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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Alcareru" data-source="post: 1311108" data-attributes="member: 14718">The long dark shape snapped its great jaw down upon Verrus's right arm. The thief grunted in pain and surprise, falling backward into the water. Emily shrieked in horror as the moonlight revealed a large crocodile thrusting out of the water, pulling on the Nemedian's limb. Like a panther, Grimir dived atop the creature, closing his great arms around the beast's scaly body. With a cry, Yalla also fell upon the crocodile near its tail. The crocodile thrashed and jumped as the two attempted to restrain it. Verrus fell backwards, stabbing with the dagger in his free hand. The croc's tail struck Yalla throwing the young man into the water. The animal released it grip on Verrus as it jumped to escape the clutches of the Vanir. With bestial ferocity Grimir struck the crocodile with his fist upon the head and eye. The reptile spun away from Grimir and turned; as it did Verrus stabbed with all his strength. The dagger plunged into the crocodile's head up to the hilt. With a snap of its jaws, the wounded animal dived beneath the water to escape. Verrus sat in the water, groaning in pain. Yalla helped his friend up on the landing into the moonlight. The Nemedian's arm was ringed with crimson stripes from elbow to wrist. "Damnable thing" Verrus grunted, "beast of Stygia and its rivers curse them all. I am lucky to still have the arm. Its cracked but not broken I think." He wiggled his fingers hopefully. "Lost the dagger" he noted. Yalla removed his tunic and began tearing it to bandage the bleeding wound. Emily assissted, averting her eyes from Yalla who stood now dressed only in a loincloth.  "We'll need something better soon,but this will have to do for now" Yalla commented. "That crocodile must have been old and feeble not to catch you Verrus, or perhaps it didnt like the taste of you." The younger man forced a smile toward his older friend. Grimir stood still as a statue in the water looking into the darkness, almost as if challenging the animal to return. Satisfied it would not, he strode up the steps pausing only to inspect the arm of Verrus. "You will survive" he commented, entering the archway. Inside the doorway on the side wall the barbarian found foot and handholds that lead upward toward the moonlight. Without looking back he climbed. Fifteen feet later, Grimir's head emerged from a square opening in the stone floor of a room. Moonlight shone through several holes in the roof; bits of masonry and wood littered the floor. Only a single chair occupied the room. The room had but a single closed heavy door, flanked by two round porthole like windows that had neither pane or shutter.  With only his head exposed he remained at the top of the ladder, alert, his body tensed for action. He listened and heard the wind rustle through trees outside and the call of night birds. He took a deep breath through his nose, then slowly descended to the others. "We have come out at a blockhouse. I'll wager we are in the old canal gardens between the Outer and Inner Citadel." Emily looked up."Did you look? Is it safe here?" "No need. I smelled the stench of the canal and the tiger plants." He replied. "I have been here before-this is as safe a place as any in the Citadel. Patrols rarely come around the canals. The temple lies beyond the wall in the Inner Citadel. Mitra's Temple, where Catallus lives." He smiled. "Beyond that is the Royal Compound." Yalla stood."We cannot leave yet. Verrus must rest." Grimir nodded. "We rest in the blockhouse today and tonight. Then we visit the priest." Grimir's smile broadened. "I would like to have words with him without bars between us. We should not be missed from the cells at any rate for a long time- I doubt the Coritinhians will waste labor to rescue prisoners from a dungeon." Verrus sat back. "Sounds good to me. But then we'll need food-and weapons." "Rest then," Grimir added. "I'll keep first watch. Unless Emily Brightwell possesses any magics to conjure those things..." the Vanir's words trailed off as he looked at Emily. The woman saw a look of fear flash in the man's eyes for a spilt second. Quietly he ascended the ladder.</blockquote>

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