[IC] The Sands of Blood (Dead)

[Afina]

Sana listened to what was said as she sat at the bar, perking a brow slightly as Ellis mentioned that she could stay behind. She didn’t want to split up from the group but as she rose from her place and wandered over to take a glance at the maps, she had to wonder how useful a bow could truly be in the catacombs. They did not give a great amount of room for maneuverability, and with the size of the group and some of its members she could possibly have to ride on someone’s shoulders to get a clear shot.

“I can stay behind but Hugh would be an asset down there. He’s already proven that he can fight well in close quarters,” she said as she stood there looking at the map before turning and seeing that Ellis had gone back into the basement. Sighing she poked her head down the stairs. “You go ahead, I’ll keep a defense here. Someone needs to stay behind for when reinforcements arrive as well if anything tries to come after your all from this end and keep the exit open,” she said before righting herself and beginning to take a closer look at the main tavern itself. The rafters, the tables, the layout in general; she wanted to know what she had there she could use an advantage. Taking a deep breath she looked for Delia and once she found her she pointed towards the entrance of the catacombs. “Keep them safe,” she said and smiled before giving her a hug and motioning for her to go ahead.

Sana had that feeling pulling in her gut again and feared for them down there. She wanted to go but knew sometimes what you wanted and what was needed from you were two different things. Taking a deep breath she looked for Hugh, she doubted he would like her idea of staying behind alone any better than she did. She didn’t want to leave his side but she had seen what he was capable of and for all she knew he was capable of so much more. Finding him she forced a smile and rested her hand on his cheek, cupping it in her palm. “They need you down there,” she whispered as she looked up at him. “I’ll see you soon,” she added as she leaned in and kissed him softly. “I promise,” she whispered against his lips.

There was more she wanted to say, more time that she wanted to have, but it would have to wait. Kissing him once more she quickly moved away from him and removed her cloak; draping it over the bar top as she removed her pack and dug out her daggers, placing them around her belt with the silver one before looking up at the rafters and figuring it was as good a spot as any. A single step and she leapt up on the bar top before jumping and grabbing the rope that was holding up a chandelier of candles; swinging up into the rafters and landing crouched in a place that would give her a clear view of the entrance to the basement and the door to the tavern. Pulling an arrow from her quiver she nocked it into place after she unslung her bow from her back.

"Now, I wait," she said to herself as she hoped for the best but prepared for the worst.

[Warrior in the Shadows]

Hugh was hesitant to move, until after Sana left the wagon. He sat and relaxed for a moment, puffing on his pipe. He took a large gulp of water from a skin that lay by his side, and finally stood up. Sana made him aware of where she would be off to, and Hugh nodded in acknowledgement. He lifted his hand to her side, letting his fingers trail off her as she suddenly took leave from his presence.

He sat down, looking a little stuck in the moment. He looked at the tavern, remembering how pleasant it was when he first met Sana and the group. Back then, all he had thought about was being friendly and having a good time. It turned into so much more. Something he never asked for and never thought he would experience ever again. He nursed the pipe, giving small puffs, just to keep it burning.

Hugh suddenly stood up and walked inside the tavern, pushing through the doors. He looked to the group and listened to hear a little of the plan that was formulating. There was word that he would stay up and guard the tavern with Sana, but Sana made a different proposition; one that involved Hugh going into the catacombs with the others. It seemed almost completely agreed to. Hugh was not so thrilled with the idea, but he knew he was the best to be fighting in a cramped space such as the catacombs.

Sana came over to him and spoke to him in an attempt to reassure him. He would not feel reassured while he was down there and she was away from him, so it would be a futile attempt on her part. Hugh breathed in her kiss, trying to accept her words and reassure himself that everything would be fine. He didn't feel it at all. He would be away from her.

He simply turned away, letting her kiss linger. He said nothing as he followed the others, then stopping just before heading to the basement. "It's not my fucking fight? Why would I do this?" He angrily muttered. He shook his fist at the ground, and turned. He watched Sana as she climbed into the rafters. She was an archer, she would have a turkey shoot. She would be fine. He would be more at risk.

His face turned to a look of determination as he surveyed the room and shouted, "I'LL BE BACK! BE AROUND WHEN I GET BACK." He felt almost a little choked up when he shouted the words. He was more than determined to make it back out of the depths of the catacombs, but she had to be there for him when he got back. His life would just go back to the way it always had been, if she was not there. There would be no difference without her, except for this time, if he lost it all again, he would feel like an empty husk of a man, wandering the planet alone.

[Afina]

Sana watched Hugh from the rafters, she wanted to jump down and run to him; to be in his arms again but she knew if she did she would never let go. Hearing his words caused her heart to skip a beat, aching slightly in her chest as her breath caught. Forcing a long deep breath she opened her eyes and looked back down to him; fighting the urge to leap to him and stand by his side. “You better be! I don’t wait around for just anyone,” she yelled down after him, smiling slightly as she did.

As hard as she might, she couldn’t stay up in the rafters. “Hugh!” she called out as she quickly jumped down and landed gently on the ground below; slinging her bow across her back as her arrow dropped back in its quiver. Running to him, she leapt to him; wrapping her arms around his neck as she hugged him tightly. “Don’t forget, I’m with you,” she said in a soft voice as she leaned back to gaze into his eyes; her fingers trailing along his neck and pulling out the ring she had slipped there, holding it up for him to see before tucking it back away.

With one arm wrapped around his shoulder, her free hand trailed along his neck and with a feathers touch gradually trailed up to his lips; tracing them softly before she pulled his lips to hers and kissed him. Her lips pressing passionately to his as her breath went ragged and her body trembled softly against his. She knew she shouldn’t have jumped down but she needed to taste him again, to feel him again. She didn’t know how long they would be down there or what would happen. She had faith that he would return her and that she would be waiting for him. “Damn it, you are going to have a happy ending,” she whispered into the kiss before pulling away from him once again.

Every time she left his arms it felt like leaving part of herself behind. She hated just being away from him a few moments to take care of simple things, to be away from him now was nearly unbearable. Turning she looked at him, placing her hand on his chest. “Mine,” was all she could think to say but for them it seemed that it was all that was needed much of the time. One simple word they shared that conveyed so much more than anything else they could say. Taking a breath she turned and went back to her place in the rafters as she grabbed her pack. She wasn’t going to let anything through to harm him or the rest of the group.

[Inertia]

Tagged; Party

Artos indulging in his readings that he doesn't even notice most of the events passing by- like the elves surrounding them, which he was rather glad as Elves he didn't know rather perturbed him, even if he was comfortable with the ones he is travelling with. Eventually being led into their encampment he just automatically followed as he wrapped his mind around his tome. His attention to the tome was snapped by the clinking of metal. He found himself in a rather beautifully ornate encampment, "Elven design, where on earth am I?" he muttered out loud. His eyes fell upon Garekk dueling with the rather nimble and swift Elf that easily overpowered the Orc with sparse movements- meaning the most minimum of action to dodge Garekk's wide attack and counterattack in the same time-frame.

A smile cropped up on his face- a battle thirsty grin. Artos hadn't had a good spar or duel in a bit and he's become rather bored. He managed to get one single spar out- getting stalemated by one of the female combatants, Artos was impressed, "Once more-" he said before he was cut off as Vivian announced that wagon was ready, and with a bored sigh he sheath Red Trinity to it's holster, "Maybe next time. I will ask for your name." The Elven Beauty, though most Elves were already beauties replied with half lidden eyes, "Aerith Amaranthae, and yours? Little have managed to stalemate me, nonetheless a human." she continued, sheathing her weapon in place. "Feisty little Elf, well Aerith, my name is Artos Raulyn. I will spar with you again if possible." he replied, waving her off before heading to the wagon.

Walking back to the Wagon which was topped up, repaired and even improved. They also added more horses to lessen the burden on Roger, which Artos nodded slightly to. He also noticed the new dress Ellyn had and was slightly smitten with her, "Looks beautiful." He replied nonchalantly before opening his tome yet again. He decided to actually sit inside the Wagon as it was roomy enough, courtesy of the Elves. Next thing he knew was that they were in the city- the Wagon was alot faster. They arrived at the bar soon enough and found Ellis there with an unknown figure, who was soon revealed to be Ceris- the one that caused alot of trouble with the group. Artos simply shrugged, not one to hold grudges. They did mention that Sana should stay back and keep defense of the pseudo-headquarters, "I could stay back if needbe- there's enough capable fighters going to this expedition of yours." Artos offered.

[Warrior in the Shadows]

Hugh broke into a grin after hearing Sana's words. She always made him the proudest man on the planet with the things she would say and do. He couldn't hold back his grin as he started to turn away, feeling the need to jump and skip and dance for joy. Love was amazing to Hugh. Corny, sexy, dramatic, wonderful love. It could never get old.

Before his back could fully turn, he felt Sana suddenly wrap her arms around his neck and pull herself into him. He felt himself relax as he wrapped his arms around her waist, placing his hands on her back and massaging it gently. He looked into her eyes as she pulled out the ring she gave him. It felt like all of his fight would be in that one little trinket. This simple band that hung from his neck by a chain would get him back to her in one peace. "I know you're with me."

She swiftly went from speaking to him to bringing them into a passionate kiss. He let his hands run across her body as he felt her every breath and movement. He felt vulnerable in that moment, but he also felt stronger. He felt her, soaking in how her skin felt with his hands and breathing her in. He just wanted to feel her there with him.

This was another moment he was going to hold onto. He wanted to keeping stealing as many moments with her as he could. It was like making a scrap book in your head, but this scrap book involved tasting her, feeling her, and breathing her in. Their breathing didn't go in any rhythm, but every time he took a breath he felt himself bringing her closer to him.

He nodded a smile appearing on his face, as he listened to her words. Then she pulled away and he let his hands trail off her as he almost wanted to grab her and pull her body back into his. He closed his eyes as she spoke one word, savoring it in his mind. Then she pulled away from him a final time, and he lifted his hand, his fingertips pointing towards her, as he echoed the word with a loving smile on his face. "Mine."

[EWillden]

Boop

[Goldeagle1221]

Das the Son of the Achians

”Straight to the moon”

Das cocked a brow as he slid into a chair. All that had happened up to this point was a blurred mess. He wasn’t sure who he was with or where he was, but he was there and there had a chair. So he decided to stick with what he did know, and slouched further into the rather uncomfortable wooden chair, flickering it’s wooden finish by an orange candle light.

The fur vest that warmed his shoulders opened and fell to his sides, revealing his stomach. He started to slap it out of boredom, drumming a beat to rhythmic song of alien make. A dull motivation bite at his mind, the slap of boredom that often accompanies the lack of orientation in a situation. People left, people came, people sat here, people stood there, someone swung something, and another person did that one thing that Das didn’t quite see.

Whatever had happened, or was happening seemed to fall ignorant to the elf as he idly tried to figure out what exactly was happening. Deep inside his chest he felt a hollow, and his mind knew that it could mean only one thing, he had just witnessed a post about nothing.

Das slapped his forehead and groaned, why him? There was so much to do and so much to see. Das clenched his teeth and groaned again out of insufferable boredom, and now here he was, in a chair, smack dab in a post about absolutely nothing.

The elf shook his fist to the air, “damn the fourth wall, and damn you!”

[Afina]

Sana looked down from the rafter to Hugh as he pointed to her, hearing him claim her once again as his own; she could not help but smile brightly at him and wink. “Damn straight I am,” she said proudly. “Now hurry up and get your ass back here,” she added before turning her attention to her surroundings. Some still had not made their way into the tavern and she had no idea what was going on outside. It made her worry but she had a job to do and that was to hold her ground and make sure the group that was headed to the catacombs had an exit. That group included Hugh and she would be damned if she left anything through.

Reaching into her bag she pulled out her rope and secured it to her waist for quick access, she had an idea if things went south. It wouldn’t kill anything but it may buy her sometime until they returned. Atros had volunteered to stay behind and she was grateful for that. At least she wouldn’t be completely alone and he had proven useful in their travels so far. “Okay Atros, looks like it is us and the odd ball screaming about the forth wall,” she said as she gestured towards Das. He had always been an odd one, so she let it go.

Suddenly, a figure ran through the door of the tavern. A slightly out of breath woman with dark hair that flowed to her waist, bright blue eyes and very pale skin. She was dressed in a long black skirt that seemed to flow with each step she took of its own accord, a fitted corset cinched tight and some rather high heeled boots that only could be seen when she ran. Around her waist was an apron and in her hand she held an iron pan that smelt of blueberries. “Shit, wrong way,” she said before turning on her heels and running out the tavern, vanishing as quickly as she had appeared.

“What the hell was that?” Sana exclaimed confused by the whole scene and then suddenly she realized she had a bad craving for blueberry cobbler.

[Goldeagle1221]

Das the needed elsewhere

"Goodbye"

After a few more moments in limbo, Das had decided to break back into reality. Light danced and darkness weaved. Sounds and harmonies argued and agreed. The fabrics that held them all together were woven loosely and the common thread was often nudged and yanked out of place, but the weave of the blanket never faltered or changed it’s patterned shape.

Das nodded his head as he crawled further and further, until he found his fingertips bristled by the rough edge of a wooden door. He looked back to the others who had said their things and taken up their arms for this reason or that, and he nodded slightly in their direction.

“I’m off, back to Jerrovia with me,” was all he said before slipping through the door, and disappearing from the scene.

[EWillden]

The Tavern

"You know we only need five people down here with us, I have Ceris, Garrek, Vivian and only need one more. The rest of you can stay here. The demons should not burst through that door unless you give them a reason too. However, that may change if Eliphas got wind of what we were doing some how." He said and then looked down into the sewer drain and moved within. Letting the group decide who the fifth wheel would be. It did not have to be Hugh. They had Garrek who was just as large and strong. If he wanted to stay with Sana he could. Seeing as this wasn't his fight. He then turned to face them. "This isnt your fight,... it's not any of yours. It is mine and Ceris. All of you could stay up here if you want while me and her go and do this." He said

As long as Eliphas lives he will continuely haunt and torment Ceris. This will come to a end with his defeat here. He drew forth his shortsword for safe measures. He then entered the sewers and proceeded down them. Ceris close behind him and she sighed once more. She shook away all her thoughts and prepared to cast any healing spells or attack spells if she needed to.

Vivian and Garrek with weapons drawn followed in behind covering the rear. They would not let the halfling do this alone and with enough people at the tavern there will be someone to see on their way out. However, the tavern wasn't the only entrance into the sewers.

It wasn't too long before the five people who went into the sewers came across a archway. The Archway was a door connecting to the left side wall of the sewers. When they entered through this archway they would find themselves in the catacombs. Many sarcophagi were broken into, as if looters took advantage of the chaos above and began robbing the dead. The catacomb tunnel was good in size. It could fit two Hugh's side by side. Ellis looked to some of the sarcophagi seeing one skeletons hand hanging out of the side. He decided to do the nice thing to the dead and move the arm back to rest on the skeleton's chest. He then pulled the lid back on.

"Shame,... a damn shame. People have to think about greed at a time like this. Human's never cease to disappoint me...." He looked back behind him towards Ceris and Hugh, if he followed. "No offense,... to the two of you." He said before looking ahead. He proceeded forward through the catacombs and was wondering how they would know where this secret chamber was?... "Also keep an eye out for anything out of place."

Streets of Zaphere

All survivors of the onslaught were in their homes looking and watching the group enter the tavern. Except for one woman, Daila stayed outside mortified that so many people laid dead in the streets. What kind of monster could do such a thing? Grandmother was right, the city was a dangerous place indeed. She ended up moving away from the Tavern without knowing it and when she did she turned around and proceeded back. Then the sound of heavy foot falls could be heard from behind as cleaver like feet punched through the city floors. When she turned around she saw a drooling grotesque looking spider looking at her and following her. She would take a step back and it would take a step forward. She was starting to feel the fear creep up in her until she thrust her hand forward and fired forth a bolt of fire and then ran towards the Tavern. She thought she would make it, she thought she would be safe among her friends. Perhaps they could kill it together.
The Retriever gave persuit and was gaining quickly. The surface of its face black from the fire but the flames did not make it past the chitin.

Elsewhere the fights began again. The demons coming back for a second wind. Dretch were the main force of the demons that took to the streets. Bebelith's right beside them, they were weaker smaller versions of the Retrievers lacking the large cleaver like feet. Vrocks also took to the skies coming down to tear open their foes when they could. The only safety was the homes. In other words,... Eliphas initiated martial law for the citizens. Anything outside their home would be killed or dragged off to be eaten.

Daila managed to make it or thought she did pushing through the doors to the Oasis but the Retriever was mad with anger from her attack and burst through the small door way taking a portion of the tavern's wall and ceiling with it. It began to thrust down towards Daila and she managed to dodge most of the strikes sent after her until she slipped and fell the first cleaver like foot smashing and tearing through her spine. Blood shooting out between the cracks as she was lifted up to the mannibles of the large insect. It bit down and pulled her apart her blood splashing downwards upon the tavern floor. It then proceeded back out taking a short glance at those within and hissed before proceeding back out onto the streets.

It was then hit in the back of its shoulder blade with a massive bolt. A bolt that could only come from a ballista. The bolt came from no ordinary one either. It screeched and turned to look to the source. There was a pair of elves controlling a ballista and cranking up a new bolt. It screamed at them and proceeded to charge. Then it began to feel a rain of arrows hit it from in the sky as those riding pegasus gave it a barrage. Their silver arrows punching through the chitin. As it went down a force of elves took to the streets meeting the great army of Eliphas. The presence of the Elves got Eliphas's attention and with him the leaders of the drow forces took to the streets as well commanding the forces.