private The Fall of Andalasia ~Book 1~

[Torrent505 370]

Serafinno ate the bit of food Whisper offered him, he knew he was getting off easy this time. He was a bit confused though, Whisper had forgiven him for harming the people that harmed the caravan but was mad at him for trying to harm this 'Clarke'; the man had been going to harm Tugg! Maybe human logic was it was okay to harm someone but only if they caused harm first? Hmmm, but then bad people would always hurt someone before being stopped, he didn't like that idea.

 

He was disturbed from his deep thoughts by the sound of Whisper crying, that wasn't right, Whisper didn't usually cry from an accident, usually she might stay angry a while but later she would smile and laugh again, even try to make light of the accident with little jokes and mocking with him... If something made Whisper cry it was usually very bad. He slowly slinked his way over to the boulder, giving Clarke a dirty look as he passed. He skittered up on the rock and started to pretend to be interested in sunning himself, he didn't look directly at her and focused on trying to look regal and uninterested cause despite the food she gave him they were probably still fighting so she might send him away if he tried to comfort her directly. He didn't acknowledge Dresden either he just lazily spread out his wings and shaded Dresden and Whisper from the nearing noon sun, under the pretense of sunning himself of course.

 

***************

 

Clarke stared at Tugg's paw not certain what to do, it was pretty clear the chimera didn't really want to make peace and the owner, who was also the alcoholic he had noticed before, was forcing it. Given the glare the dragon had given him in passing, the concept that all animals hate tinkerers was becoming more and more real to him. If he wanted to live through this journey to collect on the princess he'd need to steer clear of the beasties, maybe convince the others to send them away? Well first he had to convince the group to accept and follow him.

 

Still the creatures paw hung before him, maybe he wanted Clarke to shake it? That's how some 'people' end disputes right? He reached gripping the paw and slowly moving up and down. He looked uncertainly at Tulla, "uh, I accept his apology... thank you?"

Edited July 30, 2014 by Torrent505

[Flying Ace 142]

@@RunsWithSquirlz, @@Torrent505,

"Nothing to thank you for? Well, I disagree we got to jump off a cliff, visit a new country. Yes, we lost allies and were not doing so well but most of us knew the risks we were taking, we knew things might not be so easy." Dresden eyed Finn as he climbed atop the rock and acted like they weren't there. "What are you doing little guy? Trying to get a tan? Or just flex those wings?"

[Shadow Dancer 111]

I was just a spectator to events, and that was the way I wanted it, I took this contract because I was apparently the best for the job. But as I think about it they could have sent someone that could deal with crowds, or people in general, I know how to handle conflict, battles, and killing from shadows but I was never good at talking with others or even comforting others.

 

I isolated myself after my first kill talking only to my mentor, and even those were short talks. I never had friends, and never saw the need for them to me they were an obstruction. The friendships I have had if you could call them that were fake, for the sake of the contract to get close enough to them to get what I needed and then kill the target. nothing more.

 

I let my thoughts wander and ponder how these strangers could get along as they did and were not outright hostile to me even the hunter was not all that hostile even bearing to be around magic users. How they did it I could never understand. I could kill them all without hesitation when given the order by the guild, I had no bond with them not friendship I helped them because it was necessary and made protecting the princess easier nothing more nothing less

 

(Finally Indicus gets some character development.)

Edited July 30, 2014 by Shadow Dancer

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Adrass.

 

"You don't want to be friends with me Sarah, I'm not a nice person..." The Witch Hunter stalled before walking away - looking back at the somewhat pitiful looking child.

 

"...Mardrak." He added reluctantly - at least his surname wasn't as notorious as his first: it was less likely to draw any kind of danger from anyone that might recognise him. "... It's Mardrak. Be careful - some people might not like that you know me."

 

...

 

Slipping away, Adrass let his eyes unfocus slightly as he strained to pick up on the magical signatures in the air. He had heard correctly: the mages were close by... at least, he thought so. Something seemed off: like he couldn't quite concentrate - focus on their aura.

 

"I need to get more sleep..." He muttered under his breath as he strode in the direction of the arcane stench.

 

If Arianna was following, she would know well enough to track him anyway: but not at least he had some form of message left behind for her - some confirmation. Was the girl reliable? Probably not - but she wasn't likely to do anything sinister with the information, unlike most adults.

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

Whisper sniffled; ignoring Finn "It was supposed to be easy...we were to take Lionel's Pass all the way to Rook's Keep in Illia. Tehn I was to heal the King. But why would they attack us?"

 

Tulla glanced up at a bird circling high overhead before looking back at Clarke "You tell him that, he's not dumb. Just confused."

[Sekel 694]

'Crossbow shafts ... crossbow shafts ...' Helena thought to herself grimly. After walking around carefully, she finally found some at a market stall that also sell arrows and bows. 'Perfect!' Glancing around, out of habit, she walked to the stall and once the keeoer had turned away to another customer, Helena quickly grabbed them, managing to take about ten shafts in all. Quickly walking to a secluded alleyway, she looked behind her to see if anyone happened to notice.

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

Robert wandered a ways off and began messing with his lute, lost in thought. There had to be more that his magic could do, more that he could contribute to help their group. If he could only figure it out, his music could do just about anything. It was only a matter of figuring out how to channel it.

[Torrent505 370]

Clarke was still loosely holding Tugg's paw, he looked away from Tulla and back at the creature, "Oh, um yes.  I accept your apology chimera..."  he hesitated straining to remember overhearing its name, "... Tugg?  Correct? ...And... I apologize for rushing into you I most certainly didn't mean to."  He felt astoundingly foolish for doing this, sure chimeras could be trained, could learn comands and mimic their masters teachings but actually comprehending language manners?  Really how much did this bestie understand what he was saying?

 

****************************

 

Serafinno had been right, Whisper was ignoring him like he was ignoring her, so she had to be mad still.  He gave Dresden a long soft series of grumbles and mumbles that didn't really mean to much and blew a little strangely fluffly looking puff of smoke lazily into his face.  It was a dragons equivalent of a shrugged and cold shoulder, he gave a snicker as he rolled onto his back stretching over the warm boulder.  His claws stuck straight up and his curled his wings over his belly; he breathed more puffy little smoke clouds over his stomach trapping them with his air magic and playing with and shaping them with his feet and flaps of his wings.  Truthfully he was more interested in what Whisper was saying, he hadn't really paid this stuff much attention leading up to when the caravan was departing, so what Whisper was doing for the King was news to him; he did his best to not let it show but his ears where turned towards her and he keep stealing glances at the two.

 

@@Dji,  (thread needs more adorable little girl) 

 

A young bright eyed girl with shoulder length unwashed black hair stood at the end of the alleyway, Sarah swayed and played with the loose burlap sundress trying to not look too nervous and ready to run if this woman was mad she had been seen.  When their eyed met for a moment she managed a quiet, "Stealing is wrong..." then gave a shy smile, "...I did it once too."  She tapped her two forefingers together want to say something more, "your clothes are really cool."  she finished lamely though in truth it was why she had started following the woman.  After Mardrak the Hunter had left the woman had come by and feeling brave Sarah had followed merely want to ask about her interesting clothes.  She felt very foolish and had an urge to run off but resisted it for now.

Clarke let the chimera's paws drop as he spotted something back behind it coming from town. He flipped a couple of lenses on his goggles to view it from the distance better and it only confirmed his fears. "Oh that is most certainly not good." He turned his back on Tugg rushing over towards the princess.

He ignored the dragon as it turned it's eyes on him and gave a growl, he addressed the mopey noble directly. "Uh apologies for the intrusion, but your party wouldn't happen to be undercover to avoid a witch hunter would it? Cause there is one rapidly approaching but he is on foot and I know a path that can be used to avoid pursuit but to stay ahead of him we would need to leave now." Edited July 31, 2014 by Torrent505

[Sekel 694]

@@Torrent505

Helena stood frozen in place when she looked at the girl. Placing the stolen shafts in her quiver, Helena kept looking at the girl and walked slowly towards her. "You said you've stolen before? What did you steal?" Hhelena asked curiously. If this girl had stolen something, then maybe she wouldn't tell anyone about Helena stealing the crossbow bolt shafts. She stopped walking when she was in front of the girl and knelt down so that they were eye level. "You also think my clothes are cool?" Helena asked incredulously as she looked down at herself. "I suppose they are ..." Helena said as she looked back at the girl. The girl's name didn't really matter to her.

Edited July 31, 2014 by Dji

[Shadow Dancer 111]

@@Torrent505,@, I looked at Clarke and then at Adrass, deciding that keeping the witch Hunter being in the group a secret was pointless I looked at Clarke, and said "The Hunter is with us don't ask me why, how, or when he joined but he has not killed us yet, the one chasing us uses magic apparently known as the Iron Maiden, and I imagine he views us as a lesser threat in comparison." I finished.

 

(its here now lets see where this takes us.)

[Torrent505 370]

Sarah blushed a bit, "I'd get in a lot more trouble than you if anyone found out..." she was uncertain about sharing but she wanted to impress this woman thief. Befriending a thief and Hunter in the same day was too much temptation for the little girl, "...the master of the farmlands all around the city comes into market every once in a while and he's loose with his coins so I started taking one coin each time he comes. I got a gold one last time he visited!" She giggle conspiratorially, "he didn't even notice!"

 

She shrugged a bit, "I think they're really cool, I really like-" she touched the part of her costume covering Helena's hair and that could cover her mouth, unable to come up with a name she simply said, "-this. You kinda like the hunter did, are you a hunter? Are you the hunter following Mardrak? Is that why you're stealing those? Do you have the little writing things on your arrows? He says 'He's alive, but too close to the fire. He's as much of a hunter as you are now'". All the words came out in a rush. Sarah knew the woman didn't fit the description of a long coat and hat but how did Mardrak know she would be wearing that? And the possibility of completing her side of the job on the first day excited her too much and exciting people never came through town so why else might this woman be here?

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Adrass.

 

Pushing the distractions out of him mind, Adrass continued his march towards the strongest magical signature in the area: which also happened to be in the direction that he had heard his name declared in the somewhat brattish voice. After a few minutes, something caught his eye.

 

Blood. On the ground.

 

Dropping low to trail his fingers as he passed, he raised it to his nose and closed his eyes: remnants of magic assailing his senses in a far more foul manner than any actual scent that might have lingered. Strong magic.

 

Logically, the Princess was the one with the most raw magical ability that he knew of in this area (save for the Witch that didn't seem to bleed), and the majority of other casters were a part of her accursed entourage. If something magical had been injured, then it meant something else was trying to harm them... if it hadn't already.

 

His walk increased to a purposeful march. There was something off in the distance that might have been human - whatever it was, it was the most obvious threat. His right hand reached to grasp the hold of his bastard sword, the other pulled out one of the unloaded pistols for effect - it might be useless as a weapon, but there was no need for anyone else to know that.

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

"That's just Adrass...probably come to yell at us for being stupid evil mages..." Whisper mumbled softly. She was relieved to hear that he was safe but didn't show it.

 

Tugg fluffed up as he watched the tinkerer leave and then went to his cart, using the side to scratch his hide again.

[Sekel 694]

@@Torrent505

"Is that what you do everyday? Try to steal a coin from the master of all the farmlands every time he's in town?" Helena repeated what the girl said and smiled under her mask. "That's impressive. I wonder how you never get caught...?" Helena left the question unfinished on purpose, she wanted to see what the girl made of that. Helena felt the girl touch her mask and realised that was what she meant. "You like my mask? It's just a simple dyed cloth." Helena explained and tried to make sense of the barrage of words that came next.

 

"Hunter? What hunter? I'm not following anyone, I just came here to try and restock my supply of crossbow bolts," Helena mouthed the message that the girl was apparently tasked with passing on and committed it to memory. "Sorry to disappoint but that message doesn't mean anything to me. I think it was meant for someone else and I'm sorry I'm not that person." Helena said to the girl softly, trying not to hurt her feelings. She didn't think she knew who this Mardrak guy was but she'd keep an eye out for whoever the message was supposed to go to. "Can you describe the person the message was meant to go to?"

[Torrent505 370]

While the tinkerer could appreciate the guards bluntness, he felt like he had been punched in the gut and suddenly thought he understood why the princess was so sad; to go from a safe well protected noble girl meant to inherit a realm to being chased by a monster of legendary proportions with only this small grace of protection? His first fear was of what the Iron maiden could do to his cart, then what she could do to him and final the fear that he might not be able to make all the money that this little princess was worth. He closed his eye and started to hyperventilate a little, before settling into a few deep calming breaths. 'LOGIC CLARKE, STICK TO THE LOGIC NO EMOTIONS COME ON PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER!' He mentally screamed at himself.

 

That worked he opened his eyes again looking neutral and centered, he spoke to all the could hear him, "Well finally I'm hearing some truth from you... The Iron Maiden you say? The Kings murderous mercenary Iron Maiden? I'd heard you were coming here to heal the King, if that's not the case and it's just rumors of the royal agreement what are you really doing in Illia and why does the crown want you dead? Were are you going undercover like this? I might be able to help."

@@Dji, 

 

Sarah felt her face redden, the women wasn't Mardrak's friend and see wasn't even a Hunter, that message was probably really important and secret Hunter information and she blurted it out to a stranger!  And this women was asking so many questions, if the message didn't mean anything to her why did she want to know what the receiver was supposed to look like?  Before Mardrak had left he'd said to be careful that some people might not like that she knew him, what if this women was lying she could be a spy or a person that hunted Hunters!  Her imagination was running wild and it scared her, she swallowed visibly, "I-I... Sorry I nneed to go!" she spun as quick as she could to run off.

[Sanctified Absence 126]

"And just what help could you offer?" Zaddion finally left his silent brooding with a very cynical, almost aggressive attitude towards the tinkerer as he approached. He had his emotions played with earlier and feared the worst for Whisper only to see that she came out relatively fine. On top of all that he felt as if he were no longer in control for a split second, a thought which nearly infuriated one who prized himself on willpower and its ability to shape the world with it. In short, he was in a very dark mood. "To answer your questions we were sent to have Whisper heal the King, yet we are hunted all the same."

[Flying Ace 142]

@@RunsWithSquirlz, @@Torrent505, @@Sanctified Absence,

"Every country has a traitor, maybe someone doesn't want their king to be healed though there have to be extremely powerful if they can get the Iron Maiden to follow orders." Dresden said swatting the little cloud of smoke from Finn aside, "at least Adrass is alright hes a good fighter even though he looks at me like I have devil horns coming out of my head."

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

"What we need to do is move" she sat next to Robert while watching Tugg scratch away "No doubt, the townsguard will be looking for the dead girl."

 

Whisper stood slowly, wiping her cheek and she gently touched Dresdens and Zaddions hands. She was no where near as experienced as these two, but they were mages nonetheless.

 

"I expect you want payment for your silence and help..." she looked uncertainly at Clarke, eyes still reddened with tears. Remembering her courtesies; she extended a hand "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Clarke. You know who I am and where I'm from. But I don't mind you calling me Whisp. No one has called me that before."

 

They were always far too afraid to insult Andalasian royalty.

[Sekel 694]

S@@Torrent505

Moving her hand at lightning-fast speeds, in the blink of an eye, Helena caught the girl's arm to keep her from running even though she held it gently. "Wait. Please? I'm sorry about all the questions but I have two more questions. It's okay if you don't answer them either." Helena said to the girl. "What did this Mardrak guy look like and what was he doing when you spoke to him? I think I may know him after all." Helena pleaded with the girl. If this Mardrak was who she thought he was then maybe she can pass the message on after all.

[Torrent505 370]

@@Shadow Dancer, @@Sanctified Absence, @@Flying Ace, @@RunsWithSquirlz,

 

Clarke took in their words, and ignoring the attitude of the mage in the fancy robes, he was greatful to final have a clear picture of everything that was happening and the fact that it fit his plans perfectly.  He chose his words carefully, "Yes... yes I can help and I would need payment, but a Tinkerer is always paid after the work is completed and for a job such as this I'll accept a price based off your satisfaction and opinion of my work when the job is done."  He took her hand gently, holding it delicately and inspecting it but neither shaking it or kissing it as he felt neither was appropraite.  Instead he continued to speak while holding it, "I'm glad you find a new name acceptable Miss Whisp, because even without a name I was able to figure out who you are so you will need to change even more.  If my job is to get you to the King alive then the best chance to evade the traitor is to not let anyone recognize you, my advice it to first cut your hair and possbily even dye it, black is the most common Illian hair color, a beautiful red is extraordinarily rare."  He slowly let her hand go half expecting she would slap him for suggesting to cut her regal lockes, nobles could be so impetuous.

@@Dji,

 

Sarah stuggled a little in Helena's grasp, "NO!  I was wrong, you're bad and your clothes are stupid!  I'm not going to betray my friend."  She stopped struggling cause it was getting her nowhere and she simply slumped looking a bit defeated, her face scrunched up in a frown and tears in her eyes, "He was really nice, Hunters aren't monsters don't go after him!  He said he'd try and find my Daddy and send him home if he finds him and, and only Hunters can find mages so he's the only way.  Please, please, he was nice."

[Sekel 694]

@@Torrent505

"That's okay. Just thought you could answer, that's all." Helena said calmly and reached behind for a bolt. Placing it on the ground, Helena carved her own name into the side with her dagger. Putting the dagger back in its place, Helena, still keeping a gentle but firm grip on the girl's arm, held the bolt out to her. "I don't care if you think I'm bad. Just take this bolt and hopefully nothing bad will happen to you." Helena said quickly, knowing that she had to leave the market soon.

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Adrass.

 

@@Torrent505,

@@RunsWithSquirlz,

 

"You!" Shouted the Witch Hunter as he approached the would-be-assassin: empty pistol raised and sword hefted over his shoulder. He had taken a moment to marvel at the design of his new coat - with extra padding on the outside to suppord such an action, almost as if it had been made for him. Now though, all he saw was yet another villain whom was trying to harm his charge.

 

"Accursed as they are, these wretches are my charge - release that girl!"

 

So it might have sounded cliche - he didn't exactly have a lot of experience protecting things other than himself - even his apprentice had proven resourceful in the early years of their time together, unlike this band of heroically-suicidal children. He had never had to protect anything unable to protect itself (in his eyes) until now... and the damned princess seemed determined to throw herself into dange with more vigor each time! Whoever this was, they would suffer for the part they had played in the injury of the princess!

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@RunsWithSquirlz,

 

Robert sighed and returned his lute to it's place on his back. "You're right, I suppose. We can't exactly stay here. We can't afford to stay in any one place for very long, really. The enemy has every advantage now, and all we can do is run. But I'll do all I can to see that we get there. This story wouldn't feel right without a happy ending." 

[Torrent505 370]

@,

 

Clarke had just let go of the princess's hand and had been expecting her to respond badly when the approaching witch hunter yelled about releasing the girl.  For a moment Clarke looked about confused no one was holding the princess... He turned to look at the witch hunter only to realize the man was pointing a pistol at him, and he thought, 'that's right I was the one holding her hand, silly me.'  He flung his hands straight up, "Don't shoot me, she's just about to hire me!"  His heart started to race even faster as the dragons rumbling growl sounded right next to his ear, he wondered if this job might even be worth the wealth because the probablity was high that this group would be the death of him.

 

Serafinno had become rather engrossed in the cloud shaping over his belly as he laid on the rock, however Adrass's yell had startled him and he rolled over in an instant perched on the boulder taking in the scene.  Apparently the strange man, Clarke, had done something wrong again and was no standing off with Adrass; Finn stretched his neck out and growled in the mans ear.  But he wouldn't do anything without Whisper's say so this time.

Edited August 1, 2014 by Torrent505

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

"Well you're right about that. Hopefully, sometime during this crazy journey I'll hear the song you promised to write. Bards bore me but from what little I heard from you, I expect to be wrong." she chuckled and surveyed the confrontation with a more serious tone.

 

"Do you trust either of them?" she asked.

 

Whisper had been about to reply, with no smack intended mind you, had it not been for Adrass. He charged forward, sour as always whilst cursing the mages. For a twinkling moment she questioned why her parents would hire this man. She left it for the Ancients to answer.

 

"It's alright Finn, he means us no harm."

 

I hope she thought.

Edited August 1, 2014 by RunsWithSquirlz