The Life of a Merchant [Job ; Solo]

Today marked the second adventure in being the one to draw the short straw in the lottery to escort merchants around The Plains. Luckily, it wasn't as far a distance to escort them, so she took solace in the fact that there would be some other help should she get into real trouble. Asha wasn't aware of brigands or bandits or highwaymen in the area, so she felt safe in knowing that, aside from the occasional slightly irritated creature, she wouldn't see too much trouble. Unfortunately, due to Asha's track record in thinking 'everything would be okay', she never really was quite okay on these trips--at all. Asha met the merchants, giving the same introductory fare as she always gave: the hellos, the awkward banter, the reassurance that she would protect them should danger arise. With all of the preparations set, Asha had them shove off...on foot. They walked in a small group, Asha being ever vigilant and staying at the rear, looking out for everyone and scoping out any unsavory characters on The Plains.

"So...life is great out here on The Plains eh? There's so many different tribes--it's refreshing to see people not live in some big country but on their own in the open, y'know?" Asha said, making conversation with the merchants. Most of them murmured in agreement, or ignored her, but there was one man who took the opportunity to continue conversation.

"Heh, while it might seem all well and good, we don't have those fancy tools or same livelihood as you! We use every resource to its full extent...sometimes it would be nice not to have that luxury," He replied, walking next to her and smiling. He seemed so well-spoken to Asha, and found herself engaged in conversation with him.

"I wouldn't say that! I've never really had much luxury either...I've only just come to Magnostadt," Asha explained, walking with the young man, her attention somewhat undivided from the task at hand, "I'm new to it all too, I guess!" The young man smiled at her, his eyes captivating and inviting as Asha was paying more attention to the man than the task at hand.

"Heh, well, I suppose we're similar people. The life of a merchant keeps me busy, and sane...away from living out on The Plains and being like everyone else..." They both were fascinated with each other, and the conversation, when out of the corner of her eye she saw figures moving around her, surrounding the camp. Attempting to break from the conversation, Asha whipped her head around, scanning the area. "Everything alright? You seem...distracted?"

"I saw something...Everyone! Keep still!" Asha said, before focusing her magoi and sensing for life around the area using Life Awareness. She could sense a large amount of rukh near here, which was normal, but she also felt life just shy of where she was, seemingly moving around. Curious, she stopped concentrating and walked around, looking for figures around the merchant group. Not before long, a group of bandits encircled them, holding their knives and walking around them in a circular motion, just as animals would hunt their prey.

"Don't you guys want a better job? Life isn't robbing poor Plains tribes and stealing what little they have!" Asha called out, keeping her staff at the ready to attack just in case. The bandits only laughed at her, still clutching their knives and daggers and encircling Asha and the merchants.

"P-please, we'll give you money just don't hurt us! I can't bear to see another person get hurt..." The young man said, clutching the last of his money and walking toward one of the bandits. Asha ran over to stop him, hoping to grab him before he got too close. As the young man walked closer to them, one of the bandits went to lunge forward, hoping to stab the young man.

"Alsif Krmah!" She yelled, sending a vine toward the bandit attempting to stab the young man. The vine wrapped itself around the bandit's neck, coiling around it until it crushed his jugular, but not before the knife lodged itself into the man's stomach. The young man fell to the ground, clutching the knife in his hand and looking on in horror. At this moment, the other bandits came rushing toward the group. Most of them panicked, and spread out, and so Asha went to aid people who were being targeted. As one bandit was aiming for another girl, he charged toward her, hoping to stab the girl, but Asha leaped in front of the the dagger, having it slice into her arm. Asha's arm stung with pain as she fell to the ground, managing to send up her spell Alsif Zxrah at the bandit, watching as the thorny branch sliced through the man's body, leaving him to fall to the ground, lifeless. Three more bandits remained as they chased down the merchant group, hoping to corner at least one person to drive a bargain with Asha.

Asha held her arm as she ran toward the middle of the group--looking around hoping to be able to get them all with one fell swoop. Spotting one bandit charging toward a group of people, Asha wasted no time in sending Quah Alsif Krmah his way, having the vines pierce through his body and drop him to the ground. The remaining two bandits watched as the magic defeated their friends, and attempted to flee. As they were running away, Asha cast Quah Alsif Zxrah, sending the individual branches towards the bandits, and watching as they just caught them from running away, and struck them dead on The Plains.

"Is...is everyone alright!?" She asked, looking around for any injures. Nobody else seemed to be hurt, until she realized her new friend had been stabbed, so she rushed over to him and healed him using Tgndid Ms'ny.

"Th-thank you..." He stammered, clutching his stomach and standing up, "I...I didn't think...I'm grateful you were here." Asha smiled, and was relieved everyone was safe. She escorted them safely the whole way to their respective villages, leaving the young man to linger as everyone else returned to their homes.

"Aren't you going to go home?" She asked, wondering why he hasn't yet moved. The young man only stood there and blushed, rubbing his head.

"Will...will I see you again? In this setting of course...the life of a merchant is dangerous you know!" Asha gasped, and her face became bright red. She turned away as quickly as she could, and starting walking back to Magnostadt.

"Sure! Yes! Of course! Bye now!" She said, walking hurriedly back to Magnostadt.

WC: 744/500
Magoi: 150/200