savorda
Dwarf Star
avatar by posy-punch
Posts: 61
|
Post by savorda on Jul 18, 2018 19:44:47 GMT -6
| eon you have suffered enough it's time that you won |
Eon worked his way through the barracks to rouse a few heavy sleepers (though how anyone can sleep through all the noise they’re making is beyond him). If he remained in the conversation he’d snap and set everyone else off. It was a delicate balance dealing with the smugglers. They needed their help to orchestrate this whole ordeal. Right now, their priority is to get the slaves out. Outside of Valore, outside of Eithne, they can argue and bicker all they want.
With all of the slaves ushering themselves towards the exit, Eon made one last round to make sure he didn’t miss anyone. He couldn’t imagine what would happen to anyone they happened to leave behind. Sure enough there was a little filly tucked away in the shadows, undoubtedly scared of and trying to get away from all of the commotion. Eon knelt down in front of her to try and calm her down. Poor thing was shaking like a leaf, though if it was from nerves or some other underlying cause, who knows. A few quiet words coaxed her up and onto his back. They needed to move quickly, he couldn’t risk them slowing down or her getting left behind in the chaos. He draped his cloak over the both of them and returned to the others.
Eon only glanced Eshana in acknowledgement. He didn’t need to be told twice. Every second felt like an eternity to him. It was a constant weight that reminded him how likely it is that they’ll get caught. Eon paced back and forth along the length of the shuffling pack encouraging those who seemed doubtful and keeping an eye out for any trouble, much like a dog guiding its flock of sheep.
Out of the corner of his eyes, Eon caught Reija whisper something to Pax. If he had been any less experienced, the gesture would have gone unnoticed. Eon watched them but chose not to bring attention to them. So long as they stayed quiet and compliant, Eon wouldn’t make a fuss.
341 words | post 3 |
|
|
|
Post by Prismaticlysm on Jul 21, 2018 11:40:30 GMT -6
N i L
Ω Aodh | Labor Slave Ω
 "When you doubt your power, you give power to your doubt."
~Honore de Balzac Ω
He could somewhat hear Eshana, who he realized was the leader of the Vindicators, speaking to the others in her group. Eon, Adari, Ida. The first two were to sweep the area and watch the slaves, and the latter was to help her. He understood the importance of having to be watched now. Isolt had been the most vocally defiant, but he was sure there were others who felt that way. One wrong move from the Vindicators could spell disaster, as a lone slave could alert just a single Chevalier and get the entirety of Aodh bearing down on them. And like HELL was he going to go back into those barracks. He wasn’t even out of the city yet and he was ready and willing to fight alongside the Vindicators should it come down to it. He wasn’t big, but he would fight.
Eshana and Ida had gone back inside the barracks, way inside. He figured they were ensuring everyone was out. Adari was a more...how to say, harsher character. It was appreciated at the moment because so much was riding on their success. It wasn’t just one of their lives at stake. It was hundreds, if not a thousand or more. He never really knew. The count changed on a literal daily basis. Labor slaves died to many things: broken bones, fatigue, illness, falling from a high height, being crushed. It was extremely rare for them to die of old age.
He took notice how Adari had a sharp eye on Isolt, but he said nothing. He could say no more than he had and if he did have more to say, now was not the time to say it. It was far too dangerous now, out in the open. He wanted them all to live.
Ears flicked as he heard Reija’s distinct vocal tone, but he couldn’t quite catch exactly what she was saying as she was whispering, and swiftly. He could hear her nearby, trying to usher the foals she was helping moments before. Her tone was hurried, if not distressed, and he looked back to look at her and the winged Smuggler. He swung his head back around as she spoke ever so slightly louder, to the lot of them, to hurry up. Were there Chevaliers coming? Shit…
The male turned and sidestepped over to where Reija was ushering the foals, and quickly swept down onto his knees. He had to help the old mare and the child.
“Climb upon my back, little one. I will help you.” He indicated the child who had been hurt earlier that day. A limping foal would surely fall behind, no matter how much one could give them a pep talk. The foal was obviously scared, but with the help of Nil’s head arched back and brilliant red teke, the child managed to straddle Nil’s back. The teke stayed, glowing on each side of the foal. With a little bit of effort, Nil rose, his nostrils flaring from the effort. So young yet he felt so brittle. Once he was free he would eat healthily and be healthy again.
“Let us go.” Ears pinned back in their normal position, Nil trotted forwards to catch up with the group again.
Ω |
|
|
|
Post by mariahwhy on Jul 21, 2018 14:06:54 GMT -6
Isolt | Labor Slave
Walking just ahead of Pax and Reija, Isolt allowed herself to be ushered forward. It was a very involuntary action at this point in her life. These vindicators and smugglers were no more than her new masters, leading her out into the dark to gods know where... as masters always did. All but the city. The city had been a just master. Work hard, follow the rules, and you would be rewarded with food and supplies. She had been hoping that she was even close to being moved up to the Valiant District, so diligent was she in her work. A work she loved. A work that she felt proud of, despite how it wore down her body. But what was a body if not a vessel to support the thing you loved? And she loved the city. That maybe didn't include the Dark District, but it was still her home. It was where she came home to every evening after work. It was where she raced others, a hobby she truly enjoyed, in the small amounts of time she had away from work. And now they were taking her away. Never again would she walk across the Gilded Bridge as the suns set over the glistening waters of the bay. Listening to the merchants calling the last of their wares for the day. Watching as shoppers headed happily home with their new belongings and groceries. Blissfully invisible to all and the problems that plagued the wealthy. She needed nothing more, and wanted nothing less. The mule turned her head to look at the barracks one last time, ignoring the other slaves and their murmurs. None of them mattered now. They were not her peers any longer. She figured the free folk had no peers. Weren't they usually alone? Surrounded by little but the trees and grass around them? She would miss the constant noise of the crowds and the closeness of bodies. She didn't know where Pax would take her, but she guessed it was quite secluded for him to have not been caught yet. But movement inside the barracks caught her eye. Her steps hesitated, and she wanted to stop to take a better look but the movement of the group kept her forward momentum going. Instead she squinted. Some of the vindicators were still inside. Just double checking that they'd stolen everyone, probably. Her stomach knotted, but she would have turned around and forgotten about it had Reija's whispers not caught her ear. The urgency in her tone told Isolt that she was right to be nervous. She looked at the smugglers, confused but not saying anything, when she stopped dead in her tracks. She could smell it now. She supposed she hadn't before due to the overwhelming smell of so many bodies and her preoccupation with the situation at hand. But out here in the open, at the back of the group, the acrid and unmistakable scent carried faintly to her. In the distance, one of the fireworks shows reached it's finale. Crackles and pops sounded constantly, bathing the area in light. Isolt's nostrils flared, and her eyes widened again. The smell. The sounds. It was the crucible attack all over again. She had smelled it then. Many of them had, and thought nothing of it. Until it exploded. Blasting powder. Her head swiveled to Pax, her gaze terrified and accusing. "There might be violence here..."The finale overhead grew more intense. Firework after firework exploded, the sounds overlapping and bouncing off of the district's walls. He had known! He had known, and yet he had still lied to her. Made her believe he loved their city, her city, and wouldn't see it burn. He lied. The smugglers had brought the vindicators in knowing this would be the end result. That was why they had been so adamant about her departure. She couldn't go with him now. She couldn't go with any of them. If she did there would be nothing to come home to. Without hesitation she bolted. Hooves pounded over the cobblestone, covering the cracking and uneven ground expertly. Her racing days and knowledge of the Dark District would aid her in her escape. She sped down streets and skidded around corners in a mad dash to the gates. "GUARDS!" she screamed. "GUARDS! THEY'RE GONNA BLOW IT UP! GUARDS!" There would not be as many chevaliers patrolling the area due to the festivities, but there were always some at the gates. Always. (Post 5: 744 words) |
|
|
|
Post by kerarose on Jul 21, 2018 16:50:12 GMT -6
ADARIVindicator Specialist (Spy) "Eshana! Nil!" she said as loud as she could without being caught, "We've got a runaway! Plan B! Nil, with me!" She turned around and gave chase to the mule.
That gods-damned fool! echoed through Adari's mind as she ran. Being almost a full two hands taller than Isolt, most of it being leg, the little mule's racing experience had nothing on Adari's much longer stride, although her stamina could prove to be an issue. Her hooves glided over the paths, paths she knew by heart from her years running errands in the Dark District for masters. Her eyes roamed through the paths, searching for anything to slow the mare down. Barrels, boards, anything and everything was caught in Adari's royal-blue teke and yanked into Isolt's path. Slowly but surely, Adari made ground, until she was running right behind the little mare.
"You would really condemn hundreds of souls for this city?!" she hissed. "What about Nil? He deserves to go to Serora and live under Alya's skies. Eshana does not deserve to be trapped in the city again; a child of Breim is not viewed well here. If I am caught, no one will get my children out of the pits. And what of the other labor slaves, the ones that yearn for freedom? Your selfish love for this city would damn them to serving in this hellhole until they die of exhaustion. Is that what you want? Save your city, but be remembered as the slave who damned hundreds of lives? Who damned Eshana, Eon, Reija, Pax and the others to death? Who damned Nil to death by wyvern?" She knew she was being harsh, but she refused to let the mare live with a free conscience. If she damned them to death, she would remember it for the rest of her life. "I swear on my love for Ignacio, we are not destroying this place tonight," she lied effortlessly. "Imagine them all coming to wake you tomorrow to find no one there- they'll destroy the place themselves looking for slaves that are not there. Funny, in my opinion."
Adari started to get winded, and knew she would not be able to keep up in a direct chase much longer. It was time to take the spy's route to end this. She hoped that Nil understood that he was to continue to give chase as she dropped behind, towards a little-known and little used-path. Isolt had made a foolish choice running the path she did, as the path Adari was on was shorter, if more difficult to go through. She ran as fast as she could, not caring if she picked up cuts and bruises along the way- those would heal. A brand would not; neither would death.
She concocted a plan in her mind- a risky one, to be sure, but one that might work. She could surely play the part of an Aodhian, having been brought up as a servile slave and still having an Aodhian accent. Ignacio, she prayed as she ran as fast as she possibly could, help me. Help me save the others, and keep this little mare from ruining it all. She reached the intersection of the two paths, and listened. Hoofsteps echoed to her right- she had beaten them, but not by much. Running the last few steps, she blocked the pathway, and braced herself for impact.
Post 5, WC: 564 words |
|
|
|
Post by Prismaticlysm on Jul 21, 2018 18:16:18 GMT -6
N i L
Ω Aodh | Labor Slave Ω
"When you doubt your power, you give power to your doubt."
~Honore de Balzac Ω
He didn’t know what was going through Isolts’ head, and at the moment he didn’t care. He was busy walking with the crowd with a child on his back. He would have done the same for her, too. Anyone for that matter. This was the first time in his life he felt wanted. These Vindicators didn’t have to come here to free them. They could have lived the rest of their lives in peace. Same with the smugglers, they didn’t have to care for the slaves, but here they were despite her very obvious differences, working as one.
But one of the worst things, something he had thought of briefly but never actually gave much consideration to, actually happened.
Isolt ran, yelling for the guards.
His blood ran cold, horrified as her painted form started to shrink as she charged away from them. He was shocked, stunned. She had really meant it then. They were nothing but traitors and criminals in her eyes. She would sacrifice them all to make a point, that this city was worth saving.
He no longer felt it was.
The other horses around them seemed to panic, but he had no time to deal with them. He heard his voice being called, the familiar voice of the blood bay mare reaching his ears. He wasted no time.
“Hold on tight!” His teke glowed ever brighter around the foal on his back, a swift sparkle of red lowering the goggles over his eyes. At the pop of a firework, he was off. He was naturally gifted at running, the interest and love driven into him by the many races he had run since becoming a labor slave. So when he took off, he took off. If Alya could give him wings, it would be to aid him at this moment with her divine winds at his back.
He had quickly caught up to Adari, just in time to hear her scold the mare. He flinched, but sadly he felt it was somewhat deserved. She really was going to get them all killed. He didn’t want any harm to come to her, he honestly cares too much for her and her...loyalist affliction. And there was no guarantee she would survive if they were all caught. Her snitching would probably be in vain. They’d probably just kill her too to make a point. He absolutely couldn’t let anyone die tonight.
Adari slowed past him, causing him to slow for a moment until he realized what she was doing; a shortcut. Well, he didn’t think it was due to all the obstacles, but she was a free mare and likely had more experience out in the wilds. His nostrils flared, breathing heavily, he charged after Isolt.
“Isolt please!” He called out to his fellow slave when he was running along her side. “Whatever you think of me, of them, it’s too late! We will all die if they find out now! You can stay in Valore, but let us be free!” His voice was strained. He was terrified of getting caught. Terrified of dying. Terrified he would never run free in the mortal realm ever again.
Though he pleaded, his eyes caught a sooty bay suddenly before them. He started to skid, to try to stop. Isolt whipped past him. She was going to barrel into the Vindicator.
“Watch out!” He was going to barrel into them too at this point...unless he jumped.
Ω |
|
savorda
Dwarf Star
avatar by posy-punch
Posts: 61
|
Post by savorda on Jul 21, 2018 20:49:02 GMT -6
| eon you have suffered enough it's time that you won |
“Guards!”
Eon’s whole world was crumbling right before his eyes.
“Guards!”
The brand on his rump stung. He couldn’t go back. He only just escaped slavery by pure chance. If he was caught, he would be a wyvern snack, or worse, be condemned to slavery once again. Not only was his life and freedom on the line, but so was that of the countless other slaves they were trying to rescue. How could anyone be so selfish? Wasn’t it just agreed that Isolt would remain here with Pax and return her life as a slave? What could have possibly set her off? Eshana and Ida. Of course. He didn’t know how she could have figured anything out, but she was determined to foil their plans. Eon wasn’t about to let that happen. Not only was she going to keep them from blowing up the bunkers, but she was about to sentence everyone here to death. No one should have that say over the lives of so many. While the others chased after Isolt, Eon worked to hurry the rest of the slaves along. The filly on his back was trembling and whimpering from all the excitement. Eon turned to glance back at her and give her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry little one. We’ll get out of here.” he murmured, praying he was right. If they were caught, who knows what would happen to the slaves. In the eyes of Aodh, they were all guilty. It wouldn’t matter who was the mastermind behind it all. The slaves were escaping.
Eon ran to Pax and Reija. He didn’t trust them, not in the slightest, but he wasn’t about to get these slaves out on his own. He needed their help, as much as he hated to admit it. “Please, we need to get everyone out now.” His grip on the filly tightened as he spoke. “Whatever madness Isolt is spewing is going to get everyone killed if we don’t hurry up.”
330 words | post 4 |
|
|
|
Post by Ribbon-Wren on Jul 22, 2018 13:26:30 GMT -6
Ida || Vindicator Soldier
As the firework show came to its finale, Ida began to secure the explosives at a quicker pace along the barracks. They didn't have much time left, and they needed to get out of here before the celebration was finished. Her excitement was beginning to fade; she was shaking and her teke was shaking. In her haste to get out of there, the soldier was growing more and more sloppy, but at this point she didn't care. The barracks was an eerie place to be at night, and the threat of guards showing up increased with each passing moment. Her anxiety, barely under control to begin with, was starting to seep back into her thoughts. Her nerves were beginning to fray and she wasn't sure how much longer she could stand this. As she opened her mouth to ask Eshana how much longer they would be, she dropped her explosives with a start.
A wail came from the direction of the slaves, and Ida could just make out the figure of Isolt bolting away into the night, screaming for guards. Damn it all! The smugglers had one job, and they couldn't even do that. They knew Isolt was going to be trouble, and what did they do? Nothing! They just let her run off to get them all killed.
But Ida didn't have time to be angry at the smugglers as she watched some more horses pelt off after Isolt. The worried chatter of the slaves rose in volume, and she knew it would only be a matter of time before they were too amped up to be able to follow the vindicators' instructions safely out of the Dark District.
"Eshana, this will have to do. If we stay much longer Isolt will have doomed us all." She said with a quiet urgency, fixing the explosives she had dropped into a messy pile near one of the buildings. "I would much rather die by these explosives knowing I did some damage than be caught by one of those guards... Though I don't want to condemn all those innocent people to the same fate if I can help it. We need to move, and fast."
(Post 5: 367 words)
|
|
|
|
Post by Mad-Manx on Jul 25, 2018 20:03:17 GMT -6
Eshana vagabond | vindicator "Strong but exhausted."
Post: #4 | Word Count:397
The fuses were placed with cautious but quick motions, Eshana never allowing herself to pause for more than a few seconds in any place. One wrong move was all it would take to set them off, and she sucked in a trembling breath each time she moved to attach one. It was delicate work, but with Ida working opposite of her they made quick work of it.
The last of her epxlosives had only just cleared the rim of her pack when a sudden commotion broke loose in the courtyard. Careful not to allow the package to slip from her pale blue teke, Eshana whirled. A streak of brown and white took offer across the cobblestone, hooves clattering noisily, with Adari and Nil close at her heels.
That damn mare, she was going to get them all killed.
Her blessing surged in her chest, only just simmering below the surface. She heard Ida's words, yet they barely registered as she fastened the last explosive into place, locking eyes with the grey hippocampus.
"No matter what happens, you and Eon need to get everyone out of here," Eshana spoke hurriedly, her tone hard and uncompromising. "You can't wait for us, there's too much at stake. You need to finish this."
There was more on her mind, so much more, but those were the only words she managed to choke out before she whirled. A few strides and she broke free of the confining building and allowed the magic to surge through her veins. Her body distorted abruptly, her horn disappearing as wings took form at her sides, already outstretched and grabbing at the air. Memories that were not her own threatened to flood her mind, only barely held back by sheer force of will and practice. It was a blessing on it's own she knew most of the Chevaliers that patrolled this area, enough to seize their form. Eshana could only hope this particular chestnut stallion was not on duty that night.
Her newly formed wings gave her the advantage of speed, and within moments she clattered to the ground just beyond the trio, stony faced and bracing herself to aid in bringing down the runaway slave. She desperately they could have convinced her to cooperate, that they only had her best interests in mind; but she couldn't let a single indoctrinated endanger all their lives, not tonight.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mad-Manx on Jul 25, 2018 20:59:33 GMT -6
NPC
Bryn & Evren
The fireworks display truly was dazzling, the embers falling towards the ground in simmering strands of sparks, reflecting off the calm, nearly pristine surface of the ocean. No doubt citizens of all classes would be enjoying themselves that evening, partaking in a potent mixture of alcohol, drugs, and pleasure.
Yet not everyone was so lucky as to attend the festivities that night.
Bryn shifted her weight in boredom, armor creaking as she adjusted her weapon. Someone had to watch the Dark District that night; and unluckily for her and her twin brother, they drew the short sticks. Relief was still a few hours away, and until then she was stuck in silence, alone but for a twin who was taking swigs of something that was clearly not water from a metal flask.
"You really shouldn't have that," Bryn said irritably, fixating her brother with an annoyed glare.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Evren replied, meeting her gaze casually then proceeding to outstretch said flask towards her. "Want some?"
The bay stallion gave a shrug as his sister scoffed at the offer, bringing the flask back to his own mouth. "Suit yourself."
"Why don't you do something useful for once and patrol the area?"
"Fine," Evren sighed, pushing himself off the wall he was leaning upon and securing the drink once more to his side as his ambled forward. "Just holler if you need me to bail you out from anything."
"I think I'll survive," Bryn responded dryly, her gaze fixated on the path before them.___________________________________________________________________
Though somewhat inebriated, the guard is most certainly armed and a formidable opponent; and headed straight towards Isolt and company.
|
|
|
|
Post by mariahwhy on Jul 26, 2018 11:47:28 GMT -6
Isolt | Labor Slave
Blood was pounding so hard through Isolt's ears that she didn't hear the mare come up behind her, and hardly heard her speech to her. She wouldn't have carried if she had. She could only focus on one thing - warning the guards. Saving her home. If she did not... if she did not... she ran faster. She thought it was her increasing speed that made the mare fall back, but they were only then replaced by a more familiar voice. Nil. She didn't care. He didn't care about Valore, about their home, and so she didn't care about him. About any of them. She closed her eyes briefly and barreled down the road. It was a straight shot now to the gates. She could just see it coming into view. But so did that mare! That vindicator! There was no time to turn, or even to stop. That didn't stop her from trying. Her hindquarters tucked underneath her, and her hooves skipped over the cobbles. She managed to slow down a little, but certainly not enough. Eyes closed again she slammed into the other mare. Her body tumbled across the road, hide skidding against the ground. She tried to catch herself once, but with one misstep and a loud crack her right front leg gave way. Legs rolled in the air once or twice before she finally came to a stop. Isolt lay there, dazed and panting, for a moment. Now that she had stopped and her adrenaline was running out she realized how much she hurt. She was scrapped raw in several places, and bruised in many more. She heard one of her pursuants behind her, and tried to get to her feet, but realized then that her leg was broken and could not support weight. She fell back onto her chest, and, wild-eyed, looked around. Suddenly, around a corner, came two guards. "GUARDS! HELP!" she screamed. "PLEASE, HELP!"
(Post 6: 320 words)
|
|
|
|
Post by kerarose on Jul 26, 2018 16:45:15 GMT -6
ADARIVindicator Specialist (Spy) I swear, Ignacio, I didn't mean to hurt her... Adari thought, mind racing back to the day when another mare lay broken on the ground. I only meant to slow her down! She could hear herself start to hyperventilate at the sight of Isolt lying in the ground, unable to rise.
Hold yourself together, Adari, she thought, drawing in a few slow breaths. Slightly winded from her fall, with a few cuts that she quickly hid from sight, she rose and walked to the mare, keeping her mouth shut so she could not make sound and draw more attention to herself. She leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Make your decision quick, Isolt," she said. "A labor slave with a broken leg is of no use to Valore, except as bait. Come with us, and we'll heal you, give you time to rest and enough food to make that leg as good as new, and help you either find your way back in or find your place in the world. Or stay here, and serve your city as bait for the trained fighters, making this injury look like nothing."
She prayed that Ignacio would bless the young mare with the wisdom to make the right decision. Coming with the Vindicators would give her more than ample time to rest and stay off of the injury, making it so there would not be so much as a limp to mark her of this bad fall. Staying in Valore would not guarantee that same chance to heal- they would need labor slaves that could rebuild, not a slave who could not walk. A life of misery as a bait horse awaited her here.
"What is your choice, Isolt? A quick getaway, with our help to heal and come back here one day, should you wish? Or life ended here, going to the pits? If you choose the pits, I will not hesitate to let you take the fall to let the others go free. I learned well in my days as a servile slave, and can act. I bear no brand, and can act Aodhian. It will be my word against yours, and although you bear this city's sigil, you are not worth the same as a citizen." She sighed, hating how she had to threaten the mare, but she had no choice. "I do not wish you harm, but I cannot let the other souls behind us be caught." Adari noticed the guards stirring at the gate, much closer than she would have liked. "I need your decision now, Isolt. Adapt to freedom, or die in the pits?"
Post 6: 442 words |
|
|
|
Post by Prismaticlysm on Jul 26, 2018 18:51:13 GMT -6
N i L
Ω Aodh | Labor Slave Ω
"When you doubt your power, you give power to your doubt."
~Honore de Balzac Ω
He had to jump. He was just going to fast to stop from tumbling into both mares.
To his horror, Isolt slammed into Adari and went tumbling, and he was forced to make a perfect jump over two sprawling bodies when he got to the right point.
“Hold on kid!” He ordered the foal, strengthened his teke around the body of the little one, and brought his forelegs to his chest as he made the jump. He had heard a dreadful snap, and he looked down at Isolt in horror as he leaped.
No...she couldn’t have...
He sailed over Adari and Isolt, coming down hard on the cobblestone behind them, grunting as he trotted a few lengths more before twisting around to see Isolt still screaming for help. He was going to feel that later... His ears flicked forward when Adari approached, listening to what the blood bay mare had to say to his fellow slave.
His heart pounced, then sank.
He felt sick, coming to the sinking conclusion that the young mare would rather be a bait horse than allow herself to be healed by the Vindicators. She was so adamant that the city would reward her. His head turned around the Chevalier in sight. He was terrified, eyes wide and ears pinned against his skull, unsure of what he could possibly do. How were they going to get out of this now? And now the foal was in the middle of it too...he had to think of something, but nothing was coming to him.
“Don’t be scared.” He spoke to the foal, who was trembling and near sobbing on his back. “You’re a brave boy. I’ll protect you…” And if it came down to it, Nil would do everything in his power to protect the boy.
But he hoped some miracle would protect them all, including him.
Ω |
|
|
|
Post by Mad-Manx on Jul 27, 2018 21:20:33 GMT -6
Eshana vagabond | vindicator "Strong but exhausted."
Post: #5 | Word Count: 276
Eshana's heart plummeted as she watched Isolt slam into Adari, her foreleg twisting at an unnatural angle. There was no way the mare had come out of that scrap uninjured, and with time and speed of the essence, that could pose as a serious problem. Yet she couldn't bring herself to leave the mare behind either; she knew all too well what price injured Labour Slaves paid. The city only had use for fit, healthy bodies.
Unless by the luck of the gods the fireworks had managed to drown out the sounds of her screams, their time had just gotten that much shorter. They needed to find a way to get the injured mare to cooperate and back on her feet, and quick. Her mind ran quickly through the possible scenarios, desperately seeking an answer that avoided any of them being enslaved or killed that night. Their options were running thin far too quickly.
"Please, Isolt," Eshana hissed to the mare, almost startled at the deep, grating tone of the stallion's form she possessed. "If I have to walk you back to damn Valore myself afterwards I will, but you need help."
Limited though the Vindicator's supplies were, she knew they would provide aid to as many as they were capable of; the same could not be said for the Chevaliers, especially if they returned to find the vast majority of their labour force disappeared into the night. Perhaps with some wood, maybe a blanket, they could fasten a stretcher and at least get her-
"The hell is going on here?"
Eshana's blood ran cold as the annoyed, yet stern, voice rang out from behind her.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mad-Manx on Jul 27, 2018 21:23:31 GMT -6
NPC
Evren
The flask had just been tipped against his lips once more when Evren heard... Something.
His ears flicked about, straining to pick up the noise again. It sounded like yelling, and although that wasn't entirely surprising given the festivities happening across the city, these cries sounded different. More frantic, desperate.
Grumbling a few obscenities underneath his breath he let the flask fall to his side, turning to begin an investigation of the streets. It was probably just the damn street racers again. Only a minor nuisance in his mind, but he knew his sister would have his hide if he ignored it.
Sure enough, rounding a corner he came across them. Four of them it would seem, and a... Foal? Well that one was certainly new, as terribly mannered as the labour slaves could be they rarely seem to involve the young ones in such events. The one he presumed he'd heard the cries from writhed on the ground, her leg seeming to lie at an unnatural angle. Of course something like this would happen on his shift.
He briefly considered calling his sister over to deal with it instead, but decided against it. Maybe he could call in a favour later instead.
"The hell is going on here?" he announced gruffly. ___________________________________________________________________
Adari, Eshana, Nil, and Isolt have been spotted by a patrolling Chevalier. Decisions need to be made; and quick.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2018 9:31:14 GMT -6
 Pax i've got to find a new bell to ring,
a new song to sing The same stink of gunpowder that had alerted Isolt reached Pax in waves. Parallel to her dawning fear and growing panic, Pax's face turned grave, and suddenly his limbs were numb. "What are you doing?" His previous rage was gone, and even as Isolt became shrill at his side, he turned a wide and fearful eye on Eshana. "What are you really doing here?" His voice was weak with realization.
He did not try to stop Isolt. The nausea of betrayal reached him as she screamed their plans, and he watched the Vindicators with a guarded, unreadable face. Even as his dragons began to climb around his neck, trilling with anxiety, he did not move.
Isolt's screaming into the night didn't ruffle him as much as the Vindicators' telling silence. "You're killers." He pulled his hood up again, covering the tiny dragons as they settled uneasily against his tangled mane. "And destroyers." Voices rang out in the night, drawing his eye. All the Vindicators' bloviating was catching up with them. "Don't use my tunnel again." He knew there were other routes through the city's sewers, but he could stop them from passing through his roost.
As the guard stepped into view, Pax fell back into the shadows, into the crowd of frightened labor slaves, and began to quietly urge some of them to join him.
"Reija." He paused his retreat to briefly whisper at the old Smuggler's side. She was as dedicated to the cause as any, a dear friend, and he knew she worried for him. "I won't help them level Valore." His shaded eyes were urgent. "Do what you need to, but... I can't." 277 words | post 3 pax hasnt left the thread at this point but boy he fixin to he retreated to the back of the crowd of freed slaves, and is headed sort of back the way they came, hoping to lead some of the labor slaves back to his home in the tunnels |
|
|
|
Post by mariahwhy on Jul 28, 2018 12:53:45 GMT -6
Isolt | Labor Slave
Isolt threw her head around to face Adari, fear giving way to crazed anger. She knew what the fate of a broken labor slave was. It was, after all, perhaps the biggest fear of a labor slave. She would be tossed into the crucible and beaten, unable and unwilling to fight back, so that the pit fighters might hone their skills. Yet still, she felt such intense distrust of these outsiders now that she could not imagine her chances being any better with them. They were so destructive. So deceitful. How could she trust them to bring her back with as much as they abhorred this place? "I would rather die in the pits of Valore than spend another second with any of you," she hissed, her voice disturbingly quiet compared to her former screaming. "I know what I'm worth, and it's a hell of a lot more than any of you. One day you will answer for your crimes, and I hope the King's wyvern eats you alive." She shifted her weight uncomfortably. "Tell the guards whatever you wish. But the city will know you for what you've done. The gods will know." Suddenly a strange pegasus stallion, bearing no chevalier's clothes but neither a slave's bridle, appeared and leaned down to speak to her. She pulled her head away. She had no clue who this was, but they knew her. Must be another of those awful vagabonds. "You aren't walking me anywhere," she spoke, now louder at the noticeable approach of the guard. "Guard! Please, these two are vindicators! They are working with smugglers to free all the slaves, and they have set explosive in the barracks! Please do something!"
(Post 7: 282 words)
|
|
|
|
Post by Prismaticlysm on Jul 28, 2018 13:48:29 GMT -6
N i L
Ω Aodh | Labor Slave Ω
"When you doubt your power, you give power to your doubt."
~Honore de Balzac Ω
Something snapped inside of him.
He knew not what was happening back with the slaves they left behind, but that didn’t really matter at the current moment. The words that left Isolt’s mouth churned the contents of his stomach and froze the blood in his veins. And then it melted into an angry, seething pain that caused his body to shake. He trembled, no longer in fear but in pure, seething rage.
How dare she.
How dare she wish such a horrible thing to all of them. Especially the slaves, like him, that had done nothing in their lives to deserve the miserable life they had been given. Something was deeply wrong with the mare, this couldn’t simply be loyalty. She was disillusioned or something. He was certain he would never understand, and he was starting to wonder if his feeling towards her were unwarranted. Even still, he didn’t have the heart to say anything to her. Not anymore. No more pleading. He was done begging her to save herself. This was what she wanted and because of that, she was damned. If she wanted to die in the pits, so be it. His eyes were narrowed with pain and betrayal as he looked towards the downed mare. THen he looked away, shaking his head. It was worthless trying. His ears flicked back towards the Chevalier that had started towards them and he decided to do something very, very risky. He would sacrifice himself for the rest of the slaves if he needed to. All the blame would fall on him.
“Oh, thank Ignacio!” The slave started trotting, head low and submissive, over to the real Chevalier male who was coming towards them. “This mare.” He forced his voice to stay steady, avoiding venom from leaking into his voice as he stopped a few yards away from his target, his eyes downcast and head lowered. “She had awakened suddenly with this...delusion that someone was trying to blow up the barracks. Everyone else was sleeping, including myself. She started screaming. I tried to calm her down and tell her she had a nightmare, but she ran out of the building before I could stop her.” He looked up at the guard, ears pinned back, putting on a guilty expression. “This foal chased after her, and I chased after them both along with a passerby. The foal hurt themselves, and another Chevalier who heard the commotion came to help. I didn’t want her to cause a stir on such a night as this. She hurt herself, sir, really bad. I beg your forgiveness. Please allow us to bring her back to the barracks and tend to her wounds. She might hurt herself further if she keeps screaming out here. And we don’t want anyone else to hear this, especially on your watch sir.”
Nil lowered his gaze and closed his eyes. He tried to play the scared slave, the obedient slave. He forced himself to tremble, though it wasn’t too hard. He was terrified that this would fail and that not only would whips lash his hide, but he would indeed see the inside of the king's wyvern.
Ω |
|
|
|
Post by kerarose on Jul 29, 2018 20:59:51 GMT -6
ADARIVindicator Specialist (Spy) Adari heard the young mare's reply, and her heart broke. Foolish girl... she thought, why couldn't you simply try to help yourself? She walked forward to the Chevalier, her head held high, like a wealthy merchant might. "Thank Ignacio you've come, sir," she said. "I was out wandering the streets- I'm not much for huge parties, myself- when I heard this young mare cry out that Vindicators were here to destroy the slave barracks. Quite delusional, the poor thing," she said, shaking her head as if sorry for her. "I think she must still be affected by the last time those vile criminals were here- that, or she's missing a spark or two in her head." Adari crinkled her nose for effect, acting as if she was about to spit on the ground. "I wouldn't spit on them if they were on fire. Anyways, I tried to stop her, but I could not keep up with her- must be a street racer, that one. I tried to take a shortcut, and cut myself quite to pieces in the process, mind you, and the next thing I knew, she was lying on the ground with her... injury." She effortlessly acted afraid for Isolt, slightly tossing her head and keeping her hooves constantly moving. "I would help her, but I merely sell trinkets. I know nothing of healing myself, otherwise I'd be helping her in an instant."
She glanced down at the mare and sighed inwardly. Ignacio, she is a child of yours, no matter how completely stupid she may be. Keep her safe. Adari trotted around Isolt, careful to keep clear of her flying hooves. "You don't think they'd sell her to the pits, would they?" she said, playing a frightened mare well. "The poor thing must not be that bright, running around like a maniac after dark, but she doesn't deserve to be sold to those brutal fighters to be used as a kicking bag. Oh dear, oh poor thing..." She turned away, behind the Chevalier, muttering about how the poor girl deserved better, about how she'd still be a good use to the city, anything. Perhaps her rambling could convince the Chevalier to help the little mare. If not, well...
She made eye contact with Eshana's changed form from behind the Chevalier and nodded only slightly, her royal-blue teke grabbing the small knife hidden under her small cloak. If it came down to it, she would not hesitate to end the Chevalier to let her and her comrades-in-arms escape. Isolt, however- it would be much harder to silence her.
Post 7, WC: 434 |
|
|
|
Post by Artistic Pineapple on Jul 30, 2018 10:16:17 GMT -6
 Reija | SmugglerWhile Isolt bolted away, determined to destroy herself and the rest of them, the old smuggler carefully made her way to the tunnels. A hidden opening in the street satdormant beneath a large pot of decorative foliage... a ananymous donation to the Dark District from some commoner. The orange petals matched the few still tangledin the braided mane below her cloak. The frustration she felt when Nil took off withthe child on his back boiled in her stomach. It helped her teke heave the heavy pot to the side and lift the metal cover. She let go a breath as labor slaves lowered them-selves into the darkness below, glancing to a steaming Pax. His expression was rigidand his words still hung in the air. She held his eyes as the last few slaves and a vindicator disappeared under the street. Would this be the last time that she saw him?They were running out of time, and if the commotion from the runaway wasn't alreadybringing danger, whatever was about to happen in the barracks would surly seal theirfates. Pax loved the city, loved it so much that he would do anything to save it... wasshe wrong for not feeling the same?"Pax," blue eyes met his fiery golden. "Valore isn't a place. It's a People. No matter
what may crumble, Aodhians rebuild stronger and better." Her eyes wouldn't dropfrom his, though she could hear the members of the Tunnel Escape Club growing restless."They will never be able to level Valore... but I don't want to see them level you."She cared about the young stallion and seeing the pain in his eyes hurt her, too. But theywere too close to finishing their mission to take a chance. The horses in the tunnel belowwere still in grave danger of being found. "I have to help them, Pax... but you know
these tunnels better than I do, better than any of us. We're running out of time.
Please."
It wasn't a lie, the pegasus really did know his way around the underbelly of Valore betterthan any other smuggler... but the old mare had mapped the tunnels for this very mission.She hoped her plea would be enough to convince Pax to come with them, to safety, insteadof attempting to come between the vindicators and their explosives. Wincing from the painstill in her hip, Reija made her way into the tunnel, glad it wasn't as damp as the one from her previous mission. She scanned the eyes off all present, letting them know that they wereso close to freedom but to still keep quiet. The dark buckskin vindicator had been compliant and for that she was grateful. "Take a dim lantern and head left, when you come to the fork, take the right tunnel.
It should lead you to an open place in the tunnels. Wait there for us." Her voice wasurgent, but still gentle as she addressed the vindicator. The place she had sent them to acted as a commerce for the tunnel system, where a round underground room had access to halfa dozen different pathways. If not Pax, then she would have to be the one to lead them farther.Oh how she prayed that it wouldn't come to that.Post #5 | WC: 562
Reija really just wants to get out of here already, tries to convince Pax in a really cheesy way to help the slaves escape
Aids in getting the rest of the slaves into the tunnels via Secret Flowerpot™
also gives some simple directions to Eon in case things go boom and everyone still above ground needs to make a quick escape I'M BACK FROM THE ROADTRIP YALL
|
|
|
|
Post by Ribbon-Wren on Jul 30, 2018 12:21:03 GMT -6
Ida || Vindicator Soldier
Ida watched in dismay as Eshana changed forms and fled after Isolt, Nil, and Adari. They quickly disappeared behind some buildings, and it was only moments after that their shouting voices were overtaken by the distant Aodhian party. If they ran into Chevaliers, it might be a while before anyone would be back to help her. Though the labour slaves were gathered nervously together near the Dark District exit with the smugglers and Eon, they were too occupied to be of any help either. Eshana had told her to free all the slaves and to finish what they had started. Was she even capable of all that? Panic filled her chest as Ida began to realize that she was alone with the explosives, and might have to carry out this part of their plan on her own in addition to freeing the slaves. Sure, Eshana had explained their mission and all their back-ups in fine detail before it had begun, but without her support it wasn't long before Ida began to second-guess herself. She wasn't an explosives expert! What if something went wrong? What if she messed up and someone got killed? What if SHE got killed? Earlier she had said that she would rather die by explosion than be captured by Chavaliers, but that didn't mean she wanted to die! Without meaning to, she began to pace nervously, periodically shooting worried glances at the alley her vindicator allies had disappeared to. What was taking them so long?
Making up her mind that she had to do something, Ida began to trot briskly toward Eon and the slaves he was watching. He was smart, he would know what to do! But as quickly as she had started, she stopped dead in her tracks. The smugglers were standing near the edge of the group, discussing something urgently. As much as she didn't trust herself alone with the explosives, she trusted the smugglers even less. No doubt they would leap at the first chance to dismantle all their hard work as soon as she left her post and leave Valore to rebuild its labour force as strong as before. With a deep breath, Ida turned on her heels and returned to the explosives.
If Eshana didn't return soon, it would be up to Ida to level the Dark District. With her anxiety twisting in her stomach like a lindworm golem, she prayed to whatever god who might be listening that she wouldn't end up killing them all.
(Post 6 : 418 words)
|
|
|
|
Post by Mad-Manx on Aug 2, 2018 0:50:13 GMT -6
Eshana vagabond | vindicator "Strong but exhausted."
Post: #6 | Word Count: 338
This wasn't how this was supposed to go.
Not at all.
Had she been paying closer attention perhaps she may have heard the Chevalier's approach before he stood behind her, gruffly barking out his annoyance. She may have even had a moment to shift into a less conspicuous form, very well melding into the shadows as a branded slave, or even been able to withdraw her weapon in time. As it was she was stuck reeling around, attempting to keep that arrogant air of authority most Chevaliers seemed to posses even as she was nearly tripping over her own hooves. It was a small blessing that he didn't seem terrible aware of the circumstances that fell upon the individuals before him.
And then that damnable mare had to speak, had out cry out their plan at the first sight of a figure of so called authority. Did the fool truly believe they would take pity on a broken labour slave? A member of the workforce Valore considered so dispensable that only the most meager of medical attention, rations, and shelter was doled out to them? Eshana could feel herself bristling, white hot anger striking at her chest.
"Quiet you," she barked at Isolt, not entirely relying on her acting skills to layer the aggression and exasperation into her tone. A part of her may have still felt pity for the disillusioned slave, but she had just effectively put each of their lives at risk; survival was the thing that mattered now, and that meant eliminating the threats. Whatever it took.
"Street racing, as far as I can tell," she grumbled to the Chevalier, nodding as the others brought it up. "'Else the poor girl's gone mad. You know how they can be."
Subtly her teke loosened the dagger that hung at her side as she caught Adari's gaze, opposite to the Chevalier's searching gaze. If things turned nasty, they had to be ready to act on a whim. They couldn't afford to allow tonight to be a failure.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mad-Manx on Aug 2, 2018 1:47:26 GMT -6
NPC
Evren
While he expected his inquiry would yield answers, he didn't expect to receive three versions at once. Evren looked at the individuals before him slowly, the buzz of alcohol only aiding in addling his mind further as he attempted the process the three very different voices.
Of course it was him that would have to deal with this ridiculousness. Maybe he should have told his sister to have done the patrol herself after all.
"Slow down," he finally managed to spit out, scowling between each of them before finally fixing his attention to the downed slave. "You, how exactly did you hurt yourself?"
The chestnut stallion claiming to be a Chevalier produced a vague memory at the back of his mind; perhaps they had served together at some point, but he certainly didn't recognize the stallion as being placed on duty that night. Nor did he appear to bear the standard uniform, garbed only in a plain black cloak.
Evren's blade slipped easily from it's ornately decorated sheath. Grasped by a pale yellow teke, it hung in the air at the stallion's side; wavering only slightly as it hovered. Not overly threatening, but certainly a statement of his raised suspicion. Gesturing with the weapon vaguely, he stole a glance at the civilian who spoke.
"And how is it you got in here?" Evren inquired wearily. "I never saw you on the bridge."
He and his sister had been assigned guard duty on the Dark District bridge for the majority of the night, and without wings, getting across seemed a hassle. Why anyone would willingly set foot in that decrepit place was beyond him anyway; Ignacio knew he never would, if it weren't for the pay check that accompanied it.
___________________________________________________________________
While not aggressive -yet- it's clear the stallion
has a few questions for the group.
|
|
|
|
Post by kerarose on Aug 2, 2018 6:25:39 GMT -6
ADARI Vindicator Specialist (Spy) Gods damn it, had that Chevalier really been on duty that long? Adari's ears had flicked toward him when he addressed her, so there could be no pretending she hadn't heard. Steeling herself, she met his gaze, gripping her hidden dagger tighter while smelling the alcohol on his breath. If he's been drinking, it should not take too much to convince him to leave us alone and go back to his bottle. "I wander to clear my head, dear sir," she said, smiling and giving a small chuckle. "I had a bit of a lover's spat yesterday, early this past morning. I have wandered ever since, trying to clear my head and think. I started wandering here in the afternoon. Nothing like a little adventure to clear the mind." She chuckled slightly again, forcefully injecting happiness into her smile. "I'll admit that I tend to lose track of time when my mind is on other things. I clearly remember entering during full daylight, though, when you were not on duty, although I cannot remember for the life of me who was. I was just planning on leaving when I saw this mare run by, and heard her screaming. I followed, but could not keep up either. I took a shortcut, and accidentally stepped into her path without enough time for her to slow down or stop. She bowled me over, and while trying to right herself, her leg broke." She lowered her head, making it below the Chevalier's and adding supplication to her tone. "I am afraid I wasn't entirely honest with you before. I did not want to be held accountable for the injury of a labor slave, but it was an accident, and our lord Ignacio is gracious, so please forgive me. I will do anything to fix this wrong."
Adari flicked her eyes to the ground, before meeting the Chevalier's, a few tears streaming forth. Now my story matches Isolt's, whatever she may say. I did stop her with my body, but a deranged slave with an injury would make an accident sound like a deliberate attack. Nil needs to follow my lead, so that our stories match up. Let's hope that this Chevalier decides the lure of alcohol is more pressing than one injured slave.
Meeting Eshana's eyes again for the briefest of seconds, she gave a minute nod, barely noticeable if one wasn't looking for it. That was their cue, given by the spy to the messenger, that should an enemy hesitate for even a touch longer, they would act without mercy. Kill him, drag his body to the barracks to be destroyed, and, most importantly, leave no trace of their being here.
Post 8, WC: 452
|
|
|
|
Post by Prismaticlysm on Aug 2, 2018 7:53:56 GMT -6
N i L
Ω Aodh | Labor Slave Ω
"When you doubt your power, you give power to your doubt."
~Honore de Balzac Ω
He wasn’t an actor. He remembered, vaguely, his mother sweet talking victims before she killed them, though he bailed before he could see any bloodshed. But it was very easy for Nil to play the terrified labor slave, he'd seen it enough in his youth, and heck, he just did it before.
Eshana was doing well to play the part of a Chevalier, going so far as to accuse Isolt (and likely himself) of street racing. It wasn't...exactly far from the truth actually. They had been racing through the streets, but it wasn't because they were trying to win some extra food and a bit of infamy; no, Nil was racing Isolt for their very lives. It was only luck that he wasn't writhing on the ground with a broken leg next to her, or maybe it was just the experience difference. He didn't know.
Adari spoke next, probably the most skill at acting of all of all three of them. With his head hung, ruby eyes had turned to watch her as she spoke. The way she moved, the way she spoke, the spot on Aodhian citizen persona. To him, gross, but extremely effective. If he had just come upon this scene himself, he probably would have fallen for it! To be honest it actually scared him some. She reminded him of his mother, the way she acted. But where his mother was a vile murderer of a creature who would send her own children to the pits, Adari was one who was risking all to save them.
"Please, sirs," He spoke up again, his eyes shifting from the actual threat to Eshana in disguise. "What she says is true." He kept his voice low, his head to match, though he started to slowly back away when that dagger was brandished. He had to protect the foal.
Ω |
|
|
|
Post by mariahwhy on Aug 2, 2018 20:59:40 GMT -6
Isolt | Labor Slave
"It was no accident!" Isolt exclaimed. "And I didn't hurt myself street racing. If I had wouldn't there be other horses around? Besides, you know street racing isn't allowed after dark. All labor slaves should be in bed right now." Her eyes narrowed at Nil, but only briefly before before she snatched her gaze away. She tried to rise again, managing to get herself only propped up on one wobbly front leg before sinking back down. Without both front legs in operation getting to her hooves would be a challenge. The pain throbbed up her leg and into her shoulder constantly, but it wasn't the pain that bothered her. She had become used to such things, though the only bones she'd broken before were her ribs and her tailbones. But pain was an everyday part of a labor slave's life. What did bother her was what this meant. If she couldn't get to her hooves she couldn't work. If she couldn't work... it was becoming difficult to think of much else, but she still needed to save her home as well. But she was also becoming tired. Her body ached all over, and she wanted nothing more than to be in bed. "Please. They are lying. Can't you tell they are lying? There are smugglers and vindicators here, and they are emptying the barracks, and they are going to blow them up. You can go look for yourself!" She motioned backwards with her head, wincing as the movement shifted her broken bones. "I came to alert you, but this mare," she spat the word out as if cursing Adari, because even now she didn't dare speak so harshly to anyone in front of a chevalier, "tried to stop me. I broke my leg in the fall. Please, you can leave me here if you need to, but go look! Go see! They are going to blow it up again!" Her voice climbed in desperation as she spoke, tears brimming now on her tired eyes.
(Post 8: 334 words)
|
|
savorda
Dwarf Star
avatar by posy-punch
Posts: 61
|
Post by savorda on Aug 3, 2018 2:30:26 GMT -6
| eon you have suffered enough it's time that you won |
Useless rat was all Eon had to say to the smuggler, but he couldn’t be bothered to spare the breath. He could become wyvern food for all he cared. He had a job to do, and he had full intentions of finishing it. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Ida start towards him, stop in her tracks, and come back the way she came. She had to be making sure the explosives went off, but he would much rather have the help getting the slaves out of the city. Hell, he’ll settle for out of sight at this point. He wouldn’t dare go back on his promise. These slaves were going to be free. He felt he owed it to them to provide them with the same opportunities he was given. At least Reija had her wits about her. With Pax slinking off into the shadows, she was the only one who knew how to navigate the tunnels. Without her knowledge, they’d be good as dead down there. Eon nodded, thankful for her help. Despite how much they disliked it, this was the reason why they needed the smugglers’ help so desperately. They knew how to get out of the city undetected. Taking a deep breath to calm his ever-rising nerves, Eon began the descent into the tunnels, darkness swallowing him whole.
Down in the tunnels, all he could hear was their steps echoing off the walls the soft murmurs of the horses behind him, and the very faint booms of the last remaining fireworks. They were anxious and scared, and the dark unknown of the tunnels certainly wasn’t helping any. Eon held the lantern up higher to hopeful cast a bit more light ahead of them. He took a quick glance behind him and was only met with uncertainty. Eon gave them the warmest smile he could muster. “Stay close everyone, and keep up. We’ll get you out of here in no time.” he chirped. His fake cheer was sickening, but it wasn’t going to do anyone any good if he showed just how much of a mess he was. Every alarm had been going off in his head since the moment they stepped foot in Valore. It was only worse now. But they were so close! He couldn’t back out now just because he was scared.
“Take the right tunnel at the fork. Take the right tunnel at the fork.” he whispered to himself. Gods forbid if he got distracted and got them lost. Soon enough, however, they reached the fork. Eon paused to scan over what he could see of the group. The light of the lantern only reached so far. He could only hope no one wandered off. And so, deeper into the tunnels they went.
It was deathly silent all the way down here. There was no noise from the surface to be heard. It was eerie. No one was talking now. They were tired and anxious no doubt. They did wake them in the middle of the night after a long day of work, taking them straight from the frying pan and tossing them into the fire. They needed to rest. After what seemed like an eternity, they finally reached what he assumed to be the cavern Reija described. Eon allowed for everyone to file into the room before speaking. “We’ll wait here for everyone else. Take this chance to rest if you need.” A few hummed their acknowledgments, while others simply nodded. Eon stood watch at the tunnel they entered from. Hopefully, Reija at the very least wouldn’t take long. Of course, he hoped everyone else would make it out, but they needed Reija to lead them out of the tunnels, especially with Pax playing the coward.
627 words | post 5 |
|
|
|
Post by Mad-Manx on Aug 7, 2018 1:16:25 GMT -6
NPC
Evren
Oh for Ignacio's sake.
Now they were crying.
Evren fought hard to prevent his upper lip from curling as he regarded the equines before him. While the injured mare's words were true, street racing wasn't really allowed, he knew it occurred regardless. With a work schedule from sun up until down, it wasn't exactly as though they had any other down time.
His eyes darkened at the mention of the Vindicators, eyes flickering between the miscellaneous individuals before him. The mere mention of the terrorists put him on edge, but even if the mare was correct, how in the name of the Gods could they have gotten here? A nagging part of him was tempted to leave them to sort themselves out, but he knew his sister would have his hide if he so much as dared.
"You," he sighed, gesturing with his muzzle towards the fallen mare. "Vatros Sanctum or back to the barracks; your choice. And you two," he added, head swiveling to regard the civilian and the Chevalier. "You need to get out of here. And the Captain will have you on suspension in an instant if you're caught out of uniform."
Although he didn't particularly enjoy the idea of escorting a labour slave and a civilian around in the middle of the night, he supposed it was part of the job. The Chevalier at least could take care of himself.
___________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
|
Post by kerarose on Aug 8, 2018 21:16:51 GMT -6
ADARIVindicator Specialist (Spy)
Adari almost breathed a sigh of relief when it was clear the guard had better things to do, but stifled it at the last second. The dismissal lightened her heart, and she loosened her teke's grip on her dagger. "Thank you, kind sir," she said, rising to her full height again. "Certainly I could be of assistance, by bringing this mare to the Sanctum? She certainly can't make it on her own, and I need to help her in order to pay back the city. Perhaps I could escort her there on the way out? Surely that will help her- I wouldn't want that leg to set wrong and have her unable to do anything anymore. Poor dear- perhaps the Flamen could also help calm her mind some. Night terrors can be brutal- Ignacio knows, I've had my share of them."
She kept an eye on Isolt while she spoke, ready to rebuff anything the mare said or did through her years of training in the arts of acting and lying. When the little mare continued to try to rise, she shot her a look behind the guard's back that clearly said Shut the hell up; I'm starting to regret keeping you alive.
And she did. She had hoped, prayed that the little mare would come to her senses, but clearly she was too far gone, indoctrinated by a cruel city who saw her not as equine but as machine. Isolt was clearly not worth all the effort they had put into getting her out, and should she force the guard's hoof back toward the barracks, she would find a knife in her side in a heartbeat.
Post 9, WC: 281
|
|
|
|
Post by Prismaticlysm on Aug 9, 2018 10:23:51 GMT -6
N i L
Ω Aodh | Labor Slave Ω
"When you doubt your power, you give power to your doubt."
~Honore de Balzac Ω
He took being ignored as a good thing. The foal whimpered on his back, and he knew it was time to leave. This was out of his hooves, and he had to trust...trust that Adari would be alright if her plan takes hold. His eyes would look to her, and although he said absolutely nothing, the expression alone would give away that he was terrified, and inwardly praying to Alya that the Goddess would protect the red mare while they were apart. There was no way he could live with himself if the mare was captured in his stead, and he would not rest until she was freed. And he would never forgive himself if she was killed. Never.
He just hoped that would not happen on this eve.
As far as he could tell, Isolt wouldn’t go with them. Her life was in the hands of Ignacio, as much as he hated to admit it. As much as it pained him to think about. Nothing anyone said could ever change her mind. No matter how much pleading, begging, showing proof of Aodh’s cruelty. Not even the Smugglers themselves could change her mind. He doubted even if Ignacio or any of the other Gods showed themselves and tried to change her mind, she wouldn’t listen to them either. Well, maybe Ignacio, but that was so far fetched.
It was a lost cause...
But that didn’t stop him for standing there for a moment longer, ruby eyes lingering on the broken mares form on the ground. At the very least, he wished she did not break her leg. An unfortunate, terrible accident that he barely avoided. She closed his eyes for a moment, sorrowfully, before reopening them. And was that...a tear? Indeed it was. A single, lone tear, slipped from his eye and fell down his cheek. Since the execution, Nil thought many a time about freedom, and it always included the young mare. He imagined her healthier, more confident, and not the type of confidence she displayed today. But a confidence in oneself when one was free, and not a slave. Yet now, with freedom at their hooves, Nil would move forward and Isolt turned to face Aodh. So similar, yet so different.
Tearing his eyes away from her, he moved to go back to the barracks. He chose a weak, lumbering pace, even faking a limp here and there. Such a poor, dirty slave he was. Turning his back on the Chevalier was terrifying, so much could go wrong at this moment....but he had to go. Now.
Ω |
|
|
|
Post by Ribbon-Wren on Aug 9, 2018 11:05:35 GMT -6
Ida || Vindicator Soldier
The fireworks were over now, and the barracks were plunged into an eerie silence. All the labour slaves had been lead into the tunnels, leaving Ida alone to wait for her fellow Vindicators. What was taking them so long? She paced to and fro nervously, every so often stopping to stare in the direction they had fled to. They should have returned by now. Had they been caught? With a sense of dread she worried that before long she would have to set off the explosives and leave without them, though that would surely doom them to be caught by chevaliers if they hadn't been already. All at once, her hopes soared and stomach turned as she heard the faint clatter of hooves on stone coming towards her through the alleys. Wishing with all her might that it was her friends and not a guard, watched the alley entrance intently. There was only... Nil and his foal. Where were the others? Had Eshana and Adari been compromised? Something bad had surely happened, Ida decided. Though she strained her ears, she could hear no more footsteps approaching. Preparing herself for the worst, she stepped out of the shadows to greet the two labour slaves.
"Nil," She called out to him as she trotted towards them. "Are the others coming? We can't stay here much longer."(Post 7 : 231 words) |
|
