Commissioned from http://ganassa-artwork.blogspot.co.uk http://ganassa.deviantart.com/

Colouring, story snippet and character be mine.

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"I'd never seen a thing like it sir. Nor had Royson and 'e had fifteen years on'me.", it was a pitiful start even he could see that, but neither the pressure of giving this explanation to the bloke in charge or the events that unfolded really helped the guards thinking process. At least the room itself was of little distraction, simple brickwork, no unpleasant implements present with little furniture that would've sat just as well in the Salty Mare at the foot of the Lords estate. All he had to focus on was the downward titled features of the guy paying his wage on sucessful duty... might be shy a few honils now. "One a' them... well a few h'actually I-I ain't never seen anything like 'em 'afore."

"So you said. This isn't by the hour boy, I'm not paying you for this explanation no matter how long you drag it out. Stick to the point.", quiet clink of goblet on wood and the resulting silence gave time for the guard to clear his throat and try not to stumble. "Yes well... They had the look of Sells-words to 'em sir. No emblem or old uniform though, plus they had a'few, didn't look like fighters... Oh ratty old wagon too, with a pair of brutes tugging it along. The Captain he did right an' got them to stop, fer inspection an' all that. Near all were some suprise or other Sir, no' bunch I'd forget... th-there was this huge scaled guy, but not like a Loke, he made those Ardent guys wit' the 'ead-stubs look scrawny. Mouth could've fit'a child in'it."

Must've been losing his audience, the paymasters finger running itself along the rim of empty goblet, tapping each lap... gaining speed too until the servant on hand finally realised it was to signal a refilling. "If they were responsible then I'll hear their features but After... first I want to know what actually happened."

"Right, yes a'course Sir. Was bright daylight so we weren't 'specting much trouble. Thieving an' peddling were what we 'ad counted for 'appening. 'Stead we got a gaggle of Cloaked guys, bright white and dark markings coming up from behind the bunch we was already checking through-", his voice stopped the second the paymasters pale hand raised itself.

"Were the group you had under inspection part of them?"

"No Sir, sorry the first bunch like I said 'ad no markings or uniform, all diff'rent. These others were clergy-sort, rich-looking but then Roysen he spotted them all having these shining hands thanks to tha' sun catching 'em. Couldn't yell for the Captain, one of the first bunch they 'ad an Air lander wit'em-"

"Eirlunder I'm assuming. Large, wolfen sort?"

"Aye had a sword taller than the lot of us too. Dragon-hide on him a'well. He got the 'tention of the Fizlen that seemed in charge. Never seen one so large... guess that bunch fed well hah...", bit of nerves crept in to result on that unwanted comment, even he felt fit to chastise himself for going off-point. "Sorry. The Fizlen guy shouted fer us to stay back an' I wish we 'ad Sir. The robed ones they had large... cages on wheels wit'em. Were covered first so we 'ad no idea, just heard some strange sounds out of it, like a dog attacking the spout of a pump, all off-sounding and odd."

Next few moments passed with the guard attempting to take off a glove, the thick leather was too much to feel on the fore-head right now, had resorted to teeth before the Paymaster rapped his ringed index against the buckle strapping the glove securely to the guards wrist. Quickly undone and set aside the guard took full opportunity to support his head entirely by hand and table-top. "Not fond'a this bit. They pulled 'ese curtains off the cages and inside were... it was like what should 'appen with how Stub-'eads, er Ardents eat. Everything was just huge fat muscle, moved like drunkards but fast... started barreling t'wards us. Arms like tree-trunks on'em cept fat an' huge. Captain forgot to shout out, Roysen he got the archers in line bu' the things jus' took 'em.

One a' the first bunch, she took off 'er cloak thing... Amazing sir."

"Pardon?"

"She was. Thought she were a strange Fizlen bu' never seen a green'un.... Curved swords, that was it, she had 'ese curved swords an' just took 'em out... swords I mean, but she did tha' to the huge beast things too. I never miss a Tournament at his Lordships Sir bu' I've never seen a scrap like tha'. The things weren't fast at 'itting just at charging so she did these uh, twirls an' things. Like those dancers that visit the Lordships manor, made it look effortless, 'adn't even managed to collect meself an' draw my blade sir a'fore she'd put em both down."

"Then I'm assuming the rest of them engaged with the robed strangers?"

"That's right Sir. Some of them were magic-slingers...", a single probing eye rose itself to lock on the guards face. "-Oh the robed ones sir, they had the magic. The first bunch cut 'em down quick bu' some stray... things sailed over an' struck the wall and main door sir. That's why everything was all broke up."

"Ah finally we get to the point. So it was these Robed ones were focussed on the first travelling group and their conflict spilt onto our property?"

"... That sounds right sir. The Captain thought so too, 'e let the first bunch through right away, get shot of a bad problem he thought.", the guard jumped at the sudden scrape of metal-capped wood on stone as the Paymaster forced his chair out, opinion too low to trust the Servants aid. His farewells practically lost by the haste of his exit, a curt thanks to the guard, then simply gone.

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