The Winter kingdom

Version 2.0

After a rejuvenating night's rest, the group settled into a state of patient anticipation, perched on the edge of the wilderness. With a stretch of spare time before them, they sought to make the most of it.

The clearing became active as each member meticulously tended to their gear, addressing the wear and tear inflicted by the rugged terrain they traversed. The rhythmic sounds of sharpening blades and the subtle stitching of leather passed the time.

They braved the icy waters, cleansing themselves of the accumulated grime, sweat, and dirt acquired during their arduous journey. The crystal-clear river sparkled like liquid silver under the sunlight, and the group emerged refreshed, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead through shivering when doing so.

As the morning sun cast its warm glow upon the camp, the group seized the opportunity to delve into more comprehensive training. Unlike their usual hurried morning or late evening sessions, they now had the luxury of time to refine their skills. Each member, in their way, honed their abilities with a focus being placed on Jocelyn who though good with a bow lacks close weapons skills.

The forest echoed with the sounds of nature interwoven with the disciplined cadence of the group's training. It was a serene interlude, a pause amidst the unpredictability of their journey.

As the sun traced its arc across the sky, the day slipped away, only marked by the ambient sounds of the forest and the subtle whispers of the wind through the leaves. They continued to wait hopeful of Edric and Lyanna's ability to be safe. They continued to endure another day of patience before contemplating more drastic actions.

It was on the cusp of noon on their second day of waiting that a collective sigh of relief escaped their lips. Over the crest of a hill, silhouetted against the descending sun, emerged two familiar figures.

They finally relaxed and settled into making food for no doubt their hungry friends. The distant figures grew more defined, and with each step, they came into greater focus. Edric and Lyanna, shadows of their usual selves, hobbled toward the camp as they supported one another, their bodies caked in mud, grime, blood, and torn cloths.

Rushing forward, "What happened to you guys?" Jon said holding Edric up on a steadying shoulder while Brandon and Jocelyn hastened to support Lyanna. Worry in their eyes, they took them to the fireplace.

"We were chased by the bandits, keep moving. Ugh, no time to fully rest or eat; we ran until we believed we had lost them," Edric explained, each word accompanied by laboured panting and audible grunts.

Lyanna continued. "Meet the Bandit boss, meet a nice old lady, and helped some villagers escape from the village."

"Ah, sis." Jocelyn hugs her sister. "Just can't help yourself can you." As she looks up at her sister.

"Come on, we'll get you something to eat and clean your wounds. While you recuperate, you can fill us in on what happened," Brandon said as he dragged the pair over, handing them food.

As they tended to their injuries, the pair settled in, the flickering fire flickering over the pot of stew. Edric and Lyanna, having narrowly escaped the clutches of the pursuing bandits, recounted their journey.

/

After their hurried escape from the burning room, they found themselves in a narrow corridor with a stairway on one side and a doorway ablaze on the other. Opting for the only viable route, they ascended the stairs to the second level. There, a hallway stretched before them, with two doorways beckoning — the farthest one barred by a large, burning beam that had crashed down, the same one that had crashed into the room they were in before.

The clamour of pursuit echoing from below, muffled voices saying, 'Upstairs, they are both pretty I want them alive', Edric and Lyanna swiftly entered the only accessible doorway. The room revealed itself as a spacious bedroom, with an open window offering a precarious escape into the communal garden beyond. Facing the unsettling bandits or embracing the unknown of the garden, the choice was clear.

"Roll when you hit the ground," Lyanna advised with a glance at Edric before leaping out of the window. In rapid succession, Edric followed suit, ensuring to land away from Lyanna's.

Upon landing, Edric and Lyanna executed a hurried tuck-and-roll, forgetting about the packs strapped to their backs. It resulted in a slightly more chaotic landing; their bags crushed in the process, and a more awkward roll.

As they rose to their feet, they were met with a grim scene — the fleeing villagers were now mercilessly caught between two converging bands of bandits. The original pursuers and a splinter group had inadvertently expertly executed a pincer movement, leaving the villagers with no chance.

Witnessing the grim tableau, Edric and Lyanna felt a surge of guilty responsibility. They leapt into action, engaging the smaller splinter group that threatened the surviving villagers.

With a display of synchronized prowess, Lyanna demonstrated her mastery of daggers, moving gracefully and efficiently around the attackers. Her strikes were precise, exploiting any openings with fluidity. Edric, showcasing his formidable blade skills, dispatched two bandits simultaneously before swiftly moving on to the next threat.

/

The campfire's glow flickered in rhythm with the adrenaline-fueled dance of combat, shadows playing upon the ground as the pair told of the rescue of surviving villagers.

/

Having done what they could for the surviving villagers, the two shifted their focus, forced to return to the house from which they initially fled. With the silhouette of the familiar building in sight, they sprinted towards its entrance, finding it empty.

As they burst through the doorway, a resounding bang met them. The simultaneous meeting of bodies produced a resounding crunch. Three figures, entangled and disoriented, tumbled out of the house, landing in a chaotic heap on the cold street.

Amidst the disarray, the air resonated with the clamour of voices—quick, alarmed exclamations that sliced through the night. "Boss." "Who the hell are you."

Slowly regaining their bearings, Edric and Lyanna assessed the situation. Edric, nursing the top of his head after the unintentional headbutt, shared a glance with Lyanna. Down the street, a group of approaching bandits caught their attention, all adorned in gear of decent quality, though far from exceptional. Their eyes shifted downward, only to find a figure clutching their nose, the owner of an impressive set of armour and weapons.

A realization dawned on them—unbeknownst to them, they had collided with the bandit boss, Edric's headbutt inadvertently breaking the boss's nose. The air felt heavy as the bandit boss, nursed his injury. "You motherfuckers, you're fucking dead, I'm going to skin you alive." His voice echoed around the street despite his nose currently filled with blood.