Moonshire: Countryside

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The countryside of Moonshire varies from pasture and cropland, to the large amount of the Great Forest that reaches into it. Most farmers are not too happy with trespassers on their land, and anyone but Brovanni should beware walking beneath the eaves of the great trees.

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Yharral reclined on the branch of a great oak less that 10' off the ground. He yawned slightly, stretching his body and sitting up against the trunk of the tree. The Brovanni got up slowly, taking care to stretch each limb. He then scrambled up the tree, with the agility and speed only a Brovanni has, Yharral scaled the tree and soon stood on the highest branch above the canopy. In the middle distance, he could see the start of the farmland of Moonshire, further than that a town or village just waking in the early morning sunlight.

A young Brovanni was out and about, searching for Yharral. His grandfather had sent him out to find the legend, hearing that he was in this area, but even his keen eyesight and ears were unable to pick out where Yharral could be.

Yharral froze, he dropped from his spot above the canopy falling several metres before deftly gripping the arch of a branch and swinging onto another. He crouched down, his gaze focussed below, scanning for the cause of the noise he'd heard. Yharral pressed his green stoned ring into the bark of the tree, swaying slightly he altered his perceptions to thos of the tree on which he crouched. The great Oak's senses seemed odd to Yharral at first, as was always the case when he used this particular ability. The Noise, he soon realised, was caused by the carefull footfalls of a young Brovanni not far off. The Knowledge that this was unlikely to be a foe calmed Yharral slightly, he decided he would investigate. He rose amd sprinted along the branch, leaping to the next tree and then the next, until he was above the young one. Yharral smirked a little, it had been a while since he'd had any fun. He dropped onto the loamy earth, several feet behind the younger Brovanni. "Can I help you?" He enquired urbanely.

The younger Brovanni span about, a shortsword already in his hand at the moment he heard someone drop down behind him. Eyeing Yharral, he slowly sheathed the weapon. "By revealing yourself to me, you have helped immensely," the lad said, flicking his coarse red hair back from his eyes. "I have been sent by an elder to tell you that they wish your services. They told me to instruct you that they would be waiting you at the lightning-split oak, less than a day's walk from here." With that he took a swig from his waterskin that had been hanging at his belt. "My task is done, and I'm off home." He nodded to Yharral and then made his way off the track into the thicker trees.

Yharral watched the younger Brovanni leave, he smiled thinly, it looked like it was time to return to the world again. He began an easy run towards the Lightning-split oak. Knowing the forest as he did, he expected to be there before nightfall.

As the sun begins to set, Yharral approaches the lighting-blackened oak. He surverys the empty glade around the tree, not seeing the fellow he is surposed to be meeting, he reclines against the great trunk and whistles patiently to himself.

The Brovanni Elder moved out from the shadows created by the setting sun and moved quietly towards Yharral, only speaking up when he was two arm's lengths away. "You're a difficult one to find, Three Blades," he said quietly, standing with his arms crossed in front of Yharral.

Yharral glances up at the elder, a smile forming on his lips. "You could call it a talent of mine." His face straightens again, his eyes surveying the fellow before him "I am sure you didnt take the time to find me just to compliment my skills and remainign unseen..."

The Elder snorted slightly at this, the corners of a smile almost reaching his lips. "You're quite right." The setting sun was lighting on his blonde hair, bringing it almost alive like fire. He held out his hand to Yharral in the offer of shaking it. "My name is Librus. We have business to discuss."

Yharral smiled at Librus, shaking his hand. "Very well Librus, tell me of this bussiness' He said calmly.

Librus smiled in return to Yharral. "Walk with me as I talk," he said, not as a command yet not a request either. He started making his way towards the shelter of the taller trees to the West, heading for a path that was little more than a game trail.

Yharral kept level with Librus as he walked, one hand on the hilt of his sword, just in case. "Very well" He replied, keeping his senses alert to the darkening forest.

Yharral was wise to be prepared. They were no more than 30 yards underneath the trees when Librus span round with a shortsword in hand, six archers revealing themselves behind him, all trained on Yharral. "Hands where we can see them, Yharral," Librus ordered, his stance nonchalantly ready.

Yharral hissed in surprise, dropping to a crouch and spinning round instinctively. Seeing the archers he released his grip on is sword and placed both hands, palm-down, on the loamy ground. Concentrating for a second, he channeled his ring silently into action, hoping to catch these foes off gaurd soon. "What a sad time this is, when my own kind would conspire agaisnt me." He snarled bitterly "I wasn't aware there was still a bounty on my head..."

Librus smirked. "There is, Yharral, but we haven't come to collect. I, and some of the other Elders..." he paused for the effect before going on. "We have decided that you run rampant far too much. Instead of aiding the Brovanni as a whole, you have made yourself a public enemy." He slightly lowered his sword. "We are offering you a chance to no longer be the man on the run, and instead earn back your status and honour by helping your people."

Yharral smirked at the older Brovanni "And this is your way of asking me?!" He growled, he tone as bitter as his expression "I think you have underestimated me Elder..." Yharral focussed his full will on the power he was drawing from the forest floor, he closes his eyes briefly and exhales slowly. The tree's behind his attackers shudder and groan at Yharral's request, the limbs reach out and would snatch at the attackers, contricting on clothing and limbs if possable. Hoping this would catch them off gaurd Yharral sprang backwards, drawing his daggers mid-leap. If this all goes to plan Yharral now stands opposite Librus, a blade ready to throw in either hand, each trained on the elders chest.
"Now, would you care to repeat the proposition? And rather than ordering me, perhaps ask?" Said Yharral calmly, the urbane tone from earlier creeping back into his voice "Oh, and I'd advise those of your thugs who still could shoot me, not to. I don't miss often."

The trees reached out and wrapped their limbs around those of the archers that were taken by surprise, constricting four of them, leaving two free. One is now aiming at Yharral while the other is attempting to break the wood wrapped around their fellows. However, Yharral was not fast enough to take Librus completely by surprise, and Librus now has his sword much closer to Yharral than is comfortable.

Librus grinned wolvishly, more anger than humour in his face. "I forgot about the ring. It won't happen again." His swordpoint was mere inches from Yharral's chest, but he dared not make a move while the other Brovanni had his knives at the ready. Besides, Yharral would be more use alive. He sighed deeply before sheathing his shortsword slowly. "Fort Starstrike," he said deeply, watching Yharral's eyes. "We are going to try and burn it to the ground. We want you there. You'll be paid the same amount as your bounty."

Yharral smirks at Librus, sweat glistens on his brow from the exersion oft he minor spell. He keeps both daggers out, but lowers them slightly. "Now, you see, politeness never hurt anyone." He laughed a little "What makes you think that you even could burn down Starstrike? Not even I, at my peak could ever have hoped to achieve such a feat, even with The Night Eyes behind me." Yharral paused, pain in his eyes "Some questions for you, before I answer mine. Why did you attempt to take me with violence? And why did you go to such trouble for me? I am sure there are many younger Brovanni more than willing to 'spit' at the Baronness in such a way"

Alunra, a Night Eye thought to have been killed in the raid, watched the display. A grin creased her face as she crouched by a tree truck, away from the two men. Fan out, she was ready to defend her ex-leader. It had caught her off guard, to come across him so suddenly, after years of searching for his name. Hand steady on the handle of her fan, she creened her head in their direction, listening.

Librus shrugged. "The Night Eyes were a small band compared to the numbers we have at our disposal. Plus, you're an incredible fighter and tactician." Librus made sure Yharral saw it as a compliment by adding a smile to his words. "We need your skills and expertise in this raid. We want you to lead it."

Yharral grinned, his face showing no hostility, but his daggers were still not returned to his boots. "Thats may be. But you still thought it best to attempt to take me by force." He muttered in a tone verging on anger. "I have never turned down an elders proposal before, why would I now?"

Having the humility to look embarassed and blushing slightly, Librus held his arms out in a sign of obsequience. "Since you and your group were disbanded, you've been living as a bandit. I didn't want to take the chance that you may turn on us. Not all of us Elders are looked upon kindly, and you may have been hired to take me down on sight." He shook his head slightly. "Please forgive me, I should have trusted in your sense of honour." He held out a hand. "Also, please join us in this undertaking. We need Starstrike to fall if we are to live peacefully in this area. Their woodsmen and soldiers are taking down the ancestral trees with each day that passes. It cannot continue." A pained expression was coming onto Librus' face with each word. "They kill the boughs that have stood for hundreds of years, taking the memories of those years with them. And what will they do with the land? Break the soil and lay roads so that they can farm and spread like a disease into the Great Forest that has been here longer than any of the Brovanni."

Yharral's face darkened, his fists clenched around the hilts of his daggers. "It is settled then. You shall have my aid Librus." He smirked "However, I will require some form of payment." Yharral turned to where the foliage still held the archers, he concentrated breifly on the green stoned ring. As if drawn by strings, the branches whipped back to their origional places, releasing their captives. "We shall end this heinous felling of our forest, and make sure the Baroness does not return."

Librus smiled, obviously relaxing physically. The tension was gone, and the archers that he had brought with him were making their way home, apart from one who stayed with Librus as a personal guard. "I am glad we can count on you. Will you come with us to our hideaway? There we can discuss times, days, and money, of course," he added to try and persuade Yharral more.

Yharral sheathed his daggers. "Of course" He said, the urbane manner of earlier slipping back into his speech " Lead on" Yharral was still slightly warey and keeping his senses alert, but was making sure Librus did not see this.

Seeing that danger was no longer present, Alunra moved out from behind the tree, taking a few steps forward. Her stomach was turning. Yharral stood infront of her, clear as day. "Yharral.." Her voice was soft, and rememberable. "I have found you."

Yharral turned on his heel, facing Alunra. He stared at her for a second, his mind and heart racing. "Alunra?!" He almost shouted "Alunra, is that you?" Yharral moved towards his old companion, a grin starting to spread on his features.

"It is me." Alunra responded, taking more steps in Yharrals direction. "I have searched many moons for you." She replaced her fan in it's holder on her belt, completely intranced with the idea that Yharral was standing before her. Her lips formed into a slight smile as she watched him, her eyes flickering to the other, and then back at Yharral. "Up to your old nonsense, are you?"

Yharral winked at her, "It looks that way. A spot of revenge seems to be in the works" He replied "I, I thought you'd died.." His face sunk a little, his eyes drifting far off breifly

Librus motioned for his guard to stay calm as he himself moved towards the pair. "A newcomer? If you wish, you can join in our attack against Fort Starstrike. The more hands we have, the better."

"Obviuosly I didn't die." Alunra said with a laugh, looking at him. "I will join, if you so wish."

Yharral smiled warmly of Alunra "Obviously..." He echoes quietly "I wish it! I am in dire need of more experianced Brovanni for this raid! The younger generation have great zeal, but little tact. At least in my experiance..."

"Are you calling me old?" Alunra inquired, her eye brows raised. A smile creased her face though. "Of course, I will help you, Yharral."

Yharral grins from ear to ear. "Well then! How can we fail?!" He enquired, happiness resounding in his urbane voice "It shall be as old times were!"

Librus bowed to both of the Brovanni slightly. "As much as I am glad that you are reunited, and united in aiding us, time is short. Truly we wish to strike tonight if possible, and the moon is beginning to rise." He began to lead the way through the woods, glancing back now and again to see if Yharral and Alunra were following as he hoped they would.

Yharral eagerly followed Librus. He motioned for Alunra to follow, there was a bounce in his step and a smile on his face as he walked after his new 'employer'.

Alunra followed behind Yharral, her heard thumping in her chest from the excitement of having seen him. "You're planning another raid, then?"

Yharral grinned at Alunra's question "Not me. I havn't done anything like this for quite some time." He answered "Librus is the orchestrator"

"Participation. Quite the same as a plan, no?" Alunra grinned, very big. "Nevertheless, it is well to be with you again."

It wasn't long before they'd reached a clearing in the forest. Here, a number of temporary shelters had been placed, and a gathering of around one hundred Brovanni were spaced about, most of them wearing armour and carrying various weapons. Librus moved towards a large tent in the center. "This is where I have been setting the plans. Please join me to confer and to advise," he said to Yharral.

Yharral looked around a little interest peaking on his scarred features. Librus gad not been lying when he claimed there were many, yet these all seemed somewhat young. He followed his employer eagerly, excited to get started. Yharral turned quickly and motioned for Alunra to follow them.

Alunra followed Yharral rather closely, staying beside him to keep from being lost. She knew not of the Brovanni around her, and wasn't even sure if she trusted the man they were following yet. But, if Yharral trusted him, she should too.

Librus sat in a wide wooden chair at a table in the center of the tent. Upon the table lay a roughly drawn map of the local area of Moonshire. Watching Yharral and Alunra enter, he gestured for them to also be seated about the table as he poured out water from a glass jug into cups for them. "It is good that we now have two of the Night Eyes with us, rather than just the leader. You were all recognised as amazing fighters."

Yharral took his seat, taking a loud slurp of water from one of the glasses. "That may be a slight over-statement. But, we lasted longer than most" He winked "Of course, luck played a vast part in our escapades, as it does in all things" Yharral grinned as he spoke.

Librus pointed to a small marking on the map in front of them. "This is the encampment here." His finger then moved across the map to what was obviously the fort. "And here is Starstrike. Its roughly two, maybe three hours march North-east." He tapped the marking of the enemy stronghold. "Any ideas on how to deal with this? As you could see on the way in, we have just over 100 hundred Brovanni ready to fight tonight."

Yharral looked at the map absently, his mind running over the details he could remember of Starstrike's peculiarities. "Grappling irons, up the back wall. The tree's back almost directly onto it and the highest branch's will conceal us util we a just a few feet from the top." He smirked "This wall is also the most poorly guarded." Yharral sat back in his seat briefly. "But, I don't know if one hundred scaling that wall would be wise. Perhaps in groups of ten?" He questioned. "If we can hold the two sets of steps up to the wall. We can keep our escapre route open. I do not know your objectives there however. When i was last there, so was the county treasurey..."

Librus shook his head slightly. "No treasury. This is bloodshed. Kill as many of the Humans as you can, and set that place ablaze. Its the only way they'll leave the trees alone." He gazed at the mark of Fort Starstrike on the map. "I trust your strategy on the entry, as long as you think that the wall can be held with groups of ten at a time. They are skilled warriors we have, but even they can be overwhelmed."

Yharral nodded slowly. "It can be held. As long as the first few groups enter quietly we should be fine." he stopped for a second, thinking "Yes, as long as the alarm is not raised until at least half of us are up the wall, we should suceed."

"Whenever you're ready," Librus prompted Yharral, standing himself. "We wish to strike tonight, but I leave the final decision to you. You should tell the soldiers outside your decision and plan." He nodded to both Yharral and Alunra. "The fate of the Great Forest is with you both."

Yharral smirked at Librus' last statement. "Indeed" He muttered. The Brovanni stood slowly, musing to himself. He stepped outside, glancing round the clearing at the supposed army. Yharral cleared his throat, in the hope of catching their attention.

A few of the warriors closest to Yharral noticed him trying to catch their attention and whistled and gestured to their companions. It was mere moments before the hundred or so Brovanni soldiers were gathered all around Yharral, wondering what this strangely familiar man wanted.

Yharral straightened under the gaze of so many, he placed a hand on the pommel of his sword to reasure himself. "Brovanni! Listen well!" He bellowed around the clearing "I am Yharral of the Night Eyes! Those that know me, salutations those that don't greetings! We strike at the humans this night! I have been to their fort once before. This task shall not be simple, but with the right caution and the correct strategy we shall suceed."

The gathered soldiers muttered slightly amongst themselves when Yharral introduced himself, but they were attentive listeners and at the word 'succeed', a few gave out a cheer.

Yharral grinned weakly. "Be ready, we shall leave soon!" With that he turned and wandered to a nearby tree. Under the great oak he sat, closing his eyes for a few seconds, going over the day and the following night.

As the gathered Brovanni watched Yharral wander off and meditate, they broke apart and finished preparing their gear. Most chatted amongst themselves about previous battles.

Alunra watched Yharral walk to the tree, and she followed him, sitting before him, crosslegged. Short blonde hair tossed around her face as she watched him, her face blank. She had learned to do that, since they had parted, so never show her extreme emotions on her face. "Your smile was weak, Yharral," she spoke, raising her eyes to his from her hands. She was idly tearing at the grass beside her. "Are you afraid?"

Yharral opens his eyes slightly, looking at Alunra's unreadable face. "Not afraid, at least, not for myself." He replied "The fort is a place of great pain, for us both. I have never returned and this may be hard,"
He looked at her more closely, how he'd missed her. How he missed them all, it was truly good to know she was alive.

Alunra nodded curtly. "I've spent many suns steering clear of this area." She admitted, her eyes studying his, and then the bark behind him. "It was a downfall, but one we must learn from, no?" She smiled at him, though, if he looked close enough, he would notice it didn't touch her eyes. She lifted the hand that had been tearing the grass and set it on his shoulder. "No need to fear, my friend. My heart has grown since."

Yharral smiled back, he moved his hand to hers and queezed slightly. "We shall learn, we must not make the same mistake twice." He declared "I do not fear for myself and i know you can handle yourself in a fix. But almost one hundred lives, I just hope Startstrike's defences have weakened over the years..." He sighed.

"We have grown older since. Our agility has more of an impact, our power increased. We are still young, we can handle such an impact. The building, however, is much older. And will only weaken over the years. We can only suspect that it's bricks have cracked some, no?" Alunra rose her eyebrows to his squeeze and smiled, this time it touched her eyes. "All shall be fine in the end, you'll see."

Yharral grinned at her "Ever the voice of wisdom!" He said, his urbane tone returning "Let's get moving then, shall we?"
He turned from the tree and approached the group.
"Well, friends. It seems our time has come, I hope you are ready." He spoke, loud enough to be ehard, but not shouted. "You all know the way and it would be quicker and more stealthy if we move in small groups. Myself and Alunra shall go now, the rest of you follow in clusters several minutes apart. Be swift I shall see you again when we arrive."
With that he turned tot he treeline, motioning for Alunra to follow he back to run from the clearing.

Alunra stood and stretched quickly, and ran after him. "You're going to leave the troops alone? Do they have generals?" She inquired, keeping pace with him perfectly, like she used to.

Yharral smirked "Who knows." He replied his smirk broadening to a grin "Those who can get there, should be good enough. Those who cant, well, we really dont need them, do we?"

"I suppose not, I just figured they would be in well rounded groups." Alunra glanced up at him and looked away, resisting from resting her hand on her fan.

Yharral nodded. "Well, the thing is, he dont have time to organise him further and even if we did, we need to approach unseen and unheard." He replied

"Unseen and unheard is my specialty." Alunra grinned.

Moving forth, the blades of their weapons blackened so they would not be seen in the moonlight, the soldiers moved on in groups of ten, each obviously led by one who seemed to be older than the others - obviously one veteran with each group to guide them on to Fort Starstrike.

Librus moved out from his tent, dressed similarly to the other soldiers though with a much more impressive cloak and far better equipment, and latched onto one of the groups. He nodded to Yharral as he moved past into the trees on his way to join the fight at the fort.

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The Four Circles
Moonshire
Enter The Four Circles