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Arcanis: Gonnes, Sons, and Treasure Runs (COMPLETED)
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<blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 1884863" data-attributes="member: 3285"><p><strong>Temptations of the Flesh - The Royal Hunt</strong></p><p></p><p>"By the grace of Althere!" shouted Kham, slapping his forehead at the spectacle before them.</p><p></p><p>Gaius was astride the lead horse, a hunting horn dangling at his side. A flagpole jutted from a holster by his foot, clearly identifying him as the leader of the morning's hunt. Everyone but Sebastian was astride their own mounts.</p><p></p><p>Kham struggled to retain any expression other than horrified shock. "Oh look, EVERYONE'S here."</p><p></p><p>Quintus' upper lip was twitching. "Why Kham, how good of you to join us," he said through gritted teeth. "Gaius will be leading the hunt today in place of the High General."</p><p></p><p>Sebastian was struggling to keep mount his horse, which was bucking violently away from him. Oriena ordered her servants to help him, but the mount was giving them considerable trouble. From a distance, Attalus watched with bemusement. </p><p></p><p>"The priests send their apologies," said Gaius over is shoulder. "They say there is still much to discuss between them before they travel to Coryan."</p><p></p><p>Kham smoothly mounted his steed even as Sebastian finally got his horse under control. </p><p></p><p>"What of Elandre?" asked Sebastian.</p><p></p><p>Gaius shot him a glare. "It is unseemly for a woman of such high noble birth to participate," he said. "Women of lesser birth are of course welcome to do as they please."</p><p></p><p>Ilmarė narrowed her eyes at him but said nothing. </p><p></p><p>Gaius kicked his horse into a trot. "We will have to travel beyond the estate lands. It is only there that we shall find our quarry."</p><p></p><p>"Isn't that Ulfilan territory?" asked Quintus.</p><p></p><p>"Oh I'm sure the Ulfilan Governor won't mind," Gaius said with a sneer.</p><p></p><p>"And just what is our quarry, exactly?" asked Kham.</p><p></p><p>"Why, the Howling Bear, of course," said Gaius.</p><p></p><p>Kham looked at Quintus, who merely shrugged his shoulders.</p><p></p><p>"For those of you who have never been on a royal hunt before, I suggest you keep a tight grip on the reins," said Gaius. "It can get…exciting. Try not to soil my mounts."</p><p></p><p>And with that he kicked his horse into a gallop and disappeared into the woods. Quintus stared daggers in Gaius' direction but rode off after him. </p><p></p><p>The woods were surprisingly temperate. The surroundings were lush and full of life. </p><p></p><p>Ilmarė looked around. "Osalian is pleased."</p><p></p><p>"You mean Hurrian," said Gaius. </p><p></p><p>"No," Ilmarė responded levelly, "I mean Osalian."</p><p></p><p>The songs of a hundred different birds joined seamlessly to create a soothing serenade. </p><p></p><p>Beldin was looking all around him. "I don't like this."</p><p></p><p>"You're just not used to being outside," said Kham.</p><p></p><p>"No, it's not that. The screeching. All that noise. Don't they ever stop?"</p><p></p><p>"He's more accustomed to the sounds of bats," said Sebastian. "At night, their squeaking can be quite beautiful."</p><p></p><p>Kham sighed. "You two need to get out more. Seriously. Speaking of getting in touch with nature, haven't you ever seen a horse before, Sebastian? You seem to be having problems with your mount."</p><p></p><p>"There are not many horses in Solanos Mor," Sebastian said, staring off into the distance. </p><p></p><p>"While we're on the subject of unique perspectives," said Quintus, "where did you get those lenses?"</p><p></p><p>Kham adjusted the round tinted glasses he was wearing. He silently mouthed back "hangover."</p><p></p><p>Quintus arched an eyebrow but nodded. </p><p></p><p>Ilmarė pulled her horse alongside Gaius'. "This bear…does it howl?"</p><p></p><p>"No, it purrs." Gaius rolled his eyes. "Of course it howls, why do you think we call it the Howling-"</p><p></p><p>"DOWN!" Ilmarė shouted and launched herself at Gaius. They tumbled to the ground as a javelin whistled through the air where he had been sitting.</p><p></p><p>"Alarm!" shouted Quintus as he spun to spot the attackers. "It's an ambush!"</p><p></p><p>Several things happened at once. Another javelin suddenly jutted from Oriena's shoulder, pirouetting her off her mount. Sebastian's horse bucked and tossed its rider. Gaius screamed like a frightened child and grabbed hold of his mount as it galloped off, half-dragging him into the foliage. </p><p></p><p>"Dismount!" shouted Quintus. "Keep your back to your horse!" He grabbed his shield from the saddle and landed roughly on his feet, spear at the ready. </p><p></p><p>A loud keening wail erupted from all around them.</p><p></p><p>"I don't suppose that's the sound of the Howling Bear?" asked Kham as he slid off his horse, both handgonnes at the ready.</p><p></p><p>"Not unless the bear learned to use javelins!" Ilmarė shouted back as she landed on her feet with an arrow knocked in her bow.</p><p></p><p>A javelin clanged off of Quintus' shield. "Too many to count, take your targets where you find them!"</p><p></p><p>Ilmarė loosed an arrow and something wailed in response. "Now there's one less."</p><p></p><p>Another javelin sliced through the air and pierced the flank of Kham's horse. As it bucked and galloped off, the protruding javelin shaft smacked Kham in the back of the head.</p><p></p><p>"Ow! Whose stupid idea was it to stand with our back to the—" </p><p></p><p>Out of the woods swarmed brutish humanoids with bright blue noses and reddish faces, waving longswords over their heads. </p><p></p><p>"Hobgoblins!" shouted Ilmarė.</p><p></p><p>"Hold the line!" Quintus shouted back. He looked over his shoulder. "Where's Beldin?"</p><p></p><p>Just as the hobgoblins crashed into them, Beldin galloped his horse into their midst with his axe held high. A tufted head and a gout of blood launched into the air as he passed. </p><p></p><p>The hobgoblins milled about in disarray after Beldin crashed disappeared into the woods. "I thought he never rode a horse before," said Kham. He squeezed the trigger and tree bark exploded next to a hobgoblin.</p><p></p><p>Quintus speared a hobgoblin through the side as it charged at him. He struggled to remove the longspear and then gave up as more hobgoblins closed, drawing his gladius instead.</p><p></p><p>"Switch to blades!" shouted Quintus.</p><p></p><p>"Not…" Kham shouted as a hobgoblin charged straight towards him. He aimed carefully at the hobgoblin's head and pulled the trigger just as it reached him. There was a burst of red and black smoke and the headless body collapsed at his feet. "Yet!"</p><p></p><p>Beldin managed to navigate his mount through the thicket of woods and was coming around for another charge. Attalus and Sebastian stood protectively over Oriena's body. They were surrounded by four hobgoblins.</p><p></p><p>Quintus lurched over to Kham, covering him with his shield. "Attalus needs our help."</p><p></p><p>"Our help? The ladies and I do just fine, thanks," Kham said, pulling two more handgonnes out of their holsters by his ribcage. "Just stay out of my way."</p><p></p><p>A hobgoblin stuck his head around the shield and Quintus thrust his gladius at it. Kham took aim…</p><p></p><p>BLAM! BLAM! </p><p></p><p>Two hobgoblins fell even as Attalus dispatched another. The fourth pressed hard against Sebastian, who had only a dagger to defend himself. </p><p></p><p>There was a flash and the last hobgoblin fell forward on its face. Ilmarė stood over the corpse, her sword dripping with hobgoblin blood.</p><p></p><p>And then it was over. Hobgoblin corpses lay all around them. </p><p></p><p>"Oriena's hurt," said Sebastian with concern. </p><p></p><p>The Larissan priestess was unconscious, with a javelin protruding from her shoulder. Her left leg was at an odd angle. "She may have broken her leg as well," said Quintus. "Stand back."</p><p></p><p>He placed his palms on Oriena's forehead. "<span style="font-family: 'Impact'">Illiir, iuvo sana sua vulna levis.</span>" Golden light encircled her form for a moment.</p><p></p><p>Quintus grabbed the javelin and pulled it out of her shoulder. She gasped in pain but did not awaken.</p><p></p><p>"Keep pressure on the wound," said Quintus to Attalus. "She'll live, but someone will need to take her back to the estate."</p><p></p><p>Sebastian was about to volunteer when Attalus stepped forward. </p><p></p><p>"I will," said Attalus, clutching one arm. "I'm no good to you anyway, I've hurt my sword arm."</p><p></p><p>Kham was reloading his handgonnes. "Actually, you hurt is probably more useful than Sebastian…" He caught Quintus' disapproving gaze. "Look, why don't we all go back to the estate?"</p><p></p><p>"Because he is General Menisis' nephew," said Quintus, saddling up on his mount. "And I'm sure there will be a reward if we return him alive."</p><p></p><p>"I doubt he would do the same for us," said Ilmarė, gazing in the direction where Gaius had fled. </p><p></p><p>"I think the 'glorious val'Tensen clan' can take care of its own," Kham added.</p><p></p><p>"Go if you want," said Quintus. "I am duty bound to protect the citizens of Coryan. Gaius, regardless of how I personally feel about him, is under my protection. It is my honor to serve all citizens of Coryan," he looked over at Kham. "That includes you."</p><p></p><p>Kham spat. "Well…I'm going to need another horse."</p><p></p><p>Quintus' expression brightened. "Kham, you ride with Beldin. Sebastian, you ride with me."</p><p></p><p>Beldin put out one hand. Kham sighed and took it, saddling up behind Beldin. "Great, I get to ride with the guy who's afraid of birds."</p><p></p><p>"Ilmarė, can you track him?" Quintus asked.</p><p></p><p>Ilmarė sniffed. "Simple enough," she said. "We can just follow the trail of slime." And with that, she took off at a gallop.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="talien, post: 1884863, member: 3285"] [b]Temptations of the Flesh - The Royal Hunt[/b] "By the grace of Althere!" shouted Kham, slapping his forehead at the spectacle before them. Gaius was astride the lead horse, a hunting horn dangling at his side. A flagpole jutted from a holster by his foot, clearly identifying him as the leader of the morning's hunt. Everyone but Sebastian was astride their own mounts. Kham struggled to retain any expression other than horrified shock. "Oh look, EVERYONE'S here." Quintus' upper lip was twitching. "Why Kham, how good of you to join us," he said through gritted teeth. "Gaius will be leading the hunt today in place of the High General." Sebastian was struggling to keep mount his horse, which was bucking violently away from him. Oriena ordered her servants to help him, but the mount was giving them considerable trouble. From a distance, Attalus watched with bemusement. "The priests send their apologies," said Gaius over is shoulder. "They say there is still much to discuss between them before they travel to Coryan." Kham smoothly mounted his steed even as Sebastian finally got his horse under control. "What of Elandre?" asked Sebastian. Gaius shot him a glare. "It is unseemly for a woman of such high noble birth to participate," he said. "Women of lesser birth are of course welcome to do as they please." Ilmarė narrowed her eyes at him but said nothing. Gaius kicked his horse into a trot. "We will have to travel beyond the estate lands. It is only there that we shall find our quarry." "Isn't that Ulfilan territory?" asked Quintus. "Oh I'm sure the Ulfilan Governor won't mind," Gaius said with a sneer. "And just what is our quarry, exactly?" asked Kham. "Why, the Howling Bear, of course," said Gaius. Kham looked at Quintus, who merely shrugged his shoulders. "For those of you who have never been on a royal hunt before, I suggest you keep a tight grip on the reins," said Gaius. "It can get…exciting. Try not to soil my mounts." And with that he kicked his horse into a gallop and disappeared into the woods. Quintus stared daggers in Gaius' direction but rode off after him. The woods were surprisingly temperate. The surroundings were lush and full of life. Ilmarė looked around. "Osalian is pleased." "You mean Hurrian," said Gaius. "No," Ilmarė responded levelly, "I mean Osalian." The songs of a hundred different birds joined seamlessly to create a soothing serenade. Beldin was looking all around him. "I don't like this." "You're just not used to being outside," said Kham. "No, it's not that. The screeching. All that noise. Don't they ever stop?" "He's more accustomed to the sounds of bats," said Sebastian. "At night, their squeaking can be quite beautiful." Kham sighed. "You two need to get out more. Seriously. Speaking of getting in touch with nature, haven't you ever seen a horse before, Sebastian? You seem to be having problems with your mount." "There are not many horses in Solanos Mor," Sebastian said, staring off into the distance. "While we're on the subject of unique perspectives," said Quintus, "where did you get those lenses?" Kham adjusted the round tinted glasses he was wearing. He silently mouthed back "hangover." Quintus arched an eyebrow but nodded. Ilmarė pulled her horse alongside Gaius'. "This bear…does it howl?" "No, it purrs." Gaius rolled his eyes. "Of course it howls, why do you think we call it the Howling-" "DOWN!" Ilmarė shouted and launched herself at Gaius. They tumbled to the ground as a javelin whistled through the air where he had been sitting. "Alarm!" shouted Quintus as he spun to spot the attackers. "It's an ambush!" Several things happened at once. Another javelin suddenly jutted from Oriena's shoulder, pirouetting her off her mount. Sebastian's horse bucked and tossed its rider. Gaius screamed like a frightened child and grabbed hold of his mount as it galloped off, half-dragging him into the foliage. "Dismount!" shouted Quintus. "Keep your back to your horse!" He grabbed his shield from the saddle and landed roughly on his feet, spear at the ready. A loud keening wail erupted from all around them. "I don't suppose that's the sound of the Howling Bear?" asked Kham as he slid off his horse, both handgonnes at the ready. "Not unless the bear learned to use javelins!" Ilmarė shouted back as she landed on her feet with an arrow knocked in her bow. A javelin clanged off of Quintus' shield. "Too many to count, take your targets where you find them!" Ilmarė loosed an arrow and something wailed in response. "Now there's one less." Another javelin sliced through the air and pierced the flank of Kham's horse. As it bucked and galloped off, the protruding javelin shaft smacked Kham in the back of the head. "Ow! Whose stupid idea was it to stand with our back to the—" Out of the woods swarmed brutish humanoids with bright blue noses and reddish faces, waving longswords over their heads. "Hobgoblins!" shouted Ilmarė. "Hold the line!" Quintus shouted back. He looked over his shoulder. "Where's Beldin?" Just as the hobgoblins crashed into them, Beldin galloped his horse into their midst with his axe held high. A tufted head and a gout of blood launched into the air as he passed. The hobgoblins milled about in disarray after Beldin crashed disappeared into the woods. "I thought he never rode a horse before," said Kham. He squeezed the trigger and tree bark exploded next to a hobgoblin. Quintus speared a hobgoblin through the side as it charged at him. He struggled to remove the longspear and then gave up as more hobgoblins closed, drawing his gladius instead. "Switch to blades!" shouted Quintus. "Not…" Kham shouted as a hobgoblin charged straight towards him. He aimed carefully at the hobgoblin's head and pulled the trigger just as it reached him. There was a burst of red and black smoke and the headless body collapsed at his feet. "Yet!" Beldin managed to navigate his mount through the thicket of woods and was coming around for another charge. Attalus and Sebastian stood protectively over Oriena's body. They were surrounded by four hobgoblins. Quintus lurched over to Kham, covering him with his shield. "Attalus needs our help." "Our help? The ladies and I do just fine, thanks," Kham said, pulling two more handgonnes out of their holsters by his ribcage. "Just stay out of my way." A hobgoblin stuck his head around the shield and Quintus thrust his gladius at it. Kham took aim… BLAM! BLAM! Two hobgoblins fell even as Attalus dispatched another. The fourth pressed hard against Sebastian, who had only a dagger to defend himself. There was a flash and the last hobgoblin fell forward on its face. Ilmarė stood over the corpse, her sword dripping with hobgoblin blood. And then it was over. Hobgoblin corpses lay all around them. "Oriena's hurt," said Sebastian with concern. The Larissan priestess was unconscious, with a javelin protruding from her shoulder. Her left leg was at an odd angle. "She may have broken her leg as well," said Quintus. "Stand back." He placed his palms on Oriena's forehead. "[FONT=Impact]Illiir, iuvo sana sua vulna levis.[/FONT]" Golden light encircled her form for a moment. Quintus grabbed the javelin and pulled it out of her shoulder. She gasped in pain but did not awaken. "Keep pressure on the wound," said Quintus to Attalus. "She'll live, but someone will need to take her back to the estate." Sebastian was about to volunteer when Attalus stepped forward. "I will," said Attalus, clutching one arm. "I'm no good to you anyway, I've hurt my sword arm." Kham was reloading his handgonnes. "Actually, you hurt is probably more useful than Sebastian…" He caught Quintus' disapproving gaze. "Look, why don't we all go back to the estate?" "Because he is General Menisis' nephew," said Quintus, saddling up on his mount. "And I'm sure there will be a reward if we return him alive." "I doubt he would do the same for us," said Ilmarė, gazing in the direction where Gaius had fled. "I think the 'glorious val'Tensen clan' can take care of its own," Kham added. "Go if you want," said Quintus. "I am duty bound to protect the citizens of Coryan. Gaius, regardless of how I personally feel about him, is under my protection. It is my honor to serve all citizens of Coryan," he looked over at Kham. "That includes you." Kham spat. "Well…I'm going to need another horse." Quintus' expression brightened. "Kham, you ride with Beldin. Sebastian, you ride with me." Beldin put out one hand. Kham sighed and took it, saddling up behind Beldin. "Great, I get to ride with the guy who's afraid of birds." "Ilmarė, can you track him?" Quintus asked. Ilmarė sniffed. "Simple enough," she said. "We can just follow the trail of slime." And with that, she took off at a gallop. [/QUOTE]
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