Someone gets in your way

Regrouping at your fathers house, you see James was successful in his endeavors. Four weapons lay on the large table in the center of the of the house; each of them ancient, but treated with great respect and care over the years, they are still incredibly sharp. The hilts and scabbards are heavily ornamented, but they are still usable weapons, and the magical imbuement on each of the blades makes them suitable for the job at hand, of slaying the banshee that has been plaguing the king.

"These are incredible James" You say as you look over them, marveling at their intricate details. "How did you get them all out of there without being spotted?"

"Less said, the better" He says with a smile "suffice to say, nothing irreplaceable got destroyed, nobody got hurt or killed, thanks to your distractions. How did that go, by the way?"

"Less said the better" You teasingly reply, causing you and the Dowton brothers to laugh slightly. Bruce, still uncomfortable with this, scowls constantly as he looks over the weapons as well.

"I'll be shocked if this is all you walked out of there with James."

"Why do you always treat me like I'm scum without an ounce of morality."

"Because you're a thief, it's in your nature to take things when the opportunity presents itself. I've had to protect your ass from worse deeds than this"

"Don't worry Bruce, I only took what we needed, and we're giving everything back when we're done."

"Good." Bruce replied, the first look of relaxation he had since the talk of Banshees and thievery came up. "I'll feel alot better when this is all over."

"Absolutely" Kraig responded with an enthusiastic smile "We get this done, we'll be heroes! How many people can say they were able to save a king! An Elvish King!"

"We'll be rewarded for sure!" James added, the two bumping fists together in solidarity.

"I wish it were that simple," Bruce responded, still looking melancholy "Look around outside, you two. There's some dissenting opportunists out there, that might not actually want their king to recover. Today probably won't be the day we get a hero's welcome," He gets up as he takes his pick of the swords "There won't be anyone looking at us as hero's if we don't get this done. We need to get moving, now." You and the Dowton brothers take up arms as well and quickly head out of your families large house, making your way back to the palace. Your progress is halted by a gang of rowdy elves, led by none other than your old flame, Phiaza.

"Fiana, what do you think you're doing?" He asks accusatory, arms crossed, holding a heavy club.

"We know what's killing King Yalph. His life **** is being drained by a Banshee. We're going to stop it."

Wayward eyes glance at each other. Some of the elves believe you, but they are drowned out by the rest of the crowd, especially it's leader.

"You? You're going to save the King, and your people?" Phiaza scoffs at the idea "You! Fiana Windblossom, the one who was never satisfied with home, and who was always looking for a chance to leave these forests and your fellow elves?"

"That doesn't matter." You reply defiantly "I'm here now, and I'm here to help. That's all that matters"

"Far from it. You really expect us to believe that you want what's best for us, when by your own admittance, you're leaving as soon as this is over? So that you can fulfill your little mercenary errand?" Phiaza stops even looking at you, addressing his posse.

"She has no concern for us, and no love for our ways. She only seeks the pleasure of gold and the flesh. She would rather associate with humans than us, and we expect her to do the right thing?"

The small crowd bellows in angry riot. Bruce is the first to draw his sword, followed by James and Kraig, and than you last of all. "She's a traitor to her kingdom for leaving, and to her kind for colluding with these human vagabonds."

"Traitor!?" You shout in defiance "We'll see who is labelled a traitor when the King regains his health, and it is seen who helped and who interfered"

Phiaza's eyes grew large in ideological fervor "We don't need the King!" this got his cronies whipped into a frenzy "Let him die! It's time for fresh blood on the throne! We'll lead the Bronzebark Elves to unbridled glory, beginning with severing all ties to humanity and those Krakorum butchers!"

Kraig spoke up, knowing exactly the words to tip the scale to conflict. "You think you're good enough to rule? You can't even please a woman, how do you expect to please a Kingdom?"

Phiaza lost what control of himself he had, charging at you with club in hand, followed shortly after by his minions. The scene grew alot of attention from the rest of the elves in the city, gawking in quiet spectacle as three humans and an elven bard fought a gang of elvish rebels. Although they outnumbered you, none of them were trained fighters. They were all like Phiaza, and perhaps like yourself. Disaffected youth wanting something different from Elvish society, and ready to do something about it. Entitled to something more than their lives provided them, this was their chance to claim it.

The gang was dealt with quickly. You were keen enough not to deal killing blows to any of the attackers. Looking around, it seems like your friends were of similar mind.

"Good job" You say to Bruce and the others "With everything else, we don't need killers added to the list of accusations. Now let's go. Hopefully the King still has some life in him."