Adventure of Ravellorn 1

You reach the market as panic surges northward. A hulking, black-furred beast, a massive bear-like creature with long arms and yellowed tusks, drives the crowd before it, while a young adult woman with bronze skin, braided dark hair, and a torn crimson slave veil, slender and sharp-featured, with a small scar beneath one eye calmly works a key in the side gate of the warlord's hall. Its iron collar hangs open.

The gate groans inward. Beyond it, the hall's northern tower looms above the market roofs, its stonework veined with old black stains. Guards spill from the entrance, blades drawn.

She gives a small whistle. The beast halts with one claw raised, then lowers its head and turns from the gate toward the guards gathering around you.

The crowd disappears into alleys. Six guards form a tightening crescent, shields locked, while the slave princess steps aside beside the open gate and watches you without fear.

Her answer comes lightly, almost amused. The six guards tighten their crescent, shields scraping stone, while the beast's yellowed tusks show beneath its lowered muzzle.

You gain the answer, but the princess's uncertainty remains concrete: Gorvash is not presently driven by hunger, and her attention shifts to the beast instead of the guards.

Ravellorn lunges at the nearest shield, behind which a young adult man with a stocky build, brown hair, a square jaw, and a dented iron helm stands in a rust-red surcoat over mail. His scarred hand catches the guard's shoulder and rim, wrenching him out of the crescent before the others can close ranks.

He shoves the struggling guard toward the beast, then turns his head toward the slave princess with a wink and a broad smile.

The guard stumbles within reach of Gorvash's lowered muzzle. The monster sniffs his shield and armor, but its tusks remain still; confusion ripples through the remaining line.

Gorvash raises one claw and blocks the guard's retreat, not striking, while the other soldiers surge forward with shields and drawn blades.

Ravellorn catches the closest guard by his shield rim and surcoat as the line surges. He twists, dragging the man across the beast's path and making him a living barrier before Gorvash's raised claw.

The guard crashes against the stone beside Gorvash, shield wedged between tusks and advancing steel. Ravellorn's sword sweeps low, forcing the other guards to check their rush rather than risk striking their own man.

A blade clips Ravellorn's ribs through his coat as he braces the captured guard away from the beast. Pain bites hard, but the guards are held back and Gorvash remains untouched.

Gorvash lowers his muzzle until the guard's shield trembles beneath his breath, then holds. The remaining soldiers spread their shields, unwilling to rush through Ravellorn's guarded tangle.

Ravellorn winks toward the slave princess with a broad smile, sword angled across the gap while his bruised side tightens beneath his coat.

Ravellorn tightens his hold on the closest guard, sword steady across the gap. His bruised ribs burn as he twists enough to keep the captive between Gorvash and the wavering blades.

Steel sinks. The remaining guards retreat toward the hall entrance, shields turned aside, leaving their comrade in Ravellorn's grasp and the path before the gate clear.

The closest guard sags against his shield, alive and trembling. Gorvash lowers his claw, while the slave princess watches Ravellorn with renewed, measuring interest beside the open gate.