Commander Braghaman Larethian
Resisting Arrest
(Originally posted Sept 11, 2010)
The shadows of Duskwood were cast deep as night creeped up on the town of Darkshire. The howls and screeches of the forest echoed off the buildings as people raced in and out of town. Braghaman stepped out of Madame Eva's inn and looked around the town. Dressed in full armor, he was still adjusting one of the straps on his breastplate as he began walking towards the town hall. He had only crossed the road when he heard a call.
"Larethian!" the voice called far too loudly for the quiet town.
Braghaman stopped and turned towards the voice. The look of curiosity was immediately replaced with one much darker.
"Faris," Bragh replied with a grumble in the back of his throat. "What do you want now?" he asked, though the tone of his voice revealed that he really didn't care.
"You should have come with me the first time, Larethian," Faris said as he walked up to Braghaman. Faris' was wearing his armor, as well, but it didn't look as worn as Braghaman's, as though he'd never worn it to battle. He stopped a foot from Bragh, obviously used to intimidating people by his appearance and by invading their personal space. In this instance, however, Braghaman tilted his head slightly and stared at the man standing too close to him, apparently annoyed and not the least bit afraid.
"And you should've listened as well. I wouldn't have had to buy a new frying pan, then," he added mirthlessly.
"Your wife is lucky I don't arrest her," Faris growled.
"I've warned you before about talking about my family," Braghaman said darkly.
"Are you threatening me?" Faris asked, a faint smug grin showing on his face.
Braghaman took a step forward, now invading Faris' space. Bragh stood only inches from Faris, nose to nose. He stared at the Cathedral paladin for a very brief moment, letting that moment sink in.
"Yes, I am," Bragh answered in a low voice that helped to carry the threat. Faris tried to stare down Braghaman, but after several tense moments, it was Faris who took a step back.
"I will have you arrested," Faris said, barely able to keep his excitement in check.
"You and which army?" Bragh asked darkly. "There is no Cathedral here to help you."
Faris stopped smiling and looked around for a moment, the reality of the situation sinking in.
"You! Watcher," Faris then called out. "Come here."
One of Darkshire's watchers turned to look at Faris' call. The watcher, upon seeing the Cathedral paladin nod towards him, walked over to the side of the tavern where the two paladins were talking.
"Is everything okay?" the watcher asked when he got closer.
"I want you to arrest this man," Faris said, turning back at Braghaman with a smug look on his face.
"Commander Braghaman?" the watcher asked, obviously surprised.
"Yes," Faris answered, the smug look still on his face.
"Arrest him," the watcher repeated.
"Yes, arrest him," Faris said, turning to face the watcher with a look of annoyance.
"No thank you, sir," the watcher said, shaking his head. "I'd rather run through the forest naked. But good luck to you on that, sir," the watcher added with a quiet chuckle as he turned and walked back to his post near the fountain.
Faris sputtered for a moment before turning his attention back to the paladin. Bragh watched with a smirk as Faris realized what had just happened.
"You won't always be so lucky, Larethian," Faris grumbled. "One day, you will have to answer for your crimes. And when that happens not even your fel trollop or bastard son will be able to save you."
Without any warning, Braghaman's left hand shot out and grabbed Faris' by the throat. The Cathedral paladin gasped with surprise, barely realizing what was happening. Before Faris could defend himself, Bragh brought his right hand around to hold the back of Faris' head. Pivoting, Bragh then spun the surprised man off balance and threw him against the wall of the tavern. Releasing his right hand, Bragh held the other pinned against the wall by his throat.
"I warned you," Braghaman said, barely a whisper as he brought his face within an inch of Faris' face. The Cathedral paladin had started to recover from his surprise and a look of hatred began to form on his face. The look changed to one of fear as he saw Bragh's face lean back and, out of the corner of his eye, saw Bragh's fist pulling back.
There was a deafening crack that echoed off the walls, loud enough that the watchers in town turned to see what happened before returning to their duties. Faris slid down the wall, slumping to the ground and holding his now broken jaw.
Braghaman stood over the fallen paladin for a moment. Then, slowly, he knelt down next to the fallen paladin. He knew it would take a moment for the pain to subside, before the paladin could focus on healing himself. Bragh leaned close to Faris as he lay against the building.
"If you want to come after me," Bragh began calmly, "you should bring more men with you. If you ever talk about my family again, there won't be enough men. I will kill you."
Faris looked up at the threat, but Braghaman was already standing and turning away. Faris never saw the satisfied look on Bragh's face as he walked towards the town hall.
"That felt good," Braghaman said to himself as he walked away.
| Age | 47 |
| Eye Color | blue |
| Height | 6'0" |
| Body shape | fit |
| Residence | Darkshire |
| Realm | Shadow Council - US |
