RTD: Souls and Swords

[Sand_Dragon]

[[

TIME TO CONQUER EARTH CONTINUE THE GAME!]]

 

Tyr

 

No roll

 

Ryn

 

No roll

 

---

 

Considering Tyr to have the situation mostly under control, Ryn sits back down and returns to his breakfast - keeping an attentive ear and eye on the conversation. Cassandra leans forward intently. "I think that was well handled," she whispers to Ryn. "Although it looks like we've got ourselves an appointment with the guard-captain now."

 

Tyr shakes his head in response to Domenica's inquiry. "Unfortunately, the lord is still alive. However, he has made a threat upon our lives, so we intend to repay him in kind."

 

The guardsman who spoke before cocks his head. "Aye, well, you'll have to get in line, now, won't ye? The man's got a list of wrongdoings as long as the Strada Vittori and a whole host of men and ladies willin' to cut his throat so much as look at him."

 

The mercenary considers this. "Has he truly caused so much pain to the people of this city? Why has nothing been done about this? Or have there been failed attempts?"

 

The female guardsman, Domenica, points out the people in the tavern. "There's money in working for him, as you'll see here, and these free lances over here aren't the type to be trifled with. You're a mercenary yourself from the looks of you," she says, giving Tyr a once-over. "I've got a pistole that says you were just one of many he's been bringing into the city lately. He was planning something big, Sorel was, something much bigger than his nightly... preoccupations."

 

This is true - while Tyr's original job was to guard Captain Stavros' ship from bandit attacks, that rapidly translated into an invitation into Lord Sorel's mansion. He asks Domenica what the job was.

 

"Heaven knows," she says, shrugging. "There was some mention of retrieval of some artifact - a sword, or some such, with the problem that the sword in question had a formidable bearer - the Azure Knight, they call him, and they say he can't be killed. Lord Sorel wished to put that to the test, perhaps by flinging as many blades as he possibly could at him."

 

At the mention of the name, Cassandra visibly pales. She quickly hides her surprise, however. The name is not unknown to Tyr and Ryn, either - but the Azure Knight is supposed to be a myth, or a legend - like every other multicolored knight out there.

 

Domenica looks to her companions. "I suppose that's all then. Lord Sorel's got powerful allies - that's why nothing's been done about him, and besides, what can the common folk do against someone with all that money and power? He's connected to all sorts - ties to the Merchant of Death, Vercci, to all sorts of sellswords and rogues, there are even rumors that he's scuffled more than once with the dread pirate Cervantes - there's a name you'll be hearing plenty along this coast."

 

"We'll be off," says the guardsman to her left. "If I were you, I'd keep my appointment with the Captain."

 

"He can be right ferocious when he don't get his way," says the other.

 

The three guardsmen leave by the tavern's doorway

 

___________

 

Kurojin

 

---

 

Roll = 6, 4

___________

 

His enemy disarmed and disabled, Kurojin steps back into the tree shade. [6] His natural coloration makes his cover almost perfect. There is little chance that he will be spotted by the capering, hooting lizard men.

 

Slowly, he makes his way into the village, coming more than once within ten feet of a lizard man. It appears their senses of smell and hearing aren't the best - more proof that rather than natural beings, they are horrid deformations of nature's proper way. Perhaps they were once men, perhaps they were once lizards. Either way, they are monsters now.

 

The shard flares up. "ALL OF THIS SNEAKING ABOUT TESTS MY PATIENCE SORELY, DRAGON LORD. TAKE MY POWER AND THESE FOUL BEASTS WOULD BE AS WHEAT BEFORE A SCYTHE. LIZARD WHEAT, AS IT WERE."

 

The Pendant of Hephaestus begins to glow dimly as well. As he rounds an as-yet unburned home, Kurojin spies through the window a pair of huddled shapes, one clasping what looks like a sword and the other, whose hands are slightly smaller, with its hands on a dagger.

[Kuroshu]

"And I of thy complains, If thou wants me to fight then thou should heal me," I sarcastically comment in a low voice.

I take a glance at the pendant then back at the figure in the house. Glad that there are survivors I decided To get as close as possible with out alarming the lizardmen and try to persuade the figure to trust and partner up with me

[Nonsense667]

(I am assuming that either we ate during the first bit of dialog with the guard captain and slightly before he started talking to us, if not, I'll sit back down to finish while we discuss the next move.)

 

"Cassandra, should we inform Sophitia of the events that have transpired here, and what we have learned?"

 

"And after, I suppose we should have enough time before the meeting to finally get rid of all of this sodding extra gear."

 

(ooc: Many squee's were had when I saw this thread updated. Don't worry, I understand that things can come up.)

[roninvoid]

"And get some new gear as well, perhaps," I add as an afterthought for Tyr.

 

(I'm beginning to have difficulty trying to think up actions to do while we're just conversing at our table.)

[Sand_Dragon]

Tyr

 

Roll = 3

 

Ryn

 

No roll

 

---

 

The potentially nasty business with the watch concluded, Tyr returns to the table and turns to Cassandra.

 

"Should we inform Sophitia of the events that have transpired here, and what we have learned?" he asks her. [3] A wary eye on the rest of the taverns' occupants, he notices that the group of mercenaries has abandoned all pretense of eating and are now half-heartedly concealing their attempts to listen in.

 

She furrows her brow in thought. "I think it'd be best if we let her rest, for now. I doubt she and Lysander will be in any shape to move any time soon, and they should be safe enough here." Cassandra leans towards Ryn and Tyr. "While I don't like the look of these people much," she whispers, "I'm not looking forward to leaving the city the same way we came either. The red giant that waylaid us on our way into the city could still be there. Although with any luck Sorel ran across him too."

 

Tyr nods. "I suppose we should have enough time before the meeting to finally get rid of all of this sodding extra gear."

 

"And get some new gear as well, perhaps," Ryn chimes in. He has a point. Their gear is rather noticeably battered, and will need either some caring for or a decent replacement.

 

"Gear?" says a voice. "I can help with gear."

 

It is the mysterious stranger, standard issue for any tavern. For someone in a heavy cloak, he moves with surprising speed and stealth - the three at the table did not notice him until he was close enough to speak.

 

"And who are you?" asks Cassandra.

 

The stranger smirks, stroking his pointed beard under his hood and drawing a long-stemmed pipe from beneath his cloak. "A man with friends. A man whose friends value precious artifacts rather highly," he says, indicating Tyr's belt.

 

Tyr looks down. It looks as though the ghost sword has reattached itself to his belt again. A most curious weapon. Its mystic powers cannot be discounted.

 

"Such a weapon would cost many, many pistoles - far too many for even a 'merchant's daughter' to carry about," he says, with a wink at Cassandra. "Even with such stout bodyguards as these. But perhaps you could trade it to my friend: he is a man of wealth and taste, who prizes such things - and has arms and armor in such store as to beggar even the merchant princes of Venice. He retains a warehouse not far from here."

 

"And who is your friend?" Cassandra says, a note of caution in her voice.

 

The man looks around the tavern theatrically, as though attempting to ensure that no one is listening (and thus ensuring that everyone will be listening). "My friend is man named 'Vercci'. Perhaps you have heard of him?"

 

As a mercenary, Tyr knows the name of course, and even Ryn has heard inklings - Malta in the past has had dealings with this man. Vercci is the man known as the Merchant of Death - a man wealthy enough to rival kings in power. He is an arms dealer, and supplies many of the armies of the merchant princes of Europe. If this man truly is a 'friend' of Vercci's, then perhaps a trade could be achieved - but Vercci is also a very dangerous man, and his reach is long. And Domenica did mention he had ties to Sorel...

 

"What say you, friends? I can take you to his warehouse - it is not too far from here," says the man, puffing on his pipe. "Lesser merchants will take the store of gear you've acquired in your... adventures, but a weapon such as that which hangs at your waist should go to no other man than my friend."

 

Perhaps splitting up might help - clearly this strange man is interested in Tyr's mysterious acquisition, but cares not for the pile of other gear they have amassed. Someone else might be able to take a cart and pawn off the individual armor and weapon pieces.

 

___________

 

Kurojin

 

---

 

Roll = 1, 6, 6

___________

 

Kurojin scoffs at the shard's words. "And I of thy complains, If thou wants me to fight then thou should heal me," he says snidely.

 

The shard seems to laugh. "CREATURE, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF ME? I AM NO HEALER. I AM WAR. I AM TERROR. I AM POWER. HEALING IS THE LEFT HAND PATH. I AM THE DESTROYER, AND SO TOO WOULD YOU BE IF YOU BUT TOOK ME. I CAN REMAKE YOUR SHATTERED BODY, BUT NOT RESTORE IT. SUCH IS BEYOND MY SCOPE. THEREFORE TAKE ME AND PLACE ME IN YOUR WOUND, THAT WE MAY BE ONE."

 

The artifact's words ringing in his inner ear, Kurojin attempts to make his way into the home. He gives the pendant a brief glance - what dim life it showed earlier remains. [1] He attempts to get in through the window, but trips and plants himself on his face. The huddled figures start.

 

"Don't come near!" says the slightly larger one. It is another youth, of small frame, with fear in his eyes and shaky hands on what is definitely a sword - a sword that is now angled at Kurojin. His clothes are modest but well kept - perhaps he was moderately wealthy. "I swear, I'll cut you down if you come near, barbarian!"

 

The smaller figure cowers. Up close, it looks to be a young woman, younger than the other, hiding behind him and gripping the dagger like a talisman - so tight her knuckles are white.

 

With a rumbling, the shard stirs again. "OR PERHAPS I COULD HEAL YOU, DRAGON LORD. BUT I REQUIRE... SACRIFICE." It speaks no more, but its meaning is clear.

 

"What are you?" says the girl. "You don't look like one of them, but..."

 

"It's a monster, is what it is," says the boy. "You saw what they did to the militia. I won't let that happen to you."

 

Kurojin draws himself to his full height. "I wish thee no harm," he says soothingly. "These beasts are my enemies."

 

[6] Perhaps it is something in his voice, or in the commanding nature of his dragon forebears, but the youth lowers his sword. "It seems so unlikely, but... I believe you."

 

[6] "He isn't like them, is he, Brand?" the girl says. "You're... not an animal. Can you save us?"

 

The boy shakes his head. "There's just one of him, and heaven knows how many of them. And look," he says, indicating Kurojin's wounds. "He's barely holding together as it is. He might need our help just as much as we need his."

 

"Still, we can get out of here," says the girl. "That winged demon out there - no offense - won't stop until everything is burned to the ground. I wouldn't like to be here when he gets around to burning this place."

 

She turns to Kurojin. "We're not from here, you see. We were just passing through on the way to the shrine of San Giorgo in Genoa."

 

"Looking to get supplies," interjects the young man - Brand. "I wanted to be a knight, see a knight of Saint George. Chances of that are looking dim. We took to hiding in here when the fighting turned for the worse... I should have stayed out there."

 

"Hiding isn't going to get us anywhere, though," says the girl. "Can you help us?" she says, addressing Kurojin. "We might be able to break through - out to the city, though I don't fancy our odds on that road. Better if we followed the road to the next village, it's not two miles from here. We could warn them, too - I think we're the only survivors."

 

The cacophony from outside is getting louder. It's only a matter of time before the capering horde reaches this area of the village.

 

"MY OFFER STILL STANDS, DRAGON LORD. WHY SADDLE YOURSELF WITH THESE MANLINGS? FEED THEM TO ME AND I WILL RESTORE YOU TO HEALTH."

 

"Well?" says the girl, hope welling up in her brown eyes. "If we make a break for it now at a good pace, we could make it before the greater part of the horde finds us."

[roninvoid]

(Oh fuck! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voldo )

 

"The Merchant himself," I say, contemplating the name for a moment. "It almost seems too convenient. Then again, the Merchant must have eyes everywhere, I suppose."

 

I cast a glance at Tyr's blade - as much as one can an invisibly-bladed sword. "However, we may have a greater need of such a weapon in the future. It's your decision, Tyr."

 

Realizing that where there's one, there could be more, I cautiously eye the other occupants of the room, attempting to discern any other potential threats. The Merchant of Death did not acquire that name by being nice, after all.

[Kuroshu]

"Then let's make haste," I say as I look out the window to check if it's safe enough to make a brake for it, "We must move quickly and if possible quietly."

 

I leave the house first from the exit that has the most cover. Then made my way towards the opposite direction of where the Lizardmen came from. I keep my distance close to the two, while havingmy guard up

[Nonsense667]

I prepare to shrug off this offer, not wishing to partake in any more oddities that could potentially stop us from making our meeting with the captain. But the idea of getting access to the sort of high quality equipment had by Vercci is a chance not lightly passed upon. Nor would it be especially wise to carelessly make an enemy out of one such as him.

 

"Take us to this warehouse then, let us see what sort of bargain we may make. However, I must warn you that we do want to keep to our engagement with the captain later on in the day, this shan't take too long will it?"

 

(ooc: "LIZARD WHEAT, AS IT WERE." Could you write for everything? Ever?)

 

(Edit: ooc: I will be gone for the rest of spring break. Sorry if it holds up the thread.)

[Sand_Dragon]

[[

In fact, you win what might probably be the most horrifying prize in all existence.

 

@Nonsense have a great break, man]]

 

Tyr

 

Roll = 2

 

Ryn

 

Roll = 3

 

---

 

"The Merchant himself," Ryn murmurs to himself, contemplating the name for a moment.

 

"Yes, the Merchant!" says the mysterious stranger. His eyes glitter under the shadow of his hood. "Rumored to be dead! Rumored to be the wealthiest man alive! Rumored to be the devil himself! But of all these rumors there's an important truth - my friend pays, and pays well."

 

Ryn continues his train of thought. "It almost seems too convenient. Then again, the Merchant must have eyes everywhere, I suppose." He gives the sword-handle hanging impossibly from Tyr's belt a glance. Such a weapon could be useful someday, but it has attached itself to the mercenary, apparently. "It's your decision, Tyr."

 

Tyr considers the offer. The meeting with the captain is later in the afternoon, and any... oddities... could well delay them. However Vercci's equipment is famed; it's for a good reason he equips the armies of the great Merchant Lords of Italy and Europe. And Tyr knows that when such a powerful man makes an offer - even through an apparent errand boy like this strange man - he does not take well to refusal.

 

"Take us to this warehouse, then let us see what sort of bargain we may make."

 

"Excellent!" exclaims the stranger.

 

Tyr holds up a cautioning finger. "I must warn you," he says, "we do want to keep to our engagement with the Captain later on in the day. This shan't take too long, shall it?"

 

"Hardly," says the stranger. "I know my friend's representatives will know the worth of your artifact, and bargain for it accordingly."

 

Cassandra stands. "You two go ahead. I'll see to my sister and our wounded friend; then I'll see what I can do about getting ourselves out of this city."

 

***

 

The man leads Tyr and Ryn through the winding streets of Genoa. Their passage is taking them back to the docks, and half an hour's walk is enough time to get there. [2, 3] Though Tyr does not notice anything strange, Ryn manages to catch a glimpse of the mercenaries from the inn, shadowing them with surprising efficiency. Soon Tyr is alerted to them as well. They do not look as though they are going to attack, seemingly content to follow.

 

A short while later, the stranger opens a large door in the side of a dockside warehouse and leads Tyr and Ryn inside. "My friend's representatives will speak with you in here," he says. "As for myself, I have business to attend to in a different part of town. Do Vercci a good deal, and he shall reward you!"

 

With a swirl of his cloak, the man walks off, leaving Tyr and Ryn alone in the warehouse - except for a man at a table, scribbling on a sheet of vellum. The cavernous warehouse is filled with amphorae, chests, and bundles of goods, but it is the crates - crates that must carry some of Vercci's famous stock - that draw their attention.

 

The sallow man at the table, old and frail, glares at the pair over his pile of accounts. "Good day," he says. "I assume you are here on business the Master. Of course, he will not be here personally, but I am in all respects his arm here in Genoa. What business do you have with me?"

 

___________

 

Kurojin

 

---

 

Roll = 2, 4, 1

___________

 

 

Kurojin draws himself up. "Let's make haste," he says. He looks out the window and tries to identify a clean avenue of escape, [2] but finds none. It will have to be the way he came, then. "We must move quickly and quietly, if possible."

 

"We'll have to do something about your wounds, sir," says the girl. "I suppose that can wait."

 

[4] Kurojin and his new companions manage to make their way out the window without any unfortunate incidents like the last one. The hollering of the lizardmen and the smell of death and burning thatch (and flesh) rises through the air, pricking the dragon man's sensitive nostrils.

 

Quickly the three make their way down the road, the opposite direction from where the lizard men's path of destruction leads. There is another village in this direction according to the girl, and perhaps it will offer some kind of harbor.

 

[1] After some travel, Kurojin feels a sharp pain in his side. The wound has reopened itself and is bleeding freely.

 

Perhaps not the best of things to happen at this time.

[roninvoid]

At least this means that the mercenaries aren't after our companions, I think to myself, glancing back in the direction that they surely must be lurking.

 

"Well, Tyr, since this is your business transaction, perhaps you should step forward," I comment, readying myself for any potential sudden movements from our host or his companions.

[Kuroshu]

"Curses," I grunt as I placed my hand on the opened wound, "I knew twas a temporary fix, but to give way at a time like this..."

I stop and lean by the nearest tree, as before I took the already heated sword and heated it again and used it to try and close the wound again.

 

((OOC: Maybe we can start that other RP while he's gone, and let him jump in later in the story))

[Nonsense667]

I take the phantom sword up, and display it to the man.

 

"We require arms and armor. And from the looks of the following we have acquired, we may need it sooner than later. The men following us would not be friends of yours would they?"

[roninvoid]

(So...)

[Nonsense667]

(so...)

[roninvoid]

(This sure does die a lot, doesn't it? XD )

[Nonsense667]

(For the record, I'm back from spring break... Just in case you were wondering... T_T)

[roninvoid]

(I figured that from the last post you made, since you said you would not have internet access until the end of the break. XD )