DRAGONS AND BANDITS

Stepping onto the dock was sweet relief. 7 days crammed into the quarters not much bigger than a closet did little for the man's weary bones. The small vessel made poor time moving up river, but it was the quickest way to travel up the Long Valley.

Looking around the man saw the forest began just a few hundred yards inland from the river's bank. He also noticed the small inn at the edge of the forest. After ensuring he left nothing aboard the vessel, he grabbed his travel bag and his swords and headed up the short dock heading toward the inn.

The innkeeper was an amiable fellow who welcomed him, and his gold. The man purchased a modest room for the night, one with a comfortable bed. After securing his gear he headed to the back of the inn.....to the bathhouse to unwind.

Several other men were enjoying the bathhouse when he walked in. Slipping into the bath off in a corner by himself the man relaxed and refreshed himself. Then he noticed two of the other men watching him. But that was okay, as he was watching them as well. As he watched everyone who was around him. These two were different though.

"They carry themselves as those with military training" thought the man to himself. After several minutes the man decided to leave and get a good nights sleep. That is when he noticed one of the men approaching him......

Stryder paced back and forth over the rough wooden floor of his office. He was worried. He had sent his men to see if the news was true, if the word in the tavern was right.

He had arrived. This very afternoon, by boat.

The implications of the news was very far reaching. Stryder had spent months in this village, he had put a lot of energy in to it. Now that this...this nightmare of a man had arrived...well, Stryder would have to move first, and soon.

Very soon.

He watched as the man approached. This was the younger of the two. Not bad looking, except for the scar on his left check. He had the stench of arrogance all over him.

"Say, old timer, what is your name" demanded young man.

"My name......is none of your concern" replied the traveler.

"I do not like strangers coming into my village; but if I knew your name, you would no longer be a stranger. So, tell me your name!" demanded the man with the scar on his face.

He ignored the demand and began to move past this intruder when he caught the glint of the knife blade as the arrogant pup pulled it from it's hiding place.

*retreat - sidestep* #lunge# *block - step forward - push* #fall back - regroup - step forward - swipe# *dodge* #swipe# *sidestep* #lunge forward# *block - step forward - punch*

He looked at the young man writhing on the ground grasping at this throat where he had been punched. The older ruffian approached quickly. "You should help your friend relax. His breathing will become easier when he relaxes"

The weary traveler left the two "soldiers" and exited the bathhouse. He retreated to his room and lay on his bed, hoping sleep would come soon and long.

After watching the little scuffle in the doorway of the bath house Falks chuckled "the older fellow had some moves" he thought

"Maybe he would be a worthy addition to the band" he mused
"What are you laughing about commoner" said the older Soldier
Helix rose from the bath and wrapped his towel around himself "I would curb that tongue of yours lest you wish to lose it" he said reaching fo his Sword
The soldier backed down "sorry mi lord" he said as he looked at the floor.
Helix Grunted and walked past him to collect the rest of his things from the bench before leaving and returning to his room.

He dressed himself quickly for bed and jumped in and was soon sleeping.

roused by the crowing of some far off Cockral Helix groned before he got up it was a new day bringing with it new adventures
and gods willing new riches and maybe new women.

But first it was time for breakfast. Helix made his way to the Tavern and selected a table by the door with his back to the wall none could enter without him seeing them and the fresh air from the street outside was nice and sweet with the smell of bread...

He woke only mildly refreshed. With each passing year, his body seemed to get more and more tired; or was that his mind that was fatigued.

It was nearly 30 years ago that he had been abandoned in this land when the merchant ship he worked on left port without him. It was his own fault having passed out in an alley from too much drink. He was 4 hours late to the dock, hoping Captain Gerald had decided to wait for him, but no such luck existed.

He wandered about town for several days trying to find work, shelter and food, but being unable to speak the local language impeded his every effort. Finally a landowner took pity on him and gave him work in exchange for a shack to sleep in and the leftover from the meals in the house.

He was there for 5 years when the landowner asked him for some assistance. From that day forward he and the landowner sparred everyday. The landowner was practicing his hand to hand combat skills while the foreigner was given an education in battle skills and techniques. 3 years of this training honed both their skills. The landowner, impressed with his skill and aptitude asked him to lead the "security" force on the estate. He was moved to the house and given a room and a place at his master's table.

Soon the master began to call him "man of stone" as he had few weaknesses. For the last 15 years, that was shortened to just Stone, in the tradition of many of the gaijin to shorten their names.

Stone thought of the letter in his satchel. The letter that had brought him here. He sat up on his bed and rubbed his eyes. He thought of the men last night and hoped he would not have to deal with them again, but deep down he knew better. He dressed, carefully hiding several knives from sight, collected his belongings and made his way outside. The smell of sweet bread hung in the air, Stone followed his nose to find breakfast. He found himself entering a small tavern and taking a seat at a table farthest from the door, which would allow him to see the whole room.

As the old man from last night entered the tavern Helix spotted him and watched him as he sat on the other side of the tavern.

moments later a young woman entered the Tavern and looked around before finaly giving up, as she turned to leave she looked strait at Falks and in an instant Helix knew who she was.

Her eyes narrowed as the two mesured each other, Helix began to count "1...2...3" he thought as he rolled aside to avoid the blade that flew at him, the woman let out a yell before charging and jumping into a Dragon Kick which Helix blocked she landed on her feet and span fists flying...

... Helix blocked yet more attempts to knock him down and he could see the rage building in his attackers eyes his constant smirking was just adding to her anger "Assassins" he thought "this could go on for ever time to end it girly" he said enraging her more, showing great finesse he span knocking her next blow aside and planted his elbow between hes shoulder blades then while she reeled from his attack grabed he hair and brought her down to the floor head first with a thud.

he knelt beside her and checked her pulse she was still alive but was out cold. he stood and returned to his table to continue his meal...

Stone had barely settled in for breakfast and ordered his food when he noticed a young woman enter and look around quickly. She seemed very agitated and in a hurry. She turned to leave but suddenly stopped and looked at the man in the corner.

In a flash a knife was in the air and a skirmish ensued. Stone contemplated helping the woman. 'What kind of brute would fight with a woman?' asked Stone to himself. But the fight was over almost before it began. The man, with cold efficiency had thrown the woman to the ground and ended the fight - then he returned to his table to finish his meal.

Stone watched the man, not because he necessarily wanted to, but the man was quick, smart, and possibly an enemy -- and Stone recognized him as being in the bath house last night. He had to keep an eye on that one.

The waiter interrupted his musing by bringing his meal. Stone began to eat hungrily. Food on the small boat was less than desirable.

The door to the tavern opened and in walked 6 men, two of whom Stone recognized from the bath house. Stone got that bad feeling again. The one that told him someone was gonna end up dead.

Stryder stepped into the tavern a few seconds after his men had sat down. He sat at his usual table by the bar and looked around. He was here. Sat in the corner like he owned the bloody place. The bile started to rise as he looked at him. The hatred he felt was almost visceral.

Stone.

The man who stole Stryders position of power in his previous employment. If it wasn't for Stone becoming all friendly with the landowner, who was an idiot, and teaching him things that he really didn't, in Stryders opinion, need to know, then by now Stryder would've been the landowner. All his carefully laid plans had been shot to shit when the landowner told Stryder he was being replaced.

So Stryder had packed up a few belongings, left his comfortable lodgings and wandered out into the world as a homeless, jobless vagabond. He travelled for a while, and then he came across this place. A place ripe for the picking. All he had to do was play it cautiously, carefully, and he could have the position of power he craved. And he was close, so close.

Stone.

How in all of creation had he known to come here? Why had he come? Was he just passing through, or was he here for trouble? Damn.

Stryder glance around the tavern. Falks was in here too. Stryder didn't know much about Falks, only that there must be a reason for him to be in the taproom this early. Falks was looking down at the body of a woman laying at his feet. Typical.

Damn Stone! He'd only been around for five minutes and already things were changing.

Stryder shook his head and motioned to the barmaid, a buxom young wench whom he had recently entertained. He asked for his usual morning meal, sat back and waited for his men to move.

Stone watched the older of his two "friends" from last night come over to his table and sit down. The man smelled of alcohol even at this early hour.

"You almost killed my friend last night.....and over what? All we asked you for was your name. Today, you will tell me your name." said the man in a menacing tone.

Stone set his utensils down, wiped his mouth with his napkin and, after swallowing the food in his mouth said "Like I said last night, my name is of no concern to you. Now I would like to finish my breakfast in peace, please leave!" demanded Stone.

The man made no gesture to leave. Instead he waved hand and two more of the gang game over and flanked Stone on either side. Stone watched them carefully, trying to determine if any of them were carrying any kind of weapon.

"My friends and I want to know your name. Then we can be friends too" smiled the half drunk brute.

Stone set his hands in his lap and stared directly at the drunkard. "I asked you leave my table" said Stone carefully as he slowly moved a hand onto the handle of one of his hidden knives.

Stone stared at his adversary waiting for him to make his choice

Falks got up and walked over to Stone's table and claped the drunk on the shoulder "ah its you from last night i see you have not curbed that tongue of yours" said Falks, The man looked around and stood up face to face with Helix "You know what" said the drunk as he pocked Helix on the chest "you know what you might be a Lord but you aint got no land" he said drunkenly still pocking Helix, who grabed the man's index finger and twisted forcing the brute to his knees. the man to Stone's right stepped forward and swang at Falks who caught his fist mid swing...

Stone, still unsure about the stranger from the corner, was still glad to see him tap the drunkard on the shoulder. Then everything went to hell really fast.

Within a matter of seconds, this stranger had managed to engage two of the men surrounding Stone. In the corner of his eye, Stone saw the third begin to move toward the scuffle. With a flick of his wrist Stone shot his knife the short distance sinking it into the man's chest. The man fell to his knees on the floor of the tavern clutching the knife, then he fell over dead.

Quickly reaching into his bag under his seat Stone retrieved one of his swords. He took 3 steps forward to confront the other three goons who were all moving in his direction.

Stryder sat in his chair eating his breakfast. He had an excellent view of the proceedings, although if he was honest, things weren't turning out precisely as he had hoped.

His men started to drop like flies, some dead, some unconscious. All wounded, bleeding.

He mopped the corners of his mouth, finished his drink and got up to leave. As he approached the door of the tavern he turned to look at the carnage. All his men were down and Stone had gone back to his meal. Falks was going through the pockets of one of his men. As he looked, Stone looked up from his now empty plate and looked straight at Stryder. He turned and stepped through the door into the overcast morning.

He walked briskly back to his office, deep in thought. Had Stone recognised him? Even if not he would have seen the look on Stryders face, one of malice and ill-will. It was likely that Stone guessed that Stryder was behind the little tete-a-tete he had just enjoyed. Would Stone now come after him? Or would he take the hint and get the hell out of his village? Judging by the past, the answer would be no. He would stick around long enough to ruin all Stryder had worked for, and then he would leave.

Stryder arrived in his office and took his crossbow from the cupboard behind his desk. He spent a few minutes loading it, then leant it against his desk, people on the other side would not see it.

Then he started to go through his papers, waiting for the visit from Stone.

Stone made quick work of the three men. It helped that they didn't coordinate their attacks. Instead of working as a team each tried their own tactic. Stone was able to dispatch two of the men with non-life threatening pokes with his sword.

The third managed to avoid the tip of the sword and land a punch into Stone's chest. Taking a step back after the blow allowed Stone to gain position on the man. A quick spin enabled Stone to slice the man's leg off below the knee.

Stone looked around quickly only to see the stranger standing by watching him. Stone bowed his head slightly and said "Thank you for the assistance. I am in your debt" and quickly returned to his table to finish his breakfast. He had quite a lot of ground to cover today and wanted to make sure he ate well.

Stone watched as his benefactor began going through the pockets of the men on the floor. He also noticed the other man in the tavern stop on his way out the door, look directly at him, and then leave. Something about the man was familiar to Stone, but he could not quite place why.

Stone packed his bag and then said to the stranger who had helped him "An honorable man would leave some money on the dead, to aid the widows and families and children" He walked to the door then stopped and turned back to the the other man in the room and asked "Do you know the man who just left, I think I need to speak to him"

Hlix Looked up, he had found what he was looking for "Yes I know him and these men could'n't attract Fleas let alone a woman to mate with... theyed all kill there mothers if they stood to gain from it" He said as he walked toward Stone "My name is Lord Helix Falks second son of the Mirimotto clan I took a new name when my clan was murdered and that man that was just here helped me avenge them his name is Stryder of the southeren Winds or more commonly know as just Stryder... I think that his new found wealth and power have drawn him down a corupt path and i would very much like to talk to him myself" Helix said.

He paused and looked at the downed woman "I should Kill her realy... but i won't... Come i will take you to Stryders office its not far"

Sitting quietly in his office reading the last dispatch, Stryder waited.

After a while he heard footsteps, scratching over the dry earth and stones in the main thoroughfare.

A shadow fell across the window in the door. The footsteps stopped.

Stryder waited.

On the short walk to Styder's office Stone and Helix spoke, although it was mostly Stone talking, as he tends to do, from time to time.

"Well, Lord Helix Falks, my name is....well, people just call me Stone. It has been such a long time since anybody used my actual name. And now I prefer Stone." Stone rambled on.

"I have a proposition for you Lord Falks." said Stone as he handed a letter to Falks. "This letter contains my reason for coming here. I am fulfilling an honor debt for my former master. Even though I have been retired for some years, I must fulfill a promise I made nearly 15 years ago." explained Stone.

Helix took the letter and read a fanciful tale of a dragon or a spirit terrorizing a small village nestled in a mountain valley just 2 days walk from here. On top of the night terrors a small band of theives had been giving the people there a rough time of it as well.

"I think I know Stryder, or at least knew him once, but I am not sure. He seemed not at all happy to see me here though." blathered Stone. Arriving at the door to Styder's office, the two paused. As he knocked on the door Stone said "You know him better than I do, perhaps you should make entrance first" and Stone stepped aside giving pass to Lord Helix Falks.

Lord Falks moved to take the knob and push the door open, when the outer doors to the office burst open. Three very large men entered and began yelling at anybody they could see. When their eyes fell upon Stone and Falks, the leader of the 3 pointed at them and demanded "Do you know where Stryder is?"

Stone replied "We think he is in there" and pointed to the door to Stryder's office.

"But if you want to talk to him, you have to wait your turn. We were here first" quiped Helix.

The three men moved down the hall towards the two of them. As the leader reached them he simply pushed them both out of the way and said "We will see Styder now!"

He popped the door knob and pushed the door open as he stepped in his friend right behind him. There was a nearly inaudible "thwwwt" followed by a gurgling moan which was followed by both men stumbling backwards out of the room into the hallway.

The leader, the loud obnoxious one, had a bolt from a crossbow sticking out of his neck. His friend quickly tossed him aside and pointed an almost toy looking miniature crossbow into Stryder's office.

Stone watched him take aim only to be taken completey by surprise as a flash of cold steel whistled right by his ear. He then realized that Helix had swung his sword at the man's arm. "LORD FALKS! You nearly cut my ear off!"

Helix gave a curt look at Stone "Can we talk about this later. You could help me take care of these two" said Helix flatly.

"I am not too sure about that, how do I know you won't lop off my arm or leg. Sir, you seem to be reckless and dangerous with that sword!" complained Stone

"It didn't seem to bother you at the tavern" replied Helix as he dodged a very tiny crossbow bolt. "A little help if you don't mind"

Stone rolled his eyes. "Fine!" he siged as he revealed and then threw a knife down the hall into the shoulder of one of the remaining men. A howl of pain followed by the clatter of a crossbow on the floor.. "Can you take care of the other one?" said Stone sarcastically.

Helix moved down the hall and Stone moved to the open doorway to Stryder's office and looked in....

"That crossbow bolt was meant for you, y'know." said Stryder. He had just finished re-loading his crossbow, and placed it on his desk.
"However, Falks and yourself have just solved a problem this village has had for a few months now," he sat down in his chair, "and as such I won't put my next bolt in your neck."

"Thanks." said Stone, drily. "What was their problem?"

"A few months ago they kidnapped the mayors daughter. Shozhan is a lovely girl, friendly, generous and kind. That idiot and his bunch of inbreeds stole her when she was running an early morning errand. Then they said they wanted the mayor to step down so they could place their own puppet in charge."
"What an original plan." observed Stone.
"I know." Stryder leaned back in his chair. "They had her for two days when the mayor asked me to help. I went and took her back." He said it with no trace of ego or vanity. "That upset them quite a lot."
"I can imagine."
"They began a campaign of violence against the village. Burning houses, stealing or destroying crops, beating people, the list of crimes is quite long. I tried to find them but they made themselves very difficult to find, the most I found was a campfire that was still warm, they'd moved off a few hours ago." Stryder took a long drink from his cup on the desk. Stone sat and waited for him to continue.
"A few days ago, purely by chance, I caught one of them in the act of trying to rape a friends wife. I beat him so badly he couldn't stand up. Then I decided a message needed to be sent. They hadn't actually killed anyone but they had hurt and raped others so I cut off his left arm at the elbow."
Stone raised his eyebrows.
"So thats what the screaming was about a few nights ago." said Falks, who was leaning against the office door frame.
"Yes. He spat his gag out." Stryder shrugged. "Anyway, I had the stump cauterised and bound as I didn't want him to die and left him on the outskirts of the village. He would either be found by his gang or recover enough to find them. Then I find out that he's the brother of their leader." He stood and looked out the window. "I was waiting for that visit, and I didn't expect to survive it. Thanks to you two, I did."

He turned around and looked at Stone. "So we're even. You took my place before and now you saved my life." He looked at Falks. "But I'm in your debt." Falks nodded. Stryder looked at Stone again.
"Now, what are you doing in my village?"

"That is a good question" said Helix looking at Stone

he moved over to the window and looked outside there was a good view of the village square and Helix spotted 4 women including the woman he had bested only this morning.

"Assassins are so annoying" he thought as he watch the leader pointing in different directions.

Today was forming up to be an interesting day...

Out of Character --

I wonder if we will ever have a post where we just sit down and have a drink. No thugs, assassins, or armadas bearing down on us.

Just thinking out loud

"Assassins?" said Stone. "Just what exactly did you do?"

Lord Falks turned and looked at him but said nothing. After a few seconds of silence, Stone turned again to Stryder.

"Lord Stryder, I do apologize for any harm done to you and I wonder if you might be willing to aid me on a quest?" asked Stone. He handed him the letter. The one that described the dragon "attacks".

"I am not sure what we will find there, but I am nearly sure trickery is at play. The village is in a mountain valley. The forest at the far end of the valley has fallen under a deep mist. It is from this area that the "dragon" strikes. I intend to go to the village and then on to the forest. I would not be surprised to find that the thieves terrorizing the village have something to do with the dragon. At least, I hope it is that simple." explained Stone

"I would appreciate at least the company if not your battle skills." finished Stone.

Stryder took the letter from Stone. He opened it, skimmed over it. He looked out the window.

"It looks like the sun is over the yard arm. Do you fancy a drink? Now that there's no thugs, assassins or armadas on the river I assume it will be pleasant."

He stood and prepared to go back to the tavern.

The three men returned to the tavern and took seats in the back corner of the room. This allowed all three men to see anybody who entered or exited the building, from the front or the back.

They all ordered a drink and Stone ordered a appetizer of fried mozzarella sticks with a marina dipping sauce. Very tasty.

Stone again went over the information in the letter and spoke of his skepticism of the Dragon.

"I am honorbound to aid Kiecho. She is my former master, Master Yamaguchi's. niece. I promised to help her if she needed." I had hoped to be halfway there by tonight, but with all the special 'activity' today I will not make it that far. I am leaving in 30 minutes. I would enjoy the company if either, or both, of you wished to make the trip with me." asked Stone.

Stryder read through the letter again.
"A dragon, huh?" he mused. "I've seen a lot of things over the last few years, but never a dragon." he stopped and took a long drink from his flagon.
"There are all sorts of rumours attached to dragons y'know." he leant back in his chair and stuck his legs out in front of him. "Some say that if you kill a dragon you'll have bad luck for the rest of your life. Others'll tell you that you'll get good luck for the rest of your life. I've also been told that just seeing a dragon will cause you to drop dead on the spot."
Stone snorted. "All that's rumour, hearsay and myth."
"I know. But I've also heard that they sleep on piles of gold and priceless items. It'd let us help people freely until the end of our days."

They sat in silence for a few minutes, Falks spending that time trying to get upwind from Stones cheesy snack.

"I think I'll say yes to joining your quest. I won't be able to leave until tomorrow morning though. I need to make sure that there will be no more trouble from my friends."

Helix kept an eye on the door as Stryder and Stone read the letter but he said nothing.

He had once seen a Dragon up close and it had claimed the life of his brother before swatting Helix aside.

If this was in fact a Dragon it would be a difficult task indeed.

Helix hoped that Stone was correct in his assumption, Bandits were easy pray for a man like him