I instantly perk up when I notice another member of our band.
"Well, hello there. Who do we have here?" I hop off my wagon and step up to the lovely young lady. Bowing deeply, I take her hand and give it a small kiss.
"Xxymryx, at your service. And what might you be called?"
Aithne nodded politely, but with caution.
"Aithne." she replied.
"If everyone's business here is completed, I suggest we make for the Rhineland immediately."
Aithne turned Brion at the sound of Rothgar's voice and shot him a hard look before moving ahead of the Doctore's wagon as they made their way out of the city. She was glad they'd finally be out of the noise and bustle of the metropolis. The country suited her better, she could feel around herself more there.
As they traveled she let her mind drift aimlessly, it wandered over the streams and rivers near them as she felt out the moisture in the air. The men's conversing of war and battle scars droned on in the background as the Docktore argued with Watts over the benefits of a chemical compound used to temper steal as opposed to heat. The hours marched on and the conversation died a bit as they entered the marsh. Brion's feet delicately danced over the ground as Aithne gently moved water from the road so the wagon would have an easier passage; more from boredom than anything else. She looked around at the tree's the Docktore had informed her were cypruses. Their leaves hung down in a depressed manner as if the ground called them to it. The moisture in the air did give her a bit of comfort and she gently ran her mind across the still and muddy waters.
"Docktore, we need to pick up the pace", Rothgar shouted from the back of the wagon.
"And, whatever you do, don't stop the wagon until we're out of the moor."
She drew Brion back and let the wagon pass her, coming up behind the wagon. She was about to ask why when she saw Rothgar's face change as he stood. Brion tossed his head and she felt him pull forward.
"Shhhh.." She patted his neck and pulled him back before looking back at Rothgar only to see him staring off into the marsh. Following his eyes, her hands tightened on Brion's mane. Creatures... ugly.. horrible creatures. A movement out of her peripheral caused her to turn to her left only to find more of them on that side.
"Trolls"
"I hate trolls."
Aithne loosened her grasp on Brion and let him surge forward, coming even with the Docktore. Caed was already on the ground, spouting something in his usual overly-eloquent way as he let loose a fiery arrow at one of the trolls.
After that it became a bit of a blur as Kelvamin jumped into the battle and the Docktore got all sorts of gleeful. Fire erupted from the package that he threw, engulfing the trolls, the wizard was able to conjure fire and started cutting them down.
Only those with only weapons were at a disadvantage. Closing her eyes she took a breathe, she'd need to depend on her group to keep her safe for a moment. Brion stayed near the wagon as Watts urged the nervous animals forward.
the waters of the bog round Kelvamin and Rothgar moved and shifted retracting and forming hundreds of tentacles. Snaking around the legs, arms and bodies of the trolls she quickly opened her eyes causing the entire group on the right side to be hauled airborne. They twisted and she could feel the waters strain a bit. Biting her lip she focused, tightening their hold on the monsters.
"Dithneas" she said softly to no one in particular.