The Next day the four legionnaires made plans to try and capture this thing… this

Ivashu that was causing havoc and unrest in the little hamlet east of Sitarny. How to

do this though was the big question, Lothar had already informed the other members

of the squad that the Ivashu could not be killed for he was certain that he had struck

fair and true into it’s body, he said that it was as if his blade just passed right through

the thing.

“Well then we have no choice but to try and catch it!” said Sylud.

“Yes Sylud I agree.” Lothar replied. “But that’s not as easy as it sounds”

That night the Legionnaires made their preparations. Nico and Grunth maintained

sentry by the fire in the town square while Lothar and Sylud ghosted out into the

fields, found a spot of their own and waited looking back at the hamlet. The two other

legionnaires armed with bows remained with Nico and Grunth.

For a while nothing happened, but in the early hours of the morning there was a sound

on one of the rooftops. Nico moved forward to investigate, one of the archers notched

an arrow and stood at the campfire covering Nico. To Nico, It sounded like

something moving, so he cautiously approached the alley between the two buildings.

With the campfire the only light source, the alley was heavily shadowed, Nico crept

closer and closer…

“TWANG” at the sound Nico instinctively dived to the ground, just in time to feel an

arrow go whistling past where he had been standing. The creature had been spotted

on a rooftop on the other side of the hamlet, the archer whose arrow had barely missed

Nico was rubbing his shoulder, a large rock lying on the ground nearby. The creature

chuckled and babbled at the group then leapt over the roof and into the darkness. By

the time Nico picked himself up the others had already begun chasing after the thing

but to no avail, it lost them easily in the darkness.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The following morning, the legionnaires got together and discussed what to do next

about this creature that was fast becoming a nightmare.

“We’ll have to try and trap this damn thing won’t we?” said Sylud.

“An excellent idea Sylud, but I have no idea how to make a snare” replied Lothar.

“Well I’m sure it can’t be that hard” declared Grunth.

“I’m sure we can figure out something,” said Nico.

All four of them looked at each other, clearly without any idea how to capture the

creature…

“Well, surely there must be a hunter around?” said Sylud. “Why don’t we try and find

one back in Sitarny?”

So off went Lothar and Sylud.

Later that day they returned with a fellow legionnaire who was skilled at setting

snares and traps. He helped show the squad what to do and they set up traps all

around the hamlet and nearby fields. Once done they simply waited for nightfall to

bring the creature to them.

Nothing happened…

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“You know, I don’t like their chances on this one” muttered a young recruit.

“Well indeed lad, as it turned out their chances were not good” replied the old man.

“The bloody thing evaded them yet again”.

“So how did they get rid of it then?” asked another.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The following morning, the squad tired and sleepy were resting and about to have

their morning meal, when they noticed someone approaching the hamlet along a track.

As the figure got closer, they could see that it appeared to be a priest, walking into the

hamlet and making his way towards them.

“Greetings soldiers” he called cheerfully, “and how are you on this fine morning?”.

“Good morning there”, replied Sylud.

As he sat down next to them he politely introduced himself. “I am Brother Thelis of

the Order of The Pia Gardith. Would you mind if I share some of your delicious

meal?” Reaching into his small travel bag he produced a bowl and spoon and began to

help himself.

“Tell me, what brings you out here?” asked Sylud.

“I am just passing through, my travels are of no importance…” the priest replied. At

this point Nico wasn’t interested in what the priest had to say, for he did not have any

interest in the Ilviran religion and just carried on eating his food. Sylud however had

plenty to say and mentioned what troubles the hamlet was experiencing, describing

the Ivashu that was disturbing the peace of the people and surroundings.

“Well with the grace of the ‘Father of the Multitude’, I will pray for these people and

rid them of this trouble” declared the priest. “In return, all I ask is that you show your

gratitude by assisting my order to build our new temple” he declared placing his now

empty bowl on the ground as an offering plate. Lothar and Sylud both gave a few

coins to the priest.

“Ah thank you kind soldiers” he said “And how about your companions?” he asked

looking towards Nico and Grunth.

“I’m afraid I have nothing to offer you”, said Nico.

“Oh that is quite alright, perhaps another time soldier” replied the priest “And what

about you my son?” as he turned his gaze towards Grunth. This drew no response,

Grunth simply ignored him. Lothar quickly butted in and offered to donate on behalf

of both Grunth and Nico to resolve the matter.

“Ah thank you yet again kind soldier” said the priest, “Well then, I shall begin”.

Nico and the others watched and waited as the priest performed his promised

ceremony. Time went by, with the priest intoning prayers to his god, muttering

quietly to himself now and then, sometimes calling aloud and gesturing. Finally the

priest stopped, gathered his things together and approached the legionnaires.

“Well I believe that this creature, the one you call an ‘Ivashu’ will leave this

settlement in peace” declared the priest. The four squad members merely stood where

they were looking astonished at this apparent resolution of their troubles.

“Very well!” replied Lothar happily, “our duty is done”

“Well my good friends, I would like to stay longer but I must be on my way” said the

priest as he swung his bag over his shoulder and headed off down another track

leaving the hamlet. “So long, be well” called the priest as he carried on walking until

he was out of sight.

But Grunth was not at all pleased. He was suspicious of the priest and began to

follow him.

“Where ya going Grunth?” asked Nico. “I’s don’t trust him” he replied. “I reckon

he’s a fake” he replied as he headed off. “Well I’ll join you” said Sylud as he headed

off after Grunth. This also seemed like a good idea to Nico, so he picked himself up

and followed as well.

Shortly after they could see the priest in the distance, gingerly making his way across

some rough ground, and carried on following him. Following discretely, with the

priest whistling a merry tune, the three legionnaires followed at a distance.

“Oh I’ve had enough of this” said Nico, “I’m going to head back”. With Nico turning

to head back Sylud also decided to do the same. Grunth however was clearly not

going to let up, and after a short while Sylud decided to turn back again and go and

prevent Grunth from causing the priest any trouble.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Well what happened then old man? What did Grunth do?” asked a cadet.

“Hmmmmmm you know, I’m not sure boy” Replied the old man. “Grunth never did

say…”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Written By: Kane Mokomoko (a.k.a Nico of Leyon)