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Post by FaunaFawn on Aug 4, 2019 14:52:54 GMT -6
 MingNo footprints on the trail for you to follow in the tracks
For you to make it there you have to leave without the mapWhy must it always feel like in times of great stress the seconds pass if it had been minutes? Ming watches her breath, trying to steady her already fried nerves. Yet what seemed to be like the moment, was instead the moment for someone else. Ming watched in horror as Kirins descended down on the Aodhians, eyes watched as she took a worried step back. This wasn't good, this wasn't part of the plan.
Fear crept up on her, she wasn't trained the best for this? She wasn't really a fighter, not as well trained as the others. For gods sake, she was a poison taster for the King, her gifts and talents was but a mockery here. She feared and was scared, to fight in a battle, to always be fighting. Yet Shale called for their command, and Ming's heart leapt into her throat as she tried to steady herself. Her legs trembled, as the enemy could be any of them, it was doubled.
Joel was the next to speak, as Ming watched Shale charge down with courage and bravery Ming assumed she would never have. Ming tried her best to nod at Joel, protect the kids, she could do that. She could do that! Ming looked to the Joel and gave a passing look to Rosie and Ammy, a sad smile, before she too took off down the slope and into the battle. Deep breathes she focused, on one thing protect, she rushed down seeking out the children and those not fit to see a fight. Ming prayed she could keep up, prayed she would be of value here among those that knew their purpose in this world.
WC:280 | Post #4 |
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Post by ThatDenver on Aug 4, 2019 15:26:23 GMT -6
TOMAS
Tomas startled when then kirins appear, seemingly out of nowhere. The ambush was not for them, but it unnerved him regardless, the efficiency of it, and the absolute bloodthirst he could feel emanating from the kirins themselves. He could tell that they would kill everyone, Chevaliers and slaves, parents and children. They would kill and burn and loot.
Shale jumped to action, charging down. Soon enough shields and spears of earth struck forth, and the Aodhians, to their credit, seemed to take their unexpected allies in stride.
“Stay safe”, he said breathlessly, quickly, to Amadeus, and then remembering Illidis’ vows when he picked sides, looks at the former Pit Fighter: “Keep an eye on Ammy, will you?”
There’s something almost like concern in his voice, even if just for a second, and then he too was jumping down after Joel and Shale, his knife drawn.
Tomas runs towards Joel, and then trails after Shale. His small knife is hardly a weapon of choice, but it is sharp, and it is easy to use. He tucks and weaves right by Shale’s side, using the shields and spears of his blessing to keep himself safe. He is there to watch Shale’s flank, at least until someone drops a weapon more suitable for proper combat.
Still, even with his little knife, he manages to gash a kirin who gets too close, causing them to stumble into Shale’s earthen defenses.
Word count: 236
Post #6
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2019 19:01:53 GMT -6
The kirins are quick to react to the change in balance - their ranks become a bit more organized, and their interest turns from the weakest links to those who seek to oppose them.
No words are exchanged as the fighting begins.
The children and their parents alike hide behind Ming, even as one of the older children and some of the adults prepare to fight, should they need to. The elderly mare and servile work together to herd the young children further away from the kirins - flanked by some of the other civilians, they back away slowly. They know that running would be dangerous, as without the Chevaliers and Vindicators between them and the kirins, they are easy prey.
The Chevaliers, for their part, don’t question the unexpected assistance. They work now to keep the fight contained, turning the kirins away when they try to pursue after the civilians, while the labor slaves pummel down hits at the kirins from between the safety of Shale’s Earth Manipulation, Joel’s shield and the Chevalier’s armor.
The first kirin falls to Joel’s blade, while a second died from Illidis’ gunshot. A third and fourth were injured, one by Tomas and Shale, another by Illidis’ crossbow bolt.
The kirins won’t take this lying down. They don’t see Illidis, but they know his approximate location. Fire breath sweeps the ledge, and lightning flashes through. Trees and dry underbrush are set on fire as the kirins regroup.
The fire won’t harm them.
One of the kirins goes after Joel, shooting spears of light at him.
The wounded kirin lurches at Ming and the children, fire at their lips.
Two more fight Shale and Tomas, one of them with an ugly gash on their face; they try to get good aim with their Heat Vision and Pain Infliction.
The seventh kirin summons hordes of illusions to haunt the scene, confusing the Chevaliers and civilians alike as they weave through the crowds, searching for a good target.
And the last kirin wielding shadow manipulation, has their eyes set on the children.
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Post by kajeayn on Aug 6, 2019 0:38:28 GMT -6
= J O E L =
"When troubles want to find me, I ain't hard to find.”
WC: 377 | Post #5Damn it, damn it, damn it.
One down and more sprang up to take its place, Joel’s rapier gleaming crimson as he whirled, lips curled back over his teeth. Positioned by the children and Ming, he had a good view of the coming attackers, but there was little he could do, not yet. He whirled, eyes wide as light reflected off his shield, spears of light slicing through the air towards him.
That was new. Hadn’t fought against light before.
His eyes squeezed shut against the searing, blinding light, and he lunged forward, shield lifting. He drops his weight onto one hind leg and he spins, and one spear passes so close he hears his hair singe, smells it as it burns. Cold passes over his face and neck, skin tightening and shivering, and he wonders at it, but has no time to ponder. His head turns and with it his shield, and he hears the shriek of metal as the spear passes partially through it, leaving a glowing red, dripping gash in the metal, over the front of his shield.
Damn, he really liked that shield. Probably mostly still worked, though.
He turns his head, lips still curled as his eyes open again, but there is a new, cauterized wound over his cheek, grazed slightly over his neck from where he'd tried to dodge it. White raised skin, pinkened at the edges, still raw and sizzling in the warm air. His mane is curled and blackened at the ends. His eyes are burning as he lifts his rapier with a yell.
He lands first on his front hooves in front of the kirin, at the same time ramming his rapier up towards the base of the kirin’s head where it met its neck. Beyond them he can see fire, and his heart stutters for a moment, eyes widening in sudden panic.
Illidis.
He knows the stallion is taking shots from up there. He doesn’t know if everyone else made it down, either, but he knows Illidis is up there. The thought hits him like a blow to the stomach as he falters a moment, torn in two, wanting to race for the flaming cliff face and the rest screaming to run for Ming and the kids.
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Post by Moose-On-Ice on Aug 6, 2019 15:55:10 GMT -6
"I'm standing in the ashes of who I used to be."
Ears pricking, Illidis was somewhat relieved to see his two hits take kirins down. He proceeded with reloading his rifle, sparing a glance at Amadeus. She was still here with him. He didn't blame her if she didn't immediately go down and charge into battle. Had she ever been in a situation like this? He guessed not, considering she'd just been in the palace for most of her life, and then in the vindicator's cells...
Finishing reloading, he set his gun up again and took aim, originally aiming for one kirin which split into many. Shit... Quickly he turned, looking to Ming, who was protecting the children. Again he took aim, drawing in a deep breath, and pulled the trigger, the gun cracking again, and another bullet hitting the kirin in the side. He didn't watch to see if the kirin fell, instead again pulling back to reload...
And then he smelled smoke, heard lighting crash. Sharply looking up, he watched with wide eyes as fire spread up the ledge blocking the ways down, the raging, roaring red monster eating trees and grass alike. Shit. Scrambling to his feet, he turned around, trying to look for an opening. They had known he was here. He should have moved after his first shot. The fire was spreading quickly, and he couldn't see a way out that wasn't directly through the flames-
Amadeus.
The single word came through his mind. She was still here. And they both had gunpowder on them. Explosive, dangerous gunpowder, which would ignite if they stayed here or touched the flames. Hastily looking around, he looked for options, and saw only one. Nadim clutched to his neck, curling tightly into his scarf and jacket.
"Fire, we need to leave, we need to get out-" She hissed anxiously, hiding in his scarf, away from the smoke.
Coughing, Illidis tightened his jaw. This was... It was going to hurt... Slinging his gun over his neck, he took off running, trampling the flames and embers towards the pale pegasus. He only slowed slightly, to tuck his head down and essentially tackle Amadeus, head going under her belly to slide her up onto his back, where he held her with his teke. Coughing, he pivoted on his legs, changing direction, fire licking his legs and reaching after him to try and grab a burning hold.
He galloped towards the cliff, tightening his grip on Amadeus, curling his head down to protect himself from the fire, ashes and embers searing his skin. This was the only time he was thankful for his prosthetic, which felt no pain from the heat. Reaching the edge of the cliff, he twisted, throwing Amadeus in front of him and instead of directly leaping into the air, he planted his hindquarters, skidding off with her, pulling her to his chest to try and cover her as much as possible. He hit the ground first, shouting out, a sharp bolt of pain cracking through his side. Gritting his teeth, he kept his hold on Amadeus, the two of them rolling and getting thrown down the slope.
He couldn't tell how long they were falling, only that when they reached the bottom, he again crashed into the ground. His head cracked the dirt, and he felt like he couldn't breathe. His head was swimming, his side was burning, he couldn't get a breath, everything sounded fuzzy and distant, like it was being heard through cotton. Was Amadeus here? Was she ok? He tried to lift his head to look for her, his limbs feeling numb and like they didn't exist. He could still smell the smoke, but his vision was blurring and fading in and out. Was he still alive? He thought so, but he couldn't tell...
Teke fumbling for his crossbow, he gripped it, ripping it from its holster and then, shaking and swaying, he tried to sit up, legs tangling in Amadeus and making him collapse again, like a newborn foal. Wheezing, he gasped for breath, the pain in his side making it difficult, making it like he was drowning.
Word Count: 682 words; Post 6 |
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Post by FaunaFawn on Aug 7, 2019 9:41:44 GMT -6
MingNo footprints on the trail for you to follow in the tracks
For you to make it there you have to leave without the map Her body stood like a statue before the Kirin, her eyes focused heavily as she watched their steps their movements, and suddenly in a blink of an eye Ming made a click with her tongue, a habit from her former Master Deidra, a single click and a bright pink force field came out and engulfed the children and herself, but not before hitting right in front of the kirin. Ming smirked knowing a Kirin was quick, but surely not quick enough to stop from hitting her force field.
Ming wanted to look around to see how the others were doing, but with the worries and cries of the children she couldn't not know until the threat was handled, She prayed the others would handle well. Ming took a step forward pushing the kirin back with her force field. The notion was clear, Ming would not allow the Kirin to harm her or these children under her guard.
Still she watched the Kirin, never seeing one before she looked at them with mild curiosity, though as the Kirin seemed ot lurch at the sheild trying to break though it, she narrowed her eyes all the more as she tried her best to look intimidating. The itch of her skin seemed to be a hint that her second blessing wanted to come to life, but she bit it down and remained focused on her duty. Protect the children.
WC:236 | Post #5 |
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Post by ThatDenver on Aug 10, 2019 6:28:50 GMT -6
TOMAS
He felt like everything was happening at once, all of a sudden. At first the fight had felt very controlled, almost safe. They had a big numbers advantage if you counted the Aodhians, and even if you only counted the Chevaliers into the fighting number, it sounded like a better fight in terms of numbers than most they had ever engaged in.
But, well. Then the blessings came out.
In just a few moments, the ledge was on fire, spears of light were flying in Joel’s direction and there were horrifying illusions and flashing lights everywhere, distracting his gaze.
Heat Vision struck one of the earth pillars just in front of him, and Tomas startled, woken back into action from his momentary stupor. Right.
He couldn’t really help Illidis, or any of the others for that matter, so he’d just have to keep fighting.
Then, the Pain Infliction hit.
Tomas screamed as a horrible pain struck the left side of his body. There was no wound, of course, but the pain was unbearable, searing and flaring as it went through him. In a blind panic, he stabbed at the heat vision kirin, who had taken a break from shooting the beam of light to take better aim.
Word count: 207
Post #7
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2019 11:14:21 GMT -6
Shale had fought against Aodhians before; their blessings and their horrible power wasn’t new. But the kirins… They were here to destroy, bloodlust woven so deep that it was impossible to fathom. Not that Shale had time for that, anyway. He timed his blessing with the protecting force fields, spears and shields erupting from the ground. He kept giving quick glances towards Tomas, making sure he was flanking him, listening to Illidis’ shot…
Sweat and dirt clung to his coat, and his breathing grew ragged at the effort. So many things at once, and he wanted to help everyone. Needed to, but couldn’t. He had to push hard against the cold dread that threatened to twist at his stomach.
He saw the fire from the corner of his eye and turned as soon as he was done dodging a spear of heat. He could see Illidis take a fall, and heard the shout. There was no time to run over, but the earth still moved like a rushing wave, forming a quick makeshift shield and trampling down the embers that fell from the hill. It wasn’t clean, just a rush of dirt that stopped in time to not cover the two. At least not entirely, from what Shale saw. He was distracted enough that a scorching light seared his shoulder and he growled through his teeth as he heard the skin sizzle from the burn.
His attention snapped back immediately at Tomas’ scream, momentary panic adding its own flare to the huge mix of adrenaline. He leapt to Tomas, pulling him behind the blocking force field of a Chevalier with his teke. He earned a gashing wound on his face from using his horns as his weapon while his teke was occupied, but he didn’t even feel it right then. He could feel the warm wetness on his skin, but even that barely registered.
Growl turned to a shout as more spikes emerged from the ground, seeking to pierce or wound any kirin. He could feel the drain from such blessing use, but he couldn’t afford to stop.
Word count: 348 | Post 5
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2019 4:52:40 GMT -6
The kirins seem pleased with their handiwork, and for a moment, cold pride flashes on their faces.
But pride can be a downfall - it was their downfall once before.
Joel’s opponent, the kirin with the spears of light, shoots another spear off in Rosie’s direction, but the distraction is costly, as a deft strike of a rapier ends their life.
The children, still shielded by Ming, gain courage from her force field as she stopped their advance. The older children - teenagers, really - throw rocks at the kirin, bruising them. The kirin, surprised, tries to spring around Ming’s shield, now breathing fire
Tomas’ dagger finds purchase, striking the kirin with heat vision. It does not kill them - but the earthen spears summoned by Shale, do.
The chevaliers chase down the kirin with fire who went after Illidis, and hack them down.
The labor slaves, for their part, manage to bring down the illusionist. The battlefield seems silent, suddenly, with the illusions gone.
Four kirins remain. The one with electricity manipulation strikes at the Chevaliers, but a bolt of lightning strikes near the main Vindicator fighting party of Joel, Shale and Tomas.
The kirin wielding Pain Infliction takes more distance from Shale, now using their blessing indiscriminately to hurt anyone they can reach.
The fire manipulation kirin facing Ming, pelted by rocks, tries to breathe fire through her Force Field.
The Shadow Manipulation kirin, realizing they are in trouble, turns to use Joel’s shadow against him, trying to pull the Vindicator down.
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Post by SagaWolf on Aug 12, 2019 23:32:00 GMT -6
Rosie
... ...
She thought she'd been ready for this, preparing her mind and body alike, ready to thunder at the enemy the moment the signal was given, but instead Rosie found her legs locking, her breathing shuddering and cold terror washing over her as the kirins attacked with seemingly one singular goal; to kill. Rather than spring forward the took a minute step back, until Ming's eyes suddenly locked with hers, and she she smiled before joining the fight. Ming the candy lover, one of the kindest people Rosie had ever had the fortune to meet and call a friend, gentle Ming was racing to the aid of the children and somehow that brought life to Rosie's stiff limbs.
She raced towards the battle, her weighted staff held at the ready, and heart stuck in her throat. A gun cracked Illidis' or Ammy's, a kirin fell and another crumbled near Joel and Ming was containing the children and family with her pink force shields. Shale and Tomas were battling expertly and Rosie was so caught up trying to get a a broad understanding of the battlefield, that she barely jumped out of the way of a spear of light, squealing with fright. This wasn't world! This could never be her world! How was she supposed to overcome the fear that made her feel like lead?
Tomas cried out in agonizing pain but Rosie saw no wound, no gushing blood, no sizzling flesh or twitching limbs, and she put two and two together, locking eyes on the kirin waving Pain Infliction around indiscriminately. She charged, somehow she made herself move, felt a roar of anger bubble in her chest. Everything that had happened to her, all the pain and sorrow and horror and uncertainty, it all seemed to find a voice. An angry, raging voice.
Rosie struck with her weighted staff first, aiming for the kirin's head but satisfied to land a blow anywhere. She followed through her charge with a lowered head, sharp horns at the ready. She sought to pierce flesh and use her weight to throw the beast off balance. Mostly she just wanted to hurt them back, as much as possible.
......
Word Count: 363
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Post by kajeayn on Aug 13, 2019 1:06:15 GMT -6
= J O E L =
"When troubles want to find me, I ain't hard to find.”
WC: 563 | Post #6He’s not fast enough. The light spear escapes the kirin even as he’s surging forward, burying his blade into the kirin’s flesh. He’ll think about the fierce, cold light leaving the kirin’s eyes later.
He can’t save them. He can’t help them.
His head whips to the side, eyes wide as he doesn’t think, only moves.
“ROSIE!”
He bellows, whirling towards where the light spear raced away- it’s not enough, he can’t save her, he can’t help her, not again- he has to try, he won’t get there in time, it’s the last thought he has before his own shadow surges from the ground like something out of a nightmare. He gasps as it grabs him mid lunge, driving him down to his knees with a grunt of pain, and it snakes around him. He hears Rosie’s squeal- pain? Fear? -and his ears flatten in alarm, looking up to see she’s miraculously ok, but she’s charging the pain inflicting kirin and his heart skips a beat in terror. He snarls, jerking against the inky dark pulling him down, panic thrashing in his chest- he has to get up, the others, Illidis and Amadeus fell, Tomas was screaming, Ming, Shale, the kids-
PAIN
His body arches off the ground, jaws parting in a scream so sudden he didn’t even draw breath. It’s just an awful wheeze as the last bit of air in his lungs is wrenched from him, his own shadow sliding over his skin and holding him in place. He can’t draw another breath in. The scream keeps coming, soundless. His vision flickers black and white. For a moment he can think of nothing else, pain blocking out every other thought but make it go away, please.
At his side, his fallen rapier lifts in a trembling teke.
He can’t stay down. He has to get up.
People need him.
The blade drives into the ground, piercing his own shadow as he rises, gasping, pain beating in every cell of his body as he wrenches himself free. He staggers, blade shaking wildly in his grip. He lifts his head, sides heaving, swallowing against the scream clawing the inside of his throat for release. He has to take them out. They hurt Tomas. They’re hurting him. They’ll hurt others.
Rosie charges the pain inflicting kirin.
His shadow swirls around his feet.
Lightning slams into the ground mere feet away. The air reeks of ozone and copper.
The pain lifts.
It’s still there, beating in his head like a drum, pulsing in his cheek and along his neck with a fire hot brand, but he can move his legs. He grits his teeth, tasting iron as he whirls, lungs burning on every inhale.
He rears up, even as his legs scream from the struggle of ripping free of his own shadow. His body is begging him to lay down. He doesn’t know how to fight his own shadow, but he knows how to fight a kirin. Everybody goes down with a hole in their head or heart.
A small voice whispers another Blessing would stand a chance against shadows. He silences it savagely.
His crimson rapier sings through the air as he swings in close, eyes burning, ready to take the first stab he can manage, anything to take them down, his shield lifting to protect himself as he lunges towards the shadow wielder.
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Post by FaunaFawn on Aug 13, 2019 12:22:37 GMT -6
MingNo footprints on the trail for you to follow in the tracks
For you to make it there you have to leave without the map Ming could feel her heart race, and the sudden rush of profoundness as the children rook up aims and firing at the Kirin outside of the force field bubble. Their courage did something in her, made her feel braver then what she was. A step forward she pushed the fire breathing kirin back. "We will not yield to the likes of you!" she sneered at them. Her tail standing tall as she dug her hooves into the ground and suddenly her force field got bigger, pushing them back more. "You will not harm them." she hisses out.
The screams hit her, and fear takes hold for a moment as her eyes look elsewhere to see the carnage that was all around her. Outside of her safety bubble. Tomas scream was awful to hear, it made her look for them, to seek out what they needed. She should have protected them too. She should be better at this, Her slight hesitation made, the shield come in a bit closer to her, allowing the kirin a few steps towards her as she remained at the front of the sheild.
Eyes looked to find the others, so many things happening, people screaming for unknown causes, and Ming catches sight of Rosie charging forwards into battle, and her heart leapt with worry and concern as Joel called out their name. Don't be foolish, please stay safe. She looked for Ammy and Illidis and all around her, she prayed they were winning, gaining some headway, but if they fight the kirins then what? Would they rob the Aodhians of even more? No, she prayed they'd give willing some food, and they could find someone else to rob, she couldn't steal not from them. Eyes looked to the kids that was under her guard and the Kirin outside blowing fire. Ming braced herself once more on shaking legs and focused on keeping the sheild up, protect the children... Protect the children..
WC:326 | Post #6 |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2019 5:48:33 GMT -6
The kirin is completely taken by surprise when Rosie whacks him over the head with the staff. Their blessing use is interrupted, and they look at the pale unicorn, confused as to where they even came from. As more whacks hit and then the horn, the kirin falls to the ground - not dead, but definitely injured.
The kirin wielding shadow manipulation evades Joel’s rapier - well, mostly. An ugly gash on their cheek as they ram their antlers at Joel, only to be distracted by one of the Chevaliers. The two fight ferociously, with teeth and hoof and blade. Scales smash against armor, and the Chevalier is wounded - but victory comes when another one of Joel’s lunges kills the kirin, piercing them through their scales.
The kids keep pelting rocks at the firebreathing kirin, and one hits them in the eye, causing them to flinch and somewhat haphazardly ram against Rosie’s shield. They screech in pain as the adult civilians advance, pushing the kirin down in an effort to protect their children.
Elsewhere the kirin wielding lightning has downed one of the chevaliers - they are not dead, it seems, but wounded for sure. They also hit one of the labor slaves, and pelt haphazard bolts all over the battlefield even as the now overwhelming advantage of the Vindicator-Aodhian force.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2019 5:48:40 GMT -6
Shale feels the pain hit in the middle of fighting, filling his head and seeming to find every nerve end to set ablaze. Shale is too winded to make much of a scream; it is more of a pained wheeze. His knees threaten to buckle, but he fights against it with everything he has. He fights, he pushes, and then he feels it… It is like something unlocking within him.
The pain subsides, too, but Shale barely registers it is because Joel has found the wielder of the pain infliction. He does register the fighting has slowed down, though; less blessings swung back and forth. From both sides. There isn’t silence, not by any means, but it almost feels like that.
His eyes sweep over the field, from the nearly dead kirins to the one summoning lightnings. A bolt sears so close to his side that his hairs stand up, and he jolts back to action. The newly found surge of power within him raises, and as Shale leaps forward there are more spikes of earth brought up from the ground with even more force and accuracy. He watches as the one wielding lightnings gets pierced, but the earth doesn’t stop. It ripples almost like a wave from the ground towards the two kirins still somewhat alive. Rocks, earth and rubble swoop over, swallowing the scaled creatures, but only them. The force is crushing, Shale can feel it.
When he lets go his ears ring and his vision feels wonky. Everything is spinning and the voices sound oddly distorted around him. As if everything is too slow and too fast, simultaneously. His knees visibly tremble but he fights it, fights to stay upright. He is covered in sweat, so much it foams around his chest and legs. His breathing is so ragged he almost wheezes, and it takes him a moment to focus his gaze again.
Word count: 316 | Post 6
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2019 5:48:45 GMT -6
All of the kirins lay dead. Several of your party are injured, the rest exhausted, and two of the three Chevaliers have been severely hurt in the fighting, but they’ll probably live.
The civilians are seem to be fine, save for some bruises and gashes on some of the adults - the children and the servile seem to be unscatched, thanks to your efforts.
The labor slaves, who participated in a good part of the fighting, are exhausted and have some surface wounds, but are in better health than some of your own party, so it can be counted as a victory.
There is a moment of uneasiness as the Chevalier remaining upright stares at your group.
“You are Vindicators”, she says - it’s not really a question. She has seen enough of your brands and your scars to know this.
She seems conflicted.
“We don’t want to fight you. My duty is to keep these civilians safe, not to apprehend criminals”, the Chevalier says slowly. Her injured comrades are trying to find their feet, but don’t seem to disagree with her.
She looks at the battlefield, and sighs.
“We will have to return to Opulence. This caravan is in no shape to travel, and we’ll need to wait for a larger group to depart,” she confesses. It’s clear she feels uneasy with you, afraid that you will attack anyway, but hoping that you wouldn’t leave the children without protection after just fighting to defend them.
“I know you were planning to rob us. There’s no need for violence. Just take one of the wagons - the one with the black wheels has mostly military and food supplies. The other one only holds personal effects of these two families”, her voice is almost pleading as she says this, but you can also tell that she isn’t really in a position to pick a fight with you either way.
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Post by kajeayn on Aug 14, 2019 10:02:14 GMT -6
= J O E L =
"When troubles want to find me, I ain't hard to find.”
WC: 337 | Post #7The quiet is stifling.
It’s not the first time he’s seen the end of a battle, but this is one of the very worst. Adrenaline and fear are the only things keeping him moving as he walks forward, teke glowing as his rapier flips to the side in a neat twirl, flicking blood off the blade. His expression is empty, mouth set in a hard line as he stares down the speaking chevalier. He sweeps his gaze once over the battlefield, checking on the other Vindicators, the slaves, the Aodhians and chevaliers.
He glances towards Rosie, meeting her eyes meaningfully before nodding his head towards where Illidis and Amadeus fell. He wants to run to them and see for himself if they’re all right, and he will once he knows the chevaliers won’t jump them the moment their backs are turned. Instead he stands beside Shale, sliding his clean rapier back into the holster but leaving a few inches of the blade exposed in silent warning.
“We don’t want to fight.” He replies lowly. His voice is even but hard and unyielding, eyes dark as he lifted his head, turning to glance at Shale. They don’t take orders from each other, but he still looks to Shale first before looking back at the chevalier.
“We don’t want your personal effects.” He says bluntly. They need supplies, but he isn’t about to admit it to them. What use do they have for the personal effects, though? They need to take the supplies and go, before anything else goes wrong. “We’ll take the wagon. But we’ll also take anyone who wants to go with us.” He looks past the chevalier at the slaves, eyes lingering on their brands. His face softens a moment. He knows they probably won’t say yes, at least not all of them. But if even one is looking for a chance, he has to reach out.
“You all fought valiantly today. You’d be welcomed as equals if you returned with us. You’d have a home.” |
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Post by ThatDenver on Aug 15, 2019 9:59:19 GMT -6
TOMAS
Finally, the fighting was done, and not a moment too early. Tomas hadn’t sustained that many wounds – mostly just scrapes and a slight burn scar from an errant bolt of lightning that didn’t hit him directly – but he was tired. It was his first real fight, and although Tomas had waited for an opportunity to prove himself for a while now, he was happy for it to be over.
A short look of concern was shot in Shale’s direction, and he was pretty sure the man would keel over as soon as the danger was over and done with. But for now, the unicorn stayed upright, even if it was purely on stubbornness, rather than anything else.
“Yeah. No one else needs to get hurt”, he said, putting his own dagger away too, but keeping it at the ready. Deciding to leave the talking to adults, he thought it might be good to check up on the wounded. He trailed behind Joel and towards Illidis and Amadeus – Amadeus had been quiet during the fight, and Illidis was seriously hurt. They’d probably need that cart just to haul Illidis home safely.
“We should get him into the cart”, Tomas told Rosie and Ming: “The three of us can probably manage it, he’s bigger than any of us but with teamwork it should be doable.”
Word count: 223
Post #8
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2019 10:25:02 GMT -6
Shale could feel the gazes on himself, and it made him that much more determined to stay on his feet. He’d been in enough fights to know that he wanted to hold on to the last bits of adrenaline coursing through his veins as long as he could. Right now nothing really hurt, but he knew that wouldn’t be the case forever. Blood had dripped all over his face from the gash, making for a more macabre look than a simple wound had any right to. He had another wound to his side, otherwise mainly scrapes and bruises.
He gave Joel a short nod in agreement. He sheathed his own sword after Joel and Tomas, but still held it at the ready to be pulled out, his teke visible around the handle.
“Yes, just the wagon with the military and food supplies will do”, he affirmed, mostly to the Chevalier facing them. His voice sounded hoarser than he had expected, but the sound was still coming out so he didn’t let the gruff quality stop him. He had no desire for further violence, but they really did need that wagon, desperately. Much more so than these Aodhians did. His ear turned towards Tomas’ doings, and for a moment he felt relieved for the initiative. He felt responsible for this group, for this mission, but it took all he had to appear strong for the moment.
His gaze flickered to the slaves then, and he nodded along with Joel’s words.
“Yes, you could be free. We’d offer you a home, but if you decide to want to move on and just be free, we’ll be happy to help you on your way”, he added. He felt oddly winded just from talking, not that he was willing to let it show.
Word count: 299 | Post 7
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2019 6:36:52 GMT -6
The Chevalier nods. She seems somewhat defeated, but also just excited to be going home more or less in one piece.
“We won’t stop you”, she says to the slaves, who are all watching her and the Vindicators, seeming conflicted.
One by one, the labor slaves walk over to you. First the two large, spotted slaves Shale freed, and then the two others who were struck free by the Chevaliers themselves.
Only the servile remains, and she shakes her head. Not saying anything, not even when the elderly equine with her party clearly tries to encourage her to go.
She won’t leave the children, you realize. She loves them.
She would have died for them.
With the matter settled, the two spotted laborers agree to be harnessed to the carriage you are taking. Illidis is packed in with the supplies, as are any others who feel too injured or tired to walk that very moment.
Only a few steps away, the Aodhians undergo similar scenes. The injured Chevaliers and the small children are lifted up to the carriage, while two of the uninjured adult civilians settle to pull the cart. The uninjured Chevalier stays alongside the cart for defense, and the young slave hops in with the small children.
You can hear the beginnings of a story she tells to make them forget the horrors they just witnessed.
Your party leaves the scene of the battle, now one carriage full of supplies, and four recruits richer. The Aodhians head in the direction of Opulence, thankful for once to have run into Vindicators.
CONGRATULATIONS ON COMPLETING YOUR PLOT! Stay tuned for the rewards once chapter ends!
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Post by FaunaFawn on Aug 17, 2019 16:22:54 GMT -6
MingNo footprints on the trail for you to follow in the tracks
For you to make it there you have to leave without the map The battle was over and Ming allowed the force field to flicker out. She looked at the kids with sudden pride in her eyes. They had fought for her, as she did for them. It was odd, but their bravery fueled something within her chest, though watching the sudden tense moment, made her ears flicker back. Made the children to a cautious step away. Still they were enemies despite it all.
Weary and tired, Ming took to the others, nostrils flaring as she took in deep breath. She over used her gift, but still she knew she could use it once more if things got messy. Even so much to let it flicker before her comrades, showing she would defend them. Thankfully it seemed they both wave the white flag, knowing each one was too tired for another fight. Ming watched her comrades as they spoke and nodded. Eyes watched as slaves stepped forward joining their ranks and she wondered if she was too blind to know what had been done to her.
Yet a slave remained behind, to stay with the children, and Ming found herself in that slave. A reason, that the job was not as awful as everyone had made it. There was purpose there was life. Ming watched as the children flocked to them, huddled around them. Ming watched as they made their way onward. Ming looked to the group, to the wagon that was now theirs, the slaves that joined them.
"Are you all okay? We need to get wounds wrapped, and healed up. I can help with simple things. I.. I.." she felt the adrenaline seem to rush out of her veins, leaving her more exhausted then she had thought. Tears threatened to spill as her mind caught up to everything, it was a lot. Nearly too much, Ming wondered if this was for her, had everyone felt this way at first.
WC:318 | Post #7 |
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Post by Moose-On-Ice on Aug 17, 2019 21:32:27 GMT -6
"I'm standing in the ashes of who I used to be."
Once he hit the ground, everything just sounded and felt like he was underwater. He was struggling to breathe, everything sounded distant, his vision was coming in going, pain was wracking his body. A rumble of earth under him was the most Illidis noticed, as well as the pellets of dirt washing partly onto him and Amadeus. He needed to get up... He needed to fight... He needed to prove he was more than just a slave.
Again, he tried, this time only managing to prop his head up, get one knee under him, and then a bolt of pain pierced through his chest like a rod of iron, making him gasp, tensing and falling down flat again, sucking in sharp breaths. Screaming, he could hear screaming, he could hear the lightning cracking, the clash of metal piercing the cotton in his ears. But he couldn't tell much else. Vision fogging, he lifted his head once, head swimming. Where was everyone?
Then he fell flat, sucking in shuddering, wheezing breaths, eyes rolling back.
The battle ended, silence came down, tense thanks and negotiations, if one could call them that. The dirt scattered near Illidis and Amadeus shifted, and the black cobra popped her head up, shaking it to scatter the dirt off.
"Flying dirt, fire, lightning, what's next?" She slithered out, rearing up, baring her fangs and flaring her hood. "Ok, where are they, FINALLY we're here-" She paused, tongue flicking. "We're done already?" She hissed, noticing Illidis. Nadim hastily moved over to him, flicking her tongue while poking him with her nose and trying to see if he was alive.
"Bastard, don't leave me here with the whining kid and stuck up bull." She hissed, moving to coil up on his neck once she decided he was still alive. She watched the rest of the proceedings carefully, rearing up and flaring her hood once Illidis was approached, but simply clinging to his neck while he was bundled into the wagon, only uttering soft hisses of warning when he was jostled and flinched or otherwise showed pain. She looked over him for a short while before slithering to the front of the wagon, looking out the front. "I didn't get to bite anyone." She lamented, coiling up in the sun on the wooden structure.
Word Count: 384 words; Post 7 |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2019 4:31:45 GMT -6
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