Chapter 2B: Emerging from the Shadows

[Luca the Thief]

Dust specked her eyes as she clambered through the city, her grip tight on Gert's mangey grey mane. The half-elf enjoyed the rich, lively smell of the city, despite the few less than savory aromas that drifted on light breezes turned every which way between buildings. In all her years, Luca had seen some beautiful scenery. Untouched landscapes as painted by the gods. But, despite it all, in her heart the thief loved the city. The people. The chaos. The life.

Suddenly, a heavy stench of burning wood afronted her and Luca pulled back on Gert's head. Her attempt proved to be in vain, for the mottled beast simply shook her head in denial and kept on track. It was only as they rounded a cornered street that the two of them laid eyes on the fire that roared before them. People were gathered in sombre amusement around the building, close enough to see what was going on but far enough not be obliged to help. Gert took the cue and stopped in her tracks, tossing her head stubbornly and practically throwing the half-elf off her back as she stomped her hooved feet.

Luca toppled off and ran up, her attention momentarily snatched by the massive horse and the unconscious boy nearby. Shaking it off, the thief looked forward into the flames just as a lumbering form of a man clambered through with a child in tow. Her heart fell, making a move to approach him only to recall her "duty" to the young duke. With a sigh and a curse, Luca took Tasuli with both hands by the collar of his fine shirt and hoisted him up with some degree of difficulty and an unfeminine grunt. Figuring the warhorse was big enough to be stable enough as anything, Luca thrust Tasuli against the beast's flank and yelled in his face.

"Wake up, boy, the sky is falling!"

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[Tasuli Rose]

Slowly his eyes opened, revealing hues of green within his gaze, as he became aware of the world once again. With a startled expression, he stared down at the thief holding him by the collar of his shirt as he realized that his back was pressed against the flank of a horse. Disgustedly he glared into the brown eyes of the one who dared to lay her hands upon him and considered slapping her for her insolence. It would be no less punishment than she deserved for daring to touch his royal person, yet he found himself pitying this poor creature. Being reduced to steal only to survive must indeed be a harsh life, one he could not imagine himself surviving. Compassion existed within his gaze as he gently removed her hands from his tunic and stood without the support of the horse. With a warm smile evident upon his face, he embraced Luca, lifting the half elf off her feet for a moment before finally releasing her. As he spoke in a soft compassionate whisper meant only for her, one hand reached up to rest upon her shoulder.

“Thank you for your assistance. I know not the circumstances of how I came to be laid upon the street, yet your help is greatly appreciated nonetheless.” As his gaze traveled beyond her to the burning tavern, he frowned at the thought of people yet trapped within, worried about their well-being. With a final reassuring squeeze of her shoulder, he departed.

His stride was brisk as he neared the tavern, his eyes focused upon the flames from which he fled only moments ago. The crowd gathered to witness the somber event parted upon noticing the Duke in their midst, none willing to touch and possibly offend the eccentric noble. A scream disturbed the silence of the morning, revealing that someone was yet trapped within the scalding flames that consumed the building. Determination glowed within his gaze as his strides increased to become a run, his long legs quickly closing the distance between himself and the tavern. Not sparing a glance for the giant stumbling forth from the tavern with a child beneath his arm, Tasul’i plunged through the door, his arms held before him as if to ward off the flames.

Malik

Amused at the antics of the two half elves, Malik watched their encounter from astride his horse. The kev’lor barely moved at the weight of Duke Tasul’i being pressed against him and only looked upon them with curiosity. Malik cared little for the relationship the Duke possessed with this girl, as he was only concerned with his well-being and doubted that a girl posed much of a threat. With surprise his eyes widened as Duke Tasul’i spoke courteously to another person and actually thanked them. Never would he have believed such a display of emotion to be possible if he had not witnessed it himself.

Slowly the stallion followed behind the Duke, forcing the crowd to disperse even more to allow him passage through their ranks. The fire seemed not to bother the war trained horse as he did not flinch at the stench of smoke in his nostrils. As the Duke began to run, Malik pressed his heels against the horse’s flanks, urging him to gallop. His first concern was the safety of the boy as he dared not return to his mother with only a corpse, yet he cared too about the patrons of the tavern and hoped to save any trapped within. Not willing to risk Mystrume Geinar in a fire, he slid off his mount. As he was trained to do when no one rode upon his back, the stallion stood still, awaiting the moment his rider returned. While passing the man emerging from the tavern, Malik noticed his great size, larger even than the Kuglimz mercenary and knew immediately that the blood of his kindred flowed within the other’s veins. At any other time, he would have paused to converse with this man, yet dire events required his attention. Without fear he plunged through the door and into the burning tavern, searching for the boy that so foolishly rushed within.

Edited by: Tasuli Rose at: 2/9/06 8:59 am

[Elendilwyn]

A sense of displacement filled Elen as she rode through the city. It was not long ago when she was one of those on the streets. While her current rank was not much different than before, riding a magnificent horse such as Valencia would never have been possible in that not so distant past.

Following a distance behind Luca, she saw the smoke rising up even before she saw the burning building. Valencia’s canter had slowed to a trot as the crowd thickened with people trying to get into the excitement of things. She saw Luca slide off her horse and followed suit, leading her horse towards them. Luca had pushed the Duke against the horse and she watched with surprise as the Duke went towards the burning building—something she could not imagine him doing.

Her initial surprise turned into a frown as she remembered with concern that the Duke was to be protected and cared for. Malik had went in after the Duke but that did not assure her much. Not sure of what was to come, she went to Luca to ask, “What do you think we should do next? I doubt going in after those two would be of much help.”

The day has waned, walk with me, grant me this song... Can you hear?
The midnight sun is calling...

Elendilwyn Gwaihir

[Luca the Thief]

The half-elf sputtered some nonsensical thank you before the Duke released her and surged into his apparent doom. Silent for the moment, the thief collected her thoughts and balled up her fists. Bowing her head and tensing up, Luca let out a stifled cry of anguish and frustration. I hate him! I'll kill him! By the gods, I'll kim him in his feffing sleep! she thought wildly, throwing her hands down at her sides and making to dash off after Tasuli and Malik just as Elendilwyn came up to her.

“What do you think we should do next? I doubt going in after those two would be of much help.”

Looking the half-elf over, it took Luca a moment to construct any form of recognition with Elendilwyn. Finally it struck her.

"Ah, little maid!" she sighed, clapping her on the shoulder with a dirty half-glove. "You're right, kiddo, that's man-business. Running into fires, saving damsels in distress, that kind of thing. Makes them feel all tingly inside thinking they're brave. Figuring such, they'll be lucky to feeling much of anything if they're roasted. Let's go, they'll'n be needing a hand figuring they get out." With that, the thief gave a confident bob of her head, ran a hand through her hair and slipped lithely into the crowd, pressing and ducking to get through the enthralled townsfolk.

It wasn't long until Luca finally pushed through only to find herself in a semicircle of bemused and concerned faces, all eyes on the giant man and a hairy little boy found sizzling before her.

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[ratdragon]

Ratdragon gazed out at the city as he rode astride his gigantic serpent. The elf had his mind on the adventure ahead, hoping it would be eventful. The scent of smoke invade his nostrils, causing his head to snap up.

He could see coils of smoke reaching across the sky, and they soon came into sight of the inn. He continued to watch the building burn, watching the wood crumble and turn to ash.

His eyes focused on the Duke as he strode into the building, causing the elf to leap from his horse. He was supposed to keep this brat safe, and here he goes throwing himself in danger's arms. As a cry reaches the elf's ears, he realizes that someone is trapped in the building. Perhaps the half-elf wasn't being so selfish afterall.

Running after Malik, the elf charged into the building, holding up his arm to ward off embers.

[Tasuli Rose]

Smoke obscured his vision as he foolhardily dashed into the burning tavern. Flames were everywhere, seeming to reach out with fiery tendrils as he quailed in fear. Stumbling forward, dodging the flames as best he could, he continued forward, wondering why he dared to plunge himself into the chaotic fire. As if sensing his fear, the fire blazed higher, seeming to challenge the half elf with its very ferocity. Never would he have believed himself capable of risking his life to save others. Even now he regretted his actions and would like nothing more than to flee the fire, screaming his fear for all to hear, yet something drove him onward. Upon reaching the source of the scream earlier, his fear expanded to consume his entire mind. A beam lay across the man's legs, no doubt crushing them. Flames licked along the beam, only moments from reaching the corpulent innkeeper and consuming his very flesh. The utter terror burning within his eyes frightened the young Duke, even more so than the flames themselves.

As a tendril of flame reached for his sleeve, Tasul'i screamed, expressing the fear built up within him. Panicking, he beat upon his sleeve repeatedly as his legs seemed to move of their own accord, running for the door wherein he had entered the tavern. The flames reaching for him, or so he believed, only quickened his pace. Not a glance was spared for the mercenary as Malik rushed into the tavern, though the man watched the Duke leave for a moment before turning to seek the injured man. Nor did Tasul'i glance at the elf following Malik, only concerned with his own well-being. They were fools to sacrifice themselves for another, and Tasul'i refused to risk his life for anyone. Stumbling forth from the tavern, coughing from the smoke, he rushed into the crowd, trying only to distance himself from the fire. Crouching within the crowd behind a random spectator, he peered out from behind her skirt, watching as the fire consumed the tavern. His arms wrapped around her legs, holding them tightly as he continued to tremble, his fear consuming his every thought. As his fear began to recede into the twisted corridors of his mind, a thought occurred to him that was only natural for a guy his age. With a lewd grin evident upon his face, he glanced upward, looking beneath the skirt of the woman. Recognition did not come to him as he had never seen her from this angle, yet he knew this woman as Luca the Thief.

Malik

It could not be said that the actions of the Duke surprised him as Tasul'i was a man known for his cowardice. With every fiber of his being, he wanted only to knock some sense into the boy, yet he restrained himself out of respect for the Duchess. For a moment, he smiled at the thought of his fist slamming into the boy's ribs, the sickening crunch of breaking bones delighting his every sense. Returning to reality, he walked forward, ducking beneath the burning beams. Fear did not show in his eyes as he purposely strode forward, his eyes searching for any wounded. Upon seeing the fat innkeeper trapped beneath a beam, he immediately rushed to him as his hands wrapped around the end yet untouched by flame. With a grunt, he lifted the beam, his muscles straining with the effort, and tossed it to one side. Only moans escaped the lips of the innkeeper but he was yet conscious. Grasping him by both hands, Malik attempted to pull him to his feet, yet he collapsed once again, his legs evidently broken. As strong as he was, the mercenary knew he had not the strength to carry the large man from the building. Nor was he willing to leave him there to die. With a great shout, he cursed Tasul'i for his cowardice and demanded that he return to aid him.

"Tasul'i, you feffing coward! Put some steel in your backbone and help me!"

Edited by: Tasuli Rose at: 2/10/06 23:00

[Elendilwyn]

“Ah, little maid!"

Elen smiled when Luca said that and decided that this was one person that she could not help liking.

“Well men, will be men, half the time more trouble than they are worth. When they come out all covered with burns, we’ll see if they are just as brave.” She sighs with the thought of the trouble they would need to go through dressing all these wounds that need not have occurred in the first place. It certainly meant a delay in their journey.

She followed Luca through the crowd and gave a gasp of horror when she saw the giant man and hairy little boy, immediately going to them and kneeling beside them to take a look at how bad the burns are. Elen did not know much first aid but she knew that some of the clothes must be removed if not they will end up glued to the skin and more pain will come if they tried to remove the clothes then. She turned to Luca in hope that the little thief knew more about saving people than she did, and said,

“Do you think we can help them?”

The day has waned, walk with me, grant me this song... Can you hear?
The midnight sun is calling...

Elendilwyn Gwaihir

[Yarg Anklebiter]

Yarg laughed wildly as the flames in the tavern grow. Suddenly, Yarg felt a sensation of being pulled, and found himself dangling at eye level with a very angry, very large man. Yarg noted mentally that he was in this position a surprisingly large amount of time. Suddenly, the large man yelped (very interesting for a man of his size) and tucked the hobbit under his arm (again, a position Yarg was in often) and Yarg was carried out of the tavern rather hurriedly.

Yarg, still in Bomar's armpit, looked around and the gathering crowd, smiling sheepishly. A few men run past the two into the firey Tavern, while two young women come up to Yarg and Bharman. one of them turns to the other, and asks "Do you think we can help them" Yarg finds this exceedingly rude, and tells thhe young woman just that, lecturing the girl from the armpit of Brahman.

Excuse me young lady, but you DO know that it is quite rude to refer to someone as if they are not existent, when clearly they are, when they are dangling right in front of you? I should hope that you will be more polite in the future. By the way, I do not think that I, or my large friend here need any help. we are quite comfortable where we are. OH! Wriggling one of his hands free from being in the armpit of the large man, Yarg extends the small appendage towards Elendilwyn. My name is Yarg Anklebiter, and this is my large friend, Bhrahmaan. It is a pleasure to meet you.

Whenever I see a Fire, I try to put it out. 'Cept unlike the usual methods, I use OIL!!

- Yarg

[ratdragon]

Ratdragon followed the mercenary through the flames. They seemed to reach out to him, stretching slim fingers to grab his clothing and skin. A puff of smoke entered the elf's mouth, causing him to cough.

He tried to breath through the heavy air, but smoke entered his lungs with every breath. Pushing his way past Tasuli, the elf reached the innkeeper. Malik tossed the heavy beam off the man's legs, but appeared  be having difficulty with the innkeeper. The elf wrapped his arm around the fat man, supporting him with his shoulder. Unable to speak, Ratdragon just nodded at Malik and indicated he should take the other side.

[Elendilwyn]

Yarg’s words had caught Elen by surprise. She was waiting for Luca’s answer when Yarg chastised her for being rude. For a moment she was annoyed for she had clearly meant well—Non-existent? If they were non-existent, she would not even be attending to them—but she accepted that people had their temperaments and with that thought, her initial annoyance went down as well. She turned back to face Yarg and his companion with a smile.

“Sorry good sir, I had no intention to be rude. I am not skilled where burns are concerned so I was worried that the fire had gotten to you.” She paused and took his extended hand gingerly so as not to hurt the small fellow just in case his skin was still raw from the burns, “I am Elendilwyn. It is my pleasure to meet you too” almost asking if they needed help but stopped herself in time. Males, big or small, all seem to have egos bigger than their frame and she had no intention of injuring any since an injured male pride could have undesirable consequences.

The day has waned, walk with me, grant me this song... Can you hear?
The midnight sun is calling...

Elendilwyn Gwaihir

[Tasuli Rose]

Malik

A sigh of relief escaped his lips as the elf moved to aid him. Any hope that Tasul'i would display courage and concern for the well-being of others was dashed, yet at the same time he was reassured by the selflessness of the elf's actions. Moving to the other side of the innkeeper, he lifted him as he supported him with one shoulder. Embers fell all around them, occasionally landing on their clothes and flesh, as they carried the innkeeper between them, slowly moving toward the door. Once there, they laid him on the ground outside.

Only then did Malik pause to check himself for injury. He seemed fine yet when he held his arm up, his gaze was greeted with the sight of blackened flesh. The excitement of the previous moments prevented from experiencing pain until this moment as he fell to his knees from the excruciating agony. Even in pain, the warrior did not cry out, only emitting a soft grunt every so often.

[ratdragon]

Ratdragon stumbled through the smoke with Malik, his senses numbed by the heat. His eyes were streaming from the smoke, and his lungs seemed to be full of smoke. As they burst out of the tavern, the elf tried to clear his eyes by blinking furiously.

After easing the fat man onto the ground, the elf saw Malik drop to his knees, his arm blackened. Ratdragon too sunk to the ground, his knees slamming into the cobblestones. Lifting his own arm, the elf saw that a chunk of timber had fallen from one of the beams, a triangular piece of wood that pierced his forearm. That side of his tunic was singed, holes in the fabric revealed bloody flesh. Looking back at his cape, the elf noticed that it's hem was charred at the bottom and several holes were burned through it by falling embers. Gasping slightly in pain, the elf grunted: "My cape... damn that was expensive"

------------------
Beware the BladeSinger of the Silver Sword.

 RatDragon

[Bahran the big]

Bahran expelled air from his lungs suddenly and with an explosive noise in his attempt to rid his lungs of the foul smoke that had infiltrated them. When he was done coughing, he noticed that he was still holding the little man under his arm and a group of people had gathered to gawk at the motley crew. Before the big man could speak, a small human – but who didn't Bah consider small – pushed her way through the crowd, followed by several men who seemed all too eager to get into the building Bahran had just worked so hard to get out of. Shortly after he had rushed in, the boy burst out from the building and ran past the big man, who still stood in a slight state of shock. The big man tried to speak a second time, but was interrupted yet again as another woman came through the crowd. This one, however, spoke.

After the brief exchange between the hobbit under his arm and the lady, Bahran realized he was still holding the little thing and promptly dropped it.

“Who are you? Do I know you?” Bahran asked of the woman standing in front of him, his speech quite slurred. He then looked down at the hobbit and asked roughly the same thing. Quite fittingly, however, he was distracted once again by three figures emerging from the burning building.

_____________

"Man, being reasonable, must get drunk; The best of life is but intoxication."
- Lord Byron

[Yarg Anklebiter]

Yarg shook Elendilwyn's hand as firmly as his small hand allowed, his cherubic face forming a smile at having made a new friend. He would have continued with his conversation with the nice woman, but he suddenly found that he was going to make friends with the street, as Bahrnman seemed to have dropped him. He hit the ground with a soft thud and an 'oomph'. Got up, and dusted himslef off as the large man asked, Who are you? Do I know you? Yarg is slightly immediately remind his good friend of their relationship.

I am Yarg Anklebiter. You do know me, for we are good friends. It wou-

It was at this time that a number of men stumbled out of the tavern, collapsing to the ground. It was also at this time that Yarg remembered that there was a fire in the immediate vicinity. Seeing that this fire had hurt people, Yarg concludes that he should get rid of it, and set off to do just that. Stepping past the burned man (that must have been uncomfortable), Yarg decided what he was going to do about this fire. He decided to do something extremely flashy, although quite difficult.

Before entering the building, Yarg closes his eyes, concentrating on the massive amount of fire ounia near him, drawing it to his spell. After several minutes of this, Yarg spreads his fingers, and raises them to the heavens, crying Ereiá efér. The flams in the building disappeared, consumed by the spell, as Fire shot from each of Yarg's fingertips, shooting into the air harmlessly. After several seconds, the inferno abated. Yarg's arms dropped to his sides, his shoulders sagging a little as he breathed heavily, before deciding that now was a good time to sit down, and doing just that.

Whenever I see a Fire, I try to put it out. 'Cept unlike the usual methods, I use OIL!!

- Yarg

[Luca the Thief]

Luca watched with sombre interest the exchange between the other half-elf and the hairy little boy. The little maid was so unlike her that it almost made Luca smile, though the tugging at the corners of her lips faded quickly as she felt her skirts rustle oddly about her knees. Glancing down, the thief's face flushed crimson, not with embarassment or modesty, but pure rage. A fiendish growl escaped her throat as Luca clenched her jaw, and the thief's hand snapped down quickly at Tasuli.

Her fist just grazed his eyebrow on it's way down, though that was not her intent. Eyes ablaze with fury, Luca's fingers closed tightly around the boys expensive collar once again and, hoisting him, screamed into his face.

"Bloody wretched scoundrel of a boy, I'll skin you head to toe and make a grand little show of it. How'd that tickle your pretty little eyes?" she cried, not waiting long to thrust him with all her force through the crowd and towards the wounded men. Some people stared at her in horror and inched away as the thief stalked up on the brat, left eye twitching menacingly.

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