11 Encounter In The Woods
"What's your name Boy?" asked Mark to Tsubotai.
"Tsubotai, but everyone calls Sub." he replied politely.
"And you look after these horses well?" Mark asked.
"Very well sir, it's my job, but I also love these horses like they were family." Tsubotai replied.
Whilst Mark was thinking of the best way to recruit the boy, Gan Ning was gently stroking the red horses mane. The horses happily responded to his attention.
"That's Red Hare, he's super friendly to those he deems worthy and the loyalist steed you will find!" Tsubotai said, "He's the fastest of the 5 here."
"Can I have this one Boss?' Gan Ning asked.
Mark nodded in agreement, still thinking of how he could recruit Tsubotai, completely ignoring the question.
"How did you come to work here?" Boudica asked suddenly.
"I was bought as a boy from my parents, they were poor and couldn't afford their debts, so they sold me. The Owner bought me soon after and has always treated me well." Tsubotai replied.
"Do you hate your parents?" Boudica asked seriously, a fire burning in her eyes.
Mark at first wondered where she was going, but understood that her brief stint in slavery had caused this.
"No I don't, they are my parents and I understand their plight." Tsubotai replied.
He then talked them through the rest of the horses, the white one which Boudica claimed. The Owner soon returned and exchanged gold with Mark.
"How much for the Boy." Boudica asked as they were about to leave.
"He's not for sale, he's been here a long time and is like family now" The Owner replied.
"We will free him and make him part of our brigade. He will have a life of adventure." Mark replied suddenly, realising this was his chance.
The Owner looked at Tsubotai thoughtfully for what seemed a long time.
"I want him, name your price for his freedom." Boudica added.
"He's only a slave in name, it's his choice." The Owner replied depressed.
Tsubotai looked surprised, he had a choice? He had never been in this situation before.
"Do I actually have a choice?" Tsubotai asked. The Owner nodded at him in reply dejectededly. before he excitedly replied "I would like to adventure if I may? I can stay with the horses and tend for them!"
"Very well, if that's your choice." The owner replied.
And with that Mark had recruited his next member. Tsubotai quickly ran in to the stables and grabbed his stuff, he had a small bow with arrows he used for hunting rabbits and a small satchel with his belongings.
System Notification:
Congratulations on your first recruit
4/5 mercenaries
0/1 base of operations
*Get to Ravens Peak, don't die on the way and you will have completed your first quest!*
"Thanks Wilson for the encouragement!" Mark said sarcastically.
...
Mark, Boudica, Gan Ning and Tsubotai headed on horseback towards the forest at the edge of Runetown. The direction they were aiming for was through the forest at the foot of Mount Tai, they would then take a left at a folk halfway through towards Ravens Peak.
According to Gan Ning, Ravens Peak was a large hill that overlooked the water to the north of Runetown. The fort had been built there many years ago by the Honda Kingdom as an outpost to flag any invading forces that may come this way. After years of peace, this fort along with many others had been slowly abandoned, before it was occupied by the pirate forces of Captain Zheng.
They entered the forest which was heavily overgrown. Tall pine trees encompassed the skyline, giving the needle ridden floor a dark and fearsome feeling. The needles from the pine tree crunched under the feet of the horses.
Ferns, Bushes and smaller trees covered the middle ground, limiting the viewing distance of the riders.
"This forest has seen a lot of death." Boudica said, which caused a shiver to sneak up Mark's spine.
"There was a battle here over a hundred years ago, many capable warriors died." Gan Ning added, "They say the ghosts still wander at night, whining at their miserable defeat."
Mark instantly paled, he didn't know much about this world, were there ghosts?
Tsubotai looked at Boudics and Gan Nings faces and suddenly burst out with laughter. Gan Ning and Boudica installed joined in. Mark looked at their smug faces and laughed as well.
"You are too easy." Gan Ning laughed. "This is a busy trading route, we have enough wood for the shipwrights that they don't head too deep in too the woods, hence why it is so overgrown."
"So there are no ghosts?" Mark asked, looking for reassurance.
"No," replied Gan Ning. "These forests are relatively safe, we should be at the Peak within the next few hours."
They continued their journey merrily, Mark spoke with Tsubotai and learned much about his past. He had been a slave most of his life with the horse trainers, they had treated him well and in his down time he had often hunted for rabbits and small animals with his bow, the fellows on the ranch loved his treats upon his return. Mark discussed their goals and Tsubotai had big ambition to fight along side them.
The journey was smooth until they reached a fork in the road, one direction headed towards the peak, with the other heading to Mount Tai and beyond.
"We shall head left here." Gan Ning advised.
"Very well then." Mark replied.
They headed down the path, with Gan Ning in front and Boudica to the rear. They headed down the path for around 20 minutes before anything changed.
The first thing they noticed was the rustling in the bushes, Gan Ning paused their progress and Boudica rode close to Mark's side, protecting him from anything that may happen. Subconsciously she knew her life as a free woman depended on Mark's survival.
Seconds later a large deer ran from the Bush, it crossed in front of them and entered the forest on the other side. They breathed a sigh of relief.
"Would you like me to hunt it?" Tsubotai asked politely.
"Not today, but in the future." Mark replied.
"I doubt it." A deep voice said from their side.
Suddenly a large man, wearing fur clothes and a viking style horned helmet appeared from behind another Bush.
"Damn Deer spoiling our fun!" another voice stated.
Mark looked at the two men who came from the side. He then looked behind and noticed a few more figures. They had been surrounded by a further 6 men in similar clothing. They had an assortment of weapons, with 2 archers at the back.
The leader stepped forward.
Character Information
Name - Little John
Position - Bandit Leader
Age - 45
Relationship - Positive *Be wary, he wants your money*
Level - 3
Additional Information - In a past life, Little John was a member of Robin Hoods regiment. Robbing from the rich and giving to the poor.
Skills - Bandit, Confident, Ambush Expert.
More information upon level up.
Behind him the second man who spoke stepped forward.
Character Information
Name - Jama
Position - Bandit Warrior
Age - 32
Relationship - Negative *Wants your head, and your money*
Level - 2
Additional Information - In a past life, Jama was a Zulu warrior, famous for his fearless demeanor. He killed many British soldiers during the Zulu wars.
Skills - Fearless, Head Strong, Spear expert.
More information upon level up.
"Give us your gold, and we may let you live." Little John advised.
"Give us the girl, and we may let you live." added Jama.
Mark knew these couldn't be trusted, but they were surrounded. For a moment fear hit him, he didn't know what to do.
"Kill them or run." Wilson advised.
"I've never killed someone before!" Mark replied, terrified.
"It's a different world, you want to run a mercenary troupe, how else do you expect to survive?" Wilson challenged.
Before Mark could do anything, Gan Ning was charging his red horse towards Jama and Little John. Boudica and Tsubotai had both drawn their bows and were pulling back their strings.
Within a heart beat, 2 archers from behind had dropped, arrows protruding from their eyes. Boudica and Tsubotai shared a grin before reloading.
In the second heart beat, Gan Ning drew his twin swords and slashed down towards Jama, who was holding a spear in defence, completely not expecting the quick response.
In the third heartbeat, Boudica and Tsubotai aimed at the other two behind. Mark suddenly realised what was happening and grabbed his spear from his back.
Gan Ning slashed down again at Jama who blocked, Little John then swiped his axe towards the red horses leg. An arrow hit the axe, which made him pull it back suddenly. Boudica stared him down before reloading once more.
Another person dropped from behind them, with the remaining bandit at the rear running. Tsubotai reloaded once more and shot, hitting the bandit in the back of the neck. All 4 bandits from behind were dead within a few heartbeats.
The remaining two shared a glance of fear, before rushing at Tsubotsi and Boudica. Boudica dropped her bow and drew her bastard sword, pushing her white horse in front of tsubotsi to meet the bandits head on.
Mark reached Gan Ning who was still slashing down at Jama, his spear poised ready to strike. He had forgotten his earlier panic, he has only known Gan Ning for a day, but the trust he had for this man, who had already charged to protect him, would be remembered for a lifetime.
Another arrow had been deflected by Little John by the time Mark's spear impaled Jama's stomach. The momentum from the horse lifted Jama in to the air, blood and guts spreading down the shaft. A look of shock was shared on both Jama and Mark's face, neither of them had expected this sudden situation.
"Jama!" Little John exclaimed. An arrow from Tsubotai suddenly hitting him in the arm.
"Fuck!" he exclaimed, "Pull back!" he shouted at the remaining 2 bandits who were slashing at Boudica.
Gan Ning wheeled his swords, slashing at Little John who was turning to run through the forest. The blade caught his back, and a huge slash appeared through his fur clothing, revealing an open wound. Little John screamed in agony, before jumping in to the bushes and forest beyond.
Gan Ning went to follow, but Boudica stopped him.
"Don't follow!" she advised, "There could be more men and the horses will struggle if we leave the path."
Mark was still looking down at the dying Jama, who still had the spear impaled through his stomach.
"I, I, I just killed someone." He exclaimed shocked and dejected.
"I just killed 4." Tsubotai said excitedly, "One got away though."
"You did well!" exclaimed Boudica, "We should compete when we get chance, your archery is as good as mine!"
Gan Ning headed over to Mark and patted his shoulder.
"First kill?" Gan Ning asked seriously.
"Yes." replied Mark.
"It gets easier, atleast these men were guilty and deserved it. That's our mission isn't? To defeat people like this so everyone else can live happily?" Gan Ning expressed.
"You are right!" Mark replied.
System Notification
Congratulations on your new skill, Spear Fighting Basics *You stuck him with the pointy end*
System Notification
Congratulations on your first kill, system reward - 1000 Gold.
