The reaver's dream (open!)

[Orcleous]

"Quick arm the women", shouted Orcleous as the Militia forced the pirates to let go of their hostages. In truth though Orcleous did not have to say it. Once the women were grounded they began to fight for their own freedom. They grabbed whatever they could find a dead militiaman's spear or axe from a dead pirate. The fight was even, and for a moment things seemed to be going well. Then he heard Vicktaria chuckle. He saw another sail on the horizon. More pirates seemed to be making their way into the harbor. This was not good. When they landed they would take Orcleous and the militia from the flank. If that happens they were all good as dead.

Orcleous opened his mouth to speak when a pirate rushed forward with a spear and tried to stab the mercenary in the side. Orcleous recognized the incoming attack and turned his body so the spear head would hit his armor. The spear dug into the crimson plate, but did not pierce. The stab however knocked the air out of Orcleous causing him to take two steps backwards. The pirate rushed forward again hoping to stab a better position. The mercenary however saw him coming deflected the tip of the spear to the side and cut the shaft of the weapon. He then finished the man off with a slash across his chest.

"Retreat", shouted Orcleous finally giving the command to the militia. Without wasting another moment Orcleous rushed forward to were some of the militia were struggling with a few pirates and join the fray. He stabbed one of them from behind and stabbed the other. "Grab the women and head towards the road away from the harbor", spoke Orcleous to the men as they nodded. "Oh I almost forgot set fire to the houses as you pass", spoke the mercenary. The two men gave him a queer look, but followed his orders The mercenary then cut open two barrel of beer and allowed it to soak the ground. He then pulled a torch from his pack and lit a fire. "Let the smoke cover our retreat", spoke Orcleous as he kicked a third barrel through the fire and allowed it to roll through the battlefield. "Retreat", shouted Orcleous again as he began to move toward the road leading out of town.

[Vicktaria]

Vicktaria widened his eye as he saw the fire, cursing under his breath as he then shouted to his men, and to Asha's men. "Gather up what you can save. Women, beer, fish, EVERYTHING!" The pirates nodded, returning back to the unburt parts of town, taking whatever they could, before running towards the docks. Vicktaria stroked his beard, carrying a woman on his shoulder as he let out a deep cackle.

[Orcleous]

Orcleous and the militia continued their retreat out of town. They had saved most of the women, but some of them were still captured. Either way there was nothing left for them to save. As they retreated several of the villagers came up to Orcleous and began to thank him for his assistance.

"Don't thank me", spoke Orcleous with a serious expressionless. "I am just a mercenary who fights for gold", spoke the lad as he pulled out the coin purse the woman had given him. A few of the villagers walked away, but some of them still remained. Even after he told them he was paid they still spoke their thanks. "Enough small talk", spoke Orcleous trying to end the conversation. A sense of guilt started to rise up inside his stomach as he saw the raiders long before the village did. "You all need to head to the next village and report what happen. If you don't then the raiders are going to burn down the whole coast."

"Understood", spoke a bearded man as he began to move in front of the group. It seemed that Orcleous job here was done, or at least he thought it was. He still needed to keep an eye out for the possibility of pirates catching up to them, or bandits trying to waylay the fleeing group. All in all the gold was not worth the job.

[Vicktaria]

As the last men boarded the reaver's dream, Vicktaria sipped on his hard mead as he stared to the smoking town. Asha was yelling sailing instructions, Vickon was ensuring the stability of the precious gargo of women, mead and fish. Vicktaria held his axe steadily as he murmurred to himself. "Boy, you will pay for ruining the reaving. I shall pay the iron price for your head, and all the money the scamp payed you." With these words, Vicktaria walked to his cabin.

[Orcleous]

As Orcleous and the villagers reached the next town they were greeted by a militia. It seemed that the riders had gotten word out, but by the time they had gathered up a forced they figured the village was already whipped out. Orcleous spoke with the head of the village and gave all the details he could. Some of the more experienced warriors wanted to hunt down the pirates for revenge, but Orcleous was not up for it. The gold was not worth the risk, and he had done enough charity work already in his book. The mercenary said his goodbyes and left. He wondered if he could find another job, hopeful one with less danger.
[ Orcleous leaves thread]