The next day Jules woke up nice and refreshed. The plan to take a nap turned into him just sleeping the day away. He did his morning exercises from before and made sure to add the sword lessons again. Feeling extra spunky, he walked over to his shed and grabbed the field hoe for gardening.
"Hmmm." Taking a few stabs with it, he twirled it around and got a better feel for it. "Arming a farmhand sounds like a good name for this." Jules spent the next 15 minutes doing "Shadow Fighting" with it. Small moves that the most youngest of villagers could do. Enough to incapacitate their pursuers or get away from them at least.
"That will have to do." Jules said to himself. He went to upload the video, then went to clean up. After a shower and a small meal, it was time to log on. "Wonder if anyone is on the dashboard?"
"You have mail!" The auto-response said. Checking it, Jules was surprised it was some of his previous game members.
Freshrizzler- Sent an e-vite to a few games.
Snugglysquid- Sent an e-vite to a game and a costume for the e-ball in Paris.
DirtyFlower- Sent linens designs that could be used in any games. Jules spent some time going over a few tailoring ideas as well as checking on her health since he had the time now. Her physical therapy was going a lot better in the last few weeks. He invited her over for tea, since he was the only member that could tolerate it in real life. The response came back quickly. Both she and her son ColdRose would come over.
DemonicMoon- Wanted him to come back and play Warcraft Exodus again. Jules responded that was not gonna work with his current game time. As well as his current mental skill set.
Doc sent him a notice about his test results. They were all green and she approved more game time for him. Logging on longer would allow him to spend more days in game, instead of the auto programming doing small things.
"That is some good news. Before wrapping things up, he received a message from an unknown name. "Who the heck is this? But it's in blue. So it is someone I deleted before. Hah I wonder ... might as well."
A feeling of acceptance pass over him. An instinctual understanding that he knew the person.
Silentwalker: Boss I have new information. Can we meet up.
"Sure." Jules paused and sent an invite. Instantly a gate opened and the Thief he fought previously appeared. A slight throb and he remembered fighting her during a game scenario and recruited her. "How did I forget about you?"
She looked at him oddly before passing it off he was just messing with her.
"Boss, here is an update on the happenings in Bern. Of note, one of its Generals is in Caelin looking for someone. Do not know who. Hush-hush stuff. No reports about yourself. The assassination on your life is considered complete. My employer collected on the reward thinking I died in the scuffle. When he was alone, I killed him for setting me up. He was gracious enough to tell me I was meant to die during the attempt after some persuasion of course. Any other info you need?"
"Yeah, your name and info on the bandits in this location." Jules showed her a map of a location on a screen.
"It is.. Tara." The Thief said. "Information on this is easy. They are operating to start building enough to overrun Caelon. With its Marquees currently poisoned by his brother, it will be easy."
"A small band of loyal members and the granddaughter will thwart that. Well that is the current course." Thinking about the game not following the present history, Jules thought better of it. "I think I will go and stop those bandits. Put them under my rule. It will be their blessing."
"Whatever you think is best." Tara gave a shrug and did not care any other way. "I will come with and earn some money and increase my strength back up." Jules nodded and she left first.
"Hmmm, some game time, then tea time. Not bad. Should probably set two alarms. Just in case." After doing that, he entered the world of Elibe.
He just missed a new email for DLC from the developers.
-Lyndis Village-
Jules found himself training in front of the house with the kids. The boy had a sword in hand doing several swings. Sweat dripped down his brow from the hard work. The girl had a Heal Staff in hand as well as a wooden shield strapped to her left arm. As for the child, she sparred with Jules with a pitchfork. After the information updated in his mind, he called for a short break.
"Stop, and break." Jules said. The kids just fell where they practice. The little child was the least winded. "Ok give me your names already. You each know my own."
"I am Sojin, this is my sister Sarapa." The boy pointed to the little girl with the pitchfork. He then pointed to the blond next. "She is Amelia, our adopted sister." The way he said it caused Amelia to shiver a little. A slight bit of loathing was in his voice.
"Hmm ok. Soon you bandits will arrive. Best be ready to fight." Jules said. Sojin looked frightened and looked to his sister Sarapa. "All of you will fight. Not for negotiation."
"I can cover for her. She is just a .." He stopped speaking, Jules raised his sword and pointed it at him. "Gulp." Swallowing both his spit and words, Sojin kept quiet.
"You are to weak to cover for anyone. That is why everyone has to fight." Jules said. He turned to see Amelia nod in understanding. As for Sarapa, she just smiled. She walked over and grabbed her brother's hand. Amelia just stood to the side staring wistfully. 'Well, their relationship is just a tad bit weird. The girl Amelia talks just like a Sacaen, as for Sarapa.. she barely speaks at all.'
"Someone is coming." Sarapa said quietly. Both she and Jules looked to the running Tara.
"Hey, boss!" Tara yelled running over. The way she greeted him was from the east of the village. She did not appear in the village to keep from spooking the kids. She was very good at her job Jules thought. "The bandits have sent a small group this way." She pointed to the mountains at the 6 people coming from the base level. Further to the side, another group of 3 were moving.
"Hmmm, protect the kids while I engage them." Feeling only a little fatigue, Jules made sure to rely on magic more first. "They need the experience more. If the Healer grows good enough, you can have the weekend off."
"Oh!" Tara agreed happily. "Leave it to me." A slight light passed in her eyes. 'He can give quests! This guy is more interesting by the day. I need to send more feelers out for information on him. Maybe I should send word to the Other World?'
"Follow her orders exactly. If you die, it will be on you." Jules said quickly. He moved forward and had his sword held to the side somewhat carelessly. He did not wipe the sweat from his face. 'Maybe they will believe I am to tired to really fight back. Playing possum is not my forte though. We do look helpless.'
"Ok kids, I will provide range support." Tara said. "The first group can easily be taken care of by him. The next group is where we will shine." She was all smiles as she explained to them. The girl Amelia nodded enthusiastically. Sojin stood protectively in front of his sister. "You cannot stay so close to her. Makes it easy to take you both out."
"I know. But she is very frail." Sojin said. Tara shook her head and made note to keep the girl Amelia as primary. Tara could tell the boy was lying. Sarapa looked anything but frail. She was also very vibrant and full of energy. "I will show you, do not worry."
"Halt!" The first bandit said. The other five spread not to far behind him. "You have property of ours. Hand it over and everything will go all civil like."
"Umm no. How about you stand down, stop acting as bandits and follow me?" Jules smiled at the bandit cheerfully. He did not expect it to work, but found it fun to just ask first. "I am kind of building some forces up."
"Hell no!" Bandit One yelled. "If you do not hand them over, we will just kill you instead."
"We should at least hear him out." Bandit Three said. "Things have not been going great lately. Especially with that woman sniping everyone."
"That is true. I do not want to pull any more arrows out of my butt." Bandit Four chimed in, as he rubbed his lower backside. The others nodding as well.
"Oh come off it." Bandit One turned to them. After we catch these kids, the payout will be big." Bandit One said. the expressions of his cohorts pissed him off. "You know what happens to traitors. Know one wants that." He said sinisterly. The others shook a little. An signs of leaving or betraying resulted in a clubbing, beating, or whipping.
"Umm." Bandit Six took a few steps back. "I am not going to get killed like some dog!"
"Where do you think your going!?" Bandit One asked.
"Schlick!" Jules took the time they were distracted to attack Bandit One. His blade cut across the man's back revealing his spine. "Thump!" Bandit One fell down face first. Slightly twitching before he died.
"He was not going to agree. Such a shame really." Jules kept his eyes on the others waiting for the next move. Instantly Bandit Six, Two and Three had a yellow ring. The others stood red.
"Your dead!" Bandit Four yelled.
"Woosh!" A dagger was hurled passed Jules into the bandit. It went right into his kneecap. "Schlick!" With the cloth so thin around his knees, it provided little protection.
"Ahhh!" The bandit screamed from the pain.
Bandit Five moved to swing at Jules. He put everything into his swing it seemed. Right as it almost made contact, another dagger flew through the air.
"Woosh!" This one landed right in the bandit's eye. "Splurt!" A little blood poured out. Before he could scream, Jules thrust his sword in the man's mouth.
"Schlick!" It cut his teeth and tongue. With a twist, the man's entire mouth looked awful, as he cheek was cut open from the inside. He dropped to the ground clutching.
"Mmmmurrgll!" The bandit words were so unintelligible, Jules almost felt bad.
"Cut them both in the back!" Jules told the other bandits. They looked scared and hesitated. "Consider it your audition for the job. One time offer."
Bandits Two and Three tried to make a run for it. But bandit Six tripped them both over. Bandit Six then struck both in the back of the legs with an axe swing.
"Schlick, schlick!" Blood splattered into the grass. The two fell face first and started to crawl. Bandit Six looked at Jules's intense glare. Something about it was unnerving.
'I need to cut the back. That is what he said.' Bandit Six raised the axe again and delivered the strike once again. Shallow enough to not kill outright. "Ughh, I am sick of the bandit life. I need this."
"Damn you!" Bandit Two cursed. After he was cut in the back, he kept quiet from the intense pain. The cut had done some major damage. 'I cant move. I cant feel my legs.'
"Amelia try healing him." Jules said. He gave Bandit Six a look over and congratulate her. "Good job. Welcome to the group." The ring immediately turn blue and she moved to the side. Over her head, the name Samara appeared. "What about you two?"
"Please.. just let us go." Bandit Two started to plead. His ring was still yellow but he did not want anything to do with Jules. "I swear I will get far away as possible."
"What do you think?" Jules gave Samara a side glance. She shook her head no and that was it. "Well since the bandit that lived in your group said no, I am assuming you are a terrible person. You might not be, but.."
"Raah!"Bandit Three swung with everything he had. A red tint in his eyes as he beheaded the man.
"Schlick!" The head flew into the air followed by a spray of blood. Bandit Three then cut the backs of the other two on the ground. Shallow enough not to kill them outright. Jules gave the man a nod and watched as the name changed to Darian.
"I had to get revenge for my little brother." Darian said. "He left them to die on a raid. I could not forgive that. Thank you for allowing me to kill him."
"Heal them again." Jules said over his shoulders to Amelia. The girl nodded and did so. Seeing she had her eyes closed while doing so, he corrected that problem. "Open your eyes, Amelia. You leave yourself to vulnerable while doing that. It is a good way to get killed."
"Ri.. righ. right." She stuttered and peeked one eye open. Watching the flesh mend, Amelia started to shiver in disgust. 'I can do this. I can do this.' Reciting that mantra in her head helped a little.
"The other three are heading this way." Tara added. "Want me to intercept them?"
"No. Over see this. Make sure they do not get up." Jules walked over and cut the head off the bandit with the destroyed mouth. The orbs floated into him quickly. Way faster than before. 'Was it because I was the only one who attacked him or because the increase in my party size?'
"Let me come with you." Samara said. "The other three are quite fearsome."
"Sure. Sarapa with us." Jules ordered. The girl complied quickly. Here brother stepped forward to come as well. "I did not say you. Stay here and make sure the injured do not recover enough to cause a problem. Keep repeating the process again and again. Until you can no longer do so. Darian keep watch. If we come back, and they have died.."
"I understand." Darian said solemnly.
"Tch!" Sojin was angry. He stared at his sister as she followed Jules and Samara. 'I need to keep her safe. But right now I am to weak and he does not trust me.' He looked over to Amelia and gripped his fist in anger. 'That slave is suppose to follow my orders only. I need to correct her later on.'
Tara saw everything with ease from under her cowl. She gave a slight smirk at the chance to figure out what was going on with the boy. Darian kept his feet on the other two bandits. As soon as they were healed enough, Tara and Sojin would stab them again. When Amelia was to tired to heal them, Tara had her smack them with her shield.