Sarne had been traveling the King's Valley growing his reputation and gaining experience working to be the best knight he could be. Now with a full set of armor and his Paladin's Blade, Sarne inherited from his grandfather. With new skills and abilities to add to his arsenal he was ready to keep going he had to prove himself to the king's court to inherit his family title.

He had been flying all day on Screech to get to a village with a problem. The Problem is Wyldmare one that bothered Sarne. One of those could hurt or even kill someone. Rumors say two of them. That is unusual thought Sarne. Not that Sarne was an expert on the beast. Sarne has some knowledge of most monsters and animals.

Sarne spotted a trail of smoke and could see some flame in the distance. Sarne had Screech drop to a lower altitude So he could get a good look at what it was. getting a little lower and just at a glide Screech was making a little noise nothing more than a small bird.  Sarne got closer he could see the village on the horizon. Now close Sarne could flames it was a nightmare steed He could see the rider as he flew but the person looked familiar Sarne thought to himself.

Screech cast a large shadow its 40 feet wing span could be frightening to someone. the Terror Bird is a large bird that vaguely resembles a pterasaur. Its snout is short and flat, with jagged teeth that jut from its crooked snout. Its wingspan is massive 40 feet with a strong, leathery membrane. it gave its familiar scream from the Terror Bird as it flew by at high speed heeding to the Village. The Terror Bird landed just outside of the Village and a Man dismounted the Terror Bird. Seeing the man in the nightmare steed Sane was surprised it was Javal. "Hal, Javal!" Yelled Sarne in a happy tone.

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Quest Name: Why the Long Face
Participants: Two or more
Location: King's Valley
Post Requirements: 6 posts per person, 200 words per post
Reward: +1 Renown, Choice of 2 Common crafting materials
Description: Two Wyldmares have been causing problems for locals, having engaged in a fight among themselves outside a nearby village or town. Something has stirred the two and enraged them, causing them to become even more violent than normal. Their fight is disrupting trade and travel as locals are afraid to further disturb the creatures. Help is being asked for, someone who can come in, break up the fight, and deal with the creatures any way they can. Be cautious, however, as one disgruntled Wyldmare can be a handful on its own, let alone two.

Javal was happily headed towards Omferum Village with Nadia, Meryl, and Asleipmir in tow ready to follow up on a rumor that Nadia had heard at a tavern about two Wyldmares causing the people trouble. As soon as Javal heard about it from Nadia he mounted Asleipmir and charged forth leaving his two retainers to sprint alongside him to keep up. He was not going to just let those two miscreant troublemaking demon horses cause problems for those poor villages, he was going to fix this problem at once. So after about 2 days' travel with few breaks in between, the group headed forth admiring the nice scenery of the King’s Valley, it being a nice sight instead of the sea and mountainous terrain that they had called their home and base of operations.



Javal continued talking to his retainers in a cheery tone as he rode by before Nadia pointed upwards spotting some sort of figure in the skies. She grabbed Javal’s ray bow from his back and held it in her hands ready in case whatever was above proved to be above them. Meryl just scoffed unimpressed as the figure revealed itself to be a man riding a terror bird making teasing faces toward Nadia. Javal smiled and recognized the figure as his friend Sarne, quickly dismounting from Asleipmir and leaving it to sit down and relax.



“Hello there, friend Sarne, how’re you doing? Well I hope what brings you here? The terror bird is new! Here to investigate the request for taking down those troublesome Wyldmares as well?”.

Sarne gave Screech a reassuring pat on the neck as he walked away looking and walking up to meet Javal Sane gave a welcoming smile to his friend. "Yes, what rumors say, what caught my attention was two Wyldmares acting together. They normally run alone," replied Sarne.

"I did send some of my Shadow Wolves ahead of me to do some inquiering they should be here in a moment." Said Sarne explaining what he was waiting on. "I see you brought some friends?" Sarne asked inquiring about Meryl. She looked to be a Sun Elf much like Sarne's mother wearing some nice gauntlets. Sarne could see now Javal had his own fallowers and becoming a leader of his own men a war lord. this surprised Sarne. Javal had grown to from the last time he had seen him.

Then stepping out of the shadows Nordic, Dwarf, Male, Naesala, Half-Elf Female, and Vamir, Elf, Male. all dressed in black and The three give a bow to Javal. turning back to Sarne Nordic says. "The rumors are true from what I can find, Captain." Nordic turned to Javal. "Master Javal I see you are well, who is your friend?" asked The Dwarf about Meryl.

Meryl walked over to Screech and started petting the terror bird letting her liege introduce her and Nadia. She much rather preferred the company of pets than she did humans and found them much more interesting oftentimes.



Javal then agreed, having a slightly concerned expression, “Yes that is what Nadia tells me it’s quite strange. What reason could it be? Some sort of territorial behavior? Well I wouldn’t know although I am a curious fellow I’m not Professor Lloyd”.



Javal grinned, “Woah the Shadow Wolves I haven’t seen them or you since the battle against the invading Charred haven’t. Yes, these are my people, to your right Nadia Sadrine my loyal right-hand woman in charge of operations and strategy of the Drakon Security Company. To your left and petting your Terror Bird lies Meryl Greine, my left-hand woman who is in charge of team coordination and resource management. The lazy figure behind me is my trusted steed Asleipmir in charge of eating food and transporting us when needed".


He then suddenly turned to the new figures recognizing them from last time waving at them with a friendly expression, “Hello there Nordic how’ve you been, oh this is my vice-commander Meryl she’s really strong and dependable”.

Meryl walked up to Screech and sniffed her a few times it turned its head eyeing her closely. It was not aggressive more curiosity.

"It is an honor to meet you" replied Sarne talking to Nadia and Meryl. "To answer you Javal, I am not sure I only know very unusual for this to happen. They would normally try to attack or eat one other than work together," remarked Sarne watching Screech.

Nordic gave a big smile "Doing better knowing you're here with your crew. It is Good Master Javal, you can help me keep my reckless Captain out of trouble." Nordic said with a chuckle.

Sarne grunted in disapproval. "Nordic, not the time," remarked Sarne looking at Nordic now. "What else do you know?" asked Sarne now looking back at Screech.

Nordic thought for a moment "Captain, The attacks are mostly done fast. Hit and run, it's weird. Wyldmares tear into things throwing things everywhere. Then run away mostly. Unless you challenge Wyldmares then they will attack and kill. Wyldmares have attacked wagons mostly but did not take the supplies disrupting trade and
threatening the locals. Not too far from here half days ride by horse east of here along the trade rout," reported Nordic sounding concerned.

Nadia smiled slightly in response and bowed before saying, “Thank you Sir Sarne it is a great honor to meet you as well, Master Javal has spoken about you and your power before I look forward to working with you”.



Meryl shrugged and said as she continued petting Screech, “Cool to meet you hope your reputation is true” as she chuckled softly.





Javal scratches his chin as he thinks about what Nordic and Sarne said, “That’s true Sarne they would try to attack each other or just straight up fight for territory this is very strange. I’m glad you're doing well Nordic what the heck is going on these Wylde Mares keep getting stranger and stranger”.



Nadia then interrupts and says, “Javal can’t keep himself out of trouble that's what I’m here for".


Meryl then stops petting Screech and walks over to the group before smashing her gauntlets together and saying, “Well then not much else but to head over there and beat the crap out of them”.



Javal nods and says, “Aye she’s right let’s get going friends the faster they deal with these beasts the faster the townspeople can be safe”.



He then hops on Asleipmir and his group heads to the location alongside Sarne looking to take these fellows down.

Sarne looks at the horizon "We might be able to investigate some before dark find tracks and maybe see some patterns in how they move. Javal and your team look for tracks on the ground and other evidence. I will survey from the air and watch the ground. and keep an eye out for the Wyldmares." suggested Sarne then turning to Nadia and Meryl.

Sarne paused thinking then sighed "Do not get overconfident. Wyldmares will kill you. I would hate to have to look for your body parts over the area if there is anything left. Even a Terror Bird has enough sense to leave Wyldmares alone," And if you doubt me well ask Master Javal," warned Sarne in a stern voice. "That goes for you too!" said Sarne talking to his people.

Sarne smiled looking at everyone "Well, as Meryl said let us go hunting and slay some Wyldmares," Suggeted Sarne walking toward Screech. Sarne took off into the air slowly then flew off into the horizon.

It did not take long before they arrived in the area all the reports came from the broken wagons laid here or there about a mile apart. The rolling hills and tall prairie grass covered the land with Violet, Red, Orange, Greenish White, and yellow Wildflowers doting the hills it is a beautiful sight. the calm breeze blowing moving the grass and Wildflowers making look like an ocean of grass.

Circling with Screech Sarne laned by one of the destroyed wagons. Sarne looked around as Javal and others rode up too. The wagon was not ripped apart. The wood was pulled off the wheels this was more disassembled than ripped apart even the stuff left behind was broken but not shredded. like someone was looking for something not attacking and raiding. As the others get close they hear Sarne say. "What is going on here?" He sounded a bit perplexed as he turned looking at everything.

Javal couldn’t help but take in the nice scenery in stride. It was a very nice sight perfect to do some training in, however, the nice scenery was quickly contrasted by the signs of destruction as the large group arrived, coming up first to look at a broken and destroyed wagon. Something was wrong, this wasn’t normal. What could’ve done this? Human? Wizard? Monster? It couldn’t have been those Wyldmares could it? If so this was stranger than he had thought, Wyldmares looking meticulously for something among a wagon purposefully breaking things with motive, that was weird behavior and Javal was utterly perplexed.



Nadia curiously examined the scene noticing hoof marks in the ground nearby alongside the wagon, “This must be the work of those horrid Wyldmares! We must look for any signs of a nearby trail where they could be”.



Meryl herself calls attention to another strange set of footprints near one of wheels, "Aye guys I think I spot a pair of three human footprints could be the merchants that where on it maybe?"


“Hmmm, interesting, does anyone have an idea of what this could all mean?”, Javal asks, scratching his chin and looking at everyone.

Walking around the site in a circular pattern moving out further from the wagon Sarne stops and looks and touches the ground. "I do agree some there are four sets of human tracks. Wyldmare has front-clawed hands and hoofs in the rear. That's why the boards are pulled not just smashed," remarks Sarne walking back toward the others. "Why four merchants with this one wagon that is odd to," question Sarne thinking out loud. 

Sarne looked around He ran his hand through his hair. and sighed "From the air I also saw the wagons were the same type both had four horses pulling them," described Sarne sounding puzzled. "It does not take a hunter of my expertise to say something is not right here," said Sarne now squatting down and looking at the tracks some more. Then Picked up a chain with shackles at the end larger shackles than what was needed for a man.

"Wyldmare vision is poor. Meaning they can only see motion rather than objects for the most part. Their smell and hearing are as good as any predator. I would say they hunted these wagons pacifically," Sarne suggested to the others. "Let us go look at the other wagon before it gets dark," said Sarne looking at the group.

Javal nodded and placed his hand on his chin as he listened to Sarne’s keen observations about the scene.



“I agree with your agreement friend Sarne, this is starting to get weirder and weirder. Why would four merchants be traveling together? Wouldn’t that make their business too crowded? Why would the Wyldmares be interested in this wagon specifically? Why instead of fighting each other would they be focused on greedily searching through this? I don’t know any of the answers but something about this is making my head hurt from thinking about it”.



“You’re right, let's get a look towards the wagon”, Javal said, quickly glancing around for the other vehicle. It wasn’t nearby from what he saw but he did see something peeking out from the corner of his eyes, there was a wagon wheel only a couple of feet away.



He called attention to it and quickly jogged towards it before calling out once more as he saw a completely wrecked wagon only a couple of feet away behind a large tree.


"What is the meaning of this", Javal exclaimed as he took a look at the wreck immediately noticing blood stains from around the wagon. 

Sane looked as he arrived. He could not tell if the blood was human or not. The wagons were a few 100 meters apart. Sane did the same thing walking around the area searching the ground for clues. This wagon ripped apart like the last one. This one had blood trails here and there. There was a fight a big one. Sarne could see strugle boots that dug into the ground holding something in place.

Sarne looked at the others. "There was a struggle here it does not take my skills to see that. What is interesting is the men's boot prints here," explained Sarne looking now at the ground. Then Sarne walked a short distance. "What I see does not make any sense. They were using chains to hold a Wyldmare? You can't fake these tracks." Sarne placed his open hand over the tracks. "It was a young one. They drag it over to here." Sarne said in disbelief. Everyone could see the wagon tracks going off into the distance.

"We need to look for more proof that this happened," stated Sarne looking over to the others. "What do you think Javal, tell me I am wrong this is serious. If we have two Wyldmares on the loose looking for a colt even the town is not safe," warned Sarne looking around the area. Where are they Sarne thought. 

Javal couldn’t help but frown as he observed the cart listening to see what Sarne had to say. The man was correct; it seemed that the villainous merchants had indeed captured a young Wyldmare colt and used it as their steed. His blood boiled as he clenched his fists at the realization, he couldn’t believe it. This whole time he was worried about these merchants, worried that the Wyldmares were going crazy and wild for no reason. However, these merchants did the opposite and provoked a poor Wyldmare family by taking their young. He wouldn’t stand for it and was determined to make the situation right for everyone. He was going to get those merchants back living well and get the Wyldmare family together so everyone could be happy and okay. He tried his best to shake off his anger and return to his usual calm and cheery self but he still felt a little upset.



“Let’s find these merchants and Wildmyres guys, let's quickly do this so nobody else can get hurt”, the fellblood said in a eager tone.

The group then begin their hunting efforts looking through the nearby area before they all heard a scream and a bloodcurdling neigh.

Sarne turned in the direction of the scream that was not a good sign he thought. Ti was not too far away but some distance Sarne started in that direction and Nordic, Naesala, and Vamir vanished from sight disappearing into the tall grass. Sarne crested a small hill. Seeing another wagon it was covered and two men in the front one of them grabbing his mangled hand.

The other man stopped the wagon. The horses were nervous and startled. The wagon shook violently. They were merchants from town. The bloodcurdling neighs and Whinny and a few Snorts were coming from the back of the covered wagon. The merchant grabbing his mangled hand was yelling in pain as the other one was trying to help with some bandages. The two worked frantically to help the injured man.The merchants were so busy with dealing with the injured hand they did not even knowest Sarne and the others standing there.

Sarne knew deep down inside this was a bad thing If that was the colt then the the other two Wyldmares heard the colt then they would be running this way. The question is how long before they show up. Sarne almost wanted to let them meet the other two Wyldmares and watch the merchant get torn apart and devoured. "Javal, we better do something quick be for the other Wyldmares show up. I would bet that the colt is in the back of that wagon. we can deal with the merchants later. We are all in danger right now." Sarne sounded reluctant to anything but it was best for all. 

Javal’s face quickly turned into one of worry as he sprinted towards the screaming and neighing determined to stop whatever it was that was going on with Nadia following behind. The two of them chased after the sound before spotting the concerning sight in front of them, the wagon that they were looking for with two men, one extremely injured.



Javal’s face turned into a deep scowl as he heard the sounds of a poor colt in distress coming from the back of the wagon. He immediately yelled at the two merchants getting their attention, “Vile fools, how dare you commit such an act of stupidity and cruelty. I can truly say that I despise you for what you have done to this poor innocent Wyldmare family”.



He then shifts his attention to Sarne while still keeping his attention on the merchants, “You’re right Sarne first off let’s get the little critter out of here and deliver it to their parents. It’s the only way to make things right”.



The fellblood immediately jogs over to the back while yelling orders to his retainer, “Alright Nadia please grab these two troublemakers and get them to a safe place. Sarne me and you will stay here, I know it’s going to be a tough time trying to face the Wyld Mares but we must for the sake of justice be here to deliver their child”.



Javal then goes to the back and simply rips the white tarp from the back of the wagon revealing the poor sniffling Wyldmare child's eyes filled with tears.

Sarne ran to the back of the wagon unsheathing his sword but keeping it out of sight and under his cloak. Sane goes to the other side ripping the canvas and throwing it on the ground. Looking around to see if the Wyldmares were anywhere he knew that the Wyldmares could do some 40 miles per hour easily. and probably not more than 20 miles away.

Right now Sarne wishes he was an animal handler or a Beastmaster. Why did he not think of asking one to come with him? "Javal! you would not have any animal skills do you?" asked Sarne looking a bit worried. The colt started to Scream louder pulling on the cage with its powerful claws. "By the gods, you hear that They are near we have to cut the lock on the cage and get behind it I think I can hide I am worried about you," says Sarne.


Nordic, Naesala, and Vamir with the others were running away as fast as they could. Vamir stopped to see if they were being followed off on some far-off hills Vamir saw the Wyldmares coming. Vamir gave a grunt waiting to go back to help Sarne and Javal. Nordic turned and saw Vamir "You have your orders trust Captain Vamir!" pivoting to run Vamir gave one glance back at Sarne and Javal.

Back at the wagon, Sarne jumped onto the wagon the colt jumped at him but the cage stopped the colt. "Back up plan," said Sarne. He gave a few loud whistles Screech flew overhead Sarne had a few more in quick secession and Screech flew high and started to circle. and pointing out the Wyldmares.

"When they get to those hills we cut the colt loose and Pery that it wants its parents more than us," said Sarne his concentration was intense at this point. As Sarne seems to be estimating something.