Two warriors fell to the ground in pain.
Rinero clutched at his face, torn open with the remains of his right eye hanging out of its deep crimson socket. The elf clutched at his stomach which was bleeding profusely. The two warriors were withing and groaning in pain until one got up.
The stomach wound was fairly shallow and did not hit any vital organs causing the elf to regenerate from the wound with their natural healing factor. The elf stood up with a sinister smile on his face as he raised his blade to the sky ready to send Rinero to the afterlife.
Then a long blade ripped through the elf's body from behind. The blade dripped with blood before being withdrawn from the elf's chest. The elf fell to the ground and behind him was Father Simon holding his bloody stolen claymore. Next to Simon was a healed Zetarnu and Noname.
Simon dropped his blade and rushed to heal Rinero. Noname drew one of his daggers and pressed it against the fallen elf's throat. The elf stared in horror not only at the dagger but at the half-orc's disfigured face.
"Am I truly about to die here! Me a high born elf about to die to these disgusting lesser creatures!" thought the elf.
"Hold Noname, don't kill this man, he will be useful for us," said Zetarnu.
Zetarnu once again withdrew the scroll with the malevolent aura. Zetarnu smiled sinisterly as he slowly undid the scroll seal while staring into the elf's horrified eyes. Zetarnu recited an ancient and mystical chant and the scroll in his hands erupted into green flames.
Suddenly the elf was surrounded by several arcane sigils and a malevolent green aura. He was suddenly bound by chains and a key stuck into his heart yet made no wound. All at once he was engulfed in a flash of light and the chains, sigils, and aura disappeared.
The elf quickly stood up and dashed straight at Zetarnu while holding his blade yet Zetarnu stood calmly. He snapped his fingers and the elf fell to the ground screaming in agony. The elf thrashed around violently foaming at the mouth, he felt as if his whole body was engulfed in flames yet not a single wound was on his body.
"What have you done old man!" shouted the elf.
Zetarnu laughed confidently.
"I have placed a high level curse on you my long eared friend. Each time I snap my fingers you will be overcome with immense pain and you will be unable to move. Essentially, you're now my bitch and you will do my bidding and follow my orders or else I'll activate the curse's effect," explained Zetarnu, wide grin on his face.
"You basta-"
Zetarnu snapped his fingers again and the elf began spasming uncontrollably and thrashing around like a fish out of water all while howling in pain.
"No talking back long ears," said Zetarnu.
Back with Simon and Rinero, Simon was using his blessing abilities to heal Rinero. The deep cut on his face sealed and his eye regenerated.
"Wow Simon, those blessings sure are handy," said Rinero.
"I'm glad I could be of use," said Simon.
Rinero and Simon walked over to where Zetarnu and Noname were surrounding the elf, Noname's daggers held up against the defeated elf's throat.
"Now tell me long ears, who are you and why are you here," said Zetarnu.
"I am Prince Lazarus, tenth in line to the throne to the Duchy of Verdinia. My father sent me here to study under the mage Zetarnu. He says I'm too weak to be a potential heir to the throne. I was trying to get to Fiferidge but got lost," said the elf, answering quickly in his defeated state.
Zetarnu smiled and began laughing.
"Well that's funny, I'm Zetarnu."
"Really!?"
"Yep."
The elf began laughing hysterically a the situation.
"Sent here by your father eh, I noticed you were suspiciously weak for an elf. But don't worry, I have a task for you which will surely train both physical and arcane abilities. You will join us on a quest my friend," said Zetarnu.
Zetarnu explained the situation of their quest to Lazarus. After this the group walked back to the wagon to continue onto Whitelake now with Zetarnu's new long eared slave. Lazarus from then on dared not to speak or act against Zetarnu's will lest he be the victim of the curse put upon him. The arrogant, high born elf reduced to a slave. They also used his horse to draw the wagon.
The wagon continued on through the night, the group deciding not to sleep due to them losing time to all the encounters they had. Little did they know they would not sleep or rest for many days to come.
In the dark forest 26 horse-mounted shadows moved swiftly through the trees baring lances, swords, and axes. Their torches flickered in the wind and their steel shone palely under the moonlight. The group stopped at the edge of the forest as they spotted the wagon in the distance.
Officer Krieger withdrew a spyglass and looked out at the wagon.
"A wizard, a young man with a saber, and a large man in a black cloak, and two others. Looks close enough to the scout's description," said the officer.
Officer Krieger pulled out a crystal orb from his pouch and whispered an incantation into the orb. The orb shimmered with arcane energy and within the crystal orb the image of Commander Yegar slowly manifested.
"Commander Yegar, we have found the group which took out the scouts," said Kreiger.
"Excellent Krieger, remember to take them alive. But I wouldn't mind them missing a few limbs. KAKAKAKAKAKA!" said Yegar.
"Understood sir, additionally I'd like to mention they have two new members with them. Do we kill them or take them as well."
"Take them."
"Yes sir, If we don't report back within one hour then we have failed."
Krieger spoke another incantation into the crystal orb and the image of Yegar faded away and he put the orb back into his pouch.
"Alright raiders, lets catch us some bastards!" shouted Krieger as he lowered the visor on his sallet helmet.
"RAAAAAAAAA!" shouted the raiders.
The horseman galloped out of the forest at full speed, weapons raised to the sky and shouting and howling like madmen. They bashed their weapons against their shields and chest plates and shouted their horrific war cries. Rinero looked out of the back of the wagon to see several horsemen, clad in beast hides and black armor over which were Black Dagger Bandit surcoats.
"Hey! there's raiders on our tail!" shouted Rinero.
"Everybody get out the wagon and prepare for battle, you're coming with me Lazarus!" said Zetarnu.
The group jumped out the wagon, weapons prepared to meet the horsemen in combat. Under the dim moonlight the raiders looked like demons with their crude hides over their plate and chainmail with their spiked and horned helms. Skulls and scalps hung by hooks on their belts and even rotting arms and legs.
"Getting enslaved and now fighting for my enslavers against some barbaric bandits in the middle of the wild lands? By the gods today has be rough, I should be back at the palace sipping sweet wine and snacking on olives," thought Prince Lazarus as he clutched his long blade furiously.
"I just beat an elf prince in combat today, these bandits will be a breeze," thought Rinero, saber and dagger in hand.
"Oh holy Terra, forgive me for the acts I am about to commit," thought Simon.
Zetarnu and Noname shot a few fireballs at the incoming horsemen yet they easily dodged be fireballs which exploded on the ground. When the horsemen had almost reached them they began circling the wagon and the group while yelling and taunting.
"ANY YA BASTARDS FROM DUNSTRIK!" hollered out Krieger.
"I am you bandit bitch!" shouted Rinero.
"Well we just got back from sacking that shithole village, killed the village lord and everybody else there."
This news struck Rinero like a thunder bolt. He first felt surprise, then sadness, then rage.
"And some idiot left a chest with 149 gold marks in their house!"
Rinero's eyes widened as Kreiger withdrew a familiar small chest.
"HEY THATS MY FUCKING TOURNAMENT MONEY!" shouted Rinero.
"You had tournament money? I knew you had won a tournament but I thought you spent all your money," said Zetarnu.
"Why the hell would I spend all my money in one day?"
"I don't know, whores, alcohol, all that other stuff. Like a normal person dam it."
"I'm gonna get back my money!"
The group began spreading out as much as they could in their cage of raiders and steel. Then all at once the two groups crashed into each other violently and began a chaotic and brutal battle.