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Post by Admin: Soul on Feb 14, 2024 12:55:39 GMT -5
The Fighter's Guild main hall had been quiet recently, with very few of its members still using it as a base of operations. The halls that had once been filled with jovial laughter and tales of old now sat dusty and empty, a ghost of it's former self. The guild had suffered multiple blows over the last year, their struggle with the bandit group known as the clasp had taken it's toll. Athena, the guilds leader, had been missing for most of the year, a hostage of Javian's. Due to her absence, many members of the guild had fractured or left, leaving those still dedicated to pick up the pieces. A few members still used the hall sporadically, checking in or looking for more work. Shaa, a prominent member of the guild had been summoned here by Athena herself, a very important conversation needing to be had.
Shaa would find a letter written for him on the main desk of the Guild Hall, asking him to join her out back in the field of lilacs behind the Martial Academy. The buzz of students, professors and scholars could faintly be heard off in the distance, but it was much quieter and devoid of people closer to the back of the castle, and was exactly the kind of setting Athena needed.
Warm afternoon air blew gently through the newly budded field of Lilacs that had just begun to bloom. A sea of fresh purple stretched endlessly behind the Martial Academy, a prestigious stone building that had served as a beacon of strength and honor for the last few years. Athena found herself enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun as she sat on her knees among the flowers, almost hidden from plain sight, bare feet digging into the cool soil beneath her. Those who had met the maroon skinned Fell blood were used to seeing her in battle attire, gear and weapons that had been hard earned through various endeavors, however they would be met with an entirely new vision of the once renowned fighter.
Athena wore a simple white gown, her long dark hair no longer tied up but instead hanging loosely down her back. A gentle smile sat on her face as she played with a grass hopper who was using her knee as a perch. Despite the smile however, anyone who looked her in the eyes could see the pain that rested just beneath the surface. Her eyes were dark and sullen, the face of someone who had experienced a lot. It was obvious that her time as a captive was starting to have side effects. In front of her, hidden by the knee high flowers, was a small knife wrapped up in a very elegant red cloth. Birds playfully chirped in the distance as she waited for Shaa, and any other unexpected guest who may have been around the guild hall this day.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Feb 14, 2024 18:24:51 GMT -5
Shaa had found himself alone on the long but pleasant journey back to the Fighters Guild Hall. Not that he minded walking at all or even being alone for that matter. As he approached the gate, he looked up and winced at the obviously new brickwork on one of the far walls. It was a painful reminder to him that he had accidentally destroyed the wall by unhinging a ballista and firing it into the hall itself to kill a giant spire viper. Unfortunately, he had spent nearly a year running around doing commissions to pay off the damages to the hall. Today was a banner day that marked off his final payment and hopefully made him a little less impoverished than normal. Maybe he could even find a celebratory muffin somewhere.
As he passes through the gate and down the quiet but storied halls, he eventually makes it to the main desk where an ancient soldier sat snoring among the relics. Keeping a close eye on things aren’t we Guthrie? Shaa says.with a snicker. The old soldier wakes up with a loud snort almost falling out of his chair with surprise. He wore light chainmail with dark leather breeches. He had short, white and whisky hair and a thin goatee and gaunt face. The most striking part about him was the long red scarf that he wore that drug unceremoniously across the floor as he walked. Blast it all you ogre faced baffoon! Guthrie says with a certain bluster that only very experienced fighters can manage. I knew you were there before you even knew you were there and don’t you forget it. Yeah yeah, I’ll watch my step. He says with a slight grin. Guthrie had been at the guild as long as he could remember and, despite his advanced years, hadn’t changed all that much. So much so that some people in the guild started a rumor that he had made a deal with a demon to live forever but as a crotchety bastard. Shaa didn’t believe it of course but it was still funny to think about.
Shaa tosses a bag of coins on the desk along with a green scroll indicating a completed commission. Gurthrie looks up at him with a raised and shaggy eyebrow. This what I think it is? Sure is. As of today, I have officially paid off the wall. Looks nice, saw it coming in. Guthrie leans back in his chair with a loud creak. Hardest part wasn’t the wall. Hardest part was cleaning up that stupid snake the infernal mages guild summoned in here. Do you know we were eating snake stew, snake jerky, snake etc etc for near two months? Two months! Hey it wasn’t like I summoned the thing. I stopped it from wrecking all of the hall, you’re welcome. So you say. Yes I do. Whatever. Before I forget, Athena left this for you. Guthrie hands him a small envelope. He takes the envelope and shakes it a bit to confirm there were no other contents inside. Athena was always testing him so he wouldn’t be surprised if the envelope was explosive or contained something unexpected. Once he was satisfied it was fine, he rips off the side and pulling out the note. For some reason, despite being short, it still came off as somber. When did she drop this off? He asked. About an hour ago. Shaa nods to Guthrie and makes his way back out the gate and towards a quiet field behind the martial academy.
It doesn’t take him long to find his recently reclaimed leader perched among the flowers. He doesn’t say anything at first, just taking in the surreal scene in front of him. She was here but not here. It was like watching a strange shadow of his friend and guild leader haunting the patch of Lilacs in front of her. He found himself not wanting to breathe for fear of causing the Spector of his leader to disappear once again into the calm field. Had she really even come back at all? Shaa makes a loud and obvious cough to finally break up the scene. Excuse me mam. Is that patch of grass taken?
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Feb 15, 2024 20:07:49 GMT -5
Thinking about bringing all of this Fighter's Guild stuff to an end had Gerhart over the moon. He had seen just how much this meant to Shaa over the year or so he'd known the minotaur. He also had learned just how much she actually meant to the Guild itself. Gerhart barely interacted with any of the official parts of guild business, he just liked getting to do things to help people. Didn't matter what guild it was with.
So, hearing Athena was back and ready to talk got the young ranger going when he received the letter. He whistled for Halcyon and sprinted up to the roof of the Gerhouse to make a line for the Guild. Somewhere along the way he picked up Ak'ka, but that's her story to tell.
He held off on pulling off any tricks while riding with Ak'ka, but he had the kestrel going as fast as he could. A boyish grin was stamped across his face the entire time and it somehow managed to grow the closer they got.
"HEY! COMIN' IN HOT! HOLD ON TO ANYTHING YOU DON'T WANT FLYING OFF." He grinned and waived down to the pair on the ground, subtelty was not a word Gerhart understood.
Halcyon makes his way down to the ground much slower than normal, rustling the feathers with his wings as he slowed down to land. Gerhart happily gave him some scritches as Ak'ka would unhook from the saddle before hopping off himself.
"How's it goin?"
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Post by Ak'ka the Bonegrinder on Feb 16, 2024 8:55:21 GMT -5
She didn’t expect Capitol Landing to be this… cold.
Ak’ka hardly ever spent time in Sol City, which was mostly by design. She couldn’t stand the city - the golden houses and the cushy lives and the elves who thought because they kept their noses pointed in the air they lived in a world above everyone else. Money was good, but Ak’ka wasn’t so desperate for coin that she was keen to sell her soul to the nearest asshole with a big wallet and an even bigger ego. Not every merc could afford to have standards, but Ak’ka wasn’t in it for the money.
That said. The world was changing, and the Bonegrinder found herself in Sol City than she’d like to admit.
There was the kidnapping and escape from the Citadel, and now - now there was the Fighter’s Guild.
Another change Ak’ka hadn’t expected.
The idea of workin’ in a group, months ago, mighta made her recoil in disgust. Guilds were just another way to keep the strong under their thumbs, control the people they helped and police the ones they didn’t. Funny, how when ya let yerself take orders from a higher power, you only ended up savin’ the folks that the people payin’ you decided were important. It was the duty of the strong to protect the weak. And as one of the strongest, Ak’ka wasn’t keen on lettin’ anyone stop her from keepin’ that vow.
… But it wasn’t just about her anymore.
Clan Mortak was dead and gone, but somewhere along the line, without knowing it for herself, Ak’ka’d formed a tribe of her own. Ein, the Snowball, Keiga… and even more that she was learnin’ to consider close friends. If the world was getting bigger, Ak’ka needed to learn to, as well. No amount of Orc pride would keep her from swallowing it and admitting there were people she could learn from, opportunities she could take advantage of in the Guild. She was strong now. But she would make herself unbreakable. The death of her tribe had reforged her as she was reborn from the ice and howling winds, and now…
Well. Weren’t much time to give consideration to that, given she was on the back of a giant bird hurtling through the air like a comet straight towards the flower fields below.
Guild business, that’s what Gerhart said when she ran into him. Official stuff. Ak’ka knew about the guild’s leader and her rescue from those bandits - she’d not been invited to any party, but Ak’ka wasn’t afraid of crashin’ it. Guild business was her business now, after all.
She tagged along with him for the last leg of the journey, struck with the stinging winds and bitter chill and reminded of home. The hulking woman wrapped her pelt tighter around her shoulders while Gerhart spotted who they were here for, shouted a single warning, and took a sharp nosedive, probably a bit slower than they normally would. Probably for her benefit. She ain’t ever exactly… flown before, but gods damn if it wasn’t a thrilling experience. She pulled herself off and announced her presence with a THUD where her boots hit dirt and grass.
“Thanks, Halce. Thanks, Ger.” She patted both bird and rider on the back with considerable force, turning to the others who’d already made themselves comfy here. Shaa, who she offered a nod and a nonchalant grin, and the other, a woman Ak’ka didn’t recognize.
She looked like the kinda lady you saw in a painting. Not just ‘cus she was beautiful - and she was - but because the gaunt in her eyes made her look like she’d just buried a friend, and you couldn’t help but wonder who she was mourning.
Ak’ka forced herself to stop gaping and shoved her hands in her pockets while approachin’ the pair. Weren’t much point in being polite and demure.
“Place feels too damn pretty to bring such grim faces here.” She said - observation and unspoken question at the same time. The merc hadn’t been in the business as long as she had without learning to read when something big was about to go down. “Afternoon, guys. Didn’t mean to crash yer fun. Well, I did. But, I figure… if ya gotta deal with somethin’ heavy, may as well have someone else strong enough to bear it. Unless this is just a pleasant fuckoff romp through the flowers, and I’ve missed the mark. In that case, continue on with yer frolickin’.”
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Post by Admin: Soul on Mar 25, 2024 14:37:55 GMT -5
For the first time in years, her guard was no longer up, no longer needing to look over her shoulder. She did not notice Shaa approach, which was odd given his size and jovial nature, but her attention was elsewhere, which her friend noticed as he approached, gently offering to take a seat next to her in the flowers. A soft smile spread over her face as their eyes met, her hand tapping the soft soil next to her.
"Shaa, I'm glad you got my letter. Have a seat, it's such a beautiful spring day."
She scooted over a tad to make room as the sounds of others approaching began to fill the air. From above soared Gerhart and Ak'ka, two more members of the guild who happened to be around the guild hall this day. There was no subtly to their arrival however, almost crash landing into the field behind them. Gerhart was as cheerful as always, with the brooding Ak'ka behind him. Athena shifted to her side and greeted the two with just as warm a smile as Shaa.
"Welcome friends, what a lovely surprise! Care to join me and Shaa for a bit?
She tapped the ground in front of her, beckoning the duo to join them as she turned her attention back to the Minotaur.
"I wanted to thank you again for rescuing me, as well as you Gerhart. My recovery is going to be a long one however, I have a lot of things that I need to focus on. Which Is why I asked for you specifically Shaa. During my absence, you kept the guild together and even championed my return. My time in the sun has come to it's end, but the guild must continue."
She paused again, turning away from the trio and staring off into the blue sky. It only took her seconds to snap back but it would be obvious that she was not entirely there anymore.
"The guild has endured it's struggles throughout the years, but it has always been a bastion of strength and hope for Charon. It must continue to be that no matter who sits at the head of the table."
Athena lifted the object still wrapped in the red silk cloth, slowly unwrapping it with patience and caution. A silver dagger as old as the guild unraveled itself, glinting in the sunlight to reveal a description.
"By Blood I Guard Charon"
"This is an Ancient relic of the Fighter's Guild, a knife that belonged to the very first guild master, the woman who created the guild, started this academy and planted these flowers. She was a brave and powerful person who saw the need for the guild, a group who would dedicate itself to the protection and defense of Charon. This knife has passed from guild leader to guild leader, each of us marking it with our blood, a symbol of our unity and our dedication to the guild."
She held the dagger in the palms of her open hands, extending them outwards and towards Shaa.
"It is time for a new leader to take the oath Shaa."
She nodded, not even having to say another word. She knew deep within his heart, that Shaa had already made up his mind.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Mar 25, 2024 18:39:54 GMT -5
Shaa sat silently as his friend and mentor held the dagger out in front of him. He was familiar with it of course. It was usually held in a place of high honor in the reliquary deep in bowls of the hall itself. Behind thick glass and even thicker magical wards and seals. The rumor was that anyone who dared touch it without permission would find themselves consumed by flesh eating lice or some other horrific thing. Needless to say people kept their distance just in case.
Shaa looked at the blade and had a completely different set of worries. It was the same set of worries that he had for the last year in fact. Despite all of his efforts to find Athena, he always thought about what would happen if they never found her. Or even worse, if they were able to confirm that she had been killed. The more politically minded in the guild and by extension, the Martial Academy had started picking over the bones of her proverbial corpse months ago.
It was around two months after her disappearance that the rumors started circulating . Word had come in that she was missing, that she had betrayed the guild, that she had been eaten by a giant and other such nonsense. Rumors were an almost constant thing around the guild anyway so Shaa didn’t really pay too much attention to them. He knew Athena about as well as anyone and she was no traitor and there wasn’t a beast alive that could take her out. She was probably on a well deserved vacation, so he thought, and would be hopping back in barking orders and busting chops like always. Any day, she would be back. And then, she just wasn’t.
Sensing the power vacuum, various senior guild members started volunteering to take over. A master disappearing had no precedent so people started making rules up on the spot with no one really there to stop them. Personally Shaa had no real desire to be in charge until certain factions started gaining momentum. Factions, that he knew full well, were not thrilled that “Non Humanoid” beings had found a place in the guild. It didn’t take long for Shaa to see that if he didn’t step in and do something quick, Athena wouldn’t be the only one to disappear.
So, to keep things going, he offered himself up as the temporary guild leader. Not someone with any real political power but someone to keep the lights on until Athena was back. Because there was still no proof she was dead , it was agreed that Shaa would take on the work of the guild master without the actual power of the title. The politicians were happy that money would keep coming in and the guild itself would not appear weak and leaderless. It was a temporary fix to a looming problem. Shaa the wanderer had become, at least for a little bit, Shaa the paper pusher. It was just one more reason for him to find her. But the question remained, what if he didn’t? There was only one answer. He would have to take over. If not for him, but all of his friends and guild mates who would suffer under what was coming. No, that wasn’t it entirely. He would do it, because that’s what she would want. For him to take care of everyone. It was what she was asking him now.
Shaa took the dagger firmly in his hand, gripped with a sense of solemnly and bloody determination. He would protect his family. And anyone who tried to hurt them would have to go through him first. Shaa considered his “donation’ to the knife for a second and realized this old blade might not do the job. There was even a chance that he might accidentally break the ancient blade against his hardened frame. That would be just his luck. Taking a solum moment and turning it into a circus. Ak’Ka and Gerhart would probably think it was hilarious and somewhat appropriate but, for once, Shaa wanted to respect the tradition.
The big Minotaur takes a deep breath and jams his thick thumb into his mouth against one of his teeth. He pushes hard against the tooth until it breaks loose, filling his mouth with the metallic taste of his own blood. With a bit of a wiggle, he removes the tooth and draws it blood borne and jagged with a scraping sound across the old blade. He stares at Athena and speaks the words that are embroidered in a tapestry behind her desk.
Blood of my blood, I will continue the line. I swear to be the hand on the blade. The shield in the frey. I am the fortress in the storm. No God nor man shall tear us asunder but fear our coming. Shaa holds the freshly minted blade in the air. By Blood, I guard Charon.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Mar 25, 2024 22:50:10 GMT -5
Gerhart was obviously stoked for his friend to be receiving such an honor. In his short time with the Guild, Shaa became an immediate friend and mentor even if he didn't know about the second part. The progress the minotaur had made with the guild was hard to deny too. Temporary leader or not, people rallied behind him and the guild kept it together.
He gives Hal a pat on the wing and a motion with his head. The kestrel takes off to soar over the waters before the exchange of daggers. Gerhart hung back for the moment, not quite knowing what to do. He was still getting used to being the type of person that was invited to these types of things. He was glad he was here to share this with Shaa, but he wasn't exactly sure what he was doing here.
The young ranger nervously rubs the back of his head with a sheepish smile at the whole ceremony. It really was like some of the stories he was told as a kid. The gallant knight was swearing an oath to the beautiful maiden, swearing to protect her and the realm.
For a moment his gaze drifts up to the skies that Halcyon has taken to again. What would his legacy be? Not something an orphan kid from the streets put too much thought to, but now? Now he had a life, friends, people who would remember him. Would people trust him like they trusted Shaa?
He shakes his head from those selfish thoughts. This isn't about him right now. He waits a few beats after the oath to give Shaa a moment to soak it all in.
"So is it like...my liege now? His Royal Highness Shaa Rhuun?" Gerhart smiles across the field to his friend.
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Post by Ak'ka the Bonegrinder on Mar 26, 2024 19:40:02 GMT -5
It took a second for Ak’ka to realize exactly who she was talkin’ to.
Her membership was still in its infancy - she didn’t have the breadth of history that existed between Shaa and the woman whose name Ak’ka still did not know. Hell, not even the bond that existed between her and Gerhart. In this second, Ak’ka was an outsider looking in. She had some idea that Shaa had been the force holding together the guild with his own two fucking hands. She’d heard about the guild’s leader, rescued from a traumatic kidnapping.
But as the serene woman calmly invited Ak’ka and Gerhart to sit with an air of quiet authority, Ak’ka was under no illusion she wasn’t talking to someone far more powerful than she looked on the surface.
And Ak’ka knew a warrior when she saw one.
So she sat.
The orc crossed her legs, falling silent out of respect for the solemnity of the moment. She wasn’t sure exactly why this meeting had been called, and it was not her moment to ruin. And as the woman spoke, it became all too clear what she and Gerhart were here to witness.
Ak’ka breathed out a sigh of cold air as Athena handed the blade over to Shaa. She only caught a glimpse of the words inscribed on the side.
By blood, I guard Charon.
It rang with the haunting melody of her own vow; one made in the privacy of a funeral of one, a man long since buried by the northern snows, forgotten by all but the Mountain. It is the duty of the strong to protect the weak.
For a second she allowed herself what it would have been like if her old man hadn’t been robbed of the chance to pass the torch down to her.
Death robbed the world of good folks. But not their ideas. Not the legacies they left behind. Even decades later Ak’ka still grieved the death of her father; but his ideas, the courage he’d imparted in her was a fire that would never die. And Athena was truly lucky, in this moment, that she could survive to see the fires safely passed to another hearth. And as Shaa yanked his tooth out, swore an oath sealed with blood, Ak’ka remembered a time where she’d been weak enough to need help, and Shaa had taken up his duty to protect her without complaint.
And she knew that there were no better hands to hold Charon aloft.
The moment was silent with solemnity.
Ak’ka leaned over and clapped Shaa on the shoulder, tusks bared in a grin. She was happy for him - truly happy. She hadn’t known the big guy for long, but she liked to think herself a pretty damn good judge of character. Either she liked someone, or they ended up brawling. And she liked Shaa. From her knowledge of politics, forged in blood and war as it was, there was one thing she’d learned for certain - the world didn’t belong in the hands of knights with an agenda and the idea that conquest was something to make light of. Shaa was no knight. He knew the cost of battle.
“Happy for you, man.” She said after a moment of thought. She wasn’t good with words; she was a woman of actions. Still. Felt pretty important to try. “I know you’ll carry it well.”
She turned to Athena then. The woman she still did not know. The woman who should have been dead were it not for her own will to survive; an internal struggle that had extinguished her fight.
There was only one question left to ask.
“What are you gonna do now?”
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Post by Admin: Soul on Apr 11, 2024 14:50:38 GMT -5
Athena watched with a warm glow of anticipation as her friend took the blade, recited the guilds oath, and proceeded to add his own blood to a very long, prestigious list of previous guild leaders. The Minotaur's wet blood hung to a layer of dry blood, Athena's being the most recent. A cool breeze blew through the field of flowers, a silence following as the four sat there alone, taking in the moment. Athena closed her eyes and took it all in, joy spreading across her face at the realization that her story was now over. She allowed her self to bask in the moment as Gerhart and Ak'ka congratulated their friend.
"You are going to make a great Leader Shaa, I have no fear in that.
She turned to the other two in attendance.
"I could not be happier with the allies Shaa has surrounded himself with. Charon needs the guild, and the guild needs Shaa, but he can not do it alone. Gerhart, Ak'ka, look after him. "
The smile never faded, and this time it was genuine.
"As for me, I think it's time to use those vacation days, heard the Crescent Isles were pretty this time of year. Shaa, there is a lot left to do, and while I don't wish to burden you on your first day as new leader, there is something I must tell you. My absence has left a void, there are others who wish to take advantage of this moment and I worry that an old comrade of mine might resurface."
She paused, the smile fading away as her solemn, empty gaze returned.
"He will try to take the guild from you."
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Apr 11, 2024 15:28:39 GMT -5
Shaa lowers the knife and gets a perturbed look on his face. An old comrade? Like who? Where was the old comrade when giants were knocking on our front door? Where were they when the friggen mages guild invaded our basement and sent a giant spire viper up our noses hmm? Where were they? Not in the guild I can tell you that much. I had to go to political parties. Me! I’m the guy they usually hire bouncers to keep out of those things.
Didn’t even want the job and now that I have it, people gonna act like I stole the last muffin or something. Troll licked goblin sniffers gonna tell me what’s what. Shaa could feel himself getting riled up at the idea that he could put so much work into keeping the guild together and some butt scratcher was going to come in and try to undermine him. Not today buddy, no way. Shaa looks over to his two friends and takes a beat to calm down.
Erghhmmm sorry about that. It’s been a really emotional day and there is nothing really around to punch or kick over or whatever. But regardless, I’m glad you two are here. I trust you both for reasons you both know. I will need all the help I can get for this next part. If we are lucky, this will be resolved quickly. We just need to get the right people on board. Might have to kick out some others.
The next part. They were the fighters guild after all. Full of tradition and things that would need to happen before he was fully accepted. But who could Athena be talking about. He had been in the guild for awhile but due to its transient nature, even he had not met every member. Some members that were even thought dead managed to roll themselves back into the hall years later. Turning back to Athena, he asks flatly. Ok, so who’s coming for me?
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Apr 15, 2024 10:21:54 GMT -5
"I think the better question to ask is who isn't coming for you." Gerhart gives a little laugh, his instinct to make a joke first nearly impossible to contain.
There was a pretty wide list of people who could be after the fighter's guild though, regardless of who the leader was. He wasn't exactly tuned in to the history of the guild, but it wasn't hard to see why a group dedicated to training adventurers and others to be better fighters would find itself a target.
Kill the guild and you stunt a lot of threats before they can even happen. So, who would benefit the most from that? There was the attack on the guild when he first joined, but Gerhart couldn't see the Mage's Guild going so far as to actually try to eliminate the guild outright. Would some goon want to avenge Javian? Anyone who saw what Shaa left behind probably would have second thoughts, but it wasn't impossible.
"Seriously though...any threat the guild faces is something we all face, you aren't going into this alone Shaa...besides even if you told me not to, I learned a bit about stubbornness from you." He grins and puts his hands on hips, "Besides Halcyon is pretty fast so I don't think you'll be able to outrun us."
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Post by Ak'ka the Bonegrinder on Apr 16, 2024 8:35:03 GMT -5
“An old comrade.” Ak’ka repeated, brows raised as she crossed her arms. “Where the hell’s he been all this time?” Unlike Shaa, she wasn’t thinkin’ about why this mysterious bastard hadn’t been helping keep the guild together in Athena’s absence. She was wondering why the hell he hadn’t tried to mount an attack while the guild was vulnerable. Ak’ka was a new member - fresh meat. But even she knew that Athena had been gone for almost a year at this point… maybe even longer. All that time; time in which the guild would’a been scrambling for a pillar to keep them together.
Why not then?
Why now?
This was why Ak’ka hated politics. All these complicated motivations and sick games. Maybe he was waiting for Athena’s return, just so he could have the pleasure of watching her despair when he burned the legacy she built to the ground. Sometimes it wasn’t about just securin’ the victory. You had to send a message. But then, the threat didn’t matter if you struck while the iron was hot. The more time he waited the more time he gave for Shaa to build up his defenses.
… She was walkin’ herself in circles now.
Even through her troubled thoughts Ak’ka heard Shaa’s musings. We might have to kick out some others.
“You think he’s got folks on the inside?” Again. This was why she hated politics. Whatever happened to just killing each other upfront like true warriors?
She guessed it didn’t really matter one way or the other. Ak’ka would just take care of any threat like she always did.
Sparin’ a glance for Athena, Ak’ka nodded.
“Yeah. Like I told you, Shaa, I owe ya a life debt. If I can repay it by staying by your side and protectin’ you from old ghosts, I will.” She owed him that much after he dragged her half-conscious, rotting ass outta the prison they’d both been thrown in. That had been a soberingly weak moment for her… the beast that caught her unaware down there nearly dragged her ass down to hell with him. But she had a better grip of the Beast now. And with it came a taste for blood.
Ak’ka flashed Shaa her tusks - a gesture that probably looked like a grin.
“You can count on us to have your back.”
She threw an arm around Gerhart’s shoulder. She’d fought by his side, too, and she knew the little guy was pretty damn good with those swords. Wasn’t exactly an army, but if you didn’t have trust in yer men then you really had nothing. They weren’t part of Charon’s ranks of elite fighters for nothing.
… Still. She couldn’t shake the feeling that the threat Athena was talkin’ about was expecting this.
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