Abruptly, Xyon awoke and was at his feet, sword in hands, ready to smite those who dared disturb his hideously unplanned rest.
Nobody, in fact, had. A small rat had perhaps knocked something over, he mused, as it squeaked cheekily at him.
Hmm. Much friendlier that Calhoun rats... the chuckled to himself, as he shooed it away.
Looking over at Vladimir, he noticed the tattoos again, and sighed. Curiosity killed the social situation, was it? He couldn't help but wonder what the man would be like when he eventually woke up.
The collie was staring at him, too. Slightly unnerving, he thought, but left him to it. Better that than wind up mauled on your first day in the city.
Suddenly, from the street, running footsteps, amid cries of "HALT!" made themselves known to Xyon. He wondered at it, but didn't think too heavily on it.
That is, until thy turned down the alley that the three were in.
A break for the hunted
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Xyon_of_Calhoun
- Guardsman
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:17 am
- Name: Xyon
- Race: Xenetian
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Xyon_of_Calhoun
- Guardsman
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:17 am
- Name: Xyon
- Race: Xenetian
The light flowed from the steel blade in Xyon's hands, as the figures became more pronounced in the distance. He stood, all seven feet of him, firm, with the sword in mountain stance, and waited for them to come closer.
Behind him, he thought he heard the drunkard stir. Perhaps not, he thought, as he glanced quickly over, and saw that Sidorov was still miles away, in his own little world.
Off in the distance, the figures were getting closer. It wasn't a long alley, by any means, but the two people Xyon's eyes could make out seemed more concerned with whatever was chasing them than whatever was in front of them.
Much to their dismay, it turned out.
THey had run straight into Xyon's muscular frame. And bounced off. As they lay there, on the floor, stunned, Inohen whistled through the air and the bladed edge rested at the throats of both men, holding them there.
Five guardsmen appeared in the alley, presumably those that had been chasing the two, now suddenly very repentant criminals.
Xyon removed Inohen and sheathed her, as the guard approached. Stepping aside, he saw to it that the two men did not escape before they had been arrested.
"Thank you, citizen." one of the guardsmen said to him. That was all he got for his troubles as the two men were hoisted away.
Looking over at Vladimir and Feirr, he sighed as he realised the drunkard was still asleep. The collie appeared to have been watching him, however.
Behind him, he thought he heard the drunkard stir. Perhaps not, he thought, as he glanced quickly over, and saw that Sidorov was still miles away, in his own little world.
Off in the distance, the figures were getting closer. It wasn't a long alley, by any means, but the two people Xyon's eyes could make out seemed more concerned with whatever was chasing them than whatever was in front of them.
Much to their dismay, it turned out.
THey had run straight into Xyon's muscular frame. And bounced off. As they lay there, on the floor, stunned, Inohen whistled through the air and the bladed edge rested at the throats of both men, holding them there.
Five guardsmen appeared in the alley, presumably those that had been chasing the two, now suddenly very repentant criminals.
Xyon removed Inohen and sheathed her, as the guard approached. Stepping aside, he saw to it that the two men did not escape before they had been arrested.
"Thank you, citizen." one of the guardsmen said to him. That was all he got for his troubles as the two men were hoisted away.
Looking over at Vladimir and Feirr, he sighed as he realised the drunkard was still asleep. The collie appeared to have been watching him, however.
I have to jump.
For even if I fall, for a moment, I will fly.
For even if I fall, for a moment, I will fly.
Down the Alley; Enter Kreilla
"That is a very impressive blade, sir. Suprising to find such a weilder down this particular alley."
The voice came from the shadows beyond broken rubble and a pile of trash, behind the odd trio of drunkard, dog, and warrior. The speaker moved into what light there was that could reach between the buildings, revealing a very small woman, young, perhaps still a teenager rather than an adult. She wore all black-- a black vest over a black shirt, with black pants and black boots, a leather knapsack slung over one shoulder. A ball of curly red hair was pulled away from her face in a ponytail, revealing several small hoop earrings in each ear. She was less than five feet tall, and thickly portioned, though not fat by any means.
"I don't recognize you, and I think I would if you had been here long. This isn't a good place to stay for too long; do you need some help finding a place for your drunk friend?" She took a step closer, peering down at the drunk. "Oh, I know him. You can take him to the brothel; they'll let him sleep it off there. He's known there, too well."
The voice came from the shadows beyond broken rubble and a pile of trash, behind the odd trio of drunkard, dog, and warrior. The speaker moved into what light there was that could reach between the buildings, revealing a very small woman, young, perhaps still a teenager rather than an adult. She wore all black-- a black vest over a black shirt, with black pants and black boots, a leather knapsack slung over one shoulder. A ball of curly red hair was pulled away from her face in a ponytail, revealing several small hoop earrings in each ear. She was less than five feet tall, and thickly portioned, though not fat by any means.
"I don't recognize you, and I think I would if you had been here long. This isn't a good place to stay for too long; do you need some help finding a place for your drunk friend?" She took a step closer, peering down at the drunk. "Oh, I know him. You can take him to the brothel; they'll let him sleep it off there. He's known there, too well."
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Xyon_of_Calhoun
- Guardsman
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:17 am
- Name: Xyon
- Race: Xenetian
Xyon glanced at Inohen. The silver glow flowed gently from the blade, illuminating the new voice's face almost as well as the glow from his eyes.
He slid Inohen back into her scabbard, allowing the sword to slide itself in the last few inches on it's own. He bowed to the woman, a gesture of greeting, and announced himself.
"Xyon of Calhoun, at your service, madam. Might I ask why such a one as yourself is skulking around dark alleyways at this time of night?
"Thank you... but I'm not too sure where the brothel is. The dog suggested that as well, actually."
Xyon straightened, smiling slightly. He looked over at Vladimir, who was still asleep, and at the collie, who glowered at him and went back to his comrade, waiting for the people to stop talking and get something done.
He slid Inohen back into her scabbard, allowing the sword to slide itself in the last few inches on it's own. He bowed to the woman, a gesture of greeting, and announced himself.
"Xyon of Calhoun, at your service, madam. Might I ask why such a one as yourself is skulking around dark alleyways at this time of night?
"Thank you... but I'm not too sure where the brothel is. The dog suggested that as well, actually."
Xyon straightened, smiling slightly. He looked over at Vladimir, who was still asleep, and at the collie, who glowered at him and went back to his comrade, waiting for the people to stop talking and get something done.
I have to jump.
For even if I fall, for a moment, I will fly.
For even if I fall, for a moment, I will fly.
Keilla straightened, peering up into the most interesting set of eyes she had ever beheld. Outwardly she was unfazed by the obvious magic, but inwardly, a shock flew through her. This is one to watch, she thought to herself. Unsure of how to react to the bow, she awkwardly mimiced him with a short bow of her own, slightly flustered.
"Name's Kreilla. Alleys are my home, and they tend to be dark. Usually quiet, too, but you never can tell some nights. I can show you to the brothel; it's very close. Um, did you just say that the dog suggested it?" The latter hit her a little late, due to her distraction by the tall man before her.
She looked hard at the dog, then back up at Xyon. "I remember hearing something about that, but I hadn't actually had the joy of meeting this particular customer, I mean gentleman, before."
She shifted the pack on her shoulder, looking back up at Xyon. He noticed as her hand moved, a small tatoo on the ring finger of her left hand. It was difficult to make out in the distance, as it was very light, not black like most tatoos, like Vladimir's. "Well, this way, then."
She exited the alleyway and turned, watching and waiting for Xyon to pick up the drunkard and for the dog to fall in line, as well. Once ready, she led them down the street, to tone of the only active buildings at this hour. Most respectable businesses had shut down for the day much earlier in the day--only the brothel and taverns showed light in the windows now.
"Did you want to stay the night as well, Xyon? I could make a recommendation, if you like, you being new and all."
"Name's Kreilla. Alleys are my home, and they tend to be dark. Usually quiet, too, but you never can tell some nights. I can show you to the brothel; it's very close. Um, did you just say that the dog suggested it?" The latter hit her a little late, due to her distraction by the tall man before her.
She looked hard at the dog, then back up at Xyon. "I remember hearing something about that, but I hadn't actually had the joy of meeting this particular customer, I mean gentleman, before."
She shifted the pack on her shoulder, looking back up at Xyon. He noticed as her hand moved, a small tatoo on the ring finger of her left hand. It was difficult to make out in the distance, as it was very light, not black like most tatoos, like Vladimir's. "Well, this way, then."
She exited the alleyway and turned, watching and waiting for Xyon to pick up the drunkard and for the dog to fall in line, as well. Once ready, she led them down the street, to tone of the only active buildings at this hour. Most respectable businesses had shut down for the day much earlier in the day--only the brothel and taverns showed light in the windows now.
"Did you want to stay the night as well, Xyon? I could make a recommendation, if you like, you being new and all."
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Xyon_of_Calhoun
- Guardsman
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:17 am
- Name: Xyon
- Race: Xenetian
"Yes, the dog. He... sort of spoke to me... I think..."
Xyon hoisted the unconscious Vladimir onto his shoulder once more, shifting his bulk awkwardly to avoid the hilt of Inohen. Mustering the strength easily, he followed the woman down the alley and out, into the street.
"I... uh... think I have a room in the tavern, for tonight. I mean... I can't remember that well... but I think I paid for it."
To Xyon's eyes, the light coming from the brothel was uncomfortably bright, and his eyes hadn't had time to adjust from the darkness of the alley. Closing them briefly, he re-opened them, to find the woman stood in front of him. The dog bumped into his heel as he stopped suddenly outside the door to the brothel, and carefully, most cautiously, shoved a leather-booted foot through it.
Xyon was tired of lugging this deadweight around, and would be glad to get rid of him. The door exploded inwards, covering a vast proportion of the inside of the brothel in bits of wood as the Xenetian emerged in the doorway, eyes ablze in irritation.
Xyon hoisted the unconscious Vladimir onto his shoulder once more, shifting his bulk awkwardly to avoid the hilt of Inohen. Mustering the strength easily, he followed the woman down the alley and out, into the street.
"I... uh... think I have a room in the tavern, for tonight. I mean... I can't remember that well... but I think I paid for it."
To Xyon's eyes, the light coming from the brothel was uncomfortably bright, and his eyes hadn't had time to adjust from the darkness of the alley. Closing them briefly, he re-opened them, to find the woman stood in front of him. The dog bumped into his heel as he stopped suddenly outside the door to the brothel, and carefully, most cautiously, shoved a leather-booted foot through it.
Xyon was tired of lugging this deadweight around, and would be glad to get rid of him. The door exploded inwards, covering a vast proportion of the inside of the brothel in bits of wood as the Xenetian emerged in the doorway, eyes ablze in irritation.
I have to jump.
For even if I fall, for a moment, I will fly.
For even if I fall, for a moment, I will fly.
Kreilla's jaw dropped as the door splintered, her eyes meeting those of the ladies and gentlemen within. <i>What did I get myself into?!</i> Her cheeks blushing in the glare of the sea of eyes, she ducked behind her new aquaintance as they entered the brothel. There appeared to be a full crowd tonight, an upscale sort of party in full swing. She hopped up, tyring to see over the crowd a bit, looking for either one of two people. Spotting one, she shot her arm up in the air, waving it around.
"Shaillanna!" The woman who approached them was tall, with slight angles to her jaw and ears--a mixed race as well. Long, shiny black hair and gleaming green eyes usually drew men in like flies. Unfortunately for her, it was often the short men. She wore a fancy lacy dress, a light green and white. "Er, Xyon, this is my sister, Shaillanna. Um, help us take care of his friend, Sis?"
Stepping carefully through the splinters, Kreilla's sister waved Xyon through the crowd, who parted easily for the towering man and his load. She led him to a room when he could lay the drunkard on a bed, the dog invited as well.
"Sir, I don't know if it would be better for you to run or to simply stay and pay for the door, but you had better make your decision soon." Shaillanna spoke plainly, a tired edge to her voice. "Before they try to take it out of your hide, as big a man as you are."
"Shaillanna!" The woman who approached them was tall, with slight angles to her jaw and ears--a mixed race as well. Long, shiny black hair and gleaming green eyes usually drew men in like flies. Unfortunately for her, it was often the short men. She wore a fancy lacy dress, a light green and white. "Er, Xyon, this is my sister, Shaillanna. Um, help us take care of his friend, Sis?"
Stepping carefully through the splinters, Kreilla's sister waved Xyon through the crowd, who parted easily for the towering man and his load. She led him to a room when he could lay the drunkard on a bed, the dog invited as well.
"Sir, I don't know if it would be better for you to run or to simply stay and pay for the door, but you had better make your decision soon." Shaillanna spoke plainly, a tired edge to her voice. "Before they try to take it out of your hide, as big a man as you are."
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Xyon_of_Calhoun
- Guardsman
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:17 am
- Name: Xyon
- Race: Xenetian
Xyon lay Vladimir on the bed as indicated, and stood. Eyes were following him.
So much for not arrtacting attention, Calhoun. Why do you NEVER think before you do things? he thought to himself, grinning slightly as he did so, a rueful smile. Thanking those that had led him there, he turned and made to leave the brothel.
What prevented him from doing this was the troll in the doorway.
It didn't look particularly intelligent. What it did look was extremely pissed off, as it fished a splinter of wood out of one of it's eyeballs with a sphincter-tightening "plop".
This, it flicked at the Xenetian. The two were about the same height, but the troll had the obvious weight advantage. It spoke to him, a deep, rumbling voice that came from a great deal of thought.
"You owes me twenny Bishani for the door, stranger"
Xyon sighed. He'd spent too much money already today, and wasn't prepared to spend any more.
"I owe you nothing, troll. Stand aside, please, and allow me to leave, lest you do not live to regret it." Xyon couldn't remember speaking the words. It had been so long since he'd slept properly, he was dead tired, and could really not be bothered with this fool at the moment.
So much for not arrtacting attention, Calhoun. Why do you NEVER think before you do things? he thought to himself, grinning slightly as he did so, a rueful smile. Thanking those that had led him there, he turned and made to leave the brothel.
What prevented him from doing this was the troll in the doorway.
It didn't look particularly intelligent. What it did look was extremely pissed off, as it fished a splinter of wood out of one of it's eyeballs with a sphincter-tightening "plop".
This, it flicked at the Xenetian. The two were about the same height, but the troll had the obvious weight advantage. It spoke to him, a deep, rumbling voice that came from a great deal of thought.
"You owes me twenny Bishani for the door, stranger"
Xyon sighed. He'd spent too much money already today, and wasn't prepared to spend any more.
"I owe you nothing, troll. Stand aside, please, and allow me to leave, lest you do not live to regret it." Xyon couldn't remember speaking the words. It had been so long since he'd slept properly, he was dead tired, and could really not be bothered with this fool at the moment.
I have to jump.
For even if I fall, for a moment, I will fly.
For even if I fall, for a moment, I will fly.
Kreilla paled at Xyon's words and joined the crowd that backed away from the probable upcoming confrontation. Her mind raced, but she didn't know what could be done for the tall stranger. Certainly, the troll bouncer was in the right--Xyon had broken the door, and it certainly wasn't anyone else's responsibility to pay for the wood. She certainly couldn't with the meager amount of money she had to her name since leaving the brothel herself.
"Xyon, just pay for the door. I'll help you get your money back, if you need." She wasn't sure if he would be partial to the limited ways she had to get the money back, but she didn't want to see him get hurt. Though she had seen the strange sword he carried, Trolls were not playful creatures. Though dull, they were determined, and hard to defeat in battle. She couldn't see herself being able to distrat the Troll, and distracting Xyon wouldn't help, so she stood by ready, to see if she could help.
"Xyon, just pay for the door. I'll help you get your money back, if you need." She wasn't sure if he would be partial to the limited ways she had to get the money back, but she didn't want to see him get hurt. Though she had seen the strange sword he carried, Trolls were not playful creatures. Though dull, they were determined, and hard to defeat in battle. She couldn't see herself being able to distrat the Troll, and distracting Xyon wouldn't help, so she stood by ready, to see if she could help.
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Xyon_of_Calhoun
- Guardsman
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:17 am
- Name: Xyon
- Race: Xenetian
The troll was, to say the least, uncooperative. Xyon knew trolls, and knew what they could do to humans, dwarves, elves and the like. He, however, was none of the above.
Something in the troll's eyes alerted Xyon. There was something else going on in this one's mind. As he locked his gaze on the creature, he perceived Kreilla standing, ready to help.
Presumably, help by cleaning up the blood afterwards. It probably wouldn't be necessary, but it was nice to know. Drawing upon some family gifts, Xyon looked the creature up and down critically, searching for a soft spot, and finding none. Powerful as he was, Xyon held no illusions that a fight with this creature would be an easy one.
The troll didn't look particularly bright, though. Perhaps it might be possible to...
Xyon would never finish that thought, though, as a trollish fist slammed into the side of his torso at bone-crushing speed. It knocked the Xenetian off his feet, and Inohen flew from her scabbard, sliding across the floor, out of reach.
The troll pressed his advantage, coming in close to meet with a spectacular-looking boot to the groin from Xyon. The crowd groaned in shared agony as the troll's eyes filled with water. In that brief instant, Xyon stretched out his arm.
Inohen was a good few feet away from his outstretched fingers, and the troll wouldn't be incapacitated for long. He knew he had to either get the sword and belt the troll with it, or find another solution.
None came to mind.
Focusing on the sword, he poured his effort into it the way his father had taught him. He felt the weight of her, heavy, cold, and distant, as time seemed to slow around him.
Inohen responded. He could feel her, as part of himself. And, like a part of himself, he could move her.
As time sped back up, Inohen finally got the message and flew into Xyon's hands, carefully avoiding an innocent bystander on the way. As the troll turned to seek vengeance for being kicked in the voonerables, Xyon met him with a glorious upswing with the glowing weapon.
It connected. For a brief second, the troll just stood there, with a puzzled look on it's face. Then, slowly, inexorably, the two halves of the troll slid apart, and both made their way to the floor, to remain in a rather sticky mess.
Xyon stood, and began to clean his sword on a tablecloth. Nobody spoke.
Nobody had to.
Another few points to not attracting attention, Calhoun, a part of his mind gloated.
Something in the troll's eyes alerted Xyon. There was something else going on in this one's mind. As he locked his gaze on the creature, he perceived Kreilla standing, ready to help.
Presumably, help by cleaning up the blood afterwards. It probably wouldn't be necessary, but it was nice to know. Drawing upon some family gifts, Xyon looked the creature up and down critically, searching for a soft spot, and finding none. Powerful as he was, Xyon held no illusions that a fight with this creature would be an easy one.
The troll didn't look particularly bright, though. Perhaps it might be possible to...
Xyon would never finish that thought, though, as a trollish fist slammed into the side of his torso at bone-crushing speed. It knocked the Xenetian off his feet, and Inohen flew from her scabbard, sliding across the floor, out of reach.
The troll pressed his advantage, coming in close to meet with a spectacular-looking boot to the groin from Xyon. The crowd groaned in shared agony as the troll's eyes filled with water. In that brief instant, Xyon stretched out his arm.
Inohen was a good few feet away from his outstretched fingers, and the troll wouldn't be incapacitated for long. He knew he had to either get the sword and belt the troll with it, or find another solution.
None came to mind.
Focusing on the sword, he poured his effort into it the way his father had taught him. He felt the weight of her, heavy, cold, and distant, as time seemed to slow around him.
Inohen responded. He could feel her, as part of himself. And, like a part of himself, he could move her.
As time sped back up, Inohen finally got the message and flew into Xyon's hands, carefully avoiding an innocent bystander on the way. As the troll turned to seek vengeance for being kicked in the voonerables, Xyon met him with a glorious upswing with the glowing weapon.
It connected. For a brief second, the troll just stood there, with a puzzled look on it's face. Then, slowly, inexorably, the two halves of the troll slid apart, and both made their way to the floor, to remain in a rather sticky mess.
Xyon stood, and began to clean his sword on a tablecloth. Nobody spoke.
Nobody had to.
Another few points to not attracting attention, Calhoun, a part of his mind gloated.
I have to jump.
For even if I fall, for a moment, I will fly.
For even if I fall, for a moment, I will fly.
As the Troll slammed his fist into Xyon's side, Kreilla saw a glint of joy of the ugly eye of the attacker as Xyon crumpled to the floor. A short scream erupted form her lips, as with some of the other women, but she hardly noticed. She saw the blue blade fly from his fingertips, and wanted to pick it up for her new aquaintence--he might be in the wrong, but he seemed a nice sort--but something held her back. She saw a strange look come over Xyon's eyes that stopped her her tracks, and after a moment, she saw she no longer need to help him get his sword back--it was back in his hand!
She stood for a moment, stunned with the rest of the crowd, as the huge man split the Troll in half in one long swing, blood splattering up on the walls and the nearest bystanders. They were so stunned they couldn't even scream. Kreilla had been in some bad business before in her life, but she had never seen anything like this before. It took only a moment before other instincts burned her blood, and she was moving. Grabbing Xyon's arm, she tried to turn him towards the door.
"What have you done? You gotta get out of here!" Luckily the crowd was mostly still in shock, but it was only a matter of time before they woke up and came in defense of the bouncer, Troll or not. If nothing else, the owner would be, she was sure. "Come on, before the guard gets here!"
She wondered if Xyon still considered himself in the right. The guards would consider him a murderer, for sure, especially with the blatant use of magic in front of the crowd, he was a goner, for sure. Why am I even helping him? These were my people.... no they weren't. My blood, but that's it...
"What were you thinking? Did you report all of that to the guard when you came in the city?"
She stood for a moment, stunned with the rest of the crowd, as the huge man split the Troll in half in one long swing, blood splattering up on the walls and the nearest bystanders. They were so stunned they couldn't even scream. Kreilla had been in some bad business before in her life, but she had never seen anything like this before. It took only a moment before other instincts burned her blood, and she was moving. Grabbing Xyon's arm, she tried to turn him towards the door.
"What have you done? You gotta get out of here!" Luckily the crowd was mostly still in shock, but it was only a matter of time before they woke up and came in defense of the bouncer, Troll or not. If nothing else, the owner would be, she was sure. "Come on, before the guard gets here!"
She wondered if Xyon still considered himself in the right. The guards would consider him a murderer, for sure, especially with the blatant use of magic in front of the crowd, he was a goner, for sure. Why am I even helping him? These were my people.... no they weren't. My blood, but that's it...
"What were you thinking? Did you report all of that to the guard when you came in the city?"
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Xyon_of_Calhoun
- Guardsman
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:17 am
- Name: Xyon
- Race: Xenetian
Xyon allowed Inohen to sheathe herself, seeing no further advantage to be gained by pretending she was a normal sword. He turned, and offered the crowd a mocking bow, then left, stepping over the nicely disected troll on the floor.
One of these days, I swear I'm going to quit, his mind sighed, exasperated with itself.
A puzzled look cam over Xyon's face. "Report all what?" he asked, bemused, as he wandered away from the brothel. Regardless of the whole slicing trolls in half business, he HAD broken a door down and had a fight in a very public place. Oh, and the sword thing wasn't so secret anymore. Nice idea to leave the area, then.Kreilla wrote:"What were you thinking? Did you report all of that to the guard when you came in the city?"
One of these days, I swear I'm going to quit, his mind sighed, exasperated with itself.
I have to jump.
For even if I fall, for a moment, I will fly.
For even if I fall, for a moment, I will fly.
"I mean did you report to the city officials you have magic? They'll lock you up, even kill you, for using it. Especially you just coming in, with this sort of altercation. You definately need to hide out for a bit. Inconspicious as you are." She shook her head at the giant of a man, and sighed.
"Follow me, I think I know a hole in the wall even you might fit into." She led him back to the same alley she had found him in. Leading him just a bit further than he had gone before, she pointed out literally a hole in the wall amoungst trash and rubble, barely big enough for him to squeeze through. "It leads into a basement--go feet first, and you ought to make it. Um, don't draw your sword when you get down there."
"Follow me, I think I know a hole in the wall even you might fit into." She led him back to the same alley she had found him in. Leading him just a bit further than he had gone before, she pointed out literally a hole in the wall amoungst trash and rubble, barely big enough for him to squeeze through. "It leads into a basement--go feet first, and you ought to make it. Um, don't draw your sword when you get down there."
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Xyon_of_Calhoun
- Guardsman
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:17 am
- Name: Xyon
- Race: Xenetian
Xyon glanced critically at the hole in the wall. City guards were one thing, but unkown dungeons were perhaps a problem for him. Nonetheless, he did as instructed, squeezing himself through the not-so-large gap in the wall.
As he pulled himself through, he noticed an odd glow before him. The hole widened after it's initial opening, and he was able to move faster. Behind him, he sensed that the woman had entered the tunnel as well.
The glow from his eyes showed him where to put his hands, and he crawled along in a manner that reminded him of the past. Of the war.
As he pulled himself through, he noticed an odd glow before him. The hole widened after it's initial opening, and he was able to move faster. Behind him, he sensed that the woman had entered the tunnel as well.
The glow from his eyes showed him where to put his hands, and he crawled along in a manner that reminded him of the past. Of the war.
I have to jump.
For even if I fall, for a moment, I will fly.
For even if I fall, for a moment, I will fly.
Kreilla followed Xyon down the hole after a swift glance around them, ensuing no unwanted eyes followed their path. Seeing none, she slipped out into the hole, suprised at it widening effect. She had apparently never needed magical assisstance down is short path. Both tumbled out into a suprisingly large room, occupied by what other would call unsavery characters. She called them friends, and perhaps eventually, they would be family. She had been through that hole thousands of times in her life, had been in that room way before any of these kids had lifted their first purse, but as she came in and out of the street life, each time she had to deal with new faces.
The current group was much like the others she had associated with--mostly young adults, between the ages of 12 to 25, potentials for real trouble but not quite there yet. She din't quite trust they yet, and they didn't quite accept her yet either... but it was where she usually lay her head down to sleep at night, and where she felt most safe in the last few months. They were all misfits, some because they were orphans, some because they ran away, and some because they had special abilities that they didn't want the law to know about...
Xyon's glowing eyes accompanied the glow of a few candles in the room, illuminating a couple of tables and chairs, one covered by cards in an ongoing game. Old beds lay against the wall, and a few chests sat closed against the adjecent wall. The wall opposite the chests, to their right, sat a rather large bookcase, unexpected in this sort of place, filled with old dusty tomes. A door was on this wall, closed. There were currently three occupants in the room, two at the table with cards, the other laying on the bed. All three rose when the pair entered, knives in hand.
"It's alright--he's with me." Kreilla was quick to speak up, stepping to Xyon's side. "He needs a place to duck for a short time."
The current group was much like the others she had associated with--mostly young adults, between the ages of 12 to 25, potentials for real trouble but not quite there yet. She din't quite trust they yet, and they didn't quite accept her yet either... but it was where she usually lay her head down to sleep at night, and where she felt most safe in the last few months. They were all misfits, some because they were orphans, some because they ran away, and some because they had special abilities that they didn't want the law to know about...
Xyon's glowing eyes accompanied the glow of a few candles in the room, illuminating a couple of tables and chairs, one covered by cards in an ongoing game. Old beds lay against the wall, and a few chests sat closed against the adjecent wall. The wall opposite the chests, to their right, sat a rather large bookcase, unexpected in this sort of place, filled with old dusty tomes. A door was on this wall, closed. There were currently three occupants in the room, two at the table with cards, the other laying on the bed. All three rose when the pair entered, knives in hand.
"It's alright--he's with me." Kreilla was quick to speak up, stepping to Xyon's side. "He needs a place to duck for a short time."