Cefia wasn't warm but she wasn't as cold as before. Hopefully she doesn't completely freeze off at once. The fact that she was still uncomfortable helped her realize that she wasn't going to die soon. Before long she was dozing off until something other then the wailing storm woke her up. When she looked up, it seemed that the man had already made his to encounter the possible intruders.
She had placed her weapon away from her. Using an axe isn't the best situation in such a closed space. Following his order, she simply held herself still. She knew when to follow orders and how as well. She looked over, ready for any fight.
Post by Richter Abend on Oct 11, 2011 16:38:44 GMT -6
Richter inhaled sharply as the last clump of snow was pulled away. He could see boots. Five of them. That meant there were at least three people out there; men, by the look of their footwear. The boots continued to mull about, silent save for the crunch they made in the icy snow as they move, and the commander remained still, not wanting to break said silence. The tension building up at the nape of his neck rolled down his arms with every breath, causing his fingers to shiver in the white powder beneath him.
Then, the boots stopped moving, leaving only indistinguishable, muted noise in the background. Now there were only four. One of the men had moved away. Richter wished he could see more, but, the roof of the cave obscured his vision, and he dared not move any further forward. If it came to blows, being in this ditch put him at enough of a disadvantage as it was.
One of the boots stirred, twitching slightly, as a glint appeared at the mouth of the cave, slowly reaching inward. A spearhead. These men were taking caution. Could they be expecting something dangerous? We're they looking for him? The spear crept towards his face, like a cautious, silver headed snake waiting to strike. Richter inhaled, holding his breath. He knew danger when he saw it, especially when it was presented to him on a spearpoint. This would need to be quick.
Like a flash, Richter darted forward, pushing off of his knees and springing towards the spear. In response to the noise, the polearm attacked, thrusting downwards in hopes of striking, but instead buried itself in the snow. Before it could withdraw, however, the Ilian grabbed the wooden shaft, twisting it and pulling on it in hopes of disarming its wielder. Success. Richter's yank was met by little resistance as he flipped the spear around, arming himself with it, and burst from the entrance of the cave.
Victorious, Richter stood straight, a vicious smirk on his face as snow fell from his back and shoulders, his new weapon aimed straight at his hunter's face. But something was wrong.
"Who-" "Who am I?" responded the man, an oddly satisfied smirk on his face. "I wouldn't expect you to know. I am Low Officer Alranus Aurilia. Servitor of the Prophet and an agent of his works." Richter eyed the man. He had assumed a formal position with his hands folded behind his back and his chin high in the air. Confident, clearly. What an ass. "And I'm assuming you were sent here to find me?" Richter inquired, pressing the issue. He aimed his spear at the Low Officer's throat, his eyes focused on the man and the two men behind him. "No, actually, we were sent here to pick up a package," Alranus responded, keeping his cool. "A wagon, in fact. I'm sure you know of it. You left it surrounded by bodies a couple miles back." The Etrurian adjusted his collar, still not retreating from Richter's gaze. "But that's of little import. Now if you be so kind as to put the spear down, we'll bind you up and be on our way."
"The Inquisitional Army must be scraping for help if they promoted you to Low Officer," replied Richter, shaking his head. "You saw what I did to those bandit thugs you had scrape me off the battlefield earlier." The Ilian pressed the speartip up against Low Officer Aurilia's throat, his thoughts wandering to his still aching side. "There were fourteen of them. There are only three of you." "Only three?" As the Etrurian's lips curved in a devilish smile, Richter's heart sank. The Ilian could hear the sound of bows being drawn behind him, and glancing over his shoulder for a second, noticed over twenty men, at least half of them with their arrows ready and aimed.
"Damn it," Richter cursed. He had been so focused on the officer he had forgotten to watch his surroundings. Tunnel vision. Now he had his back to full troop of armed soldiers. It was too late to take the Low Officer hostage now. If he moved, the second he did he'd probably end up with an arrow in his back.
"I don't know what the Herald saw in you," continued Alranus. "Even a novice checks his back before making threats, but it's not my position to question his judgement." The solider cracked his neck. "Now put down that spear, Abend, or my men will riddle you with arrows. The Prophet wants you alive, to make an example of, of course, but I'm sure he'll understand if he gets a corpse instead."
Richter ground his teeth, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment and anger, but defeated, he dropped his arms, letting the spear fall to the snow as his gaze fell to the Low Officer's feet. He didn't stand a chance against this many trained men, and he wouldn't get the the girls dragged up in a fight he couldn't win. He wouldn't waste any lives today.
"Smart," said the Low Officer, straightening his back and looking over Richter's shoulder. "Now, men, grab those two girls in that cave. We wouldn't want to leave them out in the cold." Alranus, one hand still behind his back, then re-centered his gaze on a defeated Richter.
"Oh, and Abend?"
Richter raised his gaze to meet the Etrurian's, but as he did, he felt a fist collide with his stomach. But it was more than just a fist. The pink haired Ilian was ripped off of his feet as the Low Officer's hand exploded into light; shining beams erupting from his fist. The burst launched Richter through the air, landing him spread eagle in the snow. Half-stunned, the pink haired Ilian only had the air left in him to groan as he heard Alranus's feet slowly stride towards him, crunching in the snow with every step. The Etrurian then crouched down over Richter and looked him square in his half opened eyes. "I earned my rank," he admonished, then, with a wave of his had, called over his men to tie up their victim.
Last Edit: Oct 11, 2011 17:01:05 GMT -6 by Richter Abend
Cefia looked on in silence as she realized that the man made a terrible mistake. Shoot! She knew she made some sort of mistake along the way. She let out a sigh, they won't take her captive if she resisted and even if she didn't desertion was a capital offense. Before long she was lifted off of her place, her blanket plopping down on the snow.
"What do we do with the other girls?" a soldier stated, barely holding onto her arm. If she wasn't surrounded, she would snap back at him and rip him to pieces. If only there was some form of distraction... She kept a steady face, her eyes slowly taking in all the possible forms of escape. The exit was too far... Maybe she could get away if they lead her out but what of the girl? There was no way she would abandon and break a promise.
Post by Richter Abend on Oct 16, 2011 0:50:11 GMT -6
"What do we do with the other girls?"
"Bind them. I'll bring them back with the traitor," replied Alranus, looking up to the mountain pierced sky. "We should have more than enough room." The Low Officer turned to his subordinate as the low beat of wings could begun to be heard on the air. The blizzard hadn't allowed for any aerial transport, but now that it had subsided, the Etrurian pickup was on its way. As four wyvern riders approached, the Etrurian officer motioned for his men to bind Richter up and bring him over to him, as another group of men attempted to bind Cefia and Kynlis.
Last Edit: Oct 28, 2011 19:40:23 GMT -6 by Richter Abend
Cefia didn't struggle as she was lifted from her spot. It wasn't until they got the ropes prepared did she begin to resist. It wasn't much except a little fidgeting and something of minor annoyance.
"Hold still," one soldier grunted. With that she had moved out enough when they were tying her hands behind her back, she had plenty of ways of escape. All she needed was to make enough room by overlapping her fingers and wrists. They didn't seem to notice it and obviously never been the one captured before. Tricks like these are common especially when pirates were capturing one another or infiltrating another ship. She wasn't even using advanced level.
It wasn't long before they came back with rope to tie their body. She remained quiet, conserving her strength. This would be a tricky one but thank goodness she was a pirate and knew how to swim. She was quickly tied up with her her muscles flexed. It wasn't much room but she made sure to expand her breath enough so that they tied her up with her lungs inflated. With that she slowly let out and replenished her lungs when needed every few minutes. She might not be the longest breath holder but a few minutes wasn't too much trouble. Soon enough they were scooted and locked up in their own place.
Post by Richter Abend on Oct 19, 2011 2:17:40 GMT -6
As the three captives were bound, each being strapped to one of the four wyverns, Richter weakly gazed back at the Low Officer whom had so unceremoniously ambushed them, who was preparing to mount the wyvern that would be bearing Richter to Etruria. Coughing through the tight pain in his stomach, the commander spat at his captor, blood dripping from his mouth. "Y-you're nothing but a," he began, stuttering, "dog s-serving that lying bastard of a-a P-Prophet." Richter took a deep breath through clenched teeth as the Low Officer shook his head.
"Yes, I'm a dog," replied Alranus, strapping his spear to the side of the wyvern as its rider dismounted and saluted. "And dogs are loyal, proud creatures. You're a traitor, and nothing but a ripple in a very large pond." Grabbing a stirrup, the Etrurian pulled himself up into the saddle of his flying mount, as Richter rebutted. "Even a r-ripple can gro-grow into a wave," protested the Ilian commander defiantly. Alranus simply laughed. "You've got a mind for rhetoric, Abend," spoke Alranus, raising a hand into the air, "but you've yet to realize how insignificant you are. Now keep quiet. It's going to be a long trip "
With that, the the Low Officer waved his hand forward, signaling his riders to take flight, and with the beat of eight powerful wings the flying wyverns rose into the air, taking Richter, Cefia, and Kynlis with him.
Last Edit: Nov 1, 2011 18:27:57 GMT -6 by Richter Abend
Cefia remained quiet through the whole ordeal of getting stuck with a wyvern. She didn't like the idea of flying and as she was lifted off of the ground, she understood why. As they were taking off, she couldn't stand it and slid out of her bonds that she had setup. She quickly let out the air in her lungs then the bounds on her wrists. No, she wasn't going to fly back with them, the others can just deal with it.
It was a shame she was weaponless. Strangling him would take too long... With a quick idea, she loosened up her straps and lunged forward ripping at the neck of the rider. It caught him off guard and soon the wyvern rider lost control and both of them plummeted down towards the ground. She could only hope to brace herself for impact.