Maybe if they had a recreation center where they could dance and sing they would be happier.
The Earl rewarded his warriors and kept them happy at the expense of the villagers, if my guess was right. And dissent and escape led to your eventual disappearance, evidenced by the family that had moved north.
They just couldn't catch a break either way, it seemed.
Not finding anything of use at the stalls, I made my way to the trading post to sell off my foxes and rabbits. I would have kept the fox pelts but there was no telling what might happen in the next few hours and the added weight on my back would be a detriment in battle.
As soon as I finished trading, the Earl strolled over with what must be Wife #2 for she certainly was peculiar looking… I made my greetings and bowed to the Earl, showing my respects.
After introducing myself the Earl claimed to have heard of me, "The First of the North," he says to me. It seems my title had already started to spread, this could help me leverage, lucky!
Now I just need to gather some information and hope Selene hasn't been captured or disposed of. As I was thinking that, the figure of a female hunter with medium length black hair had just walked through the eastern gate carrying five wolf pelts and a large bag of meat. That's my girl… and… she's early... "Son of a bitch," I muttered under my breath.
I quickly tried to think of a way to turn this situation to my favor, hoping the Earl wouldn't do anything drastic… too late, I could see the Earl's sinister smile already as he waved to a few men.
Before they could apprehend her or say anything I decide to try my luck, "My honorable Earl, who is that female hunter that comes our way? She has many pelts dangling from her arm, and such a large bag hanging from her shoulder. She must be a skilled hunter!"
The Earl was caught by surprise and simply replied, "She is indeed a formidable hunter, but not to the level of my men!" …of course, I figured he would boast as most nobility would.
I decided to push this route and ask the Earl, "Ah! My Earl, I saw a bear asleep in a tree just half a mile north of the village but thirty minutes ago, would you do me the honor to lend me this female hunter so I may challenge the bear?
"I am afraid that I alone am not capable of such a feat, but with a skilled hunter at my side I believe the bear shall be mine. Of course the spoils would belong to you my lord, as undoubtedly all the lands as far as I can see belong to you, and all that sets foot on your land in turn belongs to you as well."
I've baited the hook and tossed the line; now let us see if it sinks.
The Earl was visibly unhappy, but attempted to mask his displeasure and offered a counter proposal, "Ah but the poor woman, she has just returned from a long hunt, why not take one of my men instead and let the young miss enjoy a much deserved break. We can enjoy the bear together; in fact once you kill that bear we shall have a feast with all of the warriors!"
The words were true, no matter the character of the man speaking, she had just returned from a week-long expedition. But I couldn't lose this opportunity else she may end up dead and the quest a failure, not to mention the loss of trust from Katherine.
My new lovely pocket healer cough companion.
"Ah but I am so intrigued by this female hunter, I have never met a female that could hunt wolves alone, I implore you my lord, to lose this chance, no, I must have this chance to hunt the bear alongside a beautiful huntress! Mayhaps, would the Earl care to join as well?"
It was a longshot, but maybe.
Just maybe it would work.
The Earl quietly thought to himself with no care of hiding his emotions on the subject as his face writhed and wiggled like a worm. No a worm is too kind, he writhed and wiggled like a maggot. I wanted to step on his face until the boot came out the other end.
In the end, with all of the village folk looking on, he decided to save face and replied with a loud boisterous laugh, "Haha you have a way with words young adventurer! You remind me of my youth! But alas I am but an old humble lord and am no longer fit to hunt. If you insist on hunting with her so, I shall permit it on condition that you are escorted by five of my finest warriors. They are experienced in battle and will ensure your safety in case anything goes wrong!"
Perfect.
I was able to gather from the trade master that he only had control of twenty warriors, though I knew from my play-through during the Alpha testing that all of his guards were around level 60-80 except for his champion who was level 100.
So long as it was the lower level guards I might be able to pull this off.
I made my way towards Selene who had heard the last bit of our conversation and introduced myself.
"How do you do miss, my name is Roth Sigurd, the first adventurer of the North, and it would be to my utmost pleasure to extend an invitation to you to accompany me on a joyous hunt of a menacing bear, just north in the woods."
Phew that was pompously long-winded, but thankfully her disposition wasn't bad.
She paused for a moment then returned a greeting, slightly bowing her head and saying: "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Roth Sigurd, but as the Earl has noted I have just returned from a hunt and would prefer to settle my affairs and have a meal. I must also see to my friend, so if you would excuse my rudeness I would be grateful."
Sigh, this girl.
Meanwhile the Earl let a devious smile creep up the side of his face.
Though I can't blame her for being reasonable, stop making me work so damn hard!
Katherine! Why couldn't you have some secret safe word or something!
"Ah but miss, uhm, miss…." I trailed off on purpose to let her continue on.
"Selene, Mister Roth."
"Ah Selene, quite a lovely name. Miss Selene, I simply must insist that you hunt with me, I'm sure your friend will be fine if she does not see you within the hour? Come, come, let us sell these pelts to the trade master and I have rabbit jerky for the road, we must hurry you see, the bear may wake and move at any moment!"
At this I look to the Earl and repeat myself once more, "Earl, this friend Selene speaks of, I'm sure she is not ill or anything? Surely Miss Selene can see her after, yes?"
To this the Earl's smile vanished for a moment but was soon back and wider than ever as he confidently stated, "Of course! The Miss is in the best of care in the presence of my other wives. Miss Selene, I must insist that you take our quirky adventurer here out to finish this most grand of hunts!"
Up to this point everything had gone smoothly, though I still had to be wary of this Earl potentially ordering his men to kill me as soon as we exit the village walls.
Looking at Selene and extending my arm, I confidently spoke out, "Ah then it is settled, come with me Miss Selene, we shall take these furs to the trade master and be on our way!"
I knew we likely wouldn't be coming back to this village anytime soon, so it would be best to get some money for these pelts… else they be lost. After settling the trade the now party of seven made their way out through the northern gate and into the forest.
The bear was only minutes away and the warriors didn't seem to care too much about me. I decided now was the time to inform Selene of the plan to escape.
Selene was walking ahead of the five men, so I shortened my gait to that of the warriors and leaned my head over with my hand covering my mouth, "She's a fine lady is she not? Watch and learn from the master gents, I'll show you how to win over a lady such as she."
As soon as I finished the men chuckled and let out grunts of approval and I thusly sped up my pace and slid in next to Selene. Putting my left arm around her shoulders I quickly whispered to her, "Your life is in danger, act normal."
Expectedly, she still reacts to my sudden flirtatious gesture and attempts to lean away.