After sleeping for the night, Immalaine did what she could for the people at Trestlebridge. Little things to ease their hardships and maybe make their lives a bit easier. Though, as their demands grew more perilous, Rastellion took her aside. He quietly spoke to her, insisting that such undertaking were best suited for those with training in fighting, and after a discussion she could not say she disagreed with him. So they borrowed a couple of horses from the stables and headed back to Bree.
Wandering the streets, they found themselves in the small town of Combe. Rastellion pointed out some people that he said he had spoken to before, who needed a little help, and before Immalaine knew it they were headed up to the lumber camp to see what chores they might have for them.
As they wandered the paths, looking for some lost items,they happened to run in a camp of men along the road. "Brigands," she spat, her eyes dark with anger as she quivered in suppressed rage. Three years had done little to lessen the hatred she felt for them, after all they had taken from her. Rastellion motioned Immalaine to calm down, and they crouched in the bushes, watching them to see what they were doing.
So focused were they on the camp in front of them, that they didn't notice the man come up behind them until he sounded the alarm. Suddenly finding themselves surrounded by brigands, Rastellion stepped in front of her, shielding her from their blows. Immalaine grabbed her bow, and quickly aiming, took one down who had taken aim at Rastellion. After a quick but brutal battle, they managed to escape - vowing to watch more carefully as they continued.
It became apparent to them that the brigands had a heavy presence in the woods and so the pair quickly made their way back to Combe to report what they had found to the constable. He seemed less than surprised, and rather nonplussed by the information, leaving them shaking their heads at his attitude. Looking at each other, they shrugged and headed to the Combe & Wattle for a drink.
Rastellion ordered a pair of whiskeys for himself and Immalaine, feeling adventurous, ordered and ale and a whiskey for herself. Watching Rastellion down his in one gulp, she attempted to do the same, only to find herself coughing as the harsh liquid went down her throat. Rastellion grinned, pounding on her back as he cautioned her to take it easy on that and picked up his second shot to drink it a bit slower. Lifting her ale, Immalaine took a deep swallow to clear her throat and grinned at him as they headed to a table to talk.
They sat for what seemed like ages, talking about anything that came to mind. After awhile, they noticed it had gotten dark outside and set off for Bree, him to go to his bed and her to find someplace to sleep. Figuring out that she didn't have a place for the night, Rastellion was generous and offered her his bed. Being too tired to argue, she soon found herself tucked in as her mind drifted into dreams ....
Two Years Earlier …
He had promised her it wouldn't happen again. And for awhile, he had kept his promise. They'd used the coin he made to get food, and a used bow for her to practice hunting. She wasn't always good at it, but when she did bring down a kill it meant food for them. Immalaine also began learning to gather whatever edible plants she could find, though there were sometimes scarce. In that way, they managed to keep the wolves at bay, as her guardian took on the rare odd job to buy the things she couldn't provide.
Then winter came, a brutal cold winter, and it became harder to forage for food. Shelter became more vital. The little coin he did make went to finding any sort of bed and walls so they wouldn't freeze to death.
One night a brutal storm hit, and desperate they found an inn. It was a rather shady inn, run down, and the tavern attached to it contained few patrons. They were an unsavory lot, rowdy and drunk, and they turned to watch them as they entered.
Her guardian moved towards the bar, as she stood back and waited. He spoke to the man behind the counter, who pointed to the back and shook his head. She could hear my guardian argue with him, insisting there must be somewhere they could sleep for the night. Two of the men approached him, talking to him as they all turned to look at her. Her blood ran cold as she saw her guardian nod his head and take some coins from the men. Turning, wanting nothing but escape, she found herself grabbed by a third man who had come from behind. Looking back in shock, Immalaine gazed past the men approaching her to her guardian, but he had turned his back to her ... at that moment she realized she was alone.
