Continued from S3-3-8: Rodrigo Bandras (Portrait). “I see you’ve returned with far more then you sought,” ‘Romi greeted them with a coy smile as she openly eyed the handsome, fair haired knight and the exotic, flame tressed beauty who rode in with Blade, Rynard and Syn, but her seductive manner gave way to a more respectful demeanor when she saw the bodies of the four armored men hung over their horses’ saddles. It did not take long for Rodrigo to find a merchant bound for Ordis, or to get his agreement to return the bodies of his men to their families. Meanwhile Brytag and Syn partitioned the Troosian plants between themselves and ‘Romi. Then they all met in the inn’s common room, were Rynard regaled her, and the crowd of on-lookers who gathered around them, with the tale of their daring adventures in the horrid forest. “What horrors you have endured,” ‘Romi cooed, panning her seductive gaze around the table. “How can I ever express my gratitude for bring me what I desired?” Even Rodrigo and Brytag understood what she was implying, and could easy see how she had motivated their quest into the hellish woodlands. “What of your ‘pilgrimage’?” Syn ask Rodrigo in an interrogative tone, shifting the mood as well as the subject of the conversation. “You do not give the impression of a man intrigued by celestial bodies.” “I must admit my interests do lie more with earthly bodies,” he confessed, gazing admiringly at Blade with a roguish smile to make his meaning clear. “My young cousin has studied at the House of Stars for the past three years, but now her father has found a suitable husband for her, and summoned her back to Vilmir. However, she sent his messenger back with only a curt refusal to leave. So he asked me to bring her home… will or not!” “You’ve seen how dangerous the roads are,” Blade warned, smiling coyly in recognition of his lingering stare, “you shouldn’t travel alone, especially if you intend to take her back to Vilmir through the same territory.” “Unfortunately it is the only route to Ordis… and I’d prefer not to go on alone,” he replied, turning his gaze from her to sweep it around the table. “But I haven’t found anyone here willing to join me, even for the promise of my uncle’s reward.” “I understand your plight,” ‘Romi injected, turning her seductive eyes toward Rynard. “It’s just occurred to me that I’ll need to find an escort back to Ilmar.” She had assumed they would accompany her on the return trip, but now realized that Blade and Syn were leaning toward joining Rodrigo, so her best hope to keep their protection lie with Rynard. “From Ilmar do you plan to return to Cadsandria?” Brytag inquired, drawing ‘Romi’s attention. She had admired the eastern woman’s exotic beauty, and recognized her well toned body as that of warrior, but she had thought that Syn had a claim on her. “Yes, I do,” ‘Romi answered with an encouraged smile, then panned her gaze around the table and added; “and you’re all welcome in my home there anytime.” “I’ve heard that people form many nations congregate there,” Brytag said with resolve as she looked to Syn, “so I wouldn’t stand out as much as I do here. I know that the knights of Tumbru hunt for me. Perhaps in Cadsandria I will blend in better and find some measure of peace.” Then she turned to ‘Romi. “The road to Ilmar is well traveled, so we can likely join a merchant’s caravan and find greater safety in their numbers… That is, of course, if you’ll accept me as your escort?” To be continued on S3-3-10: Blade & Rodrigo Bandras. The ninth installment in the third "book" of my Stormbringer characters' adventures. Thanks for looking... Hope you enjoy! Comments and suggestions always welcome and appreciated!