Of dragons and skunks - RPLOG
Participants
Date
7/5/479
Log
The two royal guards are waiting for the freeswords at the foot of some hills, a female leopard and a male magpie. They are clad in matching uniforms with navy blue pants and coats, as well as steel chestplates and gauntlets, the only difference is that the avian has a hood pulled over his head. They are sitting around a fire and seem to be talking to each other.
William makes his way toward the guards, leisurely strolling up before pulling back his own hood, giving each guard a nod. He raises a hand in greeting, the other resting on his cane as he lets out a sigh. "Hello," he says, flicking his soul gem to indicate his freesword-ness before waiting for the arrival of the others.
Lyas saunters up to the guards, hands tucked into his pockets. His casual demeanor is offset by the obviously businesslike equipment he is carrying: a well cared-for sword, a new leather jacket, and a notched but high-quality knife. Odds and ends are stored in a pouch on his belt.
The cat tilts his head towards the guards, tail waving slightly in anticipation. "Got a job you can't handle yourselves?" he teases, addressing the guards with a wicked grin. William's presence attracts no more than a flick of his ear. A flick that nevertheless manages to convey a significant degree of disgust.
zez walks up with an enerjetic bounce to his step, and intraduses him self with a solid and resonding "hi"
A large rabbit walks up to the guards, shield on his arm, helmet on his head. He slings the shield onto his back before drawing off his helmet. Crux offers a friend smile and nod to the others, then looks to the guards. "I understand you guys are looking for some help?" He holds up the gemmed guantlet on his hand and clenches a fist. "I'm more than happy to lend a hand to a member of the Blackback family."
Thelergramor is around, lazily making his way up to the guards waiting around for them. The Fox is all concealed and such, with his masked hood and sandcat-hide clothing. Armed with more than enough weapons today, probably. Also in basilisk form, the only indication of such being the greenscaled lizard tail hanging behind him. He doesn't say anything for now, letting the others do the questioning.
Robin approaches the flames of the fire and the group, eyes wandering over to the multiple figures that had already arrived. "Well isin't this a great little turn out," he chuckles, standing off a few paces from the large bunny, eyes glancing between the leopard and magpie.
Hartford is already here, dressed in his Blackback regalia and pacing agitatedly back and forth. "I don't know how this could happen!" the skunk striped, blue reindeer moans, "I was only gone for a minute! We have to get her back!" The big lug looks hopefully around at the gathering freeswords, but is disappointed. "I. . . I was sort of hoping for some more experienced Freeswords," he says, "I don't know any of you."
The leopard gives a nod to the arriving party, but stays seated. The magpie however gets up and talks, addressing Hartford first. "Well there are plenty of them, so there is that." He turns to the arriving mercenaries. "Its good that you all have come, the situation is indeed dire. Whatever this dragon people reported is, they have reported seeing it take to a ruined keep not far east from here. It is really more a tower with some walls by now, but we suspect the Lady to be there."
William glances back at Lyas and grinds his teeth for a moment, before turning to face the guardsmen again. "William," he says, lifting a hand up in greeting to Hartford before setting both down on his cane. "Well then. Anything to know before we get moving?" He looks around to the rest of his crew, staring at Lyas for a few long moments. "A pleasure to see you here too. I only wish our elephant friend was joining us."
Lyas raises his eyebrows at Hartford. "Who were you expecting, Angus Solacious? Got to give the newer folk a go sometime...." He nods along to the guards' explanation, though the twisted look on his face clearly indicates he finds the story bizarre. "Best get goin' and see what happens," he grins cavalierly, not bothering with further questions. As far as he's concerned anything that needs explaining should explain itself, in time.
He tries to avoid William's eye, but it's hard to ignore being addressed directly. "An absolute pleasure!" he agrees heartily, sarcasm lying close beneath the surface of his words. "Pity about the elephant, yeah. Could go for another sand-bath just now."
Zez looks between Lyas and William a few times before shaking his head and stepping forward. "Hey. I am new to this, but always happy to lend a hand. What can i do to help?" he says.
Crux puts back on his helmet before slinging the shield and spear off his back. "Well, if we know where she might be then we shouldn't keep the lady waiting, should we? Would be most ungentleman like conduct!" He grips at his spear and turns, finding a familiar face near by. He gently taps at Robin with his tower shield and nods. "Don't be afraid to use my large behind for cover if you need. Don't need anyone getting hurt here."
Thelergramor idly checks over his weapons, crossbow, dagger, sword-rapier... Garrote wire he never gets to use... "Dragons haven't been able to kill me before, I-er, we'll- get your Lady back." The basilisk hopes she's pretty, at least. "Shouldn't be difficult."
Robin looks to the two felines, an amused chuckle escaping his mouth, though his attentions go to Crux with a grin upon his features. "I feel safer already," he says. With rapt attention he listens to the magpie, eyes lighting up as they describe the situation. Ruined keep? What things could probably lie within there? Gold perhaps?! With a simple bow slung across his back, the mouse says with excitement, "Well i'm sure we should be able to handle it!"
Hartford looks only slightly abashed at the comment about Angus. "Well, yeah," he says, "Or Miss Cassidy or maybe Mister Fenris. But I'll take what we can get! Let's go!" The heavily armored reindeer heads off impatiently, then hesitates. "Or was it this way?" He turns desperately to the two royal guards. "Maybe you oughtta lead?"
The magpie nods. "Was about to say that we should head out, its not too far from here. If you squint over the hills there you can see the tip of the tower." He eyes the assorted bunch of mercenaries. "And leave the talking to us, if there is any talking at all. I assume you all know how to respect and follow orders." It is clear that this is a statement and not a question by the tone of his voice. The leopard jumps up and picks up her twin swords from the ground and the group heads for the tower. Its an uneventful trip, but it takes nearly an hour thanks to the terrain. They stop about 200 meters from the keep. It is as the bird said, mostly just a tower and some walls, most of which have crumbled by now.
William nods in agreement with Lyas. "Let's stay professional," he advises, before setting off after the guards. Odds are he slows the trip a bit, with his pace, but he does his best to keep up despite any pain it may cause him.
Lyas stays near the middle of the group throughout the journey, but when the tower comes into sight he inches round those ahead of him to stand at the front. He wants to get a good look at their destination. His first concern is an entry point; no use assaulting the place head-on if they can be in and out quietly. He scans the terrain, checking for any covert entry points that the crumbling nature of the place might provide.
After taking a moment to realise that the group was moving, Zez takes a few hurried steps to catch up with the group. He spends most of the trip looking around at the scenery, then quietly stares at the tower up when the Freeswords arrive.
Crux salutes to the magpie. "Spent most of my adult life in the military, sir. I just wouldn't advise telling me to jump, I haven't quite gotten the hang of that yet and getting back up in this armor is quite hard," he said. He's a little slow following the group towards the tower, the weight of his equipment slowing him a bit, but he keeps up due in large part to his long lapine legs. He walks towards the front of the group, keeping his large shield in front of him to offer protection not only to himself, but any that might stick close as well, baring the Reindeer and their towering height.
Thelergramor is good with following orders... most of the time. Follows the leopard and magpie, fights the urge to flirt with either of them on the way. Arriving at the keep, though, Thel again makes sure his crossbow is loaded, keeps a hand on his blade and waits patiently. "I should've brought my cannon..." As he eyes the walls, standing next to the leopard. Because of course he does. "So, what now?"
Robin happily takes up toward the front of the group, ahead of even Crux perhaps despite the bunny's much larger stature, looking about the landscape with undying curiosity and eagerness. For a moment, the thought of the party behind him even left his mind, trailing ahead a bit far for comfort, but reeling himself back closer when he notices. The thought of what could possibly be awaiting them there drove his every motion, and if hopes of reward were involved, that was a place he'd want to be. As the tower comes into view, he says, "This is great! I bet there will be tons of stuff inside!" and quickly adds, "a-and the girl as well..!"
Hartford is overjoyed to let the token royal guards take command. He is good at following orders! The blue reindeer tromps along obediently, his heavy armor rattling and clanking. He carries a gigantic halberd across his back which he removes and holds in one hand with a heavy shield in the other when the party comes to the tower. He stands at attention, waiting for further orders, dispite the anxiety written on his face.
A group as large as this is certainly a sight in these lonesome hills, and they were spotted from the tower once they got closer. A dull "Clonk" is heard as a bolt impacts with Crux's shield. The leopard notices that something is attached to the bolt and picks it up. "A message, Sir." She unrolls it and reads. "They are giving us a chance to leave, no mention of a ransom or anything." The magpie rubs his chin. "Obviously we are not going to do that. We sho-" He is cut off by a loud rumbling as the lose pieces of wall that lay across the ground near the tower pull themselves together and form several stone elementals. Whoever is in that tower must have really good hearing. Before the group can even react, three of the elementals sling rocks of them, while the other five charge.
William opens his eyes wide at the sudden rumbling, barely stumbling out of the way of the rock as it comes flying over. "Fuck off!" he calls out in response to the rocks being thrown, stumbling over to hide behind Crux. He searches around for a fighter to assist, and settles on the large rabbit, sending swirls of cloying darkness around him to help defend him should he go to fight the charging elementals.
Lyas snorts at William's outburst. Not being in the way of any rocks himself at the moment, he keeps his position near the front of the group, eyes trained forwards. "So. Did we have plans or is it just goin' to be a dead-on charge after all?" he inquires, one hand around the hilt of his sword. "I mean, if that's what we're doing, fine, my sword might not be great against rocks but I can run around in circles and distract those things if you like..."
Startled by the sudden action Zez exclaims, "Wait..what..." he draws his pistol and starts to aim, but is unsure if he is meant to fire or not, so he waits.
Crux chuckles at Robin's remarks and shakes his head. His ears perk as he feels the impact of a bolt against his shield, the metal thankfully holding and his sure grip keeping it in place. He promptly plants his shield into the ground and lifts up his shield, head dipping behind the tall bulwark-like sheet of metal. His head turns slightly to look at the cat taking shelter behind him and fans a hand out behind him. "Fall behind me if you need! I'll try to raise up some more protection!" His feet planted firmly against the ground, he motions up with his free hand, dirt stirring as he tries to raise a wall of earth.
Thelergramor dodges the thrown rock, diving out of the way and rolling back to his feet. Both of them. He has two. The fox glares at the elementals, bringing up the crossbow mounted on his wrist as he ducks behind Crux. "I -really- should've brought that cannon!" And then fires, the dark magic imbued bolt flying off towards the nearest elemental.
Robin stops dead in his tracks at the sight of the stone creatures forming, letting out a surprised yelp as he turns tail to scurry back to the defense of the rabbit and his allies. And here he thought thing were going to be easy. Unstrapping his bow, he loads an arrow into it once he was beside Crux, targeting the nearest golem and releasing it it's way. Leave the fighting to the big fellows, at least he could say he was productive, despite his poor handling with the weapon and the fact they were hulking stone monsters... Robin sighs at the whole predicament.
Hartford raises his shield and looks to the guards for commands, but when none are forthcoming, he charges into the fray bellowing a battle cry. His great halberd swinging in great sweeps at the elementals. "For the Lady Blackback!" he roars!
The wall of earth never comes, instead the ground under Crux shakes, absorbing an equation gone wrong and knocking the bunny to his knees. The various arrows and bolts the group sent at the elementals are little more than a distraction and 4 of the charging elementals crash into the mercenaries, the fifth turns back into a pile of rubble as Hartford strikes it. One of them knocks William off his feet, another misses Thelergramor and the last one crashes into the fallen Crux, but he seems fine. The leopard is quick to react and slices at the elemental that attacked her with her two swords and it collapses as well. Meanwhile the Raven is throwing balls of molten rock, magma from his hands and at one of the rock throwers.
William is swept around, clutching his cane as he finds himself on the ground in a daze. He does nothing but get to his feet and do his best to avoid being hit again, not having much to do toward the elementals.
Lyas manages to avoid being the target of this next round of attacks, but that can't last forever. Grumbling a half-hearted stream of curses under his breath, he draws his sword and moves around, trying to get behind the elementals whose opponents are on the ground. His weaponry might not do much damage to opponents of this caliber, but he might be able to annoy them a bit, enough to distract them and open them up someone else's finishing blow. With a practiced movement, he unhooks a bolas from his belt, slinging it at the feet of the elemental by William. That's as much attention as he intends to spare that way, however - his sword is aimed at the back of Crux's opponent.
"Ok, I am going to just take it that we're attacking the stone things," says Zez as he pulls the trigger and fires at the golem on William.
"Ok, I am going to just take it that we're attacking the stone things," says Zez as he pulls the trigger and fires at the golem on William.
"Motherfu-" Crux starts to holler as the ground collapses underneath him, his free hand coming to the ground for support as he keeps his shield raised. He grunts as the shield takes the brunt of an attack from an elemental. He glares up at his attacker and snsers. "Attacking an enemy when he's down? Where's the honor in that?" He pulls his free hand from the ground, palm turning up as his fingers slowly curl inward, head dipping behind his shield as he concentrates on creating a cover of fog admits the chaos.
Thelergramor simply sidesteps the elemental's attack, smirking at the imprecise creature. He calls back to Crux: "Honor's overrated!" He draws his rapier, and, as the blade would probably not do much to the stone, leaps towards it and attempts to slam the hilt down onto it's... stones. Preferably in a weak part of the stone. Like a crack or something... Needs to start carrying a club...
Robin lowers his bow, the arrow not only ineffective to the blunt surface, but missing entirely! Save the fighting for the bigger guys, all he'd end up doing was wasting his arrows, and with that the bow returns to his shoulder. Despite the lumbering elementals, he held his ground beside William and Crux, and a hand outstretched to them to assist them back to their feet, standing between them and the other elemental instinctively.
Hartford does not slow his charge as he crashes through the line of attackers. The huge reindeer continues to thunder toward the rock throwers, putting all of his impressive momentum and sizeable bulk into his attack!
Both Lyas and Thelergramor down their targets, while fog rises to protect the group from further incoming rocks, the elemental that was attacked by the magpie is down as well, as is the one next to it, which was destroyed by Hartford. The last two that still stand are quickly depatched by the two royal guards, much in the same manner they took on their earlier foes. As the last of the elementals falls, the leopard is panting and the magpie rubbing his temples, before once more addressing the group. "Good job. Seems the way is clear now, everyone alright?"
William brushes off his cloaks after getting up to his feet, steadying himself on his cane and looking around through the fog. He pushes the bridge of his glasses up his muzzle with a finger, and then nods. "A bit winded," he says with a shrug. "Shall we?"
Lyas blinks in confusion as his opponent breaks apart. "Well then," he mutters, surprised by his success. Jamming his blade into a crack in the rock and twisting it had worked unexpectedly well, and it takes him a moment to mentally adjust and move on. Shaking his head, he fumbles in the fog to recover his bolas. "Dusty, but alright," he answers the magpie, grinning as William staggers upright. He flicks his gaze at the rest of the group as well - no-one appears to be dead. "If anyone's bleeding, well, I don't have bandages but I do have whiskey, which is close enough, right?"
Zez looks at his pistol, mutters something about needing to practice more, then says clearly, "I am all good, and you guys were amazing...."
Crux sighs and pushes himself up to the feet. "Thank the creators that one didn't backfire," he mutters, squinting in the fog. He catches a faing glimpse of the nearby feline and nods his head to Lyas. "Thanks for the assist." He fans his hand through the air and sighs. "Might have been a tad too effective. I can barely see two feet in front of me." His long ears raise a top his head, catching the magpie's words as he pulls his spear from the ground and begins to slowly move through the fog. "Pride is a bit bruised, but all in all I'm okay."
Thelergramor nods to the guards. "I'm good, let's get in there." He cackles, kicks the downed elemental. Which may or may not just be rocks now. He then starts walking off towards the tower. He nods to William then; "We shall. Been a while since I've fought a dragon... And hold onto that whiskey! I might need it later."
Robin grumbles a few words, lost under his breath as he trudges through the fog, though a quick shake of his head dismisses it, returning a smile back to is face. "All is well! The greater the risk, the greater the reward!" the mouse muses, his attitude returning once more. "Let's not burn daylight, greatness awaits!" and trots off toward the tower.
The chain of command has broken down! Well, for Hartford it has. The reindeer is panting and covered in chalky dust from the elementals he has destroyed. "I'm coming, Lady Blackback!" he bellows, charging toward the tower and whatever might lurk within, "I will save you!"
Hartford charges! He runs towards the yard between the two walls that frame the tower. He is so filled with his urge to save the Lady Blackback that he does not notice how weird the ground feels... the ground being the cheapest trick in the trap making book, some twigs and leaves over a hole into which he falls. The magpie facepalms as reindeer charges off and the leopard shakes her head. "There is always one, isn't there?" Without giving an answer, the magpie motions to the group to follow him as he heads towards the yard. A lot more careful than someone else did before.
William waves a hand around his face in an attempt to clear some fog, walking to the edge to observe Hartford's charge. An amused grin spreads over his face as the reindeer falls right into the hole. "You alright?" he asks, walking along with the magpie, poking ahead with his cane to avoid an earthy fate.
Carefully clipping the bolas back to his belt, Lyas follows cautiously after the two guards. Made alert by Hartford's fall, he makes sure to scan the vicinity for more traps or hidden assailants. "Should we throw a rope down there or just leave him to it?" he asks casually, making no attempt to go to the reindeer's rescue.
"Errr should we, I dont know, go after him.....?" says Zez, then proceeds to carefully follow the guards.
Crux treads slowly through the fog, hearing only the magpie and the thump of a reindeer, but being otherwise ignorant to what happened. He follows the sound of the magpie to find his way out of the fog he made. He catches sign of the hole and leans over, looking into the whole. He whistles and shakes his head. "Fools rush in..." he mutters. He looks down over himself then offers a shrug. "Afraid I left my rope at home. I'd offer the spear, but I don't think either of us want to hold onto the pointy end."
Thelergramor groans and follows Hartford. "I'm coming Hartford..." The basilisk runs off after him, not much more careful than he was... And then Hartford was in a pit. The basilisk moves to the edge of it, moving through the fog without being as careful as he should... and offers a hand to help him get out. Might need to jump for it...
Robin was quick in his excitement, but not as fast as the reindeer who quickly passes him up. A hidden trap leaves the reindeer in a hole, an astonished Jojo stopping at the edge of the hole to see down to him. At the comments of the others, the mouse glares back at them, returning back to call down, "Do you see anything down there? Anything shin- er i mean... Are you alright! Nothing broken?" With the others moving ahead, it becomes apparent the mouse refuses to go on without him. He mumbles something else, shaking his head slowly as he peeks over the edge of the hole down at them. "Thank you," he says to the baislisk as he comes to help.
Hartford bugles in distress as he tumbles down the pit trap, twisting his ankle painfully when he lands. "Cowards!" he bellows, "Kidnappers! Come and face me! Release Lady Blackback!" He looks momentariyl furious as people reach the place where he is trapped and look down, then he realizes that it is HIS group who has come to help him. "Oh!" he says, raising a huge hand and taking Thelergramor's, "Now pull!"
Thankfully Thelergramor manages to pull the heavy reindeer out of the hole, with a lot of help from Lyas. But the group goes right to the next bad thing as someone appears at the top of the tower and dives down. Before the group stands a heavy clan reptile with large wings, hulking muscles and a huge claymore on his back. He waves his hand at two torches that are fastened to the wall, which start to spark as they grow larger and form into humanoid beings of fire, more elementals. The dragon speaks: "What do you want from me, that you are invading my home?"
Lyas releases his grip on Hartford's hand as soon as the reindeer clears the lip of the pit, turning to the nearby Robin, wringing out his hand dramatically. "I think the antlers add a tonne or so to him," he jokes. As the reptile dives from far above, he catches the movement in the corner of his eye, jumping backward in surprise and teetering for a second on the edge of the pit.
"Want? Oh, we heard sommat about a princess," Lyas says, overbalancing in his attempt not to fall backwards, and instead dropping forwards onto one knee. Grimacing, he stands back up again. "Seen one? She come to visit mayhap?"
William lifts his head up to stare at the presumed 'dragon' that has just appeared in front of them, giving them a nod. "Did you not hear our reindeer friend scream what we were here for?" he asks, nodding to Lyas after he's finished his own explanation. "I'm sure he would gladly repeat it." He then looks expectantly to Hartford.
Looking at his pistol, Zez wonders if it would even work against fire elimentals. "... Happy to help, I said...what can i do, I said......bah." Zez mutters to himself while he wait for the guards and/or one of the others to talk to the dragon.
Crux looks up at the reptile as he sweeps down, hand gripping his spear tight. "We could ask you the same thing!" He looks to Lyas then rolls his eyes. "There are reports of a dragon, presumably you, stealing a woman, a member of the Blackbacks family." He pointed the spear at the dragon. "If she's in there we'd appreciate it if you'd let her go. I can't speak for the guards, but if you give her back I'm willing to turn and walk away. Ain't no reason to shed any blood here today."
Thelergramor strains against Hartford's weight, but gets him out. And then there's a dragon... Thel picks up his rapier from the dirt, looks up at him. "Oh, y'know, what he said there, we were just in the neighborhood and... Well, I heard you had a pretty Lady just lying around, figured I'd come bring her home..." The basilisk shrugs, noting everyone more or less answered the same question in different ways, smirks under his hood, already planning multiple ways to maim/injure/disfigure the threat ahead of him.
"No, but, really, give us the girl before I feed you your own fingers... Perfectly good waste of finger meat..." Has decided to kick the dragon in the dick, first chance he gets.
Robin rolls his eyes, though there is a bit of a chuckle that could be heard underlining his sigh. When the beast wings down, Robin's hand is quick to fly out in an attempt to latch onto Lyas to help steady him. "And here I thought cats were to be nimble," he says. With the beast now down, and threads already spewed, all he did was take a step back, leaving the conversation to the others. If something broke out, he'd want to be at the backlines of it.
Hartford does not disappoint as he is dragged from the pit, wincing and favoring one leg. "Release the Lady Blackback!" he bellows, "We know you kidnapped her!" The reindeer staggers forward a few steps and brandishes his weapon threateningly. He is certainly passionate about his employers.
The dragon eyes Crux. "Ask me the same? I live here! And there are no princess's here. I would assume her to be in another tower." He shrugs and is about to turn around as Hartford speaks up. "Oh. Lady Blackback. She is here. Yes. And well, I assume you care about that." He ponders for a moment. "Do you know if she wants to go back, I assume you have not asked her."
William stares at the dragon for a few moments. "You'll have to forgive us for making the assumption that the victim of a kidnapping did not go along willingly," he grumbles, checking his claws as he waits for one of the more beefy party members to attack. "Bring her out then, so we can speak with her, yes?" He yawns.
Lyas eyes the fire elementals warily, tail twitching. He doesn't want singed whiskers, that's for sure. They'd take weeks to grow in again. "It's not a princess?" he mock-whispers to Robin and Zez, who are nearest. "Is it really worth all this effort if we don't even get a real princess outta it?"
In a quiet and confused voice, more to himself than to anyone, Zez says, "Errrr... so you didn't kidnap her...?" He stands back and waits for things to be sorted out.
Crux gives her a shrug and nods his head towards William. "What the cat said. Let us talk with her, if she's content where she is and we feel like she's not being coerced against her will then we will report that information back and leave you two on your way. If you refuse then we might have to force the issue, and none of us want that." He sinks the spear back into the ground and places his fist against his chest, the symbol of his spirit showing clearly on the back of his gauntlet. "I am a man of honor, if you allow us to talk to her and see that she is fine and safe I promise not to harm you. All we require is knowing she is safe."
"I wasn't payed to give a damn what she wants." Thel shrugs, grips his rapier. It's accurate, probably. Might not've been payed yet though... "Though, if you can show me she's safe and have more coin than they're offering..." He looks to the guards, changes his mind. "Nevermind." He waits for the inevitable breakdown in negotiations to occur...
Robin scratches his head, behind his ear as he listens to the conversation play out. As much as he wanted to speak up, hopefully get the discussion back on the right track, he opted not to. Better learn from mistakes right? At the mention of the girl, he winces just a bit. That's what they were there for. Some girl... a princess? It totally slipped his mind a while back. Lyas speaks to him, and Robin simply shrugs his shoulders, a grin tugging at the edge of his mouth. "Rock golems and a fire elemental. We'd better get something out of this..." came his dimunitive squeak of a voice. "This is amusing."
"Of course she wants to go home!" Hartford cries, "What Blackback would not be proud and happy to be in their rightful place?" The reindeer is, of course thinking of his beloved Mister Brutus, who would love nothing better than to remain in his chambers and be waited on hand and foot. "Lady Blackback is as fine as any princess!" he says firmly, "release her at once!"
The dragon nods. "Fine." He turns around and opens the door to the tower and vanishes inside it, the two elementals blocking the way. A few moment's later a pretty skunk is poking her head through one of the windows on the first floor. "I am fine, really! Its sweet that you all are worried, but there is no need for rescuing!" The leopard scratches her head. "What now, sir? She does not want to be rescued." "Or she is being held and threatened." The magpie rubs his chin, then yells up to the skunk. "I am afraid you will need to come with us anyway, once your father knows you are save, he will allow you to return, I am sure." The dragon roars back. "No he won't and you know that, she stays!"
William looks around at the burly fighters in the group, gesturing to the fire elementals with a sigh. "Well."
Lyas shrugs. Looks like this really can go only one way, but he's not keen to start the action. "Just drop some magic on 'em," he murmurs to William, ignoring his implied order to attack the fire elementals. Like hell he's trying to stick those things with a sword. Stepping back carefully around the pit, he peers up at the window. It's not far up, he could probably do it. "Yeah, we're gonna need a proper talk with her, elsewise you know what'll happen," he calls up, searching for a handhold already.
Zez looks around at the other members of the group, trying to figure out what comes next.
Crux draws his gauntleted hand to his chin and rubs at it from underneath the helmet. "I don't quite blame the lady to be honest but... the guard's not wrong. We need to know she's not being coereced." He looks back up towards the window. "If you would permit one of us to enter to see how she is doing then surely that would suffice for all parties involved? No weapons, no threat, just one person in then out once we know she's there consensually! You can even pick! This doesn't need to be hard!"
Thelergramor rubs his face through his hood, shrugs. "...If the rest of you can handle the elementals, I can go get her." And without actually waiting for an answer, rushes for the door, attempting to dodge past the fire-dudes as he does.
Because, really, what's a bit of fire when you're a Thelergramor?
Robin looks out at all the others making their notions in ways to get their way into the area. Robin steps up beside Crux, looking up at the skunk, though before he can offer as one to enter upon behalf of his request, Thel is already sprinting forward, much to the mouse's distain. So much for diplomacy it seemed. "And this the fun begins!" he chuckles.
Hartford sags and all the fight goes out of him at the girl's dismissal. "But Miss Bella!" he groans, "What am I gonna tell your dad? I was supposed to be taking care of you!" The suddenly miserable reindeer moans and grabs his wide ears, tugging them downward. "He'll sack me for sure, Miss Bella!" he cries. . . Holy cow. He is actually crying. Big, fat tears go rolling down the deer's velvety muzzle. What a boob. He does not even notice Thelergramor taking the offensive.
In an amazing display of heroics Thelergramor charges through the fire elementals... and instantly falls to the floor and rolls around to try to get his clothing and himself to stop burning. The dragon witnesses the assault from the window and squeezes through, landing in the yard once more. "You pretend to negotiate and try to sneak in an attack!? I will teach you honorless grunts a lesson you won't forget!" The dragon swings his sword at Crux, who blocks it with his shield, while the elementals engage Zez and Lyas. The later of the two backflips to safety, Zez however is not so lucky and is quickly engulfed in flames.
William blinks as he watches the incredible show of heroics from the flaming basilisk as well as the impressive jump from the dragon. "Great," he says, lifting a hand to perform some more dark magic in the direction of the dragon, hoping to make Crux's job easier on the counterattack.
Lyas leaps to safety, avoiding the flame elemental's attack with ease. He lands only briefly, springing straight up onto the wall, grasping for the highest handhold he can. With any luck the 'dragon' will be distracted by Thelergramor raging his way up the stairs, and he'll be able to get in a blow from behind.
"Fire! I'm on fire.....!" Zez shouts as he stops, drops and rolls.
Crux claps his metal gloved hand against his helmet as the Fox rushes in. "You fool, we were negotiating! We didn't need to-" His eyes widen underneath his helmet and he draws up his shield, blocking the strike from the sword. He shakes his head and drops his spear. "I will not fight you! I made a pledge to my spirit and I intend to keep my word!" He looks to his fellow freeswords, sneering undenreath his helmet. "STOP THIS NONSENSE AT ONCE!" he bellows at the top of his lungs, attention quickly returning to the dragon. "Please, just let us see her, bring her to the entrance and we can stop this madness before anyone has to die!"
Thelergramor is ok. He's just on fire. This is an average wednesday for the basilisk... Except it's saturday. "Ah, mother- I said stop the elementals!" Firefox rolls around, manages to weasel his way out of his burning shirt and chainmail. Is now shirtless, with some burns marring his scales. Ow.
He gets up though, and immediately heads for where the Lady was being kept.
Hartford is currently a useless mess of skunk-striped reindeer. It is strange to see the big brute so completely helpless. It looks like the big guy is going to need some orders, since it doesn't look like he will be making up his mind on his own. . .
As much as the thought of reward hanging in the air pleases him, Jojo was quickly against the rash idea of rushing in. In moments, two of them were down in flames, and swords were being swung. The mouse was away from Crux in a flash, bounding away into the backlines of the group, drawing his bow to nock and arrow and let it fly toward the flying lizard. He came to a stop beside Hartford, resting a hand upon his shoulder with his bow still at hand. "This is no time to cry! Up and at em, lest your maiden be trapped there forever!" he says.
As much as the thought of reward hanging in the air pleases him, Robin was quickly against the rash idea of rushing in. In moments, two of them were down in flames, and swords were being swung. The mouse was away from Crux in a flash, bounding away into the backlines of the group, drawing his bow to nock and arrow and let it fly toward the flying lizard. He came to a stop beside Hartford, resting a hand upon his shoulder with his bow still at hand. "This is no time to cry! Up and at em, lest your maiden be trapped there forever!" he says.
The elementals are having none of Thel's presence inside the tower and one of them goes after him. The burnt basilisk is lucky and faster than the flame creature. For now. The other one is seemingly very unhappy with a certain cat using dark magic on its master and throws fireballs at William, who manages to evade. The dragon scoffs. "You think you can still talk your way out of this? Hah!" His eyes narrow as he spots the leopard trying to sneak up on him, takes a swing and the feline drops to the ground missing her head. The magpie's eyes widen. "Julia! No!"
William jumps aside to avoid the fireballs from the elemental, stumbling around in the hopes of putting someone between him and the fire so he could strike again. His eyes widen in shock as he sees the leopard's head go flying off, the cat gasping and looking around at the others. "Die!" he shouts, furrowing his brow and letting out a quiet grunt as he focuses another burst of dark magic onto the dragon.
Lyas finishes his climb, hauling himself up onto the window-sill, perching there as he fishes a boomerang out of the large pouch at his belt. He draws back his arm, taking aim. Hopefully sitting in the window to the lady's room will afford him some protection from getting revenge-dive-bombed if his shot goes awry.
Zez stands up after rolling the fire out, trying to recover his senses.
Crux's eyes widen as he sees the feline's head fall from her body, fur bristling as he's filled with rage. "I offered you a chance to end this without violence, it's regretable that it's come to this..." He reaches down as the Dragon is distracted by the now deceased leopard, grabbing at his spear. His gauntlet grips tightly at the spear as he hefts it up. He takes aim with the razor sharp tip of the spear and thrusts at the dragon's core.
Thelergramor continues searching for the Lady, stopping only for a moment as the elemental comes after him. He ducks around a corner, or a shelf, whatever's around for cover and prepares to utterly annihilate the elemental once it's close enough, drawing his dagger into his off hand, light glinting off the blade while he waits...
Robin readies another arrow and releases it at the lizard, a curse uttered under his breath at the sight of the fallen leopard. If only that fox had decided to stay put, perhaps she would still be alive. This was not his intentions out of all of this, a true shame this is what it became.
Hartford's instincts kick in when he sees the royal guard fall. There is a distant look on his face, as if he is not wholly aware of his surroundings. He sets himself solidly and sends his long halberd whistling toward the murderous dragon. It becomes crystal clear to him that Lady Blackback is not safe with this man.
The dragon roars at the incoming attacks from Crux and Hartford. He is hit by both, but either he is not injured very badly, or has amazing willpower, enough to ignore the wounds. Either way, he grabs Crux's arm as the attack connects and throws the armored bunny. Not very far, since armored bunnies tend to be heavy, but far enough to knock him off his feet, and knock Zez, on which he landed, out. Inside the tower Thelergramor does indeed surprise the elemental and stab it several times in the back, which -somehow- causes it to die. Lyas' boomerang connects at the same time as William's spell and the dragon is starting to look worse for the wear. The remaining elemental sets his flaming eyes onto Hartford and engages the reindeer, attempting to engage the reindeer, but just can't seem to get close enough to the longarm wielding man.
William watches Crux go with the dragon's throw, eyes wide as he shuffles furhter out of his flight path. "Well then," he murmurs, considering helping before choosing to instead assist himself. The cat throws a defensive hex over himself, shrouding his already quite dark appearance in another layer of shadow.
Crux's eyes wide and he tries desperately to keep his footing, but soon finds himself flying by virtue of the dragon's strength. He lands with a grunt on Shepherd, groaning as his back aches at the pain. He rolls over off of Zez, if only to get his weight off of the canine, but he's quite slow to get up. "Fuck, that's going to hurt in the morning," he groans, resting on his hands and knees as he tries to collect himself to return to the battle.
Lyas doesn't watch to see his weapon connect, instead using his free moment to twist and look into the room behind him - partly to check there are no elementals storming up on him, partly to get a look at the lady they're fighting to rescue. "Doing alright?" he asks briefly, then turns his attention back to the scene on the group, leaning dangerously far out of the window to catch the boomerang as it returns. He aims and throws once more. He's perfectly happy doing damage from here without having to risk his skin down below.
Thelergramor is quite pleased with himself; he sheathes his blades, reloads his crossbow, then continues searching the tower for the Lady. "...Better not kill the dragon without me... Eh, they've got him by now..." Such confidence in his companions!
The basilisk rubs at his burns, grunts, keeps going. "...I should've brought flowers..."
Robin trots over to William and Crux, offering a hand out to the fallen rabbit to help get him back to his feet. The other two were in the tower already, not that Robin couldn't get a look about for himself! Once Crux was uprighted, Robin would saunter off into the tower after the others, though his attentions were not exactly toward the woman at hand, but going about the area for anything that could look of possible worth or usefulness. He'd take a few minutes, listening out for the others for when they would return.
Hartford actually drops his weapon, setting himself hard against his draconian opponent and suddenly, inexplicably igniting! He starts to rain down hammering blows on the dragon. It seems that even in his disjointed state he is not quite ready to kill an opponent.
The dragon is signigicantly weakened and Hartford is adding in his punches to the damage already inflicted upon the being, who falls to the ground and kicks the reindeer into the stomach to get him off of him, the fire elemental swooping in to act as a barrier between dragon and reindeer. Inside the tower a noble woman is found! And she looks quite disturbed by all the fighting, that is until she buries her face into her hands and sobs. The magpie is still in shick from the death of his fellow soldier and has fallen to his knees.
William grunts in frustration as his magic fails him, limping urgently to the side of Hartford as he's kicked off of the dragon. He lets out a grunt, trying to avoid straining himself too much while applying yet another defensive hex, this time to his passionate deer companion.
Lyas catches his weapon once more. Aside from his two-word question he hasn't paid any attention to the young noblewoman. He starts guiltily when she breaks into tears behind him, and twists to stare at her. "Err... should we stop?" he asks meekly, weapon half-raised. "I, uh. If you want us to just get on with it though. Can you... not cry? It's kinda distracting?" His eyes are already being drawn back to the ongoing fight.
Crux rises to his feet, walking forward towards the dragon and his elemental. "All this pain and death for nothing!" he screams in rage. "All we needed was to know that she was safe! That's all! Why must it come to this? Why must people die when all that was required was knowing that she wasn't hear against her will?" He grips at his shield and swings it towards the elemental, trying to land a blow to dispatch it, or at the very least to send it flying.
Thelergramor is sure everything's going fine outside, but he has a real threat to deal with: a crying woman. "...Right, well, hello, first off. Now, the crying, I'm going to need you to stop that, we're getting out of here. For your safety." The basilisk nods, offers the Lady a hand that he's so sure she's not going to take... He looks up at Lyas, shrugs. "Might need your help getting her out of here."
Hartford is a soldier without orders and he is not very good at that. But he also watched this being murder another. The reindeer behemoth takes up his halberd from its place on the ground, recovering quickly from the dragon's feeble kick. He swipes the sharp blade through the fire elemental, trying to disrupt it.
The fire elemental actually does vanish! Seems shield bashes are second only to stabbings in extinguishing fire! Inside the tower Bella pulls further into the corner of the room, a look of terror on her face. "You-you are killing him and expecting me to come with you!?" She quickly goes back to sobbing into her hands after the outburst. "The dragon himself manages to get back up and thrust his claymore at the reindeer and actually manages to pierce the armor, even though he is barely standing. The spot that was pierced was at the upper thigh and the tip of the sword sinks in several centimeters.
William groans, clenching his fists as the dragon just won't stay down. "Fucking hell!" he shrieks as the sword sinks into the reindeer, taking a deep breath and holding it in as he works through more slightly corrupt equations in his head, sending another jolt of dark energy toward him.
"Think mayhap you oughta hold off on touching her," Lyas shrugs, turning back to the fight. He cups a hand around his mouth and yells down to the embattled beings below. "Hey! You lot! How about a time out? We got a noble lady bawling her eyes out up here an' I kind of want someone to make her stop!" He glances back over his shoulder once more then continues. "Maybe the dragon guy! If we can not kill each other for five minutes!" He, for one, would like to know what the fuck is going on, exactly, before anyone else gets a fatal head amputation.
Crux's fists clench and he looks to the woman. "All we wanted was to know you were here of your own accord you daft fool! That's all we required!" His head whips to Thelergramor and he points a finger. "If you hadn't rushed in this could have been dealt with without anyone getting harmed!" He takes in a deep breath then exhales, metal on his gauntlet creaking as he relaxes his hand. "There is no peacefully leaving now, we can't after he killed that guard, but for creator's sake, you can at least tell us /why/ all of this had to happen!" He removes his helmet to look at the dragon. "Why was Miss Blackback here?"
Thelergramor just blinks at her. "Yes? I mean, look at it this way: He has scales. I have scales." Gestures vaguely. "And unlike him I don't freak the fuck out when someone walks into my home when I leave the door open, all inviting like." He looks up at Lyas then and shrugs. "Eh, this whole thing could've gone worse." Then to Crux. "When you put it that way, it does sound bad!"
"Still, dragon should know better than to fight back against people with the law on their side, eh? I mean, there's guards down there... Guard now."
Robin rummages through the area of the tower, though his search comes up blank, and he curses under his breath when it does. Returning back outside, Robin does not engage right away, hoping perhaps Crux's words could bring some reason to all of this. It was idiotic, and all he wanted was to go home with a pocket of gold. Not a headless leopard and dead bodies...
Hartford stares, dumbfounded at the sword inserted in his thigh. Then he looks at the dragon. Then at his bleeding leg. He very, very gently reaches down and pulls his leg away from the weapon. Then he faints, crashing down on top of his opponent.
The reindeer is not the only one who had enough, right as the dragon manages to push Hartford off of him and get back onto his feet, he falls again, hit by bolt of lightning that arches from two outstretched fingers of a magpie with widened eyes and shaky hands. The skunk rushes to the window, and quickly faints at the sight before her.
William glances around at the aftermath of the battle, staring at the magpie for a moment before turning down to focus on the reindeer. He hobbles over and falls to his knees, trying in vain to roll the being over so he can help with his bleeding, though it is no use with his weakness. "Fuck's sake," he grumbles, beckoning over everyone who can see. "He'll die, now."
Lyas throws his arms up in a mixture of disgust and frustration as the guard shoots down the dragon-being. "Or we can do that, yeah. Fine." Leaving the lady in Thelergramor's care (for better or worse) the cat begins to clamber back down the wall. There may be perfectly good stairs across the room, but this is closer, and in his opinion just as convenient. He lands on the ground with a soft thump, wandering over to where William is trying to turn Hartford over. "Think I mentioned I've whiskey, but he might need a bit more'n that," he comments offhandedly, leaning over to help roll the heavy being.
Crux reels back in surprise as the dragon's life is ended by the magpie. He growls and picks up the spear, wood creaking underneath his tight grip. He turns to the magpie, brow furrowed, chest heaving as he tries to control himself. He sighs and walks towards the Reindeer, bending down to help roll Hartford over. "Fucking nobles. Fools, the lot of them," he mutters in disdain under his breath.
Thelergramor blinks. "Huh, well that makes this easy." He chuckles to himself, ignoring his burn-pains. "Heh, burns." Ok so not really ignoring... Anyway, The basilisk picks up the skunk, easily, with his big, strong, masculine arms. "...Really should be awake for this, dear. I mean, I'm carrying you all romantic like." He shakes his head, stops teasing the unconscious woman... Carries her back downstairs and outside.
"I've got the Lady." Looks around over the aftermath, shrugs. "...I've seen worse."
Robin moves aside for the fox to return to the skunk, all the happier to have her there. The sooner they could depart. He just simply wanted to be away from... all of this. This mess they made of the entire thing. "This... could have gone worse," he says, shaking his head slowly and already on the course away from this place.
Hartford blinks blearily as he is rolled over, blood oozing from his wound. "Izza dragn aright?" he murmurs woozily, "Don wanna mak Mizbella sad." He seems to be n pretty good condition, if someone could just stop the bleeding.
The shaking magpie drops to his knees near Hartford. "Its gonna hurt...sorry..." With that he presses his hand onto the wound and applies fire magic to it, to stop the bleeding.
William sniffs the air, grunting as he pushes himself back to his feet with his cane. "Wonderful," he sighs, hobbling over to the remains of their leopard companion. He takes a few moments to scan around before finding it, but he uses his cane to prod her head over back near her body. That was a bit morbid.
Lyas had been reaching for his flask of whiskey, knowing the alcohol could be used to clean the wound. But with the magpie burning out any possible infection, he slips it back into his belt-pouch. He's going to need that later on. Sighing, he stands up. "You know, there's probly a real interesting story behind all this," he comments vaguely, speaking to the sky. "But guess we'll have to hear it later, if at all." He raises his eyebrow at William's antics. "Think she's done for. Even if you get that stuck back on."
Crux sneers as the magpie draws close, standing up and walking away from the reindeer as the stench of burning skin and fur hits his nostrils. He walks over to pick up his helmet, sliding it back on his head. "Such a senseless waste of life," he mutters. He catches sight of the feline pushing the head towards the body and shakes his head. "Oh come on, she's dead, don't desecrate the corpse." He sighs and shakes his head, walking off from the scene. "Keep your fucking money."
Thelergramor is slightly saddened the leopard didn't make it, but... He's seen worse. Peers at William though. "...Right. I had a friend like you once." He doesn't elaborate, simply turning and carrying the Lady back home, assuming they let him. He glances at Crux, then. "As far as these things go, I've seen worse. More dead for less reason..." Shrugs, continues walking.
Robin moves from the others, catching up to Crux as his smaller frame moves beside him. "D-Don't think too hard on it," he says, trying his best to quell the possible anger within the bunny. "Perhaps we could return later and give her a proper burial, help put your mind at ease."
Hartford clenches his teeth and chokes back a roar of pain, but it seems to snap him back to full conciousness. "The dragon!" he cries out, jerking away when the raven releases him. The reindeer scrambles over to do what he can for the fallen being. He only knows a bit of field medicine, but he would rather bring in a live prisoner than leave two dead.
William looks up from his business, hobbling away after the others. "Everyone's mad if you touch it, but perfectly happy to walk away so she can rot in the sun," he grumbles, watching Crux leave. "Bit of a shame if we came by later and could only find her bottom half." However, inspired by the other's comments, he shrugs and moves along. "When I die, just throw me into the river." He seems to not care for the plight of the dragon, however, continuing on his way.
Sadly it would seem that there is nothing Hartford could do to save the dragon, who was only standing thanks to sheer willpower when the bolt hit him. The magpie is still shaky on his legs and asks others to carry the body of the leopard and the passed out skunk as they, slowly because of Hartford's injuries make their way back to the city.
