Drake nodded and moved a bit closer to the carriage when Win waved them over. A few stray arrows were plunked in the side of the wagon, but there wasn't any blood to be seen. Deciding to just jump into an investigation as Win had the half-elf moved towards the opened door and slid a bit unstably down the ditch embankment, his feet having found one of the few wet spots of earth. With a keen eye he peered inside, but saw nothing amiss. All he could really see was a ruptured sack spilling grain into the compartment.
Next Win moved to the seat, and instead of clamoring across the wagon Drake simply walked around to the front. He pulled Johnny, who had just decided to join them in the ditch, along by his sleeve. He simply stared at the dead man with a blank look, but the other man backed away as if he were going to be sick. They just watched as Win continued his inspection of the craft.
Suddenly Drake noticed the newcomer, almost as quickly as Win had. In an instant Drake's thumb was brushing against the pommel of one of the upturned throwing knives strapped to his back. He didn't like having people sneak up on him, and this man had certainly appeared with all the ruckus of a falling feather.
Drake watched with cautious eyes as Win spoke to the man, and awaited a reply.
Like a Leaf on the Wind
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
“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
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Before long, Win, Johnny, Drake, and Max were standing up on the road again.
"Damn... it looks like there really is nothing here to investigate. Well, listen. I'm going to rally up a team... we'll see who else sees my advertisement... then I'll come and find you guys. For now, go home. I've got some preparations to do," he said as he walked through the dust back to Marn.
(ooc: So Drake, you're character is dismissed! You can go ahead and inject him into another plot if you want, and he can always come back to Like a Leaf on the Wind. You can also go ahead and introduce your other character whenever you want. As for Bigboydan, I don't know where you went, so...)
* * * * * * *
Win was alone in his home, so he went through all of his father's old belongings in the upstairs bedroom, looking for any useful weapons or armor he could find, and waiting for someone to come who would answer his advertisement. He wished he could get going soon, he didn't know how much time his sisters had. He was still thinking about his bizarre encounter with Drake the night before...
"Damn... it looks like there really is nothing here to investigate. Well, listen. I'm going to rally up a team... we'll see who else sees my advertisement... then I'll come and find you guys. For now, go home. I've got some preparations to do," he said as he walked through the dust back to Marn.
(ooc: So Drake, you're character is dismissed! You can go ahead and inject him into another plot if you want, and he can always come back to Like a Leaf on the Wind. You can also go ahead and introduce your other character whenever you want. As for Bigboydan, I don't know where you went, so...)
* * * * * * *
Win was alone in his home, so he went through all of his father's old belongings in the upstairs bedroom, looking for any useful weapons or armor he could find, and waiting for someone to come who would answer his advertisement. He wished he could get going soon, he didn't know how much time his sisters had. He was still thinking about his bizarre encounter with Drake the night before...
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
(OOC: This post may get a bit long, but I didn't want to make a whole page of posts out of Drake and Angren's meeting.)
Drake took one more look at the carriage, and then nodded agreement to Win's statement. He had thought the investigation a lost cause to begin with, but now it was a firm fact. There really was nothing there; some spilled grain, a few strange arrows, and one dead coach driver. Even with that feeling of the scene being unworthy of further inspection, he still felt as if there should have been more.
He decided to look further up the road for more evidence. He also remembered that there was an elderly man living a little ways west of Marn that had horses. "I'll see if I can get some horses." He said quietly.
He nodded again at Win's dismissal. "I'll go have a quick look around Shim, too. See if I can find anything out or maybe some people to help." He had made the statement more to himself, so he wasn't sure if anyone else had heard it. It didn't really matter though, he doubted anyone would refuse more help in their little venture.
*****
The half-elf had been walking for nearly a half hour (though he was walking slow to check for signs of the fleeing bandits), and had seen nothing but dirt, grass, and trees. He had, however, seen the remains of a small fire a little while ago. As if some of the bandits had stopped for a little while so that they may take up the duties of a rear guard.
Not much later Drake saw the first person on the road since he had left Marn. The man was quite large by comparison, and wore red painted armor on just his arms. Drake watched the man moving ever closer from beneath his hood. They were about four yards apart when the other man finally realized that he was not alone.
The large man stepped to the side of the road and took up a defensive stance. Drake just smiled and shook his head. Normally he would have laughed at the idea of someone so large being put on edge by himself, but this was different. The man looked as if he had been beaten half to death recently, bruises and small cuts covering his body.
Drake moved toward the man a little, intending to inquire about his current state, and the man made it clear that he didn't trust the smaller half-elf. Two strange swords practically leaped from the sheaths just below the man's pits and into his hands. Drake stopped moving closer and held up his hands to show that he meant no harm. "I am no enemy to you," he said as he brushed his hood back from his head, "I only wanted to offer a greeting and see if I could offer you some form of help."
The man stared at him for a moment longer and then put his weapons back in their original place, though he left his arms crossed so that his hands stayed near their hilts. "Now tell me, friend, what happened to you?"
The man's suspicion was still quite clear on his face, but he slowly began to speak. "I was on the road and saw a large group of men carrying off two girls, bound and gagged." Drake raised an eyebrow, as much from the tale of the man's attackers as the strange accent that turned his words oddly. "I stepped in to help, but some of the men broke off from the rest to stop me while the rest continued on. I was knocked unconscious, but not before I mortally wounded my attackers. I travel to Marn to find work and warn the guard of the kidnapping."
Drake nodded as the short explanation came to an end. "Aye, that sounds like Win's sisters..." He trailed off for a second, but quickly made a decision. "When you get to Marn, ask after a man named Win Sabre. I believe the two girls you spoke of may be his sisters. He'll be happy to have any information you can give him, and may offer you a spot in the party that he plans to take to retrieve the girls. You'll get a share of the loot if he does."
With that, Drake turned from the man and continued off towards the home of the man with the horses.
Drake took one more look at the carriage, and then nodded agreement to Win's statement. He had thought the investigation a lost cause to begin with, but now it was a firm fact. There really was nothing there; some spilled grain, a few strange arrows, and one dead coach driver. Even with that feeling of the scene being unworthy of further inspection, he still felt as if there should have been more.
He decided to look further up the road for more evidence. He also remembered that there was an elderly man living a little ways west of Marn that had horses. "I'll see if I can get some horses." He said quietly.
He nodded again at Win's dismissal. "I'll go have a quick look around Shim, too. See if I can find anything out or maybe some people to help." He had made the statement more to himself, so he wasn't sure if anyone else had heard it. It didn't really matter though, he doubted anyone would refuse more help in their little venture.
*****
The half-elf had been walking for nearly a half hour (though he was walking slow to check for signs of the fleeing bandits), and had seen nothing but dirt, grass, and trees. He had, however, seen the remains of a small fire a little while ago. As if some of the bandits had stopped for a little while so that they may take up the duties of a rear guard.
Not much later Drake saw the first person on the road since he had left Marn. The man was quite large by comparison, and wore red painted armor on just his arms. Drake watched the man moving ever closer from beneath his hood. They were about four yards apart when the other man finally realized that he was not alone.
The large man stepped to the side of the road and took up a defensive stance. Drake just smiled and shook his head. Normally he would have laughed at the idea of someone so large being put on edge by himself, but this was different. The man looked as if he had been beaten half to death recently, bruises and small cuts covering his body.
Drake moved toward the man a little, intending to inquire about his current state, and the man made it clear that he didn't trust the smaller half-elf. Two strange swords practically leaped from the sheaths just below the man's pits and into his hands. Drake stopped moving closer and held up his hands to show that he meant no harm. "I am no enemy to you," he said as he brushed his hood back from his head, "I only wanted to offer a greeting and see if I could offer you some form of help."
The man stared at him for a moment longer and then put his weapons back in their original place, though he left his arms crossed so that his hands stayed near their hilts. "Now tell me, friend, what happened to you?"
The man's suspicion was still quite clear on his face, but he slowly began to speak. "I was on the road and saw a large group of men carrying off two girls, bound and gagged." Drake raised an eyebrow, as much from the tale of the man's attackers as the strange accent that turned his words oddly. "I stepped in to help, but some of the men broke off from the rest to stop me while the rest continued on. I was knocked unconscious, but not before I mortally wounded my attackers. I travel to Marn to find work and warn the guard of the kidnapping."
Drake nodded as the short explanation came to an end. "Aye, that sounds like Win's sisters..." He trailed off for a second, but quickly made a decision. "When you get to Marn, ask after a man named Win Sabre. I believe the two girls you spoke of may be his sisters. He'll be happy to have any information you can give him, and may offer you a spot in the party that he plans to take to retrieve the girls. You'll get a share of the loot if he does."
With that, Drake turned from the man and continued off towards the home of the man with the horses.
Last edited by Drake on Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
“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
-
Angren Paur
- Outsider
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 7:44 am
- Name: Angren Paur IDraugagar
- Race: Human
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Angren stared after the strange man that he had just met. He still wasn't used to meeting helpful people after having met so many that were unwilling to even speak to someone that was strange to this land.
He turned back to the direction he was traveling and grimaced as pain shot through his side, at least one of his ribs was definitely broken. The grimace its self brought more pain as a dried scab on his swollen lip split open. Remembering that in this place anyone could be watching you at anytime he again dawned his stony facade and continued to walk forward on aching legs.
******
It took him some time to get to the city, but it was worth it. The place was larger than anything he had ever seen. He was stopped at the entrance by the city guard, and after they were sure he didn't possess any magical skill, and had grown tired of poking fun at the barbarian come to visit the civilized world, they let him inside.
At first he had no luck finding this Win Sabre person. A woman and her children had ducked into an alley to avoid him, at least five people had refused to even acknowledge his existence, and a handful more had simply told him to carry his arse. He did, however, eventually come across an elderly woman that pointed him in the right direction.
Ten or so minutes later the big barbarian stood outside the house that the woman had indicated, staring up at it. The place seemed to have been crammed in between the buildings beside it quite hastily, and at the last minute. With a shrug he moved closer to the door. After a seconds hesitation he raised his fist up to eye level and gave the wood surface a single, hard wrap with his knuckles.
He turned back to the direction he was traveling and grimaced as pain shot through his side, at least one of his ribs was definitely broken. The grimace its self brought more pain as a dried scab on his swollen lip split open. Remembering that in this place anyone could be watching you at anytime he again dawned his stony facade and continued to walk forward on aching legs.
******
It took him some time to get to the city, but it was worth it. The place was larger than anything he had ever seen. He was stopped at the entrance by the city guard, and after they were sure he didn't possess any magical skill, and had grown tired of poking fun at the barbarian come to visit the civilized world, they let him inside.
At first he had no luck finding this Win Sabre person. A woman and her children had ducked into an alley to avoid him, at least five people had refused to even acknowledge his existence, and a handful more had simply told him to carry his arse. He did, however, eventually come across an elderly woman that pointed him in the right direction.
Ten or so minutes later the big barbarian stood outside the house that the woman had indicated, staring up at it. The place seemed to have been crammed in between the buildings beside it quite hastily, and at the last minute. With a shrug he moved closer to the door. After a seconds hesitation he raised his fist up to eye level and gave the wood surface a single, hard wrap with his knuckles.
"A barbarian's favorite business is war." -Napoleon Bonaparte
"Sometimes I wish life was turn based." -Unknown Author
"Sometimes I wish life was turn based." -Unknown Author
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Angren waited only a few moments until a skinny, tanned man with long dark hair came to the door. Angren did not have to wait much longer after that until the door was slammed in his face.
Barbarian! They still have those around here?! Win wondered as he wiped the sweat off of his forehead. When Angren knocked again, he decided he better answer the door before it was torn from its hinges.
Slowly, the door creaked open a second time, and Win presented itself. "Er... how may I help you...?" Upon further inspection, Win noticed that the barbarian was badly injured, covered in bruises and small cuts, and he had one large meaty hand over his ribs. Although there still seemed to be an unpleasant disposition, Win realized it was due to Angren's pain and there was a relatively small desire to rip Win's head off. The cowboy worked this all out in his head and then greeted the stranger.
"Hello, bar- par- pardner! Can I help you?" Win waved his hand with an embarassed gesture.
The giant man mumbled something about a half-elf in a cloak, and sisters, and bandits, so Win wondered if the barbarian was answering his advertisement.
With a big lunker like this feller, I'm sure to rescue my sisters in no time. He looks pretty screwed up, though...
"Come on in, I guess," Win said, peering around the man's side to look at the street, where some of the neighbors were staring at the stranger as he entered Win's house.
* * * * * * *
Before long, Win had finally gotten Angren to sit down on the couch while he went into the kitchen to get some food. He browsed empty cabinet after empty cabinent while he asked the barbarian's name, where he came from, and what he was doing in Marn. Eventually, Win gave up his search for food suitable enough to feed the large man and instead grabbed a bottle of whiskey and some glasses.
He entered the living room and poured Angren a glass. "Here, this oughtta make you feel right as rain, pardner."
Barbarian! They still have those around here?! Win wondered as he wiped the sweat off of his forehead. When Angren knocked again, he decided he better answer the door before it was torn from its hinges.
Slowly, the door creaked open a second time, and Win presented itself. "Er... how may I help you...?" Upon further inspection, Win noticed that the barbarian was badly injured, covered in bruises and small cuts, and he had one large meaty hand over his ribs. Although there still seemed to be an unpleasant disposition, Win realized it was due to Angren's pain and there was a relatively small desire to rip Win's head off. The cowboy worked this all out in his head and then greeted the stranger.
"Hello, bar- par- pardner! Can I help you?" Win waved his hand with an embarassed gesture.
The giant man mumbled something about a half-elf in a cloak, and sisters, and bandits, so Win wondered if the barbarian was answering his advertisement.
With a big lunker like this feller, I'm sure to rescue my sisters in no time. He looks pretty screwed up, though...
"Come on in, I guess," Win said, peering around the man's side to look at the street, where some of the neighbors were staring at the stranger as he entered Win's house.
* * * * * * *
Before long, Win had finally gotten Angren to sit down on the couch while he went into the kitchen to get some food. He browsed empty cabinet after empty cabinent while he asked the barbarian's name, where he came from, and what he was doing in Marn. Eventually, Win gave up his search for food suitable enough to feed the large man and instead grabbed a bottle of whiskey and some glasses.
He entered the living room and poured Angren a glass. "Here, this oughtta make you feel right as rain, pardner."
-
Angren Paur
- Outsider
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 7:44 am
- Name: Angren Paur IDraugagar
- Race: Human
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
The big barbarian wasn't forced to wait long before the door was opened, and then hastily slammed closed again. He had expected such a reaction, but he couldn't just walk away if there was any chance that this man really was related to the girls he had seen being carried away by the bandits. So, with an aggravated sigh, he knocked again, a little more forcefully this time.
The door eased open again, and the man inside slowly eased around it. In the time it had taken Win to get fully into the door frame Angren's ribs had started to ache again, but he was determined not to show his pain, even if his hand slipped to cradle the source of the pain of its own accord.
"I did battle with bandits that were carrying away two girls. A man, though he may have been of elven blood..." he shook his head at his own interruption and started again. "A man on the road told me that they may have been your kin." The man looked as if he had only caught bits of the small explanation, but invited Angren in none the less. With a nod of agreement Angren squeezed his large frame between Win and the door frame.
Once inside he was persuaded to take a seat. He hadn't initially wanted to, fearing that it might hurt more to sit or that he might not be able to stand back up, but fatigue won out in the end. He listened to the man rummaging around in the next room and spouting off questions. Angren decided it best to just answer the man's inquiries.
"I am Angren Paur I'Draugagar. I come from the far north of Tian Xia, on the ice planes. I am traveling the world in search of my place in it, as it seems that that place was not amongst my tribe." He snarled a bit at the hated memories, but forced the anger to subside before the other man came back into the room.
He took the glass that was handed to him, gave it a little sniff, and downed the bitter alcohol in a single gulp. "Thank you," he said as he brought the glass down to rest on his thigh. "Do you wish to hear of the bandits I encountered and the girls that were with them now?"
The door eased open again, and the man inside slowly eased around it. In the time it had taken Win to get fully into the door frame Angren's ribs had started to ache again, but he was determined not to show his pain, even if his hand slipped to cradle the source of the pain of its own accord.
"I did battle with bandits that were carrying away two girls. A man, though he may have been of elven blood..." he shook his head at his own interruption and started again. "A man on the road told me that they may have been your kin." The man looked as if he had only caught bits of the small explanation, but invited Angren in none the less. With a nod of agreement Angren squeezed his large frame between Win and the door frame.
Once inside he was persuaded to take a seat. He hadn't initially wanted to, fearing that it might hurt more to sit or that he might not be able to stand back up, but fatigue won out in the end. He listened to the man rummaging around in the next room and spouting off questions. Angren decided it best to just answer the man's inquiries.
"I am Angren Paur I'Draugagar. I come from the far north of Tian Xia, on the ice planes. I am traveling the world in search of my place in it, as it seems that that place was not amongst my tribe." He snarled a bit at the hated memories, but forced the anger to subside before the other man came back into the room.
He took the glass that was handed to him, gave it a little sniff, and downed the bitter alcohol in a single gulp. "Thank you," he said as he brought the glass down to rest on his thigh. "Do you wish to hear of the bandits I encountered and the girls that were with them now?"
"A barbarian's favorite business is war." -Napoleon Bonaparte
"Sometimes I wish life was turn based." -Unknown Author
"Sometimes I wish life was turn based." -Unknown Author
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Win slowly eased into the chair across from the sofa. "Yes, of course... I mean, if it ain't too much trouble an' if yer feelin' okay."
He glanced down at the glass on the barbarian's thigh. Realizing that the barbarian's name was "Angry" he decided that it would not be a good idea to let him have any more alcohol. He hesitantly reached over, politely took the glass away, and said "Lemme get this out of yer way." He placed the glass next to the bottle of whiskey on the table next to him and then sat down again. This time he tried to sit with a little more confidence and with better posture.
"I'm trying to get the lowdown on who exactly these critters are so I can give 'em hell. And I'll have to saddle up soon to rescue my dear sisters. I might not have a lot of time."
Win glanced over at the door. Looks like no one's gonna answer my advertisement... but if I can heal this barbarian and he comes with me, that'd be just as good as having a whole cattle driving team!
"So, tell me everything you know. I'd be much obliged, Mr. Angry."
He glanced down at the glass on the barbarian's thigh. Realizing that the barbarian's name was "Angry" he decided that it would not be a good idea to let him have any more alcohol. He hesitantly reached over, politely took the glass away, and said "Lemme get this out of yer way." He placed the glass next to the bottle of whiskey on the table next to him and then sat down again. This time he tried to sit with a little more confidence and with better posture.
"I'm trying to get the lowdown on who exactly these critters are so I can give 'em hell. And I'll have to saddle up soon to rescue my dear sisters. I might not have a lot of time."
Win glanced over at the door. Looks like no one's gonna answer my advertisement... but if I can heal this barbarian and he comes with me, that'd be just as good as having a whole cattle driving team!
"So, tell me everything you know. I'd be much obliged, Mr. Angry."
-
Angren Paur
- Outsider
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 7:44 am
- Name: Angren Paur IDraugagar
- Race: Human
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Angren chuckled a bit at the mispronunciation of his name. "My name is In...Grin." He was pronounced his name slowly and willfully, hoping Win would catch it. With a shake of his head, a few of the blue glass beads making a tinking sound as they softly collided, he took up the retelling of his run in with the bandits.
"I was on my way to the city early this morning, before the sun had even risen, when I saw a large group coming towards me on the road. To avoid confrontation I moved into the wood line, and intended on allowing them to pass peacefully. The group was quite large, numbering at least twenty, so I did not want to chance a fight. When I saw that a man in the center of the party was carrying two unconscious girls, I could not help but interfere.
"I stepped out of the forest and called for them to halt and return the girls to their homes. They chose to fight instead, some of them breaking off from the group to hold me off and the rest continuing on.
"I had slain nearly half the small group when something heavy hit me in the head from behind. I tried to fight on, but before I could do much damage I found myself face down in the road. If it had not been for my spirit guide I might have been killed."
He shook his head, remembering the state that the she-wolf was in when he awakened to her standing guard over him. She had suffered much in his name, but had apparently managed to route the remaining bandits. Once she had seen that Angren would survive, Nagara had released herself back to the spirit world.
"I expect that the one's I saw were only a small part of a larger group. None among them seemed to hold power over the others as a leader would, and they all wore little to no armor, and what they did have was of poor quality." He shoved his scabbarded weapons into a more comfortable position with his elbows and looked at the bottle near Win with a twinge of desire in his eyes. Now there was just Win's response, and hopefully an offer of more liquor, left in the discussion as far as the barbarian could see.
"I was on my way to the city early this morning, before the sun had even risen, when I saw a large group coming towards me on the road. To avoid confrontation I moved into the wood line, and intended on allowing them to pass peacefully. The group was quite large, numbering at least twenty, so I did not want to chance a fight. When I saw that a man in the center of the party was carrying two unconscious girls, I could not help but interfere.
"I stepped out of the forest and called for them to halt and return the girls to their homes. They chose to fight instead, some of them breaking off from the group to hold me off and the rest continuing on.
"I had slain nearly half the small group when something heavy hit me in the head from behind. I tried to fight on, but before I could do much damage I found myself face down in the road. If it had not been for my spirit guide I might have been killed."
He shook his head, remembering the state that the she-wolf was in when he awakened to her standing guard over him. She had suffered much in his name, but had apparently managed to route the remaining bandits. Once she had seen that Angren would survive, Nagara had released herself back to the spirit world.
"I expect that the one's I saw were only a small part of a larger group. None among them seemed to hold power over the others as a leader would, and they all wore little to no armor, and what they did have was of poor quality." He shoved his scabbarded weapons into a more comfortable position with his elbows and looked at the bottle near Win with a twinge of desire in his eyes. Now there was just Win's response, and hopefully an offer of more liquor, left in the discussion as far as the barbarian could see.
"A barbarian's favorite business is war." -Napoleon Bonaparte
"Sometimes I wish life was turn based." -Unknown Author
"Sometimes I wish life was turn based." -Unknown Author
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
(OOC: Putting this in so that the edit of my last post with Drake doesn't seem as "cliff-hanger" like.)
Drake strolled down the road, finally sure there was nothing to be seen. Part of him wondered if the big barbarian had found Win, and another part hoped Win had agreed to add the man to the party. Win's cause could use any help it could get, and someone that big and fierce would surely be a lot of help.
He could see the clearing up that the man's house was nestled in and sped up a bit as he gained ground. The smell of burning wood reached his nose and he looked to the sky to find a tall tower of smoke rising above the clearing. "Damn it, how did I not notice before." He said to himself as he took off, running for the clearing.
The home of the elderly man had been razed to the ground, and what was left of the front steps was caked with baked on blood. Drake spun around on his heel, cussing aloud, to see if there were any horses left. The only horse left was dead. It's leg had apparently been injured, and the bandits, instead of letting it fall into someone else's hands, had killed it.
Still muttering foul words to the darkening sky, he walked away from the place. "Time to check in Shim I suppose."
Drake strolled down the road, finally sure there was nothing to be seen. Part of him wondered if the big barbarian had found Win, and another part hoped Win had agreed to add the man to the party. Win's cause could use any help it could get, and someone that big and fierce would surely be a lot of help.
He could see the clearing up that the man's house was nestled in and sped up a bit as he gained ground. The smell of burning wood reached his nose and he looked to the sky to find a tall tower of smoke rising above the clearing. "Damn it, how did I not notice before." He said to himself as he took off, running for the clearing.
The home of the elderly man had been razed to the ground, and what was left of the front steps was caked with baked on blood. Drake spun around on his heel, cussing aloud, to see if there were any horses left. The only horse left was dead. It's leg had apparently been injured, and the bandits, instead of letting it fall into someone else's hands, had killed it.
Still muttering foul words to the darkening sky, he walked away from the place. "Time to check in Shim I suppose."
“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
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
"Angry inn. Angerun. Engrian. Ingrain. Angriun. An... Angren. Angren. Angren. By golly, I think I've got it."
When the barbarian finished his tale, Win noticed that he was eyeing the whiskey. Since Win had warmed up, and it turned out the barbarian was not called "Angry" after all, Win poured another glassful and reached over to put it in the man's hand. Then he poured himself a much-needed glass.
"Now listen here, bar- Mr. Angren. This story you've told me is a mighty powerful tale. You know what I've got to do now. I'm gonna go rescue my sisters, even if it means fighting the bandits on my own. But I'm no gosh darn fool. I know I need help." He swirld around the whiskey in his glass and then tilted his head back to down it.
Win wanted to leave right away... tomorrow, if possible... but he knew it would not happen if he had to wait until Angren saw a doctor.
"You look real dragged out, pardner. Tonight, you sleep here. Tomorrow, I'll take you around Marn. I'll dish out the dinero for a doctor to take a look at you and then we'll gather supplies for my expedition."
He stood up, poured one more glass for Angren, and then returned the bottle of whiskey to its lonesome cabinet in the kitchen.
"You come with me, pardner. I'll pay for yer food and any new weapons or armor you need. You can get revenge on those scumbag bandits and you can keep whatever loot we find. So, whaddya say?" he asked as he offered a hand.
When the barbarian finished his tale, Win noticed that he was eyeing the whiskey. Since Win had warmed up, and it turned out the barbarian was not called "Angry" after all, Win poured another glassful and reached over to put it in the man's hand. Then he poured himself a much-needed glass.
"Now listen here, bar- Mr. Angren. This story you've told me is a mighty powerful tale. You know what I've got to do now. I'm gonna go rescue my sisters, even if it means fighting the bandits on my own. But I'm no gosh darn fool. I know I need help." He swirld around the whiskey in his glass and then tilted his head back to down it.
Win wanted to leave right away... tomorrow, if possible... but he knew it would not happen if he had to wait until Angren saw a doctor.
"You look real dragged out, pardner. Tonight, you sleep here. Tomorrow, I'll take you around Marn. I'll dish out the dinero for a doctor to take a look at you and then we'll gather supplies for my expedition."
He stood up, poured one more glass for Angren, and then returned the bottle of whiskey to its lonesome cabinet in the kitchen.
"You come with me, pardner. I'll pay for yer food and any new weapons or armor you need. You can get revenge on those scumbag bandits and you can keep whatever loot we find. So, whaddya say?" he asked as he offered a hand.
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Angren Paur
- Outsider
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 7:44 am
- Name: Angren Paur IDraugagar
- Race: Human
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Angren nodded when the other man arrived at the correct version of his name. It was not often that someone who had trouble with his name got it correct so quickly. Usually they got it on the first try or never got it at all. He smiled warmly at Win when he was presented another glass of whiskey, and drank it, though this time he did so more slowly.
The barbarian had a rather tough time of deciphering all the unusual words in Win's speech, so he let the man continue until he stopped speaking and offered his hand. Angren clasped his hand around the man's forearm, just above the wrist, in the way of his tribe. This type of handshake had originally been used to check for hidden weapons when greeting a stranger, but over time his tribe had come to think of it as the handshake that a man gave to someone he considered his equal, whether it be on the field, in intelligence, or simply a matter of the man's soul.
He began to slowly sip his last glass of liquor to give himself a little more time to piece together the meaning of Win's words. A moment later he decided on one and responded.
"I do not believe I will need a healer, they are only minor wounds that bring minor pain. If I do need a healer I have money enough to pay for myself, I believe, and I will also pay for anything else I require so long as I have the means. A guide around the city for the time we are here would be appreciated, however."
"On the matter of the bandits, any man that seeks to claim what is not his through force, manipulation, and crime does not deserve a place in the world. If you wish it, my swords are yours to guide against these foul vermin."
The barbarian had a rather tough time of deciphering all the unusual words in Win's speech, so he let the man continue until he stopped speaking and offered his hand. Angren clasped his hand around the man's forearm, just above the wrist, in the way of his tribe. This type of handshake had originally been used to check for hidden weapons when greeting a stranger, but over time his tribe had come to think of it as the handshake that a man gave to someone he considered his equal, whether it be on the field, in intelligence, or simply a matter of the man's soul.
He began to slowly sip his last glass of liquor to give himself a little more time to piece together the meaning of Win's words. A moment later he decided on one and responded.
"I do not believe I will need a healer, they are only minor wounds that bring minor pain. If I do need a healer I have money enough to pay for myself, I believe, and I will also pay for anything else I require so long as I have the means. A guide around the city for the time we are here would be appreciated, however."
"On the matter of the bandits, any man that seeks to claim what is not his through force, manipulation, and crime does not deserve a place in the world. If you wish it, my swords are yours to guide against these foul vermin."
"A barbarian's favorite business is war." -Napoleon Bonaparte
"Sometimes I wish life was turn based." -Unknown Author
"Sometimes I wish life was turn based." -Unknown Author
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Win was a little frightened when Angren grabbed his arm, but just realized it was his own custom.
Win listened to the barbarian and was startled by his offer to join him for free. I thought barbarians were greedy... then again, they probably just like smashin' stuff for the heck of it. So why stop him? Win wondered as he ignorantly sifted through the stereotypes that he had learned from talking to travelers in the Drunken Rat.
"Well, Mr. Angren, your swords would be nice, but I ain't much good with them. Having you along with the swords, now, that's the kicker. If you join me in my duties, I'd be much obliged, pardner."
Win went to the window and opened it, looking at the sunset. "Tomorrow, we'll go around Marn. The day after that, we'll leave. In the morning. For now, get some rest. We'll see if you need a healer in the morning."
* * * * * * *
Win lay a new quilt over the bed in his room upstairs. "You can sleep here... sorry if it's a bit small. I'll be, uh... sleeping downstairs. And I'm a light sleeper, and I get cranky if anyone wakes me, so... don't come downstairs, y' hear?"
(ooc: Hey, Bigboydan is back! You can go ahead and spend a few posts having Max go around Marn preparing for his journey, and then rendezvous with Win and Angren the next day.)
Win listened to the barbarian and was startled by his offer to join him for free. I thought barbarians were greedy... then again, they probably just like smashin' stuff for the heck of it. So why stop him? Win wondered as he ignorantly sifted through the stereotypes that he had learned from talking to travelers in the Drunken Rat.
"Well, Mr. Angren, your swords would be nice, but I ain't much good with them. Having you along with the swords, now, that's the kicker. If you join me in my duties, I'd be much obliged, pardner."
Win went to the window and opened it, looking at the sunset. "Tomorrow, we'll go around Marn. The day after that, we'll leave. In the morning. For now, get some rest. We'll see if you need a healer in the morning."
* * * * * * *
Win lay a new quilt over the bed in his room upstairs. "You can sleep here... sorry if it's a bit small. I'll be, uh... sleeping downstairs. And I'm a light sleeper, and I get cranky if anyone wakes me, so... don't come downstairs, y' hear?"
(ooc: Hey, Bigboydan is back! You can go ahead and spend a few posts having Max go around Marn preparing for his journey, and then rendezvous with Win and Angren the next day.)
-
Angren Paur
- Outsider
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 7:44 am
- Name: Angren Paur IDraugagar
- Race: Human
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Angren stood, staring patiently as Win made the bed in an upstairs room. He didn't have any clue as to what the man was doing, but he had asked him to follow him up here, so he waited. When it was announced that he would be taking the bed he was overjoyed, but did not want to seem an ungracious host. "If you would prefer the bed I would not be opposed to sleeping elsewhere." Judging by the look the statement had received, that wasn't happening.
The comment about Angren not coming downstairs had raised some suspicion in him for some reason, but he was unsure why. He decided to just let it go. If the man had something he wished to keep to himself, it was none of the barbarian's business, unless of course it affected him in a negative way. Just to be sure he would stay watchful for a little while before going to sleep.
He nodded a farewell to Win as the man turned and left the room. He climbed onto the bed and shored himself up against the headboard. He slowly and meticulously undid the straps, chains, and pinned strips of metal that held his armor in place. One at a time he removed the metal sleeves and laid them gently on the floor beside the bed. With his armor out of the way the shoulder holster style scabbards came off easily, and he hung the from the headboard, within easy reach.
It did not take long for restlessness to overcome him, so to combat the awkward sensation he pulled a whetstone from the small square pocket made into one of his pieces of armor and began to methodically slide it along the edge of one of his swords, Mansaga, The Soul Drinker. To the eyes of any ordinary man, his weapons were identical, but to him telling the two apart was as easy as telling two children apart for a parent. He knew every slight scratch in their shining surfaces by heart, knew the subtle differences in the measurement of the blades as well as his own name.
When he finally decided that the edge on his weapons were to his standards (which wasn't hard, as the blades rarely dulled, even without regular sharpening) it was a few hours 'til midnight. So, taking the fact that no ill had befallen him yet as a sign that none was likely too this night, he eased down onto the bed. He fell asleep almost immediately.
The comment about Angren not coming downstairs had raised some suspicion in him for some reason, but he was unsure why. He decided to just let it go. If the man had something he wished to keep to himself, it was none of the barbarian's business, unless of course it affected him in a negative way. Just to be sure he would stay watchful for a little while before going to sleep.
He nodded a farewell to Win as the man turned and left the room. He climbed onto the bed and shored himself up against the headboard. He slowly and meticulously undid the straps, chains, and pinned strips of metal that held his armor in place. One at a time he removed the metal sleeves and laid them gently on the floor beside the bed. With his armor out of the way the shoulder holster style scabbards came off easily, and he hung the from the headboard, within easy reach.
It did not take long for restlessness to overcome him, so to combat the awkward sensation he pulled a whetstone from the small square pocket made into one of his pieces of armor and began to methodically slide it along the edge of one of his swords, Mansaga, The Soul Drinker. To the eyes of any ordinary man, his weapons were identical, but to him telling the two apart was as easy as telling two children apart for a parent. He knew every slight scratch in their shining surfaces by heart, knew the subtle differences in the measurement of the blades as well as his own name.
When he finally decided that the edge on his weapons were to his standards (which wasn't hard, as the blades rarely dulled, even without regular sharpening) it was a few hours 'til midnight. So, taking the fact that no ill had befallen him yet as a sign that none was likely too this night, he eased down onto the bed. He fell asleep almost immediately.
"A barbarian's favorite business is war." -Napoleon Bonaparte
"Sometimes I wish life was turn based." -Unknown Author
"Sometimes I wish life was turn based." -Unknown Author
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
Downstairs, Win was restless as well. He was a little bit worried about what exactly had compelled him to let a huge barbarian sleep in his bed upstairs. He kept thinking about the journey that lay ahead of him, and tried to muster up some confidence.
"I've got that big feller by my side, I know I can do it... Don't worry, May... Don't worry, Sarah... I'm a' coming for you," he said to himself slowly as he stared at the ransom note that he gripped firmly in his hands. After a while, he found the stone arrowhead in his pocket and looked at it. After feeling it for a few minutes, he realized it would be no help, and it slipped through his fingers onto the rug. Then he produced the tail feathers from the arrows in the carriage and searched his mind for what kind of bird it could be, but found nothing. I wish I wasn't such an idiot when it comes to this sort of stuff... he thought. After a while, he placed the feathers on the table and walked over to the bookshelf to grab a collection of maps of Pal Tahrehnor that were all rolled up. Untying the twine, he inspected each roll of parchment until he found one that showed most of the area between Caelteth Eyrop and Tian Xia. After he located Thar Shaddin and Marn, he searched over the Sooqui Plain to the west and only found a few other towns, probably only the size of Shim, that had been abandonded by the empire as well.
After scanning the poor illustrations of barren trees and dried animal bones, artistic renderings of what the wastelands looked like, he finally found a small area of green similar to the one near Marn and Shim, a week's journey along the Ofriyu Mar, northwest of Marn. A small forest... There. It's the only place among the steppes that can support a bandit camp. That's where Fain is, he knew instinctively.
He finally glanced over at the clock and realized that it was almost midnight. With a few minutes to spare, he slowly undressed, folding his clothes and stacking them on the sofa. Then he walked to the window and opened it, enjoying the nighttime breeze and looking to the northeast, past the Downtown and Business District, at the forest between Marn and Shim. Fain, in the woods... I wonder if they are anything like our own...
His hair became feathers, his mouth and nose made a beak. He shrank, his bones became hollow, his toes were talons. His eyes blurred, and returned sharper than before.
Clouds parted to reveal the stars in the sky, and a lone hawk rose to meet them...
"I've got that big feller by my side, I know I can do it... Don't worry, May... Don't worry, Sarah... I'm a' coming for you," he said to himself slowly as he stared at the ransom note that he gripped firmly in his hands. After a while, he found the stone arrowhead in his pocket and looked at it. After feeling it for a few minutes, he realized it would be no help, and it slipped through his fingers onto the rug. Then he produced the tail feathers from the arrows in the carriage and searched his mind for what kind of bird it could be, but found nothing. I wish I wasn't such an idiot when it comes to this sort of stuff... he thought. After a while, he placed the feathers on the table and walked over to the bookshelf to grab a collection of maps of Pal Tahrehnor that were all rolled up. Untying the twine, he inspected each roll of parchment until he found one that showed most of the area between Caelteth Eyrop and Tian Xia. After he located Thar Shaddin and Marn, he searched over the Sooqui Plain to the west and only found a few other towns, probably only the size of Shim, that had been abandonded by the empire as well.
After scanning the poor illustrations of barren trees and dried animal bones, artistic renderings of what the wastelands looked like, he finally found a small area of green similar to the one near Marn and Shim, a week's journey along the Ofriyu Mar, northwest of Marn. A small forest... There. It's the only place among the steppes that can support a bandit camp. That's where Fain is, he knew instinctively.
He finally glanced over at the clock and realized that it was almost midnight. With a few minutes to spare, he slowly undressed, folding his clothes and stacking them on the sofa. Then he walked to the window and opened it, enjoying the nighttime breeze and looking to the northeast, past the Downtown and Business District, at the forest between Marn and Shim. Fain, in the woods... I wonder if they are anything like our own...
His hair became feathers, his mouth and nose made a beak. He shrank, his bones became hollow, his toes were talons. His eyes blurred, and returned sharper than before.
Clouds parted to reveal the stars in the sky, and a lone hawk rose to meet them...
Last edited by Win Sabre on Sun Mar 30, 2008 5:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Angren Paur
- Outsider
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 7:44 am
- Name: Angren Paur IDraugagar
- Race: Human
Re: Like a Leaf on the Wind
While Win took to the night sky the barbarian had a fitful night of rest. His dreams were a replay of memories years gone by. Memories he would have preferred to keep buried.
In his night time visions he was back in his days aboard the Aearhathal. The harsh wind blew across the floating ice and struck full in the face. The ship swayed dangerously in the mid-day storm. His hands were slipping painfully across the slick frost that had settled on the rigging ropes. He finally reached the metal piece that it was to be looped around and struggled to get it into place.
Once he was done there he had to rush back across the slick, wet deck. One second he was steady, the next he was loosing his footing and slamming hard into someone that was standing too close to the railing. He quickly grabbed tightly to the railing and leaned over to find the panic stricken face of his childhood friend, Arasfaer, staring up at him.
With every fiber of his being, Angren stretched over the rail and reached for the grasping hand of his friend. He grabbed tight and pulled the other young man up to the edge of the deck where he clung and began to haul himself up the side of the ship. When Arasfaer's face was just above the edge of the deck a black booted foot came down hard on his fingers. Angren stared in horror as his friend plummeted into the icy water.
He lifted up and turned to find the the man's killer as fast as a lightning flash. He was greeted by a searing pain in his stomach. He slowly looked from the smiling face of the slovenly fat man in front of him to the twin short swords that were stuck in his belly.
The barbarian woke suddenly, his skin shining with cold sweat. He shook the unsettling dream from his mind and sat up in bed. It was nearly dawn now, so there was no real point in trying to go back to sleep. He'd probably just be awakened again when Win came up to get him. He fell asleep propped up against the headboard of the bed not even ten minutes later.
In his night time visions he was back in his days aboard the Aearhathal. The harsh wind blew across the floating ice and struck full in the face. The ship swayed dangerously in the mid-day storm. His hands were slipping painfully across the slick frost that had settled on the rigging ropes. He finally reached the metal piece that it was to be looped around and struggled to get it into place.
Once he was done there he had to rush back across the slick, wet deck. One second he was steady, the next he was loosing his footing and slamming hard into someone that was standing too close to the railing. He quickly grabbed tightly to the railing and leaned over to find the panic stricken face of his childhood friend, Arasfaer, staring up at him.
With every fiber of his being, Angren stretched over the rail and reached for the grasping hand of his friend. He grabbed tight and pulled the other young man up to the edge of the deck where he clung and began to haul himself up the side of the ship. When Arasfaer's face was just above the edge of the deck a black booted foot came down hard on his fingers. Angren stared in horror as his friend plummeted into the icy water.
He lifted up and turned to find the the man's killer as fast as a lightning flash. He was greeted by a searing pain in his stomach. He slowly looked from the smiling face of the slovenly fat man in front of him to the twin short swords that were stuck in his belly.
The barbarian woke suddenly, his skin shining with cold sweat. He shook the unsettling dream from his mind and sat up in bed. It was nearly dawn now, so there was no real point in trying to go back to sleep. He'd probably just be awakened again when Win came up to get him. He fell asleep propped up against the headboard of the bed not even ten minutes later.
"A barbarian's favorite business is war." -Napoleon Bonaparte
"Sometimes I wish life was turn based." -Unknown Author
"Sometimes I wish life was turn based." -Unknown Author