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<blockquote data-quote="Nonlethal Force" data-source="post: 3113065" data-attributes="member: 35788"><p>The sound they were waiting for didn’t take too long to come. As Rhema and Semeion sat in silence just inside the cave they heard the snap of a dried twig. After a brief moment of panic, both heads swiveled from their fearful glance deeper into the cave to a look of anticipation towards the entrance. It was much too early to expect Ischarus or Charis to be returning back to the hidden entrance. This encounter had all the potential of being one of the most dangerous moments for the success of the plan. Failure could mean the wrath of the red dragon upon them all.</p><p></p><p>The unknown person entered to cave entrance. Rhema and Semeion were hidden well enough that whoever was coming was unable to see them as they looked in from the light and into the darkness. Rhema and Semeion couldn’t make out the identity of the person either on account of the backlighting from the stars and the moon above. The person appeared simply as a silhouette to both Rhema and Semeion as they hid in the cave. They did take comfort in knowing that the unknown intruder had come alone.</p><p></p><p>The person stopped immediately upon crossing out of the forest and entering into the cave. Whoever it was turned around and looked back in the direction of the village before moving on. <span style="color: Lime">“I do this for the future, bleak as it is. I cannot let my daughter be killed in this foolhardy plan.”</span> The thick accent of the draconic language pulsed through the cavern. From the pitch and roughness of the voice, Rhema and Semeion determined that this person was a man. The man’s tone had a clear indication that he was trying to convince himself of the necessity of this act.</p><p></p><p>Semeion spoke before Rhema could muster her own words. <span style="color: Plum">“You would condemn your people to save your daughter?”</span> Semeion’s voice broke the silence and it echoed through the entrance. The man spun around and desperately searched the entrance. Semeion continued the questioning in the draconic language from his hidden position, confusing the newcomer even further. <span style="color: Plum">“Your daughter likely only lives a life worth living if you turn around now and go back to the village. To continue with your plan only means your daughter lives in slavery.”</span></p><p></p><p>The man desperately searched the inside of the cave entrance. He stepped forward into the cave a single step in an attempt to escape the relative brightness of the entrance. His language changed to the language spoke in the lands outside of Quehalost and Rhema sighed in relief that the man could speak a language that she spoke. <span style="color: Lime">“No, my daughter survives if the plan is foiled. My wife survives if the plan is stopped right now. My unborn child manages to see the day of its birth if the plan is stopped right now!”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema let out a little laugh. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“And what life will they have? If you go to your dragon father now with the information you have, the wrath of your dragon father will know no end. Do you think your people will be spared?”</span></p><p></p><p>The frustration in the man’s voice rang through the cave. Rhema and Semeion both feared it would be loud enough to wake the dragon above them. <span style="color: Lime">“I have no choice!”</span> The man stepped forward as he made his assertion and interrupted Rhema. <span style="color: Lime">“You cannot escape the grasp of our dragon father! You might be able to smuggle a few of our people out, but if we all leave our dragon father will wait patiently until we emerge on the other side of the mountains. Wherever we emerge we will be seen from the air. Don’t you get that?”</span></p><p></p><p>As the man stepped forward another step Semeion recognized the man. His eyes darted over to where he knew Rhema was hiding as soon as he figured out who it was, but he was unable to see Rhema in the darkness. <span style="color: Plum">“Do you think you can save her from the dragon’s own mouth?”</span></p><p></p><p>The man laughed as the irony of Semeion’s words reached him. <span style="color: Lime">“You think you can! I think my way is easier.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion didn’t let Rhema join the conversation as he continued the verbal pressure. <span style="color: Plum">“We don’t plan on sacrificing dozens of lives at her expense! We plan on rescuing not only her, but you and everyone else back in that village!”</span></p><p></p><p>As Semeion spoke his enthusiasm accidentally drew him out of hiding. He gestured with his hand and rose ever so slightly out of his crouch. The gesture and the slight rise was enough to give Semeion’s location away to the man who was now standing only a few feet away. In an instant the man pulled out the sickle that he used to harvest grains in his father dragon’s fields. </p><p></p><p>Semeion was quicker on the draw with his magic, however. <span style="color: Plum">“Thin-tok”</span> The familiar words easily came to his mind. Blue sparks ignited along Semeion’s elbow and shot toward his hand. In an instant they congregated along his fingers and leapt forward to form a ball only six inches from his hand. The blue ball of energy lit Semeion’s face for just an instant before springing forward and striking the man. As the ball flashed across the cave Rhema recognize the man as well.</p><p></p><p>The energy ball struck the man and knocked him back a step. It wasn’t enough to knock him completely off-balance and the man charged Semeion’s position with fury in his eyes. The man slashed forward with a furious cut as the sickle sliced through the air. Semeion used the darkness to his advantage and ducked into a shadow. The sound of metal striking rock above Semeion’s head rang out and echoed through the cave entrance.</p><p></p><p>Rhema knew that Semeion wouldn’t be able to take too many attacks. She also knew that she couldn’t take too many attacks, either. She stood up, revealing her position to the man and spoke with the calming presence that Semeion had learned meant she attempting to influence the man’s mind. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“We had this discussion in Xando’s home. We agreed that we can save your daughter and her unborn dragon children. There’s no need to disbelieve us. I have promised that I would either save your daughter or die trying.”</span></p><p></p><p>The man scoffed at Rhema’s attempt to influence his mind. <span style="color: Lime">“Do you honestly think that your mind tricks can work on me as they did the traitor that you stole from us? If she weren’t such a weak minded individual we would not be in this situation at all!”</span></p><p></p><p>As the man spoke, Semeion yanked his finely crafted rapier out of its scabbard and lined up a strike. The hit was only a glancing blow, but it did manage to cut the man and draw blood through his robe. The man let out a quick curse and sucked in a deep breath. His return strike was parried by Semeion’s rapier as the curved blade of the sickle wrapped around the flexible blade of Semeion’s rapier. Semeion couldn’t help but smile at his ability to wield the weapon with apparent skill against the villager.</p><p></p><p>Rhema continued talking. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Listen to me. Your daughter might be the new Provenience, but we can give her freedom. We can give you the opportunity to live in freedom with her and watch your dragon born grandchildren grow up apart from the wrath of your dragon father. Don’t you want that for your daughter, her children, your wife, your own unborn child, and the rest of the village?”</span></p><p></p><p>The man snarled again at Rhema’s attempt to influence his mind. <span style="color: Lime">“I told you to get out of my mind, witch. Now I mean it, or I’ll skewer you after I finish with this one!”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion didn’t take kindly to the man’s words. His rapier flashed forward once more, slicing into the man’s right shoulder. The man dropped his sickle out of the pain and crumpled to the floor. Semeion rose to his feet and switched back to the draconic language as he concluded the conversation. <span style="color: Plum">“I told you that you would not overcome us. Since we defeated you, our plan can continue. Now submit and your life will be spared.”</span></p><p></p><p>When the man had fallen to the ground Rhema approached from behind his back. At Semeion’s tone and threatening posture she glanced towards the young mage and Semeion smiled and replied to her glance with a wink of his own.</p><p></p><p>The man spat upon Semeion’s leg at the offer to submit. <span style="color: Lime">“You’ll need to kill me to silence me.”</span> He tried to reach with his right hand for the sickle, but Semeion stepped in the path of his reach. Pain shot through the man’s body as he attempted to use his nearly useless shoulder. He spat once more toward Semeion before the young mage reached back and struck him hard across his face. </p><p></p><p>The blow came from Semeion’s gloved hand, but it knocked the man to the ground. Pain shot through his body as he landed on his left side. His head thumped against the ground and he lay still. Rhema approached from behind and checked the man’s vital signs.</p><p></p><p>She looked up and nodded. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“He’s still alive. It feels like he’s just unconscious from the blow.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion nodded. <span style="color: Plum">“Well I didn’t want to kill him, but he wouldn’t submit. He had to be subdued. Now what?”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema looked back up at Semeion. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“We’ll tie him up for the night. When Ischarus comes back we’ll decide what to do with him. For the night we’ll get him out of the way and make him comfortable.”</span></p><p></p><p>[Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section]</p><p>The sound they were waiting for didn’t take too long to come. As Rhema and Semeion sat in silence just inside the cave they heard the snap of a dried twig. After a brief moment of panic, both heads swiveled from their fearful glance deeper into the cave to a look of anticipation towards the entrance. It was much too early to expect Ischarus or Charis to be returning back to the hidden entrance. This encounter had all the potential of being one of the most dangerous moments for the success of the plan. Failure could mean the wrath of the red dragon upon them all.</p><p></p><p>The unknown person entered to cave entrance. Rhema and Semeion were hidden well enough that whoever was coming was unable to see them as they looked in from the light and into the darkness. Rhema and Semeion couldn’t make out the identity of the person either on account of the backlighting from the stars and the moon above. The person appeared simply as a silhouette to both Rhema and Semeion as they hid in the cave. They did take comfort in knowing that the unknown intruder had come alone.</p><p></p><p>The person stopped immediately upon crossing out of the forest and entering into the cave. Whoever it was turned around and looked back in the direction of the village before moving on. “I do this for the future, bleak as it is. I cannot let my daughter be killed in this foolhardy plan.” The thick accent of the draconic language pulsed through the cavern. From the pitch and roughness of the voice, Rhema and Semeion determined that this person was a man. The man’s tone had a clear indication that he was trying to convince himself of the necessity of this act.</p><p></p><p>Semeion spoke before Rhema could muster her own words. “You would condemn your people to save your daughter?” Semeion’s voice broke the silence and it echoed through the entrance. The man spun around and desperately searched the entrance. Semeion continued the questioning in the draconic language from his hidden position, confusing the newcomer even further. “Your daughter likely only lives a life worth living if you turn around now and go back to the village. To continue with your plan only means your daughter lives in slavery.”</p><p></p><p>The man desperately searched the inside of the cave entrance. He stepped forward into the cave a single step in an attempt to escape the relative brightness of the entrance. His language changed to the language spoke in the lands outside of Quehalost and Rhema sighed in relief that the man could speak a language that she spoke. “No, my daughter survives if the plan is foiled. My wife survives if the plan is stopped right now. My unborn child manages to see the day of its birth if the plan is stopped right now!”</p><p></p><p>Rhema let out a little laugh. “And what life will they have? If you go to your dragon father now with the information you have, the wrath of your dragon father will know no end. Do you think your people will be spared?”</p><p></p><p>The frustration in the man’s voice rang through the cave. Rhema and Semeion both feared it would be loud enough to wake the dragon above them. “I have no choice!” The man stepped forward as he made his assertion and interrupted Rhema. “You cannot escape the grasp of our dragon father! You might be able to smuggle a few of our people out, but if we all leave our dragon father will wait patiently until we emerge on the other side of the mountains. Wherever we emerge we will be seen from the air. Don’t you get that?”</p><p></p><p>As the man stepped forward another step Semeion recognized the man. His eyes darted over to where he knew Rhema was hiding as soon as he figured out who it was, but he was unable to see Rhema in the darkness. “Do you think you can save her from the dragon’s own mouth?”</p><p></p><p>The man laughed as the irony of Semeion’s words reached him. “You think you can! I think my way is easier.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion didn’t let Rhema join the conversation as he continued the verbal pressure. “We don’t plan on sacrificing dozens of lives at her expense! We plan on rescuing not only her, but you and everyone else back in that village!”</p><p></p><p>As Semeion spoke his enthusiasm accidentally drew him out of hiding. He gestured with his hand and rose ever so slightly out of his crouch. The gesture and the slight rise was enough to give Semeion’s location away to the man who was now standing only a few feet away. In an instant the man pulled out the sickle that he used to harvest grains in his father dragon’s fields. </p><p></p><p>Semeion was quicker on the draw with his magic, however. “Thin-tok” The familiar words easily came to his mind. Blue sparks ignited along Semeion’s elbow and shot toward his hand. In an instant they congregated along his fingers and leapt forward to form a ball only six inches from his hand. The blue ball of energy lit Semeion’s face for just an instant before springing forward and striking the man. As the ball flashed across the cave Rhema recognize the man as well.</p><p></p><p>The energy ball struck the man and knocked him back a step. It wasn’t enough to knock him completely off-balance and the man charged Semeion’s position with fury in his eyes. The man slashed forward with a furious cut as the sickle sliced through the air. Semeion used the darkness to his advantage and ducked into a shadow. The sound of metal striking rock above Semeion’s head rang out and echoed through the cave entrance.</p><p></p><p>Rhema knew that Semeion wouldn’t be able to take too many attacks. She also knew that she couldn’t take too many attacks, either. She stood up, revealing her position to the man and spoke with the calming presence that Semeion had learned meant she attempting to influence the man’s mind. “We had this discussion in Xando’s home. We agreed that we can save your daughter and her unborn dragon children. There’s no need to disbelieve us. I have promised that I would either save your daughter or die trying.”</p><p></p><p>The man scoffed at Rhema’s attempt to influence his mind. “Do you honestly think that your mind tricks can work on me as they did the traitor that you stole from us? If she weren’t such a weak minded individual we would not be in this situation at all!”</p><p></p><p>As the man spoke, Semeion yanked his finely crafted rapier out of its scabbard and lined up a strike. The hit was only a glancing blow, but it did manage to cut the man and draw blood through his robe. The man let out a quick curse and sucked in a deep breath. His return strike was parried by Semeion’s rapier as the curved blade of the sickle wrapped around the flexible blade of Semeion’s rapier. Semeion couldn’t help but smile at his ability to wield the weapon with apparent skill against the villager.</p><p></p><p>Rhema continued talking. “Listen to me. Your daughter might be the new Provenience, but we can give her freedom. We can give you the opportunity to live in freedom with her and watch your dragon born grandchildren grow up apart from the wrath of your dragon father. Don’t you want that for your daughter, her children, your wife, your own unborn child, and the rest of the village?”</p><p></p><p>The man snarled again at Rhema’s attempt to influence his mind. “I told you to get out of my mind, witch. Now I mean it, or I’ll skewer you after I finish with this one!”</p><p></p><p>Semeion didn’t take kindly to the man’s words. His rapier flashed forward once more, slicing into the man’s right shoulder. The man dropped his sickle out of the pain and crumpled to the floor. Semeion rose to his feet and switched back to the draconic language as he concluded the conversation. “I told you that you would not overcome us. Since we defeated you, our plan can continue. Now submit and your life will be spared.”</p><p></p><p>When the man had fallen to the ground Rhema approached from behind his back. At Semeion’s tone and threatening posture she glanced towards the young mage and Semeion smiled and replied to her glance with a wink of his own.</p><p></p><p>The man spat upon Semeion’s leg at the offer to submit. “You’ll need to kill me to silence me.” He tried to reach with his right hand for the sickle, but Semeion stepped in the path of his reach. Pain shot through the man’s body as he attempted to use his nearly useless shoulder. He spat once more toward Semeion before the young mage reached back and struck him hard across his face. </p><p></p><p>The blow came from Semeion’s gloved hand, but it knocked the man to the ground. Pain shot through his body as he landed on his left side. His head thumped against the ground and he lay still. Rhema approached from behind and checked the man’s vital signs.</p><p></p><p>She looked up and nodded. “He’s still alive. It feels like he’s just unconscious from the blow.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion nodded. “Well I didn’t want to kill him, but he wouldn’t submit. He had to be subdued. Now what?”</p><p></p><p>Rhema looked back up at Semeion. “We’ll tie him up for the night. When Ischarus comes back we’ll decide what to do with him. For the night we’ll get him out of the way and make him comfortable.” </p><p>[/Sblock]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Nonlethal Force, post: 3113065, member: 35788"] The sound they were waiting for didn’t take too long to come. As Rhema and Semeion sat in silence just inside the cave they heard the snap of a dried twig. After a brief moment of panic, both heads swiveled from their fearful glance deeper into the cave to a look of anticipation towards the entrance. It was much too early to expect Ischarus or Charis to be returning back to the hidden entrance. This encounter had all the potential of being one of the most dangerous moments for the success of the plan. Failure could mean the wrath of the red dragon upon them all. The unknown person entered to cave entrance. Rhema and Semeion were hidden well enough that whoever was coming was unable to see them as they looked in from the light and into the darkness. Rhema and Semeion couldn’t make out the identity of the person either on account of the backlighting from the stars and the moon above. The person appeared simply as a silhouette to both Rhema and Semeion as they hid in the cave. They did take comfort in knowing that the unknown intruder had come alone. The person stopped immediately upon crossing out of the forest and entering into the cave. Whoever it was turned around and looked back in the direction of the village before moving on. [Color=Lime]“I do this for the future, bleak as it is. I cannot let my daughter be killed in this foolhardy plan.”[/Color] The thick accent of the draconic language pulsed through the cavern. From the pitch and roughness of the voice, Rhema and Semeion determined that this person was a man. The man’s tone had a clear indication that he was trying to convince himself of the necessity of this act. Semeion spoke before Rhema could muster her own words. [Color=Plum]“You would condemn your people to save your daughter?”[/Color] Semeion’s voice broke the silence and it echoed through the entrance. The man spun around and desperately searched the entrance. Semeion continued the questioning in the draconic language from his hidden position, confusing the newcomer even further. [Color=Plum]“Your daughter likely only lives a life worth living if you turn around now and go back to the village. To continue with your plan only means your daughter lives in slavery.”[/Color] The man desperately searched the inside of the cave entrance. He stepped forward into the cave a single step in an attempt to escape the relative brightness of the entrance. His language changed to the language spoke in the lands outside of Quehalost and Rhema sighed in relief that the man could speak a language that she spoke. [Color=Lime]“No, my daughter survives if the plan is foiled. My wife survives if the plan is stopped right now. My unborn child manages to see the day of its birth if the plan is stopped right now!”[/Color] Rhema let out a little laugh. [Color=PaleGreen]“And what life will they have? If you go to your dragon father now with the information you have, the wrath of your dragon father will know no end. Do you think your people will be spared?”[/Color] The frustration in the man’s voice rang through the cave. Rhema and Semeion both feared it would be loud enough to wake the dragon above them. [Color=Lime]“I have no choice!”[/Color] The man stepped forward as he made his assertion and interrupted Rhema. [Color=Lime]“You cannot escape the grasp of our dragon father! You might be able to smuggle a few of our people out, but if we all leave our dragon father will wait patiently until we emerge on the other side of the mountains. Wherever we emerge we will be seen from the air. Don’t you get that?”[/Color] As the man stepped forward another step Semeion recognized the man. His eyes darted over to where he knew Rhema was hiding as soon as he figured out who it was, but he was unable to see Rhema in the darkness. [Color=Plum]“Do you think you can save her from the dragon’s own mouth?”[/Color] The man laughed as the irony of Semeion’s words reached him. [Color=Lime]“You think you can! I think my way is easier.”[/Color] Semeion didn’t let Rhema join the conversation as he continued the verbal pressure. [Color=Plum]“We don’t plan on sacrificing dozens of lives at her expense! We plan on rescuing not only her, but you and everyone else back in that village!”[/Color] As Semeion spoke his enthusiasm accidentally drew him out of hiding. He gestured with his hand and rose ever so slightly out of his crouch. The gesture and the slight rise was enough to give Semeion’s location away to the man who was now standing only a few feet away. In an instant the man pulled out the sickle that he used to harvest grains in his father dragon’s fields. Semeion was quicker on the draw with his magic, however. [Color=Plum]“Thin-tok”[/Color] The familiar words easily came to his mind. Blue sparks ignited along Semeion’s elbow and shot toward his hand. In an instant they congregated along his fingers and leapt forward to form a ball only six inches from his hand. The blue ball of energy lit Semeion’s face for just an instant before springing forward and striking the man. As the ball flashed across the cave Rhema recognize the man as well. The energy ball struck the man and knocked him back a step. It wasn’t enough to knock him completely off-balance and the man charged Semeion’s position with fury in his eyes. The man slashed forward with a furious cut as the sickle sliced through the air. Semeion used the darkness to his advantage and ducked into a shadow. The sound of metal striking rock above Semeion’s head rang out and echoed through the cave entrance. Rhema knew that Semeion wouldn’t be able to take too many attacks. She also knew that she couldn’t take too many attacks, either. She stood up, revealing her position to the man and spoke with the calming presence that Semeion had learned meant she attempting to influence the man’s mind. [Color=PaleGreen]“We had this discussion in Xando’s home. We agreed that we can save your daughter and her unborn dragon children. There’s no need to disbelieve us. I have promised that I would either save your daughter or die trying.”[/Color] The man scoffed at Rhema’s attempt to influence his mind. [Color=Lime]“Do you honestly think that your mind tricks can work on me as they did the traitor that you stole from us? If she weren’t such a weak minded individual we would not be in this situation at all!”[/Color] As the man spoke, Semeion yanked his finely crafted rapier out of its scabbard and lined up a strike. The hit was only a glancing blow, but it did manage to cut the man and draw blood through his robe. The man let out a quick curse and sucked in a deep breath. His return strike was parried by Semeion’s rapier as the curved blade of the sickle wrapped around the flexible blade of Semeion’s rapier. Semeion couldn’t help but smile at his ability to wield the weapon with apparent skill against the villager. Rhema continued talking. [Color=PaleGreen]“Listen to me. Your daughter might be the new Provenience, but we can give her freedom. We can give you the opportunity to live in freedom with her and watch your dragon born grandchildren grow up apart from the wrath of your dragon father. Don’t you want that for your daughter, her children, your wife, your own unborn child, and the rest of the village?”[/Color] The man snarled again at Rhema’s attempt to influence his mind. [Color=Lime]“I told you to get out of my mind, witch. Now I mean it, or I’ll skewer you after I finish with this one!”[/Color] Semeion didn’t take kindly to the man’s words. His rapier flashed forward once more, slicing into the man’s right shoulder. The man dropped his sickle out of the pain and crumpled to the floor. Semeion rose to his feet and switched back to the draconic language as he concluded the conversation. [Color=Plum]“I told you that you would not overcome us. Since we defeated you, our plan can continue. Now submit and your life will be spared.”[/Color] When the man had fallen to the ground Rhema approached from behind his back. At Semeion’s tone and threatening posture she glanced towards the young mage and Semeion smiled and replied to her glance with a wink of his own. The man spat upon Semeion’s leg at the offer to submit. [Color=Lime]“You’ll need to kill me to silence me.”[/Color] He tried to reach with his right hand for the sickle, but Semeion stepped in the path of his reach. Pain shot through the man’s body as he attempted to use his nearly useless shoulder. He spat once more toward Semeion before the young mage reached back and struck him hard across his face. The blow came from Semeion’s gloved hand, but it knocked the man to the ground. Pain shot through his body as he landed on his left side. His head thumped against the ground and he lay still. Rhema approached from behind and checked the man’s vital signs. She looked up and nodded. [Color=PaleGreen]“He’s still alive. It feels like he’s just unconscious from the blow.”[/Color] Semeion nodded. [Color=Plum]“Well I didn’t want to kill him, but he wouldn’t submit. He had to be subdued. Now what?”[/Color] Rhema looked back up at Semeion. [Color=PaleGreen]“We’ll tie him up for the night. When Ischarus comes back we’ll decide what to do with him. For the night we’ll get him out of the way and make him comfortable.”[/Color] [Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section] The sound they were waiting for didn’t take too long to come. As Rhema and Semeion sat in silence just inside the cave they heard the snap of a dried twig. After a brief moment of panic, both heads swiveled from their fearful glance deeper into the cave to a look of anticipation towards the entrance. It was much too early to expect Ischarus or Charis to be returning back to the hidden entrance. This encounter had all the potential of being one of the most dangerous moments for the success of the plan. Failure could mean the wrath of the red dragon upon them all. The unknown person entered to cave entrance. Rhema and Semeion were hidden well enough that whoever was coming was unable to see them as they looked in from the light and into the darkness. Rhema and Semeion couldn’t make out the identity of the person either on account of the backlighting from the stars and the moon above. The person appeared simply as a silhouette to both Rhema and Semeion as they hid in the cave. They did take comfort in knowing that the unknown intruder had come alone. The person stopped immediately upon crossing out of the forest and entering into the cave. Whoever it was turned around and looked back in the direction of the village before moving on. “I do this for the future, bleak as it is. I cannot let my daughter be killed in this foolhardy plan.” The thick accent of the draconic language pulsed through the cavern. From the pitch and roughness of the voice, Rhema and Semeion determined that this person was a man. The man’s tone had a clear indication that he was trying to convince himself of the necessity of this act. Semeion spoke before Rhema could muster her own words. “You would condemn your people to save your daughter?” Semeion’s voice broke the silence and it echoed through the entrance. The man spun around and desperately searched the entrance. Semeion continued the questioning in the draconic language from his hidden position, confusing the newcomer even further. “Your daughter likely only lives a life worth living if you turn around now and go back to the village. To continue with your plan only means your daughter lives in slavery.” The man desperately searched the inside of the cave entrance. He stepped forward into the cave a single step in an attempt to escape the relative brightness of the entrance. His language changed to the language spoke in the lands outside of Quehalost and Rhema sighed in relief that the man could speak a language that she spoke. “No, my daughter survives if the plan is foiled. My wife survives if the plan is stopped right now. My unborn child manages to see the day of its birth if the plan is stopped right now!” Rhema let out a little laugh. “And what life will they have? If you go to your dragon father now with the information you have, the wrath of your dragon father will know no end. Do you think your people will be spared?” The frustration in the man’s voice rang through the cave. Rhema and Semeion both feared it would be loud enough to wake the dragon above them. “I have no choice!” The man stepped forward as he made his assertion and interrupted Rhema. “You cannot escape the grasp of our dragon father! You might be able to smuggle a few of our people out, but if we all leave our dragon father will wait patiently until we emerge on the other side of the mountains. Wherever we emerge we will be seen from the air. Don’t you get that?” As the man stepped forward another step Semeion recognized the man. His eyes darted over to where he knew Rhema was hiding as soon as he figured out who it was, but he was unable to see Rhema in the darkness. “Do you think you can save her from the dragon’s own mouth?” The man laughed as the irony of Semeion’s words reached him. “You think you can! I think my way is easier.” Semeion didn’t let Rhema join the conversation as he continued the verbal pressure. “We don’t plan on sacrificing dozens of lives at her expense! We plan on rescuing not only her, but you and everyone else back in that village!” As Semeion spoke his enthusiasm accidentally drew him out of hiding. He gestured with his hand and rose ever so slightly out of his crouch. The gesture and the slight rise was enough to give Semeion’s location away to the man who was now standing only a few feet away. In an instant the man pulled out the sickle that he used to harvest grains in his father dragon’s fields. Semeion was quicker on the draw with his magic, however. “Thin-tok” The familiar words easily came to his mind. Blue sparks ignited along Semeion’s elbow and shot toward his hand. In an instant they congregated along his fingers and leapt forward to form a ball only six inches from his hand. The blue ball of energy lit Semeion’s face for just an instant before springing forward and striking the man. As the ball flashed across the cave Rhema recognize the man as well. The energy ball struck the man and knocked him back a step. It wasn’t enough to knock him completely off-balance and the man charged Semeion’s position with fury in his eyes. The man slashed forward with a furious cut as the sickle sliced through the air. Semeion used the darkness to his advantage and ducked into a shadow. The sound of metal striking rock above Semeion’s head rang out and echoed through the cave entrance. Rhema knew that Semeion wouldn’t be able to take too many attacks. She also knew that she couldn’t take too many attacks, either. She stood up, revealing her position to the man and spoke with the calming presence that Semeion had learned meant she attempting to influence the man’s mind. “We had this discussion in Xando’s home. We agreed that we can save your daughter and her unborn dragon children. There’s no need to disbelieve us. I have promised that I would either save your daughter or die trying.” The man scoffed at Rhema’s attempt to influence his mind. “Do you honestly think that your mind tricks can work on me as they did the traitor that you stole from us? If she weren’t such a weak minded individual we would not be in this situation at all!” As the man spoke, Semeion yanked his finely crafted rapier out of its scabbard and lined up a strike. The hit was only a glancing blow, but it did manage to cut the man and draw blood through his robe. The man let out a quick curse and sucked in a deep breath. His return strike was parried by Semeion’s rapier as the curved blade of the sickle wrapped around the flexible blade of Semeion’s rapier. Semeion couldn’t help but smile at his ability to wield the weapon with apparent skill against the villager. Rhema continued talking. “Listen to me. Your daughter might be the new Provenience, but we can give her freedom. We can give you the opportunity to live in freedom with her and watch your dragon born grandchildren grow up apart from the wrath of your dragon father. Don’t you want that for your daughter, her children, your wife, your own unborn child, and the rest of the village?” The man snarled again at Rhema’s attempt to influence his mind. “I told you to get out of my mind, witch. Now I mean it, or I’ll skewer you after I finish with this one!” Semeion didn’t take kindly to the man’s words. His rapier flashed forward once more, slicing into the man’s right shoulder. The man dropped his sickle out of the pain and crumpled to the floor. Semeion rose to his feet and switched back to the draconic language as he concluded the conversation. “I told you that you would not overcome us. Since we defeated you, our plan can continue. Now submit and your life will be spared.” When the man had fallen to the ground Rhema approached from behind his back. At Semeion’s tone and threatening posture she glanced towards the young mage and Semeion smiled and replied to her glance with a wink of his own. The man spat upon Semeion’s leg at the offer to submit. “You’ll need to kill me to silence me.” He tried to reach with his right hand for the sickle, but Semeion stepped in the path of his reach. Pain shot through the man’s body as he attempted to use his nearly useless shoulder. He spat once more toward Semeion before the young mage reached back and struck him hard across his face. The blow came from Semeion’s gloved hand, but it knocked the man to the ground. Pain shot through his body as he landed on his left side. His head thumped against the ground and he lay still. Rhema approached from behind and checked the man’s vital signs. She looked up and nodded. “He’s still alive. It feels like he’s just unconscious from the blow.” Semeion nodded. “Well I didn’t want to kill him, but he wouldn’t submit. He had to be subdued. Now what?” Rhema looked back up at Semeion. “We’ll tie him up for the night. When Ischarus comes back we’ll decide what to do with him. For the night we’ll get him out of the way and make him comfortable.” [/Sblock] [/QUOTE]
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