Outside, wind howled past the arrow-slit windows of the half-ruined tower. Its walls were bathed in sharp sunlight, and beyond the sky was cloudless and wondrously blue. It was a fairly warm day, despite the wind.
Inside the top room of the tower, however, it was cold and dark. Gloom hung around the room like a dense fog, condensing on chilled skin and pooling in the cracks. Yet, despite all this, Asiona was comfortable in this forsaken place. Her usual cheery mood that had lightened the room in the past was now gone. Instead, a gloom to match the haunted ruins dampened her eyes and paled her cheeks.
Pieces of metal lay taken apart in the jumble on the floor. Broken candles were like fallen comrades on top of the pile. Asiona sat on her knees staring at the mess. Tears glittered in her eyes as she pondered darkly. Lateus glared at nothing, hiding inside the deepest shadow off to her side. His hair was damp and hung limply around his face. Soap still stung his eyes, making him blink often. The dirt had been scrubbed off his whole body with a none-too-kind brush. He was quite irritable.
Both of them had slyly snuck out of the house early this morning to make the tiring trek to the cursed spot where the angel was summoned, and then all the way back, to this tower. Now it was late evening. Asiona knew her parents would be worried about her, and her actions would result in more constraints, but she just couldn’t care about that at all right now.
The Summoning spell had not been the glory she had sought. Instead, it got her tangled up with a demon, and then an angel. Both of them were cruel, one a cold-blooded killer and another a cold-blooded thief. A thief of her life’s passion! Her youthful face twisted into a wrathful grimace as she stared at the stupid, stupid spell construct. All she could think of was how much she wanted it to disappear forever, wishing none of this had ever happened.
The girl sought a spell within her mind and began to chant the words. As the last word left her mouth, heat wavered over the pile. The pieces of metal warped and melted, dripping and bending into the stone floor. The candles disappeared into pools of white. When it was over the only thing left was bits of hot wax on top of a misshapen object.
Asiona did not get to see the result of her spell. Once the last word left her mouth the pain was unbearable. She doubled over onto her side, teeth clenched and nails digging into the flesh of her arms as she held herself. She tried her best not to scream but it burst out anyway, echoing off the stone and being flung out into the open air. It was long and drawn-out, transcending more than physical pain. Then as her scream faded, sobbing took its place.
Lateus got up and crept out of the room, not wanting to have anything to do with her right now. She was being obstinate, casting magic more than she ever had while she could, and even now trying her best to hang onto her sanity as pain overwhelmed her. It was nonsense. She also forbade him from casting magic, something he couldn’t survive without. She cried all the time and it was making him sick. She also thought constantly of death, mostly not for herself, but for Lateus and Railtus and the angel. Her little fantasies made him hungry and grumpy, and a little afraid.
He left for some other place among the ruins and sat with his own thoughts. Meanwhile Asiona stayed on her side, not even acknowledging the demon’s departure. The pain left an ache in her stomach and throat. She cried softly, unsure of who was to blame for her pain, anger fueling every breath she sucked in.
The Tower
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Chezak D'Maroe
- Citizen
- Posts: 170
- Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2007 7:28 am
- Name: Chezak
- Race: Elf
Thunk!
The arrow nestled directly between it's two brothers, quivering slightly. The small, red-painted circle in the middle of the board barely fit the three arrows already within it's confines, yet a fourth slipped between the arrow shafts and thudded into the wood, even before the third had finished shaking.
Chezak lowered the long bow and stared hard at the target. He was approximately a hundred yards from the target, a distance that most archers would have a hard time hitting the centre cricle of a target even one time in four. The wind, howling higher up, but relatively light here, only made the achievement that much more fantastic. Chezak knew he was good with a bow and arrow; in fact, he knew he was better than good. Yet he didn't feel much pride in the accomplishment. It had been that pride that had lost him a homeland. That was why...
Chezak sighed. Every time he practiced with his bow since leaving Tian Xia, he replayed the incident with his father through his mind. It had been rash, exiling himself, but he couldn't stand that his father would have that little respect for Chezak's accomplishments and desires. He shook his head and sighed again, beginning the trek to the target. No sense wasting good arrows by splitting the shafts. It was one thing in a competition, but quite another when you had spent several Bishan on purchasing new heads, and several hours fashioning the shafts yourself.
The purchase from Elvren had been inexpensive for what he had received. The metal heads were well made, if only slightly softer than what was used in Tian Xia. Perhaps the metal was hard to come by, since the blacksmith had been unfamiliar with the metal when Chezak had mentioned it.
When Chezak reached the target, he pressed a knee into the center of his bow and unstrung it. While in town, he rarely kept it strung, since it would cause the wood to warp eventually. He slipped the stave over his shoulder and into it's case, and carefully folded the string and slipped it into a pocket. He pulled the first two arrows from the wood, inspecting both the shaft and heads for any damage or nicks from other arrows hitting them.
As he placed his hand on the third arrow, a shiver coursed through him. His head immediately lifted, almost as if he were scenting the air. He turned full circle, narrow eyes moving swiftly over the entire terrain.
Someone had used magic, and relatively near, or he wouldn't have felt anything. There was no movement that he could see, though any person might be within the confines of one of the crumbled buildings. As he made a second turn, paying more attention to buildings, his eyes stopped on a single story building nearby, a tower, several larger buildings with domes...
A scream pierced the windblown silence of the ruins, long and drawn out before finally fading away. The wind blew through the ruins and over the spot where an elf had once stood.
Before the scream had even stopped, Chezak was running towards the tower. He was almost positive it had come from there. So close to the use of magic, he could only think of what kinds of torture could cause a scream like that.
His feet hardly made a sound as he sped towards the tower, throwing himself back first against the wall next to the entrance. In one swift motion, the falchion was drawn from it's sheath and in his hand, at the ready. He waited, barely daring to breath. There was no sound but the wind.
The arrow nestled directly between it's two brothers, quivering slightly. The small, red-painted circle in the middle of the board barely fit the three arrows already within it's confines, yet a fourth slipped between the arrow shafts and thudded into the wood, even before the third had finished shaking.
Chezak lowered the long bow and stared hard at the target. He was approximately a hundred yards from the target, a distance that most archers would have a hard time hitting the centre cricle of a target even one time in four. The wind, howling higher up, but relatively light here, only made the achievement that much more fantastic. Chezak knew he was good with a bow and arrow; in fact, he knew he was better than good. Yet he didn't feel much pride in the accomplishment. It had been that pride that had lost him a homeland. That was why...
Chezak sighed. Every time he practiced with his bow since leaving Tian Xia, he replayed the incident with his father through his mind. It had been rash, exiling himself, but he couldn't stand that his father would have that little respect for Chezak's accomplishments and desires. He shook his head and sighed again, beginning the trek to the target. No sense wasting good arrows by splitting the shafts. It was one thing in a competition, but quite another when you had spent several Bishan on purchasing new heads, and several hours fashioning the shafts yourself.
The purchase from Elvren had been inexpensive for what he had received. The metal heads were well made, if only slightly softer than what was used in Tian Xia. Perhaps the metal was hard to come by, since the blacksmith had been unfamiliar with the metal when Chezak had mentioned it.
When Chezak reached the target, he pressed a knee into the center of his bow and unstrung it. While in town, he rarely kept it strung, since it would cause the wood to warp eventually. He slipped the stave over his shoulder and into it's case, and carefully folded the string and slipped it into a pocket. He pulled the first two arrows from the wood, inspecting both the shaft and heads for any damage or nicks from other arrows hitting them.
As he placed his hand on the third arrow, a shiver coursed through him. His head immediately lifted, almost as if he were scenting the air. He turned full circle, narrow eyes moving swiftly over the entire terrain.
Someone had used magic, and relatively near, or he wouldn't have felt anything. There was no movement that he could see, though any person might be within the confines of one of the crumbled buildings. As he made a second turn, paying more attention to buildings, his eyes stopped on a single story building nearby, a tower, several larger buildings with domes...
A scream pierced the windblown silence of the ruins, long and drawn out before finally fading away. The wind blew through the ruins and over the spot where an elf had once stood.
Before the scream had even stopped, Chezak was running towards the tower. He was almost positive it had come from there. So close to the use of magic, he could only think of what kinds of torture could cause a scream like that.
His feet hardly made a sound as he sped towards the tower, throwing himself back first against the wall next to the entrance. In one swift motion, the falchion was drawn from it's sheath and in his hand, at the ready. He waited, barely daring to breath. There was no sound but the wind.
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Asiona & Lateus
- Citizen
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:51 am
Asiona's suffering slowly faded away. The more she cast spells the longer the pain lasted and the more deeply it was felt. She wasn't sure if it was the curse itself or her perception. As she lay on her side in the sudden, still silence, listening to the wind, she realized she could no longer be in denial about her condition. The angel had put a lasting curse on her, barring her from her magic. Bitter tears streamed from her eyes. Blearily, head heavy with crying and body aching all over, Asiona pushed herself up and sat dizzily for a moment with legs splayed sideways.
"Lateus!" she cried out. When there was no reply she screamed louder, "LATEUS!" Still no reply. "God, where did he get to... This is all his fault and he has the nerve to just up and leave..." she mumbled to herself as she pulled herself up on her feet.
It was probably about time to get home and face the heat. She brushed off her dress lazily, not really caring about her appearance but still going through the motions. Dust puffed off her otherwise neat, delicate dress. It was cream-colored with off-white lace edging the puffed sleeves and neckline. The more and more her mother bought her these dresses the worst they got in color and style. Her father had started giving her mother more money to buy Asiona nicer dresses, and she buys her this!
Sighing, Asiona started down the winding stairs. They were crumbling and some of them were missing, but she took less care than usual not to fall. Gravel and dust scattered off the steps to bounce off the floor as she walked down, the only sign of life. That thought made her sigh, too.
The girl reached the bottom and headed for the door. Sunlight filtered through the buildings beyond and she hoped dearly that it would help to cheer her up. Lateus had better stay here, because she wasn't going to go find him and lecture him right now. It was already too late in the day and her parents would be going mad.
Thus distracted by thoughts, she went through the entrance without a care.
"Lateus!" she cried out. When there was no reply she screamed louder, "LATEUS!" Still no reply. "God, where did he get to... This is all his fault and he has the nerve to just up and leave..." she mumbled to herself as she pulled herself up on her feet.
It was probably about time to get home and face the heat. She brushed off her dress lazily, not really caring about her appearance but still going through the motions. Dust puffed off her otherwise neat, delicate dress. It was cream-colored with off-white lace edging the puffed sleeves and neckline. The more and more her mother bought her these dresses the worst they got in color and style. Her father had started giving her mother more money to buy Asiona nicer dresses, and she buys her this!
Sighing, Asiona started down the winding stairs. They were crumbling and some of them were missing, but she took less care than usual not to fall. Gravel and dust scattered off the steps to bounce off the floor as she walked down, the only sign of life. That thought made her sigh, too.
The girl reached the bottom and headed for the door. Sunlight filtered through the buildings beyond and she hoped dearly that it would help to cheer her up. Lateus had better stay here, because she wasn't going to go find him and lecture him right now. It was already too late in the day and her parents would be going mad.
Thus distracted by thoughts, she went through the entrance without a care.
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Chezak D'Maroe
- Citizen
- Posts: 170
- Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2007 7:28 am
- Name: Chezak
- Race: Elf
Chezak heard a woman calling for someone, Lat-oos or something. He waited, his ears picking up the slight padding down the stairs of someone small and light.
She walked out past him, obviously distracted, and didn't see him at all. There was no sign what-so-ever of danger, and she didn't seem concerned about anything. Taking a couple quick steps, Chezak slipped into the tower and up the first few stairs, pausing to listen again, and waiting for something to follow her down. When nothing did, he turned again and exited the building. She was a little ways away, but it was a simple matter to catch up quickly.
Before reaching her, he spoke in a low voice pitched to carry to her ears. "Miss? Is everything alright?"
The falchion was held in two hands horizontally in front of him, still at the ready in case the scream had been from another who was still up in the tower.
She walked out past him, obviously distracted, and didn't see him at all. There was no sign what-so-ever of danger, and she didn't seem concerned about anything. Taking a couple quick steps, Chezak slipped into the tower and up the first few stairs, pausing to listen again, and waiting for something to follow her down. When nothing did, he turned again and exited the building. She was a little ways away, but it was a simple matter to catch up quickly.
Before reaching her, he spoke in a low voice pitched to carry to her ears. "Miss? Is everything alright?"
The falchion was held in two hands horizontally in front of him, still at the ready in case the scream had been from another who was still up in the tower.
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Blood Ravenous
- Battlemage
- Posts: 385
- Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2005 9:23 pm
- Name: Ryxa
- Race: Human
Re: The Tower
The girl heard a whisper of something behind her and turned, but there was nothing there. She faced forward again and continued walking. But now her train of her thoughts had been interrupted. Asiona realized where she was, the ruins, the creepy place that had a lot to hide when the sun was out. She felt a sudden chill and looked around, rubbing her arms. The hard and bright sunlight made deep shadows in the crevasses of stone. She slowly stopped and peered into one, somehow thinking she saw someone standing within.
Then from behind a low voice came. She whirled around and stumbled back at the same time, too startled to scream. The next thing her eyes rested on was the falchion in his hands. She had been too surprised to hear what he said, though his tone hadn't been threatening. The conflict between this made her pause. She wanted to run, but was also afraid of what she would run into.
She looked up at the stranger's eyes, trying to read his intent. They were a piercing green and exotic shape. Blonde hair was tied back and pointed ears stuck out to both sides. He was definitely imposing, though she was used to the sight of elves.
It was then she noticed the bow slung over his shoulder and tried to discern his intent with words. While both hands were held out in an appeasement gesture she timorously said, "I see you have a bow. Out here to hunt?" She laughed nervously and backed up. Any moment now you can come rescue me, Lateus she thought with all her might, but got no response.
Then from behind a low voice came. She whirled around and stumbled back at the same time, too startled to scream. The next thing her eyes rested on was the falchion in his hands. She had been too surprised to hear what he said, though his tone hadn't been threatening. The conflict between this made her pause. She wanted to run, but was also afraid of what she would run into.
She looked up at the stranger's eyes, trying to read his intent. They were a piercing green and exotic shape. Blonde hair was tied back and pointed ears stuck out to both sides. He was definitely imposing, though she was used to the sight of elves.
It was then she noticed the bow slung over his shoulder and tried to discern his intent with words. While both hands were held out in an appeasement gesture she timorously said, "I see you have a bow. Out here to hunt?" She laughed nervously and backed up. Any moment now you can come rescue me, Lateus she thought with all her might, but got no response.
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Chezak D'Maroe
- Citizen
- Posts: 170
- Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2007 7:28 am
- Name: Chezak
- Race: Elf
Re: The Tower
Her reaction was slightly more than what he had expected, for he had expected that the person who walked out of the tower would be the cold-hearted one causing the screams of pain from within. This young woman did not fit that description.
An eyebrow quivered upwards at the question she asked and where her eyes had flickered to, and the fact that she hadn't actually answered his question. She was young, even for a human, and her curly blond hair added to the youngness as it framed her face. She was short and slender, and didn't look much like a danger to anyone.
But Chezak didn't trust just looks. And there was still the fact that she had avoided his question. He didn't watch her to the exclusion of everything else, as he had been taught that that was one good way to end up dead. Instead, he continued shuffling around her, keeping enough distance to help her remain comfortable while remaining close enough that he could close the distance in two steps. His eyes darted from her to the distance behind her, and everyone once in a while he turned his head to make sure someone wasn't sneaking up behind him. His sword stance relaxed slightly, enough to appear less threatening, and he tried to offer a smile of reassurance. It felt tight and odd on his face, since it had been some time since he had smiled.
"No, miss, I'm not hunting. I was practicing with my bow, and I heard a scream. I came here to see what was happening," he said. He looked at her again, waiting a moment before repeating his question. "Are you alright?"
An eyebrow quivered upwards at the question she asked and where her eyes had flickered to, and the fact that she hadn't actually answered his question. She was young, even for a human, and her curly blond hair added to the youngness as it framed her face. She was short and slender, and didn't look much like a danger to anyone.
But Chezak didn't trust just looks. And there was still the fact that she had avoided his question. He didn't watch her to the exclusion of everything else, as he had been taught that that was one good way to end up dead. Instead, he continued shuffling around her, keeping enough distance to help her remain comfortable while remaining close enough that he could close the distance in two steps. His eyes darted from her to the distance behind her, and everyone once in a while he turned his head to make sure someone wasn't sneaking up behind him. His sword stance relaxed slightly, enough to appear less threatening, and he tried to offer a smile of reassurance. It felt tight and odd on his face, since it had been some time since he had smiled.
"No, miss, I'm not hunting. I was practicing with my bow, and I heard a scream. I came here to see what was happening," he said. He looked at her again, waiting a moment before repeating his question. "Are you alright?"
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Asiona & Lateus
- Citizen
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:51 am
Re: The Tower
Asiona continued to hold her hands out as if to stop him should he rush forward. She looked around slyly while he talked, looking for his 'friends'. She glanced behind her, hoping to see a clear route, but shabby piles of rocks made a zigzag path. Then again, she imagined he could jump over them, catching up to her easily within a few feet. Or he'd draw his bow and shoot her down. She gulped at the pictures in her mind.
Those eyes watched her warily, as if he expected something. She had no idea what he wanted and she was scared. His tone did nothing to calm her; it could be a ruse to prevent her from running. An elf might be smart enough to do that... An experienced robber might have found it much easier to rob girls while being gentle. The idea of him being a brigand of some sort was plausible with the way he steadily held his sword. Like a professional, though she hadn't much experience with that.
So as not to anger him, she forced herself to reply to his question. "I'm...I'm fine..." she whispered, too scared to be any louder.
Without warning, memories of being pushed around and beaten in an alleyway came flooding back. The necklace that had attracted them was buried deep in her drawer right this moment to banish the reminder. After a few days, necklace hidden and bruises healing, she had felt better and thought the flashbacks were over. But now the images were just as powerful as the days after the shock... Despite the grisly reminder of a similar situation, this instance was much worse than before. There was no off-duty guard to come rescue her and this one had a weapon. A big weapon--AND bow and arrows.
The memories drifted into the talk with Mavelle, then meeting Railtus, and then yesterday with the angel and the curse. Again, she was spiraling down into a hole of painful memories and feeling like she was drowning. She couldn't take anymore of this. Her life was ruined. And now this guy had to show up and make it even worse.
Tears came to her eyes and her expression tightened; her eyes dilated and her lip began to tremble. Her emotions became completely evident.
"Please," she said, voice shaking with fear and pain, "I don't have any money. I don't have anything. I'm just a...a poor...runaway...I don't have anything." She began to back up, hands still out. A tear ran down her cheek. "See, no pockets... No purse... I've got nothing. So please, leave me alone..." She took in a shaky breath and looked away from him, bracing herself for the bite of his sword. Hopefully she'd put some life-saving steps between her and the weapon.
The girl didn't realize her reaction might become embarrassing when his gentleness was proved true. All she could remember was being helpless and in pain.
Those eyes watched her warily, as if he expected something. She had no idea what he wanted and she was scared. His tone did nothing to calm her; it could be a ruse to prevent her from running. An elf might be smart enough to do that... An experienced robber might have found it much easier to rob girls while being gentle. The idea of him being a brigand of some sort was plausible with the way he steadily held his sword. Like a professional, though she hadn't much experience with that.
So as not to anger him, she forced herself to reply to his question. "I'm...I'm fine..." she whispered, too scared to be any louder.
Without warning, memories of being pushed around and beaten in an alleyway came flooding back. The necklace that had attracted them was buried deep in her drawer right this moment to banish the reminder. After a few days, necklace hidden and bruises healing, she had felt better and thought the flashbacks were over. But now the images were just as powerful as the days after the shock... Despite the grisly reminder of a similar situation, this instance was much worse than before. There was no off-duty guard to come rescue her and this one had a weapon. A big weapon--AND bow and arrows.
The memories drifted into the talk with Mavelle, then meeting Railtus, and then yesterday with the angel and the curse. Again, she was spiraling down into a hole of painful memories and feeling like she was drowning. She couldn't take anymore of this. Her life was ruined. And now this guy had to show up and make it even worse.
Tears came to her eyes and her expression tightened; her eyes dilated and her lip began to tremble. Her emotions became completely evident.
"Please," she said, voice shaking with fear and pain, "I don't have any money. I don't have anything. I'm just a...a poor...runaway...I don't have anything." She began to back up, hands still out. A tear ran down her cheek. "See, no pockets... No purse... I've got nothing. So please, leave me alone..." She took in a shaky breath and looked away from him, bracing herself for the bite of his sword. Hopefully she'd put some life-saving steps between her and the weapon.
The girl didn't realize her reaction might become embarrassing when his gentleness was proved true. All she could remember was being helpless and in pain.
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Chezak D'Maroe
- Citizen
- Posts: 170
- Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2007 7:28 am
- Name: Chezak
- Race: Elf
Re: The Tower
Confusion flooded through Chezak. If the woman... no, girl... if the girl was actually fine, then he could only think that someone must still be in the tower. A scream of such anguish and pain couldn't have come from someone who looked as healthy as this girl did. Could it?
And yet, Chezak couldn't detect any falseness from her crying, nor the expressions on her face, or even the wavering of fear and pain in her voice. In fact, he wasn't sure what to think.
Chezak was not normally an emotional person, and very rarely reacted with heart instead of head. The last time he had reacted in such away had led to ... well, his current circumstances. And to this moment. He shook his head at her reaction, and his own thoughts.
With a sigh, he sheathed the falcion in it's scabbard, placing hands on hips.
"Look, miss. I don't mean to scare you, and I'm certainly not going to hurt you," he said, voice pitched low and even so as not to scare her. "I heard a scream and came to look." He paused, looking her up and down again. "Was that scream from you? Or someone else?"
His eyes were inadvertently pulled to the top of the tower she had exited, which was now nearly in front of him and slightly right of his position. The circling of a helpless girl had brought the tower back into sight of him.
He shook his head in disgust. It was a true sign of how far he had come from Tian Xia that he felt threatened by a girl like this. His eyes again focused on the girl, awaiting a reply.
And yet, Chezak couldn't detect any falseness from her crying, nor the expressions on her face, or even the wavering of fear and pain in her voice. In fact, he wasn't sure what to think.
Chezak was not normally an emotional person, and very rarely reacted with heart instead of head. The last time he had reacted in such away had led to ... well, his current circumstances. And to this moment. He shook his head at her reaction, and his own thoughts.
With a sigh, he sheathed the falcion in it's scabbard, placing hands on hips.
"Look, miss. I don't mean to scare you, and I'm certainly not going to hurt you," he said, voice pitched low and even so as not to scare her. "I heard a scream and came to look." He paused, looking her up and down again. "Was that scream from you? Or someone else?"
His eyes were inadvertently pulled to the top of the tower she had exited, which was now nearly in front of him and slightly right of his position. The circling of a helpless girl had brought the tower back into sight of him.
He shook his head in disgust. It was a true sign of how far he had come from Tian Xia that he felt threatened by a girl like this. His eyes again focused on the girl, awaiting a reply.
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Asiona & Lateus
- Citizen
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:51 am
Re: The Tower
Through tear-blurred vision Asiona watched the sword get put away like she was afraid it would come rushing out again. When he relaxed, hands away from his sword hilt, she looked perplexed and still frozen with fear. She finally, but grudgingly, listened to his words and incidentally heard the genuine tone of concern, if not kindness, and realized he was only being careful. It wasn't what she had thought at all; he must have heard her scream and maybe even thought she was one of the monsters lurking around here.
Relieved at finally understanding the situation, she bent over slightly and put her hand to her chest. Then she laughed. It was short and not very mirthful but it relieved her immensely. "Oh gosh," she said as she wiped her forehead as if to banish her fear. Adrenaline still pumped through her, but it was fading now. She straightened and said, "Yes it was me, I...had a stomach ache. I'm surprised to see someone else in this place. I figured... you know, only vagabonds would be here. It's not a very friendly place..." She saw him looking at the tower and shaking his head. He must feel as stupid as she did for her reaction. Both of their reactions to each other had been guarded and fearful. It was strangely ironic.
"I'm sorry I scared you, I guess. I was just, uh, hiding out up there. I figured no one would hear me." She chuckled and rubbed the back of her head nervously.
Relieved at finally understanding the situation, she bent over slightly and put her hand to her chest. Then she laughed. It was short and not very mirthful but it relieved her immensely. "Oh gosh," she said as she wiped her forehead as if to banish her fear. Adrenaline still pumped through her, but it was fading now. She straightened and said, "Yes it was me, I...had a stomach ache. I'm surprised to see someone else in this place. I figured... you know, only vagabonds would be here. It's not a very friendly place..." She saw him looking at the tower and shaking his head. He must feel as stupid as she did for her reaction. Both of their reactions to each other had been guarded and fearful. It was strangely ironic.
"I'm sorry I scared you, I guess. I was just, uh, hiding out up there. I figured no one would hear me." She chuckled and rubbed the back of her head nervously.
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Chezak D'Maroe
- Citizen
- Posts: 170
- Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2007 7:28 am
- Name: Chezak
- Race: Elf
Re: The Tower
Chezak shook his head again, this time at the naive girl's thought that she had scared him. He hadn't been scared; in fact, he could hardly remember the last time he had felt the thrill of fear. He hadn't felt scared even when he had faced off against odds in which most men would have simply given up.
One thing didn't sit right with him about what she had said, however.
"You had a stomach ache? Why would that make you scream like that? It must have been some kind of stomach ache."
He raised a brow at her in question, letting her know that he didn't believe her.
One thing didn't sit right with him about what she had said, however.
"You had a stomach ache? Why would that make you scream like that? It must have been some kind of stomach ache."
He raised a brow at her in question, letting her know that he didn't believe her.
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Asiona & Lateus
- Citizen
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:51 am
Re: The Tower
Slowly her arm lowered to her side. Her face became suddenly blank as she said, "You could say that." She stared at him a moment, face unreadable. Then she said, "I don't think you're from around here. Let me give you some advice: in Marn, you mind your own business." She raised her eyebrows back at him. "And definitely don't mind mine."Chezak D'Maroe wrote:"You had a stomach ache? Why would that make you scream like that? It must have been some kind of stomach ache."
With that curt reply, she swung on her heel and marched off. In doing so, she went by the dark shadowy spot she had been so creeped out about before. As she passed, a sleek shadow silently followed her out. It unfolded its lengthy body until it stood at above seven feet tall, black fur bristling on its back. Large clawed hands hung from its muscular arms, which were almost the length of its body. It's face was flat, without a nose or lips or eyes, but curved teeth ringed its grinning mouth. It was completely silent as it followed carefully two yards behind Asiona. No attention was paid to the warrior behind it.
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Chezak D'Maroe
- Citizen
- Posts: 170
- Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2007 7:28 am
- Name: Chezak
- Race: Elf
Re: The Tower
Chezak lifted his own brows at the girl's curt reply. He had obviously hit upon a nerve, as her previously expressive face simply went blank. He shrugged apologetically, although he wasn't sure if she would have caught it as she turned on her heel midway through the motion.
The elf himself simply shrugged again and began to turn, heading back towards his target practice area. Something tugged at him, a feeling, and he turned his head for one last glance at the girl.
And watched as a shadowy creature ... no, a shadow! ... separated from the wall and began following the girl. It definitely didn't look benign, with clawed hands raised towards the girl and a mouth ringed in sharp, shadowy claws.
Chezak had not time to string his bow, and the falchion was out of it's sheath with the hissing of metal even as the elf began running. He didn't know if he could reach the creature before it went after the girl, but damned if he wasn't going to try. Hoping she would listen, he shouted.
"Go! Run! It's after you!"
Digging deeper, the elf's leg muscles flexed as he pushed himself to top speed to close the relatively short distance between him and the shadow creature.
The elf himself simply shrugged again and began to turn, heading back towards his target practice area. Something tugged at him, a feeling, and he turned his head for one last glance at the girl.
And watched as a shadowy creature ... no, a shadow! ... separated from the wall and began following the girl. It definitely didn't look benign, with clawed hands raised towards the girl and a mouth ringed in sharp, shadowy claws.
Chezak had not time to string his bow, and the falchion was out of it's sheath with the hissing of metal even as the elf began running. He didn't know if he could reach the creature before it went after the girl, but damned if he wasn't going to try. Hoping she would listen, he shouted.
"Go! Run! It's after you!"
Digging deeper, the elf's leg muscles flexed as he pushed himself to top speed to close the relatively short distance between him and the shadow creature.
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Asiona & Lateus
- Citizen
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:51 am
Re: The Tower
Startled, Asiona looked back and saw him running with his sword drawn. Luckily, she heard a strange sound and her body moved automatically, dodging out of the way as a claw swiped at the air where she just was. Clearly frightened, she looked up at the hideous shadow, not quite sure of what was happening so suddenly. When she saw how tall and dangerous the creature looked, she shrieked like a little girl."Go! Run! It's after you!"
The monster, a little slow on the uptake, was just turning to confront the threat. It seemed to sense Chezak, rather than see. It heard the tremors caused by his running feet and the whistling of the blade as it rushed through the air, right toward it. It made no sound, but just swiped with a large claw in his general direction.
Asiona suddenly doubled over, her scream choking in her throat at the sudden onslaught of pain. A blur of movement came and scooped her into his arms and dodged behind a crumbling wall, away from the danger. There, Lateus laid her down back against the stone. She sat there, whirling in the remnants of magic-induced pain.
"You can't do that, Lateus, it hurts," she protested meekly, referring to his use of magic to go faster. He ignored her, which was his usual practice when dealing with it. Somehow, he felt none of this new pain. It was hers alone, and therefore, he didn't care.
From past experience, he knew to avoid men with swords. Railtus had taught him how he must look to the righteous: demonic and evil. So, instead of going through another experience like that one--where his hands were chopped in half and his leg cut off--he slunk away, and disappeared into the lingering shadows around the rubble.
Asiona, glad to be away from the monster but worried for the stranger, turned over and peeked around the wall. The fighting pair weren't as far away as she had thought; in fact, Lateus had only gotten her behind a wall. So, he was no longer the protector he once seemed...
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Chezak D'Maroe
- Citizen
- Posts: 170
- Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2007 7:28 am
- Name: Chezak
- Race: Elf
Re: The Tower
The girl turned at his shout, somehow managing to dodge the first swipe from the creature. Unfortunately, his shout also attracted the attention of the shadowy creature. It turned towards Chezak as he skidded to a stop, bringing his sword up to barely deflect the first swipe of claws. A muffled metallic clang rang at the block, and the falchion shivered in his grip. Only years of practice allowed Chezak to keep his grip on the hilt. Out of the corner of his eye, the elf watched as the girl doubled over in pain, and someone came and scooped her up, taking her out of danger.
Chezak stepped back and began circling, the balls of his feet the only part of him touching the ground. He didn't make the mistake some amateur swordsmen did by crossing his feet, but still moved quickly with shortened steps.
With a light grunt, Chezak stepped forward and unleashed a two-handed swipe intended to cut across the creature's left thigh. The creature had only half turned with Chezak as he had circled, but when the elf grunted and lunged, the creature turned with frightening speed to block the swipe with its right hand, accompanied by the muffled ringing from the impact.
Chezak stepped back as the left hand claws swiped at him, tearing three tears in his tunic and leaving a trail of beaded blood across his chest.
He grunted with pain, and noticed that the creature seemed to look at him more directly when he made noise. Locking his throat, Chezak began to circle again, quietly as only an elf can move.
Chezak stepped back and began circling, the balls of his feet the only part of him touching the ground. He didn't make the mistake some amateur swordsmen did by crossing his feet, but still moved quickly with shortened steps.
With a light grunt, Chezak stepped forward and unleashed a two-handed swipe intended to cut across the creature's left thigh. The creature had only half turned with Chezak as he had circled, but when the elf grunted and lunged, the creature turned with frightening speed to block the swipe with its right hand, accompanied by the muffled ringing from the impact.
Chezak stepped back as the left hand claws swiped at him, tearing three tears in his tunic and leaving a trail of beaded blood across his chest.
He grunted with pain, and noticed that the creature seemed to look at him more directly when he made noise. Locking his throat, Chezak began to circle again, quietly as only an elf can move.
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Asiona & Lateus
- Citizen
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:51 am
Re: The Tower
Asiona gasped with horror as she saw the stranger fighting the monster get slashed with its claws. She was watching the fight closely, and she had also noticed how it seemed attracted to sound, as if it couldn't see. A dangerous, but desperate, idea popped into her head. As he carefully circled the dark form of the mysterious beast, as quiet as a cat, she shakily stood and readied herself.
"Hey, big meanie!" she shouted as loud as she could at the monster. She readied herself to run at the first sign of being chased. However, the monster jerked around to her voice, but stood there dumbly, obviously out of sorts now. She squeezed her mouth shut as tight as she could and tried not to move as she leaned on the dusty wall. Her arm felt like it would give out, but she was being as still as she could.
The girl was praying for a quick thrust into whatever heart or important organ the monstrosity had, ending the threat. Or at least give both the warrior and her a chance to escape.
"Hey, big meanie!" she shouted as loud as she could at the monster. She readied herself to run at the first sign of being chased. However, the monster jerked around to her voice, but stood there dumbly, obviously out of sorts now. She squeezed her mouth shut as tight as she could and tried not to move as she leaned on the dusty wall. Her arm felt like it would give out, but she was being as still as she could.
The girl was praying for a quick thrust into whatever heart or important organ the monstrosity had, ending the threat. Or at least give both the warrior and her a chance to escape.