Of Monsters and Men

Discussion in 'Retirement Home' started by Magick, Sep 26, 2015.

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  1. Magick ~Meaner then my demons~

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    Veera stood up, her head ringing but her eyes ablaze with fire. "Derrick, get your ass off that horse and in front of me. Now." She glared at him, eyes narrowing as the light made her headache that much worse. "Please." she amended, a little more softly. I need to know what I was doing here, why Aaron was here, why I let him die, why my sword is so badly damaged, and why you looked at me like that, and why would I try to kill you.....She turned, her hands clenched at her side.

    "You." She hissed at
    Alastar. "Derrick made a mistake, but your actions were not warranted. You are a beast of a man. If you can't wear the label proudly, then don't listen." She pointed at herself. "I've been called too many names to count, and yet I ignored them all. If you can't resist the comments of a single person, then you are no better then a teenage boy preening in the mirror. We are witchers, we don't care what people call us, be they peasant or one of our own."

    She turned to Treasa, her frown deepening. "Your comments were sexist and unnecessary.
    Derrick may have a reputation, but he's my brother and comrade in arms and I'll not have you or your uncle slander him further. We didn't ask you to rescue any of us, in fact you insisted upon it yourselves. If you can't get along with us, then perhaps you should leave."

    She sighed. "We're safer together. I'm sure that dopplers escaped the city, and there still could be undead roaming around. Please, can't we just make this work until we get back to the safety of the Kaer?"

    She turned back around to
    Derrick, her stance firm but her eyes soft as she wordlessly begged him to come back. "Sorry." The voice startled her, and she turned to look at the brunette archer, kneeling on the ground.


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    Treasa kept her eyes on the rudimentary arrows, her eyes burning and her cheeks flushed. "I'm sorry." She clarified to Derrick. "For my behavior. It wasn't fair. I let the past dictate my actions. Veera is right. We shouldn't separate. It's too dangerous." She spoke in a halting tone, each word having the taste of acid. But wasn't it better to admit her mistake then to keep admitting it?

    "I'll take first watch." She repeated softly, lowering her head. Regardless of whether it was the right thing to do or not, it didn't feel good. "Please don't leave your comrades on my account." She swallowed past the ache in her throat. Veera had called
    Derrick her brother, and it created a strange parallel though for Treasa. If her own siblings were still alive, she would never have let them leave unscathed. "Don't leave your family." She whispered, bending over her arrows, hunched and small. "We don't get a replacement once they're gone."

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    Teliana smiled at Zephyr's response. She started to lean her head against Vyle's shoulder but stopped herself before the action could be completed. He wasn't ready for that, yet. She herself wasn't the clingy type, but physical touch kept the thoughts of the witch hunter out of her head....Shaking away the darkness, Ana stepped forward, looking back at the two. "We'd best get going then, before the witchers get too far ahead." She murmured, heading out into the open air with a brave face.

    She couldn't stay scared forever. She had to find herself again.


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    Tessa smiled at the little boy in front of her. "My mother used to do that for me too." She leaned in closer, ignoring the protestations of her wound. "I think it's a secret only mothers have though." She whispered conspiratorially to Greg before slowly getting to her feet. "I don't...." she hesitated, looking at the small child. "I don't know if he'll want to see this." She whispered before kneeling, her back to Matilda as she reached back with a grimace, pulling up the simple shirt to reveal the her injury.

    It was a haphazard mess of stitching and torn flesh. The healing woman hadn't had much time, and so she had done a quick job, perhaps intending for Tessa to get the wound resewn later. However, the woman's healing potion, used in desperation, had left little room for any sort of remedial work. The wound itself was jagged, starting at the middle of her back and ending in her lower right side. It was swollen and inflamed, her body beginning to reject the thread that had held itself together while the flesh itself was knotted and ridged, some parts overlapping overs. Where the sword had actually cut her was a pink line, forever discoloring her skin.

    Tessa hunched over on herself, biting her lip as she felt tears gather. It was ugly. It marked her. It would forever remind her. She was a freak.


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    Zack looked up, seeing the mage woman emerge. She didn't look quite herself, but...she looked better. Whatever the vampire had done, clearly it was for her benefit. Perhaps he wasn't such a bad person after all. Zack got to his feet, walking up to her as he brushed his hands off. "Leaving?" He read the intention on her face. "And your friends too?" She nodded and he smiled a little. "Well, best of luck to you. Feel free to ask around for any extra supplies we may have." It was the least he could do for failing to get her and Zephyr out of the city. "I hope we meet again."

    "
    I as well." She replied, a little of the sparkle returned to her eyes.
     
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2016
  2. Vladek515 Hollow Bastion Committee

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    And everything went Supernova as always 'good job Alastar you did it again' he thought to himself. "Woah woah woah, didn't mean it like that, I'm sorry alright, I'm well aware I look and fight like a bear, mammoth, Griffin whatever... it was wrong of me to act like that, but I can't really help it... as my neice would put it... I lack tact and a boatload at that... But let me argue with an Archgriffin and it'll play nice in a jiffy. I didn't know... well I ran into some bloke who mentioned a witcher dying and something 'bout a sister of his and well I think I saw the aftermath of that masacre, it's all a bit hazy... But I didn't know about the bloody mage hunters or anything... I'm sorry alright, I just wanted to brighten the mood with some fun at my expense... I'm not very good with people.... " He then got **** from Veera for what he had done. When she finished she ripped into Treasa and while she was right he didn't like it but Treasa with difficulty apologised.

    'Hell if I'm causing this much trouble, and you're even ****ing suggesting it I might as well leave,
    Treasa, if you want you can stay with them... they're better examples anyways...' It sounded right in his head but he didn't say it out loud. He couldn't leave Treasa behind, she'd never forgive him for it, he'd betray her and he was the last thing she had left. He was a beast... a savage, having difficulty dealing with people other than his own neice and even at that he sometimes ran into trouble. He walked away, isolating himself a little bit, but not far enough to be out of Treasa's sight, turning his back towards them he knelt to meditate, trying to clear his head up. He had taken note of how Derrick had said Veera had tried to kill him and wouldn't doubt she would hesitate to just end his life for nothing. All he had wanted was to lighten the mood by having Derrick insult him a bit as mates would, but he clearly had taken the wrong bloody tone or picked the wrong ****ing words, some example he was...

    Sigmund merely waited for the door to open and when it finally did everything started to take care of itself as Tilly went to work with Tessa, that left Seth unoccupied and he figured it would be time to discuss their matter further he had made up his mind. "Seth if you have a moment... the punishment, I have made a consideration, something that I probably shouldn't have done since lady justice is blind, but by the graces of the Gods consider yourself lucky. Unless you absolutely abhor working, then I'll have some bad news for you." The old mage said, he didn't leave the room it hardly mattered anymore whether he liked it or not this was gonna be the last option he would get. "Take note that this is the last drop of mercy you are getting, this will be your punishment and it will be final is that clear?" The mage was stern now, the softer friendly side of him having left for now, it would only complicate things needlessly
     
  3. al215 Kingdom Keeper

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    He stopped when Veera called after him, and most surprisingly Treasa apologised for what she had said. He sighed and dismounted, then grabbed the reins and led the horse back to where was before.
    "Now you've all apologised about that, I can't leave can I?" Derrick spoke, once again setting up his things and speaking as he did. He'd attend to Veera last, for now he needed to pacify the two new people. And what Teasa said... "You're right. Aaron won't come back now. None of us will." He turned to Alastar and shrugged, trying to play it cool again.
    "No worries. No harm was intended and it's just been rough. Normally it'd be fine." He replied. "Wait what, you saw someone who mentioned a Witcher dying? Who was he? Tatiana..." He remembered the woman that he brought from the Kaer to Oxenfurt. The woman that he abandoned. He sighed. Another life lost. Maybe she survived?
    "Veera, you might want to hear this."

     
  4. Vladek515 Hollow Bastion Committee

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    Alastar sat there meditating on his own quite quickly he got his thoughts back in line and rejoined the others. Derrick had gotten back as well and asked him about the bloke who had mentioned the dead witcher. He described what the two individuals looked like, picking his words carefully when describing the sorceress to not have everything explode again. "The bloke seemed real nervous when talking to me, seemed to hate witchers. Threatened that next time I ran into him he'd kill me, it probably doesn't surprise you that I told him I'd be burying his corpse in the aftermath of that... We already nearly came to blows when I told him he ain't a ****ing witcher despite the swords. I thought it fishy to have someone run around with Witcher gear and not being a witcher and all that. Don't know where they went, but if I run into that ****er again I'll put him in the ****ing ground... He told me the only reason he didn't want to fight was because he felt bad for that witcher's sister or something and you lot needed to know? I don't know... That's the gist of it, did I miss anything Treas?" He asked his neice not sure if he had covered everything. He thought he had, but best to make sure. He should have brought this whole issue up a bit earlier but hey who was he to judge what was the right time to bring something up. Then again it was kind of important to mention this, oh well hindisght.
     
  5. Magick ~Meaner then my demons~

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    Veera limped to where Derrick was sitting, staying close to him in case he decided to bolt. She couldn't shake the effect his words had taken on her; I tried to kill him? Why? Why would I....She listened to Alastar, her face blank as she tried putting strange names to blurry faces, to make sense of what she couldn't remember. "It couldn't be that doppler, Bryce?..." The name brought a swell of anger with it, and she took a deep breath to bury the emotion once more. "We saw him die. Your...friend," she glanced at Derrick, "he killed him. But do we know that it was actually Bryce he killed? Or for that matter that Bryce was the one to actually kill.." She swallowed hard, her voice shaking, "Aaron. He could have come across his body, and..."

    She pressed her forehead to her knee for a moment, recollecting herself. Why can't I just remember?

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    Treasa turned her body towards the group, looking at each of them in turn, her eyes falling on Veera, and then Derrick. "He had a woman with him. She was nice. They were nice. I do not think they killed your friend." She murmured quietly. "The man looked far too shaken, and if he had done it himself I doubt he would have told us about the crime. I got the feeling that he was regretful, that it was painful." She looked down at her arrows for a moment. "He was no witcher," she seceded to her uncle, "But neither was he a threat."

    "Not today, anyway." She shrugged, her fingers moving quickly along the edge of the wood even without her eyes on her work. She knew the craft by heart, it took more then simple conversation to cause her to make a mistake. Her eyes eventually turned back towards Veera, and she frowned. "If you are family...why did she try to kill you?" She asked
    Derrick softly. It felt as though one wrong word or comment would bring the tension and disruption back to the small camp...as though she was treading on broken glass.

    And by the looks of the three witchers they had rescued, there was little left to them after that glass had shattered. Veera remained with her forehead pressed against her knees,
    Derrick looked exhausted, and Veceslav was still sleeping. They were the picture of defeat, and it saddened her.

     
  6. Frosch Traverse Town Homebody

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    “Matilda, just look at me.” Ellyn fixated the young woman in her gently firm gaze. “My father didn't want this life of mine for me either. Riding armored into danger hundreds of miles from home, and with few visits back there. He didn't want it, and he voiced his opposition to it, but in the end he realized that what he really wanted was the best for me, for me to be happy. Every parent comes to a point like this, where they must decide between letting go, and losing their child forever. I only spoke to your father very briefly, but I believe he is a good man that will choose to let you go your own way, if you only give him a chance. Go back to your parents, Matilda, and talk to them,” she urged.
    Her gaze switched over to the soldier at her side.
    “You too Ardal. Whether or not her father likes you, you owe him at least a talk man to man.”
    She finished with a small encouraging smile, allowing them to think about this for a few moments. Suddenly she remembered Gordon standing nearby, and she glanced over at him. "What about you, Gordon?" she murmured, almost to herself. "What do you think of Nilfgaardians?"
     
  7. al215 Kingdom Keeper

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    "He had a woman with him? No, that can't be Bryce. And definitely not if they were nice. I don't remember seeing anyone that matches that pairing in Oxenfurt." He spoke, thinking out loud. "And Bryce definitely wasn't that sort of edgy. He was crazy, but he hadn't a shred of fear in approaching and taunting us. And the swords. Bryce only had the silver, sounds like this guy had both. That makes them someone different. I wonder who it was then..." He never would have thought that someone would have tried to pass on a message. Clearly, they were trying to get them to let Tatiana know, or to warn them that something might happen to her. The most bizarre part about it was that Alastar received some kind of death threat afterwards. It was inconsistent. None of it made sense. He sounded shaken, so maybe he was behaving irrationally. His consideration was broken by Treasa asking a question. One that he was hoping to avoid.
    "Ah. I say stupid sh*t when I'm mad. Veera, sit down. This might be a lot to take in." He had no idea how far back all of this went, so he would go back as far as he could remember. Derrick sat down on a blanket and threw one over to her to sit on, no point sitting on the slightly damp ground. He took a deep breath, looked her in the eyes and began to explain. "There's bits of the story missing, but I'll tell you as much as I can. Only Aaron would know the rest of it I think."

    "It all started in the Kaer. The day that a lot of strange people started making their way through. Veceslav was dealing with some people, it might have been a sorcerer that showed up out of nowhere, Kruez he said his name was. And he was an alchemist I think. That would explain why he was talking to Vec. As it happens, Solomon, that b*stard with those undead made a quick stop. The guy seemed off, but I didn't think much of him at the time. In any case, you approached me after I'd finished a run on the Gauntlet, and you seemed fired up. You were p*ssed. I've never seen you that angry before. You started talking about Dopplers, about your past. About how you hated them. And... And that you wanted to kill them. I didn't understand what was going on really, and I didn't want to follow you into that madness. You took it badly, and stormed off. You dragged Aaron with you too, because I saw yours and his horse were missing. I told Vec, and he left the Kaer in pursuit." Derrick recounted. "I set off later, unaware of where you or Vec were going. Olivia wanted to go to Oxenfurt, so she went on ahead of me and I followed. Little did we know that we were all bound in the same direction. I suspect Vec followed your tracks, I didn't pay attention." He waved his hands and shook his head.

    "In any case, this isn't about what I did."
    He interrupted himself before he got off track. "The next time we met was in the city itself, after I joined a friendly Higher Vampire by the name of Vyle, who you met in investigating the disappearance of his friend. I met Aaron then as well. We talked, he said that something had happened. He wasn't happy to talk about it though. I was meant to talk to you." That was the last time I saw him. I didn't even say goodbye properly. Unknown to him, his face took on a saddened expression as he realised. I hope that he at least knew that we cared before he died. He looked up at the sky. I'm sorry Aaron.
    "A-anyway, I opened up a secret tunnel and that's when you showed up Veera. You followed, figuring that we ought to stick together. And whatever happened - I have a sinking feeling that people were killed, the slaughter in the Doppler's sanctuary that Solomon mentioned - you didn't want to see Vec. I shoved you inside that warehouse, and tried to question you. You didn't tell me anything. In fact, you were angry. I probably could have handled that entire interrogation better." He recalled the snappy response and how she was so unwilling to talk. He could remember being concerned for what had happened, and even suspicious. "Anyway. we made our way into the tunnel which led to the sewers and followed the Vampire's lead. There was a Doppler with us, Vyle dragged him along to navigate us out. I don't know who he was, but he wasn't involved in the massacre that I know of at least. As soon as he caught the flash of sunlight, he was gone and we left you to deal with a handful of Drowners. At your own request. I guess you needed to take out something on them." This was when it happened.

    "Vyle had gone, but the Doppler was left. I knew what you were going to do to him if you had the chance, so I told him to run as fast and far away as he could. And then you appeared."
    He made sure that he was looking into her eyes when he was explaining this part. This was the important part. "You demanded to know where he was. I didn't tell you. I don't believe in pointless killing. Maybe I would have changed my mind if I knew what was coming, but nothing had been explained. I don't know if he even had anything to do with it. I didn't tell you, and I wasn't exactly polite about it. What I said enraged you. You drew your sword, so I drew mine." He smiled grimly.
    "You were so angry that you forgot all but the basics of technique. You even pulled your Silver on me. I noticed you looking at the notches in the blade. That was where you went for me and I had to parry." He took in a deep breath and released it. "You went for an all or nothing attack. I dodged and flanked you, sheathed my blade and knocked you out with a strike to the head. I only meant to knock you out... But apparently I ended up doing more damage than I thought. I carried you back to the room. And the rest, you know." He stayed silent for a few moments after he was finished explaining and looked away.

    "Take your time. I'll go over anything again if I need to. There's a lot to take in, I know."
     
  8. Aelin Best Waifu

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    Talon listened as an angry man was yelling at a man who was clearly looking for that sort of reaction. So much for getting any more information here. Part of Talon thought it would be fun to join in on the brawl, given he was one of few sober in the bar, he was confident he could hold his own. That being said he promised Tilly that he would be safe, and that meant not fighting. Though still he couldn't help but be curious about this man.

    Getting up from his seat, Talon moved and dodged his way through a crowd of drunk men punching and yelling at each other. More than once he had to avoid a punch or getting a beer dumped on him from some drunken b*stard. Fights like these could get really annoying and tiresome at times.

    "You. What was the point in starting a fight if you aren't going to bother joining it yourself?" Talon asked as he approached Xross, hands in his pocket. He didn't feel threatened by the man, nor did he care to look threatening. The only possible threatening thing about him was the dark cloak that he wore with his hood up to avoid being recognized. "Do you find entertainment in watching men beat the crap out of each other? Because you know there is fight clubs for that, all you have to do is find the right one."
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    "Is it? Oh. But Tilly does it for me and she isn't my mommy." Greg replied looking to his sister.
    "Well I guess big sisters have that power too." Matilda replied with a slight giggle.
    Matilda waited for the girl to be kneeling in front of her before she said anything to Greg. He had seen a few not so pleasant wounds, but she would rather not have Tessa feeling bad because Greg saw it.
    "Gregory can you do me a favour and face the other way and perhaps start to play?" Matilda asked her brother kindly.
    "But-"
    "One... Two....
    "Okay." Gregory finally did as he was told and turned away from Matilda and Tessa and started to look for a way to entertain himself.
    In the meantime Matilda began to examine the girls wound. It was far worse than she expected it to be, but nothing she couldn't handle either, thankfully.
    "Listen, this might hurt but I need to remove the stitches. Your skin has healed enough that they are doing more harm than good at this point. I will numb the pain in the area before I start, but you still may feel it a bit. After that all it needs is cleaned, a healing salve, and a bandage." Tilly assured Tessa before beginning to go through her bag and finding everything she needed to complete the task at hand. "Ready?" She asked before starting to rub the numbing ointment on Tessa's back and starting on the procedure.
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    Seth watched the young girl get to work. It might have bothered him that she was so young, but she did seem to know what she was doing, that made him feel a bit better. That being said he wasn't calm for long, as Sigmund brought up the punishment again. He had nearly forgotten about it after falling asleep with Tessa in his arms. He supposed he did say he would take punishment, because that was the only way he could assure him and Tessa were not chased down for the rest of their lives.

    "It's clear." Seth muttered in response to the old man's strict tone. He felt like he was being talked to like a child. Almost how the healer girl was talking to her younger brother, not a moment ago. "So what have you decided?" He asked as he glanced back at Tessa and then to Sigmund. She was the reason he was doing this, and he would stay strong and face whatever was to come for her.
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    "Katia... That name is so pretty. I like it." Terra commented with a smile as she picked up a fresh piece of paper and began to write the name in fancy lettering. Given how the girl was his inspiration for helping people, Terra feared the worst had happened to the girl herself, so instead of asking further about that right away, she instead figured she would as a little more pleasant question in a way. "So what was Katia like? What made her special, different from any other girl you met?" She asked Sweallow. Terra held her pen at the ready. As Sweallow spoke she was planning to draw and decorate the name to fit the girl. In a way sort of a gift for the man who helped her out so much, not only treating her wounds, but allowing her to stay for a while. She knew that she owed the man far more than a drawing, but at this current time she had nothing else to offer him.
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    Tatiana walked the path with nervous steps. Towards the big building, the concept seemed easy enough. That being said if they ran into a witcher that they had not met yet, trying to explain the situation might be a little awkward. Then there was the fact that she was wearing a bed sheet modified to look more like a dress. That being said it was almost dark and Tatiana and Kruez couldn't simply stand around in the dark outside the witcher school. At least they could find a way inside.

    Approaching a set of doors that lead in, Tatiana opened then and then knocked on one of them quietly.
    "Hello? Is anyone in here?" She asked as she entered the massive main hall of Kaer. She suddenly felt very nervous and out of place, but there was no going back now. She had said something so now it was time to keep moving on in and hope someone inside could provide some assistance.
     
  9. Magick ~Meaner then my demons~

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    Veera listened to Derrick's words, her heart aching with each sentence that passed his lips until finally, she wasn't sure she could feel at all. I dragged Aaron with? How did I convince him? If she could have cried, she would have. The shame and grief rocked her body and her mind as she forced herself to pay attention. It felt as though it was a nightmare, as if this was some horrible joke, and Derrick would laugh at the end before trying to Axii the memory from her. Yet, as she looked from his pain stricken face, to her damaged sword, to the ground, she found she could not doubt a single word he had said. Some part of her knew he spoke the truth, and it only made her feel worse.

    "Why would I..." her hands were shaking as she clasped them together, her face feeling frozen. "Why would I do that? Why would I hurt them? Dopplers aren't human but they're..." she pressed her fingers to her lips, preventing herself from saying anything for a moment. The consequences of her actions, still unremembered but clearly not unknown of, were vast. She had started a war, but why, she could not say. She had killed dozens of people, some perhaps innocent of any crime other then what they were. Her head began to ache, then pound as the headache that had been stowed away returned with a vengeance.


    Veera shut her eyes, trying to block out the light as she let her hands reached to her temples, trying to massage the pain away as the headache turned into a migraine. Why can't I remember? If I could just know why.
    "The punishment is death." Her voice didn't sound like her own as she spoke once more. "That's the law, isn't it? I...." It felt like someone was slowly driving a nail into her skull, but it didn't block out the thought that was slowly repeating through her mind like a morbid nursery rhyme. "I'll be executed."

    For something I can't even remember. Perhaps this is the gods' punishment. But who would do it? Veceslav? She could see the old Crow, face torn between duty and grief. Derrick? She couldn't even imagine what Derrick would do. Especially given she had already tried to kill him. No, it would be the stranger. "Why would I do that?" She whispered to herself. Why?

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    Treasa listened to Derrick's tale with mounting horror, but it was nothing compared to the effect it seemed to have on Veera. To do all of that, and not remember any of it? She couldn't even imagine. Is this what anger does? It didn't matter the cause, she would never have turned on her brother. Ever. What could possibly have forced the woman in front of her, broken as she was, to go to such extremes? To lose herself to such madness? Treasa didn't like any man more then the next, but it could be reasonably said she was fair with her dislike, putting her prejudice against males of all races.

    Then Veera's lips dropped the word, "execution". Treasa bit her lip as she glanced at
    Uncle Alastar, unsure. Would the witchers truly execute one of their own? Given the extremes the woman's actions had caused, it seemed just on one sense but...She glanced back at them. But they had already lost one of their own at the hands of another. What would losing a sister at their own behest do to the small group?

    "It doesn't have to be that way, does it? Perhaps she was magicked, or Axiied. Perhaps there's some sort of mistake. She doesn't have to die, does she?" Treasa wasn't sure why she felt the need to stay this woman's death; this woman she had never known. Perhaps it was just because, in a day filled with so much sorrow, and in a life where death was all she had known, Treasa wanted to find that somewhere, there was forgiveness instead of justice, and peace instead of vengeance.

    If this is what anger does, then I need to let mine go. Uncle's right, the men who hurt me, who killed them...they're no longer among the living. And we sent them to a death they deserved. If this is what holding a grudge will do.....She swallowed at the thought of being driven mad with anger, of Alastar's face as he swung the axe, bringing her down before she could harm another. It seemed an impossible scenario but....but nothing is impossible.

    I certainly would never had imagined my life leading me here.
    She turned, waiting to see what the others would say.

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    Tessa nodded her head in response to Matilda before cringing as the thread was slowly removed from her back. It wasn't excruciating, but it was far from comfortable, and she clenched her hands, holding the shirt so Matilda could work efficiently. "How bad was it?" She asked quietly. She could hear Sigmund and Seth talking, but as much as it concerned her, her place was here, right now. She could talk to them after Seth was looked over too.
    She hadn't looked at the scar, couldn't bear to do more then run her fingers over the stitching every now and again when it ached.

    She didn't want to stare at the reminder of what the only man she had ever considered family had done to her. Instinctively, Tessa's eyes flicked up to Seth, watching him for a moment as her face tightened when another strand of stitching was removed. Perhaps she would be able to still have a family. Not the same as it had been, but a little different. She hissed as
    Matilda touched a sensitive spot, then forced herself to relax. "Sorry." She apologized. "It's....hard. To be touched where it happened."

    Considering that her few memories of being healed involved extreme amounts of pain, she wasn't surprised her body reacted instinctively to being touched there again. "Have you lived here long?" She asked, trying to keep her mind off her own sorrow, her eyes switching to that of the
    little boy.
     
  10. Vladek515 Hollow Bastion Committee

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    Alastar listened to Derrick's story after Treasa had asked him a question well **** that was a shitstorm and a half. Veera didn't seem to be taking it all very well, as if she needed to die. "Woah woah calm down, Veera, you killed Dopplers well some of them are right bastards so serves them, just like humans. Anyways there is no way their reaction was justified, the pillaging, murdering and burning there were more innocents killed by the dopplers than by your own hands, you may feel like it's your fault, but it ain't not entirely this was going to come around one way or another." Treasa wondered if it really had to be that way. "No, it doesn't, sure Dopplers may have escaped the city, but honestly how many would know exactly what happened? They're like sheep following the crowd, some may not even have known why they fought, they just did because they were told. What I'm saying is only a select few know what transpired exactly here. So it's simple we cover it up and disappear for a while, lay low till this whole things blows over. We're already few in number and the number of monsters only seems to be growing we'll need all the hands we can get, especially experienced ones at that. If someone sentences her to death, I will raise my axe for a sister witcher." The bear school witcher said, his attention then turned to the Crow, who was still sleeping. "Question... does the Crow know all this? and if not will he be told?" Veera and Derrick he might outrank on age and experience but there was no way he would outrank the legendary Crow and that would complicate this already delicate situation even further.

    The doppler seemed to understand his reasoning and asked him what his decision was. "You will find work, start working, a good part of the money you will earn will be sent to the girl you hurt as a form of reparition. Simple as that." The Mage's voice radiated authority, the friendly welcome old man had left the room "Meanwhile you can stay here with me so shelter and food are taken care off. And when I say work I mean honest hard work, young man. I'm thinking dockworker might be something for you, heard they were looking for some the other day." Dockworker was hard work, particularly physical labour and while he was aware the young man was wounded the job might give him some character and after all hard manual labour would be punishment in it's own, after all it was a punishment and not a damn hand out.
     
  11. Aelin Best Waifu

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2011
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    British Columbia, Canada
    1,425
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    "It is bad, but not as bad as it could be. Whoever treated it before didn't do the best job, but it could have been a lot worse. You are lucky." Matilda told Tessa as she continued her work. She tried her best not to may to much attention to how the girl reacted to certain things. She had to stay professional, not ask what happened, and the more she studied the girl, the more curious she would get. Matilda kept her head down as she studied.

    The girl then apologized when she winced at Matilda's touch. "It is fine sweetie. I don't blame you. Don't worry too much about it. I am almost done. You are doing well, just stay strong." Matilda coached as she removed the last stitch and started to clean the wound properly. This process didn't take long thankfully and was over by the time Tessa asked her next question.
    "I have lived here all my life with my two brothers. My parents travel a lot for my dad's job, but they leave us home. Someone has to watch over the manor after all. I do dream of moving to Oxenfurt one day though to study further in medicines." Matilda told Tessa, figuring if she kept talking it would keep the girl a little more happy.

    Matilda finished bandaging the wound and looked over to the man she had to treat next. "Tessa, why don't you go take a seat and rest somewhere a little more comfortable than kneeling in front of me. I will start working on your friend and you can tell me about where you are from. I would love to hear." Matilda suggested as she glanced at her brother who was still playing, his back towards them.

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    Work, Seth had never actually had a real job. He supposed it was better then looking after the girl himself and having her angry witcher brother looking for a reason to kill him. "I guess I could do that." He told Sigmund, not sure how long a job might actually last given his lack of experience. That being said if he tried then Sigmund couldn't get too mad at him, could he? And he could stay with Tessa and keep her safe here where she could rest until her wound healed. In the meantime he would save every cent that wasn't going to the girl so that he could buy them their own place. Perhaps even open another bar here for Tessa.

    The conversation was interrupted however when the girl mentioned it was time to start working on him.
    "Tomorrow I will try to get a job, happy? Now then, the young doctor you brought in awaits." He said before turning from Sigmund and heading towards Matilda, kneeling in front of her, showing her his hand. By the look on her face it had been bad that he had avoided it for so long. Very bad.

     
  12. Relatively Sane Gummi Ship Junkie

    Joined:
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    Male
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    England
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    "We have rules for a reason Anna" Archon stated "If you really wanted fresh air you should have told me. Next time you disobey a direct order, I won't be so lenient" his eyes were fire "For the moment, I will blame it on strees. Follow me Anna" Archon lead the young girl through the corridors of the palace until they arrived at a large door. The door opened into a small but decadent courtyard with trees and ponds surrounding a central statue of some ancient king. The courtyard was completely enclosed by the castle walls. It was tranquil. "Here. You can stay here instead if that room is too stuffy. Violet, guard Anna"

    Kyle listened to each and every one of them unflinchingly as he judged what to do with them. That one was certainly a mage, without a doubt, but the others... he wasn't so sure about. He approached the earth mage and held out a silver coin "You're talented. Here" he whispered so only the mage could hear him "This is the Mark of the Order. It's an invitation to join an elite group of mages. If you're interested, show it to any palace guard. Otherwise, well, show it to the bartender at the King's Blessing and he'll get you a free drink" he nodded to the man in parting, then suddenly turned on the others, his spear pointing at the one who claimed to the a witcher "Nice try, but you're far from a witcher. You're a fool with a silver sword" he accused. Noticing the way the guard's medallion reacted in response to the man he added "You're also a doppler. Also you, sorceress, better give us proof of your abilities or you'll be joining this fool on the noose"

    "Of course" Vyle responded and lead the way to the witcher camp.
    And then they travelled through a plot hole magically
    Vyle approached the witcher camp and saw the witchers gathered around. They seemed to be having a serious conversation, so Vyle stood back and waited for them to finish.


    Bramwell harrumphed at the man's lack of class but didn't say anything. So this was the new "Lord" of Crow's Perch? Hardly a gentleman, Ethilis had been a much more proper nobleman. Nevertheless Bramwell spoke to the man with politeness in his voice "Very well. I'll say it plainly. Your little rebellion is going to be crushed" Bramwell stated. It was not an opinion, it was a fact "You cannot face the full strength of the army of Redania and its elite mages. All you've done so far is get some peasants riled up and taken one castle from an old buffoon. Hardly a revolt" Bramwell looked the man in the eyes coldly with condescension "If you leave the country we'll let you go peacefully. I'm sure they'll accept your services significantly more in Nilfgaard. But if you stay..." he paused for effect "We will kill you"

    Willow transformed back into the form that she'd used with the mages and followed Bramwell silently, acting like one of his emissaries. She stuck to the shadows and leaned against a wall as Bramwell started speaking and smiled under her hood. His threats were interesting, and she wondered how backed up they were.

    "Roses are Red
    Blood is Red
    Everything is Red
    "

    Sylvi suddenly disappeared into the shadows as she activated her invisibility and crept behind Bramwell and his guards, just in case any trouble happened.
     
  13. al215 Kingdom Keeper

    Joined:
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    Male
    Location:
    England
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    "Alastar is right. There's no need for you to die for this. I don't expect anything of the sort. I won't bring judgement." Derrick agreed. "It's simple, we just say nothing about it. Nobody will know anyway. For all they know, it could have been a pogrom that raided sanctuary causing the whole event to kick off. There's nothing conclusive to lead them to you, or us." What was done was done. and there had been enough death. He felt bad for causing this to her. Perhaps.... Perhaps it was a good thing that it happened though. The Veera that he saw in the city when they fought wouldn't have shown any regret. She was consumed by a rage and hatred that was only put out by sheer luck.
    "Once we're all healed up again... We should get back out there, doing our jobs." He spoke, nursing his shoulder. "I'm going to see the King. When we were in Oxenfurt I found evidence of the activity of Witch Hunters. I'm going to raise it with the King and see if I can make a contract. With a bit of luck, it'll be a big one. Maybe enough to live on for a while." Witch Hunters... Humans. Humans who tortured and kidnapped and most likely, killed. He remembered the state that Vyle brought the sorceress Teliana in, with her fingernails removed and bloodied. She looked like a mess. He couldn't help but feel sorry for her. They were monsters, and he was a Witcher. Steel and Silver were both for monsters.


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    Alanna rolled her eyes. Really? They're going to make a big deal of this? She had to figure out a way of getting Adolin through here peacefully otherwise it was going to get violent. Very.
    "If you need proof, fine. But I accept no responsibility for any injuries sustained." Alanna looked at Kyle pointedly and clicked the fingers of a right hand and raised her left up. A rolling wave of energy barrelled forwards which would throw Kyle back, and a faint orange protective shield emerged in a dome around Adolin, Evander and her to prevent any magic or anything they might care to fire at them hitting them. "Now let me make something clear you pompous idiot, we don't have time for your posturing. A Witcher he may not be, but call him a fool again and he'll cut any of your jumped up street rat guards that you care to bring down. He's my protector, and he's killed a Witcher. Why do I need one? Because I can't be bothered to deal with every fool that tries to harass me. That's what he's for, getting rid of irritations. People like you perhaps." She put both hands on her hips, mentally maintaining the shield.
    "Enough evidence for you, or perhaps you'd like to waste more of our time?" She tapped her foot impatiently on the cobbles. "Well? I'm waiting."
     
  14. Magick ~Meaner then my demons~

    Joined:
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    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    The True North.
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    Teliana glanced over where Zack's eyes had wandered. Her face tightened momentarily as she noticed the city guard entering the camp. Yes, it was definitely a good thing they were leaving. "I had very little choice." Zack told her, crossing his arms over his chest. "They offered their protection for the camp, and with their families here, I'll be more assured they will protect it better then they did the city they owed their allegiance to. They'll also assist me in taking back the city. But I don't like it." He sighed, and took her hand, gently shaking it. "Gods be with you."

    "And with you." She murmured in reply, pausing until
    Vyle and Zephyr appeared at her shoulder. She looked back, and smiled a little. With them, she was safe. She would be fine. She briefly relayed Zack's message to them, and Zephyr disappeared, she assumed to take the doppler up on his offer. That left her alone with Vyle, who didn't say anything and now seemed as anxious to get moving as she was. They still managed to wait for Zephyr to finish up his errands, and to the kid's credit he didn't take very long, before setting out.

    The city burned on the horizon, and Teliana felt her eyes frequently drawn to the destruction, before tearing them away just as quickly. They had a choice in directions, and somehow by the god's own luck they picked the right one.
    Vyle spotted the witchers before Ana did, pausing at the edge of their camp just as they heard the male, Vyle's friend, tell of Witch Hunters. "If you're going after them......" She hesitated, stepping towards the witchers after glancing back at Vyle. Normal Ana would never have walked so trepidly, but this new Ana had reason to be so.

    "If you're going after the Witch Hunters, I'd like to go with you." Unconsciously, her hands clasped, her fingers running over her nearly healed injuries. "I've a score to settle."

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    Veera felt some of the pain alleviate as Alastar came to her defense, and then Derrick. Despite all she had apparently done to him, he didn't wish for her death. That only left Veceslav....she glanced at the prone form of the witcher, still asleep. He's getting old. It was something that hadn't occurred to her often over the years, but with each passing cycle it became more evident. She could count on one hand the amount of peaceful deaths witchers had been allowed by the gods, but the number would only make her heart ache, even more so considering what she had just put him through. I could have killed you all and never known.

    She had to pay penance for her crimes....She had to do something. Later. Her mind whispered as strangers approached the camp. Veera recognized the mage woman, and the
    kid as well. The man....well it could be none other then Derrick's acquaintance. The woman stepped forward, the evidence of torture still healing on her arms and hands as she twisted them, proclaiming she would like to follow Derrick after the Witch Hunters. Veera herself.....she pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her arms on them, pushing away the agony of what she had done for a later date.

    She would deal with herself, yes, but right now she had to make sure nothing happened to her family. And if
    Derrick was going to pay a visit to the king, then that meant she would be following him there, if only to make sure his head remained where it was. That was a start to repaying the debt she had caused the two closest people in her life. But what of Veceslav? She lowered her head, waiting for Derrick to notice the strangers. She would have to consider it.

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    Treasa relaxed as both Derrick and Alastar denied Veera's execution. To think that anger had driven someone so far....It was almost worth investigating what had happened to make her so full of rage. But that would bring the risk of returning Veera's memories, and with that, the person she had been. What happened to someone who lost their old selves and became someone new, only to have them combine? She shuddered, collecting the newly whittled arrow shafts as she reached into a pouch at her side. It sounded horrible. What would I become if I could remember nothing of what happened to me? She wouldn't know what to do with the skills Alastar had taught her, for one thing.

    She was quite proud of her proficiency with the witcher signs Axii and Quen despite being unable to become a witcher herself. It hurt her, to know that she would age and grow old and
    Alastar would simply go on as he did for another hundred years, surviving her death. If she had no children, he would be left alone...She glanced up, tensing as three people approached the camp. When neither Veera nor Derrick moved to attack, or seemed alarmed, she let the wariness fade and returned to the task of sharpening the arrowheads, one at a time with her stone. What would she and Alastar do, after the Kaer? She wasn't even sure they had made plans to stay with the group, but remaining in one place for a time seemed...welcoming. Almost like a home, though she wasn't sure she would ever have one again.

    She glanced at
    Alastar, wondering what his thoughts on the matter were. She had always assumed that witchers didn't travel in groups for long, and wasn't sure how he felt about the matter, since they had rarely ever even come across another, let alone stayed with them. But perhaps it would be nice to stay with a group for a little while.

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    Zack watched the two mages and vampire walk off before returning to what was now a small council table. The elderly doppler from before, Rael, the captain of the guard, and a woman who had lived in the richer section of town gathered around a map of Oxenfurt. "We need a safe place to sleep." The old man admitted, his hands on his walking stick. Zack stood between him and the woman as he looked down at the map, brow furrowed. "We need to send people in, first." The captain argued, crossing his arms across his chest. "People who can get in and out without being caught by the necrophages or gangs that are still roaming around."

    Zack felt inclined to agree with the captain, but he tilted his head to the side, waiting for Rael's counsel. "Small groups." The doppler agreed with the captain, his eyes raising to Zack's. "Three at the most; a healer, an archer, and a fighter. People who can use the rooftops." Or what was left of them. By the looks of the orange blaze on the horizon, the fire had spread now from the church. Without anyone to stop it, the nearest barrier might be the river at the edge of town. "We might be reclaiming a pile of ashes." Zack sighed, rubbing his hands through his hair.

    The woman cleared her throat, her voice a musical lilt. "But it's our pile of ashes."

    "Hear hear." The old doppler agreed, and the captain nodded. Zack drummed his fingers on the map, then nodded. "Very well. Groups of three, as many as we can spare, with healing potions and their preferred weapons. No more then three hours gone, though. Rael, will you and the captain begin assigning the teams? And you..." he turned the the woman. "Lila." She introduced. "Lila, please make sure they will be well equipped. Gregory, make sure they either know their way around the city or have the means to understand it quickly."

    He looked around at the small council, and felt a grim smile break upon his face. This could be the start of something. Rael smirked as the captain uncrossed his arms. "Hell, if we do this right, we won't need a king." The words hung in the air, and Zack wondered if this is how most rebellions started. Something small, a word spoken out of turn or a meeting of the right persons.

    "If we do this right, we'll take our city back." he gently admonished, careful of wary ears. "But after...." his eyes glinted. Lila had fire in her eyes and even Gregory looked ready to bash a few heads. "We could find ourselves on the king's doorstep, and not for afternoon tea."

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    Tessa gratefully let her shirt fall over her back once more, cautiously getting to her feet as Seth's conversation with Sigmund seemed finished. She wanted to ask him what the old mage had said, but it wouldn't be appropriate, here....she kept her eyes on Seth as he approached, turning away from his own examination in order to give him some of the privacy he had afforded her.

    "We....I have lived in Oxenfurt for my whole life." She said softly to
    Matilda, her hand reaching back to clasp Seth's uninjured one. "I was under the care of my brother, after my parents passed away. We didn't have much, but he would take me walking in the afternoons so I could feel the sun on my skin, and buy me candy. When I became old enough, he acquired an old building and turned it into a bar, watching over me as I worked, then teaching me how to take care of myself when I couldn't. He was...." He was my everything. She swallowed hard, squeezing Seth's hand for strength. "He was a merchant, and sometimes helped people in trouble find new lives. He was a good person." That was how she wanted to remember him. Not the sorrow in his eyes or the cold, burning silver on her back or the rush of blood or the way he had left her to die.

    No. She wanted to remember the brother she had grown up with,who had tucked her into bed every night and woken her up every morning with the same gentle smile. "Things happened, and Oxenfurt wasn't safe anymore, so we came here." She smiled at
    Greg, watching him play. "Not very exciting, I'm afraid."


     
  15. Vladek515 Hollow Bastion Committee

    Joined:
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    Midland
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    Derrick chimed in with what he had said that Veera didn't need to die. Then he mentioned time after everyone had recovered and only then was reminded of the duty he had as a witcher. "Well, I don't know what we're gonna do after this or where we're going, we might tag along. It's good to see some other witchers. And I don't know anything about them mage hunters or anything but I think the King would like his city back and with the amount of Necrophages we saw in there, I don't think the Redanian Army's gonna cut it. Though I must say there were a lot of them, more than there should have been, but that might just be my take on it." Alastar said. He had been traveling for a long time now and staying in a place for a longer period seemed rather appealing to him and well there was always Treasa to think of, yes it would be best if they stuck around. There were a few newcomers he didn't recognise at all, Alastar thought it best not to say anything, lest he start another riot and a half.

    Milosh merely laughed at Bramwell's implications "Look at me, does it look like the face of a man, who gives a **** whether he dies or not?" He stated "Death comes to all in the end, you, me, every single person in this world will die eventually. I'm merely taking a gamble and am prepared to live with the consequences. The Redanian army is nothing more but a shadow of it's former self." And hey this man here thought he wanted to meet the army out in the open, oh no he would bleed it dry through a thousand tiny cuts. Everything had been set up and set in motion, proper fighters and crossbow men had piled into the building three dozen fighting men, every dozen lead by an experienced Witch hunter, Egon and Adalwulf still hadn't returned from their supply run, but no matter. "Now I think we are done here, mage." Milosh said, putting a lot of negative emphasis on the word mage. "It was nice of you to come to me, saves me a trip." As Milosh finished his sentence, the soldiers entered the main hall, surrounding Bramwell and his entourage. "But I'm sorry to tell you that your formal request to live, has been denied." Dimeritium tipped crossbow bolts were fired as the warriors engaged the mage's guards. Milosh drew his own blade that glowed a soft red from the runes laid upon it as he stepped forward to meet his foe in single combat.

    An Eastern wind blew across the city of Oxenfurt, the cool air filled with the stench of what had happened in the city. It the shrill sound of a fiddle playing, which could be heard within the city. The Ghouls and Alghouls had only been the Vanguard as more and more necrophages showed up to the aftermath of the disaster that had struck. They were joined by Graveirs and a handfull of Cemetaurs. Grave hags took up residence within the city. Rotfiends gathered on street corners as if they were people gathering to listen. As a trio of Bullvores divided the city among the three of them. The riverside was dominated by packs of drowners. Before the burning church stood the cowled figure with a fiddle. The orchestrator of all this. The new lord of Oxenfurt, had taken up residence with his subjects. They swept through the city to make it their own. He had delivered as he had promised them all. This was their city now and he would rule his subjects as their lord. When the church would have stopped burning he would make it his seat of power, the crowning of the Lord of decay was at hand, heralding a new age.
     
  16. Aelin Best Waifu

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2011
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    Female
    Location:
    British Columbia, Canada
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    The look in Archon's eye scared Annabelle, however luckily for her he wasn't too harsh on her. "I know I should have asked but you said I wasn't allowed to leave my room, so I couldn't ask. And I feared if I tried to leave my room to ask, someone would push my back into my room so I couldn't ask." Annabelle rambled on to Archon trying to defend herself, though the attempt was poor.

    The young girl then followed behind
    Archon as he lead her to a courtyard. Stepping outside she was in awe of how beautiful the space was. Annabelle didn't hesitate to run into the courtyard and start looking around. She quickly found herself staring into a pond at the fish swimming around in it. There was no real reason that she was so intrigued with the fish, it was just something to look at for a moment and poke at to watch all the fish scatter from her touch. This was much better than being locked in her room. "Thank you Archon." She said before going back to the fish.

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    Matilda's brow furrowed as she studied Seth's wounded hand. She was listening to Tessa of course but her focus was more on Seth and his hand. She started dabbing at it with a damp cloth, studying the puss and blood that clung to the cloth. "Infected... and badly." She shook her head as she studied it more. "You are lucky, left this for any longer and you might have just lost your hand. Now then in order to try to reverse the damage you have done to yourself by not taking care of this wound, it is going to hurt so beware." She warned Seth before going through her stuff for a more powerful cleaner than she had used with Tessa.

    Seth grimaced at the comment about his hand. He had dealt with it poorly, he would admit that, but he didn't think it was quite that bad. However what could he do? Seth took slight comfort as Tessa grabbed his hand, but he knew she was struggling to even think about Bryce. To be honest Seth was still in shock himself about what had happened. He didn't want to believe Bryce was the type of person who would do something like he did, especially after offering him another option at life. Seth squeezed Tessa's hand back to let her know he was there for her, but then let go, fearing that if it was too painful he might squeeze Tessa's hand too hard and hurt her.

    Matilda set to work cleaning Seth's wound, forcing his had to stay still as she did. It was painful so him almost pulling away right away was to be expected, however she couldn't let him do that. Matilda decided it was her time to share with Tessa and Seth while she did this. Get their minds off the injury. "Your brother sounds like a nice person. I wish my older brother would care for us like that. Don't get me wrong Talon is nice and he tries, but I usually have to be the one to cook, and clean up after us, and look after Greg. Talon, well he more takes care of matters of the house and it's guests. He tries to keep us safe in his own way, but it leaves a lot on me to do. And I wouldn't say that that kind of life isn't exciting. I mean you got to run a bar and be around all sorts of people all the time. I mean I meet people with my job but only people around here, you know all the rich boring people, no offense Sir Sigmund. Given my age, Talon doesn't trust me to do anymore than that and well I have taught myself everything I know so few places will hire me based on that." She explained hoping that wouldn't deter them from wanting her help.

    As Matilda talked Gregory got up and walked over to Tessa. He had picked up slightly on the sadness in Tessa's voice. He stood in front of her holding out his teddy. "Do you want a hug from Mister Teddy. He says you sound like you need a hug." Greg offered her. "Mister Teddy thinks you sound a little sad. But Tilly says her job helps make people happy. So why are you sad. Do you not love your brother?" Gregory asked in a child like innocence, only picking up bits and pieces of everything.

    Putting her head down Matilda continued to work on Seth's hand. She had finished cleaning it and now was rubbing another type of salve in the wound to help the swelling go down. This one was slightly less painful but still not pleasant. When she was done that she began to wrap up the man's hand. "Now then that is everything for now. I will stop by tomorrow to change bandages and re-clean the wounds. Do not touch or remove these wrappings. Especially you Seth." Matilda instructed the two of them before looking over at Greg who was trying to talk to Tessa. "Gregory that is not the kind of things we should ask my clients. Come now it is time to go home."
    "But I don't want to go home." Greg protested as he began to cry.​
     
  17. CrownMoksha Decimo

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2011
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    Location:
    On board the DenLiner
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    Hearing Zack's offer to take any extra supplies that he needed, he quietly walked away and towards the blacksmith. Right now the main thing that he wanted was a sword. One of the thing's that he's learned from the recent events is that he can't always rely on his magic and the only other non magical weapon that he had was his fist. Fist weren't the best weapon of choice in most cases. A sword on the other hand would be much more helpful.

    Finding himself in front of the blacksmith's shop, Zephyr started to look around for any weapon that stuck out to him. There certainly was a lot of weapons to go through, most of which were sword, but there were still a fair amount to go through. His eyes focused on mainly the swords when he found one that stuck out to him. Mainly because compared to the other weapons they were skinnier by fair. he focused on the pair of weapons. With a finger outstretched, he pointed towards the pair of weapons, having made his choice.

    Before the weapons were actually handed to him, the blacksmith as how was he going to pay for them. To which Zephyr responded with "Zack sent me". This had fortunately managed for him to get the weapons for free. The two weapons were placed on his back as he regrouped with Ana and Vyle before they left. It wasn't all that long before they had arrived at the Witcher camp, there only being a few there that he actually remembered, the rest he had no idea who they were.


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    Normally Kruez would've added some sort of smart remark to Tatiana's asking if anyone was around, but this time there wasn't much that he could add. Unless her voice was too soft to be heard, anyone actually there should hopefully respond and they would likely have to deal with the onslaught of questions that followed. That was a bridge to be crossed when they got to it however.

    Just as Sweallow had figured, more questioned followed his initial response to Terra, thus once he had collected all of his thought on Katia, he spoke.
    "She was never one to hesitate when it came to acting on her feelings or her beliefs. Regardless of what others may say or thought about her, if she believed it to be right, then she did it." That trait of hers was what had inspired Sweallow to act on his owns beliefs as well.

    "Yes, in fact I do find entertainment from watching drunken idiots fight each other." Xross replied to the hooded man. It was pretty easy to tell that this man wasn't drunk, unless he was a drunk that could keep his reflexives similar to when he was sober. "As for your fighting club suggestions, I've sorta banned from a few of them. Something about rigging the already fixed fights in my favor as well as antagonizes the fighters." Though he did make a killing in the time he did that. Oh those were fun, thus watching these drunks would be the closest he could get to that. "Now a question for you, surely you have something better than questioning a random patron at a bar, so what is it?"
     
  18. Relatively Sane Gummi Ship Junkie

    Joined:
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    Male
    Location:
    England
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    "You do not have to thank me. You are royalty now, this is your property" Archon told Anna calmly "Anna. I've seen the power of your magic, but a queen must also make good decisions. I wonder if you could help solve this issue I have" he sat down beside her and pondered for a moment how to phrase his question "Some... bad people... attacked the city of Oxenfurt and did... bad things. They were trying to fight my rule, even though I am a fair and just ruler and have not done anything to them" this was all completely true, Archon held as much contempt for dopplers as he did humans. He had even been considering giving Sanctuary its own rights and power, until the attack happened "The public are scared. They don't believe I am strong enough to protect them from these bad people. Some of the bad people are living in this city. I need to solidify my rule and make sure justice is delivered, but I don't want to send an army. What would you say I should do?"

    Kyle was impressed but also annoyed as he was flung back by the woman's magic. Then she started trying to order him around, like some common peasant. Fool, he was a peasant no longer, King Archon had raised him to power, and he felt furious that this woman tried to take back that power.

    "Insolent wretch! You're talking to Lord Kyle of the city guard! One of King Archon's most trusted advisors!" Kyle exclaimed as he got to his feet. A spear of flame materialised in his hand and he held it as if about to throw. Several guards stood by his side, crossbows at the ready "B*tch, you'd better get on your knees right now and praise Archon's name if you want to live" Kyle stared her down with eyes of fire. He then addressed the guards "Grab the doppler"
    Vyle sat back and watched for most of the events that unfolded. As Teliana stepped forward, Vyle remained by her side, and slightly behind her "And wherever you go, I'll follow" he stated protectively, then faced Derrick "Besides. I believe I still owe you a favour" something that could have been called a smile crossed his face for a brief moment. "I know a bit about King Archon, he's strictly against witch hunters. I'm not sure on his feelings about witchers, though it's likely to be a similar view as half the country. Still, witchers are better liked than vampires"

    Bramwell became more and more angry as the witch hunter spoke, his face reddening as he fought to contain his fury. As the crossbowmen entered, Bramwell tore off his overcoat and stood ready for a fight. Swinging his cane, a stream of frost crossed the floor in front of him and his guards. The cold air filled the room, and suddenly a wall of ice blocked them from one side. They were vulnerable from the other though, and several of his guards were hit and killed. "Coward!" Bramwell blurted "Cowardly tactics! Crossbows are for men who haven't got the balls for real fighting" Bramwell yelled to the soldiers as he strode towards Milosh angrily. "I'm glad to see you understand noble fighting though, it may be your one redeeming feature" Bramwell addressed Milosh, and readied a frostbolt in one hand and his cane in the other.

    As soon as the soldiers entered, Willow smirked and slunk into the shadows. When the signs of conflict erupted, she grabbed one of the mage's guards and slit his throat, to show her allegiance. She suddenly noticed something amongst the witch hunters. A shadow, a shape, was flickering through Milosh's gathered men, causing quite a bit of damage. Invisibility. The other mage then. Slowly and stealthily Willow tried to corner the invisible mage

    "People of Pontarsfork!" Solomon yelled from his perch atop the village well. He truly looked a wreck. His robes were charred and dirty, the cloth barely holding together in places. Yet his face was an enigma under the mask and hat which had miraculously survived "You have been plagued with horrific disease, it's so sad, I feel like weeping. But worry not!" around the well stood motionless hooded figures. Their faces were shadowed and the vague shapes of concealed weapons could be seen under their cloaks "I, Solomon, have the cure to all your worries!" he flourished dramatically and looked to the sky.

    Sylvi could sense the conflict coming as the witch hunter brought in his troops. She quickly became invisible and hung at the back. As the witch hunters began to fire, she struck. An invisible shape, hidden from eyes, she flitted amongst the soldiers and methodically stabbed and sliced, trying to kill as many as possible. They were so focussed on what was in front of them they didn't think to look behind.
     
  19. al215 Kingdom Keeper

    Joined:
    May 29, 2013
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    England
    118
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    "We can hide what you are Vyle. Vampires aren't registered by any methods of detection we have at the moment." Derrick reassured. "I don't expect the King to like me. I don't even expect the King to trust me. I just expect him to give me a job for dealing with people that he doesn't like either. That's all I want, and all I need. As it stands, the rest of what he thinks can go to hell for all I care." He looked at Teliana with a grim expression.
    "I'm not going to stop you coming if you want. You've got every right to revenge." He remembered when she first came into the inn room with those wounds of hers, still seemingly fresh or at least recent. It was cruel. That, if anything, truly convinced him that this was the right path to take.


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    "I'll praise King Archon, but it'll take more than that to get me on my knees." She quipped, hiding her worry for what was going to happen next behind a shield of wit. They were well out of their league here. It was a city, and this was the guard. Her stupid pride had got them into this mess, and now they were all in danger. Evander, Adolin and herself. She maintained her control over the shield. They wouldn't know what it did quite yet, so as soon as they fired they'd have to move quickly to gain the advantage. She could block all those shots, and that spear of flame, but she couldn't do it indefinitely. She could only hope that this Evander was willing to help. Otherwise there was going to be trouble.
    "All credit for being brave Alanna, but you really ought to have let me take the lead." Adolin chastised. He drew his sword and twirled it in front of him, holding the Witcher's blade expertly in both hands while staying inside the protective shield. He was going to need a different form entirely for this. They were already on to him, there was no disguise left to be broken. "You're making a mistake soldiers."
    "You're right, I'm a Doppler. I'm what you're looking for, not her. She's more use to you alive. She's a powerful sorceress after all. This guy doesn't have anything to do with us really. We just met him on the road."
    He could clearly see the situation in front of him. There was no way in hell that they defied the law here and got out, all of them alive and intact. He had to do the best he could. He looked at Alanna and sighed to himself. I didn't do a very good job of being her captor. I actually started liking her. Now I've got no choice. Damn it morality. He looked Kyle in the eyes. "So take me, let her and the other guy go. Nice and easy, nobody has to die."
    "What are you doing you idiot? How are you going to destroy the Witch-" She couldn't believe that she was actually hearing this. No you idiot, you need to be the stubborn fool who refuses to give up and is hell bent on destruction. That's who I need you to be right now. I don't want a stupid white knight on a stupid white horse to rescue me. Damn it Adolin!
    "Doesn't matter right now. What's important is that at least one of us makes it out alive. If we fight, there's no guarantee that either of us will make it." He explained calmly. He looked at the leader of the guards. "Is that a deal that you can accept?" Half of him hoped that he said no, just so they could fight this out. He couldn't, not now. He wasn't going to risk Alanna dying in a pointless fight. His life wasn't so important. That ended when he slew Carrak of Cintra and sent himself down this path of destruction. He always knew how his story would end - In blood, and in fire. He just didn't think it would be this way, and so soon.



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    "Yes... I think that what you say is true." Ardal agreed as Ellyn spoke to them. Her explanations and thoughts were sound. It was important that they did speak, he supposed. It would be cruel for her parents not to know what became of their child. Gordon shrugged when she turned to ask him.
    "Well, they're just people right? So long as Matilda is okay, then I guess I don't care." Gordon replied. "It'll just be a shame not to be able to see her much, that's all."
    "I never even thought about that..." Matilda spoke, reconsidering everything that she had thought. She pushed off her blanket and stood up, looking at Ellyn. "You're right... I would have made my parents so upset if you hadn't come here... They'd never have known... You're amazing, thank you. We should go to see them soon... Now if we can. I want to do this before I find a reason not to."

    Meanwhile in Pontarsfork...

    Dave Buttle forced himself out of his house, the rusty blade of his father in his hand. Bertha was clutching a pitchfork, and the remains of Pontarsfork armed with their tools waded out into the village square through the scents of death, decay and pestilence to see who had come to taunt them in their misery. It started with a child. He was thirsty and drunk from the well. He vomited with one sip, and in hours boils and oozing pustules flared up over his body. His parents tried to treat him, but they succumbed to the illness. It was too late before the infected family warned the rest of the village about the well. The only ones who were spared were the ones who had already gathered water beforehand. It was a miserable sight to behold.

    "Did you do this to us?" Dave spat. "Come to finish the job? Your gang of brigands doesn't scare us!" He was obviously lying. Even he recoiled in fear from the fell host in front of him, and the ruined shape of the man on top of the well.
     
  20. Magick ~Meaner then my demons~

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2008
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    The True North.
    390
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    Ana sighed with relief as Derrick explained that Vyle could be hidden. Since he would insist on following her, his safety was paramount to her going along with Derrick at all. She hid a smile, turning. "This is Zephyr. He was captured with me and sold to the witch hunters. He managed to escape before they could harm him." This brought a small rush of relief as she considered what Zephyr had escaped. And I will make sure he continues to escape. After all, there was no council to keep them safe, or watch over them. No leaders among mages to turn to. They had to look out for each other in times of turmoil, and that was exactly what she was going to do.

    She frowned as she considered the
    other mage, the one who was still running amok. And then she felt guilt flush on her face as she realized she had forgotten something very important. She turned, the guilt creeping into her expression as she bowed her head. "Vyle, it's about Solomon..." She glanced at Zephyr. "He fought the bastard. That's why the witch hunters took him. They're hunting Solomon too." She bit her lip. Maybe we should go after him instead. There's no telling if the witch hunters would actually kill someone with his.....talents, or use him for their own foul purposes.

    She blinked quickly, staving off the wave of panic at the thought of both
    Solomon and the witch hunters coming after them. The need to get someplace safe intensified once more, and she stepped back towards Vyle, if only to remind herself that she was safe with him. That didn't mean there wasn't time for extra precautions.

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    Veera raised an eyebrow, then sighed. "The day we start working with a High Vampire..." She shook her head. "Never thought I would see it." Frowning, she slowly got to her feet, keeping her weight off the knee. "I'm concerned about this Solomon, too. He knew me..." She glanced at Derrick, sorrow and grief flashing through her gaze for a moment. "And I agree we should not allow him, or the witch hunters to run unchecked." But you've got another thing coming if you think I'm going to leave Derrick or Veceslav alone. She would not lose any more of her family, not while she drew breath.

    "We were going to leave for the Kaer. You are more than welcome to join us. If
    Derrick trusts you then..." She swallowed. "I will too. However we've got to recover our horses, and prepare ourselves for departure." Hell, the horses might already be halfway back to the Kaer by now.

    Ana turned away from her....lover? Friend? Veera couldn't guess their relationship other then they appeared devoted to each other.
    "If it's transportation that's the issue, then," the mage paused, glancing back at Vyle before turning to Veera with determination in her gaze. "Then I can portal all of us there. It'll be faster and safer."

    Veera felt surprise, but as she considered the idea, it didn't seem half bad, considering that
    Veceslav was still sleeping, and she and Derrick would be a little less then helpful should a fight come about. "Thank you. That's kind to offer."

    She turned to
    Derrick, tilting her head. "Ready?" Her eyes begged him to accept the offer. They were tired, wounded, and their supplies had been heavily depleted. Their leader was passed out cold on the grass, they had the additions of a human girl and a bear school witcher that neither of them could handle, and now they were joined by two mages who might or might not be the subject of a witch hunt and a High Vampire. It would be best to get back to the Kaer, rest, and regroup as quickly as possible if they were going to save the civilians of this land from the evils that had sprung up.

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    Treasa watched the conversation, adding little as Veera and Ana spoke. She agreed with Veera, even though she didn't like the idea of portaling, and to be honest had never used one. It would be faster, and well...She glanced at her uncle. Given that tensions had so recently exploded, it might be best to get them all to an area where they could work out their differences without the fear of being overheard, or attacked while distracted. They were a fair distance from Oxenfurt, but not that far, not far enough that it wouldn't be a stretch for the raiding bands to leave the city and attack them.

    Treasa got to her feet, shoving the sharpening stone in her pocket and tossing the half made arrows into her quiver. She had left off the fletching, for now. That way if she needed to draw in a hurry she would know which ones were finished and which weren't. "I'm ready." She murmured hesitantly, unsure if the invitation to go with was extended to them still. Her eyes rested on Veera, then switched to
    Derrick. With Veceslav still asleep, she wasn't sure if one, or both called the shots. "If my uncle and I are still welcome, that is." She added, running her fingers along the length of her bow.

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    Zack was helping one of the healers splint a broken bone. It helped if he didn't stop working, if he continued on and on until he could finally drop from exhaustion. That way, he wouldn't have to think about the lack of laughter from Tessa at his side, or Seth rolling his eyes but helping regardless, or....he shook his head, clearing it of those thoughts before sitting back and offering the healer a smile. The captain was still getting his guards situated, but it had gone smoothly, so far. Zack knew that it wouldn't be too long before tensions broke out, and fights started, but until he was needed, he would remain here, helping those that had fought or couldn't fight. Next was an open wound that looked...infected. By the look of the healer's face, the arm would have to come off. As Zack helped hold the young man down, giving him a strip of cloth to bite on, he turned his eyes back to the young man's face.

    Gently he spoke to him, whispering one of the same stories he had told Tessa about a young, brave mouse that had crossed fields and rivers to find the one he loved. It wasn't until he had reached the middle of the story that the screams began to drown out his soft words.

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    Tessa smiled a little as she wiped tears from her eyes before kneeling down in front of Greg. "I love my brother very very much." She told him gently, hugging the offered teddy bear before handing it back. "But I'm sad because I can't be with him. You would be sad if Matilda had to go away for a while too, right?" She hesitated, then rested her hand on the young boy's head for a moment. "Your sister is very good at making people happy. You should listen to her." She said. "She knows what she's talking about."

    Turning back, Tessa's eyes flicked over
    Seth's face. He looked distressed, but not unreasonably so. She knelt down in front of him, her gaze questioning as she took his uninjured hand. She wondered how much of her story had bothered him, if his hand hurt too much, what he thought would happen now, and why had Sigmund pulled him aside? Would they send her away after all?

    Too many questions to ask, and so Tessa simply let them show through her eyes before turning. "It's too late for you to walk home alone. Perhaps you two should stay the night, just to be safe." She suggested, blushing as she realized this was quite rude of her, to offer two
    strangers lodging in a home that wasn't hers. "Just....so you can be safe." She repeated.
     
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2016
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