Around the next corner(closed for me and Adara Willows)

[Azalin91]

Marco Vesperro turned the corner onto main street, the longest and straightest path through the city of Haven. It had been a long time since he had been to this city, as the very thought of it brought back old memories better off forgotten. Here was a city where he had a life threatening experience and here reminded him so much of a former lover. He spat on the ground in remembrance. The she devil left him for what could have been his worsed enemy. A gloved hand balled into a fist at the thought.

He fix the brim of his large red hat as the sun invaded his eyes. The main street was large and at this time of the day a sheet of yellow light would bath it, the sun at a perfect angle, staring down at the street as if this was the center of all Krynn. He trademark hat cut off the aggressive sun and cast a shadow over his muscular form.

He still wore the same style clothing even though it were many years since he was last here. Far too many to be believed by the shortness of human life. He was perhaps the only human in existance to see Haven twice in a 200 year span. Thanks to the hand of the gods he was forced to endure the loss of almost all his loved ones, save for an attractive little elf girl. "Where did she end up?" he wondered often.

He placed his left hand over the pommel of his rapier, partially checking if it was still there, mostly he just enjoyed the feel of it. The family heirloom was all he had left, aside from a flashy red and black outfit, and a large brimmed red hat. There same crow's feathers adorned it and he still carried his trademark smirk.

Marco nodded and tipped hsi hat as he passed by an elderly woman who was obviously tending to her grandson's needs. The boy had wet himself and she was scurrying him home for a changing. It was a beautiful day and he was looking to make some coin.

"I'll fetch a good amount of steel here before heading back to Palanthas. Just need to find me some work, perhaps a woman to satisfy a few urges..." he hadn't changed in 200 years.

 

[Adara Willows]

A cool wind blew thru the montain rang as echo stocked her pray. A lone mountain goat purched itself on the edge of a ledge. The phaethon flapped her firy wings slowly, silently as she climbed. When she was only a few yards away, something startedled the goat. Before Echo could figure out what had startled the creature, a net was tossed down over her. The phaethon fought as hard as she could, her firy wings burning the net, but it was all for not. The net swung agaist the stone cliff, knocking the trapped echo uncoinious.....

Echo looked up thru the bars of her cage to the sky. Over head a hawk glided on the breeze. It called to her far below, inviting her to join him. How she wished she could.
It had been nearly 9 months since she had been capured. She had woke to find herslef caged like a canary. Her ancles were shackled to the middle of the cage that was just big enough that her wings would not touch the bars.
The men that had captured her put her on display for the public to see. The collected a fee t oview oddenties. The rest of the exipit was false. A horse with a horn magiced to its head was a unicor. an octupus was something none from the land had seen before so it was any number of monsters. But she was real and unlike the others who were alowed to graze as their leasure, or sleep the time away, she was forced to perform. the men would pock her with sticks till she lashed out with her wings, sending small children crying for their mothers. Once she had refused and had been whipped with a bull whip.
As the sideshow entered the city of Haven, Echo gave a sigh and hugged her ragged cloak around herself. They all wanted to watch her, but none would try and free her.
People started as they passed, the creaky wheels of her caged cart craked along the coblestones. The faces all looked the same to Echo and the loneliness overtook her as it always did when entering a new town. Tears ran down her pale face. She brushed her flaming red hair from her face and stared back at those that gocked.

 

[Azalin91]

Marco came to rest by a tavern door as he took in the scent of fresh ale and pipe smoke. It was an all too familiar scent, and one he enjoyed very much. He leaned his elbow against the wall as a wagon train started down main street. It was a mangled group of wagons, some with iron bars, others with solid wooden walls. An assortment of dancers in makeup flanked the train, as well as jugglers and fire eaters. He quirked a brow at the image as it road alongside him.

Unable to walk the street for it was whooly taken he took the time to inspect all that passed by. He was particularly impressed by the multitude of exotic creatures and monsters that the iron bars seemed to hold in place. At a quick count he noticed a unicorn, an odd water creature that was submerged in a very expensive glass tank, a strange lizard with a humanoid stature, standing on two legs with clearly defined muscles, and a flaming bird. He marveled at the fact that the flames didn't destroy the wagon that held her, and shook his head at the thought. He was never one to trust magic.

Finally the procession passed by and it had gathered quite a bit of attention. No doubt this troop was prepared to settle in for a few days and entertain the city, bringing in more then their share of coin. Marco made a mental note to stop by after he had secured some coin of his own. With a shake of his head he turned and entered the tavern, his throat dry and begging for an ale.

 

[Adara Willows]

On the north side of town, the sideshow settled in the center of a large clearing. A tent was errected and the cages were arranged about it's interior edge. All exept Echo's. She was placed in the middle where everyone could walk around her, examining the young woman from all sides.

As the set up took place, Echo stayed hunched over, her cloak covering her body from view. Her still form looked move like an animal that a humaniod. Finally the ring master turned his attention to his flaming prize. She could hear him lick his parched lips as he curcled her cage. His fancy cloths smelt of ale and sweat and even urine. "Come now girl, let me see those big brown eyes and that flaming red hair." he said softly. He reached in quickly and pulled the ragged cloak away revealing her naked form.

Echo lashed out but was to slow. She screamed at him and lashed out with her wings, trying to burn the flesh from his bones. He only laughed. "That's my girl." He said with lust in his eyes as he reached under his cloak and produced a brown paper package. "We will have children at this show so put these on.' he said and tossed it to her. "But don't get to comfortable in them. I already have men paying to see The Phinex Woman in all her beauty."

Echo glared at the ring master as she slipped the hunter top and skin tight skirt on. She brushed her long red hair from her face and stood proudly in the cage. She would not give him the satifacation of seeing her cower.

 

[Azalin91]

Marco retired from an hour of drinking and mingling with the folk of the Broken Sigil Tavern. He stepped through its heavy wooden door and waved back to the dwarf he had been sharing a table with. A smirk was still on his face as he walked a few blocks away.

All this drinking was doing a number on his hormones and he was a great mood. Under these cicumstances he decided to try and find the circus troop and check out the shows. Without further delay he was off.

He walked the length of the small path that split each attraction, all the while munching on an apple covered in some sweet caramel. Nothing was all that interesting to him so much of his attention was on the meal. Suddenlyhis attention was drawn to a cage that was surrounded by men, who were making a racket whistling at whatever was on display. He elbowed his way closer and dropped the apple, his mouth hanging open at what he saw.

"Oh my..." he could barely speak at the wonderful creature standing before him. Her perfect frame, beautiful hair, and those brown eyes. She was more beautiful then any women he had ever set eyes on. Her choice of clothing, if it was hers to decide, was tantalizing and he could hardly control himself. The thought donned on him how terrible that must look to the girl. She was in captivity, made to be a spectacle. I was just plain horrible.

Anger flooded his mind and it quickly turned to barely controled rage. He wouldn't stand for it. His sword hand gently rubbed the pommel of his rapier as he considered what to do. His eyes hawkishly darted for the mechanism that would open the cage.

It was locked and chained, a difficult break. He glaced around for a guard of some kind, none. At least no obvious guards. Just the ringmaster. It seemed too easy. He forced his way to the cage door and not without upsetting a few viewers. He reached the chain and drew forth his blade. It glistened in the sunlight and he spoke a word to activate the power within. It shines brightly a moment so that the croud was blinded, save for Marco who was prepared for it. With one strike of the blade he shattered the chain and the cage door swung open. He sheathed his sword with practiced grace and waved his hand to usher the girl outside.

"Come quickly. I don't know how long I'll be able to hold this door!"

 

[Adara Willows]

Echo's eyes grew wide as the man in the ornate hat rushed the gate and using some sort of magic stick and a birght light, opened the door. The phaethon glanced around and saw the effect the light had on everyone around her. The all held their eyes in great pain. she looked back and saw the door open and the man reaching for her. she spoke but her mind didn't understand. She looked past him, out of the tent. Echo took a step then feltthe shackles around her ancles tighten. The young woman looked down and fear filled her mind. the only think she could think was escape!

With all her might, Echo flapped her firy wings. The effort did nothing but rock the massive cage slightly. She was so close, she could taste fredom. In one last act of desperation, Echo brought her wings tight around her body. The tips wrapped around her ancles and the iron restraints that still inprisoned her. Echo closed her eyes and focused all she had on the metal till finally the steel gave way and melted into pools at her feet.

Escape! Echo turned and grabbed the hand of the man who had opened the door. She ran for the exit of the tent, pulling him with her. As she reached the flap, the canves door closed and the ringmaster blocked her way, a snarl apon his face and a whip in his hands. "Not this time." he snapped.

Months of abuse over took Echo and she screamed. then dropped to her knees. The ringmaster smiled and walked towards her. "You belong to me bitch." he whispered as he reached for her face.

Suddenly Echo looked up and smiled. In that moment, the ringmaster realized his mistake. Echo grabbed onto his wrists with her hands and held him fast as she brought her wings around, wrapping the man in their firy feathers. His dieing screams mixed with Echo's as she burned the man alive. When she finally released him, a blackened skeloton dropped to the tent floor.

 

[Azalin91]

Marco was astonished by the damage she inflicted upon her master. The gruesome death left him wondering if it were wise for him to have aided in her escape. There were so many witnesses and he would be forced to flee or suffer the wrath of the constabulary. He thought the better of leaving the girl to revel in the slaughter and quickly snatched her up under the arms.

"Come...there is no time to waste!" he hefted her, being sure not to suffer burns from her flaming wings.

The fleeing couple scurried away from the tents and onto main street. There was no clear sanctuary to flee towards so the swashbuckler picked an alley at random. He ushered her to the deepest portion of the dark alley and came to rest shortly.

"What was that? We are going to have to leave here right away!" he removed his hat to wipe sweat from his brow and paced.

"What have I gotten myself into now? Always for a pretty face. Albeit a very pretty one, but what's with the fire?" he asked as if she could answer him well enough to cure his curiousity.

 

[Adara Willows]

Echo smiled at the stranger, not saying a word. As they slipped into the alleyway, the phaethon let her mind relax and as if the firey wings were never there, they dissapeared. Echo giggled softly when her rescuer turned with a shocked expersion on his face. She could explain things.... but not now.

Echo grabbed a blouse and skirt that hung from a cloths line and ducked underneath. As marco pushed passed to follow, he found her stnading with her bakc turned to him. The drab brown skirt hung at her hips and she was just slipping the ivory blouse over her body.

Rushing passed him, Echo grabbed a black cotton shawl and began to wrap it around her hair. Her movements were lightening fast and before Marco knew what had happened, the young woman stood before him is a rather good discious. Besides her very pretty face, she looked like all the other woman of Haven.

Echo grabbed onto marco's arm and started to pull him towards the other end of the alley then pause. She grabbed onto his shoulders and looked him up and down, a look of consern on her face. With gental hands, Echo unclasped his cloak and gave it a spin, turning it inside out so that the black lining was on the outside now. Once she had refassened his cloak she grabbed the hat from his head, gave a soft giggle, kissed him on the cheek (for good luck) then stuffed his hat under his cloak.

Before marco could protest.... or even think, Echo grabbed onto his arm again, turned towards the street and entered the regualar flow of trafic, leading them away from the curcus grounds.

 

[Azalin91]

The whole situation escalated at a rate far too quick even for the rogue to completely understand. Here he had a very attractive female on his arm who had just recently destroyed a man with her fiery wings. Now her wings were gone, as if they never existed, and they were strutting onto main street as if they had not just made their escape. He calmed his nerves thanks to years of training, this certianly not being the first time he ever hid from the authorities. Or would anyone seek them aside from the owner of the tent circus? A good question. Likely the Haven constabulary would seek to bring the murderer to justice, but that could take hours to set into motion. For now he could relax, so he looked down upon the beautiful girl on his arm and smiled.

"I suppose you have a place in mind? I am not all that sure exactly where we are headed, but I do know we musn't hang around this fair city long." he smiled as a passerby with a nochalant nod.

He rather found himself enjoying the feel of the girl on his side. It had been a great many years since he had seen such a beauty, and he would not waste it. Thoughts of how he could conquer her and bring her to his bed has already filtered through his head, tucking away his fears for her obvious inhuman qualities.

"What can I call you out of curiousity?" he whispered.

 

[Adara Willows]

Echo held tight to his arm as they made their way thru the crowd that was mostly humans. They bumped into the couple, making Echo feel rather uneasy.

She had planned all of this.... that is to say, if someone had tryed to save her she had planned to kill the ringmaster. She planned that, if they were in a town or city, she would sicuise herself to look like a local and blend in as she escaped.... and that was as far as she got.

The city seemed so large and the streets seemed to go on forever. "I don't know how to get out of the city." she confessed in a whisper to her new found companion. She pulled his arm to her tightly, pressing it into her chest as she posioned herself so she could whisper into his ear like she had seen so many young lovers do.

"If you can get us out of the city, I can make our escape much faster..... that is," she added, "If you plan to accomany me any farther."

She leaned in a little closer, her soft lips brushing his ear, "I'm Echo." she whispered, the name and sound of her voice repeating itself over and over in Marco's head.