Wrong place. Right time.

[Sevris]

OOCNo worries Petching fools. Of course the rebels would do the only thing that they were born to do. Rebel. Fortunately there were people born especially to cause mayhem and chaos. People like him, an instrument of Rhysol's very will. As he flipped off the ground he immediately saw the rest of the soldiers began to cut everything and everyone down. Fortunately because it seemed like the majority of people that had gathered around the warehouse and in it, were Rising Dawn. Weapons unearthed from cloaks as they prepared for an all out battle. It seemed as if there were mages among this ragtag group. Things changed pretty rapidly after that as the raid elevated quickly. But Sevris was aware and looking for them as well. The people who were innocent took flight and fled the area, however it was more obvious who the real enemies were. Speaking to the two Commanders who had been standing next to him while he was on the horse, "There are mages among them. I will handle them. Rally and take out those archers and secure the perimeter. No one escapes." They nodded and directed their apprentices and soldiers to subdue any fighting forces around them. One of the Rising Dawn soldiers recognized the Lazarin and tried to combat him. His personal bodyguards comprised of seasoned Soldiers, stepped back. They new the Paladin wanted his own fill of blood. Not many stood against his blade. He whipped out the golden weapon from the harness on his back. The weapon was long and elegant. Not made for the harshest of battles but it didn't matter to Sevris. They were fodder to him. The man was taller than him but unarmored, charging with a shortsword. He got close to the Paladin, which was his first and last mistake. The Chaon stepped forward and flicked his blade upwards, it moved like a blur as it knocked the sword out of the mans hand. A look of surprise as he did a double-take to the sword of the ground and back to Sevris. Not abandoning his advantage, he ended his life with a thrust of his sword point. The golden edge found itself in his heart, which was protruding out his backside. Fatality. Towards the warehouse he could see two people cloaked in dark robes. They gave off an ominous presence. More like he could see their ominous presence. It seemed the large fist that swung at him had came from one of them. They spotted him spotting them. "Be careful Kaie." She was hearing distance amongst the fighting. "We have mages." He pointed in their direction. They seemed to be murmuring a chant. He could see their aura slightly flexing at the manipulation of Djed. They were preparing for another attack. The Paladin took off running to counter them.

[Kaie]

For all that intensive training mercenaries tend to go through prior to their new found careers, most forget there's an art of tactic and intelligence as well. It's a common misconception to believe that by mastering a weapon or two, one becomes this godly, invincible force. In true battle, in vicious bloodshed of war, it's very much the opposite. There's never a single variable that dictates the fates of the soldiers. Everyone brings something unique and challenging to the game of survival. It's imperative to remember that no matter how tough one is, no matter how skilled, there is an adversary that supersedes. There is a combatant that is simply better, and even if it's in one single skill, it can mean the difference between life and death. Situational awareness is everything. With the archer preparing to have another go at poaching her, Kaie had to keep her wits about her. Distance could very well be the factor that ends her.

I need to move. I need to clear that man out before he picks off the Stryfe coming through the opening. But how...?

The ignition of an epiphany started the moment she remembered her employer's gifts. The flaming arrows were still stowed in her quiver. The flint and steel should still be in her pack, too. Without another moment of hesitation, the Myrian tore off her bag and quiver. Her left hand slipped into the side pocket to retrieve the tools, the right ripped the five desired arrows from their hold. The Myrian could still hear the shouting men racing from the innards of the building approaching. She'd have to be quick about her plan. Within a few clicks, she had all five arrows lined up on the ground, lit and ready to be fired. Hopefully she could succeed in getting the shot where it needed...

Kaie placed the first flaming arrow on the bowstring. With her back against the wheelbarrow, she inhaled and brought the bow up. Her index and middle finger pulled the projectile back to her lips, body turning up to aim. She aimed for the archer and released. The soaring flame looked promising in its flight. Sadly, it didn't even made it to the building. Like a heavy stone, it dropped before the foundations. Noticing the brightness of the shot, the archer returned his attention to her. With a growl, the Myrian ducked back down in time to avoid another point in her head.

Petch! Again!

She loaded the next and repeated the previous process. This time when she rotated into the open, she aimed high. Higher so that the end lined up with the very top of the man's head. The loosed arrow pathetically hit the side of the building and failed to ignite it. Anger convinced the headstrong woman to try another quick shot rather than return to safety. The third arrow soared high, far too high to hit the man in question. However, it dropped onto the roof near his perch and caught the dry wood. Flames erupted in the area, forcing the archer (who was mere seconds from loosing another arrow at the very exposed woman) to retreat elsewhere.

Would you look at that. So that's why people here say the third's a charm...

Relief was delayed with the remembrance of eminent danger. Barbarian yells to arms behind her reminded her that she was not alone to face the onslaught. With two more flaming arrows burning for her disposal, it seemed best to see what damage she could manage before returns to close quarters. Just before she dared to risk abandoning the limited safety she found, she heard a familiar voice. It belonged to none other than Sevris Lazarin, the Paladin in charge of the raid. Surprised registered on her face at his warning. Mages were not people she truly knew much about. And since when did barbarians ever make the effort to watch the back of a savage? Goddess, didn't she think so lowly of them all...

With a stiff nod, the Myrian turned in the direction his finger had extended. Inching around the side, she could see the odd individuals with a bit of focus. Their mouths were moving as if in prayer. If only she knew what mayhem they were trying to conjure...

A war-like scream sent Kaie into a state of panic, whipping her head to find a swordsman lunging at her with utter hatred in his eyes. As soon as the bowstring teased her lips in a sudden pull-back, the Myrian loosed the fire ridden arrow at him. With the meager range between them, she hit him in his torso. His belligerence was rubbed out by painful shrieks. It would do them both some good if she shut him up with her sword...but there was still one more arrow to rid herself of. And if she couldn't get close enough to the mages without attracting attention and therefore their attack, she'd distract them. A shoddy, inaccurate arrow dug into the ground near their gathering. Though no damage was done, their eyes were adverted from her cause. If anything she had gifted the Paladin in return for his warning with time.

"Finally we're done with that. Let's see what gifts we can bring Dira, and glory we can present Myri..." Kaie murmured darkly to herself, strapping the bow back around her body. Glad to exchange range for a blade, the Myrian tore her gladius from her hip once more. After a quick backward glance toward Sevris and one to search for a safe shot forward, Kaie was back on the move. Back into battle.

[Sevris]

It seemed that the Rising Dawn forces and the granary workers were being subdued quickly. However it seemed that there were top tier officers in their midst. And they came in the form of trained killers. They had arcane markings on their black robes and they were much older then he was. An Inartan and a Human, males of to boot. Sevris neared his prey with a stalking pace, the human male noticing he was Lazarin scowled. "There's no reasoning with him Gerret. He'll murder us all. He dies before he hurts more of our people. Today you die Lazarin!" He pulled his front robes back to reveal a short sword, he unsheathed it and brandished it with a few swings. He looked like he knew how to use it well enough. The other pulled out a steel Jutte. The Chaon laced within his voice as they circled one another, "I will not die unless Rhysol commands it of me. But your god will not save you. No one can." Sevris dashed forward, covering the distance between the human mage in an instant. He poised his weapon for an attack, the man blocked it and sent his blade reeling back. The Paladin recovered by stepping back creating some distance between them. From the corner of his peripherals, he observed the man with the Jutte, hold his hands out. Yet again he saw some strange form leak out of his arms as if they were spiritual connections. He was sure he was witnessing Projection, he could see it so clearly. But he didn't let it distract him from the fight, he fought the mage while avoiding a clean shot on him by his Projection. The man was no match to him after exchanging life threatening blows by Sevris's double-blades. Gerret gave up and jumped in the fray with his Jutte. Adding on to the offense. Sevris easily adapted the dangerous position he was in and went on a rage. His blades countered the Jutte and the shortsword simultaneously, leaving them slightly vulnerable. He jumped up and nailed both of them with a double kick. They both reeled back clutching their faces with stifled grunts, the Lazarin landed in a crouched position. He launched himself into a semi-roll towards the human. And before he could recover, sent his gold blade through his stomach. He yelled at the top of his lungs but it was futile. Sevris laughed at the attempt before pulled the blade upwards cutting past his ribcage into his lungs. His death was imminent. He kicked him off his blade and he went sailing backwards. Gerret having recovered was now noticing his fallen partner prepared himself for the attack. Sevris twirled his blade. "Next."

[Kaie]

They were running out of the building like ants from a flooded mound, the fire on the roof spreading like a plague to the rest of the building. One man, an archer, dared to jump from his perch to escape the melting of his flesh. He swiftly met the ground all in the wrong way. His cry reached the Myrian from across the field with the shattering of his femur. Yet her eyes did not shift to the cry that as deafened by those for bloodshed. Instead she found herself wandering back to the Lazarin doing away with the mages.

One less thing to worry about...

And then it was back to focusing on her own game. She held the gladius like a charm, lip curling at the bodies that crashed into foes. The Paladin's men against a rag-tag militia, and then some coming her way. For she was the first to lay siege to their compound, to take first blood. That made her a worthy target. She could not so easily fall into the white noise of soldiers battling one another. Then again, she wasn't anything near defenseless. Endurance was still lasting thus far, and she wouldn't let it sap until she met several more adversary.

Kaie let out another whoop and rushed the first man she saw. Short sword swung at her wildly, causing her to fall back out of its way and then recoil. He narrowly deflected her swing and made a counter. The Myrian stepped off center and ripped herself away, not competent in the art to know how to deny it. So after her avoid she rushed in, and when their swords clashed, she switched tactics. Her fist came in to bludgeon the man's nose, blood leaking from the place of impact almost instantly. The earned delay gave her time to then shift her position and send a crippling kick to the side of his locked knee. The moment he began to buckle with a cry, she took advantage of the painful distraction with a swing to his throat. Then it was onto the next.

Before her she spotted a man with a throwing spear, his bearded face muddled with anger no different than the rest. The grit in his teeth and the set of his jaw sent off red flags in the Myrian's mind. He was preparing to throw at her. So just as he lifted the weapon and she noticed the tense in his large bicep, her own eyes dilated and adrenaline rushed her system. She pressed off with her back foot and found herself tucking herself into a forward roll. The cutting of the air behind her let her know she narrowly avoided disaster. Then she was back on her feet with a snarl, feet racing in a sprint toward the man who dared to snag her.

There was something Kaie always found utterly stupid about spear throwing. She didn't see the point in ridding one's weapon in hopes to spear an enemy who could easily avoid it. The man in question was pretty good, but he was no master. His missed mark caused him his weapon of choice. And what did he have on him now to ward her off? A meager, rusty dagger? She couldn't decide whether to feel sorry for his ignorance or to laugh at it. Either way, a panicked lunge at her ended with a simple side step and blood upon the ground that wasn't hers.

It was almost easily, which was odd keeping in mind she'd only been in several true battles of this one's likeness. It was mind boggling to her. Naturally she would never disregard her lucky wins thus far, but still. It was just strange how well she was performing. Was anyone in the resistance here any good at all? Her answer came in the voice of her own torn flesh and cry. Someone had caught her in the back with their blade in the middle of her run. Already was Kaie aware of the sensation of warmth flowing against her leather vest...

"Petch!"

[Sevris]

The battlefield became littered with bodies. There were only a few rebels left before he had would have them surrender. It was a sight he was familiar with. But it started to become more enticing to him. As if a world without this type of power would be ugly. This is why Rhysol demands chaos in the world. The chaos in itself is already the most precious thing the world can have. Sevris was interrupted in his self-loving thought train, when a lone figure exited the building. Immediately his presence demanded the attention of the Rising Dawn as they quieted down and retreated towards him. Gerret the mage, was also backtracking in his general direction slightly. But his attention was held by the ever deadly Sevris. The figure was dressed in all black but his skin was dark blue...an Akalak. Instantly a memory jolted him back to the past, one of the Rising Dawn generals beat him senseless when they hatched an attack on the temple. Akalaks weren't rare, which was why he learned Tukant. But he must have had something to do with that mysterious general. The Lazarin wanted his head from their last skirmish. "Shinji!" Gerret yelled. The mans head snapped towards them. Without a moments hesitation he charged forward with incredible speed. Sevris's eyes narrowed as he drew nearer. He could see a blue form run through the mans legs. Flux. The man was also a magic user. He had to be extremely careful around them. The Paladin readied himself for a joint attack but Akalak swept right past him. Surprised the Paladin started to attack but Shinji caught him off guard with the frontal assault. He jumped in the air and connected a devastating front kick to Sevris's head. His head rocked back as blood spluttered from his nose. Seemingly in one motion he also pulled out a pair of longswords. Sevris realizing he was about to die with a well placed hit, used the momentum of his kick to roll backwards. Just as two sharp deadly blades struck where he was just at. The man did not pursue but looked at the dead body next to him. "Did he kill Honus?" He asked Gerret. The mage nodded solemnly. "Ready yourself then. He must die before we get taken over." Sevris spat out some blood, and simply replied, "Nice form. You must be the Apprentice of that general blue Akalak. I'll start the massacre with you." He twirled his blades, and stood ready. A challenge for the duo warriors. And they accepted. They both charged forward to take Sevris's head.

[Kaie]

She stumbled forward with the force of he malicious slash, yelping and turning with her sword. By chance she clashed her gladius against the murderous curve of a cutlass. Its wielder rebounded from the block with a nasty slash toward her flank. A furious back step and a downswing of her sword ended that attempt, but her opponent was no where near backing off yet. He responded with a punch to her jaw. And again she was reeling back on the defensive.

Apparently I spoke too soon?

The grisly man was seasoned, no doubt. Weathered by both elements and battle, scars tearing nastily across his face and exposed flesh. Not even the feline claw marks that graced her own bronze skin, could compete with the terrible slash that whitened his white eye. He was a veteran about to rock her world. All she had on him was a few decades of youth and enough adrenaline in her system to poison a smaller mammal. That grey eye had seen many like her, young and headstrong. Sans her heritage there was little that caused him to believe she had a shot of prevailing over him. Nothing at all but maybe sheer will power. But last time he checked, wishful thinking was not a tangible thing resilient enough to ward off his finishing blow.


"Dira take you!" She hissed hatefully with another clash of metal. Once, twice, and then another blow to her head. He had set the pace of the dance and it was hard to break tempo. That is until she shot her foot out before is fist could reach her a third time. Then he was the one recovering with a grunt, cutlass swiping wildly to keep her at bay. The next move from the bearded man might as well have been the death of her.

A few quick swipes and a clever maneuver, and her gladius was gone. It sung through the air and dropped somewhere nearby. Yet Kaie had no time to think. Instead she was forced to act quickly. Panic set in and nothing beat back the feeling of despair but an unlikely trick. So as soon as the sword left her hand and the cutlass began to divide the air for her throat, the Myrian stepped down forcefully upon her heel as she crouched deeply with a turn. Then like an arrow off a tight string, her leg swung back behind her to race into the back of his knee. A shout of agony was all she needed to hear to know the hidden blades in her boots did their job.

By the time she spun back around to square to him, she found he had fallen to one knee in agony. The back of his knee was nothing but tattered flesh torn right from their placement. With one leg to stand on, he was basically incapacitated. Hands found the Kukri in its sheath and ripped it free. The cutlass swung once but it was not enough this time. Instead he was rewarded for his efforts with a curved blade hacking at his sword wrist. And then it tore up through the spot where his head connected to his throat. Removing it created nothing but a fountain of dark blood.

Kaie wasted no time in finding her most prized possession, her father's parting gift. The Kukri was wiped absently across her vest in a cleaning gesture and then returned to its hold. Her eyes were only for the gleaming edge of the gladius which was hastily returned to her hands. Looking about, she found little opposition to be met again. Sevris was finishing up a new battle it seemed, but the rest was little more than wannabe heroes and martyrs against trained Ebonstryfe.

It seemed the job was beginning to wrap itself up, which was to be expected. After all, only so many bodies could drop before one side would have to call quits. As much as she loved the rush, Kaie was utterly exhausted. When her adrenaline wore off she'd feel the pain she had suffered. The line on her back would probably need some bandaging, too. But that would come later. Until then she would see if she couldn't take down the few making attempts at escape. Then if would be off to the Paladin to see if she would be rewarded for her services.

[Sevris]

They fought in unison. The warrior Shinji was indeed very much skilled in his craft. It also seemed the two mages were probably guards for the man dressed in black. For they worked together as only a professional would. The Jutte attacks from Gerret kept Sevris off balance before of its hard hits. This kept Sevris from dealing any swift deadly blows against Shinji who was countering any such attempts. The Akalak General had trained his disciple well, for he was trying very hard to kill Sevris and he came quite close. Gerret was providing the necessary distraction against the Paladin. He stepped forward and swung low at Sevri's knees. He parried the blow aside but it left him open slightly and Shinji was able to dash forward a vicious stab. The Lazarin side stepped but was unable to fully dodge the attack. The blade penetrated his shoulder armor and into his should. The armor stopped it from fully going through. The searing pain he felt only gave him more energy as he yanked himself backwards off the blade. He put the attack on them swinging his blade upwards and twirling it in front of him. It gave him the necessary space for him to try this difficulty move. It was a combination of his Terra and the double-blades. The twirling kata created space so that they could not attack him at once. He slowly walked forward using the kata to separate them. They did thinking they could just come from the side. A mistake because his weapon eliminated those blindsides. Gerret jumped forward striking his steel Jutte at his face. The same time Shinji was preparing his Flux in his knees. He must have been a novice because he could not coordinate the attack along with the mages Jutte attack. Sevris jumped in the air and met him with a swift side kick to his face. Simultaneously he used mages face to kick off and strike Shinji in the air. Gerret dropped to the floor clutching his face. Shinji blocked the attack and tried to kick him in the head again. The Paladin used his free hand to block the kick, he did not suspect that it would be that hard of a kick when his hand caved in and the kick somewhat connected with his head. His helmet protected him from serious damage but his head was still ringing when he angrily attacked Shinji again. His wound in his shoulder starting to burn more. This fight was harder than anticipated. His life could be forfeit.

[Kaie]

Ah, only you can make a girl feel at home again. Even in the midst of this madness...

Kaie adjusted her firm grip on her gladius handle, smiling down at the lifeless object fondly. As she regained her breath, her eyes wandered the expanse of its sheath. She knew the stories that were depicted there. The conquests and the rise of Myri the Merciless. It was all she had from Falyndar and her clan that meant anything to her anymore. All that was left to remind her. And in that very small moment of isolation from the world, everything was right in the mind of the Myrian. Until the sounds of warfare invaded her conscious again.

Like the slow awakening of a warped emotion trapped in time, tearing the homesick woman from what peace she had achieved aroused a sort of wrath. Gradually she faded back in and away from her thoughts. Assaulting her was not another body, but sounds. Clashing of weapons and the grunting of men in battle. When she found their source, it was the Paladin she spotted first. Somehow he was hanging in between two fierce combatants. Her eyes darkened at the scene. It seemed as though she had no choice. Someone needed to take the heat off Sevris, and if it seemed none of his men were quick enough or willing to step in, it might as well be Kaie.

No vengeful prayer for strength came this time. Instead she stormed toward them with an aura of fury. Her fiery gaze was locked on Garret, who was just beginning to recover from Sevris's kick. As the man began to make another move for the Paladin, Kaie raised her sword like a club and swung with great force. The man, too caught up in the protection of the black cloaked man to catch the angry opponent's movements, was hit with the blunt edge of the gladius. He hit the ground off to the side like a stone. When his hands hit the ground, however, he began to scramble forward on hands in knees. Racing forward wildly in search of his feet. If only he hadn't been hit in the head so soundly.

The Myrian sheathed her sword and leaped onto his back. She drive an open palm into the base of his skull, shoving his face into the ground roughly. Her fingers wrapped in his hair and thus began the repetitive slamming and a bloodied face. Garret's Jutte thrashed about wildly in search of her body, but the angle was off. He simply wouldn't reach. Tukant reached deaf ears before the Kukri returned again. This time it drove through his back, and though she knew not where she struck, the blade slipped between his ribs to penetrate the lungs. That battle did not last long.

Kaie rose from her kill, tearing the Kukri back out with her. She breathed heavily more so from anger than exhaustion that time. Staring down at the bloody corpse, one might've thought she had punished Garret as the sole cause of the interruption prior. Like it was his fault she was reminded of what she had lost and the ongoing struggle to get it all back. To get home. Over her shoulder the Myrian looked once in search of the Paladin. Goddess be good, he finished the Akalak she left behind for him. Something told her she wasn't the best match up for the black robe with the skills he possessed. But then again, perhaps the God of Chaos would ensure his soldier's victory in his city.

[Sevris]

OOCI'll be paying you out of my own money. The battle was getting heated for Shinji. As Kaie came to Sevris's rescue. She quickly dispatched the troublesome Gerret, now leaving the man in black to the Paladin. Things were getting hazier and dimmer to Shinji, something didn't feel right. Could it be the muttering of Sevris as they fought. Ever word whispered sounded like a curse. Sevris was feeding off the power of the power of the Chaon. He could feel it and it made him give into it more. He couldn't help but curse the warrior as they battled one another. He swung high at Shinji and connected blades with him, it could be heard but not understood all except one. "Die" Sevris barking at him in Tukant. He wasn't all that proficient in speaking it but he new key words like that to get a rise out of him. It seemed to be effecting him slightly or maybe Sevris's entire onslaught was causing him to see things. For it seemed as if the sun dimmed as the Paladin approached him for their last clash. "Bow before Death or bow before Rhysol." The Lazarin said in Tukant. Shinji looked at him and readied his blades in front of him. "Never." He said simply. The Dawn officer charged forward, still with his impressive speed and swung a combination of both swords low to his knees. Though a fighter of great skill, Sevris was a tactician and an expert at what he does. Soon he was able to read some of the similar attack patterns of his foe. Sevris reacted quickly blocking both blades by swiftly spinning his blade in front him. A small lapse of time where Shinji was finally vulnerable. The Paladin was able to send his own vicious high kick to the mans face. Also followed up with a jumping side kick which knocked the wind out of him and sent reeling backwards on the ground. He hastily got up as things were getting even dimmer for Shinji as blood poured from a gash in his head. He had lost one of his weapons in the brutal attack. And for a second he lost a grasp on reality and was focused on something about the Lazarin. Simply saying, "Shade." And then pointing towards him. The Paladin ignored him, and soared in for the kill. He hoisted his golden weapon low and swung it from the down on up. The strange angle and power behind it caught Shinji off guard. His guard broken Sevris disarmed him, by cutting his sword arm off with a well placed follow hit. His cries rung around them all deafening as man realized his defeat and also that his arm was laying beside him. He knelt on one knee. Sevris had enough of the theatrics with his foe. With scowl and sent his blade running through Shinjis neck as he decapitated his foe. Blood spluttered from the gaping wound all over his hair and armor. He could finally hear his men talking after watching the epic fight. Hushed mutterings, of "The Shade" were passed around as he looked at them. His armor was dosed in blood and sun angle gave him an ominous look of a Shade. A killer. "I am the Shade of Death. Who else challenges me!" Sevris declared to them and they cheered correspondingly. Good leadership he would say. Giving a final order to round up witnesses and survivors. He looked to Kaie and walked over to her. "Your aid was unneeded, I had it handled. But appreciated nevertheless, you have my thanks. You held your own impressively. And you've more than earned your pay." Sevris nodded to one his personal assistants that was nearby. They nervously ran forward and presented Kaie with a large purse. "500 gold mizas should do right?" The Lazarin said with a curious expression.

[Kaie]

Gore. Looks like the Ebonstryfe have the stomach for it. Good. Maybe for once I'm not the only war-like savage around here...

The woman quirked a brow at the display, a mirthful smile almost twitching at her lips. He was quite theatrical, she'd give him that. He was titled both in service and field, dubbed "The Shade" and perhaps rightfully so. It appeared his men would agree with that notion, for they cheered for him like he was the sole agent of Rhysol. At least there was no questioning his divine loyalty.

Kaie stood tall as the man in ruined gold armor approached. Across her front was thick splotches of crimson, some of it speckling across her face as well. The warmth was still oozing from the wound in her back. The soreness was creeping into her muscles more solidly, as she expected. Yet all would be taken care of later when business was finished.

"I'd say so," She answered with a grin and nod of thanks for his compliment. For all their reputation southward, the Black Sun was definitely working wonders in Kaie's favor. Gold talks, and when numbers are your ticket home, sometimes it speaks louder than morals. Right now, all was in her favor. Sevris "The Shade" was not a man she'd question doing business with again.

"Thank you," She added, taking the purse from the timid assistants without hesitation. The Myrian weighed it in her hand for a moment before she gave him another approving nod. However, her mind ventured back to the moment he warned her about the enemy. "You fight well. Tell me, how did you know they had mages?"

OOC:Thanks! Maybe if they cross paths again, I'll return the favor.