Dragonsbane - RP

[Emerates]

Haku had noticed a subtle change in Saint's demeanor.  Anger?  Annoyance?  Hmmm....  

Perhaps he had just been a bit irritated by Haku's misunderstanding of his question.  Ever since they had first started conversing this morning, Saint had been aluding to something.  But what that was, Haku had had no idea.  Now, the truth was dawning on him.  Saint had quite possibly mistaken him for a certified dragon hunter.  In reality, he was just the village scapegoat.  When there was a problem involving Wyrms or other beasts, he was swiftly called upon, assuming there were no real slayors in the pub at the time.  Comrades?  Hardly.  The only 'comrades' he had ever had hadn't made a fool of themselves in the royal guard.  Now the only allies he really had were the alliances of his wife and son.

Saint said something slowly to himself, inaudible to Haku.  No matter.  Saint is an honest man, not a thief, Haku thought as he rolled over and slowly willed himself to sleep.

His dreams were not pleasant.

[I Have a Sandwich]

He continued until he found himself against a flat face in the rock. DAMMIT! These recent events were not going as he had planned them. First, the slayers were at the village before him, then they were headed in same direction as he, and now this. Jagged edges extruded from the wall, the points making it impossible to climb considering its height. He ran his hand along the wall, feeling the minerals and and the texture.

Pulling a knife out of the hilt of his sword, he began to prod the face of the wall with its point, searching for a spot to lodge the edge in. No luck. The other hunters were oner to his right, barely 200 yards away. He stared at the conscious man through the dried boughs of the bush nest to him. The flames danced around the mans face, illuminating it just enough to tell it was a face.

He stared at the other flame nearer the summit. He could barely see the silhouettes of two men, not nearly enough to determine anything. It seems that even with his planning the darkness had tricked him. At night this path seemed open, but obviously he was mistaken. The only way up now was trhough the two camps. He didn't even consider going down and taking the other way around. That would cost him at least 10 hours.

Granted the path was large enough he wouldn't need to go directly through them, but it was obvious he would be spotted. Maybe though this man wouldn't be able to identify him as Guild. But he was able to tell this man was Circle, was Singjin this obvious in his association. Oh well, its to late to rethink ideas.

He turned back and headed down the cliff. It was about 300 yards to the convergence of the to paths, after that he would head up as quickly as he could, making his way as easy as he could.

[Dragonium]

Dragonium shivered.

It was dark now, dark as any good night should be, and gazing into the darkness beyond the fire made his eyes hurt. He longed to rest them, but he knew that he couldn't let both of them fall asleep.

He had to stay awake, at least until the other man arrived there.

It occured to him that he could sleep for a while, with the knowledge that he'd wake up if there was noise enough to cause concern. Dragons were noisy when they tried to land in an enclosed space like this, with the front of the camp opening onto the cliff face, and the back being a vertical wall.

A wolf howled somewhere in the distance. There was the realisation. In this world, Dragons were not the only dangerous creature, not the only peril which the people faced. There were many other species, monsters only slightly less dangerous than the winged deathbringers, and which many men feared to encounter.

He shivered with the chill breeze which blew through the camp. For now, he very much would have liked to climb higher up the mountain, to join the hunter's camp where they would have more numbers. But it was too late now.

They'd have to face whatever came this way.

[Drace]

"Woah Riz! Woooh! Hold it." Bowen speaks to his trusted horse. He mounts of and takes a quick skimmer of his surrounding.

"These rocks are too stale for you to climb onto on. Hmmm... a way around will take too long if it was with haste like Brother Gilbert spoke off. Rhiannón, go back to the village. Follow the path."

Bowen gives the horse a slap against the right side. She raises her feet high in the air, neighs and runs off.

Bowen looks at the sky. No clouds, full moon. Good, I can use the light for climbing this. goes through his thoughts. He feels the rocks and tries to get a grip. Succesfull. Bowen slowly starts is acend on the rocks.

[Moosetroop11]

Saint enjoyed the deeps shadows and mystery upon the mountain that night. He stood and left Haku sleeping, to wander amongst the tall mountain plants.
It was at this time of day that Saint's mind was at his clearest. At this time had he envisioned Dragonium, in a great battle, and a few days later Haku and Bowen. These men's fates were all interwined, he knew, and he has done his best to bring them together. But now his mind began to focus once more and another warrior entered his mind.

"Singhin. The master tactician" Saint whispered. "Will you aid, or will you obstruct?"

His thoughts were interrupted my the howling of nearby wolves. Hungry and hunting- and the travellers on the mountain were the only decent prey in the area. With an utmost clarity of mind, Saint unsheathed his knife and awaited their arrival. The night would bring some excitement, it seemed.

[Emerates]

Haku bolted to a sitting position.  Howling in the crisp night air, wolves were slowly beginning there hunt of anything that suited as a meal.  Goats, rabbits..... men....  Haku quickly tied his sword back on his belt.  At this height, there was no reason to take off one's armor.  Anything could happen at any moment.  And now something was happening.

"Saint?" Haku whispered quietly around him.  He started to wonder if perhaps he had been wrong about his new companion....
"I am here," Saint replied quietly as he stepped back into the small bouncing circle of light given off by the near-dead fire.  There was a small dagger in his hand, hanging from the open hole in the sleeve of his robe.  "Those beasts will be here shortly.  Are you prepared to fight?"
"I am.  I was trained to become fully alert at any minute, in case of emergency.  It's one of the few things I carried with me from the royal guard."
"Here they come," Saint whispered.
There were scrambling and sniffing noises as the canines approached slowly in search of food.  Of course, building a fire on the side of the mountain wasn't exactly the best way to go unnoticed.  Suddenly, the sniffing sounds stopped as the wolves found there potential prey.  Now there were only the sounds of the wolves' feet padding quickly around the fire, surrounding Haku and Saint.
Haku slowly unsheathed his katana as he listened for the first attack.  One of them growled, and without warning, lunged from the darkness towards Saint.
"Look out!"
The wolf froze in mid-air as Saint plunged his small knife into the beast's chest.  As quickly as he had thrusted his weapon into the wolf's fur, it retracted to rest once again at his side, devoid of any sign he had done anything in defense.  Except, of course, the beast that lay dead at his feet.
The whole pack reacted quickly.  They all sprung one after the other at the two combatants.  Haku had no time to look back at Saint as he fought desperately against the hungry canines.  First one, then the other, swarming in.  Thrust, circle left, vertical slash.
One, then two, as they continued to come.  Blood soaked the ground, and extinguished the rest of the fire.
Haku was tackled to the ground, as a wolf went for his throat.  Haku held it at bay with one hand around its neck.  Haku kicked the hunter off, lunged forward, and decapitated the beast.
The few left from the pack retreated quickly from the way they had come.
Saint approached Haku slowly.  "Are you all right?"
"I think so.  I took a few scratches, but nothing too deep to kill me, Haku said as he wiped his sword off and put it back in its sheath.
"Good.  We have to move now.  The scavengers will be here within an hour to pick up the remains.  And I'm sure they will consider us remains if we stay still too long."
Haku nodded at Saint.  He was right.  He repacked his blanket into a small roll of cloth and replaced it in his bag.  Within five minutes, the only evidence they had been there was the small brown circle and slain beasts around their former campsite.
"Come.  There is no time to lose," Saint said and quickly started off up the mountain path again.

[coreystranick]

Sorry guys for not being able to write muc. Work is killer.
==================
Crag sat staright up. He heard whining and growling in the distance.

 Hmmm, it seems as though someone or something has got into a scrap with some wolves.

Well, it was near dawn and him and Dragonium should get a move on if they wish to beat that Guild member to Bjorn, and see what damage has been caused.

Dragonium and Crag start packing up and head out. It would atleas take half of a day to traverse the rest of the moutain and get to the other side, if nothing bad happened on the way.

And so, they set off.

[Dragonium]

Dragonium shouldered his bag and walked along the path out of the camp, along with Crag. It would be an uphill walk from here, and they needed all the time they could get to ensure that they reached Bjorn before the other man did.

There would be a few battles ahead, and they would need the time to prepare. A few supplies here, a night at an Inn there, and they'd no doubt be ready.

He just hoped that this Dragon at Bjorn wasn't as dangerous as it sounded.

But secretly, he knew it was.

[Moosetroop11]

"Stop" Saint said suddenly. A thought had occurred to him- he wanted to test his warrior's endurance. Haku would be tested with the small wyrms, but he had other plans for the professionals.
"What is it?"
"Wait here." Saint walked over to a large boulder that looked like it had recently fallen- the moss upon it was disturbed and it was evidentally a tribute to the playful wyrm children just above. Exercising his carefully designed muscles, he placed his foot against the boulder, and his hand against the rock face, and pushed. Once it had budged a little, to the bewilderment of Haku, Saint struck at it suddenly and it went tumbling down the narrow mountain path. Then he began walking again. "This will also buy you time on your own" he said to Haku casually. "The top is not far, let's hurry."

[coreystranick]

Crag stops, he sees something coming towards them very fast.

"A boulder!"

The boulder picked up speed as it barreled down the moutain.
There was no room on either side to dodge, they would have to jump it, or somthing else.


As Crag and Dragonium think of a plan the huge boulder continues to barrel towards them.

[Emerates]

"The top is not far, let's hurry."
Haku stood there for a moment, bewildered by Saint's sudden show of strength.  The boulder continued to roll with loud cracking sounds as it bounced further down the mountain path.  He gathered himself again and began walking with Saint before he fell too far behind.
"How did you do that?" Haku inquired, trying to sound casual yet interested.  If Saint could cause a boulder to cascade down the mountain side with a single strike, Haku wondered what else this man could be capable of.
"Years of practiced," Saint said with a small smirk.  Clearly, Saint did not intend to reveal the secrets to his strength to Haku.  At least, not yet.
This will also buy you time on your own....
"Saint, what did you mean by 'time on your own'?"
"Haku, did you really think you would be the only hunter on this mountain?  No, there are others on their way."  The fight in the village, Haku thought back.  They must be on their way to take out the Wyrm cave, just like him.
"Well, I was hired to take care of the colony here.  The others must just be trying to collect the bounty.  It's not the first time this kind of thing has happened."
Saint seemed to be thinking this over.  "Possibly."
The path took a sharp turn to the left.  They had reached the begining of the summit.  Somewhere around here, there was a cave swarming with dragons.  Haku and Saint continued along the path.  There were quiet whispers carried with the wind.
As they continued along the path, the whispers became louder, until Haku realized these whispers were really the hissing of dragons' tongues licking the air, searching for something to eat.
In all likelihood, that would be he and Saint if they weren't careful.

[Dragonium]

Faced with the boulder which rolled down the mountain path, Dragonium had to think fast. It was a skill which came naturally when faced with something which could kill in a heartbeat; the urge to fight and the urge to survive, coming together as one to ensure that one made it through their battles.

This was different. He couldn't kill the boulder.

Something came to him.

He lifted his sword into a position where he could swing it readily, and rather than striking the boulder, he turned to his left, stepped past Crag, and slammed the sword hard into the rock face. Twisting the blade like a pivot, he stepped back, a small chunk of the rock face coming away from the main wall. The boulder slammed into this, and just before colliding with the two Slayers, it was deflected by the smaller rock and fell away down the mountainside.

"That was too close", sighed Crag, "Well done for that idea of yours".

"Comes naturally", Dragonium replied. "Wait, do you hear that?"

At first it seemed to be the breath of the wind. A gentle cooing, a hissing along the blasted rock. It was a sound which seasoned DragonSlayers were wary of.

"Juveniles", hissed Crag, his voice almost blending into the whisper of the Dragons, "Drag, you don't suppose the hunter would have any trouble with a few young Wyrms?"

"No", sighed Dragonium, that familiar feeling of being obligated to help rising in his chest. "But the brood are hungry. And where there are hungry children, there's mother waiting just around the corner".

"Hunter hasn't thought of that, apparently", said Crag, reaching for his crossbow.

"We should go. That hunter is liable to get himself into a lot of trouble. Not to mention the other one". Dragonium lifted his sword and set off at a brisk pace up the path towards the summit.

[coreystranick]

Crag, along with Dragonium race to help the doomed hunter. It was no surprise that the Hunter would get himself into trouble like this.

As they climbed ever higher on the moutain the kissing sounds got louder, even though they were little wyrms, there was bound to still be a mother, this would be the one that Crag and Dragonium would have to face.

The Slayer's crested an overhang on the mountain's facade and noticed that the baby wyrms were starting to close in on the Hunter, there also appeared to be some other man with him, one he did not know. Two people could handle these wyrms, but they could not handle the mother.

As Dragonium and Crag readied themselves for the mother, they saw some more men not too far below them.

 Must be some more Hunters. Crag said to himself.

While saying the he heard the little wyrms start to pounce on the two men.

Crag look at Dragonium. Drag knew exactly what he was thinking and nodded.

Vrag unsheathed his sword and both him and Dragonium went over to help defeat the babies.

[Moosetroop11]

Saint scowled. These were only children. The mother would have to arrive should this be a fair fight. But so far she was no-where in sight.

Almost as soon as the babies began attacking, the two circle members arrived. Saint span and severed the throat of each of his attackers, a painless death. But the other three were clumsy by his standards, leaving each wyrm to flounder and die. After a minute of silent fighting Saint could take no more- he sprang from the battle and made his way deep into the cave. He heard the experienced one, Dragonium, cry out in warning- but Saint knew what he was doing. Where was this mother who could not defend her own children?

"Look after the young hunter" He called back to Dragonium and Crag. "He is weak." And with that he dissapeared into the ominous dark.

[Dragonium]

Dragonium hoisted his sword again, turned to avoid an advancing wyrm, and swung wide to cripple another.

He hated fighting against these numbers. One-on-one was his style. It was the way the Circle taught its members; first get into a position where it is only you and the foe, and then fight as you would normally.

But these things were weak, their scales having not yet hardened to maturity, and the brood was quickly brought down.

There would be no time to rest. The other man had already descended into the nest, where the young had been before they had sensed prey in the air. At the bottom of the gentle slope, there would be a drop of about ten feet, and a wide cavern, large enough for the mother and her young to lie snugly.

There was no sound from the tunnel. Not even the man's footsteps. And that could mean two things: That the mother was not in the nest, and had gone out to find food for her young; or that she was dead.

And yet these young looked well-fed. Strong and powerful. Almost as though they recieved regular care.

And he'd seen this before. In his mind, he knew exactly how events would pan out if they didn't act fast. He sprang into action.

"We need to get these bodies out of sight. The mother is out hunting, and she'll return soon. If she sees that her brood have been slain, she'll panic, search out and kill everything she can find. Nothing can stand against that sort of blind fury, not even the strongest magic. If she doesn't see the bodies, she'll drop the food and go out to find more. I just hope she doesn't sense anything is wrong...".

"Parent Dragons are very intuitive", supplied Crag, "If they feel the slightest inkling that their brood are in danger, they'll go over the area thoroughly until they find them".

"Right", finished Dragonium, "We move the bodies into the cave, being careful not to leave a mess. Then we get in the cave and stay quiet and out of sight. If luck is on our side, she won't suspect anything, and she'll leave".

With that, he lifted a body lying close to him, hoisted it onto his shoulder, and carried it towards the cave.

The mother would be here soon.