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Dark Sun: Praetor
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<blockquote data-quote="Sanzuo" data-source="post: 5778635" data-attributes="member: 66180"><p>[align=right]http://i42.tinypic.com/2z5lw90.jpg[/align]In the waning light of Athas' crimson sun, the metropolis of Balic sat on a chunk of rock jutting out like the tip of a claw into the yellow haze of the silt estuary. The city itself sprawled across a hill – at the top of which stood the only real towers the city had. They were the towers of the megaleneon, Balic's government district.</p><p> </p><p> Out of the base of one of these towers walked Mortuus. He was just in time to catch a last glimpse of the sun as it dropped behind the sandstone walls separating the megaleneon from the rest of the city. Soon the assassin and everyone else would be able to enjoy a short time of cool air before it became freezing and he would need to find a fire and some girls to keep him warm.</p><p></p><p> He spotted a girl just then waiting on the inside of the megaleneon gate, but this was not a girl he was happy to see. She was young and beautiful with black hair and olive skin. She wore a red silk dress that hugged her upper body tightly, blossomed below her waist and hung loosely just short above the ground. Next to her were two female, half-giant bodyguards. They wore proportionally less than their charge, just some leather harnesses for a small amount of modesty and to anchor their arsenal of weapons; daggers, short swords, cudgels, slings and mauls. Those weapons were not just for show, Mortuus knew from his keen insight, and because he personally knew these particular individuals. The half-giants were hardened fighters, covered in scars and rescued from the arena.</p><p> </p><p> The girl spotted Mortuus, and the minstrel braced himself for what he suddenly knew what was coming next. She bolted the length between Mortuus and herself in three graceful strides and tackled him, nearly taking him down to the ground. She wrapped her slender, but surprisingly strong arms around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth. Flustered and feeling understandably awkward, Mortuus tried unsuccessfully to untangle himself from the girl. While this was happening, her bodyguards made no attempt to separate the two of them and casually caught up.</p><p> </p><p> “Mort! My love, why haven't you visited me? It's been ages!” The girl said loudly enough for everyone in the plaza to hear.</p><p></p><p> “Are you completely insane, Rava?” Mortuus said in a hissing whisper, continuing to try and free himself. “You are suppose to be in mourning. What if Jerreck saw you right now?”</p><p></p><p> “I heard he was dying – also, I don't care.” The girl locked her hands around her wrists behind Mortuus' back to hold the embrace. “I missed you so much. I hate it.”</p><p></p><p> “What? How did you know? Let go. Damn you.”</p><p></p><p> “No.”</p><p></p><p> “Will you get this girl off of me? I'll hurt her, I swear.” Mortuus gave a pleading look at the half-giants. They both shrugged apathetically.</p><p></p><p> “My father wants to see you.” She said, now resting her head on Mortuus' chest. “But it's getting dark. Can I stay here tonight?”</p><p></p><p> “Absolutely not. We're going to your father right now. How did you know about Kar? Never mind. Shut up.”</p><p></p><p> Mortuus trudged toward the gate with the girl still hanging off of him pouting and pretending to weep. He continued to fight and scold her as the four of them went out into the night.</p><p> </p><p></p><p> By the time they arrived at the estate, Mortuus had managed to dislodge her and now she was skipping in circles around the group. She had stopped and investigated every interesting person or thing along the way. She had an impossible amount of energy, Mortuus thought. When they got inside he practically ran towards the office, doing his best to outpace the girl. Thankfully, the seneschal ran interference and stopped her before she could follow him inside. Lord Dephnical waited within, seated behind a marble table.</p><p> </p><p> Mortuus slammed the door behind him.</p><p></p><p> “Would you find that girl another damned husband, already? She is completely out of control.” Mortuus blurted. He rarely lost his cool composure, but the young lady Dephnical was one of the few people who could fluster Mortuus in such a way. The Lord Dephnical never lost his composure. Not ever.</p><p></p><p> “Is Kar Jerreck going to die?” Dephnical asked plainly.</p><p></p><p> Mortuus took a moment to compose himself. “Probably. When I left he already looked like a corpse and the apothecary was bleeding him like a stuck erdlu.”</p><p></p><p> “Damn.” Dephnical exhaled sharply. It was as upset as Mortuus had ever seen him. “This is a disaster.”</p><p></p><p> “What about his half-brother? Praetor Darus?”</p><p></p><p> “The mul?” Dephnical pronounced 'mul' in the derogatory way. Like 'mule.' “That won't do. He's a brute, and a poor figurehead. Useless.”</p><p></p><p> “I beg your pardon, but the mul is not useless.” Mortuus said. “I've seen him in action, he's a damned tornado made out of rocks - and he has the Dictator's power behind every swing of his arm and every spell from his lips. He's really quite an awesome spectacle, really. Saved our lives more than once.”</p><p></p><p> “I don't need a gladiator, I need someone with a different kind of charisma. The kind Jerreck had.”</p><p></p><p> “Well.” Mortuus tried to console. “He's not quite dead yet...”</p><p></p><p> There was silence for a time. Mortuus poured himself something from a bottle that was sitting on the table. Unconsciously, he smelled it for poison before taking a sip.</p><p></p><p>“What did you find beneath the mountain?” Dephical asked.</p><p></p><p> “Two more artifacts, just like you thought.” Mortuus said.</p><p></p><p> “Yes! Bloody marvelous. You have them?”</p><p></p><p> Mortuus patted his pouches and nodded.</p><p></p><p>Dephnical was suddenly in a better mood. “Excellent. We still need to get that first one that Jerreck stupidly gave away. You need to get it.”</p><p></p><p> <em>Finally, something I'm good at.</em> Mortuus thought. “I can do that. I can do that right now.”</p><p></p><p> “Careful.” Dephnical warned. “House Tomblador is not to be taken lightly. They will torture and kill you if you are caught. Take your time and do not fail, just get the artifact back by any means necessary.”</p><p></p><p> “Well, I should probably try not to draw attention to ourselves, and probably not you most of all.”</p><p></p><p>[align=left]http://i43.tinypic.com/xofww9.jpg[/align] “That goes without saying, my boy. But the artifact is the most important, even if you have to kill a hundred Tombladors and run back here with a hoard of them at your back – get it to me.”</p><p></p><p> “It certainly will not come to that. And these?” Mortuus placed a hand on the pouch containing the other two pieces.</p><p></p><p> Dephnical thought a moment. “Hang on to them in the chance that Jerreck does recover. He doesn't need any more evidence that you work for me and not him. Just don't do something foolish like give them away.”</p><p></p><p> “I'll get started then.” Mortuus said and finished his drink. “Also I wasn't kidding, find Rava a husband.”</p><p></p><p> “She's still in 'mourning.' Also, I decided she might have been more useful unmarried, and to use as leverage against Jerreck.”</p><p></p><p> “Is that why I killed the Arvos boy?”</p><p></p><p> “Sure, let us just say that was it. Anyway, when Jerreck dies I might just give her to you.”</p><p></p><p> “Please! Whatever I did wrong I'm sorry.”</p><p></p><p> “Apologize to me by getting the artifact back. Now get going.”</p><p></p><p> “Right.” Mortuus hesitated. “Uh.”</p><p></p><p> “What is it?” Dephnical said.</p><p></p><p> Mortuus glanced back at the office door. “May I use the window?”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Sanzuo, post: 5778635, member: 66180"] [align=right]http://i42.tinypic.com/2z5lw90.jpg[/align]In the waning light of Athas' crimson sun, the metropolis of Balic sat on a chunk of rock jutting out like the tip of a claw into the yellow haze of the silt estuary. The city itself sprawled across a hill – at the top of which stood the only real towers the city had. They were the towers of the megaleneon, Balic's government district. Out of the base of one of these towers walked Mortuus. He was just in time to catch a last glimpse of the sun as it dropped behind the sandstone walls separating the megaleneon from the rest of the city. Soon the assassin and everyone else would be able to enjoy a short time of cool air before it became freezing and he would need to find a fire and some girls to keep him warm. He spotted a girl just then waiting on the inside of the megaleneon gate, but this was not a girl he was happy to see. She was young and beautiful with black hair and olive skin. She wore a red silk dress that hugged her upper body tightly, blossomed below her waist and hung loosely just short above the ground. Next to her were two female, half-giant bodyguards. They wore proportionally less than their charge, just some leather harnesses for a small amount of modesty and to anchor their arsenal of weapons; daggers, short swords, cudgels, slings and mauls. Those weapons were not just for show, Mortuus knew from his keen insight, and because he personally knew these particular individuals. The half-giants were hardened fighters, covered in scars and rescued from the arena. The girl spotted Mortuus, and the minstrel braced himself for what he suddenly knew what was coming next. She bolted the length between Mortuus and herself in three graceful strides and tackled him, nearly taking him down to the ground. She wrapped her slender, but surprisingly strong arms around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth. Flustered and feeling understandably awkward, Mortuus tried unsuccessfully to untangle himself from the girl. While this was happening, her bodyguards made no attempt to separate the two of them and casually caught up. “Mort! My love, why haven't you visited me? It's been ages!” The girl said loudly enough for everyone in the plaza to hear. “Are you completely insane, Rava?” Mortuus said in a hissing whisper, continuing to try and free himself. “You are suppose to be in mourning. What if Jerreck saw you right now?” “I heard he was dying – also, I don't care.” The girl locked her hands around her wrists behind Mortuus' back to hold the embrace. “I missed you so much. I hate it.” “What? How did you know? Let go. Damn you.” “No.” “Will you get this girl off of me? I'll hurt her, I swear.” Mortuus gave a pleading look at the half-giants. They both shrugged apathetically. “My father wants to see you.” She said, now resting her head on Mortuus' chest. “But it's getting dark. Can I stay here tonight?” “Absolutely not. We're going to your father right now. How did you know about Kar? Never mind. Shut up.” Mortuus trudged toward the gate with the girl still hanging off of him pouting and pretending to weep. He continued to fight and scold her as the four of them went out into the night. By the time they arrived at the estate, Mortuus had managed to dislodge her and now she was skipping in circles around the group. She had stopped and investigated every interesting person or thing along the way. She had an impossible amount of energy, Mortuus thought. When they got inside he practically ran towards the office, doing his best to outpace the girl. Thankfully, the seneschal ran interference and stopped her before she could follow him inside. Lord Dephnical waited within, seated behind a marble table. Mortuus slammed the door behind him. “Would you find that girl another damned husband, already? She is completely out of control.” Mortuus blurted. He rarely lost his cool composure, but the young lady Dephnical was one of the few people who could fluster Mortuus in such a way. The Lord Dephnical never lost his composure. Not ever. “Is Kar Jerreck going to die?” Dephnical asked plainly. Mortuus took a moment to compose himself. “Probably. When I left he already looked like a corpse and the apothecary was bleeding him like a stuck erdlu.” “Damn.” Dephnical exhaled sharply. It was as upset as Mortuus had ever seen him. “This is a disaster.” “What about his half-brother? Praetor Darus?” “The mul?” Dephnical pronounced 'mul' in the derogatory way. Like 'mule.' “That won't do. He's a brute, and a poor figurehead. Useless.” “I beg your pardon, but the mul is not useless.” Mortuus said. “I've seen him in action, he's a damned tornado made out of rocks - and he has the Dictator's power behind every swing of his arm and every spell from his lips. He's really quite an awesome spectacle, really. Saved our lives more than once.” “I don't need a gladiator, I need someone with a different kind of charisma. The kind Jerreck had.” “Well.” Mortuus tried to console. “He's not quite dead yet...” There was silence for a time. Mortuus poured himself something from a bottle that was sitting on the table. Unconsciously, he smelled it for poison before taking a sip. “What did you find beneath the mountain?” Dephical asked. “Two more artifacts, just like you thought.” Mortuus said. “Yes! Bloody marvelous. You have them?” Mortuus patted his pouches and nodded. Dephnical was suddenly in a better mood. “Excellent. We still need to get that first one that Jerreck stupidly gave away. You need to get it.” [I]Finally, something I'm good at.[/I] Mortuus thought. “I can do that. I can do that right now.” “Careful.” Dephnical warned. “House Tomblador is not to be taken lightly. They will torture and kill you if you are caught. Take your time and do not fail, just get the artifact back by any means necessary.” “Well, I should probably try not to draw attention to ourselves, and probably not you most of all.” [align=left]http://i43.tinypic.com/xofww9.jpg[/align] “That goes without saying, my boy. But the artifact is the most important, even if you have to kill a hundred Tombladors and run back here with a hoard of them at your back – get it to me.” “It certainly will not come to that. And these?” Mortuus placed a hand on the pouch containing the other two pieces. Dephnical thought a moment. “Hang on to them in the chance that Jerreck does recover. He doesn't need any more evidence that you work for me and not him. Just don't do something foolish like give them away.” “I'll get started then.” Mortuus said and finished his drink. “Also I wasn't kidding, find Rava a husband.” “She's still in 'mourning.' Also, I decided she might have been more useful unmarried, and to use as leverage against Jerreck.” “Is that why I killed the Arvos boy?” “Sure, let us just say that was it. Anyway, when Jerreck dies I might just give her to you.” “Please! Whatever I did wrong I'm sorry.” “Apologize to me by getting the artifact back. Now get going.” “Right.” Mortuus hesitated. “Uh.” “What is it?” Dephnical said. Mortuus glanced back at the office door. “May I use the window?” [/QUOTE]
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