Xavori
The One That Got Away
'Twas a peaceful night, not
many creatures or would-be heroes roaming around. This of course
meant that I was bored. And so, I decided to go wandering to a
new town where perhaps a new group of victims would await me.
Thus I set off for Trinsic.
It was not my first time within
the stone walls of the city of paladins, however it was my
longest visit. I started asking the various shopkeepers about
their wares and better learning the layout of the town so I would
be better prepared for any adventures that might occur.
While wandering, I came upon a
rare sight, a young ranger with a pet drake. I admired the
creature for a moment contemplating. Then it came to me and I
smiled…
"Help, a dragon is inside
the town walls and is killing everyone!" I cried out.
A couple fighters rushed to my
aid, then saw the dragon and turned tail and ran. Most of the
rest of the people in the area started screaming for the guards
and rushing around in mindless panic. Finally, people started
noticing the dragon wasn't really attacking anyone and the
confusion died down. I chuckled as I walked to the armory which
seemed to be one of the more crowded parts of town.
As I crossed the bridge towards
the armory a very young looking fighter wearing a bone
breastplate and chain coif approached me.
"Hail," he said in
greeting.
"Well met," I
replied.
"Could you please help me
get some plate armor?" he asked.
This question and those like it
are basically how most victims identify themselves to me. It
always amazes me how quickly the youth of Sosaria have been made
soft and helpless by Lord British's so-called virtues and the
homicidal guards that enforce them.
"Yes, I can. Follow
me."
"Okay."
Okay, not only is he soft and
helpless, but he's daft. He knows nothing about me, yet he's
perfectly content to follow me out into the wilderness. I start
leading him out of town. I stop at the gates to ready my war
fork, shield and helm, then start leading him north. I had
already led several other naïve and gullible would-be heroes to
their downfall, and so I knew exactly where to take him.
"We're going to the
swamps."
"k" he replied.
A quick question for all of
thee…how many reading this would follow a complete stranger
dressed in black and better armed into a swamp? My new toy seemed
perfectly content to do so, however.
We continued moving quickly
through the forest, I had to pause several times to let the
obviously out-of-shape fighter catch his breath. After a short
time, we arrived at my destination. I walked behind him, then
whirled and dropped into a fighting stance.
"Drop your bone armor,
now." I commanded.
"Why?"
I should have expected this
question from one so weak in the head as him even though my
intentions would have been perfectly obvious to one of normal
intelligence.
"Because if thou doth not,
I will take it from thy bleeding corpse."
The fighter immediately took
off running. At last, a sign of intelligence from this fool.
Things were looking better already. Perhaps he would provide some
sport in a fight when I caught him.
I took up the chase, and even
though I wear full plate, I am well used to moving quickly in it.
Combined with the youth's lack of training, I quickly caught up
with him.
"Wait. I'll do it,"
he blubbered.
Normally, I would have run him
through on the spot for running. However, I'd already had several
other toys try to escape and all had given up their equipment and
gold when finally caught. I also had been lured into thinking him
too dull-witted to fool me, but I was wrong. As soon as I paused,
he took off running again, ducking and diving through the trees.
I started the chase again, and
struck several blows to his yellow hide, but I knew I would not
bring him down before he reached the gates of Trinsic. I stopped
north of the town and smiled as I watched him race back to the
safety of the city.
'Tis not everyday a victim
outwits me, but it does happen. My hat is off to the young whelp
who bested me. Lady luck doth truly smile on thee.
|
Stratics Central
