[ Event] Gathering Supplies:

[Deleted]

War was soon to be upon the the City of Heroes. Blood will be spilled and plunder would be won. However glorious this idea was it was impossible without supplies. Gathering the necessary material to siege a great city would take a massive amount of coin. Coin that the bandits did not have. Fortunately for them there was another currency that would suffice, blood. What one can not pay with coin one could always earn with blood, and blood was a currency that they were willing to dish out.

Orland, a minor officer in the brigand force, had scrounged up a attack force ready to pillage for the good of their cause. He set his sights onto a medium size village known for its wealth, but remote enough that it would not gather too much attention from the Bern rebels and their occupiers, Ilia. The town sat near a river and was named Little Rock.

"Alright Boys and Girls", shouted the Giant as he walked amongst the forces that had gathered. "We have already sacked three towns already and this one will be the fourth. Our goal here is annihilation. We rush in and kill everyone. There are to be no survivors and no witness. Unless I order it nobody is allowed to burn anything! We are going to need everything this town has to offer and I will not report back to Natch that I let supplies go to waste because of one of you fetish for flames! We move out in ten minutes. Prepare yourselves".

With those words Orland walked to the side and began to check his supplies. He knew he was going to have a tough time ahead of him. Little Rock was known for its ability to defend itself and a few of them were quite skilled. However Hargus wanted these supplies, and Orland was going to give them to him.

[Minerva]

"Kill them all, hmm, boss?" The dry words came from a much shorter woman, whose face bore a small smirk. "I'll bet that I'm up to the task. However... About those fire fetishes." Snapping her fingers, the woman moved quickly and gracefully, twirling 360 before extending a palm and letting a small, blue fireball erupt from her palm. The rock-sized fireball hit a flower, which burst into flames, glowing briefly and smoking before a black boot crunched the flame into the dirt, extinguishing it. "Maybe you could make an order especially for me? Because I'm not gonna be much use if I can't fight... Unless you just want me to distract them all while you men walk on in and steal everything. Which, actually, is kind of a good plan." The woman gave an airy laugh, giving the giant a quick wink. "I'm Minerva. I'm with you all the way, boss - say the word and I'll do the deed."

[Deleted]

Orland looked at the woman for a moment. She was his type, but the armored giant kept that to himself. "Your allowed to use your flames. Just be careful of what you hit. I don't want to loss their grain storage. Actually", spoke Orland as he seemed to remember something. "We might need your flames. The village is known for having a skilled healer that doubles in light magic. From what I know she is mainly skilled in the healing arts rather than combat, but fire magic is a great counter to her light. When we attack the village keep a eye out for her."

Orland walked over to where everyone else was and took a look around to see what they were doing.

[Rogus]

By the gods... he's the one i'm supposed to watch? Rogus spat as he watched the 7 foot 3 knight order his men around. The girl he talked to was easier to look at. He stayed lounged in the tree for a few more moments before he decided to clear up the few details Orland had missed with Minerva. Rogus leapt gracefully from the tree. Somewhere, he thought he felt his fellow thief's presence, but he'd been wrong before. It would be a welcoming change of pace with someone more civilized here watching his back. He sauntered on up to the lone mage, a solemn blank face painted on. How did a mage end up with this rabble? Then agaain, how did an ex-noble like himself start working for Georg?

Money, thats how. Georg had sent him a message to oversee the bandits in this area. The message implied that he was to make sure the men were loyal to Hargus, and not just in it to loot and pillage as they pleased. He had a seal bearing Georg's mark, an item that allowed him some authority in the matter of making sure the bandits did what they were supposed to. Hopefully, he wouldnt have to use it.

Minerva, right? I'm Gus. Pleasure to meet you. He started, a low bow. Just to add to what the brute said; try and use the magic when is only necessary, these villagers won't stand much of a chance, but their healer could be taken down easily if you don't mind helping me do it. He finished and cast a subtle glance toward what the knight was up to. Surely he would remember Rogus, and how their last meeting hadn't ended very well. He'd keep his distance if he could, but he'd have to talk to the brute eventually. That was something he wasn't looking forward to.

[Deleted]

Orland heard the footsteps and turned around. "Him again" ,spoke Orland with some discontent. It was not surprising that they were on the same side, but Orland really did not want to deal with the smart mouth. It would probably be best to kick him out the raid part. Orland did not need anyone challenging his authority. It was then Orland noticed the belt around his waste. "So he is one of Georg's men", spoke the giant to himself.

Orland walked across the men and walked up to Rogous. The giant towered over the small man as he did before. The wall of steel clanked as he came to a stop just outside the reach of his arms. "So you are the man sent to keep watch over me. I heard they were sending a thief, but I did not expect them to send you. Before we even start this let me go ahead and clear some things up. I do not regret punching you in the face back in that cave, and I would probably end up doing it again if you did not have that belt around your waist. That belt means you are higher on the food chain than me and rank amongst up is one thing I can respect. You will not come under any harm from me, nor my men. However I ask that you don't contradict me out in the field. Such chaos will surely lead to our defeat."

[Rogus]

Orland. You misunderstand my role here. I don't want to step on any toes, I'm simply here to make sure you don't... disapoint our mutual friend. I'll be taking the healer so your men won't have to worry about her, other than that the command is yours o'great giant one. He chuckled and rubbed his jaw where Orland had hit him. Just an hour before he could have killed the massive behemoth, but it was good he had stayed his blade. Such a waste of his commanding figure would have been frowned upon. He wasn't about to forget what the giant had done, but he couldn't really get even without throwing this entire operation off the rail. He'd lend his hand as much as he could until Georg called him back. The letter had said there was something else Rogus would be needed for, but no other information had been given.

If you don't mind I'd like to borrow your mage here for my part in this. Perhaps a few more grunts to make sure we won't have anymore trouble than possible. He stated bluntly. He may be a skilled thief, but his skill with a blade wasn't a joke either. truthfully, he'd rather just go in and slit the priestess's throat before the attack, it would be much simpler to sneak in and remove all resistance rather than meet her head on.

I could just go and kill her now if you'd prefer me gone. I'd leave the rest of the villagers to you and your men.

[Deleted]

Orland looked at Rogus for a moment. He was not sure if he was being confident in his skills or simply ignorant. "The healer Yashi is not a target to be underestimated. However if you think you can just waltz in and kill her be my guest. I won't stop you. If you fail I won't have to listen to you and if you succeed our job will be a lot easier. However I will tell you this you won't find her in the temple. We last spotted her in her home next to the river. Good luck", spoke Orland as he walked back over to the other men. Everyone was finishing their preparations and getting ready for the raid.

[Minerva]

Minerva jerked, startled, as a man dropped out of a tree nearby and introduced himself. He looked... Scruffy. He had a little charm to him, but he was definitely scruffy. And he had been watching her from above her, in a tree. Pervert.

"Well, hey there, Gus," she said with a wink, as was her custom. "Nice of you to... Drop in." Sidling up to the man, she ran her hand gently over his cheek, winking again. "Well, if we're going to take this healer out, let's go... I'd rather we not have to deal with a bunch of... brutes." Minerva knew that working with these men was probably her best shot at getting experience, and, if they loved her, they'd watch her back, right...? She could keep her options open, but it didn't hurt to keep them chasing her.

With that, the mage started off toward the town. She was fairly certain the man would follow, and, if he didn't she had the advantage over this Yashi woman, after all.

[Deleted]

"Minerva", spoke Orland before she left. "Watch your back in there. I don't think Gus plan is going to work out like he thinks it will. Don't get yourself killed. If she proves to be too difficult retreat", spoke Orland as he turned back towards everyone else. He let the mage do as she pleased, but in his mind it was a mistake.

[The Madness]

Oleg grunted, having followed the group for some time now. He simply walked up to Orland, eyeing him up and down for a moment before simply passing by him, following hte main mission group as he let out a breathe of air. He then slowly prodded her daughter on the back, smiling. "Guess who."

[Rogus]

Well... She's... He was at a loss for words. The woman was trying to seduce him, it was plain to see. No woman would caress a man's cheek like that in the first meeting if there was any other reason. He followed her down the hill, ignoring Orland's comments. As long as this woman was human a subtle knife to the throat would put her down quickly and easily. The mage would be his contingency plan. Hopefully she wouldn't die, Rogus wanted to see how far this seductress would go to meet her agenda. It was a sleezy thought, but hey, what did anyone expect from a guy like him? He jogged down to catch up with her. He had a plan to decieve the healer into coming into the open. A practioner of light magic and healing staves would have the authority to preside over marriages.

Here... put this on. He held out a golden ring, simple and rather peasant-like. As long as this woman could keep up an act, killing the healer would be a simple task indeed. Here's the plan, we're to be wed. From your dress you could pass as someone of nobility... We'll give her a false story and trick her into giving us our vows... while she does this I'll jam my dagger into her neck. Simple. He explained, he knew the rumors of bandits had noo doubt spread through the town, but this woman didn't have the word bandit written all over her, and Rogus could easily pass as a local vagabond in forbidden love with a noble girl. They could give their real names without fear of discovery, as they weren't well known in this backkwater. It was rather complicated as far as plans go, but whats the fun in outwright attack?

What'd 'ya say Minerva, will you take my hand in marriage? He asked jokingly, she'd hopefully catch on to the jest. Otherwise, he expected a slap in the face. He surveyed the town, it was late, the sun had nearly disapeared behind the mountains. It was the oppurtune moment for a raid. He sent her a wink with a charming grin, a display that made the maidens of Lycia swoon when he was still a noble.

[The Madness]

Oleg headed back to Orland, eyeing him up and down once more as he then spoke. "So. Augustus may have not told you, but I'm here to look over you and your... Friends, and see that you will not mess up. You can use me as you see fit, be it at the field or the strategy table, but I will report everything that happens here to him."

[Deleted]

Orland stared at Oleg and the spit on the ground. It seemed like the higher ups had no faith in him. First Georg sent his man to spy on him and now Natch has sent his own to keep tack of what he was doing. Was Orland really that big of a threat. Sure he was born into a family of brigands, but he did not have that much moving influence over the hordes of bandits. That kind of power lied with them. The only thing Orland really had going for him was his gigantic size and commanding presence. Which in its own right was a great trait to have, but not good enough to warrant this kind of investigation. At the very least their men told them who they were.

"Very well tell Natch everything that happened here. However I will tell you the same thing as I told Georg's man. I am in control of this unite. If I give a order I don't expect for you to contradict me. Anything with two head heads is a monster and despite popular belief monsters get killed." With that said Orland turned to the rest of the men. "Alright everybody we move in to attack the village in 30 minutes. I want the village surrounded on all sides in under 10. Helen you will take the south. Morgan I want you to cover the north. Han take the west and I will stay here and hold the east. The rest of you split yourselves up evenly and head to the four points. I want the fastest people to go with Hun and cover the opposite side first. The rest of you divide yourselves and take the north and southern points. Get to moving sped is of the essence." As Orcleous finished shout he turned toward Oleg. "You are with me. Natch wants you to watch me and see how I perform so get a good eye full", spoke the giant as he placed on his helmet.


As the sun began to set and the light began to fade Yashi sat in front of her brother's grave. She had been coming here everyday since he passed. Next to the grave stood many rusted axes each one own by the brigand at one point or another. Yashi had made it a thing to bring one out here to count the weeks since his passing. Today was the last. It was butorega's favorite weapon his halberd. Yashi had stabbed the weapon into the ground behind his grave. It was the last momentum and the last time she would grieve.

"I am sorry brother", spoke Yashi. "If I had been there, if I had not stayed at home and coward in this village. You might be alive right now. You might have not walked the path you did." Yashi whipped the tears from here eyes and opened a small bag. "I know you did not drink brother, but nobody should leave this world without the taste of Saki, or at least what Tomas told me", spoke the maiden. Yashi removed the top off the bottle and poured its content onto the stone. "Rest in piece Butorega", spoke Yashi as she began to walk away. As she began to walk the stone suddenly cracked splitting right down the middle. "Bad omen", spoke Yashi as she stared at the split headstone.

Meanwhile the door to the cottage opened. The old healer Tanya opened the door. She had come to Yashi house to council her on her brother's passing, but Yashi was out at the moment. Instead of waiting outside she went in and made herself comfortable around the fire. Little Rock had some wealth, but the village was still a small town. No one would mind if old Tanya came in and sat by the fire. As much as she had done for the town she deserved the right.

[The Madness]

"You're big enough that I shouldn't be able to lose you." Oleg nodded, stretching for a moment as he then drew out his sword, doing a few practice swings before nodding to Orland. "Ready to go." As he said this, he looked back towards the village. Was his daughter going to be okay?... Ofcourse. She was his daughter, she'd survive being sent to a hornets nest.

[Minerva]

A... ring?

"You've got to be kidding me.

Minerva stopped walking, turned, and stared at the man in utter shock and disbelief. "No, I will not marry you!" Without missing a beat, she plucked the ring from his hand and put it on her finger, noting with a bit of alarm that it fit quite well.

"Look, I don't like this plan. I reserve the right to bow out at any time, and if you screw up and get killed, I'm not gonna shed a single tear. Maybe if you were cuter, I'd care more. But you strike me as quite the creep. Come on, who watches a girl from in a tree?"

As the two entered the town, Minerva began calculating and trying to weigh the options and scenarios they could face. "If we're going to have a shot at doing this, let's do it right," she said, sliding over to the scruffy man's side and snuggling against his side as they walked. "Don't infer anything, Gus. I'm not doing this because I want to."