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Arcanis: Gonnes, Sons, and Treasure Runs (COMPLETED)
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<blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 1799212" data-attributes="member: 3285"><p><strong>So Shall Ye Reap - Part 1: Deception</strong></p><p></p><p>The stroll through Coryan was far too long for Aurelius' tastes. The child was gods-knew-where and they were falling behind with every winding turn down yet another alley. If he was going to reveal their enemy's plans, he would have to do it soon.</p><p></p><p>"You there," he said in irritation. "Guide. Have you gotten lost? Do you not know the way to the Gates?"</p><p></p><p>The haggard-looking man came to a sudden stop, causing Vlad to nearly bump into Aurelius. </p><p></p><p>"No, not at all. But I think we're being followed, so I took a longer route. It's down this alleyway right here." He pointed to their right. "Follow me please, it's not long now."</p><p></p><p>Kham leaned around Vlad to address Aurelius. "Don't you live here?"</p><p></p><p>"It's a big city," Aurelius said through gritted teeth. He kept his eyes focused on their guide. "Wait."</p><p></p><p>Aurelius stopped so abruptly that this time that Vlad did collide with him. From the cursing that echoed behind the large man, Aurelius guessed that Kham got a face full of armor. </p><p></p><p>"What's wrong?" Ilmarė asked, her voice tinged with concern.</p><p></p><p>The guide's gaze flickered over his shoulder at the others, but then he turned away. Aurelius grabbed him by the arm.</p><p></p><p>"This is wrong." He lifted the guide's arm up, showing the thorny vine wrapped around his wrist. "A Priest of Anshar should have scars from wearing a bracelet of thorns for so long."</p><p></p><p>Aurelius shoved the man backwards and unsheathed the gladius hanging from a holster at his right hip. </p><p></p><p>"We have been deceived!" he shouted at the top of his lungs, which was only marginally louder than his normal speaking voice.</p><p></p><p>Three other men skulked out of the alleyway behind them, thumping clubs in open palms. They fanned out in a semicircle even as Ilmarė and Kham turned their backs to Vlad and Aurelius. </p><p></p><p>The faux guide dusted himself off. "Clever observation. You seem smart enough to know better. So I recommend you drop this foolishness and forget the mission. It would be terrible," the guide sneered, "if yet another legionnaire were to mysteriously disappear."</p><p></p><p>There was the distinct sound of metal leaving sheathes as Ilmarė and Vlad produced longswords. </p><p></p><p>Aurelius took a menacing step forward. "You misunderstand. I DO know this city. I've been biding my time, waiting for the right moment to reveal your trap."</p><p></p><p>"Pardon?" Kham said as he reached into his coat. "You thought this dark alleyway was the 'right moment' to reveal their trap?"</p><p></p><p>The thugs wasted no more words as one aimed high at Kham's head, the other for Ilmarė's knees.</p><p></p><p>Ilmarė lithely hopped over the clumsy swing and retaliated by slashing the arm of her assailant. Kham ducked backwards as two clubs whistled over his head. </p><p></p><p>"You really don't want to do this," Kham said. </p><p></p><p>Kham nudged what looked like the head of a small dragon out from under the bottom of his coat. He whistled and waved the barrel to get the thug's attention. The thug looked at him quizzically, raising his club again. </p><p></p><p>KA-BLAM!</p><p></p><p>There was a retort so loud that everyone, ally and enemy alike, reflexively stumbled away from the blast. When the smoke cleared, the thug that Kham had aimed at was still standing. There was a great rent in the brick face of the building behind him. Smoke trails pirouetted from the hole's center.</p><p></p><p>"A handgonne!" shouted the faux guide. "Perhaps this will even the odds: <span style="font-family: 'Impact'">Magicus telum</span>!" </p><p></p><p>A bolt of bright blue energy flashed between the guide's finger and his target. Vlad gasped as the bolt, unhindered by his armor, penetrated flesh and bone. </p><p></p><p>Aurelius stepped forward and pointed at the guide with his gladius. "You dare to cross a legionnaire of the Reluctant Warrior?" His voice grew louder. "<span style="font-family: 'Impact'">KNEEL BEFORE ILLIIR'S MIGHT!</span>"</p><p></p><p>The command was undeniable. The guide's eyes bulged as his body stumbled like a rigid puppet, forcing him to his knees, his head bowed. Sweat dripped from his nose as he struggled to resist.</p><p></p><p>"That's better," said Aurelius. "Now you will tell us who sent-"</p><p></p><p>With a mighty roar, Vlad's longsword flashed across the kneeling man's throat. His head bounced across the dirt of the alley and landed face up at Kham's feet.</p><p></p><p>Behind Vlad, Kham threw back his coat to reveal two dragon-like sculptures, one in each hand. The handgonnes were carved to look like dragons, with their mouths ended in barrels. Smoke poured out of the end of one of the left handgonne. Kham pointed them both at the nearest thug's head.</p><p></p><p>"Now, Jessica here, she don't like you," Kham said, waving the left handgonne. "But Victoria," he waved the other handgonne, "she likes you a lot. She's liable to give you a little lick."</p><p></p><p>The clatter of clubs resounded around them as the thugs put their hands up. </p><p></p><p>"I'd run, unless you want to end up like your friend on the ground here," Kham said.</p><p></p><p>The men took off down the alleyway. </p><p></p><p>"Well," Ilmarė said quietly, "that was gratuitous."</p><p></p><p>Kham looked around to confirm that all the thugs had left. He blanched when his gaze connected with the head staring back at him from the alley. </p><p></p><p>"Was that really necessary?" Aurelius said as he sheathed his gladius. "I was trying to interrogate them but this," he gestured at Vlad, "Milandisian got a bit overzealous."</p><p></p><p>Vlad returned his longsword to its sheath on his back, unfazed. "That magic he used hurt," was all he said, as if the pain alone was enough justification. "In Milandir, if someone strikes you, you strike back twice as hard."</p><p></p><p>"I'd say you proved your point," said Ilmarė, staring down at the head.</p><p></p><p>"In the legion, discipline is life," Aurelius said sternly. "You must know when to strike, and when not to strike."</p><p></p><p>Kham rolled his eyes. "Oh yeah, and I suppose you had them drag us around all of Coryan for the perfect time to strike?"</p><p></p><p>Aurelius met his gaze, glaring down at him. Kham wasn't that tall. "Yes, I did. I was looking for a weakness in their strategy and it revealed itself just now."</p><p></p><p>"What weakness?" Kham said, pouring some powder back into the mouth of one of the dragon handgonnes. </p><p></p><p>"There were at least another four men following us," Ilmarė said, "but we lost them only a few minutes before we turned down the alleyway."</p><p></p><p>"You too?" Kham said in exasperation. "Did anyone else not know this was a trap?" </p><p></p><p>"I didn't," said Vlad. "But then, I don't really trust any Coryani."</p><p></p><p>Aurelius stepped out of the alleyway to call over a citizen. "By order of the Emperor, I command you to-"</p><p></p><p>"Oh we don't have time for this!" Kham finished loading his other handgonne and returned it to the holster beneath his armpit. "There's a headless corpse in the alleyway, clean it up, would you?" </p><p></p><p>The citizen nodded and scurried off to call for the watch. </p><p></p><p>"We must hurry, the Gate is not far from here," said Aurelius. He stood in the square, hands on his hips, surveying the area.</p><p></p><p>After a long moment, Ilmarė said, "if I remember correctly, it's in the southern quarter."</p><p></p><p>"That's right!" said Aurelius. And with that he marched off southwards, splitting the crowded streets like a knife.</p><p></p><p>Kham looked at Vlad. Vlad shrugged and walked after Aurelius. Ilmarė winked at him and followed suit.</p><p></p><p>Kham took a deep sigh and ran after his fearless leader.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="talien, post: 1799212, member: 3285"] [b]So Shall Ye Reap - Part 1: Deception[/b] The stroll through Coryan was far too long for Aurelius' tastes. The child was gods-knew-where and they were falling behind with every winding turn down yet another alley. If he was going to reveal their enemy's plans, he would have to do it soon. "You there," he said in irritation. "Guide. Have you gotten lost? Do you not know the way to the Gates?" The haggard-looking man came to a sudden stop, causing Vlad to nearly bump into Aurelius. "No, not at all. But I think we're being followed, so I took a longer route. It's down this alleyway right here." He pointed to their right. "Follow me please, it's not long now." Kham leaned around Vlad to address Aurelius. "Don't you live here?" "It's a big city," Aurelius said through gritted teeth. He kept his eyes focused on their guide. "Wait." Aurelius stopped so abruptly that this time that Vlad did collide with him. From the cursing that echoed behind the large man, Aurelius guessed that Kham got a face full of armor. "What's wrong?" Ilmarė asked, her voice tinged with concern. The guide's gaze flickered over his shoulder at the others, but then he turned away. Aurelius grabbed him by the arm. "This is wrong." He lifted the guide's arm up, showing the thorny vine wrapped around his wrist. "A Priest of Anshar should have scars from wearing a bracelet of thorns for so long." Aurelius shoved the man backwards and unsheathed the gladius hanging from a holster at his right hip. "We have been deceived!" he shouted at the top of his lungs, which was only marginally louder than his normal speaking voice. Three other men skulked out of the alleyway behind them, thumping clubs in open palms. They fanned out in a semicircle even as Ilmarė and Kham turned their backs to Vlad and Aurelius. The faux guide dusted himself off. "Clever observation. You seem smart enough to know better. So I recommend you drop this foolishness and forget the mission. It would be terrible," the guide sneered, "if yet another legionnaire were to mysteriously disappear." There was the distinct sound of metal leaving sheathes as Ilmarė and Vlad produced longswords. Aurelius took a menacing step forward. "You misunderstand. I DO know this city. I've been biding my time, waiting for the right moment to reveal your trap." "Pardon?" Kham said as he reached into his coat. "You thought this dark alleyway was the 'right moment' to reveal their trap?" The thugs wasted no more words as one aimed high at Kham's head, the other for Ilmarė's knees. Ilmarė lithely hopped over the clumsy swing and retaliated by slashing the arm of her assailant. Kham ducked backwards as two clubs whistled over his head. "You really don't want to do this," Kham said. Kham nudged what looked like the head of a small dragon out from under the bottom of his coat. He whistled and waved the barrel to get the thug's attention. The thug looked at him quizzically, raising his club again. KA-BLAM! There was a retort so loud that everyone, ally and enemy alike, reflexively stumbled away from the blast. When the smoke cleared, the thug that Kham had aimed at was still standing. There was a great rent in the brick face of the building behind him. Smoke trails pirouetted from the hole's center. "A handgonne!" shouted the faux guide. "Perhaps this will even the odds: [FONT=Impact]Magicus telum[/FONT]!" A bolt of bright blue energy flashed between the guide's finger and his target. Vlad gasped as the bolt, unhindered by his armor, penetrated flesh and bone. Aurelius stepped forward and pointed at the guide with his gladius. "You dare to cross a legionnaire of the Reluctant Warrior?" His voice grew louder. "[FONT=Impact]KNEEL BEFORE ILLIIR'S MIGHT![/FONT]" The command was undeniable. The guide's eyes bulged as his body stumbled like a rigid puppet, forcing him to his knees, his head bowed. Sweat dripped from his nose as he struggled to resist. "That's better," said Aurelius. "Now you will tell us who sent-" With a mighty roar, Vlad's longsword flashed across the kneeling man's throat. His head bounced across the dirt of the alley and landed face up at Kham's feet. Behind Vlad, Kham threw back his coat to reveal two dragon-like sculptures, one in each hand. The handgonnes were carved to look like dragons, with their mouths ended in barrels. Smoke poured out of the end of one of the left handgonne. Kham pointed them both at the nearest thug's head. "Now, Jessica here, she don't like you," Kham said, waving the left handgonne. "But Victoria," he waved the other handgonne, "she likes you a lot. She's liable to give you a little lick." The clatter of clubs resounded around them as the thugs put their hands up. "I'd run, unless you want to end up like your friend on the ground here," Kham said. The men took off down the alleyway. "Well," Ilmarė said quietly, "that was gratuitous." Kham looked around to confirm that all the thugs had left. He blanched when his gaze connected with the head staring back at him from the alley. "Was that really necessary?" Aurelius said as he sheathed his gladius. "I was trying to interrogate them but this," he gestured at Vlad, "Milandisian got a bit overzealous." Vlad returned his longsword to its sheath on his back, unfazed. "That magic he used hurt," was all he said, as if the pain alone was enough justification. "In Milandir, if someone strikes you, you strike back twice as hard." "I'd say you proved your point," said Ilmarė, staring down at the head. "In the legion, discipline is life," Aurelius said sternly. "You must know when to strike, and when not to strike." Kham rolled his eyes. "Oh yeah, and I suppose you had them drag us around all of Coryan for the perfect time to strike?" Aurelius met his gaze, glaring down at him. Kham wasn't that tall. "Yes, I did. I was looking for a weakness in their strategy and it revealed itself just now." "What weakness?" Kham said, pouring some powder back into the mouth of one of the dragon handgonnes. "There were at least another four men following us," Ilmarė said, "but we lost them only a few minutes before we turned down the alleyway." "You too?" Kham said in exasperation. "Did anyone else not know this was a trap?" "I didn't," said Vlad. "But then, I don't really trust any Coryani." Aurelius stepped out of the alleyway to call over a citizen. "By order of the Emperor, I command you to-" "Oh we don't have time for this!" Kham finished loading his other handgonne and returned it to the holster beneath his armpit. "There's a headless corpse in the alleyway, clean it up, would you?" The citizen nodded and scurried off to call for the watch. "We must hurry, the Gate is not far from here," said Aurelius. He stood in the square, hands on his hips, surveying the area. After a long moment, Ilmarė said, "if I remember correctly, it's in the southern quarter." "That's right!" said Aurelius. And with that he marched off southwards, splitting the crowded streets like a knife. Kham looked at Vlad. Vlad shrugged and walked after Aurelius. Ilmarė winked at him and followed suit. Kham took a deep sigh and ran after his fearless leader. [/QUOTE]
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