Rhine Bridge
A LIGHT EASTERLY BREEZE BLOWS in and hits the old wooden bridge causing it to sway slightly. It creaks a little from the movement and the sound can be heard just over the soft gurgling of the steady flow of the river below.
"These kinds of bridges just aren't safe," Huxley the priest complains as the group approaches the wooden bridge.
"C'mon," Diego waves passing the old man. "I'm going anyway."
"I'm not so sure about that," Clint says raising a finger toward the opposite end of the bridge.
Across the way a small group of roughly dressed men clamber onto the bridge. Some carry swords and shields and a few bows or just swords. A couple jump up and dangle themselves onto the cables that suspend the bridge.
"Huh?" one of the thieves says realizing for the first time who Ash and his companions are. "Those aren't merchants."
"Don't bother me none," the thief's companion says. "We can always sell their stuff for money after we kill'em."
"Oh hell," Diego mutters. "Where did these guys come from all of a sudden?"
"Don't worry," Ash says as he draws out his sword and steps forward onto the bridge. "Piece of cake."
The first thief smiles, gaining his confidence back. "Hey, it looks like these guys are game!"
"Don't worry. We won't even bloody our hands!" his companion laughs.
As Clint follows behind the remainder of the group he stops and sniffs. It takes a moment for him to remember what the smell reminds him of. "Look out!" he yells. "I smell gunpowder!"
Then part of the bridge behind the group erupts in an explosion, rocking the entirety of the bridge. The bridge sway violently but refuses to fall and when it finally settles back there is a wide gap between the group and the land they were just on. The only thing remaining are remarkably the cables that hold the bridge up and in place.
"Huh?" the thief looks puzzled. "I missed? Well that's okay. This bridge will collapse soon anyway. They're headed for the bottom of the river."
"This is not good," Huxley says matter of factly.
"Then let's get across before it collapses," Ash orders.
The band of thieves charge with intensity and Ash is they first to greet them, by taking the head off the first thief.
"Watch out Ash!" Diego yells as he sends an arrow into the throat of an attacking thief. The thief stumbles back but regains his footing and goes for another attack.
Before Ash or Diego can react Eleni charges a spell that sends the thief over the edge of the bridge to a watery grave. "Vox of universum habitum. Atrum Astrum!"
A blackness surrounds the thief with sharp edges fluctuating in and out and then suddenly collapses in on itself piercing him. His eyes go wide then fade into darkness before his body goes limp and he falls over the edge.
Ash nods his thanks then blocks an incoming sword strike with his sword that is countered by Clint stabbing his into the side of the thief ending his life.
Enthralled by what he has just witnessed Diego looks at Eleni and says, Why don't you whip out some golems now?"
Don't you remember?" she smirks. "You destroyed them all. Do you know how long it took me to make those golems?"
Diego simply shrugs his shoulders.
"One year to form them from the mud and two years to give them life," she answers with fieriness.
Okay, okay. I got it," he says hold up his hands in surrender. "Next time you should make them a little more durable."
"Hmph!"
"Whenever you two are done playing, you can join us," Clint calls over his shoulder as his sword cuts through the bow of a thief.
The thief falls to the ground frightened. Clint whips his sword around and is about to run the thief through when a shield slams into him knocking him to the side off balance.
Clint finds his footing and finds himself facing off with three new opponents. The one that attacked him has a wide toothy grin displayed across his face, "Get him boys."
Clint braces himself for the attack, but as the two thieves behind toothy step forward the old priest surprises them all, flying over head. "Aiiieee!"
His staff strikes the thief on the right across the face sending him to the ground. As Huxley lands he sends his weapon into the stomach of the other, doubling him over then up into his chin, knocking him up and over the edge of the bridge.
Having seen enough of the rampaging priest, toothy turns to hightail it out and receives and arrow straight into his left eye. He is dead before he even hits the deck.
On the other side of the bridge is standing a female in brown and pink garments with long brown hair and quite attractive carrying a bow. "Looks like you guys could use some help!"
"Who are you?" Ash questions. "Friend or foe?"
"My name's Kira Wulfstan and isn't it obvious?" she answers. "Let's fight together."
"Yes, let's!" Diego yells in agreement.
With only a few of the thieves left, Ash, his companions and Kira Wulfstan quickly eliminate them and their threat, leaving none of them alive. When it is all over they gather together on the safety of the land on the other side of the bridge.
"I'm glad to be off that rickety old thing," Huxley huffs. "This trip is already too dangerous for you young miss."
Eleni casts him a glare but says nothing and instead moves closer to Ash.
"I'm Ash Lambert," he says extending his hand toward the young and attractive woman holding the bow. "Thanks for helping us."
"I'm Kira," she says ignoring the gesture and instead waving her hand at him, "A mercenary."
"A fierce warrior and a beauty as well," Diego adds. "I think I'm in love."
'That's rude Diego," Clint says frowning.
"That's okay," Kira says with a sweet smile. "Want to hire me as a bodyguard?" she asks changing the subject. "It looks like you only have this one cute guy as an archer. I'll bet you could use another archer. How about it?"
