|
Post by Askyre on Jan 5, 2008 2:10:18 GMT -5
The wind licked at his ears, dust etching his bare chest as he ran. His destination wasn't currently known. He would've been lucky at that point to have known reality.
Askyre's eyes flicked wildly, side to side, everything blurry in his state of anxiety.
He slowed when he found himself nearing a dead end. Vision clearing, the imp turned around, trying to figure out his location, plotting a way to escape the company of the others.
As he was swinging his head, his muscles tensed, eyes wide, pupils dilated. There, on the other side of the dusty road, stood a beast man, features twisted, teeth prominent, weapon slung threateningly over its shoulder.
"Huuhh..." Askyre breathed out, frozen in place. The beast moved towards him slowly, each step thundering in his ears, his world shaking.
"ASKYRE!"
The imp turned away sharply, skin crawling from the deafening cry.
"Kitla!?"
Askyre's eyes darted around wildly, the imp himself letting out frantic whimpers as he scanned the area for his sister.
"Ki--OGH!"
A powerful blow from behind threw the imp to the ground, once again scraping the undersides of his arms, knees bloodied on impact. Askyre coughed dryly, eyes clenched through the pain. Gasping for air, the imp opened his eyes, vision overlapping as the he wiped his mouth, blood coating the ground beneath him.
|
|
|
Post by Tino on Jan 5, 2008 2:26:12 GMT -5
As the light of the sun reached Tino's gloves, now stained in many colours due to all the medicine but mostly a reddish brown from blood, the healer stopped to stare at the threads he was sewing onto his last patient. A glistening pattern shone underneath his hands, like a spider web, shining from dawn and its dew.
He snapped the continuing thread off to end the seal, then smothered the wound with a creamy paste before wrapping it up nice and clean. Tino sat there for a few seconds after he finished the last of them and slipped his gloves off to rub his eyes again. He gathered up the tools he used there on the floor and couches and walked to the bar to dump them in a sink, sprinking some antibiotics in the sink water before he leaves.
He was reluctant to call the dark elf, but he did nonetheless.
"...Casidaen, I'm soaking all the tools in the sink," he informed, and immediately walked up the stairs to his room. Shutting the door behind him, he unloaded his backpack and opened all the used drawers.
The er hoc replenished the bottles on his belt, his backpack, and whipped his cloak around his shoulders. Lastly, he slipped his hands into a new pair of gloves.
Without a word he ventured down the stairs and through the lobby, leaving the inn to continue his search for the flower his Master requested.
|
|
|
Post by Rethen Kel'Sviet on Jan 5, 2008 2:39:01 GMT -5
Rethen felt the sunlight hit his eyes and he groaned. "Is it morning already?" he mumbled. He groaned and blinked. He looked up in time to see the other healer, the Er Hoc, walk briskly out of the inn. "How can he have any energy left?" the young elf grumbled. He groaned and popped his neck loudly.
"Guess I need to get to the shop..." He struggled to his feet slowly and took a few wobbly steps. He winced: the muscle was still raw, but that would pass soon. The elf sighed in relief and bent down, scooping up his rucksack and shouldering it. "So much to do...three blasting mixtures, replenish my supplies, and pack." He grinned and turned back to Casidaen.
"Does the offer still stand sir, to travel with you?"
|
|
|
Post by Caine Faerin on Jan 5, 2008 2:39:43 GMT -5
"Nyosik!" That imp is fast!
Askyre turns around another corner far ahead, and I jump a little and spread my wings, just enough to glide over the ground. Suddenly, I hear a cry of pain from up ahead.
Nyosik! I knew he'd get himself into trouble!
My feet slam back to the ground as the wind shifts towards me and I get whiff of... rotting/disease/dying...
I start muttering an incantation as I spin myself around the corner, just in time to see a couple of the Plaguewalkers knock Askyre to the ground. The imp struggles and whimpers as he tries to stand.
This... is a little too much. Why would two Plaguewalkers stick around, just to chase after one imp? It doesn't make sense.
I swing my sword around for the second time in less than 24 hours and speak the key words to a cutting wind. The Walker closest to me cries horribly as its bisected by the horizontal attack, and the wind passes above where Askyre is laying; slamming the second creature back into the canyon wall. The small alcove does strange things to my wind-calling, turning the blast into a momentary dust devil that sweeps away the noxious vapor.
The Plaguewalker that still lives scrambles up and lurches towards Askyre, keening as it stretches a clawed arm towards him. I run up push the thing backward, pinning it with the end of the blade. I utter another spell then quickly hold my breath- lightning courses from my arm and through the sword. The thing jerks spasmodically and falls still.
I drag my sword out of the creature's body and stagger quickly over to Askyre, who seems to be crying.
"K-Kitla? Kitla!"
A nightmare? Better get him out where the air's cleaner.
I pick him up and curse as he starts to flail, but I manage to get him out of the recess in the canyon and set him down on the ground before half-collapsing next to him.
|
|
|
Post by Alaric on Jan 5, 2008 2:41:59 GMT -5
Still clutching his wound on his arm he felt the pain slowly go away and the green color turned to a light color of pink. Alaric looked up and noticed that people were starting to go and the injured dwarves were bandaged already. Glancing at the side he saw the dark elf and forest elf having a moment together, talking as if they were close friends. Turning back he heard the door of the inn slam, he caught a glimpse of two long ears that headed outside.
"Isn't that..."
Abruptly standing up, the young elf was wide awake now. Fixing his crumpled coat and wiping off the dust in his shirt he ventured outside, leaving the two other elves at the inn.
Now the sunlight started to caress the earth and Alaric could see the sky turning into a light shade of blue. He then caught a glimpse of the er hoc who was going somewhere at quite a fast pace. With light, easy steps he followed quietly, unsure whether Tino would get mad if he knew he was being followed. He was just worried about the er hoc, that's all.... right?
|
|
|
Post by Askyre on Jan 5, 2008 2:51:15 GMT -5
Shivering, Askyre was unable to see his surroundings, feeling too weak to even fight off his attacker. Instead, he sobbed, sending powerful shudders and jerks throughout his body. At last, he felt himself lowered.
"Well..?!" He spat, holding himself as he lay on the ground. "Are.. a-are you go-going t-to kill m-me now, or-or what?!" He coughed a little, blood splattering onto his hand. The imp groaned and curled further in on himself.
Feeling an arm rest against his shoulder, Askyre erupted.
"DON'T JINCING TOUCH ME, Y-YOU BEAST!"
The imp spun himself up fiercly, gripping the wrist of the person above him, quickly pinning them, his eyes glazed with ferocious rage as he tried to focus on the face. The person tried speaking, but Askyre continued to scream.
"WHAT MAKES YOU-YOU THINK YOU CAN K-KILL WHO-WHOEVER YOU... whoever...y-you want.... trijilk...."
Tears quickly spouted from icy eyes as the imp turned away, releasing his captive and standing, taking a few steps before falling down to his knees purposefully, allowing himself to sink down to the earth.
"Kit-Kitla.... I'm sorry.."
|
|
|
Post by Casidaen on Jan 5, 2008 2:56:15 GMT -5
His stomach growled again and he felt himself turn red. He hadn't thought about food since the attacks started and he placed a hand on his protesting stomach. "Why don't we get something to eat first?" He picked up his abandoned staff, it felt much heavier than usual with his weary arms and legs and he groaned.
"Does the offer still stand sir, to travel with you?"
The question surprised him and he raised an eyebrow.
"Of course! Why wouldn't it?" He smiled, or well he tried with his exhaustion. All Casidaen wanted to do now was eat and sleep. He couldn't beat to think the long trek to Itis right now.
|
|
|
Post by Rethen Kel'Sviet on Jan 5, 2008 3:03:26 GMT -5
Rethen smiled and took Casidaen's hand again. "Good. I'm rather looking forward to the trip!" He laughed, his good mood returning almost instantly. "Why don't we finally make that trip to my house? A proper meal and a nice bed should do us both good." He left his statement open ended and pulled Casidaen out of the inn.
"Oh! Wait a tick!" He turned around and pulled the door to the establishment closed. He reached into his sack and pulled out paper and a stylus. "Let me leave instructions for the medics that will undoubtedly be around later, and for our friends..." he was writing furiously, "directions to my house." He grinned and signed the message with a flourish.
"Now then!" he cried. He took Casidaen's hand again and began walking up the street. "My house is only a block up this way."
|
|
|
Post by Tino on Jan 5, 2008 3:08:10 GMT -5
As the sunlight burn into his eyes, Tino winced and tried to look around.
Disastrous.
With a light sigh, Tino decided to not draw attention by going through the gates. He paused in front of the rocky borders of Miyoor and demonstrated exactly why he was taken in by his Master as an apprentice.
He kicked the hard stone floor lightly, knelt with a soft flex and sprang up the steep face of the canyon wall, each step landing on a delicate piece of stone as if he was sure they would not falter beneath his feet. As he reached past the plateau, he was surprised by the beam of the sun and his feet slipped at the sharp edge --- but his hand reached out smoothly to grab onto a piece of rock and threw himself into the air again, cloak whipping with the movement, and this time prepared for a soft landing.
The er hoc stood there, a high wind blowing at him, and rubbed his eyes again. He wasn't sure how he was going to find the flower in his current condition, but he had to try.
With a light spring form his legs, he threw himself off the high borders of the dwarven Miyoor.
|
|
|
Post by Caine Faerin on Jan 5, 2008 3:10:01 GMT -5
More than a little startled, I tense my muscles when Askyre grabs my wrist and twists.
Hard to think he couldn't even move a second ago...
I try not to move as he screams at me, thinking that he's obviously still trapped in whatever nightmare was prompted by the creatures' presence. And then he's released me and kneeling on the ground again, crying.
"Kit-Kitla... I'm sorry.."
I've never heard of an imp crying before. And he said that name again? Someone important...
"Askyre." I pause and watch him, momentarily at a loss for words. "Askyre. I'm not going to kill you. I'm not going to hurt you." I pull out my canteen and uncap it. "I just want you to drink some water. Do you want some?"
I hold the canteen out to him, then when he doesn't take it, I set it down beside him, careful to move slowly.
|
|
|
Post by Casidaen on Jan 5, 2008 3:18:56 GMT -5
The dark elf sighed when the smaller elf began dragging him by the hand. He was going to have to get used to that. Looking up, he noticed the sky was an odd green color, probably from the clearing fumes. The cobble-stone street was filled with dead, decaying bodies of plaguewalkers and dwarves and he gulped. Not even in a Canniven tribal fight had he seen so many bodies at once, and he fought down a shudder.
Down the road, he noticed dainty houses that he probably couldn't fit in and his tummy gave a small rumble again. Casidaen's gold eyes glinted when he heard some sounds of cries off in the distance. He shrugged it off, figuring it was probably some perishing plagewalkers, and continued, following Rethen in front of him.
|
|
|
Post by Askyre on Jan 5, 2008 3:21:37 GMT -5
The imp turned his head, taking deep, heavy breaths as the dragonette placed a canteen near him. His eyes were puffy, and they stung. Reaching out for the canteen, Askyre paused.
"Caine..."
His voice was hoarse and cracked, strained from his previous screaming.
"Have you... have you ever.. tried to save someone? Have you ever let someone... die?"
The imp pulled himself up, crossing his legs as he played with the cap on the canteen, facing away from his companion.
"It's.. an awful thing to experience. Watching someone die... Letting them die. Everyone I'd ever... that I'd.."
Askyre trailed off, picking himself up from the ground before turning to face the dragonette. He forced a painful smile.
"So, do you think we should find Rethen and the others? He didn't seem so well when we last left him.."
At this, the imp let out a laugh, starting off out of the canyon and back towards the heart of Miyoor, inviting Caine with a wave of his hand forward.
|
|
|
Post by Alaric on Jan 5, 2008 3:29:58 GMT -5
Alaric's heart skipped a beat when the er hoc slipped on the dry stone, and sighed when he avoided the fall. Now the sun was totally awake and the sun's rays heated up the deep canyon where he and Tino was. At various points in the journey, the elf had wanted to call out to Tino to let him know he was there, but he hesitated all those times. He watched as the er hoc made his way through the rocky pathway, and the elf feared that Tino might have been too tired to continue his journey to wherever.
Where is he going, anyway? It's very odd. And why after that battle?
Alaric decided to keep quiet and ask those questions later. Feeling a bit drowsy, Alaric accidentally kicked a rather large rock that was near him, and this continued to fall and make a series of sounds. The rocks had a domino effect on one another and he heard some ominous sounds coming from deep inside the canyon. Cursing himself the elf hurried behind a large boulder in case the healer might see him. The elf peered at the side of the boulder and did not let Tino out of his sight. What he did not know was that his kick had made a very bad effect.
|
|
|
Post by Caine Faerin on Jan 5, 2008 3:36:36 GMT -5
Bi-polar much? He switches moods as fast as the wind changes directions!
I follow Askyre as he starts the walk back to Miyoor and easily match his stride.
"I'm a mercenary, imp. I fight for a living. Of course I've seen friends and companions get knocked down right next to me. It's hurts, no matter how many times it happens."
I glance at Askyre. Now that I'm actually talking to him, he actually seems alright. They do say to always put a face on your enemies... Make him a person, and I find he's a little like me.
"Askyre... I hate to mention this now, but... Those Plaguewalkers back there seemed almost to be targeting you... Can you think of a reason why?"
A bit tactless to say, I admit to myself. but I have a feeling I should get this straightened out before we get back to Miyoor.
|
|
|
Post by Rethen Kel'Sviet on Jan 5, 2008 3:37:12 GMT -5
Rethen moved past all the tiny dwarven houses and stepped up to a large building with a curved facade. He smiled and pressed a hand to the door. Runes glowed in the woodwork and the locks fell back. He nudged the door open and stepped back. "After you good sir!"
As Casidaen stepped through the door, a rune line burst into light. Flames erupted in all of the torches and fireplaces in the house. Rethen grinned and watched the dark elf's face as shutters and windows opened to the air. The forest elf slipped around and motioned the dark elf towards another door. "The main room is through there. I'm just going to file these things away in the shop!"
Rethen walked through the entrance room and into his alchemy lab. Empty the bag gingerly onto a sorting table, he looked to make sure that Casidaen had entered his atrium. Satisfied that the elf was nowhere near, he reached to his wounded arm and pulled where the cut had started. He hissed lightly as an imprint of the wound began to pull away from his arm: underneath, the wound was healed.
"Purification properties indeed," Rethen snorted lightly. "No...I needed the research potential." Rethen looked at the wound and saw the glistening green crystallized flecks: Plaguecrawler venom. The forest elf smirked lightly. "Jackpot," he whispered. He filed the skin and poison away in a hidden drawer and shuffled out of the lab, shutting and locking the door behind him.
((OOC: I'll have a floorplan of the house drawn by tomorrow.))
|
|
|
Post by Askyre on Jan 5, 2008 3:52:44 GMT -5
Askyre turned to face Caine, eying him a little more closely as he spoke. The imp instinctively nodded, yet faltered in his step. He raised his eyebrow, giving the dragonette a strange look.
"Please tell me the ground didn't move sideways, and that we both simply, by coincidence--"
Loud smashing filled the air, a roaring howl carried on a gale of wind rushing past. The pair froze, glancing down to the skittering rocks on the ground. Turning forward slowly, the two froze, blood running cold.
"Oh, nyosik.."
|
|
|
Post by Tino on Jan 5, 2008 4:00:53 GMT -5
With a few quick, light steps Tino skillfully reduced his fall to a gentle landing --- a natural talent of er hocs'. Then, instinctively feeling something being hurled his way, Tino twisted the land into another jump and landed more on the other side of the valley. His ears perked and eyebrows raised as he heard the ground rumble.
Baffled, he stood there and wondered what exactly was happening. He was almost sure the ground didn't rumble from his venturing over the canyon wall. It's certainly from the inside of the city too, so it shouldn't be an attack. Many possibilities ran through his head, but none made sense.
He looked in front of him, cautious of the large crack now spreading at the feet of the canyon, and watched it crumble. The huge boulders started to roll off...
And then Tino stood still, raising an eyebrow.
Pieces of rock fell off, revealing a tunnel that connected the inside of Miyoor to outside. The tunnel appeared to be an empty cavity in the canyon wall to start with, and Alaric's kick shattered its veil.
And Tino could see Alaric's blonde hair from behind a boulder across the tunnel.
|
|
|
Post by Caine Faerin on Jan 5, 2008 4:13:48 GMT -5
A rock-slide?!
"Nyosik. I'm... not thinking that's a good thing. Ah...." The only way to get out of this is... up...
As larger rocks and "small" boulders start rolling down around us, I grab Ask by the arm and start running.
"I apologize beforehand if you're afraid of heights, Askyre."
Hauling him with me by the armpits, I beat my wings powerfully and make get us up into the air, just as a larger boulder plows through the space we'd occupied moments before. I struggle briefly against the unaccustomed weight of a passenger before catching an upraising wind. Spreading out my wings further, I lean into the wind and stabilize my flight. From above, it's easy to see the place where the rock-slide began.
"Hmmmm... You want to go straight to town? Or do you want to go see want happened over there?" I tip a wing to indicate the rock-slide's origin.
|
|
|
Post by Alaric on Jan 5, 2008 4:17:44 GMT -5
Alaric could now see the extent of damage his mistake had done.
The rocks crashed and collided with each other making loud rumbling noises. His focus was then interrupted by different something nearby, a large hole was now visible.
A tunnel...
He stood from the boulder, forgetting that he was hiding from the er hoc who could now see him clearly. His eyes were fixed on the new tunnel, he wondered where it would lead to, the darkness of the tunnel looked like it could go on forever.
The elf then realized that Tino was staring right at him, his expression was a mixture of disbelief and the were-you-following-me look. Alaric bit his lip and he could feel his pulse quicken as he stared back at the er hoc.
"I was concerned on where you were going. You looked tired. I--" he started going towards Tino, "I didn't mean to intrude."
But the rocks weren't done with their business just yet, the elf could hear some angry boulders from the distance.
|
|
|
Post by Askyre on Jan 5, 2008 4:19:27 GMT -5
Askyre struggled to hang on to anything. Unfortunately, all he seemed to grasp was air.
"WHY THE JINCE ARE YOU DRAGGING ME ALL THE JINCING WAY UP HERE?!"
The imp screamed, flailing to the point that the dragonette lost a hold on one of his arms. Eyes wide with fright, Askyre clung desperately to Caine's other arm, pulling himself up and clutching tightly.
After looking straight into the man's chest, and avoiding the fact that they were miles from the ground, the imp slowed his breathing, bringing his pulse rate down to a more manageable level. His voice betrayed his calming exterior, however.
"Y-yeah! We should go ch-check it out! G-great idea!"
Oh God, we're gonna die, we're gonna die...
The imp clenched his eyes shut, grabbing helplessly at the dragonette.
|
|