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Post by knightc3 on Jan 2, 2009 4:15:35 GMT -5
Caleb stopped in his tracks when he saw her fighting. Wow, she was good. Better than he could have anticipated. The assassins that attacked her never moved again. He wasn't sorry for losing them. If they couldn't survive this, they deserved to die anyway, or that's how it went anyway. He smiled as he continued to watched. He looked up at the archers on the other side of the hall. There were no shots yet. Maybe because others were in the way or maybe they were just a bit too stunned to shoot right now.
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Post by Da Pwny on Jan 4, 2009 13:31:05 GMT -5
She 'sensed' one more behind her somewhere, but he did not attack immediately. Smart she thought, not blaming him in the least for hanging back after seeing his friends attacked so viciously. Speaking of which, one did finally stir, but he was in such bad shape that Miriam doubted he would be able to fight for a while. Taking in a deep breath, she turned back to the task at hand, deciding that in the next fights she would allow her body to do whatever it was it had before; whatever kept her alive longer, Miriam was fine with it.
Sighing, she started forward again when a bolt whizzed by her face so close that she swore it was meant for her face. Quickly ducking off to the side, three more thunked dully into the wooden pillar between her and the archers that she hadn't seen coming up the steps. And that was the only exit out of here.
Darting from her cover, she narrowly dodged two more volleys- one of which clipped her left heel, forcing her to limp ever so slightly- and hurled the last ninja from her hiding spot out into the open, but was promptly shot in one of her knees by a trigger-happy crossbowman who'd gotten a lucky shot off. When she saw that the archers weren't making a move, a voice, like that of a whisper in her, told her what to do next... but it wasn't a whisper from anyone around her...
Managing to clamber up quietly into the rafters somehow, Miriam was now nearly invisible, given that the lanterns were aimed below, possibly built that way just for this sort of situation should the place ever come under attack. The elven female, however, was more concerned about the x-bows the assassins ahead wielded as she crawled painfully, quietly, cautiously across the ceiling towards them, being careful not to sway into the light even if it made the beams easier to find. Her body guided her by some inbreed instinct, up until at least when she thought she could do it on her own; to her shock and surprise, her hand met empty space just as she had managed to overshadow the archers below, a frightened cry being uttered as she fell right on top of an equally startled assassin, her entire figure folding up almost in half under Miriam's unexpected weight. Dazed and knocked silly, the elf sat there for a moment, trying to collect herself as the others soon came around, aiming right at her to deliver fatal blows...
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Post by knightc3 on Jan 5, 2009 4:56:37 GMT -5
Caleb cringed as he saw the bolt strike her knee. That was probably it. She would be have been dead in a few moments if this had not been fixed from before. But apparently some of the assassin had forgotten that her life was precious to the Elders, one in particular. The same voice that had threatened him not to reveal her spoke from behind him again, in a hurried fashion. "That's enough. Tell her she has passed. You patch her up and get ready for your mission... and Storm, look after her..."
That was a direct order. He didn't waste any time in questioning. "Yes ma'am. He already knew who it was that had wanted to protect this elf messenger. Caleb stepped out from a quickly and raised a hand in front of him towards the assassins approaching Miriam. The assassins flew off their feet and hit the pillar beside them before coming down in a heap. The one under Miriam had a knife in her hand ready to be plunged into the defenseless elf's guts. "Enough!", Caleb shouted and all the weapons that were pointed at Miriam came down.
He glared at the assassins who were getting to their feet, realizing their mistake. "Last warning..." They nodded, almost relieved. He wasn't going to punish them for their fatal mistake. They all slowly nodded at Miriam, almost respectfully. She had done really well. The half a dozen assassins that were still in the hall, waiting for a chance to go after Miriam if she were to get past their comrades, came out of the shadows and started to move the dead bodies out of the hall.
Yes, they would rather deal with Storm than with the Elder Council. At least he was still merciful, to an extent. Caleb stood beside Miriam till the assassins cleared the halls before he went down on one knee and smiled at Miriam. "You did well. The trial is over. You will accompany me on the mission. Miriam, you have passed the test." He then looked at her knee then spoke again. "Come on, let me take care of that." He didn't wait for her to protest and picked her light body up in his arms. He saw the strange dagger lying near where she had fallen.
He smiled, understanding and recognizing it. He kept standing as the dagger lifted itself off the floor and started to hover over Miriam's stomach. "You better hang on to that." He wouldn't explain why. She might find out the significance of that gift someday. He started to walk towards her room as another bell sounded off through the halls. It was the sign that the trial was officially over.
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Post by Da Pwny on Jan 5, 2009 11:23:11 GMT -5
She didn't know what was going on, but a floating dagger was something Miriam guessed to be important. Taking it to her, she allowed herself a moment or rest, but not before wearily asking "Did... did I mess up? Is that why this is really over? I.... I wasn't supposed to kill them, was I?..." Tentative, but they had to be asked; she did, however, stop just short of mentioning that she had done nothing but the messing-up part, that her body had been somehow fighting for her. She figured that was best left for them all to figure out, how a farmer's daughter could outmatch four assassins. Maybe if she knew more about her line, that would provide some answers to nagging questions she'd had for years...
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Post by knightc3 on Jan 5, 2009 17:44:34 GMT -5
Caleb smiled as he started walking towards her room, not feeling any considerable weight slowing him down at the moment as he carried Miriam. "You were supposed to mess up. It was going to be seen how far you could go before you did. The four you killed... don't worry so much about them. No offense but if they couldn't beat you, they didn't deserve to be here anyway." He looked down and smiled at her again.
"Here we are." He didn't need to push the door and they opened on their own. He was sure she would have recognized his powers by now especially after what he did with the dagger. He walked in to find the room as empty as before. He put her down on the bed, leaving her injured knee hanging by the side. The bolt was sticking out from the side. Thankfully it didn't seem to have penetrated the bone. He looked up at Miriam as he knelt down beside her leg, taking hold of the knee in both his hands. "Ok, this is going to hurt. Sorry..."
He didn't wait for a reply and closed his eyes. He didn't do this often. Really, he only did this with his own body if he ever got injured. It was easier to know what was going on. He hadn't told her that it would hurt a lot more than if he had just pulled the bolt out. Pulling it out would have ripped a lot more muscle which would take more time to heal. No, what he was going to do was more painful but it would heal faster.
The muscles in her knee would begin to constrict and open up on the inside from around the bolt head. He cringed knowing first hand how painful this process was. The arrow began to float back out of her wound. Once it was out, he let go of the pressure he had applied to hold her muscles away from the sharp edges. He put his hand on the wound as blood began to flow out. Taking a strip of clean cloth, he tied it around a few times tightly.
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Post by knightc3 on Jan 6, 2009 16:54:01 GMT -5
((Her leg should be all healed up if and when Horacios is brought to meet with her ))
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Post by The Mammoth on Jan 6, 2009 23:02:57 GMT -5
Horacius watched as the men with crossbows aimed them at him. He stepped forward, and one got too close. He quickly slammed the edge of his shield into the man's throat, causing him to lose all hope of breathing in for a few seconds, and likely scaring him senseless. He shot a glare toward the remaining guards.
"Lower your weapons unless you would like to meet hell quickly. I have no intention on fighting unless you are the ones to start it." Horacius said.
"I'm not foolish enough to stay here. Tell Caleb when he's done playing cat and mouse, he knows where to find me."
Horacius turned around and walked out of the Assassin's guild, heading toward the inn that he had taken a room in previously.
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Post by Da Pwny on Jan 6, 2009 23:31:55 GMT -5
There was a prompt scream, and then low-level whimpering and profuse curses to boot. It hurt more taking the bolt out than it had going in, and even though Miriam knew it had to be done... gods, that really hurt!! Miriam didn't take pain well, which was why she avoided extended fights like most people avoided the plague. Trying to hold it back didn't work at all, and in fact had just the opposite effect; instead of looking stronger, the tears exposed her pain even moreso than before. It was all she could do to keep from just screaming at the top of her lungs, which would have alerted the whole complex- as if she hadn't done that already today.
"A...are you- eek!- sure this is- ow!- going to work?" the young elf got out inbetween tears and sobs, obviously not very trusting in someone who was causing her more pain than she could have imagined, outside of conception...
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Post by knightc3 on Jan 7, 2009 3:18:38 GMT -5
He didn't answer her during the procedure mainly because he was too busy concentrating on the arrow head. Once it was out though, he had gently patted her leg as he had started to clean and dress the wound for now. He looked up briefly to find the elf in obviously a lot of pain and tears. He gave her a smile and felt the need to reassure her, "Relax, I have done this on myself before. That time I had a curved, razor-edged dagger stuck in my arm. The pain should go down considerably within a minute or so. Its just heightened from the exertion of the muscles at this point."
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Post by Da Pwny on Jan 12, 2009 16:36:14 GMT -5
Despite what he possibly thought, that didn't make her feel much better. But, just like Caleb said, the pain died down soon enough, and the bleeding started to slow. Miriam's tears, however, did not, at least not to the extent that the pain did. She still didn't trust him, but there wasn't much that could be done about that; at the very least, the bolt had been removed.
Now that her mind wasn't stuck on the bolt that had been lodged in her knee, it had time to think. Miriam had trained herself not to wander too far mentally, but distracting herself right now seemed appropriate, especially given that she would most likely see her last bits of peaceful rest for a long, long time very soon, and that obnoxious 'trial' was done and over with. And so, her mind drifted, thinking on all the things that had transpired recently as the young elf embraced a very-welcomed slumber, even though it was barely into the evening by now...
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Post by Vaidia on Jan 13, 2009 0:04:33 GMT -5
Midvale, three years it had been since her last return here and, time ado, now returned, favor to be repaid.
The woman would catch stray eyes a many, mostly those of the young-blooded and curiously starved, though some older found there selves sneaking beyond glances of suspicious lessers. Some probably thought to be higher than those who gaped dumbly, mouths open to collect horse-kicked dust, but fell into the trap all the same, felt their heart flutter as imagination grazed it's chilled finger down their spines, then below.
She was indeed beautiful, in the way only a human-at-arms could be and dazzling from her knowledge of showing it. The neck of her shirt swooped down low, framing perfect curves, but not so threateningly so that a fight would have (un)favorable sights, and the long, gliding stride of ideal legs strode forward with purpose, bringing an air to those who stared too long. One that made them immediately tear away their gaze and return to whatever menial task they were doing. It was a learned instinct to those of Midvale to recognize when an Assassin was in presence and, no matter how stunningly gorgeous, how sensuously voluptuous, how much their hearts longed for more than that finger-chilling stroke, they knew to keep their eyes ground-trained, show their respect for one so important.
Lola felt the smallest of grins play on her face, barely curving the pressed line between sultry lips as an odd sense of pride glew in her. Even after so long of wearing the same mask of one of those who stared, she still had the nerve to act her old self, domineer with a simple expression. Though, an eye more trained may see through her farce, that her killing vibe itself was dead. Amusing a thought to think, that the part from herself was deceased, that the silent and beautiful menace she wore now was just an reenactment, a stage play in memoriam. Her eyes suddenly grazed the crowd, catching many unguarded with the sudden masochistic dagger brush to their unguarded eyes, a thought occuring to the woman. If she followed the same thought from before, didn't that mean everyone around her was dead from their past selves, that people died every changing second that they lived?
Lola felt the smile deepen, but it was a secret one, one that curved more into a frown to the outside eyes, but held the sinister quality of a smirk all the same. She didn't bother to place her attention to those around her any longer, sing-song thoughts now consuming her primary attention. Too many people thought themselves strong, when really their foundations lay on never-sustaining dust. They remained too much the same, not daring to leave their urnless remains in fear they would be lost, not knowing that if they remained, their tower would collapse and bury them. Interest, intriguing indeed. She almost wished she had the wanderers guise on, to find someone who's mind could be broken.
But, now was not the time to meddle with minds, or pounder the hows of such things. She was busy, had a something to do, a where to be, a purposed tempo she needed to continue to follow, rather than her meander besides it. On the path, for once again, returning a simple favor with, perhaps knowingly, not so consequences.
The Guild, Lola's twice-emerald gaze peered up to it, knowing that the gazes from it would not recognize her past form, rather the purpose she held now. The ideal of death clotted the pores of possibly, visoring ignorance over eyes normally so widely horizoned, creating a bubbled mirror of perfect strangerhood that, in the current state of the Guild, would allow for one of secrets knowing to enter.
Bells, tolling as they did often when she was resident, for her often times. The most efficiently devious always were discriminated against, challenged, hated, put on trial for the nature they held. Lola made smile now bore teeth, well cared for in pearly whiteness, grinning at the numerous times she received such treatment, and the many more she deserved it. So many grudges bore against her, she wondered how many would rekindle if the joy-induced blindness would lift, and how many would lose drive to pursue revenge over thrice a year. There would be only one who had free vision, the one she owed this measured favor too, the one who she was to see now.
The woman had slipped into a side door, taking advantage of the confusion as well as the diffused comradeship between each Assassin to play into the crowd, wearing complete ensemble now, striding each step with only the confidence of deceased times, shedding the sharp visage to keep from risk. Slowly, mind mapped out the guild of old, remembering where places of power once were. She knew of the old location but now, other measures would have to be made...
"Lower your weapons unless you would like to meet hell quickly. I have no intention on fighting unless you are the ones to start it."
The woman trailed her gaze from mind to reality, finding herself to see an ebon-clad knight of hostile manor, danger looming in his actions and words. How sad, once upon a time that knight would be discarded just for those moments alone. Had the guild become so meek and mild on her leave?
"I'm not foolish enough to stay here. Tell Caleb when he's done playing cat and mouse, he knows where to find me."
An honored guest, speaking that name, one of those she wished to speak to. What a perfect opportunity, to solve both one problem, then her own. Walking up, allowing feminine whiles (for the crossbowmen) and graced power (for the knight) to radiate daintily from her, subjugating with air alone.
"Greetings knight," her voice was low, smooth, a sound reminiscent of a days end, tainted with practised amusement, "I apologize for this hostility before, and the foolishness of those who do not treat you with proper respect." The woman continue, bowing down slightly, yet keeping her eyes trained on the knights. With a steady motion, she rose, a new expression of ladyness molding to her face.
"I, myself, am going to meet... Caleb, and request you be my escort there. No worries," Lola paused, giving an invisible, freezing glare to the crossbowmen, "I know where to go."
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Post by The Mammoth on Jan 13, 2009 0:58:12 GMT -5
Horacius' footsteps stopped on the dry ground before him, a voice rivaling that of the angels themselves rang out beckoning him. Surprisingly strong, but calm in tone, the woman spoke her piece. Turning to see the face who was speaking, Horacius scowled slightly, expecting nothing more than elaborate tricks and fancy speeches. Assassins of the Guild were renowned for their ability, not only that of death, but that of trickery and deceit. Horacius was never one to be caught unaware. The aged face beneath the helm scowled with disdain, as the obvious realization that the beautiful voice he had heard was coming from yet another assassin dawned on him.
She spoke carefully, as he would expect a clever assassin to do, and when she was done, Horacius stood, the six inch step below him bringing him to eye level with the woman before him. Horacius took a few steps toward the woman, his fingers on his blade. Never would he be caught unaware again. Assassins had preyed on him and his men long ago. He was young, foolish, blinded by pride, and he suffered the loss of half his men before they struck down the group. Horacius had little respect and little trust for any who may affiliate with such black-hearted, sick excuses for human beings. So this woman before him, though stunningly beautiful, enough to bring even an aged warrior such as he to lower his blade, would be greeted with the same tempered emotion that was leveled at all those less than noble.
"I expect no less from Assassins, they are rabble, and not fit to lick the dirt from the boots of peasants..." Horacius spat out, his eyes watching the woman's every move. His eyes did not wander, and his mood did not change. He could see her stunning figure, but it mattered little, as he knew what lied behind it. She spoke with a clever tongue, and looked at him with a tender expression. But rarely was Horacius fooled at this point in life. She wore the look of a killer in her eyes, and in her faint grin that broke her face. Her enchanting eyes glared toward him, and he stood staring back.
"You can cut the fraud. I am no Knight, you need not act like a noble, for I know better than that." Horacius said, his rough voice like needles in the air, "What makes you more trustworthy than any other assassin here?"
Horacius had taken a few steps forward, only a few feet from the woman. She obviously dressed to accentuate her curves and frame, as this was more apparent up close. Still, his eyes remained fixed on hers, while his peripheral vision prepared him for any attack she may be wishing to attempt. He awaited her answer, his hand still resting on his blade...
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Post by knightc3 on Jan 13, 2009 3:14:27 GMT -5
Caleb smiled as her protests began to die down. He heard the bells ringing but didn't pay much attention to them at first. It was only when a messenged came bursting through the door. He gave the elf one fleeting glance before taking a knee beside Caleb and whispered something in her ear. He was one of the guards who had been guarding Horacios. He had sneaked away as soon as he had seen Lola approach their tensed group.
Caleb looked at the man with surprise evident on his face. He was up on his feet in less than an instant and made for the door the assassin had used only moments before. He didn't even turn as he spoke to Miriam, "Get some rest Miriam. This man will be at your disposal if you need anything." With that he was out of the room and into the hallway. She had returned? He had thought she had died of the curse the Guild had used on her. He didn't have the status had respect he had now, back then. He was still fairly new then. So he couldn't do anything except watch as the council put the curse in place.
There was supposed to be no escape from the curse but it was clear that Lola had found it nonetheless. She had a will to live that had been underestimated by the Guild. A few more turns in the corridor and he was there near the main entrance to the Guild. The sight that greeted him made him smile for more than one reason. One reason was standing, bowing gracefully to the Palladin, in a dress that would test the resolve and concentration of even the most controlled and hardened assassins in the guild. The other was the stand-off Horacios was facing.
He had heard a part of what Horacios had spoken to Lola. "Stand down.", he ordered calmly and each of the crossbows lifted from the armored man without a moment's pause. The ones in front cleared a row for Caleb to walk through towards the palladin. "She is not an assassin of the Guild, Horacios. She is just my friend. I am very disappointed in you Horacios, I thought you of all people had some chivilary." He hadn't been looking at Horacios as he talked to him, his gaze was fixed on Lola, just like his smile on his face. "How have you been Lola. He turned to glance back at the assassin behind him once before he continued, "I am sure your visit be more relaxed than your experiences here. They are fully aware of the repurcussions they face if they try to bother you."
That was as much of a warning as the others would get. He beckoned the two visitors with his hand to follow him. "Come, lets make you both comfortable. Oh Horcaios, since you are here I expect you have warmed up to my offer a bit more. But I think I can do better than tell you the same thing again. Have you ever met a Ale'eno elf? Well, he have one here right now who could use a bit of healing. I would also suggest that you ask her how good Cryph's rule had been to her people." He started to move down towards Miriam's chambers. He would leave Horacios with Miriam and take Lola to his own private chambers. There was a lot of things he needed to ask her that he couldn't in the hallways or with Horcaios walking alongside them.
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Post by The Mammoth on Jan 13, 2009 14:07:06 GMT -5
((Hey knight, if you can't spell my character's name, then at least refer to my posts and copy paste. COME ON MAN!))
Horacius clutched his blade as the overly confident man emerged from the guild halls.
"Don't question my chivalry, assassin! Those who can consider people who murder and steal friends are not worthy of the chivalry of a dog!" Horacius spat out again, his patience being tried with the over-confidence of the foolish assassin. Horacius had no reason to believe Caleb was lying, but still, she could not be trusted since she was in league with the assassins. Once the elf was mentioned, Horacius scowled again.
Your tests are difficult... He thought to his God. There was no measure to the arrogance of the elves, as he had saved the lives of many an elven war party, yet they never showed and gratefulness toward him. Whether the specific band of elves was like that, or all were, it made little difference as the imprint of distrust and dislike to those of elven nature was engrained into Horacius' mind. However, despite all of his distaste for the elven race, he knew that not all of them were like that. So, swallowing what prejudice he had, he nodded his head in agreement that he would help the injured elf.
Horacius didn't like the idea of working with assassins. But, he also knew that in order to strike at the belly of the beast, sometimes you must get in bed with it. He would grit his teeth and bear these assassins for now. Cryph was a abomination, and if he must wait to eliminate the assassins, then he would.
As he stepped up the small stone steps toward the door, the ring of his armor echoed through the wandering halls before him as the guard of the guild went their different ways. He knew that he would be in for a long fight should he be attacked in the guild, but such risks were necessary. He stepped toward the two, standing a respectful distance away as he let go of his blade. He removed his helm, placing it on the hilt of his blade. Not expecting any sign of trust from the assassins, but he assumed not looking like he was going to war might ease up any who were not ordered to kill him. If there was going to be an attack on him, his helm would not help anyway. Horacius' grit-covered face and scarred features looked from Caleb to Lola, and back again, scanning the scene. He waited for Caleb and Lola to both enter before him, not wanting either behind his back...
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Post by Da Pwny on Jan 14, 2009 1:22:37 GMT -5
*snicker*
She hadn't heard much, having fallen mostly asleep, but Miriam was still conscious enough to recognize movement around her; unless it was directed threateningly at her or interesting enough to peak her curiosity, however, she made no motion to give away her awareness. She had learned it from a successful hunter once, and had used it upon several occasions before this one. Still, these were assassins she was around, not deer or rabbits, of which could be easily tricked.
Her attention was captured momentarily by the entrance of several people. The only response Miriam gave was a slight sideways glance and fluttering of her eyes so she could see again. Quite frankly, she wasn't in a good mood and would rather just be left alone, but given what she was, her Elder had pounded into the young elf that she be on her best behavior, and to treat the non-hostile humans she met with, at the least, some level of respect. At the moment, and if she had been given free reign, Miriam felt more inclined to tear one of their faces off than to make idle, pointless chit-chat. Between her knee injury and how tired she was from the long journey, however, the elven woman figured a slap to the face would suffice if the upcoming conversation grew... intolerable.
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