>>86204
She means tomorrow.

>>86203

We should bring her. She likes ya, boss.

>>86203
i think you should take her there.
make sure shes safe and all that

>>86203
Hold up a moment. What "other things" do you mean?

Ridder 2009/12/05(Sat)09:55 No. 86211 ID: fb5d8e
File 126003574041.png - (55.40KB , 700x700 , c8-48.png )

The other things are anything you could think of that requires me to be at the base. Obviously, I can lose a day's worth of opportunity to do those if I ride out.

"Very well. I will look after your safety."
"Thanks~ I was worried I'd have to walk all the way. Y'know.. It kinda feels like you got stronger since our time in the church."
"Thank you, Sticks. I try to be there for my followers."
"It shows."

..Well, I should go do something until dinner.

Analyze our new map of course.

>>86211
When she said "It shows" she meant that your outfit doesn't leave much to the imagination.
You should go have a talk with Blackfang about how to treat ladies.

>>86211
Take a look at the new map.

Also, take a moment to speak to Black Fang. He wants to find true strength, and is likely at least somewhat disheartened by the fact he had to kill a comrade.

But more importantly, he faced someone who did not have the will to follow their own path, and bested them. This could be noted to him, for his path to strength, that being able to walk a path of your own forging, to fight for what you choose and not what you must, is what causes a warrior to become truly strong.

If you have any anecdotal stories about you (or better yet your parents, as he might feel more similar to them) finding the paths in life you wish to take.

No worries. When a guy wears one, it's called a kilt. Or whatever the romans called theirs.

Have Black Fang instructed to try and raid the countryside for bandits, like Timotei did. They'll have cash and information. And XP.

>>86211
I would suggest doing some training with Black Fang. You're supposed to be making him the ultimate swordsman, remember?

>>86203
I suppose it could be rather inefficient for now but when you get one depends on the rate that you think you will acquire troops at.

Then, on our way to the goblin village tomorrow why dont we see if we can acquire some new weapons?
Might as well while out and about.

waaaiiittt.... mass produced non-magic explosives?
... we have a map... we need to mark where things are in the immediate area. Mainly fields, mines, and hunting grounds.
We need labor too.

Ridder 2009/12/05(Sat)11:58 No. 86241 ID: fb5d8e
File 126004308824.png - (341.78KB , 700x700 , c8-49.png )

A good plan. I can see about acquiring new weapons on the way back from Sticks' destination.

I ask Iesgip to send Black Fang to the ballroo- I mean warroom. She happily obliges.
I wish the ladies good afternoon and hear there myself.

The map is enormous. It covers the entire table.
With it came a piece of paper with an extensive list on it: The map is indexed, from A-1 to Q-21.
What parts are essential to know about right now?

>>86241
A15

Is that giant skull between B8 and B10 just for show? I sure hope not. If so, J/K 4.

>>86241
...I think a good question to ask is, where are WE? Where is THE EVIL PLACE?

Ridder 2009/12/05(Sat)13:31 No. 86253 ID: fb5d8e
File 126004870654.png - (350.23KB , 700x700 , c8-50.png )

Both A-15 and K-4 are far removed from our position. What do you hope to find there?

We are in the forest's edge. The 'Boss' is in this rock formation.

oh, i just remembered something, we still have to pick up our little goblin friend from the tower to the south. We should also consider keeping tabs on the tower as we know of their affiliation with "the boss"

>>86253

What about H-12?

Start regularly scouting adjacent squares with da boys.

Ridder 2009/12/05(Sat)14:23 No. 86262 ID: fb5d8e
File 126005179722.png - (375.04KB , 700x700 , c8-51.png )

I honestly doubt I will still be welcome at Commander Coriander Salamander's tower. I do agree it will be good to keep track of them.

The area near H-12 is the Old Graveyard, according to the index. I would suspect it to be a place where evil men gather to hide, but considering its close proximity to the true den of villainy Sepia Town, I doubt we have anything to fear.

Iesgip already scouts the area when she gathers food and herbs. She reports anything odd to Black Fang, who looks after the safety of the base.

Well then, I suppose there is nothing you really gain from having this map without knowing the location of our enemy's troops.
I'll turn my attention to Black Fang.

Ridder 2009/12/05(Sat)14:46 No. 86269 ID: fb5d8e
File 126005320610.png - (152.99KB , 700x700 , c8-52.png )

"Aye, ya wanted ta see me, master?"
"Yes, I want to talk with you about the incident with Violent Fang."
"Already told ya all I r'member 'bout it."
"That's not what I meant, Black Fang. I'd like to talk about your feelings."
"I 'ave a life full o' death behind me, master. It ain't affect me anymore. But I'll talk with ya, if ya wish."

>>86269
We'll probably be coming into conflict with more of them. What do you know about them.

>>86269
"I think the strength of will, the dedication to your choices that led you to prevail in the struggle, was part of the path to the ultimate swordsman."

Ridder 2009/12/05(Sat)16:23 No. 86317 ID: fb5d8e
File 126005901634.png - (152.85KB , 700x700 , c8-53.png )

"I won't force you, Black Fang. It is sad that she had to die. However, I believe that the strength of will, the dedication to your choices that led you to prevail in the struggle, was part of the path to the ultimate swordsman."
"Thank ya, master.. I.. I did my best."
"Just remember not to become as cold as your steel."
"Master.. I don't understand. Ya tell me my dedication's my strength.. Why not lose myself in it?"
"A true warrior needs a goal to fight for, Black Fang. Something that fuels the fire in his heart. To become a stonecold killer means becoming nothing more than an animal."
"...hrrr..."
"Is something wrong?"
"Nay, master.. I just.. just was awed fer a moment. Hrr, d'ya need me for anything else?"
"Yes. We are sure to encounter more of your former colleagues. Please tell me about the Fangs Mercenary Company."
"Hrrr, I can't tell ya much, master. I was- well, the muscles, not the brain. My talent was jus' tearin' and slashin' things apart, so White Fang ne'er let me in on much. All the others.. well, they all played their part."
"Was White Fang the leader?"
"Aye.. He was an albino gnoll which branded 'im an outcast from the moment 'e was born. I heard that's why he set up the Fangs, ta provide a home to all gnoll orphans 'n runaways. Y'could say he raised us all."

>>86317
Ask him about Orange Fang, the only other not to stay with the group.

>>86317
Hug Black Fang while considering if you yourself would have the resolve to go against those that raised you if need be.
Whisper "I'll be your family now" into his ear.

then fuck him

>>86317
Yes, lets ask about this Orange Fang fellow, perhaps he could be of some use?

Ridder 2009/12/05(Sat)16:41 No. 86323 ID: fb5d8e
File 126006008363.png - (41.81KB , 700x700 , c8-54.png )

It is indeed awful to hear about someone going against their family, blood-tied or not. I cannot imagine fighting my own parents.

"What about Orange Fang, the third one to leave?"
"Orange Fang.. He was the odd one out most o' the time.. Would only comfort'bly speak ta White Fang. He just.. He was always goin' on 'bout things the rest o' us didn't understand. Magic 'n stars.. A wizard-type 'e was."

>>86323
Why are you always snarling, Black Fang?

>>86323
"Well, Black Fang, if you ever feel I am not keeping you in the loop, please tell me. I would not want you to feel excluded. I value your opinion as a fellow warrior. Besides, what kind of person would I be to learn from if I did not take interest in the student?"

>>86323
Ask him if he has any idea where he might've gone. Even if he can't be persuaded to help us directly, perhaps we can get advice from him.

Ridder 2009/12/05(Sat)17:04 No. 86336 ID: fb5d8e
File 126006147699.png - (152.38KB , 700x700 , c8-55.png )

"Do you have any idea where he might have gone?"
"Nah.. I only 'eard from Violet that he left, 'n I ne'er knew him well."
"I understand. ..Well, if you ever feel I am not keeping you in the loop, please tell me. I would not want you to feel excluded, Black Fang. I'll do my best to be your new family."
"..Master.. Th-thank you.."

We exchange a form handshake, much like when we first met. But when it lingers this time it's with a much stronger feeling.

>>86324
Habit, probably. Looking tough was a major proponent of the job around which his formative years were oriented.

>>86336
Okay, now's the time he would be most receptive.

Maybe do some light sparring, try to get a sense of any particular flaws in how Black Fang fights, and try to help him with them. He should pay a good bit of attention to what you say, considering what just happened. This is pretty much the ideal teaching situation, here.

And in it, a chance for you to limber up and make sure your skills don't wane.

>>86336
RIDDER KISS BLACK FANG

>>86336
I suppose some sparing to work up an appetite for dinner later may be in order.

Proceed to dance the tango.

>>86336
Bromance is a beautiful thing.
Also I suppose a little sparring wouldn't hurt.

Less homosexuality. more Sticks-loving. Bromance is fine, though.

>>86350
I must see this.

>>86350
The tango of blades
Our dancing is ALWAYS DEADLY

Hey... If we can learn how to use the hook trap, we could replace the hooks with less lethal objects like spheres of wood and have people train dodging with it.

Knight Blades: End of chapter 8 Ridder 2009/12/05(Sat)19:46 No. 86435 ID: fb5d8e
File 126007119226.png - (140.60KB , 700x700 , c8-56.png )

Black Fang and I have a light sparring session. We exchange techniques and alert eachother of our weaknesses.
Dinner time comes with the setting of the sun. During it we welcome Sticks to the group.

Tomorrow I shall ride out to the goblin settlement, leaving the base in the hands of my beloved followers once again.
For now, all is peaceful...

...but I can't shake the feeling that I overlooked something very important.

>>86435
Dinner with Sticks!

Unless there's something else.

dessert?

>>86435
the harp
do you know how to play it?
if you do have a ball

Still got a hole in the window?

Well, duh! Looking for your father.

Wait... wrong quest.

>>86445
You're close anyway.

We could've gotten more backstory on Ridder's parents