D&D: The Crimson Dames: The cursed Manor : Unexpected visit: Fandas runs to the girl and try to save her from the trapped rune
From Create Your Own Story
Listening to his heart, Fandas decides that he is not Val... even if they are stranger.. and they might kill them... he can't just let them die.
As he gets up, he hear Val clamour angrily behind him but he doesn't listen to her. As he runs towards the girl, the girl turns towards him, completely startled and her sword almost jump out of it's sheath into her hand. The instant seems to slow down as he tries to shout a warning "Stop ! Get back !"
He sees the men drawing their weapons, the girls in their ambush spot drawing theirs as well but looking confused as this is not part of the plan. Fandas run like he's never before. He didn't even bother drawing his dagger. He feel he's gonna get shot by a crossbow before he can even reach her but it doesn't matter.
Lastly, he meet the raven-haired lass's eye, looking at him. Too late, she took a step too forward and the light of the runes in the stone next to her start to blaze with dangerous light. He sees her eyes turns to the light but he knows it's too late. Running like he's never run before, he darts through the graveyard like an arrow. The raven-haired bandit sees the light flashes before her eyes, seemingly seeing her own demise before being tackled by a boy a few inches smaller then her.
Fandas slams into the girl and pushes her forward. Eye closed, he can still see the light of the runes through his closed eyelid. He feels the warmth of the runes on his back and near his feet and as he falls, he figures he probably died right there. Taken in a wave of searing heat and painful death.
As he collapse, he feels himself falling on something soft and squishy. The warm body of the raven-haired bandit. The two have fallen over a few inches next to the trap. The bandits are stunned to see the show of light. None of them would have reacted in time as they were not really in position to do anything. The runes unleash it's devastating power, a circular concentric blast of heat that seems to roils on itself with a carnivorous roar. The heat seems enough to melt bones and metal. It finally ends with a sharp slice as if it cut through the air before the noise gives way and the humming of the runes starts to become low-toned and then silence.
The graveyard is again plunged into silence for a few moment. Fandas raise himself, realizing he is laying atop a stunned raven-haired girl. He looks down at her, panting. She is also looking up at him. Then suddenly a blade gets placed under the young boy's throat.
A grave men's voice rises : "You want to get up nice and slow boy."
Fandas raise his arm, showing he's not touching anywhere inappropriate. "I'm.. I'm not armed..."
As he look up, he is quickly surrounded by the girl's crew, all armed and threatening him.
The men holding the sword to his throat : "I won't repeat myself."
"I.. I understand.." he babbles cowardly and looks down at the girl who looks back at him. In her stunned expression, he can sense a bit of gratitude. She's slowly realizing he just saved her life.
The man with the sword has him get up before someone grab his wrist and pin them in his back while searching him for weapon. Another of the men helps the raven haired girl to her feet and they start speaking an exotic language. He figures the group weren't from around here. They don't display any local colours or clothing. He vaguely remembers Val talking about Amn or something like that.
The girl answers to him and he feels his wrist being roped. He suddenly look down, feeling horrible. Saving her was a mistake it seems... Now he'l be gutted by these cutthroats. and the girls will probably die too because of him.
As he starts to brood dark ideas, the raven haired girl approach him along the man who threatened him. As she speaks to him, he realize she doesn't have her men's accent when she speaks common.
The girl : Who are you ?
Fandas : My.. my name is Fandas... I'm just a farmer's boy from Lovaril.
The man with the sword : Don't play games boy. Lovaril burned. We saw it ourselves.
His words feels like sharp knives as he recall the terrible night the orcs attacked the small village of Lovaril. If the crimson dame hadn't been there to save him, he probably would've been torched like his friends and neighbours. and parents... For a second. He remembers why he put up with the girls and regret not freeing them.
Fandas : I know... I was there...
The man looks down at his expression, at a boy who is about to fall in tears to traumatic memories. The girl suddenly reach for the man's shoulder and nods to him while saying a few words in their strange language. The man nods and orders a few of his men to step back and make a perimeter behind them. She ask him seriously.
The girl : Is there more trap in this graveyard ?
With only a moment to think, Fandas decides to be truthful. At this point it won't do good to lie. and beside, he is awful at bluffing (unless the girl being bluffed wears a necklace of stupidity)
Fandas : Yes.. only one. They take about an hour to recharge... the other one is on a stone statue similar to this one.
The girl nods and shout something in her language to one of her men. The men in question seems to head towards the statue he directed to to confirm his words.
At this distance, the girl and him could talk without being at ear range of anyone.
The girl : My father used to say bravery and foolishness are often confounded. Which one was it that made you save me ?
Fandas looks up at her, seeing a strangely amused expression in her eyes : I.. I don't know.. I just.. it didn't felt right to let you die...
He sees the girl smiles crack into a sneer. The man sent to check on the statue returns with a nods.
The girl : Seems like you are speaking truthfully, Fandas of Lovaril. What are you doing here ? This place has a renown. and you seem too soft to be the adventuring kind.
Fandas : I am... (he hesitate for a moment but he nods, decided to be honest) I am travelling with a group of adventurer. The ones that save me from Lovaril. We came here to cleanse the place of a dangerous necromancer. Which we did...but some things happened and... well. We weren't ready to leave just yet.
The girl : Really ? Your companions are still here ?
Fandas nods : Please just don't hurt them. Take what you will but-
The girl smile and puts a finger on his mouth. In her eyes, he doesn't detect the cruel glint he expected but just an amused expression.
The girl : Calm down. We won't hurt you. Or them. As long as they don't ambush us.
Fandas : I.. I see.
The girl grins : Let's talk inside then. I never liked graveyard much.
It is Fandas's turn to be stunned but he nods, overwhelmed by the situation.
