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 Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 9:00 pm
Lucrezia stepped back from the large mercenary. With howls and the screams, Lucrezia tried to keep her mind focused enough to stay calm, and alive. She headed towards the bar, she snatched a towel from the bartender and a bottle of wine from behind the bar; the bartender protested for a moment but she shot him a nasty look. Walking back towards the mercenaries, she kept trying her best to drown out the sounds coming in from outside. She handed Darius the wine and towel without a word; she stepped back and let them figure it out. She had nothing to offer in this situation, the only thing she could do was look around for a weapon.
There was nothing she could see but she wasn't about to die now, she was finally free. She turned around and pushed her way through the people and entered the kitchen. She looked around for biggest, sharpest knife she could find and then grabbed the lid off of a cauldron. Lucrezia was sure that she was the most laughable looking warrior that had ever been seen but she didn't really care, she wasn't going to die on this night.
She stepped out of the kitchen and pushed her way through the people to the front. Lucrezia watched the mercs and waited for some direction on what to do, the knife and cauldron lid hanging awkwardly at her side.
The sounds grew worse, and she swallowed hard. Strange shadows kept popping up before her eyes, but she kept shaking them off.
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Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 12:30 am
Kristalia took in Darius words and smiled.
"You are right..In these parts nothing ever happens, Yet i feel that i should not drink..."
She then turned to Ragnvald and smiled softly as she noted how he traced "S" patterns on his longsword and said his piece.
"You sure are something else".
Talia was quiet for a moment, chuckling when the raven haired woman made a comeback at the merc.
As she was going to rejoin the conversation, a look of surprise came over her eyes and her cheeks flushed a bit as Darius complimented Lucrezia.
The surprise was for his abrupt comment and exit, the flush came from his voice.
"He really meant that...wow"
She turned to the woman who had made an attempt to follow and then stopped to ask if that was normal for him, Talia could only shrug.
The silver haired woman turned to the bar pensive for a while, things had gotten quiet and it was as if the air was getting heavy and warm.
She looked around and noted the Young man Nox had left after Darius.
Talia sighed idly as she thought about what to do.
"I could go home...but id be lonely...".
She had started to get lost in her thoughts when a howling shriek snapped her out.
She turned to see Ragnvald heading towards the door and Lucrezia getting up.
Confusion and shock were Talias main emotions across her features as The merc started to barricade the place.
"What was that...?"
She was going to ask the merc what the howl was when bursting through the door came Darius and Nox.
The first thing that registered in Talias Mind was Darius bleeding, it had immobilized her with fear.
"...what in the blue fires of hell?..."
She then heard another sound coming from the back, and watched as Jessi pulled a trembling form that Talia registered as Aliana.
"Aliana?"
Hazel eyes probed the young girl to see she was alright, and other than some small cuts in her body she was fine.
The silver haired woman walked over to the girl and noted that Nox's metal bracers had blood on them.
She trembled and turned to watch Aliana hold onto Jessi.
In the instant She saw the girls terrified eyes, Kristalia felt terror start to consume her.
"..i wonder if these things are the ones to do away with the villagers...with my Father"
Talia shook with fear now, her eyes unfocusing.
She wanted to scream, to cry, to fall to the floor!, but a warm touch on her nape controlled all those emotions.
The warmth started to fill her, forcing her to keep standing and hold her ground.
"I cant lose it..." She turned to Darius who had spoken about these abominations and again she felt the warmth keep her from going berserk."...."
Talia quietly ignored everyone as she looked for a weapon, a growl coming from her lips as she had never wielded a weapon before...or had she?.
Calculating eyes searched the room as she looked for items she could use.
She was momentarily distracted as she watched Lucrezia come out of the Kitchen with a knife and a lid, she hid a smile at the sight.
"I should not make fun...who knows maybe she will survive i die..."
Talia pushed her wicked thoughts aside as her eyes found what she needed.
"Jessi...i hope your not too fond of this!"
The woman ran across the room to the huge window and looked at an ornate curtain "Rod".
Talia ripped the curtains off and snatched the item being carefull not too look out the window for fear of what she would see.
She turned the thing in her hands and noticed it was made of strong wood, probably Mahogany.
She also noted the pretty golden patterns infused in the rod, or was she imagining things.
"I think I'm going insane..."
Again she was getting lost in thought when another shriek got her out of it.
"shut up!"
She was getting irritated with these things and their howls but this didn't slow her down.
Talia made her way to the kitchen and found a knife it wasnt big but it was sharp enough for her purposes.
"Now all i need is wax and some Fishing line"
Talia walked back towards everyone,placing one of the Rods ends to the floor, she applied pressure to it with her foot.
It took the woman a couple of tries since the wood was strong, but it gave way and an audible "snap" was heard.
"YES!"
Talia quickly took both pieces of the rod to a table with a lit candle.
"Now how to proceed..."
She rubbed her eyes as the pieces started to glow gold to her.
"Darn it...what is happening?." Talia quietly asked herself this as she took the Long piece of the rod and placed the knife were the jagged pieces of wood were.
"Now the candle"
She was doing a good job at ignoring everyone else, it was as if anything that was not the task at hand, did not exist.
She took the candle brushing her hair from her face and started to let the wax mold itself to the wood and knife,wincing a couple of times as the hot wax touched her skin.
After a the wax dried,Talia searched her pockets to find some fishing string and she smiled.
"Always be prepared"
The Woman took the string and made a sailors knot over the knife and wood and examined it, her senses returning as she heard the others behind her and the shrills outside..
"You know Darius..." Talia started her words as she turned to the others, her homemade harpoon in her hand.
"You were right...i should have had a drink..."
her free hand grabbed the other small jagged piece of rod and it dawned to her, That she had never made a harpoon.
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Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 6:58 pm
Aliana registered a touch on her hand. For a moment, she didn’t respond, didn’t even twitch, as if she hadn’t even felt the contact. Then she lifted her head and, with her free hand, wiped her eyes. She owed it to the person comforting her to at least look at them with a somewhat presentable face. Then she noticed it was Nox. Her expression didn’t change, but she was relieved. They were close in age, and while not particularly close, they did talk sometimes and occasionally spend a little time together. She almost instantly felt a little better that another adolescent and not one of the adults in the room was comforting her. He was approaching her as a friend, it seemed, not as a guardian.
When he asked about her parents, she swallowed and nodded silently. She chewed her lip and a shudder ran through her as she recalled her mother’s sacrifice, the way her mother’s blood coated the floor before she fled. She noticed Nox’s expression and remembered that his parents had disappeared as well, and that he had a sick, bed-ridden sister. She realized that he was in the same situation as she was, and she was suddenly even more grateful for his presence. Her hand tightened around his as he promised his moral support. He had unshed tears in his eyes. He too was in pain. How naively selfish she had been to wallow and mope in her own misery. Everyone else was just as bad off. She was ashamed of her bratty behavior. So, to make up for it, she looked Nox straight in the eyes and offered a smile. It was, of course, a sad smile, her pain still reflected in her face, but a smile nonetheless.
Then she turned her attention to Ragnvald and Darius. They always seemed to take unofficial command of any situation, but she didn’t mind. They had this charisma about them that just made them seem like good leaders. Especially in this case: If there was anyone to trust as an authority in a violent situation such as this, who better than two skilled mercenaries? Darius advised everyone to find weapons, but warned that death was possibly imminent. Then he consulted Ragnvald, indicating that his little speech was over. Aliana stood up and got to work.
Well, “getting to work” really isn’t the right term for what she did. More accurately, she got up and started wandering around and looking for something that appeared painful. Eventually she settled on Darius’s suggested idea of a table leg. She chose a table and flipped it over and set to ripping a leg off. Obviously, she wasn’t strong enough to simply break it off, so she resorted to physics. She planted her bare feet firmly on the ground and grabbed the leg, leaning all her weight backwards. The wood groaned, then with a loud snap, came away in her hand. She fell onto her backside, but looked fairly satisfied with her work, despite the silly position she ended up in.
Standing up, she inspected her new form of defense. It was light, but sturdy, as table legs are wont to be. She weighed it in her hands and swung it around just a little, being careful not to get close to hurting anyone. Then something else caught her eye. A large bottle on the corner of the bar. She made a beeline to it and picked it up, looking it over before lifting it above her head and bringing it down forcefully on the edge of the counter.
It stayed perfectly intact. Not a single chip. She shrugged and decided to keep the bottle anyway. Intact, it was a suitable bludgeon, and once it broke it would be downright lethal.
But let’s be fair. A girl in a nightdress with a table leg in one hand and a bottle of some generic brand of alcohol in the other looked ridiculous, and despite her efforts to appear tough, she looked about as intimidating as a butterfly.
((HFW: REALLY INTIMIDATING YUH ))
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Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 10:12 pm
Nox saw Alina's smile and gave his own back to her. It was nice for him to see another teen sharing his feelings.
After Alina got up Nox watched as she tried to break the leg off the table and chuckled to himself; getting up and pulling the claw attachments from his pockets and sliding them into place on his fists. Nox also had two kunai he kept in his back pockets so he checked to see they were still there and he finally remembered the creature's claws slicing into his back. He felt his back and notice the cuts were very shallow but still trickled a bit of blood onto the tatters of his hoodie's back.
Nox began pacing about waiting to see what the mercs would think up. Even though Nox was a skilled fighter he didn't know how to direct a crowd so he was glad to have two experienced soldiers around to head the people. Someone as young as Nox probably would have led the group to death anyway because of the lack of experience.
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 1:02 am
Ragnvald felt his mind thickening, his mind began to waver and his thought process was all but clear. Slowly he knelt down in a weary crouch, ready to spring in any direction if an attacker came forth. Slowly he was falling back into the dark frozen abyss with the large black dire wolf waiting for him. It sat with such raw strength emanating from it. Dark eyes always watchful.
The young man slowly started to walk a circle about the beast, and for the first time decided to try and communicate rather than stare at the grinning beast.
“Do you know anything about these creatures?”
Ragnvald felt his breathing quicken as he made a full circle to stand back in front of the beast who now stood itself, large dark tail swaying back and forth. After what felt like a painstakingly long amount of time Ragni crumpled to his knees in the bloody freezing snow.
Slowly he reached his hands to his head, trying to claw at his scalp and dig into his very skull. It felt like spikes were being driven in every part of his cranium.
“Only if you were older, yet here you are little pup young and willful as ever; but as an answer to your question, I know of them...” The wolf began to circle Ragnvald just as Ragnvald had circled him.
“But I do not know what they are. They are after you and the ones who made their way to Mount Feirn. You have all unleashed something terrible and great. Yet unsure I am that you are ready to control what you have been given... Or cursed with.”
The swordsman finally made his way into a shaky stance. Legs feeling like rubber and almost failing at the attempt to stand up straight. “Who are you then wolf? Why do you not help me unless you are only wishing to haunt me?”
The large dire wolf made a strange rough laughter emanate in Ragni's mind.
“I am sorry pup, but that is a question for an answer at a later time. For now I must leave you and handle more pressing matters, leave this world for you are an intruder!”
Ragni rushed back to the inn, the room spinning and his mind aching as if he had been binge drinking for a month and a day. Slowly he came up from his battle ready crouch and felt a little light headed, but other than that he felt fine, normal almost for the first time in a few candle marks.
Ragnvald kept a low voice as he responded to his friend, “There is a cellar that goes about two stories down and is lined with fired brick. Darius take them all down and I will follow after I set this place ablaze and make a few entries. They will burn themselves alive... Or back dead.”
Ragni chuckled at the thought.
“Either way everyone will live until daybreak. There is also food and water... and booze.” He shrugged Darius grip away with ease and a nonchalant air. Ragni had no want of making anyone more nervous than they already were.
The mercenary moved behind the bar and began dragging barrels of rum, whiskey and a few bottles of absinthe. He then meticulously began to spread the bottles about the front door and window, hoping it would burn the hottest and then started to move the barrels to the walls and kitchen area.
“Darius get going now, the entrance is right behind the bar there.” Ragni leapt over the bar and pulled out a dagger. Slowly he worked it about around a discolored piece of would. After a few seconds the circular black gave way to reveal a thick old iron handled that Ragni flipped up. Crouching down he took the handle in both hands and with a creaking and groaning the wood covered iron door finally gave. Slowly he slid the trick cover aside.
“Down you all go. I will follow after I get the barkeep and other girl from upstairs, no worries, right?”
The mercenary gave a light laugh and a cocky smile, but in all truth he was doubting the plan and knew he would have to stay up top for awhile and make sure everyone was far enough down before igniting the alcohol.
His dark eyes fell to the cellar hole. There was a lift that was made to hall barrels of beer and ale up but Ragni was unsure of how to assemble it. And the first time he had gone down with Jesi they had just used the steeped stairs as a ladder and made quick progress down into the large cellar. In all truth Ragni was surprised, but more so surprised by how quick Jesi had a undressed herself. He snapped back and nodded to Darius to lead.
“There are torches down below as well, but just in case,” Ragni pulled a torch from a nearby support beam and held it out to Darius.
There were more bangs and bashes thrown against the outside walls and doors. The screams and screeches also seemed never ending as the creatures lusted for what was in the inn, no longer in want of the villagers who were so lacking.
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 7:48 pm
(OGrundus waited for his beloved wife to respond to his story, but she didn't, she sat rocking in her chair.
"What now?"
The words rang in the air like a hammer hitting a brass shield.
What Now?
what now?
what now?
Grundus stood and kissed his wife who didn't react, she merely looked at the dusty floor. He turned to a door that led to the smithy. His hands hurt, but this time it wasn't his pain, it was the pain from his wife. He felt helpless, he felt sad. So he quickly got to work, he needed to get his mind off of everything that had happened.
He sharpened the blades of scythes, he strengthened the blades of swords, he did all he could to make the weapons better.
"This scythe will slice through it's enemies with fatal swoops, but that will leave it's wielder unprotected for just one moment." he set down the scythe and picked a previously cooling sword, "this sword gives the wielder the ability to slash quickly, but with a lack of strength." he tossed the sword down, it landed atop the scythe.
"... That's it. I'll combine them, the head slicing power, with quick strokes and minimal effort!"
Grundus now became engrossed in the red-hot metal. So engrossed that he didn't see his wife come into the hot smoky room to observe him. He didn't notice when she set a large glass of water on a table for him to drink, and he didn't notice that she then went to sleep soon after. He looked at the finished sword, he could see his brilliance.
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Hermit Omega Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 8:44 pm
Darius wasted no time. He smiled at Lucrezia, despite how bizarre he had acted towards her she still had the kindness to assist him. He took the towel and high alcohol content wine with an appreciative nod, and dumped the liquid onto his wound. The searing pain was something he had gotten used to over the years. Something he had come to take pleasure from. Not because he took pleasure from pain, but because that burning meant that he survived. That he lived through something that probably could have killed him, and now that burn meant that he was most likely going to live. Even a scratch could be deadly if left uncleansed. Darius had met many men who had lost appendages due to the rot that grew out from the smallest of wounds. Darius, rubbed the burning liquid into his flesh and then wrapped his arm with the towel. Then accepted the torch from Ragni.
“All right you bastards, if you want to live through the night get in that hole. Ragni will set fire to this place and anyone dumb enough to protest will be either burned alive, or torn apart. So just do what he says and you might all live!”
Darius scowled and stared shooing people towards the cellar entrance. Giving the torch to one of the pretty young girls who went first. He watched as the creatures outside finally found out that the windows were breakable, and their long claws reached in. Their naked gray bodies thrashing against the makeshift barricades. Boards along the wall groaned in agony as the seemingly mindless beasts continued their assault on it’s frame. He saw the crimson furious emotion radiating from their clenching fists. Their hunger ground its teeth making his stomach clench. Whimpers of their lost humanity left dark cracks across the waves of emotion.
What could so utterly destroy something that is human? What could so completely annihilate someone mind? Does not free will play a part? Free will must exist or there is no point, yet these beings, who used to be human. What happened?
He considered going out and slaughtering the abominations that that made him question the very fabric that made life what it is. He didn’t understand how anyone could be so weak willed to allow their body to be so twisted, along with their minds and possibly their souls. Put them to rest, to whatever god they worshiped and end it all. It was a dumb idea, he simply felt like he had to do something. He grinned at Ragni.
“You know I can’t go down there without you my friend, I have to be the last one in so I can hold the damn cellar door shut, the wood is rotten around the latch, so when these creatures bust their way inside we need to keep them away until the alcohol catches and fries their ugly asses. So when they get in, you light it, and dash your skinny self into that hole and let the women hold you tight, while I hold the door shut. No hero games, just survival, you know that better than any of us. “
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 9:43 pm
Lucrezia's face held no emotion as she watched their plan take shape. Her eyes darted back and forth between Darius and Ragni until the order to go to the cellar was given.
Lucrezia stayed at the back of the group, her eyes watchful; she wanted to make sure that no stupid decisions were made, she had seen enough to last a lifetime and knew that a man with too much ale in his belly was likely to think he could be a conquering hero; she also knew that some men hated orders, no matter what the situation.
Lucrezia was proven right when the village butcher tried to fight his way through the crowd and get to Darius. "You can't tell me what to do," the man said with a slur "There ain't nothin' out there." The butcher was reeking of ale and swayed where he stood. Lucrezia rolled her eyes and grabbed him by the ear "Don't be a damn fool," she hissed at him "Get in there and you can live to embarrass your wife for another day." The man did not have his bearings, and despite trying to resist her, she shoved him into the cellar where he landed on his belly; Lucrezia had enough experience with drunks to know he wouldn't remember in the morning, he probably wouldn't remember in five minutes.
Lucrezia helped people into the cellar; her cauldron lid was tucked under her arm, the same arm that held the knife she had swiped from the kitchen; she hoped she would not have to use it but the night was young and Lucrezia had little use for hope at the moment.
It was her turn to go into the cellar, which was good as the creatures were breaking through and she had never seen anything like them. Shadows loomed in front of her for a brief moment but disappeared when she shook her head; part of her wanted to be brave and help the mercs but she knew she would only hinder them, her job was in the cellar. She looked back at Darius and Ragni with a rare look of concern "Good luck," she said, giving them a slight smile; she looked Darius in the eye "In case I die tonight," she said "I just wanted to thank you for the compliment." Having said that, she disappeared into the cellar.
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Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 12:10 am
Hazel eyes searched the room, lingering on every face, taking in every emotion and burning the horrible scene in her mind. "Dear lord...let us live."
Talia prayed to the God she belived in for a momment, and then moved from her corner twirling her harpoon and letting the plan flow out.
She was not happy with the plan, as she did not wish to leave the mercs by themselves.
One she didn't find it fair and two, could they really trust them not to make them bait for the beasts and leave them to their own fate?.
"Either way...we will live longer if we do as they said"
She chuckled and watched the exchange of Nox and Aliana. Talia felt a heavy heart as she was scared for them more than for herself.
"Aliana...Nox"
Talia walked over to the pair a small smile on her lip's, She touched Alianas cheek, and it was a gesture full of deep emotion.
"She is still young..."
She quietly turned to Nox and gave the boy a small grin watching his bracers.
"Nox..Aliana is not a fighter like you, but i know she can do some damage with that...err weapon she has.
I need you to watch her back and help her down to the cellar."
Talia nodded to them and pointed to the Cellar giving them a silent order to move now.
The young fisher woman cocked her head to the side as if to try and hear something far away, but in reality the sound..or rather the whisper was in her head.
"Light is but a choice.. "
Talia could barely make out the words but focused nonetheless,her body feeling warmer as the whispers came louder.
"The light is but a choice...There is more to a flame than just light...
Mold It!
Feel It!
Consume It!
Become the flame!...Become the..."
Talia shook her head, growling softly as she had a headache now. "become what?"
She wondered idly what the whisperes meant but really didn't care since she had more pressing matters as the wicked monsters started breaking the windows.
"Oh s**t..."
Talia looked around, and notice lucrezia had gone down and so were the others about to enter.
She then turned to the Merck's her eyes lingering on both of their faces. The woman wanted to remember their expressions..while they were still alive.
"You two..."
She started talking as she moved closer to them.
"Better try and stay alive...or we will be fodder to these things.."
She got on her tip toes to kiss Ragnvald on the cheek and then walked to Darius and did the same.
"For good luck"
Talia winked at them and turned to the stairs grabbing the torch that Darius had offered earlier in her left hand and twirling the harpoon in her right.
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Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 9:23 pm
Nox gave Talia and understanding nod then walked over to Darius pulling out a roll of wrap he uses for his hands when fighting barefisted or training. Nox put the wrap in Darius's hand and said.
"You should wrap your wounds while Rangvald gets his alchohol fire situated. Also Rangvald the pure alchohol is on the far right side under the counter if you need it."
Nox then walked away from the two mercs and to Alina remembering Talia's words to take care of the girl. Alina was older than him by a year, but Nox had his training so he could be a good partner to her to keep her safe. He even had a small crush on Alina so that was good motivation for him also. Nox gently grabbed Alina's arm being careful not cut her with his claw.
"Alina. We should get to the cellar we're almost the only ones left in the bar." We really do need to get out quickly before the place goes up like a match.
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Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 9:59 pm
Aliana listened as Darius spoke, then sighed. She was a bit disappointed, to be honest. She didn't like the idea of anyone staying behind even for a few moments. A lot could happen in a few moments. Just as she pondered this, the windows broke and she jumped, holding her table leg tightly. She knew she probably couldn't do hardly any damage with it, but it gave her a small feeling of security. Something, even something small, was better than nothing.
People began filing into the basement, and she supposed she should follow them, but the idea of huddling in a small, closed space made her uneasy. she wasn't claustrophobic, but if the creatures did break through, there they would be, sitting in a little room, practically waiting to be torn apart. She chewed her lip absently, noticing Lucrezia had already gone in.
Kristalia walked over and touched Aliana's cheek. Aliana blinked, a little surprised by the contact. Kristalia began talking to Nox, encouraging him to watch over Aliana. When she was done, Aliana looked sheepishly down at her table leg and smiled slightly. Saying she could do some damage was obviously quite the compliment, but she appreciated it. She also eyed Kristalia's makeshift harpoon and Nox's more impressive, specially-crafted weapons. She regretted not ever being interested in a weapon, which her brother offered her as a gift for her last birthday. A customized weapon of her choice and design. How useful something like a sword would have been. She could've saved her parents...
Shaking her head vigorously, she glanced over at Ragnvald. He was spreading alcohol all over the floor. It would help the fire burn a little quicker and perhaps a bit hotter. Her gaze wandered around the building. It wasn't a bad building, and she even felt a little mournful for its imminent loss. Then Kristalia went and talked to the two visitors, giving them each a kiss on the cheek. Aliana smiled. Kristalia was a good person. Everyone here was good. This town, these people, had done nothing to deserve a curse like this.
Nox went to give something to Darius, then came back and urged her to go into the cellar. She nodded and made her way over to the entrance. She took one last look around and went in, sighing again. What an eventful night this was turning out to be....
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 3:25 am
Ragnvald Jeste Daussier raised his hands up and gave a melodramatic sigh like he was born to be a actor upon the stage.
“Kisses, good lucks, and a friend not willing to leave me... It is like a fairytale,” The swordsman wiped fake tears from his face with a devilish grin.
He made his way behind the bar and grabbed the pure stuff, making tracks up the stairs.
“Hey Greag, where are you and that scant?” Ragni pushed all of the rooms wide open but saw nothing.
Slowly he made his way into the innkeep's private rooms. It consisted of a small ante chamber that acted as a sitting room and a few books, which in all truth proved the man had money, Wearily he crept about the ante chamber area. His dark eyes shifting back and forth and searching the shadows of the room, the only light being a tall tallow candle that now flickered furiously as it was trying not to sputter in the half melted wax about it and the wax wall that seemed to be melting on top of it from the uneven way it had melted down from it's original height.
Ragni sighed, hoping that that was not how it was going for them, and finally he watched as the flame sputtered out with a hiss. A strange laugh filled his head and he spun quickly on his heel, both daggers drawn and in hand from under either arm. Slowly he darted the knives in and out with constant movement searching the small room.
After a moments hesitation he started into the bedroom.
“Greag, where are ya? Come out we need to get into the cellar now!” He came to an abrupt stop as he made his way through the bedroom entrance. A large dresser shook violently in a corner and aruptly stopped.
Ragni started to approach the dresser slowly. “Greag you better come out if that is you or I am going to stick that dresser.”
The mercenary sheathed both daggers and then drew both swords, spinning them once and then twice. Ragnvald raised them for a quick strike but before he had a chance the dresser doors burst apart and Greag jumped out with a makeshift wooden staff.
“Oh, thank the gods! Ragnvald they are awful, have you looked outside!”
“Yes, now let's get to the cellar dammit, what is wrong with you old man...” Ragni began making his way back out of the bedroom when he saw a still lifeless form and a pool of of dark liquid in the dark room.
“What is that Greag...?” The young whore soldier bent his knees slightly, ready to move in any direction or react. “Greag what happened?”
The innkeep jumped slightly at the anger lining Ragni's voice. “I just don't know sir, one minute we were shaggin' as usual... The the terrible screeches, just terrible screams...” Greag started toward Ragnvald in a strange staggering motion.
“Please sir, help me she killed herself. I am not sure why... ple-”
Ragnvald slashed his blades with speed and precision. Hot red liquid sprayed into his face, marring his handsome features. Slowly he tried to calm himself as the shock of Greag hitting the floor in a puddle of his own blood as he shuddered and gurgled gasping for air.
A dark grimace drifted over Ragnvald's face as he stared down at Greag's gasping form.
“Have fun trying to find your gods now you coward...”
The young warrior could only see red. So much anger until he was standing in the frozen land. And there he was waiting and lurking, the dark dire wolf who also stood with a dark bloody grin.
“Ragnvald Jeste Daussier, the little whore soldier... How does it feel to kill the innocent townsfolk? I think I know that he is not the first or the last...” The dark wolf looked up to a strange full moon the color of a bright new pearl.
“You know when I was a young pup like yourself I ran the plains and hunted the woods. I killed many a creature and man a like. Even a few women and children. If I saw a baby I also enjoy ripping their fresh throats out... You would be surprised by how much they leek when they die. To be so small yet have so much...
“Alas, this is not why you are here. My name is Si'kan... I am known by many other names, but this one shall work for our relationship.”
The large beast began to circle Ragnvald. “I am an old spirit as to you being a young man. I have killed countless as you have and felt no true regret. I am a spirit of blood lust, anger, and greed... But beyond that I am so much more as you will come to see. Now I ask you to kill these creatures for me... And everyone else in the town.”
Si'kan moved to be face to face with Ragnvald, a mere hand's breadth from his face.
Ragni could feel the beast's breadth and smell his rancid breadth as if the beast had eaten thousands of rotting bodies. Ragnvald turned and began to walk away. Hands clenching in anger.
“No, I am not some foul beast that you may order around at your beck and call. Find someone else to use evil spirit....”
Ragni continue to walk until he found himself back in his real body. Back in the warm room of Greag the innkeeper who now lay flayed at his feet.
After another check of the rooms Ragni hopped down the stairs and grabbed a torch, he glanced back to Darius with a grim smile. The creatures broke the rest of the glass window it seemed and already the walls were giving way in certain areas around the room.
“Alright, time to burn...”
The mercenary tossed the torch at the barricaded wall, slowly it twirled end over end until it came clattering into the long tables that were barricaded against the shattered window and wood splintered front door.
The alcohol fumes ignited and sent a gust of hot air racing by Ragni and then Darius. Ragnvald looked away as his natural instincts told him to. The air was hot and already the drenched in floor, walls, and makeshift barricades were burning strong. Yet the creatures continued to press hard against the barricaded window and walls. Slowly they started to catch fire and burn and let out howls of pain.
“Alright it is your turn Darius.” Ragni made his way to the cellar stairs and climbed down them, forgetting the drying blood that was on his face from killing Greag.
“Now we wait... He took a seat at the bottom of the steep staircase that was almost a ladder as he waited for Darius to shut the cellar bolt hole and hold it.
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Hermit Omega Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 11:10 pm
Darius watched everyone squeeze into the cellars below. Kristalia kissed him on the cheek. Darius swallowed the urge to scoff at such a gesture. She had not known the horrors of war, he did appreciate the gesture, but it wasn’t like it would accomplish anything. Nox gave him some wrappings for his hands. Darius nodded in thanks and started quickly winding the cloth around his sweaty palms. He looked to where one of the beasts had poked his head through the wall. Spittle spurted out through gnashing teeth, the damn thing was stuck, The mercenary could almost see the human emotion on the things face. The arches of it’s hairless brow furrowed in frustration, it’s shrieks were ear shattering. Pounding on the wall indicated the creature was flailing wildly, so he could get out, blood was pouring from it’s neck where long splinters had slid into it’s saggy gray flesh.
“Shut your mouth spiky, your giving me a damned headache!” Hollered Darius.
The Mercenary was a little taken aback when the thing heeded his call. It tried to close its mouth, but its massive fangs didn’t allow it to. It’s shining red eyes regarded him with fury. It started gurgling at him, using a tongue that Darius didn’t understand. He felt the overwhelming urge to slide his blade into it’s forehead and watching it’s brains slide down his blade. The thing bit it’s tongue off while trying to articulate through it’s jagged teeth. Black blood dripped down it’s chin as it continued moaning at him. Darius had reached for his blade then when Ragnvald had come charging down the stairs. He had blood splattered on him and Darius had to fight the urge to inquire when his friend shot him a smile and tossed a flaming torch onto the alcohol staining the makeshift barricade.
Flame roared to life in an instant. The shrieking suddenly grew tenfold. At first the mercenary thought it was for the agony of being burned, but then he realized that it was in fury. They wanted to eat their meal still bleeding, not burnt. Their efforts to get in grew even beyond their already maniacal fervor. Ragni flew by him and down to the cellar. The man moved with a dancer’s grace, every movement was precise. Darius threw another look around the room as some of the creatures blasted through the flaming walls. The fire ate through the wood and weakened it. The demons wasted no time. They ran forward in gluttonous fury. Darius gave them the finger and dropped down the stairs. Taking the cover with him. He slammed the bolt into place and screamed a curse as the creatures reached the door before he could grab onto it. The door swung open a foot and Darius roared as his hand shot forward and slammed it closed again. They nearly lifted him from his feet with there strength. The scraping of claws against the door grew louder as gusts of hot air blew In through the cracks of the door. Flame licked his hands as the monsters lifted him again, and he forced himself back down. If not for the wrappings his hands would have suffered severe burns. He caught a glimpse of skeletal body parts with flesh melting off of them, trying so damned hard to get in. Darius let out another stream of curses as he renewed his effort to keep the door closed.
I have to keep them safe. He thought. Listening to the cries of the women behind him. If anything he would have to get laid again, dying with these abominations would be a pointless death. He didn’t want to be just another corpse. He wanted to live. His muscular arms ached with the strain, but he felt his strength flowing back into him as adrenaline pumped into him. He had to live.
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Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 1:06 am
After she had gone into the cellar, Lucrezia had kept a white knuckle grip on the stairwell; she watched until everyone had gotten into the cellar, and when Kristalia came down, Lucrezia gave her a weak smile "Are they all right?" she asked her, referring to the mercs. She wasn't one to trust blindly but they were her only shot at getting out of this nightmare alive; besides, they hadn't treated her badly thus far.
Lucrezia kept her eyes on the opening of the cellar, she hadn't realized it, but she had dropped her culinary weapons. She could hear sounds, terrible sounds, coming from the upstairs and her skin kept erupting in goosebumps.One particular screeching sound hit her like a whip, and she shut her eyes; when that happened though, her vision erupted into shadows.
Strange whispers that she couldn't understand filled her head, but no one around her seemed to notice them; indeed, they didn't even notice that their shadows seemed to take on a life of their own. They were moving towards Lucrezia, but it must have been some trickery of the eyes. She shook her head and looked away but the shadows did not go away; she soon realized the whispers were coming from them.
The voices were androgynous and somehow ancient, and though she could not really tell what they were saying, Lucrezia knew they were urging her to pick up her weapons. She wrenched her hands away from the railing and slowly picked up her knife and lid. Lucrezia felt shadowy hands on her body, it felt like a cool breeze and soft material caressing her skin. Another screech pierced the air, and Lucrezia's fear allowed her to give in to the shadows.
They were urging her, telling her to climb those stairs; whispers of love and the sweet, oddly erotic caresses pulling her in, she had never felt so safe and so vulnerable. They wanted her to climb, to be brave, but some part of Lucrezia, held onto her self and she told them she couldn't. The shadows only grew more insistent but she fought them off.
Lucrezia heard the cellar door slam shut and the shadows evaporated, everything was normal again. She looked up and saw Darius holding it shut, using all of the strength in his formidable body. She looked around and saw Ragni, covered in blood, sitting in a darkened corner.
As she looked at Ragni, the slightest shadowy whisper returned and warned her away from him. She continued to stare at him, her eyes impenetrable; she was wary of him now, but not entirely. There was a red menace that seemed to flow from his core but Ragni himself seemed slightly separated from it, it was a strange juxtaposition. Lucrezia tore her eyes away from him, and looked back at Darius; she wouldn't trust Ragni fully, but she wouldn't hate him either.
Lucrezia wanted to help Darius, he had been oddly kind, and there were no whispered warnings about him; all she could feel was his strength and that was enough for her.
Her feet stayed rooted to the floor though, and she was filled with self-loathing; she was afraid and it disgusted her.
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Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 4:04 pm
Nox sat in the basement near Alina listening to the screams of pain as the creatures burned and frustration as they couldn't get into the basement to feast upon those who hid amongst the wine bottles and other alchohols. Oh lord I hope this isn't the end for us. Trapped in a cellar by beasts that no one knew anything about, even the battle hardened mercenaries.
Nox got up and began to pace about the cellar amongst the racks of bottles. It was quite large considering this was such a small town and most of the farmers wouldn't drink too much; even the town drunk would only have about half a bottle a day then wander about drunk because he was such a lightweight or maybe his alchohol was just that strong? Either way Nox didn't care much because drinking wasn't really his thing, he would enjoy a glass of wine with his family on special occasions, but he never would drink his troubles away or drink for fun with friends. If he was upset he'd actually come down to this cellar sometimes to be away from people and train. After a few minutes of walking Nox found what he was looking for, a bag of items he kept in the cellar for all-day training sessions and a small collapsable cot he had to sleep on with a canvas blanket and small pillow stashed in a small alcove he had made behind some of the brickwork. Nox proceeded to unfold the cot from it's small collapsed form and threw the pillow onto the cot and then himself laid on it staring at the ceiling; the boy then pulled a candle and small tray out if his bag and lit it with a match he had in the bag setting it on a brick next to his cot.
Well I'm glad that I left these things here now. Maybe I should eat something? He thought of the jerky and cheese he kept in the pack but decided he wasn't hungry enough to eat it now. Just then Nox remembered the cuts along his back and sat up "Aw damn it." he said to himself. A little of the blood had seeped onto the fabric of the cot, but only a few drops because of his hoodie. Nox had a small role of gauze that he could wrap himself with and a cotton shirt to change into so he took the gauze from the bag and the shirt from where it was wrapped in the blanket he had sitting under the cot setting them next to him as he peelled off the torn hoodie and removed his clawed gauntlets setting his gloves by the bag and tossing the ragged peice of clothing he wore near the same spot. After Nox began carefully wrapping himself with the role of white bandages I hope this isn't poisoned by those creatures whatever the Hell they are. he thought as he finished the wrapping and slipped on the shirt. Just as a precaution so nobody would steal his food he placed the bag under his cot and laid his blanket and gauntlets over it just before laying back down and nodding of into a light sleep.
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