You are currently restrained and surrounded by bandits, alongside Nat, a local stone-faced cleric. She has not said much or changed her expression since getting into this predicament, but tears streak her face. Your friend Lambert, the son of the local guard's captain, was the first to arrive to help you out. His right (and dominant) arm is busted up, so he is fighting with his left.

A swordsman, short-haired, clad in red, and shaking in fear, steps into your field of view. He draws his blade and faces your friend, gulping and steeling himself. Stefyn, as the Johalva bandits' apparent leader called him.

Lambert doesn't appear afraid of this foe, and you can hear more people approaching in the semi-distance. You can't tell if they're guards or more bandits, but for the moment, attention is not on you.

>A. Talk to Nat
>B. Cheer on Lambert
>C. Study Stefyn
>D. Try to break free
>E. Write-in

>>41207774
>B. Cheer on Lambert
>D. Try to break free

>>41207774
D. Try to break free
https://youtu.be/juLc77d5cTc

May I get a link back to part one in order to catch up on this?

>>41207980
In the pastebin, anon.

>>41207980
>Who reads the OP anyway

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>>41207786
>>41207867

"This guy's shaking in his boots. You can take him, Lambert!"

Lambert grins and waves with his bandaged hand, pointing his sword at Stefyn.

"You know, you don't look too excited to be here. How's a guy like you get caught up in a bunch of axe-users, anyway? Light-looking guy like you could probably take all of them down before they could even get a swing in!"

Stefyn grips his weapon tighter and shakes his head, "I-I can't just count on avoiding getting hit! The safest place in a bandit attack is with them!"

Lambert sighs. "Guess it can't be helped then."

While they talk, you get to work attempting to free yourself. With your strength and dexterity, you actually begin to feel the bindings on your hands loosen, but a bandit is quick to catch this. Your comment must have drawn attention to you.

The last thing you hear before a blow with something blunt knocks you out are the words "nice try, miss."

>Continued in next post (gotta go afk for a few minutes)

>>41208258
You aren't sure how much time passes before you awaken. You're not quite certain where you are, but as you open your eyes you can vaguely make out the shapes of two other human beings.

"It looks like she's awake," the taller of the two says.

The slightly-shorter one responds, "she lives! We've a feisty one here, no doubts about it!" This one immediately gets much closer to where you lie. Both voices are unmistakably male, but you don't recognize either of them.

>A. Defend yourself
>B. Ask them something (specify)
>C. Remain silent

>>41208512
C. Remain Silent

>>41208512
>A. Defend yourself

Do we have a Cavalier yet? Those are always the best units.

>>41208584
The only person you can consider "recruited" yet is Nat.

>>41208512
>A. Defend yourself
Like hell we're letting these guys do anything weird

>>41208570
>>41208633
You remember being captured and knocked out by bandits.

You're not willing to take any risks after what just happened to you.

The first thing you do is spring up and punch the man closest to you in the face, causing him to double back, cry out, and grab onto his face.

"I thnk she broke mny noshe..!" The figure whines.

"Biff, the last time she was awake, she was being attacked by damned bandits. You don't just rush up to someone after that."

There's a moment of silence as your vision finally returns. You appear to be in some sort of tent. The figures in front of you are clad in armor. The one you just punched is in red, with brown-red hair to match, while the taller one scolding him is in green, with medium-length brown hair.

The green one breaks the silence with, "...perhaps you should go get a vulnerary and leave addressing her to me."

The red one, apparently named Biff, nods and walks off.

>A. Apologize for your actions
>B. Ask question(s) (specify)
>C. Write-in

>>41208844
>A. Apologize for your actions
>B. Ask where your friends are
>C. Try to get up

>>41208844
>>41208986
Voting this as well.

>>41208844
Ah, so we've meet our Cain and Abel pair.

>B. Ask where we are and what happened while we were out cold. If he's nice we'll apologize.

>>41208986
>>41209078
>>41209106
And votes are locked in. Grandflaw's working on his first post for this thread right now, and we'll probably incorporate that last one since it came in on time and doesn't contradict the other voters.

>>41209149
whoops dropped my trip

>>41208611
>only Nat
>no mention of Lambert

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>>41208986
>>41209078
>>41209106

You take a moment to assess the situation. They don't seem particularly hostile, even after you, for understandble reasons, assaulted one of the pair.

"Where are Nat and Lambert? Are they okay?" You ask, the wellbeing of your friends having been the first thing to cross your mind.

"Your cleric friend is here as well, albeit in another tent, and she's doing fine. I regret to inform you that I don't know the whereabouts of your other companion. For now, try not to strain yourself. You may be concussed."

Shrugging off his warning while still appreciating his concern, you attempt to bring yourself off the ground, and succeed with relative ease.

"Where are we, exactly?" you ask, glancing around the tent you're currently in.

"A camp set up by Prince Garrus and his personal guard. You and your friend are in good hands." The rather large green-armored man replies, pushing the tent open and revealing a rather large campsite. "We can go check on our respective friends now, if you'd like."

>A. Nod and go with him.
>B. Ask for his name.
>C. Ask about Prince Garrus
>D. Ask another question/more questions (specify)
>E. Write-in

>>41209390
>B. Ask for his name
>D. Ask about the bandit attack. What happened to Orsin village with the Johalva?

>>41209390
And I completely forgot the apology. I blame myself being sick. It'll be included in the next update, sorry for the mild inconvenience.

>>41209435
You nod. "Er, sure. Oh, and sorry about your friend."

The green knight shakes his head. "Biff's had worse for his big mouth. Your concern is appreciated, though."

You realize you haven't introduced yourself to him yet and do so.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ellen. I'm Byron, and as you probably figured, my red-clad friend is Biff. We're cavaliers assigned to personally protect and serve prince Garrus, alongside other generally knightly duties. The prince had asked us to fight Biff saw innocent girls in distress and rode off immediately, brandishing his sword. I followed him and our horses carried you and your cleric friend to safety."

You steel yourself to ask another difficult question. What happened to your hometown?

Byron solemnly closes his eyes. "Our platoon was only able to save a few civilians from the attack, and there looked to be only three or four guards left standing by the time the Johalva fled. Much of the town itself was completely destroyed as well."

>A. Remain silent.
>B. Get angry.
>C. Get sad.
>D. Ask who the other known survivors were.
>E. Write-in

>>41209872
>A. Remain silent.
>D. Ask who the other known survivors were.

>>41209895
Those are a bit contradictory.

>>41209915
Meant be silent for a little while then ask

>>41209872
Did we have a sword with us? Anyway, we should ask for some basic equipment needed to start our search for Lambert.

>>41209895
>>41209945
You are silent for awhile. Whether you're shocked into silence, paralyzed with rage, or swept in despair, you have no clue. Byron notes this with concern and stops walking, at least for the moment.

"I'm... sorry for your losses."

Finally, you manage to speak up. "Wh-who else do we know is alright?"

Byron thinks for a moment before speaking, "just from what I remember, there was yourself and the cleric-Nat, I presume-an elderly farmer and his young farmhand, who managed to somehow drink his way past any and all conflicts until we arrived. Two militia men-lumberjacks by the looks of things-volunteered to stay back and search for survivors. Robert and... Something."

"Jay?"

"Probably. Didn't catch the silent one's name."

>A. Just keep walking
>B. Ask something else (specify)

>>41210227
>B. Ask something else
Any corpse near where we were found with a busted up hand

>>41210227
A. Just keep walking

>>41210227
>A. Just keep walking, trying not to forsake hope that there may still be more survivors out there.

>>41210388
>>41210449
You and Byron just keep walking, and you try to silently hold out hope that Lambert and other villagers are still alive.

You eventually reach a storage tent, outside of which a supply convoy is parked. You and Byron head inside, only to find Biff talking to Nat.

>A. Make your presence known
>B. Listen to their conversation
>C. Write-in

>>41210548
>B. Listen to their conversation

>>41210548
B

>>41210603
Biff's looking better already, having either been healed or chugged a vulnerary since you last saw him. Already he's enthusiastically chatting up your friend.

"So, how would you rank your abilities with a staff? Like, on a scale from A to E."

"..."

"That lack of answer speaks volumes. D+, perhaps?"

"I have. No idea what you're talking about."

"I suppose weapon proficiency is a difficult thing to just estimate offhand... I'll need to study this further!"

Byron rolls his eyes. "Biff, your poor word choice is what sent you here, and we don't have infinite vulnerary. How many times do I need to tell you to have more tact?"

Biff simply grins, "ah, but my good man, nothing has been misconstrued here! Natalie is quite the excellent listener, see."

Byron sighs, "we should probably report to Lady Yvette soon, inform her that that that village girl-Ellen's her name, since you didn't hear it-is awake and well."

Biff simply nods and the pair walks off.

>A. Follow them
>B. Speak to Natalie
>C. Write-in

>>41210931
>B. Speak to Natalie

>>41210931
>B. Speak to Natalie

>>41210998
>>41211050
You approach Natalie. She turns and looks at you, but doesn't say anything. You do, however, get a "hello" back when you vocally greet her.

>A. Ask how she's feeling
>B. Ask if she knows what happened to Lambert
>C. Ask what happened after you were knocked out
>D. Write-in

>>41211282
Shit, just noticed the missing trip. Again.

>>41211282
>A. Ask how she's feeling
>B. Ask if she knows what happened to Lambert

>>41211282
>A. Ask how she's feeling
>B. Ask if she knows what happened to Lambert

>>41211325
>>41211398
"How are you feeling? You're not hurt at all, are you, Nat?"

Natalie shakes her head. "No, Ellen, I'm... fine."

You smile a bit at that little bit of good news, and then ask another question, "say, you were awake for longer than me, right? Do you have any clue what happened to Lambert?"

A long pause. You have a feeling you won't like her response. Neutral-expressioned as ever, Nat opens her mouth again.

"I last saw him fighting that... Stefyn person. He was wounded pretty badly by that strange sword he had, so I told him to forget about us and escape. He didn't like it, but he listened when he noticed Sir Biff riding in on the horizon. Probably felt reassured we would be in safe hands when royal knights were coming in. Stefyn gave chase at his commander's order, and that was the last I saw of either of them. I did ask Robert and Jay to search for him in particular when they went back into Orsin, so-"

"Oi!"

You'd recognize that obnoxious voice anywhere.

Robert's back.

>A. Rush to meet him.
>B. Walk towards his voice with Nat.
>C. Stay there
>D. Write-in

>>41211736
>B. Walk towards his voice with Nat.

>>41211736
>B. Walk towards his voice with Nat.

>>41211775
>>41211889
You and Natalie walk together, and eventually you reach quite a crowd. An older woman in grey armor that, while showing its age, still appears to be in top condition, rides in with a wiry young man, slightly shorter than average, with dark-blue hair. He is dressed in very regal attire. Nat whispers to you, explaining that these are Lady Yvette, a respected paladin of Neir, currently the head of the prince's private guard, and Garrus, said prince you've heard about. Yvette speaks to Robert, but you can't make out what's being said over all the commotion.

Jay appears to be carrying something, or someone.

>A. Try to get through politely.
>B. Shove your way through.
>C. Stay back and let this sort itself out.

>>41212097
>A. Try to get through politely.

>>41212097
>A. Try to get through politely

>>41212127
>>41212285
You and Nat approach the crowd, you asking the various people present to politely let you see.

A hooded figure and a man in a bandanna with long-braided hair, both with bows, are who you pass through in order to confirm your greatest hope and worst fear.

It is Lambert, and he's horribly injured. He seems to still be alive, but he's horribly bloody and just barely patched up, struggling to hold a vulnerary to his lips in his left hand.

>A. Try to keep calm and approach
>B. Run up to him
>C. Observe him in silence
>D. Leave. This is too much for you

>>41212420
>A. Try to keep calm and approach

>>41212420
>A. Try to keep calm and approach

>>41212420
>A. Try to keep calm and approach

>>41212420
E. Ask nat to heal

>>41212454
>>41212593
>>41212647
No one objects to you and Natalie's approaching Lambert, all knowing that you're from Orsin village. Jay simply gives you a nod, and Lambert looks at you and Nat.

"Hey, thanks for keeping your promise," he says before weakly chuckling.

"Witty quips at a time like this. Who does he think he is?" Robert pipes in, before stern gazes from both Yvette and Jay quiet him down.

Yvette speaks up, "we need to get him to the medical tent faster than immediately. Waving a staff around won't be enough to save someone who's been this badly injured."

Garrus nods timidly, content to let his retainer do the talking for him. He gives off the demeanor of a very mousy person in general, despite the rather impressive and ornate axes strapped to his back.

>A. Write-in dialogue
>B. Remain silent. You can talk to Lambert when he's healed

>>41212782
>Die and i'll fucking kill you got it asshole!
While crying of coourse

>>41212782
>>B. Remain silent. You can talk to Lambert when he's healed

He needs to save his energy and get better. ;_;

>>41212831
+1

>>41212831
Thirded.
What's Ellen's exact relationship to this guy, anyway? All I know is they're close.

>>41212999
BFF and Childhood friend

>>41212999
that's up for interpretation (Grandflaw and I never figured out the details either). maybe later we could have someone ask "what is he to you anyway" or something and we can piece it together from there

>>41213045
Well i'ma vote for >>41213032 then

>>41212831
>>41212895
>>41212999
"There's gonna be hell to pay if you die, got it? If you die, I'll... I'll kill you!" You stutter, tears welling up pretty fast upon the sight of him.

Lambert lets out another weak chuckle and nods, "I'll hold you to that. Since when are you crybaby?" After this, Jay hauls him off. Garrus confers with Yvette for a moment after this, and she pulls Nat away, asking her something about what the strongest staff she's ever used was. They then follow Jay and Lambert, perhaps hoping that, even if staves alone won't save him, they can be of some use.

After a moment, the crowd disperses. Besides yourself, six people remain.

>A. Approach Prince Garrus
>B. Approach Biff and Byron
>C. Approach the long-haired man with a bandanna
>D. Approach Robert
>E. Approach a drunk-looking fellow laying on the ground. You recognize him from the village, but always sort of avoided him before now
>F. Check in on Lambert
>G. Retire for the night
>H. Stay outside awhile

>>41213240
>>A. Approach Prince Garrus

"Is... is it alright if I come with you guys?"

>>41213262
Second

>>41213262
>>41213402
We might not immediately be able to work with that exact wording, at least not until Ellen's gotten to know the team a bit, but talking to princey is a pretty good start to that.

>>41213262
>>41213402
You decide to approach the young prince, since it was his personal guard that saved you and your friends' lives. He doesn't seem all that likely to approach himself, either.

He turns and faces you.

>A. Act generally formal
>B. Act generally informal
>C. Write-in Dialogue
>D. shit this was a bad idea abort abort

>>41213575
>B. Act generally informal
We ain't got much to our name anymore but we know how to use a sword so if he'll have us then yeah

>>41213575
>>A. Act generally formal

>>41213575
>B. Act generally informal

>>41213575
Dammit Marth, you are supposed to be the one recruiting us!

>>41213607
>>41213638
"Er, you're Prince Garrus, right?"

Garrus nods, clearing his throat and standing up straight. Up close, you can tell that he's just noticeably short of your own height.

"Well, my name's Ellen, and I just really wanted to thank you for your knights' saving us earlier."

Garrus finally speaks at an audible tone, responding with "well, it... wasn't really my doing. You should be thanking Byron and Biff, since they're the ones who brought you and Natalie in."

You shake your head. "I mean 'us' as in 'everyone who's still alive because your knights got us out of there. Them being there was your doing, yes?"

Garrus nods. "An... An informant of ours told us they would be attacking Orsin village that day, but... a hiccup with the messengers left this information arriving too late for us to save everybody. You have my deepest apologies for this mistake."

>A. What're you planning on doing next?
>B. What were you whispering about with Yvette?
>C. Is there any way I can repay you?

>>41213996
>A. What're you planning on doing next?
>I don't have anything to really repay you with but i know how to use a sword, If you'll have me

>>41213996
>>A. What're you planning on doing next?

>>41214067
>>41214068
You ask Prince Garrus what he and his companions are planning to do next.

"Well, er, since the informant I mentioned, he's, er, aware of the hideout of the Johalva bandits, my father, er, that is King Drasma, has tasked me and my soldiers with raiding the place. Neir needs an effective warrior on the throne, he says."

You don't have that much else to fall back on. You don't remember a time where you had much family, and defending your village and your friends there was basically all you had.

There's only one thing you know you can do, and Garrus looks shocked when you offer.

"Y-you want to help bring down the Johalva? You... you do realize it's incredibly dangerous, right? I mean, you almost died, and if you were to get killed because of us, then-"

He trails off from there, and a slurred voice rings out from behind you, "yeah, lless... give'm what for, those crabwalkin' bastards!"

You still don't know the town drunk's name, but at least he has zeal.

Garrus finally says a full sentence without breaking a bit. "If you two are serious about this, get yourselves outfitted tomorrow morning. And please, if things should get nasty, do not throw your lives away for my causes. You're not soldiers just because you're volunteering to avenge your hometown."

>A. Understood
>B. No promises
>C. I'm more capable than you think
>D. Write-in

>>41214348
>>C. I'm more capable than you think

>>41214348
>C. I'm more capable than you think

>>41214396
>>41214472
"I'm more capable than you think, Prince Garrus."

Garrus looks like he's about to raise an objection, but he finally runs out of steam. "Just... please be careful, Ellen. See you in the morning."

You part ways with the timid prince, deciding it's finally time to actually get some rest. The town drunk (a young male of average height, shaggy light-brown hair in front of his eyes), still failing to provide his name for you, starts to ask if you feel like preemptively celebrating becoming heroes, but he doesn't even get the time of night. You're tired, and have a busy morning.

Natalie wakes you up super early the next morning. Her cold expression is again betrayed by tears, and bags under her eyes indicate that she hasn't slept at all.

Even in this tired, early-morning state, you figure out the horrible news she comes bearing before she can say a word.

>Continued next thread

That's about it for tonight, I'd say. Tomorrow should be a faster-paced, more actioney chapter. We have a twitter @qmgrandflocto for updates, and I'll stick around a bit to answer questions if anyone wants.

>>41214666
Why?

>>41214763
Why what?

>>41214666
Welp he's ded.

>>41215028
Yep. He took a lot of abuse thanks to the way the first thread and the start of this one played out.

>>41215119
Let's fix this. Ctrl+L