PM to join Arrow? Or Bolt? (Tillie)

[Alexander Faircroft]

27th Winter 515AV
08:13
Surrounding forests of Syliras

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Over the past couple of days in the city Alex had caught wind of a few bandits lurking about in the forests nearby. A misplaced rumour here ad stray word there. He’d only recently though grabbed a hold of some solid information. Four bandits had made a small camp out in the forest. A small ways into the shades of the forest they’d found themselves lurking. A small camp but enough for him to get his foot in the door and get some other assignments from his patron.

Alex himself however had just woken up knowing full well where he was headed this morning. Donning the plate mail and chain which he usually wore, slipping the bastard sword onto his belt and the dagger across the back. Quiver at his waist and bow over his shoulder he felt…Together. Stepping out into the cooler air he exhaled watching the thin wisp of air snake from him. A cool day with an overcast sky once again. A cool chill echoed through him as he stepped through the city heading towards the main gates. A small walk nothing difficult nor treacherous. Though along the way as he turned to nod to a knight on duty he felt himself collide with someone.

Reeling back from the small collision he looked down to see a smaller mousy haired woman. Offering his hand towards her to help her back to her feet he spoke calmly. Softly. “Sorry about that, I wasn’t paying attention.” A small look of concern crossed his face as he offered his hand too her He had somewhere to be but that didn’t mean he had to be a complete ass. Glancing up he caught sight of one of the suspected people running out into the woods. They can wait a moment they’re going no-where.

[Tillie Brewer]

The early mornings blanket of darkness was drawing further away with every flicker of the candles dim flame. The trees obstructed and obscured the delightful radiance of the glistening moon that was adorned in a cascading tapestry of twinkling starlight. But now clear sky's were washing away midnights touch. For the briefest of moments she stared at the subtle changes with a subtle mix of admiration and envy.

Up until She felt the impact of a metallic collision that sent her reeling of her feet and onto her bottom. At first she she was shocked but as the surprise lost its luster Alex would bare witness to her contemptious nose crinkle.

She took his hand and allowed him to help her up, although he would be shown no quarter or mercy from the woman's passive aggressive scorn.

"It's ok, really
I forgive you for being a typical man."

She beamed the armored knight a cheesy shit eating grin before her smirk disappeared. On the ground is where her weapon lay, it spanned several feet and looked like a beefed up heavy crossbow. Certainly the weapon wasn't very manuverable and looked like it weighed roughly eighty pounds. The shoulder strap allowed her to carry it like an overstuffed backpack and there was no way she could fire it from the hip. But what it lacked in versatility and mobility it made up for it with power and distance.

On the other hand it was mighty uncomfortable to carry as she slung the strap over shoulder.

"Nice to meet you I'm Tillie, Tillie Brewer
Is something on your mind?"

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

The small scowl of the woman who’d collapsed on the ground he wasn’t exactly surprised to see the look but it stull stung his sense of person. Especially the cutting words as he helped her back onto her feet. What did she mean by him being a “typical man”? He’d simply not checked which way he was headed. A small mistake that anyone could have made. The only reason it was her who’d fallen and not him was that he’d been knocked on his arse enough times to learn how to catch himself before he fell.

Knowing full well when someone was being genuine in their actions and not he could see the look of contempt shine through even the smile. Still the thing that caught his attention the most was the enormous crossbow that lay on the ground. Perhaps that was the reason she fell and not him. The sheer weight of that thing looked akin to just his armour. And having all that weight resting on just the back would make anyone back heavy and prone to falls. He shook his head a little as she spoke slinging the huge weapon over her shoulders. Tillie, her name was. He’d have to commit that to memory. Was something on his mind?

“Nothing much, just headed out onto a patrol in the forest.” Small honest smile on his face in comparison to the one she’d shown him. “And I’m Alexander. Squire for the Knights of syliras.” A small nod and he started to walk. If she wanted to follow she’d have to keep up he had an objective and was headed for it. He knew where they’d be and he now needed to get there before they were alerted to him coming along. Or anyone coming for that instance. His footfalls in the earth despite his armour and size were surprisingly silent. Even with the clinks of the miss-fitting armour occasionally piercing the silence he still stalked through the trees near silently. The mark of a hunter who’d spent years hunting not just animals.

[Tillie Brewer]

"Well its a pleasure to make your aqquaintnce Alexander. A squire for the knights? Well I'd be happy to assist you on patrol.

After all someone needs to be paying attention.

Am I right, aye, aye"

At this point venomous glares and rude undertones subsided. Her last remark was just a bit of chop busting to lighten the mood. Something about an honest smile made all the difference and she returned one his way as she started to tag along a little from behind.

She was thoroughly thrilled

Who would have ever gussed that Tillie Brewer would be out on a big adventure with a knight of syilra. She could attempt to hide giddy excitement but her facial features would betray her. Little did Alexander know she used to dream of this in her father's workshop, with a deep nasal breath she exhaled to calm herself. Last thing she wanted was to look like a twit infront of an honest too goodness knight. If she failed she would be the clown of the industry but if she succeeded she may very well get her foot in the door and become a full fledged member of the order.

She would try to match his pace but instinctively tried to stay a bit behind. Rather impressed by his stalking she attempted to do the same following the flowing movement of his steps.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

The cutting jibes, pushed through him. She was clearly not going to let him get away easily now. He heaved out a sigh and looked her up and down again. She tried to make up for her chiding of him by turning it into a joke. As he began to walk off though he could hear someone tailing him. Looking over her shoulder it was her. Really?! She’s got no sense of stealth does she? He paused a moment allowing her to catch up behind him. As she closed the gap he could see the look of excitement. Of willingness to come along. He didn’t have the heart to tell her to turn around and head back to the city. He bit his tongue and exhaled slowly the thin wisp of mist flowed into the air.

“If you want to come with then stay low and stay slow.” He looked over his shoulder at her with a soft but serious glance. “Follow me exactly.” He gave a small hand motion and started to move. Either she followed his exact steps or she’d give away his position and possibly screw up the whole affair. He slowed his breathing again. Step after step the snow crunching beneath his feet and the soft mud yielding to his foot falls. Yet oddly he was still quiet and calm. He knew where he was headed and he was damned sure he was going to get there quietly.

He drew the bow from over his shoulders staling low and keeping it in tight. He stalked through the forest with the patience and calm of a hunter. But the eyes of an archer ever present. He was looking beyond the trees, through them searching out for something. A hint he was in the right direction. And he found it. A small red glow in the distance. A campfire. He closed the gap slowly, snaking through the trees. He was keeping his image out of a clear line of sight, attempting to be an apparition of steel and shadow. The only indication that he was real would be the foot falls in the snow. A small smile of clarity on his face, he drew close to them. Four men huddled around a fire, a small pile of loot, swords, axes, gold. And something unexpected. A small wooden box.

[Tillie Brewer]

Tillie did her best to follow instruction and Alexander's lead, she imitated his movements despite the burdensome weight on her back. Every step counted as she had to brace herself with the trunk od the tree to prevent herself from slipping on the mud. He had an archers keen sight but she would not be out done. The knight was a superior prowler Tillie would give him that but then not to be out shined she was a superior shot.


Rather then continue following however she made her stand in the vicinity of were a competent marksman would loom. Placing her siege crossbow on the ground, she unlocked and unhinged the weapons foldable bipod. Comfortable in her position her crannequin came out of her jacket the two hooked flat crowbar with a reel ontop found itself carefully placed evenly across the metallic wire. The cranking mechanism stood ontop allowing for ease of access. The ratcheting cranks would be cycling slowly but surely to reduce the noise of well oiled gears. It took some level of nerve to operate under duress as it took time to pull back the colossal weapon draw, each rotation got harder and harder still until a feint click could be heard. Then only after that sound she checked visually to make sure the triggers claw caught and held the wire securely as a mishap with a drawn crossbow wire of this magnitude could easily part her from her arm, hand or fingers. It was easier however to crank backwards as the cabled claws loosened there grip on the wire altogether allowing her to remove the device. From her coat slid three siege bolts from her breast pocket they were a little bigger but the real difference between regular bolts and siege bolts was mostly weight but sometimes material most often hardwood wood she'd seen them cast of solid bronze before. Tillies quarrel however was standard fair a fletched piece of oak with a metal tip with feathers. As she placed her bolt into the notch her finger tapped it nudging it into place while she did this though she couldn't help but think of her father and how she used to watch him when she was little

As tedious and time consuming a task as it was she was thoroughly prepared as she lay down belly first with a loaded weapon and her spy glass out as she began marking her intended target.

She was looking for there leader the guy that would bark orders without him there would usually be a substantial loss in morale. And usually the leader was usually the most talented with steel.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Alex crept closer. Despite the heaviness of his plate and the weapons on him he kept slow, the bastard sword by his die slid free of it’s scabbard with a soft tink. Hs stabbed the blade into the ground and strapped his shield to his arm. He was ready to step in for battle now. He slipped past the trees drawing closer. The heavy plate finally catching along the light of the fire. Still no-one saw him. He swept up behind the camp now. Slow calm breaths. He crept up behind one of the bandits. Sword drawn and with a swift motion he brought the hilt of the blade up to meet the bandit’s temple. One stroke from the silence of the forest and he was out like a light. That got their attention.

“Who goes there!?” They called out and Alex smirked stepping from the shadow into the light. “Gents. I’m going to ask you politely right now to drop your weapons, and surrender.” The three remaining bandits looked between them. Panicked by the sight of the armour and the sigil of windoak on the shoulder of the borrowed plate. “Knight…There’s three of us and one of you.” One of the bandits piped up but another started to talk him down mentioning the fact that Alex was a knight and was potentially trained to handle all three of them. They didn’t have to know he was a squire but still. The on who’d voiced his dissent was met with a swift crack to the jaw. He rubbed his face as the leader charged Alex. Axe raised high. It wasn’t one built to be a weapon it was a woodcutter’s axe. They were simple folk turned to a life of banditry for easier money.

Alex stepped into his space, flipping his sword around he slammed what would have been the blade but now the pommel into the bandit’s gut. His left shield arm blocking the Axe before it came down. “I just want you to know I didn’t want to do this.” He sighed and swung the hilt of the sword at the now reeling bandit’s temple. Two out cold. The remaining two looked at him with a mix of anger and fear. One, the kid who’d been smacked in the jaw threw down his weapon and was met with a swift blunt edge of an axe to the back of the head. “Think yer hot shyke? I’m the only real fighter among em.” The bandit smirked and hurled his axe through the empty space nearly clipping Alex’s nose. Instinctually Alex moved backwards and tripped over the unconscious body behind him. Dammit, Archie was right I should watch my surroundings better! Alex rolled to the side watching the blade of the Axe sink into the earth next to where he fell. “Yer a slippery one aint ya?!”

[Tillie Brewer]

Spy glass unwavering as she peered through the lense, and watched the knight maneuver and fight with bravado and self confidence. But a mistake had happened during his ballad and he had fallen back first to the ground narrowly missing a flailing axe to the face. It was a lucky break that would not last for long as the lumbering man lurched forward to grasp the axe.

Tillies hand went up to feel the breeze, and adjusted a little to the right. She calculated roughly for a minor adjustment, using mathematic estimation. Although it was not 100% accurate it would do what she needed it to do.

Waiting with daunting refrain only when the leader put his hand on the axe and lifted it to strike down the knight did she pull the trigger and unleash the whooping crack as the tension released its drawn energy into the bolt.

The bolt whipped through the air screaming through the wind before meeting the center of mass with a thwacking noise as bolt hit the bandit leader passed through him and burrowed itself near completely into one of the logs the bandits were sitting on.

"HOLD YOUR FIRE LADS"

Hoping to make it appear that the bandits were surrounded by scouts and buy Alexander some time.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Alex watched as the bandit before him snarled with a smile and brought his axe up again. “Say g’night.” Cackling laugher out he want to bring his axe down. A loud snap filled the air, followed swiftly by the sound of steel piercing wood. The Bandit stopped mid swing. He caught his breath in this throat, as the bandit gurgled blood slowly. Alex watched as the bandit slumped to the ground with a hole straight through his torso. The bandit’s heart impaled on the spike sticking out of the tree. Alex then heard her voice echo out through the surrounding forests. The last bandit huddled up into a ball on the ground. Alex dropped the sword in his hands looking at the body in front of him.

No…I thought I left this behind in Sunberth…Not here too. I can’t escape it. “You fool! You didn’t have to kill him!” Alex snapped his head around to the direction the bolt came from. If she could see him she’d see the anger and sorrow in his eyes. She’d definitely hear the calm cracking in his voice, the rage just on the edge. He other bandit unbeknownst to him had curled up into a ball and was whimpering. Alex grabbed his sword and sheathed it. Picking up a length of rope from the camp and tying up the hands of the bandits. He’d hoped to do this without a casualty. Without a death. But no the interference of an unseen person had changed everything. He tied he bandits up. A look of apology on his face as he looked down at the dead bandit gripping a hold of the symbols of Kihala and Dira. Dira sorry for the inconvenience, and Kihala sorry for failing you again. He tied the awake bandit’s arms up first knotting the rope tightly. Following that up, he tied the two unconscious ones arms together using another section of rope.

He turned to face her direction again expecting her to come over. And then turned away looking through the loot they’d pilfered. A couple hundred mizas, he’d hand those over to the knights. A few gems again he’d hand that over but the box. The lacquered box he opened. Within lie a beautifully inlayed dagger made of solid gold. Alex kept that to himself and he’d ask Ser Greyheart personally about that one.

[Tillie Brewer]

At first Tillie felt supremely proud of herself, her shot was off by around six inches if she had managed to hit his heart. It was considered a clean kill albeit imperfect if her intended target was his solar plexus his center of mass. It really did dawn some truth about how mathematics could really help improve her ability to hit her target.

Tillie after hearing the cracking voice of Alex took a moment to mentally review what happened. She began packing up her gear, refolded the bipod and scooped her spyglass, quarrel and crannequin and then proceeded to wrap the siege crossbows weapon strap around her shoulder and hoisted it up and letting it rest snuggly against her back as she walked down the hill.

She felt firmly that he was trying to breech with reality and was disillusioned by a pretty ideal. She would not be his scapegoat because reality reared it's ugly mug. No the bandit leader made his choice, and she in return made hers. Fate would require spilled blood today and the interference of this stranger saved his life. On his back in plate armor with his would be executioner looming over him, did he think he was going to spring into acrobatic back flips out of harms way? Or was he trying to point the finger at her because he tripped, and rather then hold himself accountable for not paying attention to his surroundings used blame like a security blanket.

"That's not ok

I'm nobody's fool, I'm not going to spend the day pointing fingers. I hold myself accountable for my actions, just as you should hold that bandit accountable for his own. I only took the shot after he picked up the weapon with intent to murder a friend, verbally spoken his intentions to end you no less. That same resolve was used to rob law abiding citizens of there hard work dignity and lives.

Yet even now your eyes betray you.

Holding a holy symbol in one hand while your already too eager to plunder what is stolen property rather then see it returned to those it was robbed from."