The force of the wolf-man's block sent a jolt down Orion's arm. There was unexpected speed and power in that block, and Orion only then registered the man's change. There was a brief association between the hunter Samuel Dennison's description of a beast-man and the wolf-man's changed apperance but there was no time for conscious thought. The wolf-man's speed closed their gap fast and Orion was still reeling from a savage parry. A set of neurons, faster for their constant trials in battle, fired in Orion's brain and without really knowing Orion expected a counter-attack. His battle-honed instincts associated the speed of the wolf-man's parry with the impending attack and the sabre dropped to the floor as Orion swung his body backwards and rolled on his back. He quickly recovered some distance away from the wolf-man in a kneeling position, his main-gauche poised and ready. From the top left of his lip across his cheek was a gash that began to bleed profusely. It was no doubt intended for somewhere more fatal.
What speed and strength! So this was a shape-shifter. Another head-on rush could result in a quick death Orion realized. The wolf-man had many knives and had gained claws while Orion had lost one of his own. Orion reached with his free hand for a nearby chair and threw it in a violent arc to the wolf-man's upper body, and used the momentum to roll forward from his shoulders. Upon recovering Orion stayed low and stabbed his knife down towards the wolf-man's back foot.
The Willow Root Tavern
Wolfhound jumped backwards as he felt his attack connect. Holdding his two knives in a defencive position, he was ready for Orion's attack. He barely had time to react though, not expecting the man to throw a chair. Reflex kicked in as hu dived to the side, the Chair smashing him in the leg and knocking him off balance. He just had enough time to let loose a dagger, flying towards the man with unnerving speed and accuracy before he crashed into the floor.
Slightly off balance, he pulled himself to his feet, watching the man carefully. "You attack my wolf, and then me without reason, iwas willing to simply leave!". The words were almost shouted, he was still reeling from the death of his wolf, at least it hadn't been his faithful one. Talking to the wolf, he leapt at Orion from the front, slashing at him with carefully aimed attacks while his wolf leapt at him from behind, jaws snapping at his neck.
Slightly off balance, he pulled himself to his feet, watching the man carefully. "You attack my wolf, and then me without reason, iwas willing to simply leave!". The words were almost shouted, he was still reeling from the death of his wolf, at least it hadn't been his faithful one. Talking to the wolf, he leapt at Orion from the front, slashing at him with carefully aimed attacks while his wolf leapt at him from behind, jaws snapping at his neck.
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Camulous Smithson
- Guardsman
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 12:59 am
- Name: Camulous Smithson
- Race: Human
Camulous exchanged the pre-battle glance with Orion, not knowing what to expect. Things were going reasonably well thus far; by the book, on his honour and all that. He wouldn't have struck the first blow - he rarely did - and he saw no reason to. Battle was glorious, but the captain sought only to do his duty however menial it got. When the pistol came out without any order, he had to pause and scrunch his brow in concentration. If it were any other man but a fellow guardsman, the captain's sword would have come down to take off Orion's hand. It was a guardsman though, and such an act would be betrayal. He had to give Orion the benefit of the doubt...
And besides, by the time he had thought any of this through it was too late. The gun went off and the wolf dropped dead. The stranger became infuriated and then Camulous understood. He transformed into a beast before their eyes. He was a shifter, and a wolf no less. The captain had seen shifters before, but never like this, not in battle. The tomes of the guardhouse told of encounters with them, and they never ended well.
It was a move he still didn't condone - attacking the wolf without provocation and, more importantly, without the captain's approval. Orion would be disciplined for it later, but for now Camulous backed him up.
He felt nothing of the wolfman's pain. The wolf was just a wolf. A pet, like a dog. It was with such disregard that the captain sent a mighty swing of his sword down at the second wolf - the one lunging at Orion's rear. If the creature got anywhere near Orion it was sure to have its body cut clean in half by the longsword.
And besides, by the time he had thought any of this through it was too late. The gun went off and the wolf dropped dead. The stranger became infuriated and then Camulous understood. He transformed into a beast before their eyes. He was a shifter, and a wolf no less. The captain had seen shifters before, but never like this, not in battle. The tomes of the guardhouse told of encounters with them, and they never ended well.
It was a move he still didn't condone - attacking the wolf without provocation and, more importantly, without the captain's approval. Orion would be disciplined for it later, but for now Camulous backed him up.
He felt nothing of the wolfman's pain. The wolf was just a wolf. A pet, like a dog. It was with such disregard that the captain sent a mighty swing of his sword down at the second wolf - the one lunging at Orion's rear. If the creature got anywhere near Orion it was sure to have its body cut clean in half by the longsword.
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Kamar Deythal
- Citizen
- Posts: 333
- Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2006 7:52 pm
- Name: Kamar Deythal
- Race: Half-elf
Kamar watched the exchange between Orion and Camulous from beneath his brows, his head still bowed. The significance of the exchange rang through his thoughts like a bell tolling. Even as Orion slumped in his pre-attack pose, Kamar lifted his eyes and reached his right hand languidly into the shadow thrown by his head. His hand curled and closed into a partial fist, as if he was holding something.
The gun fired, the wolf dropped. Silence reigned for the moment it took Orion to throw himself forward into his second attack. Chaos erupted, chairs dragged back and fell to the floor as the few patrons in the tavern stood and began to run. A woman screamed. Kamar was suddenly in his element. His eyes darted to the corner, where his hired help stood, beginning to make their way around the tavern and towards the front door, where Lanya and Wolfhound stood. His slight nod in their direction was returned while Orion and Wolfhound exchanged blows, and chairs.
Camulous moved across Kamar's sightlines, drawing his attention back to the fight. Still seated in his chair with his hand by his head, Kamar watched Camulous drop his sword towards the wolf that was even now leaping at Orion's back. His gaze darted from this scene to Lanya, wherever she might be at this point.
With a swiftness that almost matched Wolfhound's, Kamar's hand suddenly left his shadow, launching his Shadow Dagger end over end across the tavern. It seemed to flicker across the tavern as it passed from light to shadow, seeming to disappear as it passed through the shadows. It was aimed at Lanya's upper torso.
Hit or miss, the three thugs would attempt to grab Lanya and drag her from the tavern through the front door.
The gun fired, the wolf dropped. Silence reigned for the moment it took Orion to throw himself forward into his second attack. Chaos erupted, chairs dragged back and fell to the floor as the few patrons in the tavern stood and began to run. A woman screamed. Kamar was suddenly in his element. His eyes darted to the corner, where his hired help stood, beginning to make their way around the tavern and towards the front door, where Lanya and Wolfhound stood. His slight nod in their direction was returned while Orion and Wolfhound exchanged blows, and chairs.
Camulous moved across Kamar's sightlines, drawing his attention back to the fight. Still seated in his chair with his hand by his head, Kamar watched Camulous drop his sword towards the wolf that was even now leaping at Orion's back. His gaze darted from this scene to Lanya, wherever she might be at this point.
With a swiftness that almost matched Wolfhound's, Kamar's hand suddenly left his shadow, launching his Shadow Dagger end over end across the tavern. It seemed to flicker across the tavern as it passed from light to shadow, seeming to disappear as it passed through the shadows. It was aimed at Lanya's upper torso.
Hit or miss, the three thugs would attempt to grab Lanya and drag her from the tavern through the front door.
Last edited by Kamar Deythal on Sat Jun 24, 2006 3:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
You’re gonna find out you’re already dead, and I was the world coming down on your head.
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Lanya Caliope
- Fugitive
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2005 12:49 am
- Race: Human
She'd still been clinging to the hope and dream that somehow, someway, things would turn out alright. If only one thing would go the way it should...one thing...
But when the wolf died, it all collapsed. Wolfhound's rage and anguish was palpable, and Lanya felt that she had yet another death on her conscience. She yelled as the men fell upon each other, losing herself in a moment's worth of feminine, helpless distress. Only a moment.
It was definitely enough. Another second, and she didn't think twice about her next move. All her life, when she realized that a situation was hopeless, once response had kept her alive: flight. As a mere mortal, it was really her only defense against the entire world, and she felt no shame in it, when push came to shove.
Wolfhound had stepped before her, so she'd never completely entered the room. Leaving was a matter of turning, opening, and stepping outside into the morning air - and it struck her that it was barely the afternoon, and already one creature had died on her account. Clearly this was the start of a great day.
Just a moment before Kamar launched his deadly shadow weapon, the woman launched herself through the door. Though she was fast, a flying weapon was still faster, and as she put her full weight into leaning out through the door, to strike up a full-out run the moment her feet touched turf, she was jerked back by something...something holding her in place by her bulky cloak.
She yelped and turned to grab at whatever it was, a stupid move which would leave her cursing at her own idiocy for the remainder of her day. Immediately a gash opened on her palm from her careless gesture, leaving her cursing, bleeding, and still stuck.
Her mind whirled with desperate solutions to her problem, even as she turned to give Kamar a wide-eyed, nearly disbelieving look. She'd been wrong - he wanted the kill, and however he could get it. She turned again to the cloak. She couldn't see the damned blade, or rather it was like water, shimmering just out of her vision. Enough that she had no idea what it was and where the sharp parts ended.
She looked around the tavern now, and finally noticed the line of men moving in a rather determined pattern toward her. Several more curses sprang out of her, and she felt the welling of despair, trapped against the door, literally staring out into the daylight, seconds away from a full sprint.
She melted, then. Tossed up her arms and shed everything save the shirt and pants physically attached to her body - shed the cloak, using the bladed thing to pull it off. Shed the guitar, which she knew without a doubt would turn up later on. Shed her pack, with every single true possession of hers contained within. As she crouched out underneath the pile, she curled and rolled out of the mess, leaving it all behind.
Then, finally, she stood and make it into a full-on sprint, dripping blood from the gash in her left palm every step of the way. Behind her, Flame glided clumsily along, animated again and determined to stay with her.
She made for the trees at full speed. She really had no where else to go.
But when the wolf died, it all collapsed. Wolfhound's rage and anguish was palpable, and Lanya felt that she had yet another death on her conscience. She yelled as the men fell upon each other, losing herself in a moment's worth of feminine, helpless distress. Only a moment.
It was definitely enough. Another second, and she didn't think twice about her next move. All her life, when she realized that a situation was hopeless, once response had kept her alive: flight. As a mere mortal, it was really her only defense against the entire world, and she felt no shame in it, when push came to shove.
Wolfhound had stepped before her, so she'd never completely entered the room. Leaving was a matter of turning, opening, and stepping outside into the morning air - and it struck her that it was barely the afternoon, and already one creature had died on her account. Clearly this was the start of a great day.
Just a moment before Kamar launched his deadly shadow weapon, the woman launched herself through the door. Though she was fast, a flying weapon was still faster, and as she put her full weight into leaning out through the door, to strike up a full-out run the moment her feet touched turf, she was jerked back by something...something holding her in place by her bulky cloak.
She yelped and turned to grab at whatever it was, a stupid move which would leave her cursing at her own idiocy for the remainder of her day. Immediately a gash opened on her palm from her careless gesture, leaving her cursing, bleeding, and still stuck.
Her mind whirled with desperate solutions to her problem, even as she turned to give Kamar a wide-eyed, nearly disbelieving look. She'd been wrong - he wanted the kill, and however he could get it. She turned again to the cloak. She couldn't see the damned blade, or rather it was like water, shimmering just out of her vision. Enough that she had no idea what it was and where the sharp parts ended.
She looked around the tavern now, and finally noticed the line of men moving in a rather determined pattern toward her. Several more curses sprang out of her, and she felt the welling of despair, trapped against the door, literally staring out into the daylight, seconds away from a full sprint.
She melted, then. Tossed up her arms and shed everything save the shirt and pants physically attached to her body - shed the cloak, using the bladed thing to pull it off. Shed the guitar, which she knew without a doubt would turn up later on. Shed her pack, with every single true possession of hers contained within. As she crouched out underneath the pile, she curled and rolled out of the mess, leaving it all behind.
Then, finally, she stood and make it into a full-on sprint, dripping blood from the gash in her left palm every step of the way. Behind her, Flame glided clumsily along, animated again and determined to stay with her.
She made for the trees at full speed. She really had no where else to go.
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Anonymous
Orion dismissed Wolfhound's accusations. To him all moral ambiguities cleared in the midst of the battle--to begin was to end it, and the winner was right, the loser was wrong. Whether Wolfhound was innocent or not (though just by disrupting the peace of the tavern with his wolves and his accusations, he was not) was not the issue. That on the streets the City Guards were law and that the wolf-man disobeyed was in the end all the justification that Orion needed.
But all this was thought out before the battle. During the battle there was no time for thoughts like these. The wolf-man had jumped back and the chair hit his leg instead of the upper body as Orion intended, and his knife struck the ground where his foot had been and stuck to the ground. A thrown knife he had barely dodged was immediately followed by an attack from both the front and back. But it was useless with Orion crouched low on the ground ready to spring away to the side--he rolled to the side to gain momentum and then pushed himself up to his knees. His arquebus lay where he had left it, and he picked it up quickly and knelt behind another chair slightly behind Camulous.
"Cover me Captain, a couple minutes," Orion said, almost smirking as he wiped the blood flowing freely down his cheek and chin and staining the collar of his guardsmen uniform. His fingers nimbly worked the gun, blazing through the reloading ritual as fast as he could. He had seen and survived the overpressing power and speed of the wolf-man. Orion knew it would take one more shot to take him down, especially within the relatively confined space of the tavern. A few minutes was all he needed.
As his hands worked on the gun his eyes travelled up to the assassin Samuel Dennison, just to catch his swinging motion--he continued to work on the gun but his eyes were wide with surprise, and he quickly swung his head in an attempt to follow the trajectory of the weapon, which seemed to blink in and out. It headed straight towards the woman and Orion watched intently.
The woman was lucky, and was spared her life. He watched as she desperately shed all her belongings and burst out the door. The gun was almost done reloading. A handful of seconds, that was all he needed.
But all this was thought out before the battle. During the battle there was no time for thoughts like these. The wolf-man had jumped back and the chair hit his leg instead of the upper body as Orion intended, and his knife struck the ground where his foot had been and stuck to the ground. A thrown knife he had barely dodged was immediately followed by an attack from both the front and back. But it was useless with Orion crouched low on the ground ready to spring away to the side--he rolled to the side to gain momentum and then pushed himself up to his knees. His arquebus lay where he had left it, and he picked it up quickly and knelt behind another chair slightly behind Camulous.
"Cover me Captain, a couple minutes," Orion said, almost smirking as he wiped the blood flowing freely down his cheek and chin and staining the collar of his guardsmen uniform. His fingers nimbly worked the gun, blazing through the reloading ritual as fast as he could. He had seen and survived the overpressing power and speed of the wolf-man. Orion knew it would take one more shot to take him down, especially within the relatively confined space of the tavern. A few minutes was all he needed.
As his hands worked on the gun his eyes travelled up to the assassin Samuel Dennison, just to catch his swinging motion--he continued to work on the gun but his eyes were wide with surprise, and he quickly swung his head in an attempt to follow the trajectory of the weapon, which seemed to blink in and out. It headed straight towards the woman and Orion watched intently.
The woman was lucky, and was spared her life. He watched as she desperately shed all her belongings and burst out the door. The gun was almost done reloading. A handful of seconds, that was all he needed.
Last edited by Anonymous on Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:46 am, edited 2 times in total.
Wolfhound growled as his attack missed. His wolf had seen, and heard the blade swinging through the air. Placing it's paws on a table, it used it's momentum to push it's self up and away from the blade's attack, and instead towards Camulous, this time at too short range for a sword to be swung, a knife prehaps, but not a sword.
Wolfhound began circling Orion, watching him, his eyes widened as he begun reloading, this man had no honour. His ears perked up as they caught movement, he turned just in time to see Lanya stuck against something. He kept his defensive stance, but edging closer towards the door, and then, when Lanya escaped he turned it in to a fully flegded sprint, using all his speed, bursting through the Tavern door, trying to reach Lanya.
Wolfhound began circling Orion, watching him, his eyes widened as he begun reloading, this man had no honour. His ears perked up as they caught movement, he turned just in time to see Lanya stuck against something. He kept his defensive stance, but edging closer towards the door, and then, when Lanya escaped he turned it in to a fully flegded sprint, using all his speed, bursting through the Tavern door, trying to reach Lanya.
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Camulous Smithson
- Guardsman
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 12:59 am
- Name: Camulous Smithson
- Race: Human
The captain's sword smashed into the floor behind Orion and bounced back, leaving chipped stone and sparks behind. It rang heavily from the blow and nearly jumped out of his hand, but his muscular grip was like a vice and would not let go.
Even with the wolf pouncing onto him he held onto the sword, bringing his free hand to protect his face with a leather gauntlet and metal bracer. He didn't fear the wolf, the only place it stood any chance of getting through his armor was his face, which would be covered if he wore his other helmet...
The wolf knocked him back but he twisted his body and stumbled sideways with the creature, never losing his footing. As they traveled together he swung the hilt of his sword at the wolf's head while preventing it from biting his face with his wrist.
From the corner of his eye he saw Lanya run but didn't know what to make of it. He hadn't seen the dagger, or the goons, and to him she looked ever the guilty one, speeding away with the two guardsmen distracted. This made the captain angry. More so than before.
Even with the wolf pouncing onto him he held onto the sword, bringing his free hand to protect his face with a leather gauntlet and metal bracer. He didn't fear the wolf, the only place it stood any chance of getting through his armor was his face, which would be covered if he wore his other helmet...
The wolf knocked him back but he twisted his body and stumbled sideways with the creature, never losing his footing. As they traveled together he swung the hilt of his sword at the wolf's head while preventing it from biting his face with his wrist.
From the corner of his eye he saw Lanya run but didn't know what to make of it. He hadn't seen the dagger, or the goons, and to him she looked ever the guilty one, speeding away with the two guardsmen distracted. This made the captain angry. More so than before.
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Kamar Deythal
- Citizen
- Posts: 333
- Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2006 7:52 pm
- Name: Kamar Deythal
- Race: Half-elf
Kamar stood as his shadow dagger pinned Lanya to the door. It had not been his intent, but it worked to slow her down.
The last of the few patrons finished their exodus out the back at the same time Wolfhound darted out the front after the fleeing Lanya. Such was the wolfman's speed that he was out the door before Kamar's hired thugs even reached it.
Kamar stepped around the table, darting quickly towards the door himself. The captain, with wolf attached, moved into his way, impeding his movement towards the exit. With a snarl, he drew a dagger from his belt, plunging it downwards towards the base of the wolf's neck. He cared not how badly he injured the wolf, though the blow was meant to kill, he only wanted the two of them out of the way. He gave the two a quick shove as he sidestepped between them and the table, leaving his second dagger wherever it hit. He then broke into a quick jog to the door.
As Kamar reached up and wrenched the shadow dagger from the wooden door, he turned towards Orion and Camulous. His eyes nearly blazed with anger.
"You're letting them get away, you fools!" he hissed between anger-clenched teeth.
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In the meantime, the thugs had already exited the tavern after Wolfhound, and were giving chase after he and Lanya. Each were armed with daggers and throwing knives, each currently holding the latter.
The last of the few patrons finished their exodus out the back at the same time Wolfhound darted out the front after the fleeing Lanya. Such was the wolfman's speed that he was out the door before Kamar's hired thugs even reached it.
Kamar stepped around the table, darting quickly towards the door himself. The captain, with wolf attached, moved into his way, impeding his movement towards the exit. With a snarl, he drew a dagger from his belt, plunging it downwards towards the base of the wolf's neck. He cared not how badly he injured the wolf, though the blow was meant to kill, he only wanted the two of them out of the way. He gave the two a quick shove as he sidestepped between them and the table, leaving his second dagger wherever it hit. He then broke into a quick jog to the door.
As Kamar reached up and wrenched the shadow dagger from the wooden door, he turned towards Orion and Camulous. His eyes nearly blazed with anger.
"You're letting them get away, you fools!" he hissed between anger-clenched teeth.
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In the meantime, the thugs had already exited the tavern after Wolfhound, and were giving chase after he and Lanya. Each were armed with daggers and throwing knives, each currently holding the latter.
You’re gonna find out you’re already dead, and I was the world coming down on your head.
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Lanya Caliope
- Fugitive
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2005 12:49 am
- Race: Human
She could hear the tavern door slamming from behind as several of the group exited after her, but she didn't look back to see. She'd learned over the years that looking back only slowed one down. Better to survive than satisfy one's curiosity.
But she was just a human, and if Wolfhound was pursuing she'd had no chance to outrun him. She didn't particularly mind his company, but he was also a magnet for all of the others to follow along and continue the fight. Silently, she prayed that someone would happen that would at least give him leeway in fight. And then she remembered the wolves.
She planted her feet and stopped so abruptly that she skid a bit in the dirt, then looked at the wolf-man, who undoubtably had caught up by now. She panted as an image if his entire pack, wasted by the men, haunted her imagination. She couldn't risk the woods; it was an open invitation to call in the pack, and they would all die in the struggle.
She grabbed his arm and shook him, as if trying to shake sense itself into his head.
"We have to avoid the woods. Your pack is there, and they'll all die, like your friend did in there. Wolfhound, where can we go?"
She was in unfamiliar territory without a weapon to speak of. Greenfyre would still be lying on the floor in the tavern entrance, and although she knew it would reappear later, she didn't have it now. And the thugs were in range of a well-aimed knife.
"Wolfhound, where do we go?!"
She backed behind him, feeling the weight of inevitability settling on her shoulders. She felt quite strongly that she was about to die, and nothing she did would change that inevitability.
She crouched and grabbed two handfuls of dirt, then straightened. She might as well die fighting.
On her shoulder, a forgotten Flame started glowing red, his little wooden body soon glowing an eerie red tint, despite the daylight.
But she was just a human, and if Wolfhound was pursuing she'd had no chance to outrun him. She didn't particularly mind his company, but he was also a magnet for all of the others to follow along and continue the fight. Silently, she prayed that someone would happen that would at least give him leeway in fight. And then she remembered the wolves.
She planted her feet and stopped so abruptly that she skid a bit in the dirt, then looked at the wolf-man, who undoubtably had caught up by now. She panted as an image if his entire pack, wasted by the men, haunted her imagination. She couldn't risk the woods; it was an open invitation to call in the pack, and they would all die in the struggle.
She grabbed his arm and shook him, as if trying to shake sense itself into his head.
"We have to avoid the woods. Your pack is there, and they'll all die, like your friend did in there. Wolfhound, where can we go?"
She was in unfamiliar territory without a weapon to speak of. Greenfyre would still be lying on the floor in the tavern entrance, and although she knew it would reappear later, she didn't have it now. And the thugs were in range of a well-aimed knife.
"Wolfhound, where do we go?!"
She backed behind him, feeling the weight of inevitability settling on her shoulders. She felt quite strongly that she was about to die, and nothing she did would change that inevitability.
She crouched and grabbed two handfuls of dirt, then straightened. She might as well die fighting.
On her shoulder, a forgotten Flame started glowing red, his little wooden body soon glowing an eerie red tint, despite the daylight.
Wolfhound skidded to a stop to match Lanya. Turning, he didn't answer at first, rather he just delved into his pockets, his hands coming out with Knives, six of them. Three in each hand, the hilts placed between the fingers. His arms crossed, then the hands flicked and the six knives flew at KAmars three men with surpirising speed and accuracy. With the distraciton done, he finally turned to Lanya.
"Now...we run, you don't comprehend how many Wolves I can bring, if I had enough time, I could call every wolf in the world to me" I wish I did have that kind of time He thought to himself afterwards. Quickly placing his hand on her arm, he gave her no chance to complain before swinging her over on his back, putting her into a piggyback position and running off at full pelt, a speed at which LAnya would feel extremly disorientated, but it was a discomfort she would have to put up with.
Hyda (The name I am using for Wolfhounds wolf, the one that never leaves him) deftly placed his front two paws on a table and swung himself away, trying to avoid the attacks. It wasn't quite fast enough, however as a sword sliced his paw. It wasn't a dangerous would, but it was enough to make him howl in pain and scamper out of the pub, dissapearing in the back alleys to lick it's wounds.
"Now...we run, you don't comprehend how many Wolves I can bring, if I had enough time, I could call every wolf in the world to me" I wish I did have that kind of time He thought to himself afterwards. Quickly placing his hand on her arm, he gave her no chance to complain before swinging her over on his back, putting her into a piggyback position and running off at full pelt, a speed at which LAnya would feel extremly disorientated, but it was a discomfort she would have to put up with.
Hyda (The name I am using for Wolfhounds wolf, the one that never leaves him) deftly placed his front two paws on a table and swung himself away, trying to avoid the attacks. It wasn't quite fast enough, however as a sword sliced his paw. It wasn't a dangerous would, but it was enough to make him howl in pain and scamper out of the pub, dissapearing in the back alleys to lick it's wounds.
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Anonymous
Orion finished reloading just as Wolfhound dashed out of the tavern. Undeterred he set his sights on the remaining wolf only to see it run, wounded. The assassin stalked angrily to the door and Orion felt his unspent battle rage finding a new target quickly.
"You tread on thin ice Samuel Dennison," he spoke in reply to the assassin's demands, voice even and full of controlled tension. However he made no move against the assassin. Orion walked carefully to his fallen sword and resheathed it. Without a pause he approached the assassin, still careful but bold. It took only a couple strides to bring him by the front door where Samuel was standing. Orion made only a brief eye contact and then walked a step past the assasin to casually pick up the staff and the guitar left behind by the woman.
He stared briefly at the guitar in his hands; there was something with the guitar that begged his attention. A tingling sensation in the hand that grasped it, even through the thick leather gloves he was wearing. Orion ignored it for the time being, opting to speak, "it seems the woman left her magical instruments here. And fugitives they may be if they flee from Thar, it is no longer our problem but yours, no?"
Orion searched the assassin's face for his reaction, ready at a moment's notice for anything but at the same time enjoying the moment terribly.
"You tread on thin ice Samuel Dennison," he spoke in reply to the assassin's demands, voice even and full of controlled tension. However he made no move against the assassin. Orion walked carefully to his fallen sword and resheathed it. Without a pause he approached the assassin, still careful but bold. It took only a couple strides to bring him by the front door where Samuel was standing. Orion made only a brief eye contact and then walked a step past the assasin to casually pick up the staff and the guitar left behind by the woman.
He stared briefly at the guitar in his hands; there was something with the guitar that begged his attention. A tingling sensation in the hand that grasped it, even through the thick leather gloves he was wearing. Orion ignored it for the time being, opting to speak, "it seems the woman left her magical instruments here. And fugitives they may be if they flee from Thar, it is no longer our problem but yours, no?"
Orion searched the assassin's face for his reaction, ready at a moment's notice for anything but at the same time enjoying the moment terribly.
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Camulous Smithson
- Guardsman
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 12:59 am
- Name: Camulous Smithson
- Race: Human
Once the wolf jumped off him and fled, Camulous stabbed the tip of his sword into the floor between stone tiles and gripped the hilt, using it to hoist himself onto his feet again. His armour wasn't that heavy, and he was purposefully taking his time with the procedure with no intention at all to give chase to the two fugitives after the words he heard come from the assassin's mouth.
He didn't like to lose and certainly didn't like to be made a fool of, but such things happened and he always carried on with his job in spite of obstacles. It was to be expected. What wasn't to be expected was being called a fool by a stranger who entered the city making demands of him like he was some sort of underling. Orion had acted out of line, the girl and the wolfman had escaped, and now he was being called a fool. He was ready to crush someone's head...
Putting his temper away with no small amount of restraint, he sheathed his sword and walked over to the other two at the entrance. Orion was already dealing with it and again the captain didn't interfere. He preferred not to confront him with others around, lest they look weak or conflicted and tarnish the image of the guard. Instead he stood behind Orion and stared at the assassin, just waiting for the man to try something stupid.
He didn't like to lose and certainly didn't like to be made a fool of, but such things happened and he always carried on with his job in spite of obstacles. It was to be expected. What wasn't to be expected was being called a fool by a stranger who entered the city making demands of him like he was some sort of underling. Orion had acted out of line, the girl and the wolfman had escaped, and now he was being called a fool. He was ready to crush someone's head...
Putting his temper away with no small amount of restraint, he sheathed his sword and walked over to the other two at the entrance. Orion was already dealing with it and again the captain didn't interfere. He preferred not to confront him with others around, lest they look weak or conflicted and tarnish the image of the guard. Instead he stood behind Orion and stared at the assassin, just waiting for the man to try something stupid.
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Kamar Deythal
- Citizen
- Posts: 333
- Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2006 7:52 pm
- Name: Kamar Deythal
- Race: Half-elf
The first two men went down under the barrage of daggers from Wolfhounds' throw. The third, trailing by several feet, was able to throw himself forward into a roll as the others dropped in their tracks, slipping by the other daggers aimed for him. He rolled back to his feet in time to see Wolfhound grab Lanya(?) and throw her on his back. His arm cocked and he threw, the dagger flying directly for Lanya's back. (If she is actually on Wolfhound's back. If not, I will edit the post accordingly.)
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Kamar met Orion's eye as he walked up. When Orion bent to the guitar, Kamar took one, long, prudent step back, making it obvious it wasn't Orion he was backing away from, but the guitar. He had heard of what it did to the child, and he didn't need something similar to happen to himself.
He turned his rage filled gaze from Orion and the dread instrument, now meeting Camulous' eyes. He visibly calmed himself, and Camulous would notice the rage drain from his eyes and an easy smile slide over his features.
Kamar offered a small half-bow towards Camulous, not low enough to show deference, but enough to show respect. He ignored Orion for the moment, choosing instead to talk to the man who technically wielded the power in the rankings of guardsmen.
"My apologies, Captain, for my harsh words. As you can tell, I tend to get a little worked up when my job is interrupted by mistakes made by others. It seems procedure is not always followed by some guardsmen," he glanced briefly towards Orion before looking again at Camulous, "but mistakes are sometimes made, and I should not call you down when you were simply trying to help at my request."
He gave a sardonic half-smile. "However, they are still within Thar Shaddin, they still have magical capabilities, and they have definitely proved themselves dangerous. Not that I wish to tell you your duties, but I believe they still need to be hunted down and captured. Neither of you need to waste your time further, but allow me to take a half dozen of your best men, and I will see it done. You shall have the wolf-man, dead or alive at your choosing, but I must have the woman alive to bring her back for justice."
He searched Camulous' eyes, trying to read the man. "I cannot guarantee the wolfman's life, however. He seems the type to fight to the death."
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Kamar met Orion's eye as he walked up. When Orion bent to the guitar, Kamar took one, long, prudent step back, making it obvious it wasn't Orion he was backing away from, but the guitar. He had heard of what it did to the child, and he didn't need something similar to happen to himself.
He turned his rage filled gaze from Orion and the dread instrument, now meeting Camulous' eyes. He visibly calmed himself, and Camulous would notice the rage drain from his eyes and an easy smile slide over his features.
Kamar offered a small half-bow towards Camulous, not low enough to show deference, but enough to show respect. He ignored Orion for the moment, choosing instead to talk to the man who technically wielded the power in the rankings of guardsmen.
"My apologies, Captain, for my harsh words. As you can tell, I tend to get a little worked up when my job is interrupted by mistakes made by others. It seems procedure is not always followed by some guardsmen," he glanced briefly towards Orion before looking again at Camulous, "but mistakes are sometimes made, and I should not call you down when you were simply trying to help at my request."
He gave a sardonic half-smile. "However, they are still within Thar Shaddin, they still have magical capabilities, and they have definitely proved themselves dangerous. Not that I wish to tell you your duties, but I believe they still need to be hunted down and captured. Neither of you need to waste your time further, but allow me to take a half dozen of your best men, and I will see it done. You shall have the wolf-man, dead or alive at your choosing, but I must have the woman alive to bring her back for justice."
He searched Camulous' eyes, trying to read the man. "I cannot guarantee the wolfman's life, however. He seems the type to fight to the death."
You’re gonna find out you’re already dead, and I was the world coming down on your head.
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Lanya Caliope
- Fugitive
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2005 12:49 am
- Race: Human
Lanya was swung around and securely forced into piggybacking on the larger man's back, something she hadn't done in ages. She'd had an older brother, certainly, but she hadn't been small enough for such things in a long time. As her mind refocused and processed what had just happened, she found humor in the fact that this man was the type who was able and willing to give a playful woman a piggyback ride.
But she had never been the type to live in the land of illogic, and her musing lasted only moments, replaced by a burning anger which made her hiss to herself. She was so damn tired or magical things deciding her fate for her! This was quite simply the last straw.
Then she remembered her murderous pursuers, and changed her plans a bit.
After, she promised herself. Once we're out of range and maybe out of the country, I will take my leave of this man and all things magical. I will burn that damned guitar, and go back home where only normal humans roam the countryside, pillaging the old-fashioned way. I will -
Suddenly, something was lodged in her back. It took a few seconds for the full pain to register, but once it did, she let out a cry and compulsively grabbed her back, which loosened her grip on the wolven man. He may have been strong, but as anyone who's given a piggyback ride knows, balance depends on both parties. As Lanya arched back with a grimace and cry, it would completely throw his gait off, and if nothing else, the woman would tumble to the ground as her full weight drew her back and away.
Anyone watching from behind would see a strange sight indeed. For the henchman had hit his mark, but not quite as surely as he'd meant to. Only a moment before the knife struck, a small wooden robin glowing red with battle rage flew into the knife's path and was impaled as it struck. It didn't serve to stop the blade completely, for Flame was only a little piece of wood, really, but it made the wound more shallow that it could have been.
This made it only potentially fatal, but not guaranteed. But it was still painful. And it was in this state that Lanya took her dive to the floor, a fiery red robin pinned to her back in the center of a small circle of blood. Her cry of pain had been short; by the time she struck dirt, she would be in utter shock.
((Just for reference, Flame is the size of an actual robin, including feather bulk, so account for approximately 3 or 4 inches of knife that didn't actually enter her. The rest I leave to the boys to decide.))
But she had never been the type to live in the land of illogic, and her musing lasted only moments, replaced by a burning anger which made her hiss to herself. She was so damn tired or magical things deciding her fate for her! This was quite simply the last straw.
Then she remembered her murderous pursuers, and changed her plans a bit.
After, she promised herself. Once we're out of range and maybe out of the country, I will take my leave of this man and all things magical. I will burn that damned guitar, and go back home where only normal humans roam the countryside, pillaging the old-fashioned way. I will -
Suddenly, something was lodged in her back. It took a few seconds for the full pain to register, but once it did, she let out a cry and compulsively grabbed her back, which loosened her grip on the wolven man. He may have been strong, but as anyone who's given a piggyback ride knows, balance depends on both parties. As Lanya arched back with a grimace and cry, it would completely throw his gait off, and if nothing else, the woman would tumble to the ground as her full weight drew her back and away.
Anyone watching from behind would see a strange sight indeed. For the henchman had hit his mark, but not quite as surely as he'd meant to. Only a moment before the knife struck, a small wooden robin glowing red with battle rage flew into the knife's path and was impaled as it struck. It didn't serve to stop the blade completely, for Flame was only a little piece of wood, really, but it made the wound more shallow that it could have been.
This made it only potentially fatal, but not guaranteed. But it was still painful. And it was in this state that Lanya took her dive to the floor, a fiery red robin pinned to her back in the center of a small circle of blood. Her cry of pain had been short; by the time she struck dirt, she would be in utter shock.
((Just for reference, Flame is the size of an actual robin, including feather bulk, so account for approximately 3 or 4 inches of knife that didn't actually enter her. The rest I leave to the boys to decide.))