LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 20 Mission #6 Protect From Brigands Part One
Wilson Turk
Name
Wilson Turk
Nickname
None
Race/Nationality
Gnome
Age
50
Daily Wage
7 pence
Action Stats
EXP Level
3
Action Points
4
Hit Points
21
Core Stats
Might
14
Agility
5
Grit
4
Intellect
10
Skills
Ambidextrous, axes (proficient)
Equipment
Weapons
Hand axe (damage 3-18), Hand axe (damage 3-18)
Armour
Breastplate, helmet
Other
The Bowman
Name
Christoph Gerd
Nickname
The Bowman
Race/Nationality
Human/Hargon
Age
19
Daily Wage
3 pence
Action Stats
EXP Level
2
Action Points
3
Hit Points
14
Core Stats
Might
8
Agility
7
Grit
4
Intellect
4
Skills
Bows (novice), Knives (novice)
Equipment
Weapons
Short bow (damage 1-6), Dagger (1-4)
Armour
Padded
Other
Femke
Name
Femke Gerd
Nickname
Auntie
Race/Nationality
Human/Hargon
Age
48
Daily Wage
7 pence
Action Stats
EXP Level
3
Action Points
4
Hit Points
21
Core Stats
Might
5
Agility
5
Grit
13
Intellect
11
Skills
Medic, Staves (novice), Bows (novice)
Equipment
Weapons
Cudgel (damage 1-4)
Armour
Padded
Other
Medical kit
Manslayer
Name
Edmund Rigge
Nickname
Manslayer
Race/Nationality
Human/Durnish
Age
34
Daily Wage
1 shilling
Action Stats
EXP Level
4
Action Points
6
Hit Points
28
Core Stats
Might
14
Agility
9
Grit
10
Intellect
7
Skills
Swords (master), Shields (master) Spears (expert), Knives (expert)
Equipment
Weapons
Longsword (Slayer, To Hit +2, Damage +1, damage 6-41), Short Spear (damage 4-24), Knife (damage 4-16), Shield (damage 5-15)
Armour
Chain mail, (+Shield)
Other
Ashlyn
Name
Ashlyn Sawrey
Nickname
None
Race/Nationality
Human/Durnish
Age
21
Daily Wage
8 pence
Action Stats
EXP Level
3
Action Points
4
Hit Points
19
Core Stats
Might
8
Agility
9
Grit
8
Intellect
8
Skills
Swords (proficient), Shields (competent), Knives (competent)
Equipment
Weapons
Shortsword (damage 3-18), Knife (damage 2-8), Shield (damage 2-6)
Armour
Leather
Other
Ashlyn began the journey west, wary of her companions. Manslayer, despite his name, had given her no reason to be distrustful. Yet there was something about him she wasn’t sure about—a missing, or hidden aspect. When he and Stiff had spoken, there had been talk of a wife, who might accompany them on the mission. But she was nowhere to be seen.
As for the others, she soon found wariness was unnecessary. Each, in their own ways, wore their hearts on their sleeves. Christoph, for reasons unknown to her, was named The Bowman, despite his lack of expertise with the weapon. He was like a wide eyed child, finding everything they did new and exciting. His aunt, Femke, was more serious. She had a gruff, straight talking manner that put Ashlyn at ease.
Ashlyn had never met a gnome before, and Wilson didn’t fit in with her expectations. He seemed intent on taking a leadership role, quick to make decisions and issue orders. Any time this led to debate, and especially if an alternative plan was implemented, he was quick to sulk and ignore everyone. None of them were inclined to engage her in small talk, and that was the way she liked it.
In this way, they crossed the wild lands towards their destination. With the land so newly settled, there were no roads or signposts, and it was easy to get lost. They had to stop at the settlements along the way and ask for directions. These settlements became increasingly remote, until they found the more sizable village of Eisenberg.
Eisenberg looked on its way to becoming a town, and it was strange to Ashlyn to suddenly come across it in the middle of the wilderness. The houses were all simple affairs. But the main road was well organised. A smithy, a church, and an inn had been established, pointing to a well developed community.
They entered The Pig and Iron and took a table. Ashlyn was glad when Femke insisted they get food, the travelling having left her tired and famished.
It was only after they’d eaten that a village representative arrived to greet them.
‘I’m Steben, the mayor of Eisenberg,’ he introduced himself. ‘It was me who asked The Rotten Apples for help.’ He gave them the once over. ‘Is it only the five of you?’
‘Five is plenty!’ Wilson said.
‘Fill us in on what’s been going on,’ said Femke.
‘Alright. Eisenberg is a collective community. Iron was found in the ground here, and consequently miners and their families, who came to Gal’azu from all over, took a chance and settled here. We have excavated an open pit. We all work, and we share the proceeds. None of us are getting rich, but we’re getting by.
‘When Redblade’s men first came, everything was fine. They bought their weapons from our smith. They told us about their fight with the goblins and orcs, out beyond their camp. We all felt grateful they were out there, dealing with such a threat. Then they’d ask for freebies, telling us how the fighting had got worse; how they’d lost friends. They needed armour and weapons. Then, they couldn’t afford to pay any more. It was a tax we had to pay, to keep them armed. Then they needed more than just weapons. I resolved to stand up to them. I told them they were taking everything we worked for, that they were impoverishing us. Redblade came himself after that. It was a raid. Took what he wanted. Took our people—six of our girls, and two boys. Told me I would never say no to him again, or I knew what would happen.’
Ashlyn felt sick at this, as Steben’s face crumpled in what looked like shame.
‘I realised then that we had become his slaves. The worst part is, I helped arm him and his men. I sent word to The Blades, then The Apples, asking for help. It’s been a long wait for someone to get here.’
It was some story. Wilson and Femke looked unsure about what to say. Edmund, whom Ashlyn had expected might take charge, just sat there, staring into space.
‘Tell us about this Redblade,’ she said when she realised no one else was going to speak.
‘He’s a Durnishman by origin. I don’t know much else. Rumour is he has established a camp out west, capable of holding off the greenskins. He’s named for his sword. It glows red. People say on account of the amount of blood it has spilled.’
Suddenly Manslayer was interested. ‘You mean, it’s magic?’
‘I suppose so. I don’t know about such things. But it’s a fearsome looking weapon. He only came here the once, but that was enough. I knew we were out of our depth after that. We need help. Some folk are talking about leaving. But others say they can’t, what with him holding their children hostage.’
‘His men still come regularly?’ Ashlyn asked.
‘Aye. They’re due in two days.’
She looked at her companions. Still, not one of them had anything to say.
‘Leave it with us, Mayor Steben,’ she said at last. ‘We’ll sort this out for you.’
The mayor gave them another look, a concerned expression on his face. ‘I’ll leave you to talk it over. Just ask around when you need me again.’ He left them to it.
‘So what’s the plan?’ Christoph asked.
‘Plan?’ Wilson said. He shrugged. ‘When they get here, we kill them.’
‘It’s more complicated than that,’ Ashlyn said. ‘Redblade has these children. If we kill the bandits who come here, he’ll punish the people for what we do.’
The gnome shook his head. ‘That’s not how it works. Our mission is Protect From Brigands. That means the gang who come here looking for trouble. It’s not our job to worry about Redblade and all the rest of it. The repercussions are for Stiff to deal with, not us.’
That answer didn’t satisfy her. She looked around the group. Femke and Christoph looked unsure. ‘Edmund?’ she demanded at last, frustrated with his silence.
‘Eh? Well, Wilson is right about how missions work. But we can do it in such a way to protect the villagers a little.’
‘How?’
‘How about this? We allow the brigands to come here, take what they came for. On their way back to their camp, we ambush them. Take back the gear, but make it look like someone else did it.’ He clicked his fingers as inspiration came to him. ‘We make it look like goblins. Then Eisenberg won’t get the blame. It buys us time for whatever else Stiff decides we need to do.’
Ashlyn was relieved that he had come up with something. ‘I can live with that.’