Chapter 6: The Anti-Heroes

The four Heroes had traveled through the uncharted parts of the forest through brush and trees until they reached the paths of Greatwood. It was there on the entrance are trail they stopped to rest as they stood facing each other.
"Well, this looks like Greatwood alright, but it'll be a bit until we reach Darkwood." Said Jarissa, "And there's still plenty more creatures in this forest that'll try to attack us as well so best keep your guard up."
Kayma then began to rub his fingers on his bushy black beard in wonder, "We could travel by foot, but perhaps with this area being the entrance part of Greatwood there may be a carriage station up ahead somewhere."
"I seriously doubt any carriage driver would risk driving through Darkwood." Jarissa replied.
"But still, it would at least save us some walking and could get us further ." Kayma answered back.
"I don't mean to be demanding, but my feet do ache." Said Ami.
"Alright, we'll keep an eye out for a carriage station up ahead, but we won't find out if there is one just standing around, lets go." Said Jarissa as she began to move quickly down the trail.
The rest had followed behind her with their weapons out excluding Ami who kept a sharp eye and was prepare to cast at any moment of danger. They approached a large clearing with scores of trees spaced out from one another scattered throughout the dirt and grass. Jarissa then saw in the distance ahead of them as they kept moving into the clearing, a large swarm of giant wasps gathered around a small wooden booth hut with a horse and carriage.
"Look up ahead." Jarissa alerted as she noticed the swarm of giant wasps, "Wasps...very dangerous, but I think we've found the carriage station. Come on let's clear them out, the driver might be trapped in there." As she charged toward the swarm with her blade staff held out in front.
"Lets go to battle!" Kayma shouted as he raised his scimitar above his shoulder horizontally and began to charge. 
The Hero and Ami then followed behind as the four Heroes clashed into battle with the large swarm of giant wasps. During the fighting as each Hero slashed through the Wasps with a sword or at the charge of a lightning bolt as the wasps attempted to sting each of them, they could hear a shout coming from inside the nearby booth.
"Help me!" Yelled a mans voice.
"Someone's in there, lets kill them all!" Jarissa said with a raised aggressive voice as she resumed fighting the giant wasps.
As the Hero slain the last giant wasp, Jarissa had turned along with the rest of the three to face the wooden booth, "Hello? Sir, are you okay?" She asked aloud as the three carefully approached closer.
The man had then poked his head out from the bottom of the rectangular glassless window and continued to arise to his feet, "Oh thank Avo you four showed up, who knows how long I would've been trapped in there." As he began to push open and walk out the side door.
"I take it you're the carriage driver?" Asked Jarissa.
"Yes ma'am indeed I am and it looks like my horse had survived, oh thank the Gods for that." The carriage driver said as he looked over to the horse and carriage from the small porch.
"And your carriage still looks to be in good shape too." Said Kayma as he eyed the carriage.
"Yes it seems so." Replied the carriage driver relieved, "Anyway, I don't suppose four strapping adventurers such as yourselves need a lift anywhere do you?" The carriage driver asked.
"Indeed we do, if it's not too much trouble." Said Ami politely.
"Of course not, it's no trouble at all it is my job after all." Replied the carriage driver.
"We're trying to get to Darkwood." Stated Jarissa.
"Darkwood? I'm afraid that's out of the question, way too dangerous for us carriage drivers to travel through there." Said the carriage driver.
"We figured as such, but how about you take us just outside the entrance area of Darkwood. It would still be technically in Greatwood." Jarissa replied.
The carriage driver shrugged, "Very well, let's get going and don't worry about payment, I think after your wasp triumph it wont be necessary. Now come on, lets all get on board." As he began to walk over to the carriage.
The carriage had transported the Heroes quickly through the rest of Greatwood as the carriage horse galloped steadily on the dirt road through each area. The carriage had then stopped in front of a fork in the road. To the right was a blocked off cave barricaded with large boulders and to the left was ghastly looking pathway where the trees to the side seemed to be wilted with barely any leaves on them. The four Heroes exited the carriage and as it drove off leaving the four of them standing in front of the pathway to Darkwood.
"This is it, the path to Darkwood. Get ready, there's more foul beasts in these woods than any other." Said Jarissa as the four of them began to walk down the sinister looking path.
"This is a rather scary place isn't it?" Ami stated as she turned her head left and right to observe the lifeless trees surrounded by clouded skies on the side of the pathway.
"How much further to Trader Camp?" Kayma asked.
"It should be about two areas ahead just after Darkwood Lake." Replied Jarissa.
As the four Heroes continued to steadily walk through the entrance area of the dark region they could hear high pitched foul growling voices up ahead.
"Do you hear that?" Asked Jarissa as the foul voices continued to babble, "It's coming from up ahead." As her and the three other Heroes cautiously moved forward.
As they made their way around a curve they could see a small group of short goblin looking creatures. Most of the creatures wielded axes and hammers while about two of them wielded magic staffs to which they seemed to be conjuring balls of fire and undead versions of the creatures.
"Hobbes!" Jarissa alerted, "Come on! We have to help those traders."
The four Heroes charged into battle as they dueled the weapon wielding Hobbes. Ami had mostly cast her lightning spell at the two Mage Hobbes before they could summon more Undead Hobbes. The Hero then had slashed his sword through each one of the Mage Hobbes after the rest of them were defeated. Being already weakened by Ami's lightning, The Hero slashed his sword at both of them about four times each slaying them to the ground.
After the Hobbes were all dead Jarissa turned to her fellow companions, "Is everyone alright?"
"Yes, I am fine, those Hobbes never stood a chance against our might." Said Kayma confidently.
"We actually do make quite a good team." Said Ami.
"Yes, we do, but lets not get too comfortable, we're still rookie Heroes and if we slip up even once in a region like this we'll be dead rookie Heroes. Come on lets keep going." Jarissa said as she turned and began to move forward as the rest of the three followed.
They then made their way through the rest of the Darkwood Entrance and Marshes as they fought more Hobbes. However, through each fight they had to be sure their teamwork remained consistent, as there were more powerful beasts that still roamed Darkwood that they could still possibly run into. The Hero continued to show superior skills in each battle they faced as his comrades admired each kill he got, but each kill still took numerous hits to slay his foes as did the rest of them. It was their combine teamwork that had got them this far through the dangerous region as they entered Darkwood Lake.
The four Heroes walked among the shallow puddles of the so called lake, but was more like a mud hole.
"The Darkwood Camp should be just up ahead." Said Jarissa as the four walked forward with their feet splashing into the muddy ground beneath them.
Just then, they heard a voice shout out, "Hold it!"
Over a dozen men had jumped out of surrounding trees and ancient stone structures along both sides of the muck the Heroes walked through circling them. The men wielded rifles and pistols aimed straight at the four Heroes as the four then unsheathed their weapons shortly after as they faced out in multiple directions with their backs turned against each other. The Hero and Jarissa got out their ranged weapons, The Hero with his splintered crossbow and Jarissa with her rusty flintlock pistol. Kayma and Ami did not carry any ranged weapons therefore Kayma unsheathed his scimitar and Ami prepared to cast lightning as her hands glowed blue with electrical discharge.
"Put your weapons away or we shoot!" Shouted the man who seemed to be the leader of the group. 
The four Heroes turned their heads over their shoulders to meet each others gazes. The Hero quick scanned his eyes left and right over the three as they looked back and nodded his head to the three to comply. The four Heroes had then sheathed their weapons back in their holsters and Ami dismantled her Will spell. The Hero figured that these men were not bandits otherwise they would've been shooting at them already. From the looks of their dress attire they seemed to be ordinary citizens which put a dimmed look of confusion on The Hero's face. 
"Look, I don't know what this is about, we're simple adventurers just passing through and mean you and your men no harm." Claimed Jarissa.
"Then perhaps you can tell me why you all are wearing Guild clothes?" Asked The Leader interrogatingly as he lowered his torrent rifle slightly.
"We bought them off of a traveling trader." Jarissa replied.
"Yes and he gave us very nice discount on them." Kayma added.
"Hm, well we'll see about that." Said The Leader in disbelief, "Search 'em!"
The gunman who carried a flintlock pistol closest to Jarissa then began to approach her with his pistol still pointed out toward her, but lowered to the side of his waist. He then lifted the buckled flap of her carrying pouch that hung from her belt on the side of her waistline with his free hand.
An irritated look came upon Jarissa's face, "Hey! What are you..."
"Quiet!" The Leader shouted as the gunman continued to search her pouch.
The gunman then pulled out her Guild Seal from her carry pouch, "Yup, just as we thought boss, they're Heroes alright."
Jarissa, gave a self loathing sigh while she briefly shut her eyes, "Yes, okay, look, we are Heroes, but I promise you we mean you no harm, we're not like the Heroes you hunt, we're simply passing through to get to the Darkwood Camp."
The Leader briefly chuckled, "Well, I hate to spoil your plundering plans, but the camp has been deserted for years. Not that you would've made it there anyway, but it seems there's four of you and only one pair of shackles and seeming as we don't have our barred carriage on hand, it looks like we'll have to shoot you on sight. Prepare to aim and take fire men!"
In the blink of an eye, Jarissa had smoothly shuffled behind the gunman who still stood next to her and twisted his arm behind his back holding him in an arm lock as he dropped his pistol to the muddy ground. She quickly unsheathed her flintlock pistol with her free hand and held the gun point blank to his temple while preparing to squeeze the trigger. 
The surrounding gunmen including the leader, had quickly cocked back their weapons as they took a more focused aim, "We are not your enemies!" She said in a firm raised voice as she starred directly at the leader.
Just then an oval shaped white light had emerged about ten feet from behind the leader. The light then faded revealing a robed hooded figured who began to walk forward.
"Please, lower your weapons, there is no need for this." Said the hooded figure.
As the hooded figure placed themselves next to the leader, The Hero then recognized the voice and dress attire with the red and white colored robe looking dress. It was the Seer Theresa he had met shortly after his fathers funeral when he was a kid.
The leader lowered his torrent rifle all the way down and turned to face her, "What? Who are you?" He asked suspiciously.
"I am the Seer Theresa, now please, tell your men to lower their weapons, there is really no need for this." She replied.
"We will if she lets our man go." Said the leader.
Theresa turned her attention to Jarissa, "Young lady please, let him go. After all it would be a very unwise decision for these men to shoot you and your fellow Heroes."
Jarissa gave a brief flattened look, but released the gunman from her arm lock she had on him as she lightly shoved him forward causing him to stumble a bit. The leader gazed around his men and nodded as all of them lowered their guns.
"So, Miss Theresa, tell me why it would be a very unwise decision to shoot these Heroes?" The leader asked as he turned to face her.
"You and your men are apart of The Oakvale Anti-Hero League, are you not?" She asked.
"Yes, what of it?" He replied.
"The Heroes you see before you have recently fled from The Guild through incident because they have come to realize what your group and the rest of Albion's people have also come to realize about the rest of the Heroes. They have saw what the Heroes and The Guild have become as well as its Headmaster Markeniss. I'm sure from what these four have seen and heard in the past years of living and training in The Guild, they will no doubt join your cause." She said.
"And what makes you think they'll do that?" He asked.
"The young girl was right when she said they were not like the Heroes you hunt. The four heroes that stand before you possess many of the virtue and characteristics of the Heroes of old. As much as it pains me to say, The Guild and its Heroes have become a burden on Albion's people and serve no purpose in this time of peace. The Heroes have become selfish, brutal, and now strike fear into the people they swore to protect and must be dealt with. These Heroes however, still care for the people of Albion and truly wish to help them. I believe with this desire, they will be willing to help fight alongside Albion's people. It is time that the mantle of Heroism was passed down to the people." Theresa answered.
Kayma then spoke up, "I think I speak for each one of us when I say she is right, we shall throw our swords and guns in with you. Whatever it takes to help the people."
"That's all very interesting, but we don't need their help. We've hunted, fought and captured plenty of Heroes with the fire power and numbers we already have and once most of them are finished, we can siege the Guild with no problem at all. Besides the fact, it's an anti-hero league. I mean come on, Heroes in an anti-hero league? That's just...farfetched really." The leader responded.
"While it is true, you and your group have hunted many Heroes, they were Heroes who were merely adept to their abilities. What are you and your men going to do when you run into more powerful Heroes who have nearly mastered or even fully mastered their abilities?" She asked.
"What do you mean more powerful Heroes?" The leader asked back curiously.
"The minute you and your league breakthrough the doors of The Guild, Markeniss will call back every Hero he can to defend The Guild with or without the element of surprise. Throughout the past decades, Guild Headmaster Markeniss has trained and produced the most powerful three Heroes of the current age, each one mastering one of the Hero disciplines which include strength, skill and will. These Heroes can take a vast amount of hits even from your firearms before succumbing to death, which by that time they would finish you and your men off even with the advantages you have. This also includes Markeniss as well, narcissistic and arrogant as he may be, he is a descendent of Archon Bloodline and the power that runs through his blood has allowed him to master all three Hero Disciplines." Theresa explained.
"So what use would these four prove to our league? Are they not only adept to their abilities as well?" The leader asked.
"Yes, but as they progress through combat missions they will become more powerful and will be able to take on each of Markeniss's Heroes one by one. You must understand, in order to succeed in ending the Heroes and The Guild you must fight fire with fire and you are fortunate enough to have another descendent of Archon standing amongst the four." Said Theresa as she turned her head meeting with The Hero's gaze, "Come, step forward Hero." As she gestured with one hand to come closer.
The Hero steadily walked forward as he then stood closer in front of Theresa and the gunmen leader.
"I sensed you have grown since last time we met and have found those few Heroes I mentioned." Said Theresa with a slight grin.
"So he is the most powerful of the four?" The leader asked.
"Potentially, yes." She answered, "And he is the only one who can defeat Markeniss and his best Heroes."
The leader gazed upon The Hero as he observed him and the rest of the three standing behind him, "Well, if these four truly wish to join our cause and are the extra muscle we need to take out the rest of the Heroes and their Guild, then I suppose we have no choice. I can't say I'm thrilled at the idea of them joining nor will most other league members, but if it means finishing off those bloody Guild Heroes then so be it. I can't say I fully trust them quite yet either."
"Trust will be built in time, but I can assure you this will be a decision you won't regret." She said.
Jarissa then spoke, "I'm all for joining their cause, but how are we supposed to progress as Heroes without any quests or missions?"
"That I believe we can help you with." Replied the leader.
"Then it is settled, these four shall become part of your league and help you defeat all remaining Heroes that still roam and terrorize Albion. I shall join with you all again, until then I wish you all good luck in your hunt." Said Theresa as the same oval shaped light lit up around her fading her body into thin air.
"Well, your friend there seems to be quite convincing." Said the leader as he turned his attention to the four Heroes, "Anyway, my name's Amos, founder and leader of The Oakvale Anti-Hero League."
"I'm Jarissa Jade and these are my fellow companions." She said as she gestured her hand in open palm across the other three.
"I am Kayma." He introduced.
"My name is Ami, it's nice to meet you sir." She said with a slight smile.
"Glad to have you all aboard, I suppose..." Amos then turned his attention to The Hero, "And as it's already been established, this is the descendant of Archon."
Jarissa the spoke, "Yes and he is most skilled in his abilities, but we should be heading out of this area now, it's not exactly the safest place to talk."
"Oh um yes, I suppose we should start heading out." Amos replied, "If you'll just follow us, we'll take you back to headquarters."
"Very well, lets get going." She said.
The group had made their way through the rest of Darkwood too alerted to make small talk. They then began to make their way down a trail that lead into the grassy meadow area known as Barrow Fields where a small trader outpost was set up.
"You know, I'm surprised with all the Hero hunting your organization has been doing The Guild hasn't raided your headquarters yet." Said Jarissa toward Amos as the group walked down the trail.
Amos then answered as he kept his gaze at the trail ahead, "That's because they still think we're a simple civilian rights group and don't see us as a threat. For years now we and The Concerned Citizens Group have been trying to take The Guild to court. They took the case the first time we filed almost ten years ago, after the Heroes were constantly burglarizing and assaulting citizens in almost every town and village. We had plenty of evidence against each Hero called in, but just like that, it was thrown out. After that we've pushed for a re-trial year after year, but the courts completely ignored them. Luckily, once the guns hit the shops almost a year ago and became available to citizens, we were able to take matters into our own hands. We then established a new headquarters a little more...concealed away than the Oakvale Town Hall."
"And where is this Head Quarters of yours now?" Jarissa asked.
"We're actually coming up on it right now, if you'll just follow us to the left." Replied Amos as the group approached a fork in the road.
The right trail seemed to lead down a steep hillside slope continuing deeper into Barrow Fields where the Trader Outpost was. The left trail, where they were about to walk down, seemed to lead into a ghastly forested area much like Darkwood.
As the group continued down the trail they could see orange glowing lights from camp fires alongside of the trail. As they neared their way closer to the camp fires more began to come into view. They then noticed a small carriage station alongside of the trail with two carriages, one was a barred carriage while the other was a travel carriage. The four Heroes then turned their heads to the left and right sides of the trail to find scores of men and a few woman sitting around the camp fires on thick logs surrounded with a few tents. Most of the people were cooking their meals of red meat and fish as their eyes gazed upon the Heroes. Most of the gazes seemed dimmed and hostile as they could tell from their apprentice clothing they came from The Guild. Some even muttered spiteful words to each other as they looked at the four walking by, but they simply ignored it. All of them though seemed to be armed with either a rifle or pistol and some even had them unsheathed as it looked like they were guarding and patrolling the camp.
"And here we are, the H.Q. of The Oakvale Anti-Hero League." Said Amos as they walked further into the camp.
"What is this place?" Asked Ami.
"Besides our H.Q. camp, this used to be an old residential property said to be owned by A Lady Grey, a past mayor of Bowerstone." Said Amos, "But, she seemed to be wealthy at the time to have property such as this and we were able to fix up the old house a bit, which is where me and my second in command bunk."
The gunmen who helped escort them there then scattered to different camp sites along the trail to join their fellow league members, leaving just Amos and the four Heroes to continue to walk further into the camp. They were then in a circled clearing which contained vendor stands including a black smith as they could see him hammering down toward his anvil on the red hot glowing steel of an unfinished blade. They then could hear gun shots coming from nearby as they noticed two men shooting their rifles at straw dummy targets on the side of the clearing. They then looked up at the top of a small hill which a fairly large wooden house stood.
"And there it is, The Old Grey House, now if you'll continue to follow me we'll go and get you acquainted with my second in command." Said Amos as they walked up the trail that lead up the small hill.
"How do you afford all this anyway? I mean, all these guns and swords, they had to be financed somehow." Asked Jarissa.
"My second in command including his family are wealthy entrepreneurs I guess you could say. His parents own all the Oakvale shops including the weapons shop in which he was generous enough to purchase all the necessary weaponry and supplies for our cause as he continues to do so. I swear that man has the greatest shot in Oakvale, maybe even in all of Albion." Said Amos.
They then made their way inside the house as they entered from the spacious porch of the refurbished house. Inside they could see glass candle wall lamps hanging spaced out along the walls. In the middle of the main room stood a long table of written parchments and ink bottles with feathered pens sticking out of them. Behind that table they saw an averaged height man with thick wavy side combed brown hair and matching colored astonishing eyes standing there as he took notice to Amos and the four Heroes entering.
"Well, hello." The man greeted, "And who do we have here now?"
Amos then spoke as he stood next to the four, "I'd like to introduce you four to my second in command, Mr. Reaves." He introduced.
"Nathaniel Reaves, actually, charmed to meet you all." He said as he gazed his eyes on the four Heroes, especially Jarissa and Ami, "And I dare say, what lovely female companions these gentleman have brought with them, good evening ladies."
"Hello." Ami greeted in a polite tone.
"Um, yes hello." Jarissa said slightly unwary.
"Oh come on now, behave yourself Nathaniel. You are an engaged man after all." Said Amos with a smile in a joking tone.
Nathaniel gave out a slight giggle, "Oh come now I was only joking, but right you are Amos, to the most beautiful woman in Oakvale. Oh how I love my Beatrice. But, with devoting most of my time and energy here I unfortunately don't get to see her often anymore, but if it means making a better world for us both to one day raise children in, I suppose it's worth the pain of separation from my beloved for now."
"She seems like a fine worthy woman." Said Kayma.
"Oh indeed she is." Replied Nathaniel as he turned his attention back to Amos, "Amos, I don't mean to be the one to cast stones, but why are your new guests wearing Guild outfits?" He asked.
"Yes, I was just about to explain that. These four are Heroes we found who are willing to join our cause. I found out through...well a reliable source, that there are apparently more powerful Heroes out there that even through fire power we won't be able to hunt down. So, we were lucky enough to run into these four who have agreed to help us take them out." Replied Amos.
"Yes, we recently escaped The Guild when we...ran into each other." Added Jarissa.
"Well, I say, it warms ones heart to see that there are Heroes with some good sense and care for us citizens." Said Nathaniel, "But, however I'm still a bit weary Amos."
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"Well, how do we know these Heroes are truly committed to the league? How do we know we can truly trust them? I'd imagine the other members are not pleased with these four Heroes joining us. Perhaps it's best to for them to test that." Said Nathaniel.
"I assure you we're not hear to stab you all in the back, we're here to help you." Jarissa said assertively.
"As good as your voucher was, I'm afraid he has a point Jarissa, it's not just enough to tell us, we have to see for ourselves that we can trust you and I think I know just the way." Replied Amos.
"Very well, what is it you want us to do?" Asked Jarissa.
"Follow me down to the Map Tent and I'll show you." Said Amos.
"I shall come as well." Said Nathaniel as the rest of them began to walk out of the front door, "After all I always do like to have a look at that map for any possible locations to... well you know."
Amos rolled his eyes as Nathaniel made his way to walk beside him out the house, "Oh for Avo's sake Nathaniel not again."
"Location to what?" Asked Jarissa.
"Nathaniel here thinks there's a secret to eternal youth somewhere in Albion and when he's not helping me run the camp he's in the map tent studying the map and loads of books hours on end looking for a possible location." Explained Amos.
"There's nothing wrong with having a dream and mine is to live forever young along with my beloved and I will find a way one day. To live forever and have an everlasting love, ah what joy it will be." Nathaniel said as he dozed off and smiled.
"Why can't you just accept death like everyone else Nathaniel? It's a natural order of life that everyone eventually faces." Said Amos.
"Why should I have to succumb to death when I have such divine looks. Besides I love life not death and death shall never have me while I am still determined for my quest of eternal youth." Replied Nathaniel.
"You know, for second in command you seem to have much fear of death." Said Kayma.
"We all fear death my good man, some more than others, but in the end we all still fear it." Replied Nathaniel.
As they continued to make their way down the hill path they made a sharp right down a flattened trail. The Hero had seen more camp sites with people gathered around the bright flames along with others guarding. Amos had established quite the militia group as there were so many citizens willing to fight. They were then approaching a naturally formed rock wall with an archway carved in the middle of it. Above this rock wall there was a large cone shaped tent roof built into the rock formation.
"Here we are, the Map Tent." Amos said, "You know this small section used to be guarded by a Demon Door a few centuries ago. It looked to be like an old garden before we set up the tent."
As they entered the Map Tent, The Hero noticed a similar looking round table with a birds eye three dimensional build of Albion, much like the one in The Guild. It sat on the opposite side of the center tent post from tent entrance surrounded by book shelves that stood along the tent walls.
"And here is the map itself." Said Amos as the six of them surrounded the table, "Now, as Nathaniel here pointed out earlier, we need you prove your commitment to the league. Therefore, we'll give you a quest card with a target Hero to hunt down. Once your main Hero accepts the quest card you can start hunting. Your first targeted Hero goes by the name of Geoffrey Barron."
Just then a ring of familiarity dawned upon The Hero as he picked up the quest card. Geoffrey Barron, the chocolate thief when he first arrived in Bowerstone years ago.
Amos continued, "Our scouts report he has an encampment somewhere in Greatwood Gorge full of bandits. Been robbing passing traders for years, but we've never been able to pin point where exactly his camp was, but perhaps you'll fare better Hero."
"And what do we do after we find Barron?" Asked Jarissa.
"Well, it's no doubt each Hero you find will not go quietly. So after you defeat them in battle we'll have a barred carriage with a few of my men standing by. We'll shackle them up and take them away to Witchwood Arena for execution."
"Execuation?" Asked Ami concerned.
"Well yes, what do you think we've been doing with the captured Heroes? We take them to Witchwood Arena and they die in battle during the rounds. If they do happen to beat all the rounds then they're executed by pyre burning." Said Amos.
"That's barbaric!" Exclaimed Ami.
"It's more than they deserve Ami." Replied Jarissa.
"Yes and besides we had to keep the arena going somehow. This way the citizens are both entertained and see justice done upon the Heroes for their crimes against the people." Said Amos.
"I still just think it's too harsh." Ami stated as she folded her arms across her chest, "As citizens fighting for justice are we not supposed to be better than this?"
Nathaniel then spoke, "Hm, perhaps this beautiful young lady has a point."
Amos gave a shocked raised eyebrow look at Nathaniel, "You too now?"
"Well, perhaps maybe it is time to add an alternative to all this execution and death. Maybe we could offer each captured Hero...oh I don't know, forced exile?" Nathaniel suggested.
Amos snickered, "Forced exile? For what? So they can just come back and terrorize again?"
"Oh I seriously doubt that Amos. I'm very confident in saying that even the most brainless twit amongst them will not dare try to come back once they see that we have such powerful and strapping young Heroes that they're clearly no match for." Replied Nathaniel.
Amos pressed his thumb and index finger against his forehead as he lowered his head slightly.
"Alright, fine." He said as he lowered his hand away from his forehead and turned his attention to the Hero from across the map table, "For any Hero you defeat you have the options of execution or forced exile, but I will forewarn you all, my hunting party will still be sending any Hero we find off to The Arena for execution, so if you plan on being merciful you best hope you find them before we do. If you should however decide not to be merciful, we'll have a barred carriage and a couple men standing by to take them away."
Jarissa nodded, "Very well, let's go on the hunt then shall we?"
"Well hang on a minute, the four of you can't just all go at once. I need at least two of you back here to help run the camp and assist with my hunting group." Said Amos.
"So only one of us may go with him?" Asked Kayma.
"Yes. I don't care which one of you goes with him, but at anytime Hero, you can choose whichever one of your companions to go with you on your missions or if you prefer to be the lone Hero you may choose to venture and face your target alone. We'll have them right here in the tent for you to select which one you wish to accompany you." Replied Amos, "Oh and one more thing. If you need stronger weapons or other supplies as you continue your quests there are shop stands around the camp and if you're in need of gold to get those supplies there's jobs available in the camp and in other towns as well. In the mean time before you head out on the hunt, you may wish to take one of these jobs and get yourself suited up into something a bit more...unique."
"Now that you mention it I would like to get out of these Guild clothes. I think it's time for us to visit the clothing trader." Said Jarissa.
"I could not agree more. Let us see what the clothing trader has for us." Said Kayma.
"Right this way everyone." Said Nathaniel as he lifted up the tent flap for everyone to exit with The Hero remaining in the tent.