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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2014 14:47:14 GMT -6
Alden kept his eyes on the road ahead. It was the usual path he took when leaving Arphen to return to his village, the rather unimpressive bunch of cottages he once called home. Lux took long strides as Alden rode and the sound of his hooves against the pavement was loud enough to send echoes through the snowy landscape. Alden was returning home to visit his father and greet a few old friends, and he figured this was the perfect time to do so since he was leaving for Etruria within a few days. The moon in the sky shone brightly over the darkness and stars painted the black canvas around it. A beautiful night, to say the least, but something felt wrong. He wasn't sure exactly what, but it seemed...tense. Too quiet, aside from Lux's hooves. Every so often, he turned his back simply to ensure no one was behind him; paranoia got the best of him at times, and this was one of such times.
But Alden's suspicions were entirely valid. A shadowy figure burst from the night, charging forward. Alden barely had time to react but he pulled the reigns and forced Lux to run back. The mysterious figure's blade missed by mere inches, but they weren't finished. Another strike was executed, approaching Lux's torso quickly. Alden pulled the reigns again, causing Lux to jump up and stand on his back hooves for a moment before dashing ahead, following the road at top speed. They needed to escape as fast as they could. They were already too far from Arphen to return, where they would be much safer since the city was big and guards were everywhere, so they had no choice but to try and continue all the way to Carrhae. But why would anyone want to kill me? Alden thought to himself. He turned again to see if the person was still behind them, and to his dismay saw that their pursuer was catching up to them quickly. Things were looking grim...
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Samuali
Soldier
I am getting better and better, so you better watch out!
Posts: 106
Profession: Wanderer
Affinity: Wind
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Post by Samuali on Mar 2, 2014 15:31:03 GMT -6
Samuali hear a horse. He had been walking on this road for quite some time and was not familiar with the natives. He slipped off the road and doubled back a bit to see what was coming behind him. He saw a man on a horse when suddenly the man was attacked. The attacked man sent his horse dashing but was being closed down on by the attacker. Samuali waited for the mount to run by then leaped out in front of the attacker. Samuali placed his right foot back and thrust with the butt of his lance at the attacker's gut and yelled, "Roadblock!"
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2014 16:00:50 GMT -6
A shout echoed through the area, the voice of a younger male by the sound of it. Roadblock! Alden stopped the horse and faced the boy, with a concerned look. He was worried that someone so young could be hurt by the attacker, but also confused as to why or how the boy had found him. The entire situation was a bit odd. But alas, he didn't have much of a choice but to wait and see if the boy was going to be ok. He couldn't have very well just escaped without a second thought.
The boy was on the shorter side and he had green hair, and he had trust the blunt end of a lance into the person's gut. This stopped them, and their mask unraveled as they staggered back. It was a woman, with deep purple hair and cutting eyes. Well, well. I thought I had an easy kill here, but no, you have a bodyguard and now my cover's blown. I guess I'll just have to kill both of you. It was clear the woman was hurt by the boy's attack, but she wasn't about to flee. She raised her dagger once again and stabbed at the kid, aiming for his chest with swift precision. Alden watched from atop Lux, keeping a safe distance but removing the staff from his back in case the boy needed healing soon.
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Samuali
Soldier
I am getting better and better, so you better watch out!
Posts: 106
Profession: Wanderer
Affinity: Wind
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Post by Samuali on Mar 2, 2014 16:18:13 GMT -6
"gah!" Samuali saw the dagger too late to block it but manged to evade enough to the right so the blade hit the side of his torso. He took a bound back then lunged as he steeped his left foot forward. He quickly recovered from the strike and took another bound back. "Get out of here!" Samuali yelled to the mount.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2014 16:36:46 GMT -6
The boy managed to escape the blow narrowly, although he still sustained a cut to the side of his torso. Alden eyed the wound, watching the blood seep from it. The woman was already prepared to strike again, this time holding the dagger in a reverse grip and going for his neck. The boy didn't notice, instead insisting the Alden run away while he could. Alden refused, naturally. Look out! She's going for your neck, duck and hit her with your lance! As he said those commands, he pulled the reigns yet again, willing Lux to run forward and trample over the woman if she didn't move out of his path. This way, she would have an even harder time avoiding the boy's weapon. The faster they could deal with her, the faster that Alden could tend to the boy's cut.
Who was this kid, anyway? The question still clung hard in Alden's head as he moved, his horse running in a full sprint at the woman from her east as to avoid the boy being in his path as well. She didn't have many options in terms of retaliating, not with their teamwork. If the boy could avoid her dagger, then the rest of the battle would have a clear path to survival.
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Samuali
Soldier
I am getting better and better, so you better watch out!
Posts: 106
Profession: Wanderer
Affinity: Wind
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Post by Samuali on Mar 2, 2014 16:49:37 GMT -6
Look out! She's going for your neck, duck and hit her with your lance!
Samuali heard the warning, just in time. He bent his knees and barely managed to drop under the woman's strike. He heard the sound of hooves and thought to himself,(good, he is safe. Looks like it is just you and me now.) His injury protested as he swung his lance upwards at a vertical diagonal strike.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2014 17:11:14 GMT -6
Alden dashed past the woman, who had sidestepped to avoid him but was struck almost simultaneously by the boy's weapon. It pierced her stomach, with its tip now clearly visible and bloodied poking out of her back. She staggered away, clutching the mortal wound that would be her demise, and looking down at the blood covering her hands. Damn...it... Alden took the opportunity to dismount from Lux, ensuring the horse was ok and not all too startled by the situation, before approaching the boy and holding his staff out.
The woman was shaking violently, struggling to breathe, even. She seemed angry rather than regretful, though. As if she didn't deserve to die. You--you imbeciles. I was given the job to take out a...a freaking troubadour. It may have been my first task as a bounty hunter, but I expected it to be...easy. Damn both of you to hell, look what you've done to me. I...my boss. I'm not going to be the only one. You both should be prepared, because he'll send another after you, Alden. He wants you dead. The life slowly drained from her until she stopped breathing, and her corpse laid flat in the snow, tainting said snow a crimson shade with her blood. Those words scared Alden just a tad, because now he knew for a fact that someone was trying to kill him for some reason...but that wasn't the focus, not right now. He looked into the boy's eyes, diverting the attention from the dead girl. Thank you for rescuing me, I don't have any weapons and I would've surely been killed without your assistance. I'll take care of that cut for you. And may I ask your name?
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Samuali
Soldier
I am getting better and better, so you better watch out!
Posts: 106
Profession: Wanderer
Affinity: Wind
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Post by Samuali on Mar 2, 2014 17:29:04 GMT -6
Samuali was stunned for a second. He was not expecting the mount to double back and almost run him over and it triggered a slight feeling of deja-vu. He also did not like the fact the women said there were going to be more. His eyes scanned the surroundings, looking for more possible threats. He finally responded the the mount. "So you are a troubadour? Your a healer right? Why are you being hunted?" Samuali asked as his eyes returned to the dead woman, resisting an urge to search the body in the presence of a healer. "My name is Samuali. Yours is Alden, right?"
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2014 17:49:43 GMT -6
The boy asked a series of questions in rapid succession, and Alden answered them one at a time. Yes, I'm a troubadour, and thus a healer. Sit still, this might sting a little but it's going to fix your cut. And I don't know why I'm being hunted, honestly. I've helped plenty of mercenaries in my days, so I'm sure it's probably an enemy of one that I've healed. I don't know. His staff glowed, emitting a low noise as the cut slowly closed and the skin around it regenerated. It was like a miracle to watch, but it exhausted Alden. Even after years of practice, he hadn't fully mastered using staves and healing took a lot of time and energy for him. The kid paused for a moment.
My name is Samuali. Yours is Alden, right? Alden remembered that the assassin had called him by name, which explained how Samuali had guessed it. Yes, I am Alden. It is good to meet you, Samuali. After a few more minutes, the wound was completely healed. There, you're all fixed up. Tell me, Sam, what brings you here? We're practically in the middle of no-where, miles away from Carrhae or Arphen or any other city in Ilia, for that matter. You look young. Are you lost? he asked, as he put his staff in the sash around himself.
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Samuali
Soldier
I am getting better and better, so you better watch out!
Posts: 106
Profession: Wanderer
Affinity: Wind
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Post by Samuali on Mar 2, 2014 18:55:46 GMT -6
Yes, I'm a troubadour, and thus a healer. Sit still, this might sting a little but it's going to fix your cut. And I don't know why I'm being hunted, honestly. I've helped plenty of mercenaries in my days, so I'm sure it's probably an enemy of one that I've healed. I don't know.
Samuali listened to Alden answer his questions. He felt something near is wound and muck to his disbelieve, saw it healing itself. He had heard of such healers, but had never actually seen one in action before.
here, you're all fixed up. Tell me, Sam, what brings you here? We're practically in the middle of no-where, miles away from Carrhae or Arphen or any other city in Ilia, for that matter. You look young. Are you lost?
Alden listed some names Samuali had never heard before. He tried to think what to tell him, it seemed highly unlikely that he would believe that he was wandering for almost a week looking for an ocean. But, he had no better idea so he just told him. "I am not from here, I came from a desert far away from here. I am looking for some huge body of water called an ocean. But, yeah. I don't think I am near it so I guess I am lost. Do you have a map?"
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2014 19:32:16 GMT -6
I am not from here, I came from a desert far away from here. I am looking for some huge body of water called an ocean. But, yeah. I don't think I am near it so I guess I am lost. Do you have a map? An ocean? Samuali was peculiar, but he certainly interested Alden. Well, I don't have a map on me currently, no. But the closest ocean isn't far. Ilia, this country that we are in as of right now, is the highest northeastern point in Elibe, and we border the ocean. Carrhae, the village where I'm currently headed, is actually right next to the ocean. I'm going there to visit my father. If you really need to go to the ocean, I can take you there. He awaited the boy's answer. It wouldn't be difficult; since they would be traveling on horseback, it was no problem. And they were already within an hour or two of arriving in Carrhae anyhow.
Alden walked back over to Lux and climbed on top of him, petting his mane. The poor horse looked a bit tired, but either way, the journey was almost over and they'd have a good night's rest or two before coming back to Arphen to meet with the mercenaries. Whether or not Samuali would come could change that plan, but it wasn't all that important. Alden wouldn't mind a young companion to keep him company. So what do you say, Samuali? Would you like to come with me to Carrhae?
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Samuali
Soldier
I am getting better and better, so you better watch out!
Posts: 106
Profession: Wanderer
Affinity: Wind
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Post by Samuali on Mar 2, 2014 19:47:29 GMT -6
So there was an ocean, and he was close. Alden offered him to travel with him and Samuali knew that Alden needed the protection. He did not have anything else to do at the moment so Samuali decided to go with him, but there was one pressing matter.
"Sure, it would be my honor to join you. But, well, um... Could you turn around for a moment?" Samuali waited for a second to see if the healer would or not then ran over to the dead body of the bounty hunter and searched it. He took anything that might be useful and some notes he did not have time to read. He then jogged over to the horse. "ready to go."
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2014 20:27:06 GMT -6
Sure, it would be my honor to join you. But, well, um... Could you turn around for a moment? Alden nodded, and awaited Samuali's return. He simply ran back to the bounty hunter's corpse and searched it, not bothering to be careful of the blood. It seemed as though he was accustomed to corpses and wasn't bothered in the least by them. He was only growing increasingly odder in Alden's eyes, but Alden supposed that he would find out more about the kid in due time. They did have a journey on horseback together, after all. He imagined what Samuali's reaction to seeing the ocean would be as Samuali himself returned and hopped onto Lux. Ready to go. Alden gave one last check to ensure he had left nothing behind and then set off, with Lux galloping at a steady pace.
If you need to stop for any reason, just say so. There will be a few small towns on the way to Carrhae, in case you get hungry or anything.
[Exit Thread]
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