Taste that blood in your mouth? (Antar)

by **Darian** on November 5th, 2011, 4:05 am

From the shadows Darian smiled, his hazel eyes flickering from the darkness to watch Anthony as he maneuvered backwards with the woman in hand. Quite the bold strategy and one he couldn't help but feel like he was working with good people by fighting with this one. Shadows where always favored by him, but he could appreciate a flamboyant display if the need called for it, and surely Antar bore little risk in the scenario since he suspected the men hadn't thought to bring a crossbow with them. They would have to fools totally unprepared, and that in Sunberth was everything.

His grip tightened on the hilt of his longsword, and carefully he edged slightly against the wall, pressing his body slowly against the wall as to make as little noise as possible while he let his night leather armor do the rest of the work of pulling the shadows around him. The slightest light would reflect off of his cold iron blade easily, but thankfully the suns rays where slanted in the sky, and it wasn't nearly dark enough for the torches to be lit in their sconces. The wise took a second look in the darkened alleys of Sunberth, but these men fresh with pride at being in their inconsequential gang probably thought it beneath them, like the whole of Sunberth was to bend to their beck and call, and the mightiest lords quivered beneath them. It was the usual feeling brought on by chasing the helpless after all.

As the men advanced closer to where he crouched, he made a effort to breath slower and much quieter, taking deep breaths instead of short quick ones that made too much noise. His free hand rested against the wall of the building he rested against, ready to push off in a moments notice to help him gain some distance in a lunge should he need to take it. A quick glance at Anthony brought relief to him as the man acted very well, especially in keeping his eyes well removed from Darian's form. Professional through and through, didn't see that too much in Sunberth where any hooligan that could weld a blade named themselves a 'experienced' guard. His heart beat a steady rhythm in his chest as their scuffling shoes echoed dully off the surrounding buildings. He could hear their heavy breathing, their slurred words, the awkward steps they took when they advanced just past him, eyes focused entirely on Anthony.

This close to them he could tell they reeked of cheap ale and sweat, their disgusting stench fouling the air with every breath they exhaled. A whisper of steel almost covered in the foolish laughter brought their blades exposed. The challenge had been excepted, there would be no mercy. There was a scratch of boot on cobble stone as he kicked off, rolling on the bottom of his feet as he pushed off with his left hand, the added momentum quickening his strides. Just a couple long strides put him right behind the guy closet to him, the man only just turning around after hearing the repetitive thump on the stone ground. Darian's sword met the man's face, viciously cutting downwards from left to right, gashing the man across his face and sending him backwards in a splash of blood, his shrieks echoing loud in the alley as he fell hard to the ground. His friend none to happy was more prepared, his sword in the appropriate guard position while the remanning comrade advanced slowly towards Anthony, both seemingly easily covering each others backs and that of their fallen companion, though the maneuver was a bit sloppy. Still impressive for simple thugs, and with just a brief glance at Anthony, he hoped the fellow mercenary would be helping him with this fight. After all he didn't want to have all the fun.

by **Antar** on November 5th, 2011, 4:49 am

"Now, now, is that any way to treat a man who's letting you get some action for a few little mizas?"

As soon as he saw Darian tensing for his strike, Antar readied himself, but still kept the lackadaisical smile of a man trying to make some extra coin off an unfortunate woman. A man now trying to talk himself out of trouble with his words and cheerful demeanor. It was all an act though, the instant Darian's sword struck the first one he was already in motion, his left hand translating to the woman's shoulder to push her aside into the alley wall as he rushed the one turning towards him.

A downward blow from the man's blade was was warded off to the side by a raised gauntlet, the teeth of the foreplate catching and turning it to the side as a thrust of the gladius took the man in the chest, piercing through the leather chest armor the thug wore as Antar's momentum brought him close enough to smell the pallid odor of the man's dying breath as he twisted and pulled the blade sideways to carve into the heart. He wasn't going for niceities here, there was no point playing around when it was when there was still one left. He just wanted one more dead, and hitting the ground.

As the man died, a last gasp of blood flecked breath flicked over his shoulder at the woman, seeding her with a few droplets of the bloody vapor before Noth pushed the corpse off his blade with his shoulder and turned to the one heading closer to Darian, ready to step in if the man had any need for assistance.

by **Darian** on November 5th, 2011, 5:08 am

The man lunged for Darian, the short sword whistling through the air only to be met with his longsword, and with a simple twist of his wrist, he slung the blade out wide buying him enough time to gather his sword into striking position, and put him closer to the man squirming on the ground with his face torn open. More than anything he needed to make sure that he was prepared in case that man did get up especially since he wasn't sure if Anthony had handled his guy yet, and with a growl, Darian took another stride forward, stealing the offensive with a horizontal slash of his sword. The man no novice to swordplay picked off his attack easily, but angling his blade downwards he managed to slip under the slash, and pitching his shoulder around he made a full spin. As he came around his arm cocked back, lessing the reach of his formidable longsword but when the man's parry met nothing but air, a cruel smile came to Darian's face as he saw the shock spread across the man's face.

In the bat of eye his blade plunged forward, piercing the leather armor that covered the tender flesh of his midsection, and erupting out the other side, sword tip gleaming bright red. The shortsword dropped from the man's hand with a sharp clatter on the stones, and blood flowered across his midsection soon after as the man simply stared unbelievingly at Darian. Still holding the quivering longsword in place, Darian leaned forward to push the sword deeper until the crosspiece of his sword pressed tight against the man's leather armor. Never did Darian's cold, hazel eyes leave the dying man's, and as the life fled the thugs eyes, Darian's hand slowly inched up, closing the man's eyes before he promptly planted a booted foot against the a hip, and kicked lifeless body off the end of his sword.

Behind him the man lay silenced, but whether it was by Anthony's hand or his wound Darian did not know, and only could shrug at Antar as he looked at the woman collapsed against the side of the alley's wall. "Good use of the human shield, though I had hoped to kill the first one outright" Darian rumbled, his eyes flickering from Anthony to the woman as if he was puzzling over something. Letting his eyes rest on the thug's body he'd carved the face of, Darian sighed, and slowly wiped his blade on the man's yellow clothing, making sure to get it completely clean before he replaced it in it's scabbard.

by **Antar** on November 5th, 2011, 5:39 am

Noth shrugged as a reply to Darian's words, "Thanks I guess, but it's just business as usual in Sunberth. Besides, it wasn't as much fun as I thought it could be. More like a warmp up reall-" His words were interrupted by the crying of the woman near the wall as she stumbled back to consciousness. He may have pushed her too hard. 'No matter, she'd live to get up and walk away so long as she didn't do anything to make him angry, like attempt to steal from him or something.

With that thought in mind he did a quick check of his inventory, the bloody sword in his hand, which he promptly wiped clean and then noted he still had his kukri, his armor and guantlets seemed unpierced as he knelt down beside the man he had killed and he started to sift through the corpse's pockets to find a small moneypouch, which he quickly secreted away before stripping the man of his armor. He continued in a blithe manner after putting the woman out of his mind. "Good work killing two of them. Don't mind the little mayhaps with the first kill. I tend to do that, but this seemed... better telling of who I was with. Truth be told, the human shield was the second option. I could have just feathered all three of them at range if I wanted to with my bow but that would have given rise to the chance of at least one escaping. All in all, good to be working with another experienced hand. I'd suggest taking what you can for now and then us go somewhere else for a bit more fun."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the staggered woman begin to crawl towards them both before reaching one shaking arm up to grasp about the hem of Darian's cloak. Slowly her voice croaked a little as she plead out a few words, "Please, don't go. I - I need your help. My sister... they have my sister. I'll do anything you want, give you anything you want but please... please help me."

Arching an eyebrow at the woman's words Noth fell silent as a small smile came to his lips and he looked towards Darian appraisingly as he finished picking up the dead canary's sword , dagger to tuck it into his belt. The armor he tied up into a bundle and threw over his shoulder as he straightened up with a smirk... There was a slight sarcastic note in his voice as he spoke next. "Well I guess it's up to you with what you want us to do. I did just get more armor to make a few more training dummies later, but I wouldn't mind tagging along to gain some extra padding. Would be nice for once to make something with better materials before I chop it apart in practice."

Antar waved the packaged armor lightly to prove his point before swinging it around to look disappointed that he had so little materials so far.

by **Darian** on November 18th, 2011, 4:59 pm

"Aye, there dead now and thats good enough for me. Collect the armor and mizas from my kill as you wish but find something interesting I would have a look at it." Darian groused, sidestepping the body that leaked copious amounts of lifeblood across the cobblestones. His corpse deserved to rot in the hot sun, to cook on the stones absent of all the ill gained treasures he collected in life. Sunberth was no place for fools, and this man's death would hopefully be testament to that for those wise enough to head the warning. He grimaced in irritation at the pathetic continued wailing of the woman, his patience quick on the wane for those that hadn't the strength to protect themselves, and even less so for a woman. Darian was almost tempted to draw his blade and cut her down right then and there but Anthony's voice rang through the weeping, and his eye's where quick to turn to the sell sword.

His lips parted to speak when something tugged at the hem of his shadowsilk cloak, and pitiful words reached up to his ears. Even covered up as he was, his companion could see the ire that rose to surface in his reflective hazel eyes, and underneath his gloves his knuckles turned bone white as he clenched his fist, and resisted bludgeoning the woman into unconsciousness. Mention of other fools likely running about mucking things up was all that drew his attention and stayed his hands for Anthony's words proved not to be the voice of reason this time around. Darian's eyes cut sharply down to the woman and a deep exhale rattled through the still air.

"Very well, lead the way harlot" He growled, reaching down to grip a fistful of her hair and promptly pulling her up to her feet and tossing her out in front of him. There was much more killing still to be done this day.

by **Antar** on November 24th, 2011, 9:12 am

Noth laughed aloud at Darian's response to the female victim of the small gang's depredations. Sure, he wouldn't have come out and called her a harlot, at a closer look her clothes seemed more of a merchant's daughter then one of Brega's whores.

The female soon began leading them towards the nearest rows of houses by the Castle Commons, a place notorious for being just on the outskirts of Stumble Alley, yet filled with shops on one side. Just to the north she pointed at a small, but passable two story house. The injured woman whispered, "They're in there, they killed my father too! I was trying to get to the Rotting Mansion where my older sister works as a maid to get some help. At least the daggerhands don't predate off the families of those that work for their boss. But my younger sister is still inside! You have to help!"

Noth glowered a little as his eyes became slightly slanted. As a member of the Crimson Edge he had no love of the Daggerhands, but he had no wish to antagonize relations further. If he could, one day he'd like to meet with Robern to discuss a truth. He just wished fervently that Darian might heed the woman's words and put two and two together. But if he didn't, then that was fine as well. No one left alive, meant no witnesses after all.

Hearing some commotion from inside as a chair was thrown out a window, Antar's hand went up to pull his gladius from his sheathe before he snuck up to the door. Taking a brief moment to peek inside he turned to Darian and raised two fingers to indicate that he saw two left inside. The screams of a young girl pierced the air, as the sighs of men heaving their bodies as they forced themselves upon their captive could be heard.

Tightening his grip on his sword's hilt, he signalled with a brief nod to show he was ready as they prepared to breach the structure...

by **Darian** on November 25th, 2011, 2:45 am

He traveled silently, always keeping one eye on the woman, and one eye on Anthony while he let his other senses tell him of any danger unseen. Sometimes, the true danger lurked not in the shadows, but right there in front of you. Darian held no love towards Anthony, and certainly not the woman and it wasn't hard to guess that the feeling was mutual. Their business was a hard life, and fraught with danger but it was the way of things in Sunberth. You either defend yourself and kill first or find yourself face down in the gutter with dira's smile on your neck.

His heart hammered in his chest as it seemed they had begun to close in on their destination, the woman's to loud spoken words and stupidly pointed finger revealing a small ramshackle thing of a two story house. His knuckles clenched white as he gripped the hilt of his longsword tight and started for the house practically dragging the girl along with his free hand. She spoke of a uneasy relationships with another set of possible residents in Sunberth but he hadn't run across their name much before this. Darian didn't much care either if they where a minor gang or some big syndicate that he had been oblivious to thus far, he would treat the woman as he wished regardless of her ties. How that sat with Anthony he would have to keep an eye out for.

He dumped the girl on the cobble stones before walking up the slight porch to the front door keeping low and happy for it when a chair sailed out of the window to splinter into pieces on the cobblestones behind him. Darian's eyes kept out for Anthony as he wisely looked in the window, and taking up a place on the opposite side of the door he gave a short nod to the mercenary before turning his attention to the door. Mentally he played a little game in his head, holding up a number of items before slowly making each one disappear. He hadn't had a formal teaching in mathematics or even be taught the name for it, but had he the vocabulary he'd call what he was doing counting.

The last object disappeared and the world seemed to spin in slow motion, at least to his racing mind as he abruptly stood up and shouldered through the door, twisting the latch with his free hand as his other drew his longsword to it's length. It's tip knocked against the head of the door frame, but all was and lost the element of surprise because of it but at least they had to disentangle themselves from the poor woman before they could get at him.

Bringing his longsword to his side, his slashed out at the man stumbling up, cutting a bloody line on his forearm and sending him reeling into the back wall. He could feel a swish of wind beside him and prayed to some unknown goddess that it was Anthony as he completed his chase of the man by flipping the table over to crack into the wooden floor. Promptly he pushed against the bottom of the table and sent it into the man fumbling with bloody hands to grab his scimitar, and smiled cruelly when it met his outreaching arm with a crunch. He kept his corner eye open for the man alongside him but Antar was handling him well and for that he was glad as he stepped over the prone woman and slashed at the man now trying to cower behind the over turned table nursing his arm while palming a dagger. Up like a viper the man came, and Darian was hard pressed to pull his sword up to deflect the thrust and winced as he felt it slice through his gloves and split the flesh of his hand.

Just as quick though his leg came up, kicking the man's knee out to the side to weaken his widespread stance and down came his blade to slice into the flesh and bone of his shoulder impeding itself for but a moment. The man dropped the dagger and in his madness grasped the blade causing him so much pain and off came his fingers when with a flick of the blade he drew the sword back to him and came back in the man's reach with a thrust to the midsection, running him through till nearly half the blade has went through his ample belly. A cruel smile came to his features as he stepped in close to the dying man, and cast a glance over at Anthony and his finished opponent.

With a heavy hand he pressed the man's shoulder against the wall and slowly drew his longsword out of the man, sinking him to his knees as his life blood spurted from the mortal wound on his abdomen, and Darian let him sink to his knees and futilely try to stop the blood coursing out of him. A slow death was more than he deserved and after cuffing the man on the side of the head to send him to the ground he wiped his blade on the near dead man's breeches which were still down around his ankles, before he turned to face both women and Anthony.

"Well that was interesting" Darian said to Anthony before turning his gaze to the women weeping and muttering together in each others arms most likely about some nonsense about loving each other and apologies for leaving the other behind. He had no qualms about interrupting such a tearful reunion. "Now, you two, I'd know of the Daggerhands so stop your blubbering and turn your tongues to words that may be of use to me" He said calmly his hazel eyes watching the women while he twirled his longsword idly in his hands.

by **Antar** on November 25th, 2011, 12:51 pm

As Darian breached the structure, Antar entered just a step behind him, angling towards a thug coming down the stairs who had decided it was better to go looting then stick around with the rest. Several knicknacks of cutlery and silverware fell to the floor as the man drew his shortsword to prepare for the assault. The assassin in him hated to lose the element of surprise, but nothing ever said things had to go as planned. Especially when working with others. But his first strike with the blade of pointed at the enemy's chest was deflected by a frenzied parry of the thug's own weapon.

The thug's feet hopped backwards, farther up the stairs to give him the proverbial high ground as the two began to exchange a flurry of blows. Twisting his grip on his gladius he brought the sword down in an overhead slash and when it was met by his opponent Antar pushed forwards to lock swords and to use his armored weight to bear down on the man. Pinning him to the stairwell as the two pushed against each other as they vied for the upper hand. The rogue twisted his body to prevent the thug from planting a foot in his stomach , and brought the encounter to a swift end by a quick triggering of the stilleto in his left guantlet.

A sliding cut was all it took to grace the thug's throat with a bloody second smile before he returned the blade to its recessed cavity. He took care to clean his blade and take the man's shortsword, and by the time Antar had heard the sounds of Darian finishing with his own opponent, the rogue's return to the foyer was just in time to hear Darian's words to the merchant's daughters.

"Interesting Indeed."At Darian's words to the two women, Antar snorted mirthfully as a sly smile graced his lips. "He's right you know, we're not the types to simply let a good bit of fun go to waste. However, since the fun is over we now have to figure out an agreement to make it worth our while. So what do you two ladies suggest?"

The older merchant's daughter looked at them in surprise, as if realizing by now the two mercenaries were unaffiliated with any group (at least as far as their knowledge went) and quite in a sordid set of moods. The woman teared up in a hysterical fit, looking at Darian fretfully. "I-I have money to pay you for your services, there's a locked chest in papa's office they were yelling for, but... but I don't want to go in there because- because... that's where they killed him!"

"Oooh, money is always welcome. Just point the direction it's in." The girl pointed towards another room of the merchant's house, and Antar jauntily walked a pace or two in that direction. He hummed as he went, smiling a little towards Darian as he vanished from sight, only to come back a few moments later with a small silver candelabra and a chest which was locked. He threw it on the table before taking out his lockpicks, and in a few moments of recognizing the tumbler type he had gotten it open.

For a moment his eyebrow arched as the chest seemed full of bills save for a single jingling pouch. Checking the contents he found forty gold mizas inside. "Well... looks like twenty gold mizas a piece if we split it, but I think I'll leave the candelabra to you as well. Consider it a bonus for future endeavors. But other then this I don't think there's much else to be gained here... unless you want to take a woman or two for yourself "C". They'd be quite profitable on the slave block, even if I think I'll pass this time. While you decide such things, I think I'll wait outside.You know, we really should work together again, this day was rather fun. "

He didn't really care what happened next to the frightened women, he was of half the mind to go back to camp to make a training dummy from the armor scraps he had purloined this day. If Darian wished to join him there, then he'd make an offer to him when "Craeven'' exited the house. Taking twenty gold rimmed mizas from the bag, the white haired rogue smiled and waggled his fingers in goodbye to the two ladies who were soon to be left alone with the other mercenary, for good or ill...

by **Darian** on November 25th, 2011, 3:12 pm

Darian spat on the ground in disgust before moving over to the pried open chest and looking through it's contents. Grabbing the small bag with miza's in it he dumped the minor treasure into his coin purse before in turn grabbing a handful of the bills and stuffing them into his bag. With the rest of the bills inside he put the silver candelabra in there with it before slinging the pack over his shoulder and securing it. The gold he received and the money he'd make from the silver would be useful for sure and so could the bills be for tracking down the makers of said documents. It was good to know people, and better yet to know those with the miza's and power to exert such influence over a families coffers. Yes, he'd find the men on these documents and depending on how they conducted themselves would influence how long lived their usefulness would be.

Slowly he turned around to face the women still huddled on the ground, and casually he flexed his injured right hand, blood dripping from his fingers to dot the wooden floor.

"Now alls well I suppose since we've got some gold to keep our bellies filled.." He trailed off casually picking up his longsword before slowly pacing around the room. ".. but I can't help but to think you forgot something, something I asked perhaps?" By now his footsteps found him directly behind the women and clenching his injured hand tight to brace for the coming pain he swung the sword up to rest on his shoulder as his hazel eyes centered on the women before him, looking back at him and begging for their lives to be spared and muttering some nonsense about them not remembering the question asked. "I'm mistaken then?" His eyebrow drew up as he pretended to question himself, and slowly descended the sword from his shoulder. The women seemed to visibly relax at that which brought a smile to his lips. "Oh thats right, you gave me no words about the 'Daggerhands'" He growled as his blade slashed across, him using the momentum of it's slow fall to make it faster and best use the element of surprise. The first woman fell back clutching her torn open throat to writhe on the ground in her final death throes. Her sister fell over her in a instant, her hand pressing futilely to stop the increasing bloodless. Her following scream filled the house for but the moment he took to bring back his blade and thrust it forward, sliding through her back to pierce her lung and still the air from her voice.

He pulled his sword slowly out and watched for a moment as the woman tried to crawl away from him, and with heavy footsteps he walked after her, stopping beside her gasping sister to slam the hill of his boot down on her face, crunching bone with the heavy stomp and finally brining her peace. The woman looked back at that, and let out another hoarse scream before trying to crawl away faster, but not fast enough. Darian soon was behind her, and cutting through the air silently his sword came down to bit into her calf and bring another small breathless yelp from her that quickly turned to a quiet gurgling as blood filled her mouth. Now he found himself standing right over her, and as she turned around to lay her accusing eyes on him, and let out one last breathless scream, he thrust his sword down, the tip sliding between her ribs to get at the heart underneath and finally silence her movements after a few lingering shudders.

Very shortly after he was outside with his blade wiped clean on the woman's clothing and back to being belted across his hips. His eyes laid upon Anthony to his surprise, but none the less he approached the fellow mercenary with a calmness about him. "Indeed, another job together sometime would be fun. In the mean time, what would you say to teaching me a bit about that handy lock picking you did in there, and maybe give me a live body to practice on. My blade work could always need a touch up."

by **Antar** on November 25th, 2011, 6:16 pm

"Hmm... I know someone who might be better to teach you about tumblers, I only know what I learned at a locksmith's workbench by trial and error. However, I'm quite sure I can make us both something to practice on as well if you wish to take a break from sparring." The rogue replied a moment with a chuckle. He appreciated a mercenary unafraid to deliver anyone to Dira's embrace. A part of him reveled in the silence heard after the two women screamed... but that was the way of things, for now the entire family was at peace. Father and daughters both joined in the afterlife.

It was almost a cozy image to his mind. Yes, it was far better to take whole families, that way there was no pain or suffering left behind.

Clapping Darian on the shoulder the rogue turned as the pair of them walked away towards and across the river and back towards the slums with his hard won materials for crafting, not to mention the extra shortsword and what he had taken from the initial bodies. [color="Ah Craeven, I think this will be the beginning of a long and beautiful, if bloody, friendship, don't you? I have no love of Daggerhands either you see..."[/color]

As the two ventured farther from the grisly scene their conversation may cover a large set of events around the 'Berth. Some things purely trivial, about how people could buy flasks of honey at the Simpering Seacow, to the rare treats to know of the merchants stocks. But soon, again they're talking came back to swordsmanship, and an interesting exchange or parries and blows... laughing all the while.

~Fin (to be continued

)

Darian's request :

Antar's skill request :