SepticGentleman

The Wanting World – A Fantasy RP

Clifford winced as he lurched forward, slowly lowering himself off of the horse, stumbling some once he hit the ground. He knelt for a bit, his foot still very much afflicted by an intrusive throwing knife. Riding the horse away from that incident back at the bandits' camp had left him unable to focus on his injury. Once the stinging subsided, he reached down and pulled out the throwing knife with his hand.

More stinging. He paused for a bit, then dug out the fragment of the knife that had broken off by Diana's doing. Times like this he was conflicted about having a full set of teeth to bite down on something with. He got the fragment out, tossed it aside, and then grabbed a cloth rag from one of the satchels attached to the horse's saddle.

The wrap-up was crude, and the horse hadn't been packed with any medical supplies to speak of. Clifford stood up to the best that his condition would allow, and began slowly approaching the occupied campfire ahead.

There was no denying that he needed help now. He just hoped whoever this man was, he was willing to lend a hand.

Or else this'd be all over right here, right now.

@c3p-0h

The Wanting World – A Fantasy RP

Not gonna be as active from here on since I've got holiday plans. Just putting it up to note.

The Wanting World – A Fantasy RP

The pain shot through Clifford's foot like fire. He dropped the melting dagger and keeled over, Diana releasing herself from his grip. She turned and delivered a swift kick to his abdomen, sending him back down onto the ground. She walked forward and planted her foot on his chest, a smirk etched across both her face, and Madame's.

"Not half bad at all..." She said, looking down at the subdued Clifford, fist still clenched. She was just about ready to twist the knife some more, until-

"THIEVES."

A booming, gruff voice sounded from the darkness surrounding the camp. All the smiles immediately disappeared.

"ROBBING HIS LIFEBLOOD, FROM HIS FIELDS."

All of the bandits turned towards the campfire. A tall, lumbering, gaunt figure dressed in torn formal wear stood over the glow of the flames, wielding a long, serrated knife. His bloodshot eyes and ragged hair were illuminated by the flames, as were those of his several companions, all of a similar physical nature as him.

"SLAUGHTER THEM."

The figures charged, towering over the bandits, all raising their weapons. Diana forgot entirely about Clifford and rushed to Madame's side, both holding their own against the fiendish abominations.

Clifford wasted no time crawling towards the horses, all very much spooked by the encounter. He brushed by one of the bandits he'd killed, grabbing the sword at his side as he got up on one foot, and one knee. He neared the closest horse, which was thankfully already saddled with plenty of equipment that he'd go through later. As one of the attacking figures rushed past him with a bandit in his hands, he hauled himself up the worried horse's side, clinging as best as he could to the saddle. It took some doing, but he managed to lift his foot over in relatively safe time.

The horse was still kicking, but as it turned, Clifford managed to take the sword and swipe at the rope connecting it to the wooden fence. The horse was free, and off it rushed into the surrounding darkness with Clifford riding atop it, away from the conflict that had ensued.

Clifford leaned his head forward, doing his best to keep stable and ride through the pain. He was indeed a tougher man than most, but these weren't the mundane conditions he was used to. Every time he thought he was within a safe interval, this place just pulled the rug out from under his feet.

But now wasn't the time to make sense of it. Now was the time to escape.

@c3p-0h

The Wanting World – A Fantasy RP

introducing the first human character with magic!

@c3p-0h

YEAH, NOW IT'S A PARTY.

FUCKING SYNTHS MAGICS.

The Wanting World – A Fantasy RP

I've drawn first blood and it's not even Christmas yet.

The Wanting World – A Fantasy RP

"You ugly fucker!" One of the bandits called out, running up and nailing his fist into Clifford's face, knocking him back onto the ground as he attempted to get up. But the pain from the knife lodged in his foot wasn't having any of it. So he just lied there, on the ground, gritting what teeth he had left.

"Un-fucking-believable. How'd she let him get free?" The bandit Jost called out.

"Forget how." The younger woman replied, "Just tie him up again. Triple this time, and not just the joints."

Two of the bandits walked over and grabbed Clifford by his shoulders. The woman walked over and stood before him. "Probably could've made it if you were just a little better." She said, "Though honestly, you shouldn't have bothered trying in the first place."

"Oh, look at his fucking foot!" Jost said, "He's bleeding all over! Why'd you have to damage the goods, Diana? Now he's not worth as much!"

The woman, Diana, rolled her eyes some and turned to the man. "Jost, if I hear anymore stupid shit out of you, I'm going to-"

She was cut off by the sound of Clifford brandishing the dagger he'd taken earlier, jabbing it into one of the bandit's throats, and pulling it right back out. As he fell back, the other one attempted to draw his sword, but Clifford did his best to ignore the pain in his foot and lunged forward, repeatedly plunging the dagger into the second bandit's face.

Even with that blast injury of his, it was easy to tell Clifford was royally pissed off at this point.

Diana drew another knife herself and ran forward, only for Clifford to turn and charge forth, tackling the woman by her waist and pinning her on the ground. He beat her armed hand with the handle of the dagger, causing her to drop her knife, and then picked her up off the ground as Jost and the other bandits rushed forth. Cliff was still trying to ignore the pain in his foot, but it was starting to come back. He wrapped his free arm around her shoulders and held the knife up to her jugular.

"Stop!" Diana called out. And the bandits did, swords out and ready.

Now, it was a standoff.

The Wanting World – A Fantasy RP

first person injured! have a medal.

@c3p-0h

Man fuck the medal, get me some bandaids.

The Wanting World – A Fantasy RP

Fuck, situation NOT excellent.

The Wanting World – A Fantasy RP

Gonna Big Boss the hell out of these bandits.

The Wanting World – A Fantasy RP

The feminine bandit entered the tent once again, some time after Clifford managed to free himself. She didn't notice the loose ropes, the dirt blending in rather nicely with the wooden post. Cliff was feigning slumber as she approached him, holding another cup of water. She knelt down, examining him, lightly tapping the unburned side of his head to wake him up.

Clifford suddenly threw his arms over the bandit's head, pulling her close and turning her, wrapping his arm around her neck and rearing the other one back. He held her jaw up as best he could while she thrashed about, trying to break free. But Cliff's grip was stronger than her own will. Her motions began to slow, and soon enough, she was unconscious.

Clifford retracted his arms and laid the bandit on the ground, immediately moving his hands over to her pockets and equipment. She had a dagger strapped to her belt, which he promptly used to cut away his binds. He searched again, but not much else was on her. Thus, he dragged her aside.

He peered outside of the tent, checking as subtly as he could. There were three more tents, and a fire going not too far away, with the rest of the bandit party settled around it. Clifford only counted five in total - the same five who'd taken him here. Perhaps the female bandit was more their maid than one of their comrades if she hadn't been involved in the capture, and delegated the chore of watering the bounty.

The glow of the campfire revealed the nearby wooden fence, which all five of the bandits' horses were tied to.

And an idea began to manifest inside Clifford's head.

In the cover of the night, he lowered himself to the ground, and began crawling towards the nearest tent in the general direction of the horses.