Wolfhound ran like he never had before, sweat poured down his face and hwhen he heard Lanya's scream just that was almost enough to make him stumble but when she threw off the balance he lost his, falling to the floor and losing Lanya. He scrambled to his feet, dashing to Lanya his eyes widened when he saw the knife wound. He had to get her to a safe place and treat it, but first he had to dispose of these men.
he stood in front of the woman, it looked like this would be an outright war, against any one of these men Wolfhound was sure it would have been no contest, but if they worked together, he would be hard pushed to escape himself, let alone with an injured woman. His eyes hardened, Knives seemingly appeared out of nowhere, tight in his grip.
Rather than howling, no matter how much he wanted to, he simply growled, saving his energy, although he did send out a desperate request for wolves, although he doubted any others would be willing to risk coming into the city, they hated it, much like wolfhound did.
The Willow Root Tavern
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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 blue eyes stared back at Kamar as he listened. He wore a poker face of indifference, not hinting at whether he agreed or disagreed with what was being said. The man was right, but it was also none of his business. Rash judgements were not the captain's way and he far from knew the whole story. Indeed it was his lack of information that upset him most.
Conspiracies, investigations, accusations, manipulations... He dealt with all of these things the same way: send it to the judges. He was a military captain and an officer, not a detective.
He listened up until the man asked to be given command of his men, at which point the captain's eyes narrowed with a look of contempt.
"You must be completely insane if you think I'm going to give you any kind of authority over my men. If I wasn't looking at you right now, I'd think you had some kind of head wound."
He stepped forward, past Orion, to bear the bulk of his frame over Kamar. There were very few openings in the armor he wore. It wasn't even clear whether a dagger would make it through any of the joints.
"They are still in Thar Shaddin, and therefore they are under my jurisdiction. I don't know who you are or what government you think you work for, but around here we ALL work under the law. The girl AND the wolfman go to the judges, and if you so much as think of getting in my way, you'll be answering to them too. I don't play games, Dennison, and I don't like to be played with. Just give me an excuse so I can wring your neck."
Conspiracies, investigations, accusations, manipulations... He dealt with all of these things the same way: send it to the judges. He was a military captain and an officer, not a detective.
He listened up until the man asked to be given command of his men, at which point the captain's eyes narrowed with a look of contempt.
"You must be completely insane if you think I'm going to give you any kind of authority over my men. If I wasn't looking at you right now, I'd think you had some kind of head wound."
He stepped forward, past Orion, to bear the bulk of his frame over Kamar. There were very few openings in the armor he wore. It wasn't even clear whether a dagger would make it through any of the joints.
"They are still in Thar Shaddin, and therefore they are under my jurisdiction. I don't know who you are or what government you think you work for, but around here we ALL work under the law. The girl AND the wolfman go to the judges, and if you so much as think of getting in my way, you'll be answering to them too. I don't play games, Dennison, and I don't like to be played with. Just give me an excuse so I can wring your neck."
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Anonymous
Orion mentally shrugged off Kamar's accusations and with it all his rage. He answered to no one in this room but the Captain, who he knew would have some questions. But again that was a non-matter, a scenario already thought of before he fired his gun. Having finished with his part of this entire exchange, Orion faded once again into a position secondary to the Captain. He mused that the Captain let this Sammuel Dennison off leniently. His thoughts lingered for a few seconds more on the hunter; his skill from what Orion had observed had to be at least highly trained if not remarkable. What he wondered was the source of the hunter's easy temper, his quick and practiced switch of personality traits--all of it belied a supreme sort of confidence, the kind that Orion understood himself to share in. Knowing this Orion had to wonder about the source of this confidence. The man's own skills? Or perhaps there was a second possibility, the only one which disturbed him in the least.
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Kamar Deythal
- Citizen
- Posts: 333
- Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2006 7:52 pm
- Name: Kamar Deythal
- Race: Half-elf
The lone thug, the last standing hiree of Kamar, stood before Wolfhound.
His friends, or cohorts, he thought might be a better word, were down from the original barrage of daggers thrown by Wolfhound. The occasional groan could be heard behind him, but he ignored it. Perhaps if he could delay the wolfman for a few moments, until Dennison could get here...
But what was taking him so long? Could he be in the custody of Captain Smithson and his guard?
The thug waited, alone, watching Wolfhound through narrowed eyes. His own throwing dagger was in his right hand, his short sword at his hip. He would wait for Wolfhound to make the first move.
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Kamar listened intently as Camulous berated him. His only response was a serene smile and a condescending look towards Orion. As the Captain stepped forward, attempting intimidation by towering over him, Kamar's smile spread into a grin, as if he enjoyed this type of confrontation.
He waited until Camulous was finished speaking before taking a slow, measured step back. He had decided already that deference was the way to go with this man. His grin dropped back to the serene smile as he dipped his head towards Camulous.
"How right you are, Captain. Again, I am getting carried away in the moment. Now, maybe I can ask you a question, hmm?" Kamar quirked a half smile at Camulous, suddenly all business.
"How are you going to find them? I'm sure you know they can't have gotten far, even with the Wolfman's speed and strength. I also know that you could have this city crawling with guardsmen looking for them in a matter of moments."
Kamar offered another sardonic half smirk. "I know the power you wield, Captain..." The rest of the sentence was left hanging, although it was clear there was more to it. He had left off the fact that he also knew where that power ended. Having an ear to the seedy underbelly of any city usually paid great dividends.
His friends, or cohorts, he thought might be a better word, were down from the original barrage of daggers thrown by Wolfhound. The occasional groan could be heard behind him, but he ignored it. Perhaps if he could delay the wolfman for a few moments, until Dennison could get here...
But what was taking him so long? Could he be in the custody of Captain Smithson and his guard?
The thug waited, alone, watching Wolfhound through narrowed eyes. His own throwing dagger was in his right hand, his short sword at his hip. He would wait for Wolfhound to make the first move.
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Kamar listened intently as Camulous berated him. His only response was a serene smile and a condescending look towards Orion. As the Captain stepped forward, attempting intimidation by towering over him, Kamar's smile spread into a grin, as if he enjoyed this type of confrontation.
He waited until Camulous was finished speaking before taking a slow, measured step back. He had decided already that deference was the way to go with this man. His grin dropped back to the serene smile as he dipped his head towards Camulous.
"How right you are, Captain. Again, I am getting carried away in the moment. Now, maybe I can ask you a question, hmm?" Kamar quirked a half smile at Camulous, suddenly all business.
"How are you going to find them? I'm sure you know they can't have gotten far, even with the Wolfman's speed and strength. I also know that you could have this city crawling with guardsmen looking for them in a matter of moments."
Kamar offered another sardonic half smirk. "I know the power you wield, Captain..." The rest of the sentence was left hanging, although it was clear there was more to it. He had left off the fact that he also knew where that power ended. Having an ear to the seedy underbelly of any city usually paid great dividends.
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 stared blankly at the sky, blinking about once every ten seconds or so. Her mind was silent and dull, though some part of her, the part that was constantly thinking, was raging and begging her to move, to get up, to do something for God's sake.
But Lanya was far, far away, lying quietly in the middle of the road. By some miracle of mercy, she'd landed on her side - a last ditch effort by her rational mind to turn her to the side and lessen the damage before it took its leave of her. Song lyrics and stories drifted through her head in a jumbled mass, and she began humming some of the tunes wafting through by reflex. She couldn't guess how long she'd already been lying there; numbers were beyond her at the moment.
It wasn't the pain so much, although there was a lot of pain to speak of. It was the being hunted, the stress of running, the strain of magical creatures always finding her and affecting her life without her having a say in the decision. It was so much easier to not know anything, to forget all the pain and fear and just be. But my, wasn't it cold?
As Wolfhound and the knife-wielding henchman faced off, Lanya began shivering uncontrollably.
But Lanya was far, far away, lying quietly in the middle of the road. By some miracle of mercy, she'd landed on her side - a last ditch effort by her rational mind to turn her to the side and lessen the damage before it took its leave of her. Song lyrics and stories drifted through her head in a jumbled mass, and she began humming some of the tunes wafting through by reflex. She couldn't guess how long she'd already been lying there; numbers were beyond her at the moment.
It wasn't the pain so much, although there was a lot of pain to speak of. It was the being hunted, the stress of running, the strain of magical creatures always finding her and affecting her life without her having a say in the decision. It was so much easier to not know anything, to forget all the pain and fear and just be. But my, wasn't it cold?
As Wolfhound and the knife-wielding henchman faced off, Lanya began shivering uncontrollably.
Wolfhound took a deep breath, supressing his natural wolfish instincts was a battle in its self, but he couldn't afford to fight like a wolf now, not in this situation. His already narrowed eyes glowed yellow, a burning flame of anger illuminating his pupils as he backed off, towards Lanya. He twirled his knives, waiting for the thug to come.
In a situation like this he couldn't afford to attack, he was here to defend the girl, attacking would be foolish and would leave Lanya vunerable. he was stuck between two dangers, if he fought, others could come out and take the girl, but if he ran the thug could easily throw a knife in his back.
He desperatly sought for a way out, his mind settling on the only possible way, but one that could have no effect. he had to call the wolves, if they came then they could take Lanya and escape whilst he held off the thugs. my brothers He called out, I need you, Come, take the girl and flee. As he spoke he could feel his words changing into emotions and pictures, into the words of the wolf.
He brought his daggers into a defensive position, spreading his feet apart when two words flashed into his brain, a joint chorus of wolves, six of them. We come. A small smile escaped his lips, these wolves, who were so afraid of the city that never more than two would accompany him had banded together in what could only be described as selfless bravery to save the girl, it seemed they had grown fond of her sinse last night.
It wouldn't take long for them to arrive, a couple of minutes if they went full pace, they had gathered on the outskirts to mourn the death of one of their own, and now that grief had turned to anger, they would come in all their glory, well to wolfhound it was glory, to others it would look more like death.
He turned his attention back to the thug, "It seems death is what you want, then come, death is what you shall get". He spoke in a low voice, just audible to the thug, he guestured with his knife, a sign that the battle had begun. Then he waited, silently.
In a situation like this he couldn't afford to attack, he was here to defend the girl, attacking would be foolish and would leave Lanya vunerable. he was stuck between two dangers, if he fought, others could come out and take the girl, but if he ran the thug could easily throw a knife in his back.
He desperatly sought for a way out, his mind settling on the only possible way, but one that could have no effect. he had to call the wolves, if they came then they could take Lanya and escape whilst he held off the thugs. my brothers He called out, I need you, Come, take the girl and flee. As he spoke he could feel his words changing into emotions and pictures, into the words of the wolf.
He brought his daggers into a defensive position, spreading his feet apart when two words flashed into his brain, a joint chorus of wolves, six of them. We come. A small smile escaped his lips, these wolves, who were so afraid of the city that never more than two would accompany him had banded together in what could only be described as selfless bravery to save the girl, it seemed they had grown fond of her sinse last night.
It wouldn't take long for them to arrive, a couple of minutes if they went full pace, they had gathered on the outskirts to mourn the death of one of their own, and now that grief had turned to anger, they would come in all their glory, well to wolfhound it was glory, to others it would look more like death.
He turned his attention back to the thug, "It seems death is what you want, then come, death is what you shall get". He spoke in a low voice, just audible to the thug, he guestured with his knife, a sign that the battle had begun. Then he waited, silently.
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Camulous Smithson
- Guardsman
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 12:59 am
- Name: Camulous Smithson
- Race: Human
Camulous really didn't like the assassin. The grin on his face suggested he was the type of person to fight dirty. He was too confident in the face of a pair guardsmen who looked like they could bring him down with no problem. Either he was stupid, crazy, or he had magic.
Now, in the captain's experience the first two possibilities were the most common. There were a lot of stupid people around who picked fights with guardsmen without understanding what a few trained men with big muscles and good armor could do... People who promptly received an enlightening beating that got them on the right track. There were also a number of crazy people who weren't afraid of anything and often wanted to get hurt for whatever deranged justification they happened to have come up with at the time. These ones generally took several beatings and/or imprisonment to deal with.
Dennison looked like neither. He was, without a doubt, some sort of a bounty hunter. Camulous had seen his targets and seen his goons, and he was no lightheaded or deranged fool. That left magic, which was a thing the captain had no way to prove and so couldn't arrest the man over. It seemed all too likely to him. Why send an ordinary thug after a wolfman and a witch? Most places didn't abhor magic the way Thar Shaddin did. They would use someone better. Even if he was wrong, he wanted Dennison behind bars where he knew the man would not interfere. All Camulous needed to accomplish that was a charge.
Battlemages didn't need charges. They arrested people on mere suspicion.
Camulous wanted to talk to a battlemage now. Not for the wolfman; for Dennison.
"Orion will go with you."
He hated to do this to the man. Alone with Dennison, he wasn't sure what might happen. It's not like he could literally be stabbed in the back with the armour he was wearing, but there were ways...
He turned and addressed Orion.
"And take any men you find along the way."
Now, in the captain's experience the first two possibilities were the most common. There were a lot of stupid people around who picked fights with guardsmen without understanding what a few trained men with big muscles and good armor could do... People who promptly received an enlightening beating that got them on the right track. There were also a number of crazy people who weren't afraid of anything and often wanted to get hurt for whatever deranged justification they happened to have come up with at the time. These ones generally took several beatings and/or imprisonment to deal with.
Dennison looked like neither. He was, without a doubt, some sort of a bounty hunter. Camulous had seen his targets and seen his goons, and he was no lightheaded or deranged fool. That left magic, which was a thing the captain had no way to prove and so couldn't arrest the man over. It seemed all too likely to him. Why send an ordinary thug after a wolfman and a witch? Most places didn't abhor magic the way Thar Shaddin did. They would use someone better. Even if he was wrong, he wanted Dennison behind bars where he knew the man would not interfere. All Camulous needed to accomplish that was a charge.
Battlemages didn't need charges. They arrested people on mere suspicion.
Camulous wanted to talk to a battlemage now. Not for the wolfman; for Dennison.
"Orion will go with you."
He hated to do this to the man. Alone with Dennison, he wasn't sure what might happen. It's not like he could literally be stabbed in the back with the armour he was wearing, but there were ways...
He turned and addressed Orion.
"And take any men you find along the way."
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Kamar Deythal
- Citizen
- Posts: 333
- Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2006 7:52 pm
- Name: Kamar Deythal
- Race: Half-elf
Kamar stared back, lost in his own thoughts, the serene smile still in place on his face. Even as they stood here, the trail would be growing longer, becoming colder. That didn't matter much, considering the location magic he could cast. He was tired of this already. Most of the marks he went after eventually turned and fought, even knowing there was almost no chance for them to survive. He'd come across Lanya three times, and every time she had run. He was getting the distinct impression she would continue to run.
And then there was Wolfhound, the proverbial wrench in the machine. There was always one person who thought they could provide protection for the mark. They always died quietly, often in their sleep. But this one, this wolfman with his speed and uncanny ability to be in the worst possible spot at the wrong time, just would not go away...
The Captain was speaking.
Kamar's eyes narrowed as he heard Camulous, the only outward sign of a flare of suspicion at the sudden about-face by the Captain. The frown was gone as quickly as it showed, the serene smile was there throughout. The Captain didn't want to give him authority over his men, but Kamar could read him enough to know that Camulous didn't even want any guardsmen in his presence. Sending Orion, and any men Orion found, with him could only mean that the Captain wanted to keep an eye on Kamar.
He struggled inwardly with the sudden intense need to finish this Captain of Guards where he stood, knowing that it would only hinder his ability to find and capture Lanya.
Outwardly, the serene smile remained still, even through the struggle within. Kamar turned to Orion, nodded once, and looked back at Camulous.
"That will have to do, I suppose. Thank you for your help, Captain. Perhaps we will see each other again before this is over."
Kamar spoke carefully in order to keep the lightness in his voice, though his sense of irony screamed that they would surely see each other again. He moved suddenly, as was his way, slipping directly by Camulous and around Orion. As he pushed the door open, he stooped in the doorway to scoop the bag Lanya had been carrying, picking it up while still moving. He paused in the doorway, indicating to Orion that he should follow with a brisk movement of his head towards the street. With that, he left.
And then there was Wolfhound, the proverbial wrench in the machine. There was always one person who thought they could provide protection for the mark. They always died quietly, often in their sleep. But this one, this wolfman with his speed and uncanny ability to be in the worst possible spot at the wrong time, just would not go away...
The Captain was speaking.
Kamar's eyes narrowed as he heard Camulous, the only outward sign of a flare of suspicion at the sudden about-face by the Captain. The frown was gone as quickly as it showed, the serene smile was there throughout. The Captain didn't want to give him authority over his men, but Kamar could read him enough to know that Camulous didn't even want any guardsmen in his presence. Sending Orion, and any men Orion found, with him could only mean that the Captain wanted to keep an eye on Kamar.
He struggled inwardly with the sudden intense need to finish this Captain of Guards where he stood, knowing that it would only hinder his ability to find and capture Lanya.
Outwardly, the serene smile remained still, even through the struggle within. Kamar turned to Orion, nodded once, and looked back at Camulous.
"That will have to do, I suppose. Thank you for your help, Captain. Perhaps we will see each other again before this is over."
Kamar spoke carefully in order to keep the lightness in his voice, though his sense of irony screamed that they would surely see each other again. He moved suddenly, as was his way, slipping directly by Camulous and around Orion. As he pushed the door open, he stooped in the doorway to scoop the bag Lanya had been carrying, picking it up while still moving. He paused in the doorway, indicating to Orion that he should follow with a brisk movement of his head towards the street. With that, he left.
You’re gonna find out you’re already dead, and I was the world coming down on your head.
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Camulous Smithson
- Guardsman
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 12:59 am
- Name: Camulous Smithson
- Race: Human
While Kamar wore his smirk the captain never looked anything but serious. He wouldn't lie, or put on a display.
"I'm sure we will, Dennison."
It was brutal honesty. There was no feigned trust.
The glance he exchanged with Orion as he left was the same silent communication as before. Good luck with him, Orion. I'm getting backup. If you live, we'll deal with your attacking the wolfman later.
When Camulous left the tavern, it was in the direction of Justice Hall.
(( Kamar et al. continued here: http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/viewtopic.php?t=403
Camulous continued here: http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/viewtopic.php?t=405 ))
"I'm sure we will, Dennison."
It was brutal honesty. There was no feigned trust.
The glance he exchanged with Orion as he left was the same silent communication as before. Good luck with him, Orion. I'm getting backup. If you live, we'll deal with your attacking the wolfman later.
When Camulous left the tavern, it was in the direction of Justice Hall.
(( Kamar et al. continued here: http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/viewtopic.php?t=403
Camulous continued here: http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/viewtopic.php?t=405 ))