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[SirAston]

"Ah, Lord Dunas? Mind if I uh, talk with you?"

"I do not mind, Rork. What's the matter?"
Dunas' posture is relaxed, his expression neutral but inviting. He is definitely willing to listen to the former bandit.

"Somewhat. It's nothing, Lord Dunas."
Emilia quietly reads the letter.
"What could he need?"

Dunas nods his head.
"As you say. Then, my duty is done for now. Please excuse me."
Thus, the knight leaves and let Emilia have some room, so she could read the letter without disturbance.

Spoiler: To Lady Emilia Ragnvald, Secondborn of House Ragnvald, Maiden Warrior at duty (click to show/hide)

Salutations, dearest sister, I have received word of your recent accomplishment at dismantling the infamous bandit group known as Ghal's Marauders, and that so shortly after your contribution to the war, where you stood tall where other Maidens faltered. I do not blame those who returned, the war took a toll on all of us, but those who returned sung high praise of you. You make our family name proud. Maybe you truly are close to the exalted herself, Most Honorable Lady Gunnthra. However, know that it is not your fate to emulate Her Most Honorable. No matter how much you may resemble Her, never forget that you are Emilia Ragnvald, my dearest sister. This is your own path, not you following long-withered footsteps on a path overgrown with grass. Find and fight for peace because you believe in it. Ah, even in written form I tend to argue and squabble with you. Please forgive me, dearest sister. The purpose of this letter, aside from earnestly praising you, is two-fold. First, I intend to participate in King Alfalm's feast. Most certainly you will attend it too as part of the knight's company, so I hope that this may fill you with joyful anticipation for our reunion after so many years. Speaking of the knight, the second reason is that I got curious about Sir Dunas of Dunland. So I investigated his past and present, as much as I was able to without diplomatic strains or incidents. I am willing to discuss these matters with you in person and you are free to scold me for doing something so trivial and unnecessary for someone of my position. For now, you only need to know one thing. Be careful. The appearance may not match the history. Most warm greetings, Patrice Ragnvald Count palatine of Phaelan Patriarch of House Ragnvald

[GreenKnight]

Rork was not good at talking to people, as it was never really required in his line of work besides short orders and terse threats. However, he did try his best to be polite while still getting his question across.
"So, what... Do you want me to do? I can track. I can find paths in mountains. I can... Try to make up for the fact my head's not in a noose or under an axe blade right now. I just don't know why you let me live."

[SirAston]

"... I see."
Almen takes a bite from one of the cookies.
"Both of you care deeply about the art of ending one's suffering. The difference is that you, Artair, continue seeking the impossibility of the immediate, painless, stainless death. You meanwhile, Rhian, have accepted that it is impossible, and found solace in the paradox that a display of violence could deter further violence."

The shopkeeper stands up, moving closer to the two warriors, needing to look down at them due to his stature.

"Tell me, Artair. How would you end my life from where you stand?"


"Do not confuse me for a nobleman born with a silver spoon in their mouth. I am no aristocrat. I grew to the man I am today through hard, diligent work, but nonetheless I can relate to people like you. You've had some bad luck, made some bad choices, but you never did them because you wanted to make them. Even though you betrayed me, you walked into the trap with me. You did that to protect Noel. Yes, I noticed that much."

Sir Dunas places his hand on Rork's shoulder.

"Sure, maybe you wished to atone for your past, that's why you walked into the trap, so you could hurt Ghal even if it would kill you. But sometimes, fate leaves a martyr alive so they can focus on making the world a better place. Yet, I can understand if you still feel like needing to atone further for past misdeeds. In that case... you could provide some wood and muscle for new homes in the Outpost. You could assist in acquiring game, preparing rations and tanning leather. Maybe gather some herbs, mushrooms and plants for our healers and the kitchen? A helping hand during nightwatch is something the people would always appreciate. There's a lot to do in this community and you're a part of it. Because we wouldn't be here without you. You helped making it possible."

[TricMagic]

"... I see."
Almen takes a bite from one of the cookies.
"Both of you care deeply about the art of ending one's suffering. The difference is that you, Artair, continue seeking the impossibility of the immediate, painless, stainless death. You meanwhile, Rhian, have accepted that it is impossible, and found solace in the paradox that a display of violence could deter further violence."

The shopkeeper stands up, moving closer to the two warriors, needing to look down at them due to his stature.

"Tell me, Artair. How would you end my life from where you stand?"

Artairtakes some deep breaths to calm herself from Rhian's inciting words.

"Draw my blade, strike at the wrists, avoid grabs, and slash at the throat or shoulder. Use my speed to avoid being grabbed. A strike under the arm or through the neck."
What Artair described is rather textbook for her. Armor means her sword is less effective, and her size means striking weak points in their form.

[Sora]

Maria jumped up in shock as she was suddenly hearing the voice she was looking for, turning around swiftly only to look into the wide grin of the person she was looking for.

"By the goddess Lulu you scared me...

The dark mage shock her head. How did she not notice her sneaking up like that?!

"Actually I was looking for you to be precise. I remembered the promise I made to you, and before using all the coin I got from our little adventure, thought I should make due on it. After all, I wouldn't wish for you to think an honorable mage as myself was tricking you into granting me such knowledge for free"

[Chevaleresse]

"You make it sound poetic when you put it like that. I just want the people I hit with my axe to die. It is a good way to get the rest to sit down and shut up, though."

[GreenKnight]

Rork took the information Dunas gave him with a stern expression locked onto his features. He honestly couldn't tell if this man was painfully naïve, truly that confident, or just meant what he said word for word. The inner cynic inside himself refused to believe Dunas outright, but there was little reason for him to refuse the community labor if it meant that there would be less suspicion on him.

Another part of him was simply impressed by Dunas' respect of himself. Considering how little Ghal actually cared about his subordinates, this was a refreshing change of pace that he would take over Ghal's rampages any day you could name.

"I'll do some service. I know how to find good herbs in the hills, and good timber too. It's been too long since I've held a bow, but I can set traps. I'll find something to do."

[IamanElfCollaborator]

As Emilia reads the letter calmly, she pauses a moment, before calling out for Dunas.
"Lord Dunas, could I have a moment?"

[SirAston]

"Draw my blade, strike at the wrists, avoid grabs, and slash at the throat or shoulder. Use my speed to avoid being grabbed. A strike under the arm or through the neck."

"Very standard response. It's a good answer to give a drill sergeant. But you've already seen a few battlefields so far, right? Why not distract me and pull all my attention while Rhian delivers a hefty blow to the back of my head? Might make me lose conciousness. Then you can achieve the clean kill you wish to deliver."
Almen chuckles and looks towards Rhian.
"Same for you. In this limited space and with my size, it would be quite cumbersome to cleave me head-first. But I'm sure you can have quite the threatening aura towards your foes. Good enough for Artair to slash or pierce the back of my neck while focusing on you."
The giant shopkeeper returns to his seat, continuing to munch on his cookie.
"When you can cooperate like that intuitively, then the seeming impossibility of the painless kill may shift just a bit further within reach."

"I'll do some service. I know how to find good herbs in the hills, and good timber too. It's been too long since I've held a bow, but I can set traps. I'll find something to do."

"That's the spirit. I'm certain you'll find your place here."

"Lord Dunas, could I have a moment?"

"Of course, Lady Emilia. Whatis the matter?"

[Aurorix]

Lulu lets out a little bit of giggles, "Maria you're so cute when you get startled! You should really watch your 6 more often!~"


"Paying off your depths so quickly? That IS very honorable of you! Dang, and I was looking forward to holding it over your head while I could. Oh well, your honor was a boon for you today but for how long will that last?~" She claps her hands and then places them on her hips, almost triumphantly, "Sooooo, lead the wake to the payment!"

[Sora]

Maria was a bit irritated at first at what Lulu had said, but was willing to ignore it for the time being.

"Well I mean I wouldn't want you to think i'm a good-for-nothing, run-of-the-mill mage who exploits others for her own gain. And besides, everybody knows you should keep somebody who can get you things you value but are hard to come by close.

With all that said, Maria made her way to where she believed somebody who could sell sweets would be. She hadn't done the research where to find them though, so just like her search for Lulu, this too proved to be a bit of a struggle.

"It helps that I share your enthusiasm for sweet treats. I just wouldn't have bought myself one in favor of, well, keeping my gold close to me so I can consider bigger purchases in the future..."

[Chevaleresse]

Rhian shrugged.
"I suppose it does. That assumes the cooperation can happen, though, and Miss Honor here doesn't seem to like me or my fighting style much."

[TricMagic]

"And you're clearly unworried about my concern."

"Still, it's not without merit..." It's not like she's just going to stop.

"There have been a number of times I've worked together with others, including this last battle we had."

[Chevaleresse]

"I didn't ask for your concern. Mind yourself, not me."

[IamanElfCollaborator]

"Two questions. Firstly, what do you know of the upcoming feast with King Alfham?"