Nelek against two

[Lazey Winde]

Nelek followed the bearded man outside. No sooner had they stepped down off the boardwalk the man asked. "Where do you live? Tonight I'd like to show her what a real man is like."

Nelek punched him right in the face as hard as he could. The man went back a few paces, then came back at Nelek swinging. Nelek was vaguely aware of people crowding around to watch them fight as he fended off the other man's attack while making a few hits himself. Nelek was beginning to think that he might be able to beat this guy when he was clubbed over the shoulder from behind.

A man in red held a piece of fence post in his hands. He was grinning in a way similar to the bearded man. The man in red threw the piece of wood at Nelek, and when Nelek jumped out of the way beardman punched him in the kidneys. This was not a fair fight. Nelek hoped that these men would not go after Aislyn if he was beaten.

[Muffin Puffin]

A silver dart whistled through the air and lodged in the piece of wood. A soft collective gasp rose from the audience, parting as a cloaked figure made it's way through the audience. The heavy steel crossbow never left it's aim at the two men. "This is a peaceable village. It is time for you to leave." One couldn't tell from the voice if it belonged to a male or female as it was spoken in a low growl. "Leave these people alone." Another dart was nocked in place threateningly.

[Lazey Winde]

"We get our orders from someone higher up than you!" The man in red growled.

Nelek stared hard at the cloaked figure, trying to make out the person's face.

[Muffin Puffin]

The figure fired off a bolt which struck the man's shoulder and they quickly reloaded the next bolt. "I care not who your orders are from. You will leave these people alone," the voice hissed. "Go back to where you came from."

[Lazey Winde]

The two men looked at each other, the injured one holding his shoulder. After a moment they pressed through the small crowd and ran away, but Nelek noticed that they were going further into the village, not towards the closest gate. But he was too tired and sore to protest. He looked at the cloaked figure and held out his hand.

"Thank you for your assistance, stranger."

[Muffin Puffin]

The figure extended a gloved hand and shook it. "It was my honor, sir. Tell me, has this village gone to hell in a handbasket? It has been several years since I have been here."

[Lazey Winde]

"Sometimes I wonder if it has." Nelek admitted. "Come inside and join me and my wife for breakfast, Aislyn is probably worried sick about me."

[Muffin Puffin]

The figure hesitated for a moment. If they ate, it would mean revealing their identity. "I can not go to the inn, I fear. But I would enjoy spending time with you at her cottage." They thought about how that sounded. "Both of you."

[Lazey Winde]

"Sure, we live at the cottage behind the bakery." Nelek said. "Aislyn sure can bake."

[Muffin Puffin]

"I know," the voice said, softening slightly,  a smile evident in the words.

[Lazey Winde]

Nelek grinned. "Of course if you've been to Buckley before you'd have had her sticky buns, they're famous. Come over to the cottage anytime, I don't think we'll be anywhere else today."

[Muffin Puffin]

"I'll just go change and then be back in to see you." The figure seemed to study him from beneath the hood. "Aislyn is important to you, isn't she?"

[Lazey Winde]

"She means the world to me." Nelek said honestly.

[Muffin Puffin]

"Good. I'm glad she has finally found someone to love her." The figure glanced into the village. "Perhaps before I go change, I should make a sweep of the village. I will be by later."

[Lazey Winde]

"That would be good." Nelek said.

Liadan burst out the door and saw Nelek standing with a cloaked figure. She saw red and charged.

[Muffin Puffin]

The figure had turned to go after the two villains when they heard a familiar running sound. They turned and held up a hand. "Calm yourself, Liadan Wynne. You never change."

[Lazey Winde]

Liadan skidded to a halt. She glared.

"I changed my name." She growled. "Who the hell are you?"

[Muffin Puffin]

The figure was clearly torn. "Those two are getting away. I'll be returning later to Aislyn's cottage. All will be revealed then. And please, Liadan, do try to be calmer."

[Lazey Winde]

"I wanna take care of those momzers." Liadan said angrily. "You can shove off."

[Muffin Puffin]

"You don't even know who you would be looking for, Liadan. And you are unarmed. Stay here with Aron and Aislyn's husband. You'll be safer that way." And with that, the figure turned and hurried deeper into the village, keen eyes sweeping the area for the two miscreants.

[Lazey Winde]

Liadan made an angry gesture at the cloaked figure's back.

"Arrogant jerk." Liadan muttered to Aron.

Nelek rubbed a bruise appearing on his cheek. "I need to see how Aislyn is doing."

[Muffin Puffin]

Aron nodded, "She's up in my apartment, scared to death."

[Lazey Winde]

Nelek nodded and went back into the inn.

Liadan looked up at Aron and sighed.

[Muffin Puffin]

Aron held out his hand to her. "Not much we can do here. Shall we go in for breakfast? Yehudit will be safe with Nelek and Aislyn."