The Road Called Life

[Galloglaich]

The morning was clear and crisp with a hint of warmth seeming to welcome the rising sun. Night clouds began fleeing the sky and were replaced by big, white puffy ones. There was a slight breeze that made the morning all the more pleasant. In the distance, birds could be heard, calling in the day.

Daniel made sure his supplies were up to the mark. He would be traveling through most of Lycia and towards Bern, hoping to collect his fair share of jobs and some fame. Daniel had the goal of becoming a strong and formidable mercenary. It would be a long while before he ever achieved that goal, but everyone had to start somewhere. Daniel would start here, right outside of Ostia. He looked east and saw expanses of countryside and wilderness. Daniel would go until he reached his first checkpoint, restock his supplies and hopefully attain a job.

[sigmund]

Taking the advice of his parents to heart, Sigmund passed through Ostia without looking for jobs. Things might be getting nasty soon between Etruria and Ostia, and the young inexperienced mercenary would be lucky to survive an employment with either side should they go to war. So now he traveled east looking for a smaller job. Perhaps he would get hired as a bodyguard or as an escort for some merchant. He might take a contract to help guard some village from thieves; he did not know. The only thing he did know was that he had to start somewhere.

He breathed in the wonderful morning air as he trekked on to the East, the sun warming his face. It was certainly a beautiful morning with birds singing and light reflecting off dewdrops in the grass. The air was fresh and cool, and the blue sky was dotted with fluffy clouds.

And what was this? A traveler ahead! It was a man clad in blue armor with a lance, a soldier. Sigmund noticed that he seemed packed for a journey instead of a short patrol. Was he a scout? A messenger? Perhaps a mercenary? Regardless, the soldier would notice him at any second. While he was wary of the lance-it would be extremely difficult and perhaps fatal to use his sword against it-he knew he couldn't avoid being spotted.

But the soldier did not seem immediately hostile. Perhaps he might know of some job for Sigmund or have some advice. Perhaps he could be a traveling companion for at least part of Sigmund's journey.

"Hello there!" the tall blond mercenary boldly called out waving his hand.

[Galloglaich]

"Hello there!"

Daniel turned to see a very tall fellow wielding a sword and dressed like a mercenary waving at him. "Curses!" Daniel thought. "I'm already being held up..." He then trudged over to the other man. He looked a bit older than Daniel, but wasn't quite as strongly-built. "Hello there, stranger," Daniel said. "Can I help you with something?"

Daniel's face displayed no amount of friendliness, yet no hostility. He just looked square at the other, taller man and awaited an answer. "Wait a minute... Daniel thought. "This one might be a merc. Maybe I can join up with him.

[sigmund]

The soldier definitely didn't seem immediately hostile, just neutral. Sigmund still had no way of knowing if he were in danger or not.

"Maybe," Sigmund answered equally neutral. "I'm looking for work."

He was cautious. He still did not reveal too much. Was this an Ostian soldier? Would he try to prevent Sigmund from moving on? Or perhaps he might be able to help. Either way, Sigmund would keep his wits about him.

[Galloglaich]

Daniel lightened up. "Ah. So, you're a merc? So am I. Name's Daniel, nice to meet you," he said as he stretched his hand towards the tall man. Daniel suddenly smiled. Maybe he and this other mercenary could work together, or at least travel together until they reached a new destination. He then noticed a woman far away moving rapidly in their direction. There was time enough for the other man to introduce himself to Daniel before the woman reached them.

[sigmund]

Daniel's lightened mood had an effect on Sigmund. Though he would still keep his wits about him, he had less cause to fear now that he knew the soldier was actually a mercenary. While he might still be a competitor, he could also become a valuable ally.

Sigmund grasped the offered hand securely. "To you as well. I am Sigmund, also a mercenary." He then noticed a shift in Daniel's attention. Following his gaze, the tall mercenary saw a women running toward them. He suddenly became alert to trouble again. He was ready to snatch his sword from his sheath at any moment.

[Galloglaich]

The woman looked desperate. She stopped just short of Daniel and began stammering out a distressed report, "Noble sir! Sire! Those men..." she pointed in the direction of four men heading in their direction. "They... they want to... they're going to..."
Daniel cut her off, "No they're not. Get behind us two," Daniel said, indicating Sigmund. "Sorry, Sigmund, introductions will have to wait. You take the axemen, I'll take the swordsmen."

The four men were upon the three of them much faster than Daniel would have hoped. He could feel the blood and adrenaline rushing through him. This was the first taste of true combat he would have to deal with. Daniel wasn't quite ready to see blood, but he would do what he had to.

The thugs were now in conversing range. They seemed to be slavers. One of them spoke, "That one's ours. We're takin' her whether you fight or not."

Daniel kept calm. He replied coolly, "No you're not." He stared the bigger man in the eye and waited for something to happen.

[sigmund]

Sigmund was surprised at Daniel's immediate and bold defense of the woman; the mercenary was indeed noble, or foolish. Sigmund felt his confidence bolstered; he might not have felt the strength or courage to blatantly oppose these brigands alone, but now that he had met the spearman, he sensed hope. Alone, Sigmund would not have been able to immediately do anything to aid the woman. Such a tragedy would have plagued his memory forever. If they got out of this alive, he felt that Daniel would become a lasting friend.

As the opposing men had run up, Sigmund had drawn his sword and buckler and now held them loosely to his sides lest anything should happen. Though his arms were loose, they seemed to quiver with energy, ready to explode into action. The threat of injustice to the woman became a rage in his body that boiled up to his head and steamed out through his focused eyes. With his jaw set and his weight set slightly on the balls of his feet, the swordsman became a great store of energy ready to be unleashed on the first unfortunate victim.

Subconsciously, he registered that the two men with axes were on the main villain's right flank. Without knowing, his eyes perceived that these brigands were no more skilled or experienced than Sigmund, perhaps less. They knew not the disadvantage of a comparatively ponderous axe when paired against an agile swordsman.

The villains all drew their weapons. Furiously they ground their teeth at these impudent whelps that dared to stand in the way of their business. Flexing their substantial muscles they seemed to snarl at Sigmund and Daniel. "You're Dead!" yelled the fuming criminal, and they charged.

As the first brigand began to lift his axe and charge forward, Sigmund had settled into a low stance with his buckler out and his sword back. Then like a coiled spring, he burst into action. The axe was sailing through the air, and Sigmund could feel the edge seeking his head. In a second, he could be dead; his life seemed precariously balanced on the tip of a scale. And then all of that energy exploded from his body down to the ground and out through his arms. His voiced roared from the depths of his being, and his sword swung against the axe haft before it had built up momentum.

As the swordsman felt the pressure of the axe against his blade and the rage still driving him from within, his training took over. Stepping in deep, he wrapped his buckler arm around the brigand's arms, trapping them with the buckler. With another cry of rage, Sigmund pressed his blade against the brigand's exposed neck and sliced. In one smooth, powerful motion of the blade, Sigmund drew the life from the brute. Blood spilled down from the cut throat and covered both the warrior and the slain. Sigmund's black leather jerkin was now covered in the red blood of his collapsing dead enemy.

[Galloglaich]

One of the swordsmen charged Daniel. Here we go...' Daniel thought. He kept deceptive range with his lance making sure to hide it's true reach from his enemy. He waited, stone-faced, for the swordsman to come within striking range. "HEEEYAAAARGH!!!" Daniel's shout cracked through the air as his lance-tip found flesh.

The swordsman was tough. The lance hadn't made a killing strike, instead, it stabbed into the man's left shoulder. Enraged, the swordsman attacked Daniel with fury. His sword arm was undamaged, but without his other arm in use, his efforts were hindered by the wound. He swung at Daniel's side. Daniel felt his blood go ice-cold as he watched the blade flying at his open side. Thankfully, his armor proved effective, as well as his agility. He barely got scraped against by the other man's sword.

His opponent staggered; he was was finished. Daniel's actions confirmed this as he thrust his lance into the man's torso. He fell, lifeless. Dead before he even hit the ground.

Daniel saw that the other swordsman was preparing to attack.

[sigmund]

Just as the first brigand crumpled to the ground, the second struck. Sigmund just dodged back as the menacing axe cut into his leather jerkin. He seemed to feel butterflies in his chest as the fearsome weapon moved so close to his body, the keen edge hungrily seeking his life. But short of a substantial target to cleave, the axe blade just gashed his shoulder through the leather.

Sigmund let out a breath he didn't realize that he had been holding. That blow could have been much worse, easily fatal. He had been lucky to dodge as he did. Though the wound would need healing later, he could fight through the pain now. And there would be time for reflection afterward.

Taking up his stance again with buckler outward and sword prepared to strike, he watched his enemy. The brigand was wise enough to understand that blindly attacking was going to result in death, so he stood anxiously looking for an opportunity. With rage still boiling in him, Sigmund advanced. As tall as he was, it only took two strides to close the distance. The bandit seemed surprised to see that the swordsman had gotten so close so quickly. Seeing the sword slicing in from the left, the axeman blocked with the haft of his weapon. Then the buckler struck him soundly in the mouth.

But it only stunned the muscular brigand for a split second. Letting loose a howl of rage, the brute pushed Sigmund away flinging him several paces back. Sigmund quickly recovered and looked for an opening. The large foe advanced threateningly and raised his axe. Then out of desperation, Sigmund raised his buckler in defense while at the same time striking with his sword.

Only until his axe rebounded off of the buckler did the brigand realize his left arm had been sliced into. Pain shot across the left side of his body and blood flowed down his limp arm. Shocked with disbelief at the reality of his wound, he stumbled back and weakly threw an attack.

Sigmund managed to deflect the axe without too much trouble before going in for the kill. Two more strides easily caught him up with the wounded rogue. The swordsman quickly buried his blade in the broad muscular chest breathing out a sigh of relief.

[Galloglaich]

The second swordsman, and last brigand, was preparing to crush Daniel. This time, Daniel was the one who would advance. As Daniel approached him, the man sneered at him. This one was probably the leader of the thugs and was certainly more confident. He taunted Daniel as the two closed on each other, "Are you ready to die, whelp?!" Daniel's face didn't show it, but he was feeling extremely excited. this was his first experience in true combat, and he was doing very well.

The swordsman was in range quicker than Daniel would have hoped for. He leaped high in the air and brought his sword swinging down at Daniel. He had just a split second to dodge the attack, one that would likely end his life if he didn't. His dodge was successful, as was his counter. He gave the bandit a huge strike with the butt of his spear and pushed him away in one motion. The swordsman was stunned for a just a moment before he charged in once more. Daniel was ready this time. He began twirling his spear from one side of his body to the other, confusing his enemy. The bandit took this as an opening in Daniel's defenses. A grave mistake. As he charged in, Daniel spun around and sliced at the man's neck with the spear's blade. The swordsman noticed his folly too late. His head was flung off his body as it fell.

Daniel was startled as he witnessed the result of his handiwork. He never saw so much blood in his life. He lost himself, staring at the two dead men. He was disgusted and proud at the same time. He had defeated two men, both more experienced than himself, and he was unharmed. But, Daniel was a little disturbed by his victory. It was shown visibly.

[sigmund]

Breathing out a sigh, Sigmund looked at his handiwork. Two corpses lying on the ground turning the earth red with blood. It was the first time he had seen men killed much less by his own sword, and it shocked him. One second these men were swinging their weapons and threatening death, then another second, they were no longer alive. Sigmund could not comprehend it; death was a strange thing. Considering the weight of what he had just done set him off-balance and he seemed to be in a daze.

Before his head started hurting too badly, he began to do things mechanically. Numbly, he wiped his sword and noted that he would need to get his cut shoulder as well as his leather jerkin mended. With his mind still somewhere else, he sheathed the sword and gave a shallow bow towards the woman.

As his stomach seemed to turn and threatened to vomit, he turned to Daniel forcing himself to concentrate on his surroundings. As he looked at the other mercenary, Sigmund sensed a mutual understanding between them. They had both killed their first enemies together, they had both survived a life and death encounter together, and they had both tasted the grim reality of combat together. The tall mercenary nodded his head and said, "Good Job."

[Galloglaich]

Daniel shook away the daze from his head. These men would have killed both of the mercenaries and done worse to the woman. There was no reason, or room, for regrets. If he was to become a mercenary, Daniel would have to toughen up. He knew it was natural to feel horrible the first time one took a life but he also knew it would pass. He still felt rather bad about the whole ordeal, but he hid it. He would come to terms with his gut later.

Turning to Sigmund, he chuckled, "Yeah, you too. I'd say this is a pretty good start for mercs, eh?" He turned his attention to the woman and made sure she was alright. "Are you okay, miss?"
"I am," she replied. "You are mercenaries?"
"Yes we are. We're looking for work. Erh, work that pays, I mean." Daniel indicated the dead men lying around them. The woman nodded solemnly and answered him, "You're in luck. I was coming into town to look for mercenaries, actually. My village is in need. Bandits constantly plague us and make life much harder than it needs to be."
Daniel's face brightened. "Well, I think I'm in. How about you, Sigmund?"