More Than expected: (Closed Thread)

[The_gladiator]

More than Expected.

The weather matched the mood of the watcher. Dark scudding clouds filled the evening sky. Lightning arced across from cloud to cloud and sky to earth on occasion. The flashes turned night into day in instant split seconds. It was a foul night to be out. Some might say that those out this night were probably up to no good.

Those sentiments were certainly true for the ones he watched. Though when dealing with people like them, there was little good to ever come of it. It struck Brandon how he had come full circle in a way. He found himself back in Irzham major, where he had set forth from when he had first accepted this position, when he left this nest of vipers. This was a city he certainly did not relish returning to. However, the trail had gone cold, all of his leads died and he had to go back to the source to find them again.

So it was that The blackhearted, or thusly named, half-elf assassin sat in the darkest corner of one of their establishments. The despurden guild, once his guild, in fact. Now, he was independent again, or was he? Either way, he and the despurdens had parted on less than amicable terms so there was a part of Brandon that still felt emotion and may have even been apprehensive about being in this place, of possibly being recognized here. If he had doubts, they were rapidly swept away by his iron will and self-control, though. He was in this establishment for one reason, for information.

His eyes watched the redhaired beauty seated at one of the tables in this high-class establishment. She looked comfortable in this setting. She always had been better able to tolerate the pomp and circumstance of the life of luxury. This wasn’t Brandon’s world. That’s why he sat in a corner booth, hoping that he did not draw much attention for he hated to play the game.

Shyra Lath on the other hand played the game well, she smiled and simpered and greeted everyone who stopped to bid her a good evening. However, Brandon knew Shyra well, and she was not here for just a social night out. Though he was unsure what her business was, he knew this was no mere night out on the town. Not in this weather. There was no way, especially after the months he had tracked her through the forest that the bitch would be out in this weather without a good reason.

It soon became obvious that Shyra was not there to meet anyone herself, but rather to keep an eye on a lieutenant that Brandon strangely did not know well. It became obvious that this new individual, a balding fellow with a sly grin, must be a replacement for some of the lieutenants who had lost their lives to the assassin’s dagger over the past few months, throughout his journey to put an end to his former allies’ schemes.

As much as he hated her, eventually Brandon’s eyes left Shyra and settled on this new player, and a meeting between he and a young woman which seemed to be beginning. Almond eyes missed almost nothing as he took in the newcomer, a young woman by the looks of her meeting with the despurden lieutenant—an elf, no less. This surprised Brandon. Outside himself and a few other half-elven specimens, there were few of the fae to be found outside of Kierielle, the elvish homeland. Curious, very curious indeed. He would watch and continue to learn more. How did this fit into the puzzle, how did this woman fit with the guild? Was she a member he was unaware of? Was she perhaps their next victim?

Not for the first time Brandon wondered why he was here. He could have turned down the job, couldn’t he have? He had never yet failed to complete a mission. That being said he had rescued the priestess when this all had started, hadn’t he? Shyra had made it personal, and Brandon never forgot a debt. Assassin or not, the half elf had a code of honor he lived by, twisted as it seemed to some.

Knowing he needed to get closer to hear what was transpiring, Brandon rose from his table on the pretext of going to get a drink, and passed by the table where the meeting was taking place. His elven ears were hidden under the wig he wore, which hid his naturally black hair with a mop of blondish curls. Disguises were sometimes a necessary evil. His coloring would be recognized though. When one had killed so many people in a certain area and was one of very few elven descent around, one tended to be remembered. Hopefully he could get to the bottom of this development and get back out among the trees where he felt more at home. Brandon was quite certain that he was going soft. The old Brandon would have walked up to Shyra right there and stabbed her through the heart. Was he less bold now, or just smarter—since clearly that wouldn’t work in this nest of despurden allies? No, he had to continue to wait, continue to watch.


(author's note:
Though this story is closed, we welcome all readers and feedback via pm is likewise always welcome. We hope you enjoy our tale)

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Celaena had found herself a little surprised when she’d first arrived at the establishment where she had arranged to meet with the recruiter for the Despurden guild. Appearances wise at least, the high-end establishment was not at all the seedy den of thieves that she had been expecting. In fact, in many ways all of the finery and socializing reminded her of the elite gatherings that her family was so fond of taking part in back in Kierielle. She couldn’t help but frown slightly at the thought.

Her father had always been fond of the games and gambling that often took place at such gatherings until recently when his luck had finally run out on him and he’d lost a wager with one of his main business partners. Unfortunately for Caleana the item that had been offered up for the wager had not been money or jewels as was usually the case, but HER own hand in marriage! Her father had not seen it as a great loss. The business partner was very wealthy after all and came from one of the oldest and most respected Elven families in Kierielle, never mind that he was twice his daughter’s age and that she could barely stand the man.

Celaena on the other hand was outraged that her father had even agreed to such a wager in the first place. However, when she’d voiced her displeasure at the match to her father and told him that she would not go through with it he’d insisted, threatening to cut her off and leave her destitute unless she relented. Which lead to what most would likely consider a hasty decision on her part.

Much to her parents’ dismay Celaena had always been very strong willed, never afraid to speak her mind and valuing her independence above all things. While other young ladies of her status were learning to paint or practicing embroidery Celaena preferred to be out riding her horse or practicing her combat skills with her tutor, a hobby her parents had begrudgingly agreed to for self-defense purposes. She refused to let herself become shackled to a man that she did not love, who would only bore her at best or who would become her dictator at worst. She’d rather take her chances out on her own… and so, that night while the rest of the household slept, she gathered her jewelry and what coin she could find… and she made her escape.

Things had gone well at first. She’d used the coin she’d brought with her to buy some new clothes and supplies and then, worried that her family might try to find her and force her to return home, she fled Kierielle and made her way to the human kingdom with plans to sell the jewelry once she arrived for more coin.
Unfortunately, things did not go as smoothly as she had hoped. She’d been able to sell some of the smaller items easier enough, but the more expensive pieces were another matter. In the end she’d had to sell them for less than half of what they were truly worth. She needed a way to make money, preferably a lot of it.

Luckily it was then that someone tipped her off that the Despurdens were looking for new recruits. Apparently due to all of the jewelry selling she’d been doing people had begun to suspect that she was a jewels thief, and a rather skillful one at that. She didn’t correct them. After all, she kind of had stolen the jewelry when she’d left and she had to admit the idea of joining the guild was appealing. It would provide some much-desired adventure, and the money she would make would help maintain the luxurious lifestyle she was accustomed to.

As someone approached her, her mind was quickly brought back to the task at hand.

“You are here for the interview.”

It wasn’t really a question, but she nodded anyways and was led over to the man that was apparently the recruiter who was already waiting for her at one of the tables. She wasn’t surprised at him having recognized her even though they had never met. No doubt the person she’d spoken with to arrange the meeting had informed him she was an elf, and she had already noted that her kind were extremely rare in these parts.

The conversation was surprisingly civil and to the point, the man asking her about her experience and why she thought she would benefit the guild as a member, though she could not help but notice the sly look to his smile as his eyes gave her form a sweeping look. She suppressed a frown and forced a pleasant smile onto her face as she told him of her ‘experience’. Deciding to stretch the truth a bit, she explained that she was a little new to thievery, but that she’d had great success thus far, passing a satchel containing one last necklace that she’d yet to sell over to him as an example of her skill. A silver pendant containing a large sapphire the same deep blue shade as her eyes.

“Very impressive,” she agreed with another sly grin as he peered into the satchel before passing it back to her, “The guild is not usually accepting of novices, but you do seem very…promising.”

He studied her again.

“How about a trial run? We’ve got a job planned for tomorrow night that I think you would be perfect for. You do a good job and prove your worth and we’ll see about making you member.”

Celaena agreed. The two shook on the arrangement, discussed the time and place that she was to meet the other guild members that would be working the job and prepare the following day, and then parted ways. Him going to join one of the games being held, and her heading towards the door to retrieve her cloak and head back out into the rain.

 

[The_gladiator]

Brandon watched her leave. Gray eyes taking it all in, from the exchange to the handshake. Some sort of deal had been made. He slipped out the door as she was putting on her cloak, wondering if he should waylay her or stick around to see if the lieutenant went to report to Shyra. He decided no, that he would seek out this new woman. Shyra was going nowhere, he knew where to find her. He couldn’t let this elf slip through his fingers, but who to go to her as? Surely not himself? Did he dare?

He took to the shadows and fell in behind her as she stepped out of the building. “Turn right at the Ally,” he said to her in a low voice, almost in her ear, one hand on her shoulder to steer her, the other holding his dagger to her spine, prodding at her shirt just enough to let her know the knife was there. “Make noise and you won’t live long enough to scream a second time.”

He kept a firm grip on her steering her towards the opening to their right. He wondered what she would do, would she react, or would she keep the public charade that nothing amiss was taking place? Her response would tell him much about her, what type of person was she, her level of experience, even.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Celaena had inwardly groaned and had to keep herself from rolling her eyes in annoyance when she'd heard the low voice in her ear and felt the prick of a knife at her back. With all the jewels that she'd been selling, it wasn't the first time since she'd entered the human kingdom that someone had tried to rob her. No doubt this fool had noticed when she'd shown her necklace to the guild recruiter inside and thought she looked like an easy target. He'd learn quick enough just like the others how wrong he was, but that didn't mean that she couldn't use his assumptions to her advantage.

"Please...don't hurt me," she pleaded softly as he steered her towards the alley, her voice trembling and only loud enough for him to hear so as not to cause a scene.

As a potential new member of the Despurden guild she didn't want to draw too much attention to herself, so she played along at first, but she also didn't want to get backed into a corner in the alley. Once they had made the turn and were out of the sight of others she paused in her steps, and turned her head to look up at him over her shoulder as he gripped it, her eyes wide with feigned fear.

"Take what you want and let me go...please...," she begged as her hands went to cover his hand on her shoulder in what appeared to be another pleading gesture.

Instead however, she gripped his hand tightly and quickly pushed it straight to the side and away from her shoulder in a classic self-defense move to break his grip on her, at the same moment quickly spinning away to escape the knife at her back. Once she was out of arm's reach, she turned to face her would be attacker as she reached up and retrieved her own two daggers from a harness that kept them concealed under her vest.

"On second thought, maybe you should just go now...before it's you that gets hurt," she told him with a smirk, all the trembling and pleading completely gone from her tone as she gave the daggers a little twirl.

 

[The_gladiator]

Brandon had to admire her spunk and even her quick reflexes. He told himself that he could have countered any of her moves at any time. However, by the time she faced him she was met with his two empty hands, his own dagger disappeared somewhere. His palms were to her in a sort of push away gesture. He was not there to fight her.

Taking a deep breath Brandon tugged his Whig off. Revealing his close clipped black hair. Gray eyes met hers like two chips of dirty ice. Or a storm swept sky. Moreover, the move revealed the very obvious half-elven ears that the hair of the Whig had concealed. “You will not die by my hand this day,” he said after allowing her a long look, wondering if she would recognize him, had she been here long enough to hear of the half-elven assassin, or had he been away too long. He was not here for her life he was here for information, and perhaps to warn her. The slavers favored those of the fae they could get their hands on, the elvish princess he had last rescued proof of that. He waited for her reaction, almost as if he was judging her based on what she did next. He had little doubt he could foil any attack pattern she might launch; he was curious though would she parley with him now that his identity as at least a half-elf and possibly as Brandon the Black hearted was now revealed.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Celaena's eyes narrowed on the man's suddenly empty palms as he held them out to her, then widened slightly with surprise and then recognition as he removed the wig he'd been wearing and she took in his features...especially his half-elven hears. She might still be relatively new to this area, but she had been here long enough to know that elves and half-elves were extremely rare in these parts; and there was one half-elf in particular that, though he had apparently been gone for quite some time, people still told tales of. A half-elf with dark hair and an icy stare. An assassin so skilled and deadly that he had apparently never failed a mission he'd been hired to complete. The one people called "Blackhearted".

Her hold on her daggers tightened and her shoulders tensed, but she did not attack.

"Then what do you want with me assassin?" she asked firmly, letting him know that she knew who he was.

Had her family hired him to retrieve her? Had she somehow already made an enemy within the human kingdom that she was not aware of? She eyed him skeptically as she awaited her answer.

 

[The_gladiator]

The half-elf who had adopted the Brandon identity when he’d come to the human lands had other names he was known by, and perhaps even names he kept hidden. However, the way she addressed him let the half-elf know which identity she knew him as. She knew him not from his time long ago in Kierielle, but probably from rumors and whispers heard here in Irzham Major.

Slowly the half-elf lowered his hands to casually fold them behind his back. Furthering the illusion that he was not on guard, not fully prepared for any move she might make. “Beware the Despurdens,” He spoke after a long pregnant pause as he took her in. “They might prize your beauty more than your thieving abilities.” He was unsure how much to tell her, so playing his cards close to his chest said no more. He thought if he could keep her from being captured, he would not have to rescue yet another woman from their clutches. Finally, he offered another thought, “Things are often more than what they seem.” And with that he let himself drift slowly back towards the opening to the street.

He continued to watch her, would she stop him, did she have questions, would she dare ask them. Would she dismiss his warnings? Had he said enough?

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

“They might prize your beauty more than your thieving abilities.”

Celaena was quiet as she listened to 'Brandon the Blackhearted's' words, taking him in carefully as he spoke. So he had simply come to warn her of the Despurdens then? She found that doubtful. Besides, she already knew to be on their guard with them, she was no fool. Though she didn't understand why a guild of thieves would care anything for her looks.

Knowing that there must be more that he was not saying she waited, but only received another cryptic comment before he began to slowly move back towards the street as he watched her. Frustrated by his secrecy, she stepped forward and closed the distance between then, reaching out and grasping his forearm to stop him before he could get too close to the road.

"Speak plainly," she commanded him, her high born roots showing a bit at the authority in her tone despite her knowledge of his reputation. She was definitely a person used to getting her way from others.

"What are the Despurdens keeping from me, and why do you care?"

 

[The_gladiator]

“Maybe I don’t care what happens to you,” he said coldly as he deftly twisted his arm from her grip. Clearly at least partially not true because he was there talking to her. “Perhaps I’m just tired of cleaning up after their messes.” He added. His expression was Stoney again. Any hint of something behind his eyes was gone. “bare in mind that it doesn’t matter what you once were, even the high born aren’t safe from being shackled and made to serve. “He growled in a low tone, knowing that he couldn’t tip her off too much. He wanted to rescue her, but if she really was their next target, he needed to use her to draw them out, so he wanted her to walk away, but if he leveled with her, she was most likely not to even believe him so the secrecy and vailed warnings. Not to mention Brandon didn’t do anything for free, did he?

“Watch your back,” he finally added preparing to step away again. “I am not your enemy, for now… take care that you do not make of me one.” He added, just encase she got hostile because of his cryptic responses. “Oh, and if you draw on me again, I will make sure that you eat those blades for your next meal.” He concluded.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Celaena's eyebrows raised slightly with surprise at Brandon's threat. He still had not told her as plainly as she would have liked just what exactly he suspected the Despurdens of having up their sleeve for her, but at least it was a bit more than he had given her before. 'Shackled and made to serve'? Sounded like he suspected them of trying to enslave her. Fat chance they would have of that. She'd make sure that if they tried to double cross her they would regret it.

She wanted more details to be sure of her assumption, but also given his own reputation she knew better than to press her luck with him. As he'd warned, she definitely did not want to make an enemy of him.

"Thanks for the warning, but I'm capable of taking care of myself."

 

[The_gladiator]

“I feel like that’s what they all say,” he said before giving her a mocking bow, the almost hint of anger there replaced with mockery for just a moment, before he wiped his face clean of all emotions, it was almost startling to see how he could just wipe his face blank like that.

Slipping his wig back on, he faded away into the shadows, though he didn’t go far, he kept an eye on her. He had failed to obtain the location of her meeting the next day, so this meant he had to keep her in sight until then, but tracking people was after all his gift, so he did not worry much about it. He highly doubted she could give him the slip.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Celaena's eyes narrowed for a moment with annoyance at the mocking bow and look Brandon gave her before giving a blink of surprise as his stone-like grey eyes suddenly turned emotionless and he walked away, seemingly disappearing off into the shadows without a trace. She stepped back out of the alleyway, her eyes quickly scanning the faces and forms of the people walking by, but she saw no sight of him.

Still, she could not shake the prickling sensation she could feel on the back of her neck as if she was being watched. Was is Brandon still lurking and watching somewhere from the shadows or was it someone else that was keeping an eye on her now? She wasn't certain.

Tugging at the hood of her cape to make sure that it covered her hair and shadowed her face, she began her walk back to the small inn where she was currently lodging, though she made a point of taking a different route back than the way that she'd come for the meeting. She took her time, making a few extra turns and cutting through a few alleys along the way. Finally satisfied, she returned to the inn and made her way back up to her room for the night, her mind still set on meeting with the Despurden's for her trial job the following day.

 

[The_gladiator]

Half-elven eyes watched her journey back to where she stayed for the night. In that time, he observed that she was a bit more street smart than he had expected her to be. She made moves that would have rid her of many pursuers for sure. He of course wasn’t troubled by her movements, but such was his way, to be just that good. When you were like him, so different from those around you, you had to be just that bit better.

Meanwhile in that club that they had both left, the redhead known as Shyra Lath sat in conference with the balding fellow who had met with Celaena earlier. “Something isn’t right. Tell Malic that I want her taken tonight.”

“Is that wise mistress, there is little risk of her not coming to the meeting tomorrow.” The lieutenant offered, leaning in closer. Causing Shyra to lean back to avoid his foul-smelling breath. “If the blackhearted is in town, we cannot afford to wait. She is the first half elf we have managed to get our hands on since Chron failed with that elven princess, and all thanks to that scum.”

“Wasn’t he your lover my lady?” Long painted nails dug hard into the man’s wrist silencing him as she glared.

“There is no need to speak of my history with the vermin. I will have my revenge, but we have orders to complete. If grabbing her will also help us net the assassin, so much the better.” With that she released the lieutenant and shewed him away, “Tell Malic what I said, he will agree and want no part of the blackhearted any more than you do, but he will follow my orders.” She didn’t voice the or else, she didn’t need to.

As she watched the balding man rise and exit, she tightened her grip on her wine glass, before breathing away her sudden fit of rage. It always seemed as if he existed to spoil her plans. She was probably one of the few that knew him as Taurean. To most of the rest of the guild he was Brandon, or simply the blackhearted. However, she knew him by that name. The man had layers on layers of identities. Who’s to say that Taurean was even his true name. But, one night in bed together, he had told it to her, so clearly it meant something to him. There truly was no wrath like that of a woman scorned. She would have his head, no matter what he decided to call himself today.

||||||||

Malic, or more commonly known as the weasel stood on a balcony of the black forest Inn, where Celaena was staying. He slowly began to line up the shot through the sliding door, open a crack to let in some of the cool night air. He sighted down his arm. The drow sleeping poison would take hold of her quickly, this could all be over with one pinprick, one shot. However, just encase Gerald, the bald man who had met with Celaena earlier, stood outside her locked front door, ready to storm in if the sneaky Weasel failed in his task. Two more enforcers stood behind the stealthy Despurden thief, ready to charge into the room from this side.

The small man bit his lip as he lined up his shot, and slowly, almost delicately pulled the trigger, the soft click splitting the dead silence of the operation thus far.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Celaena had quickly become a lights sleeper after fleeing her family's home and beginning her life on the run, especially once the rumor that she was a jewel thief had begun. More than once already she'd had another would-be-thief try to break into her room and steal them from her. Not to mention all of the dangers that could befall any woman traveling alone. She had also learned that it was best to sleep fully clothed in case of such problems, and thus had only removed her boots before going to bed that night.

The click of the trigger had been soft, but in the dead silence of midnight it had been enough, instantly waking her. She instinctively moved quickly in the opposite direction of the source of the sound and rolled off the side of the bed, using it to shield her as she reached for her daggers beneath her vest, but it was too late.

While her movements had been quick, they had not been quick enough, and she swore as she noticed the small dart sticking out from her shoulder. Not knowing what kind of poison it might contain and how long she had before it took effect, she decided fleeing was the best option.

Yanking out the dart and tossing it aside, she made a run for the door to the hall and threw it open only to find the balding Despurden's representative she'd met with earlier on the other side, blocking her path.

"Well fuck.." she muttered as her vision blurred and the room seemed as if it was beginning to sway.

 

[The_gladiator]

Everything happened rapidly after that first click. Brandon used the exact second that Malic fired, to mask his own shot, the distinctive click of his hand cross-bow lost in the click that the weasel’s made. One of the enforcers grunted, clutching his neck. He was asleep before his body hit the ground after Brandon’s booted foot impacted squarely with his jaw, knocking the dazed man backward over the railing.

Brandon would have preferred to pick them all off from a distance, but he had left his longbow in the woods with some of his traveling gear. This would involve a more hands on approach.

Hearing the noise of his friend falling the second enforcer turned to face the noise, in time to meet Brandon who had landed catlike, after dropping down from an adjacent balcony. Brandon knocked the man’s swing with his quarterstaff and slammed his dagger deep into the man’s chest, and let his weapon do its deadly work. Watching the light in the man’s eyes darken as the dagger snuffed out his lifeforce like a candle. Brandon’s dagger was unique in its abilities, although only a true heart stroke would cause such an affect. And with a heart strike the victim was almost assuredly going to die anyway. However, it typically assured the victim would die much faster, and much quieter. That kill, with that dagger had been a message, and would clearly tell the Despurdens, who exactly had messed up their plans.

Brandon pirouetted with the body in time to use the body as a shield as The Weasel’s second dart flashed towards him. Instinct had warned him that the little thief would be gunning for him. However, the thief didn’t wait around to see if his shot struck home, he was gone, swinging away on a rope, undoubtedly to get more help.

Meanwhile Gerald was startled when Celaena rushed out the door to confront him. He stood like a mountain in her path, also holding a staff. Clearly, they had not intended on killing her. He could see the telltale drops of blood on her arm to suggest that Malik’s shot had hit her. He lifted his staff and swung it at her. The two other goons behind him closing ranks around her. “Where do you think you’re going missy,” Gerald asked going for nonchalant, but still sounding sinister.

Even as he spoke one of the men, the one to Celaena’s right reached for her while the second, the one to her left fell back all of a sudden coughing, clutching the handle of a knife that seemed to have just sprouted from his throat. Gerald Looked around startled, completely thrown off by this turn of events. “You’re mine,” He said and threw himself at Celaena, to grab her other arm as the first man was already going for her right.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

The dart having hit Celaena's arm and not the intended target of her neck was buying her a little more time before the poison took hold, but that time was quickly running out.

As Gerald had raised his staff and swung it at her she'd managed to jump back in time to avoid him hitting her, but had noticeably lost her balance as she'd done so, having to lean against the door frame to steady herself and keep herself from falling as the two large goons he had with him moved forward. She'd gripped her daggers tighter, refusing to let them take her without a fight even as she felt her eyelids growing heavy and her body begin to slide a bit down the wood beam.

To her surprise she watched as one of the goons suddenly fell back, just as shocked as Gerald to see the dagger appear out of nowhere in the man's throat. Then he and the remaining goon here lunging at her.

"You're mine"

"No.." she replied back through gritted teeth, a look of determination in her tired eyes.

She didn't know what exactly they had planned for her once they captured her, but she'd be damned if she gave Gerald the satisfaction of claiming her as his in any way after his part in her betrayal. As the two men lunged down upon her to grab her arms she dropped down to her knees. From her lowered position she swung the sharp end of her dagger as quickly and as forcefully as she could manage with the last of her energy up into the balding man's gut, then fell forward as the poison claimed her and she lost consciousness.

 

[The_gladiator]

Brandon had moved rapidly through the room towards the door that the elven woman had just exited through. His eyes rapidly took in the situation and his knife lead him into the fray, presumably killing that first man, at the very least taking him out of the fight.

It looked as if Celaena had accounted for Gerald, who was howling with pain. However, that still left one goon who had scooped up the fallen woman and slung her over one brawny shoulder. Brandon pursued them, pausing only to retrieve her daggers from the ground, figuring she may want them later. The knife he had thrown was leftover from her dinner, so there was no need to stop and retrieve it.

“Sorry about the mess,” He grunted at the barkeep as he rushed through the common room, flipping the man a gold as he passed. The inn keeper stood there in shock, realizing who it was who had just passed through pursuing the man who carried the elven woman.

He was confident in his abilities to track the man, but things would be easier if he could rescue her before the reinforcements arrived.

The drown sleeping poison typically would have the victim asleep for some while but the man running was certain that all the jouncing would wake his victim. He had no idea who was chasing him. If he had, he probably would have been a lot more frighten, such was Brandon’s reputation.

Brandon watched the pair disappear into a side street, that cut between buildings, and knew it wouldn’t be much longer until he had the man.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Indeed all of the jouncing did begin to reawaken Celaena, though the effects of the sleeping poison were still very much evident within her. With a groan her eyes parted, her foggy mind trying to make sense of her situation. What had happened? Where was she?

The world seemed to be upside down, the feel of a hard and broad back pressing against her face as she was jostled up and down and things moved quickly past her, the night air rushing against her face. Slowly the memories of the fight returned to her and she realized what had happened, knowing that the remaining goon must be running off with her. To where she did not know, but she certainly did not want to find out the hard way.

With another groan she tried to struggle against him, but the drug within her system made her limbs feel tired and heavy, limiting her movement.

"Let me go," she managed to get out, the words coming out tired and soft, not at all like the demanding shout she had wanted.

 

[The_gladiator]

Brandon pursued the enforcer who still carried Celaena. He scaled a building almost effortlessly. Coming down through a shortcut ahead of the thug just as he was swinging the elf down onto the ground a wicked smile on his face. “You’re mine,” the thug told Celaena as he pulled her roughly to him. “The boss won’t mind if I play with you before I turn you over to the slavers.” He said as his mouth went to press to hers. He was paused as he suddenly caught at the side of his neck, where he’d been stung, he pulled his hand away to reveal a small dart sticking there. The thug slumped to the ground releasing Celaena.

Before she could fall, a slender arm slid around her shoulders to steady her, as the half-elf kicked the enforcer away from her. His lips were near her ear, “Stay silent and trust me to get you out of here.” He told her, recognizing that she was aware even if still heavily under the influence of the drow Sleeping poison. “can you walk?” he asked, continuing to support her weight.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Celaena had tried to struggle against the enforcer as he'd finally set her down on the ground, especially once he'd announced his plans to 'play' with her before turning her over to the slavers. She had to fight, to run, to escape! Even without the poison in her system though this would have been difficult due to their size difference, maybe if she'd had a weapon on her, but without her daggers and drugged as she knew she didn't have a chance.

The man's lips came towards hers and she winced, trying to push against him even though she felt as if she could barely lift her tired and heavy arms. Then suddenly the man's hand flew to his neck and she saw the dart, feeling her own body begin to slip a moment later as the man fell. She would have hit the ground as well had it not been for an arm that suddenly caught her, and a familiar voice in her ear.

Brandon?! She realized then that it must have been him who had come to her aid in her room at the inn before as well. Had he been following and watching her all this time? Part of her was relived that he had done so, but the other part of her was embarrassed and angry that he'd done so without her realization, that he'd been write in his warnings of the Despurdens and she had not listened.

She straightened her self as best she was able, quickly giving a proud and determined nod in response to his question as to if she would walk. When he put her foot out in front of her to try and take a step however she tipped and stumbled, almost falling over again had it not been for his arm around her.

 

[The_gladiator]

It took one step for it to be proven that the answer to could she walk was a resounding no. Brandon pulled her more solidly against his side to keep her upright. He didn’t wait to watch her take another step before he caught her behind her knees with his free arm, scooping her up like a child as he staggered under her weight for a moment until he caught his balance. He should have probably thrown her over a shoulder also, but that wouldn’t help her head clear. This perhaps would. He would have liked to kill that enforcer, however he didn’t dare even take that amount of time, for carrying her took a decent amount of effort.

He jogged with her and abruptly leapt, and they landed with a splash in one of the city’s canals. It was one of the more rapid ones, who was cut to flow downhill towards the river. Brandon kept himself low in the water, kicking along the bottom to speed them along, her head against his shoulder as he held her out of the water. He was sure that the cold would have shocked more of the poison out of her system but not enough yet. “Hold on,” he growled as he took them around a curve trying to put more distance between their pursuers and them. For he could hear searchers now. He wondered if his trick would really work to throw them off. The water made her easier to carry, but there were dangers to this path as well.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Celaena had to admit, it was a wound to her pride when she could not even take a step on her own and Brandon had to scoop her into his arms and carry her like as a child as he ran. At least it was better than being flung over someone's shoulder though, she thought to herself. At least, before he suddenly leapt and she felt the two of them falling downward.

Her head span and her arms went around his neck at the falling sensation to try and stabilize herself, gasping sharply and swearing under her breath as the cold water hit her body, shocking her system.

Was he insane?!

She heard him tell her to hold on and tightened her grip around him, the drug beginning to clear from her system and not leaving her quite as immobile as she had been before.

"Why are y-..."

She'd been about to ask why he was going this way when she too heard their pursuers and she suddenly understood why he was taking such a strange route, her voice falling silent as she struggled to lift her head and look in the direction that the noise was coming from.

 

[The_gladiator]

His breath was warm on her ear, contrasting with the cold of the water and the air. “Hounds can’t track through water. It should likewise foil their tracking spells.” His words were barely a breath and spoken in the lilting high elven tongue. Everything Brandon did was calculated, and this was part of that. Clearly if he was overheard over the splashing of the water, there were probably less than 2 dozen individuals who spoke the tongue in the whole city.

He spoke the elvish tongue with a clear Kierielle accent, showing that he had spent much time with the high elves of that land, suggesting that there was more to this half-elf than was immediately evident. It was the closest elvish land, and most likely her home as well, however it still revealed another piece of information about him.

Her arms were growing stronger around him and he knew that the water had done more to shock her system than mere time alone would do. He knew well that they could not outrun the despurdens, their only hope was to outsmart them or outmaneuver them.

Brandon stuck out his feet, changing his angle so he lay with his body pressed flat up against hers, so he floated on his back still holding her out of the water. His actions changed their profile and they shot like a torpedo forward, and suddenly were swallowed by blackness. The sound of water rushing all around them changed, and it was clear that his jackknife had altered their path and they now were in a tunnel, or some sort of water drainage pipe. Apparently, his actions had been none too soon as there was light behind them on their original course, and a roiling sphere of fire streaked along their previous path. Brandon could not see it, but he knew it would be coming. He rather had closed his eyes and rested his head against hers to further shield his night vision, not wanting it to be spoiled by the flames. He did not have to say that they had been found out. He just hoped he had bought them some time.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Celaena had been more than a little surprised when Brandon had whispered in her ear in Elvish as he'd carried her through the current of the water. It was not the fact that he spoke Elvish of course that had surprised her, for she would have expected a half elf to know at least some, even if they were from a human land, as she'd assumed he was due to his notoriety in these parts and profession as a deadly criminal turned assassin. No, it was not the words themselves but the distinct clear and lilting accent of the high elves of Kierielle, her own homeland, that caught her off guard.

It appeared that there was more to this half-elf assassin than she'd realized at first.

She'd wanted to question him about it right then, but now was definitely not the time. As he lifted his feet and the two of them began to quickly float with the current down the canal into the tunnel she held on to him as best as she was able, a soft gasp of surprise escaping her as the fire ball suddenly went over their previous path.

Her eyes had not been shut as Brandon's had and she winced at the sudden bright light, quickly closing them and tucking her head in more against him as his forehead rested against her own, her exhales coming out in short anxious breaths against his face for a few moments before she swallowed and took a deep steadying breath to try and calm herself. She made herself relax against him as best as she was able, knowing it would help to keep them buoyant in the water.

 

[The_gladiator]

Her small gasp told him that her eyes had not been closed. He happened to know a bit about some of their pursuers and so had anticipated that trick. Just as his trip into the water had been suspected. He felt just a bit bad that he hadn’t warned her about the fire.

Their lips were almost touching as their heads rested together. Her breaths brushed against his cheek, and despite the danger he was highly aware of her small form in his arms and their closeness. He did not smile, did not show his observation of their closeness, however he did tighten his grip on her as they slid further into the drainage pipe.

The half elf let out a low grunt of pain as he banged painfully into the side of the pipe as they turned. It did not take long for them to be dumped into the open again. The water of the river was somehow colder and far deeper. Brandon swam with long strokes, powerful. He had shifted her onto his back, hoping that she had recovered enough to hold on.

After swimming for what felt like ages to the half-elf, they arrived at a small dock, where there were a couple of boats tied up. He caught her up and boosted her into one of them. “Wait there.” Was his clipped order. The assassin swam to the other boats and searched for something to hamper their pursuers. One boat had a flask of lamp oil in it, Brandon splashed it over the boat, though there was no way to light it handy. He would take care of that later. He could not think how to sabotage the other three boats. He quickly returned to where he had left Celaena. Even as he untied their boat and shoved them off, he was reaching beside her, producing his pack and bow he had hidden here earlier that day, suspecting he would need the getaway. He produced a dry shirt from the bag that he tore a strip from, wrapping it around one of his arrows. He tossed her a flint and steal, silently indicating she should light his arrow, after he had used the rest of the oil in the flask to soak the cloth around the arrow. He did not voice the words quickly, but his glare said all he needed to. They were running out of time, and the longer she delayed the more difficult the shot would be. He knocked the arrow and waited, hoping that she had regained enough mobility to be useful.