Drake winced as he drew in another breath of the crisp night air. His entire body was sore from the beating he had received at the hands of a group of highway robbers earlier in the day.
He had been walking along the edge of the road, minding his own business, when a tall mass of blubber and stench had stepped out of the woods and smiled down at him with all three of the teeth in it's head. "Well 'ello there li'le man. Ya mus' be new in town," the man had said, the smell of alcohol and rot on his breath making Drake's stomach do cartwheels. He had just continued to stare up at the vile specimen of humanity that stood before him. "Anyo'e from round these parts wou'ave known about the tole on this here road. They'd 'ave also known tha' I'm the collection agent. So pay up ten Bishani or turn aroun'."
"I think not," Drake had returned coolly. The man before him had only smiled bigger at his statement. Then the big man stuck his thumb and index finger between his lips a blew a loud signal, spittle splattering across Drake's face. In an instant ten more men had materialized to surround the two.
"Han' over the coin or we'll be takin' it from ya boy." The other men laughed menacingly. Drake had barely gotten his hand on the hilt of his rapier before something had struck him hard in the back of the head. As he lay on the ground the men had proceeded to close in around him and kick every inch of his frame with brutal repetition before taking his leather purse full of coins and the only weapon he possessed, as far as they knew.
Now Drake sat in a Y high up in a tree just beyond the clearing where his attackers had made camp. He had been there watching them drink themselves into a stupor for near three hours. Two of the men had already passed out cold on the ground, and the others sat in a semi-circle around their leader who was flourishing Drake's rapier with such a lack of skill that it made Drake grimace. "Now is the time to attack, when they least expect it," came a familiar voice from somewhere in the back of his mind.
He turned his head to look at the shadow of himself that the moonlight cast across the tree's bark at his side. "No. We will do this my way," he whispered commandingly. His shadow shrugged. He hadn't moved an inch
Forgotten Faces
(NPC Post)
Skyvit sat on a log near the fire watching Vaskar swing the sword they had taken from an elf earlier that day. The fool probably thought that he looked like some kind of swordmaster, but he only looked like a child trying to play soldier. The others appeased the sloven brute with applause, but Skyvit refused to boost the man’s ego. He was tired of Vaskar, he was tired of surviving by attacking women and old people, and most of all he was tired of living in the forest with all the strange creatures and people that surrounded Marn.
He had never really fit in with Vaskar’s band of merry bandits, having been born of a noble house and having more delicate sensibilities than these other gutter rats. Unfortunately, he had discovered a minor talent for magic when he was younger, a fact that horrified his family. He was disowned and forced to turn to a life of crime as no one wanted to hire him and risk upsetting his family.
He was pulled back to the present by Vaskar’s feeble attempts to slide the thin blade back into it’s scabbard. The stupid sot managed to slice his hand open, Skyvit smiled at the fool’s misfortune. “I saw that ya li’le rat,” the big man said as he stumbled over to Skyvit, pointing an accusing finger at him. “You thin’ that’s funny aye? Well we’ll see jis how much yer laughin’ after ya take the firs’ three shifts on watch.” Skyvit glowered at the man that was supposed to be his leader. “Ins…insi…not doing wha’ I say’ll ge’ ya killed round ‘ere boy.”
He turned from the rest of the group as they settled in for the night and walked to the edge of the clearing. He found a sturdy log and plopped down on it. “Damn, I hope somebody gives him what’s coming to him some day,” he thought to himself as he began to survey the stars over head.
Skyvit sat on a log near the fire watching Vaskar swing the sword they had taken from an elf earlier that day. The fool probably thought that he looked like some kind of swordmaster, but he only looked like a child trying to play soldier. The others appeased the sloven brute with applause, but Skyvit refused to boost the man’s ego. He was tired of Vaskar, he was tired of surviving by attacking women and old people, and most of all he was tired of living in the forest with all the strange creatures and people that surrounded Marn.
He had never really fit in with Vaskar’s band of merry bandits, having been born of a noble house and having more delicate sensibilities than these other gutter rats. Unfortunately, he had discovered a minor talent for magic when he was younger, a fact that horrified his family. He was disowned and forced to turn to a life of crime as no one wanted to hire him and risk upsetting his family.
He was pulled back to the present by Vaskar’s feeble attempts to slide the thin blade back into it’s scabbard. The stupid sot managed to slice his hand open, Skyvit smiled at the fool’s misfortune. “I saw that ya li’le rat,” the big man said as he stumbled over to Skyvit, pointing an accusing finger at him. “You thin’ that’s funny aye? Well we’ll see jis how much yer laughin’ after ya take the firs’ three shifts on watch.” Skyvit glowered at the man that was supposed to be his leader. “Ins…insi…not doing wha’ I say’ll ge’ ya killed round ‘ere boy.”
He turned from the rest of the group as they settled in for the night and walked to the edge of the clearing. He found a sturdy log and plopped down on it. “Damn, I hope somebody gives him what’s coming to him some day,” he thought to himself as he began to survey the stars over head.
Drake watched patiently as the group of ruffians began to disband and bed down on the ground about the clearing. The big man that had confronted him had had a bit of a spat with one of the men. The man had then, apparently, been put on night watch for he had walked off into the edge of the woods and sat down on a log. It wouldn’t be much longer before Drake had his vengeance.
After waiting another hour, Drake stood and leapt from his perch in the tree. The baggy legs of his pants barely fluttered around his legs as he descended at a magically stunted pace. His feet softly met the ground and he ran silently through the woods with the practiced tiptoed run of an assassin. The only warning the man on watch had was the low whistle of the knife as it twirled through the night air, he had barely noticed the sound before the blade sunk into his throat all the way to it’s handle. Drake retrieved his knife and everything of any value from the warm corpse and started towards the closest man in the clearing.
In one fluid motion Drake covered the man’s mouth and plunged his knife deep into the side of his neck, severing the thick vein that was to be found there. One by one the bandits in the clearing died as the swift and silent killer moved amongst them. Only one was left now, and Drake intended to have some fun with this one.
The big man was lying on his back snoring, Drake’s rapier on the ground at his side. Drake picked it up and slid it free of its scabbard. The firelight danced on the perfectly honed edge of the Elf forged blade. A wicked smile began to play across his face, and the blade arced down with the speed that a cat pounces on prey.
The big man awoke, screaming in agony and clutching and the spot where his arm was once attached to the rest of him. He tried to lift himself up with the other, but it was quickly cut from beneath him, literally. Only now did his eyes, dulled by the drink, register the dark form that stood over him with the rapier in a white-knuckled grip. All he could see was a wicked grin and vivid green eyes filled with hatred.
Drake slowly lowered the tip of his sword to the side of the man’s face. He tried to shy away from it, but Drake was too quick for him. One of his ears now joined his arms upon the ground, and the night air was filled with screams of fear and pain. Drake reveled in the sound for a moment before brining his boot down on the man’s face as hard as he could. The screams stopped, but Drake did not. He continued to stamp on the man’s skull until there was naught left to smash, screaming in crazed ecstasy the whole time.
Drake strolled out of the woods with his arms loaded with new treasures and a smile on his blood covered face. He had reclaimed his possessions, he had found some new one’s, and he had rid the world of another menace, but most importantly, he had tasted the blood of people that had wronged him.
Now the story jumps to Downtown Marn at http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/viewtopic ... 0455#10455
After waiting another hour, Drake stood and leapt from his perch in the tree. The baggy legs of his pants barely fluttered around his legs as he descended at a magically stunted pace. His feet softly met the ground and he ran silently through the woods with the practiced tiptoed run of an assassin. The only warning the man on watch had was the low whistle of the knife as it twirled through the night air, he had barely noticed the sound before the blade sunk into his throat all the way to it’s handle. Drake retrieved his knife and everything of any value from the warm corpse and started towards the closest man in the clearing.
In one fluid motion Drake covered the man’s mouth and plunged his knife deep into the side of his neck, severing the thick vein that was to be found there. One by one the bandits in the clearing died as the swift and silent killer moved amongst them. Only one was left now, and Drake intended to have some fun with this one.
The big man was lying on his back snoring, Drake’s rapier on the ground at his side. Drake picked it up and slid it free of its scabbard. The firelight danced on the perfectly honed edge of the Elf forged blade. A wicked smile began to play across his face, and the blade arced down with the speed that a cat pounces on prey.
The big man awoke, screaming in agony and clutching and the spot where his arm was once attached to the rest of him. He tried to lift himself up with the other, but it was quickly cut from beneath him, literally. Only now did his eyes, dulled by the drink, register the dark form that stood over him with the rapier in a white-knuckled grip. All he could see was a wicked grin and vivid green eyes filled with hatred.
Drake slowly lowered the tip of his sword to the side of the man’s face. He tried to shy away from it, but Drake was too quick for him. One of his ears now joined his arms upon the ground, and the night air was filled with screams of fear and pain. Drake reveled in the sound for a moment before brining his boot down on the man’s face as hard as he could. The screams stopped, but Drake did not. He continued to stamp on the man’s skull until there was naught left to smash, screaming in crazed ecstasy the whole time.
Drake strolled out of the woods with his arms loaded with new treasures and a smile on his blood covered face. He had reclaimed his possessions, he had found some new one’s, and he had rid the world of another menace, but most importantly, he had tasted the blood of people that had wronged him.
Now the story jumps to Downtown Marn at http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/viewtopic ... 0455#10455
Emerging into the woods from http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/viewtopic ... 0957#10957
Drake walked close to the trees that lined the edge of the road. He could hear the calls of nocturnal birds out looking for prey. His eyes darted side to side as fast as he had seen Cody's on occasion. A hand firmly grasped the hilt of his weapon, and almost tugged it free with the movement of every shadow.
This was not a good place for two edgy and paranoid people to be in the middle of the night. Every shadow was a sword wielding enemy ready to pounce. Every sound was the plod of trailing foot steps. Drake was ready to make it to the small inn in Shim and rest for the night.
Drake walked close to the trees that lined the edge of the road. He could hear the calls of nocturnal birds out looking for prey. His eyes darted side to side as fast as he had seen Cody's on occasion. A hand firmly grasped the hilt of his weapon, and almost tugged it free with the movement of every shadow.
This was not a good place for two edgy and paranoid people to be in the middle of the night. Every shadow was a sword wielding enemy ready to pounce. Every sound was the plod of trailing foot steps. Drake was ready to make it to the small inn in Shim and rest for the night.
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-
Cody
Cody had done as Drake requested and stayed close to him the entire way out of town. It had been easy enough really, Drake saying he could protect them with a spell he had no plans of leaving his side. He was tense and tired of being scared, he was often a little leery but he normally worked harder to avoid what scared him. Now the fears had substance to him, and he had no way of knowing when they would next appear perhaps this time actually catching him.
Once out of town he at least got to feel a bit more freedom, less restraining him from running should the need arise. Drake was edgey...yes well...with reason. Cody wasn't about to calm down himself, yet guilt assailed him as part of the reason was he felt he could run off easier this way.
They were both quiet, probably each imagining what would happen if they breathed a word. Cody was tired of being scared in the more limited human form. He shifted back into his other form, the black and white pain, back into a form that had better senses to know if someone was coming. In a form that could for sure out run anything that chased them...
Drake deserved a better friend. Cody would do his best...but...he knew there was a lot more people that would be better choices Drake could have for friends. Cody was still scared, his ears twisting about in different directions. He stretched out his neck, shaking it out some, sending his mane flapping in different directions. At least...the one thing he could do for his friend is give him warning of danger before he took any of his common cowardly actions.
Once out of town he at least got to feel a bit more freedom, less restraining him from running should the need arise. Drake was edgey...yes well...with reason. Cody wasn't about to calm down himself, yet guilt assailed him as part of the reason was he felt he could run off easier this way.
They were both quiet, probably each imagining what would happen if they breathed a word. Cody was tired of being scared in the more limited human form. He shifted back into his other form, the black and white pain, back into a form that had better senses to know if someone was coming. In a form that could for sure out run anything that chased them...
Drake deserved a better friend. Cody would do his best...but...he knew there was a lot more people that would be better choices Drake could have for friends. Cody was still scared, his ears twisting about in different directions. He stretched out his neck, shaking it out some, sending his mane flapping in different directions. At least...the one thing he could do for his friend is give him warning of danger before he took any of his common cowardly actions.
Drake paid little mind to the fact that Cody had shifted forms. He wanted to keep his eyes open for more important things. An owl crooned over it's freshly caught meal in a limb above head. "Good idea," he thought to himself. He stopped walking and turned to look at his friend's equine face.
"Cody, I know you can't talk in that form, but you can hear me. I'm going to get up into the trees so that I'll have a better view." He started to edge towards the tree line to emphasize the point. "Don't worry, I'll be right above you." Drake grabbed a low branch and vaulted up to the next one. He went up and up into the tree until he was a good five feet above Cody's head. "When you start to see lights from Shim, I'd suggest you change back. Now, let's get a move on."
Drake scurried across limbs and up the sides of trees like a giant squirrel. It was a lot easier to see from up here, not to mention that it somehow calmed his frayed nerves.
"Cody, I know you can't talk in that form, but you can hear me. I'm going to get up into the trees so that I'll have a better view." He started to edge towards the tree line to emphasize the point. "Don't worry, I'll be right above you." Drake grabbed a low branch and vaulted up to the next one. He went up and up into the tree until he was a good five feet above Cody's head. "When you start to see lights from Shim, I'd suggest you change back. Now, let's get a move on."
Drake scurried across limbs and up the sides of trees like a giant squirrel. It was a lot easier to see from up here, not to mention that it somehow calmed his frayed nerves.
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-
Cody
Cody's ears had swiveled forward to focus in on Drake while he spoke, one rear leg raising and falling to show he wasn't overly thrilled with staying still. He bobbed his head up and down quickly to the question. He understood, Drake had said it was where he was most comfortable.
As Drake went up into the tree's Cody went off at a lope, he didn't go straight not wanting to lose Drake, he'd twist and turn around the tree's making various loops. It would be somewhat helpful if anyone tried to trail them, that could be an excuse why Cody was doing it, truthfully he was just running to get rid of stress.
Every now and then he'd tilt his head up to show Drake he was keeping an eye on him in case he was worried. He wasn't really sure of how good Drake could see at night really...but hopefully he knew Cody wasn't planning to run off on him.
As Drake went up into the tree's Cody went off at a lope, he didn't go straight not wanting to lose Drake, he'd twist and turn around the tree's making various loops. It would be somewhat helpful if anyone tried to trail them, that could be an excuse why Cody was doing it, truthfully he was just running to get rid of stress.
Every now and then he'd tilt his head up to show Drake he was keeping an eye on him in case he was worried. He wasn't really sure of how good Drake could see at night really...but hopefully he knew Cody wasn't planning to run off on him.
Drake spotted someone on the path ahead of them. "Coming down," he whispered down to Cody. He jumped down from the limb he was perched on to land by Cody. "Don't run unless they attack, it would look suspicious, and just keep walking unless they say something to us."
A little further down the road the person came into sight. "It's just an old man," he said in case Cody's night vision was not as good as his. The old man hurried to the other side of the road, trying just as hard to avoid them as Drake knew Cody was trying to avoid the old man behind him.
Drake caught a glimpse of the man's face as they passed him. He had a deep scar running down the left side of his face and also bore many pox scars. His hair was wispy and thin, and he had a scruffy patch of hair on the end of his chin.
Once he was sure that the old man couldn't see them anymore Drake moved back up into the trees.
A little further down the road the person came into sight. "It's just an old man," he said in case Cody's night vision was not as good as his. The old man hurried to the other side of the road, trying just as hard to avoid them as Drake knew Cody was trying to avoid the old man behind him.
Drake caught a glimpse of the man's face as they passed him. He had a deep scar running down the left side of his face and also bore many pox scars. His hair was wispy and thin, and he had a scruffy patch of hair on the end of his chin.
Once he was sure that the old man couldn't see them anymore Drake moved back up into the trees.
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-
Cody
Cody knew Drake was coming down but it didn't stop a surprised action at the quickness of his landing. His front legs raised a foot in the air, turning him sideways facing away from Drake. His back legs lurched him forward half a step where he stopped.
Cody waited quietly, oddly almost patiently as the old man passed by. He wasn't acting like a threat, and he didn't really seem like someone who had any chance of catching him or Drake. Either way, from this distance they could run off easily before he made a move.
Cody was starting to feel better. In the city you never which person was going to be the one that came after you. Here...there were very few people and their was plenty of warning before they appeared. Cody ducked his head actually taking a moment to grab a few pieces of grass before moving to catch up with Drake.
Yes...Cody felt oddly better. He was somewhat surprised he wasn't scared worse than this even though he was outside. Likely it was because this time, even if running away, he had a friend that was going with him. He was a member of a small herd, or a group depending on what species term you wanted to use, and this is how it was meant to be.
Cody waited quietly, oddly almost patiently as the old man passed by. He wasn't acting like a threat, and he didn't really seem like someone who had any chance of catching him or Drake. Either way, from this distance they could run off easily before he made a move.
Cody was starting to feel better. In the city you never which person was going to be the one that came after you. Here...there were very few people and their was plenty of warning before they appeared. Cody ducked his head actually taking a moment to grab a few pieces of grass before moving to catch up with Drake.
Yes...Cody felt oddly better. He was somewhat surprised he wasn't scared worse than this even though he was outside. Likely it was because this time, even if running away, he had a friend that was going with him. He was a member of a small herd, or a group depending on what species term you wanted to use, and this is how it was meant to be.
Drake spotted the lights up ahead. He looked down to see if his friend had noticed them yet. He obviously hadn't. "Cody, you should think about shifting back soon. We're getting close. I'm coming back down." This time he climbed down from the tree instead of leaping out and spooking Cody.
He turned to his friend and patted him on his warm, dry muzzle. "Any time now will do."
He turned to his friend and patted him on his warm, dry muzzle. "Any time now will do."
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-
Cody
Cody pinned his ears back. He knew the town was up ahead...but he hadn't wanted to really go back to his human form. Not only that but he didn't really feel like going into the town. Between not being able to talk in his horse form and not wanting to lose his friend, he gave up on what he wanted. Not that it was hard to do, Cody was use to putting someone elses' ideas ahead of his head.
He exhaled deeply once, turned his head to get another look at the city then once again became a human. "Do you really think its safer there than out here?"
Obviously Drake did or he wouldn't be suggesting they go there...still he'd felt some desire to ask. "Out here, we aren't surrounded by people so we can pay attention to the individuals when they walk by. You can see them from the tree's and I can hear them down here. They might now the the cities better than us, but maybe not the woods..."
While he didn't expect to win, it was probably some of the strongest arguments he'd ever risked making.
He exhaled deeply once, turned his head to get another look at the city then once again became a human. "Do you really think its safer there than out here?"
Obviously Drake did or he wouldn't be suggesting they go there...still he'd felt some desire to ask. "Out here, we aren't surrounded by people so we can pay attention to the individuals when they walk by. You can see them from the tree's and I can hear them down here. They might now the the cities better than us, but maybe not the woods..."
While he didn't expect to win, it was probably some of the strongest arguments he'd ever risked making.
Drake gave a low, self deprecating chuckle. "I wasn't suggesting that we stay indoors. I just want to go in to see what we can find out and get something to eat, I'm starving. After that we'll set up camp in the edge of the woods."
After rounding the next bend the town of Shim came into full view.
After rounding the next bend the town of Shim came into full view.
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-
Cody
Cody nodded, feeling silly that he'd forgotten Drake would want food in the city. It did taste better there, but Cody could have just as well gone without. However, he felt more at ease knowing they would still make camp out here where they could feel more secure, or at least he would.
"Alright, thanks." Drake might be more comfortable in the town, for sleeping at least...it was nice to know he was willing to stay out here.
"Alright, thanks." Drake might be more comfortable in the town, for sleeping at least...it was nice to know he was willing to stay out here.
Coming from http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/viewtopic ... 1010#11010
Drake shifted his weight on the branch. He had been up in the tree since they had picked a spot to make camp in. From here he could see all of Shim, and his eyes were constantly drawn back to one place. It was a fairly large graveyard right in the center of the village. He didn't know why the place disturbed him so, he just hoped that he never had to go there.
Finally deciding that no one for the village was coming after them he crawled down the side of the tree. "Looks like the coast is clear," he said as he jumped down the last few feet. "Try this," he said, handing Cody one of the strange purple-red fruit he had picked when he first climbed into the tree. "I think they're called Napu fruit, don't really remember though. I just remember that they're really good."
Drake bit into the soft skin of the fruit and it's sweet juice flowed into his mouth. It tasted a bit like a cross between a nectarine and a plum. He savored the fruit as he stared up at the night sky.
Drake shifted his weight on the branch. He had been up in the tree since they had picked a spot to make camp in. From here he could see all of Shim, and his eyes were constantly drawn back to one place. It was a fairly large graveyard right in the center of the village. He didn't know why the place disturbed him so, he just hoped that he never had to go there.
Finally deciding that no one for the village was coming after them he crawled down the side of the tree. "Looks like the coast is clear," he said as he jumped down the last few feet. "Try this," he said, handing Cody one of the strange purple-red fruit he had picked when he first climbed into the tree. "I think they're called Napu fruit, don't really remember though. I just remember that they're really good."
Drake bit into the soft skin of the fruit and it's sweet juice flowed into his mouth. It tasted a bit like a cross between a nectarine and a plum. He savored the fruit as he stared up at the night sky.
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours