Had it been any other day the rain would have been welcome, an aid to the crops and a reason for the families of Avanbrus to rest. But not this day. This day the only guarantee was that the rain would make the coming confrontation more difficult.

An early warning meant at least they had the ability to prepare, he thanked the Maker his niece had been in the woods to spot the coming group of templars a some miles away. Every able-bodied member of the small settlement was organized. They donned their armor (or what they could still fit into) and gathered their weapons that many years ago were tucked into dark closets or resting overlooked in a corner. Those that had no battle skills were crowded into safest house, near the small river that kept the settlement alive and the tower Dragon’s peak to the east. There they would have a chance to be protected, especially since the bridge over the river had been burned to avoid any surprise attacks from the rear.

Archers were crouched hidden on mountain side, some in the trees, ready to give the warriors on the front line back up if the invaders pushed far enough into the settlement. His daughter, Evelyn, and a mage she brought with her from the Tower also laid in wait among the buildings while the other mages stayed at a safe distance with the archers. They were the ones the templars came for, that and the Knight-Commander’s son, but none of them were going without a fight; Aaron would sooner die before any of his children were taken to the Tower again.

The air was warm and moisture perforated it like a thick cloud. The rain, on the other had, was cold, so cold it made the land leak mist and goosebumps form on the skin of the aged warrior. Aaron was 60 now and well past his prime. His hair had grayed a fair bit at the temples and his beard was patched with the same, it wouldn’t be long before he lost all the color and looked more his age. It already showed in his build, he’d grown so wide he couldn’t fit into his armor any longer. He’d cursed it, both the genetic predisposition and the spoiling of his wife, now he was exposed in a situation where he truly needed to wear his armor once more. The gauntlet and boots still fit, his chainmail and helmet as well, this would have to do along with the defense of his shield.

So now he stood, his twins brother, Donovan, at his side, awaiting the incoming force. The damn rogue hadn’t gained an inch; still fit into leathers like it was nothing. If they survived this he’d have to punch him for that. With them were Aaron’s brother-in-laws, a sister-in-law, his first daughter and second son, and the coming Knight-Commander’s son, Wesley, who had earlier in the year married his second daughter.

Resentment seethed in him at the thought of the young man. This was all his doing, he was the one that took Evelyn in the start. He’d brought her back after 2 year, but if he had never met Denice he would have never come to Avanbrus and never caused all this strife to begin with. Wishes Wesley had never been born were common in Aaron’s mind over the past year the lad had lived here, he didn’t trust him and even now he wondered if this was his doing. But Denice loved him and as a father Aaron couldn’t over look that. Had he denied their marriage she would have run away with him regardless; the old man may have been bitter but he was no fool.

He pressed these reflections from his mind, now was not the time. Grip tightened on his sword with new resolve, now was the time to defend his home and family. Like specters from the floating mist the shining templar armor materialized in the distance up the road. The road was now thick mud thanks to the rain, but this didn’t appear to slow the coming force. Agonizing minutes passed as the space between them began to close. The Knight-Commander leading the templars was clear at the head of the group, not just from his powerful stance and carriage but from the lyrium infused armor that blazed like hot fire in the dim forest.

Aaron’s mouth was dry and the rain and anticipation made him shiver slightly, the goosebumps never leaving his flesh. He licked his lips fruitlessly then glanced at his brother. Had their preparations been enough, he wondered. Not only their lives were at stake but all the lives of their family, if the lost the whole of Avanbrus would end. That was an outcome Aaron would not allow.

As the templars neared the number of them became clear and Aaron’s stomach iced over, though his face darkened his eyes widened with shock and fear. There appeared to be somewhere around twenty, why the Knight-Commander had chosen to many to take care of their small settlement he wasn’t sure of but he had a suspicion the man knew most of the inhabitants were skilled in some many of weaponry. He frowned now, covering up his worry, wondering if it had been Wesley’s information that had given his father this edge. But seeing as the man had a potent reputation even outside the circle he didn’t put it past natural intuition of their resistance.

“This is more than we thought,” he grumbled to Donovan, “...What’s the retreat plan again?” a slight air of jest pervaded his words, a desperate attempt to resist the cold nervousness that tickled his guts. Now wasn’t the time but that was all the more reason he needed to do it.

Donovan wavered his gaze; it did not meet his brother’s but held firm to the affliction coming forth. “Ah- last we discussed it was that we were all going to fall onto our blades,” dry words left his mouth, tasting as bitter as they sounded. It was a perverted attempted at humor when it already wasn`t his stronghold.

His brother delivered as always, causing the warrior to smirk and shake his head slightly, “Oh, yes- How could I forget?”

It wasn’t long now that the templars came close enough that Aaron went to meet them, stop them before they got to the other warriors who stood in an imposing like blocking the road behind him and Donovan. He stepped forward, no words to those holding the line since they knew their job, and went with Donovan to confront the Knight-Commander. Just a few steps we taken before the templars stopped and the Knight-Commander Stood before them.

“How do you know our location?” Donovan demanded before anyone else could speak, his eyes as acidic as his voice as he glared at the helmed Knight-Commander.

“A little birdie told me before it flew the coup,” came the cold response, echoing in his helmet and making it sound all the more steel and emotionless.

All present knew who he meant; his son, Wesley. None could break their gaze to look at the lad, however, but it was likely he wilting under the very thought.

“As interesting a thought as that is I’ll have to kindly ask you to turn your men around and leave,” Aaron said without a lick of sincere politeness in his voice and jaw taught as he thought of how he might make Wesley pay for this further betrayal.

“Surely you must know how long it takes to travel from here to the circle. At least your daughter must. I would not take my men all this way were I just going to turn around and leave,” his words felt rehearsed, still empty of any form of passion as the words rattled in his helm

“You’ll forgive me if I don’t invite you for tea. Take the river to the West, it’s a much quicker route back to the city,” Aaron’s word were as steady as he could manage, unlike the Knight-Commander he could feel his ire rising, the need to end this.

“I shall once you have handed over the mages you are harboring. Or do I have to take them by force?”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that, we don’t willingly hand over our children to prejudiced bastards that would kill an innocent person in the name of their perverted religion.”

“And I am not willing to let them wander as they please while they become corrupted into abominations and kill far more innocents than I ever have.”

The tension began rising as he knew the inevitable was finally close, “Then it seems the conclusion to our conversation is clear,” Aaron’s body grew taunt as his grip tightened on the hilt of his blade. He should have known words would be a waste of time.

---

Okay, so story time is fun, but it took way too long when I wrote it. And I'm afraid to reread it since I wrote it so late and it probably stinks to high heaven. 8v

You get the gist of what's going on in this picture from what I wrote, I hope. This is sort of after the story though because Wesley duels his father before the attack truly starts and blah blah, more story. Since I suck and wanted to see Aaron's glorious fais I didn't put a helmet on him like he would be wearing. His hand's kinda big but I blame the gauntlet. I'm rather proud of the weaponry considering I don't usually draw that stuff. c:

Half-assed background is half-assed, but at least it sort of looks like how I wanted just less awesome.

OH THE DRAMA. HOW WILL THEY EVER BEAT THE TEMPLARSSSS.