Cardin
Hunter
Friend to Taguel and Dragon alike!
Posts: 48
Profession: Mercenary (Hunter class)
Affiliation: N/A
Guild: N/A
Affinity: Light
OoC Alias: Loko
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Post by Cardin on Nov 15, 2017 21:31:49 GMT -6
I sighed as I wandered the plains. I hadn't seen a village for days, and things had become tougher on me since Scar had left. I had awoken one morning to find that Scar had just vanished without a trace. Finally, I spotted a small settlement in the distance. It had taken long enough! I released a sigh of relief and judged the distance. It should take me around... lets see... perhaps two hours to clear the distance? I decided to get some game first though, as I was beginning to feel hungry. I perched atop a lone tree waited about half an hour before something arrived: a small rabbit. I drew my bow and slowly pulled an arrow from my quiver. I watched the rabbit munch on a few blades of grass as I moved the arrow into its position, nocking it. I pulled back and gazed through the make-shift sight, and aimed directly for the rabbit's heart.
"I'm sorry," I thought before releasing the tension on the string, allowing the arrow to sail into the rabbit. With a thunk, the rabbit fell as blood seeped from the edges of the wound. I looked away to avoid triggering my uncontrollable blood lust. After a while, I knew the poor creature was dead. I would not let it's sacrifice be in vain. It would provide nourishment for my continued survival, and in turn I would help keep the weak and defenseless members of humanity safe. I gutted the creature and lit a fire, beginning to cook my meal.
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Post by Nergui on Nov 15, 2017 21:52:22 GMT -6
Nergui was walking.
Usually, he would be riding his horse, Takhi, but they had been wandering about for so long that she had grown bored, and decided that it would be funny to make her master walk on his own two legs, refusing to budge until Nergui had gotten off of her saddle. OF course, this caused Nergui no small sense of annoyance. His head was brewing with ways he could get back at his stubborn excuse of a horse. He sighed. He wouldn't do any such thing. As hard-headed as his horse could get, without her, Nergui would be all alone in the plains of Sacae, and there was no doubt that he would have gone slightly mad wandering alone for this long. As his mind wandered and thought of all the ways he might do should he ever go crazy, his eyes spotted a settlement in the distance. Perhaps they would have work befitting a hero there. He pulled at Takhi's reins, and mounted her, urging her on towards the destination in the distance.
The horse, understanding Nergui's urge to reach the settlement, reared up on her hind legs, whinnying, turned about in a circle...and stayed put.
What was I even expecting?, he thought, getting off of her. His mind once again pondering thoughts of how to get back at his horse, who he could imagine snickering behind his back, he spotted a traveler sitting by a fire.
It had been some time since Nergui had last interacted with a human being, having wandered alone for several days with nothing but Takhi for a companion, and he would be glad to see the face of something other than a horse. He raised a hand towards the traveler, and in a loud voice, shouted "Hail!"
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Cardin
Hunter
Friend to Taguel and Dragon alike!
Posts: 48
Profession: Mercenary (Hunter class)
Affiliation: N/A
Guild: N/A
Affinity: Light
OoC Alias: Loko
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Post by Cardin on Nov 15, 2017 22:22:54 GMT -6
As I continued to roast the meat I had salvaged from the rabbit, I heard a voice call out. I glanced around, expecting them to be speaking to someone else, but the man's glance was directed at me. He appeared to be guiding a horse. I smiled. It had been a while since I'd seen another person. I was normally a very shy person... Scar had helped me loosen that. Now I could carry out a... somewhat normal conversation with someone who wasn't a Taguel. However I tended to stutter, so I wasn't completely over my shyness.
"G-greetings!" I called out, smiling. "What brings you to these p-parts?" I studied the stranger. He had an interesting hair-style, pulled up above his head in a messy bun. I chuckled lightly at this. It looked odd, but it seemed to fit him. Judging by the sword he had sheathed, he was likely a cavalier of some sort. Perhaps he came from one of the tribes? Observing his horse, I was able to tell a bit of it's feelings. Scar had taught me to read the emotions of animals, and while my progress had been minimal at best, I could tell that the horse was playful at the moment. From what I could gather, she wouldn't let the man ride, as her form of a joke. I smiled. This man seemed like the kind of person I could get along well with. I wondered if I should offer him something to eat, and decided that if he did seem hungry, I would give him some of my jerky. It wasn't much, but it got me through the times when hunting was poor.
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Post by Nergui on Nov 15, 2017 23:29:42 GMT -6
He took this moment to look over the traveler. The man knew how to use a bow, at least, a noble skill. He had considered taking up archery long ago, but eschewed it in favor of learning to fight in a melee. Despite this, he had always admired those who took up the bow, as stringing a bow, pulling it back, and firing an arrow required great skill, dexterity, and even strength. Nergui nodded in approval of the man's choice of weapon. It was a practical choice, too. Nergui couldn't count the times he wished that he had something to shoot and kill fresh meat with. He had been stuck with dry jerky for sometime now, and while he was thankful for the food, he was quickly growing tired of the taste. He shook his head of thoughts and decided to introduce himself to the man.
Nergui smiled at him as he approached, doing his best to seem warm and friendly. He placed a hand to his chest as he introduced himself. "I am simply a wanderer, roaming these lands with my faithful horse...who is being quite moody and not cooperative in the very least.", he said, shouting the last few words at his horse, who, for her part, simply turned away and snorted.
Clearing his throat, Nergui continued. "Anywho, I am called Nergui, of the Moto. As I've said before, I've been wandering the plains with only my stubborn horse for company, so seeing a human face is a welcome change of pace. Do you mind if I travel with you for some time? If only until the next settlement over there."
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Cardin
Hunter
Friend to Taguel and Dragon alike!
Posts: 48
Profession: Mercenary (Hunter class)
Affiliation: N/A
Guild: N/A
Affinity: Light
OoC Alias: Loko
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Post by Cardin on Nov 16, 2017 7:00:20 GMT -6
I pondered the man's request for a few moments. He wished to travel with me? It had been a while since I had been accompanied by anyone. The last time I could think of was... geez, it had been nine months already? Time had flown by, and I had continued to travel, none the wiser. I decided it would be best to begin by introducing myself as well. He had said his name was Nergui? An odd sounding name, though it was befitting of one from one of the many tribes of Sacaen nomads.
"I-it's a pleasure to meet you, Nergui," I said shyly. "My name is C-cardin. And to answer your question, I would be glad to travel with you. It's been some time since I've had company on my journeys. Would you like some of my meal?" I gestured to the rabbit cooking on the fire. I decided it would be better to offer him the fresh meat rather than the jerky. I decided I would eat the jerky instead, since the next town was not that far away. As he looked towards the town though, something was off. Smoke was rising from the tops of some of the homes, more than one in fact. This was troublesome... what could be happening over there?
"Look..." I pointed towards the village. "Do you see that smoke?" I pondered the possibilities. But the most likely one seemed all too clear. Bandits. Attacking another village? I wouldn't allow it. I wouldn't allow any more people to suffer what I went through when I was young.
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Post by Nergui on Nov 16, 2017 10:06:47 GMT -6
Nergui's grin grew ever wider as he laughed. Cardin seemed shy, for sure, but he was willing to share a meal with Nergui, and for that, the Sacaen would be ever grateful. "It's a pleasure to see another human being as well, Cardin! Haha!", he said, his laughter filled with mirth. "I'll gladly partake of the meal, Cardin. I've eaten nothing but dried jerky for the past few days, so a bit of fresh meat will do me good." It was no lie. Nergui was excited at the prospect of eating something other than dry meat, and his mouth was already watering at the prospect of freshly cooked rabbit.
That is, until Cardin's hand pointed towards the village. Nergui's gaze followed, and his eyes began to light up as he thought of the most likely thing. Without a single beat, he yelled. "Bandits!"
It was time. He had a chance to prove himself, finally. Saving a village from Bandits? What hero would ever let such a thing happen before his very eyes and do nothing? Not this one, that's for sure.
Quickly forgetting his desire for fresh rabbit meat and his lingering anger at his horse, he ran up and mounted Takhi, who could sense her rider's eagerness as she neighed, ready to go. Nergui himself was so excited that he nearly forgot about Cardin. The rider grinned. There was probably plenty of bandits down there. There was no way he was going to be able to take them all by himself, as much as he wanted to believe he could.
The Sacaen pulled at Takhi's reins, making her strut over towards where Cardin sat. Nergui then extended his hand towards Cardin, offering him a ride. "If it's as I believe, then I alone will not be enough to fight them off. Could I perhaps persuade you to assist me?"
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Cardin
Hunter
Friend to Taguel and Dragon alike!
Posts: 48
Profession: Mercenary (Hunter class)
Affiliation: N/A
Guild: N/A
Affinity: Light
OoC Alias: Loko
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Post by Cardin on Nov 16, 2017 17:22:11 GMT -6
I glance up at the traveler atop his horse. A few moments ago, we were going to be enjoying a meal together, but now it seemed we were destined to fight these bandits.
"Waste of perfectly good rabbit..." I thought, and sighed. Ah well, I'd make these bandits pay for interrupting our meeting. I took his hand and pulled myself up atop his horse. As we rode off toward the village, I could not help but realize how familiar this all seemed. Riding off to save a village from bandits reminded me of the adventures Scar and I used to have. As we neared the village, the flames grew brighter. Screams echoed through the air as bandits brought down their axes on the innocent townsfolk. I cringed as I saw the blood. I jumped off Nergui's horse and slung my bow off my back. I pulled an arrow from my quiver, knocked it, and took aim at a bandit who was holding a woman by the wrist. I let the arrow fly, and it struck the bandit's shoulder. He howled in shock and surprise and the woman dropped to the ground.
"Go! Run!" I shouted at her. She nodded and mouthed "Thank you." Blood seeped from the wounded bandit's arm, and he turned to me, his eyes on fire with rage.
"You dare stike me?!" He shouted. "I'll show you!" Rushing for me with his axe, I knocked another arrow and flung it, not having time to aim for precision. As a result of being rushed, the shot missed it's target, instead becoming stuck in the wood of one of the so-far undamaged buildings. The bandit was almost on me, and I covered my head in fear, knowing this was the end.
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Post by Nergui on Nov 16, 2017 19:06:17 GMT -6
Nergui's eagerness to defeat the bandits was such that he had already unsheathed his sword while he was riding towards the town. Takhi, ever empathic towards her rider, was swift, she herself excited to finally be doing something other than the wayward wandering across Sacae that she and Nergui had been doing for so long. Horse and rider's desires as one, they both rode wordlessly towards their destination, excited to finally begin their destined path.
Nergui smirked as he saw Cardin leap off of his horse. A brave one, it seemed. Not everyone had the gall to jump off of a horse. Beneath this one's demeanor was surely some sort of hero as well. He felt a pang of doubt. This was his first chance at being a hero. What would happen if he messed up? If he got hurt? If Takhi got hurt? His mind swam as he began to think about everything that could go wrong with what was happening, his previous confidence and excitement receding back into his mind as his thoughts went on and on...
Until he heard a shout. Nergui turned towards the source, a bandit with and arrow sticking out of his arm. The bandit shouted in a rage and began running towards something else with his axe raised. His eyes followed the bandit's path until he saw Cardin, who was certainly the one who had shot him earlier.
The Sacaen rider wasted no time, shouting a loud war cry as he and Takhi rode towards Cardin's aggressor, diverting the bandit's attention away from the hunter, who looked up in surprise at the swiftly approaching duo. Leaving him no time, Nergui lifted up his iron scimitar and swung, cutting deep into the foe's shoulder, causing the wounded bandit to fall to his knees, succumbing to his injuries.
Nergui began to ride throughout the settlement, his thoughts now sure and steady. He laughed loudly at the thought of him ever being unsure that he was anything but a hero. If I had no fear, he thought, I would not have been able to conquer it.
Nergui continued his work as he rode upon another of the bandits, who likely did not expect this sort of resistance. The bandit suffered a cut across his chest for his troubles, and enraged, ran after Nergui, bringing another of the brigands along with him.
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dimino
Soldier
Posts: 37
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Dimino
OoC Alias: Fargus
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Post by dimino on Nov 16, 2017 22:37:44 GMT -6
Dimino was traveling on his way back to his lands in Nabata when he spotted in the distance what looked to be smoke. "Another village in trouble? I cannot turn my back on them, the people there need my help!" he said as he pulled down his helm. He started to run in the direction of the village as fast as he could, hoping that he won't be too late, hoping that the village can still be saved!
As he arrived, he saw just in time to see what looked to be a Sacaen Cavalier of sorts take down one of the bandits, but attracting many more of the brigands in the process. Dimino immediately sprung into action as he rose his shield and charged at the bandit that ran past him. Using the shield, Dimino bashed the brigand to the ground as he looked up, clearly dazed, surprised, and more importantly, furious! The brigand quickly got up and rose his axe above his head to chop down at Dimino only to meet his shield.
As Dimino brushed the axe strike with the shield, he glared at the bandit. "You are not an honorable warrior, you deserve nothing more than the sting of death!" Dimino said as he rose his shield and plunged his lance in the shoulder of the brigand. Though clearly hurt now, the brigand attempted to knock Dimino aside as some more of the brigands began to form up around Dimino. The Nabatian warrior merely glared at the three brigands that gathered around him as he rose his shield and lance in a defensive position. I am a warrior of the desert, I will not back down from this fight!" he yelled out.
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Cardin
Hunter
Friend to Taguel and Dragon alike!
Posts: 48
Profession: Mercenary (Hunter class)
Affiliation: N/A
Guild: N/A
Affinity: Light
OoC Alias: Loko
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Post by Cardin on Nov 19, 2017 9:41:02 GMT -6
(Sorry about the long delay and the lock y'all. Apparently my last post had some issues, and so now I'm making a new one to fix that lol.)
As I cowered and awaited death, I realized that the axe had not come down on me. I glance upward to discover that the bandit was now sprawled across the ground after being slashed by Nergui's blade as he rose past. Had I really sunk back down to the level where I had to rely on others to survive a battle? This lengthy gap between fights had really taken a toll on the little skill that I'd had. I swore under my breath as I decided to find a more secluded area to fire from.
I climbed a tree next to one of the houses that was still sturdy and lowered myself onto the roof before drawing my bow again from atop the roof. As I prepared to fire, I watched the battle only to find that a newcomer had joined our side. He appeared to be a lance-user of some kind. I'd have to do all I could to assist him however; he was being surrounded fairly quickly! I pulled another arrow from my quiver, nocked it, and took aim as best as I could. The blood that was flowing from the fallen enemies bothered me, as I was still squeamish, and threw off my aim a bit. Rather than striking the bandit it hit a small tree. I sighed. How long would it take before I could become at least somewhat strong again?
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Post by Nergui on Nov 19, 2017 10:22:46 GMT -6
Nergui circled back, eager to return to the fray. Spotting the melee between the bandits and a newcomer, Nergui couldn’t help but feel a little surprised. With a kick of his heels and a loud whinny from Takhi, horse and rider charged towards the fight. The Sacaen raised his sword through the air, hollering as he brought it down upon one of the bandits, who was skilled enough to turn and block the savage blow with his own sword. Again and again, Nergui brought his blade down upon his foe, and again the bandit managed to deftly deflect each and every strike. It was not long before Takhi would have enough. The horse turned her back to the swordsman and let loose a mighty kick, knocking the wind out of the man as he fell upon ground, unconscious.
Nergui chuckled. “So you think I cannot handle it myself, huh?” Takhi responded with a nicker. “Hah! Well, let’s see if I’ll need your help for the rest of the day!”
The duo made their way to the side of the newcomer. Nergui made a quick note as to the man’s armor and weapons. He was armored, for sure, and he carried a lance and a shield. He was certainly skillful with his weapons. A plan formed in the Sacaen’s head. With a kick of his heels, Nergui urged Takhi to rear up, forelegs waving in the air as the surrounding bandits backed off from the intimidating display. He turned to the soldier. “Noble warrior! I see you are a man of justice! I would ask for your assistance in clearing out this settlement of villains.”
Takhi snorted as the bandits began to close in once more on Nergui and the newcomer. “Well, warrior? Shall we fight together?”
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dimino
Soldier
Posts: 37
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Dimino
OoC Alias: Fargus
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Post by dimino on Nov 19, 2017 13:02:31 GMT -6
Dimino gripped his lance and shield as he glared at one of the bandits. That was when they started to back off slightly when he noticed the Sacaen Cavalier join with him in the fray. "Yes, we shall work together to aid the people of this village!" he said to the Sacaen. Dimino could see slightly another Sacaen of sorts, but alot more inexperience try to fire arrows at the brigands but not having very much success. He looked to be about Kyras age when he left her back in Bern.
No time to get distracted though! He and the rest had a village to save! He rose his lance to parry a blade from one of the brigands that tried to strike him and forced the brigand to get disarmed in the process. He then rose his shield and bashed the bandit back. The strike wasn't lethal, but that bandit will likely be out cold from the impact. At least we won't have to deal with that one for awhile, but we'll still have to deal with him he thought. He turned quickly to the Cavalier and nodded, indicating that he was ready to help defend the village from the bandits.
As he gripped his shield and lance in a defensive stance, he glared at the other bandits, daring them to strike at the duo that is the last defense to the village. He knew that there was no way he'd leave this village without guaranteeing their safety. "This village shall not be a victim to pillaging dishonorable fiends such as you, you will die by our hands!" Dimino yelled out as he rose his shield, awaiting what his Sacaen ally will do.
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Cardin
Hunter
Friend to Taguel and Dragon alike!
Posts: 48
Profession: Mercenary (Hunter class)
Affiliation: N/A
Guild: N/A
Affinity: Light
OoC Alias: Loko
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Post by Cardin on Nov 19, 2017 22:13:34 GMT -6
As I continued to assist from afar, I continued changing positions to avoid being attacked. I got down from the roof of that house and rushed inside of that same home. As the majority of my shots were missing, I decided my efforts would be better placed in helping the civilians escape with their lives. I searched the house, entering one room to find a small child was cowering on his bed, curled into a ball. The poor child... he would be safer outside of the village rather than in the middle of the fray; the building could catch fire any moment now.
"Kid," I said. "Come with me, I'm here to get you to safety. You aren't hurt are you?" The kid lifted his head and shook it.
"N-no..." He said between sobs. "B-but my mommy..." He let out a louder sob and I could only imagine the tragedy that had befell. Those monsters... My hand clenched into a fist. I just had to trust that the others were taking care of them.
"I'm sorry, bud," I tell him. "But what matters the most right now is that you live, okay?" I hold out my hand and he takes it, still shaking. I lift him off the ground and leave the house, looking to make sure there aren't any bandits nearby beforehand. I rush him as far away from the village as I can.
"Now, I need you to stay right here, okay?" I say. He nods nervously, as I rush back to help the other survivors.
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Post by Nergui on Nov 20, 2017 20:56:58 GMT -6
Nergui grinned. The warrior within him was glad to have met someone of similar mettle. He would have to introduce himself later, when the fighting had died down. "First, fellow warrior, we must deal with the villains before us." The Sacaen let out a war cry, and like lightning, he charged. Two bandits remained from the initial melee, and as always, he wished to take them by surprise by charging in like the wild, unfettered Moto he was.
Unfortunately for him, this time the bandits were ready for his terrible charge. One of them raised a lance high, and Takhi was forced to halt her charge, swerving to the side as Nergui cursed the lance-wielding bandit's wise move. The other, wielding an axe, stepped in to take advantage of the stalling horse and rider. He swung with great force, Nergui barely able to parry the axe aside. As he moved in to take advantage of the recovering axeman, the other bandit appeared, holding lance aloft and preventing the Moto from pressuring the swordsman. Nergui cursed once more. These two were working in tandem in a way that completely stopped his offense.
Once again, the axeman rushed at Nergui, flailing his sword about in an attempt to harm the Sacaen rider. Once again, Nergui knocked him back, and once again, the lance-wielding bandit had rushed to his ally's aid, preventing Nergui from dealing with them individually. It was a simple strategy, but against horse and rider, it was deadly, and Nergui couldn't spare a single mistake.
Takhi snorted, her and her rider's irritation growing as they were forced to deal with such an annoying tactic.
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Cardin
Hunter
Friend to Taguel and Dragon alike!
Posts: 48
Profession: Mercenary (Hunter class)
Affiliation: N/A
Guild: N/A
Affinity: Light
OoC Alias: Loko
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Post by Cardin on Nov 23, 2017 13:15:07 GMT -6
Cardin rushed back and forth between the homes. Some aflame, some intact, but it did not matter to him. He had to ensure that the villagers were safe. Occasionally, one of the bandits would come after him, but luckily something happened each time in order to guarantee his safety. Once a burning tree fell onto one of his pursuers, crushing him. A few of the other times Cardin had managed to hit the bandits with an arrow, distracting them and allowing him and the person he was escorting to hide and escape.
At one point, Cardin found an elderly man. His home was about to be consumed by the flames of the one next-door. However, the man was stuck in his bed, apparently deathly ill. Cardin tried to convince him to come with him, but the man refused.
"There are more important people for you to save," He said before falling into a coughing fit. "I have no wife or children. I will not be missed. There's a bow on my kitchen table." He coughed a bit more, this time blood spewing from his mouth. I cringed at the sight. "Take it, and use it. Won't do me much good anyways."
"Thank you," I tell him. "May you arrive safely in the afterlife." He nods at me, a tear rolling down his cheek, and I rush off to grab the bow. Looking at it, it seemed to be built for firing arrows in quick succession. I smiled. This would truly be a great help. I head outside and see Nergui and the soldier continuing their battle.
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