On the Threshold Of Adventure, Chapter 6- Reedfoot Clan

     Seven individuals, loosely grouped, walked along near the river's edge. At one point just beyond a bridge, the boy ran off- and Violet did too. It confused the others- after all, they were only slightly less than a third of the way towards their next destination. What surprised them, is the pair of Hin seemed to slide into the river bank- if not straight into the water itself.

    "Violet... what are you..?"

    "We're here." To everyone's surprise, a door suddenly appeared among the reeds. Just tall enough for her to comfortably walk into, she smiled. "I'll try not to take too long, promise."

    The others looked around- surprised to see what appeared to be a thriving community. Doors appeared everywhere, hidden in the tall grass and reeds. Beneath the bridge, parallel to the riverbank, a massive barge. Small boats here and there. How did they happen to miss this before? The Good Folk were truly an enigmatic bunch, it seemed. While the group marvelled, Violet watched a door open- and the young Hin girl come out. She went to hug her brother, who pushed her off. His mother came to the doorway- and the young boy scowled. The woman didn't look too pleased at this turn of events.

    "Now, Rory- what did you push away your sister for?"

    "Girls are stupid and I hate them." Scowling again, he folded his arms over her chest. Violet stepped in front of him, and got down to his level.

    "That's no way to talk- especially not about family. She wandered far from home, from safety, to find us- for you. While I know you're upset, don't take it out on her." She looked at him, steel meeting surprise. "Your sister loves you- and looks up to you. Is this the kind of big brother she needs, one who pushes her away? Girls can do anything boys can- I showed you that. Now show her that."

    Rory stared at her, then at the ground. "Sorry, Hazel. Wanna go play?"

    "Yes! Come on, big bruther!" Taking her brother's hand, the two children ran down the river.

    Violet got back up, and looked at the mother- a sheepish expression on the woman’s face. "Apologies, I crossed a line, I know."

    "Discipline of children to another Clan is normally frowned upon. However... It is excusable, given these circumstances. Perhaps hearing it from someone who is not family, will help him understand. Please, come inside for tea." Before Violet could say anything, she went inside. Looking back at the group, she noticed them sitting on the bank nearby. Asriel waved her off. Reluctantly, Violet went in. Inside was cozy, as any Hin home would be. Tea and biscuits were on a table, and Violet was invited to sit on one of the ample comfortable chairs. She did. The tea was poured, a light and sweet blackberry concoction. The woman sat down opposite her- taking a moment to compose her thoughts. "Thank you, for bringing my son home safe. Where was he?"

    "Toadswallow. We were tasked to find missing denizens of Tor's Hold- and your daughter came to me, asking if I would find him. I said I would. Even if we weren't going there, I'd have looked for him anyways. On top of that, it should not be a problem again."

    "I can assure you, it is much appreciated. When Hazel came home without Rory, I was quite concerned." Sipping her tea, she looked over at the young woman. "If I may ask, what brings you and your friends to this area?"

    "My companions and I... We were heading to Highdell, when we were pulled to Illyana's farm by the scent of smoke. There were Iron Ring slavers there- and we dealt with them. That's how we learned they're terrorizing the entire area... So we're recruiting people, to push back against them in Albridge. Tor’s Hold has already agreed to help- but all the extra hands we can get will be handy."

    The woman nodded, thoughtful. "Yes, the Iron Ring have been causing us all trouble... We could use good folk like yourselves in this fight. If you go down to the dock under the bridge, they might be able to help you. My husband is the Clan leader- Willet Reedfoot. You'll want to ask for him."

    "I will, thank you." Standing up, Violet saw herself out. Stepping back onto the riverbank, she didn't see her companions. Did they leave her there?... Looking around, she walked back to the road- and saw Jordan waving to her, from the bridge area. She ran over- making quick work of such. Didn't think I was gone that long...

    "There you are- while you were inside, Asriel managed to arrange transport the river to Albridge. Managed to talk to the leader here- we were waiting for you."

    "I'm sorry." Everyone else was on the war barge- waiting for her to join them. The barge got moving on the water, everyone settling down again. Before sundown, the barge would arrive in Albridge- which was perfect timing. Sera and Violet acted as lookout, being the most perceptive, while the others kept keen, but did relax some... Things were mostly serene- until they got near the town itself. Hiding in the reeds, am ambush of slavers awaited them- poised to strike. Certainly, the slavers expected the barge. In fact, that was why they were there- to sink it, and take anyone on it hostage. What they didn't expect were the ballistas, nor the total of six adventurers on board... Violet's sharp eyes caught the subtle movement, fabric swaying in the evening breeze. 

   "Trouble ahead, starboard side. Expect pure ranged assaults, until they know they've emerged victorious, which is going to put half of you at disadvantage."

    "How are we going to do this?" Silver hoisted his broadsword, eyes on the hin.

    "Act relaxed and unaware until we get close, then hit from range."

    "Essentially, take them by surprise."

    "Silver and I... will defend you. Take the hits back." Gears were turning in everyone's minds.

    "Good plan, Asriel. I'll control from the side- help act as a wall, but also control the bastillas and bolster the fighting force."

    "I'll be on healing duty, and can bolster everyone here as well. If I get a chance to take any shots, I will."

    "Sounds like a solid plan- any chance to pick these bastards off is good for me."

    As everyone scattered strategically, Asriel eyed Violet- already, ideas were forming in his head. "How do... you know all this?"

    "I have my ways~" Cryptic was Violet's smile, as she vanished from sight. Leaving one very confused goatman in her wake.

    Laying in wait, the slavers could get a clear look at the barge now- a trading barge, with a quad of armoured adventurers. Nothing to remiss, and more people to haul in was good for business. Quickly scanning, they saw no ranged weapons- this would be a piece of cake... Once the barge got closer, the sudden appearance of a fifth person confused them- wait, where did that individual come from? And then, they felt it. Two of them fell immediately- one had his head explode from seemingly nothing, while another had his eye and throat gouged out. But the slavers could see no ammunition... Two of the three moved- and a fifth person could be a seen- a Hin woman. Before they could react, the dwarf started shouting orders... Only to reveal acid-dripping ballista arrows. Four of these arrows began tearing through their forces. Volleys off arrows were launched- aiming for the taller individual, and the Hin woman- but the shield well held too strong. Bullets, arrows of water and ballista arrows ripped their forces apart, leaving them near-defenceless.

    Death came quick to the ambushers- and as they began to scatter, the tall person and the woman picked them off. Most of them fell, but one dared to look back in his retreat. His eyes and Violet's locked- a moment passed between them, then he ran. Violet let herself grin- the group converging, genuinely impressed with her idea. Hin and adventurer alike.

    "That was brilliant- I’ll have to remember that for future battles." High praise, coming from Thorin. The warlord was a brilliant tactician- it was his calling, after all.

    "Haven’t had a chance to experience conflict on the water like this in awhile. It was… rather  satisfactory.”

    "Right? Taking the enemy down is always a thrill."

    The hin on the barge- less vocal about such things- were no less impressed by everything. The damned Ring had been causing problems for some time now. Any chance to rebuff them was taken as a fortuitous event. However, Jordan and Asriel were speaking in quiet conversation- about everything that had gone on so far. Definitely something was amiss, but prying such things out of Violet would be near-impossible. Finally they were in Albridge- the war barge bumping the dock, amid the setting sun. Now to the next step: Finding Dar, and organizing the forces to fight the slavers off.


Chapter 7- Dar