Ragnar
“Waiiit! Please wait!” A surprised Ragnar spun, looking behind him where the voice came from. No one was there. The voice had started as he was leaving Sorka, and for the last hour, it had been begging for him to wait. Now he did and saw nothing. He would have turned and continue on his way, but he knew the voice would continue to dog him, he wanted to be done with it so he waited.
Around Ragnar the grass of the plane moved in the gentle breeze, it was incredibly peaceful, too peaceful. Ragnar was quickly getting bored, he tried pacing for a few minutes but very quickly ran out of patience. He stopped pacing and looked back the way he had come, the direction of the mystery pleading voice. Still, the road and the open plain around it remained empty of any principles besides himself. “I’m waiting, How long do you want me to wait?” He said out loud feeling foolish..
“I’m coming! I’m sorry, please wait!”
Ragnar still couldn’t see anyone. Then he saw movement, the grass standing thigh high moved and something very thin and tall enough to remain above the grass was moving, weaving, towards him. He hadn't seen it at first because of how thin whatever it was His stance in the middle of the road was relaxed until he realized that he was watching a sword.
Ragnar was a little concerned that he was more curious about the sword than threatened by it. Thinking that it was better to be safe than sorry he did shift to a slightly more defensive position, slightly bending his knees and putting one hand on the haft of his axe. A moment later the grass parted and the sword moved on to the road. Compared to the sword the principle was comically small, Ragnar almost missed the principle holding it. He focused on the principle.
NapolANT
Level 1
Wallet-1AU
Seeing the low-level Ragnar relaxed a little, he didn’t take his hand off his axe. Seeing that NapolANT was a level one, Ragnar relaxed further, though he kept his hold of his axe. The sword was now bobbing up and down, perhaps indicating that NapolANT was out of breath. Ragnar examined the other principle while waiting for it to speak up.
It was an ant, maybe a foot tall, maybe. The carapace was brown and shiny, the thorax, as well as the four limbs that correspond to the four human limbs, were exaggerated and oversized. Everything was as exaggerated or oversized about that sword. Based on how NapolANT carried it, it could have been light as a feather, if it weighed as much as it looked like it should, it would be many, many times NapolANT’s own weight.
The swords movement slowed, possibly indicating that NapolANT was catching its breath. “Ragnar! I almost can’t believe it’s actually you! I have been looking for you for so long.” Ragnar took note of the last statement, his body responding with a spike of adrenaline. NapolANT seemed to read Ragnar’s response and quickly, in what was an amazing show of gymnastic ability, thrust his sword point first into the ground. “Oh no! Please don’t get the wrong impression. See, I’m a reporter, I want to tell your story.”
“You’re a what? You want to report on me? Why and who would care?” Ragnar was skeptical.
“Ragnar, you’re a hero to thousands, maybe millions of principles. You have to know that, I mean come on, look at Sourka.”
They both looked back the way they came. All Ragnar could see of the town was the statue which towered above it. When prompted Ragnar acknowledged that it was an impressive sight. “That’s what I mean,” NapolANT said, then continued to drive his point home. “You’ve traveled a good distance, I’m not asking, I know I have followed for most of the way. In any of those travels have you seen a statue even half that size? No right? What about a quarter of the size? I have never seen one taller than a foot. You might not want it or even like, but you are known. Not just in Sourka either, the name Ragnar is known and rings out, throughout the lands of AntruA. There are many who want to follow your exploits, and I want to tell them. So what do you say?”
“So what do you want from me?”
“Almost nothing. All I want is to travel with you, to be able to tell AnturA of your adventures, all I want from you is to not attack me when I follow, and maybe answer my questions. Most of the time you won’t even know I’m there”
“Okay. I don’t see why not, will you go away if I change my mind?”
“Oh yeah, of course, no problem.”
“In that case I accept. I also pledge to warn you before I kill you.”
“I can follow you? It’s okay? For real?”
“Yeah sure, come on.”
NapolANT retrieved its sword, they began walking in silence. soon the rustle thump of Ragnar’s steps was the only sounds. The quiet of AntruA settled over them. That barely lasted a few moments. “Can I ask you a few questions?” NapolANT’s voice broke the quiet.
Ragnar chuckled under his breath, he had almost been able to forget the ant was there. “Yeah, sure.”
“Great! Wonderful! My very first exclusive! Um, my question is....Um, You’re a hunter for the Band of the Golden Hand, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Uh, um, right. You are a founding member right?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, okay, could you please tell me about the beginning of the Band?”
“Oh, okay. I guess I really started when MoMony got Tokened. He found me as MoProbs, and asked me to help him hunt the Tokener who had Tokened MoMony. That was my first bounty, truthfully I think that MoMony, MoProbs or whatever already had the idea for the Band. I think that Tokening is abhorrent, this seemed as good a way to go after them as any.”
“And how has it worked out for you?”
Ragnar shrugged, “Great, I guess. I mean it has given me these great missions to hunt down these dangerous monsters, monsters who I’m motivated to eliminate.”
“But what about the fame?”
“The fame? Oh, well, that. I didn’t want it, it just sort of happened. It hasn't done anything good for me that I can really think of.” Ragnar said as he thought of BeAutyBrokEn, he blushed.
“Why do you blush?” NapolANT asked quickly.
“Oh, well, it’s kind of nothing. Actually, can I tell you something of the record?”
“Oh yes! That’s what I’m here for the 'behind the scene' take on Ragnar!”
“Good, I have been dying to tell someone.”
“Oh please let it be me, I won’t tell anyone.”
“I met a girl.”
“What!? Did you say you met a girl?”
“Yes, I met a girl and I like her, a lot.”
“You like her, well that’s sweet I guess, do you think that this could have any impact on your story?”
“If I understand by what you mean by ‘my story’ then yes, I hope so.”
“So you’ve given some thought to what that role could be?”
Ragnar blushed again. “No. Nevermind, it doesn’t matter. Forget I said anything. Anyways, we’re here.” He pointed to the door of CampOut then led the way towards it, ignoring all of NapolANT’s questions. Ragnar pulled the door open, he noted that NapolANT leaned his gigantic sword against the outside of the door before entering. Ragnar followed though he almost immediately lost the small principle in the half light of the social hall.When Ragnar saw MoProbs sitting at his table all thoughts of his new friend were forgotten, As Ragnar walked to the table he noticed that MoProbs was not alone. A shadow hovered next to the elf, as Ragnar approached the shadow resolved into the dark clad form of aSTARTe. Their heads were close together, looking very much to be deep in an intimate conversation. For a moment Ragnar felt that he was interrupting something, it was to late as the had noticed him, both turning to look at him.
MoProbs was the first to react, coming out of his seat to greet Ragnar. “My friend! You are back! I am so happy to see you. We were just talking about you.”
Ragnar watched aSTARTe pour a glass of TZ. “I hope only good things,” he muttered under his breath.
aSTARTe pushed the glass in front of a empty seat, “sit,” she said.
Feeling a little disquieted, Ragnar sat. He took a sip from the glass. MoProb walked around the table, returning to his earlier set which was across the table from Ragnar. He held a glass out for aSTARTe to fill. Once full the glass was held up. “To the return of Ragnar the Great!”
They cheered each other across the table
“Congrats on your level up, I’m going to guess that means you were successful in your hunt.” MoProbs said.
“Thanks, and yes I was. Well, actually the second one was all me, but that special bounty, you know the one that requestecd me?” Ragnar asked.
“I remember and don’t worry as long as you Tokened him, you’ll get your gold.” MoProbs said then sat back in his chair.
“Good, but I really wasn’t thinking about gold. See the bounty has been Tokened, but the thing is I didn’t do it. I was there, I mean I know it happened, it just wasn’t me, anyone who uses the statue will see that.” Ragnar said feeling a weight taken off his chest
MoProbs didn’t speak for a moment looking thoughtfully at Ragnar. “Your honesty is noted. As far as I’m concerned the bounty was completed, if you’re still feeling guilty I’d be happy to take half or even all of your bonus.”
Ragnar laughed, “No, no, that’s okay I think I’ll take it. I just needed to say something,” he shrugged.
“That’s because you have a good heart.” aSTARTe said, suddenly very close. Close enough to put a hand on his shoulder, lean over and pick up his cup, bring it to her mouth to drink. She returned the cup to the table.
MoProb spoke, “and you’re a good hunter. We all are, maybe too good. The truth of the matter is we don’t have any bounties for you.”
Ragnar felt a huge wave of relief knock an emotional weight off his chest. “That might be for the best. I was here to tell you that I am leaving the Band.”
There was a squeeze on his shoulder, he looked to see aSTARTe’s hand and arm wrapped in the black strands of her hair. “One small problem with that Ragnar. We have a very important role for you to play in the new Band, we’re calling it the Band of the Black Hand. But the Black hand requires the blood of the Golden Hand to be born. From the blood it will be born, and from the body it will emerge.” She drew the blade of one of her short swords across his throat.
