And so, Athena and BB set out to go on adventures and stuff. They didn't really have any specific goals or plans or anything, so they decided to check out the nearby city of Bulgar, mostly because it was there and they didn't have anything better to do.
<Athena> So, I guess this is what passes for a city out in the middle of nowhere. It sure is, uh, filled with like 20 people.
<BB> Most of the people of Sacae are nomads who don't really give a crap about cities. But we can at least buy some supplies here and then move on.
<???> Oh, my heart! What a dazzling vision of loveliness!
<Lyn> o_o;
<Athena> o_x;
We had barely taken a handful of steps towards the market (which consisted of 3 tents and a cow) when we were approached by two knights leading horses, one with shaggy hair and a charming smile in green armor... and the other facepalming, in red armor. Green Armor was making moony faces at me at Lyn.
<GreenArmor> O beauteous ladies! Would you not favour me with your names? Or better yet, your company?
<BB> Yeah, no, I think I'm going to go over here and buy some pepper spray now.
<Athena> *arches eyebrow* Is this a standard greeting where you come from, fly boy?
<GreenArmor> Well, I do hailed from Caelin in Lycia, home to men of passion and fire! *sleazy wink*
<RedArmor> *facepalm so much* TGK, will you just shut your face up already.
<TGK> Oh, come on Kent, no need to be such a stick in the mud...
<Kent> We're on a mission here, remember? :|
<BB> Look, I don't care who you are or where you're from or what your bloody mission, but your horses are blocking the road.
<Kent> Oh, my lady, you look so familiar... have we met before?
<BB> *rolls eye* Ohgod, I swear if one of you hits on me one more time.... *stalks away*
<Kent> I didn't mean it like that....
<Athena> Well, uh, good luck with your mission, guys. >_> *follows BB*
<TGK> *sigh* Goodbye ladies! *waves*
<Kent> Damnit, TGK, I think she might have been our mission! >_<
With the Lycian Knights blocking the path to the market, BB just decided to forget about supplies and continue on with our journey. I was cool with heading on; looked like a pretty crappy market anyway. However, it wasn't long before I began to suspect that we were being followed...
<Athena> Hey, BB, I think we're being followed.
<BB> Don't tells me it's those creeps from town. -_-;
<Athena> Nope, pretty sure these guys are brigands. You can tell by the ugly face.
<UglyBrigand> Wahahahahahaha, you must be bbninjas!
<BB> Who told you my name? o_o;
<UglyBrigand> Man, you're cute. But for the amount of gold I'll get for killing you, I can buy a lot of pretty girls. C'mon out boys!
Within moments, a whole crowd of brigands erupted from the shelter of nearby bushes and ruins. It was an ambush, and we were trapped right in the middle!
<BB> Oh, geez, this is a lot of bandits. I'm not sure I can handle this many on my own, even with your tactical help, Athena.
<TGK> Don't worry, you won't have to fight them on your own!
<Kent> Shame on you attacking a single girl in such numbers!
TGK and Kent were galloping madly towards us from Bulgar, whipping their horses into a frenzy. BB facepalmed.
<BB> I don't need your help! I can do this on my own! >_<
<Athena> As your official adviser in all matters related to strategy and tactics... I really do think you could use their help if you want us to get out of this alive. >_>
<BB> Fine, but I get to lead. >:|
<TGK> Nope, I go first!
Before I could say or do anything, TGK rushed forward to attack the first enemy with his lance... and missed.
<Kent> facepalm.jpg
<BB> facepalm.jpg
<Athena> facepalm.jpg
<Kent> Remember the weapon triangle, you doofus. Where's your sword?
<TGK> I, uh, don't have one? >_>
<Kent> *sigh* Fine, you can use one of mine. All these early game enemies are axe-wielders, anyway.
Kent traded over one of his swords to TGK, then he and BB finished off the first brigand and the battle was afoot! TGK missed again, giving Kent the opportunity to ramble about terrain for a bit, but the rest of the battle went fairly smoothly. As if to make up for his previous blunders, TGK injured the boss but let BB take the killing blow.
<Kent> There. Now, will you give me a chance to talk before you storm off in a huff again?
<BB> :|
<Kent> TGK and I have come from Lycia on a mission.
<BB> *psst* Where's Lycia? >_>
<Athena> It's a country to the southwest of here.
<TGK> We're looking for the Lady Madelyn.
<BB> Madelyn? o_o;
<Kent> She's the only daughter of of Marquess Caelin. However, she eloped with some nomad about 19 years ago.
<TGK> I've never met her, but her beauty was unparalleled... *sigh*
<Kent> At first the Marquess was really pissed off and he disowned her, but earlier this year she sent a letter to him talking about herself, her husband, and their daughter. The Marquess was so happy...
<TGK> Srsly, you should have seen him, guy was in tears.
<Kent> He announced to the world that he was a grandfather, and that his granddaughter was named after his poor, dead wife, bbninjas.
<BB> :O!
<Athena> :O!
<TGK> The fact that the girl was named after Madelyn's mother was probably what pleased him the most, but whatever. Anyway, the dude is super old now, but he really wants to welcome Madelyn and her family back to House Caelin one last time before he croaks.
<BB> I hate to break the news to you, but...
<TGK> Madelyn and her man are dead? Yeah, we know.
<Kent> We learned that after arriving in Sacae, but we also learned that their daughter still yet lives, a lonely girl on the plains... that's you, isn't it?
<BB> Yes, Madelyn was my mother's name, though I never knew she was a noble... But how did you know it was me?
<Sent> Because you're as gorgeous as she is, of course. <3
<BB> Funny, most people just call me BB, but my mother still always called me by my full name, bbninjas. I guess she was honouring her mom.
<Athena> You know, that brigand called you bbninjas, too....
<TGK> I bet he was a henchman of Lord Lundgren! >:|
<BB> o.o?
<Kent> Lundgren is the Marquess's younger brother. He always thought that he was the heir to the throne ever since your mother left, but now that your existence is known, you're the rightful heir and he's kind of pissed off about it a bit.
<BB> So what? I don't care about inheriting some noble title. He can keep it.
<TGK> Hah, you think he believes that? Men like him only believe in power, and they could never conceive of someone turning it down.
<BB> What a (^#&.
<Kent> Please, my lady, accompany us back to Caelin. We can fight together to protect you from Lundgren's thugs, and you can meet your grandfather.
<BB> What do you think, Athena?
<Athena> I think you should go. And I think I'll come with you, too.
<BB> Hurray! \o/