"For what you did for our friend, an explanation is the least we can offer you." The slightly elder, gray officer stated; his eyes passing between Liaena and Kathlin.
"Have a seat."
He motioned for a smaller table on the opposite end of the medical room, where a couple of chairs were standing around. Frarn looked to the younger member, and called out to him.
"Ye heard the man; it's story time. Bring the beer!"
"But, we're in the medical,-" The younger man tried to speak.
"Ah said bring tha beer!" Frarn shouted again, and the younger man hastily nodded.
"Right away!"
As the younger man ran out of the room to get the drinks, the group gathered around the table. The officer was the first one to sit down on the opposite end, clearing away some potions and vials lying on the wooden table before he looked over at Frarn, Kathlin and Liaena on the other side.
"My name is Darian Lightbarrow, senior member and advisor to our Guild Master, Glacus, of the Red Vanguard. It's a pleasure to meet you, ladies. I only wish we could have met on a better occasion." The gray haired Darion spoke with a somber and serious tone as his cold eyes tracked them.
"The men and women you saw outside in the white cloaks were members of the White Hand, a private security firm. Although they might claim to be a guild, most of their contracts are outsourced to individual mercenaries or sellswords looking for a manager. Chances are a lot of the people you see wearing those white cloaks will only wear it for the duration of their contract."
Darian explained with an unimpressed tone. As he spoke, the young man had already returned to the small medical room, carrying five heavy flagons filled with dwarven ale and topped with a thick foam that was barely tilting over the top. Distributing them evenly across the table, he eventually sat down at the corner to join them.
"They are a rather young outfit. It's been half a year since we first saw White Cloaks wandering the city, but back then they mostly kept themselves to the docks. They used to just be a maritime protection company only, protecting trade vessels and routes through renting out ships, warriors and advisors. But lately, as they have grown in numbers, they have begun to move into the city, taking jobs of protecting VIPs and similar. This is when the 'Van first clashed with them, as they are determined to steal our clients."
"And they've done a damned good job... hmmpf!" Frarn grunted, the dwarf having already downed half his flagon.
"If they continue at the current pace, the 'Van will become glorified farm guards and country patrols by tha next year!"
Darian gazed at Frarn for a moment, but the senior warrior decided not to comment.
"Since they are new, not much is known about them. But if there is thing I can say for certain, then that is that whoever's backing them has deep pockets." Darian said with a thoughtful gaze.
"Nothing else could explain their rapid expansion. I have a hard time imagining they have paid for it all through some maritime contracts, no matter how lucrative."
"And if yer wonderin' where they are housed, ya have perhaps seen that new fort they're buildin' at the outskirts of the harbor?" Frarn then said, as the dwarf finished his flagon.
"Used tha be just empty land and reefs, but they musta convinced tha city guard tha 'ave it fer a cheap coin by promisin' to take up protection of the city harbor. Easy job though, as we've never been invaded by sea. Ya'll usually see their ships dock by it. Even some of tha merchant ships do so, so they probably have warehouses too. Damn... "
"It puts our little ale hut into question, doesn't it?" Darian said, smirking for the first time.
"Gimme their money, and I'll 'ave tha best builders of Ironforge to set up a fortress that'll put theirs tha shame, I tells ye!" Frarn proclaimed loudly, banging his flagon down into the table to signal that he was ready to receive a refill.
"Light, no! ... I spent 30 minutes on that bed!" The servant girl muttered under her breath as she stood next to Rithrynn, hood facing the floor as she was grinding her teeth in desperation. There was nothing she could do, other than to listen to the savage roars of Nisha as the nightsaber demolished the room on the other side of the door!
The bald guard threw an odd gaze inside the room at the ensuing carnage, before finally closing the door and leaving Nisha alone to her wanton rampage.
"Well, right... " He said, turning his attention to the servant girl.
"Weren't you supposed to take our guest to the master?"
"Oh, right! Yes, I was!" The girl stammered, before grabbing Rithrynn by her arm and pulling her along as she walked further into the building.
"This way, my lady; he's in the living room, just around here!"
The little girl displayed a surprising amount of strength as she almost dragged Rithrynn single handedly up the flight of stairs to the second floor. Arriving at another corridor, she turned to the right as they entered into the opening of a large archway leading into the living room, where four individuals were standing around a table in the corner, with one steel masked White Hand guard standing silently in the corner between the towering bookcases that lead up to just below the roof. The fireplace was crackling with life, with the living room being adorned with portraits, flowers and white curtains.
All of the four men in the middle of the room were wearing wealthy and richly adorned silk and wool attires of a variety of colors. One was a rather chubby, short haired man, the other was a taller, black haired man with a narrow gaze. The third was a slightly shorter, glass wearing accountant holding a collection of books and scrolls.
And lastly, was a pale, silver haired elf wearing a long black silk shirt and pants, embroidered with fine silver thread. A red sash was tied around his waist, and an elegant, thin fur cloak hung from his shoulder and back, down to his waist.
The four men turned to look at the Night Elf who had just entered the living room in the company of the maiden. The more chubby businessman suddenly took a step back, and pointed at Rithrynn.
"There's a Night Elf in your house, Silverlion! How did she get in?!"
"Relax, relax; she's with me!! ... sorry!" The little servant girl squeaked next to Rithrynn, waving her arms as she tried to get the attention away from Rithrynn.
"It's alright. I invited her." Sherpa said with a calm voice to reassure the businessman, who threw him a harrowed look.
"If you will leave us, I'd like to have some time in private. You can finish the metal contract with my financier."
The High Elf spoke with a soft voice, motioning towards the other exit of the living room. The three men looked at him for a moment, before bowing as they turned and left the room. Sherpa then turned towards the guard in the corner, giving him a slight nod. Without a word, the masked guard made a quick salute, hammering his chestplate with his mailed fist; before he turned and walked out of the room the way the three men had gone.
With only the three of them left in the room, the servant girl, Sherpa and Rithrynn, the High Elf turned back towards Rithrynn and threw her a broad smile.
"Rithrynn... "
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Rithy said
I think you are being a little bit too harsh with poor Liaena, Rithrynn :P
Most of the Red Vanguards simply stood to the side as they watched the girl's handiwork, seemingly too afraid to intervene in case they might fuddle things up. As Kathlin finally finished. the older human officer walked forward to inspect the sleeping Doin on the wooden slab.
Looking over the white bearded dwarf and listening to the steady rhythm of his breathing which was now normal, he turned back towards Kathlin and bowed.
"You've done the Van' a great favor that we won't forget, young miss." He said with a deep and somber voice.
"Your skills as a medic are most impressive."
Frarn, who had stood and watched for most of the procedure; although ready to jump forward should it be required; finally stepped forward as well.
"Ah dunnea 'ow tha thank ye enough, lass.... " Frarn uttered at first, the younger dwarf seeming to be rather speechless as his eyes shifted between Kathlin and Doin. Eventually however, the dwarf simply walked forward and gave Kathlin a good hug, the dwarf reaching just above her chest.
"If you ever need a commendation for your future career, you can trust the Red Vanguard." The younger member said lastly, having waited until the end as the young human smiled warmly towards Kathlin.
"I... guess, I will come?"
"You will!? That's wonderful, my lady!" The little girl suddenly beamed up with joy as Rithrynn said those words, before she quickly quieted down; as she realized her sudden burst of joy after it had already happened. Hanging her head down again, she motioned for Rithrynn to follow her as she walked towards the entrance.
"This way, my lady."
But, as she reached the steps to the entrance of the tall house, the girl again paused. This time, she threw an uncertain look towards the nightsaber in Rithrynn's company. A few seconds passed as she merely looked at it, seemingly unsure of what to do with it. Finally, she gathered the courage to talk, and turned to Rithrynn.
"Uhm, I don't think, eh.... I don't think she can come in inside."
"It's alright." Suddenly sounded a voice from the door, as a strong looking, bald headed man wearing a white cloak became visible in the doorway. The figure was wearing some polished steel platemail and black leather armor beneath his pale cape. He looked down at the nightsaber with a gaze of familiarity, as if he had seen one before.
"We have a guest room to house her in."
"Ohh, right, alright; come in, come in!" The young girl then quickly stammered, as she continued to lead Rithrynn and Nisha up the stairs.
As they entered the building, they stood in the entryhall. It was a smaller, narrow corridor with two doors on either side. The white cloaked guard took a few steps back into the corridor, before he opened one of the doors to the side and motioned in towards a dark bed chamber.
"She can stay here for the stay." He explained, before throwing Rithrynn a stern look.
"If it is okay for you."
Looking over the white bearded dwarf and listening to the steady rhythm of his breathing which was now normal, he turned back towards Kathlin and bowed.
"You've done the Van' a great favor that we won't forget, young miss." He said with a deep and somber voice.
"Your skills as a medic are most impressive."
Frarn, who had stood and watched for most of the procedure; although ready to jump forward should it be required; finally stepped forward as well.
"Ah dunnea 'ow tha thank ye enough, lass.... " Frarn uttered at first, the younger dwarf seeming to be rather speechless as his eyes shifted between Kathlin and Doin. Eventually however, the dwarf simply walked forward and gave Kathlin a good hug, the dwarf reaching just above her chest.
"If you ever need a commendation for your future career, you can trust the Red Vanguard." The younger member said lastly, having waited until the end as the young human smiled warmly towards Kathlin.
"I... guess, I will come?"
"You will!? That's wonderful, my lady!" The little girl suddenly beamed up with joy as Rithrynn said those words, before she quickly quieted down; as she realized her sudden burst of joy after it had already happened. Hanging her head down again, she motioned for Rithrynn to follow her as she walked towards the entrance.
"This way, my lady."
But, as she reached the steps to the entrance of the tall house, the girl again paused. This time, she threw an uncertain look towards the nightsaber in Rithrynn's company. A few seconds passed as she merely looked at it, seemingly unsure of what to do with it. Finally, she gathered the courage to talk, and turned to Rithrynn.
"Uhm, I don't think, eh.... I don't think she can come in inside."
"It's alright." Suddenly sounded a voice from the door, as a strong looking, bald headed man wearing a white cloak became visible in the doorway. The figure was wearing some polished steel platemail and black leather armor beneath his pale cape. He looked down at the nightsaber with a gaze of familiarity, as if he had seen one before.
"We have a guest room to house her in."
"Ohh, right, alright; come in, come in!" The young girl then quickly stammered, as she continued to lead Rithrynn and Nisha up the stairs.
As they entered the building, they stood in the entryhall. It was a smaller, narrow corridor with two doors on either side. The white cloaked guard took a few steps back into the corridor, before he opened one of the doors to the side and motioned in towards a dark bed chamber.
"She can stay here for the stay." He explained, before throwing Rithrynn a stern look.
"If it is okay for you."
"We... will not forget this!" Glacus spat out towards Sevarian and the White Hands.
Sevarian, in return, graciously bowed as he smiled.
"I hope you don't." The black haired man said mockingly, before he turned to the rest of his company. One of the riders shouted something to the rest, and they all got back on their horses and turned to ride away. It did not take long for all the White Hands to disappear from the square, leaving only their steps in the snow behind, alongside the splatters of blood at where the duel had taken place.
In the meantime, Doin was being carried back towards the house.
"Sure, if you know anything!" The Red Vanguard officer stated to Kathlin as they carried Doin back inside the alehouse. The dwarf was writhing around as they carried him, biting his lips."
"Arrr, I almost had him! If ya'll just lemme, oowww, Muradin's bearded balls!" The dwarf growled between biting his own lips as he tried to suppress the pain from his wound. The trio of Kathlin and the two Red Vanguards carried Doin through the main hall of the inn, and into one of the rooms to the side. The room in question that they entered seemed to be a small amateur emergency room, with a basic wooden table, chair and shelves filled with various medical tools, potions and remedies. Apparently whoever usually owned the room was gone.
Placing Doin down on the table, one of the Vanguards went to towards the shelves to look through them for anything they could use.
"I think you already know, my lady... " The girl whispered, before she walked back towards the fence of the gate of the house she had appeared from. As she did, she motioned for Rithrynn to follow her, still keeping most of her eyes on her Nightsaber.
" ... will you come?"
She asked, pulling her cloak closer around herself, seemingly freezing a little in the cold weather.
Sevarian, in return, graciously bowed as he smiled.
"I hope you don't." The black haired man said mockingly, before he turned to the rest of his company. One of the riders shouted something to the rest, and they all got back on their horses and turned to ride away. It did not take long for all the White Hands to disappear from the square, leaving only their steps in the snow behind, alongside the splatters of blood at where the duel had taken place.
In the meantime, Doin was being carried back towards the house.
"Sure, if you know anything!" The Red Vanguard officer stated to Kathlin as they carried Doin back inside the alehouse. The dwarf was writhing around as they carried him, biting his lips."
"Arrr, I almost had him! If ya'll just lemme, oowww, Muradin's bearded balls!" The dwarf growled between biting his own lips as he tried to suppress the pain from his wound. The trio of Kathlin and the two Red Vanguards carried Doin through the main hall of the inn, and into one of the rooms to the side. The room in question that they entered seemed to be a small amateur emergency room, with a basic wooden table, chair and shelves filled with various medical tools, potions and remedies. Apparently whoever usually owned the room was gone.
Placing Doin down on the table, one of the Vanguards went to towards the shelves to look through them for anything they could use.
"I think you already know, my lady... " The girl whispered, before she walked back towards the fence of the gate of the house she had appeared from. As she did, she motioned for Rithrynn to follow her, still keeping most of her eyes on her Nightsaber.
" ... will you come?"
She asked, pulling her cloak closer around herself, seemingly freezing a little in the cold weather.
Sorry Rithrynn, but my last post got cut short by work :P
However, here is the last bit!
However, here is the last bit!
As Rithrynn ventured down into the snow covered street, the curtains twitched a few blocks away.
From one of the tall, narrow houses further down the street, a shadow watched her from between the curtains. The Sentinel and her nightsaber had not gotten far down the street before the door of the house opened, and a hooded maid came walking down the stairs; passing through the small garden and continued towards the golden fence. She paused for a moment when she reached the gate, her hood snapping back to the open door to the white marble house, before she finally opened the gate and passed out through it.
Hurrying across the street towards Rithrynn, she quickly slowed down when she came closer.
"Uhm... hello?" A nervous voice sounded from her hood, as the girl hesitantly stepped closer. The girl immediately froze up when the Nightsaber's eyes fell upon her, before gathering what little courage she had left as she took another step.
"Are you Ri, ahem... I mean, who are you?"
She asked, stammering slightly as her gray eyes switched back and forth between the Night Elf and her big nightsaber. The girl finally stopped, seemingly unwilling to come any closer as she stared up at Rithrynn.
She was wearing a black silk outfit beneath her thick gray woolen, with a white apron around her waist. From her small figure and stature, she seemed no older than fifteen.
"S-sorry if I'm asking... I don't know... eh," The girl stammered, appearing to regret her decision of coming out into the street with the Night Elf as her hood now shied away from Rithrynn.
From one of the tall, narrow houses further down the street, a shadow watched her from between the curtains. The Sentinel and her nightsaber had not gotten far down the street before the door of the house opened, and a hooded maid came walking down the stairs; passing through the small garden and continued towards the golden fence. She paused for a moment when she reached the gate, her hood snapping back to the open door to the white marble house, before she finally opened the gate and passed out through it.
Hurrying across the street towards Rithrynn, she quickly slowed down when she came closer.
"Uhm... hello?" A nervous voice sounded from her hood, as the girl hesitantly stepped closer. The girl immediately froze up when the Nightsaber's eyes fell upon her, before gathering what little courage she had left as she took another step.
"Are you Ri, ahem... I mean, who are you?"
She asked, stammering slightly as her gray eyes switched back and forth between the Night Elf and her big nightsaber. The girl finally stopped, seemingly unwilling to come any closer as she stared up at Rithrynn.
She was wearing a black silk outfit beneath her thick gray woolen, with a white apron around her waist. From her small figure and stature, she seemed no older than fifteen.
"S-sorry if I'm asking... I don't know... eh," The girl stammered, appearing to regret her decision of coming out into the street with the Night Elf as her hood now shied away from Rithrynn.
A circle of red and white cloaks had formed in the square outside the Alehouse, as members of the White Hand and Red Vanguard turned their attention towards Doin and the steel masked Champion of Sevarian.
As Doin trodded out onto the frozen square in his heavy armor and shield, he glared over at the Champion. The Champion had still not uttered a word, as he watched his every move. It was impossible to see the eyes of his enemy through the steel mask.
"Begin!" Called a voice from the crowd, and Doin held his kite shield up in front of him, the large wall of fortified wood and steel effectively hiding almost the entire dwarf behind it. On the other side, the White Champion reached to his sword and pulled it from its sheath and held it out. It was magnificently crafted Estoc blade, thinner than your average longsword, but solid, and a razor, needle sharp tip. Stopping, he took a step forward; before rushing towards Doin in silence, only the cranking of armor and crushing of snow being audible!
"Yaaaaahh!" Doin rorared as he walked a bit towards the white Champion with his shield facing his opponent. As he came close enough, the White Champion suddenly leaped forward with a kick, landing with the bottom of his foot into Doin's shield. Doin's shield and left arm was pushed to the side, but in the process; the dwarf brought his axe around, aiming at the leg of man.
But the White Champion had quickly brought his own weapon to bear against the dwarf, and parried the incoming blow. As he lead the axe astray, the man immediately followed up with another quick strike against Doin's weapon hand; slicing his sword through the air as he hit the bottom of the dwarf's hand.
Doin immediately let out a cry of pain as his little finger was just severed from his hand, falling through the ground. But the dwarf was not stunned. Instead of reeling back, the dwarf instead raised his shield again and charged forward right into the White Champion, hitting him square in the abdomen and pushing him back until he fell down into the snow.
With his axe raised, he plunged it down towards his fallen for; who immediately rolled away!
Getting back onto his feet, the White Champion swung his sword around to keep Doin at a distance. But the dwarf continued his tireless attack, advancing upon his opponent with his shield race; the heavily armored dwarf functioning much like an impenetrable wall!
The White Champion changed his grip, holding his sword up side down in a double handed grip as he aimed it at the incoming Doin. Charging against the incoming dwarf, he suddenly stopped without warning. Doin, expecting an attack, had raised his shield. But when no strike hit his shield, the dwarf raised his axe to strike. But just as he raised his arm over his shield, the White Champion struck, thrusting his sword forward in a perfect movement against the lower inside of Doin's arm!
The sword snuck past the armored plates and into the hardened leather, and stabbed right through and into the flesh!
Doin let out another cry of pain, but with a determined roar he had raised his heavy kite shield up; and smashed the iron frame into the chestplate of his opponent, knocking him back.
Picking his axe back up again with a grunt, ignoring the pain and the bleeding, Doin quickly stepped forward against his opponent.
The White Champion slashed across the space before him, hitting Doin's shield which did practically nothing. The dwarf continued forward, full of determination, and tried to push into the Champion with his shield again. But this time the Champion sidestepped to the side, and brought his sword against Doin in a plunging attack. Quickly raising his own axe, Doin managed to parry the attack with the metal hilt of his axe just in time as the Champion's blade was mere inches away from the visors of Doin's own helmet.
As he held his opponent's blade at bay, Doin gazed back up at the cold mask of his silent opponent. The Dwarf was panting heavily from the intense fight. But when he looked towards his foe, he saw no such sign of exhaustion. There was nothing but shadows behind the steel mask. He could not even see any steam from the Champion's breath. All he could hear from the Champion's mask at such a close range was a silent inhaling, which sounded more akin to air simply passing through a tunnel than actually breathing.
Gritting his teeth, Doin moved his shield in from the side to help push the blade away!
As he did so, he pulled his axe to the side, hidden beneath his shield. The tireless White Champion prepared for yet another attack,but before he could execute it, Doin's axe suddenly appeared from beneath his shield as the Dwarf let out a frantic roar as he swung the axe right into the Champion's lower chestplate. The axe caved the breastplate in like a can opener, and the White Champion fell back to his knees.
On the other side of the street, Severian watched; his facial expression had remained completely void of emotions throughout the entire duel. The sight of his Champion falling did not even seem to make him blink, as he merely watched the duel as it continued.
Panting frantically, the dwarf raised his axe with a frenzied grunt. But just as he did. the white Champion suddenly shot his hand up and grabbed it by the hilt. Doin, unable to bring the axe down, and worn out by exhaustion, roared as he tried to kick back at his opponent.
But he missed, and the White Champion, his chestplate opened but still moving, rose back to his feet with a unnatural silence. Without a word, the Champion raised his sword arm, and plunged his sword forward, stabbing Doin beneath the shoulderplate and into his flesh, breaking his collar bone and digging his way out on the other side. Doin cried out in pain, before the Champion retracted his blade
As the sword left his body, Doin fell back down into the snow with a thud. The Champion stepped back, throwing a last gaze at the Red Vanguards across the street, before unceremoniously turning around to walk back to the other White Cloaks on the other side of the street.
"It seems like your fire is running low, Glacus." Sevarian commented as he gazed at Doin, before his gaze shifted to Glacus.
"You are outdated."
One of the officers, accompanied by a squire, rushed over to check with their fallen comrade, Doin. In the meantime, Glacus merely stared at the scene, the old man seemingly struggling to find any words for what he had just witnessed.
As Doin trodded out onto the frozen square in his heavy armor and shield, he glared over at the Champion. The Champion had still not uttered a word, as he watched his every move. It was impossible to see the eyes of his enemy through the steel mask.
"Begin!" Called a voice from the crowd, and Doin held his kite shield up in front of him, the large wall of fortified wood and steel effectively hiding almost the entire dwarf behind it. On the other side, the White Champion reached to his sword and pulled it from its sheath and held it out. It was magnificently crafted Estoc blade, thinner than your average longsword, but solid, and a razor, needle sharp tip. Stopping, he took a step forward; before rushing towards Doin in silence, only the cranking of armor and crushing of snow being audible!
"Yaaaaahh!" Doin rorared as he walked a bit towards the white Champion with his shield facing his opponent. As he came close enough, the White Champion suddenly leaped forward with a kick, landing with the bottom of his foot into Doin's shield. Doin's shield and left arm was pushed to the side, but in the process; the dwarf brought his axe around, aiming at the leg of man.
But the White Champion had quickly brought his own weapon to bear against the dwarf, and parried the incoming blow. As he lead the axe astray, the man immediately followed up with another quick strike against Doin's weapon hand; slicing his sword through the air as he hit the bottom of the dwarf's hand.
Doin immediately let out a cry of pain as his little finger was just severed from his hand, falling through the ground. But the dwarf was not stunned. Instead of reeling back, the dwarf instead raised his shield again and charged forward right into the White Champion, hitting him square in the abdomen and pushing him back until he fell down into the snow.
With his axe raised, he plunged it down towards his fallen for; who immediately rolled away!
Getting back onto his feet, the White Champion swung his sword around to keep Doin at a distance. But the dwarf continued his tireless attack, advancing upon his opponent with his shield race; the heavily armored dwarf functioning much like an impenetrable wall!
The White Champion changed his grip, holding his sword up side down in a double handed grip as he aimed it at the incoming Doin. Charging against the incoming dwarf, he suddenly stopped without warning. Doin, expecting an attack, had raised his shield. But when no strike hit his shield, the dwarf raised his axe to strike. But just as he raised his arm over his shield, the White Champion struck, thrusting his sword forward in a perfect movement against the lower inside of Doin's arm!
The sword snuck past the armored plates and into the hardened leather, and stabbed right through and into the flesh!
Doin let out another cry of pain, but with a determined roar he had raised his heavy kite shield up; and smashed the iron frame into the chestplate of his opponent, knocking him back.
Picking his axe back up again with a grunt, ignoring the pain and the bleeding, Doin quickly stepped forward against his opponent.
The White Champion slashed across the space before him, hitting Doin's shield which did practically nothing. The dwarf continued forward, full of determination, and tried to push into the Champion with his shield again. But this time the Champion sidestepped to the side, and brought his sword against Doin in a plunging attack. Quickly raising his own axe, Doin managed to parry the attack with the metal hilt of his axe just in time as the Champion's blade was mere inches away from the visors of Doin's own helmet.
As he held his opponent's blade at bay, Doin gazed back up at the cold mask of his silent opponent. The Dwarf was panting heavily from the intense fight. But when he looked towards his foe, he saw no such sign of exhaustion. There was nothing but shadows behind the steel mask. He could not even see any steam from the Champion's breath. All he could hear from the Champion's mask at such a close range was a silent inhaling, which sounded more akin to air simply passing through a tunnel than actually breathing.
Gritting his teeth, Doin moved his shield in from the side to help push the blade away!
As he did so, he pulled his axe to the side, hidden beneath his shield. The tireless White Champion prepared for yet another attack,but before he could execute it, Doin's axe suddenly appeared from beneath his shield as the Dwarf let out a frantic roar as he swung the axe right into the Champion's lower chestplate. The axe caved the breastplate in like a can opener, and the White Champion fell back to his knees.
On the other side of the street, Severian watched; his facial expression had remained completely void of emotions throughout the entire duel. The sight of his Champion falling did not even seem to make him blink, as he merely watched the duel as it continued.
Panting frantically, the dwarf raised his axe with a frenzied grunt. But just as he did. the white Champion suddenly shot his hand up and grabbed it by the hilt. Doin, unable to bring the axe down, and worn out by exhaustion, roared as he tried to kick back at his opponent.
But he missed, and the White Champion, his chestplate opened but still moving, rose back to his feet with a unnatural silence. Without a word, the Champion raised his sword arm, and plunged his sword forward, stabbing Doin beneath the shoulderplate and into his flesh, breaking his collar bone and digging his way out on the other side. Doin cried out in pain, before the Champion retracted his blade
As the sword left his body, Doin fell back down into the snow with a thud. The Champion stepped back, throwing a last gaze at the Red Vanguards across the street, before unceremoniously turning around to walk back to the other White Cloaks on the other side of the street.
"It seems like your fire is running low, Glacus." Sevarian commented as he gazed at Doin, before his gaze shifted to Glacus.
"You are outdated."
One of the officers, accompanied by a squire, rushed over to check with their fallen comrade, Doin. In the meantime, Glacus merely stared at the scene, the old man seemingly struggling to find any words for what he had just witnessed.
The two Dwarves stared up at Kathlin for moment, before they both broke into a light laughter.
"The Big Fox has quite a temper, lassie. You can bet your porkchops he'll keep any promise of trashing anyone messing on our property!" Doin exclaimed with a jolly tone, before Frarn commented on the sideline.
"Aye, and Big Fox, that's Glacus. Our boss, the old guy down there." Frarn explained as he pointed down to the ground where Glacus stood, who was currently shouting back at the white cloaks in front of the alehouse.
"We better get down there, kid. The boss will want every lad outside!" Doin said, before the elderly dwarf turned and marched towards the stairs:
"Ya don't 'ave to come, miss, but don't worry: nothing's gonna happen to ye here. This is the Van's big house!"
Sevarian quietly observed the raging Glacus for a moment after having received the challenge. The darkcaster seemed to be in a process of contemplation as he casually gazed around at the crowd that had gathered outside the alehouse, consisting of members of the White Cloaks and the Red Vanguard.
"Very well. I would not turn down such a challenge... " Sevarian finally said, a smirk appearing on his face. Turning to look at the masked rider next to him, Sevarian nodded in his direction. The rider's face was hidden behind an iron mask, with only two dark visors. The rider slowly bowed to Sevarian, before taking one foot over the horse's head and dropped to the ground next to it, his steel boots crunching the snow beneath them as they landed, and he turned towards Glacus and the Red Vanguard members.
As he approached them, the two dwarves, Doin and Frarn, appeared in the doorway of the alehouse as they walked out onto the grounds outside.
"What seems tha be the core of the matter 'ere?" Doin called out, as Glacus had noticed their arrival and turned to look down towards the dwarves.
"I am sure it is obvious enough, Doin." Glacus commented, his eyes jumping over to the white cloaks on the opposite side of the street.
"They want a duel."
"If you wanna teach 'em a lesson; let me at 'em!" Doin proclaimed boisterously, shaking his armored fist.
Glacus smiled at the Dwarf's apparent eagerness, and nodded.
"It is a job that I am happy to offer you." Glacus replied, placing his arm on Doin's shoulder as he looked the dwarf in the eye.
"Give him hell, brother. The guild will be watching!"
One of the officers standing next to Glacus motioned towards the Vanguard squire standing by the doorway. The young man swiftly disappeared back into the alehouse, before quickly reappearing in the doorway again as he carried an axe, a broad kiteshield and a red, horned steel helmet.
The squire hurried up to Doin, who accepted the arms and armor from the squire with a quick thank. Equipping the shield in hold hand, donning the helmet over his brows and clutching the shield in his other, the white bearded dwarf turned to face his opponent standing over at the White Hand crowd.
"Imma give ya one chance to walk away, friend. Otherwise this axe here is going straight between yer bollocks!"
Doin cried out to the White Hand Champion. But the figure did not say a word in return, merely watching him from the darkness of his visors. Frarn walked up next to his father.
"Take yer time with him. Let's give them a beating they won't soon forget!"
"The Big Fox has quite a temper, lassie. You can bet your porkchops he'll keep any promise of trashing anyone messing on our property!" Doin exclaimed with a jolly tone, before Frarn commented on the sideline.
"Aye, and Big Fox, that's Glacus. Our boss, the old guy down there." Frarn explained as he pointed down to the ground where Glacus stood, who was currently shouting back at the white cloaks in front of the alehouse.
"We better get down there, kid. The boss will want every lad outside!" Doin said, before the elderly dwarf turned and marched towards the stairs:
"Ya don't 'ave to come, miss, but don't worry: nothing's gonna happen to ye here. This is the Van's big house!"
Sevarian quietly observed the raging Glacus for a moment after having received the challenge. The darkcaster seemed to be in a process of contemplation as he casually gazed around at the crowd that had gathered outside the alehouse, consisting of members of the White Cloaks and the Red Vanguard.
"Very well. I would not turn down such a challenge... " Sevarian finally said, a smirk appearing on his face. Turning to look at the masked rider next to him, Sevarian nodded in his direction. The rider's face was hidden behind an iron mask, with only two dark visors. The rider slowly bowed to Sevarian, before taking one foot over the horse's head and dropped to the ground next to it, his steel boots crunching the snow beneath them as they landed, and he turned towards Glacus and the Red Vanguard members.
As he approached them, the two dwarves, Doin and Frarn, appeared in the doorway of the alehouse as they walked out onto the grounds outside.
"What seems tha be the core of the matter 'ere?" Doin called out, as Glacus had noticed their arrival and turned to look down towards the dwarves.
"I am sure it is obvious enough, Doin." Glacus commented, his eyes jumping over to the white cloaks on the opposite side of the street.
"They want a duel."
"If you wanna teach 'em a lesson; let me at 'em!" Doin proclaimed boisterously, shaking his armored fist.
Glacus smiled at the Dwarf's apparent eagerness, and nodded.
"It is a job that I am happy to offer you." Glacus replied, placing his arm on Doin's shoulder as he looked the dwarf in the eye.
"Give him hell, brother. The guild will be watching!"
One of the officers standing next to Glacus motioned towards the Vanguard squire standing by the doorway. The young man swiftly disappeared back into the alehouse, before quickly reappearing in the doorway again as he carried an axe, a broad kiteshield and a red, horned steel helmet.
The squire hurried up to Doin, who accepted the arms and armor from the squire with a quick thank. Equipping the shield in hold hand, donning the helmet over his brows and clutching the shield in his other, the white bearded dwarf turned to face his opponent standing over at the White Hand crowd.
"Imma give ya one chance to walk away, friend. Otherwise this axe here is going straight between yer bollocks!"
Doin cried out to the White Hand Champion. But the figure did not say a word in return, merely watching him from the darkness of his visors. Frarn walked up next to his father.
"Take yer time with him. Let's give them a beating they won't soon forget!"
I wish you the best of luck with the job, Liaena.
May they never question you when it comes to creativity :P
May they never question you when it comes to creativity :P
“You may have killed Esmeralda, but that doesn’t frighten me!” Astrid called out defiantly with a furious voice, waving her arm up towards Liaena.
“I will not submit to your threats, bitch!”
“Offhh, can’t we just consider it?” Suddenly sounded the rather muffled voice of Donald from the bag on Liaena’s lap.
“If it’s a parley you want, I consent!”
“Are you mad?!” Astrid screeched back, her gaze falling momentarily down upon the satchel that Donald was still trapped in.
“We can’t trust her!”
“No, but this isn’t getting us anywhere!”
Biting her lips, Astrid turned her head to glare back up at Liaena with a look of utter distrust. However, before she found the tolerance to formulate some words that was not swearing to the other girl, the sound of gunshots from a rifle could suddenly be heard from the corridor outside; which made Astrid instinctively twist her head towards the door, before glancing back up at Liaena.
“Did you take us to some kind of gun club or is that a reason for us to be worried?”
“What is it, lass?” Doin asked as he threw a worried look towards the paper in Kathlin’s hands. Walking up to the girl, the dwarf extended his hand to take the piece of crumpled paper from her and stretched it out to read it. Behind him, Frarn stood on his toes behind his father to peer over his shoulders and down on the newspaper.
In between numerous advertisements, job-openings and fashion tips stood a large title written in bold letters, reading: “Advisor of Treasure, high ranking member of Stormwind Royal bank murdered last night!”.
“Last night? Was it yesterday?”
“No, son. It happened just few hours ago. Fresh print.”
“It’s four in the mornin’!”
“Seems they brought us an exclusive… how very considerate of them.“ Doin mumbled, scoffing at the text as he continued to read out loud; “He was found dead in his private quarters, by his own wife who was spared by the assassins. ‘No one came in or out!’ says Captain Ragnar, who was the hired mercenary of the Red Vanguard assigned to protect him. On questions regarding if he is accusing the wife of involvement, he had no further comments… well shit.“
“Why didn’t we hear anything about this sooner?!” Frarn asked, and Doin shook his head.
“I have no idea. We need to tell the rest!”
“What’s going on out here?” Suddenly sounded another pair of voices from outside the window, as the Red Vanguard officers and members at the first floor had stepped outside. In front of the Guild Alehouse, where the two younger White Hands had stood, now saw no less than almost a dozen white cloaks gathering outside. The men and women were all mounted on horses, donned in black leather armor and shining silver platemail armor. Some of them had their white hoods pulled over their heads, with their faces hidden behind stainless steel masks.
Facing towards the doorway where the Red Vanguard members had emerged from, one of the black haired riders, apparently the leader; trodded forward as he raised his hand.
“Good evening, Master Glacus.” Called Sevarian from his steed, the darkcaster wearing a white cloak around him similar to the rest of the people in his company. Beneath his cloak he wore a stainless cuirass and shoulderplates over some expensive black silk robes. The man beckoned towards the older guildmaster of the Red Vanguard, a man in his early sixties called Renhard Glacus. Upon being called out, Glacus narrowed his gaze at Sevarian.
“What do you want? It’s the middle of the night. Have you no notion of space and time?!” Glacus called back, and Sevarian hummed on a light laughter.
“Perhaps we don’t, but perhaps it’s also for the better. If you hadn’t been sleeping, dear Mister Longbarrel might not have been dead.” Sevarian smiled, before leaning a little forward on his steed as he noticed the surprise that mixed with the suspicious looks on the faces of the Vanguard members.
“Or don’t you read the news?”
“Dead? If something had happened, I would be the first to know!” Glacus stated, throwing Sevarian a slightly confused look.
Sevarian, looking rather amused by Glacus' reply; turned to his nearest compatriot standing next to him. The iron masked rider pulled a news article out from beneath his cloak, the very same article that Doin just had read, before throwing it down into the snow covered pebblestone street. The Vanguard officers looked down at it, as one of them stepped forward to pick the article up before returning to the group where they all gathered around it to look.
A moment passed, before Glacus; now with a grim look on his face; turned to look back at Sevarian who was still on his mount.
“Have you come all this way just to gloat, or do you actually have anything of value to say?” Glacus asked as he cast Sevarian a dark stare. Sevarian took a few moments to answer, staring back at Glacus with a sly smile.
“Though I might carry dark tidings, I also carry advice.” He finally said, looking out across the Vanguard members.
“It would be better if you looked for jobs elsewhere. It is no secret that Stormwind has become too competitive for you to thrive, no… survive. If you cannot even protect your top clients, who would hire you?”
“Are you doubting our skill? If so, let’s have a duel; your man against mine! I will not tolerate your lot coming on our turf and insulting us like this!” Glacus shouted back, pointing at Sevarian where he stood as anger filled the old man!
“I will not submit to your threats, bitch!”
“Offhh, can’t we just consider it?” Suddenly sounded the rather muffled voice of Donald from the bag on Liaena’s lap.
“If it’s a parley you want, I consent!”
“Are you mad?!” Astrid screeched back, her gaze falling momentarily down upon the satchel that Donald was still trapped in.
“We can’t trust her!”
“No, but this isn’t getting us anywhere!”
Biting her lips, Astrid turned her head to glare back up at Liaena with a look of utter distrust. However, before she found the tolerance to formulate some words that was not swearing to the other girl, the sound of gunshots from a rifle could suddenly be heard from the corridor outside; which made Astrid instinctively twist her head towards the door, before glancing back up at Liaena.
“Did you take us to some kind of gun club or is that a reason for us to be worried?”
“What is it, lass?” Doin asked as he threw a worried look towards the paper in Kathlin’s hands. Walking up to the girl, the dwarf extended his hand to take the piece of crumpled paper from her and stretched it out to read it. Behind him, Frarn stood on his toes behind his father to peer over his shoulders and down on the newspaper.
In between numerous advertisements, job-openings and fashion tips stood a large title written in bold letters, reading: “Advisor of Treasure, high ranking member of Stormwind Royal bank murdered last night!”.
“Last night? Was it yesterday?”
“No, son. It happened just few hours ago. Fresh print.”
“It’s four in the mornin’!”
“Seems they brought us an exclusive… how very considerate of them.“ Doin mumbled, scoffing at the text as he continued to read out loud; “He was found dead in his private quarters, by his own wife who was spared by the assassins. ‘No one came in or out!’ says Captain Ragnar, who was the hired mercenary of the Red Vanguard assigned to protect him. On questions regarding if he is accusing the wife of involvement, he had no further comments… well shit.“
“Why didn’t we hear anything about this sooner?!” Frarn asked, and Doin shook his head.
“I have no idea. We need to tell the rest!”
“What’s going on out here?” Suddenly sounded another pair of voices from outside the window, as the Red Vanguard officers and members at the first floor had stepped outside. In front of the Guild Alehouse, where the two younger White Hands had stood, now saw no less than almost a dozen white cloaks gathering outside. The men and women were all mounted on horses, donned in black leather armor and shining silver platemail armor. Some of them had their white hoods pulled over their heads, with their faces hidden behind stainless steel masks.
Facing towards the doorway where the Red Vanguard members had emerged from, one of the black haired riders, apparently the leader; trodded forward as he raised his hand.
“Good evening, Master Glacus.” Called Sevarian from his steed, the darkcaster wearing a white cloak around him similar to the rest of the people in his company. Beneath his cloak he wore a stainless cuirass and shoulderplates over some expensive black silk robes. The man beckoned towards the older guildmaster of the Red Vanguard, a man in his early sixties called Renhard Glacus. Upon being called out, Glacus narrowed his gaze at Sevarian.
“What do you want? It’s the middle of the night. Have you no notion of space and time?!” Glacus called back, and Sevarian hummed on a light laughter.
“Perhaps we don’t, but perhaps it’s also for the better. If you hadn’t been sleeping, dear Mister Longbarrel might not have been dead.” Sevarian smiled, before leaning a little forward on his steed as he noticed the surprise that mixed with the suspicious looks on the faces of the Vanguard members.
“Or don’t you read the news?”
“Dead? If something had happened, I would be the first to know!” Glacus stated, throwing Sevarian a slightly confused look.
Sevarian, looking rather amused by Glacus' reply; turned to his nearest compatriot standing next to him. The iron masked rider pulled a news article out from beneath his cloak, the very same article that Doin just had read, before throwing it down into the snow covered pebblestone street. The Vanguard officers looked down at it, as one of them stepped forward to pick the article up before returning to the group where they all gathered around it to look.
A moment passed, before Glacus; now with a grim look on his face; turned to look back at Sevarian who was still on his mount.
“Have you come all this way just to gloat, or do you actually have anything of value to say?” Glacus asked as he cast Sevarian a dark stare. Sevarian took a few moments to answer, staring back at Glacus with a sly smile.
“Though I might carry dark tidings, I also carry advice.” He finally said, looking out across the Vanguard members.
“It would be better if you looked for jobs elsewhere. It is no secret that Stormwind has become too competitive for you to thrive, no… survive. If you cannot even protect your top clients, who would hire you?”
“Are you doubting our skill? If so, let’s have a duel; your man against mine! I will not tolerate your lot coming on our turf and insulting us like this!” Glacus shouted back, pointing at Sevarian where he stood as anger filled the old man!
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