::Alexander slipped through the streets, uncaring if he was noticed by those few out at this hour, and confident that none would be foolish enough to acost him. His destination was clear, the docks...and the ship the Sellswords called home.
He exited the street that led to the dock area and turned to walk their length, passing empty stalls that would be full to burting in the morning with that days catch. For now they stood empty, and he spared them not a glance as he continued on to the ship, his cane clicking away at his side as he moved.
When finally it came into view, he altered his course to approach it without pause for what, if any guards he would find. He would walk as if he belonged there, and only pause if physically blocked.::
My first thought was, he lied in every word, That hoary cripple, with malicious eye Askance to watch the workings of his lie On mine, and mouth scarce able to afford Suppression of the glee, that pursed and scored Its edge, at one more victim gained thereby.
Samson, the half giant, was coming down the ramp when he took notice of Alexander's intently approach. The hammer wielder tapped his weapon on his shoulder and raised an eyebrow at the mage.
"You don't look like a warrior, and your eyes tell me you're not here for pleasantness, yea? Leave now or I, Samson, will toss you like a spear into ocean."
He didn't appear to know Alexander and given the mage's choice timing to approach the ship, the Sellsword seemed hasty to move to violence if the mage gave him enough reason to.
::Alexander paused at the end of the ramp, before stepping onto it himself. The shadows flited and danced about him as his anger at what he had heard from his daughter sought release.
He took only a brief moment to register the tower of a man walking down the ramp towards him. Just long enough to determine it was not the man he was here to see.
So he raised his free hand, palm up, to waist height. As he did, he called upon the shadows laying underneath the ramp and hidden within the rough, uneven surface of the wood. Finally giving vent to his feelings, he wanted them to thicken and cover the ramp with a slick surface.
He then twisted his upraised hand and swept it to the side as the shadows pulled quickly and violently to the side, like a rug being pulled up from under someone.
His hope was to knock the person barring his path into the water on which the ship rested...::
"I've come to have a word with your boss."
::Was all he would say as he watched.::
Last Edit: Mar 22, 2014 14:31:04 GMT -5 by Alexander
My first thought was, he lied in every word, That hoary cripple, with malicious eye Askance to watch the workings of his lie On mine, and mouth scarce able to afford Suppression of the glee, that pursed and scored Its edge, at one more victim gained thereby.
Samson was a beast of a man, a tower even, and it would take the strength of ten to move him even an inch from a guarded position.
"What is this that you're doing with your hand?"
However, given the lack of light and his weakness for surprise attacks, even the giant toppled over with the sweep from the shadows. When Samson hit the water it almost seemed like he hurt the ocean more than Alexander hurt him.
A door could be heard being pushed open in a rush followed by footsteps on deck.
"Samson? Samson!"
A man in a wide brimmed hat looked over the railing and found the dissipating ripples from the crash in the water. The half giant soon erupted with his maw wide open, gasping for breath.
"I am alright, Captain!"
Quick darted his eyes toward the ramp and found Alexander, "You have a death wish coming to my ship and attacking my man?"
::Alexander spared no look for the man as he fell in the water below. He was begining to walk up the plank towards the ship above when another man stuck his head over the rail and addressed him. This one, he paid more attention to.::
"Attacked? I did not such thing. Had that been my intent, your...guard...would not still draw breath. He blocked my way, and I simply removed him from my path. Perhaps he should be taught to greet vistors in a more proper manner.
We need to talk, Quick."
::The shadows, not happy with the small release they had been given after the fuel they hadn recieved by their master's emotions still shifted about him, giving the odd impression that he was surrounded by small flickering candles.::
My first thought was, he lied in every word, That hoary cripple, with malicious eye Askance to watch the workings of his lie On mine, and mouth scarce able to afford Suppression of the glee, that pursed and scored Its edge, at one more victim gained thereby.
Quick didn't take kindly to his smugness, "Visiting hours were over as soon as the moon rose high above us, mister. You picked a heluva time to come see me."
Alexander barely saw the sheen of metal before something wrapped around his neck, tightly, like a piano string.
"Get his hands!" called a stranger's voice. If Alex followed it, there would be a Sellsword wearing a black mask and garb standing several feet behind him holding barely noticeable wire.
Two more warriors in black suddenly appeared from the shadows and grabbed Alex's hands so that he wouldn't try anything more funny.
A bell on the ship rang loudly, stirring the rest of the crew on board. A stampede of feet could be heard as warriors poured from the belly of the ship unto the deck. Those of whom who were archers readied their arrows and trained them on Alexander, while others readied steel on the bow and stern of the ship, expecting a surprise attack.
Samson, dripping a river of water, hauled himself out of the bay and readied his ax.
"Well, I hope you brought friends, otherwise I don't think there'll be much to talk about."
::Curse his hubris. There were times he still forgot he was not the man he once was. Nevertheless, he was not about to give up and roll over like some mongrel.
He struggled against the bonds. The wire at his neck and the (hands or more wire?) that bound his hands both, as any lesser man in such a possition would. He could feel the thinness of the wire begining to cut into his skin about his throat (and possibly wrists)and the blood begin to ooze slowly from the resulting wound(s).
That was all he needed...
He let his disgust flow out of his through the droplets of blood, increasing the flow just enough to give the ammount he would need without killing himself in the process. The blood would run along the wire to find the hands that held it. There it would try to pierce the flesh to run through the offending hands and fingers like roots through soft earth. The blood coming from the wounds of the victims only adding to the volume of the attack.
(If it was hands, and not wire that bound his hands, then tentacles of darkness would errupt from the very shadows his enemies holding his hands had come from to pull them away and free his hands. Otherwise the blood goes for them too if they used wire...)
His only goal was to get his hands and neck free. If successful, he immediately would reach for the Card his daughter had given him just moments ago and hold it high above his head for all to see before calling out in a voice hoarse from the wire.::
"HOLD!
MOVE AGAINST ME,AND MY LAST ACT WILL BE TO DESTROY THIS SHIP AND EVERYONE ON IT!"
::His grim expression would show he intended to do just that, if provoked.::
"ARE ANY ONE OF YOU WILLING TO BE THE CAUSE OF YOUR OWN DEATH AND THOSE OF YOUR COMRADES SIMPLY BECAUSE YOUR CAPTAIN DID NOT WISH TO HAVE A SIMPLE TALK? NOTE THAT I CAUSED NONE OF YOU INJURY, BUT TO PRIDE, UNTIL ATTACKED! EVEN THEN, I HAVE STAYED MY HAND!"
((Making FULL use of Liason skill to try to intimidate and cause hesitation))
::He turns now to cast his eye upon the Captain.::
"So what will it be, Quick? A fiery death for you and your men? Or a simple chat?
The choice is entirely in your hands."
::Mentally, he is preparing to call up a barrier if an attack should come, to protect himself long enough to respond...::
Last Edit: Mar 28, 2014 9:04:03 GMT -5 by Alexander
My first thought was, he lied in every word, That hoary cripple, with malicious eye Askance to watch the workings of his lie On mine, and mouth scarce able to afford Suppression of the glee, that pursed and scored Its edge, at one more victim gained thereby.
I would have said more wire if there was more, the other two grabbed your hands. ____________________________________________________________________
As soon as the shadow magic materialized, Quick raised his own hand, "Oh no you don't."
The shadow magic entered a tug of war between the two masters, and Quick made sure nothing would move as he wrestled with Alexander's focus. However, he had to put more effort in it himself as opposed to the time he fought Neko.
Samson strolled right over and knocked his massive forehead against Alexander, breaking his focus on casting anymore dark magic for the moment; not to mention making a cut.
Grayson released his own focus on magic casting and caught his breath, "Well you're no fish I'll give you that. Still, coming here alone with no backup is down right foolish. You have a death wish or-"
A searing white light suddenly materialized under his coat, causing Quick to howl in pain. Several of his men came to hold him up as he caught himself on the railing.
"Captain! Let's get you back inside!" one of the men said before Quick waved him away.
If Alexander caught the whole thing, he would have recognized what just happened. He noticed that the shape of a skeletal hand was at the center of that light that clutched around Quick's chest. It was a curse, Death's Hand, a rare infliction imposed by the Lord of Death on all his chosen indentured servants, powerful souls he saw fit to do his bidding in the mortal realm. Should they fail in whatever task they are given, Death will claim his soul without hesitation and warning.
All the commotion did not escape the notice of the Sentinels, and soon several men in violet capes came rushing down all the streets toward the ship, demanding answers for what looked like the scene before a murder.
The Sellsword rogues released Alexander and stepped back before jumping back onto the ship with great acrobatic ability. Samson just remained where he was.
"What are you doing with the Master of The Noctis Venator, Quick Grayson?" one of the Sergeants demanded.
He thought, both in regards to the Sellsword's response to the dark magic and the markers of the Curse he had seen.
When the Sentinel's arrive, he gives a show of calm in the face of their presence and adjusts his robes from being handled. His gaze falls on the leader of the guard.::
"It is nothing of consequence, Sergeant. An oversight on the part of my staff, it seems. I required a meeting with Captain Grayson here, and the late hour was all I had available in my schedule. Unfortunately, it appears my request for appointment was not delivered as I thought. I will be speaking with my staff about this, I assure you.
Regretably, I discovered the reason why nighttime visits to the docks are not recommended. The mist from the ocean waves has made the platform I stand upon quite slick. Were it not for the quick action of Captain Grayson's men, I surely would have suffered far more than a bump to the head. Unfortunately, this fine man here took the spill into the water in my place."
::He diverted his gaze from the Sergeant long enough to look at Quick. He hoped the Captain was smart enough to follow along. For there seemed to be much going on here. Perhaps far more than Neko understood...::
My first thought was, he lied in every word, That hoary cripple, with malicious eye Askance to watch the workings of his lie On mine, and mouth scarce able to afford Suppression of the glee, that pursed and scored Its edge, at one more victim gained thereby.
Every Sellsword was a bit confused at what was going on. They were no strangers to being accused of rough housing, but this was the first time they got off the hook for something as big as harassing another faction leader. Samson didn't even know what to make of it, but seemed happy with having hit Alexander at least.
"Just as he said, guardsmen, bit of a mix-up," Quick said finally as his men looked at him anxiously. Then they all followed along with similar responses.
"Alright, well if you're certain, Master Ravenhurst then we'll continue our patrols."
The men holstered their weapons and reluctantly moved away from the scene, but a few decided to wait at the ends of the streets to see if anything else exciting would occur this evening.
"Well, you want your talk, you're gonna have it," Quick said, "The rest of you back to sleep, you too, Samson. The triplets can take over watch from here."
The hulking warrior wrenched his beard and growled at Alexander, clearly not liking the idea of the mage stepping aboard the ship. Still, Captain's order and all and the half giant walked up the ramp to enter the belly of the ship.
Grayson stayed on the deck and waited for his men to leave him be with Alexander.
"You could have come to me during the day," he would say to the Noctis Master when he finally stepped on deck, "Though I don't see why, I imagine with your skill you could handle on your own what any of my men can do."
::Alexander boarded the ship, and stood facing Quick with an air that would show he had woven that story for the Sentinels more for his benefit than the Captain's.::
"Perhaps I should have, but with what I have just learned I felt a more immediate meeting was required."
::His first thought was to speak directly to the man about Neko. However, perhaps a bit of subtlety could be of use here. See what sort of information the Captain was willing to provide before showing more of his hand.::
"Given the hour, I will be more direct than usual. Please forgive me. It has come to me that you know of, and are seeking out, a certain...set of Cards.
I wish to know what you can tell me of them, and your pursuits..."
::Again, he had the feeling that there was more to what was happening then Neko had told him. Not out of omission, but simple unawareness. Perhaps he could learn more about just what it was she had found herself in the middle of.::
My first thought was, he lied in every word, That hoary cripple, with malicious eye Askance to watch the workings of his lie On mine, and mouth scarce able to afford Suppression of the glee, that pursed and scored Its edge, at one more victim gained thereby.
Quick's stance straightened and his demeanor changed dramatically to that of a more serious individual. It was clear he was surprised that Alexander knew of his involvement with the deck.
"You should have said so from the start, Mr. Ravenhurst. Step into my office."
Grayson made him follow into his cabin, where an alcohol ridden odor still lingered. His steps were heavy as he made his way to his desk and plopped down on his chair before getting out two glasses. He didn't bother asking if Alexander wanted any, he just poured them both with rum and slid the other glass at the end of the table.
"I don't know how you found out about my scavenger hunt," he said before taking a drink, "But if you want in I ain' taking any partners, and you don't want to be there when the deck is made anyway."
::Alexander followed the Captain into his cabin and took a seat opposite the man. He watched as drinks were poured, but did not reach for the glass slid his direction. He adjusted his robes once more as he thought of how to respond.::
"How I came aboutthis information is unimportant at the moment, and I have no interest in a partnership at this time. What I am looking for is information.
My position in the Noctis Venator requires alot of things from me. Not the least of which is the pursuit of knowledge and the protection of the people of Wistvale. I need to know what is going on, and how it could effect this town, and the people in it. I assume you are not the only one looking for these Cards.
Tell me what you know."
My first thought was, he lied in every word, That hoary cripple, with malicious eye Askance to watch the workings of his lie On mine, and mouth scarce able to afford Suppression of the glee, that pursed and scored Its edge, at one more victim gained thereby.
Quick snorted, "I don't see why I have to tell you anything, especially after waking my ship up thinking we riled up some poor sod I was gonna have to track down and kill, again."
The Sellsword Captain didn't seem to mind being up front about how he dealt with those who went against his faction.
"Your duty and position here in Wistvale don' concern me any. You're right that others are looking for the cards, and if you know anything bout them then you know that whatever happens, happens. You just gotta hope nobody draws anywhere around here if you're so worried."
"From what I have heard, there are those that already have 'drawn around here', which makes it my concern.
I know you are involved. I also know of others, whose descriptions have reached my ears. Ratmen and Catgirls fighting in the busy streets with Magickal knights that nearly killed civilians as well as a number of Sentinels."
::He watched Quick's reaction carefully to see how he responded to what was just said. Some tell that would betray recognition.::
"If these Cards are as dangerous as you say then it seems to me that your presence here, as well as the others, is therefore a danger to the town and those within it. My Order, and your men, included. The information you provide me could go a long way towards preventing any...outbursts.
However, if you are unwilling to cooperate, I fear I am left no choice but to take a deeper interest in you, your men, and these mysterious Cards."
::He began to rise from his chair, making a show of departing.
The threat was not so veiled, but he hoped that the Captain would want to avoid any undue attention brought to the comings and goings of his mercenaries...::
Last Edit: Apr 3, 2014 10:39:36 GMT -5 by Alexander
My first thought was, he lied in every word, That hoary cripple, with malicious eye Askance to watch the workings of his lie On mine, and mouth scarce able to afford Suppression of the glee, that pursed and scored Its edge, at one more victim gained thereby.