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Where sky touches earth our fathers tend to the land, carving a path for the seed each day. Our trees fall, just as our hammers by the hearth, and as our hooks within the lake, duty driving us to make our next day prosperous. Not all are content with such however, for where earth meets sky one shall find a path to darkness, leading into the earth to dwell with shadows.

Talamh is a village, dwelling near to a river which flows down from a mountain lake high above. The trees grow high into the air and supply years worth of lumber, and the lake gives fish to supply the stores of food about the homes here. Black smiths craft every tool that they might require, and farmers grow what else is needed to satisfy the people. Many of the residents are kind and would gladly aid another should they call for help, but they are not all which live among the woods of this land. Beneath the housings of the villagers lies a cavern where a guild of thieves resides, acting as mercenaries for those who would put aside honor for profit. In truth, the cavern of thieves is far more vast than the village above, and it's populations are suiting to its size as well.

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((Relax rolleyes its not a problem. I just wish Rokairo had a format.))

As the night drew on, distant clouds passing over the moon's shinning light, screams echoed through the dark skies above. The flow of the river muffled, and the shimmers of the trees in a cool breeze were forgotten when compaired to the cries of those among the citizens of Talamh. In the midst of their screams a group of men stood, one in particular riding upon the back of a horse.

It was a night raid, brought upon the peaceful town by a conquering kingdom, though they bore no flags in case of loss. Only when their victory was assured would the torch bearer remove the banner from his pouch rather than burning it, to reveal who had claimed the territory as their own. Countless men ran throughout the streets of the village, their boots stomping the dirt like a stampede of horses rushing past. Some wore armor, others bared cloaks or furs, some carried swords and axes, others pikes and pitchforks. Nothing was given to reveal their masters, only the man atop the horse truly showed any sign of leadership among them.

"Kneel before us and you shall be spared!" Came the man's roaring voice, his eyes peaking through a mask made of a wolf's pelt. "We come as conquerers, but should you bow your heads then they shall not be cleaved from your bodies. Join our kingdom, become one of our own! I Halfwolf shall spare thy lives." The offer was made simple, and it was quite understandable how many would come to kneel to his call, but still there was commotion, as fire was set to many of the housings.

As the stone caught his ear, slapping against the side of his head with a great force to bring about a diligent ringing, Halfwolf turned to face the man who'd dared to strike against their better. Upon sighting such a man however, he couldn't help but let loose a short laugh before addressing him.

"You know sir, it's not very nice to expose yourself among others in such a manner either. Perhaps that is why you believe it to be so chilly." A wave of laughter swept across the armored men among his gaurds, as some began to point as they bellowed, towards the source of the humor. "Men I believe we've discovered the town fool. I'd instruct him to kneel but first I'd rather instruct him to dress." Another roar erupted from the men, as the masked leader denounced the man before him. Adujusting the fur mask upon his face and turning his head about, the leader appeared to ignore Duncan, finding the raide to be far more worthy of his attention.

"Now there I must agree with you sir," A smile arose upon the features of Halfwolf, though it may have been hidden behind the mask he wore, as he stepped down from his horse. Some of his men showed surprise at his willingness to take action rather than stay upon the side lines like the others whom they had once followed. Still they should have become more shocked at the dwindling numbers about them, but as the shadows rose to devour their kind, the armored fools still knew nothing of their losses.

"Gold is indeed quite persuasive, after all it can bring men a kingdom, a ship to sail, a home to claim for themselves, and of course...women. Gold can solve many problems, but first you must have gold to supply, to make a promise these days one must hold a quantity of assurance." Stepping forth to this man who had struck him as intruiging, not so much a fool as he had once assumed, Halfwolf approached the blonde haired thief. "I need not be the brightest, only bright enough to shed some light on this simple fact. I have proven by leading about these men with promises that I have enough skill to accumulate the proper quantity of gold prior."

Taking a firm grip upon the cloak wrapped about his form, Halfwolf threw off the furs so that he may combat the man with less restriction. Even had the men of Talamh not remained within the darkness, the warrior would not have noticed, his focus entirely upon the thief.

((Woot, for playing a character without all of my IQ accuratley and still sounding mildly clever))

Halfwolf's eyes lit up, realization striking him like a hammer striking a blade of the forge. Turning swiftly about, grinding the stones of the street beneath his heel, the raider witnessed as the last of his men were removed from his assistance. The guild of thieves had surrounded him, disarmed him of men, and asserted themselves to a position of advantage all the while. In battle this was considered a near complete loss, but their goals were not so direct as war, and such a loss could be used to their advantage. All the masked man needed was a way to escape, though he wished not to cower before any foe.

"A coward's ploy..." Halfwolf spoke of the thieves as they had dragged his men by shadows into eternal night, though not so loudly that others could hear of his distaste for stealth. Grinding his teeth with anger, the warrior drew his two daggers with such haste that another would witness only a blur, their steal glinting in the soft moon light and that of the flickering torches, as he turned about and rushed forth. Within a few short strides before one could take a breath, the man removed the distance between the two combatants, Halfwolf swiping across with his first blade to attempt at catching and pushing aside the weapon which had been pointed towards him. Halfwolf followed through in the turning motion he'd placed himself in, guiding his open hand towards the thief's exposed chest, all with the speed of a humming bird. The raider was not made leader of the party for nothing after all.

"I thought it best to remove you with a quick blow, that way we wouldn't have the chance of your banner to fall...besides, it seems more like a dagger any way." Halfwolf retorted, though only his own men saw humor in the remark. Crossing his arms, though he kept his blades at the ready (as well as an ear to the shadows behind him), the raider gave the thief time to properly tie his makeshift attire. All the while tapping his fingers against the leather and iron gauntlets upon his arms.

Letting loose a small chuckle at the banter between the two opponents, Halfwolf turned to another subject at which he could jest.

"Must I really battle with a man so concerned with appearance. May as well drop your blade and kneel, after all you wouldn't want to get your brooch all scratched up." The masked man taunted. His arms crossed over his chest, one would not be able to witness that which was occurring beneath the concealment of his arms. Underneath, Halfwolf clasped his right dagger between his arm and torso, taking hold of a throwing blade carried upon his back. With a sudden flash of his swift hands and a single flick of the wrist, the raider snapped a throwing dagger towards the emerald embedded item, attempting to strike it away and resume the brawl.

"Another feature a leader must hold, is the ability to be decisive." Halfwolf smiled beneath his furry mask.