[IC] Fall of Vedrus

[RangerOfTheRit]

Leo looked towards the running Ironbane archer with a bored glint in his eye. He unshouldered his bow and nocked an arrow. He released his bowstring with a satisfying twang, watching as the arrow pierced the runner through the throat. "There." he said casually.

[jaybreezy]

Alexander stood there, trying to force the arrow out of his arm. He had no luck and it was deep inside his flesh. He walked up to Leo, cringing in pain. "How do I take this out? Alexander asked, blood pouring out of his wound.

[RangerOfTheRit]

Leo looked at the wound and grinned. "It went clean through. Here, bite this." He pulled an arrow from his quiver and stuck it in Alexanders mouth. He snapped the majority of the shaft off and pulled the rest through. Leo ripped one of the dead soldiers shirts and bound the wound. "Get to a Physician. They need to clean that. I have some business in Verness, just west of here so i'll see you back at camp."

[jaybreezy]

Alexander bit down hard as he felt the arrow get pulled out. He then spit the arrow out, this teeth indents showing. He nodded, rubbing his injured right arm. Taking a deep breath, he walked back to camp. "See you at camp then, my friend. Stay safe." Alexander said, not looking at the woman seemingly falling apart.

[RangerOfTheRit]

Leo mounted his stallion and spurred it west. He rode hard for 6 hours, not stopping until he arrived at Verness. Soon, he saw the lights of the village on the horizon.

[Tack]

Heidra looked fixedly at the events unfolding in front of her. Clearly escape was out of the question, and in this case not even desirable. She knew she had to stitch herself together and she doubted she would receive any assistance from the villagers. The lower classes did not tend to behave amiably toward the undead. In any case, if this half-elf had encountered a dragon, then it was possible she could get both the artifact for the cultists and a potential ally. Events outpaced her, however, as she was eventually slung on top of a horse and carried along toward the Goldenblade camp.

"You fight well," she croaked to the wounded Alexander, as she coughed out some dirt from the road. "Now I would be obliged if you would help me up, sir, and unloosed my bonds. Some of my property is in that caravan, and I would be grateful if it is returned to me."

[SaikaAnge]

The village was full of excitement and anger, everyone was carrying torches and heading towards the center. "BURN THE WITCH" they shouted repeatedly. Seralth was chained in a cage and set to watch the burning of her owner. Crim, tied to a stone pillar and surrounded by kindling, was worried about the fate of her dragon. She didn't think much of her own demise as she did her dragon's.
The chanting grew louder and then turned to chering when the mayor of the town came over and stood before her, holding his own torch.
"Tonight, this witch burns!" He yelled and was quickly followed by cheering again.

[RangerOfTheRit]

Leollys smiled as he saw the village ahead of him. However, his smile faded when he heard the villagers screaming about burning a witch. Knowing exactly what was happening, he unbuckled his armor and loosened his belts before spurring his horse forward and charging into the village. Seeing Crim tied to a post made something rise up inside of him. He felt his fingers elongate, his teeth became fangs, his hair began to cover his whole body. He leaped from his horse as the wolf took full form. He landed on the mayor and growled in his face. Leo stood and looked at the group of villagers. He roared at them, scaring some of them into running. Satisfied, he slashed Crim's bindings and tore open the door of Seralth's cage. Picking up Crim, Leo took off towards the woods.

[SaikaAnge]

The sight of it was almost incomprehensible. Leo was a wolf? She shook the thought from her mind and scanned around looking for Seralth. Not seeing her Crim whistled. Within as few seconds the dragon flu above her whining because of the creature holding her. Crim looked at the wolf, though it wasn't Leo's eyes she was looking into she could tell that he didn't mean her harm.
"Leo?" Crim asked softly hoping he would stop running now that they were in the woods.

[RangerOfTheRit]

Leo continued padding through the forest until he found his horse with his clothes and weapons. He set Crim down and moved to the other side of the horse. He transformed back to his normal self and pulled on his pants before stepping out to face Crim. "Well ... I missed you." he said with an ashamed smile plastered on his face.

[SaikaAnge]

Crim blushed a bit and looked at the ground. "We missed you too. And, thank you. For helping us." Seralth landed in Crim's lap and nuzzled her with relief. Curling up into a ball the dragon fell asleep on her lap. "So you're a... a wolf huh?" She turned to look at him but quickly looked back at the ground blushing as he was still putting his clothes back on.

[RangerOfTheRit]

Leo nodded as he buckled his cuirass back on. "I was bit when i was 15. You probably think i'm a freak right? Don't want to be anywhere near me anymore?" he looked at the ground.

[SaikaAnge]

"No, of course not." Crim said standing up, forgetting about the sleeping dragon. Seralth slid to the ground and rolled over, staying asleep. "I have a dragon, I know magic." Crim stepped closer to him. "You're no freak, I can tell you that. And I'm not scared of it or you, so why would ii leave?" She took another step closer and smiled at him.

[RangerOfTheRit]

Leo stared in her eyes, realizing in that moment that he'd never have to hide again. "Thank you." he whispered, taking a step towards her, so that their noses were touching.

[SaikaAnge]

Crim blushed a little then left a small kiss on his cheek then walked back to her dragon. "Are we going back to the camp? Or camping here?" Crim asked as she realized the sun was setting and it was beginning to get dark. "If we're leaving, we should now. The villagers are going to send a hunting party to find the wolf and their witch." She looked back at the ground. She had never been called a witch before. She was usually welcomed and Seralth too, or Seralth stayed at the cave. How was she supposed to know that if she showed a young girl a glittering apparition of a constellation brought to life, that they would burn her. Looking back toward Leo, she awaited his decision.

[RangerOfTheRit]

Leo smiled. "We'll ride for an hour. Then camp by the river and prepare for the ride back to Onyxia."

[SaikaAnge]

Crim smiled and nodded. "Alright, but I don't exactly have a horse." She grabbed Seralth off the ground and held the sleeping scaly creature in her arms.

[RangerOfTheRit]

"I suppose you'll be riding with me then milady." He said, winking.

[SaikaAnge]

Crim shot him a smile. "I suppose so," She walked over to him and whispered something to Seralth. Seralth instantly woke up and jumped to Leo. The dragon nuzzled his chin and tried to lick his cheek. Crim laughed and waited for Leo to be ready. "Told you she missed you. She's also going to start searching you for deer." She laughed again.

[RangerOfTheRit]

"Dont worry girl. We'll go hunting tomorrow night." He smiled, scratching Seralth under the chin.