A little slice of home - The La Fayettes

[thebigkabooa]

(Teh somewhat short and belated part 1)

~THWACK~

Andrea slumped against the wall, huffing as the last pile of walking bone crumpled. It was a cemetery, granted, and therefore home to the undead, but they had a bad habit of climbing out of the ground all at once.

Her years spent training in fencing, among other things, proved rather fruitless here, as skeletons and zombies, along with other walking dead, lacked reliance on their organs and nerves, or in the case of skeletons, lacked them altogether. It frustrated her to no end that it was more effective to pick up a broken tree branch than rely on an art she developed so well.

Muttering to herself, she stooped down and began salvaging unbroken remains for the old man's experiments; She cringed with each snap and tear of bone and sinew, but coin was coin; Andrea had come to the Sword Coast seeking her fortune, but no matter her qualifications, it seemed she would have to start at the bottom here, just like anywhere.

There was some satisfaction to this work, though; Culling the numbers of the walking dead kept the nearby farmlands safe; Including an orphanage that the Lady Alistaria had shown her. It was a little refreshing, feeling like you could make a real difference and earn your bread at the same time; She was certain her grandfather would approve of that sentiment, even if it didn't quite match her talents in this case.

A quick blade and wit were her weapons, and neither of which held sway over mindless undead. However, returning to the message board to seek more employment, Andrea saw a rather lucrative opportunity. They were hidden under more boisterous offers, such as the slaying of a dragon, the plundering of an ancient ruin, but they were there;

Wolf hide, Kobold tails, Orc kin heads; Bounties. Not the kind placed on the head of a human or other such person, but on beasts, monsters, or such people who could be considered beasts or monsters. She looked down at the battered tree branch slipped into the belt on her waist, which had garnered her some odd looks even from the poor in the district, and then over her shoulder at a loud, obnoxious group.

They were heading for the cemetery. As much as Andrea liked that it was honest work that paid, and benefited someone directly, it wasn't something she could make much coin at, especially with so much competition. It looked like they could handle the undead just fine, judging from the giant hammer one of the larger ones sported. Though, if the undead got out of hand, she could always beat them back again.

She threw the tree branch away and picked through the bounties, settling on the kobolds harassing merchants and travelers south down the Trade Way. Before meeting with this potential employer, she decided it prudent to clean first; Remnants of the cemetery, best left unmentioned, were smeared across her coat and sword. It simply wasn't proper to show up like that.

[thebigkabooa]

A small cascade of gold rained out onto the table. His strong, but leathered hands sifted through the small pile of coins, separating them, counting them. One hundred coins, along with a daintily written letter.

Dear Grandfather

I have arrived safely at the city known as Baldur's Gate. It's a large city, and has much opportunity for me, though not quite in the way I had imagined. You will find a portion of my earnings this week, that I am sending back to you so that you may have a little more comfort than you are accustomed to.

I know you gave much of it to accommodate me. I believe I may be here longer than I originally intended; Many others seek their fortune as well, and the competition can be steep at times. I will write again and send a little more as I am able while I continue to save what I can.

Your loving grand daughter, Andrea.

"Oh, you silly girl." Randal mused, running his fingers through his rough, grey beard. It was an ambition he had fostered that he had to wonder about now; She eschewed staying in their homeland for reasons she would not share, only that she felt there would be higher demand of her elsewhere.

It would seem that was not the case, but she was doing well for herself, it would seem; And being on her own would be good for her. To an extent of course.

He looked up at the man who carried him the letter and tossed him a few of the coins.

"Thank you. You know where you may find me should she send more of her letters." Randal nodded towards the man who let himself out. He turned his attention to the setting sun, and caught sight of the blond bounty hunter strolling into the Thunderhammer smithy and emerging with a package, before checking a list she had written and heading further south.

He scratched at the rough hairs on his face, watching her go from his window, before pulling out a piece of parchment and penning a response.

"Dearest Andrea,

I am well..." He said out loud as he penned each word.