Forgotten IC

[NeoSeraphi]

Kina takes a step back, stunned by her attack.

"I can't...I can't afford to waste any more time here."

She grimaces and looks back at the caravan, before jumping on her horse and riding away, leaving both her prisoners and her ally behind.

[Diachronos]

Marcy puts the blade of her weapon to the abandoned Milantine soldier's throat. "Drop your weapon."

Spoiler: Intimidate

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(1d20+10)[28]

[NeoSeraphi]

The helmed soldier complies, and raises theirs hands.

As the healing power in Marcy stitches together her last wounds, she feels it dissipate.

Spoiler

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Once her Fast Healing gets her back to full HP, it vanishes.

[Diachronos]

Marcy looks over at Grayson and Kerry. "Can you check on the Queen and the Prince?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Grayson kneels down, looking like he needs to rest.

Kerry heads over to the caravan and opens it up. She finds a regal-looking woman and a boy about Marcy's age, tied up.

Spoiler

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[Diachronos]

Marcy glares at the guard. "Why were they being taken to be executed?"

[NeoSeraphi]

The soldier shakes his head. "I'll never tell you anything, Anoiran swine! Long live the empire!"

[Diachronos]

"Then I guess you're nothing but dead weight to us now."

Spoiler: Intimidate

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(1d20+10)[15]

[NeoSeraphi]

The boy gulps. "Wait! Okay...look, the plan was never to execute them. Just capture them, announce we were executing them, and use that to ransom better terms of surrender from your king."

[Diachronos]

"That's better..." She picks up the young man's weapon and turns to the wagon, still keeping her halberd pointed at the Milantis soldier. "Your Majesty, are you unharmed?"

[NeoSeraphi]

The woman emerges, a picture of radiance and beauty.

"Indeed, I am very well. As is my son. And I suppose we have you to thank for our freedom?"

She smiles and waves a hand. Grayson's wounds immediately heal up and the soldier stands tall for the first time since dawn.

[Diachronos]

Marcy nods and bows. "Yes, Your Majesty."

[NeoSeraphi]

"Rise, child. This is a time of war. There is no need for formalities, or titles. I fear I am only as useful to you as my strength and magic may provide. I am Laura, and this is my son Taylor. If you agree to help us reach the capital safely, we shall both follow your lead with no regard for rank or status. And I assure you, there will be a reward in it for you."

[Diachronos]

Marcy straightens up. "O-of course, Your... er, Laura."

[NeoSeraphi]

The queen nods with a smile. "Taylor, dear, do say something. The young lady rescued you from death."

She turns to her half-orc son, who towers over her and everyone else here. Marcy is probably the shortest of the group, and she stares up at the nearly seven foot tall teenager as he approaches.

". . .Thanks," he says simply, after nearly a minute's pause.

[Diachronos]

Marcy smiles. "Don't mention it." She retrieves the ropes that had been used to tie up the prince, and uses them to secure the defeated soldier.

[NeoSeraphi]

Laura smiles and claps her hands together. "I don't suppose we could trouble you for a bit of food, dear? Taylor would never admit it, but it's been oh so long since he's eaten and he's probably starving right now."

The half-orc remains silent, though his brow creases with irritation.

"Also, if you have any weapons with which we might defend ourselves, we would be grateful. My son is rather fond of axes, particularly two handed axes. And I can make any shot with a bow."

[Diachronos]

Marcy shows them the weapons she's collected on their journey. "I'm afraid this is all we have to work with."

[NeoSeraphi]

Laura picks up one of the spare pistols and loads a few bullets in the chamber.

Spoiler

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Subtract 5 bullets from your ammunition

Taylor glances over everything. His eyes linger on Marcy's halberd, but he shakes his head and remains silent.

Kerry looks around. "We can probably scrounge up some food if we-"

Laura waves her hand. "Please, allow us! It's the least we can do to thank you for saving us. Come along, Taylor. Let's get breakfast for everyone."

The prince nods silently.

[Diachronos]

"I'm not sure going off like that is a good idea. There could be more Milantis patrols around."

[NeoSeraphi]

Laura pauses. "Well, we're happy to trust your judgment, dear. But we do need to eat something."

[Diachronos]

"That's true... Alright. You and Taylor search in one direction, I'll search the other. Between all of us we're sure to find something."

Spoiler: Survival

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(1d20+8)[18]

[NeoSeraphi]

The group starts to spread out and look around.

After a few minutes, they reunite. Marcy has managed to kill a buck, which will provide enough meat for everyone in the group for the rest of the day.

Taylor and Laura found some wild carrots, which look safe to eat.

Kerry has collected water.

[Diachronos]

Marcy smiles. "Alright! It's nothing fancy, but it'll do for today. Good work, everyone!"

[NeoSeraphi]

The group gathers together to eat for a moment.

Counting the prisoner, Marcy's list of little known allies has expanded from 1 to 4. She also has Kerry with her, and the girl could probably use some company.

Who will she try to strike up a conversation with during lunch?

[Diachronos]

Marcy looks at Laura. "How did the Milantine soldiers end up capturing the two of you?"

[NeoSeraphi]

The queen frowns. "That woman, Kina, she wasn't fighting you at her full capacity. When she suddenly arrived at our summer home in Balathe, we were caught completely off-guard. Taylor did his best to crush her in a duel, but her finesse proved to be too much for his brute strength, and we were overwhelmed soon after."

The half-orc looks down at his plate, shame evident on his face.

[Diachronos]

Marcy nods slowly. "I don't get it, though... why would she hold back when someone was trying to rescue you?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Laura chuckles. "She wouldn't, if she could help it. Though she managed to defeat Taylor in the long run, she didn't escape unscathed. Her perfect defense strategy won't function as long as one of her legs is in a splint."

Her leg was in a splint? She moved so fast, Marcy didn't even notice! That's what that woman can do when she's got a serious injury?

[Diachronos]

Marcy stares in shock, before turning to Taylor. "You must be an amazing warrior to be able to stand up to Kina at her full strength."