Ordo Sylvanus
Two Woodcutters -An Excerpt from Codex: Servant Hecubus

I could smell the dew on the early morning grass. We were low on lumber, so I grabbed my ax and headed for the woods. I noticed that much of the useable lumber had been chopped. I felt my face turn to a snarl, it must be that Forrest was carving arrows for his brother Gilgamesh. I will have his lumberjacking abilities soon! Just then I saw an unusual scene unfolding across the clearing to the west.    At first it was just two figures, quietly chopping the wood, carefully and  deftly, in peasant attire. Suddenly voices were heard behind them, A woman crying out, her captors yelling at her to shut up. There were nine figures, in total, including the two men that were chopping wood. Just then one of the brigands accosted the men, "Hey you, woodcutter! Give me a piece of cloth to shut up this wench!    The man replied "I am sorry. I do not wish to destroy my meager clothing."    "Stupid peasant! Help me out or Ill kill you and your tree chopping buddy!"    The other woodcutter spoke, "Kind sir, we are poor  woodcutters in search of an honest living. Please let us be."    The kidnappers laughed. They drew their weapons- an assortment of cheap axes, swords, and clubs. Instead of calling for the Bat like I should, I was perversely interested in the outcome of this situation. The six men charged the two woodcutters, three men on each lumberjack. Just as they were about to strike, each lumberjack seemed almost to disappear. The brigands found themselves swinging at the peasant robes, with no men inside them.    Like lightning 2 axes flew through the air and struck down two of the kidnappers, the force of the blow to each body forcing a shocked gasp as each man fell to the ground in pools of blood. The other four men stood back to back, jaws wide open, waiting for the next attack. Just then another man was struck in the head with an arrow. The two figures were now dressed in the royal blue and white garb of questing knights. The three remaining men charged. With a sword one of the woodcutters sliced the arm and then head of one brigand,  while the other shot a brigand through the eye with his bow. Only the leader of the kidnappers was left standing.    The brigand panicked. He was now alone, and outnumbered, by obviously more skilled opponents. He threw his ax to the ground, and began to sprint.    "Calistarius, we should let him go, the woman will be safe when we get her to the tower."    "Aye Tess.  We should continue our chores." Just as the two men decided that the criminal should live, Leon appeared on the scene. He put up his thumb and looked out of one eye at the sprinting man. He drew his bow, and released. The criminal almost made it to the brook when the arrow struck him in the back. Leon laughed heartily, and left to take the victim to her home town.    Tess and Calistarius escorted me to the tower, where they each filled a chest full of lumber. I crafted 2 new axes for them, and they continued their chores.

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