Thar Shaddin

Back at the tavern Camulous had left a guard with instructions to direct any women searching for him to the north-western part of the city at Bainbridge and Ephatra. After enduring some poorly formed but well intentioned comments by his men about his true intentions with the women, Cam left to wait ahead of time with a contingent of a dozen of his best men.

Now, normally when the city guard were pulling out all the stops and set out to fight a really dangerous battle, they would bring all the battlemages with them. Most wise men consistently remarked that one should always "fight magic with magic," and normally Camulous would agree. But not today. Today they were flushing out a mages guild whose roots were hidden and, Camulous knew, they extended deep into the city's population. He didn't trust the battlemages at all when it came to this. If there was a spy within the ranks of the guard, it would be with them.

Instead he took his toughest fighters and gave them all free reign on the plethora of gnomish, elven and human weaponry. They followed him to Ephatra Road on both horseback and foot, carrying with them repeater crossbows, pistols, rifles, blunderbusses, and even a two man machine-gun looking device that had to be pulled along by its own horse.

On their way they attracted the attention of everyone around, who stared in awe at the display of exotic weaponry. To avoid large crowds, Cam chose a path that avoided main street and went south past the school, but there was no way to avoid everyone. Fortunately, the citizens knew better than to cause trouble by discussing what their guards were up to - or so Camulous hoped.

When they reached their destination his men dismounted and began toying with their weapons, loading and checking the parts... And looking generally dumbfounded by anything gnomish.

Of course, news had no need to reach Dureena's ears for she was one of the people who had seen the contingent of warriors heading toward the industrial district...

Green-gray eyes, pale in the morning light, watched from a hood-darkened face as the sound of horse hooves and booted feet marched down the street she had been about to enter from an alleyway. Her menacing smile remained hidden in shadow as she watched rather amused.

Well now, you would think this operation was supposed to be held to the utmost secrecy although, of course, military men always have a way of nixing that, she mused, eyes glittering as wisps of the citizens' whispers reached her ears. But at least he is trying to avoid the greater part of town.

The buzzing of whispered talk that remained floated to her ears. However, at the moment nothing worth while came to her. Disappointed, she let her eyes rest once more on the group retreating in the distance. When the soldiers were well down the street she retreated farther into the alleyway, letting loose a shrill whistle that none of the passers by on the main street seemed to hear. Holding out her arm she received her beloved hawk, Kaelgon. She stroked his feathers affectionately and he returned the sentiment by butting his head against her hand. Smiling, Dureena spoke quietly and sweetly to him, her voice filled with secret mischief.

"My darling, rise above the streets and you will find it quite easy to spot a small army marching toward the industrial district. Follow them to their resting place and keep an eye on them for me. Be my eyes and ears, for I have other matters to attend to just now."

Kaelgon bobbed his head in affirmative response and took to the air. Turning on her heals Dureena continued briskly on her way.

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Several hours later Dureena stood on the outskirts of the little camp, Kaelgon nestled comfortably on her shoulder. She surveyed it with interest making sure to remain well hidden from prying eyes. She couldn't let them know she was here just yet. As far as she could tell she was the first arrival and Kaelgon affirmed as much. He had watched the progress of the contingent for quite some time.

Eyeing the men shrewdly, Dureena raised an eyebrow. How on this earth does he think he's going to accomplish anything. Those mages have probably guessed the Captain’s plans and are long gone by now.

Irritated, she thought of the information she had obtained and how useless it may very well turn out to be. Making up her mind that waiting was pointless she pushed away from the tree she was lounging against and brushed back her long hair. Kaelgon retreated to the air as Dureena pulled up her hood with a flick of her wrists. Finally, with an air of superiority and power she straitened her collar and stalked into the camp. She did not stop for anyone. Instead, she headed strait toward Captain Camulous in the midst of all the activity. As expected one of the guards made to get in her way. She eyed him malevolently, before her face flickered to a slyer yet pleasant smile.

“I have business with your captain. You wouldn’t want to keep him waiting now would you?” she asked, an eyebrow raised and a scrutinizing look on her face, a smile still lurking behind it.

"Aye Mi' Lady, tis best for you to remain in doors this night."

The woman turned her head to face the window which gave her a view of the streets beyond the inn. Like ants marching, a caravan of men moves through town. Mozelle could see the bulky outline of the weapons at their side through the dust the horse managed to create.

"The guard is on tha move, means trouble lies ahead..."

Mozelle hid her excitement and stood up from the dinner table. She left her money for the meal she had only partially finished and spoke as she moved towards her room. She mumbled under her breath, something to the effect of "more trouble than you can image". The woman did not hear her, being busy clearing the table and counting what was left for her.

Once in her room, she moved more quickly. She had everything she needed laid out across the small bed in order of importance to her. She took up her crossbow and mounted it on a hook attached to her leather belt. Easy access. She checked the bows in her quiver before sliding it over her shoulders and across her back. Next came her leather carrier, heavy with its bulky contents. She glanced over her daggers, dismissing them as unnecessary this night. Should the unthinkable happen, she would be to tempted to use them in a malicious manner.

Time to go.

As she left the inn, she gave the innkeeper downstairs a sideways glance as she headed out into the streets.
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She trailed the army through the city streets and into the industrial district, following the hoof prints of the many horses and dragged footprints in the dirt.

She passed in plain view of a guard at his post and ignored his protests for her to halt and identify herself. As she proceeded, the Captain came into view, meanwhile the guard behind her shuffled in a slight panic and arousing the attention of others.

'Gods, he must be new.'

She moved on through the ranks, one of the larger guards stepped into her path. Not letting him get a word out she promptly informed him a stern and determined voice that she was here at the request of his Captain, and that he had better step aside...please.


The burly man stepped aside and she approached the man she had come to see.

"Now, is this what you call a stealthy operation Captain?" She looked to her left, her eyes dancing across the arsenal that most of the men were tending too.

Alalia watched the men marching, perched on a roof above the dust and the noise of the street. The rhythmic thumping of boots against the ground mingled with the whispers of the citizens, speculating quietly about the cause of the disturbance.

The cat-girl was reminded once again as to why she never worked with others, let alone humans. They always managed to cause problems, especially when they thought their actions were "for the best". It was why she considered them as nothing more then prey.

Shaking herself from her thoughts, the assassin followed the procession, leaping from rooftop to rooftop. She did not like traveling by the roads, preferring to avoid others. Her hood was draped over her shoulders, allowing her odd, cat-like features to be seen by anyone who chanced to look up at the right time. However, she knew that most humans had the tendency to make up excuses for things that they did not understand.

Alalia watched for a moment as the men stopped and began to prepare their weapons. Shaking her head at this display of force, she leaped down, landing in a crouch behind the human-looking woman from the meeting in time to hear her comment. "Yes, I'm sure no one noticed," she remarked dryly, her eyes devoid of any emotion as her hand rested on her sword hilt.

Roof shingles cracked under her nervous talons as the dragon watched the guards pass on by beneath her. Each carried a full load of weapons, and her smell made the horses jittery as they passed. She watched with crimson eyes until they were beyond her on their way to where the mages were. Her tongue flicked out to erase the last trace of dinner from her muzzle before Ryosha took action.

She rose and followed, jumping from rooftop to rooftop with ease. Only a slight twinge in her wings reminded her of her injuries but that would not stop her tonight. She had eaten well and had even slept for a time before the hunt would begin. Ebony’s gear had been sold for a price since the murderer had no use or skill with them. She wore only the clothes and the belt. No daggers or swords or any contraption weighed her down tonight.

When the guards stopped and began to mingle around a building, she leapt down from the houses to the streets themselves. She could smell the others that had also signed contracts. They gathered by the human that had bound them. Hunters too open. Should hide from prey and wait to strike, no matter how hungry.

With a growl of distaste, she nodded in agreement with the cat girl. “Too open. Will scare away mages with noise alone.”

The guard Dureena had spoken to caved under her penetrating stare and sound words. He was weak minded and easily dissuaded to use force against her. He stepped awkwardly aside and dogged her up the the Captain. Indeed, his sense of loyalty seemed to make him feel responsible for her actions despite the fact that he had caved to her mind tricks. Dureena laughed inwardly to herself at the prospect. Giving the guard a warning look, she laughed inwardly again as he seemed to jump back with apprehension on his face. Smirking at him she turned her attention to the others. Hearing the lizard lady's words she smiled at her and nodded in agreement. She eyed the captain with narrowed, surveying eyes.

"My dear Captain, your show of force here has also thus threatened to compromise the intelligence I gathered today. Rather irresponsible if you ask me ..." Her voice reflected a sense of annoyance. "But of course, I'm sure you have your reasons."

She raised an eyebrow and looked expectantly at the captain.

Camulous stood among his men, talking and sharing sips of wine from a cantine one of them had snuck along. He was not the sort of leader to scold a warrior for bringing alcohol to a battle. If anything, he would have suggested something stronger like whisky. Instead they bantered and laughed, a few of them visibly nervous about what was going to ensue. Those were the ones who got an extra helping of wine.

As evening approached and the sky took on its usual orangy-red hue, his hired hands arrived nearly all at once. Immediately he was bombarded with complaints from them about how he was handling the operation. More than a few of his men took offense to their tone, and looked about ready to do something about it, but Cam stepped in before anything happened and diffused the situation by giving them an order and slapping a hand on the shoulder-plate of the man next to him.

"Go get your gear."

His men scattered to gather their things and the captain bent over to pick an impressive looking silver helmet off the ground by his feet. He straightened up with the helmet under his arm and then looked at the ladies with an indignant gaze.

"I didn't hire you for your opinions, I hired you to do your jobs. I'll decide how to handle my men."

With the helmet under his arm he turned around to face north up Bainbridge. He had a crossbow strapped to his back that had already been loaded. It was of exquisitely fine elven design, white wood caressed with organic carvings and gold parts. The bolt it was loaded with was tipped with a black round ball rather than a point.

"They're not expecting us, and I have no intention of letting them escape by bringing too few men. The meeting is two blocks away yet, why don't you ladies go take up positions outside. My men and I will follow suit shortly, and signal you when it's time to move in.

Take this road north one block, then go east two more. It's an old gray textile factory with a whole lot of pipes and gnomish bits sticking out of it. Find it but don't go inside."

Ryosha just shrugged, feeling the cloth on her shoulders ripple and stretch. She had said her complaint and would say no more about it since he didn’t care. Her ears flicked at his instructions but they were promptly forgotten in favor of waiting for her’s. Unless I’m wanted elsewhere. Perhaps rooftop or near exits. That changed things and bit and the crazed one actually voiced her concerns.

“Where am I wanted? Where best place to catch runners?” Yes, runners was the best name for them since that is what they would try to do. The mages would try to run from the guards and in to her waiting maw where she would snap their necks.

"I'm sure you knew what you were getting yourself into when taking on a gang of strong willed women, opinions will be given, even if they aren't asked for"

With a shrug she removes the large leather bag she had been carrying and holds it with one hand as she digs through it with the other. What she produces is a small cloth pouch, which emits the slight tinkering sound of glass against glass as it moves within her hand. She tosses a bag first to the captain before reaching in to fetch similar pouches for the other ladies. Each orb was similar in size and contained a opalescent liquid inside, which swirled as it the orb is moved. Upon hearing the dragon-lady speak, she promptly keeps the last pouch to herself. Something in the way that creature looked and spoke made her want to keep her distance, just to keep the peace.

Speaking to the captain, "Be careful not to drop those. Something for you and your men to toy with."

She slung the leather bag back over her shoulder and scanned each member of the group as she spoke.

"I'm sure all of you will believe you have no need for these, but it is something I want to test out for future use and I'd appreciate the help."

She removed one of the orbs from the pouch and rolled it about in the palm of her hand.

"These are for the runners. The liquid inside is toxic, but not fatal, a combination of wisteria, thorn apple, and other planets. Highly concentrated. The glass is very thin and will break with enough force, such as when it is thrown at a target. When broken contents will disperse onto clothing and skin. If the fumes won't stop them in their tracks, the intense burning and irritation of the eyes will."

She removes a bag for herself as she speaks. "The women will succumb the easiest of course, the men may take two or three orbs before they are whithering on the ground."

She finished her little speech and gave a slight nod to the ladies before smoothly turning on her heels to face north. Ready for mayhem.

Camulous looked at the pouch of balls, listening to the instructions. He particularly liked the idea of having a non-lethal way of slowing people down so they could be arrested. Occasionally, in the past, he had tried to implement other methods, such as poisoned hand-crossbows, but they ended up being an expensive hastle and generally ineffective in the hands of his men. In the end he'd decided to stick with handing out maces, rather than swords, to the guards on normal patrol. He would use the balls if the opportunity arose, but feared the dragoness would have other plans.

He nodded to Mozelle before she left, and then looked at the dragoness. Despite all their differences, and the bloodlust he could see in her, he decided he liked her on at least one level. She was more like his men than the other women.

"You stay with me. Come."

In a fluid, well accustomed motion, he dropped his helmet onto his head, completing his armoured outfit. With it on, he looked like a true fighter, rather than a fair skinned blue eyed young man. Unlike the rest of his men, he wore it with the visor up so his face could be seen, and so he could see clearly without the thin slitted visor to block his view. It framed his face well, covering up his blonde hair, making him look like a man.

His men gathered around him in full uniform as well, faces now masked by identical helmets. They brandished their weapons at the ready, the only things on them that were unique. Several swords with shields, a pair of crossbows, rifles, and a blunderbuss of some sort. And, of course, the artillery piece that required two men to use.

Camulous drew his shortsword, and along with it had a buckler and the strange crossbow on his back. He twirled the sword once and his men gave a whoop of support. With a flash of a grin to the dragoness he started off towards the textile factory.

Dureena couldn't help but smile at the captain's response to the women. He was, after all, just a soldier. Such a shame... she thought wistfully. Giving him one last lingering look, curious expression included, she turned her eyes on the new speaker, one of her fellow recruits. She laughed at the woman's retort.

"She is right you know." She raised an eyebrow and smiled at the captain.

Catching movements out of the corner of her eye, Dureena was curious to find that the woman who spoke was retrieving something from her bag. She was handing out glass balls. Taking the one proffered her, she studied it closely as she listened to the woman describing their use. She smiled delightedly at their seemingly innocent beauty and more so as she heard what they were for. Aha! Genius! Definitely worthy of my care... she thought slyly, her eyes sliding over to the woman again. Hmmmm ....

As she did so she noted that the dragoness, which surely she must be, did not receive such a worthy weapon. But of course why should she? She can't be trusted to make sound judgments. At least, not unless it requires blood lust, Dureena thought haughtily. And staying with the captain? Perfect... she thought drawing out the last word with a mental purr. At least she would be staying out of our way for the time being.

With the leaving movement of both speakers, it was clear that the meeting had ended. The guard was gathering around their now fully armored leader in a reverential way. Smirking, Dureena turned to follow the dark-skinned woman. She desired to learn more about this curious woman who seemed nearly as mysterious as herself.

Alalia scowled at the pouch in her hands. She saw no point in a weapon that didn't kill. Ocassionally it was necessary to knock out an opponent before killing them, but not often, and she found it to be generally a waste of time. To her disgust, the captain of the gaurd and the other woman seemed pleased with the new toy at their disposal.

The cat-girl was tired of waiting around. She wanted to hunt the mages down and kill them. Killing in general gave her a rush, but she liked killing mages best of all. The first person she had hunted had been a mage, the one who had created her, the one who had given her this cursed half-life. She had the need to kill, but knew no reason for it. She did not hunt for food, like the animal used to create her, but she felt the same need or blood.

Alalia watched the two more human women walk off, and feeling the need to move about, went with them. She told herself that she wasn't following them, that she merely needed to move. Her tail lashed about angrily with pent-up energy. She flexed her claws as she imagined them tearing through flesh and becoming soaked with blood. She could almost smell the sweet coppery scent, taste it on her tongue. She shuddered in anticipation.

Ryosha did not care that Mozelle did not give her a pouch of orbs of her own. In fact, it made her quite happy to not have to carry such a worthless item. She would be killing, not capturing. She had no need of such a thing. But one ear did catch her orders. She mirrored his grin, only with more teeth and fell in step behind him, flowing silently over the cobbles beneath them. Staying close like a shadow, she flanked him as he ran, staying by his side and a bit behind so as to catch any new orders.

Rage and hunger stirred within. Rage at the other woman in the group, rage at the mages, rage at having to have waited so long to kill. But hunger was also a waking beast that chewed at her belly. Even with the dinner she had caught, she still wanted to taste human blood this night.

The building was as close as he had said it would be and reeked of mages. The dragon snorted as her wings rustled. With all the control she had, Ryosha forced herself to sit beside the captain, eyes darting from exit to exit to watch for runners even though they had not started just yet.

As they approached the building Camulous kept a watchful eye over everything, mentally noting where each of the assassins went while balancing out his own men to cover all the major routes to and from the factory, which he knew well by now.

He led his men toward the place more slowly once the place was within view. The excellent quality and light weight of their armour meant that they were capable of moving relatively quietly. The usual "chink chink" of men walking in armor faded away when they slowed down. Only the horses made noise with their hooves and frequent huffs.

When they were about 50 feet away he raised his hand and the men stopped with the artillery piece right beside him. The captain directed a trio of men, two with crossbows and one with a simple sword and shield, around to the back of the factory with a few silent motions. He directed three more of them down the street, also with one melee and two ranged weapons, one of which was an expensive looking rifle.

The rest of the men stayed with him and arranged the machine-gun looking thing to point at the entrance to the factory. With his men set up, he took one last look at the scene and prepared to give the women the signal to go in.

(( I'm sure you all read the ooc forum, right? Hmm? Mozelle won't be able to come on and post for a while now because of the hurricane. We are probably going to have to go on without her for a while, which sucks. Give her your best wishes all, because her situation is awful right now.))

Dureena eyed the building she approached expectantly. She surveyed the surrounding area as she did so, delighting in the amount of cover allotted. Pulling up her hood with a flick she stood leisurely, her arms crossed as she gave the captain and his men a studious look. When she saw that they were ready she gave the captain a sly smirk and bade him goodbye and good luck. She did not bother to wait for a signal as it was clear he was ready to move in.

She took a few steps away from the line, assuming that the others would follow at their own pace. After a slight pause of observation she approached the textile factory, emanating stealth and blindness as she went. She would not be seen by any save the soldiers and her companions as she drew nigh the building.

As Dureena got closer to the building it was clear that she did not intend to take the main gated entrance. Instead, she began carefully inspecting the sides of the building. Soon, she discovered a rough wooden door, weatherworn with age, and hidden behind some overgrowth. Withdrawing her lone dagger, she cut away most of the vines so as to provide the captain's men easy visibility. Once finished she returned her dagger to its sheath and scrutinized the handle of the door. She could see that the dirt and grime covering the doorknob was warn away, indicating recent use. She grasped the handle and closed her eyes, sending mental images of silence into the handle and through the door. She couldn't afford to have it creak.

Grey-green eyes open once more, she carefully turned the knob and pushed. A puff of dispelled damp, dank air met her but no other sounds. Smiling to herself she led the others inside.