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Post by Veliky on Oct 9, 2022 17:00:36 GMT -5
"I'm here...!" Veliky calls as she rises up, still dizzy from the impact. Dark-clad and minuscule, she was an easy detail to miss on the greywashed plain. "And that's a raise, Caedes!"
Meanwhile, Bishop fires another three bolts into the sky. Only one of them even manages to graze a bird. Worse, Bishop must stop and kneel after every shot in order to reload, and this limitation bites it after the fourth shot as an arrow pierces the knee it crouches on, pinning and crippling it.
But not all is dire, as the lightning mage careens to the ground, landing in a feathery heap. She struggles to lift herself, her wings splayed across the ground like two long, feathery blankets.
Veliky sees both through the haze of her vision.
"Envy, run that bird down!" she barks, pointing at the mage. "And Rook, help Bishop onto Envy's back!"
Hesitation isn't a word in a Blixtbot's™ dictionary - literally, no translation exists for it in Code. Rook, and even the horse-bot, jolt into action.
Envy's metal hooves clank against the soil, its limbs hissing loudly as it charges at the mage. For an aviankin, there are few worse fears - and shames - than being downed. Terror fills her eyes again, but she's ready; lightning courses over her feathers and into her hand, and she casts forth a thin bolt of bright lightning, directly at Envy.
So easily forgotten, it is the slightest detail that often changes the course of a battle. Just as the mage raises her hand, Vampire, the tiny bat-bot, swoops in front, absorbing the bolt and exploding into smithereens and smoke. And it is through that smoke that Envy leaps. The mage can only gaze on in fear until her ribcage is crushed by stomping hooves.
With the horse now only a short distance away, Rook helps Bishop to its feet, allowing its fellow machine to lean on its shoulder as they limp to the robotic steed. Though the crossbow-bot's knee has been pierced and sundered, Rook is able to lift it onto the horse's uncomfortable, metal saddle. Then, off they ride; no longer requiring its legs, Bishop can load and fire with abandon, and does so four more times.
But Veliky and Caedes are still in the open, and arrows still plant themselves into the earth around them like seeds from Heaven.
"Cover?!" She scans the field. "There is no cover! They're above us!"
Speaking of 'above,' it's now that Veliky notices Sarris, zipping through the air on the broom that Veliky had assumed to be mundane, sentimental at most. She thought only witches did that! Is Sarris a witch?
There's no time for consideration. If something isn't done soon, Veliky and Caedes both will be turned to pincushions.
"Hope one of you has an idea!"
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Post by Sarris on Oct 9, 2022 21:04:44 GMT -5
Sarris twisted and turned in the air. The avians were trying to take her out of the air so Sarris was letting herself fall and twist to avoid the strikes. She landed again near the group. Sarris rolled fro a header landing and threw up her arms and shouted the words to create a stone wall. The earth rumbled and the stone wall formed itself into an arch giving the group some protection from the avians.
One of the things that Sarris had learned was that earth did not move as fast as air and to make the arch come up quickly Sarris had to put more energy into it. She laid there panting for a moment.
The party had an area now to protect them. It also meant that the Avians would need to attack in such a way that the parties bows would be of use. Now it was more of a fair fight. Sarris called people the get under shelter.
Then she went to tend to the wounded. A few arrows had found their marks. Most of the wounds were in arms and legs. Sarris tore strips of cloth to bind people’s wounds and use her magic to heal wounds. A couple of them needed more than the minor magic she knew.
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Post by Caedes Oleander on Oct 11, 2022 19:53:42 GMT -5
He hears her call out; and his eyes zone in on Veliky as she rises up from the ground. He breathes a sigh of relief, kicking the bird on the ground with a heavy boot as it tries to rise. He pulls it up from the back of its neck, using his dagger to take it out of its misery; its squawk fades, the life fading from its eyes. He releases the bird, turning back towards the group; he spots the lightning mage, in a feathered heep, just as the horse comes rampaging in. He winces slightly, watching the way the horse tramples her as though she’s not even there. Thnk! Thwmp thnk thp! He jerks at the sound; fabric in his cloak rips as he pulls on it, tearing it through the arrow that had been shot through it. “ We’re sitting ducks out here,” he hisses, rushing away from the bird’s body towards where Veliky is still standing in the field. He looks up towards Sarris; she twists in the sky, landing near the group; the moment she shouts something familiar, Caedes knows what she’s doing. “ Sorry Veliky— deduct my pay later.” he apologizes as he rushes by the Halfling— he doesn’t rush past her, however. Instead, he picks her up, and runs her towards Sarris and the group of travelers after tossing her up onto his shoulders. The wall is ripping from the earth by the time Caedes makes it to the group— arrows showering behind them like rain—they thrum, dull against the stone, as the duo bold beneath cover. A few travelers have been hit by arrows in the onslaught, leaning against the stone wall as Sarris stands in the middle, exhausted. “Good call,” he pants to Sarris as he plucks Veliky off his shoulders and sets her down. “Sorry.” he apologizes, without sounding like he means it. “It was that or you embrace your new life as a pincushion.” He looks out towards the dark of the storm; while the stone above them gives them cover, it also makes it harder to see the Avians as they circle above in a stalemate. “What now? Do they know their leader’s dead?”
He looks between Veliky, to where Sarris is helping to treat the injured. "How bad is it?" he calls to her.
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Post by Veliky on Oct 11, 2022 23:06:58 GMT -5
SITTING DUCKS. THAT WAS THE SAYING.
That's been bothering Veliky for months, now. She'll need to tell Cantio and Ulrich if ever she meets them again.
Those are Veliky's approximate thoughts as she's ferried beneath the newly-raised fortification. Were the analogy equating the arrows to rain not apt before, the sound of them bouncing off the stone roof makes it significantly more accurate now.
"Hm?" She's roused from her absent-mindedness by Caedes' apology. "Don't apologize for that," she answers monotonously. "Normally, people have to pay for transportation - and protection. Well done."
By now, most of the travellers had taken shelter beneath the arch. Veliky had no clue that Sarris was a healer, but she's damn glad that she is. One of the travellers is particularly shaken; a heavyset man, who'd generally put out the appearance of a stoic wanderer, is sobbing uncontrollably. Veliky looks at him sidelong with disdain.
"Calm down," she orders condescendingly before poking the man in the thigh. Surprisingly, he does; almost instantly, his eyes go blank, and he discontinues his laments[1].
With his bawling now over, the space beneath the wall is surprisingly quiet. Most of the other travellers speak only in hushed tones, as if raising their voice will somehow endanger them. Veliky has no such reservations; her voice cuts above the others.
"Can't claim to know much about these things. Can't even tell if they want to rob us or eat us. Also, not entirely sure if that mage was actually their leader or not. But I'll say what I'd do if I were them: have my troops land in the blindspots of the arch and flank, attacking from either side. So, on the assumption that they're as smart, we should prepare for exactly that kind of attack."
She snaps her fingers and makes some quick, decisive gestures. Rook and Fisher take position at opposite entrances, weapons at the ready. Meanwhile, Bishop is seated, itself in need of medical attention, or whatsoever is the equivalent for a golem.
1. Calm Emotion
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Post by Sarris on Oct 12, 2022 13:08:38 GMT -5
Sarris continued to tend to the wounded as best she could. Most of the wounds were fairly minor, stop the bleeding a close the wound and time would do the rest. She could do this. But as Mistress Kamille had taught her there was always a cost.
One of the men, a merchant, grabbed her by the upper arm trying to get her to heal him next. He was more important than the minor’s child. Spinning on him and breaking his grip she poked him in the chest with a bloody arrow pushing him towards where the avians could pick him off. In a tone that sounded like her grandmother and aunt she said, “It is not appropriate to touch a Lady without her permission.” Sarris did not like being grabbed and the hand was quite close to her chest. Yes she looked a little better than the miner’s son, but she did not look like a person of position. With her full redheaded anger raging she said, “If you touch me again, I will let them have you myself. Your wound is minor compared to theirs.” Another man dragged him back in.
This did little to calm her down.
When she had healed what she could and stabilized the ones she could not, she headed for Veliky and Caedes.
Still angry, she walked over to Veliky and Caedes and asks, “Moles would dig a tunnel and run away while a badger would draw them into a tunnel and force them to fight there, ants would attack from different tunnels, or we could disappear in a cavern like a snake. What would you like to do?” She understood some military tactics from watching her cousin and his men, but she preferred to describe things in more earthy ways. She found it clearer.
“Just so you know, I am going to need to eat and rest from using this much magic in a short time,” she said plainly.
She showed them the arrows, they had different heads on them. “What do you make of this?” She asked.
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Post by Caedes Oleander on Oct 12, 2022 20:24:41 GMT -5
Though he’s looking at Veliky, he’s not totally unaware of what’s going on; he makes a note of the merchant who laid his hands on Sarris. He shifts slightly— but Sarris has it well taken care of. He stifles a sigh deep in his chest as he looks to Veliky, nodding while she remarks about the flanking tactic that they’re most likely to use.
Sarris approaches, and his gaze shifts to her.
“—- Wolves ambush and surround their prey, owls swoop in for the silent kill, and the vultures wait for them to leave the carrion. They tried to be the owl at first, but right now I think it’s safe to say that they are the wolves.” Caedes remarks, looking from Sarris, to the travelers. “I understand your sentiment, but I don’t know if running or hiding is one of our options right now.” He tosses his dagger, catching the hilt as it flips in the air. “Drawing them in to fight like a badger, however? Attacking from different positions? I think we could do that.”
He looks up at the stone wall that Sarris had built, “This is low enough that we could strike with swords as well as bows, if we can tempt them underneath it.” He clicks his tongue, looking to where Rook and Fisher have taken their positions. “So… why not both? Let’s lead them into our own blindspot defense. I would feel more comfortable continuing, knowing that we are not being pursued.”
He looks back to the arrows as she presents them, narrowing his eyes slightly. “Mh… They look like specialized arrowheads. This one would fly further and faster,” he points to one with a thinner head, “This one is harder to remove,” one with a serrated edge, “And this one seems to like it flies clumsier, but would make wider cuts when hit.”
He shrugs. “My best guess, anyways.”
Thnp!
A thump resounds from over their heads; and Caedes looks up, eyes narrowing slightly. “Guests,” he remarks; the sound of footsteps; albeit with attempts to be muted, creeps towards those areas where Veliky had already positioned Rook and Fisher. "Get ready."
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Post by Veliky on Oct 12, 2022 23:59:56 GMT -5
Veliky watches and listens as Sarris describes various tactics in... unusual ways. She grows even more perplexed when Caedes starts doing the very same things.
"Could we belay the animal metaphors? They're people; they do whatever befits the situation, not just on instinct. So will we. Take position, and we can all eat and sleep soon enough."
The moment the thump is heard, Veliky vanishes from sight[1], not keen on being involved in the coming bloodshed.
And then, faint, scratchy footfalls on the stone, creeping to either side of the arch. The entire caravan waits, crowded together in terrible silence as dust falls sparsely on their heads. But, then... the footfalls shift. They aren't walking to both sides any longer, but only to the left.
There are murmurings in the crowd, all of them saying the same thing: "Left! Left! Left!" Bodies shift, but the stern, disembodied voice of Veliky halts them.
"Maintain positions! Priority Gold!"
But why?
The truth is somewhat grim. Veliky had told a slight lie when considering the aviankin's tactics. Although she'd claimed a flanking maneuver to be likely, in fact, she'd predicted that they'd only attack from one side. So why had Veliky ordered defense at both sides, and maintained that defense even with foresight of where they'd strike from? Because she still needs men on either side, just not for the birds.
Talons dig into soil: an aviankin drops at one side, directly in front of Fisher, sword in hand, only to be shot down by Bishop. But he's followed by four more! The left side of the arch devolves into the chaos of clangs, shouts and other noises of battle. Meanwhile, just as Veliky expected, the other side is completely silent.
One of the birdmen beats his and leaps into the fray with his shortsword. But, instead of bone through flesh, the sound of scraping against metal is heard. In the confusion, he barely realizes that his sword has become lodged between the prongs of Fisher's trident! He yanks it left and right, but the trident's hooked tips have it in an inescapable trap. Of course, this also means that Fisher's own weapon is useless, but this proves to be a moot point as another of Bishop's bolts pierces the bird's brittle skull.
But there's an altogether different kind of conflict occurring at the other side. A merchant - the same that had so infuriated Sarris - is breathing erratically, hyperventilating. He rushes to the other side of the arch, intent on fleeing into the field, but he's stopped by the metal hand of Rook, who stands on guard. He glares at the red-eyed golem with mad indignance and bellows in a guttural voice.
"Let me through! We've got to get out of here!"
"Human merchant, negative: maintain positions. Priority Gold."
"Are you crazy?! They're going to kill us!"
"Inpolar: irrelevant."
"What?! No, no, get out of my way!"
The heavyset merchant forces his weight against the bot, trying to push it aside! The merchant's wife wails in panic and fear as her husband grapples with the machine in trancelike terror.
"Command, Authority Gold: cease and desist."
But the merchant is inconsolable, and his flailing limbs are pushing Rook's talonlike feet along the ground, closer to the unsheltered open. Rook is without choice. It raises its katana...
And strikes the man in the chest, with sword's pommel! He's sent staggering, convulsing from the electricity[2] and only kept from falling on his back by the arms of the crowd.
"Repeat command, Authority Gold: cease and desist."
The merchant is wide-eyed and on the brink of passing out, but he manages to breathe a response.
"Hey, hey, okay, just don't hit me again, please! I'll stay right here!"
"Affirmative: you will."
It is always a dire moment when weapons are turned on those they're meant to protect. But one thing is certain: this could've gone far worse.
1. Invisibility 2. Enchanting Sigil
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Post by Sarris on Oct 13, 2022 19:10:10 GMT -5
Sarris watched the chaos erupt on one side of the arch. Iron clashed on iron and the grunts and groans of combat filled the air.
Sarris raised her bow ready to shoot the Aviainkin that presented itself. She closed her eyes for a moment taking a breath, focusing her mind and calming her body. As an Aviankin dropped from the arch Sarris released the arrow. The fletching kicked up like a bucking horse then righted itself heading for its target. Shortly after the sound of the string registered in Sarris’ brain the arrow struck the target.
Sarris heard the man’s’ breath as the arrow caught him in the right arm and wing. It would have been a great shot if that was where she was aiming. She would not admit that was not her intent. But these attackers had different armor than what she was use to.
As she was quickly trying to analyze armor weakness, she found a two-handed sword coming at her body. The attacker had gotten closer than what she had expected. A fact that Aviankin were light and agile.
Two sword swings and the bow laid on the ground and Sarris was backing up. The Aviankin approached ready to swing. Tripping over a stone Sarris rolled In a crouch she used one of the powers the Fae had taught her.
She sprung and as she did she transformed into a black cat with her eyes. She was lean and muscular and a mass moving weight. She was bigger than a house cat and smaller than a full grown panther.
The sword came towards her as she hit the fighter with her front paws. The blade went flying as she pounded him backwards causing him to fall. She brought her back claws in to rake his body. She let out a growl that was a battle cry, not smart since it was one thing to be a cat and another to become a cat, resounded from the arch.
Sarris felt bones popping in her attacker as she shifted her weight and as she readied to attack the edge.
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Post by Caedes Oleander on Oct 18, 2022 20:37:18 GMT -5
“ I would love to,” Caedes remarks without looking back at Veliky; his eyes are focused above, tracing the sound of footfall across the top of the arch… to the left. “ Veliky?” he questions the woman when her predicted tactic begins to go awry, but as his eyes drift down to look at her— she has vanished. Her voice still resounds: Maintain positions! Priority gold! He can only take her on her word; there’s no more time for questions… and Veliky wouldn’t sabotage herself like this… would she? Caedes sinks into the shade of the archway as a shadow passes; from above, one of the bird men drops from the sky, sword screeching against Fisher’s trident as it lands. One of the injured Bishop’s bolts crack through the creature’s skull, and it topples over in a heap. On the other side, he distantly hears the exchange between one of the frightened merchants and the steadfast Rook. His eyes drift to them as he pulls his dagger from his belt; as the argument escalates, and the merchant tries to push by: he notes the way Rook slams the pommel of its sword into the man’s chest. In the end, it saved his life; though, the means are questionable; and there is no time for questions.
He does keep it in mind.
Aviankin begin to pour down the left side of the arch; another Aviankin drops, then another, and yet another. As one breaches the front lines, the merchants call out in a panic; but it will not pass. From the shadows, Caedes leaps; he hooks the Aviankin around the neck with one arm, and plunges his dagger into the being’s chest with the other. Immediately, the birdkin starts to convulse, gasping in high-pitched caws and screeches as it writhes against the earth. Caedes drops it, and slams his boot over its neck, ending it swiftly. Hiding place outed, he pushes to the front lines of combat; he takes a slash at a red-tinted Aviankin as it lands in front of him, sword held at the ready. It slashes forth; Caedes bounces back; but the avian follows his movement in a lunge. The changeling is knocked off his feet by a tackle; and he falls back into the ground with a heavy thud. The sky trembles and distorts as he struggles beneath the bird; a taloned hand catches him by the neck, and although Caedes pulls back to kick at his attacker, the bird is quicker. It rears back, sword ready to plunge down towards him.
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Post by Veliky on Oct 20, 2022 1:52:13 GMT -5
Wicked talons hold Caedes down, dig into his flesh, draw blood. Like the first step in a mudded bog, the first trickles of red mute a mental aversion, and the concept of bleeding becomes less terrible. But death is still something to be feared, and, this, the blade offers.
But, just then, Veliky appears behind the redbird's swordarm! Her hands are clasped behind her back as if she's ready to attend a meeting. The tiny businesswoman brazenly pokes the avian in the side with a fingertip barely the size of a pea, twice.
Still, the bird takes notice. Instead of plunging the blade into Caedes, it swings it back at the unseen interloper - and cuts her in two! Only, neither fraction remains for long. They each dissipate into nothingness - an illusion[1].
Confusion and fear play over its corvid features. It's the very same emotion one might feel when alone in a house, only to hear footsteps: dread. And what a strange harbinger for it.
Another Veliky - the real Veliky - appears on the bird's other side, hops up in a manner as unathletic as it is nonchalant, and, just as the avian turns to face her, unleashes a right hook with all the scathing radiance of justice itself[2] directly into the its cheek. The resulting burst of white light shatters the avian's hollow cheekbone, penetrates its skin with a piercing burn like a sunburn, and knocks it unconscious.
And, with that... silence. Of the five-bird party that assailed them, two were shot down by Bishop, one was stabbed in the chest by Caedes, one has their bones broken by Cat-Sarris, and one was decked by Veliky. And, with no more scratchings from above, one would not be unjustified in believing - or, at least, hoping - that the threat has subsided. More attackers certainly linger in the sky above, but will they risk another attack? Will they sacrifice more of their own?
Veliky holds her gloved, steaming fist in front of her, and blows on it like a spoonful of hot soup to abate the rising steam. It doesn't quite work; she tries again, and then a third time, and what had been an impressive display of cold remorselessness quickly becomes an earnest and increasingly frustrated attempt to stop her hand from steaming. She eventually gives in with a sigh and looks over at Sarris - or where she thought Sarris had been, only for a cat to have seemingly taken her place.
"Are you...?"
Before she can finish her query, her eyes are drawn up by the sound of beating wings. A retreat, or an advance?
1. Replicant 2. Angelic Light
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Post by Sarris on Oct 20, 2022 15:29:37 GMT -5
Sarris held the form after the main battle. She could only hold it for a while and she knew was coming after she returned to herself, hunger and being tired. She had used a lot of magic and had put a lot of emotional energy into her spells. Now she would need to pay the cost for her efforts. Part of her wanted to tear into the Aviankin and rip flesh from bone. But her rational human mind was repulsed at the idea. She knew she had the power to toss the prey around like a rag doll.
Moving off the prey, she sat down. Her ears twitched following each sound. She then growled softly. Lifting a paw she pointed at the prey and then at Veliky and Caedes and did this a couple time. She growled a little more and acted like she was talking.
Pantomime in panther form was not working well. She wanted them to question her prisoner before he died. After this she felt an un-natural energy in her. She prowled back and forth trying to burn it off.
Finally, she walks out from under the archway and jumped up to patrol the arch, well, actually lay down and act like she was the queen. The few remaining Aviankin took flight before she moved but she liked thinking it was because of her.
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Post by Caedes Oleander on Oct 20, 2022 20:58:17 GMT -5
Pain sinks into every nerve as talons pierce the fragile skin of his neck; if he still breathed, he’d be gasping for air; but he grimaces instead. Caedes kicks up into the bird’s stomach and writhes, but not enough to dissuade it when it has him at its mercy like this. It pulls back; sword glinting in the dull light; for a moment, Caedes expects to feel what he’d felt once many months ago in Darkveil… but it doesn’t come.
The birdman swings— but not at him. Caedes feels the sword clip the air farther above him, and the familiar posture of Veliky’s small frame from the corner of his peripheral vision. He chokes on a word, but the avian has his throat held tight, and he can’t eek the air from his lungs to do so, even in light of something he can’t see— and then, the bird’s talons slip. Caedes gasps, a natural physical response, and kicks out; between Veliky’s holy punch, and Caedes’ full-soled kick; the birdman gets knocked two ways, skidding ungracefully across the dirt, and dropping into the dirt, unconscious.
Caedes’ hand moves to his throat, expecting a familiar rush of blood and warmth— but it doesn’t come.
He is certainly damaged to some degree, and he feels the stinging pain, despite the cold of his skin. Thick cuts from the talons piercing the fragile skin; but the blood barely flows— and that which does, seems darker than it should be in any person. Caedes’ brows twitch, and he flicks his hood quickly over his head; he looks appreciatively at Veliky, the red glint in his eyes particularly noticeable beneath the shadow of his hood. “I suppose we’re even now.” he states, voice sounding hoarse.
He looks away, pushing himself to his feet as the silence stretches on.
Several of the birds had been taken down, and they could not hear any scratching from up above… The beating of wings suddenly fills the air, and Caedes looks up sharply; his dagger palmed and ready to strike the next creature that falls from the sky, but… though the shadows pass overhead, no more aviankin drop down. He looks up, taking a slightly, wheezing-sounding breath when he realizes they’re beginning to retreat.
“They’re going.” he remarks, looking towards the big cat when it starts to move restlessly. “... Should we be worried about that?” he remarks, not having actually seen Sarris transform into the beast. He offers Veliky a look, then looks towards the Aviankin the cat had been gesturing to… it’s broken, and clearly in pain, squawking quietly as the light starts to fade from its eyes. He steps towards the bird, crouching in front of it; it’s not long before the light in its eyes fades, and Caedes breathes a slow sigh. “What in the world did they want?” he mumbles, lifting himself to his feet.
He looks towards the other unconscious Avian, then at Veliky. “... And where did Sarris go, exactly?”
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Post by Veliky on Oct 22, 2022 3:10:31 GMT -5
The danger has passed; the fact that the cat wasn't pelted with arrows immediately upon exiting the shelter is a clear indication of that fact. It elicits no relief from Veliky, unless her dusting off her collar is an indication of relaxation.
The cat... strange, outlandish though it may be, Veliky knows it to be Sarris. Her disappearance coinciding with the cat's appearance? And given that there's not even a trace of Sarris, and given that the cat is clearly not from this region? To claim coincidence would be to depend on less than a tenth of a percentile of a chance. And people transforming into animals is something she's heard of in some tales, most often those of the King's Valley tribes. If this Sarris has such a storylike power, maybe there's more to her than just a dashing charlatan.
"...I think the cat *is* Sarris," she says. There's the faintest glimmer of wonder in her tone. "Leave her be, I'm sure she'll... well, I'm not *sure* she'll do anything, but I'd assume she'll revert eventually."
By all indication, the threat is gone. Still, stepping out from beneath her only shelter is a source of trepidation for Veliky. Little by little, she inches out of cover, dim light dawning on her face like the first rays of Autumn morning.
"As for why they attacked? I hardly know anything about Dragon's Cradle, so I have no clue how common those things are." One foot outside, then the other. Despite standing in the same air, the same atmosphere, exiting from beneath the arch feels strangely freeing. "But, the way they were fighting, I'd say they were just opportunistic; premeditated attackers would've been better-equipped and better-prepared, even if they're nomadic. Maybe they wanted to rob us, or eat us or sacrifice us to some weird bird god. Doesn't matter. They chose their target poorly."
She turns back to Zarius, but ends up looking around him, at the space beneath the arch. The merchant who tried to flee past Rook is still rubbing his chest, but it's a superficial pain; he's unharmed. More importantly, the arch offers an otherwise nonexistent shelter from the lethal lightning. It's crowded, however; hopefully Sarris can conjure more.
Veliky looks back to Caedes. Wow it's difficult to glean much from the little paradox, one can tell by her stare whether she's earnestly considering them or not. Her gaze to Caedes says that she's barely cognizant of him, as her mind is focused on the logistical endeavours of rationing and schedule. By her tone, she may as well be talking to herself.
"Much too early to set up camp. But, if we can conjure another arch at nightfall, we can boost our survivability against the lightning strikes." Though her eyes remain on Caedes, there's a slight change in her pupils. Now she's actually thinking about him, albeit still in a highly objective manner. His blood... strange. But, for all Veliky knows, it's just a consequence of whatever is his species. "Take a short break, we leave in 10."
Lightning Fields, the next day, the afternoon of the 25th.
Another day of travel. While the birdmen's attack wounded the travellers' bodies and morale, it leaves a barely noticeable mark on their spirit. The party's proven to themselves that they can survive the perils of the waste, with their unique blend of talents and magicks: whenever lightning threatens to scorch them to a char, Sarris is prepared with a stony barrier; whenever danger thinks itself hidden, Caedes is wiser; and whenever resources come into question, Veliky's supplies seem endless. And they're getting close. They approach the Pass of Onkmetua, between two grey mountains. Already, they can feel the nip of Frost Gale, which lies just beyond.
But there's something far more sinister than the birds of prey and the cracks of lightning. Somewhere nestled in the bleak crags, a crossbow is trained on little Veliky's head. Loaded into the flight groove are no less than three black-tipped bolts. A pull of the trigger would end the poor halfling's miserable life. But that won't happen - not yet.
"Yeah, it's them." No excitement, no despair. Professional. The bowman picks up his weapon as two other figures disembark down a rocky path into the Pass.
The Pass of Onkmetua is an exhausting ordeal: over an hour of upward climb. But it's far less egrigious than braving any uncharted path.
Finally, with sore legs and weary hearts, they crest the apogee. At last, they can see the white wastes of the Frost Gale beyond. From here, it appears as if the entire land is covered in a soft blanket. A soft, warm blanket... in circumstances such as these, even an angel's embrace seems less welcoming.
"Just a bit further." She looks over her shoulder at the entourage of escortees. "We're nearly to the border of the Frost Gale. Just a bit further, and you can be on your way."
Their faces alight with profound joy. They're going to make it; the Frost Gale might be frigid and inhospitable, but it's leagues preferable to the abysmal fields. They're going to be okay... Then, their faces go pale as they stare past her.
Veliky looks forward, hesitant to know what has gripped their heart.
Stepping from behind a set of boulders are three figures, each equipped to the nine with weapons and armour. Their black plates and mismatched arsenals scream 'mercenary,' while their strides and demeanour whisper 'business.' One of the figures, standing forefront, is a tall, bulky man with a visored helm. He totes a spiked tower shield in each hand, and there are another two strapped to his back. Behind him and to his left is a wiry, but muscular figure carrying a huge crossbow; three bolts are loaded into the flight groove. And at his other side is a strange, energetic creature with the build of a human but the stance of a monkey; he, or perhaps she, carries a double-ended sword that drips some viscous substance.
The shield bearer steps forward and stares silently at the party, before letting in a deep sniff. He speaks in one long exhalation, his voice bearing an Orcish accent.
"Ah, boy, I love the smell o' payday."
Undaunted, Veliky steps forward herself and immediately interrogates the interloper.
"What do you want? We're busy."
"Oh, so are we, darlin'. And I am quite sorry to say that our businesses are... conflictin'." He isn't sorry. "See, from what we've heard, a little miss that looks a lot like you got hired to take some poor souls across the Fields. And you wanna know the funniest thang? We got hired ta kill those same people. Ain't that somethin'? Now, I'll make this real easy for ya: give 'em here." He gestures to his party with a crick of his neck. "In fact, we'll pay ya for 'em. How does 10 solars per head sound?"
Veliky's head turns slowly to one of her clients: the one she originally struck the deal with. His face is frozen in terror, but not the sort that one feels in the face of a wolf or lion; it's the dread that one knows only from the revengeance of past mistakes.
She doesn't turn back as she answers.
"Or, how about I triple whatever you were paid and you get out of our way?"
Laughter reverberates from deep in the man's stomach.
"Heh heh heh, let me rephrase..."
Suddenly, protruding from his back are two additional arms[1]. Each grabs one of the shields from his back and pulls them forward. He now holds four shields in an impenetrable wall of steel.
"Give 'em here, or we're gonna rip ya to shreds. Slow. And. Painful-like."
The wind is slow, sending an ominous whistle through the valley. The swordsman eyes Sarris with a gross smirk and the bowman trains his crossbow on Caedes. Meanwhile, Veliky's eyes tell all that must be told: she isn't giving up this mission, no matter what.
"Caedes? Sarris? Wipe them out."
1. Extra Arms (Double Dipper)
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Post by Sarris on Oct 22, 2022 21:27:57 GMT -5
Sarris held up a finger for them to wait, turned, and whispered, “Um, I do not have any combat magick.” This was the sad truth. She could out shoot the crossbow man. He did more damage than she did, but her arrows were enchanted. Master Ray had taught her that her best approach to a sword or knife fight was not to be in one. She did not have the mass to be good at close combat fighting.
She turned back to the aggressors and made her best taunt, “So do you want the rats to eat you or do you wish to die by fire?”
With that she leaned into her broom and took to the air, trying to draw the crossbow fire. She zigged, zagged, rose abruptly and dropped a making it harder to target her or at least guess where she was going to go. The problem was Sarris did not understand that these men were trained killers and good at what they did.
The sound of three bolts hit Sarris ear just before one of the bolts hit Sarris in the leg. She would have been impressed since she was laying on the broom:to give her more speed and ability to dodge. A little bit of blood trickled from the wound and it made her whole leg throb.
Now she climbed to gain altitude to get out of the range of the crossbow. She would save the wall till later in the fight.
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CCS Courier
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Post by Caedes Oleander on Oct 26, 2022 8:55:32 GMT -5
“ Caedes? Sarris? Wipe them out.” Nice thought. A dramatic start. A few problems, though: one of which being that Caedes, albeit thoroughly trained in combat, and most certainly not defenseless… excels in the type of combat which relies upon one’s ability to go unnoticed. He is not a man of brute strength. Currently, however, he stands just to the side of Veliky, dagger palmed while he stares down the barrel of the crossbow opposite… yes, he’s quite noticeable, and quite under fire at the moment. Not a good start for him. Still, in the few precious moments he has to size up the mercenaries; he can tell they’re trained killers. He doesn’t want anything the monkey-man is offering, with his sword dripping something Caedes can only assume is poison. The orcish-man is an impenetrable fortress; the cross-bowman is arguably the easiest target here, but he’s still surrounded by the two others whom he’s reluctant to tangle with… And right now, he only has a dagger to his name. “ Where are you going, lassie!?” The hyena-like laugh from the swordsman is chilling. “ Come back and pla~aaay!” The crossbowman jolts; he hears the crossbow fire as Sarris takes to the skies; and Caedes takes his opening where he can get it. The orcish man’s eyes snap down the moment a white blur fills his peripherals, and his laugh booms as Caedes rushes towards them with his dagger flipped out in one hand. “ We could have made a deal, darlin’!” he bellows; he steps forwards like a great wall of spikes to defend the crossbowman while he’s firing at Sarris in the skies, “ But if you want to play hard, we can play harder.” He charges; each step louder than the thunder of the lightning fields as he plows forwards with full intent to skewer him if he were to continue pushing forth recklessly. His four arms ensure long range, and maneuverability that he can’t match. Caedes grits his teeth, tightening his hold on his dagger as he sweeps back with the opposite hand and snags the fabric of his cloak. From his feet, the shadows rise— sloughing, rising, and writhing like smoke. (1)The shield bearer smiles menacingly, just before he’s fully consumed by smoke and writhing shadows; in here, Caedes should have had an upper hand within his own element. …But he doesn’t. The changeling changes direction sharply in the darkness, narrowly avoiding impalation on the shield bearer’s spikes; but what he doesn’t expect is for the hulkish man to swing after him once he dodges. As Caedes turns to strike, one of the shieldbearer’s elbows slams into his back with enough force that it sends him tumbling out of the darkness he’d created. “ You think I can’t see in the dark, pretty boy?” the shieldbearer’s voice laughs from the darkness. (2)Caedes rolls back onto his feet with ease, but is quickly redirected to the swordsman. " He~hehehe~!" The monkey-like man was waiting; he laughs gleefully as he bounds towards him, and Caedes has no choice but to dash out of his path. Viscous liquid sloughs from his double-sided sword as he slashes through the air, then nimbly slashes with the other side. Caedes stumbles back, narrowly avoiding the blade— and whatever liquid he’s got on it. The shadows part like smoke as the shield bearer steps from the darkness towards Veliky; the grin behind his visor is smug. Off to the side, the crossbowman is trained on Sarris; and metal clacks against metal as Caedes succumbs to a dangerous one-on-one combat with the strange, viscous monkey-man. “Tell you what, darlin’. I like your moxy... Be good, and I’ll save you for last. So you can watch us tear your little caravan apart, limb from limb, and know you could'a done something to stop it... had you just been cooperative.”
(1) Smouldering Cloak(2) Dark Vision (NPC)
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