’s blood began to stain the sheets as he began his eternal rest, his doll covered in the red liquid. The man grabbed a small box off the shelf, emptied its contents and grabbed the child’s head and stuffed it inside. He smirked at the doll and tossed it in the box next to the head. The man scribbled a note on a sheet of paper and tossed it on the lifeless body. “Surrender, Barbarian.”

    A package from the homelands arrived the next day for Rick. He tore off the wrapping around it and opened the lid and screamed. Alexis ran over, looked inside the box cried. “OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!” She screamed over and over, a stream of tears running down her face. Others ran over to see what the commotion was. Faces hardened as they saw Rick’s child. Axes were sharpened.

    The siege of Ingbal’s Arm began the next day.