How hard could this be? They are just cows after all. The people of Star Gazer Village must be desperate to hire a random tourist to round up some lost livestock. Vail wasn’t complaining, he was just here to sightsee and this would cover the trip with some extra on the side.

He could see why a village was built here, if he ever wanted to escape everything, he’d definitely consider this place. A bit of peace and quiet was exactly what he needed after dealing with the disaster in Darkveil. Once these animals were rounded up, he would grab a good drink and watch these stars this place was named after.

His hopes sank as he read the number of animals missing. Okay, that’s why they were paying so much. He would need some help with this one. The tavern was always his go to stop for free hands, but alcohol and farm animals don’t exactly mix. He cursed his luck as he walked to the town square. This was the worst-case scenario; disappointing a client was an awful feeling, especially when the client was a humble townsperson like this farmer. As he looked up, his eyes widened as he realized luck was on his side after all. Before his eyes lay a fellblood, surrounded by various animals. He put on his best smile as he approached the man, hoping to win over his aid.

SPOILER: Click to show

Quest Name: Cattle Around
Participants: Two or more
Location: Anywhere
Post Requirements: 4 post per person, 200 words per post
Reward: +1 Renown
Description: A local farmer has reported that their livestock has gone missing, having broken free from their pen late in the night after a earthquake rattled their fencing. Now many of the farmers cows, bulls, donkeys or goats are scattered throughout the wilderness, and need help getting back to their pen. While the farmer repairs the fences, you need to gather up the animals and return them home safely and unharmed.

Mikael smiled as he let the people and kids meet some of his creatures explaining their names, what they were and so on when asked. Behind him was one of his newest family members, an owlbear he had saved and dubbed Luna “now these creatures can be dangerous in the wild but we shouldn’t be hunting them just for fun they are living and breathing like the rest of us. They should be protected or left alone” he remarked as his dragon darius snuggled into his shoulder seeming tired “now then does anyone else have questions on understanding these animals better?” He asked tilting his head. He didn’t have them all with him as his wooful sola, atlas the Phoenix, stubs the lynx and Mimi the African dog were resting at his reserve for the creatures. Darius however was practically always with him as he was quite young and attached still as a baby drake and as for Luna, she needed some acclimation to people still and more experience. “Please keep in mind none of these creatures are for sale at any price. I just want to help people understand them better but they all will remain in my care” he added

The felblood had quite the crowd around him, likely due to the exotic animals he had by his side. Stargazer village was rather remote and a traveler like this was surely a rather rare occurrence. As Vail pushes his way through the crowd, he suddenly stops in his tracks as notices the creature behind the man. The small drake wasn't an issue, he'd seen trained dragons before, the main problem was the owlbear. Approaching something large enough to rip you to shreds was not an easy task. He was only able to move after he noticed the children petting the beast without an ounce of fear in their eyes. Putting on his calmest expression, he walks to the front of the crowd and addresses the man directly.

"I would like to have a word with you if you have a moment. I’ve got a job that you might be able to help with. A farmer nearby has a herd of cows that escaped due to the recent tremors. You look to be pretty good with animals, do you think you might be able to assist me in this task? I’ll share the payment with you fairly of course. What do you say?”

He looks to the owlbear cautiously, making sure not to meet its eyes just in case that might set it off.

“You may need to leave the owlbear behind however. I’m not sure how farm animals would react to it but I doubt it would go well.”

He smiled seeing the people spending time with the creatures before hearing the other. He looked over surprised and curious as his ears perked hearing his request before a big and kind smile crossed his face as he nodded “alright! Give me just a moment” he remarked and turned to the others letting them know the creatures had to go. With that he moved to the owl bear and gently pet their head before holding out a scroll to it. As the bear touched its nose to it, it entered the scroll. He tucked it into his jacket with a smile. He then pet darius on the head, the drake letting out a noise. With that he waved to the group and turned to veil “right then shall we?” He asked happily “oh! I’m mikael by the way! What is your name?” He asked. His attitude was quite similar to that of another male veil was familiar with though with more confidence and seemingly stronger. He tilted his head some as he awaited the others reply. “I would very much like to help out the farmer and his animals. I’m afraid I don’t have any creatures that would be overly helpful with me however I do have darius who could look for them from above” he remarked as the drake seemed to give a little huff like a child who didn’t want to do anything

Luckily for Vail, the fellblood was both friendly and eager to cooperate. These kinds of exceptional animal lovers are always bleeding hearts, the kind of person who could easily be exploited without much cost.

His eyes widen slightly as the owlbear disappears into the scroll. It's not the first time he'd seen a magical form of containment, Cirice had done something similar, albeit with a moth, not something larger than most humanoids. Vail wondered what the limits of such magic were and where exactly the creatures went.

He looks to fellblood with a content smile. "I appreciate your cooperation, follow me."

Vail leads the fellblood to a small farmhouse about a half mile outside of the main village. There the pair finds the middle-aged human farmer working steadily on a wood fence. As the two approach he looks at them with fear in his eyes. Vail couldn’t blame him; he sincerely doubted the farmer was expecting an ash lander of all things to take up his request.

“Do not be alarmed, we are here on your request for aid. You have some missing farm animals, correct?” Vail asked calmly.

The farmer breathed a sigh of relief before he began to reply, a hint of nervousness still in his voice. “Um yes, I have seven cows missing in total. The tremors dislocated this fence, I’ve been working on it all day. I have a section cordoned off for any cows you find.”

“We’ll get to work right away.”

Vail turns to face his fellblood companion.

“Any chance you persuade your dragon buddy to do a little spotting for us?”

Mikael nodded and followed the other with a smile as he looked around, darius looking around as well. He was slowly getting a bit bigger, about to the size of a small pup now. “We will get them all back for you sir” he said confidently before nodding to vail and looking to darius “right then care to scout ahead?” He asked with a smile. Darius didn’t seem overly interested but gave a little chirp and nod before flying into the air. The small drake flew up high and began surveying the area as he did so. Mikael followed with a smile as his ears perked. “It’s been quite a while since I’ve gone on an adventure with a different person” he chuckled a little “it feels a bit odd almost.” He added before glancing over “you are from the ashlands yes? It’s quite the place to see.” He remarked thinking of his travels there “it can be quite the beautiful sight and there are some amazing creatures in that area. What brings you all the way out here?” He asked curiously. There was no distrust or fear in mikaels gaze, just his warm friendly smile and a genuine curiosity

Vail lets out a sigh of relief as Mikael’s drake offers no protest before taking off into the sky. That will make this job a hell of a lot easier, especially considering how fast nightfall was approaching.

Mikael's comments didn't surprise Vail in the slightest, he had that nature person type of air about him. Vail would normally say the guy needed to get out more, but ironically he might need to get out less or rather get out to more social areas, although Vail was one to talk. His attempts at small talk unfortunately hit at a sore spot for the ash lander.

"I am indeed from the Ash Lands, although beautiful would be the last word I would use to describe it. Tell me what do you find so beautiful about it? Would it be the dead forest where the victims of Darkveil are so often dumped or the hellhounds that will tear a person asunder without the slightest hesitation?" Vail asked with a snide tone, speaking from experience in regards to both options of rhetorical question.

He takes a moment to collect himself before he continues. "Sorry, it's a sore subject for me. Darkveil and the surrounding area aren't exactly the most hospitable places, most people who live there don't do it by choice." He looks to the fellblood with a curious glance. "I am simply on vacation, something about Stargazer village called out to me. It's not often I see a fellblood out so far from the Ash Lands, what's your story?"

As he waits for the fellblood's response, a chirp from Darius reaches his ears. 

"It seems your buddy found something, let's move."

Hearing the others reply mikael was surprised and shook his head “no. It’s the hope that I like. In a place where you would think misery runs all the people go on, they find ways and live their lives. I don’t understand why everyone is so scared of the people. They merely adapted to their environment and do what is needed. People act like it’s a savage place but it isn’t. It’s a harsh environment yet people persist. They smile and joke and dance in the buildings as any other town may.” He smiled “and rather accepting in some ways. After all some find a tieflings appearance demonic but in the ash lands it’s as if most do not see that. I am merely another person” he shrugged “no place is perfect”

He smiled at the apology “of course I understand. If I could I would help those there to move to where they would like. That sounds rather nice” he nodded before his cheeks tinted a bit “well my family has land out here where I take care of the creatures I find and in the city there is a man who I rather like- ah not in any sort of strange way he would never consider someone like me in such a way I am sure and besides he is a widower I don’t know if he can love again in general…” his ears lowered a bit in sadness and hurt at the thought. It was an obvious lie when he said he didn’t fancy the man, in truth he loved him but knew it was most likely to be unrequited. He quickly cleared his throat though and continued on “ah sorry anyways my friend has a drake who mine has befriended and I like to help him here and there as he doesn’t rest much it seems. But besides that I travel to find creatures needing help and I care for them at my home” he replied

Hearing darius he nodded relieved to move on from the topic and moved towards where darius was circling “ah right let’s get these few then” he said softly and began approaching the creatures slowly

A light chuckle comes from Vail as he hears Mikael’s response to his snide remark. The words only served to further annoy him, reminding him of certain fellblood born into wealth. Yet another noble-born fool ignorant to the struggles of the dregs around them. He turns to face the fellblood with a stern expression. “It’s funny, everyone who tells me they love Darkveil is always born into wealth, their family supporting them through every endeavor. Unfortunately, my father didn’t choose to shield me from the lower class. Despite his power, I lived amongst the common folk, and I saw what they endured firsthand. They live in fear of the Fathers, subservient to their power, choosing to serve them rather than fall prey to their power. Property means nothing to the average citizen there, what you have is what the Father’s allow to have. It’s much easier to say that everything is fine when you don't have a boot on your neck.”

With a grunt of frustration, turns and moves towards the woods, walking towards the circling drake overhead. The drake’s sense are keen; three of the missing cows were grazing in a small clearing, seemingly uncaring of the world around them. While he could force the beasts, Vail looks to the fellblood for an easier alternative. “So, how would you get these lugs back to their pen?”

Mikael paused "I meant no such thing as a perfect world. I have seen the struggle, been a part of it...I...Things to get money were not always great... But People keep going instead of giving up, they keep trying for one reason or another so that's what I want to do until I can find myself in standing to help them. Just like those of home...they are misunderstood, put down, hunted or hurt and people think they should be controlled..."

"I was born in moonglade in a mothers vain attempt for a better life free of that place but it drags you back..the fathers... drag you back. Debts to pay and punishments for fleeing even if you were too young to have even tried. Leaving the city was enough." he remarked rubbing the back of his neck a little, as it moved his collar the small mark of a scar could be seen but not much. "there are monsters in this world... but not the creatures blamed and brutalized. They think they can correct such things with money to keep a loyal child but they can't" he shook his head "Because we are not weak people, we are strong and resilient, we get up and keep going" he said softly before coming out of his daze at the next question

"Ah-r-right Sola may be able to help with that" he cleared his throat and pulled a scroll from his pocket touching the middle and focusing. Within moments a wooful appeared and looked to mikael happily "Hello girl, mind helping round up some cattle?" he asked tilting his head getting a small noise of agreement from the creature

"You're lucky you had someone capable of getting you out of there. I never knew my mother and whoever she was, she made no attempt to involve herself in my life." Vail responds coldly to Mikael's reply.

The fellblood's monologue about endurance strikes a sensitive chord in him. At this point, he longed for the ability to finally find some peace, whether it be in this world or the one beyond. Unfortunately for him, he had some semblance of responsibility, and thought of leaving his baggage upon the world annoyed him too much to ignore. "Some of us don’t endure by choice, nor are they lucky enough to escape to escape the malice of others.." He whispers under his breath as he leaves the three cows to the fellblood as he proceeds further into the wood.

The sudden appearance of a woolful was no surprise to Vail. No doubt this man had an entire forest worth of creatures at his disposal. At least this beast wouldn't startle the cows like the owlbear would.

The forest canopy was thick, blocking any trace of moonlight as Vail made his way through the underbrush. This would be an issue for any normal citizen but ironically it was the perfect environment for him. He spots three of the remaining cows gathered together by a large tree. Their behavior struck him as somewhat strange; they looked alert and defensive as if they were threatened by something. Vail approaches slowly when he hears the sudden sound of stomping at his flank. He whips around just in time to catch a pair of horns, his feet being pushed backwards as he barely holds his footing^[1]. Apparently this old man forgot he had a bull. I take it this is our seventh cow.

---

[1] Steel Catch

"True...but watching her die in front of me, killed by the man who was supposed to be my father... I am not sure that was luck. Merely punishment and a harsh reminder that kindness means nothing to many in this world. For all she did I will never be able to see her grave again or anything belonging to her. I don't think you can ever truly escape and I will always carry the pain and memories. I can't change what has happened but i can live the way my mother taught me to, with kindness and a willingness to understand others and help when it is needed. Sorry I fear I droned on. I've been a bit off since my...my friend hasn't been around." he said with a weak smile, his thoughts going to Sable for a moment. He hoped the other was okay and wondered what he was up to before shaking his head and focusing back on the task at hand.

Mikael walked along the cows rounded up by the wooful and his eyes widened seeing the bull attack vail or at least attempt to. "O-oh! are you okay? I will come help!" he called beginning to move forward though he wasnt sure what to do

Wonderful, why does every job lately turn into a massive headache?

Vail struggles to hold his ground as the massive bull attempts gore him. As his boots begin to slide, it is clear that the ash lander’s strength will only last for so long. His eyes quickly glance back and forth, looking desperately for some manner of escape from the onslaught. He feels the heel of his boot push up against a tree and knows he has only one choice. His body moves on instinct as adrenaline surges through him. His feet push themselves off of the hard dirt of the forest floor the same moment his hands release the bull’s horns. His legs barely skirt over the steer’s horns as his boots contact the tree behind, launching himself forward over the beast’s back.

Landing all on all fours, the Ash Lander quickly turns around to ensure that the bovine is not readying itself for another charge. Luckily for him, his plan had worked perfectly; the momentum of the beast’s charge was too great to stop, even when its target was no longer there. Hoffs of frustration echo into the woods as the bull now finds itself trapped; his horns deeply impacted into the bark of the large tree.

Catching his breath, Vail turns to see Mikael approaching, likely due to the commotion. “I’m fine… life-threatening adrenaline was part of my vacation plans however.”
He gestures towards the bull, who was still struggling to free itself from the great oak it had impaled. “How about you work on calming down that lug. I’ll get the remaining cows moving.”

Mikael watched the scene in amazement as vail managed to dodge the bull and get it stuck. He quickly ran forward in relief and nodded at the others words as he put a hand on the bulls back using his calming touch ability to soothe the bull before he gently helped it free its horns soon leading it towards the pen carefully. glancing around to make sure vail had the other cows in tow and that things were going well.

He smiled as he saw the other approach and relaxed once all the cows were back in the pen for right now. He then turned his attention back to vail "I am glad I got to do this mission with you" he remarked happily before turning as the farmer approached. He then waved and explained where they found the cows explaining how vail expertly handled the bull. "If you ever need anymore help in the future please just let me know I will be happy to assist!" he said to the farmer and reached a hand up to pet darius who was curled up happily on the teal tieflings shoulder once again. His smile was bright as always glad to have been able to help

The remaining cows offer little protest as Vail pushes them along with a less than pleased expression. With the bull out of commission, their little escape plan had no means of resisting the ash lander. His eyes drift over to Mikael, partly due to curiosity, partly due to boredom. The way the fellblood was able to calm a beast that was so eager to gore him mere seconds ago was quite remarkable. Perhaps it was Mikael’s calm demeanor that soothed the bovine’s rage, something Vail had a hard time replicating, given his lingering burdens. Regardless, the ash lander quickly moved the cows into the farmer’s pen, with the fellblood following shortly behind him.

“Well at least someone besides the farmer is happy.” Vail replies to the fellblood with a tired tone as he approaches the farmer. “It was a bit more exciting than I was expecting, although probably better that I was here rather than your standard farmhand; otherwise you might have needed a doctor.”

The ash lander takes a portion of the small amount of coin the farmer presents, walking past the two as he departs. “You can count me out of that future work, I’ve had my fill of farm life with this little escapade alone.”

He looks back at the fellblood one last time while just in earshot. “Hopefully those burdens of the past never catch up to you. A calm and peaceful life is not something to take for granted, make the best of it while you can.”

With his farewell given, the ash lander steps into the shadows, the sound of his footsteps vanishing into the night^[1].

[1] Pass without a Trace