Closed [job thread] Trust your guard

[Ereck Darkshade]

Winter, 37th, Year 513 Sunset Quarters, Evening Ereck ran his finger along the edge of his weapon. The hand scythe was cold to the touch and the edge was a sharp as ever. Ereck pulled his hand back as if shocked and brought it up to his lips, sucking lightly on the small cut he had made in his skin. On the other side he grabbed the weight in one hand and pulled it up, checking if it was attached properly and if everything was in order. While he had done jobs like this before, Ereck always felt a little edgy at the start. Having been on both sides of the job, Ereck knew what to look out for and what things could make his job more difficult. He also knew how targets themselves made it difficult for guards to guard them, creating openings for potential assassins or bandits. Dressed in his night leather outfit, Ereck was covered almost fully in black and seemed to blend in with the darkness and shadows around him. His short black hair touched to his shoulders and only helped to hide him more into the darkness. While he had contemplated a mask at times, Ereck hadn't gotten around to it yet, leaving his face uncovered for everyone to see, should they decide to peer into the shadows where he was waiting. His features were neutral, lacking in the manly blocky features but neither having the soft, round features of a woman's face. There were two small scars on his face that could only be seen upon closer inspection in the light. The job he had taken had been interesting, something different from the usual jobs. While it was still guarding, this time the target would be moving about and, in the words of his employer, would be in constant danger from unhappy ex-employees. Not that it bothered Ereck who would be on the other end of his blade, as long as he came out alive at the end. He spun the weapon around in his hand before hooking it back on his belt, the chain tinkling softly as he walked, Ereck made his way over to the meeting point, where the employer would start his night off. While the details had obviously been kept from Ereck, who was but a simple guard, Ereck had been informed that he would be guarding a man on the move. It seemed like it was going to be a busy night. They would make several stops along the way as the man did his job and Ereck was supposed to protect him from anyone trying to harm him. Easy enough, Ereck figured. He walked onto the small square where they had agreed to meet and Ereck set himself to the side, blending in with the darkness of night as he waited for the employer. His eyes darted from side street to dark alley to the rooftops surrounding the square. After a few chimes, another man walked out from one of the surrounding buildings and stopped in the middle of the square, looking around. When Ereck recognized the face of the man who had hired him the night before Ereck walked out of the shadows and onto the square. His eyes flashed left and right as he tried to determine if any threats were already present. So far it seemed quite calm. "Good evening." The man spoke as he extended a hand towards Ereck. Ereck ignored it in silence. "We're just waiting for the last member of our little party before we take off." Ereck cursed mentally. He wasn't fond of surprises, especially not when a one man job and a one man plan had just been turned into a two man job with no plan at all. "You should have informed me about this." Ereck's voice was dark and heavy as he spoke, not quite fitting with the build of his body and the features of his face. His hand palmed the handle of the scythe he carried. The employer raised his hands quickly as he spoke. "You're just the guard. I don't have to tell you anything. We wait for the third one and then we start. Just stay quiet and do your job." Ereck looked at the man for a moment, his eyes piercing those of the employer before he turned away and moved his attention back to the surrounding rooftops and the streets opening up into the square.

[Annie Vatlina]

Annie's hands were firm as they reached out, Grabbing a small insect, A centipede. With her good luck she found the disgusting creature around the small farm land plots, Burrowing in the warmth of hay. Keeping her distance from it and turning her nose up at the insect. Still fearful of it's large mandibles she had to kill it first. Throwing it into a small jar Annie picked out a thin needle and slowly pushed it into the head, Instinctively the venom came pouring out. Annie was always good at what she did but the process of getting the poison sickened her to the bone.

Without hesitation she kept the dead centipede out of the puddle of venom and held it out, Its limp body dry of poison and life. Annie could have sworn that the taste of bile raised up her to her mouth as she opened up a small drawer in her Mule chest and threw it in. Slowly closing the drawer there was a audible hiss and then a light crunching noise. Quickly shaking the thought of the Centipede she moved back to her table. Sitting down in front of her was her laid out weapon. Annie could remember the steps of how to use a Bracer.

Whispering the steps under a soft voice she turned her hand over and placed it down on the leather material. With a yank she pulled the metal locks together, taking the last piece in, A thin edged blade. This weapon was so easy to use, Anybody would be able to use it. Even a young child. Annie took her right hand and used her finger, Putting a aqua colored paste all over the blade. With delicate fingers Annie made sure not to cut herself on the blade while applying the poison. Dipping her finger in the Centipede's poison she than coated the plaster once more. Once the poison was dry it would be good to use through out the night.

With a sound of steel hitting leather the blade was activated back into it's holder. Slowly she straightened her sleeve under the bracer, It was rather hard to believe that somebody so innocent as Annie could be so potent. Turning around in her wooden chair she slipped on her tight cloak and pulled the hood over her face, Hiding only her gentle complection of her delicate face. Thick strands of orange hair poured out of the sides of her hood, It would be easier if she would just put up her hair but she always opted out.

Taking in a deep breath she exited the warmth of the Sunberth Quarters and out into the chilling cold. Annie was instructed to greeted by the man she was meant to escort half way to Sunberth's interesting square. By the time she got there a man came up to her right and gave her a nod and then they walked side by side. There was a distasteful scent in the air once he opened his mouth and with a low and gangling voice he spoke, " Wow, I didn't expect you to be this attractive. " He gave her a wink and placed a hand on her lower back. Annie couldn't have been more disgusted, with a sarcastic voice she shot back, " Aw whats a matter, Have you been skipping out on your daily trips to the brothel? You poor baby. " Annie grabbed his hand and have it a tight grip then threaten him. She was suppose to protect him, Not kill him. " Ouch, That one hurt sweetheart. Come on, Can't you just let me have a little fun? " Sucking at her teeth she ignored him and moved to the side, Keeping her distance.

It was hard to hear her light footsteps against the dark cobblestone streets. Annie had a sort of recognizable swagger with every step she took, Reeking of poisons and herbal concoctions. Taking in a deep breath it seems like only five ticks later she was in the square. Annie's soft blue eyes darted from the dark corners until they paused on the center and the she moved back next to the man, He was taller than Annie as most men usually are. Slowly removing her black hood and taking in a deep breath and exhaling lightly a light haze of a mixture of condensation and evaporation.

The two men greeted each other with a formal handshake, " Lets just get this over with yes? " They both agreed on something. Annie shot a glance over at the other guard, She was expecting another part of the clique but she wasn't expecting they would have hired more than one escort. Taking in what she could before being pronounced rude for staring Annie was able to gather the weapons that he carried. Although she only carried a simple bracer with her it was just as deadly.

[Ereck Darkshade]

Ereck had slipped back into the shadows as they waited for the third member of their party to arrive. When finally the shadows stirred in one of the side streets, Ereck walked out of the shadows and stood a little behind his employer and watch not one but two people entering the square. The first one stopped and walked back to stand next to the second one. This immediately told Ereck that the second one was the important one. The guard was supposed to take care of the employer so they had to keep their distance rather than the other way around. When the first one drew back their hood, Ereck couldn't stop the mumbled curse under his breath. The guard was a woman, a fiery orange haired one at that. Little Pyrehead could be seen from miles away in the dark. Ereck sighed as his employer and the second one shook hands. Ereck kept his attention divided between the second employer and his guard, the fiery woman. It would have been nice if he had been informed about the arrangements and numbers. Now his first plan for a single guarding had been tossed out, followed by the second one he had set up for a double guarding. With no plan in his mind yet, Ereck shook his head and looked at the little Pyrehead woman. It seemed, or so Ereck thought, that the woman had been as informed as he had been. Their employers spoke for a moment and seemed to agree on whatever it was they were talking about before each one looked back at their respective guard and turned away from them. The motion was clear. The little party headed out from the square, moving towards one of the many dark alleys that ended up on the square. Following his employer, Ereck ended up near the female guard and he gave her a single nod. "Evening." He said in his dark voice. "Didn't expect there to be another one." Whether he meant another guard or another target to guard or both wasn't quite clear from his words. His employer spoke at length with his partner or friend, Ereck didn't care much for their relationship. It didn't impact his job either way. His eyes drifted from the woman to the street ahead and the rooftops that lined it on both sides. Everything was still in the darkness. Not that that meant anything conclusive, it just meant whoever was up there was better at hiding in the shadows than Ereck was at seeing in the shadows. As he watched the darkness around them, following behind his employer, Ereck's mind made several attempts at setting up a solid plan. With no information about their destination, their route or the skills of his recently revealed partner Ereck was having a tough time coming up with anything useful at all. Keeping his voice down as he spoke, Ereck turned to the woman. "Any concrete plan of action here?" The usual action would be to have one guard in front and one in the back to prevent attacks from either side. But not knowing their destination or which lefts and rights to take, Ereck wasn't quite sure how that would work. But leaving both guards behind their employers would mean an open front from which thugs and archer arrows could come from. And staying next to their employers would mean listening in on their conversations and that was plain rude. Ereck was at a loss as he waited for the woman to respond, his eyes once more darting to the rooftops and the darkness around them.

[Annie Vatlina]

Normally Annie would give anything to have a contract that was in the cold dark but there was something off tonight, and she didn't like it. Small blue eyes darted around as she used her unnatural ability to be more attentive, It could have been higher if she was in her animal form but of course every Kelvic knows that shifting in public meant Sunberthians would give anything to just wrap a thin collar around their neck. It gave her a cold feeling as she thought about shifting. Awkwardly to distract herself Annie used her small fingers Annie fixed the irritating fabric that bunched under her bracer. A voice snapped her back and she looked up to the guard.

Annie nodded politely back, " Hello. " Turning her head from him she rotated her shoulders slowly and kept her animalistic eyes over to the darkness of the street corners. " I would have preferred more information. " She paused for a minute as her eyes strayed from the dark and moist buildings to the roof tops and the small balconies. " but apparently that is not possible. " The employers turned a few comers quicker than she expected and she was getting rather irritated that Annie had absolutely no idea where they were going. It was probably best if she put her hair up, If they had to fight someone than it would probably end up blinding her vision.

Slowly as she looked around she spoke with a whisper, " Plans? Well, I thought about having one of stay close and stay hidden. " Lightly she stopped herself and placed her hand on the cold stone wall. " If there were attackers than may have thought that it wouldn't be that hard to take on a little- " She stopped herself before saying Kelivc and came in with another word, " Somebody that isn't so well, menacing. " With a gesture she nodded to his weapon, The scythe.

The thing is that Annie wasn't so sure herself, If she would have known exactly where they were headed in the first place then she would have come up with something solid. It seemed that the other guard wasn't so sure of himself either. Annie wasn't the best at having conversations unless they ended up with a knife in the back or a sickly looking ale. The darkness covered the small streets that emptied out of the alley, There was some movement but when in Sunberth is there not? Something brought Annie a edgy feeling as her eyes found themselves looking at a shifty human figure, Like many people in Sunberth.

[Ereck Darkshade]

Ereck was glad to know his fellow guard was just as uninformed as he had been and that she felt the same way about the arrangements that had been made. Ereck followed their combined employers around corners as they continued to walk and talk in hushed tones. A few words here and there drifted back to the two guards but Ereck ignored them. If they were meant for him, they would speak loud enough for him to hear. He walked quietly for a while next to the other guard until their combined employers stopped at a rather nondescript house. It looked like nobody had spent any time in it for a few seasons. A few holes in the roof and broken glass at the front, half boarded up. It looked quite Sunberthian, Ereck figured. "Wait here." The other employer said before they both disappeared in the darkness inside the building. The door closed behind them and their hushed tones took up again. Faintly, Ereck could distinguish a third voice. "Guard the front. I'll have a look around." Ereck nodded towards the door before turning off to the left of the house to see if there was an alley around it or something. His hand slid down to the scythe and he took the weapon from his belt. With a rather casual toss, the weight moved from his left hand to his right and Ereck was ready for anything. On the left side there was a small space between the two buildings with nothing but darkness in it. It was too small to let Ereck through. He walked past the other guard and shook his head, indicating that there was nothing on that end. On the right side of the house he found a small alley that led into darkness. He gave a single glance to the redhead guard and disappeared in the darkness. His night leather and black hair helped him to almost vanish in the darkness. Careful, placing his feet slowly in front of him, Ereck snuck deeper into the darkness. There was some mud that splashed as his feet came down on the ground but the rest was quiet. From the house a single window ended up in the alley, boarded up like the front ones. As he passed by the window, Ereck picked up a few words from the conversation inside. "Loaned... Owes me fifty... Time to pay." Ereck sighed into the darkness and reached the end of the house. The alley headed in deeper but he couldn't see anything suspicious in it. He halted for a moment and went over what he had heard. Obviously, they were protecting the collectors of a loan shark of some sort. And they would escort them on their collection trip. Ereck shook his head and turned back towards the street the redhead was waiting in. He snuck past the window again and walked out of the darkness into the somewhat lit street. The stars and the snow helped to create a somewhat lighter touch to the street. "Leads further back. Nothing there." He informed the other guard as he joined her. While they waited for their employers to come out, Ereck went over the plans in his head. Obviously, staying out of sight was a good idea if you were interested in catching people rather than prevent them from attacking someone. As a lawman, that would be an interesting notion. As a personal guard, however, it wasn't smart to invite more trouble than needed. "I'll guard the back once they're finished. You can scout ahead and deal with problems before they occur. Ok?" While he wasn't really the leader type, it seemed that between the two of them, neither had a good plan so any plan would most likely be accepted. That and he'd rather not bump into the other guard should they be attacked. Ereck coiled the chain back up and hook the weapon back to his belt, where it rested until he required it again. The creaking of wood behind him told Ereck that people were moving inside the house but the door didn't open. Watching the shadows on the opposite side of the street and the rooftops ahead of him, Ereck kept his eyes and ears busy as he tried to pick up signs of anything that would spell trouble for the two guards. There were always movements in the shadows but most of them were small animals or imaginations. While it kept Ereck on edge to see them it also wore him out more, keeping constantly alert and tense.

[Annie Vatlina]

Annie watched, Standing on her toes and then gave up trying to see what the other guard was doing. Leaning back on the wooden door she crossed her arms, Looking around. There were days where the only thing Annie craved for was the darkness but an uneasy feeling kept on her like a disgusting bile. Like always her curiosity got the best of her, Always dragging her into trouble.

Once the other guard got back she refrained from speak and simply nodded. There wasn't much activity other than the occasional bird crossing the snow covered land. A cold chill ached her bones as she wrapped the cloak around her body. Taking in a deep breath she started to get the sensation of burns slowly coming up on her legs. Annie always got this every once awhile, but never on the job. The restlessness caught up with her as she shrunk slightly. Most of what happened was all hallucinations, Other was literal.

To break the tension she said lightly, " I'll be right back, Just- " She flicked her wrist, " Just do what ever. I don't know. " This would usually set in after the burns and chilled skin. Next to set in was the emotional distress. It was so off, It never happened on the job. Annie was caused not to think correctly here in there. Moving quickly she went to the side of the house, Something stopped her at the window. Pulling her hood up she could barely look into the window, The house was awkwardly positioned.

" If only I could just shift now.. " Then there were times like this where she got off track. Giving up she closed her eyes for a minute. Annie could have screamed if the wind wasn't knocked out of her. Being greeted by a foot her balance was off. Sliding down the rough wood she got back up. There he was, A tall and distributing looking man, blood shot eyes and a rabid looking appearance. It was unofficial but it seemed he was the only attacker for now. He came after with a gauntlet but he was to late and to uncoordinated. As he threw the first punch Annie returned the favor and used the bracer and unleashed the thin knife with a hiss, But not before he slugged the edge of her jaw.

Quickly her poison emptied out into his skin and soon it would be flowing in his blood stream. Limply he began to loose focus and the ability to keep his feet planted. While he swayed she yelled over to the guard, " Watch the door! " Kicking his knee with a unsteady force there was a echo of breaking bone and then he gave a horrible scream, It sounded like a disturbed animal. With a grunt she was about to push his body down but the giant crumbled on it's own. Slowly she began to feel the searing pain empty out into her jaw as she rotated it, Making sure there wasn't to much damage.

Startling his body she took in a deep breath, It would be best to end the pain now. Unfortunately for him it was Annie doing such. Lifting her hand up to his neck, if the poison hadn't gotten to him first then the steel sure would. With one quick jab it was over, The first attacker was down.

[Ereck Darkshade]

Ereck looked at the redhead as she mentioned being right back. At first he wondered what she might be doing. A slight blush crept up to his cheeks as he guessed why she needed to alone time. He shook his head and took extra care to look down the other end of the street, grumbling a little to himself to drown out the sounds he might pick up. He let his eyes dart over the darkness around him. Nothing seemed to move and things seemed to be quiet. The employers were taking their time inside and Ereck started shifting from one foot to the other. The cold was always bad but when you had to stay in one place it was even worse. If only a fight happened now. That would warm him right up, get the blood flowing. But it was quiet out in the cold night. All the thieves and robbers were seemingly smarter than Ereck, having stayed at home in the warmth of their houses. Ereck grumbled a curse and turned his head, his eyes scanning the shadows on the rooftops. Nothing. Empty as before. It seemed to promise a quiet night and a lot of boredom. From the alley, he could hear some noises and did his best to grumble over them, not wanting to intrude on the woman as she took care of things. Only when she shouted from the alley towards him did he stop grumbling and pay attention to the sounds. He spun around and looked around, his hand flashing down to his belt and the scythe hanging on it. His left hand curled around the leather strips of the handle and he pulled the weapon free, ready to react. With his right hand he reached across to his left side and unhooked the chain that connected the weight to the end of the handle. With both hands grasping part of the weapon, Ereck felt safer already. "Is everything alright?" He shouted towards the alley, not wanting to leave his post. She had told him to watch the door which meant she was handling things over at her end. When the shadows remained still and nothing happened out front, Ereck relaxed somewhat. "What's happening? Talk to me!" He shouted again towards the alley next to the house. The door opened and one of the employers' head peeked out. "What is going on here?" Ereck gave him a quick look before he pushed him back inside. "Stay inside if you value your life." Yes, the employer was the boss but when it came to these things the employer paid him to tell him what to do, even if he didn't like it. The door closed and Ereck turned around again, looking down each side of the street and scanning the rooftops once more. The darkness remained dark and nothing happened on Ereck's end. No movement, no screaming, no charge of thugs and no silent arrows finding their way through his body. "There's nobody here." He told the darkness that was the beginning of the alley. The door opened again and the two employers stepped out, both speaking at the same time as they demanded to know what was going on. "I'm not sure. It seems my colleague ran into a minor annoyance. Just stay behind me until she comes back." Ereck hoped the redhead hadn't bitten the proverbial dust already.

[Annie Vatlina]

Annie was able to hear the other gaurd calling for her but something in her almost forgot how to speak, The urge to bark erupted in her throat but she refused to let it rise. The warm blood painted her hands and soon her cheeks as she attempted in wiping the sweat away from her face. It wasn't actually that she was cold or simply warn out it was another smaller sequence of a phase. Pushing off his body she felt light headed, dizzy. Not to mention the harrowing pain that stabbed her jaw with every movement. She could have collapsed by the time she got to the front of the house. Next to the door there was a small stump, Taking it for herself she sat down.

Annie's breath was light as she inhaled the bone chilling breeze. Letting it out she managed to get past the pain, " There was only one but he was unskilled. I'm sure there are more. " Placing her elbows on her knees she felt herself tense up and turned to the guard then the employers who were eagerly awaiting something more. " Stay away from the windows. If you hear anything get behind or whatever furniture you can find. " This was the only idea she had for now. Annie gave them a gold glare that sent them back into the house without question.

There was what sounded like coughing and furious spasms from the the alley next to the house. Of course the man was dead but what caused the nervous to reach was the poison, Triggering the nervous it usually had a after effect, Dead or alive. Annie would have offered the guard more but there was nothing to say. Cupping her face she could feel the blood, Crusting and drying on her pale face. With blue eyes watching the shadows it calmed her slightly but she knew there would be more. It was a possibility that she could push out the " attacks " for awhile until she got home and let it out. Normally she would be able to shift and feel the power of the animal, consume it's energy but that was out of the question out in the open air of Sunberth.

[Ereck Darkshade]

Ereck saw the redhead come from around the corner and sit down on the small stump near the door. At least she wasn't dead. It made his own task easier. He wondered what had happened back in the alley but he didn't ask about it. "Everything alright?" Ereck spoke quietly to the woman without looking at her. She was right, no man would attack alone a group of four people. His eyes scanned over the rooftops again and again to try and see the rest of the crew. But apart from the one attacker it seemed to Ereck that nobody else was on to them. The employers, grumbling, moved back inside and closed the door. Ereck stayed right in front of it, unmoving, eyes scanning the darkness. He felt tense, unnecessary tense as he looked around. He pulled himself into a more relaxed state as he let his hands drop down next to his body. Casually, he started coil the chain in his left hand and then hooked chain and scythe back on his belt, leaving his hands free. His left hand, however, never strained too far from the handle of the scythe. Time passed as the young man continued to scan the darkness. With enough time having passed, Ereck sighed and looked at the redhead. "I think we can move along. It doesn't seem like they will be attacking anymore." Ereck turned and knocked on the door and waited for it to open. "It's safe now, we can move ahead now." Ereck glanced towards the seated female guard and wondered if she was alright. If not, he would have to leave her behind. He had no intention of staying in one place, holed up like this, for the rest of the night. Their employers had a job to do and it was Ereck's job to make sure they finished it in one piece. "Stay in between us. She will head out first and make sure there's nothing in front. I will walk behind and keep anyone from coming up the rear. I suggest not talking." A little shaken and a little disgruntled by the somewhat disrespectful treatment they had gotten from both guards, the two employers made their way out. Ereck peeked in the house before they could close the door but he didn't see the third person they had been talking to. Once the redhead got up and going, their mini procession went off into the dark as Ereck had arranged it. The woman first, to keep the front protected, then the two men and lastly Ereck, keeping a constant eye on the rooftops and the side alleys. While he walked relaxed, his left hand held onto his weapon at all times, resting it on his belt but ready to draw it at the first sight of any attackers. Ereck really hoped they would decide against it and go home but he knew desperate people never did took the smart options in life. "We"re heading over to the Sunset Quarters first. I'll tell you where we need to go after that." One of the employers spoke to Ereck, a little too loud for Ereck's liking but nothing he could do about it. "Perhaps you'd also like to shout the address so that everyone knows where we're going?" Ereck spoke sarcastically to the man, who returned him a scowl. With a proper direction now, the four headed for the Sunset Quarters. It wasn't far away, about twenty chimes, but it would lead through some back alleys that would prove dangerous if any attackers still had it in their mind to get them.