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Pass of Noose
Dominant Race(s): None
Places of Significance:
Allegiance: Neutral
Population Size:
Services:
Overview: The Pass of Noose derives it's name from the fact that it is so narrow, but it is the easiest way through the Grey Mountains from the eastern parts of Brettonia and the Empire. The narrowness of the pass makes it a favorite place for bandits, and since it is in neutral territory (with only the very ends of the pass officially belonging to the Empire and Brettonia) it is not patrolled often except sometimes by questing Knights.

Map Location/Picture:

The Orcs were waiting behind some trees and watching and listening, waiting for another humie to pass down the road. They heard the clack of a horse's hooves, and got their crude bows ready. The horse came around the corner, but then they saw that there was no rider... An Orc in the back suddenly yelled in agony, his fellows spun around, and sticking out of their friend's chest was the tip of a bloody sword. The sword retracted back, and the body fell to the ground, and there stood a man clad in blood red armor. "Greetings," he said with a smile.

***

The Orcs let out a battle cry and drew their crude swords, cleavers, and clubs. They charged, and Valen was ready, he cut 2 more down in an instant, leaving only 2 Orcs left. They looked at each other, and then turned and ran back into the mountains. Valen frowned, he must have killed their leader already, once the Orc Boss goes down must of his followers lose their will to fight. So, he chased after them, beheading one in a couple seconds. The other Orc began to run faster. He let him get a nice headstart.

***
The last Orc looked behind him to see if he was still being chased, and no one was there. He scratched his head, and then smiled to himself, he had lost the demon man. He then started walking home again. He had to climb a ridge to get to his clan's cave which was quite steep. After about 10 minutes he reached the final landing and as he pulled himself up was met by a pair fine steel boots right in front of his face. He gulped and looked up into the smirking face of the demon. The demon let him contemplate his death for a second, and then plunged his sword in between the Orcs eyes in a powerful downward thrust.

***
Valen kicked the dead body off of his sword and sent it falling down the ridge. He was beginning to wipe his sword clean, when he heard a group of low guttural growls come from behind him. He turned about slowly and there he saw coming out of a cave he had not noticed before the Orcs' clan. There appeared to be dozens, perhaps nearly a hundred of the ugly green skins, and that was only the males. He raised one eyebrow in interest at this new twist.

Valen watched the sun rise. He felt his strength begin to sap as the sun rays hit his pale white skin, but he ignored it and enjoyed the beauty of the moment. A few moment later Dar awoke behind him, and then came and sat next to him to watch the sun also.

Dar made his own breakfast in some berries he found on a bush not too far from the camp. It wasn't much, but Valen had nothing on him, and neither did Dar. Valen then bid farewell to his giant friend and started to head down the pass toward Brettonia again on his horse. He didn't get more than a couple steps when he heard thunderous steps fast approaching. He turned around to see Dar chasing after him, he stopped and waited for him to catch up. Dar motioned with his hands that he wanted to join with him, Valen was hesitant, and then figured that Dar would be likely die sooner alone out here, than if he came along. He nodded his head and they walked down the road together.

They traveled until they found a small crevice where they could hide from the road, Valen hid his horse, and then they both crammed into the small cave. Dar looked at Valen in a puzzled way, but didn't ask what they were doing. A couple hours went by and Valen heard the familiar sound of chainmail and horse hooves. Valen waited for a little bit more until he could see his prey. They were three Brettonian Knights, all clad in their armor and returning home from their quests. Valen silently removed his sword and started to creep out of his cave when he was suddenly pulled backwards, Valen struggled and then ended up on the ground. He looked up at Dar, "what are you doing?" he yelled in a whisper. Dar shook his head, and looked very sad. Valen understood, Dar would not harm other people, this was going to be a problem. "So what do you propose we do?"

Dar once again looked puzzled.

Valen let out a sigh, "I am a warrior, I fight. That is what I do."

Dar made a sound that sounded something like "Orc".

"Orcs are not enough of a challenge. I need something, more."

Dar tried to suppress a laugh, and failed.

"Last night doesn't count, that was a rare chance, I was caught off guard, it won't happen again."

Dar was still laughing, and let Valen up from the ground. "Thanks." Valen sat up and began thinking of something that would make all parties happy.

Dar, probably realizing what Valen was thinking stood up and motioned for him to follow. They left the cave, the Knights were long gone now, and then proceeded into the mountains.

(Exit to Grey Mountains)

Coming up the pass from the south was an army of mounted knights. Their clothes were many different colors, showing the great diversity of lands that was Brettonia. They road slowly through the narrow pass, with only 4 of 5 people across. But their numbers were well into the thousands.

They did not notice her and continued on their march. It took the long line of soldiers about half an hour to all pass her.

Alice stood there, silent as ever, and ready for orders.

Alice nodded, and then lifted up her hands with her fingers all out. And then each second she brought one of her fingers down. She cocked her head in a "do you get it" sort of way. Alice also motioned for Nirissa to run.

Alice let Nirissa get a decent and believable head start and then she went from her nonchalant pose and leapt into the air. Her metal finger nails then extended into long deadly blades. She quickly matched Nirissa's speed and chased after her like a wild animal.