It's been two days since we left the city of Durpan in a southern route, two days of increasing frustration as I find myself in the middle of two rather chaotic mages with rather insufferable personalities. Dear gods above and below, why did this have to happen to me?
The first of my travel companions is Ranma Saotome, a strange mix of warrior and Aura Mage. At first I pinned him as a War Mage, sans the overwhelming muscles that generally comes with that style of Magic user. I was wrong, of course. Ranma labels himself as a Martial Artist first and foremost, only practicing magic as a way to increase the power of his personal fighting style. A strange reason to be sure, but after listening to him talk about the fights he had been in while growing up I've come too suspect the young man had been raised on the belief that you could solve anything through physical force.
It's been... a troubling discovery even now. The boy just has the worse tendency to go gallivanting off on the most hair brained schemes, often times more trouble than needed for myself and the last companion of our group, Theodore Diggers.
***
"Yo! You scum sucking maggots put that girl down now!" Ranma screamed, rushing into the gathered groups of Orges that was holding a rather pretty human to a rock face within the woods.
Pantha pulled back on her bow, aiming quickly before letting loose with an arrow. The bolt sang true as it flew through the air, piercing one of the orge's arms that was holding the woman against the wall.
Theo simplu groaned and covered his face, which earned him a rather nasty glare from the were-pantheress.
"CUTZ! CUTZ!" A shrilly-sounded voice cut through the sickening sound of flesh striking flesh, and the groans of the wounded Orges. Out of the bushes came a ridiculously dressed gnome with a bright red pointed cap carrying what looked like a megaphone. "Vatz doz you thinkz your doing!"
Ranma blinked as one of the orges he had knocked down with a vicious kick to the face groaned, taking off his mask and revealing a tall looking human beneath the costume. "Eh... what?"
"Boss! This wasn't in the script!" the downed human groaned, rubbing his aching jaw.
"MY ARM! MY ARM! THAT WENCH SHOT ME THROUGH THE ARM! I'M GOING TO DIE!" One of the orges was running around holding on his arm, an arrow stuck through with blood leaking from his wound.
Pantha looked thoroughly sheepish and apologetic.
***
It wasn't a proud moment for my career, not one bit. I'm sure when Gaja hears about it I can expect a dock in pay and a tongue-lashing. Ranma had apologized, but he pointed out he hadn't hurt anyone too bad. Which of course brought all their focus on me.
I am really starting to hate that boy. I think Theo's with me on this one, but it's hard to read him some times.
End Journal Entry One.
***
Journal Entry Two:
I've found myself in a bit of a gray zone now. When Gaja had first informed me of these two 'volunteers' to the Guard, I honestly didn't know what to expect. When he went further and told me they were to be considered actually members of the guard, if only honorably, I expected them to hold to the code as any member did.
I've discovered, much to my regret, these two are anything but your typical volunteers. In fact, they don't really seem to give a, and I quote, "Shit", about upholding the law. Theodore and Ranma are your typical 'I'll do whatever I think is right' gung ho do gooders, and it's really starting to try my nerves.
***
"Why didn't you arrest that boy?" Pantha seethed as they continued their journey south.
Theo shrugged, "Why? Kid was just stealing so he wouldn't starve. Why would we want to stop that?" Ranma nodded with his friend, not understanding Pantha's point.
"It's our duties as members of the Edge Guard to stop all criminals! No discrimination against the young or old, the stupid or smart! You swore an oath!" Pantha glared at the two boys who seemed to be ignoring her.
"Pfeh. I don't know nothin about no stupid oath." Ranma grunted, "What about you Theo?"
"I'm still trying to figure out when we became members of the Guard." Theo shrugged. "Look Pantha, " Theo threw her a glare, "We aren't cops. We don't care about the law if the law tries to keep hungry kids starving. We'll do what we think is right."
***
While my personal opinion of them rose, I still think of them as the two greatest blunders currently traveling the world. Which makes me an even greater idiot for following them, bedamn my orders or not.
Theodore Diggers was from the Earth, born and raised there, which seems odd to me. Didn't they have an even more controlling force of Law and Order on that planet? That man vexes me greatly. Everything he does just seems to get under my skin, and I don't know why. I'll find out though.
End Journal Entry Two
***
Journal Entry Three:
It's been a quiet three weeks for the most part, and our traveling band seem to be getting along better for the most part. Still, I've seen Ranma drifting away from me and Theo for some reason, and for the life of me I can't figure it out.
When I asked Theo, the man just blushed and stammered an excuse about his friend being an idiot or something to that effect. Men! Who can understand them?
We should be arriving in the Barbarian city of Ryden. I've heard many rumors about this place and the people who inhabit it. Strange laws dealing with marriages, beatings, and who knows what else.
I should at least warn Theo about the rumored 'Marry the Man who beats me' clause. He seems nice enough when Ranma isn't around getting a rise out of him.
Ranma, I'll just let him find out for himself. He seems the type to enjoy chaotic situations like that.
***
"Eh.. no.." Ranma stammered, backing away from the rather large red haired girl he had just beaten.
"Boy.." Mumsey glared, struggling to her feet, "It's our laws! I'm already married, but since you beat me the claim falls to my daughter!"
Theo and Pantha were off to the side trying not to laugh their asses off.
"What the heck kinda law is that!?" Ranma roared angrily, being reminded of certain 'Amazon' laws, "Geesh lady, why would you want to marry your daughter off to a complete stranger!?"
Mumsey smiled, her mind getting lost as she daydreamed. "Strong grand baby warriors..." she snapped out of her daydream after a moment and blinked, seeing the boy who had beaten her and his two friends sneaking out of the gates, "YOU CAN'T ESCAPE!"
"RUN FOR IT!" Ranma screamed
***
Ranma swore from that point on to stay the heck away from Ryden, and to keep as far away from any Brigands he meets in his journey. I can't really blame him for this, but it's been great teasing material.
Yes, I've been teasing Ranma. I tried to just remain as partners to these men, but over the last two months they have widdled down my resolve quite abit. Were even laughing and making fun of each other together now, almost like best friends.
We should be arriving in Lirith city to stock up and resupply before heading south through the Igor Swamp. We got an early day tomorrow, so I better get my rest.
End Journal Entry Three.
***
Lets look towards:
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(Posted Sat, 24 Jan 2004 19:36)
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