When the three of them hustled to the new alleyway, Gwyn led the others to quickly turn the corner. Once out of sight, she silently signaled Cicero to quickly come follow her one way while sending out an illusion of the three of them to go the other way, glad that Dalious had decided not to struggle too much, even if his grunts made her wince from the noise they still made and that she did that in the first place.
Hopefully, their follower would end up following the illusion instead of them. If not, Gwyn would need to come up with a different plan since major illusions like that were energy intensive. While the zig-zagging streets helped, neither she or Cicero really knew where they were heading and Dalious would have his work cut out for him if he noticed that they were heading someplace dangerous. Perhaps if they found the market, they could blend into the crowd? Gwyn keep her ears alert to see if she could hear market sounds.
(@The Muse Roll to see if Nylah falls for the ruse.)
Another turn and they would come in sight of the market. People as far as the eyes could see, all going about their business whatever it may be. Dalious paused from his group, separating himself for mere moments as he was finally capable of knocking off the block of ice that Gwyn put upon his mouth. When he looked up there after, he had lost his comrades in a crowd of people.
None of them in sight, the first thing he found was a direct slap in the face. He shook his head clear to see a beautiful red headed woman, one he had recognized slightly. Her name was Elizabeth and she was, at least last he remembered, a working whore.
"Aww, my love!!" He exclaimed.
"Don't talk to me like we're in kindness you rubbish piece of shite!!"she yelled back, slapping him one more time across his cheek. "You horrible excuse for a man! You owe me a fine sum you miserable wank!"
Dalious looked around for an out, but his new friends seemed to disappear. "You never paid me for that time we did the naught, running away like a thief newborn child!! You owe me some coin!!! Now!"
"Didn't I pay that in love??....love?" He asked, trying to remember who in the hell she was. Unfortunately, he soon remembered after one more slap to the face.
"You had me and then stole back the money you owed me you right piece of shit!" she yelled.
"Aww, the memory is a bit fuzzy.."
She slapped him again.
"Listen, love...umm...Ellie??"
"Elizabeth!!". She slapped him again.
"Right..." His cheek was turned red. "I'm sorry love...no need to worry. I've got your money here...". He handed over what the newcomer woman they had just met had handed him.
"It's a bit short,"Elizabeth said. "But...it will do... don't let me find you again."
Dalious nodded in agreement. "Ma'am."
Once she finally walked away, he looked around for his companions again. He found himself lost in a sea of people.
"That damned elf... I knew she wasn't what she pretends to be!"
Nylah quickly glanced back and forth between two alleyways on her right and left. Both had the group of three trying to leave the vicinity; an obvious illusion. The only thing that didn't appear obvious was which one was reality. If anything, the other elf was good with her craft. This spell appeared to be very convincing.
"Shit..."
With nothing to go on, Nylah followed the group heading west. "Wait! I swear I can be of use to you. I just want to travel and see all the wonderful things I've heard about!" She called out after them, though there was no reaction from anyone. This was suspicious, but it was too late now. She had to follow this through or be left with absolutely nothing, the other group would have made their way down several different pathways by now, if they were smart. It seemed like the were, unfortunately for Nylah.
She began to walk faster in an effort to catch up to the group. Raising her voice to make sure she was heard, she called out again. "I'll do anything!" That line typically peaked the interest of filthy pirates like Dalious.... and yet, nothing. Not even a side-eye.
"If you'll just give me one momen-" Nylah reached out to grab Dalious' hand, intending to stop him from being dragged away by the other two. Her hand fell right through the illusion.
"Of course..." She'd been bested by magic. Silently she cursed under her breath and swiveled on heel, bolting in the other direction. She'd have to see if she could catch up to the group that she'd lost track of. The price on Dalious' head would be worth the trouble of tracking them down.
Upon entering the alleyway that she had seen the other group leaving from she began to search for higher ground. Without a birds eye view, her chances of spotting them were slim to none. A few blocks in Nylah found a wooden trellis covered with ivy that would allow her to scale the side of the building to reach the roof. Carefully, making sure that it would hold up under her weight, Nylah made her way to the top of what seemed to be another pub by the sounds coming from inside.
A few minutes in she reached the roof, breathing a sigh of relief that the trellis hadn't crumbled under her. Now was the hard part...
Her emerald eyes scanned the area feverishly, looking for the strangers but finding mostly buildings obstructing her view and more dark alleyways. Further east was the market and she could see that it was buzzing with people. "Blend in plain sight..." Words that had been told to her over and over echoed through her mind. If they were as smart as she was beginning to suspect, they would be there. It was going to be difficult to find them in the crowd, but she had to try.
Quickly, Nylah made her way back down to the ground. Best not to be seen jumping from roof tops. Once on land again Nylah began to run as fast as her feet would take her towards the market. They had to be there... somewhere.
The illusion worked and they lost their pursuer. "Very convincing Freda. You even had me fooled." He smirked at the elf. Then Dalious separated himself for a few moments and was swallowed by the crowd. Cicero glanced around and addressed Gwyn, "...I lost him.." The knight scratched his head in frustration. They would need a better vantage point to glean information from the crowd.
"Over here." Cicero led the way to a market stall selling various vegetables. He began to pick them up and inspect them individually. A certain head of lettuce apparently interested him. Cicero wasn't very good about keeping disguises. Hopefully they could stay here long enough to find Dalious and get out without the woman spotting them. Cyrano addressed stall owner, "How much for this?"
"Thank you Cyrano," she quietly replied. Now they just had to get to the ship and...
"...I lost him..."
She whipped around, "What do you mean you lost..." And indeed, Dalious had vanished into the crowd. "Rats! We better find him." She quickly tried to spy him through the crowd, but even her sharp elven eyes had a hard time piercing through a herd of people.
"Over here." called Cicero and Gwyn followed behind him to the vegetable seller. No good in them being split up now and she could hopefully have an easier time spying through the crowd from a stall, especially while Cicero covered their bases by appearing busy.
As he asked for a head of lettuce, the short, sharp human woman apprised him for his his probable worth through her spectacles. Then she crossed her arms. "10 copper."
Is Cicero going to want to haggle? Pay full price? Or act as if he's still looking? Or something else?
The sea of people was indeed large and noisy, with hawkers proclaiming their wares, buyers buying, bartering, and selling, pickpockets running about, and shady deals happening in the cover of the crowd. Some of the stalls at least were quieter and gave a better vantage for seeing the potential customers around.
How does Dalious approach the situation? Blindly searching the crowd, choosing a stall for a better vantage, or do something else?
Once Nylah arrived at the market, she could see that people were as thick as flies as far as the eye could see. And with the diversity of groups within the crowd, it wasn't going to be a picnic to spot the three strangers. How does Nylah go about finding her quarry then? Climbing up to a roof for a bird's eye view? Manually hunting through the crowd? Asking a nearby seller if they'd seen anyone of the group? Or something else?
The pirate smiled as he blended into the crowd. He propped up on a stool and looked back at his ex mistress just to see the look on her face when she realized she had been had. Her face beamed red as she spun around in anger.
"Ha!" Dalious grunted and then mixed back in with the people. With a quick slight of hand he gave her a bag full of rocks, he always had a decoy for just this situation.
He had lost the others, however, he knew where they were heading. Wouldn't be long before they figured out the way back. He'd simply just await their return from the ship. So long as no more distractions arose...
When he reached the docks, he quickly got distracted by a game of dice. There were a few of them playing, all crews from different vessels. He saw no harm in trying to win a few more coins while he waited the others. Besides, he was a good skipping stone or two away from their ship.
Cicero looked over the woman and replied, "Seems like a fair deal." He took 10 coppers out of his pouch and placed them in her hands. Taking hold of the head of lettuce he turned to his companion, "Any luck on spotting him?"
He really hope the man had not disappeared completely. He was the key to figuring out this town after all.
Nylah scanned the crowd as quickly as she could, standing at the edge of a sea of people moving to and from the wide variety of shops. "This is useless... Ah, screw it."
Her plan of being more discreet was immediately thrown out the window. She needed to find the group if she wanted to make any money. Standing here she wouldn't be able to tell anyone apart, especially not at her average height. With her decision made, she pushed her way through the crowd and made her way toward the docks. One of the ships sails ought to provide her with enough height for an aerial view of the whole marketplace. Perhaps she could even figure out which ship belonged to the outlaw.
"'Scuse me... 'scuse me... pardon..." Nylah muttered under her breath as she maneuvered her way through the crowd, not exactly sorry about pushing people out of her direct path to the port. "On your left..." She slid herself in between two burly men as she reached the other side of the crowd of people, her eyes suddenly catching a group of men sitting around a table for a game of dice. Lo and behold - there was her bounty! She grinned, relieved that she hadn't had to climb a sail just yet. Time to put on the facade again.
"There you are!" She exclaimed in her most girlish tone, hurrying over to his side. "You're a hard man to get a moment with, aren't you?" She refrained from saying his name out loud to be heard by so many ears; you never knew who exactly could be listening. The men around the table looked up from the game, eyeing the elf up and down with curiosity. "I was hoping you would just give me a chance. I promise I could be of use on your crew!"
Dalious lost everything. All the earnings, and plus the coin he got back from that one mysterious red headed elf lady. He was on his last bet, but luckily for him it was the winning kind.
"I'm all in," Dalious said to the gamblers surrounding him.
"All in?? You have nothing left," one of them said. "You're down to nearly nothing... especially nothing we want!"
Dalious was drunk at this point, but still aware. He was seconds away from putting the ship on the line, so sure he would win everything. However, then the red headed beauty of an elf showed up. She seemed to plead to join his crew, all eyes on her.
"She's mine," Dalious said, looking at his fellow gamblers, and also pointing at her boobs. "I'll bet her."
"Deal!!"
They dropped their dice. Dalious won...not only did he win, but he won everything back. The pirate sighed relief as the others walked away in grief. He then put his full attention on the elf.
"Absolutely you can join my crew, especially after helping me with that win," he told her. "But don't be fooled love, I'm not an idiot. I know what your after."
Dalious started walking toward the ship.
"You're after my good looks, and I can't blame you....care to join me? This is, after all, MY ship! Let me show you around."
He was hesitant to break from dock with or without the others, after all he barely knew any of them. Though, for now, he was just living in the moment.
"None," Gwyneria declared. "And I'm not sure how to proceed from here. He may have just gone to the ship, or he may be someplace else, or captured or..."
What option does Cicero take? Continue to search, go to the ship, or stay where they are?
"Let's head back to the ship then. We should get in contact with Dalious if he is still with us." Cicero begins heading back towards the ship with Gwyn.
If she would follow him to the ship, then his plan would most certainly come into play. Dalious was a fool, especially around women, but he wasn't a blind fool. He knew this one was after something, and he planned to find out exactly what.
Keeping with his character, he showed off the deck of the ship. He would imply to bring her down further, show her the captain's chambers. Firstly, however, he wanted to bring her below deck and show her the brig. His secret plan was to trick her into the cell, lock it, then wait on the others.
"This is where my old crew kept me enslaved," he said, pointing at the caged cell barely big enough for three. "But this is my ship! They didn't know I had a way out from the beginning. If you look inside closely, ill show you..."
He waited in hopes she would enter so he could lock her in. If not, he'd have to keep his facade going a bit longer. 'Where are the others already!?' he thought to himself.
Nylah raised her eyebrows in shock, looking back over to the pirates who had immediately took the bet. "You don't own-"
She caught her self mid sentence, realizing that her true self was coming out just then instead of the bumbling fan-girl that she was trying to play. Luckily, the game was over in mere seconds and Dalious had won everything back. She began watching him curiously, "Did he hustle them just now? Is he trying to play with me? Perhaps he is not at dimwitted as he pretends to be..."
With this notion in mind, it began to make sense why the price on his head would have been set so high. Never underestimate your opponents!
"I'm so happy you won, Dalious, sir!" She beamed with delight, "Thank you for letting me join your crew! I will be the best crew mate you've ever-"
"But don't be fooled love, I'm not an idiot. I know what your after."
Surely he was playing with her. Fortunately she was quick on her feet in instances like this, and it did not throw her feigned character just yet. "What I'm... after?"
"You're after my good looks, and I can't blame you....care to join me? This is, after all, MY ship! Let me show you around."
She didn't buy it, but she'd play his game and with that she let out a hearty laugh. "Oh, don't make me blush!"
Nylah began to follow him around the ship, making mental notes about any possible escape routes while also keeping an eye on the man. He was good at playing dumb, that was sure. Most people in his life must have underestimated him, and that must have been a key factor in what led him to lead this pirates lifestyle.
"This is where my old crew kept me enslaved, but this is my ship! They didn't know I had a way out from the beginning. If you look inside closely, ill show you..."
"Look inside... closely..." His phrasing made her feel uneasy. She would not be walking into that cell. If he wanted to capture her, he'd have to find another way. Nylah would not openly walk into a trap like some innocent hare walking into the hunters arms.
"I'll admit, these sort of things do frighten me." She stepped away from the cell and looked around, "I can't believe that they would do that to you!" She turned to look at him again, a light smile on her face. "I swear I wouldn't." She winked, her smile turning into a smirk. "Can you show me the.. captain's quarters?"
The knight Cicero Bladewalker of Alvion, home from a long campaign against demonfolk, was invited by a mysterious dark cloaked figure to participate in a nearby tournament against the demonfolk berserker Rakkath. In the process, he met Gwyneria of Isper, a mage searching the world for more knowledge of spells, while she was employed as a tournament healer. The two resolved together to find out more about the mage after the tournament was done, but then the king was assassinated with Cicero’s sword, leaving the two accused of his murder.
With the help of the mysterious Graves, the two escaped the arena and wound up on a pirate ship, where they helped the infamous Dalious retake his ship from his mutinous crew then sailed with him to Port Raventine on the Knight’s Isles. There, they set out to find out more about the bounties on their head and what leads they should follow elsewhere, but Gwyn and Cicero became separated from the other two which leads to this very moment.
The cloaked duo made their way through the muddy streets of Raventine. The market was bustling with commotion. The man asked, "Do you sense them?" A small pause before he heard a feminine voice reply, "They are here." He nodded with a glint in his eye, "We'll have them before supper, dear sister." Her eyes began to emanate an aura of power as she managed to spot them. Energy slowly oozed out from her, "No unnecessary casualties." She said with venom in her voice, "The king must be avenged."
(Roll d20+4 to sense the power 21, success)
Gwyneria stilled a moment, feeling the magic waft through in its approach. Far too soothing and far too…draining. She quickly grabbed Cicero’s hand. “We need to get out of here.” Then started to run.
Cicero raised an eyebrow inquisitively, but nonetheless followed with haste. He clutched his head of lettuce like it was some precious artifact. He whispered, "What's going on?"
The cloaked man sighed in annoyance. "They aren't easy to sneak up on are they?" The half elven woman's eyes glowed in rage as the power shot out like a torrential downpour. Most of the crowd collapsed to the ground immediately. A few individuals struggled to remain standing, but there was an open path for them to catch up. As well as allow her brother his opportunity to strike.
The brother smiled. “Great job, sis.” Then drew his longsword, his eyes smoldering like hot coals. Then with a roar, he charged forward, holding the longsword in both hands.
Cicero’s eyes widened as he spotted the hooded figure dash across the market sword drawn. He released himself from Gwyn's hand. He himself felt a little slower than before for whatever reason. Cicero took a single bite from the lettuce and threw it at the assailant. Then he drew his longsword and continued to follow Gwyn, guarding their rear. "We've got company!" He yelled in between chewing.
“I know!” She cast a small sheet of ice down on the ground behind Cicero’s steps. “Just, whatever happens, don’t fall asleep!”
The half-elf followed her brother and began chanting in some ancient elven tongue.
Gwyneria rolls 1d20 hearing gets a 17 success)
She recognizes the language as that of a very powerful weapon enchantment.
Twin Brother rolls 1d20 + 4 to avoid the ice, getting a 23 success
The brother sliced through the thrown cabbage, then gripped his sword tighter, he leapt over the ice he spotted out of the corner of his eye then lunged for Cicero. “Stand and fight, traitor!”
“Watch out for his sword!” Gwyn called out.
Cicero nodded and turned his shield which was on his back toward the lunge to absorb the strike.
Rolled an 8 Strength, failure.
Unfortunately, the enemy was too fast and by the time he began to turn, the lightning from the enemy's blade made contact with Cicero’s cloak. A powerful stream of electricity shot through the knight. His magic resistant shield helped to absorb some of the power, but Cicero was stunned.
The half Elf snickered to herself, "You're next, witch! I saw how you started the rain that fell and cloaked your murderous intent on our honorable King!" She drew her own short sword and began to enchant it as well. Muttering to herself.
Gwyn's eyes widened. What to do, what to do? Whatever they did, they certainly couldn't stay here. She wrapped an arm around Cicero as the man raised his sword to strike again. She focused on the sunlight around, then had it explode into a blinding light in front of the twins before teleporting with Cicero up to the nearby roof. She breathed heavily from overexertion. That illusion before had been the right move in hindsight, but it left them vulnerable here. If she couldn't figure out what to do before the enemy realized where they were now…
Aldebrand: 1d20 + 2 = 14 for blindness, only blind for a second. Seeing where they are: 1d20 + 3 = 11, failure.
The man quickly shook off the blinding light, only to look around in surprise. "Where'd they go?!"
Girl rolls 1d20+3, 10 failure
"Ghahh! That witch! I'll have her head!!" She screamed, clutching her eyes. Then she stumbled in the general direction of her brother.
Cicero shook off the electrical stun muttering, "Thanks." He glanced down at his companion with concern. She was gassed from the quick succession of spells. Without another word he hoisted her over his shoulder and ran across the rooftops toward the harbor.
(1d20, 11 fail)
Cicero mis stepped and fell over between a larger building gap. He just managed to grip the side of the next roof, clutching Gwyn in his other arm as he smacked against the side of the building. "Ugh!"
"Cicero?" She scrambled up to the roof ledge, then reached down for him. "You alright?"
"Cyrano, and I’m fine." His pride smarting as he took hold of her forearm. Then he hoisted himself onto the roof looking back, "We'd better get moving."
"Right." She looked towards the harbor. "Back to the ship?"
Cicero nodded, running once more. Gwyn ran with him as they made their escape.
The man grabbed his sister's hand, staring in concern. "You okay, Astrae? If that witch hurt you, I swear…"
"I'm fine!" She shrieked, "Did you see where they went, Aldebrand? Their auras are getting further from us!"
"I didn't." He spat out, looking around. "That light flashed and they just vanished."
She cursed their misfortune. "I must refocus to find their trail once more…"
As Cicero and Gwyn hopped over the rooftops, they spotted The Libertalia not far from them on the harbor. However…It was no longer docked. It had begun heading out to sea. Cicero groaned, "I was hoping our captain wasn't some backstabbing swindler like his crew. I hope Graves is okay."
"Graves should be able to handle himself." She rested a hand on his shoulder. "Are you going to be alright though without your armor?"
Cicero sighed, "There are worse things. My steed for example. I can always get another set of armor. But Merlin is one of a kind. As for us.." He paused, "I think we should find another ship. I know just the place we could go for work." Cicero pulled his hood over his head and glanced at Gwyn with a smirk, "Tell me, Freda, do you like the sand?"
She tilted her head in curiosity. ”Sand…? I can’t say that I have much real experience with it to know either way.”
”You will.” He said with a grin, ”I know some folks.” He led the way toward the docks with Gwyn in tow.
“Hey-Ho, Jim, Felix!” The captain yelled down to the two men leaning against the ship side. “I don’t pay you for your lolly-gagging! Up the rigging and set the sail!”
“Aye, aye, Captain!” The shorter man grinned, playfully saluting before he nimbly rushed up the mast.
The taller man sighed loudly, "Aye captain.." He slowly pushed against the ship side and walked toward the rigging for the sail. His posture sagged at the shoulders and his neck was bent forward. His face had a tired, bored expression on it. How he got the job Cicero couldn't guess.
“Come on, slow poke.” The short one called down to the other one. “Last one up gets the weevils.”
Gwyn blinked. “Weevils?”
Cicero cocked his head, "I hope they're not on my cot."
The taller man shook his head and began to climb until he reached his compatriot. "One day you're going to get yourself hurt moving so fast."
The small one just grinned, looking back at him. "It won't be so bad." Then he swung out to the rigging and started unfurling the sails. "You'll be there to catch me."
The two went about doing their business as Cicero leaned over the side of the ship for a few minutes. He stared at the waves deep in thought, "So...Who do you think that hooded figure is then?"
Gwyn furrowed her brow, joining him in looking over the water. “The one that encouraged you into the tournament in the first place? Would we have enough knowledge to even guess?” A hand started fiddling with some loose strands in her hair. “True, we can be sure that he’s a powerful sorcerer and that somehow he teleported your blade into the king’s chest. But other than that, we cannot be sure who he is, what he is, what his motives are, or why the king seemed to perhaps recognize his work.”
Gwyn’s roll: 1d20 + 0 = 8. Fail
Maybe if she had more of that potion from before, she could…She shook her head. How could that possibly help here?
Cicero sighed, "Do any of your contacts in magic have a way of discerning this type of thing? Certainly a mage of his level could not remain concealed forever. Perhaps there is a list of most powerful users somewhere." He turned to Gwyn empathetically, "Pray tell me there is.."
She pursed her lips. “It would depend on where he studied, and if he was open with the amount of power…I’m not sure I could even rely on my own contacts, as they are. My peers and professors are by and large still within Ispar. They may not care that much about what happens in Alvion, but if they still may care about, my being branded a criminal…” Her eyes went out into the horizon, growing distant in its stare.
Cicero turned again to the waves and rubbed his eyes in frustration, "Perhaps there's some thread tying his exploits. Rhakkar the demonfolk is all I can think of. Roh was savaged by their ilk. A faint lead to be sure, but the only one we've got.."
"Yes…Do you think they would know?"
"Perhaps." He replied, "We can only try."
She blinked. “Oh, certainly with them…My apologies, I was wondering about someone else.”
Cicero looked inquisitively, "Who do you mean?"
“My parents…” She pursed her lips. “Of course, I don’t know if they’d even know. It’s not like they are the type who’d commonly look at bounties and the like. But if they heard news that I was on the run after a king’s assassination...How would they even respond to that? Would they believe it? Decry it as false? Would they worry I was mixed up in some dark crowd? They were worried when I told them I wanted to explore the world on my own. This could only prove those worries correct.”
Cicero scratched his 5 o clock shadow, "Where are they now? Could we get ahold of them?"
“...They should still be at home, in Ispar.” She looked to him. “Surely we couldn’t just send them a letter.”
He frowned, "Without it being intercepted…unsure. Don't you mages have some kind of hand wavy magic message powers to relay pertinent information? I don't know. Like a family heirloom you can make glow or whatnot!?" He shrugged struggling for some idea that would help their predicament. He really had very little idea about how magic worked. It seemed like something that would take years to understand even the most rudimentary theories about it.
She blinked, then let out a laugh. “No-No…That sort of thing typically requires a seeing stone of some kind. Or many, many, many more years of study and learning.” Then she shook herself. “I do know some that could speak right into others’ minds. But that required either years of knowing the other person, the other person to be nearby, and/or having the innate sense on how to do so in the first place. That I never had, though I do hope to see if I could figure it out eventually. None of that though would help with contacting my parents.”
Cicero frowned. He scratched his chin again in thought. Then his eyes widened, "How about a coded message? Something only your parents would understand, but knew was you."
Gwyn hummed. “Perhaps…Thank you.”
“Come on, Jim!” The hobbit shouted from up above. “If I didn’t know better, I’d mistake you for a land-lubber!”
Jim grunted in response as he yanked the sail with surprising force. It seemed that if he put in the effort he could accomplish a lot.
Cicero glanced back from the two sailors and replied, "Well, we're in this together aren't we?" His tone was serious, but his face was kind.
“Yes…” She swallowed, then rested a hand on his on the railing. “We’re in this together.”
He took hold of her hand firmly and smiled. Her's seemed so small and delicate in his, yet he sensed a faint energy emanating within. Like the power of a storm, or whirlwind, lied dormant just under the surface. Ready to be unleashed at her command. The same power could be used for good or I'll, yet Cicero knew very little about her. That will come in time. He thought. They were on a life and death journey together. Their destinies forever intertwined. Without a doubt, the Kingdoms would never be the same because of it. He was sure they would get to know one another over the weeks, months or years ahead?
Suddenly he heard the shout of the Captain which snapped him out of his musings, "We've got fair winds behind our backs lads! We shan't be too long now!" He cackled boisterously.
With that the sails furled fully, catching the wind fully as the ship sliced through the sea. The seagulls called out their goodbyes, and the two were on their way to other shores. To clear their name, and find out what lay ahead.
The dusty stone gleamed under the blistering sun above. Music rang through the air from street performers while traders and locals shuffled too and fro among the store fronts, covering their head to guard their eyes. The smells of spices, fruits, and animals hung heavy in the already heated desert air, only slightly alleviated by the sea breezes coming in over the sandy beaches.
Felix swiped the sweat off his brow as the ship sailed into port. “Sure is hot here.”
Jim grunted which seemed like an acknowledgement the way Felix nodded.
Cicero took a deep breath and exhaled, "Back again. Time for a wardrobe change. I hope desert robes are your style." He grinned at Gwyn.
She pursed her lips, wiping her brow. “I believe I can manage…Do people willingly live in such heat?”
"I did." Cicero shrugged. "Now you do too. Shall I call you snowflake?" He chuckled.
Gwyn scowled then muttered to herself as she tried to shake off the discomfort.
The Captain bellowed orders as the crewmen scrambled to lower the sails. The captain smoothly cruised to the dock like a professional. Jim and Felix tied to the dock securely. Cicero checked his things and his heart sank. He whispered to Gwyn, "There's a problem…" He scratched his head, "I have no money. Did Dalius pay you for those prisoners?"
She frowned. “I know we did all get our own share from those bounties.” She reached into her bags, searching for her money pouch. “Where did yours go? Surely you didn’t spend it all buying that cabbage.”
Cicero stared abstractly in the distance as the thought occurred to him. He rested his forehead against the boat's side and stated, "It's with the Libertalia…along with my armor.." He groaned quietly under his breath.
“Rats.” She finally got the purse up, counting the coins carefully. “We’re going to have to make more somehow.”
"What kind of knight doesn't have his armor…or horse? It feels like I'm less of one every day that passes…" Cicero muttered to no one in particular.
She glanced over to him. “All that can get replaced though. But not the man…” Then she glanced out as the ship came up the pier. “Besides, your horse would be cared for back at whatever stable you left her, right?”
[color=orange]“...Yes.” He finally replied. “Merlin should be fine. Now that he’s not in any danger being around me perhaps it is for the best.” He raised his head up and said determinedly , “We will clear this whole thing up and regain our lost valor.” He thumped his fist against the ship to punctuate his remark.
“Indeed…” She double checked that all her things were in order, then straightened up. “Would there be a mailing service here?”
[color=orange]“There should be some mail birds in the town.” He replied. “Let’s do some shopping.”
“Alright…” She touched a scrap of parchment she also had in the sack before slinging it over her shoulder. “Shall we still go with Freda and Cyrano as names?”
“For now. With my friend, we won’t have to.”
Just then the Captain called out, “At last we have made it! I hope your journey was not too unbearable. A storm or two here and there, but we are here! Now…” He coughed, “The matter of the payment..”
Cicero eyed Gwyn nervously.
She simply sighed. “How much do we owe you?”
He sighed deeply. “On account of the windy journey, multiple storms..” He counted off his fingers, “Carrying obvious fugitives..”
Jim raised an eyebrow, “That would be extra..”
“A lot extra…” Felix turned around towards them.
Gwyn pursed her lips. “How much extra are we saying?”
The Captain laughed uproariously, “Hah hah hah harrr! It not be but…what do you have on ye?”
“...Tell me what you expect first.” She stared at him while reaching in and silently counting the coins within, trying to figure out for herself just how much they had. “If reasonable, we’ll pay. If not…I’m sure we can have some civil negotiations.”
He scratched his beard, “I’d say 1000 pieces for the full ride with fugitives. It’s only fair, right lads?”
Jim grunted in agreement.
“Right!” Felix remarked back.
Gwyneria frowned. Just enough, though they’d definitely need to be careful with getting anything else… Then took out the coins and sighed. "There you go."
The captain tilted his head, then went and counted the coins, before placing it into his pouch. "A pleasure doing business with the two of you."
"The pleasure is all ours, I'm sure." She hoisted her stuff up then looked to Cicero. "You know your way around from here, right?"
"Of course. This way Freda." They disembarked the ship and headed toward the town bazaar.
The two purchased appropriate desert clothing and supplies for their journey. They even had enough leftover for a single older camel. Cicero spoke the language well enough. Then they headed into the sands.
A few days' journey by camel and they arrived in the badlands. The desert was so hot and smoldering that their clothes stuck to their skin. They traveled by night to avoid the intense heat. Instead, they dealt with the freezing temperatures which Gywn was far more comfortable with.
It was about 1am when they reached Cicero’s former mercenary outpost. It stretched about a quarter of an acre. It had a barracks, 2 watchtowers, a couple of storehouses, a stable and a small perimeter fence with only a single stone gate allowing for entry. “There it is.” Cicero remarked. “Hopefully it’s not abandoned. Otherwise this will be one quick trip.”
She glanced around. "I don't know. Seems at least a place to stay…"
The gate was open and swinging in the wind oddly. It creaked as they dismounted their camel and stepped inside. “Something’s off. Can you sense anything?” Cicero inquired.
Her brow furrowed, then she closed her eyes and felt around her.
Roll: 1d20 + 1 = 19, success.
She sensed faint traces of corrupt magic emanating from the barracks.
Gwyneria breathed out in alarm. “Dark magic’s been used here.”
The duo investigated the compound. It revealed broken door frames, scratch marks on walls and arrows stuck into the watchtower. “It’s been raided..” Cicero muttered grimly. “This is the work of demonfolk. But..” He yanked an arrow from the tower, “This is good quality steel. Not something they have easy access to.”
"Why not? Couldn't they be supplied?"
"It must be someone or some group with access to a lot of resources."
Suddenly they heard the sound of moans coming from the barracks. A dozen lumbering figures spilled out of the doorway and windows. They wore rags and were disfigured. The flesh was halfway decomposed on their bodies. But yet, they were moving.
“Undeath.” Cicero stated darkly. He drew his longsword and removed his shield from his back. “We need a better position. Up the tower, NOW!” He ran toward the nearest watchtower and held his ground, jerking his head for Gwyn to climb.
Gwyn quickly scurried her way up, watching out among the undead. Finally, she made the top, honing her power. "I'm safe. Get up here!"
The first of the creatures had reached Cicero by the time Gwyn was safe. He engaged them in a flurry of strikes and repostes. It was clear they were not very tactical in their approach. They were singular in their mission: To destroy the living.
Cicero managed to lop the head off the first of the horde, but many more began to swarm before he had a chance to climb the tower. He was struggling to defend and attack. Without his full set of armor, the enemies hacked at his shield and sword relentlessly.
Manzur found himself in the opposite watchtower seeing everything going on. His ally lay wounded nearby, the reason why he had stayed there for so many days. The undeath would not let them leave. Their water and food were running low. However, the arrival of these strangers provided a perfect opportunity to leave. Would Manzur attempt an escape, or help the strangers?
Is that Cicero? It must be. The way he swings his sword, the blocking method, the posture, and the footing. Manzur recognizes that fighting style from anywhere. But what the hell is he doing here? It has been ages ever since Cicero left home for Alvion. Well - best save the questions for later.
Climbing down the watchtower, Manzur makes haste toward the strangers and his former barracks of his. The trek across the sand took little time and effort for Manzur to cross - being used to the way that sand interacts with his feet. Once arrived, the man sizes up the Undeath. Nothing more than a rabble of half-decomposed corpses with equally rusted arms and armor.
Without delay, Manzur approaches the undead with spear and shield in hand. Decades of constant bloodshed and combat had done quite the number to Manzur’s body - scars and wounds occupying various parts and bits. Thankfully, forty years of experience have allowed Manzur to keep his wits and fighting prowess in tip-top shape.
Gwyneria scowled. No way in hell was she going to let Cicero die here. Not after all that they'd been through. Not after all the times she'd healed his sorry hide! Best way to help him though was to find a way to thin out the undeath, and quickly. There was no water in the desert air though. Icicles wouldn't do the trick. And the undeath likely wouldn't care about light all that much. So within her hands, she formed a fireball then hurled it down within the midst of the undeath horde, away from the immediate area that Cicero was standing his ground.
The creatures continued bombarding Cicero, the knight was doing well to hold them off. A parry here, a thrust there, but it was becoming overwhelming. Just before he was struck, Gwyneria's fireball burned one's torso to ash and set fire to two others.
The veteran soldier charged the undeath courageously. With a deft hand he struck with his spear. Piercing through their zombie flesh. Before they even knew he was there, Manzur had already pierced two of their heads. They immediately sunk to the ground motionless.
Cicero spotted his old friend through the darkness. The light of Gwyneria's fire illuminating the immediate area. "Manzur! I feared you had joined your comrades to the grave!" Cicero continued hacking and slashing at his enemies vulnerable points.
