Arcaea/Dining Hall Late 08-09/All's Well in Orbeh
The last rays of light peaked through the treetops casting twisted shadows on the forest floor. The eggshell petals drifting carelessly in the spectral sky. Thalathafn walked along the wooden platform of the palisade connecting two large dogwoods. In an instant he slapped the back of his neck, the dimple of blood evidence of the nights feast. Nicodemus set a lit his torch as darkness crept closer. Dots of amber flame sprung to life around the encampment. The High Marshal and his captain continued around the first natural pillar inspecting the work of the palisade. Thalathafn's mail jingled to a backdrop of crickets as he made his way down the steps instilled in the side of the tree. At the opened gate, Thalathafn noticed the glowing orbs staring back at him from across the clearing.
Sir Thalathafn Urominiel General of Arcaea, Marshal of the Field of Honour
The massive, scabbed frame of Euran Yetisbane was one that would not usually be associated with concepts like 'stealthy' and 'quiet'. However, Euran eschewed armour when battle was not expected, relying upon his heavy but soundless yeti pelt to prevent unanticipated blades from adding another scar to his collection. He had ventured out from his camp more to escape the sullen atmosphere surrounding his men than to enjoy the fresh spring air. They had not enjoyed the labour he had put them to, and to be fair, Euran himself preferred to lead troops into battle rather than direct them in construction work.
The heavy training regimen he had hoped would distract them had apparently only worsened the situation. The men were away from home, in a region with little love for Arcaeans. Resentment was to be expected. Nevertheless, Euran was generally met with sullen stares and meaningful looks whenever he wandered around the training camp.
Leaning heavily against a tree, which groaned under his weight, the viking sighed. Neither the idyllic twittering of birds, the bright spring petals nor the vivid sunset held Euran's attention. Instead he was introspective, pondering what the future held for Arcaea. As much as peace was not his natural element, he did not wish harm to befall his realm. Most particularly he did not want trouble to affect Lantzas. The region had suffered enough, and he was still engaged in the difficult task of eradicating the bandits that plagued the barrens. Every time he thought he had them under control, he would leave his region and they would return as if they had never been culled.
Euran was startled out of his reverie by the soft sound of chain mail clinking ahead of him. A born soldier, he was instantly alert for enemies. An attack? Peasants would never be bold enough, and the Sartanians had signed a truce. Not that he trusted them. They worshiped a war god after all. Peace was not in their nature. Just as he was about to draw his belt knife, Euran spotted the figure which was smoothly descending the tree-cut steps. He stepped forwards and strolled out of the cover of the trees.
"General Thalathafn." His voice held none of its usual booming aggression. It was a statement of fact, a gruff but respectful greeting, rather than a boisterous wall of sound that overwhelmed its listener. "You have been inspecting the palisade?" He smiled, the scars twisting his expression so that almost resembled a grimace. "Have you forgotten? We are at peace." Even standing beside the palisade, surrounded by trees twice his height and in the middle of a clearing, Euran was an impressive figure. He loomed out of the twilight, his shadow stretching out to envelope the forest.
Euran Yetisbane Kandurell Baron of Lantzas
Turning to the voice, Thalathafn squinted to make out his complexion in the twilight. "Ah Baron Euran, yes we are at peace but we should not be overly complacent. Whether the threat be from the minuscule or the mighty we should be prepared, though tonight it would seem to be the former." Thalathafn said as he smitten the mosquito on his arm. Thalathafn pointed across the clearing, "you see those, mostly likely deer but what if..." As he said this the deer darted out of the thicket followed by something much more vile. Thalathafn drew his sword and looked over at Baron Euran with a smile.
Sir Thalathafn Urominiel General of Arcaea, Marshal of the Field of Honour
This was Orbeh, a region within spitting distance of two cities, not the Mountains of Moramroth. Euran could not prevent himself from smiling. The forest was a large one, to be sure, but there were surely no monsters hiding within its depths. Nevertheless, Euran played along with his General's hints at danger, his eyes following Thalathafn's gesture across the clearing.
"General Thalathafn, as much as I enjoy the thought of coming to grips with a monster, I am a seasoned hunter of such things and..." His lopsided grin turned wicked, and a surprised but pleased expression, like that of a tiger who finds a rabbit has fallen out of the sky into his paws, crossed his face. "It appears that I still have much to learn." These forests apparently had potential. He would have to consider leading a hunting party in them at some point, to explore what manner of beasts might lurk beneath the green foliage. For now, however, there was a more immediate opportunity.
Drawing his belt knife, Euran announced, "They do not call me Yetisbane for nothing!" He settled into a half crouch as the deer came darting towards them. It turned aside, seeing the two humans ahead of it, but the monster was not maneuverable enough change its path. In a blur of speed, all Euran could make out was its big shaggy, brown fur and gleaming eyes. He rolled smoothly aside, leaving a red line down the thing's flank, then swiveled quickly to observe his prey.
Euran Yetisbane Kandurell Baron of Lantzas
