Continued from S3-3-7: Rodrigo Bandras. The bandits that survived fled for the tree line, leaving their dead comrades with out a second thought, and didn�t stop until their legs couldn�t carry them any further. �Thank you for your timely intervention,� Rodrigo greeted the riders as they turned back and halted before him. �But, I dare say I wouldn�t have been so hard on these poor wretches.� Blade, Brytag, Rynard and Syn all regarded the Vilmirian knight, each with his or her own doubtful response to his boasting implication that he could have dealt with the situation himself. After finally leaving putrid Troos behind them, they had followed the banks of the Barlimm River, amazed by how something born in the foul swamps of that hellish place could become so clean and beautiful as it descended from horrid Org in a sting of cascading falls. Although eager to wash away the stench of the loathsome forest, they were even more driven to put as much distance as they could between them and the hellish woodlands, so they pushed on until the sounds of battle lead them into their charge. �Forgive my lapse in manners,� Rodrigo continued in a courtly tone as he surveyed the strange quartet. �I am Rodrigo Bandras, noble son of Vilmir. My companions and I were bond form Ordis to the House of Stars when these thugs ambushed us... What a sad state the world is in, when humble pilgrims seeking a place of enlightenment are not safe on the roads.� �The �House of Stars�?� Syn inquired, sheathing his greatsword. �A place of learning dedicated to the study of celestial bodies,� Rodrigo replied, although he had never even seen a Melnibonean before, he could tell from Syn�s demeanor that he wasn�t the sadistic, inhuman monster the priests of Law made them out to be. After recovering their pack horses, loaded with the treasured plants from Troos, they set about piling the bandits� corpses in a pyre and respectfully securing the Vilmirian warriors on their mounts, while exchanging tales of the events that brought them all there. Though curious about the eastern lands, of which Brytag would say little, and what had lead Syn to leave the luxuries of Imrryr, Rodrigo found his attentions drawn to Blade. Not because of some enticing motive or intriguing origin, neither of which she had, but simply because she was the most alluring beauty he had ever laid eyes on, and he found it hard to keep them off her well toned, yet shapely form. �I suppose you�ll be taking your men�s bodies back to Vilmir now,� Blade said with tint of disappointment clear in her voice, as she and Rodrigo secured the last of his men over the saddle of his horse. She had noticed him eyeing her, while admiring the handsome young knight herself, and she wasn�t the type to be shy when she liked what she saw. �No,� he replied facing her. �It�s a two day ride to back Ordis and only one to Barlimm. I�ll find someone there to take them home, but I go on to the House of Stars� Alone, if I must!� To be continued on S3-3-9: Andromida Feraer & Brytag. The eighth installment in the third "book" of my Stormbringer characters' adventures. Thanks for looking... Hope you enjoy! Comments and suggestions always welcome and appreciated!