Encounter

Cecilia turns and sheathes her sword, glaring at the now floored knight as she twists her head forward; Bandro swings his body facing away from Cecilia, catching a dagger that was aimed for her back, a dirty move from the knight.

He may be old, but considering how fast he was able to react without even thinking twice, I'd say Bandro has some battle experience, higher than the average soldier by far, I must say I am curious.

The knights here are apart of a low ranking guild called "Winged Wolves", they aren't an extremely powerful guild by any means, that's why they mainly only take up guard jobs; Their leader is said to have a rare magic type, but it's probably nothing I haven't seen before - plus he moves around a lot, it's hard to get a hold of him.

The knights here aren't properly equipped with armour I believe, they don't wear helmets and their armour has many openings - maybe it's for extra mobility? even so, if they met someone faster than them they'd be killed considering the thinness of their armour and the openings, they're are basically asking to be poked.

We walk away from the scene, towards the stalls so that Bandro can collect the item he needed to trade at the last market from his cart; It's an elongated clothed bag, looks like a scroll sachel or something of the sort.

We reached the last store Bandro needed to visit, It's an old shabby looking building with a huge sign of two swords crossing blades backed by a shield.

We enter the store and I see all sorts of swords, great swords, long swords, straight swords, daggers etc with a lined of shields lining the walls behind the counter.

Behind the counter is an old man, I'm assuming he's a dwarf, although they're rare to see walking about in Meldova, you'll be sure to find them doing some blacksmith or pottery jobs, a creative species you could say.

the old man is stubby with long grey sweaty hair tied up back his back, two braided fringes pulled back following the rest of his hair behind him.

He wears leathered overalls with two straps wrapping over each shoulder of his grey shirt, covered in sweat stains, I could only assume that shirt was originally white.

"Hello old geeza, long time no see, did you miss me" Bendro says with a huge smile happy to see his friend

"Hello Bandro" the dwarf says, unimpressed by Bandro's entry

"It's nice to see you again, Hagon" Cecilia says with a kind smile

So Hagon is his name.

He hops over the counter after hearing Cecilia's voice and picks her up into a great hug.

"It's so nice to see ya lassie, how you been?" 

It seems Hagon is happier to see Cecilia than he is seeing Bandro, they must be close if his appearance made her smile.

"I've been splendid, now put me down - I'm not a child anymore Hagon" She says letting out a giggle

"Doesn't matter what you say lassie, you'll always be the same kid who used to steal my swords to use to hack down trees to me" He says with a booming laugh

Cecilia replies with a "Hmph" as Hagon and Bandro let out a laugh that echoes through the store.

Hagon places Cecilia down and turn towards Bandro.

"So what did you come here for today?"

Bandro places the elongated sachel onto the counter.

"Take a look" He replies.

Hagon goes around the desk behind the counter and opens the sachel to be met with an obsidian like material which causes Hagons eyes to light up like a Kid seeing gold.

"Where in hell did you get this?" Hagons asks

"Found it stickin out of a cave entrance near the Mines" He says while crossing his arms smuggly.

"Bloody hell, It's beautiful; what do you want me to do with it?"

"Not bothered what you do with it, just lookin for some money, name the price and it's yours to mold" Bandro says with the same smirk on his face as before

"5 silva?" Hagon asks with gleaming eyes

"you kidin me? don't be stingy u geeza, I could get two times that from a poron"

"Fine... 1 gold coin, take it or leave it" Hagon says folding his arms whilst in a huff

"That's more like it, let's shake on it" Bandro says with a smile of a scammer

These two have probably been bargaining like this with each other since they are in their 20s.

"Imma make a fine sword out of this beauty" Hagon says while holding a long kiss onto the gem

Hagon looks at me

"Sorry for the wait laddie, what you need?"

"Nah he's here with us he was just taggin along" Bandro answers for me

"You gettin that old you need a youngin to help guide you around?" Hagon lets out another deep heavy laugh

"Ha. Ha. Ha. Very funny Hagon, but no - I picked him up on the side of the road"

It seems Hagon has gotten into a better mood ever since he saw the gem.

"Anyway, good seein u again you old geeza" Bandro says

"good seein you too laddie"

Hagon walks towards Cecilia and tell hers to bend down.

"It was good seein you again kid" Hagon says while giving her a peck on the cheek

"It was nice to see you again too Hagon" Cecilia replies with a kind smile

We walk out of the store back towards the stalls when we hear a familiar voice shout.

"IT'S THEM"

we turn to see the lanky knight backed by at least 9 other knights, including the ones that were with him at the inn.

I see Cecilia immediately place her hand up on blade, readying to unsheathe it; she is quick, just light Bandro, I wonder where they're from.

One of the knights the closest behind the lanky knight, wears a thicker polished silver armour than the others, with the flag of his guild hanging over his left shoulder and arm, I'm guessing he is a more important figure in the guild than the others.

" S-SHE ATTACKED ME WITH WIND MAGIC" the lanky knight says pointing at Cecilia

"Quiet your squealing, tool" The more elegant looking knight commands

"My soldier tells me you attacked him with wind magic, is this the truth girl?"

"Don't escalate this any further than it has to Cicilia, just apologise so we can leave." Bandro whispers

"Your soldier waltzed into an inn giving out commands like a pig - I don't know about you Mr elegant, but that doesn't sound like a very protect and serve like soldier to me." Cecilia says with a very demeaning tone

Cecilia seems to not care for respecting high ranking figures, it's as if she is a royal compared to these mere soldiers, holding herself higher than the rest - I admire that about her.

The lanky knight tries to defend himself when the elegant knight shushes him with a finger.

"I sincerely apologise for my nephews rudeness sir, please forgive her naiveness ill be sure to teach her how to respect her superiors" Bandro says while bowing his upper torso

"Well, it seems I've been told two different stories, so I guess there is only one way to settle this matter"

"And what will that be, sir" Bandro replies lifting his head slightly from the bow

"A duel, If I win, your nephew will feel my blade against her throat but if I'm feeling nice enough, I'll spare her to be my wife - If she wins, you can all leave peacefully" 

I see the lanky knights lips curl into a devilish smile, he seems confident that his superior will win this duel - either his superior is truly strong, or the lanky knight is overestimating his superiors skill.

"B-but sir, surely there's anotha way we can settle this matter?" Bandro replies with a awkward smile

I feel as if Bandro isn't concerned for what'll happen to Cecilia, but for what will happen to the knight.

"I accept the challenge" Cecilia sluggishly says before the knight can reply

"Great, i knew you had the guts" he says with a big smirk

The villagers seem to scatter away as the knights form a large circle that me and Bandro connect to as Cecilia walks into the battlefield.

"My name is Lorel Se Lorne, I will make sure you never forget that name, girl"