Once we moved out of Araphen, we continued southwest towards Caelin, moving at all possible speed in hopes of reaching Marquess Caelin before he succumbed to his illness. The journey started out pretty uneventful, but when we arrived in Kathelet, things started getting interesting again as a young boy desperately called for our aid.
<???> Help! Please help us, kind sirs and ladies!
<TGK> Awww, someone called me a sir. :3
<???> Are you mercenaries? Please, I really need your help!
<BB> Sorry, but we're kind of in a hurry...
<???> But they kidnapped my sister SM, and she's really beautiful, too!
<TGK> A hot sister you say? I think we ought to listen to this boy's story...
<???> They're real awful brutes. I shudder to think what they'd do to her... my poor sister... she's everything to me...
<BB> Awwww... he looks so cute and sad. :< Alright, fine, we'll stop to help you quick. Lead us to them!
<Robin> Umm... BB... I don't think he needs to lead us... they're already here...
Sure enough, while we stood around chatting, evil-looking goons had crept up on us. For once, they didn't seem to give a crap about BB but were instead eyeing the young boy.
<Goon> Alright, Celever, come on with us. It's time to go back to Keeper now.
<Celever> No, you won't take me! And you give SM back, too! >:|
<Goon> Now, look here boy, you know I'm not allowed to kill you, but I can sure make you wish you were dead.
<BB> *draws sword* I don't think you want to threaten him anymore, you punk.
<Goon> Who are you, some bleeding heart?
<BB> Leave him alone, and let the girl go, too.
<Goon> Well, it's a shame for you to die over something that don't even concern you, but if it's a fight you want... take 'em down, boys!
The goon retreated and was soon surrounded by many of his companions, which included fearsome Shamans, wielders of dark magic. We had just gotten in order and were planning to rush forward when a rather pretty young man happened to approach us.
<???> Pardon me.
<BB> Oh, hey, a St. Elimine monk. 'Sup, brother?
<PP> I'm actually also a professor of Eliminean studies, and my name is Palutena, though you may call me PP if you wish.
<BB> Oh, hey, another double initial. I'm BB! :D
<PP> Pleased to meet you. :3
<BB> Can I help you with anything?
<PP> Well, you see, I happened to be in the inn when that boy Celever was looking for aid and I saw how they treated him... if you don't mind, I would like to help you in your fight against the boy's pursuers.
<BB> Oh, sure! The more the merrier!
<PP> As you may know, Monks like myself wield Light Magic that is strong against Dark Magic.
<Everyone> Oooooooh....
<PP> Here, let me demonstrate against this dude. *flings pretty shiny magic at the Shaman*
<Everyone> Ahhhhh....
<Celever> Oh! Oh! I can help too! :D
<BB> You fight too? o_o;
<Celever> Well... no. But I'm a Bard!
<Everyone> o_____o;
<Celever> *sigh* If I play music for someone, it'll let them be twice as effective! Look! *plays a flute song for PP*
<Everyone> *claps*
<Celever> What do you think? :3
<Athena> I think that if you only get 10 EXP for each song, it's going to take a long time to level you up.... -_-;;
With the nearby Shaman taken care of, we began to move further in, attacking the kidnappers in earnest. PP proved to be a quick and agile addition to our team and was particularly good at dispatching the enemy Shamans. We worked our way east around a mountain then south and back west towards the fortress where the group had holed up. Vom, Robin, and PP all worked together to take him out, and then we stormed inside of find Celever's sister.
<Celever> Sis! Sis! SM! Where are you? D:
<TGK> Welp, I see a bunch of guys on horseback riding away posthaste... I think they might have gotten away with her.
<BB> Well, we'll have to chase after them, then....
<Celever> We'll never make it in time....
<???> Might you guys happen to be looking for this young woman here?
Coming from deeper in the fortress, a young red-haired man was approaching with a beautiful woman in his arms.
<Celever> SM! :D Wait... is she's okay?
<???> She's lost consciousness, but she should come around soon.
<BB> So, uh, who're you again?
<NJ> Oh, me? I'm NotJim.
<BB> Okay, so, you're not Jim, but....
<NJ> No, seriously, my name actually is "NotJim". You see, my mom has a really bad sense of humour and... well, never mind. My friends call me NJ; it's easier. Anyway, my dad is the Marquess of these parts.
<BB> And how did you end up with SM?
<NJ> Well, she looked like a damsel in distress to me so, you know, I just kind of saved her. *shrugs* Was I wrong?
<BB> Nope, you did good. My name is BB, and I'm the granddaughter of Marquess Caelin.
<NJ> Oh?
An so we went out of dialogue mode for a bit so that BB could tell NJ her story about what was going on with me having to write it all done. NJ listened carefully and nodded at all the right places.
<NJ> Wow, this sounds like you're in some pretty tough crap. Anything I can do to help?
<BB> Nah, we should be cool. Take a break for a few chapters; we'll catch up to you again when it's time, I'm sure.
<NJ> Alright, cool, well, see you later~ *flees*
<Celever> SM? Oh, look, she's coming awake now! :3
<SM> Celever... what happened...?
<Celever> You got kidnapped and then these people helped me out and then a guy rescued you!
<SM> Oh, thank you... my brother and I, you see, we're traveling performers. He plays music, and I dance.
<TGK> Oh ho! Care to demonstrate? :3
<BB> *sigh* Not now, TGK.
<TGK> Awww... :<
<SM> Anyway, I've twisted my ankle, so I wouldn't be able to dance for you anyway, sorry...
<BB> Don't worry about it. I'm just happy you're okay.
<Celever> Do you think we could travel along with you guys?
<BB> I dunno, it'll be dangerous...
<Celever> Yeah, well, we're used to danger. SM and I can even sense when something dangerous is nearby! Between that and my flute playing, we'll be a big help to you, I promise!
<BB> Well... what do you think Athena?
<Athena> Sure, wynaut? Should be fun.
<SM> Hmmm.... oh, damn. Those kidnappers stole my ring. :<
<Athena> Ooooooh.... this sounds like a sidequest.
<BB> Think we can handle it?
<Athena> Hell yes!
<Luis> But what about hurrying to your grandf--
<BB> Sweet! Everyone, we're going on a sidequest! :D
<Everyone> Hurray! \o/