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Post by Mana on Jul 28, 2010 21:48:20 GMT -6
OoC : You guys are so fast ;D Sorry, I was not in home yesterday. Mana was still terrified because of the dream. But, she nodded to Cebrail as he left to check the situation. At least, he saved her life and she could trust him for now. While she waited for Cebrail to come back to the cart, she looked for her sword and found it near a box. She didn't want to sleep again, she was too scared to sleep. She didn't want to see that dream again. Afterwards she just stayed awake until they arrived in a city. Mana jumped down from the cart when the soldiers began entering the city. She chose to walk near Cebrail because he was the only one she knew. "Thank you." She muttered. The Sacaen girl didn't spoke any words, she was silent all the time. Her mind still wandered to that nightmare. "Greetings! My name is Reylan, Cavalier of Ostia. I want to thank you for accompanying us here. It's a pleasure to meet you." A knight approached her and then introduced himself. His name was Reylan, he seemed like a gentleman , Mana didn't know why she felt like that. As he patted her shoulder, she introduced herself too, "Mana, that is my name. Nice to meet you Sir Reylan." She never used 'Sir' to greet people so there was a awkwardness in her tone. ---- She got her own room and lay in the bed as soon as he arrived in her room, her eyes began to demand a sleep again. This time she was more relaxed so she surrendered her self to the sleepiness, She hoped that dream wouldn't come again. Soon, with her eyes still closed, she felt a big hand touch her hip. She opened her eyes and saw a man with a cape on top of her, trying to take her sword. Her leg reacted quickly and kick his head, she already kicked two peoples today, Cebrail and that man. As soon as that man fell to the floor, Mana stood up quickly then unsheathed her sword. That man fainted after got a hard blow in his head, that was unfortunate, Mana wanted to ask his intention but she couldn't do that now. Mana ran outside and found the soldiers was in chaos. "What is happened?" She grabbed a soldier's hand. "Ah, you are that girl? Well, our armors are missing and we are looking for them now." That explained the situation, maybe that man was a thief and tried to steal her sword too but he was not alone, to steal all those armors he should have many fiends. "There is a suspicious man in my room, do whatever you want with him." She ran through the corridor leaving the confused soldier alone. As she rounded the corner, she bumped to someone. Both of them fell to the floor very hard. "Aww, can't you use your eyes?" She shouted. When she opened her eyes after that impact, she could see Reylan and another guy in the other side. Then she noticed, here was many armed thieves around her, they surrounded Reylan. She was unlucky, the one she bumped into was one of them and she was too far from Reylan and the other guy but too close to the thieves. She leapt back at that instant and prepared herself. The thieves began surrounding her, and they were too many.
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Cebrail
Soldier
There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.
Posts: 64
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Post by Cebrail on Jul 28, 2010 23:36:26 GMT -6
Cebrail followed Balthier to the apparent rumble upstairs. Unlike his friend, he didn't charge straight into the tense situation. He watched from the staircase and listened, gripping his lance tighter. Balthier had sent a ball of flame into a nearby thief. The thieves panicked. There were more of them but they hadn't expected a mage.
He jumped from his position on the staircase and impaled a thief on his lance. They really didn't see this coming.. Taking advantage of his surprise attack, Cebrail quickly jabbed his lance into another thief, clearing the way to the staircase. "Reylan, Mana, evacuate our men. It seems we aren't welcome here either." He was hoping to distract the thieves long enough to move the injured out of the city. Marquess Santaruz wasn't exactly the pinacle example of hospitality. "I don't want to be here when the local guards drop in!"
The bustle had caused many of the patrons in the tavern to flee. The bartender himself brought out an axe. Whether he was helping them or not, Cebrail didn't know. He wouldn't take any chances. He stabbed another approaching thief.
"Let's go!"
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Post by Mana on Jul 29, 2010 0:35:07 GMT -6
Thanks to Balthier, his fire ball distracted the thieves. Mana used that chance to stab a thief in his neck, killed him and broke their formation, then she tried to ran away. Unfortunately, the thieves reacted quickly and surrounded her again from each direction, they drew their short sword. "You kill my friend little girl, now you must pay for your crime." Mana barely dodged their attacks, she didn't have chance to strike back.
"Reylan, Mana, evacuate our men. It seems we aren't welcome here either."
"IF I can get out alive, I will!!!" Mana shouted to Cebrail. Didn't he see it? She was surrounded! A sword almost cut her hair as she blocked another sword with her sword. The thieves surrounded her in a circle formation, and didn't give her any chance to run. She was tired dodging and blocking, her stamina was almost depleted. One of them threw a long iron chain to her legs, tripping her in the process. She lose her balance and fell to the floor. She then noticed that the chain had tied her legs. "Got her!" One of them ran towards her and swung his sword. Mana reacted quickly and parried his attack. Suddenly, the one who held the chain pulled her towards him, his other hand gripped his sword.
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Cebrail
Soldier
There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.
Posts: 64
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Post by Cebrail on Jul 29, 2010 1:25:23 GMT -6
There were way too many theives in that hallway. Cebrail had only been gone a few minutes, how they got there, he didn't know. He used his lance to trip a thief running towards him. He turned to find Mana being dragged by a chain on the ground. Cebrail ran forward and skewered the man holding it.
The bartender had come upstairs brandishing his axe and swung it wildly at Cebrail. The axe collided into his chest, knocking the wind out of him. His armor barely protected him, it wouldn't happen again.
He kicked the bartender in the sweet spot and watched him tumble back. Cebrail punched the guy trying to cut Mana, sending him to the ground. Quickly he untied the chains on Mana's legs and pulled her up.
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Balthier
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Everything you think you are that puts you above others is a lie.
Posts: 68
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Post by Balthier on Jul 29, 2010 6:58:22 GMT -6
Balthier simply turned his head with all the excitement. He wasn't to show fear, as that would worsen the situation. He noticed Mana, fighting alongside them, and raised an eyebrow. "You, girl, you're young to be a swordarm. But I suppose I can't complain for your aid, seeing as we needed it. Now come, fight." He as well as Cebrail helped her back on her feet.
Balthier turned back to the thieves, and dusted off his tome. He breathed deeply and then sighed, parting his feet. He cracked it open, reading a bit, and then slammed it closed. He concentrated hard, hoping to land such a feverish and critical attack. Seemingly out of nowhere, Balthier slammed his hand down vertically, sending a very small pillar of yellow flame through the ceiling and into 2 thieves. Not only did this burn them, but it scared the others too, and he shot them down with pensive looks.
His ears perked up again at the sound of the bartender racing upstairs with whatever weapon he had, presumably an axe. He nodded to his friends, and left the small tavern to the hallway.
He gulped as he saw the bartender holding himself and screaming in pain, but Balthier tapped his foot to alert the bartender of his presence.
The bartender angrily shouted at him, "You! Balthier! You did well to leave this city, and now you would return? The local guard comes now! Marquess Santaruz is most displeased, he has paid me to eliminate you so that you may not tell neighboring countries of what he has devoid you party of." The bartender smiled gruesomely.
Balthier tilted his head quizzically. "Well, my friend, we leave now anyway. Our only issue are these damned thieves stealing armor, and demanding gold. We'd rather not be killed in some lowlife tavern like this, I promise you.So do not think for a second that we aren't making our leave here tonight. As a matter of fact, I might pocket some gold while I'm here." He winked at the bartender.
Clearly enraged, he chased Balthier with his axe wildly. Balthier held his ground, simply waiting for the charge. Upon the meeting of bodies, Balthier very clevery controlled his magic-wielding ability and raised the temperature of his skin. The bartender send Balthier to the ground, and Balthier simply hoped his plan had worked.
And so it had. The bartender, singed, hurried off of Balthier, and he stood up as well. They faced each other, equally tired. Balthier spoke first. "Suppose you get these thieves out of our hair so we don't have to kill the lot of you and get arrested... I can make it worth your while." He didn't smile, as he was honestly serious.
The bartender laughed, clearly amused. "You think, boy, that you can buy me out? I'd love to see you and your company dead!"
Balthier's head dropped to the floor and he gave a heavy sigh. "You're right, I understand why you would. And I can't go on forever, I'm getting very tired." He laughed at himself. "Are you sure it's my company you want dead, and not simply me?"
The bartender perked up. "Well, you're the prime suspect then, aren't you?"
Balthier swallowed. "Indeed, I am. If I surrender my tome to you and the Marquess, will you and the Marquess allow my company safety out of Santaruz?" He bit his tounge.
The bartender bellowed. "You drive a hard bargain, boy." He lowered his axe. "That ain't up to me, just the Marquess himself. You wait your ass here five minutes and I'm sure he'll show up demanding the bounty."
Balthier closed his eyes. "Take me downstairs. When the Marquess comes, I will talk to him." The two men had seemingly forgotten the brawl upstairs, but because there were three other fighters, Balthier was sure a few thieves couldn't stop them. So he left them be.
Marquess Santraruz, if you're the man I remember, you must allow them to leave your city freely... They are men of Ostia, and their goal must be achieved. Balthier opened his eyes, nodded to the bartender, and descended downstairs.
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Post by reylan on Jul 29, 2010 10:19:23 GMT -6
As Reylan readied his lance, there was a hint of anger in his veins. They had come all this way, only to be driven backwards. As soon he saw Mana, Balthier, Cebrail, and the rest of the soldiers emerge from the hall, Reylan's plan came into effect.
"Cebrail. Take the rest of the soldiers and evacuate the area immediately. Mana, Balthier, and myself will drive back these thieves. We're outnumbered, but not by very many. If something should happen to us, Mana will escape and inform you of our difficulty. Now go!"
Reylan turned and kicked at a thief directly behind him, stunning the thief momentarily. Tightly gripping his lance, Reylan struck another one to the right. Thieves are not nearly as experienced as myrmidons, Reylan thought to himself. But it'd be wrong of me to jump to conclusions.
As Reylan attempted to fend off the remaining thieves, he noticed Balthier speaking to the bartender. He couldn't quite hear the conversation amidst the skirmish, but he managed to notice that Balthier mentioned something about the Marquess. If all goes well... perhaps we can recieve some provisions.
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Post by Mana on Jul 29, 2010 10:52:14 GMT -6
The chain made her vulnerable, she couldn't resist as the thief dragged her. Cebrail came right before the thief could impale the myrmidon with his sword. Mana almost screamed when an axe hit Cebrail on his chest, but he was alright, thanks to his armor. He skillfully untied the chain and helped her.
"I owe you again." She whispered to Cebrail before ran forward and cut a thief standing on her way. Her face was red, it was embarrassing for someone saved her twice. She didn't want to look weak in front of people.
Reylan and Balthier did a good job fighting the thieves and Cebrail was near her. She could trust her back to them, that was why she could concentrate only to enemy in front of her eyes. She did what Relylan told her to do, she did her best to drive the thieves so the soldiers could escape.
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Balthier
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Everything you think you are that puts you above others is a lie.
Posts: 68
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Post by Balthier on Jul 29, 2010 12:21:15 GMT -6
The bartender lead Balthier past the front desk, and he noted that there were already a few Santaruzian soldiers there inspecting things downstairs, and readying their weapons to go upstairs. The bartender tied Balthier hands behind him, and threw him into a dark room.
"You will stay here and wait for the Marquess. I'll keep the soldiers down here until he arrives. You stay quiet, you hear?" The bartender snorted, and slammed the door. Balthier was alone in the dark, in a locked room and tied up. He had no idea what he would end up doing next.
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Cebrail
Soldier
There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.
Posts: 64
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Post by Cebrail on Jul 29, 2010 14:11:24 GMT -6
Balthier had left with the bartender down the staircase. The Ostian soldiers had finally left their rooms and began to help in the scuffle. He pushed a thief into the wall and led the soldiers down the stairs, only to find the Marquess' soldiers waiting for them.
"Damn! They were set up. The soldiers were caught weaponless. "Tell Reylan we've got a problem down here!" He yelled to the soldier behind him. They had to do something quickly. Cebrail stabbed his lance at the soldiers' direction and stood at the bottom of the staircase. They want us? They'd have to get by me. The stairs were small and Cebrail had blocked it completely.
The Ostian soldiers were moving back up the stairs and into the rooms, climbing out of the windows. In a moment of distraction, Cebrail checked behind him for his friends. He felt a sharp pain in his stomach. And another. He turned back and found two spears stabbed into him.
The blood was rushing to his wounds. Reacting quickly, he broke the lances with his own, leaving the spearheads in his sides. He collapsed onto his knees and swung his lance in a horizontal arc at the Santaruzian guards. His vision blurred. He coughed blood.
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Post by Mana on Jul 29, 2010 14:46:22 GMT -6
She killed a thief by cutting his abdomen. "Still more?" Reylan was right, they were outnumbered and most of their soldier weren't in condition for fight. That mage also disappeared leaving just her, Reylan, and Cebrail to protect the soldiers. Cebrail led the soldiers escape as she and Reylan attracted the thieves' attention towards them.
She dodged a chain aimed to her legs. "I won't fall to a same trick twice!" She roared and charged to the one holding the chain. The thief could do nothing as the angry Sacaen girl stabbed his chest. But that was a wrong decision, another thief charged from behind and stabbed her shoulder. She screamed in pain. Holding her injured shoulder she leapt behind and bumped to a soldier. She turned and shouted to that soldier, "Hey! Sir Reylan order you to run!" The soldier surprised with her voice. "But we will be killed down here. There is many enemies downstairs and Sir Cebrail still hold them off."
"Alone?!" She surprised to hear that and ran towards the stair just to find Cebrail was stabbed by spears. Didn't think about her own safety at all, she jumped towards the soldier, her attack failed to kill the enemies but at least it knocked them back. "Sir Cebrail." She checked his wound, it was a deep wound. She put a Vulnerary on his hand and pushed him upstairs. "Leave this place to me and do something about your wound. I will hold them!" After saying that, she took a position in the stairs. Soon, she felt a spear scratch her cheek, leaving a scar here.
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Balthier
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Everything you think you are that puts you above others is a lie.
Posts: 68
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Post by Balthier on Jul 29, 2010 14:48:46 GMT -6
OoC: The Marquess is just an NPC, from this post on, feel free to do what you will with him.. just remember he's not to aid us in any way.
IC: Balthier slowly shut his eyes as he heard so much screaming and fighting right outside his new abode's door. He knew the Marquess would be there soon, and if anything, at least the fight would be broken up. He bit his lip. He knew there had been much bloodshed and injury thus far, and figured there would be more to come.
I never would have thought... that the Marquess would so easily betray us simply to stay neutral.
Balthier frowned, and opened his eyes while listening to the tavern door opening.
"All soldiers, lower your weapons!" The Marquess shouted over all the commotion. Balthier could barely make out what was being said.
Marquess Santaruz looked at Cebrail, on his knees, dizzy from such an injury. He cocked his head, looking down on Cebrail. "See to it his wounds are treated. Cleric!" A young man rushed over to Cebrail, staff in hand. He ignored Mana sitting beside him, and tended to him.
The Marquess nodded to his guard, and they rushed upstairs towards Reylan to handle the situation and quell this strife.
The Marquess arched his brows and bit his lip. "Where is Balthier?"
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Cebrail
Soldier
There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.
Posts: 64
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Post by Cebrail on Jul 29, 2010 15:14:51 GMT -6
"Hell..I'm doing alright." He sat on a staircase and checked Mana's wounded cheek. He took her hand and handed her back the vulnerary. "You'd probably need this more later." He smiled at the girl who helped him. "I think we're even. Cleric." He pointed to her cheek. It was a small wound and would heal easily. Cebrail stood up but collapsed soon after. His wounds were healed but like his thigh, he could still feel it. He gripped his lance tightly, still not trusting the Marquess. "Where's Balthier you sonuva...you could've killed us."From what he knew about Balthier, he wouldn't have been captured easily. Unless of course he left voluntarily. Either way, he didn't trust anyone in the inn other then Mana and Reylan. "You may have helped me, but I'm not afraid to cut you down right now." The Santurazian soldiers lifted their weapons and held them at Cebrail's direction. He didn't care. OoC: I'm not even completely pissed yet
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Balthier
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Everything you think you are that puts you above others is a lie.
Posts: 68
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Post by Balthier on Jul 29, 2010 15:41:38 GMT -6
OoC: GET ANGRY! haha.
IC:
Balthier groaned, tilting his head out of pure bordeum. He listened intently as the Marquess and his men spoke with Cebrail, Mana, and the few soldiers.
He sighed. Well,I suppose now is no better time than any other. Balthier also noted that his tome had been taken, so there would be no fighting back. He breathed heavily, listening to himself in this dark room. He concentrated, then kicked the door open clear off it's hinges, and stumbled out, turning to the Marquess.
"Well, I suppose it's beyond even your dignity to let me out then, eh?" He nodded to the bartender, then started at the Marquess. "I made a deal. You may take me and do what you will, I don't care, but my company must be allowed to leave Santaruz peacefully. We came to this inn to stay the night; we planned to leave in the morning. However, sets of armor were stolen by your citizens. Santaruz has decayed. I despise the state my homeland is in. But I digress... If I succumb to you, will you allow my company safe passage from Santaruz?" He tilted his head, raising it, and awaited the Marquess.
Marquess Santaruz pondered such an offer. "Balthier... you had your chance. I told you to leave, and you stay at my inn? Bah, I do not need such petty quarrels." He looked around solemnly and the silent troops, and then Cebrail and Mana. "Yes, they will leave safely. But they will leave now, if they value themselves." He turned back to Balthier. "I will take you with me, and you will be punished for treason. Possibly the death sentence, but we'll see how merciful I am in the morning. Bartender, the ropes."
The bartender cut the ropes around his wrists, and Balthier opened and closed his hands, telling himself they were still intact. He winked at the bartender. "Thanks, friend."
Then, Balthier slowly nodded to Cebrail, then looked quizically at Mana. He laughed a bit, surprisingly. "Tell Reylan where I've gone. You must take what you have and go. I will... try to rejoin you on the road." He said this quietly, and the Marquess laughed.
"Come, Balthier. We have a little more to discuss." He smiled devilishly at Balthier.
Marquess Santaruz led Balthier out the door. Balthier stopped at the door. He turned slowly back to Cebrail, his gaze saddening. "Cebrail... I'm sorry." And with that, the two men were gone.
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Post by Mana on Jul 29, 2010 15:52:54 GMT -6
OoC : Aaw, I was typing it when Balthier posted. Well, it won't affect his post anyway ^_^
Mana frowned as a cleric healed her wounds, she could feel a strange sensation throughout her wounds. She then looked to her vulnerary, he gave it back to her although he needed it. "I will take it. And we are not even. I still have one debt." Her pride didn't allow her being indebted to someone. She supported Cebrail to stand up after he collapsed. He seemed weak because of his wound.
She instinctively unsheathed her sword hilt when the soldiers lifted their weapons.
"Drops your weapon little girl, you know that we can kill you easily." The Marquess stared to her and he didn't joke about the "kill" thing. She actually didn't want to drop her weapon, it was taboo for her, but now the situation didn't give any choice.
"Knows your place little girl." The Marquess approached her and suddenly pulled her pony-tail. It was very hurt, but Mana tried to not show her pain. "I see. A lowly Sacaen scum." He suddenly threw Mana against the wall, Mana felt dizzy as soon her head banging to the wall.
The Marquess turned to Balthier who came suddenly.
OoC : If I am not wrong, Sacaen is looked down by another country. Is that right?
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Balthier
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Everything you think you are that puts you above others is a lie.
Posts: 68
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Post by Balthier on Jul 29, 2010 15:58:37 GMT -6
OoC: Yes, you're right.
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