[IC] In the Land of Heartstone

[thewizardguy]

catmint said
Ryu looked down at him, at a loss for words. Surely he knew that they would die if they tried to go after the dragon? "Please. Don't do that. You'll only end up dying and then there will be nothing left of your village." Ryu said, brushing away strands of hair from his face. "Look, I know of the dragon. I will go after him." Ryu offered; if these mere children tried to seek revenge, their race would be even more endangered. Ryu couldn't stand the thought of that.

The kid looks up at you, and if glares could kill, you'd be a red puddle on the floor. "I know who you are, miss! My dad told me about you. Don't you go telling me what I can and can't do." The kid gestures, and you see a group of the taller and more fit Kumiho gathering, wielding a variety of weapons, each with the same fire you'd seen in the first child's eyes. "We've got a plan. Just because we're young doesn't mean we're stupid. We'll wait outside the village until they attack. Then, when the Resistance attacks, we'll take out the artillery from behind, and watch as the humans crush them all." The kid speaks with the arrogant confidence of youth, obviously not prepared to listen to your advice.

[catmint]

Ryu was taken back from the boy's reaction. Guilt flooded him, but mostly he felt like he was going to vomit. "Judging by what you're trying to do, you're obviously not that smart." Ryu snapped at them, "Do you think that dragon won't take you people down in a second just like he did to your home? He fights for the Resistance side, and it's clear he isn't above slaughtering children." Ryu took a deep breath, even though he said all those things he knew they would not listen to him. But Ryu did plan to follow them to their attack, at the very least he could help. Or maybe distract them long enough to avoid casualties.

[jorthon]

thewizardguy said
As you open the door you're engulfed in a large cloud of smoke and soot, almost instantly covering you in a black layer. Your scent of smell is almost physically assaulted, and for a moment it feels like you're going to suffocate. Then the cloud passes, leaving you with a sore throat, a burnt nose, and a different skin color. You can hear the banging of steel on steel, common to black smith's workplaces, as if the world wanted to assault your hearing as well for good measure. However, through the black fog you can see a massive, heavily muscled orc clad in a leather apron. He's wreathed in an almost demonic red glow from the hot coals, and he barely looks up at you, obviously in the middle of a forging. However, within a moment he places the glowing steel in a trough of water, turning towards you.As Jaqural approaches, you notice several things. The first is his odd skin color. Unlike most orcs, Jaqural is bright white, contrasting with the soot that's found it's way onto his skin and covers his face. His eyes also are red, the clear signs of an albino. However, you have never heard of such a thing as an albino orc, and the effect is rather terrifying rather than silly-looking. The second thing is that the man instantly punches you in the gut, his fist picking you up and launching you through the doorway you'd just walked through. The heavy-set orc steps out after you in the time it takes you to realize your bones aren't broken, and steps on your chest, the pressure making you once more unsure as to whether all your bones are intact.As he gets closer, the albino orc's features become clearer, the lack of soot and smoke helping a lot. He has heavy eyebrows, set in a permanent frown, contrasting with the almost playful smirk on his face as he looks down at you. There are the usual scars and signs of battle that no orc would be seen without, and one of his eyes doesn't appear to be working properly. There's a sternness in his features that suggests a harshness of a more psychological nature than what most orcs are used to. Even for an orc, this figure is massive, and you realize he must have ducked to get out of the blacksmith's quarry. "A new recruit, eh? The old ones know not to walk in uninvited. All ya pointy-ears look the same to me!"

Raphion coughed to the side 3 times from the soot in his throat then said to Jaqural "Sorry I didn't know that. I just joined today. Also all the other blacksmiths I've been to don't do that so I'm not really used to stuff like that." He then thought to himself 'It would have been nice to have been warned about that rule.' He then continued "So now that I know that's how you do things I gotta ask. May I please get up then come in?"

[thewizardguy]

catmint said
Ryu was taken back from the boy's reaction. Guilt flooded him, but mostly he felt like he was going to vomit. "Judging by what you're trying to do, you're obviously not smart." Ryu snapped at them, "Do you think that dragon won't take you people down in a second just like he did to your home? He fights for the Resistance side, and it's clear he isn't above slaughtering children." Ryu took a deep breath, even though he said all those things he knew they would not listen to him. But Ryu did plan to follow them to their attack, at the very least he could help. Or maybe distract them long enough to avoid casualties.

The boy simply growls, and the kids only glare at you. "My name is Hiro Shul. That dragon killed my father. I don't care if I die, but it's time the Kumiho come back from being a backwater legend to scare children." The other kids nod, as Hiro starts walking away from you. Despite his relatively young age, you can see he has the walk of a practsed fighter. This wouldn't be the first fight he's been in, which explained his confidence. However, the others, while muscular from manual labor performed around the village, lacked any real fighting skill.

[thewizardguy]

jorthon said
Raphion coughed to the side 3 times from the soot in his throat then said to Jaqural "Sorry I didn't know that. I just joined today. Also all the other blacksmiths I've been to don't do that so I'm not really used to stuff like that." He then thought to himself He then continued "So now that I know that's how you do things I gotta ask. May I please get up then come in?"

Jaqural laughs, before getting off of you, and turning back to his workplace. "Course! Would'n be any good, havin' ye wait outside the smithy." He walks with a slight limp, reminiscent from some old wound. Among the orcs, you had heard, being a smith is a great honor, and they have elated smithing to an artform. No weapon is as prized as orcish steel, and orcish armor is sure to protect one's vitals. As such, Orcish smithing is a closely guarded secret, and there are very few Orc smiths outside of their own barren homelands. Only an outcast who had lost his honor would work for the Resistance, or any other non-Orc faction.

[catmint]

Ryu stared the group, still partially in disbelief. He was silent and unmoving before he remembered why he originally came here. "Ack! Wait! I need to tell you something." He said, jogging after Hiro. "Lord Allen is searching this forest for us. If you're not careful you'll run right into his poachers." He warned them, hoping that would deter them from rushing out. But he doubted they would care much after the destruction of their village.

[thewizardguy]

Hiro nods. "I know. But he isn't close yet. Our parents had been keeping a close eye on Lord Allen's movements." He then looks at you, and you get the idea he's judging you somehow. "If you want to come you can, but you're not going to stop us." With this, he runs into the forest, the small group of Kumiho teens running after him. Each is brandishing a weapon and some makeshift armor, but Kumiho's are not by nature a warlike race, and don't tend to stockpile such things.

[catmint]

Ryu put a palm to his forehead, growing more anxious with each turn of events. He followed after them, but stopped when he nearly tripped over a corpse. It was clear it was trying to defend the village, with a small sword clasped in it's hand. Ryu couldn't make out any facial features, and god did it smell awful. Ryu crouched down quickly, pushing his disgust aside as he wrestled the weapon out of the burnt hand. Ryu was slightly surprised by how many weapons the village had, but Ryu just figured it was because of hard times. Ryu stood back up and sprinted after the group, unsure if they were going to come out of this alive.

[ShadowVentus]

Michael is moving toward the group's location at inhuman speeds, unsure about it himself. "Grima, where are we going..?" He asks in his mind. "I sense the presence of a dragon..and many other entities. These foolish humans are trying to kill my kin, no doubt...I will crush them all! Grima answers, his sentence dripping with hatred when he mentions humans. Michael had tried to understand Grima's hatred toward anything that wasn't a dragon, but he still couldn't fathom why. Grima never gave him a proper explanation, and he didn't want to anger the dragon by asking about it. When they were close to the others, Grima slowed, the trees providing cover, Michael's currently red, reptilian eyes seeming to glow as he spied on them in the darkness.

[thewizardguy]

The group moved quickly towards the village you were at before. All seems relatively quiet now, but you can see a small group of corpses at the forest edge, covered in rats and maggots, burrowing through the flesh. It wouldn't be long until they had been stripped bare of all flesh, leaving only skeletons to mark the odd event that had saved your life only a few hourst before. Hiro Makes a sign, and the boys set up a small camp, creating a cover from the local flora. Small tents are set up, and you see one kid fletching arrows for the small crossbow he has on his back. It almost gives the illusion of a trained group.

[catmint]

Ryu stopped by the corpses, gagging in revulsion. It seemed everywhere he turned he was plagued by death, and most of it was caused by him. But for now Ryu could only push those thoughts aside and focus on the survivors of the Kumiho village. He helped when he could, but mostly he stood back and gave them space. It felt awkward being around his own kind, especially since none of them liked him in the least bit. Ryu stepped out of the cover of the flora, looking up at the sky and trying to determine how much longer they had.

[jorthon]

thewizardguy said
Jaqural laughs, before getting off of you, and turning back to his workplace. "Course! Would'n be any good, havin' ye wait outside the smithy." He walks with a slight limp, reminiscent from some old wound. Among the orcs, you had heard, being a smith is a great honor, and they have elated smithing to an artform. No weapon is as prized as orcish steel, and orcish armor is sure to protect one's vitals. As such, Orcish smithing is a closely guarded secret, and there are very few Orc smiths outside of their own barren homelands. Only an outcast who had lost his honor would work for the Resistance, or any other non-Orc faction.

Raphion stood up then rubbed his chest. This Jaqural had a nice punch. He followed Jaqural into the smithery. He knew that he would get good weapons but he felt kinda sorry for the orc. He must have done something to get kicked out of his home. Raphion put that thought aside for now. Then said "I was told to come here to get some new armor and a new dagger. This was by the leader of the resistance I think."

[SomeoneSomewere]

Favnir nodded slightly, noticing the look of thought on his face. He said," I'll be back then." He walked off, through the camp, not feeling like making the trip and back out to just hunt. He walked over to where the animals were kept, and after a quick talk with one of the elves there, he snapped up one of the skiddish cows. He could smell the fear radiating off of the animals, as they ran to the opposite side of the pen. Once finished, he walked back to the main tent and sat down, licking his claws and face clean once he did.

[catmint]

The silver-haired Kumiho picked up the short sword he kept close to him, taking a glance around the group. Everything was relatively quiet for now, and it seemedthe others have settled down to wait. Ryu stretched and stepped out from the cover the group had built, and went further to the forest. When he thought he was alone, he took a deep breath and paced back and forth. Ryu stopped as he crossed by a large tree, stumbling upon an unsettling boy with jet black hair and glowing eyes. "Ack!" He exclaimed in shock as he jumped back.

[thewizardguy]

Lurias glanced at the sky. Dusk had fallen. The guards would be active during the night, and at dawn they would be well-rested. Now the day, guards would be sleepy and sloppy, and the night-guards not yet awake. The ideal time to strike. Taking out his ceremonial horn, Lurias blew a short note. No human was nearby enough to hear it, but it sent the elf camp into a frenzy. Every soldier grabbed his weapon, every man made himself ready for the battle to come. The more superstitious offered up short prayers to the Gods, the Forest Spirits, or even the Primal Elven Masters, who had ruled over all Elven races so long ago. Many would not see the dawn, and they need make peace with their gods before risking their lives. However, a fire burned in each pair of eyes. The fire of hatred, of vengeance. The flame of the resistance, burning brighter than ever, as the Elven army set out to slaughter the humans in the nearby town.

[SomeoneSomewere]

At the blow of the horn, he stood and walked over to Lurius," I will be above you. I'll be up high, to not alert of our presence, but I will be there. I'll approach when needed." He watched him, in case of any last minute instruction that he needed to recieve before he took off.

[ShadowVentus]

Grima heard Ryu coming ages ago and was already turned to face him, his reptilian-like eyes narrowed. "Well, well...it seems I've been given some easy pickings...you shall pay for trying to hunt my kin!" Grima states to Ryu, getting ready to breathe fire. "Grima, wait! Maybe this one can take us to the other dragon... Michael begins. "And lead us to the other humans..." Grima finishes. He cancels his attack and simply glares at Ryu. "You shall take me to your little group...that, or you can simply perish here..." Grima offers.

[FoxFireOfDawn]

(( still sorry I died out ))
Xerxes smirks and soon starts to laugh like a madman. He then just smiles sheepishly, pondering on who he should kill first. "I guess I better pay a visit to my dear father, or he'll come back to bite me in the ass later..." he mumbles, heading in the direction where he last saw his father. The Susuwatari follow along, most of them destroying the things in their path. Trees to be left unharmed, but areas of grass soon to patches of dirt.

[catmint]

Ryu growls out of fear and anger, gripping the sword tightly in his hand. He further distances himself from them, considering just sprinting away. But he had a feeling he wouldn't get far if he did that. Taking a moment to think out coherent words, "I would really rather not." He stated, "I don't want to expose them to someone as ugly as you." Ryu snapped, a malicious grin on his face. "But I suppose I have no choice." He sighed, nonchalantly shrugging his shoulders, despite his racing pulse.

[ShadowVentus]

"A wise choice indeed...." Grima states, moving towards Ryu and ignoring the 'ugly' comment altogether. Now that he has moved closer, Ryu can see that there are patches of scales everywhere on Michael's body, their color a purplish-black. He can also see that Michael's teeth seem almost razor sharp as he grins. "Now, lead the way. Try anything and you will die." Grima commands, ready to move.