Fran Stathos

And so, the Blackguard returns.

“Send out the orders, call back the Reserve. Inform the jailers we need our bodies back.”

“Ready to go home William?”

“The wise warrior avoids the battle” The man replied.

“Yeah well, here we are walking right towards it.”

Fran looked back at the rest of the column, two charr and a norn held up the rear. The man she cared for right next to her. The Blackguard had begun their trek into the dense Maguuma jungle, gear and carts were brought along with them. The Captain had given the order to expend all resources, as this would be yet again… The Blackguard’s greatest challenge.

She flipped her hair and put her arm around William’s waist, he was her only comfort in all of this. She was so glad he was here; she could not have done this alone. 

Fran was in charge for the time being because the Captain was a few days behind, saying goodbyes to his love. The crunch of leaves, brush and vines under their boots echoed through the jungle. Fran thought back on the last time they were here, she was still a teenager, a child…she remembered the good times with her father and the older members of the Blackguard entertaining her. She looked at the old cart pulling explosive materials, remembering riding on the back of such things and performing card tricks for Sebastian. He never figured them out.

Fran’s daydreaming got the best of her, a sharp whistle was heard as the Blackguard arrived at the already prepared camp, thanks to the scouts they had sent a week ahead. She looked around at the work the scouts had done and nodded with approval.

The last of the long-range scouts finally returned to the Snowy Peak at Scholar’s Cleft. Fran was happy to see their faces, they lived a lonely life and she hadn’t seen any of them in months, only speaking via comms devices or by-passing letters off to caravans.

Their job was tough, always ahead of the Reserve long range scouts provide an important security net for the group. They are the ever-watchful eyes that stalk the enemy but never engage…providing important information for the Reserve to use when the time is right.

Fran’s favorite scout Mara had returned, she greeted them all and welcomed them by the hearth. None questioned their orders and were ready to follow the new.

The situation was explained and most of them only nodded accepting the change. Like Fran they feared the jungle, the last time the Reserve went there only half of them came out. Each of them was paid for their time and they set off, Mara lingered behind to hug Fran. Without a word she went back out into the frozen tundra.

His words infuriated her, but she kept her composure in front of the Captain and the bounty. Quick on a heel she turned around and went to the hole in the wall that was listed as “Fran’s room”.  

 “Men and their egos.” She whispered to herself.

“Come on kid, let’s go get us a deer.”- Sebastian

It’s nice to have some one on one time with the Captain.

The cold wind of the Peaks ripped through the forest, but that did not stop Nick from being Nick.

“H-hey, Fran…lookit this gun, it’s like it my dick”

Fran couldn’t help but stifle the laugh, she was sore, and her body ached. Dried blood on her forehead, her leather gear torn around her arms and knees. The fight was not easy, but in the end their bounty had been recovered.

Even with her day ruined, she knew that Nick and the other mercs were just trying to cheer her up…since she missed the races.

She wiped the blood from her lip and looked to Nick “You’re lucky you’re adorable” She said and wrapped her arm around him. These men were her family whether she liked it or not. 

The column marched back, Fran looked up ahead where Sebastian was leading them home, his armor damaged with a few pieces holding on by their straps. 

The bounty, a woman was walking next to him, he had her by a rope chain with her hands bound…eyes blindfolded, and mouth gagged.

She came late in the night, standing outside our gates. Her hair frazzled, the leather soaking wet from the rain she has endured. Her silence is what frightened me the most, along with those sky blue hues staring right back at me. I knew who she was, sharing the same eyes as the Captain. I did not want to let her in, and yet the order was given to open the gates.

Minister,

I am writing this letter in gratitude for recent events.

The evening went very well thanks to your way with words in regards to William. I must say that I am impressed with how you handled the situation and in a quick turn of events were able to change a stubborn, old man. 

You have my sincerest gratitude.

Love,

Francesca Stathos