The Nerve of the Nervii (Open)

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It has been two days since Boduognatos came to the capitol city, Nova. The long wait has made him slightly impatient and on edge. The incident of his father a few years ago, and the attack in the forests stirred him immensely. It was however, suggested by one of his guards, Magnus Aurelius, that he just take a walk around the town. So, the young Earl did just that. He kept on him most of his weapons and his shield as he made his way down the streets, with his right hand on the pommel of his sword and his left drooped by his side. The large uncommon oval shaped shield was slung over his back with a leather strap and hung diagonally. His armour and helmet, he decided to leave at the tavern for the time being. His arrival, seemingly unannounced to the public caught quite a stir among some of the peasants. Boduognatos and his two guards were all fully armoured and still fairly bloody from the ambush that happened not too long ago.

Boduognatos had a quick wash as soon as he got a room in the tavern and today, as refreshed as he felt, he could feel the odd glance. It was probably how his ancestor, Ambiorix felt when they came to Nova at first. Boduognatos finally found himself in the Town Square. It has been years since he last came with his father. However, the feel of the city was different. Especially now. It could be a thought that could potentially be brushed off the shoulder like a small spec of lint, but his nerves were definitely on the edge. By the gods, if he could relieve the stress, he would. 

He was told that there was a bath house, however, that's a trek and a half, considering the size of the city. So, here in the Second District, he shall stay for now.

The thought of Ambiorix came to his mind. What wondrous was plastered on his face as he came to the city for the first time. The large walls and towering structures. The streets and the immense population. Boduognatos thought of his ancestors, and their own time in the city. He then wondered if he'll meet up with any of his brothers or sisters here. They must be here somewhere. Dorios, Paula, Ada, or even Martha would be a pleasant sight for sore Earl eyes. 

His thoughts were soon distracted when a familiar voice called out to him, "Boduognatos! Boduognatos!" Of course not only did Boduognatos, but so did others, as of course Boduognatos isn't a common name. Sounds to everyone else, that of a curse in an ancient tongue. Boduognatos looked on to see an older man. 

"Indutiomarus!" Boduognatos called out, recognizing a cousin of his-- one of many. 

Indutiomarus walked over to the man and held his hand out. "Good to see you again, Earl now?" He exclaimed. The two grabbed hands and brought their shoulders against each other, with their open arm around the opposite shoulder.

"Uh, Yea, as of a few years ago. Oh right, you weren't there for the event," Boduognatos replied.

"Nay, lad, I had trouble getting there. Shame what happened to Cingetorix, Gods bless his soul."

"Yes, indeed," Boduognatos' voice quieted as the topic of te conversation turned to his father.

"N'ambactus, Boduognatos. Come. Let us have a drink. Immi Gnuoii of a good tavern near by. Uediiumi [The honor's on me]," Indutiomarus constantly switched between the common language and the Nervii Language of old. He was probably drunk, judging by the scent of his breath and clothes.

As Boduognatos and Indutiomarus made their way towards a near by tavern, facing the town center, Boduognatos' eyes caught something going on in a nearby alley. He paused for a moment, seeing a leg kick up, with fabric and the look of a scuffle. He turned towards the alleyway, "Indutiomarus," He motioned to his cousin before entering the alleyway. He removed his shield from his shoulder and gripped it's center boss. He then drew his sword and walked forward. Indutiomarus nodded and drew his sword as well, following the shielded Earl. A man looked around the corner, seeing him before drawing a dagger and throwing it at him. Boduognatos was quick to raise his shield in front of him. The dagger punching barely a dent into the shield. 

[titus]

Titus had been overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of Nova; his animal senses, attuned to the subtleties of the forest, were assailed by innumerable sights, smells, and sounds of the city. Each of which demanded more attention than his finite brain could spare at any given moment. As a result, he had taken to the rooftops to navigate this wondrous and terrifying labyrinth of brick, men and unfamiliar beasts, sound and movements. Creeping along skillfully, drinking in as much of the city below as he could handle. Titus made his way toward one building in particular that was exuding the unmistakable aroma of meat and mead. It had been days since his last meal, the smell drawing him along by the knots forming in his entrails. His approach was halted, however, by the tingling anxiety. He would have to climb down to enter into the building… That would also mean navigating through crowds of people. The quiet life of foraging did not particularly prepare one for the social complexities of dealing with drunkards.

So, having come this far, he sat atop a textile merchant's booth, gazing anxiously at the crowd, and sniffing eagerly at the pleasant vapors coming from the tavern. The steadily growing knots outgrew his tingling anxiety, and he knew he would have to descend. With his breath held he awkwardly climbed jumped down to the street below, his long ears twitching as he entered into the swarming mass below, and made his way toward the tavern. As he walked, the crowd became increasingly more aware of his presence, and the oddity of his dress-he having none but a mismatched pair of breeches and stockings, and a heavy belt with flasks, pouches, crude tools, and a bow.

He wasn’t too fond of the attention, holding his head low to keep his eyes on the ground and on his cloven hooves that clopped against the street. He hadn’t noticed the two men, cloaked with dark eyes that motioned to one another with subtle signals. Only one of them approached Titus en route to the the tavern, a second allowed him to pass by and then duck sharply into the nearby alley next to the tavern. With the second man hidden, the first made his move by approaching Titus with a friendly greeting and warm smile, breaking the satyr's concentration from the street.

"Goodmorning, chum! Lovely day to be in the capital, eh? You look like you could use a good cloak and maybe a fancy shirt? We know how to get the best prices on anything in Nova...."

The man spoke pointing to Titus’s attire. Titus was grateful to have met with such a nice human in the big city, though still some what cautious of his friendly nature. He attempted a reply in the best manner he could.

"OH! That nice; I new here and I'd like to findout where that good smell comesfrom. No need fora shirt or cloak though; took mine off on account o' tha sun."

Titus pointed upward, indicating the clear weather, and grabbed at his ‘pants’ indicating that he was fine with what he had on him. During this explanation and attempt to socialize, the man suddenly gave him a firm shove into the allyway, where he was forced into the arms of the second man. Titus hooves clattering against the cobblestone, accenting his short, surprised bleats. Too terrified to scream, he struggled to get away, but to no avail. He was terrified! What was going to happen to him?! He thought, kicking his legs outward to try and break free of his assailants. The second man, tore away at his equipment, smashing his bow and looking to his partner. “check to see if anyone is coming.” The second man barked a whispered gurgle command to the other, his fingers twisted around titus’s hair, which held him in place. ‘ Someone, anyone! HELP ME! ‘ he screamed in his head while he struggled against the man who held him in place. His ears twitching at the sound of metal bouncing off metal. What was going on now? He thought, unaware of the details of the skirmish around the corner.

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Indutiomarus was quick to move alongside Boduognatos, forming a shield wall, blocking the only exit from the muggers. The look on the man who threw the knife turned from over confidence to that of someone who knows he screwed up somewhere. In a last attempt at making sure he can potentially get out of this situation, the man drew a surprisingly pricey long sword for a thief and swung towards Indutiomarus. The two parried swords before Indutiomarus was able to duck to the side, getting the man's sword stuck in Boduognatos' shield. Boduognatos stabbed the man in the throat and watched as he fell back, gurgling for a breath of bloodless air. Boduognatos continued forward, removing the sword from his shield. 

He turned the corner to see a fawn? being attacked by a second mugger. At the entrance of the alleyway, people began to gather, hearing the commotion. Guards where closing in to frantic screams of the dead body and the two vigilantes. Boduognatos was able to stab the second mugger before he was able to react to the death of his comrade. The guards then closed in to the event. They glanced at the bodies of the two muggers, then to the fawn and the two armed men. "What happened here?" One asked.

Boduognatos turned to face them and explain the situation while Indutiomarus walked over to the fawn, "Are you alright?" He asked the fawn, checking him over for any major injuries. 

"Explain yourselves and who you are!" The guard demanded. 

"Sirs. I am Earl Boduognatos of a small hold, north of here. What happened here was this young innocent fawn was attacked by these two and we intervened. Unfortunately, we didn't have the time to cool the situation before it got lethal. And this," He pointed to Indutiomarus, "Is my cousin, sirs. We apologize for the commotion." Boduognatos withdrew his sword back into it's scabbard and went over to the fawn.

"Your lordship. You know even though what you say is good, you should know better that stuff like this is better left to the city guards," The guard replied sincerely. 

"Indeed, however, the muggers would've gotten away and you'd have potentially a murder to investigate, which is more time and money, no?" Boduognatos explained, "Now, please. I need to see how this citizen is doing," He turned and knelt beside the young fawn. He offered his hand for the fawn to help him up. "Let me help you up."