[Quest] It's a (Dangerous) Kind of Magic

[Paragon]

Aello Aello struck in valour. No sooner had her arrow met its target, she swept forward, lunging towards the man. Her instincts were true, agile even, but they were not quick enough to stop a fallen drop of blood. Alas. Her actions were too late. He shook in her arms, blood gushing from the wound. As she snarled, interrogating him with her words, he looked up at her and frowned. "I.... I don't know why..." Aello would turn just in time as the splitting cacophony of squawks filled the air. From the circle came Shoyden's finest. Glassbeaks, and not just one. There were five of them, and she would have to act fast to avoid dying here and now. The Huntress was a skilled one, with bow, with dagger, with tongue and mind. But this was a situation quickly getting out of control. As mercy would have it, four of the glassbeaks rushed off down the street, crying, searching. They did not come for their summoner. But one turned to her. With obsidian, glassy eyes, it stared straight at her. "What... what did I do?" Rebus croaked, patting his knee where the blood flow was beginning to slow. It was a wound alright, but not the deepest, and nor the most dangerous anyone would ever suffer. The glassbeak seemed to make distance, before running towards them. And it was headed straight for Aello.

[Canrehne]

OOCPermission to join has been granted by Paragon.

Prowling through the streets of Zeltiva, Canrehne could hear the glassbeaks squawking. The multiple squawks that were heard simultaneously was a sign enough to run. But, no. Canrehne's curiosity was stronger than her fear. She has decided to investigate the source of the squawking. Quietly walking through the streets, with dagger in her hand, she knew something was up. Being a peculiar individual, she was always up for something dangerous. Not something that's as fast as a Glassbeak is, but certainly something like climbing a building or such. Looking around, she saw a ladder leaned against a wall of a house, whose rooftop was quite damaged. She slowly ascended using the ladders, making her way onto the rooftops. She moved to the edge of the rooftop, putting her hands up a little before hopping onto the other rooftop. Now speeding up, hastily making her way over the mostly damaged rooftops, she was looking over at the streets. And as she was looking down at the streets, she spotted Aello and the Glassbeak just charging at her. "Hey, move!" Canrehne shouted at Aello, as a warning to get away from the Glassbeak. "Climb up somewhere, fast!" she said, knowing that the Glassbeaks are unable to climb like humans or other races alike. She needed at least one dead Glassbeak for her Malediction practices. Beak charms would probably sell for a lot, and she could make quite a fortune from them. Though, she needed the girl alive and the glassbeak dead for such things. She gently threw her dagger down, for Aello to use if necessary. "Make use of that!" Canrehne shouted, hoping for her to take out the Glassbeak.

[Aello]

"You idiot," Aello hissed. "You mean you don't remember?" she asked, as the birds flew into her auristic field of vision. She could see four running off through the streets, another drawing near, as the girl with the magical smatterings came onto the crumbling roofs, and tossed her a measly dagger for protection. "You brought a flock of crazies into this world," she whispered, as she shoved him out of the way and turned to face the oncoming glassbeak. "Can't you see these girl?" Aello hollered, as her grip tightened around the hilts of her daggers, and her body swayed to the left side. She leaned into her shoulder pulling her head back as her right leg shot forward. She curled her foot, forming a crescent that shot across the ground. Displacing clouds of dust as it neared the dagger Canrehne had tossed. Finally, her toes rammed forcefully against the dark hilt, sending the weapon a few inches into the air. Twirling wildly, golden light refracting off the soft glow of silver metal as it hissed. As it swung towards the charging monster. Swiftly, Aello retracted her foot, and stepped back as she straightened herself out all the more. The dagger had just grazed the bottom of the monster's leg, close to where the ankle would be on a human. But, it didn't seem to do much. Shred a droplet of blood perhaps, if even that. Frustrated, as the weapon circled the rubble, the girl drew back as the monster turned. She raised her arms a little, bending them at the elbows, bringing the daggers forth. Their ends rested against her elbows. Smiling wickedly, Aello eased herself into a crouch as the bird came for her. Ducking a little as it ran closer, she stepped to the right side, bringing her left arm underneath, before sweeping it back up into its flesh. As soon as she had made contact, she'd pull back, twirling her body, in effect, bringing both arms around in a whirling dervish, in the hopes that she could strike again before the creature got far.

[Faylon Kwanda]

[Looking back over his shoulder as he heard Idues call reach his ears Faylon would pause just long enough for the man to catch up with him before continuing towards the docks. Smiling thinly he was actually quite pleased Idue had found him as he felt a certain kinship with the man which he didn’t relate to any of the others that he’d seen. It was always good to have another skilled hand at your back as well. Shaking his head once Faylon didn’t know exactly how to respond to the question concerning the dagger that he had been stabbed with but eventually he would state quite clearly...”Not even a scratch.”...there was a moment of silence before he went on by adding...”You could say that I was touched by the divine.”...but something about how he said it almost begged to ask if Faylon wasn’t questioning why this had happened seeing as how he was hardly a pious man.] [Walking down the streets towards the docks would give Idue and Faylon plenty of time to converse as well as let the others who wished to join them catch up. These Mages weren’t exactly new to Faylon, he knew a thing or two about magic himself which was something he hadn’t revealed to anyone yet, the problem would be picking them out before they were discovered on the hunt. Glancing back towards Idue as the duo moved Faylon would examine the antlered helm he wore as well as the rest...”You’re going to want to take that off when we reach the docks.”...he meant the helm and hoped Idue wouldn’t take offense which is why he went on to explain further...”I like it Idue but you stick out like a sore thumb.”...there was a bit of a laugh that followed seeing as how the antlers did make Idue look somewhat intimidating but also meant that anyone looking for him could see him coming from a mile away. Not the best thing when dealing with a Mage.] [Nai’shee and Anselm seemed to be following as well. Peripheral vision helped to identify them from the corner of the eye when Faylon turned his head but he said nothing at first. He however did slow his pace to make it easier for them to catch up. While he did this he would tell Idue...”When we reach the docks finding suspicious persons should be somewhat easy the difficult part will be what to do when we find them.”...by the time he finished it should have given the others enough time to come closer and the sounds of the docks were growing as well which meant they were getting closer. Faylon had not rushed into all of this though. He had a plan from the beginning. When the others were finally near he would stop and say...”The worst thing we can do when we find the Mage is stay together. All together we’re an easy target.”...obvious but Faylon went on anyways...”We have only two differentials amongst us. Those who can take the Mage down and those who can’t.”...it seemed simple but it wasn’t. Waiting for any reactions Faylon would then lay it all out...”Idue and I are likely the most skilled combatants here. Either one of us will be able to handle the Mage if we can get close enough. Getting close is the issue. Nai’shee and Anselm I don’t doubt your abilities but unless you’re sure that you can drop the Mage and quickly it’ll be your job to distract him.”...it definitely wasn’t as detailed as the plan that Leigo had come up with but over complicating things was often the biggest flaw in combat. Without waiting to hear what the others had to say Faylon had also begun to move again, they could talk on the way, he was more of a doer than a thinker anyways.] [Footsteps carried Faylon towards the docks and he was upon their outskirts in a minimal amount of time, Idue still by his side assumedly, where he looked out across the docks themselves and over the ships anchored there as well as the numerous sailors that roamed this place. Maybe now Idue would see that the horned helm made him easy to pick out. Not a sailor was wearing anything like it. Nodding his head once Faylon would look to see how much of the group was still with him and them without hesitating he would move out onto the dock and head into the direction of several sailors. They were just sailors. Three of them. Nothing out of the ordinary.] [When he was within earshot Faylon greeted them with a wave of the hand and got their attention by saying...”Good tidings Friends.”...which was returned, he was a somewhat familiar face on the docks after all, and within moments he had struck up a brief conversation with all of them. Most of what was said was fairly commonplace such as...”That Storm was amazing. Laviku be praised it didn’t destroy all of Zeltiva.”...and other such things. Once the pleasantries were exchanged Faylon would start in with the real question though...”Notice anyone out of place on the docks today? Someone who doesn’t belong and just rubs you the wrong way? Maybe a fellow with wild eyes who wants to book passage on a ship?”...and then he’d wait as the sailors thought.]

[Nai'shee]

She was able to catch up with Faylon and Idue somewhat before they reached the docks along with Anselm and the wolf. She would be able to use Flux and reach them earlier, but she didn't want to spend energy, because she knew they'll wait for her at some point and she didn't want to leave wolf Klevic behind. After they caught up with them they stopped and Faylon shared his plan with them. It sounded more reasonable to her than Leigo's, even though Leigo's was probably more reasonable. Most likely because this plan actually laid in action instead of waiting and looking around. And this time they had two mans to attack the mage, which will guarantee success, except in case this one is the best material arts user Zeltiva had seen in last century. She nodded to his plan and added that she's sure she could do it. She split up with them to turn to one street before they reached the docks, so she could be able to come from different direction. She was excited about the hunt, even nor she knew she should stay calm and try not to stand out. By the time she was on the docks her expression was back to usual and she was walking normally, spotting Faylon who was talking to some sailors not so far from her. She pretended not to see him while her eyes vividly searched for something unusual. It was what she has done, anyways, searching for the target. She was sure she was less obvious than usually, finding her cover in pretending to be a bit scared because of the storm, so random sights she exchanged didn't seem dangerous. After a while she spotted a fisherman she helped out sometimes with packing up the fish for sale and decided to talk to him. He should know something, after all, while sitting there and waiting he doesn't have better job than looking around at the events on the docks. He was a bit surprised when she approached and he told her that they can talk if she is quiet. Fish was already far from there ever since those things appeared. She quickly exchanged few words before asking him if he had seen some unusual man trying to sail from there.

[Leigo]

Leigo’s feet were cramping a bit as he used his toes to pounce of the ground like a crazed man. He was not used to this, none of it. There would have to be another way, a smarter way. And then it hit him, if he could just climb up on the rooftops, he would have incredible advantage over his enemies. Yes, like a hawk he would stalk his prey. Just one problem, he never really climbed anything in his life. How hard could it be though? While he wasn’t able to boast with his strength of body, he wasn’t that weak either. At first, he tried to spot an easy access to the roof. A chance came when he could see an open window that could easily lead him up onto a rather small and rundown building. Gods knew it could probably collapse under his weight should he ever reach the top. Placing his left foot onto the windowsill, he made that a loose footing for what he wanted to do next. When his confidence had finally caught up, Leigo pushed himself off the sill and tried to make it for the top that mocked him from above. He got his hands over it easily. What happened next however discouraged him completely. As soon as he tried to pull the rest of him up, his forearms started cramping, unused to such weight. He just couldn’t do it. As he fell, one thought crossed his mind; just one. Mind wasn’t everything… However, his almost depleted motivation got a sudden boost when a mysterious screech announced itself. Getting his head off the ground, he remained lying down. The owner of this beautiful resonance wasn’t so carefree. Silly thing was either charging downs the street or it was actually heading for a victim, for him. Not staying long enough to check it out, Leigo tried to climb again. Fear being a powerful motivator, he got his arms halfway over the top when the weight started to become a reality again. The creature was close. Its beak heading for his foot, Leigo almost soiled himself at the sight of a killer. Almost on its own, his boy automatically pushed him up and started running around the roof in panic. Small crackling of the roof tiles exclaimed a warning; he needed to jump to another one and quickly. This didn’t stop the beast, he needed a way out and quickly. None was visible however, so he settled for the next best thing; escape. Jumping on a nearby roof, he could feel the adrenaline pumping through his body as his other leg didn’t quite reach the next rooftop. The bird kept jumping below him, ready to tear off his foot should he allow it. Trying to get rid of the damn thing, Leigo started tossing tiles from where he was standing down onto the beast, hoping to land a hit or two. Either he had no such luck or the beast was persistent. It hardly mattered anyway, by that point his shortcut no longer made sense because everyone was already there… unless they were idiots. Somehow in his current situation Leigo couldn’t look down on anyone, other than the strange enemy beneath his feet. Since he wasn’t sure if the creature was tracking him by scent or did it see him or was there another way its senses would work, Leigo stripped his cloak and threw it into the neighboring alley. Hopefully such a thing would work. However, he had no intention of getting down from the roofs for the moment. Maybe he could even get close to the docks like that?

[Anselm]

Faylon had engaged three dock workers in a conversation. Nai'shee had assumed a flanking position and struck up a conversation with a fisherman. Idue was standing out in the open by himself dressed in full battle regalia, perhaps inadvertently assuming the distractor role. Anselm didn't find any of those strategies attractive. The old Nuit certainly didn't want to get directly involved in a fight with a mage. He was happy to let the youngsters take point. Nuits are nothing if not cautious. He moved to the opposite flank from Nai'shee's and located himself near a stack of crates, which he figured would provide cover if needed. Then he heard a sound that would have sent a chill down his back had he been alive. It was a sound he had not heard for a very long time. It was the hunting call of a glassbeak. What is a glassbeak doing in Zeltiva? He wondered. Then he realized what must have happened. I think we found ourselves a summoner. And he has conjured up some glassbeaks. Somehow “I told you so” seemed woefully inadequate. So instead he shouted, "Glassbeaks!"

[Paragon]

At the Docks As the group divided to ask questions and try and find out more, they would hear the cries of the Glassbeak's pulled to Mizahar from Shoyden. Though five had emerged, one had taken on Aello, and so four of the bloodthirsty birds rushed through the city. People hid inside, children crying and screaming, men warning that the storm had only been the beginning. But the Glassbeak's did not emerge at the docks. For a moment, perhaps, the group of bounty hunters would feel a little relief. But it was to be short lived. The first they noticed was the gruff shout of a sailor. And when they turned, they would find the reimancer, channeling two balls of fire in his hands. An easily missable figure beforehand, now his eyes were glazed over, as if all the sanity in his body had been pulled away. The sailor began to back away from him. He looked around panicked, realisation sweeping over him. This stretch of docks was old, and though some of it was undamaged from the storm, it was wooden. Wood and fire, and the kiss of death...

[Nai'shee]

She couldn't wait until she heard the answer because not one, but two of wizards appeared. Glassbeaks were noticeable and whole city panicked because of their appearance, while the other wizard was Reimancer. When Nai'shee saw two fire balls in his hands and gone crazy. It haven't took her a moment to realize what was the intention. "Damn", she murmured. She won't let him do anything to The Docks or boats of those poor sailors. Djed in her got crazy, almost uncontrolled, rapidly flowing trough her body. She couldn't remember using Flux at this power ever before. She wasn't really aware what was she doing and where is she channeling it, she just knew she had to stop this wizard before he makes a perpetual damage on Zeltiva and on sailor's lifes. In a blink of an eye she was before him, punching him in face before Faylon even had time to react. She knew she was breaking the deal, that she should have been just a bait, but she didn't care. She is able to run away anytime even like this. She caught his hands, to make sure they won't touch wooden dock ground when he falls. She felt his bones weak under her hands forced by Flux, but before they broke she felt miserable pain in her hands, all the way to her elbows. She felt as something was rapidly eating her skin and flash, something hot, a fire itself. She screamed as she let go of him and jumped over him. Her skin was burned down and she saw only black and red strokes when she looked at them, as her head started to feel dizzy. She wasn't sure if she was bleeding, probably, because she couldn't see a piece of skin on her hands bellow the elbows. She used her last strength to kick the Reimancer in head once more before he stood up and she succeed to say "Faylon, now!", before she fell down. She wasn't even sure if she was yelling or whispering. She didn't collapse, probably because she still felt Djed powerfully going trough her whole body, but it will eventually go to waste and she will collapse. As she hoped, Reimancer concentrated on her for first moment, which was a chance for Faylon to strike from behind. She was ready to be completely burnt down or something, she didn't believe she could feel lot worse then she currently felt, but as Reimancer stood up trowing flames at her she felt her Djed just exploding from her body and she only saw a blue-white flash when the fire got closer. Later she will be told that he barely left few sparks, so that was the reason she was able to protect herself. But how? Was that a shield? She didn't know because moment later she was unconscious, because she lost almost all of her Djed. Damn. She did it again.

[Idue]

It was a nice gesture of Faylon to slow down for Idue to catch up; the Benshira was never much of a runner, and chasing after this man wasn't something he desired before the hunt. As he drew up beside Faylon, Idue was glad to see Faylon reacted to him without any awkward emotion. The question was an odd one, especially for someone who nearly died because of the wound. So why would he even bother to ask about it? But he had, and he answered without a moment's pause. Not even a scratch, and healed as if a goddess healed it himself. Idue nearly nodded, not needing to address this. Idue was there, on that fateful night. He had witnessed the light that enveloped Faylon. He witnessed Faylon stand by himself, with his wounds healed. That was no mortal work there, so his little gesture about gods wasn't far off. Rak'keli had visited the Winter Ball that night, and both men were there to see it. Idue followed close behind, catching his breath while they walked onward to the docks. Faylon mentioned casually that his helm made him stick out like a sore thumb, and it probably wasn't the best thing to wear while they searched the docks. Idue glanced up, his vision barely picking up a few of the antlers. It surely wasn't normal for any Zeltivan. But did he really want to take it off? It was the first time he had worn it; the first time he had expected a fight. It was an homage to his father, who gave it to him on his death bed. But between comrades, these things were not brought up. So Idue nearly replied just as casual, "Yes, this might not be the best thing to wear while we're hunting. But if we encounter a fight, it needs to go back on. Besides, it isn't like it is the only thing that makes me stick out." With his buckskin armor, blue sash, and two handaxes, he surely didn't look like the normal Zeltivan. He actually looked like a buck. A buck ready to fight a mage, with death a possibility. No, Idue had more than one thing going for him to make him stand out in a crowd. Faylon slowed his pace, and Idue stepped up beside him. A glance behind him revealed that Anselm and Nai'shee were both following them. No Leigo, which didn't bother Idue at all; he didn't quite like the man. Faylon mentioned the easy task of finding a suspicious person, and how difficult it would be to apprehend him. Idue nodded, agreeing; it made perfect sense. But he didn't speak, allowing Faylon to lay his plan out when Nai'shee and Anselm caught up. He mentioned about how when they found a mage, that staying in a group would bear ill consequences. He also pointed out that he and Idue could handle in the mage in a fight, while the others probably could not. Idue nodded; this was an assumption he had made earlier. But then he brought up to problem that made the others important; the difficulty for Idue and Faylon getting close. They couldn't just run at the men, as that was suicide. That was where Anselm and Nai'shee came in. They were the distractions, allowing them to get in close. And that was it. Simple and to the point. It allowed everyone to make their own decisions, when before they would've been relying on the orders on one man. Now, they own wisdom decided whether they would live or die. A true test of who was cut out for this and who wasn't. And Idue wasn't here to die. He would capture the mage, and collect his reward. He would live to see another day. So no discussion was needed. Idue said, "A good plan. Now to put it into action once we find out target." And then Idue followed Faylon again. This time, he didn't mind letting others determine their course of action. Because when the fighting began, Idue knew that he was his own man, not a pawn ready to be sacrified. And then they were on the docks. Nai'shee split off like was mentioned, breaking the group up while they went searching. Idue wasn't worried much; they would hear quickly if the girl ran into trouble. Anselm took up a position around some crates, opposite where Nai'shee was at, speaking with a fisherman. Faylon had struck up a conversation with sailors most definately using his knowledge of dock politics to learn of any knowledge helpful. And what was Idue doing? Standing in the middle of the docks, his antler helm becoming the center of the attention. Faylon was right; this thing needed to come off. So Idue reached up, his hands fingering the strap. And then they heard the screech of Glassbeaks. Idue dropped his hands immediately, reaching for his axes. Idue had traveled through the grasslands on his way to Sunberth, and he had heard these calls. Even seen some of those during his travels. They didn't seem at all nice, dangerous to even the rugged fighters. But why were they in Zeltiva, which is far from their usual territory? Only one explanation came to mind. Summoner. He had summoned glassbeaks, and they were hunting in Zeltiva. People dispersed from the docks, women and children heading to their homes, men contemplating whether to do the same. Yet no glassbeaks appeared, and at first it seemed safe. No fighting a pack of those vicious animals. He thought they was safe at the moment. Only until he heard the gruff shout from behind him, turning to find themselves with the overgiven reimancer across from them. He had two fireballs in his hand, a bad mixture with the wooden docks. The sailors realized this, backing out of there way. They had no wish to die this day. They didn't sign up for the hunting of the mages. But Idue had. He and three others were here to fight off this mage. And the fight was about to begin. Idue rolled the axes in his hand, waiting for the right opportunity to launch into action. Sweat rolled down his forehead and onto his nose, but he ignored it. It was almost time to fight. Who would attack first? Faylon, or him? Neither, as Nai'shee launched herself at him first. But she didn't attack full out. Instead, she leaped over the mage with unnatural ability. Flux. Idue had seen that in action before, and he knew what he saw. She landed behind him, calling out for Faylon to go now, before falling to her knees. A bad mistake, because now the mage knew to expect an attack from Faylon. But not Idue. Without waiting anymore, Idue ran forward. He didn't go straight at the mage, instead deciding on flanking him on the right side. He spared a glance at Faylon as he ran by him that spoke clearly to him. Go left. A double flank, forcing the mage to pick one of them as their target. Hopefully the other person could get to them in time. And Idue could only think of one thing. He raised a prayer up to Yahal with a simple plea. Don't let him die trying to bring purity to Zeltiva.