ShadowLord_Lith

He shrugged, nodding to the party leader. Looking at the younger girl, he hummed in distaste. "No. I expect people to take basic safety precautions... I was a soldier not terribly long ago- human kingdoms are still at war, bandits are still roaming the land- human corruption doesn't die just because the source of the poison is gone. We're still tainted- that will forever be a fact. I'll get you a knife and a bow from someplace- you can have one I'd these men's knives. If someone attacks you, kill them without hesitation. If you enter a fight- it's your life or theirs. Until you're as skilled as I am, at least, there isn't a third option." He began looking over the bodies, searching for the best knife to give the girl. He'd been a soldier only three years ago, and becoming a ranger like he had... that had been easier than he'd expected. He'd only needed to learn the now and the ways if the forest. He was far from done learning, but what he had was sufficient for now. He could learn the rest on his own.

Gallen calmly released arrow after arrow, moving to get off of hits horse. He'd need to get those arrows back if at all possible... once on the ground, he pulled out his shirt sword and knife- he had a long sword, but here it wasn't needed. He began killing the men effectively and efficiently, using ad few cuts as possible and ad little movement as possible to bring them down. He left their movement do most of the work, and they practically impaled themselves and slit their own stomachs and necks as they charged him and he stepped just barely out of the way. It was a level of killing power expected of a soldier with the precision and efficiency of a ranger. Not on the level of an elf, but as close as humanly possible. "Hey, girl, you didn't actually travel without a weapon did you? No one ever does that. Bandits are far too common... highwaymen, brigands, thieves, robbers, criminals, bandits, goblins, ogres, even the elves and knights of foreign countries... if you don't travel with a weapon, you're almost guaranteed to be dead. It's common practice. If you don't know that, you probably never really left your village, did you?" He spoke calmly, making idle conversation as if he had absolutely no fear and wasn't even breaking a sweat- he was, but only a very light one. He was letting the bandits tire themselves while he stayed mostly fresh. It was an even scarier tactic if one knew what someone actively seeking your death was like. If the bandits couldn't run away because if exhaustion, he'd be able to slaughter them mercilessly.

Gallen drew his bow and aimed an arrow, glaring at the men. "You leave, you live. You stay, you die. You attack us... you won't even know what hit you. She has elvish weapons. Do you really want to learn what elvish steel tastes like? Not many enjoy the experience..." He kept alert, trying to sense if the bandits had circled behind or not.

She nodded. "If you give me a way to do so. Although, if you end up being liars, here for any reason other than what you say, I swear that not even the gods will be able to keep you safe." She turned a gentle glare on them, only mildly suspicious and trying to be trusting. She wasn't exactly scary, though she did a fantastic job of conveying a threat despite that.

It worked, at least. Shae was asleep quickly, forgetting to even take off his glasses. She waited for their answer, or their request.

Shae nodded, clinging to him and sobbing. He just wanted to go to his room and sleep somewhere warm and familiar again... he wanted things to be normal. He couldn't bear to burn his notebooks, but he would hide them. He was so ashamed of himself... "I wanna sleep..." He didn't answer other than that nod. If he'd said he was okay, that would've only been true physically. After all, he had glasses now and could see. Emotionally and mentally though, he hurt almost as badly as he had during the massacre, and this time all that pain and suffering that might be caused? He knew that it was on his hands... or, he blamed himself. He was just... tired...

She nodded, considering that. "Alright... if you'd like, I could call you over once this is done, and demonstrate it for you with the kids during class. Once they've used it, they'll study and try to reproduce it with parts I make in advance. You could even keep some of the working attempts, if the kids don't mind you having them... It'll teach them about charity. Maybe we'll actually start up some of the charity plans we made when we were founded once we finish setting up the guild..." She grumbled softly, but only seemed frustrated, not actively upset. "That aside, I'm sorry to waste your time today... This hunk of metal isn't quite finished yet, so it can't do much of anything. I'm sorry to waste your time." She seemed truly apologetic. "We have some books detailing what was done, and various methods used, but the actual action of using the device is... difficult to describe. For me, at least." She gestured to a leather book on one of the shelves in the room. Shae walked past the entrance, trembling as he looked around. He was home... He made his way to the front desk a few people who noticed him either confused or recognizing him and running off to tell various people. He stopped at the front desk, fighting back tears. "Hello sir, I... I'd like my teaching job back, and... I'd... like to see Dan..." The thought that he was actually home, and that he'd be teaching children how to paint again made him start crying, and he couldn't force himself to stop, even when the man started to comfort him. He felt relieved when the man sent a guard off to find and inform Dan about Shae being back. @Ookla the Ninja

He nodded to her. "Yes. He'll ride with me. You know how to use all those?" He raised an eyebrow, a bit doubtful.

Gallen looked at the strange man. "Do you have a horse? Get it saddled up if you do. Otherwise, I'll let you ride with me." He stayed serious, readying his horse and hopping onto it.

Yep! I heard you wanted it, so I sent you to it! I hope you enjoy it!

They have links to critical role season one ep 1. Up there.

@Ookla the Fangirl

He left, refusing to leave any of his journals behind. He left everything else behind, desperate to get home. At least he'd put on his glasses... then he made his way home. Finally...

He smiled sadly, sighing. "Minas. It's an elvish word, I think. Anyways, please lead the way, fair maiden." He saddled up his horse and hopped on, ready to ride and losing his smile for a serious, calm expression.

He blinked, staring at the man. "I... I can go home?" He gripped his backpack strap, looking past the man. "Where's the exit? I can ask people in the alleys for directions, but if I'm being allowed to leave then I want to go home as soon as possible so I can forget that this... science... ever existed." He'd almost said abomination. He'd never thought he'd take part in the damaging of the souls of living things. He wanted to put this behind himself. He'd never hated anything so much... and he hadn't ever felt so empty and numb since he'd started hating it. It was like that hatred fed everything to some kind of ravenous beast in his soul... he wanted to go home and start feeling things again.

Shae jumped, immediately grabbing his backpack full of journals and his glasses- which he'd to get from his captors after they discovered the problems he had with his vision. It was an honest relief to be able to see more than five feet in front of himself. He opened the door, forcing his heart not to race with panic and trying to look calm. He managed wary. This place... it was like some sort of hell... "U-um... y-yes? sir?"

Gallen got his horse, petting it's mane and mumbling softly to him. He spoke a few elvish words, if one listened close, but only a few, and not very well. Mostly just 'calm', 'peace', and 'good boy'. The stallion seemed very happy with it's rider.

@Ookla the very snazzy

He shrugged. "I've got one, don't know about fancy pants here. If he doesn't, I'll find one for him." He stood, pulling Tralda to his feet. "Well?" He waited for the answer. @Ookla the Ninja @Ookla the very snazzy

Gallen nodded as well. "Good... hopefully a I'm not too drunk by then. Where are we headed first?" He started drinking the ale in his mug again, seeking more energized and focused now that he wasn't just sulking.

He stared at her. Then smiled for real. "You have a death wish... I like that. It sounds distracting. We'll go with you. When do the three of us leave?" He'd spoken for the other man, he was aware of that- but at the moment he was having trouble caring. The man had offered to distract him, right? This was the perfect way. @Ookla the Ninja @Ookla the very snazzy

He nodded, humming. "Alright... you'll have the chance while we're helping this young lass." He looked back at her. "Does that suit you, miss?" He wanted to get going soon. @Ookla the very snazzy @Ookla the Ninja

He shrugged. "I'm just tired... Sleeping is hard though. Do you have anything that can help with that? A distraction would be nice too... that young lass looks like she's eager for adventure... maybe she has an idea?" He looked at Lynn, waving her over. "You there, young lass- what's got you so eager to be about today? You don't often see a woman with steel on her hip in these parts..." He forced a smile- though it still looked tired. Everything about him looked... worn. @Ookla the Ninja

@Ookla the Ninja