#very OLD ART AAAUUGH

[luck-of-the-drawings]

OOH YEAH BABY ITS THE SURGERY EPISODE BABY!!! ME AND THE HOMIES NEED SOME NEW FACES FOR OUR NEW PLAN, AND WHO BETTER TO GET THE JOB DONE THAN THE TWO MOST EVIL PEOPLE WE'VE EVER HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF HAVING OUR LIVES VIOLATED BY? I MEAN IT WOULD BE FUNNY. IT WOULD BE FUNNY.

[what-the-floofin]

Hey!! I went digging and found my quick figuring-em-out taur draws for Romelle and Bandor. According to my written notes Romelle’s modeled after a silver buckskin Morgan, and Bandor a silver smoky black Racking Horse (still a bit leggy and needing to fill out)

I know my concept drawings for the initial designing is always the same ol bland poses but I figured some of y’all would still appreciate a viewing 

[ninjacat1515]

Chapter 3

( Valkory belongs to @vee-vee-the-starchild  )

She kept a sharp watch on the Pillagers, tossing them rats every now and then. None of them put Valkory more on edge than Matias though. She knew they were all dangerous, but wasn’t as nervous around the others as she was around him. A devil of a man, if one could even call him that.

He was waiting for her to slip up and make a mistake, monitoring her every move. Valkory wanted to show the Villagers they didn’t have to live in fear, but that task was proving incredibly difficult. They had a legitimate reason to fear Illagers, especially these. A young man named Victor accompanied Valkory. He shook with every step, and couldn’t look any prisoner in the eye.

“An offering? How kind!” Matias gave a little laugh. Valkory glared daggers at him.

“I’m-I’m not afraid of...you.”

“Boy, you are lying. You radiate fear.”

“You’re in a cage in chains!”

Matias leaned closer to the bars, grinning from ear to ear.

“For how long though? Ask yourself that every night before you close the curtains and lock your door. What would you do if I broke free? I think you already know the answer. I’d find you and kill you.”

Victor took a step back, and Valkory gently put a hand on his shoulder. She was here with him, and there was no way she would allow the monster to get at him. It bolstered his confidence, and he walked forward; showing off his silver protection. Weaponized jewelry of sorts, shielding his throat and arms. Matias snorted.

“Adorable. Valkory is teaching an art class- AAAUUGH!”

A stream of burning liquid struck Matias in the face, and he clawed at it, hissing.

“Not only that, but I now know how to make Illager repellant! Garlic, blessed water, and a hint of silver powder. Everyone had these now, understand?”

“Pathetic trinkets and tricks! Nothing more!” the Pillager growled.

But Valkory handed Victor a silver sword, and Matias quieted when his vision cleared and he saw it glinting in the light. 

“We have dozens more of these, every household here. The illager reign of terror is over!”

Valkory watched the young fellow with pride. He wasn’t shaking anymore. He reminded her of herself years ago, when she gained full confidence and had to take on survival in the wilderness all on her own. Matias was furious, but he was also moving away from Victor. Good. Predator fearing prey. Valkory winked at her enemy before taking the Villager outside for some fresh air and a long walk to get their minds on happier things.

“I was so nervous, and my voice broke. You’re never scared, how do you do it? I want to be just like you! No fear!”

They were in a field of wildflowers now, and Valkory wrote something to him, handing it over.

“I have my fears too. Being a Hero isn’t about acting like fear doesn’t exist. That emotion isn’t something to try and destroy. It’s there for a reason and has a purpose. Without a healthy dose of fear, I wouldn’t be alive right now.”

“I guess you’re right...it’s so hard though.”

Both continued by the river and took to skipping stones on the shimmering surface. The afternoon was beautiful and warm, and Spring was in full swing. Valkory gave her student another note.

“If life wasn’t hard in some respects, we wouldn’t be living. Every day you and the others work towards a better future and you’ve made amazing progress. I am proud of you all.”

This made the thoughts of monsters fade for a while in Victor’s mind, and he breathed out with a smile.

“The Clerics want to conduct a few experiments on that snaggle toothed old bastard and maybe we can find out what makes these Illagers really tick-” Victor immediately stopped, noting Valkory’s narrowed eye. He could tell that statement had angered her.

“I’m sorry! They won’t do that, I can talk to them.” he fell silent, gaze cast down at the sandy banks they stood on. He had disappointed the person he looked up to the most.

“You have a good heart, Valkory.”

She watched him for a moment and then handed him her notepad.

“So do you, and so do the Clerics. You finally have the monsters and you want to make them pay. Trust me, they will. But NOT in that way. Not only would that bring unwanted attention from other clans, but it would take you down a path to a place and you wouldn’t be able to find your way back.”

“Thank you. I don’t want to go there.”

They hiked back towards the town square, and were just about to climb the stairs to reach the road, when what seemed to be a large wild cat tackled them. It wasn’t a wild animal, but it was fairly close. Metal teeth and a ferocious face blocked Valkory’s line of sight. A female PIllager, and an older one at that. She was wearing a hood and long sleeves to keep out the sun.

“YOU! YOU’RE THE ONE WHO HAS MY HUSBAND!”

Teeth tried to bite into her throat, but Valkory kicked her off, getting her hammer. But before she could land a hit, Victor sprayed the woman in the face and mouth, getting a horrid screech in response. Taking advantage of the confusion, Valkory swung her weapon and knocked the Pillager out; sending her sprawling into mud.

“I think I know who her husband is. Snaggle toothed Bastard and Bitch.”

Valkory’s face lit up with mirth and relief. Good, one more monster that wasn’t roaming around. They tied up the Illager and brought her back, hurling her into a separate cell.

“FIADH?? MY FAIREST STAR??” Matias was incredulous, and tried reaching for her despite his chains and the distance.

“My love?...is that you?” the woman asked hoarsely, coughing up a bit of mud and tooth.

Valkory left the room, rolling her eye. She never pictured Pillagers as very romantic, but clearly this couple was breaking that mold. Huh...it was funny how little she actually knew about them beyond battle and their wickedness. Well, it was a perfect opportunity to learn more.