>>5739716>“Might I remind you that you’re trying to win the hearts and minds of a nation that you’ve been relentlessly pillaging for the last several years?” You say to Leif. “Perhaps now may be a good chance to show these folks the ‘kinder’ side of the Sreng people. Word of mouth travels fast around these parts after all.”Prince Leif almost looks taken aback by your brazenness. “Might I remind you that it’s YOUR people at Garreg Mach that we’re going to aid, not mine. Bah! Fine, let’s just hurry up and find out what they want.”
The scout leads you and a small party ahead towards where at least two dozen peasants are milling about on the road. Alongside you are Prince Leif and Cormac; the latter looking rather bored. From the Blackwings, Corrine and Ashe accompany you. After a short trek, you find the blockade the scout had mentioned. A large wagon appears to be stuck in the middle of the road with one of its wheels missing. Some of the peasants look to be attempting to replace the damaged part, but to no avail. As you draw nearer, they spot you, terror filling their faces.
“The raiders! They’ve returned!” A woman shrieks. The peasants descend into an immediate panic. Some fall back, while others hold out faming equipment in a vain attempt to defend themselves.
>“We’re not raiders!” You shout, approaching with your arms out. Upon hearing the common tongue of Fodlan rather than Sreng, the peasants before you exchange confused glances. “We heard you were in trouble and wanted to see if there was anything we could do to assist?”The person who appears to oversee this rabble, a middle-aged man with a sharp hoe in his hands, looks back at his friends for reassurance before turning towards you. “If you ain’t raiders…how come you’re with them?” He points an accusing finger towards Cormac, who has his arms crossed. The Swordmaster hasn’t even bothered to place a hand on his sword hilt, evidently feeling unthreatened by the scared mob.
“These are good men, I promise you!” Your eyes drift to the broken wheel that the peasants had been tinkering with a moment ago. “Your wagon, the wheel is busted is it not? Please, allow us to fetch you a replacement. My comrades from Sreng have plenty that they can share with you.”
The man clenches his jaw, unsure of whether he should trust you or not. Feeling as though he is left with no other choice though, he reluctantly relents, and lowers his how towards the ground. “That would be kind of you, ma’am. If we can get that part, I promise you we’ll have this wagon fixed in no time and be out of your way before you can even blink.”
>“Hey, you.” You turn towards the Sreng scout, who looks taken aback, giving away that he understands you. “Fetch a spare wheel for our friends here please.” 