Quas Blood

The morning came, and the Grimknights were jolted awake by the chaotic scuffling of Nyx, Kaiser's pet lemur, who was darting around the campsite, chasing down a few large rats that had been gnawing on their leftovers from the previous night. The small creature zipped between scattered gear and bedrolls, making the scene all the more chaotic. Kaiser gave a sharp whistle, and Nyx immediately halted, scampering back to his master's shoulder with a triumphant hiss.

The bard Cricket, still lively despite the early hour, greeted them all with a peculiar and ominous song:

(Singing)

"Oh, wake my friends, the sun has shone,

But shadows stretch where light has grown.

A tale untold, a path unclear,

For those who walk, the end is near.

Sing and laugh, be full of cheer,

For danger whispers soft yet near."

The Grimknights, still groggy from sleep, stared at him, thoroughly unamused. Espada rolled her eyes while Bjorn merely grunted. Elric rubbed his temples. "Is it too early to toss him into the river?" he muttered.

Ignoring the glares, Cricket took it upon himself to prepare breakfast. With surprising efficiency, he roasted the remaining fish from the night before, along with some foraged berries and dried meat from his own satchel. Though skeptical at first, the Grimknights had to admit the bard had decent cooking skills. They ate in relative peace, though Espada still shot wary glances at the strange musician.

Once the meal was finished, the group gathered their things and continued their journey. The road ahead stretched through dense woodland, a thick canopy of leaves filtering the morning sunlight into scattered golden beams. The quiet of the forest was peaceful, but there was an underlying tension, as if something unseen lurked just beyond the trees.

As they walked, Cricket, ever the entertainer, began singing a tune. This time, it was a humorous song aimed at Elric:

(Singing)

"Oh, mighty Elric, with muscles so grand,

He lifts his mace with a trembling hand.

A hero so fierce, so bold, so tall,

Yet trips on pebbles and stumbles with gall.

Brave in battle, strong as steel,

But watch him eat—it's quite the ordeal!"*

Espada burst into laughter, nearly doubling over, while Bjorn smirked silently. Henry chuckled under his breath. Elric, on the other hand, scowled, clearly unamused. "I swear, bard, if you keep this up, you'll be singing without teeth."

Cricket merely grinned. "Ah, but what is a journey without laughter, dear knight?"

Before Elric could retort, their path was suddenly blocked by a group of armed men. A slick-looking bandit with a scar across his jaw stepped forward, brandishing a curved blade. "You are going nowhere," he sneered. "This area is under the Stallion's control."

Elric narrowed his eyes. "Then we're close."

Henry stepped forward, his tower shield braced before him. "We're exactly where we need to be. We're taking down the Stallion."

The bandit's smirk faltered for a moment before he motioned to his men. "Kill them."

The fight broke out instantly. The bandits charged forward, weapons drawn, but the Grimknights were prepared. Henry used his massive shield to slam into the first wave of attackers, knocking several off their feet. Kaiser flickered with Phantom Step, appearing behind two bandits and swiftly slashing their backs with his shadow blade before vanishing again. Espada moved with lethal grace, weaving through the battlefield and slicing down foes with her scimitar.

Bjorn, as always, was a force of raw brutality. He swung his dual axes in wide arcs, cleaving through the bandits' armor like paper. One unfortunate enemy attempted to block him but was sent flying into a tree with a single, powerful strike.

Mariposa, holding Nyx protectively, remained hidden behind a large boulder with Cricket. "They don't need our help, do they?" the bard whispered, watching the battle unfold.

Mariposa merely shook her head. "Not at all."

The bandits were quickly losing ground. Henry smashed another attacker into the dirt, while Elric crushed a man's ribs with his well aimed swing of his mace. The battlefield was soon littered with groaning or unconscious enemies.

The slick bandit leader, now the last one standing, tripped and tumbled to the ground. Before he could scramble to his feet, Henry locked his tower shield down onto the man's leg, pinning him in place. The leader grunted in pain. "You bastards—"

"Just show us the way to your leader," Henry interrupted, pressing down slightly harder.

The bandit gritted his teeth. "You have to kill me first, you—"

Before he could finish, Bjorn stepped forward and, without hesitation, brought his axe down, severing the man's head cleanly from his shoulders. The silence that followed was almost deafening.

Elric groaned. "Why did you do that?"

Henry merely sighed. "It's fine. He wouldn't have told us anything anyway."

Kaiser sheathed his weapon. "It won't be long before we see the Stallion again."

Just then, the sound of hoofbeats echoed through the trees. A lone rider appeared, dressed in dark leather, with a dagger strapped to his thigh. He was clearly a messenger. He rode straight toward them and stopped just a few feet away.

The rider gave a mocking bow. "Humble Grimknights, who have wandered into our domain, the Stallion invites your presence."

Henry narrowed his eyes. "Lead the way."

The messenger smirked. "It will be my pleasure."

Espada stepped forward, her blade glinting menacingly. "Just make sure not to toy with us. It will be my pleasure to sever your head from your filthy body."

"We must stay alert, this could be an ambush." Mariposa talked. " Bandits can never be trusted. They have always been a symbol of mischief and trickery. They are full of lies and bad deeds." Elric added.

The messenger merely chuckled and turned his horse toward a muddy path leading deeper into the forest.

The Grimknights followed, the road ahead walled by thick overgrowth. The air grew heavier, the trees taller, and an ominous silence settled over the land. They were getting closer to their next battle.