The Castle

[The_high_king]

Creeps hears a secret

"hahaha, I'm sorry. I thought you said, being the poor monk that you are, you had a deal for me", I said to the old man. He simply sat there emotionless, and replied, "you heard correctly thief. My name is Father Kayos, and I am a monk from the, 'Order of our Lord's Arrow'... will you listen to me now?". The very title chilled me to the bone. This man was a fighter monk, slayer of demons, a man who fought evil WITH evil. A, 'True Balancer', fighting on the side of good. "Umm... yeah sure, I'm all ears", I said, knowing better then to piss off this perticular order of monks.

He stood, then began to pace around the room, "as much I disagree to this option, the order needs your help". Now THAT... caught my attention, "my help? And why a mas- *ahem*, petty thief like me?". "The reason is simple, because you are the only man we know who has certain... skills, that no other thief has. We need you to steal something. Something very valuable yet dangerous, do you understand what I'm saying?". I nodded, then the monk continued, "the enemy has a enemy spy camp within this city, and no, the city military does not know this. We do not tell them, because we do not exist to them, and there would be all this trouble of signing papers and other annoying uneccesary things. What we need you to do, is to simply infiltrate the enemy hideout in this city, and steal all their maps. Some of the maps contain important weaknesses within the city. Luckly for us, our inside man tells us that the enemy has not had time to study these maps.... yet. In return, we grant you freedom, ten thousand gold, and a pat on the back. Any questions?". I shook my head, "good", said the Kayos, "then do we have a deal thief?".

I had to think long and hard about th- "deal.... if you double the pay. And one more thing, if we're going to be working together, stop calling me thief, my name is Creeps".

 

[AmandaAce]

K looked at her so long and hard Afton began to think he wasn't going to reply at all. She refused to drop her eyes, however. They simply stared at each other for a long moment, her golden eyes meeting his dark ones. Their gazes were equally willful, equally immovable.
Then suddenly, K seemed to make up his mind. He flung his short sword at her, calling out a command. Afton didn't even really hear what he said. She simply plucked the sword out of the air. Acting purely on instinct, she bent her knees slightly, her stance wide, and pulled her arm back, across her chest. The hilt of the sword was even with her left shoulder.
She looked up at K. His expression was as unreadable as ever. Again, Afton felt she knew him from somewhere, a memory that was as yet locked in her Saorsian past.
She lowered the blade to her side, turned it so the hilt was facing K. As she handed it to him, she met his eyes.
"Help me do what I have to do," she said.

 

[The_high_king]

Creeps

A place that was supposed to be top-secret enemy territory had pretty weak defenses. I had left a trail of either unconcious, or dead bodies, hiding them in closets, dark areas, and any other body stashing place I could find. I was already in the building, which I admit, was bigger than the outside. The only way was down, every floor making this supposed small house look like an upside-down tower, going deeper and deeper into the ground.

... Footsteps... I quickly camoflouged myself in a dark corner. All I had to do was remain still and I was virtually invisible. A woman was walking down the hall in front of me... strange... a woman in this place full of male spies and guards? Upon more observation, I could tell that she held some power around here by the way she dresses, her fancy blade, and the way she walked. However, I doubted she was the leader... then again, she could be useful. Eventhough she wasn't head-honcho, she could probably lead me to the maps... and her coin purse had an interesting jingle... I followed.

 

[Third Magus]

K met Afton's gaze levelly.

"You remember"

Saorsian training was not just something one learned; it permeated the blood, the muscles, the sinew. It became a part of you. Looking at Afton, K felt somewhat more reassured. He had little faith in prophecies, and less in Afton's father and his complex, posthumous manipulation, but Afton was, if nothing else, a fighter, or could become one, and they always had a use for them.

He reclaimed his short sword, and returned it to his sheath. Saorsian swordsmanship was a complex, deadly art; in some ways more akin to a dance than combat. K supposed he was one of the last practitioners of it in its purest, most formal form; over the past decade, rebels against the Castle had adopted more brutal, practical, stripped-down ways of fighting; cannibalising techniques from a dozen different schools, but mostly from the school of survival.

Perhaps it was just as well. The Saorsian focus on grace above utility, their complex, increasingly academic exploration of the art of swordsmanship, had been their downfall when the Castle attacked. They'd been perfect killing machines; virtually undefeatable in a formal duel or even one-on-one combat, but they were destroyed in the open field. K wondered if he, too, was doomed as they'd been, wondered if he cared.

He nodded to Afton. She, at least, was free from the burden of oaths, preconceptions, debts and guilt; divorced from them by a clean cut, brought up in a world where his burdens had no meaning. For a moment, he wondered what else she remembered, and a thought came to him, an edge of doubt, but it faded away before he could catch hold of it.

With an air of ritual, he touched her forehead with his finger-tips; a Saorsian tradition for investing new warriors.

"You will do well".

In his voice, there was a strange mixture of pride and sadness.

 

[AmandaAce]

[No message]

 

[AmandaAce]

When K touched her forehead Afton almost fainted. She hadn't touched him directly before, and the sheer psychic force of it nearly knocked her down. There was something there.
She hadn't realized how strong the Saorsian blood was. She was already reading minds.
The ambience of the woods was bringing her memories back very quickly, too quickly for her to handle. But when she tried to turn her mind to his, to try to remember who he was to her, she couldn't.
"You will do well," he said. She certainly hoped so.
She stepped back, afraid to touch him again. There was something he wasn't telling her, something that he knew that his brother didn't. It was worrisome.
She looked at him, trying to see past his perpetually blank expression.
Grabbing his arm, ignoring the shock it gave her, she pulled him towards the door.
"Can we talk outside, please? I need to ask you some questions."

 

[Third Magus]

Afton gasped as K's fingers touched her forehead and he felt the psychic rush, hammering through them. Even his own formidable mental shields, hardened by years of Saorsian sword-practise, buckled under the onslaught, but he kept them standing, and allowed nothing of himself, of his darkness, to pass through to Afton.

The Saorsians were trained to control and develop their psychic abilities through sword-practise; the art of blanking the mind before the draw. Lacking that training, Afton was a psychic beacon. But also far stronger than he'd expect anyone without training to be.

When she took his arm, K was ready and this time his mental defences were steady against the shock of their touch.

"Can we talk outside, please? I need to ask you some questions."

K glanced at the elf, who was now squatting against the wall in an improbably comfortable pose, cracking nuts and humming happily to herself, and then nodded curtly, letting Afton drag him through the door.

 

[The_high_king]

Has Creeps dwelled to far?

Finally, I followed this deadly looking lady to the deepest parts of this place. Through secret doors that I had no knowledge of, and rooms that... rooms wasn't even the right word here. It was more like, long forgotten tombs that were deep under the city. "How the hell did these guys discover this shit?", I thought to myself. But all in all, at least she had finally stopped. She knocked on a large steel door three times, as I kept watch from over her, in the dark recesses of a dark looming cieling. I was literally doing the splits to hold myself up, but luckily for me, I wasn't that easily tired.

At first was silence, but then the steel door swung open and from behind it I could hear screams that could twist your heart like a wet towel. They were screams of agony and pain, coming from men, women, and children. I closed my eyes, trying to focus on the mission, and not these terrifying sounds that would most definitly haunt my dreams tonight. A tear leaked from my eye... this city had some sick enemies.

Now, knowing this, I could do either two things. One being exposing myself, kicking lots of ass, and rescue the innocent civilians behind that door. Second, I could follow the lady to her office which she mentioned going to while speaking with the guard and complete the mission. My conscience ripped at me, while my reason tugged at my mind. And for the first time in my life... a decision was worrying me.

ooc: I hope you guys don't mind, but I'm gonna go for a vote here guys. Who thinks Creeps should play hero? or who thinks Creeps should just stick to the mission with much regret?

 

[AmandaAce]

Afton pulled K out into the dark, closing the door of the cabin behind her. Rubbing her arms against the cold, she lit a cigarette and spoke.
"I know there are things you're not telling me. I'm assuming you have your own reasons for that, so I won't press you. " She took a deep breath.
"First of all, I'm not ever going back there, am I?" She looked at him for a moment, waiting for him to answer. When he paused, she shrugged and turned around.
"What's this?" She pulled the waistband of her jeans down slightly. There, just at her tailbone, was the Saorsian brand, just raised enough so that she could feel it. "It wasn't there ten minutes ago," she said.
Afton turned back around to face K. There were tears in her eyes.
"Please tell me the truth. I'm so scared."

 

[Chalintra]

Selia:


Many things, many words, a lot of confused meanings. This is a place where I can learn more about humans than anywhere else. They are uncomfortable with my presence yet, just like little animals who can´t read the future by simply looking at the obvious signs. Well, sorry, animals are far better with this than humans. I´ll be patient. It will take some time untill I´ve learned enough of their rough tongue to talk to them. The male is a nice one, tall and agressive, overconfident, but shy towards this female. The female is strange, foregin, a bit rough too, may be to protect herself from fear. They should get calm to find their inner focus. May I help...

The elven maiden hadn´t moved as the two left the cabin. She was still sitting comfortable and silent, but then -
She started to humm a little melody, then she added a few words, raising her voice and with a little gesture of her hands the sounds of nature assisted her, the wind made the leaves whisper, the birds took up the melody. For sure the humans outside can´t understand the words of the song they can hear, but they will feel the peace as the rythm of nature will touch them. Thoughts will be clear and shrouded memorys will reappear from the mists of time. Find your inner focus and the path will be visible, follow the path and the future is yours...

 

[The_high_king]

Creeps takes action!

ooc: No one seems to mind which way Creeps goes, so I'll just move on forward.

ic: As soon as the lady turned around, I swooped into the guard behind the door quickly and silently. I killed him before the lady could notice. I closed the steel door behind me then turned around to face whatever was here. Two guards staring blankly at me, and cages full of men, women, and children. Same went for the torturing equipment... they were sick fucks.

The two guards came at me with their spears.

The two guards were now dead. I began unlocking the cages, and freeing them of the equipment. I tried to tuck in my emotion from the people who have already died from torture. Then, just as I was about to free the last prisoner *CRACK* I held my hand in pain. Looking up, I saw a tall man in a black cape, and face mask. His sheer physique was quite intimidating. In his right hand, was a nasty looking whip that wa- *CRACK* he whipped me again, sending my sprawling backwards with a big gash in my thigh. I glared at him again, then smirked. What have I gotten myself into this time?

 

[vierge]

Introducing Noen, of humankind.

OOC: I don't want to step on any toes here, but I really LOVE this idea, very unique and I would really like to be apart of it, so hopefully I am welcome, if not excuse this post and I will take leave. I just wanted to start right away because I have time and am inspired.

IC: Name: Noen A.K.A. Sparrow, child of the earth
description: young, only about 19-20 in looks and spirit, she is the child of no one and her race is an unknown anomaly, although some believe she was the offspring of a Soarsian maiden slaved to one Castle Lord. Think Angelina Jolie from Tomb Raider for looks, long luscious chestnut locks, high cheek bones and perfectly set brown eyes, and a pursed pout. Strong but smaller in frame, she walks with purpose and defends her forests ruthlessly.

Story of char: Noen, a silent wanderer, keeper of shadows and a dweller of woods...unbenounced to few whom she really is. They call her Sparrow, for the way she can sing to the birds and for her lightness of step and beauty. For a lifetime, she has kept to her part of the woods until the slaying of creatures in her realm seemingly by Soarsians occured, but she be tricked and lied to by lords of The Castle, the real killers of helpless animals. For she will now be The Castle’s assassin of this newcomer, this being that is supposed to save the devils who murdered that of her land. With rapier on her hip, daggers by her ankle and in her eyes, she will now travel to the land of Saorsia to kill for vengeance and receive a hefty reward, not that it matters, enough to purchase more land. [ooc note: just because she is sent to assassinate does not mean I will play lord of roleplay and try to kill her at any cost, I know how annoying that is, and I am a good enough roleplayer to work with all threads and storylines. I hope that she turns for the good of the Soarsians and realizes the treachery of The Castle ]

The roleplay:

She watched where she wandered that day, and the earth forgave her trespassing foosteps beyond her usual borders. Staring down at the misty town, the early morning air clung to her nostrils as she looked with a keen eye to the town that harbored the Soarsians. She automatically spat when she thought of them, anger boiling through the blood coursing in her veins like fire. They murdered and pillaged the defenseless, ransacked and smited the helpless, and she know stood on the verge of their city. She knew not where the girl was, she knew not how she was guarded, but she guessed hidden and heavily. Decisively, she figured she would hang out amongst the dregs of the town, in the tavern, during the night, asking soft questions and telling little lies. She would learn and seep up the information needed, and when the time came, she would strike with force and agility, to avenge that which was precious to her.
*********

The bar was noisy that night, and she remained the blackness of the farthest corner, watching the crowds and picking up the tidbits that mattered to her like the scraps tossed to the wolf in the back she had noticed. Perhaps, she would break that pet back into the free creature it longed to be, perhaps, she would bend it to her will to find the one being, this female supposed to save all. So this was what the Soarsians were, drinking fools who slaughtered the meager and relied on mere girls to save them from The Castle. She could not suppress the smirk dancing on her lips, the only piece visibly in the slight light of the candle flickering nearby on the wall.

Yes, bring the beer, and bring the bread, and when you are ready, child, all shall mourn the dead.

She fingered the blade of the rapier sword attached to the leatherlike belt hugging her slender hips beneath the coarse coast of refined buckskin.

“Thou shalt pay.” She whispered, malice bred within her tone.

 

[Third Magus]

A strange song came from around them; the elf girl in the cabin singing softly to herself, in a strange language. K felt some of the tension flow out of him as he listened. He took Afton's hand and pressed it tightly, reassuringly, ignoring the psychic jolt of contact.

"No", he said at last, calmer now. "There is no way back. I'm sorry, but that place was never your home".

He continued, wondering how much he should tell her.

"I know you're frightened. It's terrible, monstrous what's been done to you... what we did to you. Nobody should have the responsibilities you bear... "

He paused. He rarely spoke this much. He frowned at the door that concealed the elfling. Had her song put some kind of spell on him? But it didn't feel like baleful magic. He continued.

"And that's what I told your father. He summoned me to his rooms in the palace, ten years ago, as the Castle was closing in. You were asleep when I came in, and he showed me to you, and told me of what he planned to do. Send you into exile on another world, tear your memories from you, leave you to depend upon the kindness of strangers, then place the responsibility for a world on you... all in aid of a plan even he barely understood".

He looked at Afton, his dark eyes for once showing a hint of anger.

"You were just eleven years old. Of an age with my brother Vindil. I refused, and he called upon my oaths, as a Saorsian warrior. That night we branded you"

He remembered it even now, holding a terrified little girl's hand and asking her to be brave as he was holding Afton's now, as the hot iron descended, staring into her father's fierce, inscrutable golden eyes.

"I brought you from the city, through these woods, until we came to the... portal between worlds your father spoke of. You were... happy, laughing, pleased to think you'd be the saviour of the world. You didn't truly understand what was to happen next; how could you?"

K looked away.

"But perhaps I never even tried, truly, to explain to you. Because I was ashamed"

"I could not follow where you went, not then, and so I returned to the city with murder in my heart. I left it whole; I returned to find it burning. The forces of the Castle were everywhere. And I... and I..."

The effect of the song began to burn away as K grappled with dark memories, of the night he had drove a blade into his skin and cut out the Saorsian brand, now seeing it as something ugly and horrifying. Of what he had done afterwards, while his rage and bitterness were still strong.

"I will not speak of that night"

 

[The_high_king]

Creeps vs. the Torture Man

*CRACK!*, I quickly rolled out of the way of the dangerous whip as it lashed forward. For a guy who works in a torture chamber... he was quite a good fighter as well. *CRACK*, The whip lashed out again, as I barely managed to dodge it. I could feel the speed of this, "demon's tail" as it came inches from tearing off my face! To beat him, I needed a way to render his whip useless, to nullify it. But how t- *CRACK*... shit, the whip got me that time, as I reacted too slow. I now had a second gash on my thigh, dammit. It hurt like a mother-... aw fuck, the stinging was intense.

I glared back at him, pain and anger obvious in my eyes. God damn it! I wasn't about to let some leather clad freak out speed me! *CRACK*, I rolled to an angle, forward getting under the middle of the whip in mid air. Then a shot in, spearing him in the gut. Up close, his whip was useless... I had him now. I pummeled in his face expecting him to yell in pain... but no reaction. My strongest punches did jack shit to him. Suddenly, without warning he grabs my neck, choking me with one hand. Standing up now, he holds me by the neck, laughing.

He was right, it was time to stop fooling around. So I stopped fooling around too. He was obviously stronger then me, but that didn't mean I was out of tricks. I grabbed his choking arm with both hands, attempting to get some sort of advantage. He merely laughed at this attempt. I laughed back. Like I flash, I give him a solid kick to the chest with both feet. He lets go then stumbles back... still won't fall down huh? With all my speed, I charge at him, trying to knock him over with my shoulders. He stumbled even further back, landing against his own torture wheel against a wall. This was it, seeing him still stunned by the attack, I quickly lock him on to the wheel then turn it upsidedown. The bloody basin of water under the wheel then drowns him... killing him, filling his lungs with the blood of his own victims. The gurgling of this man could send shivers through anyones spine.

The prisoners gave me their gratitude, I gave them a means of escape but the rest was now up to them. I exit the chamber, and continue with the mission I was on... I had lost my lead, but I had no regrets about it. "Well... back to square one", I said to myself, then continued down the hall, determined to finish the job I was given.

 

[AmandaAce]

Afton, too, was affected by Selia's song. As K spoke, she remembered that night, remembered K's mournful face at last. He had been her father's protege, always in the house, riding out with her father for the drills.
She'd always believed that he was a prince in disguise, that one day he would come to take her away from the iron hand of her father.
And then one day, he had. She remembered the branding so clearly now. Through it all, as she'd sobbed and screamed, her father stood there, immovable, as K tried to comfort her.
As they stood there, in the cold, the elven song twining through her memories, she relived the night she'd been turned out into the other world.
She and K came down through the trees, riding horses. It was almost dawn, and she was bursting with excitement over her new adventure. They came to the doorway. K, looking grim, lifted her off her horse. Taking her long leather coat from her, he pointed her to the door.
Frightened now, she refused to go. Crying, she lashed out at K with all the force of her mind, to no avail. He picked her up and pushed her bodily through the door. He refused to say anything to her. She saw the tears in his eyes. As she slid from one world into the next, she grabbed his hand.
With infinite sadness in his eyes, he let her go.
Afton came back to herself with a start. She was still holding K's hand. The strong psychic connection had dulled to a low throb by now, but was still there. She looked at the man who was responsible for her severed life, the face that had haunted her for eleven years.
Squeezing his hand, she said, "Don't worry about it. I forgive you."
That was all she could trust herself to say.

 

[vierge]

The Plot Thickens

Afton, the name was close to her now, and she knew it only through the animosity filling the parts of her being. Lithely, she moved in the morning blackness leading seeing Selene amongst the woods. Her horse, ready for the ride out after the job was done. In two able hands, she held large branches of wood, in length and thickness. The twilight hours having passed now, the dawn only two hours ahead as she passed in the darkness of the shadows. Much of the night had been spent with open ears, loose lips, and talks with strangers, most of them knew only small fragments, but there had been a certain belligerent fellow by the alias of Bear. He thought himself a mighty man, and through her lascivious coaxing, she had found most of the information she needed. Supposedly, he was some integral part of the whole plan to overthrow The Castle. Seeing as he was an egotistical brute, she doubted his courage every word he spoke. A mental note was made to kill him slowly later, but for now, she was after the bigger of the two games, the most important to her soul and heart. Her black boots crunched and she darted behind the brush and solace of a wide Redwood tree, studying the dwelling that she had not known would be so far from where she had began her travels. Slightly weary, she thought about resting her dreary eyes and weakened limbs, but the fire of retaliation yearned to be satisfied. She had come thus far and now she would finish it here and now. A light flickered inside of the earthen home but she saw no movement inside from the supposed bodies of female and males. She figured them peaceful in their sleep. How much she despised them for their treachery. Squinting with her almost coal like black eyes, her brow furrowed as she concentrated all of her thoughts figuring an airborne attack long before she actually reached this point of her journey. Reaching down, she found the wooden pieces for torches, twirling them both in her hands swiftly, the sounds of the air and their movements like swishes of wings flapping in the morning breeze as she leaned them against the tree.

“Forgive me, Au’gur`i`t.” She whispered to the earth as she started the fire and lit the tips of the wood to give them their full potential, torches to destroy. The brightness of the light alighted her eyes, filling every part of them to wear they gleamed fiery hot to the cool colors of the forest and blue moon. Smoke filled her lungs but she did not cough nor inhale with shortness of breath. It was time.

In the light of the moon, in the silence of this predawn hour, she was almost invisible, no sound made from her quick and light footsteps, no visibility of her figure unless it was sensed. Walking with determination, eyes set firmly, torches in both hands, she reached back and threw the first on to the roof, launching it with all her might but keeping her screams of angst inside. She looked much like a tormented warrior on a crusade against what she thought to be the devil. Watching it fall to and stick to the slop of the roof, setting the wood of the dwelling ablaze, she clenched her jaw and readied to throw the next one.....

 

[Chalintra]

((OOC: Looks as if Sparrow is a bit too eager throwing firebrands while the scene of Afton being briefed by K is still under way. I have to admit that I am completely confused by this now. Sorry.))

 

[The_high_king]

The equally thickened plot for Creeps

ooc: I gotta agree somewhater here, the fire and the burning is a nice touch, but it's a tad... unexpected. Anyways, I really don't know how to view it, it's either a bad thing, or a good thing... I can't decide .

ic: Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Where the hell did that woman go!? I finally reached what seemed to be my final destination... a far too inviting destination. It was a convenient looking stairwell that lead down to a pretty expensive looking door. I stopped myself before my foot touched the first step... this was all too conveniant. A conveniant looking flight of stairs that led to a conveniant looking door... how conveniant. I took out my little pouch of gadjets, and examined the first step closely.

First clue, a steel wire poking out from the side of the step... it was a trap alright... a fire trap to be precise. That first step would have cost me my life. After that, I was able to disarm all the little doozies all the way to the bottom... this was it. The door, that hopefully, had what I was looking for. I put my ear against it, checking to see if anyone was behind it, and all was silent. I then opened the door.

It looked like some kind of strategy room. Weapons, maps everywhere, a big table, chairs, and other doo-dads. But what I was interested in was the maps on the table, these maps were definitly the ones I was looking for. I simply went in, grabbed the maps, and turned around to leave... just to have her stop me. The woman I was following before closed the door behind me. Looking very sexy and dangerous, she spoke to me, "mmm... it looks like we have a taffer in our midst. Sorry love, but your not going anywhere", with those words she began to undress. I raised an awkward eyebrow, "you plan to kill my with sex appeal or something?". She smiled, then when she was completely in the nude, I noticed... her tail... she had a tail.... complete with a pretty nasty looking stinger.... oh my.... well this wasn't good was it.

 

[vierge]

OOC: Didn't mean to barge in, but much like stories and movies, unexpected things happen...if we don't want the unexpectation then I'll ex it right out and start again. It's just that....the plot must thicken right? Middles and Ends can meet in plenty of time........possibly? Don't worry, I don't plan on making my character kill Afton at all costs....the plan is for her to be captured and made to see the light....perhaps the light is what K will tell her to make her see. And then she will have to be dutiful to the right, but for now, let her be the enemy and let us have a good fight. And somewhere in there...we shall have intercourse...lol. Or something like it...

 

[AmandaAce]

OOC - The story has to progress somehow. Meanwhile, the cabin's on fire. I'm outside, so I don't have anything to worry about. Also, can we post these minor discussions in the OOC thread?

IC - Afton, still sitting on the log with K, looked up just in time to see the roof of the cabin explode into flames.
"Oh, fuck," she said. She leapt up, hoping K was right behind her, and sprinted for the cabin. As she did so, she caught sight of a shadow slipping away into the woods. She stopped, almost changed course, then changed her mind. Selia was in the cabin. Afton was sure she'd make it out, but she kept on running anyway. She hoped the elf would have the presence of mind to get herself out of there.

 

[Chalintra]

(( got it!))

Selia:

Hmm. There must be someone with a dumb and brutish mind outside, cold hearted enough to disturb this ancient melody. The roof is on fire so it´s time to pick up everything that´s needed and leave.
Selia took her time. There is so much stuff humans need to survive that she´s almost been in there too long, but finally she made it. Opening the door was a dangerous task, who knows if the one who had tossed the firebrands isn´t lurking with a bow in hand to shoot everyone who might comes this way?
Let darkness be my friend and the wild shadows the blazing fire casts
She tossed a large bundle made out of the blankets she´d found through the door. For someone who´d been waiting for an opportunity this will be a target he´ll surely shoot at. Without waiting for a sign if the attacker had swallowed her red herring she leaves the cabin too, takes care not to blind herself with looking at the fire (she likes the song the dancing flames sing - its always fascinating). Instead she has her bow in hand and an arrow nocked. Make a move creep and you´ll learn what price there is to pay for disturbing the peace and protection of a home.

 

[Third Magus]

K's perpetual tension, for a moment relaxed, returned as he leapt up. The roof of the cabin had burst into flames. Quickly drawing the longsword from his shoulder, he paced behind Afton.

Selia's ruse; throwing a bundle outside first to draw fire, impressed him. He hadn't thought the elf nearly practical enough to do anything but leap blindly out. Instead, she followed the bundle with her bow drawn and an arrow nocked.

K, once he'd established that Selia was uninjured, shouted to her and Afton: "Move back! Back into the woods!"

In the clearing, they were clear targets for the fire-starter and any accomplices. K began quickly retreating for the cover of the trees himself after picking up the bundle of supplies Selia had tossed out, always trying to stand between any line of fire and Afton.

 

[The_high_king]

Creeps fights a demon

"I knew you'd come here Creeps... and now, I have you all to myself", she softly said, as her eyes also began to change into a more... feral form. I carefully began to step around the table, "I'm sorry umm... you speak as if I know you". She simply smiled, "hahahaha hmmm, no Creeps... but I know you". Still looking for a way out, I kept her busy, playing the word game, "you do? Wow, I must have been pretty drunk that night". She followed my movements, "tsk, tsk, human humour. It can get one killed, if one is not careful... are you... careful?", then without any warning, she pounced at me, tail flailing in the air.

FWIPP!!! I managed to dodge to the left, cutting her with my long knife. Her throat was pouring white blood, her tail had hit the wall behind my, putting a huge hole in the stone. At first it looked like she was in pain, but then she began to laugh as her wound seemed to close quickly by itself. Damn healing ability! I knew in my head that there was no way I could kill a demon... let alone a demoness. Only one way out for me, and that was to slow it down. I whipped out my small crossbow, then emptied a few bolts into it's head and torso area. After that, I didn't stick around to see what would happen. I turned then ran as fast as my feet could carry me!

 

[vierge]

After the second torth was thrown and the diversion created, Sparrow's quick eyes flitted about, calling to Selene who galloped in and with fingers entangled her strong mane, she threw herself up onto the beautiful beast. Drawing the rapier which made a metal on metal shriek from it's sheath, she flew over the brush near the cabin and drew a five-pointed star weapon, but the girl and the Fey, a being she knew through their Earthly bond. Hesitating, she wondered why such a proud creature would defend characters as these. The thought pricked her mind so, but the mare neighed as the fire grew and kicking in to Selene's hinds, she encouraged the horse to a gallop as the main brigand came into view. He was the one The Castle had informed her of, one of the killers. Her quarrel was not with the Fey, and therefore, she was sided out of mind. The quarrel was actually with the killers, but the price had been made for the girl. Lunging as the horse flew nearer to the man, she dropped swift to her feet, sword drawn and stance taken, eyes steadied forward maliciously at the man.

"For the death of a few innocent, you shall pay with all you have."

With that, the attack was launched, sword clash against sword clash, movements swift in a circle of patterned movements paired with the swinging of her body to the left and to the right, trying to damage in anyway possible. He was brilliant in his mastery of the sword. Their grunts and her cries of anguish matched the blows against each other, his own physique much more masculine and broad than her own. Sweat clung to her brow as the shuffling of her feet backed against the blaze of the fire, but she dropped to a sweep kick which he dodged with a lithe jump which enabled her to run forward with an incredibly loud shriek of strength, quite possibly the last she could manage.Determination in her eyes as she spun at the last minute to lash out with her sword and slash a gash into his unarmed hand, bloud spurting forth. Vision blurred as her tresses of gold spun out around her face, aglow from the circle of fire that had spread around them.

They face off once more....

[ I leave the ending of this fight to you, magus ]

 

[AmandaAce]

Afton screamed as the assassin plunged into the woods. She watched apprehensively as the girl and K faced off. It was obvious that K was the stronger of the two, but the girl was intent.
Afton saw her wound K's hand, and started toward him, but he motioned her back. The girl was tiring quickly.
She looked up and saw Selia, still trying to defend every side. The elf was circling slowly, an arrow nocked, looking for others to take down.
There were no others. This girl was alone. Afton smiled grimly to herself. Picking up the bundle of supplies K had dropped, Afton deposited them to the side, out of the way.
K and the girl were facing off once more, panting. Afton strode over to K and slid his short sword out of the sheath on his back. He grunted some negative remark at her, not wanting to take his eyes off the assassin girl.
Afton holding the sword up, looked into the girl's eyes.
"K," she said, "Step back. I want to kill her."

[don't want to step on any1's toes. it was something i felt compelled to do.]