Kaisa sat in Th' Broken Door, a half-full beer before her and her battered platemail armour in a bag next to her. She was back in her leathers.
Dakkru's black crack! It had gone from a relatively simple lure-and-robbery into a tense stand-off.
It had all started back in Hydlaa with Rigwyn introducing his latest two recruits to the family. They'd seemed keen enough and, if she admitted it herself Kaisa was keen for a bit of action too, so she had suggested 'a job'.
Soon enough there was a treasure map making its way around Hydlaa collecting soon-to-be victims and Kaisa and Jacula, both clad in platemail, weapons out, found themselves crouched round a fire in a dark cavern, waiting...
After what seemed like hours of waiting they finally heard the screech of a dying velnishi. Someone was coming.
Jacula extinguished the fire and the two slowly stood, careful to make as little noise as possible, and readied their weapons. Not more than a few minutes later they heard another shout, though this time from a humanoid throat, and they charged off down the rocky passage...
(01:21:16) Mellas looks over at Sulaika. 'Can I check the map?'
(01:21:16) Kaisa shouts: Well, well, well. Nobody move! Drop your weapons and hand over your valuables. Nice and quickly now. No one need get hurt. [Just a few Tria or anything you don`t mind losing. RP cooperation appreciated]
(01:21:36) Sulaika turns her head to Mellas, "Hmmm, maybe it was only one part of the treasure Mellas?" She puts the map on the ground
(01:21:40) Lace raise slowly stand keepin himself strictly controll "carefull... dont come too close now "
(01:21:42) Mellas turns around quickly and stands before Sulaika
(01:21:58) Jacula raises a glowing glyph towards the crowd 'Don't make any sudden movements.. I`d hate to.. slip'
(01:21:59) Kaisa looks to the pregnant woman, "What the-?"
(01:21:59) Kaisa says: No one wants the nice mother-to-be to get hurt now, right?
Kaisa shook her head and took another swig of beer as she remembered how surprised she'd been to find a heavily pregnant woman amongst their victims. The enki wasn't scared of killing; she'd sent three men to her goddess, always when on a job, but...a pregnant woman?! It brought back memories of another time, years earlier, when she had been in a shockingly similar situation. Asked, nay, ordered to kill a young pregnant peasant, the fenki had refused and turned her back on the dark path she had set out on.
She shivered at the memory, and at how close this last job had come to having a worse outcome...
(01:22:23) Mellas nods and looks at Sulaika. 'I think it's best we cooperate...'
(01:22:24) Kaisa is clad in battered platemail, a battle helm and has a purple linen handkerchief over the lower half of her face.
(01:22:50) Vilthis turns to his attention to the new comers "You WOULD prefer to permit me to walk away without any hassle"
(01:23:01) Jacula directs the glyph towards Vilthis, his eyes snapping to his entropic hand
(01:23:07) Kaisa laughs
(01:23:13) Lace turns to comers "if .,,we sheath our swords ...you don`t hurt the ladies ?..if you promise that ..I won`t fight "
(01:23:15) Sulaika looks confused, "Whats going on?" She looks at Jacula and Kaisa
(01:23:30) Kaisa says: You move, corpse, and you all die.
(01:23:37) Lace slowly sheaths his sword
(01:23:48) Sulaika holds on her breath
(01:23:49) Mellas shushes Sulaika, standing before her. 'Just... give them what you got, I don't want you to get hurt.'
(01:23:51) Vilthis says: I'll desire to see the attempt...
(01:24:01) Vilthis casually walks towards Kaisa
(01:24:13) Kaisa says: Corpse, you try anything and the woman...and her kid, dies. Got it?
(01:24:20) Jacula squeezes the glyph causing it to glow brightly directing it at Vilthis head as he walks up to Kaisa
(01:24:33) Kaisa says: Valuables. NOW!
(01:24:47) Sulaika whispers to Mellas, "What do you mean?"
(01:24:53) Vilthis says: Which is of greater value? Your lives...Or their valuables?
(01:25:07) Lace drop his right knee and dark glow appear his left hand
(01:25:23) Kaisa says: Nah, corpse. You don`t get it, do you? You make a move: she and the lil` baby die.
(01:25:38) Vilthis says: You would know better that you people would never live free again in any circumstance.
(01:25:51) Vilthis says: I'm willing to bargain...However on MY terms.
(01:25:57) Kaisa yawns
(01:26:00) Jacula tilts his head at Vilthis, eyes darting to his entropic limb. He swiftly moves up to Sulaika, as he attempts to grab her in a stranglehold
(01:26:19) Sulaika shivers and looks at Lace and Vilthis with scared wide opened eyes.
(01:27:14) Sulaika coughs and tries not to move under Jacula's stranglehold. She snaps for air.
(01:27:22) Lace winches "ungh...pain ,,,can`t do much now ...Vilthis carefull now .,we don`t want to endanger Sulaika and her baby "
(01:27:33) Kaisa looks to Lace, "Sensible man."
(01:27:59) Kaisa says: Cough up some loot. Before the lady turns blue.
(01:27:59) Vilthis says: Dead or not...Our souls ALL belong to Dakkru.
(01:28:23) Kaisa says: I don`t disagree. But let`s leave the theological discussion for another time.
(01:28:24) Jacula keeps Sulaika's head in a vice grip, allowing her to breathe normally. He looks to Vilthis with a malign glow in his eyes from under his hood 'Lay down your weapons.. It would by a pity for this innocent mother`s throat to. .Constrict'
(01:28:47) Vilthis says: You seem to contemplate upon life to be of great sanctity...I assure you..It's an overrated pheneomenon
(01:29:07) Vilthis walks towards Kaisa as he lightly taps her shoulders
(01:29:14) Kaisa says: Oh? How about that of an unborn child? You don`t mind killing it?
(01:29:24) Kaisa shrugs aside, untouched
(01:29:27) Lace says: Sensible ?..perhaps ..unh heh .. I`ll gived my word didn`t I..shadowranger always keep them"
(01:29:31) Jacula tightens his stranglehold on Sulaika's throat at Kaisa`s words
(01:29:42) Vilthis says: I would be more concerned about you...Enki
(01:30:03) Kaisa says: Ebon. If this guy doesn`t drop some shinies on the count of five...Do her.
(01:30:09) Kaisa shouts: One.
(01:30:10) Sulaika blinks and stutters. "W...what d...do you want from u...us." She trembles scared.
(01:30:45) Kaisa says: Money. Treasure.
(01:31:07) Vilthis shouts: YOUR LIFE!
Was the half-decomposed xacha
insane? He was turning what was planned to be a quick hold-up into a battle of wills...and during her long wait with Jacula in their hiding place they had talked a fair bit. Kaisa had the feeling that her ynnwn accomplice was particularly ruthless and only cared about one person other than himself. Still, he knew that she was senior in 'the family' and he should fallow her lead. She hoped.
(01:31:21) Kaisa shouts: Two.
(01:31:31) Vilthis lashes his tendrils maliciously at Kaisa unleashing a wrathful barrage of primal entrophy
(01:31:53) Vilthis says: She can die...But you would empower Dakkru with both your deaths
(01:31:54) Lace looks Jacula "if..we give valuables you don`t harm her ? ..* drops a sack on the ground*"
(01:32:27) Jacula slowly brings his serrated blade to Sulaika's throat, trembleling slightly at what he is about to do. As Vilthis attacks Kaisa he lets the blade cut her throat slightly 'That's right.. Don't be stupid' he exclaims loudly
(01:32:28) Kaisa staggers under the spell
(01:32:37) Kaisa shouts: Three
(01:32:49) Vilthis says: You have no leverage upon ME.
(01:33:04) Kaisa says: I don`t mind dying, corpse. I love Lady Death perhaps as much as you.
(01:33:06) Kaisa grins
(01:33:17) Sulaika coughs and glances at Vilthis and Lace and feels blood flowing down her throat.
(01:33:33) Vilthis intensifies his constriction as he slowly reduced Kaisa into an entrophic husk
(01:33:34) Lace says: Vilthis dont !..that man will harm Sulaika. I see it in his eyes if we dont give up
(01:33:53) Kaisa grits her teeth, resisting the spell as best she can.
(01:34:07) Kaisa shouts: Four
(01:34:15) Lace slowly stand up holding his shoulder a bit
(01:34:20) Jacula seems to be getting some strange enjoyment out of having Sulaika in her predicament.
(01:34:41) Kaisa grimaces, eyes locked with Vilthis`, "What`s it to be? I`m no murderer."
(01:36:00) Lace does windstep art and dashes towards Vilthis grabbing his arm trying to pull him apart
(01:36:29) Lace says: Vilthis ...don`t ...endanger Sulaika
(01:36:33) Sulaika gasps heavily and tries to speak slowly, "Guy's its alright...don`t do what they want...my life has either way no value anymore...if they want to kill me...I will be happy, as everyone else." She feels more blood flowing down her throat.
(01:36:51) Vilthis turns to Sulaika
(01:36:53) Kaisa staggers back as Lace distracts Vilthis
(01:37:27) Kaisa says: Gents. What`ll it be? A few coins for your time?
(01:37:32) Jacula lets a vague touch of crystal magic wander over Sulaikas throat to prevent the bleeding, keeping her in a forceful vice grip with the blade inches from her throat
(01:37:38) Lace looks at Sulaika "I,,cant just let you be harmed..along with the child "
(01:37:45) Vilthis says: Your death would not be in vain - Sulaika.
(01:38:18) Lace looks at Kaisa"I left two sacks on the ground ..take them and let Sulaika go ..please"
(01:38:21) Vilthis turns to both the robbers - How does freedom sound like to you both?
(01:38:48) Kaisa says: What about the child? Dakkru`s black crack! I just came here for a bit of looting. Curse you xacha. Do you want to be responsible for these needless deaths?
(01:39:24) Vilthis says: Oh...The causations of the law views the 'circumstance' quite differently.
(01:39:34) Sulaika whimpers and coughs again, "W...wh...why?" She trembles under his forceful wice grip and starts slowly to fell unconscious.
(01:39:41) Vilthis says: You know this to be true...
(01:40:01) Kaisa says: Do we *look* like we care about the word of the law?
(01:40:02) Jacula seems tempted to cut into Sulaika's throat 'don't move.. I'd hate to slip'
(01:40:17) Lace shouts and holds his head
(01:40:58) Vilthis turns to the cloaked person and notices the coil burns "What about you...halfbreed?"
(01:41:09) Kaisa sighs, "Last chance gents." She looks to Lace, "Can you talk some sense into him?"
(01:41:31) Lace cold glow and devilish smile appears him and young ylian laughs dark tone "mmm hahahaha ,, ah I`d love to ...so Vilthis how about let them go.."
(01:43:26) Vilthis says: Peculiar...I just see what is leveraged upon me to contemplate a bargain.
(01:43:27) Jacula keeps the blade pressed against Sulaika's poorly healed throat, loosening his grip slightly so that she can breathe. His eyes seemingly transfixed on Vilthis
(01:43:31) Lace says: they can keep that worthless treasure and my goods its nice to be a gentleman once in a while no ?
(01:43:50) Kaisa says: Xacha, you might not mind about death. Nor do I. But they do. They don`t share out beliefs.
(01:43:51) Vilthis says: Of course they could keep the treasure...
(01:44:12) Vilthis says: The material are of no concern to me...
(01:44:29) Jacula listens to Kaisa's words, his eyes growing dark under his hood as her faith is revealed.
(01:44:37) Vilthis says: Please...Criminals with conscience? Is this a jest?
(01:44:47) Vilthis grins
(01:45:02) Sulaika snaps for air and calms a bit down. Suddenly she feels a pain of wave inside her tummy and screams a bit, "Aaah." She presses her lips together and swallows, "S...sorry..." She tries to be quiet.
(01:45:27) Lace thinks a bit "mmm well materials aren`t the issue for me either ,,,I kind of promised to look after Sulaika so ,, I can`t let her be harmed"
(01:46:19) Jacula is about to stagger back as Sulaika screams. Yet instead he regains the strangehold 'This has gone on long enough' he grunts
(01:46:20) Vilthis loosens his grasp upon his appendage
(01:46:30) Vilthis says: Weaklings...
(01:46:39) Vilthis casually walks away from the scene...
(01:46:44) Vilthis says: "Do as you please"
(01:46:45) Lace looks vilthis "ah ...alright "
Kaisa had been half tempted to get the xacha back, force him to cough up his dark glyphs perhaps, but the other half of her was pleased to see the back of the morbid freak.
That left her and Jacula with their other three victims: the pregnant NAME, the nolthrir Mellas and the man Lace. They soon coughed up some loot...
(01:51:00) Jacula continues to hold Sulaika still as he stuffs the pocket of his robe full of her tria s well as a glypth
(01:51:38) Jacula sheats his sword as he places a hand on Sulaikas neck 'Do you know your way out of here.. Miss?'
(01:51:45) Kaisa says: Lady. Come with us. I don`t want the lizards getting you. Once we`re out, head to civilisation. And I`d choose your travelling companions better next time.
(01:51:52) Kaisa says: That xacha...
(01:52:05) Sulaika glances at Lace, "What about him?"
(01:52:10) Kaisa turns her head, lifts her handkerchief and spits
...and the two outlaws escorted the three hostages out of the caves - weapons at the ready in case Vilthis had prepared an ambush.
(02:03:55) Mellas sighs with relief when they return to the light of the azure sun, and looks Sulaika over for any wounds
(02:04:49) Lace looks sulaika and mellas "are you two alright ?"
(02:04:49) Jacula looks to Mellas and Suilaka 'We wouldent want you following us.. This wont hurt. Just remain still'
(02:04:58) Kaisa looks to Sulaika, "You take care...and for the gods` sake don`t go adventuring around in that state!"
(02:05:07) Sulaika glances at Mellas, "I guess I am alright..." She swallows and points at her throat, "is there anything Mellas?"
(02:05:57) Mellas nods to Lace and looks over Sulaika's throat. 'Nay, I don't see anything... should I?' she asks.
(02:05:57) Lace looks sulaika "i healed the wound at your throat so you should be fine "
(02:06:00) Jacula extends his hand and places it on Sulaikas shoulder, a bright flash of purple light eminates from it as azure magic infuses her body 'Sleep.. Relax'
(02:06:01) Sulaika frowns at Kaisa's words and nods slowly, wondering who this thiefs are."
(02:06:40) Sulaika falls asleep and lays down on the ground.
(02:06:52) Kaisa shakes her head, tired. "Let`s be out of here."
(02:06:56) Jacula walks up to support Sulaika and lays her to rest on the lush grass
(02:07:22) Mellas curiously looks at Jacula as he casts a familiar spell and reaches out for his hand. 'Thank you... ' she whispers.
(02:07:44) Jacula looks up at Mellas with a bright smile 'Care for her' he says as he squeezes her hand before following Kaisa
Once they were back in the Azure Sun's light, the two robbers split up, Kaisa heading for Oja, a beer and to think over the job...
[This was the third time we've run "X-marks" and decided that it may as well get posted on the forums this time since we learned quite a bit about those involved. It does, of course, make it difficult to run the event again...but we always have other schemes]