Thread: Grand Quest (Sharub & Kosmik_Khaos

With obvious skill in tuning out the world around him Zoroail continued to ignore Amalthea's near constant verbal barrage even when she began to whine at him like a spoiled child. If the entire trip was to be like this Zorail would probably end up loosing his temper with her before the second day was finished. Her sudden change of pace followed by her outcry caught his attention. Glancing to where she pointed he stared at the approaching figures until they came into view. He recognized the banner they were flying and the colors they wore. Don't worry, they are just the Carmenic border patrol. He explained. We are approaching the borders of Carmenic if we are not already at them. The country consists of nine Princedoms held in allegiance under the High King Eamas Tolman, while each Princedom is in charge of controlling a specific aspect of the country, a means to keep them reliant upon one another, the border patrol are men under direct control of Tolman. They should pose no problems to us as we are part of the Guild. The Guild holds no allegiance to one king or country and operates as an independent entity within almost all the know territories. We do follow the laws of what ever country we are in though, so don't go thinking you are above them, that will get you killed, quickly. Seeing the men come to a halt and spread out to block the road Zoroail sighed. Picking up his pace he moved ahead of the caravan jerking his head for Amalthea to follow. Halt! The head of the patrol called out when Zoroail was ten feet away. He stopped and looked at the man with his cold eyes and placid expression. He could see the soldiers eyes moving over the scars on his face, neck and chest before giving the rest of him a through looking over. State your business. The lead patrolman demanded. Annoyed Zoroail stared hard at the man until he squirmed a bit. We are with the Guild my good man, and we are on a mission to escort this caravan into the Ulaquilt Forest. Ailduin answered from behind Zoroail walking past his friend and shooting him a glare which Zoroail naturally ignored. Ailduin stopped just ahead of Zoroail and Amalthea and gave a slight bow of his head in respect to the men. Please pardon my friend here. He is a heathen bastard from the Broken Lands of Zagrazat, his manners are a bit...lacking. Ailduin said in excuse of Zoroail's gruff manner. This reasoning earned the scarred silent man a few more incredulous stares from the patrolmen. While it was true that he did hail from Zagrazat it annoyed him that Ailduin was giving such information out and using it as an excuse for him, and more so that they took it for truth. His people were not heathens or savages that most of the world believed them to be. Fucking knife eared bastard I would run you through right now. He muttered under his breath so that only those when exceptional hearing could catch. Ailduin's cheeks lifted in a smile at the insult and threat. Returning his attention to the Patrolmen Ailduin looked over them. So what is it that we can do for you sirs? The elf asked politely, not sure himself why they were stopped. The leader smiled a wicked smile and stepped forward. Oh it's nothing really, we were just stopping you to see if you had proper papers to cross the border is all. If not that's fine, I am sure we can come to an agreement of some sort to let you all pass safely. He said letting a bit on menace enter his voice. Instantly both Ailduin and Zoroail knew what this was. A group of bored, and probably disgruntled men trying to extort a group of travelers for gold and goods. They both were keenly aware of the laws and there was no border crossing fee for leaving the land, there was a small tax on goods coming into Cameric however, the same didn't apply to goods leaving the country. Both Ailduin and Zoroail stood silently, their faces both expressionless masks held absolutely still. Each man was thinking of what to do. While they stood in stark silence Zoroail noticed the eyes of several Patrolmen, the leader included trailing over Amalthea with a hunger in them he recognized. Clearing his throat and returning his gaze to Ailduin the leader smirked. Of course it doesn't have to be gold you pay us with. He said suggestively his dark expression falling back onto Amalthea, mainly on her chest. Before anything else could be said Zoroail moved. His motion was fluid as a river. His right leg slid forward slipping between the leader's parted legs, his left knee bent causing his to be crouched. Lifting his right arm, the unarmored on to the leader's chest he placed his open palm just below the meeting point of the ribs elbow bent. The motion was faster then the Patrolman could follow and by the time he looked down Zoroail was already in position. Quickly shifting his weight from his left to his right leg, which caused his body to turn so the two were facing each other squarely Zoroail's wrist now nearly level with his shoulder he glared at the Patrolman and in a sudden burst of strength he twisted his body while extending his arm. An explosive breath of air escaped the Patrolman as he was lifted from his feet and sent flying through the air a good ten feet before hitting the ground with a heavy thud and sliding back a further five feet. Straightening his posture and turning to face the rest of the Patrolmen who were all staring in awe, the entire thing having taken less than two heartbeats to happen. The laws of Carmenic are very clear on the taxation of goods leaving the country. I will forgive you all for what you just attempted if you stand down, collect your trash leader and go. If not.... He paused his face growing dangerous. We are close enough to the Ulaquilt Forest for it to not be to strange for an entire patrol to go missing. Several of the patrolmen stepped back from his threat and the look he gave them, while several glared growing angry. Their leader gasped and groaned from the ground and Ailduin shook his head. That was unnecessary Zoroail. Now we have to deal with this mess. Don't give me that Ailduin, we were going to have to deal with it anyways. You know Tolman wouldn't accept this kind of behavior from his men, and you know that I will not be treated like some coward and forced to do what some weakling wants because he wears fancy armor and works for the King. The entire party of Patrolmen froze at the mention of Zoroail's and Ailduin's names eyeing the two two with completely different attitudes. Zoroail Mantiros? The question came from the still gasping leader of the Patrol. Yeah, that's me. Zoroail answered looking the man who was now staring up at him from the ground, fear and what could be respect in his eyes. Y-you're THE Zoroail Mantiros? He asked again swallowing hard. Yeah, what about it? Zoroail, you really should pay attention to the world more. You're well, I wouldn't say your name is famous, but it's not infamous either. Ailduin searched for a word for a moment before waving it off. You're name is well know, as are your actions. A lot of people actually think you are a myth or fable created by the guild to draw more attention to glory seekers. Zoroail looked at Ailduin with a cocked eyebrow. Really? He asked obviously not believing the elf. Uh..yeah, stories are told about you all over the place, you just don't listen to a ripping thing when you walk through towns and only collect new assignments from the guild then leave again. You've been doing this for nearly two decades. You have made a name for yourself and you're telling me you haven't even realized it? Ailduin was a tiny bit impressed with just how dense he friend could be. Guess so. But anyways what do we do about these fools? He asked turning the conversation from himself back to the men in question. Finally managing to pull himself from the ground the leader rose on shaky feet and stumbled forward. Men, let them pass. We will not start a fight with them. But sir! You can't let him get away with doing that you. A man called out stepping forward. Do as I say. Did you see what he did to me? I am fully armored and he still tossed me like I was child. Do you think we would survive if he truly meant us harm? Turning from his soldier the Leader bowed to the two. I beg your forgiveness. We have lost sight of ourselves out here so far from the rest of civilization. Ailduin smiled and waved a dismissive hand. No one was grievously injured so I see no foul if you do not. May we continue along our way sir? The leader nodded and stepped to the side of the road his men joining him. They stood and watched as the caravan moved past. Zoroail watched them until he had to turn his head back to face the road before him. Ailduin. Never talk about me like that in front of anyone again. I will show you just how much of a heatheni I am if you do. Ailduin laughed at this and slapped Zoroail on the back. Fine friend. I will keep you dark origins a secret from the world. Let hurry on, we lost valuable time with that. He said falling back to his position at the middle of the caravan leaving Zoroail and Amalthea alone again. That is a very good reason why you need to learn to defend yourself horse. If I wasn't who I was you would have been passed around those men like a wine skin until they all got their fill of you. Also, you should study the laws of each land you plan on visiting so you can stop people like that from taking advantage of you're lack of knowledge.