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Post by Kai! Kai! on Apr 24, 2006 3:32:13 GMT -5
Meskhenet winced asshe shifted her right arm, she hadn't escaped that blow completely unscathed. glancing over het shoulder she saw a moderate gash thatled from her shoulder down to the back of her elbow. Crimson droplets ran down her arm, mixing with the water thta still clung to her body and driped form her fingers inot the bath water. "I'll survive..." she replied and watched as Hauser started to retreat she could strike him down now, thow one of her daggers and finnish him but she didn't have the energy she woudl let him go this once. "I had it under control Gladiator but your intervention was most welcome..." she clutched the back of her arm and backed up to the edge of the bath. "lts fall back... you didn't leave the princess alone did you?" she sheathed her daggers and climbed out of the bath removing her hand ot look at her arm. "This is gonig to be hard to explain..." she examined her arm more carefuly and wnced. "It needs stitches..."
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Post by iason on Apr 24, 2006 8:34:26 GMT -5
Silence.
A struggle.
The princess gasped and was knocked out, gagged and bound by a large man. He draped her over his shoulder, before retreating into an underground passage, dug in secret. Though what would become of Hauser? The man had no means to get to his allies...
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Post by Caligo [Inactive] on Apr 24, 2006 10:57:56 GMT -5
Just after the servant/assassin scolded Altair for leaving Asira alone, he heard a faint cry from her in the other room and sped to the door, "Dammit, you and your big mouth," he yelled at the woman with the daggers. Altair made it just in time to see a tile close back onto the floor, "Ei gahs mieh! Alert the castle guard! There's definitely something here that wants the princess - and find that one armed man," he called into the other room while straining to lift the stone block.
With a cry, two more assassins dropped down from the ceiling supports, ninjatos singing toward the warrior. Altair barely rolled out of the way and blocked their strikes with a complaint in Japanese. "Leave now, or your lives end here! You now face Altair-san, Yuudai Daichi!"
The two froze for a moment and flipped back, narrowly missing Ai's wide arc. The men in black spoke in Japanese as well, "The great son of Yuudai or not, our lives are forfeit. We cannot let you rescue the princess; we cannot let you stop us...!"
Altair closed his eyes for a moment, whispering to himself, "Fujin, guide my blades..." The two split to flank him while he did this and jumped at him from the sides - a typical Heishiro school tactic, he remarked in his mind, again, the problem with that was - he lunged toward one, grabbing his leg and throwing him into his opposite. One recovered and found himself sliced in two through his chest, the other crashed to the ground and was relieved of his head. "Hai hai, forfeit indeed."
Altair quickly set back to the stone and pulled it up after a moment. He grabbed a lamp from the pillar nearest him and took off down the darkened, stony tunnel of dirt. He ran as fast as he could, his armor clanking against itself and lamp scratching against the blade it was hanging from.
Before long, he caught up to a large man in tattered pants and large boots, his dark shaved hair dirty from the tunnel. "Hand her over," Altair ordered, the lamp now ready to slide to the ground. Without warning, the kidnapper threw the unconscious Asira at him. Altair dropped Rin and the lamp, which almost spilled over, and held Ai back against his arm. He managed to catch the princess, but fell back with her to the ground. The large man moved on them, but the blade named Love sang out to meet him, slicing off three fingers on his right hand. He paused and looked at the damage with a grunt, giving Altair enough time roll Asira off of him and out of harm's way and to get to his feet.
Ai was now in Altair's two-handed grip, and the juggernaut charged at him again, and the warrior had nowhere to go. There was little room to maneuver, and he couldn't leave the princess there. He swung with all of his might, but his massive opponent simply swatted the blow aside with a golden bracer. His charge hit Altair dead on, sending the blond man into the dirt, rocks scraping his arms and ruining his good pants. The kidnapper charged again, and Altair barely made it to his feet and rolled between the attacker's legs, only to be backhanded and thrown into a wall. His grip on his sword loosened and he slumped somewhat. "I'll make you pay for that, fighter! No one has ever done more than scratch me before this day!"
Altair managed a weak grin, "That's because you're dealing with the legendary Altair..."
The man smirked, "Huh... If you are Altair, there is nothing legendary about you. Prepare to die."
Altair nodded as the giant swung a massive fist at him, and he again rolled between his legs, but he kept low and grabbed Rin this time. The blades sang together and he crossed them before himself, "You told me to prepare to die, and I swore to my Yuudai Sensei that I would not part with his blades until I perished. I am now ready, but I think you should be the one preparing to meet your maker!" He lunged at the juggernaut and swung, the massive man striking aside the blow. Altair used that force to spin Ai around to strike again, and again the man blocked. The next strike came as lightning; a blue glow followed Rin as it bit into the kidnapper's breastplate, bouncing off with tiny shards of ice, but denting his armor nonetheless. Rin again struck at the massive enemy, and he again deflected the strike. Ai, however, found its mark in the man's jugular vein, carving deep into his neck and sending blood jetting to the wall. The giant staggered back, speechless now faced with his own demise. "I am Altair, heir of Yuudai Katsuo. I am a legend - do you believe now...?" The man nodded and faltered, his blood pressure dropping and his consciousness leaving him. He fell to the ground with a massive thud and did not move again.
Altair sheathed his blades after cleaning Ai and picked up Asira and the lamp and started back for the baths. He gently cradled her and made it back into the empty room. He cut her free and put the lamp aside, carrying her to the bath side. Altair quickly took the liberty of looking her over, thanking the gods that she looked alright. He took a cloth and wet it in the warm water and gently took it to her face to bring her to and clean the smudges of dirt from her fair features.
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Post by iason on Apr 24, 2006 11:42:32 GMT -5
"I... am so sorry... Your Highness... I... have... failed... you... I only hope... your friends can... protect you... from enemies... numerous... and powerful... enemies...!" Hauser collapsed, stump of his lost arm continuously pumping blood. He did not know where he was, just that he failed, and that he would die here, princess thinking him a nobody, a nameless Colera.
He would of died, in the hall, whether by bleeding to death, or killed by the castle guard and that cobra not far off. He would of died, if not for the woman smiling down at him. He managed a weak "...you..." in acknowledgement before he fell to black.
The castle guard would not find him. And nor would the cobra. For when they got there, he was gone, with the woman. All they would find was a puddle of his blood.
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Post by Kai! Kai! on Apr 24, 2006 18:56:10 GMT -5
Meskhenet was busy stitching up her own arm her face showing no pain as the needle went through flesh and stitched it closed. When she was done Meskhenet moved her arm slowly and snorted. "I'll stick around long enough to see the guards find you both then i'm going to go find some bandages and retreat to my room and treat my injury better... You fight well Gladiator perhaps one day we cna pit our skills against one another..." she stood up and looked down the passage already she coudl hear the guards. There was no mistakening thier sound and quickly she withdrew as if she had never been there.
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Post by Skye on Apr 24, 2006 19:59:17 GMT -5
Asira was knocked out good and hard, for when she never woke it worried Altair. The shock she had gone through in such a short period of time was immense which explained why she never came around with the touch of water. She would need rest.
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Post by Caligo [Inactive] on Apr 25, 2006 8:36:08 GMT -5
Alone for a moment, Altair held the princess close to him and checked around him once more to be positive - nothing. He gently brushed a lock of auburn hair from her face and softly kissed her forehead. "I'm glad you're alright,"[/i] he whispered with a squeeze. He then picked her up and moved quickly to the door, taking care to keep her wrapped within the guard's cloak around her.
The command of halt sounded just behind him as he turned to go through the passage they had used to get to the baths. Altair spun around to stare down 15 royal guards, all of which no doubt thought him the enemy. "Release Princess Asira this instant!"
Altair shook his head, "I'm not the bad guy - I killed the bad guys and saved Asira! Look, did you bring the medic?" They hesitated. "Answer me!" The look in his eyes convinced the commander, at least.
"No, she is on her way."
"Then send her to the chambers of her highness where we shall await. Feel free to accompany us, because I know you will, but make it fast!" He spoke while backpedaling and then turned into a gentle but swifter pace.
He reached her room once more and pulled the door open with his foot and went inside. Carefully, he laid Asira onto the bed and covered her with the sheet that was still halfway on the ground. The guards filed in and drew their weapons on Altair. He sighed and slumped over, "I know you're just doing your jobs, but come on, guys! You should know by now that I'm not going to hurt her..."
The captain held out his hand, "You are not permitted to have your weapons and armor in here, sir. Please hand them over."
Altair cocked his head at the word 'sir'. "The name's Altair. I can't let you guys take my swords; I can't really afford to let anyone else touch them; but I will oblige your duty anyway. Just let me take this stuff off, alright...?" Moving almost nonchalantly, Altair removed his swords and armor as the guards whispered among themselves about his renown. He carefully put Ai and Rin inside of his breastplate and set it on a flat pillow, and slid all of it under her bed a good ways. "I can't get at it, you guys can keep a knife to my throat, although I hope you know that's not necessary, and I'm gonna sit here until I have to leave; at which time my effects come with me under my arm. Will that do...?"
The captain was taken aback by his subtlety and manners, expecting the great Altair to be vain and arrogant. "Yes, Sir Altair. Two of my men inside the doors, two outside, and I shall remain as well."
Altair smiled, the mutual respect between the warriors something special to him, "Very well - I wouldn't have it any other way. Please, sit, captain." He pulled two sitting chairs over to the bedside and sat at the one placed near the head so that he could keep a watchful eye on Asira as he spoke with the captain of the guards.
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Post by Skye on Apr 25, 2006 19:14:04 GMT -5
Asira stirred a little, though she was not awake. Deep within her mind a dream was forming up.
Asira ran down the streets of Rome, Meskhenet, Altair nor Draai were no where to be seen. It was light outside but everything seemed to have a dark tinge to it. The people of Rome were merely silhouettes, the landscape was blurry and no one aknowledged her. Suddenly someone stepped infront of her, knife in hand, the face was blurry and the body was dark much like the others but the blade she could clearly see, and it already had blood on it. Whose blood? Her eyes widened but the figure was suddenly swiped away as though it were merely a sheet in the wind. To take its place, there was a woman. She couldn't quite make clear of the face, but she could tell this woman was older, from what Asira could see the woman looked a little scary, though her smile was warming. Hands were placed upon her shoulders and the dream was gone, she was left to sleep peacefully, unaware of the events surrounding her sleeping form.
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Post by Skye on Apr 29, 2006 23:47:11 GMT -5
Altair was having a little chat with the guards when a sudden commotion outside the door took their attentions away from small chat. "Where is he?!" Two men burst through the door, Altair immiediatly reconized them as Asira's brothers, Deodatus and Reign. While Reign was a bit farther behind his brother, Deodatus was looking around wildly, seeing his sister than Altair... "You!" he began to storm towards the gladiator in a threatening way, grabbing for his weapon. Reign grabbed his brothers shoulder. "You get away from her!" he spat, "you shoud be no where near my sister!" Altair knew the real reason Deodatus was angry. While Altair was Asira's saviour (as well as meskhenet) Deodatus viewed him as competition over Asira. Speaking of Asira, she rolled over with a groan almost wakened by the yelling. "Calm down brother." Reign said in a calm, collected manner. "Calm down?!" Reign gave him a glare. Deodatus looked from his brother, to the staring guards and Altair, "watch your back." he warned Altair and left the room. "I do not think there is anymore need for you to be here." Reign nodded to the guards who bowed and left. When the doors closed Reign turned to Altair and walked over, looking down upon his sister. "I am grateful she is ok," he looked down to Altair, "of course it would not have been possible if it were not for you." He saw the bandages, "thank you..."
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Post by Caligo [Inactive] on Apr 30, 2006 0:31:52 GMT -5
He blocked the blow Deodatus sent his way before going for his sword, Altair simply ready to dodge, but Reign interceded. Altair looked suitably intimidated by the younger prince until he left, and then regained his normal composure, unworried by such an empty threat. He unceremoniously fell back into his chair and the older brother, Reign, thanked him.
"Well, I'm glad somebody around here has sense," he looked up at Asira's older brother, "No real need to thank me, though. Just doing my duty, your highness."
Reign saw right through his slightly crooked smile and found himself with the same expression. "Knock it off, Altair... What's the real reason you went into harm's way for my sister?"
His tone seemed a little expectant to the warrior, and Altair's smile faded. He wondered for a moment why he did go out of his way for her. Well, probably because he had just spent the night with her, but before that, why did he go to see her? That look on her face at the dinner... In spite of himself, Altair took on a morose smile, "Well... ...I'm not sure, Prince Reign. It was just the right thing to do by me."
"I got a brief rundown of what happened as I followed my foolhardy little brother here. What were you two doing in the baths? You should know that that alone is grounds for execution."
"For what!? She took hers and I took mine - didn't want to stink for your games - no way for a legend to go about his business! And I was more or less doing as I was told," Altair protested.
The prince looked at him and cocked an eyebrow, "So, what exactly lead up to this? What I want to know is why you were in there with Asira."
Although his face didn't show it, Altair was unsure of himself for a moment. How much to tell the brother of the princess, news he probably wouldn't like and might not like to hear. "...Well... ...I saw her after the feast to see if she was alright - she did not look well at dinner. ...Something taken by the concern of a stranger, perhaps thinking that if it showed outwardly so that she needed someone to talk to, she invited me to her room, and I agreed after a good deal of objection - who am I to refuse the wishes of the princess...?" Reign nodded slowly, his gaze intent but not hostile. "So, she explained about her stress and these assassins as well... ...I guess she got herself worked up about it, and she bid me to stay. I knew it wasn't a good idea, but the look she gave me, and she said it'd be alright... A legendary warrior would make a good deterrent to any assassin, she said..."
Prince Reign looked over to his sleeping sister while the medic that came in with them finished her work, nodding to the prince that she would be fine. "She needs her rest, Altair. I trust you will see that she gets it...?"[/color] He put his hand on the warrior's shoulder as he walked past with a warm smile.
Altair, taken a bit off guard by this, stumbled over his words for a moment, "Ai, buh... Yes, your highness. Your wish is my command," he finished with a grin of his own.
"Good. Watch for my brother, though. He has his sights set on Asira, as I'm sure you know; and you've seen how quickly he is to anger. He won't hurt her, but do keep watch. I'm sure I don't need to tell you that." With that, Reign closed the door and ordered the two guards to follow only the words of himself, the king, Altair, and Asira.
After a few minutes, Altair put the chairs back and lay down next to Asira, keeping a close eye on her and putting an arm around her, covering them both with the sheet once again.
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Archangel
Recruit
And thus did the Archangel descend from Heaven itself...
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Post by Archangel on Apr 30, 2006 0:43:18 GMT -5
The Gladiators knew nothing of what was happening at the palace. All they knew was what they felt, and what they feared. And that was enough.
The chambers underneath the Coliseum were even more dank and disgusting than the barracks of the Contesar. It smelled like blood and rat feces down here in the pit of no return. Batair had been escorted here, along with his Gladiator "colleagues", just in time for the first fights. He had watched nearly half a dozen warriors go up there, and so far only one had come back, and he was missing three fingers. There were still a few more Gladiators to go, and then it would be his turn. But it seemed that the men fighting them today were especially talented. Either that, or his "colleagues" were all too hung over to fight. Probably the latter. He sat and waited for his turn, breathing calmly, ignoring the stench of fear in the air around him. He wasn't afraid.
More left, and none came back. He still wasn't afraid.
Finally, one of the slaves came down the staircase leading up to the Coliseum floor. "Batair. You're next."
Calmly, the giant of a man stood. He walked forward, and stepped quietly up the stairs behind the slave. He was in his battle mode...not much could phase him now. They reached the top, and he calmly stepped forward and accepted his weapon. The slave holding it could barely keep it from dragging on the ground, but once Batair got a good handhold on the chain, it seemed light as a feather. He hefted it over his shoulder, and the slave gestured. Taking a moment, he walked out.
A voice came booming across the Coliseum, amplified by clever voice cones made from a resonant wood. "Now, citizens of Rome, here comes the main event. If you've seen fights to the death before, then you've seen this man. A giant among men, a man without equal in the field of battle, the one, the only....BATAIR!" The crowd roared its approval, a giant swelling of noise that shook the Coliseum grounds. Batair stepped forward, and raised his weapon in the air, letting out a mighty roar of battle. The crowd loved it. But, before the man with the amplifier could speak again, Batair's loud, masculine voice slammed out over the crowd.
"PEOPLE OF ROME! I call ye now, to pledge mah battle to one of yer own! Teday, I will WIN this fight, 'n I do this in one man's nem. One great man, ta whome I pledge this fight. EMPER'R NERO!"
The name rang out among the crowd, and they all cheered thunderously, screaming his name and Nero's, clapping until their hands hurt, and screaming their lungs out. The man's voice was back, thundering over the crowd.
"This is an amazing day! Batair has pledged to win this fight in the Emperor's name! Long live the Emperor!" He was drowned out by the cries of agreement. When he came back, he was just as loud. "And to fight this noble Celt, this man from the north, we have a very special opponent today. Coming from Gaul, where he is known as The Great One to every Gallic man, woman and child, a man that most say is immortal, here is... Clar!"
Batair's attention focused on the far side of the Coliseum. The door opened, and a figure stepped through the entryway. Batair had to fight to keep his jaw from dropping wide open. The man that walked through that entry was no normal man. It was like a Minotaur from the Greek legends, but bigger. The man was enormous. Standing at least 7 feet tall, he was approximately 350 pounds of pure, rippling muscle, clad in rough furs that seemed to be ripping under the intense pressure of his size. He was even bigger than Batair, much bigger, and stronger too. His skin was pockmarked with scars and his lip was destroyed, leaving only a sneering grimace that was not hidden by his long, grimy hair. He carried in his hands a fully metal spear, at least as tall as himself, and since it was iron, it must have weighed at least 150 pounds. He was truly a giant....
Batair took the man's appearance as best he could. He set his feet, his face calm, his manner poised. He waited for the dropped flag that signalled the start of the match. The giant, Clar, stepped in, his face leering, his mouth trapped in an ugly grimace. They faced each other across the width of the Coliseum. Batair bowed to wish the man good luck, and a good fight. The Gaul simply spit at his feet, which in turn infuriated the Celt. What dishonor! The crowd was on the edge of their seats, waiting for the flag to drop. And finally, with a sigh...it did.
Clar, his eyes glinting madly, started the fight. Like a bull, the man came charging across the Coliseum floor, his spear lowered. He was probably use to taking out his victims in one shot, simply skewering them on his massive heavy spear. Batair wouldn't give him that pleasure. As the man ran across the hard-packed dirt, Batair began to spin his flail above his head. The thing went around and around, picking up speed and momentum. The crowd hushed as the giant sped forward, and a loud bellow was heard, like the roar of a lion. Clar thrust his spear forward, slammed into it, and at the last minute, jumped high in the air, and came down with the spear exactly at Batair's head level. He was going to skewer him right through the skull!
But of course, as he came down, Batair was no longer there.
Sidestepping the flailing giant easily, Batair moved swiftly, dodging to the side in an easy step. As the man landed on his feet, Batair swung with all of the momentum he could muster. The heavy spiked ball at the end of the chain swung hard, and slammed into Clar's shoulder. One point dug in deep, and the sheer force of the blow knocked the man off his feet and onto the ground. Batair yanked, pulled the flail out, and stepped back. Surely Clar wasn't dead?
But no. The giant, very purposefully, stood up. He turned around, and when he did, Batair noticed something. The man's eyes were glazed. And he looked...almost...soporific. He had not made a single pained outcry, and his face showed no pain, even though there was now a good sized hole in the back of his shoulder that leaked blood. He seemed...unhurt. Drugged, maybe? If he was on some kind of hallucinogen, he wouldn't register pain....
Batair had no time to consider this as the spear came whipping around like a bat, aimed at his midsection. He dodged backwards, reached out, and caught the tip of the spear with the hook on the other end of his chain. Whipping it around, he swung the spear backwards and then stepped forward, slashing with the hook. He was satisfied to hear the ripping of flesh as the hook bit into Clar's pectoral muscle. But the giant made no outcry of pain. Amazingly, he stepped into the blow, grabbed Batair with his free hand, and literally threw him a dozen feet backwards!
Batair landed hard, and rolled, surprised at the man's strength and at his lack of pain. Clar, glazed eyes and all, took advantage of Batair's roll, and stepped in, stabbing forward with his spear before Batair could even regain his feet. Gods Clar was fast! Batair managed not to get skewered as he jumped to his feet. But his flail was on the ground behind the giant, who was dripping blood. The crowd hooted and cried out, gleeful at the sight of blood, and went crazy as they saw Batair had no weapon.
The Celt was trying to get around the giant Gaul to retrieve his weapon. But the Gaul's spear was far too long and fast for him. It stabbed forward again and again, and twice it sliced a good sized hole in his stomach and chest, which caused the man to jump backwards each time. He tried catching the spear with his bare hands, and simply got a cut for his troubles. So, he was resigned to circling. He kept his body low to the ground and held his hands to the side, like a wrestler circling his opponent. Clar kept jabbing in, trying for his head, his stomach, anything he could get. He was relentless. But Batair wasn't getting caught. He kept trying to circle around, because he knew that if he could get his chain flail, he could have a fair fight.
With a grunt, Clar slammed the spear in low and hard, but this time, Batair managed to grab the shaft. He yanked with all of his formidable strength.... and the spear stayed rooted in the giant's hands. HELL! This man was like a boulder! He pulled again, hoping for something to happen. The giant only leered at him.
Changing tactics, Batair stopped pulling, whipped his hand to the side, and then pushed into the spear. Hard. He felt the tip slam into his stomach, and it hurt like hell as it sliced into him. But he didn't care. Because he finally got something out of it.
Surprised at the move, Clar was not prepared for it. The butt end of the spear slammed into his stomach, and the air blew out of his mouth as he fell backwards, hitting the ground hard. Leaping, Batair jumped high, landed, and rolled hard. As Clar lay on his back, trying to get to his feet and get his breath back, Batair rolled right into his chain flail. Gods, that felt good in his hands! He stood and turned around, bleeding fairly heavily from his stomach, but armed now.
The Gaul got to his feet. Slowly, the two began to circle each other. As they circled, Batair swung the chain around his head, slowly at first, then faster and faster. They were measuring each other's strength. Clar had the clear advantage. He had been sliced twice, and had yet to murmur about the pain. However, Batair's stomach wound was intensely painful. He could feel it like a knife imbedded in his stomach...it hurt so bad. Clar could see that, and he knew this was his chance. He had to move in for the kill. But Batair saw it coming.
Clar jerked in with his spear, once, twice, both of them feints. Then, with a grunt, he suddenly swung the spear sideways, launched forward with his elbow, hit Batair, and then slammed upward with the butt end of his spear. Batair got the elbow to his gut, which made his wound hurt worse, but as the butt of the spear came flying towards his head, he ducked to the side, reached out, and slammed the heavy flail into the man's side. It slammed into Clar's ribs, cracking them, Batair could hear the snapping, and blood squirted from the wound. He might have even pierced a lung. And yet, the giant made no outcry of pain. Batair backed off for a minute, studying the man. He didn't even lean heavily on his other side. It was as if he hadn't been hit at all. His glazed eyes stared at Batair with dull understanding. What WAS this man? Was he even human?
Clar knew he had to end the fight. Now, before it was too late. He jabbed forwards a couple of times, striking a good hit to Batair's upper arm. But Batair deflected most of the attacks fairly easily. But then, without warning, Clar struck. It was a desperate blow, and he knew that if it missed, he would most likely die. But it needed to be done. Batair did not even guess what he would do...until the giant had done it. Slamming the butt end of the spear on the ground, the Gaul leaped forward, using his spear as leverage, and aimed a double kick at Batair's head.
At the last minute, Batair ducked, and Clar went flying over his head, spear trailing. The tip cut Batair's scalp as he went flying by, but Batair didn't pay any attention. His enemy was now on the ground, and he was fully upright, his flail spinning wildly. He didn't hesitate. Taking a step towards the man, he slammed downward in a crazy, intense blow. Clar's head caved in under the weight of that heavy flail.
That...was the end.
Batair stood for a moment, his weapon embedded in the man's skull. It was oddly silent. Then, with a cry louder than a thousand thunder crashes, the crowd erupted in insane yelling and screaming. They went crazy! The announcer tried to announce Batair's victory, but even his amplified voice was drowned out by the crazy screaming and clapping of the whole crowd. Batair stood a moment, his head bowed in respect for the dead, then turned to where the Emperor would sit, and raised his weapon above his head. Yelling out a prayer of thanks to his war god, Batair shouted to the Heavens, and the crowd exploded with applause. He had done it.
(OOC: Ok....I still don't think this fits here, but hey, let's see, shall we? I'm gonna get caught up sometime soon!)
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Post by Kai! Kai! on Apr 30, 2006 0:58:47 GMT -5
Meskhenet came skulting into Asira's room an hour or two later, her arms was bandaged and concealed benieht a long sleeved top. She scanned the room for a moment looknig for possible threats then took a seat in one of the chairs watching the pair in bed, the faintest of smiles touched her lips as she examined them thens she sighed softly looking towards the curtianed window and wondered if she should wake Altiar or let him sleep. Gods' know she coudl dowith soem sleep too she;d spent the hours after the attack hunting ihgh and low for the attackers before she decided ot get her amr seen too. Now that it was clean and stritched and hurting like a bitch she wanted nothing better hten to sleep.
Time would not allow for that however, she had to go out inot the city tonight and see if she couldn't find any clues for this would be kidnapper and his maulty crew, they would die and coem face to face with anubus before the end. That was a promise she made to herself and her gods. Meskhenet sat in the chair pondering, she jolted herself awake suddenly as she realised she was starting to doze. it wouldn't do for her to fall aslep now, she had work to do.... Meskhenet stood up quietly and was about ot leave when a noise caught her attention. She stopped and looked over at the bed.
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Post by Caligo [Inactive] on Apr 30, 2006 1:45:21 GMT -5
Altair stared intently at her, if a bit amused. "Want me to get up, Egyptian? You can lie down if you wish."
A coy smile crossed Meskhenet's features, "No, it might tempt you too much."
"And what do you mean by that," he smirked in response.
The servant/assassin shook her head and laughed softly, "Nothing... though if you can't think of an answer yourself, thats your problem."
"I must admit that my mind does not take your meaning... I must also admit that I don't think that's the reason you came."
"...I came to see how the princess was, nothing more... ...And to see if you might know something about our attackers. There's no sign of them anywhere in the palace - I plan on going out into the city tonight to investigate." She finished with a yawn behind her hand.
"Well my dear, I'd recommend you take some rest before that, especially while injured. But before that, I wanted to ask you a few things..." Asira stirred slightly and he put his hand in hers, brushing some stray auburn away with his other hand.
The woman let out a small sigh, "Rest is for those who have the leisure for it; I don't..." She ran a hand through her dark hair, "Ask away warrior."
Altair hesitated a moment before choosing his words, "I don't believe servant girls get training as assassins in their first years... Just who are you, anyway...? I gather that you're on Princess Asira's side, but I can't see to what end..."
Meskhenet smiled and looked at the sleeping princess, "I am a kind of bodyguard that also acts as a spy, assassin and saboteur on Asira's Behalf. My life is hers to do with as she wishes... What I am known as, warrior, is a Desert Cobra."
He frowned. "I dealt with one of those today; the beginning of all hell breaking loose. Don't know if you saw the dagger wielding wench dead near Asira's bath. She died by her own blade, too taken with the prospect of killing me to heed caution. That's unsettling... I trust you with her, though... But I wonder how this arrangement came to be, and why it persists. Do you owe her something...?"
Meskhenet looked at Altair and smiled sadly. "That is something I cannot answer... All you need know is, however, warrior, that I will die before I will let the princess die. She has my utmost respect and I honour her for that, living in this cesspool of political intrigue and vile intentions..."
Altair gave the equivalent of a small shrug as not to wake Asira. "Well then, might I know your name, as surely you know my own?"
"...Meskhenet..."
"Hm..." He did an improvised bow and then looked at her for a moment more. "And about you getting rest, I can tell the guards to fetch you in your quarters and bring you here to tend to Asira, and you can sleep instead. It is up to you, however, I would recommend it."
Meskhenet smirked and gave her own impression of a bow, "I'll rest when I don't have things to do. Keep your eyes open and sword sharp, warrior... the fight is far from over." Meskhenet turned and dissapeared back down the secret passage.
He watched as the passage slid closed again and then lay back against the pillows, Asira still holding onto him somewhat.
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Post by Skye on May 1, 2006 6:48:29 GMT -5
When Asira did wake it was quite abrupt, sitting straight up and looking around wildly. Looking down she saw Altair with a little grin, "Welcome back, princess." She looked around a bit more then fell back onto the pillows, "How long was I out?...bet I missed alot." she turned her head to face him, "and I never even really got to thank you, or Meskhenet, I don't even think thank you is enough for those who saved my life."
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Post by Caligo [Inactive] on May 6, 2006 22:20:02 GMT -5
Altair smiled at her, "Your highness, you need not even think of thanking me - seeing you well is more than enough for me."
Asira smiled, looking over his handsome features. She closed her eyes only briefly with a sigh, "I'm worried about you, and about Meskhenet." She opened her eyes once more, "People are after me it's quite obvious..." she sat up slowly, "I don't want either of you hurt or worse."
"And you would then have harm come to yourself? Let those brigands run off with you and do gods know what with you? My dear Asira, that would so me more harm than nigh any blow... And to add to that, they'd have to manage to hit me first," he smiled at her and gave her a hug around her shoulders with one arm.
Asira smiled and took in the warm embrace and seemed to fall into him. Just to have ones arm around her was so comforting,"thank you, Altair... but I'm never going to stop worrying." She pulled away and looked into his eyes with a shy smile.
"Sweet Asira, I am honored that you would feel that you have to worry about me; and I am doubtless that Meskhenet feels the same." Altair sat up for a moment and moved down, making himself comfortable with his head on a pillow and an arm under her neck, now at eye level with her.
She giggled, "Sweet Asira eh? hmhm..." Her grin was wide and then she found herself doing something before it even full registered through her head. Moving closer, she curled up to him, she surprised herself at first but kept her cool, "I'm glad to be lucky enough to have protectors like you and Meskhenet..."
He smiled and embraced her, his cheek resting against her soft auburn hair. He smiled because he genuinely cared for her, whether he wanted to admit it to himself or not, and it would seem that she enjoyed his company as well. "Mayhaps, your highness, it is I who is lucky; you being worth protecting..." He gave her a playful squeeze with a smile, something slightly different in it this time.
A moment passed and she looked to him with a smile, their faces much closer now, "Do you ever have fear Altair?" he voice was soft and quiet.
He looked into her eyes in contemplation, the thought never really occurred to him before. "Fear, milady? I must say that the subject is never on my mind..." He looked at her for a moment longer and his features took on a more serious look. "I suppose, my dear, I feared for you somewhat hours ago..." The words did not come easily, and his expression was part puzzled, the warrior hiding possible deeper implications as not to give either of them the wrong idea.
"So, do you think it's normal to feel fear?" She averted her eyes.
"Mmmhmm..." Altair rolled onto his side in suit with her and held her closer, his head against her shoulder as he whispered to her. "It's perfectly normal to feel fear, princess. Nearly everyone I know does - I have faced it time and time again, sweet Asira; faced death and destruction, abandonment and hopelessness many, many more times than most. I have come to see fear as trivial, and usually only good for stumbling around in the case of an emergency as opposed to staying collected and finding a solution... But it's taken years and a very good stretch of Pluto for me to get this way..." His voice wavered for a moment, then finished in a whisper of a whisper, "...Perhaps even I am not immune to its effects at times..."
She closed her eyes and murmured, "you seem fearless to me, Altair..." She wasn't scared, not right now, but Asira knew things will be a lot different now; she knew she was in danger, but many attacks in one day only proves the severity of the situation, "I'll be scared to ever be alone."
He thought better of playing hero and boasting and of progressing any further toward a relationship with the princess - anything more than a friendship, anyway. Instead, he have her a hug and kissed her on the cheek. "You need never be alone, Asira. I am at your service, so long as you will have me, and I am sure Meskhenet feels the same way..." He then returned to lying onto his back, one arm still beneath the princess.
Asira gave a sigh, Altair couldn't tell if it was a sigh of relief or for something else, either way she closed her eyes once more, she began thinking about her father, her mother, what they were going to say or do, knowing her father he'll be too involved in the celebrations to come right away to check on her. It was safe to say a lot was on Asira's mind, and as she lay there curled up against Altair, she began thinking of her relationship with him. Was this a friendship? Surely it was nothing more. "At least I can trust someone..." Altair, Meskhenet and Reign were the only people she could trust right now; not a lot.
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